Rise of the Lustful Evil Monarch (Re)

Third Person's POV

His normally crimson irises darkened into an intense blood-red hue that started matching Virelle's own vampiric eyes.

Sharp, prominent fangs extended from his incisors and completed the transformation.

The pain faded but the changes remained and didn't vanish.

Ethan reached up and ran his fingers along his face and his teeth which he found as pinty and sharp.

Ethan felt it was too unreal for a moment as the transformation was absolute.

Virelle's expression was difficult to read but Velcy's was one of pure fascination.

"Is there something wrong with my face?" Ethan asked wryly though he already knew the rough answer.

The Duchess chuckled and retrieved a mirror from her spatial ring as she held it up for him to see.

Ethan's reflection greeted him but it was different now.

He looked every bit the part of a noble vampire.

His white fangs gleamed in the dim light and his eyes held an unmistakable predatory glow.

"Don't worry," the Duchess reassured him.

"Even though you now appear as a vampire, you won't need to drink blood and you can function as you always have. Furthermore…"

She reached out and pressed her fingers lightly against the bracelet.

Immediately, a blood-red pulse retreated from Ethan's body and flowed back into the metal. Within seconds, his appearance returned to normal.

He marveled at the ease of the transformation and was unable to suppress his admiration.

"Now that I have fulfilled my promise," the Duchess continued, "it is time for you three to begin your journey."

She clapped her hands and from the nearby stable, a dark carriage emerged, pulled by spectral horses with glowing red eyes.

The driver was a gaunt old man with thin slit-like red eyes. He handled the reins with eerie precision as the carriage rolled to a stop before them.

The three of them exchanged comical expressions.

Especially Ethan, who had been convinced that Altheria would personally escort them to the Infernal Citadel.

But now, seeing the carriage before him, his expectations crumbled.

Had they misinterpreted her offer of help?

As if reading his thoughts, the Duchess wagged her shadowy index finger in front of them and her voice carried a note of amusement.

"Did you truly believe I would personally escort you to the Demon Academy?" she teased.

"If that's what you thought, then you are sorely mistaken. This journey will serve as a trial and is a test I have arranged for you, little Ethan."

Ethan groaned inwardly but she wasn't finished.

"And don't look so put out," she added while grinning with glee.

"This is also an opportunity for you. As your future headmistress, I suggest you ask Virelle about my… reputation at the academy."

At this, Virelle paled slightly while Ethan and Velcy both looked at her with curiosity.

The Duchess only laughed smugly.

Ethan's face twitched in irritation as a thought raced across his head.

This little midget… Always pretending to be a wise, mature woman. I know your true nature. I have seen it firsthand.

Velcy was still trying to make sense of the situation and glanced between them with a bewildered gaze.

Clearly, she had not yet grasped Ethan and Virelle's disappointment.

With a resigned sigh, Ethan turned his attention back to the carriage. It seemed their journey would not be as simple as he had hoped.

"Ohh, I forgot to ask. What did you three hunt today?" the Duchess asked, her voice laced with curiosity.

The three exchanged glances, knowing she was in for a surprise.

Without a word, they retrieved the basilisk's massive body and its decapitated head and placed them before her.

The gruesome sight was enough to make even the Duchess pause.

However, Ethan refrained from showing her the flask containing the Silvershroud Essence which preserved the condensed energy from the mutated core of the Dreadstone Basilisk.

"Wow, what a rare find! A Dreadstone Basilisk? Is this one from that guy's clan?"

Altheria mused as she inspected the body with a knowing glint in her shadowed eyes.

"How did you three manage to take it down?"

Ethan narrowed his eyes slightly. Her words suggested she was familiar with the creature's origins.

Still, he answered truthfully and explained that they hadn't actively hunted it but rather slain it in self-defense when it attacked them.

"Hmm... In that case, I'm relieved. I won't have to listen to that guy's complaints if this one attacked you first."

Her words only deepened Ethan's suspicions. Who exactly was 'that guy'?

He wanted to ask but decided against it.

Instead, he nodded and stored the basilisk's remains inside his spatial ring.

He turned to head inside the castle to retrieve his belongings but was stopped by Altheria as she handed him a small silver ring.

"You don't need to go back inside. I have already packed everything for you in this spatial ring. Now off you go."

Ethan's expression twisted into one of pure disbelief.

He took the ring hesitantly and was already regretting about the whatever 'surprises' the Duchess might have packed for him.

Nevertheless, he bowed in gratitude and stepped toward the carriage.

The Duchess waved her hand in farewell with her voice carrying a teasing lilt.

"See you three at the Infernal Citadel. Good luck and don't be late!"

As the carriage began moving, the spectral horses neighed and their ghostly blue flames flickered as they led the way. Stay updated with My Virtual Library Empire

They entered a tunnel hidden beneath the castle and were soon enveloped in darkness. Ethan glanced out of the window but there was nothing but pitch-black stone surrounding them.

The black carriage, however, moved without trouble. The hooves of the spectral horses left glowing blue imprints on the tunnel floor as they trotted forward.

Though the tunnel sloped downward, the ride remained smooth as if the carriage itself adjusted for the angle.

Inside, however, Velcy and Virelle were marveling at their surroundings. Unlike its mundane appearance on the outside, the interior of the carriage was luxurious.

A small chandelier hung from the ceiling as its enchanted crystals emitted a warm golden glow.