Demonic Dragon: Harem System - Chapter 376

Chapter 376: War is imminent
The atmosphere in Albert’s living room was tense, the shadows of the night creeping in through the large windows. Strax, with his ironic posture and defiant gaze, stood firm in front of his father, who, as always, showed no emotion when he saw him.

Diana, on the other hand, stood in the background, watching what seemed to be the prelude to yet another confrontation between the two.

“How are you?” Strax said with a wry smile, crossing his arms. “We have a lot to discuss.”

Albert didn’t reply immediately, his eyes fixed on his son, as if measuring the weight of his words. Finally, he leaned forward slightly in his chair, his voice cold as ice: “You took your time. I thought you’d come faster, tell me you’ve got some good news, because around here, we’re just postponing the inevitable.”

Strax just arched an eyebrow, not budging an inch. “I figured that would be the case, so I’ve already started preparing. And no, I don’t have good news. In fact, I was hoping you’d give it to me, because apparently we’re doomed to destroy the Human Kingdom this way.” He paused, giving a short, bitter laugh. “By the way, how much time do we have?”

Diana sighed softly, “And we don’t know either, we’re just starting to reorganize our troops. I’ll call your brothers and sisters back…” Diana commented, “We’re also going to Vorah Academy to bring our army home… we’re in a war mood after all…” She said regretfully.

Albert remained impassive, although his attention turned to her. “Speak up, then. What happened to Xenovia?”

Strax gave his father a defiant look before answering. “I honestly don’t know the full details, but according to her, the Emperor ordered her to be arrested. The cell she was imprisoned in was made so she couldn’t escape… almost anti-magic.” Strax paused, letting the impact of the words hang in the air. “I faced Kryssia again but… now I don’t know if I can call her a general. Well, part of it is because Xenovia and Kryssia became friends but… I believe she betrayed the Emperor”

Albert’s face remained inexpressive. “I see, that makes sense” His voice still carried the characteristic coldness of a leader used to commanding. “She sent me a letter recently… so our interests align.”

Strax, although the sound was more bitter than amused, commented. “Traitor or not, she let us get away… I don’t think that in my fullest state I could deal with her… maybe now, but not that day.”

Albert waited for him to speak before continuing “You’ve gotten stronger, right?” He asked, already knowing the answer.

“Yes, but it’s still difficult to control so much strength” He admitted, after all, the amount of abilities he received when the Supreme System was installed was beyond reality, in addition to all the others he already had.

“I see… use the warehouse if you need tools for cultivation, I’ve already given you full permission.” Albert said, paused, pulling something from his desk with an impassive movement. “Here,” said Albert, handing Strax a letter. “This is the reason for my peace of mind. Kryssia wrote me this letter.”

Strax took the letter with a skeptical expression. He unfolded the paper with a slight laugh, more as a way of coping with the discomfort of the situation. “So she hasn’t been arrested or killed yet”

Albert didn’t react to his son’s mocking tone. “Read it, and you’ll see for yourself.”

The letter was short and to the point, with crisp, clear words and no room for ambiguity.

Strax read the letter in silence, his eyes scanning the words with a skeptical expression. When he had finished, he dropped it in front of him with a deep sigh. “I guess I’m not the only one who believes that the Emperor is no longer in control, father. He’s not the man everyone thought he was.”

Albert remained silent for a moment, before replying with imperturbable calm. “You may not believe Kryssia’s words, Strax, but what she has done is exactly what should be done. The Emperor is a traitor. And she… She never swore allegiance to him, but to the Empire. What she did was act according to her vision of what was necessary.”

Strax looked at Albert, unable to hide the surprise on his face. He wasn’t used to seeing his father so sure of his words, so firm in his convictions. But Strax didn’t give in. “So in the end, we all agree that the Emperor is acting strange… I don’t know if I think that’s a good thing or if it’s a prelude to an even bigger problem”

Diana, who until then had been silent, finally approached, placing one hand on Strax’s back and the other on Albert’s desk, trying to calm the situation. “We’re at a point of no return. We can’t waste any more time on internal disputes. What we need now is to unite our forces and prepare the Duchy for what comes next.”

Strax looked at Diana, then at Albert, his eyes now less defiant, but still charged with a palpable tension. “I know we can’t waste any time, I’m already organizing some troops of adventurers and members of my guild”

Albert looked at his son coolly, his expression imperturbable. “All right, we’ll do our best here. But be careful not to be betrayed by them. I can’t trust anyone these days…”

Silence overtook the room, with tension hanging in the air. Strax, Diana and Albert were at an impasse, each with their own vision of what was right and what would come next.

But deep down, they all knew: what happened from now on would define the fate not only of them, but of the entire Empire.

The tension in the room intensified. Albert looked at Strax with his impassive eyes, assessing his son as if trying to read his intentions. He knew Strax wasn’t one to hide anything, but neither was he one to reveal his plans without a clear reason.

“Do you have a bigger plan, Strax?” Albert asked, his voice still cold, as if he didn’t expect a satisfactory answer. “What are you up to as we prepare for a war?”

Strax shrugged, a wry smile on his face. “No, I don’t have anything major in mind. For now, I’ll just wait for Scarlet to arrive.”

Scarlet’s name made Albert’s eyes narrow, a slight curiosity appearing in his gaze. He knew that the Vampire Countess was a powerful figure full of mysteries, but he didn’t know what exactly she had to do with Strax’s plans.

“Scarlet? Why would she come here?” Albert asked, his voice now more inquisitive, but still cautious. “She’s on her own game, Strax, and doesn’t seem like the kind of person who would move just for friendship.”

Strax smiled almost contemptuously. “I married her three daughters. And then… I married her.” He paused, his amused tone contrasting with the gravity of the moment. “She must now be leaving the vampire kingdom to come to us. To join our cause.”

Albert couldn’t hide a slight movement of surprise. The idea of Strax marrying so many powerful women, including the Countess of Vampires herself, was not something he could easily imagine. But neither could he deny that this alliance could be useful. Scarlet was someone with great power and influence, and if she was coming to the Duchy, that could change the game.

“You have an impressive talent for making alliances, Strax,” Albert commented…

[Vampire Kingdom, Capital]

Inside the imposing stone castle of the Vampire Kingdom, a place marked by eternal darkness and the palpable presence of death. The wide, gloomy corridors resounded with the footsteps of Scarlet Vermilion, the Vampire Countess, who was walking towards the throne room. Her slender figure and blood-red eyes were imposing, and her posture displayed unwavering confidence.

Inside the room, Vlad Dracula Tapes, the Vampire King, watched his most loyal ally with a calculating gaze. He was an imposing figure, with long black hair and a dark cloak that seemed to absorb the surrounding light. His pale skin and red eyes gave him an aura of almost supernatural power. Around him, the atmosphere was charged with an almost tangible tension.

Scarlet stopped in front of Vlad, who sat on his throne, watching her with interest but without expressing any emotion. She didn’t need much to know what he was thinking, but her decision had already been made. She looked directly at him, her cold, decisive voice cutting through the silence that had filled the room.

“I’m off, old man, see you again,” said Scarlet without any respect for her king.

Vlad watched her for a long moment, his red eyes analyzing her as if trying to understand her motivations. He didn’t say anything immediately, but the silence that followed was charged with a palpable tension. Finally, he spoke, his voice deep and full of authority.

“When I saw that boy, I thought something like this would happen… how crazy of you to fall in love!” he said, shrugging. “Whatever, you can go.”

“That… easy?” Scarlet questioned.

“Could I stop you?” Vlad said.

“Certainly not.”

“Then get going, I have important things to do!” He said commandingly, with a smile…