Devouring Monarch: Rebirth of the Profane Phoenix - Chapter 440

Chapter 440: Drakkur’s New General!

In the dangerous waters north of Drakkur, a beautiful woman with pale red hair stood on the deck of a destroyer currently engaged with a demon empire behemoth-class warship.

“Load the anti-magic shells! Form a defensive barrier to the port side!” Verena is wearing a leather tunic and pants tucked into her black boots, without resemblance to the spoilt princess from several months ago.

She looked like a swashbuckling pirate, her short red hair fluttering differently from her sister. It felt closer to rose pink. “Oi you damn fuckers! Don’t be holding back while the enemy is preparing to ram your arses!” Her words became foul, yet the knights serving on her ship didn’t look displeased; instead followed her orders.

“YES, MA’AM!” They shouted in unison, the defensive barrier forming, while a moment later, a dozen shells from the enemy behemoth-class ship created from the carcass of a Disaster-class Phantasm Behemoth from the Demon Empire.

Behind her destroyer was a mass of ships, a beautiful fleet of black and red ships with the Drakkur flag.

“Prepare to move full speed!” Her lovely yet deeper voice echoed. It seemed the second princess changed, now speaking with a hoarse, raspy voice. Maybe it was the salty air or her constant shouting of orders.

However, one thing was for certain as she placed both hands towards the enemy behemoth class, forming a blood barrier that stopped an enormous burst of black light.

“Assault one, push forward and encircle with Assault Two!” Verena no longer seemed to be the same, and her ability as the naval general seemed to have surpassed all who were shocked by her insisting on the job.

***

Meanwhile, watching the battle from Drakkur, the duchess and Verana sat in silence. Inside this special combat room were the four Nymphs that served Valerie and their various talented aides, who were shocked by the sight of the behemoth class sinking.

“How can this be? A disaster class monster used to form a ship didn’t cause any significant damage… Your Ladyship…” A grey-haired male in a black military uniform with countless medals looked shell-shocked as he turned to Valerie.

“Were you aware of princess Verena’s immense talent?” He continued while writing on his documents and notes. The grand general of the entire military found someone worthy enough to be trained to succeed him.

“I didn’t… Rather, this girl has never taken interest in such things. Yet… isn’t it wonderful?”

Valerie felt delighted; she loved both her daughters and, because of the annoyed elders, almost lost one of them because of their old laws and rules. ‘Is this because she fell for him too?’ The duchess mused while watching her youngest daughter in the black and red uniform, using the ancient bloodline magic of their family to protect mere soldiers, a powerful, undocumented magic.

‘I feel proud… that girl in the past would only use her magic to cause harm, no… She rejected this blood and chose to dabble in shadow magic instead.’

The duchess knew that if her daughter defeated the demon empire, it would mean the rise of a new hero and the birth of a new family member. It would remove all the negative stigma towards Verena and would serve for Asura to forgive her. What made her amazed was the use of her shadow ability…

‘She used to make dolls using corpses, yet now she’s made several dolls of herself and is commanding five ships… with a single mind.’

Verana watched her sister, the way she used magic that would be quite taxing to protect the lowest level of a soldier, the ship and the sails… It made her feel something that Verana never felt in the past.

That feeling was pride for her little sister.

“Mother, after this battle, can we have knights assigned to protect Verena? I believe we should leave all naval battles to her. Let’s make it a test and task for her full redemption and reinstatement as the heiress of the duchy.”

Verana spoke up while the others could only nod; they understood that this was a huge chance, and not only would Verena’s reputation change but that they have a commander capable of using her bloodline’s abilities to command a fleet in the name of Drakkur boost their morale, a true goddess of war.

“But Verana, what about you? Wouldn’t your sister take the glory?” Valerie asked with a curious expression towards her eldest daughter.

“Mother, I do not wish for the duchy, because I will marry into Asura’s family and become his wife. My sister, look at her face and how happy she is now. I want to support that smile, even if she was my enemy in the past.” Verana smiled softly, and the duchess sighed at her words.

“I see… That boy truly did help you girls and saved our duchy. What about the other two?”

The duchess wondered, asking the two senior aides who sat with them watching the battle, drinking a warm cup of tea.

“Her Grace has chosen to live a life the future Earl’s wife, and the second princess is currently working in the army as a strategist and an officer. Her skills are extraordinary, and her magic and talents have caused many to fear and worship her,” the male aide, the current head of the intelligence agency, explained.

“Indeed, the second princess is a terrifying woman. Many of the high-ranking officers used to avoid her, treating her desire to fight a joke. Now look at Lady Verena, and the low-ranking officers are happy to listen to her and follow her commands. She’s like a living god, and her ability to calculate a situation is frightening.”

‘I cannot believe my daughter, who used to make petty schemes, was so talented… No, if I think to her plans and abilities before. Maybe I was just too biased towards Verana and the clan laws….’

“Another ship was sunk! We’ve won!” A loud cry came from the screen as two destroyers from the demon empire sank, their white flags raised while the damage to the Drakkur fleet was a few cannon blasts. No deaths!

“As expected of a princess, it seems the enemy underestimated the Drakkur fleet because of her, though it will be hard from now on. Not bad. But, I believe we can trust the princess, your ladyship.” It seemed even the grand general was pleased with the second princess of Drakkur.

A dark-skinned man with an eyepatch, his left eye gone, while his grey hair and beard had signs of red in it. He was a man who fought in the old wars of the continent, a legendary hero.

“I understand… everyone, it seems the new generation is far greater than us. However, it is still dangerous, the Demon Empire and their stand in ruler are not someone to be taken lightly. That’s why I shall return to active duty and tutor the second princess in the art of war, both naval and on land!”

The man who spoke was a great hero who served during Valerie’s glory days, one of the few male vampires in high nobility who served the Drakkur family with his entire heart and soul.

Count Vladius Cromwell a son-in-law from the branch family.

***

Meanwhile, on the destroyer, Verena sat on the edge of the boat, her eyes gazing towards the demon empire. She looked different from usual.

The happy and cheerful act she put on now faded. Instead, in a small notepad, while the strong sea breeze blew through her hair, she jotted down her mistakes, the things she did wrong in this battle.

‘I could have done better, brother-in-law would praise me if I could improve more.’ Her hand continued to write, and after a long time, the black notebook closed.

“Prepare the anchors. We’re heading back.” Her hoarse, raspy voice echoed; the Drakkur Fleet was returning home. The battle was a victory for the navy and a wake-up call to the Demon Empire. ‘We didn’t even use the dwarven cannons… How could the enemy be so careless?’

Because of her past self who planned to overthrow the entire kingdom, using the empire’s prince Shang Luo and making him think they were going to marry each other. She was quite doubtful of everything, planning and analysing battles and actions to the limit. Therefore, she improved so fast as a commander and person who led troops.

This change resulted from Asura’s curse. His violent threat on that fateful day changed her to become a new woman. Now, her ability to analyse and see things causes her to know how to win. However, her current thoughts and feelings were complicated.

‘Will he ever forgive me? I… Have fallen in love with my sister’s future husband, and these dark feelings make me fear I might become a horrible woman one day.’

She was doing well, yet the voice in her mind continued to remind her that it was because of her brother-in-law that she had come this far. Verena knew that the Asura she met that day would have never saved her, and instead, she would have died a meaningless death, a traitor.

“Brother-in-law… Why am I so weak…” She muttered to herself, unaware that along with falling for Asura, she also began to adore her older sister; otherwise, she wouldn’t feel this guilt.

“Your highness.”

“Princess.”

Two voices called to her, one young and the other a middle-aged male.

The younger voice was a beautiful woman with black hair and crimson eyes, wearing a white dress. Her white skin and the elegant and noble air made her seem like a goddess.

“Sister? You… how did you get here?!” Verena turned her head, her crimson eyes looking at the girl. Her heart raced, worried that she might have done something wrong; Verena and Verana, because of their family’s laws, were enemies; Verena would replace Verana if she died, but if Verana lived… They would kill Verena.

Only one was supposed to live…

“You did amazing, Verena~ my cute sister I am so proud.” Verana’s arms hugged the smaller Verena with a warm embrace, shocking the stunned Verena.

‘Did I do something wrong? Is my sister coming to mock and laugh at me? Or is she here to scold and berate me for failing…’

“Verena… I was wrong for the past, but after my future husband saved you, I understood… You were special all along, sorry for treating you so badly, can you forgive your sister?”

The words shocked Verena. “It was a battle, and you did better than those old men who didn’t listen to you, so stop feeling guilty for a petty mistake. It shows how much you care about the troops.”

“Thank you, sister… I… I don’t know what to say.” Verena felt happy; she had always been alone, hated by her family, and only had her dolls and shadows as a lifeline.

“My lady, congratulations, though we must leave and head back to the port.” The old man with an eyepatch and grey hair gave a gentle smile, looking at his granddaughters.

“Uncle Vladius?” Verena felt shocked, as the uncle she had never met was in front of her.

“Hahaha, come let me listen to your thoughts on the battle as we head back. Your mother was very proud of you today, such a talented girl who used to play tricks on me in the garden… I am happy to see your growth.”

“Ah…” It was something Verena had always dreamt of being acknowledged. As crystal streams dripped from her eyes, her sister and uncle could only give wry smiles and wondered how that evil little girl became so cute.