Chapter 39: Let’s start fighting!

The closer Cynthia drew to the Central Purification Center, the heavier the Blood Crown’s pressure weighed on her.
Even with the Blood Demon’s protection, her steps grew labored.

Fortunately, the one wielding the Crown’s power seemed unskilled, leaving Cynthia’s strength mostly intact.
But the Blood Demon’s warning rang true—delay would tip the scales against them.

“Ugh… what’s this place?”

Ina clung to Cynthia’s cloak, shivering.
“It’s suffocating…”

“Same…”

Lorena’s voice trembled, oppressed by an evil aura.

Cynthia stayed silent, hastening forward until the Center’s entrance loomed, shrouded in red mist—blood mist.
The stench of blood hit even Ina and Lorena.

They realized where the adventurers’ blood had gone.

Cynthia sensed more.
Adventurer blood alone couldn’t fuel the Blood Crown.
Damus hadn’t taken those orc children as hostages—they were fuel for the Crown.

“Monsters…”

Cynthia’s eyes narrowed, rage simmering.
She stowed her red spear, deciding concealment was pointless.

“Yulandel!”

With a soft call, her magic sickle materialized.
Her gray disguise faded, revealing white hair and red eyes—the Blood Princess.

“Senior… you…”

Lorena gaped, stunned.
“…Vampire?”

Cynthia sighed.
“Gonna smite me for the Church?”

“No, no! I’m not Church!”

Lorena’s panic was palpable.

Cynthia raised a brow.
“Noticed those undead clergy were your friends, huh?”

“…Yeah.”

Lorena’s fists clenched, then relaxed.
“Since you know… what’ll you do with me?”

She braced to become Cynthia’s prey.

“Do? We share the same enemy.”

Cynthia was baffled by the question.
Why settle scores now, with the real threat ahead?

“Explain to Ina, not me. She’s shocked by your identity.”

Both turned to Ina, whose face screamed, You’re Church?!

“Miss Ina…”

Lorena nearly blurted, You’re one to talk! but caught herself.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to deceive you!”

Ina’s heart raced.
Cynthia hadn’t reacted to Lorena’s Church ties.
Should I confess too?

Before she could, Cynthia cut in.
“Save it for later. Focus on what’s ahead.”

Ina gripped her staff, nodding.
“Right, let’s deal with this first.”

Stepping into the blood-mist-filled purification center, a manic voice greeted them.

“Welcome… friends… I’ve waited so long…”

Before a pulsing bloodstone stood a blond man, eyes pure red, his warm smile chilling.

“Barov… Bishop…”

Lorena froze.
“You did this?”

“Ah, Lorena… my sweet knight… you’ve followed God’s guidance…”

Barov’s smile widened.
“Your seniors sent you to the gate to protect you…”

“Seniors? What did you do?!”

“Hehe… they’re fine… God’s warriors now…”

Armored Paladins emerged from behind the bloodstone—Lorena’s seniors, once gate guards.
Their gazes, once warm, now bled tyrannical red.

“…Let them teach you one last lesson before you join them…”

Barov cackled, raising his hands.
The bloodstone flared, and the Paladins’ eyes glowed red.

“Don’t fall for it—they can be saved.”

Cynthia, attuned as a vampire, sensed the Paladins hadn’t fully lost their minds, merely puppets of Barov’s bloodstone.

“Ina, I know you hate Paladins, but don’t kill them.”

She didn’t care for Paladins, but these were innocent.
Her vengeance spared the blameless—unless they stood in her way.

“I’ll handle the bishop.”

“Oh… I overlooked you, honored guest…”

Barov’s gaze shifted to Cynthia.
“Dear vampire…”

“Enough talk!”

Cynthia flashed forward, Yulandel in hand, weaving through the Paladins to slash at Barov.

Against such filth, mercy was wasted.
“Save it for your next life!”

The vanished goat-headed creature—Luofengte—left Cynthia wary.
She’d sensed no movement, yet it was gone.

“Talking about the red light?”

Ina, joining her, had only seen a glow.

“A true monster,” Cynthia said, checking on Lorena, who steeled herself despite tears.

They rested briefly at Cynthia’s insistence, Ina clinging to her for comfort, Lorena grieving silently.
The Blood Demon’s warning echoed—time was short.

In the Center, the bloodstone and Barov confirmed their fears.
The orc children’s blood, not just adventurers’, powered the Crown.

Cynthia’s transformation shocked Lorena, but their shared enemy kept tensions at bay.
Ina, wrestling with her own secret, held back as Cynthia urged focus.

Now, facing Barov and his corrupted Paladins, Cynthia struck, aiming to end the threat swiftly before the Blood Crown consumed them all.