chapter 61: Black Jade City Mutation (VII)

“…What’s with the thousand-millimeter heavy cannon you mentioned?”

After crossing a block and pausing to scan the situation, I thought for a moment and asked Norsen.

I hadn’t paid much attention earlier, but now… a thousand-millimeter cannon? That’s a one-meter caliber! Such a massive thing exists… Clearly, it’s a key part of Black Obsidian’s defense system, and its firing means the threat is dangerously close.

“…Black Obsidian’s frontline has four thousand-millimeter cannons as fire support points. Their firing means the enemy army is less than forty kilometers from the city!”

Norsen paused, surprised by my question, but explained.

“…Less than forty kilometers?”

I froze, sinking into thought.

Walking speed is about seven to eight kilometers per hour, but for an enemy army’s rapid assault, fifteen kilometers an hour is standard—

Meaning, without obstacles, their forces could reach Black Obsidian in under two to three hours.

“Damn it.”

I muttered, just as a commotion erupted ahead.

“Take cover!”

Norsen noticed it too, urgently signaling his team. The six of us pressed against a wall, tensely peering forward.

Over a hundred blood zombies rushed past, followed by a swordsman in black-red armor strolling behind them.

He looked like an elegant nobleman, but his blood-red eyes and pointed ears marked him as a vampire—

His right hand held a longsword, while his left dragged a heavily armored woman down the street, like a hunter flaunting his prey.

From a distance, I couldn’t see her clearly, but her brilliant golden hair spilled out after her helmet was knocked off, revealing a beautiful profile. Her weakly struggling legs showed she was still alive.

“…A vampire!”

I instantly recognized his kind, but then I sensed something off beside me.

Turning, I saw Norsen and the other four soldiers radiating anger, shock, and fear—

“That’s… Captain Kriss! How…?”

Norsen stammered, gripping his sword, looking ready to charge and save the woman being dragged like a trophy.

I quickly grabbed him.

“Are you insane?! That vampire’s at least Radiant Gold rank! Our six Bronze ranks wouldn’t even be a snack for those zombies!”

“…”

I hissed at the heavy-armored soldiers, keeping my voice low, warning them.

Clearly, the woman was a high-ranking city guard captain, likely at Forged Silver rank. Yet she was being dragged like a rabbit, meaning the vampire was either luring others to attempt a rescue or planning to drag her to some dark corner to “enjoy” her.

By “enjoy,” I mean complete violation and draining her blood… If the poor captain was unlucky, she might even be turned into a blood slave or thrall, eternally bound to that vampire.

It’s not impossible—I know the dark desires of men. Some nobles love breaking strong, capable women, and this captain, both beautiful and likely resilient, was a prime target.

But no matter how strong, against such a rank gap, her fate was to be ravaged until death—or worse, denied even that release.