Magic Industrial Age.

Chapter 539, Section 537: Setting Off (Please Subscribe)
Blood Moon Forest demiplane

Inside the castle, in the luxurious banquet hall, a grand banquet is being held.

To the accompaniment of melodious and cheerful music, men and women dressed in finery are dancing gracefully.

Upon closer inspection, one could see that the dancers all displayed immense terror in their eyes, and their bodies trembled uncontrollably.

But they were also like puppets on strings, their movements precise and their manners elegant, not daring to make the slightest mistake.

As the banquet reached its climax, those pale-faced, elegant nobles all bared their fangs and bit their dance partners' necks viciously.
Their eyes were bloodshot, blood was flowing from the corners of their mouths, and their eyes were full of intoxication and enjoyment.

Without a doubt, this was a grand vampire feeding party.

second floor,

The private room with the most open view was furnished with three luxurious high-backed chairs.

The chair back, reaching all the way to the roof, seemed to symbolize power.

At this moment, three humanoid creatures were sitting on the chairs, leisurely watching the scene below, as if they were watching a good show.

Seated in the very center was none other than the master of this place, Grand Duke Alessandro Kec Torido.

The wine glass in his hand was filled with bright red blood, and as he unconsciously shook it, ripples of blood spread out.

To his left was another gentlemanly old man, only much older, with a hunched back and deep wrinkles on his face.

It's the kind of wrinkle that can trap a mosquito!
His fingernails were long and curved like hooks;
His lips were very red, as if stained with fresh blood;

His eyes were cloudy, and the years he had lived were etched on his face.

Anyone who sees him can sense his decay and antiquity, like rotten wood buried underground for countless years.

Even by the standards of vampire lifespan, this one is immeasurably old.

Nathaniel Ramsay Bruch, Grand Duke of the Bruch clan of the Camarilla, is a living fossil.

Meeting the gaze of Grand Duke Toledo, he let out a hoarse laugh: "This is the sixth banquet this month, isn't it?"

"Alessandro, if this continues, I'm afraid you won't have enough innocent girls to keep."

Grand Duke Toledo chuckled: "That's my business. Grand Duke Bruch doesn't need to worry about me. You can just stay here peacefully."

"Of course I don't care. I'm just worried about you. There's a saying among humans: 'It's only a thousand days to catch a thief, but not a thousand days to guard against one.'"

Aren't you tired doing this?

Grand Duke Toledo's eyes suddenly brightened: "It means His Majesty Bruch is willing to lend me a hand."

We went straight for the traitor in the Karen family and wiped out these vegetarian vampires!

Grand Duke Bruch gave an awkward laugh: "Then forget it. Edward from the Cullen family is just a junior; I don't mind."
But I've heard they've gotten involved with the human race. That kid who can kill legends, I don't want to face him.

And that doesn't even mention the ancient red dragon that lived even longer than me.

Grand Duke Toledo's expression changed drastically: "If that's the case, why are you still bringing it up?"

"I can help you find someone!"

"What do you mean?"

“We are not strong enough, but if you are willing, I can help you arrange five or six more legends.”

"When the time comes, we can join forces and even wipe out Flower Territory."

Grand Duke Toledo seemed momentarily tempted: "Then tell me, what do I have to give in return?"

"The price you pay for hiring me is at most five or six times higher, which isn't much."

"Then forget it, I can't afford it." Grand Duke Toredo's face twitched as he decisively refused.
"Are you really not going to reconsider?"

Grand Duke Toledo had completely calmed down by this point: "Let's forget about it. Even if we could manage to do it, let alone whether it's possible,..."

"Those cardinals at the Vatican will go crazy too!"

“You can just pack up and leave, but I have to face the Pope’s wrath.”

Knowing that Grand Duke Toridor had already realized what was going on, the old vampire shook his head with regret, but still added, "In that case, let me make this clear first."

If a legend truly arrives, I will only shield you from one; if circumstances become unavoidable, I will leave immediately.

He said this with complete confidence, showing no sign that deserting in the face of battle was a shameful act.

Grand Duke Toledo didn't see anything wrong with it, but another legend on the right couldn't help but sneer: "The deserter, indeed lives up to his name!"

Indeed, Grand Duke Nathaniel Ramsay Bruch's nickname is "The Runaway," as he has deserted from battle on more than one occasion during crucial vampire wars.

Therefore, although he lived a long life, it was not because of his strength, but because he was fast.

Faced with the ridicule, he showed no anger whatsoever, and even bowed slightly: "Thank you for the compliment, I have always been proud to have this title."

It was like punching cotton; the legendary, towering man's face stiffened.

He suddenly turned his head and looked at Grand Duke Toledo: "Your Majesty Alessandro, is this the kind of helper you've found? Can he really be of any use?"

Before Torid could speak loudly, the old vampire said quietly, "No matter how despicable I may be, I have never betrayed my race."

There is a place like you, His Majesty Stanislav Sak, traitor to the Dark Werewolves, Bloodthirsty One, Werewolf Slayer, Believer of the Moon Goddess, Convert of the Lord of Light…”

Grand Duke Bruch spoke softly and slowly, yet with each word he uttered, the burly man's face grew increasingly grim.

The Dark Werewolf hates silverware, yet this guy uses silverware to drink.

At this moment, the wine glass was already twisted into a pretzel shape in his hand, but because he was bad at words, he could not refute it.

When he could no longer hold back, he suddenly stood up, his fierce and evil aura rising in the void, pressing down on all the vampires below, who lay prostrate on the ground, too afraid to move.

However, being a fellow vampire, the old vampire was truly fearless; his face drooped, and a cold smile appeared on his lips.

"I'm not afraid of you! Go ahead and make your move if you dare!"

"you wanna die!"

The burly man was about to make his move when silver-white hair sprouted from his thick arms, transforming them into wolf claws.

Just as Grand Duke Bruch had adopted a defensive stance, a person appeared between them, separating the two who were on the verge of exchanging blows.

"This is the Blood Moon Forest, my territory. You are my guests, so please give me some face and leave!"

“Alessandro, you…”

"I said, let's disperse!"

"Humph!"

The aged vampire snorted coldly, took a step back, and then completely transformed into countless bats, flying away from the place.

The burly man with the iron tower still seemed unconvinced and said, "Alessandro, I'm putting my words here, just you wait and see!"
If a foreign enemy were to attack, this old man would run faster than anyone else.

"You can't rely on him at all!"

After speaking, he turned and left, his body swaying as if springs were installed under his feet, disappearing in a few steps.

The departure of these two legends eased the atmosphere in the banquet hall. Grand Duke Toledo took two steps forward and looked down from his vantage point.

"The banquet is over, everyone can leave now!"

As soon as he spoke, all the vampires scattered in all directions, and all that could be seen were countless bats flying around, running away at top speed.

After all the vampires had left, Grand Duke Torid descended the stairs and walked along the dark alleyway deeper into the castle. Oil lamps burned along both sides of the alley, illuminating only a small area and casting large shadows.

His steps were not fast, but his figure shifted between light and shadow, seemingly disappearing and reappearing, appearing and disappearing again.

He maintained this extremely strange manner, avoiding the castle's magical traps and barriers, as if walking in another dimension, until he entered an unfamiliar area.

Here, it feels as if one is in a state of chaos, surrounded by a hazy mist that obscures everything.

Only a straight staircase stretched out from the chaos to the end, where a ghostly green flame burned in the void, dispelling the mist.

It can be seen that this is an ancient altar.

The square platform, cast from unknown stone, is bare and empty, yet just one glance from it exudes an aura of timelessness.

Grand Duke Toledo walked step by step up to the altar. He stood there, hesitating for a long, long time…

Finally, a stone coffin was dragged out of the dimensional bag.

He placed the stone coffin in the center of the altar, then took out a bucket of fresh virgin blood and poured it onto the coffin, ladle by ladle.

It can be seen that he was still hesitant at first, and seemed somewhat unwilling, but in the end, he made up his mind and his movements became more and more skillful.

As he poured the water, a faint mist of blood began to rise from the ancient altar, making it appear both wild and bloody.

In the silent space, a faint, sinister voice murmured: "Who can be trusted?"

"Heh, you can't rely on anyone!"

"Did you not know that your willingness to come was also for my demiplane?"

"I'm just afraid I'll disappoint you. Even if I sacrifice it, I won't give it to you."

"Of course, before that, all my enemies deserve to die!"

……

Flower collar,
Mage Tower, Magic Plant Cultivation Room.

Loy was watering the Dragonblood Silver Fir tree with a specially made potion. The potion, which contained Isis's Spring of Wine, was extremely effective. In a short time, the magical plant became exceptionally lush, bursting with vitality.

However, look at its branches and leaves; they haven't become thicker and taller, but rather shorter by three-tenths of an inch.

This is also one of the characteristics of the Dragon Blood Cathaya: the older it is, the more concentrated it is.

Unlike other ancient trees that seem to block out the sky, its mystical qualities are undeniable.

Putting everything else aside, any branch cut from this tree would be an excellent choice for crafting a top-quality magic wand.

Of course, while Luo Yi was watering it, she still held the 'Azure Divine Seed' in her left hand, with a continuous stream of battle qi flowing into it.

A flash of lightning appeared behind him, and Oliveira said, "Your Excellency, everything is ready over there, just waiting for you to come forward."

Luo Yi nodded slightly, raised her hand, and her fighting spirit surged suddenly, then quickly gathered and poured into the Azure Divine Seed.

This was the last mark left; having done all that, he tossed it aside gently.

So the seed landed on the Dragonblood Silver Fir tree, but instead of colliding with it, it blended into it like a phantom.

At this moment, Luo Yi's senses extended, as if she had entered another unique body.

He has no hands or feet, but he has roots and branches.

He no longer uses his eyes to see the outside world, but rather senses his surroundings through a certain rhythm.

He could feel the rich vitality within his body, like a surging river, but this was not the end; it was growing at an even faster pace.

The fourteenth secret sacred technique, [Azure Divine Wood], is complete!

However, Luo Yi didn't have much time to waste. After a brief moment of reflection, he exited this state.

He nodded to Oliveira and said, "Let's go."

With that, he turned and left first, with Oliveira following closely behind. As soon as they left the room, the Dragonblood Silver Fir suddenly began to move.

The branches swayed and the body twisted, as if stretching its muscles and bones, or as if... dancing!
……

East of the city, military camp.

A stone gate made of piled stones stands in the center of the square, covered with various magical patterns that extend from the stone to the ground.

Upon closer inspection, the entire vast plaza floor is covered with numerous magical runes, forming a six-pointed star shape. The intricate runes are so complex that even a single one can be overwhelming.

The square was surrounded by soldiers of the Imperial Guard.

They were fully armed, carrying Garand semi-automatic rifles, wearing helmets, and carrying packs and ammunition.

They also carried grenades, pistols, and triangular sabers on their waists.

They stood ramrod straight, like towering pine trees, their eyes fixed straight ahead, displaying the might and power of soldiers to the fullest extent.

Behind them were second-generation land warfare kings, various field guns dragged along by heavy armor, large quantities of supplies, and transport and maintenance brigades.
Further on, you can even see rows of magical flying vehicles, with pilots trained by the Flower Clan standing next to them.

Of course, they naturally left a passage, not too wide, but wide enough for a carriage to pass through.

And so, amidst the clatter of hooves, the magical chariot pulled by four warhorses slowly moved forward, until it reached the stone gate, under the fervent gazes of countless soldiers.

The car door opened, and Luo Yi stepped out. He treaded in the air, and although he did not unleash any battle aura, he was able to hover in the air.

His gaze swept across the room, looking down at each soldier as if trying to memorize every single one of them.

After looking around, he finally spoke, his loud voice echoing throughout the military camp.

"Your superiors have already said what needs to be said, so I won't repeat myself."

"I only want to emphasize one thing to you: no matter how difficult the battle, no matter how powerful the enemy,

I, Loy Raymond, the great Lion King, will always be with you!

The speech was brief, but it had a sensational effect. Tens of thousands of imperial soldiers raised their weapons and shouted in unison!
"King of the Lions! King of the Lions! King of the Lions!"

As Luo Yi felt the overwhelming power of faith wash over her, [Lion King] was activated, and an invisible force spread outward, enveloping all the soldiers.

Thus, boundless courage grew in their hearts, enabling them to face the most terrifying enemies.

Luo Yi clenched his fist, and his voice vanished, leaving only the command: "Let's go to war!"

Thus, the massive magic circle was activated, and a fragment of the blood moon floated in the center of the stone gate.

Under the command of Grand Duke Karen, numerous vampires provided abundant magical power.

Then, the fragments of the blood moon scattered and transformed into a bright moon, shining as if a crack had opened in the void, eventually spreading to the entire stone gate.

In a daze, the stone gate stabilized, and through the stone gate, one could see a forest full of trees.

So, a magic tank was the first to drive out, and under the protection of the activated diamond-shaped magic shield, it disappeared into the stone gate.

Then came the second, the third, the fourth...

Ten tanks charged in, followed by vampires from the Karen family. After a short while, bats emerged, chirping and buzzing, signaling that a safe zone had been established.

As a result, the Imperial Guard began to enter in large numbers.

The battle for control of a demiplane has begun!
P.S.: Although this is the second update, I still wrote over 8,000 words today. I finished it in one go, so I guess I did my best.

(End of this chapter)