After choosing to leave, they regretted it.

If she hadn't been quick enough, it's hard to say whether she would have really turned into a magical girl.

In short, after all this trouble, Aize once again strengthened his determination to use Alicia's transformation ability with caution.

His original plan of having her transform into a dragon and take him to the destination quickly was temporarily abandoned.

The two of them continued forward in human form.

As we got closer to our destination, the street scenery changed.

The ominous black fog floating in the air became thicker and thicker.

The sunlight was so weak that it felt like it was actually night.

The terrifying roars, restless collisions, and scratching sounds from the surrounding buildings became more frequent and intensive.

This is a residential area in the royal capital.

In the generally wealthy capital, it is a relatively poor area.

Due to proper management, it has not developed into a real slum.

But before the disaster broke out, the number of residents here still far exceeded the normal carrying capacity.

Therefore, when the blood plague raged throughout the royal capital, this place was the first to collapse.

Almost all the residents were converted into blood slaves.

Because of this, the eternal night in this area has almost taken shape.

Fortunately, it is a sunny day today and it is noon now, so the sunlight can still play a role.

If it is a rainy day, the situation will be unimaginable.

All in all, they arrived at their destination fairly smoothly—a magic workshop in the center of the city.

Before the disaster broke out, it was owned by the Chamber of Commerce, which was conducting some civilian research and manufacturing, and also served as a magic props mall, so it was not small in scale.

It has two floors and a basement, and the area of each floor is as large as a supermarket.

As a workshop, the windows are very small, and the internal environment is complex, making it an ideal place for blood slaves to live.

And this is indeed the case.

The two of them just standing at the door excited the monsters inside.

A large group of twisted blood slaves rushed to the entrance, stretched out their claws towards the two people, and quickly retracted them after touching the sunlight.

Wait for it to heal itself and then stretch it out again.

I don’t know whether it’s scary, sad or funny.

Alicia, on the other hand, did not have these feelings.

Naturally, she couldn't wait to get rid of these blood-sucking monsters that were so reckless and pressed so close to Aize.

As if afraid of scratching him.

He asked impatiently:

"What should we do? Do it?"

Aize nodded and drew his sword from his waist:

"Go ahead and set them free."

"understand!"

Like a flash of pink lightning, Alicia rushed towards the monster without fear.

Despite being restricted from fully transforming, the tentacles can still be used.

Several flying tentacles surrounded its body, like a violent storm, easily crushing any monster that tried to approach.

In an instant, blood and flesh flew everywhere in the dim workshop.

The fresh fishy smell is enough to choke people and make people pinch their noses.

After Alicia broke through the blood slaves piled up at the door, Aize also walked into the store and started fighting.

Although he was not as brutal as Alicia, he was able to deal with these things with only the swordsmanship he had learned with great effort.

One after another, the fish that escaped from Alicia's side were easily chopped off the head and pierced through the chest by Aze, and then died on the ground.

Dozens of blood slaves hiding in this building were wiped out in the blink of an eye.

Aize picked up a few pieces of paper from the shelf nearby, wiped the blood off his weapon, and then put it back on his waist.

Alicia rushed up the stairs with unstoppable force, determined to kill all possible enemies that might be hiding.

Aize sighed softly, ignored her, and walked straight underground.

If this kind of workshop open to the public really has some shameful content, it can only be done underground.

For research and production purposes, the underground area is divided into many small rooms.

Most of it was used to produce routine items like potions, and the equipment was so old that there was no need to even waste time checking it.

The only thing of value is a research room.

The owner of the room left in a hurry - or died in a hurry, with a large number of documents thrown on the ground and even a safe left open.

Aize didn't hesitate and immediately started to look through the contents.

The more he looked, the more his brows furrowed.

"These bastards actually used Firth Grass to make medicine—"

Firth grass is a plant in this world. The extract of its juice has the effect of promoting the circulation of magic power.

Side effects include strong addiction and hallucinogenicity.

Just think about what the medicine made from this thing is used for.

"Things banned by the Kingdom are actually being produced and circulated in the capital. Heidi, oh Heidi, you really are..."

But unfortunately, although it is a serious crime, it should have nothing to do with the tragedy happening in the royal capital.

Let’s look at something else.

Aize continued to look through the papers.

And at this moment, a figure suddenly appeared at the bottom of the stairs.

He walked down each step silently.

Passing through the corridors like a ghost.

Finally, I arrived at the door of the room where Aize was.

He walked in silently and extended his hand to Aize who had his back to him.

Then--

The moment he was about to make contact, a shining sword was placed on the opponent's neck.

"There are so many people who like to stand behind me lately. Aren't they afraid of getting stabbed?"

Aize, holding a sword in one hand but still keeping his eyes on the documents on the table, said this with a hint of sarcasm.

Then he turned around and faced the other person, wanting to see the other person's true face.

The moment their eyes met, Aize was stunned.

The other party was a young, blonde woman in her twenties with a pretty face.

What is most eye-catching is her blood-red eyes.

"Are you... a vampire?"

"Yes."

The girl nodded.

"I am a high-ranking vampire, a subordinate and dependent of Lady Charlotte Elizabeth. I am currently conducting an investigation in the capital under orders. I have long heard of your great name, Lady Aize."

Even with a sword at his neck, the other party still saluted politely.

Charlotte did mention that she brought some vampires to the capital, and there seemed to be no problem.

Aize nodded and put down his sword.

"What are you doing here?"

"I was originally in this area observing the situation in Yongye, and then I saw you and the maid. Lord Aize has a good relationship with my master, and I was wondering if there is anything I can do to help?"

"No, just go ahead and do your thing. I'm just here to investigate some things. I'll leave when I'm done. No need to bother."

After saying that, he turned around and continued to look through the contents on the table.

Upon hearing this, the vampire female nodded obediently.

"I understand. I'll leave now."

"Well, let's go."

But despite saying this, she didn't move.

He even stared at Aize with strange eyes, then raised one of his hands.

Bright red liquid oozed out from all parts of the snow-white skin and quickly gathered at the fingertips, turning into the shape of sharp claws.

Blood manipulation is a basic ability of vampires, just like eating and drinking water for humans.

Raising the scarlet claws, the girl stabbed Aize in the back of the heart.

In an instant, blood splattered everywhere - no wonder.

"……What?"

In the instant before the blow was about to hit him, Aize suddenly turned around and used the book in his hand to block the fatal stab in the back.

The pages of the book fluttered, blurring the other person's vision.

Taking advantage of this opportunity, Aize drew his sword without hesitation and cut off the opponent's hand in one fell swoop.

He turned around again, backhanded, and stabbed the opponent's body with a fierce sword, pinning her directly to the wall.

The offense and defense were reversed in an instant, and the outcome was decided.

"You...Puha——"

The vampire female wanted to say something, but as soon as she opened her mouth, she spat out large mouthfuls of blood.

"How could you...how could you...cough cough——"

"How do I know your identity? Well, first of all, you're so much slower than me. Even if I hadn't guessed, you wouldn't have been able to hit me."

Aize spread his hands and said this with a sarcastic look on his face.

"As for your identity, that's even simpler. Charlotte is the next True Ancestor of the Blood Clan. The subordinates she leads on secret missions must be the elite of the elite. With your skills, how dare you call yourself one of hers!"

The vampires are one of the few races that truly cultivate both physical and magical skills, and the gap between their upper and lower limits is extremely large.

The elite vampires are one of the enemies that Aize least wants to encounter on the battlefield, and their individual strength is extremely terrifying.

This kind of scum who has no sense of oppression is not considered a big deal among the vampires, so he is naturally lying.

Alicia, who heard the noise, also rushed over.

Looking at the scene in the room, he was surprised at first, and then became furious when he realized what had happened.

He stretched out his tentacles and tried to crush the guy.

Of course, Aize held him down.

After all, the intelligence hasn't been fully extracted yet, so how can we kill him so casually?

"Then it's time for me to ask questions."

Aize paced in front of the woman.

As always, he put on the standard interrogation look that never failed him: brutality and ease.

"I haven't heard of any other vampires in this city besides Charlotte. Who are you from? And how did you know I was coming here?!"