---- 423.


    THE ROYAL INSPECTOR NARRATOR Around a hundred men advanced, armed and ready to fightto wage war until the bitter end...


    An end that came far too soon.


    Ovidios eyes gleamed with greed as he saw the enormous.


    reinforced gates swing open.


    But his expression quickly twisted into shock and panic when he realized what awaited on the other side The dreaded cavalry charge.


    A wall of riders galloped toward them, their faces murderous, and at the head of the charge, gripping a blood-drenched sword in his gloved hand, was the ruthless, heartless Butcher Duke of Everhart.


    Behind him, the city burned in mes, still reeling from the battle against Thesios rebellious forces.


    But Ovidio was a leader, too.


    After his initial shock, he quickly assessed the battlefieldElliot had fewer men than him.


    "Fight bravely! Hold the line! Do not retreat!" he shouted, puffing out his chest, trying to rally his frightened soldiers.


    But as he nced over his shoulderhis blood turned to ice.


    They couldnt retreat, even if they wanted to.


    The rest of Everharts army was descending from the eastern mountainslike a gue sweeping in to destroy everything in its path.


    ---- At the forefront was General Vittorio.


    He was finished.


    Elliot raised his sword, prepared to face the other nobleready to kill if necessary.


    However, the scent of fear and surrender told him everything he needed to know.


    His overwhelming disy of force had broken Ovidios resolve.


    "We surrender!" the other Duke spat through clenched teeth, his hatred for Elliot zing in his eyes.


    How the hell did he do it?! How did he infiltrate the citadel so quickly?! "Then, if you wish to leave here alive and not lose your life to war, I demandpensation..." Elliot didnt hesitate, stripping Ovidios treasury baredraining his duchys coffers, depleting his warhorses and weaponry, crippling his military strength.


    Ovidio seethed with fury.


    Not only had he lost control over thisnd, but now Elliot Everhart was exploiting his defeat to ruin him.


    The prisoners were taken into custody, to be released only once the ransom was paid.


    Elliots ck warhorse reared up, galloping along the perimeter of the wallsa silent message to the other hidden armies lurking beyond the horizon.


    ---- The beasts powerful front legs kicked into the air, its rider exuding an aura of dominanceunyielding, unconquerable.


    His dark hair gleamed in the morning light, and his icy gaze carried a chilling warning: ?1 am even more powerful now.


    Stronger.


    Dare to take what is mine, and you will lose your head.? Naturally, they withdrew, and the Duchy of Everhart rose to an even greater level of power in the minds of all.


    It seemed unstoppable.


    However, no one could surpass the authority of the royal family.


    And soon, the most formidable duchy found itself entangled in a grave threatone that ced it directly under the Regents scrutiny.


    ed A FEW DAYS LATER...


    "Elliot, I looked into it," Aldo said, sinking onto the couch and downing his drinkin one gulp.


    "Tell me.


    Is it what we suspected?" Elliot asked, frowning.


    yes, The murders weremitted by a vampire.


    He didnt even bother to hide the bite marks on the girls necks," he said grimly.


    People in the city are already talking.


    Its only a matter of time before word reaches the pce."