Scarlet stepped forward, her scarlet eyes gleaming with a dangerous light that made the surrounding vampires freeze in ce. The oppressive aura emanating from her made the air heavier, suffocating any whispers that might have arisen. She didn''t need to speak; her presence alone was enough to crush any opposition.


    Varlen, now on his knees and visibly weakened, tried to stand, but Scarlet raised her hand delicately, as ifmanding him to stay down. And he obeyed, not out of choice, but pure survival instinct. Her gaze was like an abyss, ready to devour anyone who dared defy her.


    "Varlen," she began, her voice cold as an icy de. "You dared to raise your hand against my man?" She took another step forward, each word hitting like a hammer. "You, a mere insect, thought you could challenge him and walk away unscathed?"


    "Scarlet, I—" Varlen tried to speak, but the weight of her aura silenced him instantly. He trembled, his eyes wide with sheer terror.


    "Silence." The word was final, an unyieldingmand. Scarlet tilted her head slightly, her smile a blend of contempt and dark satisfaction. "Do you know what happens to those who dare touch what''s mine?"


    She extended her hand toward him, and a surge of dark energy enveloped Varlen''s body. He screamed in pain as his bones began to creak, as though something was trying to crush him from within.


    "Scarlet," Strax called out casually, lifting a ss of blood in one hand. "I''ve already dealt with him. There''s no need to dirty your hands further."


    She turned her head toward him, her gaze softening slightly. The cold smile remained, but now there was something else—a glimmer of dark devotion. "This isn''t about him, dear. It''s about ensuring everyone here understands one simple truth." She turned back to the surrounding vampires, her voice clear and deadly. "No one touches what''s mine. Not today, not ever."


    Btrix chuckled, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "You''re acting like a lovesick girl, Mother," she teased.


    Dani crossed her arms, watching the scene with a mix of boredom and amusement. "Good thing I already made my case. Otherwise, this lunatic mother of ours would probably want to smack us too, just for being near him."


    Scarlet ignored her daughters''ments and returned her attention to Varlen, who was now nearly unconscious. "I should finish you off here, to ensure the lesson is learned. But..." She nced at Strax, who seemed rxed, as if the entire spectacle was for his entertainment. "My dear is in a good mood, so I''ll consider this your only chance."


    She snapped her fingers, and the dark energy around Varlen dissipated, leaving him crumpled on the floor like a puppet with its strings cut. "Leave now before I change my mind and wipe out your entire n as I did with the others," Scarletmanded, her voice colder than death itself.


    Varlen didn''t need to be told twice. He crawled away, unable to look at anyone. Murmurs began to rise once again, but no one dared to meet Scarlet''s or Strax''s gaze.


    Strax raised his ss of blood, hiszy smile widening. "Great speech. Intimidating and straight to the point. You''re so sexy when you''re pissed."


    Scarlet turned to him, her cold smile shifting into something more seductive. "I don''t need apuse. I just need everyone to know where the power lies... at your side."@@novelbin@@


    "Maniac," Btrix muttered, though there was a hint of pride in her voice.


    Ignoring her, Scarlet walked up to Strax, cing a possessive hand on his shoulder. "Let''s go. We have work to do," she said, her gaze locking onto Elizabeth... who instantly understood. A fight was inevitable.


    Elizabeth Tepes stepped forward, her presence immediately silencing the murmurs in the hall. Her posture was wless, her aura of vampiric royalty radiating confidence and determination. She raised a crystal goblet filled with a dark red liquid and smiled—a smile that was both graceful and disdainful.


    "My esteemed guests," Elizabeth began, her melodic voice echoing through the grand hall. "Today is a special day, not just for me, but for all of us. It is a day to celebrate ascension, power, and the immortality that is our birthright as vampires."


    The guests murmured their approval, some raising their own goblets in a silent toast.


    "I have dedicated my life—my very existence—to the relentless pursuit of strength," Elizabeth continued, her tone growing firmer. "I have faced trials that few would dare confront. I have defeated adversaries who believed themselves invincible. And today, I stand before you as a cultivator of the Emperor Stage. But true strength is not measured by titles or aplishments alone."


    Her gaze swept slowly across the hall before settling on Scarlet, whose arrogant smile remained untouched, as if she already knew what wasing.


    "To prove the worth of my advancement, to show that I am deserving of the title I now bear," Elizabeth said, her voice rising in intensity, "I challenge the legendary Scarlet Vermilion to a friendly duel."


    The hall erupted in murmurs and exmations. Some guests were visibly shocked by her audacity, while others seemed intrigued, almost eager to witness the sh. Continue your adventure at My Virtual Library Empire


    Scarlet tilted her head slightly, her eyes gleaming with a mix of amusement and disdain. She let out a shortugh, as if hearing an exceptionally good joke. "You challenge me, child?" The word "child" dripped with scorn.


    "Yes," Elizabeth replied without hesitation. "Whether friendly or fatal, my proposition stands. I wish to test my strength against the woman regarded as one of the greatest monsters on this continent. What better way to cement my ascension?"


    Scarlet stepped slightly away from Strax, her domineering posture now fully focused on Elizabeth. "You speak with courage, Elizabeth Tepes," Scarlet said, each wordced with irony. "But courage does not rece skill. Are you prepared to be humiliated in front of all your guests?"


    Elizabeth did not waver. "That will depend on the oue of our battle."


    Strax, still lounging in his chair, watched the exchange with an amused smile. "Excellent, excellent. I love it when the most powerful women in the room decide to fight for fun." He nced at Scarlet and teased, "Don''t go too easy on her, or it''ll look like you''re showing mercy."


    "Mercy?" Scarlet murmured, her expression shifting to something dangerously alluring. "That word has no ce in my vocabry."


    Btrix stepped closer to Strax, muttering, "Elizabeth just dug her own grave."


    "Or she might surprise us," Danimented casually, though there was clear amusement in her tone. "Still, I''m leaning toward Btrix''s prediction."


    Scarlet returned her attention to Elizabeth. "Very well, princess," she dered, her voice echoing through the hall. "I ept your challenge. Let everyone here bear witness to the difference between an aspirant and a true sovereign."


    The hall shifted as the guests quickly stepped back, forming a wide circle around the two vampires. The tension in the air was palpable, and all eyes were fixed on the two women. Scarlet strode to the center with predatory grace, while Elizabeth maintained her regal poise, showing no sign of hesitation.


    "Let''s take this outside," Scarlet said. "Or do you intend to destroy your old man''s castle?"


    Elizabeth arched a brow at Scarlet''sment but kept herposure. "You''re right. A battle of this caliber deserves a more fitting stage. It wouldn''t be fair to ruin my father''s beautiful architecture... for now." Her tone carried a hint of irony, but her resolve was evident.


    Scarlet chuckled softly, that cold, arrogantugh that sent shivers down the spines of the weak. "Wise decision, princess. Let''s give them a show they''ll never forget."


    The guests stepped aside as the two women exited the grand hall, followed closely by Strax, who seemed thoroughly entertained by the unfolding events, and the vampire sisters, whispering among themselves, clearly cing bets on the oue of the duel.


    Outside the castle was as impressive as its interior. A vast field bathed in the pale light of the moon stretched out endlessly, surrounded by ancient trees and distant mountains. The atmosphere was ominous, with a light breeze causing dry leaves to dance across the ground.


    Scarlet stopped in the center of the open field, her crimson eyes glowing like embers. "Here will do. I don''t want anyone iming interference or unfavorable terrain as an excuse."


    Elizabeth halted a few steps ahead, adjusting her hair with a graceful motion. "Don''t worry, Scarlet. Excuses won''t being from me tonight."


    The guests began to gather around the field, forming arge circle. The anticipation was almost palpable, and even the oldest vampires seemed intrigued by the impending sh. It wasn''t every day that someone dared to challenge Scarlet Vermilion, a legendary figure among their kind.


    Strax crossed his arms, observing with azy smile. "Well, this should be interesting," he murmured, more to himself than anyone else. He could feel the power radiating from both women as they prepared for the confrontation. "Elizabeth really has something to prove. Let''s see how far she can go."


    Scarlet snapped her fingers, and an oppressive aura began to emanate from her, so intense that many spectators instinctively stepped back. "Ready for your lesson, princess?" she asked, a sadistic grin curving her lips.


    Elizabeth didn''t respond with words, but her own power began to radiate. A frigid energy spread across the field, contrasting sharply with Scarlet''s fiery intensity. It was as though the very air around them had been split between fire and ice.


    "Let the duel begin!" one of the nobles announced, unable to contain his excitement.