Crimson Moon… And the Black Princess? Shiayar was slightly taken aback.

After all, as the leader of the Daybreak Organization, he did collect essential intelligence. The Blood Tribe and Millennium Castle, while seemingly quiet and uneventful, were undeniably significant forces within the entire region of Escarnia.

Crimson Moon, formally "Crimson Red Moon," was one of the ancient gods from the Abyss Plane and also the progenitor of the Blood Tribe. This was no half-baked false god or Evil God, but a True God of the Abyss, with a standing equal to the Seven Gods of Dawn.

However, the situation seemed rather delicate. At least, in the current timeline a millennium later, Shiayar hadn't heard much about Crimson Moon.

The Blood Tribe living within Millennium Castle actually had even more intricate classifications. Ordinary Blood Tribe members ranged from the lowest-ranked titled nobility to Legendary Rank Blood Princes. However, even these Blood Princes were essentially acquired vampires. They could also be called ghouls or Dead Apostles. But beyond these acquired vampires, there were also corresponding natural-born vampires, also known as—True Ancestors.

"According to the records within the Dawn Church, even the least of the True Ancestors of the Blood Tribe is of Legendary Rank, and moreover, some have even touched the Throne."

"However… those are very ancient beings; the vast majority of the Blood Tribe's True Ancestors have long been obliterated in the history of the Ancient Era."

"Among the Blood Tribe today, the only confirmed surviving True Ancestor is just one person, the 'True Ancestor Princess,' Black Princess."

"But, judging from Flandre's last words, the remaining True Ancestor Black Princess, those Dead Apostles, and Crimson Red Moon don't seem to be on the same side. Their infighting is quite fierce."

"As a True Ancestor, the Black Princess actually took the initiative to hunt down a high-ranking Blood Prince like Flandre."

Shiayar's thoughts raced. His body, however, involuntarily took a step back, moving behind the tombstone. He didn't know what internal strife had erupted within the Blood Tribe, but for now, it had nothing to do with him. Moreover, his mental state was poor. Having just released the Spear of Damnation, his spiritual power had entered a state of semi-exhaustion, leaving him unable to support another high-intensity battle.

Alright, time to go, Shiayar thought, focusing his will.

However, a few moments later, his figure didn't disappear from this Echo of History with a ripple of space-time as he'd anticipated.

"Master, the river of time that this Echo of History resides in seems to have experienced severe fluctuations." Jayee's feedback, tinged with confusion, came through the 5th Soul Pact.

This was the first time Shiayar had encountered such a situation within an Echo of History.

Meanwhile, not far from the gravesite, the True Ancestor of the Blood Tribe, known as the Black Princess, furrowed her delicate brows slowly. A blood-red mist replaced her golden irises. It wasn't just her eyes; even her body, transformed from petite and exquisite to voluptuous, was now tinged with a cherry-red hue.

"Leave quickly."

"Crimson Moon has awakened my bloodlust…"

A hoarse yet emotionless voice rose. Before she could finish, her originally mechanical and emotionless voice suddenly took on an undeniable desire. The Black Princess suddenly stuck out her pink tongue, licking her luscious red lips, her small fangs peeking out subtly.

The next moment, on the Black Princess's exquisitely flawless face, her crimson eyes, like a blood moon, shone brightly. As if possessing some magical power, they drew all of Shiayar's attention. Those beautiful eyes were captivating and intoxicating, making one unconsciously want to drown in them. Then, one would fall helplessly at the hem of that dark dress, becoming a thrall at her mercy, their blood to be drawn. Although such an act was undoubtedly equivalent to allowing oneself to be slaughtered, who could refuse when the owner of those eyes was so beautiful? Fragrant, petite, soft...

Damn, the Blood Tribe's special ability—Bewitchment Eyes?

Shiayar suddenly snapped back to reality. He, an expert in ocular abilities and Illusion Techniques, never imagined he could nearly be bewitched by another's magic eyes. His spiritual power, enhanced by the Sands of Time, had already transcended his rank and gained traits akin to Legendary. Otherwise, he might have truly fallen for her trick.

Even so, the strength of this last True Ancestor Princess of the Blood Tribe was truly frightening. Not just an ordinary Legendary, then... Extreme Legendary? Or even a Throne?

"Get away from me…" That hoarse voice, struggling against desire, rang out again.

The Black Princess's face was now tinged with a rich crimson. She was still forcibly suppressing her desires, a tremor entering her previously cold voice as she said, "If you don't want to die, then run as far away as you can."

A True Ancestor of the Blood Tribe, and she detests drinking blood this much? Shiayar looked at the black-haired girl before him, struggling against her bloodthirst, and couldn't help but raise an eyebrow.

His figure flickered, shifting dozens of meters away, then spread his hands, "But I'm sorry to say that if I really became the prey of a True Ancestor of the Blood Tribe, I don't think I could escape."

It was the truth. Merely relying on a Flash spell with a range of a few dozen meters and a cooldown limit, it was impossible to shake off the pursuit of someone of Legendary Rank.

Shiayar shrugged his shoulders.

The next moment, pale silver elemental motes appeared between Shiayar's fingers, then converged into a pale silver blade. Shiayar gripped the blade and, with a swift motion, sliced open a blood vessel in his neck; the scalding crimson liquid gushed out instantly.

"Rather, since you're so thirsty, why don't I let you drink some?"

"If you drink enough blood, you can suppress that vampiric urge, right?" Shiayar retracted the blade made from silver particles. "You seem different from that guy Flandre, like you can communicate normally."

The moment the crimson liquid emerged, the air around the black-haired vampire heated up in a flash. The Black Princess's beautiful eyes burst with a crimson glow, fixating on the wound at Shiayar's neck.

"Although I've never tried it myself, according to the records in Millennium Castle, other True Ancestors whose bloodlust flares up can drain a pureblood giant dragon. Aren't you afraid of becoming a desiccated corpse?"

"Try, and you'll die," huh? Shiayar nodded nonchalantly. As long as he wasn't locked in a mithril cage that sealed his Space-type abilities and sunk to the bottom of the sea, he had nothing to fear.

Almost at the instant Shiayar nodded, he detected a frenzied storm racing towards him; the black-haired vampire had turned into a blur, coming close to him in the blink of an eye. Her ruby-like eyes flashed with blood-red light. The next moment, her sharp fangs pierced Shiayar's skin.

A soft sensation enveloped Shiayar's neck as she sucked fiercely. Shiayar felt the True Ancestor hugging his neck with both hands, her body burning hot, her gaze dazed as she drank. His own eyes were deep in thought. He felt a distinct sense of familiarity from this Black Princess, prompting several speculations, though they remained unconfirmed for now.

「After an unknown duration...」

"Master, I've found the way out of the Echo of History."

"However, the river of time seems to still be in turmoil." Jayee's voice came through the Soul Pact.

She's been drinking for so long; she must have had enough.

Time to go back. Shiayar's mind stirred.

He glanced at the Black Princess who was still clinging to him, moaning unconsciously. The next moment, his form rapidly faded, then nearly vanished into nothingness.

「...」

After another indeterminate stretch of time, the crimson in the Black Princess's eyes slowly vanished, revealing pale golden pupils once more. And her form, too, had changed; she reverted from the voluptuous mature figure to her original form as a young girl in a black dress.

Her pale golden eyes shimmered as she stared blankly in the direction Shiayar had disappeared. Occasionally, she flicked her small tongue over her lips, as if savoring the lingering sensation of the blood she had consumed.

The next moment, the Black Princess extended her fair, slender hand. Countless points of light, like stars, then emerged from the ground, converging towards her fingertips. This was an ability exclusive to the True Ancestors of the Blood Tribe, possessing the Authority to connect to the root of planes, to collect information directly from the earth's ley lines.

The hazy motes of light slowly faded. Then, the girl took a step forward.

The desolate graveyard disappeared in an instant, replaced by a silent and desolate city.

This was a gloomy and chilly ancient city, shrouded by the veil of Eternal Night. There was no starlight or sun's brightness, only the occasional clear light of the Silver Moon spilled down, adding a serene chill to the ancient city. Just like the name of the city—Millennium Castle. This was a dead city that had not changed for a thousand years.

And the Black Princess stepped into the ancient city, passing by one splendid and exquisite coffin after another, inlaid with expensive gems but exuding a decaying aura. Next, she seated herself at the end of those magnificent coffins, on the sole throne of black iron.

Her pale fingertips trailed through the air, capturing the moonlight that poured through the dome. Then, in The Void, she traced the figure of the young man.

The Black Princess propped her delicate chin with one hand, observing the visage of the young man outlined by the moonlight.

After a long while, she finally uttered the name she had gleaned from the information collected from the earth's ley lines.

"Cain."

The girl's soliloquy dissipated into the gloom of Millennium Castle under the Eternal Night, unheard by anyone.