Chapter 210 - 206: The Outcome
The night passed away, and it was day soon. Ryder left the palace with a new maid and a different set of guards.
He flew towards the Palace of High Duke Oris. He was wearing all the artifacts that the High Dukes had given him. He especially wore the Royal Prince since it was something that protected him from the skills that could affect his mind.
He entered the Palace of High Duke Oris.
Unlike the last time, this time, all the High Dukes were there already. The Dukes were still not there, but they weren't told about this either.
This secret was only told to the ones that were capable of resisting the skill of the Vampire King.
As Ryder entered the Great Hall, he was able to hear the words of High Duke Magna.
"I still doubt if his source is believable or not. If it's true, we should just meet force with force. We are going at it like we actually did something wrong," High Duke Magna said. Just then, he saw Ryder entering the great hall.
The High Dukes greeted Ryder.
" It's good to see that all of you are here," Ryder said as he nodded his head. He glanced towards High Duke Oris and inquired, "Is everything ready?"
"Yeah, Everyone's ready for that. All the citizens are informed about the order to play the Friker at the right time. They will play it thinking that it's for the celebration of my birthday," High Duke Oris said.
"I thought the day was going to be a day of happiness and celebrating, but the Vampire King just had to infiltrate today. Such bad luck," High Duke Mila let out in annoyance. "I am so angry that I would beat the crap out of him if you allow us to fight."
"It's not the time to let the personal feelings affect us. It's the perfect opportunity to win the support of the Undead Region. It would be a step forward towards the dominant position against the Death Domain if we can utilize this place and establish a good relationship," Ryder explained. Even though it was mostly an excuse, it was not a lie to say that it was a part of his goals as well.
The Dukes started arriving as time passed.
After everyone was here, Ryder began talking to all of them. He didn't tell them the thing about the Vampire King, but he did repeat what he said last time about his visit to their region.
The celebration started since there was still some time in the arrival of the Vampire King, and Ryder didn't want to spoil the birthday of High Duke Oris too much.
The food and the wine were served, and everyone started enjoying the party.
After the party finished, the High Dukes looked at each other as if they were contemplating something.
"I know what you're thinking. Is it about the ceremony to select the best kid out of the four, right? Since there is time, you want to finish that tradition right now," Ryder told the High Dukes as he glanced at them.
"You know about it. Good. It looks like you did put some effort into knowing about us and the Realm," High Duke Magna said as he praised Ryder.
"I do know about it, and you guys can have that, but there needs to be a change this time. There will be only two battles. The final battle needs to wait until this whole thing with the Vampire King ends," Ryder told them. "We only have enough time for two battles."
"Alright," All the High Dukes agreed.
Since they had all come to an agreement, the battles began. The first battle was a win for Felina and the Second Battle was the win for Nomag just like last time.
Since Ryder knew that the Vampire King appeared at the end of the third battle, he could already expect the Vampire King was nearing him.
"It should be the time for his arrival. Let's go out to see," Ryder let out as he stood up.
He started walking towards the balcony of the High Duke's Palace with the other High Dukes.
A big crowd of demons was standing outside the palace with their Frikers since it was what they were informed.
As soon as Ryder appeared on the Balcony with the High Dukes, he looked around and noticed something flying towards them at high speed.
He held the hand of High Duke Oris and raised it in the hand.
"Everyone, please congratulate the High Duke on his birthday! Make it loud enough for the whole Kingdom to listen! It's the birthday of our Guardian after all!" Ryder let out loud.
The Demons started cheering as they started playing the flute-like objects in their hands.
Ryder saw the Vampire King flying towards them. He also noticed the changes in his expressions as soon as the screeching sound filled the atmosphere. Ryder was hoping for him to fall down, but it seemed less effective than he thought.
It just seemed like the Vampire King was a little bit annoyed, but he didn't seem to be getting hurt or injured with the sound. Ryder realized that this was not the weakness of the Vampire King.
Ryder already knew that there was a possibility of this happening since he was generalizing the Vampires. In contrast, the Vampire King should have been in a different category of his own. Since the Vampire King's strength is more than the others, his weakness should be less than the normal Vampires too.
Ryder shook his head as he started talking to the High Dukes.
"The plan is a failure. Forget what happened. Don't show or say that you knew about his arrival. Talk as if you're hearing about his words for the first time," Ryder said to them in a low voice.
The Vampire King stopped before Ryder and the High Dukes as he floated before them.
"You have the Crown. You should be the Prince, and they should be the High Dukes! Tell me where my general is!" Vampire King thundered.
All the Demons turned silent as they looked towards the balcony in confusion.
'I can't lie, or I would get the same ending, which would result in me going to the time loop. I can't let him attack either, or it would be the same. Time to put my brain to work,' Ryder thought while on the outside, he pretended to be surprised to see the Vampire King here.
"You must be the Vampire King. Come on inside. We can talk inside," Ryder said as he deflected the question while he started walking inside.
High Duke Oris and the others kept an eye on the Vampire King as they escorted him inside.
They went back to the Great Hall, where it all ended last time.
Ryder sat on the main seat as he told the maids to arrange another seat for the Vampire King.
"I'm not here to sit! I'm here for answers. Where is my general?" The Vampire King responded.
"Which General are you talking about?" Ryder inquired as he glanced at the Vampire King while he kept sitting on the throne.
"The General that you took from the Undead Region when you entered the Valley of Wandering Souls to steal the gem of the Guardian! Tell me where he is!" The Vampire King let out loud as he spread his murderous aura.
The High Dukes also released a bit of their aura to protect Ryder from Vampire King's chilling aura as they stood near him.
"Vampire King, Since you are from the Undead Region, I'm treating you as a guest. Don't go overboard, though. This is the Demon Realm. Please control your anger and talk like normal people," Ryder let out without looking the least bit worried. He was going to project the image of a powerful leader this time while using vague words to try to change the story.
"As for the man you might be talking about, Let me clarify it the best I can. We haven't kidnapped your man, and we have no man of yours in our custody. You should reconsider your information. It might be the work of an enemy to put you against us," Ryder let out in a suggestive time. It was not a lie since he used the words in a manner as if he was suggesting a possibility, but he didn't say that it was what happened.
"Someone else like the Death Domain? You think that I will believe that when I already saw the Demon Blood there?" The Vampire King inquired in a sarcastic tone.
"Well, let me try to find an answer to that. You came at just the right time. All the Dukes of the Demon realm are here. Almost all of them, at least. Listen carefully to their answers," Ryder said to the Vampire King.
He started looking at the Dukes.
"Everyone, Tell me, how many Demons go missing in your Duchy every day," Ryder inquired as he glanced at the Dukes.