The most important things were left unsaid, but the thoughtful silence with which the vampire accompanied his speech gave his interlocutor far more answers, which he did not hesitate to voice.
— "So you want to conduct research on spontaneous magical transformations. When I was studying, I heard that many people in Valeria were interested in this topic. It seems you've now moved on to fieldwork. And of course, the Cursed Forest is perfect for that. The elves won't let anyone in. The Ice Wastes of Thor, due to the long-standing enmity between your kingdoms, are even more closed off. The Fire Desert is too far away."
The vampire did not respond and merely slowly closed his eyelids.
"Once again, I'm convinced that letting the interlocutor figure out the answer for you is far more advantageous than trying to deceive him. I should remember about spontaneous magical transformations. It might come in handy in the future."
— "Are you bound by a subjugation ritual?"
— "No."
— "So, you want to go about your business in the Cursed Forest and will serve Elur if needed?"
— "That's correct, Your Excellency. But I would prefer to limit myself to the first part. I have no strong desire to fight. Especially since you will remain loyal to the king…"
— "I will," the man nodded confidently. "Betraying the king is not in my interest."
With that, the interlocutors parted satisfied. The vampire got answers to some questions. The archmage received assurance that in the future he would not have bothersome neighbors or competitors.
Askol'd looked at the army ready for battle and squinted disdainfully. Finally, he had managed to catch up with the loathsome mages who had been fleeing from him for several days and nights. Of course, the enemy had grown stronger and was ready to attack. However, the Supreme Vampire felt no sympathy for his warriors, and if they all perished here, destroying this army, he would be satisfied.
— "It's hard to keep the soldiers in check; they're all hungry," said an approaching aide, who looked no better; the sight of food, even well-armed, clouded his judgment.
In general, there were problems with blood for sustenance. There weren't enough animals, and their blood did not nourish as well as human blood. There were also very few people in the area. Rumors about rebels destroying entire villages spread quickly. Whether they were true or false, Askol'd didn't want to test on his own skin, and many peasants had fled.
The village they had encountered on their way yesterday was only half-populated. Among the vampires, there had been at least twenty skirmishes over the spoils. And now, ahead stood several thousand people with warm and delicious blood, which was so invigorating and nourishing.
— "Then let's attack," said the former half-captain, former guard, and former human, deciding that waiting any longer was pointless.
His battle plan was simple. Attacking in close formation was not for vampires. Therefore, breaking his hundreds into separate squads, he ordered them to completely surround the army preparing for battle. A circular defense, in any scenario, would thin out the magical defenses and give the attackers a chance to reach their throats.
The self-styled Supreme Vampire had been waiting for this full encirclement of the defenders by his own forces, but since everyone was so hungry they couldn't control themselves, why not give the order a little earlier?
No longer restrained by their commanders, the vampires joyfully shouted and charged at the enemy. Following the example of the first squad, the others followed suit. The clear night sky, with its billions of stars and the shining reflection of Demura Mur, looked down on the earth in anticipation of a bloody battle.
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