Chapter 129: Forcing a Retreat

Within my domain, my figure and that of the Brujah Clan Leader collided repeatedly, only to break apart just as quickly. Each impact caused a spray of blood to bloom between us.

The Brujah Clan Leader no longer possessed his initial air of noble grace. Though he had sustained no fatal wounds, his clothing was shredded, and he was stained with faint traces of blood. I was in an even more wretched state. The battle with White Night had already drained much of my strength; I was entirely on the defensive, my body covered in deep, jagged gashes. Even so, I charged at him time and time again, fearless and utterly indifferent to the damage I sustained.

"Princess Liliana, enough! This is completely futile," the Clan Leader barked in fury as I lunged at him again, ignoring my wounds after being knocked back.

"Cough!" Blood trickled from the corner of my mouth. I smiled and replied, "How could it ever be enough? I told you, it is a fight to the death. Only one of us will leave this domain alive. Did you think I was joking?" My words were interrupted by a violent fit of coughing. It took a moment to steady myself before I said firmly, "But I am certain that the one who walks out alive will be me!"

"Is that so, Princess Liliana? Confidence is a virtue, but when it turns into arrogance, it becomes folly. It seems I must show you the gap between us. However, you will not have the chance to correct your mistake, because if only one can leave alive, it certainly will not be you," the Clan Leader replied coldly.

"In that case, let us see who will have the last laugh!" With a cold glint in my eyes, I charged at him once more.

There was no technique, no retreat—only a raw, physical confrontation. I lost count of how many times we clashed. Each time, a deep wound was carved into my flesh, while the Clan Leader began to pant heavily, his own body marred by injuries that refused to heal instantly.

"Is this the end, Princess Liliana?" the Clan Leader mocked, watching me struggle to remain upright. "Where did that confidence you had a moment ago go?"

"Cough, cough... I said it before: the one who walks out of my domain alive will be me. I will never fall before you do." With those words, I ignored my near-fatal wounds and charged at him again.

"Hmph! Stubborn to the end!" The Clan Leader sneered. "Do you think I truly dare not kill you? Princess Liliana, this is over! Everything ends here!" He met my charge, ignoring my claws as he drove his right hand deep into my chest. "Farewell, Princess Liliana!" he said with a smile. "I am the final victor."

Watching me slowly dissolve into dust before his eyes, the Clan Leader finally relaxed, breathing heavily. "Was I too impatient?" he muttered, wincing as he clutched a deep, bone-exposed wound on his chest—the price he had paid to trade his life for mine. "No matter, it is for the best. Now, all that remains is to finish off that lowly vampire and the fallen one with the Dracula bloodline."

The Clan Leader turned to leave, but then, something hit him with shock.

"Come out, Princess Liliana. I know you are not dead. Do not attempt a sneak attack; it will be of no use," the Clan Leader suddenly addressed the empty, desolate void.

"As expected of the head of the Thirteen Clans; you are not so easily fooled," my voice echoed as I materialized from the void behind him, smiling. Simultaneously, one of the countless shimmering bubbles floating in the air shattered and vanished.

"Hmph!" the Clan Leader let out a cold snort. "Your domain has not yet dissipated, so how could you be dead?" He stared at me intently. "Immortality? I did not expect you to have such an ace up your sleeve, Princess Liliana."

"It is not true immortality," I replied. "Every resurrection comes at a heavy cost. But it is enough to hold you here."

"Hold me here?" The Clan Leader laughed. "I admit I cannot break your immortality right now. But so what? Do you naively believe that that lowly fallen one and the boy who stained the Dracula bloodline can survive against the other clan leaders? Or do you intend to collect their corpses later?" he asked with disdain.

"I trust them," I replied calmly. "The Thirteen Clan Leaders cannot kill them. Because they are my acknowledged subordinates and rivals. I advise you not to underestimate them, or you will suffer a great loss."

"Because of them?" The Clan Leader scoffed. "Princess Liliana, it seems you have spent too long with these fallen wretches and have forgotten the honor of the Kindred. Do you really think a few low-borns can stand against the Thirteen Clans? Is that even possible?"

"Why not?" I smiled. "As much as I loathe him, I must admit that White Night has been able to kill me and has stood against me until this very day. If he cannot even survive this, how could he be worthy of being my rival? What do you think, Clan Leader? I believe he will not be wiped out so easily. Shall we make a wager?"

"I have no interest in your trivial wagers. No matter how you struggle, the outcome will not change. This is fate, Princess Liliana!" he stated coldly.

"Fate?" I laughed manically. "I have never believed in fate. How can mere fate decide my life? If fate truly exists in this world, then I shall shatter it with my own hands! Whether it is the fate of the Kindred or my own, I will break them all. That is the vow I made in my heart to them, and it is the reason I have returned to this world!" My eyes burned with resolve as I looked at him without fear. "They must be fighting fiercely out there right now. Clan Leader, we cannot lose to them. Come, let me show you whether I am qualified to break my fate!" I surged forward once more. Once again, the brutal, senseless exchange of blood for blood began.

"Haa... haa..." The sound of heavy breathing filled my domain. I had lost count of our clashes and how many times I had fallen. The Clan Leader no longer possessed his initial ease; his body was covered in wounds that would not close, and I had lost track of how many times I had died and been reborn.

"Princess Liliana, you must realize by now that you cannot kill me. Why waste your time here?" he demanded. In this short span, he had weathered over a hundred of my reckless attacks, and even he was beginning to feel the strain.

"What is the matter, Clan Leader? Did I not say that only one of us will leave this domain alive? Since you have not yet fallen, how could I possibly give up?" I said, my body riddled with wounds.

"What exactly do you want? Liliana, you must understand that you cannot defeat me. What is your goal?" he asked in a rage.

"My goal? I am merely buying time, nothing more." I replied with a smile.

"Buying time?" he asked, confused. "Do you think that group of trash outside has any chance of helping you?"

"Of course not. I have never relied on anyone," I said lightly. "I only want to see who can endure longer under the sun. Dawn is only three hours away; we will soon have our answer, will we not, honorable Clan Leader?"

"What did you say?" The Clan Leader’s face turned pale with terror. "What are you planning, Liliana? Are you trying to commit suicide? You will die if the sunlight touches you!"

"I know, but I believe I will not die before you do. That is enough, is it not?" I smiled at him. "Do not forget, I am the 'half-breed' you despise so much. I believe the morning light will not be enough to end my life. But how long can you last under the sun, Clan Leader?"

"What are you doing, Liliana?" he shouted in anger.

"I want nothing more than for the Kindred Council to stop interfering in my affairs. I will resolve my own matters; I do not need you to dictate them!" I said firmly. "Otherwise, even if it means mutual destruction, I will make you regret it!"

The Clan Leader fell into a long, heavy silence after my chilling threat. Finally, he spat out three words: "You win." He then added angrily, "The Thirteen Clans of the Kindred Council will no longer interfere in your affairs. The Council will lift your bounty. Are you satisfied now?"