Chapter Forty-Nine: The Illusionist

“I am the Thirteenth Judge of the Blood Council’s Enforcement Squad, acting under the authority of the Blood Council to arrest Liliana Lydis Dracula,” the figure emerging from the darkness said to me.

“The Blood Council? Hmph, those old fools finally couldn’t restrain themselves?” I mocked, “I thought they’d endure for a while longer, but it seems their patience ran out sooner than expected. I overestimated them, it seems.”

“I hope Your Highness Liliana won’t resist and will cooperate with my duties and return with me. I have no desire to fight you; if I were to accidentally harm you, the prince’s wrath would be truly terrifying,” the Thirteenth Judge said with a smiling face, his eyes void of any fear, brimming instead with anticipation.

“How presumptuous.” My reply was cold. “Are all vampires so arrogant now? You think you alone are enough?” The corner of my mouth curled into a disdainful sneer.

“Heh, I urge Your Highness not to underestimate the Thirteen Judges. We survived by trampling over death and blood, not something pampered princesses like you could ever comprehend. To look down on us is to court disaster.” His smile remained, but the false cheerfulness on his face was revolting.

“You’re nothing but the Blood Council’s lapdog. What’s there to be so proud of?” His words provoked Liliel, who had already been thoroughly suppressed by the Vampire King and was simmering with rage. His remark was the spark; her fury erupted.

“Shadow Flash!” Liliel cried out, vanishing at once. Six knight’s swords struck simultaneously from different directions at the Thirteenth Judge. Liliel’s attack was a killing blow.

The Thirteenth Judge, shrouded by six sword shadows, didn’t dodge or flinch—he merely smiled as the swords stabbed through him. Then, to Liliel’s surprise, his figure slowly faded away.

“How is this possible?” Liliel hadn’t expected her attack to be so easily nullified. “How did he vanish?” The Thirteenth Judge’s disappearance carried not a hint of magical fluctuation—neither sorcery nor secret art—he simply vanished, as though he’d never existed before us.

“Allow me to reintroduce myself: Enforcement Squad, Thirteenth Judge, Illusionist, Rodriguez, at your service, Your Highnesses. Now, please come with me obediently, Liliana. Otherwise, I can’t guarantee your safety.” His voice, laced with a theatrical false smile, grated on my nerves.

“An illusionist, so that’s your trick. But to so openly reveal your abilities, are you not a bit overconfident?” I gazed coldly at the illusionist who had reappeared before us.

“It seems Your Highness plans to resist. All the better—if you surrendered so easily, it would be dull. I’m curious myself: just how powerful is Liliana, whom the Second Judge holds in such high regard?” The Thirteenth Judge crossed his fingers over his chest, grinning.

“Then you can die now.” In a flash, I appeared before him, my scythe slashing down without hesitation. His figure, just like before, slowly faded away, leaving behind only his repulsive laughter. “Another illusion? What a disgusting ability,” I muttered.

“Since Your Highness Liliana is so spirited, how could I let you be disappointed? Now, enjoy my performance—this shall be my stage.” The illusionist’s voice echoed from all directions.

“Then let me shatter your stage,” I replied icily.

“Is that so? I’ll be watching closely. Don’t disappoint me, after all, you’re the one recognized by the Second Judge.” His voice came from every side, impossible to pinpoint. But who was this Second Judge he spoke of? Was it someone I knew? His words filled me with doubt.

“Lilith, what do we do now?” Liliel returned to my side, worry in her voice.

“Just observe for now. He’s merely an illusionist; his illusions can’t harm us. If they could, he wouldn’t hide, afraid to show himself. Lately, it’s always these skulking types—truly annoying,” I replied disdainfully.

“Miss, please be careful. To become one of the Thirteen Judges is no easy feat. The Thirteen Judges are the Blood Council’s executioners; who knows how many vampires they’ve slain over the years. Caution is best.” An appeared at my side, speaking respectfully.

“I know what to do, there’s no need for you to—”

“Yes, Your Highness. Forgive my intrusion,” An apologized respectfully.

“Don’t forget your place. I don’t need you to tell me what to do. Just watch quietly.” Without another glance at An, I raised my scythe. “Since you refuse to come out, I’ll drag you out myself.”

“Night Scythe Art—Nightmare Sandflower!” I roared, and a storm of scythe shadows whistled out in all directions, boundless and overwhelming—far surpassing anything I’d done before.

“An, what’s happening? Why does Lilith seem like a different person?” Liliel asked, perplexed by my reaction to An.

“This is the real Her Highness,” An said helplessly. “When she sealed her bloodline, she also sealed her true self. Or perhaps, she sealed her bloodline precisely to seal this self. Now, she’s breaking that seal, and her real nature will gradually awaken.”

“Will Lilith ever return to how she was?” Liliel was unsettled by my newfound coldness.

“I don’t wish to see Her Highness like this, either. She’s burdened with too much pain.” An watched me sweep my scythe across the battlefield, speaking in anguish.

“Heh, has Your Highness Liliana vented enough? Now, it’s my turn.” At that moment, the illusionist’s voice rang out again from all sides. My attack had failed to affect him at all.

“You hide well,” I said with disdain. “Let’s see what skills you really possess, coward.”

“Is that so? Then look forward to it.” The illusionist replied, “Welcome to my stage. Now, enjoy my performance. Let me peel back the dust-laden layers of your heart and see what’s hidden within. Welcome to your own inner world: Illusion Domain—Nightmare.”

As his words faded, a subtle mist rose from all directions, enveloping us. The fog thickened, and Liliel and An’s forms disappeared from my view, replaced by a dense, endless haze.

“You want to peer into my heart? What a joke. You think you’re qualified? Let’s see what you can find in there,” I said scornfully.

“Lilith, so you’re here?” Suddenly, a voice sounded at my ear. A figure walked toward me through the fog, gradually coming into focus.