บท 510: Chapter 510: Subjugation

The vampire suddenly turned to look in a different direction.

His face showed clear displeasure, and the arrow in his hand was crushed into pieces. He wasn't facing any of the Red or Black factions' Servants present, but a newly arrived girl.

If the vampire was a noble of the night, then this girl was the one who brought dawn, tearing through the darkness.

The holy flag fluttered in the wind, emitting a pure and sacred light that starkly contrasted with the darkness surrounding the vampire.

Everyone's eyes turned to the Ruler. This included Karna, who had once sought her life, but Jeanne paid him no attention—she silently stared at the newly born vampire.

In Jeanne's eyes, the status sheet of the Black Berserker had undergone significant changes.

Having become a vampire, his attributes, which had dropped to zero due to lack of recognition, had returned, and in some aspects, he was even stronger than he had been as the Prince of Wallachia.

His skill set had also changed accordingly.

"Demonic Defender of the State" was replaced by "Vampirism" and "Transformation," and "Battle Continuation" had also changed.

Vampirism: Rank A

One of the vampire's powers.

Through the act of sucking blood, the target is turned into a servant. Although the one being drained remains alive, they become fundamentally the vampire's thrall, akin to the dead.

Moreover, since this act is one of affection rather than attack, even those with bodies that can withstand all kinds of attacks cannot defend against it.

Transformation: Rank C

One of the vampire's powers.

Can transform into mist, monsters, or countless bats. Though highly effective in melee combat, it is less effective against wide-range attacks.

Battle Continuation: Rank A

One of the vampire's powers.

Will not die easily. Even with mortal wounds, can continue to fight, disregarding physical damage entirely.

In other words—

"Vlad III, no, Vampire Dracula is a dangerous monster disrupting the Holy Grail War and a threat to humanity. If left unchecked, he could turn all Servants and people into his thralls. Once he leaves the Hanging Gardens..."

Jeanne did not finish her sentence, but everyone understood her meaning—this madness could spread to the entire world!

Although the vampire appeared rational and calm, his method of overpowering Achilles and biting him directly indicated that Jeanne's words were likely true.

Even if he didn't spread the vampire plague worldwide, for the heroes, becoming a monster and a thrall under his control was unacceptable—regardless of faction. If they clung to their factions now, once the Red faction was converted, the Black faction wouldn't escape conversion and enslavement either. After all, only one person could claim the Holy Grail.

Whether to protect the world, to conceal the mysteries, or simply for their survival, they could not ignore him.

The Vampire before them had become the number one enemy of all Servants. This was why Jeanne had abandoned her fight with Semiramis and rushed here urgently.

The most troublesome aspect of the Black Berserker lies in his concept. In Romania, Vlad III is a hero who protected the nation, but the legend of Dracula the vampire also exists, meaning history and legend are intertwined. The faint light of the guardian of the nation and his notoriety may directly apply to him.

If he reaches the Greater Grail and is released from the Hanging Gardens... Jeanne truly has no idea how to deal with this monster. Perhaps the legendary tragedy "The Night of Walachia" will replay, and this time it won't be a nightmare but a reality.

The vampire must be defeated here; he must not be allowed to escape.

"So, that's your judgment, Ruler? But remember, everything I have done has not violated the rules of the Holy Grail War. Black Archer's attack on me to protect his disciple and his honor is his freedom, but as the adjudicator, you are violating your duty by doing so."

Hearing the vampire's words, Jeanne frowned slightly.

Upon careful consideration, this was indeed the case. Everything the Black Berserker had done was not against the rules. Transforming into a monster was a result of his second Noble Phantasm, "Succession of Blood," and turning others into thralls through vampirism was an inherent skill. The Holy Grail War did not prohibit converting enemies into thralls or familiars.

If he were not allowed to do this, his Noble Phantasm should have been sealed from the start.

Since he was granted this Noble Phantasm, its use was legitimate. Punishing someone who hasn't violated the rules would be against the adjudicator's duty, akin to a biased referee.

"But, you will distort the world—"

"That's just your subjective judgment. Until now, the Count hasn't done anything to distort the world. When did speculation and possibilities become grounds for conviction? Your actions are really hard to justify."

Darnic let out a harsh, derisive chuckle. Known as the "Eight-Forked Tongue," he was especially skilled in manipulating words, making the unreasonable seem reasonable, and in this case, he indeed had a point.

"This..."

Seeing Jeanne's hesitation, Darnic pressed further.

"Moreover, the fact that the Count can speak as he did just now shows that he still possesses rationality and awareness. The situation you fear won't happen. Of course, if you insist on your judgment, we will resist by all means. If any unforeseen events occur, it will be you who forced a being with human nature left into becoming a true monster."

"Tch, speaking as if you're righteous when you're a vampire. Ruler may have scruples, but I don't. Black Berserker, I don't like you, so I'm going to kill you!"

While Jeanne, Chiron, and others were shaken by these words, Achilles scornfully curled his lip. Like or dislike, right or wrong, he didn't care.

His right hand wielding the Spear and the left hand holding the Shield, and with the Comet Form in his legs, Achilles launched another attack on the vampire, this time determined not to give him any chance to suck blood.

A large number of stakes erupted from the vampire's body, the most common manifestation of the "Kazikli Bey." Though not summoned from the ground, there was no need to worry about surprise attacks—however, stakes thrown by the vampire's extraordinary strength naturally exceeded the speed of sound.

"Tch, how annoying...!!"

Achilles swung his shield, swiftly deflecting the stakes. But the impact of the stakes also affected his unparalleled swift feet.

Taking advantage of this opportunity, the vampire quickly closed in, striking the Shield with both claws.

The shield remained unbroken, but Achilles was sent flying by the vampire's immense strength, crashing into the corridor wall. Though unharmed due to his immortality, Achilles couldn't hide his shock at the vampire's overwhelming strength.

At that moment, the vampire's transformed weapon was already near Achilles—turning this ancient Greek hero into a thrall would almost guarantee victory in this Holy Grail War.

However, his attempt was thwarted by Karna's spear.

Although slightly inferior to Achilles, Karna was also highly agile. As Achilles moved, Karna raised his immortal blade.

Meanwhile, the last Servant of the Red faction, Atalanta, quietly nocked a blackened arrow. Her target was not the vampire, who was holding his own against two top-tier Servants.

She aimed at the vampire's Master, Darnic!