Everyone's expression displayed shock before it shifted as they rushed forward into the town, Beast Spirits already manifesting.

But as they passed by the gates, they paused and then blinked.

A pale man stood in the center of the square. White hair fell to his shoulders in stark contrast against his Seeker outfit, which was similar to Amiya's but clearly marked a higher rank. A black cloak draped from his shoulders, shadows trailing off it like smoke despite no wind. A black hat sat atop his head, brim casting his face in partial darkness.

But his terrifying crimson eyes that glowed were impossible to miss.

Everyone except Brunhilde shivered from just staring at those eyes. Some primal instinct screamed danger, predator, death, and made them look away quickly, unable to maintain eye contact.

Amiya's eyes widened, shock appearing on her face. "Master Vlad is here?"

Brunhilde hummed thoughtfully, showing no discomfort from the man's presence. "Then we don't really need to do anything. Taking on large numbers is his specialty."

Reinhard blinked, forcing himself to focus past the instinctive fear. He watched as Vlad waved his hand casually toward the roots rushing through the area.

The ground shook violently before the cobblestones cracked and split. Then countless crimson-black stakes burst from beneath the earth, each several meters long, wickedly pointed, and shining with a crimson light.

They rushed out swiftly, instantly impaling the roots that had been advancing. The stakes pierced through wood, shattering some sections, severing others completely. Root fragments were scattered across the ground, rolling on the ground, while others shattered.

Vlad waved his hand again.

More stakes rose from the ground, but these formed patterns. They created a barrier around clusters of townspeople who were cowering. The stakes interlocked, creating walls of crimson-black metal that surrounded civilians on all sides. But it wasn't just them, but all the buildings around as massive stakes rushed up around the buildings.

A root tried approaching one protected group.

The moment it touched the stake barrier, another stake expanded from the wall, rushing outward like a spear. It sliced through the root cleanly, severing it before it could threaten anyone.

A Werefang leaped toward a family huddled behind stakes, but mid-jump, a stake burst from the ground beneath it. The weapon pierced through the beast's stomach, lifting it into the air. The Werefang writhed, claws scraping uselessly at crimson-black things, before going still.

Chimera Beasts rushed through the area, smashing against the crimson stake, which slightly cracked. Before being pierced by them, leading to them crying out, but their body began to regenerate.

Vlad leaped into the air, reaching twenty feet up, and his hand waved in a circular motion. Crimson light swirled above him, forming a portal perhaps ten feet wide, and the portal glowed twice.

Then, stakes began raining down.

Hundreds of them fell from the portal like deadly rain, and each stake found a target with terrifying accuracy. They struck Chimeras throughout the town square, nailing them to the ground, pinning limbs, and piercing through vital areas.

The rain continued for five full seconds, transforming the square into a forest of crimson-black lights.

Vlad descended slowly, landing on one of his own stakes. He stood balanced on the pointed tip, posture relaxed as his crimson eyes swept across the battlefield, noting survivors.

Some Phantasm Beasts tried fleeing, such as a Bear-Terror that turned and ran toward the eastern gate. A cluster of Werefangs scattered in different directions, and even several Chimeras attempted to escape.

Vlad rushed forward, his movement a blur of black cloak and trailing shadows. Stakes materialized in his hands as he moved, appearing from nothing, and threw them with casual flicks of his wrist.

The first stake caught the fleeing Bear-Terror between its shoulder blades. The impact drove the beast forward, slamming its face-first into cobblestones, and the stake pinned it there, forcing it down on the ground.

Then swiftly, more stakes flew.

Each one found a Werefang mid-stride, nailing them to the ground or walls. The beasts tried pulling free, claws scraping against stakes. But where stakes pierced, flesh began turning to dust, and spreading outward from the wound.

The Chimeras that weren't instantly killed began roaring. Their sounds weren't aggression but one of fear and pure terror as they trembled, trying desperately to move. But their bodies wouldn't respond, paralyzed by something in those crimson stakes.

Vlad clapped his hands together once.

The sound echoed through the square, impossibly loud.

All the stakes shone simultaneously with the crimson light shining from each one, creating a forest of glowing pillars. Then the blood scattered across the ground from the beasts and chimeras began moving.

It defied gravity, rising upward in streams. The blood wrapped around struggling beasts and roots, forming spheres that enclosed them completely.

The spheres glowed with crimson light.

They began spinning, rotating faster and faster. Within them, shapes twisted and churned with bodies breaking down, matter being unmade.

When the spheres faded, nothing remained.

There were no bodies, no roots, and not even an ash of the beast and roots remained, all of them had been completely destroyed.

Vlad nodded once, satisfaction evident in the gesture. He waved his hand again, and the crimson stakes protecting townspeople faded, dissolving into shadows that dissipated like smoke.

The civilians cheered, their voices rising in relief and gratitude. They checked on each other, confirming everyone survived.

But as their eyes found Vlad standing in the square's center, wariness replaced celebration. They slowly departed, moving away quickly, not wishing to approach or speak with the Leader of the Seekers.

Vlad didn't react, his expression showed he'd expected exactly this response.

Amiya rushed toward him, her Seeker coat flaring behind her while Janus followed close, his orange eyes wide.

Both had questions clearly burning on their tongues.

Vlad greeted them with a slight nod. "The other two Seekers said you went on a trip." His voice was smooth, cultured, carrying authority without volume. "Why is that?"

Amiya blushed, looking down briefly. "It was to find a key thing to help against the Dark Silence, Master."

Vlad blinked in surprise, but before he could respond, his attention shifted. His crimson eyes found Reinhard and the others approaching.

More specifically, they locked onto Brunhilde.

Vlad's expression shifted as he faintly smiled. "Martha." He addressed her directly, ignoring everyone else. "Have you come to join the cause like I once asked before?"

Brunhilde shook her head, her violet-blue hair swaying. "My name is Brunhilde now. And no, I'm not here to be an Inquisitor. But I am here to help destroy the Dark Silence."

Vlad chuckled as he nodded. "Brunhilde? A good name, and hearing your modes to help with the Dark Silence, that's even better." His crimson eyes swept across the group again, noting details. "But where did you go? And what do you mean you found the key to the Dark Silence?"

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