Strategizing Within a Command Tent

After the two elders of the Arcane Hermitage, Chief Raymond, and the investigators had all departed, another hour passed before the old mansion finally welcomed its last guest.

Monica, dressed in a long overcoat and a wide-brimmed sun hat, knocked on the door.

Ophelia ushered her into the living room and, taking in her attire, couldn't help but remark, "It's the peak of summer, and you're dressed like that? Aren’t you afraid the city guards will recognize you?"

"I tried to keep it as low-key as possible," Monica replied, placing her sun hat on the coat rack before curiously surveying the interior of the old house. "So this is where Lady Evelyn used to live? I heard she was reluctant to leave, but I don’t see what’s so great about it."

"I don’t think much of it either—small and outdated," Ophelia said as she prepared a cup of black tea for her guest. "But the reason your lady didn’t want to leave wasn’t because it was comfortable."

"It’s because Luo Wei lives here, isn’t it?" Monica smirked, sitting across from Ophelia. "Thanks, but I don’t drink tea."

"Oh, right. I forgot," Ophelia chuckled, shaking her head. "You’re not Evelyn."

She couldn’t help but think—a vampire who adored human cuisine and cluttered her coffee table with random snacks was probably a one-in-a-million rarity, even across millennia.

"How’s Evelyn been lately?" Ophelia asked casually.

"She’s practically frantic," Monica sighed. "After hearing about what happened in the capital, she lost her appetite, neglected her duties, and just paces around her room. If you hadn’t insisted otherwise, she would’ve dumped all her responsibilities on me and rushed here herself."

"Her coming wouldn’t have helped," Ophelia said sternly. "Once you’re caught in the capital’s turmoil, escaping is nearly impossible. As the head of the Thornflower family, Evelyn is far more useful to me leading an intact faction, untouched by the capital’s chaos."

"She understands that. She’s just worried about you all..." Monica mused, recalling Ophelia’s plans. The Thornflower family, staying clear of the conflict, would indeed play a unique role in the capital’s upheaval.

Evelyn was too emotionally invested to see the bigger picture, unlike the princess before her, who had likely been strategizing with the Thornflowers for a long time.

After the small talk, they turned to business.

"Your Highness, we’ve accomplished what you and Luo Wei asked of us."

Monica gestured toward the door, and soon, a young man dressed in coarse farmer’s clothing was brought in by Joe.

"Long time no see," Ophelia nodded at the elder vampire, Joe.

Joe acknowledged her before kicking the young man to the ground. The man trembled, kneeling silently, not daring to lift his head.

"So this is...?" Ophelia scrutinized him.

"Yes, the crown prince of the Wintertide Tribes," Monica said with a smile.

"Impressive," Ophelia praised. "I thought it’d take longer, but you pulled it off so quickly."

"Just a bunch of barbarians," Monica shrugged. "But you should thank Lady Evelyn for this success."

"Oh?"

"After inheriting the family relic, the Blood Tome, Evelyn’s power surged. She’s now a Vampire Prince. She led the assassination herself—the entire leadership of the largest Wintertide tribe was wiped out. The chieftain and his four sons’ heads are currently displayed in our hall."

"Really?" Ophelia’s eyes widened. "A 276-year-old Vampire Prince—she’s made history."

"Her talent was never in doubt. I’m not surprised by her ascension," Joe sighed. "If only the Duke could’ve seen this day."

"Honestly, it’s the power of love," Monica giggled. That woman pushed herself to the brink, training obsessively just to avoid being a burden...

"Thank her for me—and all of you," Ophelia said sincerely. She knew well the capabilities of vampires.

Back when the Empire was rising, General Abraham’s elite unit had left a lasting impression.

Vampires were natural "masters of assassination," perfect for night raids. That unit of high-ranking vampires had once moved like shadows, eliminating countless enemy commanders. And now, Evelyn had replicated that feat shortly after taking power.

"So, what will you do with him?" Monica asked.

Ophelia studied the kneeling tribal prince. "No rush. It’s not time yet."

The Wintertide Kingdom lay north of the Empire, bordering the frigid northern territories. This tribal nation had clashed with the Empire throughout history. Recently, under Eleya’s influence, tensions had flared, with whispers of a southern invasion.

Of course, despite the posturing, they wouldn’t dare march south—just raid a few merchant caravans. After the Empire’s industrial boom, the times had changed. Those once-feared northern warriors had turned into... enthusiastic performers.

"Is he completely under your control? No risk of leaking the plan?" Ophelia pressed.

"Relax," Joe hauled the trembling prince up. "He’s my blood thrall now. His mind and will are bound to me—absolute obedience."

"So this is the legendary Blood Bond?" Ophelia mused. "Never betraying you... sounds quite useful."

A stray thought crossed her mind.

If she’d had this power earlier, she would’ve turned Luo Wei into her thrall long ago—saving herself the trouble of brainwashing...

...

While Ophelia conversed with her vampire guests, intelligence updates streamed into the mansion.

A dozen Shadow Guards continuously relayed reports from the capital, allowing Ophelia to assess the situation and issue new orders.

Seeing she wasn’t needed yet, Monica settled on the sofa, observing the princess with interest.

Since she had time to spare, she watched Ophelia command the various squads, curious how the Fifth Princess intended to orchestrate the capital’s grand performance.

"Some of the arrested resist violently, even fighting back?" Ophelia raised a brow. "Then bypass their families and move to the next target. Pick the softest fruit first—our goal isn’t really to arrest them anyway."

After a series of orders were relayed, the shadow guards who had been bustling through the parlor all departed, and the room fell silent once more.

“Are you having those agents disguise themselves as the Royal Mage Corps? And then falsely using Prince William’s name to arrest opposition members?” Monica asked curiously.

“It’s not entirely false,” Ophelia replied with a smile. “After all, William is indeed hunting down assassins. But, well, I feel his search isn’t thorough enough. The wealthy districts of Saint Callen, the mansions of the great families in the eastern sector—why doesn’t he dare touch those? Since he won’t act, I’ll help him along.”

Monica casually tallied the names. “From what I just heard, among those arrested, aside from a few officials opposed to the second prince, there are also plenty of fence-sitters, like the old nobles of Wegener and members of the Imperial Council... You’re really stirring up trouble everywhere, offending everyone.”

“The second prince will soon face widespread outrage,” Joe remarked, watching Ophelia and realizing he had still underestimated the fifth princess’s cunning.

“There’s more,” Ophelia said, turning her gaze to a shadow guard hurrying toward her. He brought news from Chief Raymond.