The Duke's Passion

876 Reserved Energy

Samael had forgotten when was the last time he enjoyed watching a duel was. The battle between Tilly and the demon Zero was nothing but a battle of pure strength and resistance. Holding each end of Tilly's weapon, they fought in close proximity, accepting each blow, and then throwing their fist and feet whichever was necessary.

'I know this feeling is unnecessary, thought Samael, but no matter how many times he told himself not to enjoy the fight, he couldn't help it.

In recent years, the duel he had witnessed was way too fancy for his taste. Vampires duel using their abilities, clouding the value of what a true test of strength he was used to. Therefore, watching this fight brought some lost sparks in his heart that he thought had gone missing.

"Tilly," came out a whisper, narrowing his eyes.

Tilly was fighting the demon Zero without complaints. She was taking punches and kicks and all sorts of attacks. Although she could successfully land her blows, Samael felt something was wrong. Her attacks were growing aggressive and her eyes were deepening.

"That... she's losing consciousness!" Samael panicked, confused at what he should do to intervene in the fight.

When a vampire was cornered, there was one trump card they had: going berserk. Many vampires who had gone berserk would lose all self-awareness in exchange for a new level of power. However, not many would resort to such a decision, for this was a double-edged sword. When a vampire had gone berserk, their lives would shorten. Most would die right after, others would have a few hours before taking their last breath.

It was the repercussion for breaking their limit.

The only person who hadn't died, even after going berserk, was Samael. Even so, Samael went into slumber for centuries the first time he went berserk. The second time, his body was in a much better state. However, he had hurt the people he loved. Although the second time was not a conscious decision, his body still paid the price.

In other words, even if Tilly would survive this mode, there would be repercussions. Moreover, if Tilly would go berserk now but didn't kill that monster, they were doomed. It was too early to make such a risky decision.

"Tilly!!" Just as Samael shouted, preparing himself to come in between Zero and Tilly, the former suddenly let go of Tilly's weapon.

Zero jumped several meters from Tilly, landing at a safe distance. His action caused Samael's brows to knit. Meanwhile, Tilly also stopped as she stretched her neck and shoulders. Tilly spat out blood to the side and then set her eyes back on Zero.

"Was I wrong?" wondered Samacl, assessing Tilly at the moment. Tilly seemed she would lose control just a second ago, but now she was back in her calm countenance. Although there was now a little dirt stuck on her face, there was no mistaking that Samael was worried for nothing. As for the demon Zero...

Samael turned his head to the other side, searching for where Zero stood. I le immediately found the guy, standing at a safe distance with his focus on Tilly.

'What happened to his hand?' Samael's already furrowed brows deepened as his eyes fell on Zero's hand. The latter's hand looked as though it was sucked dry, only skin and bones that didn't match his buffed biceps.

"Samael, I don't have the capabilities to enter berserk. Samael's thoughts halted when Tilly spoke. Iler voice was low and quiet, but his keen ears still caught her remarks. "Even if I wanted to, I can't. I don't have such a destructive prowess as yours."

"What?"

"Berserk was a reserved energy a vampire has to resist the sun. Using means death. I don't have such reserved energy"

"Why is that?"

"What a dumb fool." This time, the demon Zero laughed, sneering, "Back in the beginning. vampires were cursed beings, only allowed to live in the night. Why did you think we can now stand under the sun now?"

Samael blinked, ignoring the sarcastic look he was getting from Zero. To be fair, he doesn't have any idea. If he knew, he wouldn't even ask or wonder. Samael heard a few stories about the history of the Grimsbanne and the mainland, but somehow, there were still many details he didn't know about.

"It is all thanks to the first Grimsbanne, that is," Zero continued generously, stalling time until his hand recovered. "The first Grimsbanne fought for its kind, keeping all vampires on the mainland to avoid any more destructive wars against other creatures. Worst. war against the gods. But because of that, our clan had to seal that curse to our blood."

"What?"

"In other words, that idiot ancestor gobbled up the curse put upon this race. Now, instead of vampires being afraid of the sun, the Grimsbanne ended up cursed." Zero's eyes glinted in anger. "Such heroic decision for others, yet so unfair for his own blood."

"I will not forgive him," he added under his breath.

"That is why the Grimsbanne had seven chosen seeds," Tilly continued, giving more light on the mysteries behind their blood. "Just one person can not hold such a great curse. Thus, it was spread through our blood. Once the seven seeds exist at the same time, others said it would give all vampires to a higher level of strength."

"Hah! Do you actually believe that, Sloth?"

"Others said once the seven seeds were complete, existing at the same time, another holy war would occur. Many believed the second one. That is why many wanted us dead. Tilly pressed her lips into a thin line. "It is also the reason I find that demon foolish. He is underestimating the chosen seeds, believing he could hold such great powers and can contain it in his shallow body without it exploding"

Tilly's eyes fell on Zero's shrunken hand, which was slowly recovering. "No matter how many times you regenerate, I can guarantee you your body will continuously explode if you take hold of more than two seeds."

"That was never proven, Sloth." Zero sneered. "We'll only know once I slaughtered every single one of you!"

As soon as those rolled out of Zero's mouth, Tilly and Zero disappeared from their vantage point, only to reappear before Samael. Samael blinked, darting his eyes between Zero and Tilly, who were now at arm's length from him.

"The space is quite wide for you to fight where I am -"Samael suddenly jumped back upon sensing Zero's incoming hand. "Damn! That was close!"

When he looked back at the two, they were already gone. He looked heavenward, watching Tilly and demon Zero go on to another round. This time, Zero was avoiding Tilly's weapons at all

costs.

"I wonder why..." he trailed off as a realization crossed him. "That hand... was the one he used to hold Tilly's weapon, wasn't it?"

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