Terra Aeterna: The Rise of Humanity's War Machine

After Selene left, Amalia slowly turned to Kenthelion and stared at him intently. Her gaze was unusual—not just curious, but as if probing through the layers of his mind.

Kenthelion frowned slightly, feeling uncomfortable.

Kenthelion: "Amalia, why are you looking at me like that?"

He wasn't the type of man easily unsettled by a woman's stare, but Amalia's gaze was different. Too calm. Too piercing.

Amalia: "I just want to know… what is your real purpose in doing all of this?"

Kenthelion: "Of course, it's for Alexander's blood." He shrugged and spread his hands as if he had no other choice. "I can't take it myself, so the only way is through an agreement."

Amalia frowned, studying Kenthelion as if trying to match his words with reality.

Amalia: "Just for blood? You're willing to challenge an entire nation? I think… you're insane." She crossed her arms over her chest, her tone growing colder. "You also seem disgusted by the other vampires and lycans, but when a beautiful woman shows up, your instinctive disgust suddenly disappears."

Kenthelion fell silent for a moment. In his mind he thought, "This woman's instincts are sharp, too." He knew Amalia wasn't entirely wrong. In his view, vampires and lycans were just tools. He didn't care if they died or tore each other apart. But of course, such a truth couldn't be spoken lightly—especially not to Amalia.

Kenthelion: "You won't understand. You've lived for thousands of years, Amalia." He looked at her, half serious, half deflecting. "That blood… is so I can live long enough to accompany my woman. For thousands of years, or more."

Amalia fell silent.

She was not stupid. She knew Kenthelion spoke only half the truth—perhaps less than half. But she also knew when to stop asking questions. Once, she herself became a vampire to live longer. Now, Kenthelion was doing something similar. Maybe their reasons weren't so different.

Then, suddenly, Amalia extended her hand. Her face was calm, her voice flat.

Amalia: "I can help you. Drink my blood, so you can live long."

Kenthelion stared at that hand. Silent. Unmoving.

This foolish girl… he thought.

If she truly wanted him to drink blood, she would have done so long ago. But in reality, he hadn't touched a drop to this day. Not because he couldn't—but because he refused to become a disgusting creature that lost its humanity.

Besides, the universe was too vast. With so many worlds out there, Kenthelion was convinced—one day he would find something better than vampire blood. Something that could grant true immortality for his women.

After all… with the legacy of the Emperor of Mankind, I am already on par with immortal beings. As long as I'm not reckless and remain cautious… I will not die. Kenthelion murmured in his mind.

Kenthelion: "I have no intention of becoming a vampire. Alexander's blood is just a tool—to study whether my women can live thousands of years… without becoming bloodthirsty creatures."

At those words, Amalia flinched slightly. Instantly, she understood. Slowly, she withdrew her hand—embarrassed by her impulsive offer.

Kenthelion only smiled faintly.

Kenthelion: "Amalia… thank you."

He stepped forward, approaching Amalia. His gaze was serious, as if wanting to convey something unsaid. Amalia, feeling confused and uneasy at his closeness, immediately pushed against Kenthelion's chest.

Amalia: "Go away. Don't get too close to me, bastard."

The push wasn't strong, but enough to make Kenthelion step back. Yet, instead of annoyance, he smiled in satisfaction. To him, this wasn't rejection—this was a sign that he was beginning to occupy space in her mind.

He recalled how Amalia—or Selene—had panicked before. He knew there was a part of him that had now filled a small corner in their hearts.

If gentleness fails… then let them remember me through turmoil. If you are persistent enough… you can conquer even the hardest-hearted woman.

Then—knock knock knock.

A rap on the door broke the strange silence.

Kenthelion: "Come in."

A Battlecruiser officer entered, giving a full salute.

Officer: "Your Majesty the Emperor, here is the item returned by the Cleaner unit from Alexander Corvinus's side."

He handed over a small vial containing a thick, reddish-purple liquid, then withdrew.

Kenthelion: "Good. You may leave."

Officer: "Yes, my lord." The soldier bowed and closed the door quietly.

Kenthelion turned to Amalia, his eyes shining with interest.

Kenthelion: "My wife… try this."

Amalia glanced at the vial, then at Kenthelion with a lazy look.

She had no intention of indulging the casual "my wife" address. Yet without much comment, she opened the vial and drank its contents.

A few seconds later, she stood and walked slowly to the window, pulling back the curtain—as if seeking fresh air.

Kenthelion was momentarily surprised. He hadn't expected her to do something so foolish as to open the curtains at night after drinking a mysterious liquid.

Kenthelion (to himself): This woman really is ridiculous…

Amalia froze, realizing her mistake. Night had already fallen. There was no sunlight outside. The curtain she opened meant nothing… except serving as the perfect excuse to cover her embarrassment.

She did not turn around. She simply stood there—her back to the room, her face hidden in shadow.

Kenthelion watched her, smiling quietly. For a while, the room was engulfed in silence. One person stood stiff with embarrassment, the other smiled inwardly at his small victory.

Then—the door opened again.

Selene reentered the room. She saw Amalia hastily turn and walk away, half-blushing, half-anxious. Selene raised an eyebrow—curious.

Selene: "What's wrong with her?"

Her gaze immediately shifted to Kenthelion, suspecting his usual mischief.

Selene: "Are you bothering Amalia again?"

Kenthelion realized Selene had misunderstood, so without delay, he explained exactly what had happened. After hearing the explanation, Selene was silent. She hadn't expected that Amalia—who'd lived more than a thousand years—could still make such a foolish mistake. Just imagining it made Kenthelion chuckle quietly.

Kenthelion: "All right, it's late now. Tomorrow we need to investigate the situation at the vampires' mansion. Let's sleep."

Without more words, Kenthelion embraced Selene and led her back to the bedroom.

---

The Next Morning

At the military command center, Defense Minister János Szabó received a report that all the vampires had evacuated, and their mansion was now empty. Responding to this, he immediately instructed General Ferenc Veér to send troops to capture any remaining vampires—if there were any—and confirm whether the elders had truly escaped.

Following orders, General Veér's adjutant brought a captured vampire to the vampires' mansion location. Upon arrival, they found the place heavily guarded by fully armed military units. The adjutant then ordered the captive vampire to reveal the secret mechanism so the troops could enter.

Once the mechanism was opened, the troops infiltrated inside. They discovered a vast stone hall, with three circular patterns carved into the floor. Two of the circles were open and empty—only the last circle remained, containing something within it.

The vampire whispered quietly, "The one in the center… that is the last elder."

General Veér's adjutant immediately ordered his soldiers, "Pour in the prepared blood. Let's see if he's still alive."

The soldiers brought a bucket full of fresh blood and poured it into the circle. The blood was absorbed into the stone carvings, forming a faintly glowing red pattern.

Suddenly, a terrifying sound rang out—like aged wood scraping and rusted metal hinges creaking.

"Krieek… gruuung…"

The stone lid cracked and slowly opened. A horrifying figure emerged—long ears, sharp fangs protruding, a pair of fleshy wings spreading, and a bat-like face of terror. Marcus Corvinus opened eyes glowing with blood-red light.

Adjutant Veér (panicking): "Shoot! Kill him! NOW!"

Gunfire erupted. Assault rifles spat bullets without pause—rat-tat-tat!—lighting up the hall with flashes and metallic thuds.

But it was futile. Marcus leapt into the air, ripping soldiers apart one by one, their bodies scattering in an instant. Screams echoed as blood flooded the stone floor.

Within minutes, everyone was dead. Including General Veér's adjutant. The only survivor was a trembling vampire, barely able to stand.

Marcus approached slowly. He bit the vampire's neck—drinking its blood brutally—and began absorbing the victim's memories.

Moments later, he knew everything: Victor and Amalia were dead. Kraven had become leader of the vampires, but was hunted by humans.

Marcus Corvinus: "They're all dead… haha! Now only I, Marcus Corvinus, remain. My brother, William—I will free you once this is over. Wait for me… nothing can stop me now." Marcus laughed, a howl echoing like a beast in the pitch-black night.

---

Outside, the soldiers on guard heard gunfire and screams from inside the vampires' mansion. Their instincts kicked in. Heavy machine guns were positioned. Rocket launchers aimed. Everyone was on high alert.

Suddenly, from the roof of the building, a winged monster shot into the sky—Marcus.

Army Officer (panicking): "Fire! Kill him! NOW!"

Without warning, gunfire tore through the night. "Rat-tat-tat!" Assault rifles spat bullets, muzzle flashes lighting up as hot lead burned the darkness. Empty casings clattered like a rain of metal on the floor.

Rocket launchers fired. "WHOOSH!" The rocket soared through the roaring air, and "BOOOOM!!" A massive explosion shook the ground, jolting the soldiers' hearts into their throats.

But the monster… He was too fast.

Marcus dove and evaded, his body like an untouchable shadow. Although some bullets penetrated his skin and left wounds, black blood flowed from him—but he only roared in anger.

With lightning speed, Marcus charged the front lines. His hands tore flesh apart. His fangs clamped and ripped. Soldiers standing were split in two, or crushed until their skulls shattered.

Screams of pain mixed with the faltering rhythm of gunfire—as soldiers fell one by one.

In an instant, the place became a slaughterhouse.

Blood pooled on the ground. Chopped flesh spatters clung to the walls. Helmets were tossed aside, empty beneath them.

Rocket launchers couldn't lock on. Bullets seemed pointless—piercing the monster's body but failing to halt his advance.

Eventually, the troops' morale collapsed. Soldiers began to flee. But… Marcus, his eyes blazing and wings spread, hunted them down one by one.

Every escape ended in death.

Necks torn apart. Backs stabbed from behind. Screams cut off mid-run.

No one survived. No one was given a chance.

This assault was no longer a massacre. It was a proclamation: the monster had returned.

---

Inside the Battlecruiser Dominion — Low Earth Orbit

In the main command room, the large holographic display showed the horrifying scene: Marcus Corvinus, the ancient winged monster, hunting down and slaughtering government soldiers one by one. Their screams were audible even through the audio feed—becoming the tragic soundtrack to the devastation they had brought upon themselves.

All were silent.

Kenthelion stood with arms crossed, eyes fixed on the screen, his expression half-disgusted, half-amused.

None of them had expected the soldiers to act so foolishly—providing fresh blood that awakened Marcus, as if summoning a demon from hell without any sacred barrier.

"Shouldn't they have awakened him inside a titanium cage with hundreds of security layers, sedated him, then re-imprisoned him?" Kenthelion thought, both amused and irritated.

He recalled long debates on internet forums before being thrown into this world. At that time, he insisted that in the real world, the military would be more rational than depicted in films. It turned out… He had been very wrong.

Kenthelion murmured inwardly: "I thought 'stupid for the sake of the plot' logic only existed in movies. But in reality… the militaries of this world are just as foolish."

He exhaled deeply, then spoke without taking his eyes off the screen.

Kenthelion: "Marcus is out. Who do you think he'll look for first?"

Selene thought for a moment, frowning.

Selene: "…Kraven. He'll surely look for Kraven."

Kenthelion: "Wrong." He smiled thinly. "Marcus isn't an idiot. He won't touch Kraven first."

Amalia—who had been silent until now—spoke up. Her face was serious, as if recalling something from the past.

Amalia: "He'll look for… that historian who was exiled. I forget his name. But he's the only one who knows where William is held."

Kenthelion nodded slowly, his gaze sharp.