Reborn As A Ghost: Time To Build My Undead Army!-Chapter 1807: Catching The Cowards

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Seeing the city in ruins, Maria felt her blood boil once more.

"These damn bastards, trampling over everyone and everything!" she growled aloud.

Once they arrived, a group of soldiers intercepted them and blocked their path.

Nia demonstrated her wind magic, and the guards let them pass without further trouble.

"Wow, I never thought my magic would make getting through here so easy..." Nia said.

"That’s because Mom is awesome!" Celes exclaimed, gazing at his mother with shining eyes.

"Heheh, you really think so?" Nia giggled sweetly.

"Yeah, you’ve polished your magic to the point of mastery and even beyond," Maria nodded. "You’re probably the greatest Wind and Thunder Mage and Cultivator around."

"Maria..." Nia blushed, clearly delighted by the praise. "All right! I’ll help however I can then!"

As they entered the city, the soldiers explained what had happened.

"A day ago, a giant crimson tower appeared. It crushed the plaza and kidnapped half our people...!" one soldier said.

"We couldn’t do anything! Even the Wind Riders were taken!" another added.

"And... that’s not even the worst of it. The white temple attacked the castle too!" a third soldier continued. "They were demanding someone who carries the Sacred Wind Bloodline—descendants of the Ancient Storm Sage."

"After using the people the vampires captured as hostages, the Princess and current Saintess offered herself and was taken by a group calling themselves Gods of Olympus..." a female soldier explained.

"But why did they want someone with that bloodline?" Maria asked.

"I believe her father knows the reason..." one soldier replied.

They reached the half-destroyed castle and met the royal family, including the king of the city.

The man was a tall, muscular black crow; his wife was a much smaller, green-feathered hummingbird.

"Our dear daughter is small and adorable, just like my wife..." the king sighed heavily. "I am so worried... If you truly are who you claim to be... please save her! I will reward you with anything you need!"

"Calm down," Nia said gently. "Could you tell us first why she was kidnapped?"

"Yeah, I was about to ask the same..." Emeraldine nodded. "Surely it wasn’t just because she’s pretty, right?"

"No..." The king fell silent for a moment. "Our bloodline carries a special ability. There are ancient ruins no one else can enter, guarded by fierce winds... but those with their power of bloodline, along with Wind Riders chosen by the winds, can pass through. Inside, they can find the source of Wind Stones and take as many as needed."

"..." Maria paused, processing the information. "I see. They wanted the Wind Stones, so they kidnapped her to use her as a key to extract them from wherever they originate."

"Indeed," the king confirmed with a nod. "I imagine they headed to the Ancient Ruins high above, in the Storm Seas... a perilous place... If anything happens to my dear daughter... I would have gone myself, but I know I am powerless, and my city lies in ruins, half my people taken...!"

"Where did the Crimson Tower go?" Lucifer asked.

"To the south, I believe. It’s targeting island after island, seizing as many people as possible in a rush!" the king answered.

"Hm..." Maria nodded decisively. "Have you received any recent reports?"

"Just minutes ago... Heaven City was attacked..." the man said. "They have one of the largest armies, but it seems they’re losing."

"Heaven City and the Storm Seas—we’ll have to split up," Maria sighed. "They probably planned this knowing we couldn’t chase them all easily... a grave mistake on their part."

"Actually, the two locations aren’t too far apart. You can pass near Heaven City on your way to the Storm Seas, but you must hurry...!" the king urged.

"Is that so? That makes things a little less complicated. Let’s go!"

Maria quickly enveloped everyone in her Aura and soared higher and higher, using the map she had been given to navigate the endless skies.

With Nia’s assistance and the protective shield Hawken provided, they pushed against the ferocious winds and flew hundreds of kilometers.

Maria channeled the power of Void, allowing her to skip across vast distances in moments.

Until...

They saw it!

Heaven City lay in ruins. The Crimson Tower was already moving away.

"They’re getting away!" Lucifer roared.

"They’re too far!" Nia cried.

"Are they using some kind of technology?! Look—the propulsors are charging and flying away at incredible speed!" Emeraldine exclaimed.

"They know we’re on their trail!" Maria said. "Unfortunately for them, once my eyes lock onto something... it cannot easily escape my sight."

TRUUUM!

Darkness and Void erupted everywhere. The crimson tower was instantly ensnared within an endless Void Dominion.

Unable to break free, the massive structure trembled violently as it fought back.

Hundreds of vampires inside united their powers in a desperate attempt to escape!

"Where do you think you’re going, cowards?! Face me! Aren’t you all the proud Vampires of Umbralheim?!"

Maria roared, Nia at her side. Her winds surged with fury, as though the world itself guided them to amplify Maria’s blade.

SLAAASH!

A devastating slash erupted, infused with Nia’s Wind and Thunder alongside Maria’s Void and Shadows.

The sword energy tore through the tower. Barriers proved useless as the entire structure was cleaved in two. 𝗳𝗿𝐞𝕖𝘄𝗲𝕓𝗻𝚘𝚟𝕖𝐥.𝚌𝕠𝕞

BOOOM!

The colossal edifice began to collapse. Vampires poured out in panic as Maria, Nia, Hawken, Lucifer, Jonathan, Partner, and the others charged forward.

Unleashing magic, martial arts, skills, and techniques, they cut down dozens upon dozens of vampires.

Maria’s swordsmanship had evolved even further. Each strike birthed additional attacks. She no longer fought alone, her Dream Ghosts accompanied her, manifesting only at the precise moment her blade struck a foe.

Therefore...

{Spectral Ghostly Fist Art: Thirteenth Form – Spectral Dream Ghost Carnival}!

SLASH! SLASH! SLASH! SLASH!

Dozens of vampires perished. Their barriers, auras, sanguine relics, and magic were all sliced apart.

Amid the chaos, the Family Head emerged. His eyes widened in terror, his face pale as he confronted the monster before him.

"Damn it! Why?! Why didn’t you agree to join us! Mariaaaaaa!"

He unleashed his Aura in desperation, prepared to die. Shadows and specters manifested around him as the young-looking Family Head charged toward Maria, his long black hair flowing, red eyes blazing, and handsome features marking him as unlike the rest.

CLAAASH!

He summoned a pair of Shadow Specter Swords and attempted to clash with her.

As if he could ever match her swordsmanship.

"Why didn’t I join you?" Maria asked coldly. "Why would I ever join trash like you?! You only deserve to die! I will avenge everyone you’ve made suffer!"

Maria parried his blows effortlessly, forcing him back. She swung her sword, carving through the shadows that tried to reach her.

"Whom are you even talking about?! The lowly mortals who aren’t even worth our time?! Why would a being as powerful as you waste herself protecting such meaningless weaklings?! I just don’t understand! All of us in the Crimson Order admire your strength, yet you squander it on trash!"

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