Hero of Darkness

The grand execution ceremony was happening throughout many powerful clans who ruled over regions and had millions of people under them. And their spearhead, the Vandereich clan was no exception. 

Vivian Mor Vandereich, who appeared like some princess of a kingdom and made millions of hearts stir and beat faster than usual as soon as she appeared on the screens spread throughout the entire empire when nearly 2 billion citizens were watching the grand execution ceremony from different places. 

To the onlookers, it appeared as if a silver-haired angel descended from the heavens and was about to deliver divine retribution.

Her pristine and innocent appearance had soothed the souls of many males and the number of people who were transfixed on the spot and had a 'love on first sight' scenario were in millions. 

But little did anyone know that this seemingly pure and untouchable goddess was actually a ruthless killer and one of these traitors herself. The reason why she was not hung on one of these poles was known only to a dozen people. 

In Vivian's right hand was a brightly burning torch and she was tasked by the clan to burn these 28 traitors who once held influential and important positions in the clan. There was even a Third Stage Saint rank swordsman, one of the Elders lied amongst these traitors. 

Rather than sparing the life of this powerful warrior, the Vandereich clan had decided to kill him instead. 

At this same moment, Ismatrazel & several of the other Elders were looking at Vivian as if trying to gauge her expressions and see if she had the resolve to burn these people or not. 

Unbeknownst to everyone watching her throughout the empire, she felt a chill in her body and had goosebumps all over it. 

The clan heiress gathered the strength to move her body as she walked from one end to the other and started to light up the wooden logs below them as the fire quickly spread and consumed these vampires. 

Unlike the fictional stories on Earth, Vampires in Vantrea had no problem walking in the sun or could only be killed using a silver bullet or a stake to the heart. They functioned just like humans but one thing was the most effective to kill them. 

Death by fire. 

Their bodies did not have any form of resistance against fire at all. Like meeting a catalyst, they would burn 5 times faster and thoroughly compared to many other species. And hence, this method was chosen by the clan. 

One by one, bodies were burned alive but no screams were heard as all these people had been gagged and couldn't use any of their skills or mana under the seals. All they could do was flail their bodies before turning into ash at a visible rate. 

From the end where she started, stood Szayel. His countenance was completely unfazed, maintaining the aura of nobility and the clan heir. But inside, he was laughing happily. 

Because the people Vivian was ordered to burn were once her own allies and backers who conspired against him and chose to sell him off to the enemies. The ones who shared the same ideology were being sent to the afterlife by her own hands. 

He was simply rejoicing after looking at the irony. 

Vivian on the other hand was feeling her soul was being crushed as she was forced to kill her allies. To everyone watching the ceremony, it felt like she was given the biggest honor but in reality, she was traumatized from killing her backers who she spent years together behind the shadows. 

When she reached the end and everyone except one vampire was left alive... Vivian let out a tear of grief. 

And since it was being broadcast to everyone.. Ismatrazel decided to speak in. 

"My daughter, Vivian Mor Vandereich is thoroughly devastated from the fact that among the people she just burned now.. Lies an elder of our clan who watched her grow since she was but a newborn. 

The person she had a sense of attachment to has turned out to be someone who traded her life for power and authority. So to kill someone who she once admired is weighing down on her. " clarified the clan leader in his kingly voice. 

But to onlookers, this was as emotional as it could be. Thousands of weak-willed also teared up as if they too felt her pain. 

In the end, Vivian completed the ceremony by putting Kereberos on fire. 

The same fate was delivered to the thousands of traitors who served these people by the soldiers of the clan. 

The same was happening over other clans as they too punished the traitors in their own respective methods. 

Gruesome execution happened and it sent a message to everyone about what happens when you betray your own people. 

The truly informed and powerful understood that this was also a form of a declaration against the enemy factions that the Pureblood Faction will not tolerate any of this in the future. 

That there was a line that was crossed and they didn't fear killing even their strongest fighters if they joined the enemy side. 

When the night finally came, the entire estate was finally cleared out. Millions of people who came to watch the ceremony were escorted to their respective accommodations. 

Only a few people knew that this whole grand execution plan was actually something in the works for over a month. As for who planned it all, nobody knew except for the top clan members and people of the Faction Council. 

At this moment, inside the Elders Council hall.. All the members who were present during the execution ceremony including the clan leader were kneeling. 

In front of an elderly vampire who was extremely frail and looked like he had one leg in the coffin just from his appearance was sitting on a throne. 

"It is done. Everything you planned for was executed perfectly as you previously commanded, Great Father." spoke Ismatrazel. 

"Ah.. We are lucky that we found out about one of the culprits and everything happened according to our plans. You too made a good choice to use that human boy as a bait, my son." spoke this elderly and frail figure who had long silver hair dropping to his knees. 

His gaze then landed on a female who was now wrapped in chains from her hands to her torso. She too was kneeling on the ground like everyone else. Albeit not with respect but because of extreme fear in her eyes. 

After looking at her sullen and ashen expression, the Great Ancestor of the Vandereich clan who was also the leader of the Pureblood Faction. A Seventh Stage Saint Rank entity and also one of the three strongest people in their entire empire asked in a tyrannical tone that sent shivers to everyone present in the room. 

"Now, my dear granddaughter... Are you ready to repent for your crimes against the clan?"