The World Is Mine For The Taking

Chapter 445 - 72 - The Capital Is Taken! (1)

Three people in the crowd started convulsing, their bodies twisting unnaturally.

I recognized one of them—Sirches, Kayla’s boyfriend. His body jerked violently, but the people around him didn’t even flinch. They kept clapping along with Sesillian, who stood there with his head raised like a god accepting their praise.

"What’s happening?" Rose asked, though her voice was muffled from the Guardian’s aura surrounding her.

"I’m wondering the same thing." I replied, trying to make sense of the situation. It didn’t feel like they were just convulsing. There was something more twisted going on, but I couldn’t quite figure it out yet.

Hmm?

Suddenly, I felt a surge of mana beneath me, something dark and massive brewing from below. What the hell was causing this?

Before I could react, the heads of the three convulsing men exploded, splattering blood and chunks of flesh everywhere in a grotesque display. The sickening mess spread across the floor like a bloody canvas, but even then, the crowd kept cheering, their hands clapping as if nothing had happened. Their attention was solely on Sesillian.

A rumbling shook the ground beneath us. Something was moving down there, something big enough to make the earth tremble. I scanned the room, but no one else seemed to notice—or maybe it was Sesillian’s influence keeping them oblivious.

"Now, now... let’s pause the applause for a moment," Sesillian’s voice echoed with smug confidence, "and allow me to give you the main agenda. Tonight, we will capture the Capital. It will serve as the main catalyst for summoning our lord, the Great Darkness. The People of the Eclipse are already preparing the summoning circle as we speak. And of course, the ritual requires a sacrifice. We’ve already met most of the requirements. All that remains is the blood of someone from the royal family."

It didn’t need to be said. That someone had to be Charlotte.

"This very place is part of the circle too," Sesillian continued. "My people have already drawn it beneath our feet without us even realizing it. Those three brave souls you just saw sacrifice themselves have provided their blood to fuel the circle, ensuring the success of the summoning. Let’s give them a round of applause, shall we?"

The crowd immediately clapped, louder than before, their cheers echoing through the ballroom.

"Thank you for dying for the greater good, Sirches!" Kayla called out, her voice filled with admiration. "This is why I fell in love with you! You’re so manly!"

"Understood."

With that, I sped towards their location.

A few minutes later, I caught up with them. I handed Rose over to Bernadette.

"Master," Amon said, looking up at the sky. "Something feels off... Look at the moon."

I glanced up. The moon had turned blood red. "Yeah, I didn’t think Sesillian could pull off something this big, but I guess I’ve been underestimating him."

"Are you coming back?" she asked.

"I am," I said, meeting her gaze.

"Take care," she replied softly, pulling me into a hug. Her breasts pressed against me, the warmth of her body making me just a little too comfortable.

"Yeah, I will," I assured her, returning the hug.

While I was at it, I gave the others the same kind of affection. Ella blushed, her face turning red as she watched. Robyn, clearly uncomfortable, got a head pat instead, like I’d given to Bernadette.

"Shadows," I addressed them, "I want you to protect as many civilians as you can after you’ve ensured everyone else’s safety. But if things get too dangerous, prioritize yourselves and escape. I don’t want any of you dying on me."

The Shadows all knelt before me, though Robyn was a bit slower, still getting used to this kind of command. But she knelt all the same.

"And after all of this," I continued, "I’ll take all of your virginities. So make sure you make it back."