The March of Vampires

"The worst-case scenario has happened... this time, I wonder if this planet can withstand it."

As Artorius muttered and mentioned 'planet', Gaia, as the will of the planet, couldn't help but shudder which triggered a magnitude seven earthquake and a twelve-meter tsunami in Southeast Asia.

Natural disasters struck when Gaia was in a sour mood, reflecting the lousy state of the Counter Force.

Unlike Alaya, who was always eager to form contracts with humans for no apparent reason, Gaia felt that this planet still needed a bit of saving.

So, in no time at all, she reached out to her protector—definitely not Artorius, but the King of the Moon, Brunestud of the Crimson Moon.

"Yes, that's right, Crimson Moon, things are going downhill fast. It's a catastrophe…"

Initially, when Gaia spoke like this, Crimson Moon found it amusing and somewhat impatient.

She couldn't fathom why Gaia was such a drama queen. After getting her on board, Gaia would call her every other day, and the messages were always unique, yet alarmingly similar like—"It's bad, Crimson Moon, the Earth is about to end."

Was Earth really that fragile? Could small meteors, comets, or other miscellaneous mishaps truly spell its doom?

A real woman of the planet would stand firm against meteor strikes; the atmosphere was just an unnecessary accessory. Look at how she got pelted with meteorites, with a giant mecha starship lodged in her rear end. Did she complain? Not a word.

Women like her were the true warriors. Weaklings like Gaia couldn't compare and deserved to be kicked out, and she, Crimson Moon, should ascend to become the will of the Planet Earth.

Crimson Moon grumbled inwardly but maintained a smiling exterior. She couldn't even utter a harsh word.

After all, she was playing the role of a kind, understanding big sister. To win Gaia over, she needed to be gentle, gentle, and even more gentle. No temper tantrums, no direct words like—"Don't bother me with trivial matters like meteor impacts on Earth from now on! What's the use of your precious atmosphere if it can't handle that?"

However, this time, things were different.

"Uh-huh."

"I understand."

"That's how it is."

"Don't worry."

"I'll be very gentle."

Based on their conversation, anyone wouldn't believe that the person capable of deceiving a girl (Gaia) like this was also a girl herself.

After concluding the conversation with Gaia, Crimson Moon's beautifully composed face turned frosty.

"Your Majesty…"

The White Winged Lord—Trhvmn Ortenrosse, still excelled at being the ultimate bootlicker. After seeing Crimson Moon finished communicating with someone, he tentatively inquired, "Did something go wrong?"

"..."

Crimson Moon merely gave him a calm look, remaining silent, then stood up abruptly. When Trhvmn began to feel somewhat awkward, she raised her hand.

"My brethren!"

In the thousand-year-old city jointly created by Gaia and Crimson Moon, every Dead Apostle and True Ancestor stood ready at the gesture of their ruler.

Recently, they had gathered at breakneck speed after losing contact with the Black Princess Altrouge, and now, their assembly was finally put to use.

They worshiped Crimson Moon fanatically.

They regarded Crimson Moon as their ruler and mother.

They feared the power of Crimson Moon.

The Dead Apostles who had dispersed due to the sealing of Crimson Moon in the distant future, had gathered together in this timeline.

The True Ancestors who were hunted due to the madness of the White Princess Arcueid in the future, had also gathered in this timeline.

They had the support of Gaia and the approval of the Counter Force.

At this moment, Crimson Moon and the vampires were at the height of their power.

Flawless, perfect, invincible!

"Get ready!" Crimson Moon said solemnly. "We're going on a war!"

""OOOHHH—!!!""

With the command of the King of the Moon, the formidable vampire's warriors and soldiers responded with enthusiasm. Under the brilliance of Crimson Moon, the millennium-old city swiftly completed its preparations for war.

The fallen knights, the rogue mages who delved into forbidden magecraft, the pleasure-seeking monsters and creatures of the dead, and the True Ancestors who replaced the gods of the old era and became Gaia's new 'sense of touch'—all marched under the leadership of Crimson Moon.

They left their abode in Eastern Europe to advance towards the capital of the Dragon Emperor.

Under the care of Gaia, the evil vampire army proceeded without any hindrance. Day was replaced by night, and the Crimson Moon took the place of the shining sun. The entire region of Eastern Europe plunged into chaos.

It was merely an incidental, unintentional act as the vampire army effortlessly crushed the Ostrogoths. They held no grudge against the Goths; it was as if elephants had unknowingly trampled over ants. The demise of the Ostrogoths had no connection to the Ostrogoths themselves.

With terrified glances from the Greeks, Slavs, and Avars, the vampire army continued westward towards the direction of Western Europe, a return that seemed like the arrival of a new Age of Gods, a source of terror and madness.

"This is no longer a war that mere mortals can intervene in..." Emperor Justin exclaimed tiredly.

Not long after his exclamation, the old emperor Justin departed from this world, entrusting the empire to his ambitious and youthful nephew—Justinian. The most brilliant, magnificent, and representative ruler of this era in Europe, took the stage.

From the perspective of human society alone, the Eastern Roman Empire with its deeper foundations, greater military strength, wealth, and resources, should have been the absolute protagonist of this era.

In real history, Justinian the Great, through his reconquest, had defeated several Germanic kingdoms, and coming close to the resurgence of Rome.

His failure marked the end of the Roman era, ushering in a new age known as the Dark Ages, as it would be called by later generations.

However, in this world, in the world where fantasy existed, Justinian was merely a minor player.

The Eastern Roman Empire still possessed formidable magecraft and mysteries. However, compared to the flourishing Holy Roman Empire, the Eastern Roman Empire was clearly at a disadvantage, not to mention the top-tier structures.

Artorius was fated to be the strongest on the planet. The Eastern Roman Empire would, just like in history, turn to ashes amidst countless upheavals and failures.

Of course, the newly crowned Eastern Roman Emperor was unaware of all of this.

Just as Justinian was unaware of the impending great plague, the bitter feud that would arise between him and his most exceptional generals, and the rise of a new, formidable power from the East that would conquer all the empire's vital territories, including Egypt, Syria, and the Jewish regions.

'The victor remains uncertain, whether it be the vampires, the Holy Roman Empire, the Persians, or those Germanic barbarian and the Slavs. Everything will become my stepping stone—I will surpass every emperor, I will surpass King Solomon, I will transcend all things in this world!'

Stirred by the march of vampires, Justinian made a silent vow in his heart, determined to establish an unprecedented legacy.