Chapter 392: Arrival at Plyaro

Alexander didn’t waste time. He scooped Liora up in a princess-carry and unfurled his bat wings, soaring above the treetops before the princess could utter a protest. The night wind whipped against their faces as they crossed the skies toward the border city of Plyaro.

As the city walls appeared on the horizon, an army of vampires clad in plate armor and wielding dark steel spears flanked the perimeters and main gates. The dark forces’ presence dominated every corner of the settlement.

Alexander descended into the central plaza and touched down on the roof of the town hall.

Standing at the top of the structure, watching the hybrid’s arrival, was the Vampiric Empress. Her figure radiated noble authority and absolute power. She crossed her arms over her chest, accentuating her curves as her breasts pushed against her dark leather corset, projecting dominance over young Liora.

Liora, despite belonging to the fox clan—renowned for their charm—paled slightly and took a step back, outclassed by the Vampiric Empress’s presence and attributes.

"So you managed to rescue your little princess..." said the Vampiric Empress, looking down at Liora with disdain.

Alexander set Liora down, walked up to the sovereign, and without warning, delivered a spank that echoed across the roof.

"Are you jealous?" said Alexander with a smirk. "Behave, or I’ll punish you later."

The Vampiric Empress let out a gasp of surprise and placed her hand over the spot, a blush rushing across her cheeks as she struggled to maintain her stern facade.

Liora looked back and forth between Alexander and the breathtaking woman, her eyes wide. Across the continent, the presence of a Vampiric Emperor was a catastrophic event; seeing two gathered in the exact same place bordered on the absurd. The princess’s initial bashfulness transformed into hope. With strength on her side, reclaiming the capital no longer felt like a suicidal fantasy.

"Two Emperors..." whispered Liora, clenching her fists as color returned to her cheeks. "With an army of this scale, we can crush the Spider Queen."

The Vampiric Empress cleared her throat, attempting to compose her regal posture despite the blush lingering on her neck. She shot Alexander a glare before unrolling a tactical map of the kingdom across the roof’s stone table.

"Enough distractions, Alexander," said the Empress, pointing her claw toward the central citadel. "My scouts confirm the Serpent Queen has mobilized her forces toward the main valley. She’s walking into the spider’s web trap. The city is fortified, but their attention will be split."

"Just as planned," replied Alexander, leaning over the map with a smirk. "We’ll let the serpent and the spider bleed each other out at the main gate. While the city burns in chaos, we’ll infiltrate through the underground sewer passages with an elite contingent."

"The lower palace tunnels..." chimed in Liora, stepping closer to the map. "I know my family’s secret entrances. I can lead you to the throne room to free the Fox Clan prisoners before they can use them as hostages."

"Perfect," concluded Alexander, looking at the Vampiric Empress. "Ready the assault vanguards. The moment the Serpent Queen breaches the enemy’s outer line, Plyaro marches to close the snare and claim the capital."

Liora slammed her hand onto the stone table, shaking the tactical map.

"If we’re going to attack the capital, why aren’t we helping my aunt?!" demanded Liora, looking at Alexander in desperation. "We could combine our forces with the Shadow Clan and crush the Spider Queen in a single strike!"

"I’m sorry, brat," said Alexander, crossing his arms and looking down at her cold. "But I don’t trust your aunt."

Liora took a step back, her face flushing with indignation and her eyes burning with rage.

"How can you say that?!" shouted the fox princess, her fists clenching as her voice cracked. "Without her, I wouldn’t be alive! She’s my family, she risked her own warriors in the canyon to protect me! How dare you doubt her loyalty after everything she’s done?!"

The Vampiric Empress watched the scene in silence, maintaining a smirk with her arms crossed over her chest.

Alexander remained unfazed by the outburst. He took a step toward Liora and stared into her eyes, imposing a pressure that made the girl take a step back by instinct.

"I want you to think carefully, Liora," said Alexander in a firm voice. "I want you to remember everything that has happened since you returned to this kingdom and tell me if you really, deep down, trust her."

Liora opened her mouth to protest, but the words froze in her throat. The coldness in Alexander’s gaze forced her to replay every detail: the strange delay of the reinforcements, how easily they were ambushed in the canyon, and the sovereign’s rush to march on the throne regardless of the cost. A seed of doubt began to bloom inside the princess’s mind.

Alexander took another step toward Liora, softening his gaze slightly while keeping his voice serious.

"I’ll tell you what I saw," said Alexander in a grave tone. "When I arrived at the battle, Big Black was letting the Serpent Queen recover without finishing her off. Despite knowing they’re heading into an ambush at the capital, she insists on marching. Is she really that blind, or is she as loyal as you say?"

Liora stood frozen, listening to every word in silence.

"And most importantly..." continued Alexander, crossing his arms. "All I’ve heard since I arrived in these lands is how powerful your mother was. How could a human and just the Spider Queen overpower the absolute sovereign of the Fox Clan like that? Forgive me for not being able to trust your aunt, brat; it’s just that all of this is suspicious."

Liora lowered her gaze, biting her lip. The doubt that was once a spark became an abyss in her chest. She had no answers for any of Alexander’s questions.

"Get some rest," concluded the hybrid, turning his back as he looked out toward the night horizon of Plyaro. "Tomorrow we march."