"That won't work." The Vampire Fraulein said decisively, "That's not a plan at all."
"With all due respect, Your Majesty, but you said yesterday that this would be an extraordinary war."
The Vampire Lady half-kneeled before the throne, unafraid, meeting the sharp gaze of the petite Queen.
"War always comes with sacrifices, and every victory we have achieved so far has been bought with blood. If we fear sacrifice, we've lost the battle even before it begins."
The Vampire Fraulein shook her head.
"There's a difference." She said, "Until now, it's been warriors who sacrificed, and they were prepared for it. But now you're asking me to send ordinary people to the battlefield.
If those we need to protect no longer exist, then winning this war is meaningless."
"But if we don't win this war, then nothing else will be meaningful..."
"We will win." The Vampire Fraulein gestured for her not to continue, "I will win it. I'll defeat their leader and protect this country... once again."
The Lady had no words left to argue, and could only bow her head: "Yes, Your Majesty."
Her short silver hair fell, covering half her face, making her expression unclear, leaving her thoughts a mystery.
She withdrew from the great hall and went up to the high walls of the Imperial Castle.
The orders from Her Majesty had been issued yesterday, and now the entire castle was armed and ready for defense.
The vampires still didn't know who their enemy was, but they had received news that this opponent is unprecedentedly powerful, possibly even more troublesome than the sorcerers they've been clashing with for years.
Rumor has it the strongest of the Sorcerer Dimension, Reaper of Prophecy, whom they've never been able to deal with before, was seemingly defeated by this same opponent.
But this part is purely hearsay, with no trace of its source, let alone evidence. Thus, few people believe this claim.
However, this does not prevent everyone from forming a terrifying impression of the imminent enemy.
The entire Vampire Castle was almost sleepless, with the elite warriors guarding the walls throughout the night, staying vigilant.
The first light of dawn broke the sky, a breeze blew in from beyond the horizon, carrying a hint of ominousness.
The vampire commanders stationed at the castle couldn't help but tighten their grips on their Duel Discs.
"Here they come!"
Someone took the lead and shouted, causing all the vampires' spirits to tighten to the extreme.
Silhouettes began to appear on the distant hillside. At first, they were somewhat blurry, but as distance closed, they became increasingly clear, like a mudslide rushing down the slope.
Upon seeing the figures clearly, the vampires atop the castle couldn't help but gasp—
—What a terrifying group!
Originally, when they heard they were facing an "unprecedented powerful opponent" today, the vampires throughout the castle thought they were going to face a well-trained army.
Maybe they'd be wearing uniform heavy armor, moving in perfect unison like robots, advancing as a colossal war machine, intimidatingly.
But none of that was seen.
What did they see instead?
A vast crowd of disorderly, unorganized, undisciplined individuals... not even capable of walking properly!
Hardly any were walking normally downhill. Some kept jumping, some rolled in place—some even couldn't stop their downhill momentum and rolled directly from the hilltop like balls. Some yelled, "Damn, this is too real!" while rolling...
Upon closer inspection, they discovered there were some strange creatures mixed among the mudslide team.
Things like rabbits, unicorns, and squids...
This left the Blood Race further bewildered.
What is this? A cross-species sprite United Army?
Is this the "unprecedentedly strong" enemy?
Why does this seem so off...
But the battle-hardened Blood Race commanders weren't easily deceived. Though puzzled by this crowd's makeup, they quickly adjusted and waved their hands.
"Prepare for battle!"
The Blood Race warriors rallied, shouted loudly, and bravely charged forward.
Some Blood Race warriors got closer and then realized certain morons were even more eye-offending than they imagined.
Take, for example, someone leading the charge upfront, wearing a cool and alluring magic girl-type outfit, styled similarly to the famous "Dark Magician Girl," albeit with altered color schemes and subtle outfit variations.
From afar, one might assume it's a young and cute maiden, surely?
However, approaching closer revealed it was not. It was clearly a big, burly guy, square-faced with broad shoulders and developed muscles. Unless you saw it with your own eyes, it's hard to imagine such a man fitting into a petite magic girl outfit, yet simultaneously, this imagery's impact on sense was unimaginable.
... Well, perhaps it's likewise for ghosts.
In any case, the vampires at the front were intensely stunned, almost blinded before even fighting, suspected this to be the enemy's sinister trick—to blind them with overly unpleasant outfits, achieving an objective of winning without fighting...
But if that were the intention, these obscene and cunning warriors are bound to be disappointed.
The Blood Race's indomitable will won't be broken by such eye-offending tactics!
Fearless and unflinching players charging upfront, as elite combat power Duel Academy students follow behind.
Even during the charge, they began summoning their powerful monsters. Before long, high-level monsters were flying, crawling, or running around, teaming up grandly toward the Blood Race.
The vampires similarly refused to be outdone, rapidly engaging in a melee!
Some started "pet monster battles" directly, manipulating monsters to fling skills and fight. Gorgeous effects filled the sky; various mechas, battleships, dragons, were locked in a fierce battle with vampires.
Of course, others opted for ways more akin to this world's rules—playing cards. Many engaged opponents immediately, launching the Duel Disc and gambling their lives then and there.
Once a Dark Duel begins, both sides can't stop nor be disturbed by others until a victor is determined. Once a competitor starts a duel, others in the battlefield will immediately abandon the engaged parties to seek other enemies.
"For the Fraulein Queen!" cried the Blood Race warriors.
They quickly heard a similar shout from the opposing army: "For the Fraulein Miss!!!"
Blood Race: "???"
The Fraulein Miss you are shouting... wouldn't coincidentally be the same person we're shouting for?
Serious?