Supreme Magus novel Chapter 2172

Once the group reached the end of the corridor, even though the secret passage wasn't in the same position as the White Griffon's, the activation mechanism worked the same way.

One of the stone blocks hid a mechanical switch that released the lock and the wall moved with but a gentle push thanks to its well-oiled hinges. Everything was mechanical in nature so that it would work even during a power outage, making it outside Hystar's senses.

The stairs turned out to go down, making Lith inwardly curse. Those going up weren't visible on the map, requiring more time and exploring to find them.

'You guys stay here.' Vladion said after putting the wall back into place. 'We can't afford the undead smelling you or detecting your presence with their senses. If they are as hungry as I expect them to be, the slightest hint could give you off.

'If they think that I'm part of a group of undead who has come to take down Thrud, they will be much more cooperative and they'll have nothing to gain by exposing my presence.'

'Okay.' Lith let the Vampire out of his body and took his rings back.

The dungeon was devoid of natural light, allowing Vladion to move freely even without the Abomination's shell. His strength plummeted slightly above Lith's level as daytime's abundant light element messed up with his core, but he was still a force to be reckoned with.

The Vampire walked downstairs slowly, to get used to his weakened state and his dulled senses.

The dungeon was nothing like Lith had described it to Vladion. The place where the Tiamat had undergone the second exam of the fourth year was a network of caves whereas the basement of the Golden Griffon was built like a prison.

Either side of the walls had been turned into holding cells, big enough to accommodate a single person and give them just enough space to lie down. Much to Vladion's surprise, not only was everyone awake and vigilant, but they showed no aggression.

Based on the memories that Lith had shared with Vladion, he had been expecting a ravenous bunch of mindless creatures who had fallen prey to their hunger. What lay in front of him, instead, were a bunch of people who stared at him in curiosity.

"He comes from outside." Said a White Lady with her dress reduced to shreds and almost no flesh between her skin and muscles. "He is well fed and his clothes are nothing I've ever seen."

"It's more than that." A Wendigo said. He still had the hulking size typical of his bloodline, but most of his fangs were missing and his frost aura was reduced to the point that his breath barely steamed. "He doesn't work for the Mad Queen.

"Otherwise he would have either Warped us to our destination or be thrown in a cell to garner our compassion. Instead, he's standing there, looking around like an idiot."

"You are both right." Vladion replied. "My name is Vladion Dragonborn, Firstborn Vampire, Son of Baba Yaga, and I've come here to kill the daughter of Arthan."

Before anyone could question his identity and motive, Vladion turned into a human, almost sending the famished undead into a feeding frenzy. Yet it lasted barely for one second, enough to prove them the power of his blood core.

Then, before asking any question, he walked in front of every cell, giving to each of its occupants the best nourishment he could. Fresh flesh to the Ghoul, entrails to the Wendigo, blood to Vampire, newborn's tears to the White Lady, and spells to the Mage Slayer.