The Invincible Full-Moon System

Chapter 1227: Red Madness

”I think a magical phenomenon is happening, my howl mightʼve been blocked!”

Following Alaricʼs instruction as closely as possible, Riona faced towards the rough direction of where the Royal Black Prince was last seen—and unleashed her howl. Despite not having the loudest or mightiest howl, it will still do.

Her beastly requiem exploded from her mouth, piercing through the air, and reached far.

On her shoulder was a bloody bite mark, but it was glowing slightly.

To stimulate an unavoidable reaction from the Royal Black Prince, Alaric needed to step in as Selene was not available to help her pack. She was unstable and without the help of a Prince—or Princess, the Provocation Howl would not work.

Its effect could be shrugged off easily by the Royal Black Prince.

Alaric bit Rionaʼs shoulder and gave her a small portion of his mythical aura.

He gave her enough to temporarily give her the status of a Princess.

Responding to the howl, Rionaʼs eyes were drawn to the distance horizon, where the sky was dyed in crimson. It placed a frown on her face—as the oppressive energy from that particular occurrence was palpable even from her vantage point.

Even the crimson clouds spread for miles, a vast, ominous sign that disrupted natural order.

Surely, this was a powerful magical event taking place.

Considering the scale of the disturbance, she might have to redo the howl after it took place.

”Iʼll try and do the Provocation Howl once itʼs over,” Riona turned to Alaric and said.

Upon hearing this, however, Alaric, smirked at the sight of the phenomenon, ”No... there is no need for you to redo the howl, I think the Royal Black Prince had gotten the message. Go and prepare for your departure, weʼll set the stage for your fight”

Riona looked at Alaric in confusion, she didnʼt understand what he meant.

Surely her howl was blocked if a phenomenon of that scale is occurring.

Noticing the confusion, Alaric clarifies, ”Itʼs not a magical phenomenon, thatʼs his aura”

Just as she heard those words, Rionaʼs heart sank in apprehension.

It was the same for the other Dancing Stripes pack around who heard what he said.

”H- Hold on, thatʼs the Royal Black Princeʼs aura...? How can he evoke such a phenomenon if he wasnʼt in the realm above the tenth?” Riona inquired, the air she felt earlier was so strong that she thought it was a magical phenomenon, but turns out it was not.

Alaric shrugged and turned away calmly, ”Heʼs unique, but every royalty is unique”

Despite the calmness in Alaricʼs tone, the Dancing Stripes pack was a little bit worried.

But more evident than that was anger at the realization of the Royal Black Princeʼs aura.

”Dear Origin, how can you bless him when heʼs a fraud...?”

”He got the power of the banished one. Not only is he a fraud, but heʼs also a traitor”

”And yet, he stood at the peak of power. We canʼt let him live! Heʼs unworthy!”

Numerous growls and grunts escaped the othersʼ mouths.

None of them wanted to accept, that the Royal Black Prince had this much power when he was nothing more than a fraud and a traitor. Surely, the Origin and the Lunrich Gods would not let his growth to power continue.

Paying no attention to the others, Riona glanced over to Alaric, ”Where are you going now?”

”Bloodstone Crater,” Alaric replied as he walked away.

Upon hearing this, Rionaʼs eyes widened as she knew the weight of what he was saying right now, ”Are you going to do it in place of Her Highness Selene...?” She asked, there was a tinge of obvious disbelief in her voice.

As an answer, Alaric glanced back and posed a smile, ”Gather your pack...”

Moments later.

Alaric and Riona, followed by the rest of the Dancing Stripes pack arrived at a site.

It was located in the heart of a mountainous region.

Bloodstone Crater is what the place was called—but it was not only a place, for the Werewolf race. It was a site of profound historical and sacred significance. Before them was a vast lake that spanned the entire valley, its tranquil waters reflected the jagged peaks around it.

Unlike the normal deep color of a lake, the water of this particular lake is baby blue.

Not to mention, it was beautifully sparkling, a sight to behold.

At the center of the lake, lay a solitary island—home to the remnants, of a once-magnificent castle now reduced to rubble by the incident in the past and the relentless passage of time, barely recognizable in its current state.

Seeing this, Alaric prepared himself to leap to the island but was stopped by Riona.

”Is there something you want to say?” He asked questioningly.

Without hesitation—Riona took a knee and lowered her gaze, prompting the others to follow suit—mimicking her movement behind her, ”Though circumstances led Your Highness, to do this, I and the entire Dancing Stripes pack offer our gratitude. Aside from Her Highness, you alone have our utmost respect”

”Iʼm sure there any other packs out there that shared that with us,” She added.

As she finishes, the other also give their gratitude to Alaric.

Despite his diabolical appearance, he was known to be the most considerate royal.

Following that—Riona clenched both of her fists tightly, her entire being shaking violently as her mind wandered to the duel, that lay ahead, ”Curse the Royal Black Prince” She said—her voice dripping with anger. ”I hereby vow to make you smile on the day of the duel”

It was the first time Alaric talked with Riona, but he could tell that she was being serious.

Her words were not only words but a promise instead.

Not even responding, Alaric nodded firmly before he went to the island with a single leap.

Alaric landed on the island and looked around the place.

He landed at the edge of the castle, and he saw that in the center of the crumbling structure was a hole, leading to the crypt. Despite not being able to see, what was down there—Alaric did not show any hesitation and leaped into it.

It was quite a deep fall before his feet touched the ground.

Even though it was dark black from the outside, the place was visible from the inside.

Soon enough his eyes landed on a vicious crack in the earthʼs surface, the spot that held the heart of all Werewolves—regardless if they were thousands of years old, or only hundreds of years old.

A place of significant meaning.

It was the place where the legendary Luna of the Werewolf Origin had made her final stand.

In a selfless act of courage and love, she used all of her powers to save as many of her kin as she could, before succumbing to deathʼs grip. Her death, was the ember of life, that ignited a hidden condition deep within the Werewolvesʼ bloodline called the Red Madness.

Every single Werewolf went absolutely crazy upon her death.

One by one, the Werewolves began to have their own blood seeped out of their own bodies.

Like being bathed, their blood wonʼt stop coming out.

A sign of activation of the Red Madness, dying their furs into the color of their own blood.

No Werewolves could stop even when their enemies were gone.

Only when the Werewolf Origin reached this place did the Red Madness disappear, it was the deceased Lunaʼs presence, that could stop the Red Madness. But the madness, was the very weapon that made the Werewolf race survive until today.

Before every battle, the Werewof Origin would always do a ritual to seek a blessing.

It could be done in many ways, one for each Lunirich God.

However—there was one ritual employed by the Werewolf Origin, before a battle that did not involve the Lunirich Gods—and that ritual was by coming here, and seeking blessing from his Luna. Consequently, this ritual has been passed down to the royals.

Done only when needed, when the stake was high enough.

None of the royals would do this ritual if the situation didnʼt call for it.

Even if the situation calls for it, they would not do the ritual if it was not for their own pack.

All of them acted like that simply because the ritual was horrendously painful.

Due to that, Riona and the Dancing Stripes pack were very thankful for Alaric doing this.

Feeling the thick air of reverence swirling in this crypt, Alaric sucked in a deep breath before he went near the crack, in the ground. His face tightened before he reached out his hand—a ball of lunar fire appeared there on his hand, flickering with a bluish light.

Placing the ball of lunar fire into the crack, he instantly stepped back.

Swoosh!

A wall of lunar fire burst from the crack, emitting heat that is lethal for any Werewolves.

”Great Luna, lend us your grace to win our battles...”

...

Meanwhile, the Silverstar Pack Castle, Dargena City.

Inside the throne room, a figure pushed open the door and stepped inside.

Linthia came into the castle gently but was startled when a voice greeted her abruptly.

”Are the preparations ready?”

Gazing ahead she was met with Calidora.

Calidora was lounged sideways on the throne, her body gracefully draped over the right side of the armrest, while her legs dangled casually over the left. She sat there leisurely—as if the throne were crafted for her alone.

Not mentioning the way she was sitting, Linthia bowed, ”Yes, itʼs complete”

”All of the captured mutated animals are outside of the castle, ready for you,” She added.

Upon hearing this, Calidora nodded her head and went to the entrance door.

But as she was nearing the entrance door, Linthia raised an eyebrow, ”Forgive me if Iʼm being insolent, but are you going to be alone? Is no one going to accompany you? I suggest at least one from the royal pack come with you, if not then I could accompany you, Lady Calidora”

”All of them are training, a duel is coming up for them” Calidora replied.

Just then she looked at Linthia up and down, checking her with a condescending gaze.

”Gelmar and Dindora arenʼt back yet?” She suddenly asked.

Linthia shook her head, ”No, both Captain Gelmar and Dindora are still helping the Humans”

Calidora nodded knowingly—her mouth forming an O-shape. She then stepped forward, her presence commanding—until she stood directly in front of Linthia. Her crimson eyes, locked onto Linthiaʼs, ”Iʼm curious, how did you get to become a captain again?”

Not expecting that question, Linthia stuttered, ”Ah... His Majesty tested our will and I passed”

”Iʼve never been known to be the strongest. Even back in my kingdom, I am below average so Iʼm not as strong as Gelmar and Dindora yet. But donʼt worry, Iʼm trying my best and will keep on getting stronger to match His Majestyʼs expectations,” She added, smiling wryly.

Upon hearing this, Calidora giggled in hubris, ”Iʼm sure you are but...”

”Itʼs one thing to try your best, and thereʼs one thing to not know your limit” She added.

Like daggers, Calidoraʼs words stabbed through Linthiaʼs heart.

”Both Gelmar, and Dindora evolved during the fight because of their savage desire to aid Rex but you, on the other hand, didnʼt. So which one is it? Is it that your desire to be of use to His Majesty is not as strong as theirs, or did you hit your limit already?” Calidora continued. ”Just something for you to think”

As she said that, she went ahead and grabbed the door entranceʼs handle.

”Oh, and also...” She stopped and glanced over at Linthia. ”If weʼre alone use the proper title”

”Call me Your Majesty or Empress Calidora also good,” She added with a smirk.

Despite that title belonging to Evelyn, Linthia couldnʼt bring herself to say anything.

It was Calidoraʼs eyes, Linthia felt weak under her gaze.

”Y- Yes, Iʼll try to do that,” Linthia replied meekly.

But seeing Calidora still looking at her intently, she continued. ”Your- Your Majesty...”

”Good,” Calidora nodded—before she opened the entrance door. ”Call those new Dark Elves that I saw around the castle, you, and them would accompany me outside. After all, if youʼre alone, you would be to blame if something happened to me. We donʼt want that, do we?”

”Y- Yes! Iʼll call them right this instant” Linthia replied before scurrying away.