HP - Shadow Monarch! [BOOK 1]

Chapter 142 - Dungeon Entry.

[Chapter Size: 2100 Words.]

Third Person POV

Romania.

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A gargoyle's body fell, shattered on the ground, while Snape stood still in front of the castle's garden, observing the area filled with statues and creatures that surrounded the fortress. As soon as Snape set foot in the garden, the statues began to rise, their eyes glowing as the defense system of the place was activated.

In that moment, countless gargoyles and stone soldiers began descending from the rooftops, where they had stood as sentinels and ornaments of the castle, while others emerged from the castle doors. The stone soldiers aligned themselves in an organized manner, while the gargoyles, acting as the beasts they were, charged ahead to face Snape.

Snape calmly observed the scene as his sword reappeared, retrieved from his inventory. He positioned himself for the fight. The first gargoyle that lunged at him was sliced in half. More followed, but Snape used his wand in his left hand for strategic teleportation and long-range attacks, while wielding his sword in his right hand for close combat.

With a single movement, Snape teleported above two gargoyles, decapitating them. Their bodies fell to the ground, shattering into pieces. However, at least fifty more gargoyles were still advancing towards him, while hundreds of soldiers marched in his direction.

The battle between Snape and Dracula's castle defense system had begun. Despite the overwhelming number of enemies, Snape adeptly teleported around the battlefield, eliminating them at strategic points. It didn't take long before the last enemy fell. The garden of Dracula was now filled with the debris of defeated creatures.

Finally, he entered the castle, curiously observing the reception hall. Not sensing any other presence there, he focused on finding the painting, which he knew was somewhere within. Closing his eyes momentarily, he felt its presence on the top floor.

'I see, but I don't sense anyone powerful here...' Snape wondered.

At that moment, a pair of eyes appeared, watching him from afar—surprised and enraged. The next moment, they moved toward the castle, coming from the direction where he had battled Rosaria.

The window above the entrance door shattered as someone crashed down in front of Snape. He remained in place, waiting for the individual to present themselves.

With an explosion of shadows, the atmosphere shifted. A shadowy figure appeared before Snape, its red eyes much darker and more menacing than Rosaria's, exuding an aura far more dangerous than hers.

"You dare enter my house, human?" a distorted voice came from the figure, its gaze fixed on Snape, noting the lack of fear in him—a somewhat surprising reaction for Dracula.

"So, you are the vampire at the top of your kind, Dracula..." Snape commented, observing him with a hint of interest.

"You are a different kind of human, just as my daughter said... but it seems you know who I am and still came to this place. For centuries, I have not been challenged by humans or wizards. This surprises me, though only slightly. However, I do not care about my daughter's request not to harm you. You have invaded my property, and I must deal with you accordingly," his voice continued.

As he finished speaking, Dracula's aura grew darker still. His eyes glowed bright red, and the dim light in the room diminished further, leaving the candles flickering weakly. His mere presence dominated the environment.

To Dracula, his anger was justified: he no longer troubled the human world, yet this human dared to invade his castle and attempt to steal something that was a gift from his daughter, Rosaria, bought during her visit to England.