"Sebas, this town is quite peaceful, isn't it?" Shalltear remarked, holding a parasol as she gazed at the settlement ahead—Eldoria Island.
From the moment she set foot on this island, she had sensed the overwhelming presence of bloodlust emanating from the town.
As a True Vampire, Shalltear's sensitivity to blood was unmatched.
"Lady Shalltear, should I send some Dark Warriors ahead to investigate?" Sebas suggested from her side.
"No need. They wouldn't stand a chance against those three standing before us." Shalltear covered her mouth and giggled.
"Lord Ainz will surely be pleased with the corpses of these three humans."
"Indeed." Sebas observed the three individuals approaching them.
"Shalltear Bloodfallen and Sebas Tian, you are surrounded by the Navy. I suggest you surrender now," said Momonga, eyeing the two of them cautiously.
"Momonga, I'll take care of Shalltear Bloodfallen," Doberman declared, unsheathing his saber.
"Sebas is yours. You're fine with that, right, Onigumo?"
"No problem, Doberman." Onigumo's already fierce expression became even more sinister, his bloodlust intensifying.
"Hehehe, I truly admire your ignorance! I wonder if your blood will taste just as ignorant—I'm rather curious!"
Shalltear smirked before turning to Sebas.
"Sebas, leave this to me. It's been far too long since I last enjoyed the taste of a strong opponent's blood!"
"Understood, Lady Shalltear." Sebas gave a courteous bow and stepped aside.
He knew the three before them were no match for Shalltear. If she wished to take them on alone, there was no reason to interfere.
"Shalltear Bloodfallen, there's no way you'll escape from this town. I urge you to surrender," Momonga pressed.
He wasn't part of the Marine's more aggressive camp, and while he knew the battle was inevitable, he preferred a surrender that could avoid unnecessary casualties among his men.
Fighting the Shalltear head-on would only lead to significant losses.
"Momonga, what's the point of talking to pirates? Just kill them!" Doberman declared, his voice filled with conviction.
"Kill me? You think you're capable of that?"
"What?" Doberman barely had time to react as Shalltear suddenly appeared right in front of him.
Her fingertips glowed with a crimson light as she slashed toward his face.
Clang!
A sword appeared just in time to intercept her claws, the sound of metal colliding ringing out.
"Doberman, don't underestimate this woman! She's already claimed the lives of more Marines than you can count!"
"Momonga, I'll leave the butler to you. It seems this pirate is far more dangerous than we initially thought."
"Thanks, Onigumo." Doberman gripped his saber tightly and swung it down toward Shalltear.
Shalltear effortlessly caught the descending blade between her fingers.
"Not bad. Your strength is at least better than the weaklings I've encountered before. Lord Ainz should be quite pleased with your corpses!"
"Damn pirate! Die!" Onigumo roared, his frustration evident.
His arms were restrained by Shalltear's grip, but suddenly, four spider-like limbs sprouted from his back and slashed toward her.
Shalltear was caught off guard by the unexpected attack, and the force of the strike sent her flying.
"Oh? How wonderful! Another Devil Fruit user for Lord Ainz!" Shalltear laughed as she picked herself up, her eyes locking onto Onigumo's spider-like limbs, twitching ever so slightly.
"That means the rest of you can die!"
Her body began to shift—her arms morphed into razor-sharp claws, and her face distorted into something monstrous, her mouth opening in circular, grotesque layers.
She no longer looked human.
"What Devil Fruit ability is this?" Doberman stared in disbelief at the powerful aura radiating from Shalltear in her true form.
"What an ugly pirate! Who cares what she is? Just kill her!"
Onigumo, as ruthless as ever, showed no hesitation.
Yet, his half-beast transformation betrayed the immense pressure Shalltear's form exerted on him.
"Normally, I don't like this form either. But since you've seen it… it's time for you to die!"
Shalltear pressed down with all four limbs and vanished from sight, reappearing right in front of Onigumo.
"You're first!"
"Pirate scum! I won't be taken down so easily!" Onigumo raised his sword to block her strike, but he couldn't keep up with her speed. Her claws raked across his arm, drawing blood.
"Blood! I need more blood!" Shalltear licked Onigumo's blood from her fingers, her eyes turning wild. The taste of a strong opponent's blood awakened her insatiable thirst.
"Give me more!"
She lunged at Onigumo once again.
Slash!
A powerful flying slash cut through the air, striking Shalltear mid-flight. She spun several times before landing on the ground.
"Who?" Her voice lost its previous playfulness, now sounding like a demon emerging from the depths of hell.
"Momonga!"
"Onigumo, I've already sent a distress call to headquarters. Admiral Kizaru will be here soon!
We underestimated Shalltear Bloodfallen and her crew!" Momonga's expression was grave.
Shalltear's bounty had risen rapidly due to her relentless attacks on Marine bases, but there was little concrete information about her strength.
They had believed sending three Vice Admirals would be sufficient.
Yet, even with their combined might, Shalltear Bloodfallen alone had suppressed both Onigumo and Doberman, forcing Momonga to intervene just to ease the pressure.
And then there was Sebas, who hadn't even lifted a finger yet.
If Shalltear's strength exceeded their expectations, then Sebas' true capabilities were also a complete unknown.
Though Sebas hadn't shown any intention of fighting yet, that could change the moment Shalltear found herself in real trouble.
If that happened, the three of them wouldn't stand a chance against the two of them combined. Their only hope now was that Admiral Kizaru arrived in time.
However, what concerned Momonga even more was the person Shalltear had mentioned—Lord Ainz.
Who exactly was he?
There was no time to dwell on that now—Shalltear was already attacking again.