The Greatest Assassin Gets Reincarnated in Tensura

While Luminous and her allies meticulously set their trap, they were not the only ones watching.

From the unseen corners of the world, veiled in secrecy and shadow, Arion's spies observed everything. Their presence was imperceptible, their movements silent, their loyalty absolute.

For years, Arion had carefully expanded his network, embedding his agents within every nation, every kingdom, every ruling class. He did not seek to sit on a throne, nor did he desire to be hailed as a ruler—his mission was far greater.

He sought to control the world from the shadows.

In the watch tower located in his base in the city of Eternal sleep, Arion sat in quiet contemplation. Before him, his spies knelt, their reports precise, their words carrying the weight of a grand betrayal.

"Luminous has set her trap. Valentine is within it now."

A slow smirk formed on Arion's face.

"So, she finally decided to act."

For centuries, he had observed Valentine's unchecked rule, the way he created new species, how he breeds them, treating his daughter as nothing more than a means to continue his bloodline.

Luminous, however, had proved herself to be more than a pawn. She had outmaneuvered the oldest Vampire Beings, and that was something worth noting.

"And the suppressing spells?" Arion asked, his voice devoid of urgency, yet carrying the weight of absolute command.

"They are working," his spy confirmed. "The great Vampire is weakening."

Arion leaned back, fingers tapping lightly against the surface of his desk.

"So even Valentine can be caged… interesting."

His golden eyes gleamed in the dim candlelight.

Power was shifting.

And Arion's role was not to interfere—but to shape the aftermath.

Arion had no intention of challenging Luminous. She was useful.

With Valentine gone, she would take control of the Vampire Court, consolidating power and establishing herself as a ruler.

That suited Arion perfectly.

A centralized power was far easier to manipulate than a scattered, unstable empire.

He had no desire to stand in the light, to claim a throne or announce his authority. True power was never seen.

He would ensure that Luminous rose to power.

He would ensure that she flourished.

And in return?

She would never even realize that the world she ruled was already within his grasp.

"Continue observing," Arion commanded, his voice a whisper of absolute control. "Do not interfere. Once this is over… we will be ready to move."

His spies bowed and vanished into the shadows, leaving Arion alone.

Valentine, the Ancient Vampire, stood within the grand halls of his own dominion, his piercing crimson eyes scanning the surroundings with an unease he had not felt in eons. Something was wrong.

The air felt heavier. The shadows that once obeyed his command now seemed sluggish. His very essence—his power—was waning.

A realization dawned upon him, one that sent a rare chill through his immortal body.

"A trap?"

Before he could react, a luminous silver light erupted from the darkness.

Luminous Valentine, his own daughter, had struck.

Luminous descended upon him with terrifying speed, her eyes devoid of hesitation. A brilliant lance of pure divine energy formed in her hands—a weapon designed to erase even a Primordial.

"You dare—?" Valentine growled, moving to counter—but his body refused to respond.

His once godlike speed was sluggish, his strength halved, his magic circuits disrupted.

The seals.

Luminous had lured him into a chamber laced with spells specifically crafted to weaken him.

And he had walked right into it.

She wasted no time. The divine lance pierced his chest, sending a shockwave of pure erasure energy throughout his body.

"This is for my freedom, Valentine."

Valentine staggered back, clutching the wound as black ichor—his very essence—dripped onto the marble floor. His vision blurred. His immortality, the very foundation of his existence, was being ripped away.

Yet, he refused to fall silently.

With a snarl, he unleashed a dark crimson wave of death energy, the force of it causing the entire chamber to quake violently.

But Luminous was prepared.

Ghunter and Louis emerged from the shadows, their hands raised as they channeled an anti-magic field, suppressing the attack before it could reach her.

The betrayal was absolute.

Luminous launched forward again, faster than the eye could follow.

A second lance.

A third.

Each one striking with the force of absolute annihilation.

Valentine's body trembled, his once-proud form now collapsing onto one knee. His face twisted in fury, pain, and… a bitter sense of realization.

Blood pooled around him, his very existence unraveling before his eyes.

He looked up at Luminous, his own daughter, the very being he had crafted to continue his legacy.

"So… this is what you choose?" his voice was a whisper, hoarse and filled with a rare vulnerability.

Luminous did not waver.

"This was never your choice to make," she said coldly. "I am not a tool. I am not your breeding machine. I am Luminous Valentine. And I am free."

She raised her hand one final time. An execution.

A burst of pure white light—the embodiment of absolute erasure—rushed forth and engulfed him.

For the first time in his long, immortal life, Valentine felt fear.

Then, there was nothing.

No screams.

No final words.

Just silence.

And with that, Valentine, the Ancient Vampire, was no more.

---------

The Silent Conquest.

Deep within his hidden domain, Arion sat upon his obsidian throne, the air around him thick with unseen power. His golden eyes glowed faintly as he processed the latest intelligence. The moment had finally arrived—Valentine was dead, and the Vampire Kingdom teetered on the edge of chaos.

But chaos was merely an opportunity in disguise. Luminous would rise as Queen, but not of her own accord. She would be shaped, guided, and unknowingly bound by Arion's invisible hand.

A flick of his fingers, and two shadows emerged from the darkness.

Diablo, ever-smiling, his red eyes glowing with mischief and cruelty, bowed slightly, his black and red suit impeccable.

Testarossa, poised and elegant, her scarlet gaze as sharp as a dagger, stood beside him, her white dress a stark contrast to her cold ruthlessness.

Arion's voice was low, controlled, every word woven like a dagger slipping into the ribs of fate.

"Valentine has fallen. Luminous must take the throne. But she must do so on our terms. How do you think we should proceed?"

Diablo let out a low, amused chuckle, his eyes gleaming with a predator's delight.

"Ah, how delightful. The nobles will soon be at each other's throats. The smell of betrayal is already in the air."

Testarossa smiled, her expression unreadable. "Indeed. If left unchecked, they will rip the Vampire Kingdom apart before Luminous can even secure her place. We must move before ambition breeds too many contenders."

Arion nodded, his mind already calculating several moves ahead.

"Then we will do what we do best—we will remove obstacles from the shadows. No direct wars, no unnecessary exposure. We kill swiftly, we manipulate effectively, and we let them believe it was their own weakness that led to their downfall."

Diablo's grin widened. "Oh? Then I assume we'll be using our personal forces?"

Arion leaned forward slightly.

"Diablo, deploy a division of your Black Legion. Let them eliminate key noble factions discreetly. The deaths must look like accidents, internal disputes, or divine punishment. They should fear an unknown force, not suspect a guiding hand."

Diablo's crimson eyes gleamed with sadistic glee.

"Ah, how I do love eliminating arrogant fools who think themselves untouchable. The Black Legion will move like whispers in the dark. None will know they were hunted until their throats are already cut."

Arion turned to Testarossa.

"Meanwhile, your White Legion will focus on infiltration and coercion. The nobles must be 'convinced' that Luminous is their only hope. Some will require… persuasion. Others, blackmail. And a few? Perhaps they need a taste of fear."

Testarossa smiled, a chillingly elegant expression.

"Ah, subjugation without bloodshed is an art I so enjoy. I will send my best agents—those who can shatter a man's resolve with mere words, break their will without ever raising a blade. The White Legion will ensure that by the time Luminous ascends the throne, the nobles will already be kneeling."

Arion's golden gaze sharpened.

"Good. While the two of you execute those operations, I will ensure Luminous remains oblivious to our influence. Control is not about force, but about making someone believe they are free. We will be the shadows that guide her steps, unseen and unstoppable."

Diablo leaned against a dark pillar, his sharp teeth flashing in amusement.

"And what of a grand demonstration of power? If Luminous is to be Queen, she must be seen as untouchable. We need a crisis that only she can 'solve.'"

Arion nodded. "We will manufacture an enemy. A false coup. A staged rebellion. Diablo, have your Black Legion puppeteer a faction into attempting an uprising. Make it strong enough to be feared, but not enough to pose a real threat. Testarossa, ensure Luminous is 'led' to the perfect moment of intervention."

Testarossa's eyes gleamed with satisfaction.

"When the false rebellion rises, we will make sure she crushes it in a display of absolute power. And once she does, none will dare oppose her ascension."

Diablo laughed softly. "How delightfully cruel. We will make her a queen, and she will never realize she was merely playing the role we designed for her."

Testarossa's expression turned colder.

"Even if she takes the throne, there is always the risk that she will one day suspect manipulation. If she does, she may seek to cut the strings."

Diablo smirked, his voice dripping with amusement.

"Then we ensure she never realizes there are strings at all. A puppet who believes they are free is the easiest to control."

Arion's voice was a whisper, yet it carried the weight of absolute control.

"We will weave a web so intricate, so deep, that even if she senses something amiss, she will never know where to strike. We will not just be her advisors—we will be the unseen gods of her world."

Diablo's grin widened. "Then let us begin. By the time she wears the crown, she will believe it was destiny… never knowing that destiny was written by us."

Testarossa gave a slow nod, her crimson gaze reflecting Arion's ambition.

"Then let us shape a Queen… and rule from the shadows."

Arion closed his eyes briefly, the room filling with a silent, unspoken understanding.

From the darkness, the new Queen would rise.

And from the darkness… she would remain forever in his grasp.