“Lord, are you returning already?” asked Lord Pnno in a soft voice, looking at Lord Payne who was resting with his eyes closed across from him in the luxurious carriage leaving the Wolfsbane territory.
“Well, after learning of your impending arrival, King Louis asked me to invite you to Golden Flower Pce for ate-night supper.”
“At this hour, by human customs, it might be more appropriate to invite me for breakfast,” said the Lord without opening his eyes.
“But since the local host has extended an invitation, it would be too arrogant of me not to go. However, we can’t stay too long. I’ve finally managed to get out, and I still need to stop by the Castilia Elf Kingdom and Sanghai Empire on the way.”
“Oh, is it to discuss the defense against the ck Disaster with the Elf King and the Pharaoh?” Pnno, the Rose Knight, grinned and ttered:
“You really are busy managing countless affairs daily.”
“Hmm?” Lord Payne opened his eyes with a strange expression.
His amber eyes nced at Pnno, and he said softly:
“It’s unrted to official business.I just heard that the Elf King found some decent artworks 30 years ago, and I want to go appreciate them. As for the Pharaoh, he will be holding a birthday celebration in a few months. King Tutankhamun sent me an invitation, but the ck Disaster affairs prevent me from attending then, so I’m going to congratte him in advance.
Well, I can certainly discuss the ck Disaster with those two while I’m there, but after thest lesson, I don’t think I need to remind them about this matter.
King Quirion and King Tutankhamun are both very wise rulers.
They can see the threat of the ck Disaster and are willing tomit their strength to it. In this regard, they are much wiser than the human kings.”
“But this time, Nordtov and the Goldflower Kingdom have performed quite well,” Pnno said quietly.
“As soon as I arrived, the two kings made decisions at the fastest speed. Currently, both countries are reorganizing their military, and their vanguards will soon enter southern Transia to assist in the defense.
This is already a hundred times better than the shirking and ignoring during thest ck Disaster.
But since we’re on this topic, Lord, I still think we should send more people to Transia to help the Blood Vulture n establish defense lines.
Their situation is a bit dire, and they may not be able to withstand the ck Disaster.
Even if the Blood Pact ns can hold off the main gnoll forces in the Deste Mountains, we can’t cover the entire Foul Swamp area. Even if only a small detachment enters Transia, it would be disastrous for the defensive forces there.”
“You seem to be underestimating the Blood Vulture n’s new regime a bit too much, Pnno,” replied the Third Lord Yvette, who sat next to Lord Payne, maintaining the typical cold demeanor of an elf:
“After you left, everything they’ve done in the area has exceeded our expectations. ording to the three reports sent back by my descendant Lainnia, the new Transia Governor Murphy has shown unexpected enthusiasm and ability in defending against the ck Disaster.
They havepleted the cleanup of gnoll bandits in the Count of Kadman’s domain and are about to engage in a decisive battle with the gnoll warlords of Anderma Hills that will determine the ownership of Transia.
Moreover, they have also reached initial political alliances with Nordtov and the Goldflower Kingdom.
The progress in this area is beyond our expectations, especially the great battle with the Wolfsbane vanguard in Crimson Citadel a few hours ago.”
Lord Yvette clicked her tongue and said in an admiring tone:
“Less than 50 old members of the Blood Vulture n and their equally small number of about 40 new members, along with the remaining blood servants in the city, engaged in a fight to the death with over 300 elite Wolfsbane vanguards in the sewers.
They annihted the Greyw faction at a heavy cost, not only defending their territory but also regaining their dignity.
My descendant participated throughout.
She wrote extensively praising the Blood Vulture n’s fierce fighting spirit, hailing it as the most valiant among the vampire ns. I don’t think Lainnia’s description is exaggerated. Being able to achieve such a casualty ratio already shows the Blood Vulture’s rebirth through disaster.”
“There’s nothing much to say about that,” Pnno waved his hand and said:
“They have the Crimson Witch, who has regained her strength, at their helm. She’s a rare genius Spirit Mage of our race, and she alone is enough to destroy the Wolfsbane vanguard who are not adept in spirit energy.”
“Haha, what foolish wisdom!” Yvette mocked:
“What if I told you that Grand Duchess Tris didn’t even participate in the battle? She didn’t even enter the sewers. The entire battle was led by Governor Murphy, Countess Femis, and the Count of White Mountain from the Thorn n from start to finish.
As an ancient hereditary family, the Blood Vultures clearly know how to regain their lost face in a dignified manner. Their victory tonight is enough to be a memorable tale.”
“Tris didn’t participate in the battle?” Pnno’s eyes widened, and he said:
“That’s impossible! Although the beautiful Murphy is very talented and courageous, he’s only a ck Iron rank swordsman. Even if the Lord helped Countess Femis reach the White Silver rank, their basic strength is still insufficient. They couldn’t possibly be a match for an elite faction that has existed for decades.
Moreover, in an environment like the sewers, the Blood Vultures’ advantages are limited, while it’s the favorite enclosed battlefield for Wolfsbane to unleash their wildness and brutality to the fullest extent.”
“They certainly couldn’t do it alone,” Lady Yvette waved her hand and said:
“Lainnia reported to me that the Witch Hunters also joined the battle when it was at its fiercest. Additionally, it seems that the ordinary people in Crimson Citadel have also be a source of strength under Murphy’smand.
It’s hard to imagine what kind of spell that little Murphy used to bewitch the Witch Hunters into fighting for him. More importantly, how did he inspire courage in the cowardly civilians when facing such brutal enemies as Wolfsbane?
Could it be that sister Tris has developed some strange new mind-control spell?
She is indeed very skilled in that area.”
“It’s the charm of personality and the art of governance,” Lord Payne closed his eyes again and waved his hand:
“If it were just civilians helping, it could still be understood as spell bewitchment, but the full participation of the Witch Hunters and the Thorn n wouldn’t be that simple.
I remember that Lainnia’s orders were to assist the Blood Vulture n in establishing defense lines and training troops. Given her cold and arrogant nature as a moon elf, she wouldn’t voluntarily involve herself in the grudges between Blood Vultures and Wolfsbane.
In other words, that Lord Murphy persuaded her.
Even if there were factors of Wolfsbane n viting traditions, being able to persuade a moon elf as stubborn as a rock with mere words already demonstrates that Murphy’s talent in uniting others.
He is undoubtedly an excellent lord, very good at properly utilizing all the forces under hismand.
He even epted the Witch Hunters who had nowhere else to go.
It’s almost like a small miracle.”
“Lord, isn’t that evaluation a bit too high?” Yvette snorted disapprovingly.
She seemed to shed her elven haughtiness in an instant, and like a fairy, she reached out and leaned on the Lord’s shoulder, half of her body hanging on Lord Payne’s side. Pouting like she was throwing a tantrum, she said:
“You’ve never evaluated me like that, even though I’ve given you my everything.”
“Apart from your loyalty, I try to keep my distance from everything else you want to give me as much as possible,” Lord Payne pushed Yvette away with his hand. He said in an unchanged tone:
“And I’m just telling the truth. Tris’ descendant is indeed very different from our n members. I’ve also heard many praises from little Femis that shouldn’t be used on vampires.
I think this little fellow might bring some surprises to our stagnant vampire society.
Now, he already has Blood Vultures, Thorns, and our knights in his territory, and the rtionships between the three ns seem quite good under his maintenance.
Perhaps I should give him a little more help.”
The Lord pondered for a moment, then said softly to the Third Lord beside him:
“Yvette, return to the base immediately and go to Misty Coast on my behalf. Deliver a message to the leader of the Blood Dread Fleet. I need him to send out a reliable force to Transia, as a force to help the Blood Vulture n rebuild their system and shape Transia’s defense line.”
This order stunned both Pnno and Yvette.
Then, the Rose Knight said in a low voice:
“Lord, do you mean that the 200-year-old expulsion order for the Blood Dread n is about to be lifted?”
“No,” Lord Payne said softly:
“Just giving them a chance.
The pain that the Blood Dread n brought to this continent has yet to heal, and this is their indelible sin. However, 200 years have passed, and while they’ve been away from the continent, they yearn to return under the midnight.
That was a terrible sin, and naturally requires equally heavy redemption.
The ck Disaster
The ck Disaster is not all bad.
It can forge a certain degree of unity, and naturally can also give those burdened a chance for redemption. If the Blood Dread Fleet can show their responsibility in the midst of crisis, then perhaps this continent will wee them back.
But it’s just a possibility.”
“The Blood Dread n has been away from the continent for 200 years. Letting them start their first step of atonement in Transia, which needs to be rebuilt from scratch, is indeed a very clever idea. I suppose human countries won’t oppose this under the pressure of the ck Disaster,” Pnno praised:
“As expected of the Lord! Your wisdom and mercy are always so radiant and beautiful.”
“I personally executed their ancient n patriarch and ughtered their n down to just 99 people with my own hands, yet you say I’m merciful,” Lord Payne sighed and said:
“Pnno, sometimes you really don’t think before you speak.”
“Haha,” the Rose Knightughed awkwardly.
He just wanted to tter his lord, what did he do wrong?
But soon, Pnno raised another question. He said quietly:
“Do you really believe old Edward’s exnation? To be honest, I don’t.”
“Whether to believe or not is not the key to the problem. Although he wavered, he’s still on our side, and that’s enough,” Lord Payne didn’t want to discuss this issue. He casually said:
“I don’t know how much my ancient brother remembers, but I guess he’s certainly not as ignorant as he appears. However, the more he remembers, the more dangerous his situation bes.
Those ancient memories are like a demon’s temptation
More like a door, once you find the key, you can’t help but want to open it, even if you know that what’s buried behind the door is something you shouldn’t touch.
Oxana was like this, Charlemagne was like this, and Salrokdar was the same.
Ah, original sin.
This is a burden we cannot bear, yet we must carry it until the day fate pronounces, Eden. Our beginning and our end.”
Lord Payne was saying things that shouldn’t be heard.
But Pnno and Yvette acted as if they hadn’t heard anything, obviously because the Lord knew these ancient secrets shouldn’t be casually spoken of, so he used a bit of “power”.
After he finished speaking, the carriage fell into silence. A few minutester, the Third Lord Yvette asked quietly:
“It’s said that Korando, whomitted a great mistake, still has two daughters. They left Greenleaf Ind two days ago with thest batch of Greyw’s children.
Lord, perhaps we should nip it in the bud?
I would be delighted to engage in an easy and pleasant hunt.”
“Is their destination Transia?” Lord Payne asked.
Yvette nodded and said:
“ording to reports from our eyes inside the Wolfsbane n, that’s indeed the case.”
“Then let them be,” the Lord said casually:
“Lord Murphy is the victor, and it’s his right to decide how to deal with the defeated. Hmm, I’m bing more and more curious about this peculiar little fellow.
Perhaps during the ck Disaster, I’ll be able to meet this n member who has been praised by everyone.
Perhaps I should make some preparations for this?”
——
“What did you say?”
At dawn of this long night, when Murphy dragged his tired body back to the Blood Vulture Halls with a bag full of Wolfsbane hearts, he was greeted by the bow knight Lady Lainnia, who had been waiting here, and received unexpected news from her.
“Who did you say Lord Payne wants toe to Transia to help?”
“The Blood Dread Fleet, or more precisely, the Blood Dread n,” the bow knight was obviously also confused about this order.
After all, the Blood Dread n had been expelled from the vampire circle on the continent for a full 200 years. For some newborn vampires, it was almost a legendary name.
She reported to Murphy:
“Lord Payne has requested the Blood Dread Fleet to send out a formidable force to Transia to assist in the defense, just like how the Thorn n sent out the White Mountain faction to assist.
The Lord has also ordered that youmand this ‘Atonement Force’, and he’s not reluctant to use them to clear the disaster that the Blood Dread n brought to the continent 200 years ago.
This might be grace from the Lord, representing that the expulsion order for the Blood Dread n is about to be revoked.”
“This isn’t a garbage dump!” Murphy didn’t look happy at all, instead he said with a headache:
“Just coordinating the Thorn n and the Blood Vulture n has already cost me a lot of effort. The two families arepletely different in living habits and cultural traditions, and there are also you weird, rigid, belligerent, and conservative Blood Pact Knights causing trouble from time to time.
The small Transia has already gathered three ns!
If we count the Wolfsbane we just killed, that’s four! Now the Lord wants a bunch of vampire pirates who have been kicked out of the continent for 200 years to join in the fun!
What is he trying to do?
y happy vampire family in Transia? Why doesn’t he release the mad blood n sealed in the sacred bloodnd as well?
Wouldn’t that be better?
Let’s establish a vampire church on the ruins of Transia, and I’ll be the church leader, how about that?
This is ridiculous!
I respect Lord Payne, really, although I’ve never met him, but I respect him. But this time his decision is really a bit too careless.
I’m the lord here.
I’m doing business, not ying house!”
“But the Lord stood from your position and rebuked the Wolfsbane n, and demanded old Edward to send gifts to you and Grand Duchess Tris as a temporary reconciliation,” Lainnia emphasized:
“This is the Lord’s goodwill, and he didn’t say you have the right to refuse.”
“This is so annoying!” Murphy waved his hand and said:
“Go tell Tris about this, she’s the Blood Vulture Grand Duchess, let her handle these vampire diplomatic affairs. I have a pile of troubles here. The failed surprise attack by Wolfsbane has caused us heavy losses, and I don’t think the gnolls will miss this opportunity.
Perhaps soon, the gnolls from Anderma Hills will swarm up and devour uspletely. Lady Lainnia, I hope your war bow is ready.
Next, it’s time for a real fight.”