CHAPTER 198: MISTRESS DOLLY

"Make a vow you say?"

Adam questioned the man below him, his gaze sharp from atop his elevated seat.

"And say I believe you... what exactly can you offer my kingdom?"

He asked directly. If these foreigners had come empty-handed, what was the point of even entertaining an alliance between factions?

But Kifril had already thought this far ahead. If the ruler of this land was as clever as he seemed, or perhaps even smarter, he would no doubt be weighing the pros and cons.

Thinking from the receiver’s perspective, Kifril expected this reaction. That’s exactly why his offer was designed to catch Adam’s interest.

"Well, we’re not humans coming to throw around useless junk."

Kifril began, confidently.

"For starters, we’ve managed to tame a large number of monsters. We’re willing to part with some of them as a show of goodwill."

"Also, I can sense a lot of Astrum flowing through you. I’m a magic user myself, most vampires are to be honest. What we are offering you is access to our city’s main library, at the very least up to the 7th floor where access to ancient magic is station in it’s halls."

"And last but not least."

Kifril who playing envoy continued, his voice steady with quiet pride.

"Our homeland is rich in rare and powerful minerals. Over generations, our people have become masters in the art of weapon forging and rune craft. These skills were not learned from mortals, but with use of Arcane the divine power of the Elder God of our Dark Empire, Hrēowsceaða. Or, as he is known to most outside our lands: Elcwin, He Who Brings Grief."

He gestured to the black-steel blade strapped across his waist, its surface faintly pulsing with runes like veins under skin.

"We manage to use the power of Miracles to infuse into our weapons, and the results are truly beneficial, we manage to strengthen their durability, altering their properties, and imbuing them with unique effects that only the Divinity of the Artificial Gods can channel. Most unique features indeed, especially when fighting enemies much stronger than oneself does these weapons truly shine."

Kifril boldly announced, trying to sell why forming an alliance with Helheim would be a good move.

And he was selling that shit for real.

As Adam’s golden eyes narrowed with a mix of interest and caution. From his elevated throne, he tapped a single clawed finger on the armrest, the sound echoing lightly through the chamber.

"Is that so?"

He said with a measured tone.

"Hmm... that is a tempting offer indeed. But let me ask this...what exactly do you expect in return?"

His gaze sharpened. He had seen far too many kingdoms fall to generous words that came with hidden chains.

Before Kifril could respond, Berreta stepped forward beside Adam. Her posture was respectful, yet her voice carried experience.

"My king."

She began, bowing slightly.

"When my late husband still ruled, alliances of this sort were forged on trust, not obligation. They did not demand payment or tribute, only mutual aid, should the time come to call upon it. Back then, honor was the currency exchanged. But lucky for you, your invasion on the kingdom was out of nowhere so we couldn’t call upon the aid of their faction."

She turned her attention to Kifril, her eyes unreadable for the most part.

But she continued to speak, saying.

"So to hear an offer as rich and far-reaching as this... yet without clearly defined terms or expectations in return? It is curious. Perhaps even too generous. Either they’re desperate, or they want something deeper than they’re willing to admit outright."

Berreta clearly commented.

Hearing this, it caused Kifril to chuckle softly, his voice echoing faintly through the chamber before he replied.

"I think you’re misunderstanding something here, Lady Berreta."

He said calmly, the corners of his mouth curling into a knowing smile.

"We vampires have no desire for conflict. But yes, we do want something in return, and we’re not afraid to say what that is. Originally, it was an offer we intended to make to your previous king. But seeing as Alustus has passed... we’ve chosen instead to present it to you, Your Majesty Adam."

Adam’s expression remained unmoved, though the air around him seemed to tighten slightly with his next words.

"And what exactly do you want in return?"

Adam asked bluntly.

"Keep in mind, I am not someone who can be bought with pretty words. Your offers so far are good, yes, but if your demands exceed what you’re giving, then I will have no choice but to refuse."

His voice was clearly that of someone who hadn’t ruled long, but was already unwilling to play the fool.

He didn’t care how powerful the vampires claimed to be. Peace was valuable, yes, but not at the cost of his kingdom’s pride or safety.

Even if Adam lacked hands-on experience as a monarch, his instincts refused to let him appear naive.

But what Kifril said next was enough to genuinely surprise him.

"It’s simple, really."

Kifril said, stepping slightly forward.

"Let me ask you something, Lord Adam, are you familiar with the nature of Vampirism?"

Adam raised a brow, unsure where the question was leading.

"Of course I am. It’s the act of transferring one’s blood to another, to turn them into a vampire. Why do you ask this?"

Kifril nodded, as if expecting that answer.

"That is indeed correct... partially though. But did you know, vampires, as a species, aren’t truly a species at all?"

He let that statement hang in the air.

"Think about it."

He continued, his voice calm and measured for the most part of the conversation.

He picked his words wisely too, if this became disinteresting to Adam, then their trip here would be for nothing.

"How can something be considered a proper ’species’ if it can turn nearly any other race into its own... and still allow them to keep the benefits of their original lineage?"

Adam paused, letting the thought swirl in his mind.

"That... is true."

He admitted, if not common sense if you think deeper about it.

"Of course it is."

Kifril said with a slight smirk.

He began to pace slowly as he explained further.

"Vampires, by their very nature, are not a race in the traditional sense. We are infected. Vampirism is a form of contagion, a magical bloodborne condition if you need a stupid down version. And the only ones who do not fall under that label... are the purebloods, the First Generation."

Kifril gestured to himself with subtle pride.

"Those like myself, and my elite team. Vampires who were never turned... but were born. Born from the very origin of the curse. The First Inheritance."

He then motioned toward the cloaked woman standing beside him.

"And her as well. She is another Founder."

As she stepped forward from behind Kifril, Adam’s eyes widened in genuine shock.

"Founder?!"

He said aloud, his voice edged with disbelief.

As in the first instance before the first generation.

"Thou art correct, aberrant."

The woman’s voice rang out like a soft bell, airy and delicate, childlike, almost playful.

Yet beneath that innocence was something ancient, something cold and knowing. It was the voice of something old enough to make you realize to not fuck around, and find out.

The tone brushed against Adam’s mind like a memory, one he couldn’t place but instinctively feared.

A chill crept down his spine.

This woman was hiding her energy, and she hid well, until it no longer became necessary, for the first time Adam saw her for what she was.

She stepped forward at last, her face now partially visible under the deep hood. Pale skin like moonstone. Crimson eyes glowing faintly with an inner hunger. Her presence was light, so subtle that if she stood still long enough, you might forget she was there at all.

And yet, she was overwhelming at the very moment.

Adam narrowed his eyes, his thoughts spinning.

"You...

He muttered. Then, almost to himself.

"No... I thought big sis was the only one."

The woman’s lips curled into a mischievous smile.

"You mean Priscilla right, a very good child indeed. Hahaha... But Heavens, no. She only became what she is after I passed my knowledge down to her. I am the sixth of the Shinso Vampires. Your sister is eighth."

Her words dropped like stones into a still pond, sending ripples through Adam’s chest.

The woman continued, her voice smooth and haunting.

"To date, there are only ten confirmed Shinso Vampire in existence. Each one a wellspring of potential, capable of forming legacies that are unique. Each bloodline has a unique ability, for instance I created the Umbra family, we have total and absolute control over all that is Darkness. But your sister on the other hand she is...

She glanced briefly toward Kifril, who only nodded silently.

"Despite having the power of a Founder, she has yet to create a bloodline. No progeny. No descendants. She walks alone... even though her blood could birth an entire dynasty of True Vampires."

Adam’s hands clenched slightly.

This was new information even to him as there is still so much he doesn’t know about Priscilla.

As such he was curious, and his curiosity led him to dig deeper, asking as such.

"Why?"

He asked, his voice steady.

"Why hasn’t she sired another yet."

The woman tilted her head, as if pondering a child’s question.

"Perhaps she fears what will follow. Or perhaps she waits for something... or someone. A true successor. Someone who can share her blood and can handle the drawbacks of her curse. That child hides alot, in a way she like myself has the technique to de-age herself...hiding her true form and her true power behind her regress state. I do it because I can’t control my own power, she does it because she was curse by her own sire."

She leaned forward slightly, eyes boring into his.

"And I think you already know who that might be."

Adam’s breath caught.

"Vlada."

"That’s right Vlada, a family head."

"I see...

Adam commented then asked.

"If I may asked what is your name?!"

"Dolly Umbra child."