The vampires, who had been standing there with a dry indifference as if they had no real interest in Lir’s trial, were now stunned by her statent. The trial, which everyone had anticipated, was supposed to be nothing more than a kangaroo court—a trial with no evidence or witnesses, only driven by a re suspicion to pressure the accused.
Vampires live in a world with an undeniable hierarchy. If the founder or an Elder believes soone is guilty, there is no need for a trial; they can dispose of the accused as they see fit. The trial was rely a formality, sothing everyone believed, but then the suspect confessed outright.
‘Is she serious? Yueling killed an Elder?’
‘The rumors about breaking free from the Blood Curse… Could it be true?’
‘If it was the founder who made the curse, it could be severed. But to think it was severed not from above, but from below?’
The shock was even greater because most of the vampires didn’t believe she could be the murderer. Vampires, who felt the curse more strongly than anyone, never imagined that Yueling—of all people—would kill an Elder.
I glanced over at the Elders. There was Erzebeth, smiling; Kabilla, looking horrified; Runken, who seed to be bored after getting caught up in this ss. And, of course, Valdamir, watching Lir with his usual poker face.
Though Valdamir was one of the least expressive vampires, especially when it ca to politics, I didn’t expect any change in his deanor. However, reading his thoughts through telepathy, I could tell his inner thoughts were more complex than his expression let on.
‘This is unexpected. I didn’t give him any special instructions, but I thought the vampires would naturally deny it.’
It was surprising. Lir’s sudden confession was not part of any prearranged plan. She wasn’t taking the bla for Valdamir’s cris either.
So, what was this about?
This was getting interesting.
“Since you confessed your cri, you must also understand the punishnt that awaits you,” Tyrkanzyaka said.
“I understand. You’ll take away the blood given to . That cursed blood…”
Lir trailed off, lowering her head. For a mont, there was inner conflict. She didn’t want to say it, but it was sothing she had to. Finally, she made her choice.
“…My father, the blood of the Founder that was planted in .”
Lir confessed the hidden truth. She wasn’t doing it to avoid punishnt, but rather to tarnish the reputation of her father and the Elder, Ruskinia.
A scandal, no matter when or where it occurs, is a fatal blow to those in power. But to think it would happen in the Mist Duchy…
Tyr couldn’t speak as he was taken aback by the revelation that a vampire had a child. anwhile, there was a commotion from the other side.
“Founder, there’s no need to hear more!”
One of Ruskinia’s Ains jumped up, feathers sticking out of her hair, and pointed at Lir accusingly.
“We are not like re humans. Under the great Blood Curse, those who share blood are far more connected than simple relations! Such lowly connections are only sothing fit for livestock! Lir is now trying to apply livestock law to vampires!”
“Enough.”
Screech.
A red line appeared across her chest. The vampire fell silent, breathing out a mix of blood and foam. The feathers soaked in blood scattered around, and behind her, Valdamir stood, holding a thin knife.
Valdamir had caught the half-falling vampire’s upper body, ensuring it didn’t drop, and spoke softly.
“Your safety, Founder. Lower your voice and show respect.”
“...I’m sorry…”
“For the honor of the fallen Ruskinia, don’t make use my hands again.”
With that warning, Valdamir casually placed the dismbered vampire’s body back in place. The blood foam began to bubble up again as the skin twisted and rejoined. Barely clinging to life, Ruskinia’s Ains collapsed on her knees.
Valdamir, who had perford the strange act of slicing and reattaching a vampire, dusted off his hands, as though it was no big deal.
“Just a brief commotion. My apologies for not stopping it sooner, Founder.”
Lies. He could have killed her before she even opened her mouth, but he waited until they finished speaking. He allowed the others to air their opinions while maintaining Tyr’s authority. It was so political that it couldn’t be explained in any other way.
“It’s fine. Let’s move past this.”
Despite the process, Ruskinia’s side was accepted as valid. Tyr also regained composure and spoke.
“As she said, Lir Nightingale, whatever your relationship with Ruskinia is, it doesn’t matter. He is an Elder, and you are Yueling, his kin. But that doesn’t excuse you. The cri of a Yueling killing an Elder is a heinous one, one that has never occurred before. You must pay the price for this cri.”
Tyr’s judgnt was as firm as expected. Every vampire in the room believed it to be a fair verdict. Just as Tyr was about to deliver the final decree in the na of the Founder, Lir suddenly raised her head and spoke.
“I object.”
“Objection?”
The audacity of a rebel, who had shattered the Blood Curse, to object to the Founder’s decree was unthinkable. No one could tolerate such defiance. Tyr had no intention of listening, and neither did the vampires.
But I, however, was different. Before Tyr could speak, I cut in.
“If you object to the Founder’s judgnt, it must be for a significant reason. What is it?”
In my official position as the Founder’s concubine, I had no real power, but my words moved the Duchy’s most powerful leader. Tyr leaned back in his throne for a mont, giving space to assert myself. This allowed to grant Lir permission to voice her objection.
Lir, with the typical nonchalance of a vampire, answered.
“My father was a man who deserved to die.”
Such an un-vampiric family matter.
Vampires didn’t usually care about personal grievances. After living for centuries, holding grudges was part of the job. But for , a matter involving an Elder’s family was too intriguing to ignore.
I read Lir’s thoughts. I read Valdamir’s thoughts. Lir was not the killer, but Valdamir was.
Telepathy had revealed the truth. However, telepathy had limits. Even if I could read their thoughts, there were still hidden aspects. A truth may be written in two books, but the shadows that remained were far more complex.
Normally, I would have let it go, but after reading their intentions, curiosity began to stir. Lir had wanted to kill the Elder, and Valdamir had tried to save him.
But the outco had turned out completely different.
"Lord Ruskinia... So, can you tell us why you believe he deserved to die?"
"He killed my mother..."
"Hold on, hold on. You can’t just brush over that like it’s nothing. Let’s start from the beginning."
I wanted to hear Lir’s story, not just to uncover the truth hidden in the shadows but because I was curious. Was it because she was still young, or was there sothing special about her? Either way, Lir understood my intent and calmly began to explain.
"My father was a well-known Elder. The powerful and brutal Blood Sorcerer, Lord Ruskinia. In contrast, my mother was a refugee who had wandered outside the Duchy and ended up here to survive. She had no power, no wealth, no family or relatives. She was a lonely wanderer, looking to survive by selling her blood."
"I’ve heard rumors about that. How refugees from outside the Duchy bring a different taste in blood. Vampires often seek them out to taste it."
"That’s true. New refugees have a different taste in their blood compared to the humans here. So vampires, who have a refined taste, go after refugees to sample their blood."
While the taste of blood might not compare to human food, vampires, who have lived for centuries, developed a discerning palate for even the slightest difference.
"My father was no different. His bloodline had a tendency to treat humans harshly, and so, his followers were always few. My father, too, was desperate for blood. Refugees, who had little knowledge of their bloodline’s worth, beca easy prey. That’s where he t my mother, and a terrible thing happened."
"A terrible thing?"
"My mother’s blood, it was exactly to my father’s liking. In fact, it was far more than that. My father, who had never taken a concubine before, imdiately made her his concubine."
"Hmm. On the surface, that doesn’t seem too terrible. Wasn’t that what your father wanted?"
On the surface, this didn’t seem too awful. After all, being chosen by an Elder for their taste in blood was considered a great honor in the Duchy. I, for instance, have seen how my status as the Founder’s concubine grants imnse power. I can have vampires do my bidding, moving through the Duchy like royalty. In a society where hierarchy is absolute, being a concubine is a symbol of power. It’s the only way for livestock to rise to the level of a beloved pet.
Lir acknowledged this fact without emotion.
"...Until then, there wasn’t any problem. My mother sold her blood, and my father drank it. But the real issue arose afterward. My father was a cruel Elder, and whatever he wanted, he would make sure to get. My mother had no choice but to submit to his whims."
"Well, isn’t that just a natural consequence of a broken marriage? When balance shifts, things inevitably fall apart."
"I couldn’t help it either. I was born into it, after all."
That was hard to argue against.
"And it didn’t end simply with discord. My father didn’t want my mother to stop providing blood when she grew old, or when her blood would begin to spoil. So, he made many attempts. Disgraceful experints, even for the Duchy."
"Experints?"
"There were too many to count. Mixing other people’s blood like a cocktail to increase its volu. Trying to transplant my mother’s blood into half-dead humans. Attempting body modifications. But the most significant experint... was ."
"Yourself?"
Lir responded, emotionless, as she revealed her origins.
"If my mother’s blood was delicious, then surely my blood would be the sa. That’s the belief my father had when he decided to conceive . He even used his own seed to test the hypothesis that blood similar to his own would taste better."
"Are you saying a vampire got soone pregnant?"
Tyr responded with surprise at the revelation of a biological father, not just a stepfather. But unfortunately, Lir didn’t give him the answer he wanted.
"Vampires can’t bear children. But if, like my father, one preserves his seed, it’s possible. A woman carries the child, after all."
"So, you’re saying that a female vampire can't have children?"
"That's right, only female vampires are incapable."
Lir emphasized again before continuing.
"I was born to be a replacent for my mother, but my blood didn’t suit my father’s taste. Thankfully, it wasn’t delicious enough for him to try and keep as his concubine. Anyway, my father’s attempts to preserve my mother’s blood mostly failed. My mother was still human, and he feared that she might die before he could continue feeding on her blood. Of course, it wasn’t because he was concerned about her life, but because he feared he wouldn’t be able to feed on her blood anymore."
Her voice, cold and detached, contrasted sharply with the tenderness her words implied. Even soone known for their kindness could speak with such a chilling tone when recounting their past.
"My father, blaming my mother’s weakness for all his failures, ultimately made her... foolishly, his AIN."
"Why is that foolish?"
"Because once blood is shared in such a way, it inevitably corrupts the blood. It becos less desirable. My mother had to take the blood of others to maintain her bloodline, and my father could no longer be satisfied with just her blood. He had ruined the very thing he was so devoted to. How disheartened he must have been."
Lir smirked coldly, as though mocking her father’s failure. She scanned the room, her gaze sharp as she spoke.
"Of course, none of you will find this interesting. It’s too human of an issue for vampires to care about."
It wasn’t entirely true. Vampires live in close contact with humans, and they understood perfectly why Lir hated Ruskinia.
"But my father also deserves to die. The first to commit a grave sin was none other than Lord Ruskinia."
And then, Lir’s words crossed a line into territory most vampires would never dare approach—the emotional realm that was taboo for them. She boldly revealed sothing that left the others in stunned silence.
"To turn my mother back into a vampire, my father studied ways to break the Blood Curse. And he succeeded. The result of that is . I killed my own progenitor."
Several vampires jumped to their feet in shock. The idea that a follower would kill their progenitor was unthinkable. Even when Lir was suspected of murdering Ruskinia, it had only been a suspicion, with no real impact. But now, Lir was openly declaring her own guilt.
The other vampires were filled with fear and concern. If the curse could be broken, if there was a way for one vampire to kill another, could the very foundation of the vampire hierarchy collapse?
Lir’s words threatened to shake the Duchy to its core.
"The first to commit the sin of rebellion, the sin of killing their progenitor, was Lord Ruskinia."
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