"What strange discovery is there that requires me to go right now? Could it be that he found out that the bastard of Sarlokdal wasn't dead yet, so he invited me to come over and mend the knife? ”

Tris walked out of the tent dissatisfied.

She was conducting a very important psionic interference experiment, and although she complained about being interrupted after hearing Maxim's report, she quickly packed up her things and rushed to the collapsed Vulture Corridor under Bonnie's escort.

Tracey, who is too weak, can't even call out the blood wings, and it naturally takes time to go on her legs.

And all of this was also in Murphy's plan.

Seeing Lady Triss leave, Maxim did not dare to delay, and immediately went to the camp where the knight lord of Palianor and the three knights of the Blood Alliance scout were located.

But to the surprise of the faithful servant, when he arrived at the tent of the men, they had already changed into the midnight clothes necessary for formal occasions, as if they had anticipated what would happen tonight.

Why such a surprised expression? There is more beauty in this world than your master. ”

Carefully placing a dew-stained midnight rose on the chest of his uniform, the Paliano knight reached out and stroked his long curly blonde hair, his handsome face full of expectant smiles.

He glanced again at Maxim, who was hanging from his arm in bandage, and looked up and down at the loyalist, who was outwardly incompatible with other humans.

After a few seconds of judgment, the sensual knight lord stepped forward and placed his hand on Maxim's injured arm.

He whispered:

"It is also a rare beauty in the world to have such an indomitable loyalty without the bond of blood, but the foolish loyalty with only courage and no wisdom has seriously weakened your beauty."

Paliano's fingertips shimmered with scarlet psionic energy.

The power seeped into Maxim's wounds, causing them to heal quickly as the vampires manipulated the blood.

He said:

"Now that you are not completely out of ugliness, it is not enough for me to give roses, but I hope that the next time we meet, you will be reborn."

"Thank you for the reminder, Your Excellency."

Maxim knew that it was His Excellency Paliano who was trying to point him out, so he leaned over and thanked him.

But the Proud Descendants did not return the salute.

He gorgeously ignored Maxim and flew into the night sky with his three servants spreading their wings under the darkness.

The Midnight Bat Wings of Cappadocia are no different from the other clans, they are short, ornamental wings that provide only a short period of air and glide even at the Golden Rank, far less beloved by the sky than the Midnight Clans who bear the surname Lesembra.

The loyal servant raised his head in place, moving his nascent wounds as he watched the honorable ones disappear.

He was a little disapprehensive when he saw the short bat wings, it seemed that even a perfect man like Mistress Paliano was not handsome all the time, at least not as graceful as Mistress Murphy when he was flying.

But his reminder came at the right time.

Although there is an unpleasant domineering atmosphere, everyone calls themselves "arrogant descendants", and it is enough respect to be able to say a few more words about things that are not approved.

It was clear that Lord Paliano was very different from him in the eyes of Murphy.

"Wisdom."

Maxim turned his horse and hurried to the cloister in the dark night, thinking to himself:

"That has always been something I lacked, and in order to better follow the glory of Lord Murphy and deserve that heavy trust, perhaps I should do my best to make up for this shortcoming.

Learn!

I have to learn from my most respected Murphy master. ”

On the other side, Tracey soon reached the Blood Vulture Corridor below midnight.

Because the spiral staircase to the underground was destroyed, Bonnie had to take her by the hand and fly her underneath, and following the guidance of the Cadman Self-Salvation Army soldiers stationed in the tunnels, Tris quickly reached the unearthed treasure trove.

She left Bonnie alone and went inside to check on herself.

As soon as he entered, he saw Murphy placing a lady's crown on the table he had cleaned up, and on the chair next to him was a lavish archduke cloak and a scarlet scepter made entirely of moonlit crystals.

The top of the thing is carved into a mysterious posture of a night bat and a blood vulture, like a gargoylee crouching on the edge of a church, looking quite low-key but with a kind of restrained luxury.

Tracey has seen this thing!

This is the accessory that Salokdal uses to show his identity, and it is the Seiko [Only] Juggernaut Divine Scepter that Murphy has just found from the pile of golden coins in front of him.

It's not just about looking good!

It is also the highest level of psionic energy crystallization on the continent, second only to miracle creations.

The scepter, known as Serenade, is said to have been a treasure specially crafted for Sarlokdal by an elder of the Mystic Blood Clan, and is also the starting point for Cadman City's Serenade urban enchantment.

Unfortunately, Sarokdal is a powerful Midnight Swordmaster and Crimson Hunter himself, and he is not proficient in the use of psionic energy, and this good thing can only be reduced to a status symbol in his hands.

How smart is Tracey?

When he saw that Murphy was not injured, and that he himself was collecting these "terrible" things, he immediately realized that something was wrong, and his face changed and he turned around and ran, but the next moment Murphy grabbed his wrist from behind.

"You're here, what are you running?"

Murphy said helplessly:

"I don't believe in your wisdom to tell that this is the best option right now."

"You let go of me! Are you hurting me, do you understand? ”

Tracey was really anxious, and screamed while flicking her wrist:

"How can I, a wasted man who has lost his power, inherit the position of Grand Duke? What's more, although I am of Salokdal's blood, I am not his designated heir! Kuder is more qualified than me, this is not in accordance with the rules, and will be reprimanded by Lord Pa Ying.

Besides, what the hell is the current Blood Vulture Clan!

Where is the grand ducal throne, it is clearly a fire coveted by many pairs of eyes.

Murphy!

I'm so good to you, and I don't have anything to be sorry for you, you can't do this to me! Ay! This is the Grand Duke's cloak, don't! Don't put it on me, Murphy!

I command you, stop! ”

However, how could she, a wasted vampire mother who had lost her power, outlive her bad-hearted heir who was no longer what she used to be?

It was like a scarlet whirlwind around Tracey, and in a matter of seconds, the cape was fastened, the crown was strapped, and the serenade staff was placed in her hand.

Murphy stood in front of her, tilted his head to see Tracey's current appearance, nodded in satisfaction, and then took out two things from the psionic bag and put them in both hands when Tracey was about to excuse herself again, and handed them to Tracey.

In his left hand is a mechanical box containing Salokdal's heart, and in his right hand is a crystal clear blood-colored liquid in a delicate crystal bottle.

He looked at Triss and said:

"Power and freedom! As long as you reach out and get it, you don't have to feel guilty or doubt about tomorrow, this is all you deserve, and it is also the best gift I can give to your elders as an heir.

The former is an apology that Salokdal must repay you.

The latter is a blessing that fate has given you through my hand. ”

Looking at these two things in front of her, Trisi was silent for a while.

The Grand Duke's Heart restores her strength, and the purified Source Blood can undo her blood pact with Salokdal, who is dead, but the debilitating feeling of the bond still haunts her.

But those two things are not the point!

The point is that Murphy just took it out casually, which means that this little guy must have been planning all this a long time ago.

Even long before Salokdal's death.

Being deceived now is not the beginning of his plan, but a symbol of the successful conclusion of his plan. This little thing said before that he was going to be angry about the pain he had endured for more than a hundred years, and he wasn't joking

He plays really!

"You're hurting me."

Faced with Murphy's intentions, Triss really couldn't think of a reason to refuse, she took a step back and sat on the jeweled chair, and said to Murphy helplessly:

"You know I don't want any of these at all, maybe I used to chase them madly and viciously, but now that I've settled down in time, it's enough to get drunk every day and I'm satisfied.

I shouldn't be chasing things that don't belong to me anymore.

Murphy, for the outside world, I have been dead for more than a hundred years, you can't pull out the dead who are already lying in the coffin and resurrect them, the dead should die obediently, instead of wandering willfully in the world of the living. ”

"Good saying!"

Murphy shrugged, he smiled, and said:

"However, this is not my decision alone, and it is not just out of the love of one of my sons for my lord."

The door to the vault behind her was pushed open again, and with Lady Adele's support, the frail eldest lady stepped into the place where she had been several times, and she saw two things that Murphy had placed in front of Tracey's eyes with psionic power.

After a brief eye contact with Murphy, Philemis nodded.

In Tracey's stunned and even more helpless gaze, the eldest lady took out the last thing she had as a grand duke.

One-seventh of the vampire slate, which represents the origin of the Vulture Clan, an ancient object called the "Fragment of Desire", held it up in front of her and handed it to Trace.

The eldest lady whispered without any psychological pressure:

"The traces of my father and I have dissipated with his death, and the shards of desire are waiting for their true masters, just as the blood-vulture clan that has fallen into the mud yearns for a true leader to lead us back to the darkness of the night.

I don't deny that I thought Murphy needed to take on that responsibility.

But now I understand.

You, the former Scarlet Witch, a rare genius and wise man among the vampire population, who have gone through the years and stood at the top and fallen to the valley but never succumbed to fate, may be more suitable to lead us in this stormy time.

Your knowledge, your knowledge, and your connections are all things we desperately need.

There is no better leader in this dark land, Lady Tris, and please do not refuse this praise and follower. ”

"Honestly!"

Tracey sat down in her chair and pursed her lips, staring at Fiemis with a subtle look, and she asked dissatisfiedly:

"Did Murphy coerce you to say that! I knew he had a lot of ways to get there, and it wasn't even from me, I wanted to teach him to be a good boy. ”

"Not really."

Quite seriously, Philis explained:

"It's just that as a forbidden thing, I really don't have the courage or qualifications to inherit all this, and Murphy's choice is correct and appropriate, I mean, although there is no specific strength requirement to serve as the Grand Duke of the Blood Clan, it is indeed a bit unseemly for a Black Iron Grand Duke to pass it out.

Power does not mean power.

But there must be a shadow of power in power.

Even from the most intellectual point of view, I fairly agree with Murphy's decision. ”

"This is your father's heart! Although he has become a monster, he still gives you life, shouldn't you as a daughter take it as the last memorial? ”

Tris is still doing her final "struggle".

She pushed the heart of the Grand Duke in front of her, but this time Fiimis took a step back, looking at the heart that seemed to be beating in front of her with a complicated look.

She shook her head and said:

"I have decided to forget the past and start a new life that belongs only to me, so these memories of the past are just a heavy burden for me."

"Lady Trissy, you're here."

Lady Adele, behind Murphy and Femis, whispered:

"There are only a few of us left in the Blood Vulture Clan now, who else is more qualified to sit on that throne than you?"

"Who said that!"

Tracey retorted with difficulty and paleness:

"Obviously, there are still many people from the periphery of the family who are still alive, and they are scattered in the small cities on the border of Translasia, and there are many silver-level powerhouses among them, they are just hiding"

"Well, I assure you, my lady, they won't be your trouble soon."

Murphy said in a subtle tone.

The gesture is gentle and light, but the smell of blood in it is almost full.

Obviously, he has once again shown his attitude, this Archduke of the Blood Vulture does not recognize anyone except Tris! Whoever dares to rob must be prepared to be decapitated and bled out.

"Yes, those miscellaneous traitors who enjoy the protection of their family but sit back and watch their family degenerate to a humble state, and only think about their lives, they will soon not be a threat to anyone. I also make a promise to you, my lady. ”

Fimis, who was next to him, answered in an indifferent tone.

Get!

The tragic fate of those on the fringes of the family was finalized in the singing and harmonizing of these two guys.

This cold-blooded tacit understanding made Tracey's lips move, but she couldn't say any more reason, and her fingers that clenched the scepter loosened as if they had lost their strength in the face of the two who were determined to push her to the top.

After a few seconds of silence, Tracey whispered:

"You two go out first, I will have a few words with my heir, rest assured, you have convinced me, I will do my duty."

Satisfied with the departure of Philimis and Adele, they closed the door.

The vault was quiet again.

"Come here, Murphy."

Tracey called.

Murphy stepped forward and stood in front of her with his head bowed, as if he was ready to be reprimanded.

But the imaginary rebuke didn't appear, and a cold hand rested on his cheek, lifting his drooping face so that those eyes met Trace's seductive eyes.

The former Scarlet Witch stared at him.

In four eyes, she said:

"I can become the Grand Duke of the Blood Vulture as you wish, but you have to promise me one thing."

"Well, as long as it's your will."

Murphy whispered.

Then he heard Tris say to him:

"You've drunk the source blood, and you can break the bloodline contract between you and me at any time if you want."

"Yes, I can, but that doesn't mean I need to."

Murphy replied in a relaxed tone:

"I think it's good now, let's be close, let's trust each other, let's work together, let's be spiritual."

"Disarm it!"

Tracey said in a deep voice:

"That's what I'm asking for."

"Huh?"

Murphy's eyes widened.

He looked at Tracey with a look of disbelief in his eyes, and then he heard Tracey say to him:

"I don't want the tragedy between Sarlockdal and me to happen again between you and me, Murphy, and I don't want the bloodline contract to influence your judgment and decision-making later. You feel that all your thoughts are based on your own sanity, but you ignore that the judgment itself is based on the influence of the bonding contract.

You have to come to your senses again!

You must also re-evaluate your relationship with me without any repercussions.

Believe me.

This is important to you and me.

If you want me to become the Grand Duke of the Blood Vulture, then break the blood link between you and me. ”

"But I think."

Murphy wanted to retort.

But then a slender finger gently pressed against his lips, blocking all he had to say.

Tracey, who had already grasped the heart of the Grand Duke, looked at Murphy and said:

"A true leader cannot be controlled by men, little Murphy, and I have fallen into darkness and am not sure if I will fall into it a second time because of the temptation of power. But at the very least, I have to promise that no matter what happens to me, you won't be implicated!

You see, I still care about you and love you.

This will not change because the contract is severed, and you should believe that you and I have been dependent on each other for more than a year enough to cross all the blood connections.

So, be nice. All right?

Take this as your archduke's first command to you. ”

Murphy was silent for a few seconds.

He took a step back, looked at Triss with a smile in front of him, then nodded, put his hand on his chest and made a standard blood vulture salute, and he whispered:

"So, as you wish, my lady."

(End of chapter)