Chapter 131:

“Ugh” Murphy, who was presiding over the initial embrace ceremony, let out an almost inaudible groan of pain as he struggled to remain standing. This scene was immediately noticed by Lady Adele. The perceptive Blood Descendant immediately stepped forward, using her own body to shield Murphy’s momentary weakness. She had been through a similar experience herself. She had no trouble guessing that Lord Murphy had given Maxim the same precious fresh blood essence during the initial embrace, which made Adele truly appreciate her lord’s generosity. “You foolish child!” Meanwhile, Tris, seated on the Blood Stone Throne, tightened her grip on the armrests at that moment. As an ancient being nearly five hundred years old, and a “veteran” who had made a living from “initial embraces” for over a hundred years, Tris, of course, knew what Murphy was doing at that time. “I know he’s loyal to you, but how can you be so generous as a vampire! You’re such a fool.” Lady Tris muttered under her breath. This was overheard by Miriam, the red-haired girl sitting beside her, who didn’t understand the intricacies and couldn’t help asking in a soft voice: “Did Murphy give Maxim really powerful strength?” “Powerful?” Tris glanced at the adorable girl and replied with a mimicking tone: “It’s no longer a question of how powerful it is. He gave half of his fresh blood to Maxim. If I’m not mistaken, he had done the same before, giving a third of his blood to Adele. Although it’s fresh blood and not essence, it still means he’s weakening his own talents and potential to help his progeny gain more blessings of the midnight. This will make Adele and Maxim’s growth potential and speed far surpass that of ordinary vampires. However, I’ve never seen such a generous vampire elder! Little girl, why don’t you reconsider? Look how good my little Murphy is to you all. Meeting such an elder, you must have accumulated great merits in your previous life.” Miriam shook her head vigorously. She didn’t want to become a vampire. Although she was currently working for vampires and might even become a servant of a vampire lord, this was completely different from actually becoming a vampire! Meanwhile, words were constantly flickering on Murphy’s character card, noting the establishment of a blood covenant: 【Choose Elite Template Inheritance! The progeny ‘Maxim Cena Vlad Lessenbra’ will gain complete vampire traits and 200% racial initial values, with enhanced effects for their skills, and inherit three randomly selected talents and specialties from your current ones! This option will additionally consume 50% of your blood, putting you in a ‘deep weakness’ state! This state requires 72 hours to recover, during which all attributes will be reduced by 50%, and life and spirit recovery rates will be zero. Progeny ability inheritance in progress... 1. Inherited ability: Racial Talent Enhanced Branch – Swift Crimson Wings 2. Inherited ability: Racial Talent Enhanced Branch – Bat Swiftness 3. Inherited ability: Racial Talent Hidden Enhanced Branch – Night Claws Note! Due to choosing the Elite Template Inheritance, the progeny’s biological trait ‘Blood Wings’ is immediately manifested!】 As these words flickered, Murphy felt himself plunged into an extremely weakened state. This was far more draining than the last time he initially embraced Adele, as if his entire body had been hollowed out. As a vampire under the blessing of midnight, he unexpectedly experienced dizziness. However, the “initial embrace tax” from his progeny soon arrived: 【Initial Embrace complete! Maxim Cena Vlad Lessenbra has fed back a portion of his strength to you during this process, specifically manifesting as: Strength +1, Endurance +1, Agility +1. New Talent 【Monster – Intimidating Ferocity】 gained, with a chance to inflict 【Fear】 effect on enemies when entering combat. New Talent 【Monster – Robust Physique】 gained, increasing maximum life by 10% and improving life and stamina recovery rates.】 This strength feedback satisfied the weakened Murphy. The talents were secondary, receiving three attribute points from Maxim’s feedback successfully brought Murphy’s total attributes to an astonishing 104 points. What does this mean? For a regular vampire at the White Silver rank with an Elite Template, the total attribute value, without considering progeny feedback, is precisely 104 points. This means that at the Black Iron rank, Murphy already possessed fundamental strength comparable to that of transcendent beings at higher ranks. As they say, future over-leveled battles will be fair fights for Murphy! “Support me,” Murphy said softly to Lady Adele, who was shielding his weakened state. She immediately assisted the weakened Count, ensuring he didn’t suffer an undignified fall in front of his warriors. As Murphy retreated a few steps, Maxim, who had been kneeling on the ground, opened his eyes, their crimson glow igniting as his bloodthirsty fangs emerged from beneath his lips, only to be retracted moments later. As Maxim stood up, a pair of massive Blood Wings, extremely similar to Murphy’s, unfurled from behind his heavy armor, beating powerfully. That piercing gale took the little players on the second floor by surprise, forcing them to cover their eyes. But some were also shouting crude and foul language, exclaiming how cool it looked. There was no helping it. This scene was indeed very cool! Although Lord Murphy also looked cool when spreading his wings and flying, Murphy’s coolness came from his outstanding looks and dignified demeanor, like a nobleman strolling under the moonlight, making one feel admiration. But Maxim’s coolness stemmed from sheer power! I’ve already said I won’t become a vampire! You bastard! “The initial embrace ceremony is over, this isn’t to make you a vampire, you cutie.” Tris, seeming to notice Miriam’s nervousness, said softly in her ear: “It’s just to formally bestow you with a title and authority in the eyes of the otherworld warriors, so you can properly continue serving your official role in the Transia region. Don’t you think the title ‘Survivor Camp Administrator’ is too casual?” “Oh.” Miriam understood. She straightened her long dress and walked towards Murphy, but just as she stood before him, a flash of lightning went through her mind. Wait! There was a problem here! Based on the authority and titles Murphy had just bestowed upon Maxim and Adele, if she stepped forward and received similar titles and status, wouldn’t that mean she would be permanently bound to Murphy, this vampire lord? If it really developed that way, no one would believe her if she told others she wasn’t a vampire worshipper! She would have to walk the continents bearing the identity of a “vampire servant.” Was this really happening? “I ask you, Miriam, are you willing to follow Murphy’s cause and use your own hands to open a new future for the dark and closed-off Transia?” Murphy’s inquiry rang in her ears. Like a death knell, it made the red-haired girl clench her fists. Having disliked vampires since childhood, she was about to refuse. But then, another thought emerged like a little mischievous man hidden in her heart, gesturing at her: Don’t be so hasty to refuse, girl. Why not consider what you might gain if you accept? A baroness title! Your own land and fief! Real power and authority! Since Murphy is so solemnly including you in this ceremony before his most valued otherworld warriors, it’s clear he intends to formally announce that you will take over the true governing authority of the Count of Kadman’s dominion! From then on, you will be the spokeswoman for Count Murphy of Kadman! Oh, my late lamented mother! The opportunity for social advancement you dreamed of your whole life may truly be before your daughter’s eyes. You don’t even need to sell your beauty, body and dignity to serve some old, foolish man. You just need to work hard from now on. This is the kind of thing that could never happen even in a third-rate knight novel! It’s like being in a dream. Her clever little mind was engaged in an intense internal struggle, so intense that Murphy barely needed to use Desire Perception to listen to Miriam’s inner turmoil. So the cunning vampire cleared his throat and raised the stakes, saying: “Miriam! I await your answer, for in this time you have gathered and managed the survivors, contributing to the revival of the Blood Vulture Clan. I have decided to grant you the title of ‘Baroness of Morland’ and its lands. And with my retainers and warriors as witnesses, I shall formally invest you with the authority of ‘Crimson Regent.’ This city needs rebuilding, Count of Kadman’s dominion lies in ruin, the reborn Blood Vulture Clan and all of Transia await new changes, and the power to decide all this is about to fall into your hands. You have been so outstanding, loyal and excellent that you need not become one of the midnight’s kin to share in the power we wield. So answer my question, Miriam! Are you willing to follow Murphy’s cause and use your own hands to open a new future for the dark and closed-off Transia, for the homeland you loathe yet can still be changed?” “I...I...” Miriam was nearly rendered unable to think by the question and its unabashed temptation. No matter how clever and capable she was, she was still just an ungraduated student, while what Murphy offered far exceeded her original life plans. She really wanted to vehemently rebuke Murphy, to tell this damned vampire not to tempt her with such worldly things! She really wanted to do that! But alas, what Murphy offered was too much... She was struggling mightily to resist. The righteous little man in her heart was being pinned down and pummeled into helplessness by the wicked little man, while her trembling legs refused to heed her inner screams, smoothly sinking to one knee instead. “Very good.” Murphy nodded. And up on the viewing platform on the second floor, Meow King stroked his chin and said to Joy Stick beside him: “Look at that! That’s what you call turning some pie-in-the-sky grandmaster nonsense into glory and power within reach, just from an NPC’s mouth. Not bad for a self-proclaimed Descendant of Desire vampire. Truly masterful at manipulating hearts.” “Bullshit!” Joy Stick scoffed at Meow King’s remark and retorted: “Never mind the career-driven Miss Miriam, if you were in her position facing all these temptations from Lord Murphy, wouldn’t you accept?” “Heh, of course I...” “Shut up, you still have that hidden side quest in hand. Try abandoning it before talking tough?” “Tsk, I was just saying, you make me sound so silly.”