Chapter 266:

Words : 1895 Updated : Oct 9th, 2025

“Lord, are you returning already?” asked Lord Palanno 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 Palace for a late-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 Black Disaster with the Elf King and the Pharaoh?” Palanno, the Rose Knight, grinned and flattered: “You really are busy managing countless affairs daily.” “Hmm?” Lord Payne opened his eyes with a strange expression. His amber eyes glanced at Palanno, and he said softly: “It’s unrelated 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 Black Disaster affairs prevent me from attending then, so I’m going to congratulate him in advance. Well, I can certainly discuss the Black Disaster with those two while I’m there, but after the last 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 Black Disaster and are willing to commit 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,” Palanno 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 the last Black Disaster. But since we’re on this topic, Lord, I still think we should send more people to Transia to help the Blood Vulture Clan establish defense lines. Their situation is a bit dire, and they may not be able to withstand the Black Disaster. Even if the Blood Pact clans can hold off the main gnoll forces in the Desolate 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 Clan’s new regime a bit too much, Palanno,” 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. According 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 Black Disaster. They have completed 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 Clan 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 annihilated the Greyclaw 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 Clan’s fierce fighting spirit, hailing it as the most valiant among the vampire clans. 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,” Palanno 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 clan 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 become a memorable tale.” “Tris didn’t participate in the battle?” Palanno’s eyes widened, and he said: “That’s impossible! Although the beautiful Murphy is very talented and courageous, he’s only a Black 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 become a source of strength under Murphy’s command. 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: 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 Palanno 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 minutes later, the Third Lord Yvette asked quietly: “It’s said that Korando, who committed a great mistake, still has two daughters. They left Greenleaf Island two days ago with the last batch of Greyclaw’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: “According to reports from our eyes inside the Wolfsbane clan, 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 becoming more and more curious about this peculiar little fellow. Perhaps during the Black Disaster, I’ll be able to meet this clan 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 to come to Transia to help?” “The Blood Dread Fleet, or more precisely, the Blood Dread clan,” the bow knight was obviously also confused about this order. After all, the Blood Dread clan 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 clan sent out the White Mountain faction to assist. The Lord has also ordered that you command this ‘Atonement Force’, and he’s not reluctant to use them to clear the disaster that the Blood Dread clan brought to the continent 200 years ago. This might be grace from the Lord, representing that the expulsion order for the Blood Dread clan 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 clan and the Blood Vulture Clan has already cost me a lot of effort. The two families are completely 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 clans! 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? Play happy vampire family in Transia? Why doesn’t he release the mad blood clan sealed in the sacred blood land 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 playing house!” “But the Lord stood from your position and rebuked the Wolfsbane clan, 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 us completely. Lady Lainnia, I hope your war bow is ready. Next, it’s time for a real fight.”

Chapter 266:

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