Academic gathering with a lich-Chapter 493 - 455 Marriage Agreement

Beatrice’s protective behavior deeply moved Lyle, but was now really the time? The fanaticism in the surrounding vampires’ eyes faded away, and Beatrice’s actions seemed like a bloody whip cracking their faces. The vampires were restless, preparing to swarm and tear both Lyle and Beatrice apart; they only needed an order.

Applause, the sole clapping sound, emerged in the stiff atmosphere. Duke Delaries lightly tapped his palms together, a pleasant and indulgent smile on his handsome face as he looked at Beatrice as if she were an active and adorable child.

"You are still the same as before, my dear, still so satisfying to me—noble, cruel, and beautiful." The Duke’s gaze lingered momentarily on the vampire who lay on the ground, her body instantly pierced by Beatrice’s sharp claws. Three deep, bone-revealing gashes nearly tore her chest apart; she screamed miserably on the floor, with blood making the carpet all the more vivid. The others, they kept their distance, swallowing saliva. "Take her away, heal her, or dispose of her."

Duke Delaries brought back the odd atmosphere of a noble gathering as if using a cloth to wipe away an unsightly stain; the injured vampire was dragged into a dark corner and disappeared from view.

"Of course, my child, you may enjoy your family member, this... male lover from Naslan or wherever else he comes from. Whether you plan to enjoy him or turn him, that is your freedom." Duke Delaries took out a handkerchief and lightly touched below his left eye, wiping away non-existent tears, "Child, I am genuinely happy that you could return at this moment. My family is once again complete and will prosper beyond precedent. Come, Beatrice, I will offer you some help."

At the Duke’s signal, two vampires carried out a Blood-red Holy Grail filled with an unknown liquid. The original golden base was evident, and the liquid inside spilled out as it swayed, leaving a trail down the curvature of the cup where it touched, turning black—even the golden base was tarnished by the dark liquid, which corrupted the gold into a stone with a dark red hue.

An intense scent of blood filled the room the instant the Blood-red Holy Grail was presented, causing all the vampires to gasp sharply. Dozens of swallowing sounds merged with low growls as they suppressed their wild eyes, all converging on the Holy Grail.

"What... what is that?"

"A Divine Artifact of blood," Duke Delaries cupped the cup in his palm, his fingers caressing the rim of the cup, his face filled with rapture, "Our artifact, its power surpasses everything we have owned before. Blood-red Holy Grail, it can grant us the purest bloodline of the ancients."

The power of vampires originates from blood; as hollow creatures of darkness, blood is the only existence for vampires. A powerful bloodline directly determines a vampire’s future. Just as Beatrice’s first embrace came directly from Duke Delaries, she was destined to be one of the finest children in the room. Duke Delaries might be one of the highest-ranking existing vampires, claimed to possess the most ancient and purest bloodline.

"The bloodline of a True Ancestor?"

Duke Delaries’s eyes turned fervent and dangerous.

"No, foolish child, even the bloodline of the True clan is not enough to stir my emotions. This is the origin of the Blood Clan, the supreme gift, the blood of a god."

"Antichrist... you actually succeeded?" Incredulity shattered the cold facade on Beatrice’s face; the discomposed girl stared at the ominously looking Holy Grail with a dazed expression, her instincts tempting her.

"Antichrist, not yet, but, my dear, drinking the blood of a god allows your bloodline to transcend limitations. You will no longer be bound to me, you will no longer be limited by the ranks of the Blood Clan aristocracy, not even a True Ancestor could command us, because we would become successors, the successors of the Antichrist." Duke Delaries swirled the cup, the blood of a god spilling onto the ground from the tilted Grail. But the Duke of the Blood Clan didn’t care, he extended the Holy Grail toward Beatrice, allowing the overflowing black liquid to gush out endlessly as if the blood could grow on its own.

"My child, come, enjoy this gift."

Beatrice extended her hand.

And took hold of Lyle’s arm.

"Thank you for the gift, father, but I would rather face the same treatment with my family." 𝑓𝘳𝘦𝑒𝑤𝑒𝘣𝘯ℴ𝘷𝘦𝓁.𝑐𝑜𝑚

"Of course you may, Beatrice, this man may share this gift with you."

"...You are willing to let Lyle drink the blood of a god."

The Duke of the Blood Clan revealed a smile, "My child, this is a privilege given to you, yes, you may enjoy it together with him." His deadly white teeth grew even more menacing against Duke Delaries’s pale face, "However, not everyone is capable of enjoying this power."

"Fair, every power comes with a price."

Delaries nodded, then drank the blood from the Holy Grail on the spot, the overflowing liquid blackening his beard, his suit, and his floor. Wiping the corners of his mouth contentedly, he continued, "The conversion efficiency of the Holy Grail is not high, and even a Blood Clan Earl might face failure. My power is sufficient to bear this gift, and my progeny, people like Joshua, can also withstand it, and you probably can as well. However, others cannot—they are not so fortunate, for they have been abandoned by God."

"What happened to them when they drank the liquid?"

"That is the most splendid part, they became monsters that bleed incessantly and never stop wailing, turning into exquisite blood bags. Indeed, the Divine Artifact is perfect," he elucidated.

Lyle felt a strong malice, although he himself had no interest in transforming into a vampire. But just by consuming that liquid within the goblet, he would become a blood bag that constantly hemorrhaged, and the thought alone sent shivers down his spine. Clearly, this group of vampires would not grant Lyle the freedom to choose.

"Beatrice, my child, come forth and embrace your future, together with Loshutar," he beckoned.

Duke Delaries spread his arms wide, awaiting Beatrice’s response, his smile still radiant, but something was coalescing in his eyes.

Accept the favor, praying that Lyle would not fail in the transformation and become a blood bag.

Or to refuse him, and once again probe the depths of the Vampire Duke’s fury.

Beatrice let go of her hands, picked up the hem of her dress, bowed her head, and bent her knees, almost kneeling to the ground.

"I am sorry, Father, for repeatedly refusing your kindness. My conscience is now scorching my blood. But please forgive my malice one more time, I need time to consider the use of the Holy Grail. After all, it is too important, please give me some time," she pleaded.

The sounds in the hall vanished, and the gazes of the Blood Clan were all fixed upon the crouching Beatrice and the somber Duke Delaries. Time seemed to halt for about three seconds until the Duke’s throat vibrated with a breath expelled.

A smile reappeared on Delaries’s face.

"Of course, my child, I will leave the Blood-red Holy Grail here, Beatrice. You and your manservant can use it at any time," he allowed.

For the moment, the chill had been dodged.

Beatrice rose again, her face adorned with a mask-like smile as she played out a comedy of deep father-daughter affection with Delaries. Only Lyle, who was close by, noticed the marks of blood on her palms from nails digging into her flesh.

"Father, if you do not object, please allow me to retire, Lyle and I have had a long journey and require rest," she requested.

"Of course, my dear," he conceded.

Lyle breathed a sigh of relief. Was it finally over?

An untimely figure stood out, his face bearing a seven parts resemblance to Delaries and the pressure he carried signified his special status. Lyle had indeed seen his face before.

Joshua, the son of Delaries, the vampire saved from the Naslan Mausoleum.

He knelt on one knee before his father, and the next words he uttered froze the scene once more.

"Father, now that Beatrice has returned, I implore you to grant my wish," he said.

"I request to fulfill the once-agreed marriage proposal, to take Beatrice Naslan as my wife."