A vampire!
He really was a vampire!
Dawson's mind screamed in alarm.
He dared not underestimate this being simply because it appeared to be in its juvenile stage. Vampires were extraordinary creatures imbued with mysterious powers. Even those newly born, with abilities not yet fully developed, were far beyond what an ordinary human like him could contend with!
Stammering, he managed to choke out, "Oh… oh, Lord Vampire, it's truly an honor to meet you…"
Nolan retracted his fangs, tilting his head slightly as a cherubic smile spread across his face. "But I don't feel like your reaction reflects much honor. In fact, I'd say… maybe a bit of fear?"
Dawson was already paralyzed with terror, trembling uncontrollably as he desperately thought about escaping from the fearsome vampire before him.
Forget the Count, forget the Countess—damn them all! No amount of money or rewards was worth more than his own life!
Just as Dawson prepared to flee, a sleek black cat leapt gracefully from the underbrush.
The black cat's violet eyes glimmered coldly as it opened its mouth. To Dawson's shock, a girl's voice, as clear and melodious as a silver bell, rang out: "Foolish human, ignoring my warnings and trespassing on the lands of Von Draugr. You are guilty! The verdict: death!"
With those words, the black cat transformed into an amorphous, inky substance. In the next instant, it morphed into a monstrous black maw, its gaping jaws snapping shut as it lunged at Dawson, who was frozen in horror.
Crunch!
Blood splattered everywhere.
Dawson's lifeless corpse, now reduced to a pair of legs, collapsed to the ground. The black mass that had devoured his upper body reverted back into the form of the black cat. Stretching lazily, it sauntered elegantly over to Nolan, brushing its whiskered face affectionately against the vampire's trousers.
Nolan cast a cold glance at the mangled remains, then shifted his gaze to the Countess, who was struggling to suppress her discomfort. He bent down to pick up the black cat, cradling it in his arms as he gently stroked its fur.
"Miss Nancy," Nolan asked coolly, "what exactly did you warn him about?"
The cat purred contentedly in Nolan's embrace, replying in a soft voice, "When I saw that fool trespassing, I shook the dead trees, summoned bats, and tickled the pitcher plant to frighten him. But that idiot was utterly ungrateful and simply barged ahead… Humans always die from ignorance and misplaced bravery. It's been that way for centuries."
Nolan sighed, his tone laced with indifference. "Such pointless bravery and motives. Now our courtyard is dirty again… Miss Theresa, clean it up."
At his words, a girl dressed in a maid's uniform materialized from the mist. She performed a flawless curtsy and said, "As you wish, Your Highness."
Nolan nodded slightly. "Good. Just make it clean. Blood might be a tribute, but once it's spilled on the ground, it's nothing but trash… Speaking of which, quite a few humans have wandered in over the years. Perhaps it's time to find a proper gatekeeper. A three-headed hound might do the trick, or maybe I'll capture a juvenile werewolf from the Coldclaw Clan."
With that, Nolan began to stride toward the dense fog ahead, his steps leisurely yet precise.
"Countess," he called back, "follow me. Though I am a vampire, I understand the importance of courtesy. This courtyard, dirtied by your servant, is hardly a suitable place for conversation."
Countess Constantine followed Nolan with a mixture of excitement and trepidation as they stepped onto the gravel path.
As they walked further, the barren, gnarled trees began to thin, replaced by scattered ruins of buildings. There were half-collapsed churches, charred castles, and remnants of humble cottages. It was clear that this area had once been a village, though now it lay in ruins for reasons unknown.
Throughout the village, gravestones were scattered here and there. As they advanced, the gravestones became more densely packed, until finally, a vast graveyard unfolded before them. Mist swirled above the tombstones, bats flitted in large numbers, and the faint sound of distant wolf howls echoed in the air.
Nolan absently stroked the black cat in his arms as he spoke, "There used to be a town here. Perhaps a thousand years ago? Or maybe five hundred? Who knows? Back then, I hadn't been born yet. Hey, Miss Nancy, do you know?"
The black cat twisted lazily, her mouth parting to emit a girl's voice: "How could I possibly know? Do I look like some old hag to you?"
"Hahaha, Miss Nancy, you're still just a young lady. My apologies." Nolan chuckled. "But from what I've heard, this town's residents were once slaves of the Von Draugr family. Later, during the witch hunts, the town was set ablaze, and most of the people perished. A few were turned into undead kin by my ancestors and are still around. If you're interested, perhaps you could speak with these antiques someday. Not that I care—these lowly, base-born vampires don't interest me at all."
Nolan's tone was casual, and occasionally, he would share such snippets with Countess Constantine. Despite his nonchalant demeanor, his soft expressions and relaxed attitude made him seem approachable—perhaps even friendly.
However, Countess Constantine hadn't forgotten her purpose.
She had come here to become a vampire, which meant—to her understanding—becoming a servant of the Von Draugr family.
Click. Nolan's silver-trimmed boots struck the stone pathway with a crisp sound, snapping the Countess out of her thoughts. She stopped in her tracks, lifting her head in awe.
Before her loomed a massive Gothic castle, its black silhouette rising like a dark beast from the shadows.
"Welcome back, Your Highness."
With a creak, the iron gate swung open. Emerging to greet them was none other than Miss Theresa, the maid who had earlier disposed of Dawson's body. She respectfully took Nolan's belongings and gently picked up Miss Nancy from his arms.
Miss Nancy protested loudly, "Hey! Be gentle! My fur is delicate, you brainless muscle-headed maid!"
Nolan burst into laughter, handing his cloak to the maid while teasing, "Miss Nancy's temper has been especially foul lately. Are you in heat, perhaps?"
The maid walked ahead, Nolan followed, and Countess Constantine trailed behind like an attendant. She didn't feel out of place.
In the eyes of vampires, human social hierarchies were laughable. Even a king or prime minister would be nothing more than a humble servant to them.
The interior of the castle was decorated in deep red and black hues. Priceless oil paintings adorned the walls, and magical chandeliers filled with eternally burning candles illuminated the grand halls.
Although Countess Constantine was wealthy by human standards, her fortune seemed garishly mundane compared to the timeless elegance of the vampires.
Click, click, click—
The sound of light footsteps echoed through the hallway. Soon, a girl of sixteen or seventeen appeared before them, dressed in a lavish, blood-red noble gown.
"Oh, Nolan, my dear brother!" she exclaimed with mock regret. "I'm sorry I couldn't join you this time, but I heard you did splendidly. Was the maiden hunt an enjoyable game?"
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