There was no Vampire that didn’t know what it was and what it signified.
Fewer had ever seen one in person due to the situation in current times.
"How did you get that?" The 1st seat questioned, barely doing enough to hide the fear welling up in his heart.
Damian chuckled, satisfied by the reaction of the council.
There was a time he wouldn’t have dared to do this despite dreaming of doing so.
He was too weak after all compared to the powerhouses present.
But all thanks to Crow mask, he had reached a height where he was able to elicit such a response and even kill one of the council members.
His heart palpitated with joy as he remarked. "Wouldn’t you like to know?"
"... That object, how can you have something like that!... No crimson heart has been made since the Great Purge." The 7th seat couldn’t help but blurt out.
"Indeed, you are correct and of course, due to current circumstances, it’s not so easy to create one but in any case, you understand what this Heart represents, don’t you, 1st seat?"
The 1st seat’s eyes flickered as he understood clearly what Damian was alluding to.
Not only he, but everyone present was quite aware of it, too.
During the Dark Ages, some existences were labeled as unparalleled and carried great power.
These existences were called Monarchs.
Ruling over kingdoms, these Monarchs were said to be at the forefront of the Vampire race, leading them to greater heights.
At the peak of the Dark Age, there were said to be only 11 Vampires that had reached the level of Monarch.
And what symbolized their reign was the Crimson Hearts they carried which gave them absolute control over the Vampire bloodline they had.
Of course, it wasn’t an easy task to gain a Heart.
A certain ritual had to be carried out as well as the sacrifice of at least a thousand humans.
The power the Crimson Heart would have as well as how long it would last depended largely on the number of humans sacrificed.
This was why the Crimson Heart was known by another name... The Bloodstone.
"Even if you possess a Bloodstone, it would be next to impossible to do what you have so easily spoken about. Regain our lost glory?... Own the continent?... You’d be lucky to survive the onslaught of a Family Head, talk more of all 12 of them, including the Omen of Great Disasters." The 2nd seat pointed out, albeit still flustered by the authority being emanated from Damian’s Crimson Heart.
Damian nodded. "Indeed, you are right. The Crimson Heart isn’t enough to take back the continent. So instead of a Monarch, I’ll become a god."
"What god?... Do you even understand what you are saying?"
"Of course, I do. You all should know about the Diablo dukedom, correct?"
"Diablo?" One of the two females present revealed a strange expression before she remarked. "Isn’t that the dukedom that worshiped an evil god, even going as far as to disregard the Peace Accord signed between the Great Families and our people?"
"Indeed, you are correct," Damian said, feigning a sad expression as he continued. "The so-called Great families were so frightened of their growing power that they had to wipe them out before they blossomed."
"Why are you bringing them up?" The 1st seat inquired.
"Quite simple." Damian reached into his trouser and pulled out a parchment made with human skin.
Unfurling it, elaborate writings could be seen with a few diagrams alongside it.
Damian rolled up the human skin parchment as he replied. "Before I answer, let me tell you all a little story."
"The Diablo Duke before he died desired something. He was poisoned during a battle against a Hyena Queen and sought a way to save himself. It’s generally deemed impossible for us to survive a Hyena’s poison, especially one gotten from a Queen. Nasty creatures if you ask me."
Chuckling lightly, Damian continued. "Since normal ways weren’t working, the Duke decided to seek help through other means... that was when he came in contact with a certain entity. This entity was born out of the collective consciousness of the 11 Monarchs that died during the Great Purge. Of course, common sense would tell you that such a combination would result in a substantially powerful entity."
"How do you know this?" The 2nd seat asked.
Damian raised a finger to his lips in response. "Shhh, you’re ruining the story."
"The duke was given the means to deal with the poison and it involved ascending, shedding his coils to become something more than just an immortal being... a god."
"And that parchment..."
"The method given to the Diablo Duke is written on it."
Silence reigned for a full minute as the remaining council members pondered on Damian’s words.
After digesting it, the first to speak was the 1st seat. "If it works, why didn’t the Diablo Duke use it?"
"That’s because he wasn’t able to complete the steps. To become a god, he first had to become a Monarch and so, he decided to create a Crimson Heart."
"Which was why he and his dukedom were wiped out?" The 2nd seat remarked.
Damian flashed a grin. "Exactly. You are quick to catch on."
"So the Crimson Heart you currently hold..."
"...Is the result of the Diablo Duke’s efforts to become a god," Damian replied.
"I see. Everything is clear now." The 1st seat said as he glanced at the 3rd. "Perhaps I was a bit too harsh on you."
"No need to say anything." The 3rd replied, a smile forming at the corner of his lips.
Nodding thoughtfully, the 1st seat turned his attention back to Damian. "So if we hypothetically decide to join you in your cause, how can you assure us that this won’t end with our dukedoms getting wiped off the surface of the map?"
"What more assurance do you need?" Damian asked back. "And you seem to have something confused here, old man."
Taking a moment to survey the expressions of everyone present, Damian continued. "I already told you... this gathering is to ensure we are all on the same page, not a democracy to decide if you want to join."
Then in a most threatening manner, as his authority swirled about like a wave, empowered by the Bloodstone, Damian added with his irises flashing a dreadful crimson. "So choose... join me or die... I will not ask again."