Chapter 278


    My lord.


    Your Excellency. Dozens of servants and maids dressed in neat, clean clothes politely bowed following the butlers greeting.


    Yes, A pale-faced man wearing a feather-topped hat nodded in response while leaving through the open door. He was holding a staff ted with pure gold.


    The Baron of Balik has sent an invitation. He is asking you to attend his daughters engagement. Lord Malta the butler said.


    Tell Sir Balik that I will not be able to attend because Im busy. Take care of the rest as well, the man answered.


    Yes, my lord, the butler answered while opening the doors to a carriage waiting in front of arge, elegant fountain. The carriage soon departed.


    The two horses pulling the carriage slowly circled the fountain once before heading down a small road and passing through the front gates. A swordsman standing in front of the gate took off his hat and sent off his employer.


    The front gates closed with a squeak after the departure of the master. There were stone statues of a dragon lining both sides of the gate.


    The ck Dragon Manorthe manor was widely known as the ck Dragon Manor, and the one who had left through the main gate was none other than the manors master, Count Delmondo.


    ***


    <em>Ah!</em> Your Excellency, youre here!


    Thank you for inviting me, Sir Ilocke, Delmondo took off his hat and returned a polite greeting at the weing words of an old, bald noble.


    <em>Hahaha!</em> Is there a need for such formality between us? Now, now,e on. Come this way.


    Delmondo entered the banquet hall following Sir Ilockes warm wee. The sight of the banquets host personally guiding a guest drew attention from all directions. Many people recognized Delmondo, a celebrity of Petraone of the three major port cities of the Roman Empire. They quickly approached him with a weing look.


    Sir Delmondo! How long has it been?


    Sir Levien.


    Haha! Is it our first time seeing each other since Veritas? How have you been until now, Your Excellency?


    Sir Obreo. Its been a while.


    Sir Delmondo!


    Your Excellency!


    In an instant, more than ten nobles surrounded Delmondo and busily chatted away. Delmondo, who had grown a thick mustache, personally responded to everyones greetings with a smile that slightly revealed his fangs. Everyone present knew well that he was a member of the Dark n. In fact, some of them were also vampires who had been living in Petra for a long time. However, it was a surprise how such vampires actively approached and attempted to build a rapport with Delmondo.


    Sir Delmondo. I have recently received some healthy and beautiful ves from Pasaton. Would you like to choose one? They would be great ves to feed on.


    One of the high lords of Larsamaine wants to meet you. When will you be avable?


    The vampires acted kindly toward Delmondo as if he were a part of their n. It was quite surprising, considering that vampires often closed themselves off to outsiders, even to other vampires. Naturally, they hadnt been acting so favorably toward Delmondo from the very beginning. In fact, some of them even wanted to kill Delmondo.


    However, the situation changed dramatically in just a few months.


    He was fluent in thenguage of the Roman Empire, and his graceful words and actions clearly represented his prestigious background. On top of that, he was filthy rich and a count of Brantia, which was an official country, though it was located on the periphery.


    Such conditions allowed the vampire count to quickly be a celebrity in the port city of Petra. However, above all else, there was another reason why the nobles of Petra wanted to make friends with Delmondo.


    Your Excellency Delmondo. I chanced upon a rumor, but is it true?


    <em>Hmm?</em> What are you talking about? Delmondo asked with a puzzled expression. His appearance was that of a dignified, prestigious noble, which contrasted with how he looked when he first met Eugene.


    Baron Ilocke, the host of the banquet, spoke in a loud voice so that the surrounding, curious nobles could hear him. The one that Your Excellency serves, His Majesty Jan Eugene Ba of Maren.


    <em>Ohh</em>


    The nobles of Petra quietly gasped when Eugenes name was mentioned. Indeed, one of the decisive reasons why Delmondo quickly became one of Petrass most distinguished figures was that he was serving the King of Maren. When he first arrived in Petra, Eugene had only been considered a lucky knight with some reputation in the countryside.


    But now, everyone knew the name Eugene. It wasnt limited to the City of Peta either. Rather, his name had be known in numerous cities and territories across various kingdoms and countries.


    You mean my master? What about him? Delmondo asked. He feigned ignorance even though he knew exactly what Baron Ilocke was about to say.


    Baron Ilocke was overjoyed at being the first one to distribute thetest information. He excitedly looked around Delmondo and the nobles before speaking, No, wellthey say that His Majesty the King of Maren was blessed by a high priest of the Holy Empire!


    <em>Huh?!</em>


    I-is that really true?


    No, how could he have?


    Which great priest of the Holy Empire?


    Exmations of shock and questions erupted from all over the ce, and Baron Ilocke continued excitedly, The saintess! <em>Ah,</em> you all know that she was kidnapped by evil pirates, right? There had been some talk about sending soldiers from Petra because of that as well, right?


    Thats right. So what?


    <em>Ah!</em> Perhaps


    Thats right. Its exactly what you all are thinking. His Majesty the King has personally led his knights and warriors to destroy that evil, vile group of pirates! <em>Hahaha!</em>


    <em>Ohhh!</em>


    Bursts of admiration filled the hall. The heat immediately descended upon Delmondo.


    Congrattions, Sir Delmondo. A blessing of the Holy Empires high priest! The one you serve has truly been honored!


    Isnt this a first for a member of the Dark n? <em>Haha!</em> Its certainly a call for celebration!


    Please congratte His Majesty on my behalf. <em>Haha!</em>


    The nobles fought to offer their congrattions, and Delmondo bowed humbly in response.


    Thank you, sirs.


    The thrilled Baron Ilocke burst outughing and stepped forward again.


    Hahaha! By the way, thats not all...


    ?


    Baron Ilocke enjoyed how the eyes of the nobles flocked to him. He continued proudly as if it were his own achievement. The high priest of the Holy Empire has invited His Majesty to the Holy Empire. To the papacy, sirs.


    !!!


    An even greater shock filled the nobles. It was within the realm of their understanding for a high priest of the Roman Empire to give her blessing to the King of Maren. Although the pirates wouldnt haveid a finger on the delegation unless they werepletely out of their minds, it remained true that the king had rescued the high priest. Therefore, since the king himself hade in person, the high priests blessing was totally understandable, even though the king was a member of the Dark n.


    However, inviting him to the Holy Empire, and to the papacy no less, was an entirely different matter. No member of the Dark neven the great n mastershad ever been to the Holy Empire. No, they actually couldnt go there. It was due to the unwrittenw that came into existence when the pope officially recognized the Tribe of Darkness.


    However, the unwrittenw had finally been broken. Moreover, the invitation couldnt be withdrawn, not when a high priest, who was also the saintess, had personally invited him to the papacy. After all, high priests had the greatest status in the Holy Empire aside from the pope.


    It was clear what this situation meant


    <em>The Holy Empire</em>


    <em>Are they trying to empower the King of Maren?</em>


    The eyes of the nobles glimmered. The Holy Empire was still the Holy Empire, even if it had long be a toothless tiger. It was <em>the</em> religious center and a ce protected by the three gods. It was thend of faith and glory, and its title held enormous value. No tyrant in history had ever denied the Holy Empire. Even when priests and holy knights were killed, no one ever touched the pope. Even if one could depose and raise a new pope, denying the Holy Empire and the pope was akin to denying the gods and religion itself. The people would rise if that happened, rather than the knights and the nobles. The one responsible would have to face the curse of the entire world, and they would bebeled a sinner.


    No one would willingly follow a person whose entire existence could only be described by the word sinner. Although it was toothless, the Holy Empire still had a profound influence on kings and nobles thanks to its powerful ws. Therefore, an invitation to the papacy had never been handed out freely. In the first ce, not just anyone could visit.


    But now, the King of Maren had received the very first invitation after so many years. It was safe to say that the Holy Empire wanted to provide support to the King of Maren.


    So, will His Majesty be heading to the Holy Empire?


    When is that going to be? <em>Ah! </em>He has to stop by Petra to head to the Holy Empire, right?


    Sir Delmondo! Has His Majesty found a ce to stay when hees? My mansion is


    The finest inn of my family is


    I would like to invite His Majesty


    The nobles swarmed Delmondo. As the leaders of Petra, they were directly or indirectly involved in various businesses around the city. Friendship with the King of Maren had only been something to boast about. However, that was yesterdays news. Today, his prestige had increased yet again by several levels.


    A highest-ranking vampire noble with the support of the Holy Empireit meant that he could not be touched in any nation or territory, even in ces that regarded vampires as evil and ominous beings. Rather, everyone would have to do their best not to offend him so that they wouldnt receive a message of regret from the Holy Empire.


    It was hard to predict what benefits he would gain with his newly found support. As such, the nobles of Petra desperately held on to Delmondo, the only connection they had to the King of Maren.


    <em>Uhahahahahahaha!</em>


    Delmondo boisterouslyughed inside. He suddenly remembered how he had been when he first met Eugene. His past self could not bepared to who he was now, and it was all thanks to his great, exalted master.


    He was trembling with exaltation, but Delmondo tried hard to suppress his emotions and put on an elegant smile. He had to stay calm. His master was watching, so he needed to fulfill the order his master gave him for this ce.


    I am not sure when my master wille. Of course, he will <em>definitely </em>be in contact with me. When that timees, I will make sure to deliver all of your words. My generous master had always listened to my humble self, Delmondo said.


    <em>Ohhh!!!</em>


    The nobles of Petra burned with even more determination. They were wealthy and prestigious, but they pursued even greater profits and honor. And right now, Jan Eugene Ba, the King of Maren, was the one most capable of allowing them to satisfy their desires.


    However Delmondo nced at the eyes of the nobles, which were glistening with desire. He stopped his gaze at the vampires of Petra and continued with a wistful expression, If I am to do something here, wouldnt I need permission from the n masters which you sirs serve? Even if my master is the Duke of Brantia and the King of Maren, he is still a stranger here as a member of the Tribe of Darkness.


    ?!


    The eyes of the vampire lords and bannerets of Petra filled with surprise. Why was he suddenly saying such things? The vampires acted ording to their instincts and quickly looked around at the nobles.


    <em>This is!</em>


    <em>Dammit</em>


    Even though they used monsters and ves, they still consumed human blood. However, the gazes of the other nobles made it seem as if they were the prey instead, even though they were vampires.


    <em>Were fucked.</em>


    <em>If we were to reject him here, then...</em>


    The vampire lords and bannerets realized that they had no choice in the matter.


    I-I will bring this to the high lord.


    I will also write to the n and


    <em>Ha</em> Delmondo sighed with regret after hearing their response.


    This might prove difficult. I apologize. I think I have made a difficult request for all of you.


    N-no, thats


    Sirs! Baron Ilocke shouted in an agitated voice.


    Whats so hard about that? Why are you hesitating, sirs?!


    Thats right! Isnt His Majesty also a highest-ranking aristocrat of the Dark n?


    Exactly! He could even establish his own n with the status he has, right? Someone like him will be visiting Petra, so the n masters should


    The other nobles voiced their agreement with Baron Ilocke.


    <em>Good. Good, good!</em>


    Delmondo became filled with confidence as he inwardly grinned. He had no idea which of the n masters would arrive, but one or two n masters should show up by the time his great master arrived.