Kingdom's Bloodline, page 29
"Aiya. But didn't that young and cute Iris Duke said that he could give as many people and as much blood as we wanted? If he found out how his loyal dog is entertaining the guests, he may not give you bones to eat. Haha."
'Loyal dog? Bones? Fuck!'
As he listened to the peculiar humiliation and mocking words from the arrogant vampire and then thought of the Iris Duke's attitude after the defeat at the Red Street Market, also all the irritation he went through the entire day, Nikolay felt a huge fire burn in his heart.
"Fucking bitch! There are no living people!"
Nikolay roared as he ruthlessly slammed the table with his palm, disregarding all the bloodstains on it.
"Do not think I do not know that you vampires only need the blood of the dead to keep living! You do not need the blood of the living at all! This is no longer like hundreds of years ago!"
"I worked so hard to bring all these living and dead here. There was even one supra class and you complain that it is still not fucking enough?"
"If you want to eat, eat! Otherwise, get lost! I am not easily frightened! Worst comes to worst, we will just part ways! We will just pull back our troops and fight!"
"We are from Blood Bottle Gang of Constellation, we repay blood debts! We are not like Covendier who dies for his friends!"
There was a moment of silence, except for the heavy breathing of the Red Viper in the hall. Even Nikolay's entourage retreated back a little from fear.
After that, Rolana's expression changed. She extended her fangs and her expression turned malevolent. Her originally alluring voice like a spoiled child became sharp and wild.
"Inferior mortals! I will be polite and give your master some face! Blood of corpses? You yourself could live on water, vegetables and rotting flesh. Why do you need to drink wine and eat meat? You worked hard? That half dead supra class was just used by you to avenge private wrongs. You just want us to help you settle your internal affairs. You want to talk about repaying blood debts to the Corleone Family? I can have you experience your paying of 'blood debts' right now!"
The anger in Nikolay's eyes became more intense. He gritted his teeth and pulled open his scarlet jacket. The sinister Rolana gave a delicate cry and jumped onto to the top of the chandelier. She brandished her fangs and claws like a cat.
Just at the moment both sides had their daggers drawn, the old man at the window turned around.
"Rolana. Be mindful of your manners."
"Mister Nikolay. There is no need for this. If we fall out, the one embarrassed would be Duke Zayen."
His voice was not loud but clearly resounded in the ears of everyone in the hall.
Chris Corleone, the white-haired old man suddenly appeared in front of Nikolay.
Before the boss of the Blood Bottle Gang could react, Chris stretched out his hand and patted the Red Viper's shoulder.
The old man's act restrained Red Viper's anger.
Rolana descended back to the ground and returned to her captivating appearance. She laughed but her eyes still looked fierce.
"Apologies. They are still young and cannot control their temper." Chris gave a cryptic glance. His wrinkled face was dark and silent.
'Young?' Nikolay cursed in his heart. 'You have the nerve to call a monster that is several hundred years old, young?'
However, Nikolay still suppressed the anger in his heart. The circumstances do not favor him.
'This old monster looked sickly but the skill he showed with his hand just now… With my own capabilities, I would not be able to deal with him.'
"How about this? The past few days have been exhausting for you. From now on we will deal with the matters of food by ourselves."
Chris' eyes remained fixed like his lifeless tone.
'You will solve it yourself? Based on the characteristics of the vampires, hunting for prey outside would eventually turn into a disaster! But doesn't that concur with my wishes?'
"Let's go!" Nikolay waved indignantly. "Take all our brothers away."
"Oh? Are you not even leaving one behind? There are people who still want to apologize here…" Rolana alluringly lay down on the bloody table and returned to her coquettish self.
"There is no need!" Nikolay turned his head back and replied. "It is best to avoid making Miss Rolana unable to resist."
The thugs of the Blood Bottle Gang followed behind Nikolay and went downstairs. No one felt regret leaving the nauseating manor.
After a while, only the sound of Rolana's weird laughter and the dripping of blood remained in the hall.
Nikolay soon went far away.
Rolana suddenly got down from the table. Her face was cold and stern.
"Did he notice something?"
Chris shook his death-like head. He looked like a white chess piece from afar. "This guy did not but Covendier had certainly noticed something strange. After all, so much blood is enough to feed a squad of Blood Knights."
Rolana lowered her head. "However, this is still not enough. I just wasted another one just to put on an act. I will go hunting again."
"Fortunately, we have chased away the Blood Bottle Gang as planned. This will give us some time before we get exposed."
Chris suddenly turned his head back about a hundred degrees and looked out the window. His nose twitched a little.
"Istrone has returned. He also brought back… this fragrance… It is high-class blood."
His figure reappeared at the window. The moon came out.
...
Nikolay took the Blood Bottle Gang group and angrily stepped out of the manor.
'These damn vampires… hm? That white-faced vampire has returned. Didn't he follow those mercenaries to Mindis Hall to find treasure in the afternoon? So, he also knows how to use his legs to walk, using the main gate?'
Nikolay had thought that when the vampire was in a hurry, like what he had once seen, he would transform into watery blood and flow around.
'That white-faced vampire even brought back a boy? Damn. He also went out hunting for food? Looking at the way he is dressed, he must be from a noble family. However, he is covered in injuries… That is not right. That child does not look like he is being held hostage. Their footsteps look as though they are walking as a group.'
'That's right. I need to ask about the theft at Mindis Hall.'
While Nikolay was thinking, Istrone and Thales entered the manor.
From afar, Thales already saw the Blood Bottle Gang that was walking out.
When he thought of the flag with the Iris flower, he gloomily cried out in his heart. He knew that the had to remain calm so that he could find a way to survive the dangers ahead.
Istrone gazed fixedly ahead as though he did not pay attention to those from the Blood Bottle Gang.
Nikolay waved his hand and the Blood Bottle Gang stopped and waited for Istrone to come over.
However, the handsome blond-haired vampire simply snorted through his nose. His head looked towards the side as he impolitely walked past the Red Viper. It was as though he had no words to say.
However, the vampire immediately noticed that the human that was not even as tall as his waist strode forward with his head held high. The kid huffed and synchronized his pace as he walked past Nikolay with his nose held high.
'What kind of situation is this? Is he using his master to bully others?'
Istrone resolved himself to punish the child that loved to play dumb.
Only Thales knew that he himself was pretending to be calm by strongly suppressing the beating of his heart.
Nikolay's anger rose again.
"Hey! Pretty boy!" The Red Viper blocked Istrone's path. "Have you completed the task His Excellency the Duke has asked you to do?" Nikolay asked in a bad mood as he looked at the handsome vampire.
'His Excellency the Duke?' Thales secretly questioned.
Istrone looked up at the human who stopped him with disgust.
"The stolen treasure at Mindis Hall! Did you remember? You even took four groups of mercenaries with you!" Istrone's gaze towards him made Nikolay full of anger. Nikolay walked up to the vampire's nose and loudly shouted, "Pretty boy. Shouldn't you have obtained something?"
'Pretty boy?'
'Repulsive mortals!' Anger welled up in Istrone's heart. He originally wanted to deceive the mercenaries by sending them out and then hunt them one by one, treating them as an excellent source of blood to bring back to the manor.
He never expected the weird masked man to finish them off at Mindis Hall.
'As for the theft at the Mindis Hall, this was something requested by the Duke of the Iris Flower.'
'I still need to say something.'
Istrone turned to look at Thales. Nobody knew his state of mind that had already turned ice cold.
'What do I do? What do I do? What do I do?'
'Calm down!' The boy told himself. 'I must save myself!'
His brain spun wildly as each report and element flashed through his mind and regrouped.
Istrone lowered his head and looked at the boy. He wondered what to say to Nikolay so as to not lose face in front of the mortals.
Nikolay looked at the arrogant Istrone. He followed Istrone's gaze and then turned to the little boy beside him.
"Hey, kid…" Istrone said without paying attention.
Everyone looked at Thales. At this moment, Thales took a deep breath.
'According to the Second Year Syndrome, I am the man that is to change the world. How can I die here?'
After that, the others saw the seven-year-old boy's expression turn cold. He shouted before Istrone could say his next words.
"Yes. Your Excellency!"
Istrone froze for a moment. 'This brat. Why is he suddenly so respectful?'
However, before he could react, the situation changed.
Thales stepped forward without hesitation. He was like a loyal guard standing in between Istrone and Nikolay.
And then, under the bright moonlight...
Everyone heard the voice of the young boy with an annoying expression looking at the man currently in charge of the Blood Bottle Gang, the head of the Psionic Warriors, Red Viper Nikolay. The childish voice had an arrogant tone as he shouted,
"Get lost! Mortals! His Excellency, the noble Istrone Corleone does not need a lowly and talkative dog meddling in his affairs!"
Translator's Note:
Middle School / Second Year Syndrome. Those with it act like mature know-it-alls or think they have special powers, being obnoxious, arrogant, etc. Some may also recognize this as Chuunibyou.
Chapter 26: Negotiation |
Everybody did not manage to react and were collectively stunned.
"You—" Although Nikolay was still in shock, he realized that Thales was shouting at him.
'Stray- stray dog?'
The Red Viper's expression changed from bewilderment to shock, then from shame to anger.
"What did you say… you damn little b*st*rd!"
A member of Blood Bottle Gang poked his fellow gang member beside him, making an expression, signaling that "things were not going well".
The handsome Istrone reacted, a large variety of expressions appeared on his face—it was a combination of spasms and tremors, tinged with embarrassment and awkwardness.
'This little brat is too good in acting... Is he a character from a play in Dark Night Temple?'
Nikolay clenched his fists tightly. He could feel the followers beside him exchanging glances. Their boss had just been insulted by a child right in his face. A child! Who had just been acting based on instructions by the vampire!
'This bastard!
'How dare… how dare he… Even the Blood Mystic—known for being cruel and violent—had never insulted me to my face like this!'
A surge of anger spread through Nikolay's mind. He stared fiercely at Istrone as if wanting to cut out a piece of his face.
In Nikolay's point of view, he had performed his duty and enquired about the mission's progress on behalf of the Duke. However, what did that pretty boy do?
That damned vampire turned and made a sound, signaling to his little follower. Then, that little bastard in front of the vampire took a step forward, as if he had read his mind.
With that infuriating expression on his face, he called Nikolay a lowly stray dog and told him to get lost.
But upon hearing what the little bastard said, the vampire's expression morphed into a hideous grin—It was clear that he was snickering at him in delight!
That vampire was reveling in the joy of humiliating him!
'Threatened by high-ranked police, rejected by Tricolor Iris Flowers, persecuted by that damned vampire, and then this little bastard—'
Thales watched as the Blood Bottle Gang boss' expression progressively changed, and as he contemplated whether to insult him further, his vision suddenly blurred!
The Red Viper had used his thunder-like speed and skills to grab Thales by the neck with one hand and raised him up.
Thales immediately felt his breathing become obstructed. This was not the first time he was strangled!
With his face scrunched up, just like the previous time, Thales extended his hand to grab onto his strangler's right hand. But this time, he only felt as if he had grabbed onto skin that was as hard as steel.
Nikolay's stubble that made him look ancient was magnified right in front of his eyes. His hideous expression trembled along with his mouth that opened and closed repeatedly.
The Red Viper gave a death stare to the vampire in front of him.
"Pretty boy! Your little pet—"
Before he could finish, a straight, open palm suddenly appeared before his eyes, the side with the little finger rushing downwards.
Nikolay had no choice but to let go. He immediately backed away.
*Boom!*
Both of them stood still.
With a dark face, Nikolay grabbed onto Istrone's swift knife-hand strike that was aimed to attack his head from the side.
"Since you know that he is my pet, don't mess with him," the blond Istrone spoke with a disgusted expression, "mortal creature!"
Thales fell onto the floor. Unable to help it, he started coughing dryly. He mentally swore that he would never let anyone strangle his throat again. That feeling was too painful.
The Blood Bottle Gang members around them became anxious. A lot of them put their hands on the weapons at their waists.
"Pretty boy," At this moment, Nikolay was already expressionless. However, Thales could feel that his gloominess was slowly rising. The Red Viper let go of the Blood Clansman's hand and slowly enunciated each word. "Why don't you try calling me that again?"
'Although this mortal creature wasn't fast, his battle instincts and experience aren't bad—he even managed to grab my right hand.
'When dealing with someone like this, even though I'm able to overpower him in terms of speed, I still need to be careful. I didn't expect that he would be an elite near supreme class.' Istrone's heart sank as he contemplated his next move.
"What's with the annoyed expression?" Istrone's gaze became grim. "Am I wrong? You—"
The next moment, the blond noble let out a sudden, angry shout.
"—mortal creature!"
Before he even finished shouting, Nikolay's fist and Istrone's palm met in the air.
To Thales, the moment the fist and palm collided, it was as though the world had stopped. But in the next moment, it was as though all sound and wind swept past in a visible ripple.
*Bang!*
When it felt like time was moving again, the strong wind brought about by their fight suddenly charged towards Thales and swept past his face, forcing him to close his eyes.
*Boom! Bang!*
Two more gusts of wind swept past, Thales rolled around with his eyes shut. He only managed to avoid the strong wind surrounding Istrone and Nikolay after moving a few meters back.
"Is this all the speed you can muster?" The blond noble smiled strangely, then moved in a flash once again!
Nikolay, who knew that he was not fast enough, clenched his teeth and threw his next punch. Like a phantom, Istrone's silhouette would appear for one second, then disappear in the next.
In contrast, Nikolay was attacking relentlessly at high speed, like a mechanical gear, and his strikes were becoming increasingly fierce.
Both parties sported maniacal expressions and exchanged punches six times in the blink of an eye.
The strong wind brought about by the meeting of fists and palms left the Blood Bottle Gang members around them with no choice but to shield themselves with their arms. There was no way for them to interrupt the fight.
Thales recalled the duel between Jala and Ralf as they fought at their maximum speed. But for that case, it was a fight between speed and agility. For the pair in front of him, it was more like a battle between explosive power and speed.
Istrone took a step back in a flash while Nikolay dragged his left leg a step backward. They glared fiercely at each other.
'Something is wrong! Why is this mortal from a gang getting faster and faster? He even caught up with my speed in the end!' Istrone frowned.
'Hmph! This vampire is indeed extremely agile. I will make you fall with my next attack!' Nikolay sported a ferocious expression.
Both of them bore somber expressions. They could sense their opponent's toughness and endurance.
Without warning, they exchanged fists again.
"Vampire!" Nikolay shouted furiously as his red coat fell onto the floor. He spun his body around while still maintaining balance, and the blood vessels in his right arm bulged. Then, he threw his right fist on the Blood Clansman's chest. The punch was equally astonishing in terms of spirit and speed.
"Mortal creature."
Istrone spat scornfully and immediately bared his fangs in fury. A bloody mist covered his whole body while his silhouette flickered between being an illusion and having a corporeal form. Claws grew on the fingers of his right hand. He spread out his palm and grazed past the air, grabbing onto Nikolay's throat.
Thales shuddered. He immediately imitated the Blood Bottle Gang members around him and raised both of his arms to protect himself in anticipation of the next, probably most brutal gust of strong wind.
