Born in Blood

Chapter 372 Vile

Hearing the word Alucard, some people in the room felt their bowels loosen up a bit.

The king of vampires?

The Pashah?

The so-called Progenitor of vampires?!

That person became a direct ally of the Temple?

Why?

How?

When?!

Well, just now, but in the minds of those present, it was as though this was preplanned years prior.

Liam took a deep breath.

It wasn't like him to get angry.

In a sense, it was an act.

But at the same time, it felt incredibly satisfying putting down the mask.

At least, for now.

Liam had switched to his Bob identity for a reason.

He hadn't displayed himself as Liam.

But, what was the point?

The Royals already knew it was Liam Royce who was speaking to them, after all.

However, it was still bound to create some semblance of confusion and disorder amidst their deductions.

And Liam would use any opportunity he could get.

'They'll make sure my name gets out there soon enough. I'm just delaying the inevitable by a little bit longer.'

Instantly, the air inside the pyramid grew incredibly hostile.

The students felt betrayed by their new friendships.

The Royals felt like their authority had been stepped on.

The teachers felt like their knowledge had been stolen.

This entire invitation was a middle finger rubbing against their faces.

And most of all, the safety of their country was threatened by the alliance of these two malicious forces.

And the Temple had given Alucard both proof, and reason why a declaration of war was a good idea.

Echoria was the one who began the whole charade in the first place, after all.

"I'm disappointed," Kasrah Thyress said in a quiet, dark voice, yet it reached the ears of all those present. "All this for a pouty tantrum that could have been done over a Jade," she added disdainfully.

Liam took no offense, even allowing a mocking smirk to reach his face.

Inwardly, she and all the other Royals were horribly seething inside… not that Liam could read her emotions or her thoughts.

This entire situation would be a black mark on her CV for centuries to come.

"You may leave now," Liam said, waving his hand dismissively at Kasrah Thyress. "The perfume here is intoxicating."

Silence.

Did… Liam just order around a Royal?

The students and teachers felt a pang of shock.

But the Temple acolytes only felt their respects rise for Liam.

"You heard my heir," Usan echoed, flashing a smile. "I sincerely hope you all enjoyed the night."

Silence.

Heir?

At once, all the Temple acolytes, from Disciple to Elder, felt their jaws go slack.

Ever since they knew of Usan's sickness, they'd shed tears night and day for the Patriarch's sake.

But they'd also worried about who would lead them next.

Liam was always a possibility, but he was too young, and still wasn't a Zenith.

Verium, Jane or Orisa were prime candidates.

…But now, Usan was perfectly fine with declaring him as the next in line!

Kasrah smiled coldly, but didn't move on Liam's command.

"A little egoist with a superiority complex," she said with a graceful laugh. "Enjoy your time while it lasts."

Although it may have seemed like she said that to just Liam, she was talking to Usan and the Temple as a whole.

Wordlessly, she gracefully made her way to the door, only to look over her shoulder at Liam.

"One more thing," she said with a slight smile. "About your teachers."

Liam hid a frown… but his face turned colder.

"Rogan and… who else? Right. Lloyd Kahl," she continued, utterly unfazed by the sharp glares shot her way from every direction. "Both had their mental spheres shattered."

Silence.

Liam's eyes narrowed chillingly.

The air around him turned frigid despite Liam's restraint.

Kasrah smiled and scoffed lightly.

"A painful way to go out, that. Even worse than a blade through the heart. Subsequently, their entire lineage has been wiped off the face of Echoria."

"Disappointing," Kasrah tutted, making her way out. As her voice went distant, she repeated her words once more. "Disappointing."

The bitter students and enraged teachers followed closely.

Nord escorted Nessa, but not before sending one last deathly glare towards Liam's direction.

With his gaze alone, it was clear he intended for revenge.

Rin lingered for a second, staring at Liam with a strange glimmer in her violet eyes.

She gave him a single nod, before heading for the door.

Like that, the grim party organized for peace and prosperity, only carved the way for war and death.

Wordlessly, Liam headed to his private quarters.

No one stopped him.

They felt as though a blade might cut them down if they tried.

***

Liam had to arrange and organize his thoughts.

Sitting on the floor of his room, he closed his eyes in cultivation.

His closest teachers…

Dead.

Rogan and Lloyd.

There was always that thought in the back of Liam's mind.

Of them suffering the consequences of his choices.

But there was always a thought in the back of his head that denied all of that.

Liam's mind went a little distant, and his face turned solemn.

…

But then again…

They died for a purpose.

For his goal.

For him to get stronger.

For him to carry on their flames.

People expressed grief differently.

Some cried.

Some raged.

Some resorted to a vice to ease their pain.

Few were patient.

But Liam was past grief.

The lives of cultivators usually varied. Some didn't make it past a few years of starting it. Others lasted hundreds of years.

Because of that, most of them processed grief in strange ways.

For Liam, inflicting the most disgusting, vile torture unknown to man would fully suffice.

And knowing Rogan, Lloyd, Revel and Eve, they wouldn't convince him otherwise.

Heaving another breath, Liam finished with his cultivation and headed towards Usan's estate.

It didn't take long for him to arrive at his room.

"Done thinking things over?" Usan asked as Liam entered. "Sorry about what happened to them, by the way."

Liam waved a hand. "It's fine. Just needed a minute."

A pause.

"Have they come yet?" Liam asked.

"Still waiting. Should be here any minute though," Usan said, leaning back in a lofty chair with a mug of ale in his hand.

"Never thought you had a serpent's tongue," Usan added with a slight laugh.

Liam didn't respond, finding a chair to sit on and wait.

Since the alliance was now going to be public, it was no longer a requirement to be secretive.

The king of vampires himself was coming for a chat.