Kingdom Bloodline

Chapter 25 The Immortal Seed (Part 1)
Lobik sat down awkwardly in an old-fashioned guest chair, looking restrained and showing none of the demeanor or authority expected of a first-class security chief.

Out of the corner of his eye, he saw the tricolor iris sign on one side of the study, as well as a portrait of a kind old man.

Lobik knew that even a lord or earl who held real power and controlled a city could not easily sit here and speak to the imposing yet elegant young nobleman opposite him.

Let alone a mere security chief?

"Thank you for taking the time out of your busy schedule to see me," Robick said respectfully, bowing his head gently.

“Please don’t say that! With your qualifications and status, you are more than qualified to be my teacher—that’s what my late father said.” The young man with iron-colored curly hair, a round face and thick lips smiled amicably and said jokingly, “Although we are completely at odds when it comes to our taste in wine, we are of one mind as father and son when it comes to respecting Lord Dira.”

A warm feeling welled up in his heart, and Lobik quickly nodded: "The Duke is a highly respected, kind and benevolent man, and you are no less so in this respect."

The young man paused upon hearing this, then looked at the portrait in the study.

The Duke's smile remained as kind and gentle as ever.

A few seconds later, the young man snapped out of his reverie.

"I'm so sorry, it's been two years, and I still—I hope I haven't embarrassed him." The young man shook his head with a bitter smile, stood up, a fleeting, slightly sorrowful smile playing on his lips. He gazed wistfully into the distance and sighed softly, "Sometimes I think, if Father were still here—"

"I'd rather hear him scold me a few more times."

Lobik was somewhat embarrassed. On the one hand, he also missed the kind old duke, and on the other hand, he felt that the young duke's genuine expression of emotion was a very private matter, and he shouldn't interrupt.

Fortunately, the young duke turned around in time, put away his reminiscence, and defused the old duke's embarrassment with a joke:

"—As long as he doesn't mention alcohol."

Upon hearing this, Robick and the young man both smiled knowingly.

As everyone knows, the old duke enjoys a hearty drink of Exter's rye spirit, while the young duke prefers to savor the fine wines of the Duchy of Sera. The two have argued about this countless times in front of the tricolor iris coat of arms, sometimes even nearly drawing their swords in a duel. Only the old duchess and the lovely Miss Hilley can keep them quiet at the dinner table with a murderous glare and a coquettish look.

In just a couple of sentences, the restraint and awkwardness in the room vanished.

Amid laughter, the young man put down his expensive sandalwood pipe, walked to the bar, and picked up a bottle of unlabeled wine.

“I’m sorry, I don’t smoke, but I just went to the horse farm and talked to some seniors.” The young man explained with a wry smile, “So I hope that holding a pipe will make me seem more mature—they would rather pay attention to a horse that has stumbled than listen to a young upstart peddling his bandit-suppression plan.”

The sharp-eyed Robick noticed that among the various wines on the bar, there was a bottle of rye spirit that stood out conspicuously. Although it had never been opened, it was carefully preserved and kept spotless.

Thinking of the late Duke, Lobik couldn't help but feel a little moved.

This was the first time he had met privately with the new duke in two years since the death of the old Duke Kevindale, but in just a few minutes, the approachable and well-mannered young duke had already made a deep impression on the warden.

As expected of one of the six great families with a thousand-year history, as expected of the three-colored iris that "would rather die for friends than for enemies," and as expected of the Duke's son, it seems the Kevin Deer family has a worthy successor.

The warden bowed slightly and then replied affirmatively, "Only those who lack talent would bring up seniority. I believe that Your Excellency's character and talent are more than enough to make up for this."

“I am deeply grateful,” the young duke said with a wry smile, picking up two glasses of red wine and handing one to Lobik. “Hearing those words from the youngest warden is truly comforting—do you know how Duke Cullen encouraged me?”

Lobik happily accepted the wine—his restraint had vanished without a trace—and watched with amusement as the young duke imitated the tone and mannerisms of the portly East Coast duke.

“Don’t worry, little Jan! You know, your father and I were both spanked by the late king as we grew up—” The young duke twisted his expression, mimicking Duke Cullen, and said in a red-faced, gruff voice, “—So, if anyone questions our qualifications, we’ll show them our backsides!”

Lobik and the young duke burst into laughter again, then clinked glasses and drank it all in one gulp.

A person in a high position who adopts a humble attitude will always gain the most favor from those in lower positions.

After a warm and friendly exchange of pleasantries, we finally got down to business.

The young duke finally frowned.

"A large number of corpses? Old friends? A banquet?" the young Duke Kevin Deer asked doubtfully. "Did that person really say that?"

Lobik nodded gravely: "He said he was acting on your orders, sir, but as far as I know—"

“Even if I were the most ruthless person in the world, I would never issue such an order!” Duke Kevin Deer put down his wine glass with a serious expression and waved his hand decisively.

Seeing the young duke's actions, Lobik was finally completely relieved.

“I am merely a novice unfamiliar with political affairs, and I have not paid attention to the matter of contacting the Blood Bottle Gang for a long time—but you are an experienced and worldly-wise vigilant. What do you think of this?” The young duke raised his head and asked earnestly.

The young duke's humility and deference pleased Lobik greatly, so he wholeheartedly offered his advice:

“As far as I know, there aren’t many situations that require the consumption of corpses. The mysterious mages have been extinct for a long time, the priests of evil gods or demons have not appeared for a long time, and the Blood Bottle Gang could not possibly be for the development of medicine and healing science—so what’s left are those races that live on corpses or blood essence,” Lobik analyzed carefully.

Jann Kevin Deer nodded slowly, closed his eyes, as if deep in thought.

After a few seconds, he suddenly opened his eyes, turned to stare at Robick, and said incredulously:

"An immortal species?"

Lobik nodded affirmatively.

The young duke let out a long sigh.

The warden fell silent. He knew that all he had to do now was wait for this young, promising, and powerful nobleman to make his final decision.

"By bribing and co-opting, the underground gangs will be systematically and gradually incorporated into the kingdom's system and laws—" The young duke's face was grim. He put his hands behind his back and began to pace slowly around the room, which reminded Lobik of the old duke. "—This is a governance policy that my great-grandfather was ordered to implement during the reign of King Kessel IV. For decades, the Blood Bottle Gang has been a very effective example."

“But now it seems that once they get caught up in gang warfare, they will inevitably expose their lawless nature,” the young duke frowned, carefully choosing his words: “While there are emerging gangs squeezing their living space, simply indulging them is certainly not a long-term solution.”

"Using Red Street to set up an ambush, needlessly endangering the lives and property of the kingdom's residents, even alarming the Royal Council and provoking His Majesty's anger and questioning, is already extremely excessive, even blatantly evil—"

The young duke's face was solemn and dignified, his words firm and sharp, each one striking a chord in Lobik's heart, filling him with respect:
"—After losing the internal strife, instead of restraining his temper and licking his wounds, he actually tried to take desperate measures, using external and foreign forces to turn the tide, and even used my name to threaten the Kingdom's Guard Bureau, demanding the bodies of his citizens."

"This is utterly absurd!"

Lobik lowered his head, awaiting the final verdict from the tricolor iris.

"Ashford!" the young duke called out sharply, and a white-haired, formally dressed old butler entered in response.

Loebick recognized him as Ashford, the Duke's most trusted butler, and quickly nodded in respect.

The old butler returned the greeting meticulously, then listened to his young master's commands:
"Who has been in contact with the Blood Bottle Gang recently—never mind, whoever it is, bring them to my study later to explain!" "Send a team of men, carrying tricolor fleur-de-lis flags, to ask the Blood Bottle Gang's influential figures—the one who threatened my father's favorite general, the kingdom's vigilante. They must give me an explanation for this!"

"Send another small team, with an Extreme Knight of the End, to find their new guests, those wolves or vampires who desecrate corpses and blood! If they find any violations of the Convention on Human Nations and Immortal Species, don't bother asking questions, just bring them their heads to me—never mind, they're too filthy—to feed them to the dogs!"

"Prepare the carriage and clothing. My itinerary is ahead of schedule; I'll be going to the Fuxing Palace next week. Sigh, it's a matter between gangsters and commoners after all. I wonder if His Majesty will even want to hear my story—"

"Inform the Kingdom's Secret Service that Lord Morat should pay attention to Feast Territory and Wildmoon Mountain! Immortals are feasting on corpses in the capital? Hmph! When was the last time they gathered in the capital? During the Crimson Year? If I find out, those vampires and wolves are preparing to interfere in internal affairs and overthrow the stars—"

Upon hearing this, Lobik knew he couldn't listen any longer, so he quickly bowed and left the study under the Duke's friendly and encouraging gaze.

Behind him, the young duke was still giving his butler instructions with dissatisfaction.

The warden stepped out of the gates of the Kevindale family manor and breathed a sigh of relief. Tonight, he had ascertained the Duke's intentions and would not suffer any consequences due to his conflict with the Blood Bottle Gang.

Most importantly, he met Duke Jann Kevin Deer in person and genuinely felt—

There is still hope in this decaying, old kingdom.

----------------------

After confirming that Robick had left the manor, the butler Ashford quietly closed the study door.

Duke Jann closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and slumped back in his chair.

“I really admire him. A man in his forties still has so much passion—” Jann rubbed the bridge of his nose, gracefully relieving his fatigue, looking exhausted. “It’s as if he can really change something. It’s a pity that taking care of the self-esteem of subordinates is a required course for those in power.”

"The old master thinks highly of his talent—besides, perhaps he's more worried that the discord with the Blood Bottle Gang will affect your opinion, my lord." Ashford poured his master a glass of fine wine without batting an eye, then walked back to the bar and began wiping down many bottles, especially the bottle of rye spirit.

“Speaking of the Blood Bottle Gang.” Jann picked up his glass, took a small sip, and savored the mellow taste.

But he immediately shook his head, a helpless expression on his face, and said, "Openly going to the Security Bureau to retrieve a corpse is truly laughable. Magicians are all apprentices in magic; I thought they would have the corresponding wisdom."

"Their leader, the Air Mage, went missing in last night's battle," Ashford silently reminded his master. "Moreover, the Blood Bottle Gang's crushing defeat has left them short-handed, and they probably can't even gather enough blood offerings to entertain the Corleone family—hence this desperate measure." Ashford didn't even glance at Jann, focusing instead on wiping the bottle of strong liquor that the old duke had never been willing to drink.

“Losing such a sure-win battle comes at a great cost,” Jann mused, gently swirling the wine glass in his hand.

"However, one must always make amends for one's own mistakes."

“The Exter delegation will be entering the country next month, and I’m afraid the manpower that was supposed to be transferred from the Blood Bottle Gang won’t be able to arrive.” Jann looked down at the wine in his glass, inhaling its aroma with a worried expression.

He closed his eyes, exhaled deeply, slowly unbuttoned his collar, and took a sip of wine.

As the wine went down his throat, Jan looked up and saw a portrait of his father.

That kind smile made Jann feel even more burdened.

"At least the Corleone family responded to your invitation the fastest, and letters to others have already been secretly sent out. Given their relationship with the Iris, I believe they will reply soon," Ashford said calmly.

“Hmph, the Corleone family—the head of the ‘Seven Lower Branches’ in the Night Kingdom—only sent three people and some blood slaves.” Jann frowned, poured out the wine from the bottom of his glass, closed his eyes, and gently rubbed his temples. “This is not like their usual style.”

Ashford lowered his head to indicate that he was listening.

"A powerful vampire clan that has produced many dukes for generations, when it comes to blood, is no different from a beggar in the lower city. They could have absorbed enough blood essence from corpses, but they still can't wait to reach out for the blood of living people, and they even want experts of the mortal and super ranks." Jann slowly opened his eyes.

Jenn's eyes grew increasingly dark and profound. He took the glass Ashford poured for him and said softly:
"What a shame."

“After all, you are the one who ‘invited’ them and the host who provided ‘food and lodging’,” Ashford silently emphasized, reminding his host.

“They’ve concealed the truth—the truth about the Corleone family’s current situation,” Jann said expressionlessly. He closed his eyes, exhaled to calm himself, and when he opened them, his gaze was icy and ruthless. “And any unexpected event could ruin our plans.”

He said in a deep voice:
"Send Seychelles and Cassandra, along with four squads of knights, to the Vinewood Manor."

"First, talk to Nekra and give the Blood Vial Gang a warning. As long as they don't cause trouble, Iris guarantees their survival."

"Since they're the losers, why are they still jumping around like this?"

"Then there were those three vampires from the Eastern Continent."

Jann Kevin Deer's tone was firm and unquestionable; his round face, though seemingly calm, was inexplicably terrifying.

"Uncover their hidden secrets."

"If they don't cooperate—"

“Draft a formal letter to the Temple of the Sunrise. The Kevindir family has always revered the Lord of the Sunrise. Enclosed are three vampire heads and best regards.”

"Send a message to the intelligence network in the Eastern Continent—I need to know all the major events that have recently occurred in the Night Kingdom."

“These three vampires are no longer usable. Let’s find someone else to do that job.”

Duke Jann gently put down the cup in his hand.

In contrast, King Kessel will turn forty-eight next year, and all previous kings chose their successors at this age (the time it takes for the planet Lor to cycle through the stars four times). This is a crucial moment for the change of the throne, and the tug-of-war and competition with the other five powerful families will be the key.

If the star is destined to die out.

Then let Lenster Kevindir, who has always fought by Tormund I's side, let his equally outstanding descendant, let his tricolor fleur-de-lis flag, take up the oath of the restored king.

That way, I'll have enough power to...

Thinking of this, Jan felt his shoulders become heavier and stronger.

But when he thought of Duke Cullen, that fat man, Jann's pupils twitched slightly. He chuckled softly, but there was no warmth in his eyes.

Ashford put down the bottle of wine in his hand, gave a perfect bow without revealing his expression, and left to carry out his orders.

"By the way, although it's a small matter, I'll still have Seychelles ask Necla."

Jenn looked up and saw Duke Kevin Deer beneath the pansies, his eyes deep as he added:

"How did the probing go about the matter at the Mindis Hall?"

(End of this chapter)