Academic gathering with Lich colleagues

The two then went to the church, where, at the center of a gathering of fanatics and madmen, they dragged out the tall, insane old man.

"Father!"

The priest's head and hands were bound to a cross-shaped yoke. He was blind, having gouged out his own eyes and holding them like precious treasures. The priest chuckled maniacally, his frail, emaciated body miraculously supporting the heavy cross. Lyle had heard rumors of the priests' corruption; it seemed this man, too, had gained power through his betrayal of the Holy Light.

Kevin then led Lyle to the bright red building whose signboard and stones were painted red. This was Hamlet's place of pleasure, a brothel where villains vented their lust.

"Madam!" Kevin shouted from outside the door. The guests who had been cursing and swearing fell silent after seeing Kevin and the collector and priest standing behind him.

During this time, Lyle discovered that the collector's coat was made of human skin, and the cross binding the priest seemed to be alive; the piece of wood was parasitic on the priest, sucking his blood. A strange life form.

The "lady" squeezed out from under the door, a sight that completely surprised Lyle. She weighed at least two hundred pounds, as solid as a jar filled with grease, her skin covered in blisters like a toad's, and a voodoo headscarf tied around her large head. She was a witch, an extremely ugly witch.

The men present shared the same shock as Lyle. Everything here belonged to Kevin's business, and they wondered how Kevin had managed to do it.

Kevin flashed a bright smile.

"Hamlet has sirens."

Ugh! Someone vomited on the spot. The siren's song could bewitch people's minds and make them feel confused.

"It's a business deal, everyone gets what they want." Kevin smiled, revealing to everyone the true nature of Lord Hamlet, a wicked devil.

Lyle hesitated for a moment, then looked at Kevin with a searching gaze.

"Kevin, the Sirens, is it that one...?"

Kevin shook his head.

“I have subdued three sirens so far, but their personal histories do not match those of Sheriu’s mother. The woman who died in the bay in the diary seems to have completely disappeared. Moreover, the fish-men who dwell among the reef corals have also clearly told me that their memories do not include that woman’s mother.”

"However, fish's memory... their precision is very difficult to grasp."

"Trying to use Sheriwu's mother to keep him in check is probably not going to work."

Sheriu's mother has disappeared? This thought didn't linger in Lyle's mind for long. Focusing on the present was Lyle's habit.

Collectors, priests, witches—each of them possesses immense power, and they are now Kevin's henchmen. Lyle is no longer surprised by Kevin's composure; he truly wields considerable influence. Lyle is now beginning to worry about the Countess he's never met. What mistake has she made to warrant Kevin summoning these mini-bosses?

"What outrageous request did Meglou Hamlet make? Of course she did! She wanted to be my legal wife, to rightfully share Hamlet with me!!!"

Lyle paused for a moment.

Are you angry about the former or the latter?

"All of that! Why should I marry her! Why should I share my territory with her!" Kevin saw the hesitation on Lyle's face and immediately snapped him out of it.

“Lyle! Meglou is from the Hamlet family, you haven’t forgotten what the Hamlet family is, have you?”

"They are all deformed vampires!"

"Meglou Hamlet is a blood-sucking monster mosquito!!!"

Chapter 621 The Red Dragon's Plea for Help

On a gentle hill overlooking the cliffs of Hamletshire, on the edge of the estate, lies a once-luxurious courtyard hidden amidst its decay. This ancient building, belonging to Hamlet, was once the family's summer retreat, now shrouded in a thick fog that veils it in darkness.

Meglou Hamlet currently lives here.

The former glory has long since faded, and all that remains are broken stone sculptures and putrid earth. A faint smell of blood lingers in the steam, and Lyle seems to see a crimson hue in the air.

Kevin brought only a few thugs and Lyle, as if this meeting were merely a friendly negotiation. Lyle and the others silently followed Kevin forward. The vast courtyard was shrouded in thick fog, with visibility limited to no more than five meters. They could only proceed by Kevin's intuition.

Along the way, we passed many plates and barrels left behind from banquets or revelries. The rotten flesh and blood stuck to them were enough to send chills down our spines. The flesh was bright red, which meant that this was not a historical event.

The countess and her servants made no attempt to conceal their intentions.

Wearing a white wig, a blood-stained scarf peeking out from under a navy blue cardigan, and boots sinking into the soil beneath his stockings, the gentleman with the narrow, hooked nose seemed to have stood there for a long time. His lips looked as if they were painted with lipstick. He smiled and bowed to Kevin, his arm pointing towards the depths of the courtyard.

Without exchanging words, Kevin headed straight for the depths of the Blood Servant's finger. The further he went, the more figures there were, all dressed almost identically like clones, and wearing the same blood-red smiles.

Lyle was somewhat worried.

"Are you sure we have enough people, Kevin?"

Kevin answered matter-of-factly.

“Of course, Lyle, this is Hamlet. Numbers are meaningless to me. You only need to deal with Meglu.”

In the center of the courtyard, amidst the vine-entwined grapevines and surrounded by vampire servants, the Countess awaited. Meglou, her deep black gown trailing behind her, stood like a blooming, dark flower, a lace-trimmed fan in hand. A crimson lining peeked from her neckline, its vibrant lines outlining her curves. Her fox-like eyes exuded a captivating allure.

Noble and elegant, confident and unrestrained, Meglou Hamlet embodies the true aristocracy of this era, a beautiful yet poisonous flower.

Meglou lifted her skirt to bow, her every gesture exuding a high-spirited enthusiasm, like a dancer preparing for a performance.

“I have been looking forward to your visit, Earl Hamlet, my master.”

After this period of special training, Kevin also completed the elegant return greeting, but his reply was not so elegant.

"Countess Meglu, could you please get out of my territory?"

Meglu brought her fan close to her face, and she chuckled as she bent slightly to look at the aloof lord.

“I forgot, Master, I thought you wouldn’t care about this physical difference.” Yes, Megru currently appears to be a beautiful woman, but she is 1.89 meters tall. “Why resist me? I can bring you Hamlet’s bloodline, making your rule more legitimate…”

“I don’t need anything extra to legitimize my territory. I know what’s in Hamlet’s evil bloodline; your bloodline has turned you into a blood-sucking monster…”

“I’ve never hidden anything from you, and what’s wrong with being a monster?” An invisible shadow crawled out from Megru’s body, and the once slender woman transformed into a bloated, monstrous vampire with an insect-like abdomen and multiple legs. Her long, thin nose resembled a sharp needle, and her gluttonous mouth could swallow Lyle whole without even chewing. Megru, now resembling a bloated mosquito monster, continued in a hoarse voice.

“I once thought Hamlet was a nightmare, that there was nothing worth staying for. Now I understand, this bloodline is a gift, it has given me power. This is the only solace I received after being sold as a commodity in a marriage alliance. My father gave me the power to freely choose my future. My master, I am quite satisfied with my appearance, both in the past and now. I admit that the man who wanted to turn me into a pet, my marriage partner, was quite delicious. Especially when he screamed, his flesh and blood entering my belly, that was quite a pleasure.”

“This is far more liberating than living under someone else’s roof. I have been redeemed, and my gratitude to my family makes me want to fulfill my responsibilities as a member of the Hamlet family, to ensure the continuation of our bloodline. Are you still worried about my safety? Don’t worry, I will control my appetite during intercourse, and you won’t get hurt, will you?”

Kevin stared coldly at the grotesque monster before him, its expression one of utter ecstasy.

“You are a man-eating monster, and I will never tolerate such a person becoming my wife.”

"Why? Haven't you ever killed a life because of your appetite? You eat animals, I eat people, isn't it the same? As for the monstrous form..." Sensing Kevin's disgust, Meglu transformed back into her woman form. She pointed at the three twisted henchmen behind Kevin, "Aren't you surrounded by monsters like me? As the king of monsters in this terrifying land of Hamlet, why would you resist a companion who is a monster? I am harmless to you, esteemed patriarch."

Kevin gritted his teeth, utterly disgusted by Meglou's fawning over him.

“No normal human being would ever want an outsider as a partner!!! Am I right!!!” Mr. Kevin turned to his companion, somewhat shaken, trying to find some conviction. Then his tone grew increasingly low, “...Lyle?”

“You’re right! My friend.” Although Ariana is a lich, Beatrice is a vampire, and Helena is a soul-reaper.

Kevin took a step back, looking as if there was a traitor among them, and roared in a somewhat self-destructive manner.

"I don't care! I will never like a monster with tentacles or insect legs!!!"

Meglou gently waved her fan and smiled as she conceded.

"If the head of the family is still so rigid, then shall we start by being like siblings?"

"What do you mean by starting as siblings... If you don't want to be my partner, it's not that you can't stay, but the premise is that you stop having such improper thoughts, and you can't live in the castle, that's for your own good."

Meglou smiled; she had touched Kevin's bottom line, and what followed was a tug-of-war of bargaining. Kevin didn't actually harbor any hatred towards the Countess, a remnant of the Hamlet family with no connection to them. In fact, because Sherius had secured the position of head of the Hamlet family through the inheritance document, Kevin even felt somewhat indebted to Meglou. What truly irritated him was this woman's undisguised aggression; she was tearing apart the innocent and sweet love story in the young master's heart.

With one side eager to please and the other harboring no grudge, Lyle and his three henchmen became witnesses as Kevin and Meglou actually held a peace talk.

Kevin, as the head of House Hamlet, acknowledges Meglou Hamlet's status as a member of the family, and the Scarlet Courtyard serves as the residence of this vampire countess. Her vampire forces become part of the criminal underworld of Hamlet's Newtown, swearing allegiance to Kevin. Kevin also fully accepts the vampires' feeding practices, as the people of Hamlet face many ways to die every day, so one more won't make a difference.

Finally, with Meglou seeing them off, Lyle and the others left the courtyard unharmed.

That woman didn't give up on her plan; she intended to slowly erode his power.

“She lost the moment she considered herself Kevin’s subject.”

Lyle then stayed at Hamlet for a few more days at Kevin's hospitality, until an unexpected person came to find him.

In Naslan's castle, Lyle faces this guest who is visiting the restaurant for the first time.

“Mr. Freheimer?” The red dragon priest, the fire dwarf, was gripping Lyle’s wrist, staring intently at him.

“Imelt is in trouble, Dragon King Priest, we need your help.”

Chapter 622 Warm as Fire

“Uh…” Lyle looked at the excited dwarf, used his free hand to bring the black tea to his lips, and took a small sip. “Mr. Freheimer, what exactly happened to Immelt? I have full confidence in the dragon’s physique…”

The red dragon priest gritted his teeth, his face trembling with pain.

"It's something more important, about growing up..."

"If it's about magical growth, then I'm afraid I can't help you. As you can see, I'm only at the third level of magic lock, and my strength is somewhat lacking. Don't easily believe the dragon master's evaluation of me. He's always a bit biased towards me, but I'm actually still very weak."

"What about interpersonal relationships? The dragon told me you're very popular in Andrei, is that just an exaggeration on his part?"

"...No, that's not it. I have really good interpersonal relationships in Andrei."

“Then there’s no problem!” The red dragon priest opened a bright red portal, and Lyle could feel the heat wave hitting his face through the door. “Immelt’s problem is related to social issues, Lyle, we need you!”

"We need your help to make the Red Dragon Immelt a heartthrob!"

Mackenbert.

Lyle felt like he was being burned alive. Walking on the constructed iron suspension bridge, with bubbling, hot lava just twenty or thirty meters below, the heatwave turned his face orange-red. Lyle saw a few small sparks rising from the red dragon priest's beard.

“Imelt wasn’t welcomed by my people, which is quite a blow to her enthusiasm. I can teach her combat and forging, how to wield fire and life force, but social skills are my weakness. Can you make Immelt welcome in the dwarven kingdom of Mackenbert? To put it another way…”

“Dragon King Priest Lyle, I beg you to help us spread the faith in the red dragon among the dwarves.”

Lyle needed to find something to talk about to distract himself from the barbecue.

“I know Immelt. She has been a warm and tolerant child since she was a baby dragon. She has kindness and a strong sense of compassion. If she is not popular, I think it is definitely not her fault.”

The red dragon priest sighed, "You're right, Immelt is a child who should be loved. The dwarves don't like her, mainly because of some historical issues."

Looking at the towering bronze gate standing on the other side of the suspension bridge, Lyle realized that his sweltering journey had only just begun.

"I think I have enough time to learn about MacKenzie's history..."

Mackenbert is an underground city built by the Molten Dwarves atop the Great Forge. Dwarves, as a long-lived race with a fiery temper, also harbor deep resentment. They bury past wounds deep within their hearts, and decades or even centuries later, they feel as if they happened just yesterday.

The initial connection between the Molten Dwarves and the Red Dragons naturally began when Freheimer became a Dragon Priest. He passed the throne to his brother and became an embodiment of consciousness, much like a religious leader. The dwarves respected him and should have respected the Red Dragon, with whom he was one. However, the reality was that dwarves were a stubborn, rigid, and long-lived race with a strong sense of national pride, which led to their xenophobia and arrogance.

The previous red dragon, Freiheimer, was more like a hermit, his care for the dwarves subtle and pervasive. He passed on knowledge to the young dragon priests, who in turn passed on fire and knowledge to their people. Neither the red dragon nor his dragon priests were particularly interested in fame or honor. The young dragon priests were perhaps regarded as great figures by the dwarves, while Freiheimer was, at best, a gentle and kind neighbor.

"The Red Dragon faith has almost become a personal belief for the Firehammer family. We didn't establish a religion, but rather a Red Dragon Friendship Association, and Freheimer didn't object. He preferred a relatively quiet atmosphere. In fact, Freheimer did much more than that. He helped the dwarves build Mackenbert and persuaded the fire elementals of the Great Forge to form an alliance with us. My people enjoy his warmth, just as Mackenbert enjoys the warmth of the Great Forge."

"I thought this lukewarm relationship would continue until the war broke out."