Volume 4 Chapter 45

Volume 4 + Chapter 45: Pushed To The Extreme

The new Vampire Queen, Miu Miu Borgia, was moments away from receiving her coronation.

“Does anyone have objections to Miu Miu Borgia inheriting the royal authority of Herman Borgia?”

The herald asked every member of the vampire race present.

All the high-ranking races in attendance knew perfectly well that this was merely a formality.

The internal affairs of the vampire race had no doubt already been settled, what remained was simply to witness Miu Miu become the ruler of this kingdom.

Yet, something completely unexpected occurred.

“I object!!”

A sudden shout tore apart the solemn silence of the hall.

Everyone turned toward the source of the voice—and saw an elderly vampire noble dressed in robes of gold and crimson.

Members of the vampire race revealed expressions of shock, even the herald’s face tightened with unease.

Because this person carried immense weight within the vampire race—

The Chairman of the Crimson Empire’s Elder Council: Michell Baden.

The Elder Council of the Crimson Empire was composed of many nobles from various clans and lineages within the vampire race.

Even retired officials of great seniority and prestige would join the Elder Council.

In the Crimson Empire, the Elder Council held considerable authority and influence. Unlike the vampire princes who carried royal blood, the Council represented the interests of the empire’s noble class.

And now, at the coronation of the Vampire Queen, the Elder Council’s chairman had openly voiced opposition. How could this scene not pique the curiosity of the other races present?

“Uh…”

The herald was completely stunned.

If an ordinary person had dared interrupt, he could simply order the guards to drag them out.

But the chairman of the Elder Council? That was someone he absolutely did not dare to handle recklessly. Whether facing the royal house or the Elder Council, he was merely a small figure caught between giants. He wisely stepped aside and remained silent.

“Your Majesty, your decision is far too rash!”

The chairman of the Elder Council showed no fear. Bathed in countless gazes, he strode toward Herman.

Throughout his long career, he had done this many times—standing before the ruler of the Crimson Empire to speak his mind.

Michell was already at an age where he had half-retired, leaving most Council matters to others.

But recently, something drastic had happened—Herman’s decision to abdicate, a rumor that spread madly throughout the empire.

Upon hearing such news, the Elder Council immediately attempted to negotiate with Herman.

Yet Herman rejected every representative they sent, refusing even to meet them. Ignoring all protests, he pushed ahead with preparations for the coronation as swiftly as possible, as though he intended to hand over imperial authority before public pressure had time to mount.

After repeated attempts yielded nothing, the Council could only summon the semi-retired Michell, leading to the situation now unfolding before everyone’s eyes.

Though they risked embarrassing themselves in front of foreign races…

The Elder Council simply could not accept Miu Miu becoming the Vampire Queen.

“Michell, this is not a place you should have come to.”

Herman’s cold voice carried a threatening undertone, pressing down on the Council chairman.

But the chairman stood firm, chest lifted, refusing to back down even half a step.

“Your Majesty, if I did not come like this, I would never be able to meet with you. One way or another, I must offer you counsel. The princess is not yet qualified to rule the vampire race!”

There were many reasons the Elder Council did not want Herman to abdicate.

Under Herman’s rule, the vampire race had remained stable. The nobles did not want internal upheaval—chaos meant unpredictability, and they despised such change.

Herman had stated clearly that he intended to relinquish all power to Miu Miu, entrusting her with the kingdom’s future.

Who could guarantee that once she ascended, Miu Miu wouldn’t enact policies detrimental to the nobility?

This successor had almost no connection with the Elder Council. To them, she was a complete unknown—uncontrollable.

Moreover, the Vampire Princess’s current strength was far from sufficient to serve as the ruler of a higher race. It would make the vampire race a laughingstock.

“Your Majesty, we understand your feelings. The princess does indeed possess the qualifications for succession, but she is still young. As she is now, compared to other heirs of higher races… she has much yet to grow!”

The chairman emphasized:

“Take the dragons, for example! Their heir, the Silver Dragon Princess, even at her young age has already reached the fourth rank!”

His sudden public praise instantly drew every gaze toward Xia Yi.

And just like that, she had become famous once again—used by the chairman to elevate one while disparaging another.

“Michell, stand down. This is a matter already decided by the royal family of the vampire race. The Elder Council will not interfere,” Herman said expressionlessly. “You have overstepped.”

“Your Majesty, I beg you to reconsider. I believe not only our Elder Council, but the entire empire’s nobles and its people will not agree with your decision.”

The chairman bowed to Herman.

“Our Crimson Empire needs a powerful monarch to lead the vampire race into the future. You, of all people, should know the severity of the competition across this land.”

His words sounded respectful, yet every line pressed Herman harder.

Herman turned to look at Miu Miu.

The gaze he gave her—almost as if asking for instruction.

Miu Miu did not spare the chairman a single glance, her expression one of bored disdain.

Herman understood immediately.

The will of the Ancestor… was absolute.

“The Crimson Empire does not belong to the Elder Council. Your meddling ends here!”

Herman suddenly exploded into motion. He seized the chairman by the collar, lifting him as easily as if he were a chick, hand clamping around his throat.

“Y-Your Majesty, what are you doing!?”

Terror flashed across the chairman’s face. The Herman standing before him was nothing like the calm, composed king he had always known.

Could it be that Herman no longer cared about the nobles’ opinions—that he intended to overturn the entire table in one extreme move?

Impossible!

“Have you gone mad, Your Majesty!? Please—come to your senses!!”

“Die.”

Herman’s hand pierced through the chairman’s chest, gripping his heart.

Though the vampire race possessed formidable regenerative abilities, they also had an absolute weak point: if the heart was destroyed, it was fatal.

Before all present, Herman crushed the heart in his palm.

The venerable elder—slain instantly.

His blood splattered across Herman, staining even the nearby crown and scepter crimson.

Everyone was stunned.

The other races never expected such a dramatic scene to unfold during the coronation of the Vampire Queen—an execution carried out on the spot, and the victim was none other than a high-ranking member of the vampire race.

“This is my final order as King of the Vampire Race,” Herman declared, his tone merciless. “Arrest every elder who harbors treasonous intent. Mobilize the full strength of our forces and begin purging the rebels. At all costs, maintain the peace of the Crimson Empire and secure the rule of the new Queen!”

“As you command!”

Princess-Consort Flora, a vampire princess standing nearby, received the command and immediately led a large contingent of vampire guards out of the palace. It was clear they were already moving to act.

Everyone felt Herman had gone mad—just to ensure that Miu Miu became Queen of the Vampire Race, he was willing to tear his relationship with the Elder Council to shreds and even deploy military force to protect her ascent.

“Now that the opposition has been dealt with, continue the coronation!” Herman ordered.

“Yes!”

The herald jolted back to awareness and hurried onto the stage. One glance at the Elder Council chairman’s gruesome corpse made him tremble, but driven by sheer survival instinct, he forced himself to ask again.

“Does anyone have any objections to Miu Miu Borgia inheriting the royal authority of Herman Borgia?”

This time, silence answered him.

No objections.

The other races would never interfere with the succession of royal authority, and after witnessing what had just happened, not a single vampire attendee dared to step forward and court death.

The herald looked at the blood-soaked crown and scepter, hesitating. It felt terribly improper…

“It’s fine. Continue,” Miu Miu said.

“Then, let us invite the new sovereign of the Crimson Empire—the Vampire Queen, Miu Miu Borgia—to place upon herself the crown, lift the scepter, and accept the royal authority passed down through the empire’s history!”

Miu Miu seated herself upon the vampire race’s throne.

And, astonishingly, the person performing the crowning was Herman himself. The former ruler, now kneeling in humility, personally placed the crown upon Miu Miu’s head and offered her the scepter.

He then knelt on one knee and bowed in devout salute, displaying utter submission.

Such a scene had never occurred in the entire history of the vampire race. This was not the behavior of someone scheming to control things from behind the scenes. Through action alone, he made it unmistakably clear—he truly regarded Miu Miu as his queen and swore loyalty to her.

The vampire present wore complex expressions, while the other races found the spectacle amusing.

This development was certainly interesting.

Especially because… if this new Vampire Queen lacked the strength to control the chaos that would surely follow…

Some higher races already sensed an opportunity.

“Your Majesty, congratulations on your ascension,” Herman said softly.

“Mm.”

Miu Miu nodded, accepting.

Celebrations for the new monarch’s coronation began. Cries of “Vampire Queen!” rose, and even the other races joined in applause.

Xia Yi watched everything unfold and still felt it was unbelievable… Not long ago, Miu Miu had been nothing more than a controlled princess within the vampire race—yet now she truly sat as its sovereign.

When the coronation ceremony concluded, the high races who had been invited began offering their congratulations.

“New Queen of the Vampire Race, on behalf of the fox race, I congratulate you on becoming the ruler of the Crimson Empire. As a gesture of celebration, our fox race will present a modest gift.”

The Nine-Tailed Fox Emperor stepped forward first, loudly offering his congratulations. Such wording was already considered extremely courteous.

Herman had withdrawn to the rear, standing entirely in the position of a subject.

From this moment on, everything in the Crimson Empire revolved around the Vampire Queen.

“The vampire race has received the fox race’s gift. Thank you, Nine-Tailed Fox Emperor,” the Vampire Queen replied.

Up to this point, everything remained within expectations.

But then, the Nine-Tailed Fox Emperor proposed something astonishing.

“In addition to this modest gift, our fox race wishes to form an alliance with the vampire race—to support one another. I wonder, Vampire Queen, what your thoughts are?” he said with a smile.

The faces of the higher races all changed.

They thought, good grief. The fox race had long been known to roam about forming alliances with outsiders, clearly looking to stir up trouble. And now they were even trying to rope in the vampire race?

Thinking back, the Nine-Tailed Fox Emperor’s timing was indeed sharp.

After that bloody scene earlier, it was obvious the vampire race would face internal turmoil. An alliance from the fox race could indeed be considered a valuable gift.

“Nine-Tailed Fox Emperor, our vampire race has no intention of forming an alliance,” the Vampire Queen replied.

“Not even considering it now?” the Fox Emperor pressed. “I understand my proposal may feel sudden, but it is undoubtedly a beneficial one. If the timing feels abrupt, you need not reject it immediately. You could consider it later.”

“No. Our vampire race does not intend to form alliances with anyone.”

Her voice struck like iron—she rejected the proposal outright.

Leaving the Nine-Tailed Fox Emperor utterly rebuffed.

Everyone present was baffled. Even if she wished to decline, why choose such phrasing?

If the vampire race ever considered forming alliances in the future, wouldn’t this declaration become embarrassing?

“Such a statement is not a wise choice, Vampire Queen,” the Fox Emperor cautioned.

The Vampire Queen smiled. “Then let me clarify further, the vampire race will not form alliances with any race on this land. Not just the fox race—this applies to all races. Not now, and not in the future.”

“…”

The Nine-Tailed Fox Emperor frowned.

This complete refusal of any potential cooperation was far too bizarre.

No one could understand what the vampire race was thinking.

Only one race on this land had ever taken such a stance of total isolation—the strongest higher race of the north, the dragons.

Was the vampire race attempting to emulate the dragons and stand in opposition to all races?

Without question, such behavior was unwise.

The vampire race simply did not possess that level of strength.

In the past, the dragons had been powerful enough to stand alone against the rest of the world. Even if all other races rejected cooperation or alliances, they were powerless to threaten the dragons.

But what did the vampire race have that allowed them to imitate such arrogance?

The Vampire Queen cast a glance at Xia Yi, then smiled. “However, our vampire race does not reject all alliances absolutely. If there were an exception…”

Everyone assumed this must be her compromise, but her next words shattered every expectation.

Especially among the vampire race themselves. Upon hearing her, expressions of horror spread across their faces. The Vampire Queen’s declaration was unmistakable—

She was pushing the vampire race toward the edge of annihilation.