Chapter 626 - 454: Coal Ball’s Whereabouts and Count Remon’s Fate
Chapter 626: Chapter 454: Coal Ball’s Whereabouts and Count Remon’s Fate
The reasons were more or less the same.
Either for Power, or for a longer life.
But hearing it from Raymond’s lips, it felt exceptionally different.
He still remembered how on the battlefields against the Fiery Sun Kingdom, this Count had personally led the charge, fighting at the forefront with his Knights. He had suffered numerous wounds but never took a single step back.
Back then, he was a true soldier, a respectable nobleman.
"So, you accepted," Raylo said.
"I accepted."
Raymond nodded, a strange flush creeping onto his face.
"I swore allegiance to the great Prince, and she bestowed upon me the Initial Embrace."
"I can feel my body overflowing with Power. The sensation... it’s just too wonderful. My aging body has been revitalized. I can even feel the threshold of the Domain Level right before my eyes."
Raylo looked at him, a trace of pity in his eyes.
"Raymond, we once fought side-by-side."
Hearing this, Raymond’s body suddenly stiffened. The fanaticism on his face drained away, replaced by an ashen pallor.
"Yes..."
He mumbled to himself.
"We once... fought side-by-side."
"I always thought you were a true Knight."
Raylo’s voice was soft.
Raymond’s head drooped even lower, his shoulders starting to tremble violently.
Silence fell upon the tent once more, leaving only his suppressed, beast-like whimpers.
Raylo picked up the cup of water on the table and took a sip.
The water was cold.
"Since you’ve accepted the Initial Embrace, you are no longer human."
Raylo set down the cup, his voice growing cold as well.
"Count Remon, you are now a Vampire."
Raymond’s sobbing came to an abrupt halt.
He slowly raised his head. The human emotion in his eyes was rapidly fading, replaced by the coldness of a creature of darkness.
"Your Highness, you will regret this!"
He roared.
"The Blood Race is the future of humanity!"
Raylo watched him, looking rather listless.
"You won’t live to see it."
After speaking, he turned to Gaius.
"Strip him of his peerage and title. The Iron Pine Territory is to be immediately reclaimed by the Duchy."
"Yes, my Lord."
"As for him..."
Raylo paused for a moment.
"Behead him. Hang his head outside Black Stone City for all to see the consequences of siding with Vampires."
"As you command."
Two of the Personal Guard stepped forward, hoisted up the now boneless Raymond, and dragged him out.
He didn’t struggle anymore, merely muttering some nonsense as his voice faded into the distance.
The tent fell quiet again.
Gaius stood to the side, silent.
"I led the team to arrest Raymond myself because his territory is the closest to ours, and... I still held a sliver of hope for him," Raylo said, breaking the silence.
"He once followed the Duke, just like us, to expand the Duchy’s borders!" Gaius added, his voice somber.
"That hope is now shattered," Raylo replied.
"Indeed."
"What about the other territories?" Raylo asked. "The fools who chose the same path as Raymond."
"As you commanded, Thunder Dragon Knights have been dispatched to arrest the lords of Red Hill Territory, Cyan Spring Territory... seven territories in total," Gaius replied. "Judging by the time, we should be hearing back from them soon."
As soon as he finished speaking, the tent flap was thrown open, and a Knight rushed in.
"My Lord! This is bad!"
Raylo and Gaius frowned simultaneously.
"Calm down and speak slowly," Raylo said in a deep voice.
The Knight panted heavily.
"The... the Thunder Dragon Knight Squad sent to Red Hill Territory... they just sent a message back..."
"Red River Castle has fallen! They’ve raised the flag of the Blood Rose!"
"The Thunder Dragon Knights sent to arrest the Lord of Red Hill Territory were attacked by the territory’s forces and had to retreat."