Axel

Chapter 406: The First Vampire Champion

Added 2025-04-26 15:06:01 +0000 UTC

Charlot Mecklenburg reappeared at No. 1 Falcon Street, his heart still racing with unease. He had no idea what had happened or what might ensue if he lingered. However, the ominous whisper from the Serpent of Fate was enough to dissuade him from investigating further.

Charlot had a premonition that something peculiar had occurred aboard the Radiant Holy Kingdom. This anomaly was beyond its original design.

As for the cause of this alteration?

That remained a mystery for now.

Charlot didn’t stay long at No. 1 Falcon Street. Recently, he had been residing at 221B Baker Street, but at this moment, he decided to return to 58 Elysée Avenue to relax with his cats.

Upon arriving at 58 Elysée Avenue, Charlot was greeted by his three clever cats. Despite his long absences from home, his connection with the trio had remained strong, thanks to the Cat Spirit Magic taught by Venie Arsenault.

Charlot beckoned, and the three clever cats leapt onto his lap, purring and rubbing against him. He gently stroked their glossy fur, marveling at their health. Thanks to Mrs. Nancy’s excellent care, the cats had grown sleek and well-fed. Their spiritual intelligence, enhanced by frequent use of Spirit Channeling, far surpassed that of ordinary felines, making them extraordinarily clever.

Surrounded by his three adorable companions, Charlot suddenly felt a wave of drowsiness. Reclining on the sofa, he drifted off to sleep.

...

In his dream, Charlot suddenly felt weightless, as if he were falling. Jolted awake, he realized he wasn’t at home. He hadn’t fallen off the sofa, but the unfamiliar surroundings made him call out softly, “Grandma Saint Karen?”

“Did you need something from me?”

“No, not her. I came for you. Nothing urgent—I was just curious to see how your progress with the Arthur Clan’s secret arts is coming along.”

Charlot felt a chill run down his spine. He had only heard this voice once before, and afterward, he had nearly forgotten it. But now, hearing it again, the terror came flooding back.

He remembered the first time he encountered this voice: after consuming the blood essence of Baron Leo’s Blood Thralls, he had suffered a backlash from the Origin Blood Ignition. Desperate, he had resorted to practicing the Blood Clan Verbal Spellcasting. That’s when he had heard the voice.

It had echoed from the void: “Little one! The Arthur Clan’s secret arts are not to be toyed with so recklessly.”

Then, an overwhelming will had invaded his mind—not to harm, but to pluck a single string, as if testing a melody. The incomprehensible runes of the Blood Clan Verbal Spellcasting had unraveled in his mind, revealing their structure like mathematical formulas. Fragmented golden runes coalesced into a black-bound book, glowing with countless golden sparks.

Now, hearing that mysterious voice and recalling that supreme will, Charlot was overcome with an icy dread.

The voice chuckled softly. “There’s no need to be so afraid. I’m currently visiting Fars, staying at the Earl of Bretagne’s residence as a guest.”

Charlot couldn’t help but exclaim, “You are...?”

A young man appeared in his field of vision. Despite his youthful appearance, an air of ageless wisdom surrounded him. Seeing Charlot’s shock, he smiled and said, “Allow me to introduce myself. I am Juno Arthur.”

“The last time, you must have thought you’d encountered the Blood Ancestor of the Arthur Clan.”

“Sorry to disappoint you, but meeting the Blood Ancestor is far from so simple.”

Charlot was stunned. Each of the five great empires had a single unrivaled champion. For the Ingrima Empire, it was Count Lamorak of Champagne; for the Black Phoenix Dynasty, it was Viscount Constantine. In the Fars Empire, it was not merely the Earl of Bretagne, but the Emperor of Bretagne himself.

For Byron, it was this man—Juno Arthur.

The foremost champion of the vampires.

Juno Arthur chuckled and said, “Last time, I was on my way back to Byron after visiting my old friend, the Earl of Bretagne. That’s when I encountered you and decided to lend a hand. But why haven’t you taken the Arthur Clan’s secret arts seriously?”

“The Blood Clan Verbal Spellcasting is all-encompassing and omnipotent. Once mastered to its pinnacle, all the world’s forces can be at your command.”

Charlot couldn’t help but ask, “Why did you help me?” Then, realizing the foolishness of his question, he added, “You’ve known about me for a long time, haven’t you?”

Juno Arthur nodded slightly.

Charlot felt a chill down his spine. “You’re quite familiar with the Earl of Bretagne, aren’t you?”

Juno Arthur smiled faintly. “In my younger days, I was a rebellious soul and studied at Fars University, where I spent several years as the Earl’s classmate. Back then... the three of us were inseparable, and our friendship remains strong to this day.”

Charlot asked cautiously, “Three people?”

Juno Arthur nodded again, smiling. “Constantine as well.”

A dangerous thought flashed through Charlot’s mind. “So, Viscount Constantine is involved this time?”

Juno Arthur smiled serenely and replied, “Otherwise, why would there be a plan to divide the Black Phoenix?”

“Constantine will soon become the Count of Byron.”

Charlot suddenly felt he understood too much—far more than he ever wanted to.

Juno Arthur chuckled softly. “I’ll be staying in Strasbourg for a while. As a favor to an old friend, I’ll help guide the younger generation.”

Charlot felt as though he were in a dream. Never in his wildest imagination would he have thought a “mentor” would fall into his lap from the sky.

He couldn’t help but ask, “You don’t mind that I practice Blood Glory?”

Juno Arthur sighed. “You’re aware, aren’t you, that vampires cannot reproduce naturally? Our numbers grow only through secret rituals or the First Embrace. Byron, despite being an empire, has a vampire population of less than twenty thousand—far below the baseline for sustainable growth.”

“Whether through ritual or First Embrace, these methods are extremely inefficient. Worse yet, our kind’s insular mindset has stifled population growth for centuries. Due to the recent war, our numbers have dropped by hundreds.”

“If we don’t start integrating new blood, there may be no vampires left in a few centuries.”

“Compared to this population crisis, all other grievances can be set aside temporarily.”

“What’s more, you don’t harbor hatred for vampires, do you?”

Charlot realized this was true. The vampires he had encountered—like Baron Leo and Julian Arsilo—had been quite amicable. At the time, he’d assumed he’d simply met “friendly vampires.”

Now, hearing Juno Arthur’s explanation, Charlot understood. Some vampires were beginning to fear population collapse.

No wonder they had accepted Duchess Mesu and now welcomed Viscount Constantine...