Chapter 76: The Third Peerage Member

The ceremony went about as well as anyone could expect. A large chunk of the population was either grieving the loss of their people or celebrating the victory over the Tepes monarchy. The former Tepes vampires were trying their best to assimilate without getting on the bad side of the Carmilla faction.

None of them seemed to care about what the queen had awakened the devils with. It didn't matter to them right now. They were happy with their victory and considered us their heroes.

The real issue would arise with the nobles, who currently didn't have much authority to say anything. But sooner or later, they'd start complaining to Carmilla.

Well, none of that is my problem.

"A more in-depth contract will be provided once we deal with everything around here," Carmilla said, her gaze steady as she handed over a rough draft of the contract details. "But I believe these should be satisfactory."

And they were.

Priority trading rights. Exclusive deals on certain products. And much more.

"They are more than what anyone was expecting," Falbium nodded in satisfaction. "And of course, we will present our side of the deal soon enough. You can rest assured this will not be a losing arrangement."

I had more documents to go through, especially since I was receiving quite a bit more than the others. But at the moment, one matter needed to be handled before anything else.

"The arrangements are perfect," I offered a satisfied smile. "I don't think there's much to discuss on my end."

I wasn't representing the devils anymore. I didn't have to offer anything of equal value in return. So I wasn't needed for the additional discussion.

What I had to do right now wasn't here.

Carmilla smiled, fully aware of what was on my mind.

"Elmenhilde has been waiting in the other room, Lord Faiser," she said. "I believe I don't need to accompany you?"

That was cue enough for me to stand. "Then we'll discuss the rest later."

This wasn't the final contract, just a draft of what was to be given. So I didn't concern myself with it.

I walked out, the Satans smiling faintly behind me. I didn't need to ask. They knew I was more than a little excited about increasing my peerage count.

What they didn't know yet was that Elmenhilde wasn't the only one I intended to add. I had no idea why Carmilla hadn't told them, but they were still unaware.

Maybe she didn't trust them enough. She didn't know them the way I did. She might have assumed there would be complications if they learned about it first. After all, a Longinus capable of reviving the dead was absurd.

My blood could only save someone within a twenty-four-hour window. Hers had no such limitation.

But first, I needed Elmenhilde.

At first glance, one might not think Elmenhilde was anything special compared to the other vampires. But she wasn't that simple.

For one, she was a member of a noble house, which pushed my political leverage even higher. Secondly, her control over blood arts was exceptional, and it was one of the most versatile and deadly disciplines out there.

It was special not just because she could create blood and shape it, but because she could manipulate the blood within other individuals. And the implications of that didn't need to be spelled out to understand just how terrifying she could become if her power continued to grow.

As I stepped out into the hallway, I found Bova standing guard. The dragon had grown into his role as a Rook and, surprisingly, had begun acting more mature, actually carrying out his duties as a member of a noble devil's peerage.

"You alright?" I asked, noticing him leaning against the wall.

"Don't let these vampires get their hands on your blood," he grinned. "They'd slit your throat and hang you upside down for it, then call it a delicacy."

That made me chuckle. "So I guess there's no issue."

My blood had pretty much healed all his injuries. He hadn't exactly rested much, but he'd been downing recovery potions like a seasoned alcoholic at an open bar.

"None that I haven't dealt with." He straightened up and pointed toward a door. "They're waiting."

They.

Meaning my queen was inside.

Over the course of the war, the two of them had grown close. Fighting with your life on the line tends to do that. I've had a few connections like that myself. Unfortunately, I also learned that in my former line of work, bonds like that usually end in grief.

When your survival rate is lower than a hamster's, attachments don't exactly come with a happy ending.

That being said, this wasn't like that.

"Come in."

After knocking, I heard Elmenhilde's voice from inside.

Bova didn't follow me in. He went back to leaning against the wall, standing guard. He didn't really need to, but I wasn't going to stop him either.

Ingvild, on the other hand, looked comfortable. She was smiling and laughing alongside Elmenhilde.

"Good to see you two have become friends."

"Of course!" Elmenhilde seemed different from before. The first time I saw her, during the devil meeting, she'd been prideful and a little entitled. Now she seemed lighter. Carefree. Almost humble.

Fighting and nearly dying tends to rearrange your ego. Realizing that no one actually owes you anything, and that your status as a vampire noble doesn't automatically place you above nobles of other races, does that.

Surprisingly, it made her far more likable.

"We were talking about the differences between the vampire world and the devil world," Ingvild explained, "and we never would have guessed how similar, yet different, our lives are."

"Because what do you mean you all don't have rituals and festivities?" Elmenhilde looked genuinely shocked. "Don't tell me I have to live without festivals for the rest of my life?"

It was true. Devils didn't really have festivals. Balls and noble gatherings, sure. But grand cultural festivities? Not really.

"I'm not a guy with strict noble beliefs," I shrugged. "Do whatever you want. I'm not stopping you."

And I wasn't.

I'd already given the Devil elders enough headaches. One more wouldn't make much of a difference.

So if she wanted to celebrate a festival or two, I wasn't going to interfere. Let the old fools tear their hair out. They annoyed me enough already.

"Really?" She sounded almost hopeful. "I don't have to change everything about myself?"

For most people who had little going for them, an offer to join a peerage with promises of wealth and power was enough to make them toss aside their old lives without hesitation. But for nobles of other races, it was different.

However—

"As I said," I gave her an assuring smile, "I'm not exactly known for following rules. You can live how you do now. You don't have to change much. Maybe a few adjustments."

I jerked my thumb toward the door. "Bova's a dragon. Well, a devil-dragon hybrid. But he doesn't really act like a devil. He's a bit more composed now, but that's his choice. He's still rash and carries every draconic tendency you can think of. I never asked him to change."

Most peerages would demand a lifestyle overhaul to fit their image.

But honestly, I don't bend to the elders' expectations. Why should my peerage?

"I told you," Ingvild added. "You can join our peerage without worrying about your lifestyle."

"So," I finally took a seat beside them, "do you want to join our peerage?"

Carmilla might have asked her to join my peerage, but at the end of the day, if she didn't want it, it would be meaningless.

And she did think about it. For a while.

I would have too. Weigh the pros and cons. Measure the risks. See what I'd be giving up and what I'd gain.

Finally, she looked at me and nodded.

"The Queen wants me in your peerage, and as a member of a noble house that serves her… it is my duty to listen." Her expression softened slightly. "And from what I have seen and heard, you are not a bad king. Ingvild seems happy. Bova the Destroyer also seems satisfied. And I do like what you stand for… how you openly go against the crowd and do your own thing."

After another brief pause, she gave a firmer nod. "I want to join your peerage and live long enough to see this different world."

That was enough for me to extend my hand toward her. She took it gracefully.

"Then I welcome you to my peerage, Elmenhilde Karnstein, Crimson Lady of the Bridged Banners."

Her face flushed red at the title, clearly embarrassed by its weight. And it made sense. It was grand. It meant she had bridged two banners, two factions. Devils and vampires.

"Which piece would suit her?" Ingvild asked curiously. Elmenhilde looked just as interested.

"I considered a Bishop," I admitted honestly. "But she doesn't just use magic to manipulate blood. She's also skilled in multiple blood-based combat styles."

She might not look like it, but Carmilla had made it clear how capable she was. She wasn't some fragile vampire hiding behind spells.

"So I was thinking… a Pawn. Or however many it takes."

That clearly caught her attention. "What is the specialty of a Pawn piece?"

I didn't have any Pawns yet. People often underestimated them.

"A Pawn can be considered the most valuable piece on the board." In terms of raw value, you get far less compared to a Knight or a Rook. But in actual gameplay? Pawns are everything. "A Pawn starts as nothing remarkable. But just like in chess, when it reaches the final tile of the opponent's side, or in this case, when it reaches a certain threshold and is granted permission by the King, it can promote into any piece of its choice. That means as a Pawn, you can eventually gain the same benefits as even a Queen, as long as you meet the criteria."

The criteria weren't impossible. She just had to fully awaken the Pawn's potential and receive my approval. Then promotion was hers.

That seemed to intrigue her.

"Then… I would like to be a Pawn."

And that was where things got interesting.

"I don't think a single Pawn will be enough," I said plainly. I wasn't exaggerating. "At minimum, you'd need two. The higher the potential and strength, the more Pawn pieces are required."

A Longinus user might require anywhere from four to eight. Sometimes even mutated pieces, depending on the strength and nature of the Sacred Gear.

For her? A noble vampire with exceptional skill and potential?

Two at the very least.

"And how do I use the piece… or accept it?"

That made me smile.

Without wasting time, I extended my free hand. The box of Evil Pieces materialized in my palm.

I opened it in front of her, revealing the beautifully crafted pieces inside.

Her eyes were drawn to them immediately. The craftsmanship alone was mesmerizing. The faint glow, the intricate carvings, the quiet pull they seemed to exert on the senses.

While she was still staring, I took out a single Pawn piece.

"Don't resist," I told her calmly. "Let your body and mind accept it."

With a small, nervous breath, she did exactly that, allowing the piece to begin its work.

The Pawn floated on its own, sustained by the demonic power sealed within it. Slowly, as if sensing its purpose, it identified Elmenhilde as the target and drifted toward her.

The piece paused in front of her. After confirming that she was the intended host, that I wasn't stopping it and she wasn't resisting, it gently pressed itself against her chest.

She gasped softly as the piece slipped into her body without resistance. It phased through her like she wasn't even solid.

"This…"

Vampiric energy flared around her, dark and familiar, but now there were clear traces of Demonic Power mixing into it.

"Not enough," I muttered, already expecting this. I released another piece toward her. "Let's try two."

She was emitting Demonic Power now, but nowhere near enough for a full transformation.

The second Pawn entered her body, and this time the Demonic Power surged. It expanded, layered over her vampiric aura, weaving itself in seamlessly. What amazed me most was how naturally it integrated.

There was no rejection. No instability.

With Bova and Ingvild, it had never been a concern. They already carried devil blood. But watching a pure-blooded vampire transform into a devil so smoothly… Ajuka might truly be the greatest mind this world has ever seen.

Finally, the second piece settled.

Still not enough.

So I released the third.

And this… this did the trick.

Her body exploded with a massive wave of Demonic energy, spilling outward in a smooth, controlled surge rather than chaotic bursts.

[Congratulations! You have added your third peerage member!]

[Name: Elmenhilde Karnstein]

[Race: Pure-Blood Vampire (Reincarnated Devil)]

[Abilities: Blood Magic, Ritual Magic, Agelessness, Flight, Compulsion, Vampiric Charm, Venomous Fang, Health Recovery]

[Items: — ]

"This?!" She stared at her palm, where a sphere of condensed Demonic Power swirled effortlessly. "I'm… a devil now?"

It was almost ridiculous how quickly she adapted. Maybe her prior mastery over blood and energy made the transition easier. But to shape Demonic Power so naturally right after reincarnation?

I might have underestimated her.

And her abilities—

[Blood Magic: A form of magic that allows the creation, control, and destruction of blood. The limit and duration of control depend on the user's skill and energy levels.]

[Ritual Magic: A form of magic that allows buffing and nerfing effects, along with various reactions and consequences depending on the ritual performed. This magic requires specific external elements to cast successfully.]

[Agelessness: Prevents aging beyond a certain point and protects against death by old age.]

[Compulsion: Allows the user to influence and manipulate the minds of individuals or groups through direct eye contact.]

[Vampiric Charm: Allows the user to temporarily influence a target's decisions through charm.]

[Venomous Fang: Allows the user to inject an extremely potent venom into the bodies of those they bite.]

[Health Recovery: Allows immediate recovery from injuries and sickness by drinking the blood of a healthy individual.]

[Peerage: Ingvild Leviathan (Queen) (+), Bova Tannin (Rook) (+), Elmenhilde Karnstein (Pawn) (+)]

These were genuinely impressive abilities.

"I feel… quite strong as well…" she murmured.

I could see it clearly. Her strength had risen from base High Class to the very peak of it. With the right stimulus, she could likely break into Ultimate Class.

"Just a bonus of joining my peerage," I replied with a satisfied grin. "And welcome to the peerage, Elmenhilde Karnstein."

Three members now.

And in about an hour or so, I'd be welcoming the fourth.

**************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************

{A/N: Got a pat reon named RedLamp01 with 30+ chapters + Other Stories. }