Chapter 200 - Rebuilding [3]

(Verc’s POV)

It’s been three days since we started with the reconstruction of the village, and by now—everyone had recovered.

I visited Onyx and Nara again today.

And currently, they’re adjusting with their transformation really well.

-Arf...!

Onyx is now moving energetically, running around me with his tail wagging non-stop.

I was really worried about him because he’s the first animal that I’ve tried turning into a vampire. Seeing him leap around with black-furred agility, his physical strength clearly enhanced by my blood, brought a genuine sense of relief to my chest.

Then there’s Nara...

"Lord Verc!"

Nara greeted me warmly as she walked down the stone corridor of the temporary shelter. After having recovered, she started helping around taking care of the patients that are still in the midst of transformation.

"You two better take care of yourself."

I told them with a smile on my face, looking at how eager they were to jump back into helping the village despite just waking up yesterday.

"We will!"

-Arf! Arf!

The two replied energetically before excusing themselves. Nara was carrying a tray of medicine made by Grainne and the agriculture team, heading toward the remaining patients in the recovery ward.

After the medicine had been created and used, there had been no recorded death anymore.

The herbal medicine had stabilized everyone who had previously been struggling with the blood integration.

So the atmosphere in the village had eased up a bit.

The heavy gloom that hung over us right after Morcant’s attack was slowly giving way to a shared sense of focus and productivity.

The rebuilding had still continued at a rapid pace as well.

New stone walls rising and timber beams locking into place every single hour.

"It’s time to go to the next phase."

I whispered under my breath.

*****

With the core operations running smoothly, Verc stepped outside to overlook the ongoing construction.

The sun was warm, reflecting off the newly polished stone structures beneath his feet.

He focused his mind, sending a direct mana transmission along the bond to his chief officer.

’Diyael, bring the refugees to the central hall.’

He ordered inside his head.

’Understood, Lord Verc. I will bring them immediately.’

Then he received a reply from Diyael himself the same way.

... ... ...

Not long after, heavy footsteps echoed down the stone corridor leading into the main reception chamber.

Diyael arrived with the refugees who had entered the settlement two days ago.

"I’ve brought them, Lord Verc."

They had been resting, recovering, and receiving full meals since they arrived here, and the transformation in their appearance was obvious. The hollow cheeks and severe fatigue they once carried were gone, replaced by a fresh, healthy vitality.

As soon as they arrived, Verc didn’t beat around the bush and told them his reason for calling them.

He stood atop the raised platform, looking down at the group of dark elves and beastkin.

"I called you here today to discuss your standing in this domain."

Verc spoke, his voice cool and even, resonating clearly against the stone walls.

"Over the past two days, I had you rest, fed you, and healed your injuries."

He paused, his red eyes scanning their faces.

"Now it’s time for you to work."

When he said that, the refugees answered positively.

The wolf beastman who led the group stepped forward, immediately dropping to one knee with a clear, earnest expression.

"We are more than ready, Lord Verc!"

The wolf beastman answered firmly.

"The treatment we received here has been better than anything we could have hoped for. We saw how much destruction your village suffered from Morcant, yet you still gave us shelter and food without asking for anything in return. We want to do our part and pay everyone back."

The rest of the dark elves and beastkin behind him nodded in agreement, their eyes shining with genuine sincerity.

Verc was glad seeing them like this.

A group that understood gratitude and possessed a willingness to labor was far easier to integrate than entitled survivors. But he wasn’t done speaking.

He opened his mouth again—then he declared the truth of the settlement to them.

"Before you assign yourselves to the labor force, there is something you must know."

Verc stated, his tone dropping into a serious, heavy register.

"Everyone in this village—every orc, gnoll, dwarf, human, and elf—has been turned into a vampire by me."

A subtle rustle passed through the group of refugees, but none of them backed away or panicked.

They already knew that everyone in the village were vampires, after all.

Verc looked over them, his posture tall and imposing.

"I want to do the same to you."

Then he declared that plainly.

"I want to turn you into vampires. Doing so will grant you the physical strength, stamina, and power you need to protect yourselves from future harm. It will ensure that if another threat comes, you will not simply be helpless casualties."

He took a step forward, his gaze sharpening.

"However... in doing so, you will all be under my absolute command. By taking my blood, your loyalty will be bound to my core, and you wouldn’t be able to go against my words."

He paused, letting the heavy weight of his statement settle over the room.

"I will respect those who decline."

Verc added.

"If you do not wish to give up your mortality or tie your allegiance to my name, you may remain as normal citizens, or leave our borders freely with supplies once the construction is complete."

Silence filled the hall for a few brief moments. The refugees looked at one another, exchanging quiet glances as they processed his words.

Then, with a determined look on their faces—the refugees agreed.

The wolf beastman looked up, his jaw set in a firm, unyielding line.

"We accept, Lord Verc!"

He stated loudly, his voice echoing across the chamber.

"When Morcant swept through our old homes, we were completely helpless. We could only run, watch our families fall, and beg for mercy. We never want to feel that kind of powerlessness ever again!"

The dark elves behind him stepped forward as well, their eyes burning with the same resolve.

"We freely offer our loyalty to you, Lord Verc! Grant us the strength to stand!"

Seeing their unwavering determination, Verc offered a simple, approving nod.

"So be it."

And so, just like that—

"Diyael, gather them."

Verc made Diyael line them up and made them all drink his blood.

SLASH!

Verc sliced open his left palm, letting his dense, dark crimson blood flow into a small stone vessel.

One by one, the twenty refugees stepped forward, drinking a drop of his life force under Diyael’s watchful eye before being guided to the adjacent recovery quarters.

... ... ...

... ... ...

... ... ...

After that was done, Diyael approached Verc and told him that all the refugees are going through the transformation now and that they’ve been all given medicine to help them.

"Grainne’s team administered the herbal medicine immediately after they drank your blood, Lord Verc."

Diyael reported, bowing his head slightly.

"Their vitals are stable, and the turning process is proceeding smoothly without any complications."

Verc nodded his head, pleased with the efficiency of the system they had established.

Then turning to look at Diyael—

"Call the centaurs that came with you."

He suddenly ordered that next!

"...!"

Diyael’s eyes widened after hearing this.

A sudden flash of realization passed through his mind, his breath catching in his throat as he looked at his master.

The centaur warriors who had accompanied him from his tribe were currently serving as perimeter guards and scout leaders, but they were still mortal beings who had not yet received Verc’s blood.

Then before he could even say anything—

"It’s their turn to pick."

Verc muttered that, confirming what was in his head.

He turned his gaze back toward the open balcony, looking out over the fortified walls of his rising kingdom.

"They have stood guard at our gates and carried out my orders without hesitation even though they came as prisoners."

Verc said calmly.

"I will offer them the same choice. If they wish to walk alongside us as true members of this domain, I will grant them the strength to match."

Diyael bowed his head low, a proud, profound respect filling his chest.

"I will fetch them at once, Lord Verc."

He stated before excusing himself to get his people.