“Huh! I cannot believe that I am meeting the honorable monarchs of the Dark Clan like this. It's an honor.”

Count Rudiger appeared quite surprised and excited. Even though he was the governor of a large city like Petrucca and a count of the Roman Empire, it was still a great honor to meet with not just one but four vampire clan masters. However, Count Rudiger couldn’t remain excited like a child. It was because a beautiful, young, black-haired man quietly entered after the four clan masters.

“I am Jan Eugene Batla. Nice to meet you, Sir Rudiger,” Eugene said.

“I am Alderbern Rudiger, Your Majesty. I have been greatly honored to be delegated the right to serve as Petrucca’s governor,” Count Rudiger responded politely. He felt his heart leap slightly.

‘This is… the King of Maren.’

He was the protagonist of the countless rumors that had been circulating over the past year. As far as the count was concerned, this was the first time a foreign noble had become so famous in the empire. Of course, half of the reason why Eugene was well-known in Petrucca was due to Count Delmondo’s endless supply of gold coins, but that didn’t tarnish the achievements the man had built up as a knight. Surprisingly; however, the actual appearance of the king was rather unbefitting of his title as an undefeated knight.

‘He is a very handsome man, but he doesn’t seem to be a strong knight…’

Such was Count Rudiger’s honest assessment of Eugene. Eugene was tall and well-built, but most of the outstanding knights whom Count Rudiger knew were bulky and muscular.

‘Well, even if he looks like that because he’s a member of the Dark Clan…’

The clan masters naturally exuded a particularly sharp energy, regardless of their gender. On the other hand, the King of Maren seemed somewhat ordinary. To be exact, he looked a bit feeble.

‘As expected of what the knights said, he must still be feeling the aftermath of defeat.’

Count Rudiger held in his laughter while speaking politely to Eugene and the clan masters, “Please have a sit over here. To commemorate the visit of Your Majesty and the honored clan masters—”

“Let’s get down to business, Sir Rudiger. I don’t think you called us here to laugh, chat, and make friends,” Master Helmond spoke in a cold voice. He was still wearing his armor.

Count Rudiger flinched. It was a rather disrespectful attitude to show in front of him, the governor of the city, but Count Rudiger had to put up with it. Although he had not seen the emperor in a long time, he knew the workings of the imperial castle. It wasn’t a secret that Master Helmond had a very deep relationship with the crown prince.

“Ehem! If Lord Helmond says so, then I will stop with the formalities,” Count Rudiger said before waving the others away. Soon, only the count’s knights remained.

The four clan masters also gave orders to their high lords and bannerets.

‘Hooh?’

A glimmer appeared in Count Rudiger’s eyes as he watched the scene play out. The vampires acted very politely on the surface, but the high lords and bannerets had surrounded the seat of Maren’s King as if they were keeping him captive. They weren’t escorting him, and anyone could tell at first glance that they were keeping the King of Maren trapped.

Count Rudiger’s gaze naturally headed to the knights. There was a look of excitement on the knights’ faces when they saw the interaction between the King of Maren and the vampires.

‘What do you think? Isn’t it just like we said?’

The eyes of the knights glimmered with excitement as if they were saying such words, and Count Rudiger could finally relax. The King of Maren had lost, and the vampire clan masters had truly caught him.

‘Good.’

After finally coming to a decision, Count Rudiger looked around at the four vampire clan masters. The four of them had settled down comfortably after sending away their subordinates.

“I would like to ask a question first,” Count Rudiger said.

“Go ahead,” Master Rivoles responded as a representative.

Count Rudiger turned his eyes toward Master Rivoles and asked, “Is the rumor true?”

“What rumor are you talking about?” Master Rivoles asked.

“Rumor has it that Master Rivoles had a… match with His Majesty Eugene and won…” Count Rudiger muttered cautiously. Master Rivoles felt his forehead wriggle involuntarily. He had been warned in advance, but he could not remain still while an existence close to the God of the Dark Clan was being disrespected. However, Count Rudiger had misunderstood Master Rivoles’ reaction and assumed he had poked at the clan master’s pride.

“Ah! It must be true. Please don’t get me wrong. I only asked because I have to know for sure,” Count Rudiger hurriedly explained.

“Why do you have to know for sure?” Master Rivoles asked.

“He’s not anyone else but the King of Maren. I can’t help but think of the diplomatic issues that could arise. Moreover, you sirs are still detaining His Majesty, right? If Maren finds out, they will not stand still—” Count Rudiger began to explain.

“Hmph!” Master Helmond scoffed, which caused Count Rudiger to flinch.

“We are members of the Tribe of Darkness, and even though we are also citizens of the empire, it has always been customary to deal with the issues of the tribe by the law of the tribe. That’s the way it had always been with the previous emperors, but now, you speak of an issue with diplomacy?” Master Helmond said.

“N-no, you would be right if it were a matter between citizens of the empire, but he is a monarch of another nation. That’s why I brought this up,” Count Rudiger retorted.

“…”

When Master Helmond didn’t respond, Count Rudiger eagerly continued, thinking that he had gotten his point across. “It’s not that I don’t know the situation regarding you, sirs and the Tribe of Darkness. I also respect the laws of the tribe. However, isn’t it true that the current situation is unprecedented? Moreover, I am the Governor of Petrucca. It might have been different if I were unaware of the current situation, but now that I already know about it, doing nothing would be tantamount to abandoning my duties.”

Abandoning duties? It was absolute nonsense. The vampire clan masters knew that the governor had reported the situation to the crown prince immediately when he heard of it, then played for time until now. However, the clan masters could not voice their true thoughts, so they remained silent and allowed Count Rudiger to continue barking.

“As such, I cannot simply stand by and watch,” Count Rudiger said.

“And what are you going to do exactly?”

Count Rudiger coughed before giving a predetermined answer to the question he had been waiting for. “Ehem! I agree that the law of the tribe should take precedence in the disposal of His Majesty the King. However, to convince the other nations—especially the Dukedom of Maren—and to obtain justification… Won’t we need to establish honorable chivalry to do that? It just happens that His Majesty is a reputable knight as well.”

“Chivalry?”

“That’s right…” Count Rudiger nodded. He turned his gaze toward the knights before continuing, “These men are valiant knights from Petrucca and the nearby areas. All of them are from famous families and are known for their bravery.”

“Hmm…”

The four clan masters looked over the knights. Although they were all nobles and strong knights in their own right, they found it difficult to handle the clan masters’ peering eyes. After all, the vampire clan masters possessed strange powers and mysteries.

The knights pretended to be calm, but they couldn’t help but tremble slightly. Master Helmond looked over the knights before revealing his fangs. “So, why did you introduce us to these sirs?”

“These sirs desire a duel with His Majesty Eugene,” Count Rudiger answered.

“What…?” Master Helmond said while jerking his eyes back toward the count.

Count Rudiger felt cold sweat running down his back as he hurriedly explained, “H-his Majesty is famous for being an outstanding knight, right? I do not think he would be opposed to a confrontation with the proud knights of the empire. If a duel is established, then it will buy time, and with his predicament—” Count Rudiger started to jabber away due to the pressure of the clan masters.

The hot-tempered knights stepped forward and interrupted him. “Please have a match with us, Your Majesty!”

“I have heard of your reputation as a knight. Please allow me the chance to personally experience your great skills!”

“You may have been defeated as a member of the Dark Clan, but wouldn’t it be different as a knight? Please give us a chance.”

The expressions of the four clan masters distorted at the shouting of the knights. Who did these insects think they were speaking to? How dare they commit such disrespect toward their lord? However, the clan masters never got the chance to burst out.

Their master and god stepped forward while slightly raising his hand. He was finally showing his presence after being treated as if he were invisible this entire time.

“So… You sirs are saying that you want to challenge me?” Eugene deliberately asked in a rather feeble voice.

The knights became more confident and raised their voices. “If you would allow us the chance!”

They already had no regard for Eugene. A weak, feeble man like him was an unparalleled knight and a hero of the generation? Bullshit! It was possible that he was an impressive knight capable of a few achievements under his belt, but that was all. The knights had honed their skills for many years and had experienced many battles, yet they could not see Eugene as a hero or an unparalleled knight. And even if the rumors were true, it was obvious from his present state that he could not use much of his abilities as a vampire. A vampire without their mystery was nothing more than a slightly strong warrior. As such, the knights judged that this was an excellent opportunity to make themselves known.

“Hmm…”

Eugene pretended to contemplate while receiving the fervent gazes of the knights. Eventually, he looked at the four clan masters as if he was asking for their permission. The clan masters felt endless shame and embarrassment. They wanted to immediately prostrate themselves and ask for forgiveness, but they endured and acted according to their master’s intentions.

“Come to think of it, I don’t think there’s anything wrong with what His Excellency is saying,” Master Samit said.

“Hmm. I don’t know much about politics, but I do believe that there could be a problem,” Master Todor nodded in agreement.

Master Helmond and Master Rivoles shared a gaze before speaking…

“Although the law of the tribe is important, we definitely should take into consideration the position of the empire and the imperial family.”

“Since it’s a request from Sir Rudiger, let’s allow it. What do you think, everyone?”

The clam masters agreed. Eugene watched as if he were slightly worried, then gave a long sigh.

“Phew… If that is what the masters want, then I have no choice but to obey.”

“…!!!”

The expressions of the clan masters distorted even further, thanks to Eugene’s humble attitude. Seeing the great one acting like this in itself was great suffering for them. They were committing an unforgivable transgression.

On the other hand, the knights were jubilant. They were finally presented with the opportunity to beat the world’s most reputable knight and to make themselves known.

“Then, the date and time of the duel—”

“No, before that…” Eugene interrupted the excited knights.

He turned toward Count Rudiger under the puzzled gazes of the knights.

“Regardless of the situation, won’t it be a little outlandish to just hold a duel?” Eugene said.

“Huh? What do you mean by…”

“Although I am in this situation, I am still the monarch of Maren. I think it would be tarnishing my honor to hold a duel with knights whom I am seeing for the first time without any conditions,” Eugene continued.

“Hmm.”

Count Rudiger’s expression slightly stiffened. His instinct as the Governor of Petrucca and a great noble of the empire was sending him a signal.

‘This is… Something is a little strange.’

Maren’s King had no choice but to oblige, as he was in the hands of the vampire clan masters. He would have eventually been forced to agree to the duel, so what was this condition? Did he really think he was going to win?

‘It can’t be…’

Count Rudiger immediately dismissed his concerns. Although he was weakened from his defeat against a clan master, he was still the King of Maren. It would be rather strange if he had abandoned all of his pride and honor as a knight. Clearly, the King of Maren wanted to save his pride, at the very least.

“I was only thinking about my position. I apologize, Your Majesty. Please forgive me,” Count Rudiger said.

“That’s all right. I completely understand your position,” Eugene responded.

“Thank you. Then… Is there anything in particular you would like to ask for?” Count Rudiger asked.

Eugene answered in a hesitant voice, “Indeed. However, I don’t know if this is something the governor can permit…”

Count Rudiger completely dismissed his worries and nodded vigorously. Certainly, there was nothing to worry about the weak, beautiful young man.

“Anything,” Cunt Rudiger said.

Eugene asked with a weak smile, “These sirs… They are knights representing Petrucca, right? Can the governor attest to that?”

“Naturally,” Count Rudiger said.

“Then…”

Eugene slowly stood up. Although they were taken aback by Eugene’s sudden movement, Count Rudiger and the knights maintained their confident expressions as they looked at Eugene standing up.

Craaaack! Crack!

Eugene spoke while twisting his neck from side to side. “In accordance with the custom of honorable chivalry: if I defeat the knights of Petrucca whom the governor has guaranteed and under the watch of the city’s citizens… Doesn’t that mean I will end up occupying Petrucca?”