“Tell me more about the three bastards in the imperial castle,” Eugene asked after calling Prince Localope and the four clan masters. The nobles were greatly shaken. So far, Eugene had never asked many questions regarding the veiled figures. Prince Localope and the clan masters were also rather reluctant to talk about those three as well. It was rather unexpected, considering that the clan masters were perfectly subservient to Eugene. However, the reason behind their reluctance was quite simple.

“The three are probably your parents. It could be one of them, or it may be all three of them.”

That was what Eugene assumed. Even though he was the great monarch of vampires, it was impossible to completely break the bond of soul and blood that existed between a parent and their children. Of course, if he wanted, he could forcibly sever it using his powers. However, there was a possibility that the body and souls of the clan masters would collapse if he did so. It was similar to how Galfredik would lose most of his powers as a vampire if Eugene died. As such, although Eugene had subdued the clan masters, he did not attempt to completely sever the bond that existed between them and the three mysterious figures. However, since his destination was now set for the imperial castle, he had to obtain more information about them.

The answer came from Prince Localope.

“Let’s clarify one thing to start. The imperial family calls them Marecasio,” Prince Localope said.

“Marecasio?” Eugene asked with a frown. Marecasio—it was a term he had heard somewhere because it had a familiar ring to it.

“Those who walk the day. It’s an ancient language,” Prince Localope explained.

“I see… Continue,” Eugene responded. He briefly put aside the questions he had regarding the term.

“Marecasio refers to Caravan, the Monarch of Thirst, Helmond, the Silver-Browed Demon King, and Ventroa, the Red Elegant Queen,” Prince Localope explained.

“Helmond? The same as him?” Eugene asked while looking at Master Helmond.

Prince Localope answered, “That’s right.”

Master Helmond’s cool demeanor disappeared, and he stared back with an astonished expression.

After seeing Master Helmond’s reaction, Eugene was convinced.

“That Helmond must be your parent,” Eugene said.

Prince Localope responded, “I thought so as well. In fact, I thought both of them were the same until I saw Master Helmond.”

After hearing the explanation, Master Helmond stiffened. He had expected one of the three figures to be his parent, but it was his first time hearing their description.

“I have never seen him, but I heard that the Silver-Browed Demon King has silver eyebrows. So, Master Helmond is different from him in terms of appearance,” Prince Localope said.

“I see. What about the other two?” Eugene asked.

“Caravan, the Monarch of Thirst. Similarly, the only ones who have seen him in person are only His Majesty and His Highness—my brother,” Prince Localope answered. He wasn’t sure what the future held in store for him, but Prince Localope was determined to deprive Voltaire of his position. As such, he corrected himself and referred to Voltaire as his brother.

Localope then continued, “Throughout history, no one could meet them except the emperor and the crown prince of the time. No, it should be said that only a few people even actually know of their existence. They have lived for too long that no one really knows the details even if they know of the three beings’ existence.”

“They never interfered in the empire’s affairs. I’m not sure if that would hold true even if the empire and the imperial family are in grave danger, but they rarely showed themselves at all. Therefore, there are many officials who know of their existence but take them lightly. Some even think that their existence is merely a legend since they haven’t shown themselves in such a long time,” Localope explained.

“But they are real because…” Prince Localope paused before calmly continuing, “I have seen one of the three, the Red Elegant Queen.”

“…!!!”

“She told me—she told me what the Monarch of Thirst had done to the past emperors and the crown princes, how the Silver-Browed Demon King divided and chose the descendants of the glorious golden blood.”

“Why did you not tell me about this?” Eugene asked.

“Truthfully, I thought it was ridiculous. I thought it was absurd how monsters who have existed since the beginning of the empire can still exert their influence over the great imperial family and that they could choose who would succeed to the throne and remove those who dare to oppose them,” Prince Localope said with a smirk. He then continued with a somber expression. “At the age of thirteen, I could not believe such a ridiculous story. But… After hearing the story from the Red Elegant Queen, my brother started keeping me in check. He tried to smother me, who was just the third prince, even though he was already the crown prince and had no reason to do such a thing.”

Prince Localope spoke with fury burning in his eyes, “Day and night I would be ambushed by assassins and poisoned. If it weren’t for the power of the glorious golden blood, I would have died long ago. And although the officials may not have noticed, it was something His Majesty would have definitely known. Even so, he took no action to address it. That was why I left the imperial castle. Of course, I thought His Majesty had abandoned me at the time, but now, I finally know the truth.”

“Then, you met me,” Eugene said.

“Yes…”

“Anyway, those three bas—have the Marecasio ever left the imperial castle?” Eugene asked.

“How could they not leave the imperial castle? But since their whereabouts are always unknown, it’s impossible to know where they are going,” Prince Localope answered.

“Hmm.”

“Do you think they might come to Your Majesty?” Prince Localope asked in a slightly nervous tone.

The four clan masters were taken back. They knew that Eugene was the one true Origin. But at the same time, they knew the power the Marecasio possessed. Although they had never witnessed the Marecasio’s power in person, they instinctively knew it from the mystery imprinted on their souls.

Moreover, there were three of them. Individually, they shouldn’t be able to handle the great monarch, but if they combined their strength…

“If I may, I dare say that they are still members of the Tribe of Darkness. In other words, they are not free from their bindings. So, the great monarch should not have to worry. We, your servants, will never—” Master Samit spoke with sincerity while bowing her head.

However, Eugene interrupted her with a smirk. “They were with the empire from the very beginning. Do you really think they wouldn’t have thought of receiving a promise from the emperor to escape their binding?”

“…!”

The eyes of the clan masters quivered with shock. Indeed, the Roman Empire was a nation that specified that all of its territories belonged to the emperor. Even though many territories and cities weren’t considered under the direct jurisdiction of the empire and were taken care of by nobles, those territories and cities were still land the emperor had lent the nobles and lords. In other words, the emperor could technically reclaim his territory at any time.

The emperor was the master of the vast empire. Shouldn’t it be natural for them to have received the right to enter and leave the land belonging to the empire at their will? After all, they were monsters who existed since the beginning of the empire, and they had been manipulating the throne to their will.

“They are not bound by restrictions as long as they are in the empire. Any city, town, or any buildings. They should be free to enter and leave. That’s why they are the Marecasio,” Eugene said.

“Those who are truly free to walk during the day…”

Clan masters, as well as high lords, weren’t afraid of the sun. As such, they could be called Marecasio. However, they still didn’t know the taste of true freedom. Only the true ‘daywalkers’ could enter and exit any place without permission from the owner.

“Then, us humble ones will prepare for the visit of the Marecasio,” Master Rivoles said while bowing his head, and the other clan masters followed suit while burning with determination.

However, Eugene shook his head.

“There will be no need. They won’t come crawling out of the castle,” Eugene said.

“…?!”

The clan masters were surprised, but Eugene continued as if it were obvious. “Do you really think they wouldn’t know something that you already know? Are they stupid enough to think that you lot didn’t submit to me?”

“Ah!” the clan masters exclaimed.

Indeed, he was right. Eugene’s whereabouts would have never been revealed to those three if the priests hadn’t visited the Firebird Legion and tattled to Baron August. However, that was no longer the case. Eugene had subdued an entire legion and even attracted nobles from the nearby areas. Although it was accompanied by some confusion, it was only a matter of time before the news reached the imperial castle. No, perhaps they already knew

“I didn’t release the mercenaries for nothing,” Eugene said.

“…!!!”

There had been a lot of talks when Eugene simply released the mercenaries. Of course, no one was crazy enough to challenge or question Eugene, but they couldn’t help but worry that the Marecasio or the imperial family would hire the mercenaries.

Even so, Eugene had released the mercenaries without hesitation. However, it turned out that it was for a purpose.

“I want them to know about me. That way, the rats will get scared and hole up in the imperial castle,” Eugene said.

“Hmm. But, Your Majesty, you are also not free from the bindings of the Dark Clan, are you?” Prince Localope asked. He had a point. After all, Eugene’s current destination was the capital—the imperial castle.

The master of the land was the emperor. Unless he had permission from the emperor, Eugene could not enter the capital. The Marecasio could well make use of that fact and keep Eugene from entering the imperial castle forever.

Eugene answered with a smirk, “That’s right. The owner of the capital and the imperial castle is the emperor. They might try and make use of that fact to hole themselves up.”

“Then, why…?”

“Kieh? Princey, don’t you know?” Mirian asked after poking her head out. She would usually keep herself hidden in her pocket out of fear of the clan masters. The eyes of the clan masters immediately darted to Mirian. It looked like they were rather displeased that the spirit had intervened in the conversation between prestigious people.

Mirian continued while recoiling like a turtle into its shell. “Kieh! Neither the capital nor the imperial castle solely belongs to mister emperor!”

“What are you talking about?”

“Even if you are a spirit who contracted to the great monarch, talking nonsense is—”

“It’s the same thing as our Spirit King! They said that the Spirit World’s authority was taken from the gods! Isn’t the emperor the same as the Spirit King?” Mirian said.

“Huh?!”

Although the spirit was good-natured but rather lacking, the clan masters were forced to admit that she had a point. It was just as she said. The subjects of the Roman Empire naturally assumed that the empire belonged to the emperor, but it wasn’t completely true.

The empire swore an oath before ascending the throne, and it was an oath that they would rule the emperor with the rights delegated to them by the gods. As such, the Pope of the Holy Empire always attended the enthronement ceremonies of new emperors because the pope would bless the emperor on behalf of the gods and place a golden laurel crown on the head of the new emperor.

“Uh… I know what you mean. However, that doesn’t mean we can get permission from the three gods—huh?!” Prince Localope stopped himself as his eyes filled with wonder.

However, the clan masters remained ignorant.

Eugene explained, “That’s right. I was given permission when I was blessed by the saintess, a high priest of the Holy Empire. I have permission to enter and leave any place that accepts the three gods and has faith, and the Marcasio shouldn’t know this.”

“…!!!”

Prince Localope and the clan masters were stupefied. Eugene revealed his fangs and continued, “In the end, those bastards still aren’t safe in their little holes. They had basically trapped themselves in.”