“Everyone please leave first, I need to talk about some private matters with Countess Sharon.”
Murphy steadied his mind, freeing his thoughts from that “terrifying” BUG mindset. He then waved his hand, issuing the order with a haggard face.
Everyone except Tris left the room obediently.
Tris didn’t move, and Murphy didn’t ask her to. She was always an “exception” in Murphy’s heart, and both the Blood Vulture Grand Duchess and Count of Kadman were well aware of this.
As Miss Femis closed the door, the spirit room, still lingering with a hint of decay, became quiet.
Murphy sat weakly in the chair, Tris brought him a new cup of blood, while little Countess Sharon observed this process from the side.
Especially when she saw Murphy gulping down the fresh blood, her throat couldn’t help but move up and down.
“Not giving you any is to let you adapt to your current situation first.”
Tris glanced at her, as if she had caught a whiff of little Sharon’s desire, and reminded her:
“The most difficult hurdle for newborn vampires to overcome is to restrain their endless craving for blood. If you can’t control this urge, you’ll quickly slide into the image of a ‘monster’ in others’ mouths, and vampires’ thirst for blood has no end.If you indulge yourself, you’ll soon be manipulated by that dark addiction, turning yourself into a walking corpse that only lives and moves for the sake of sucking blood.
Such individuals are never few among the blood clans, and some who cause too much trouble may even have assassins sent by their families to deal with these family ‘disgraces’.
Combating this addiction is the first and eternal challenge for vampires in their eternal life. That obscure midnight craving will accompany you for life.
Only when Eternal Silence comes can you be freed.
Do you understand my meaning?”
“Mm-hmm.”
Little Sharon nodded vigorously.
She wasn’t a young lady living in her own world; two years of hardship had made her far more mature than her peers and she had already learned to use her wisdom reasonably.
The fact that the Last Winged Cavalry could fight against the Pioneer Army in the mountains for two years was not only due to Knight Valand and his valiant subordinates, but also the indispensable support of Sharon’s wisdom.
Such a life would certainly have to be carefully studied before deciding to accept the midnight blessing. She must be well-versed in the pros and cons of the blood clan.
“Your arms and legs will heal in a few days, but the new limbs are fragile, so you may need some time to readjust.”
Murphy put down the cup, wiping the blood stains from the corners of his mouth with a handkerchief. He said to the “descendant” before him, with whom he had formed a contract and then given freedom: ṞâƝОΒËs̈
“Your wings may take shape in a few hours. Through the transmission of our blood, I have given you three new powers.
You will have larger and stronger wings than ordinary vampires, and you will also have the ability to summon Astral Wolves and flocks of death crows to serve you.
You must learn carefully and use these midnight blessings wisely.
I am a very easy-going person.
But that doesn’t mean I will allow my descendant to go astray.
Although our blood pact has been severed, I can still sense your existence. If one day I learn from the blood’s warning that you have indulged yourself and fallen into monstrosity, then…”
“Your reprimand won’t be necessary, I will end my cursed life with my own hands.”
Little Sharon sat on the stone platform, feeling her newly growing arms and legs. She blinked, and with the light in those big eyes flecked with blood, she responded seriously:
“I sought refuge in midnight for the sake of survival, which has already violated the tradition of the Seicomere family. I will not allow myself to slip into deeper night.
Although this may be more of a political transaction, I still want to express my utmost gratitude to you. It is you who have given me, a poor soul lingering on the edge of death, a true rebirth.
I once thought
I would never be able to stand on my own again in this short life of mine.”
Her words were full of sighs and lamentations that didn’t belong to a child her age. She reached out to touch the two mechanical prostheses she had made herself, which were placed beside her. A smile appeared on her small face, which had finally regained health but was somewhat unnaturally pale. She intended to keep these two items as mementos.
But at this moment, Murphy suddenly coughed.
He said:
“Can I keep your prostheses as a memento?”
“Huh?”
Little Countess Sharon widened her eyes and explained:
“I made these myself. Because it was hard to find suitable materials in the forest, they’re very crude. If you like such engineering items, when I find better materials, I can…”
“No, no, no, this rugged yet precise feel is just right.”
Murphy smiled and said:
“My warriors will be overjoyed by their appearance. Um, actually, I don’t think I should be the one to show them the wonders of steam engineering.
It should be you!
So, little Countess Sharon, considering that our political transaction is complete, and you will be residing in the Crimson Citadel hereafter, may I invite you to take up the position of ‘Engineering Trainer’ at the Crimson Citadel?”
Sharon’s big eyes were full of big confusion.
But Tris beside her covered her eyes helplessly. She knew it! Little Murphy’s thinking had completely turned into a shape where everything revolved around the “game experience” of his otherworld warriors.
Probably in his eyes, Sharon’s value as a political ally was far less important than the little girl’s superior engineering skills.
No, these two couldn’t even be mentioned in the same breath.
Tris could basically guess how “fulfilling” little Sharon’s days would be in the Crimson Citadel. Those “gunners” among the otherworld warriors were going crazy because they couldn’t find qualified mechanics in this godforsaken place called Transia, but little Sharon’s arrival almost perfectly filled this gap.
In Murphy’s words, the little players would probably be “ecstatic” about this.
“Engineering Trainer?”
Sharon blinked and said:
“So, it’s like an educator role? You want me to teach your fierce warriors the mysteries of engineering?”
“Yes! I’ll prepare a house specially for you that suits your taste… No, no, no, you can design its exterior and interior structure yourself, then have my warriors build it for you.
This way, it can form a unique quest chain.”
Murphy was already starting to brainstorm.
Although he was physically weak, his mind was unusually active. He picked up the cup filled with blood from his chair and introduced to the little Sharon who was being “dragged in”:
“I’ve always claimed to the outside world that my warriors are mountain folk from the Saxony region, but this lie can’t possibly be maintained in front of you real mountain folk. Considering that you have already joined the Blood Vulture Clan and become an important high-level figure in the Transia governorate, I must explain this major secret to you.
My warriors… they come from another plane!
You know I’m an Astral Realm Summoner, and my superior Lady Tris is a spirit genius rarely seen in a century among the blood clan. Through our collaboration, we’ve developed this spell that summons spirits from other planes to the material world to fight for us.
This is a secret closely related to the rise of Transia. I hope you can keep it confidential and, as a mountain folk leader, give my warriors truly credible ‘origins’.
“So that’s how it is?”
Sharon’s big eyes were dancing with the exciting light of hearing a secret. She said:
“Actually, Knight Valand had noticed the movements of those valiant warriors under your command before, especially when they bravely fought to clear the gnolls near the Countess of Seicob’s domain, which was all reported to me by our scout knights.
They claim to be mountain folk, but they don’t resemble us in any way.
I thought these mountain folk came from the Ancient Calum Kingdom in the east, who could have imagined that they actually come from a different plane? Does this mean they won’t truly die in our material world?”
“Mm, indeed, it’s precisely this characteristic that fills them with courage and contempt for death. However, considering that they have complete and complex writing patterns and cultural traditions in their own plane, you may need to use a Computation Bead to communicate with them.”
Murphy tossed a Computation Bead with granted permissions to little Sharon. As a mechanic, she was no stranger to this thing. She took it in her hand, looked it up and down, and said with a pout:
“Is this the work of Master Ryuk Flywheel? I can tell at a glance, that madman always likes to add unnecessary decorations to his works.”
“Oh? You know him too?”
Murphy asked, and little Sharon shook her head and said:
“The halfling mechanic who taught me engineering before was once a classmate of Ryuk Flywheel. She always emphasized to me to stay away from that madman.
Unfortunately, my mentor also perished in the disaster of Seicob City, along with my parents… Sigh, it was because she put me in her safe at the last moment that I managed to survive the plague until Valand and Sunny rescued me.”
“Well, my warriors will definitely return to the ruins of Seicob City later.”
Murphy said:
“If you’re willing, you can accompany them then, and even lead this operation. But now, let’s talk about your responsibilities hereafter.
After you become an engineering trainer, you not only need to teach my warriors the mysteries of engineering, but also help them repair firearms and come up with more powerful engineering weapons as their next weapons and goods to acquire.
The Countess of Seicob’s domain needs to be rebuilt from scratch, and you need money if you want to revitalize your domain.
I can support you with some here, but more money you’ll have to earn yourself. Please believe me, if you can show my warriors your value, they will be very willing to wave large amounts of gold coins to please you.”
“Wow, that sounds so evil.”
Little Sharon grinned, tossing the Computation Bead in her hand in the air. She said eagerly:
“I can’t wait to take up the position. Oh, by the way, you mentioned earlier that you got back the production lines of the former Seicob City from the Carpe family for us. Have you chosen the specific engineering location?”
“That’s exactly what I wanted to discuss with you.”
Murphy exchanged a glance with Tris and said:
“I plan to build the factory in the bay area where Anderma Hills and Count of Kadman’s domain converge. The terrain there is flat and there’s enough water power to provide energy for the factory. Most importantly, it’s sparsely populated, allowing us to experiment with some dangerous things.
Of course, if you hope to restore Seicob City to its former prosperity, I can move part of the production line…”
“No, there’s no need.”
Little Sharon sighed and said:
“The ruins of Seicob City and the surrounding land have been ravaged by the spirit plague. We had Grandma Wam, the priestess from the Ice Bay region, take a look. She told us that the area won’t be able to sustain any life for at least 20 years.
That city, which once served as the capital and pearl of the Portia Federation, has been completely erased from history. No matter how much we yearn for past glory, we have to accept this reality.
The Countess of Seicob’s domain will need to re-plan its survival mode in the future. This is something Knight Valand and I need to consider.”
“Why not serve as the rear?”
Murphy said softly:
“The Countess of Seicob’s domain has large areas of quality grassland. Both the Witch Hunters’ demon-hunting steeds and your shadow-tracking horses can graze there. Moreover, entering the Ice Bay through your forests is more convenient than detouring through Bataxin. Our future business exchanges with the Ice Bay region will inevitably fall on your shoulders.
Plus, with the threat of the Black Disaster, making the northernmost Seicob domain the hinterland of the entire Transia is a very good strategic choice. I promise you, little Sharon.
After the reconstruction of the Crimson Citadel is completed, after we survive the Black Disaster, I will definitely rebuild Seicob City for you. This is my promise as the Governor of Transia.”
“Mm, personally, I’m willing to accept it, but please understand that the mountain folk elders are very stubborn and conservative. It’s not an easy task to persuade them.”
Little Countess Sharon didn’t immediately agree, but from her expression and attitude, it was clear that she wasn’t averse to Murphy’s proposal.
After the ravages of the Ten-Year War, the Seicob domain indeed needed a long time to recover and develop again. Murphy was silent for a moment, then said:
“There’s one last thing, about the affiliation of the Winged Cavalry.”
He said to little Sharon:
“I won’t discuss this with you, I’ll just tell you my decision. You can still retain nominal command of the Seicob Winged Cavalry, but Knight Valand and the cavalry under him will be an important part of Transia’s overall defense and will be brought under the control of my Military Commander, Baron Maxim.
Also, you need to start recruitment work immediately, selecting new recruits from the people and my warriors and training them.
The gnolls are just a trivial problem. We can’t manage without strength support for the various challenges we’re going to face next.”
“We’ve been prepared for this.”
Little Sharon nodded and said:
“Knight Valand’s only request is that the rebuilding of the Winged Cavalry should be done by him, and that you, Governor, should not interfere with the ancient heritage of the Winged Cavalry for any reason.
Please understand that for a Winged Cavalryman to be well-cultivated, they must go through certain secret methods passed down by the mountain folk. This powerful cavalry is the crystallization of the forest heritage.
It’s not as simple as it appears on the surface.”
“I can understand and don’t intend to intervene.”
Murphy nodded, then patted Tris’s slender waist. The Blood Vulture Grand Duchess gripped her Nocturne Scepter and walked over to stand in front of little Sharon, looking at her.
After a few seconds, she placed her scepter on Sharon’s shoulder and asked:
“Then, Sandra Sharon Seicomere Lessenbra, are you willing to become one of us under the watch of midnight? Are you willing to lead your people and your armed forces to integrate into the new order of Transia? Are you willing to dedicate yourself to this land and swear to defend it?”
“I am willing!”
Little Countess Sharon answered very seriously, but then she added in a low voice:
“But our grudge with the Pioneer Army will eventually come to a head one day.”
“Your enemies are our enemies.”
Murphy promised:
“Kadman City also has a score to settle with that dwarf Marshal and his soldiers.”
“Then I have no problem.”
Sharon said solemnly:
“In the name of the ancient Black Disaster alliance, I am willing to become a member of this new system, and obey the orders of the Governor and the Blood Vulture Grand Duchess, dedicating the strength and loyalty of the mountain folk to resist that enemy of civilization!”
“Very good.”
Tris nodded, then placed the Nocturne Scepter on Sharon’s other shoulder. She said:
“Then, by the ancient claim of the Blood Vulture Clan over Transia, in the name of the Grand Duchess of the Blood Vulture Clan, I acknowledge your authority as the ‘Countess of Seicob’ and grant you the power to establish the ‘Seicob faction’ within the family.
You can choose your faction’s characteristics yourself, this is very important!”
“That sounds too ugly, Grand Duchess.”
Little Sharon pouted and looked up, shaking her head:
“If I’m going to establish my own faction, I’d definitely call it something like ‘Crimson Claw’ or ‘Midnight Blade’.”
“Smack”
Tris’s finger tapped hard on little Sharon’s forehead, and she scolded:
“Be serious, this is important business. You can call your faction whatever you want, but I suggest you don’t be so flamboyant, or you’ll be laughed at by people from other families when they hear it. And the most important part of this is the ‘sense of ceremony’…
Ah, how did this word come out of my mouth too? It feels like giving quests to those little ones?
Sigh, I’ve been infected by a certain jerk too.”
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