Seeing Selene finally calm down, William smiled and said, "That's better."
He released her, turned, and walked over to the liquor cabinet. As he poured himself a drink, he casually said, "I'm not sure if you've heard this, but what Victor fears the most is the death of Marcus Corvinus, your bloodline's progenitor."
Selene thought for a moment before replying, "I've heard that before. It's said that if Marcus, as the progenitor, dies, all of us, his descendants, would also die."
"Exactly," William said with a sly smile, taking a sip of whiskey. "That was probably a precaution Marcus devised over a thousand years ago when he was weak and isolated.
"In reality, though, even if Marcus were to die, it wouldn't affect any of you. But Victor wouldn't dare take that risk. He's always gone to great lengths to prevent Marcus from coming into contact with his completely irrational brother, William Corvinus, the first werewolf."
William pointed at the projection of the copper object. "This is part of a key—a key that can unlock the prison where William Corvinus is confined. And that prison was built by your father, personally."
Selene's face darkened as William continued, showing no pity. "Once the prison was completed, not only was your family attacked, but everyone involved in its construction was killed.
"Here's the kicker—the other half of this key has always been inside the chest of your vampire father, Victor.
"Want to know who owned this half of the key before Lucian got it?"
"Who?" Selene asked through gritted teeth.
"Sonia. Victor's biological daughter and Lucian's wife. She was executed on Victor's orders for carrying a hybrid child—a mix of werewolf and vampire blood.
"When Victor snuck into your house, drinking your family's blood without a care in the world, he accidentally discovered that you, as a child, bore a striking resemblance to Sonia. Naturally, he made you her replacement—Victor's new pet."
Having said his piece, William sat back on the couch and watched Selene, who was now frozen in thought.
After a long silence, Selene's tears began to fall—a sight that piqued William's curiosity. According to legend, vampires were not supposed to cry. If they did, it would be tears of blood.
Intrigued, William set down his glass and walked over to Selene. Placing his hand on her face, he wiped away her tears with his thumb.
What he thought was a curious gesture was misinterpreted by Selene. She saw it as an act of concern. In her moment of confusion and helplessness, she wrapped her arms around him tightly, seeking solace and a sense of safety from someone she saw as immensely powerful.
After a while, she spoke in a trembling voice, "Where is the prison?"
"I don't know," William replied.
He had been using his mental senses the entire time and detected no hostility from Selene. With a quick decision, he placed one arm around her shoulders and gently pressed his other hand on the back of her head, ensuring she couldn't suddenly lunge and bite him.
"That prison's location is something only you and Victor know," he added.
Selene lifted her head, looking at William. "I only have some vague fragments of memory. When I was little, I remember visiting the prison with my father, but I don't recall where it is."
"No, those memories are still in your blood," William said, softly pushing her head back against his chest. "That's why, if Marcus finds out about this, he'll hunt you down."
"Why?" Selene asked, her curiosity rising. "Why would Marcus, knowing that the first werewolf is irrational and turns those he bites into equally irrational beasts, still want to find him?"
"He probably wants to become a god. The Corvinus family has the potential to combine the powers of both vampires and werewolves. If Marcus gets his brother's blood, he might actually ascend to godhood."
Realizing this, William silently resolved to kill Marcus no matter what. After a moment of thought, he added, "In your bloodline, it seems the only person without any enmity toward you is Amelia. If you want revenge, perhaps you could work with her."
Selene immediately rejected the idea. "That's impossible. Amelia isn't just one of the three elders; she's also Victor's wife. There's no way she'd consider betraying him."
William was about to respond when he suddenly froze. Wait a second, he thought. Why did I suggest working with Amelia?
As he pondered, a memory surfaced in his mind, and he couldn't help but grin with delight. If this memory was correct, Amelia had already betrayed Victor.
Not only had she betrayed him, but she'd secretly had a son with a member of the Vampire Council.
As the memory solidified, a handsome face appeared in William's mind. What was that young vampire's name again?
David?
It clicked. The council member was none other than Thomas, the old vampire currently sitting in William's living room.
In that moment, William's thoughts began to expand. He realized that it might not even be necessary to kill Amelia, the leader of the Eastern vampire clan.
Instead, dividing and weakening the vampire factions could simplify matters significantly.
Although killing Amelia would be just as easy, William knew it was impossible to wipe out all the vampires worldwide in a short amount of time.
From the recent werewolf purges, William had learned an important lesson. While Barney's team could efficiently eliminate discovered werewolves, desperate werewolves would attack ordinary people in a frenzy, creating chaos.
William didn't care about such collateral damage, but others did.
Not only had Barney's team raised concerns with him, but even Philip had expressed rare anger over the issue.
Fortunately, Barney's team had quietly eliminated anyone bitten by the werewolves. However, if widespread social panic erupted, William would risk alienating his subordinates, allies, and human society itself.
For now, the best approach was to drive the werewolves and vampires out of England and focus on gradually digesting Victor's assets.
Eastern Europe held little interest for William; England, France, and the USA were more than enough to keep him busy.
As long as he didn't encroach on Amelia's territory or resources, she might even willingly help him eliminate Victor, fearing her betrayal would be exposed. With Victor gone and Marcus permanently banished, Amelia could rise as the most noble bloodline of the vampires, safely reigning as queen in the East.
If things went according to plan, Amelia might even cooperate in wiping out Victor's remaining forces. As for what would happen afterward, that was a problem for another time—certainly preferable to waging war against all vampires at once.
William also considered secretly killing Marcus but pretending to have hidden him away. That way, Amelia and the rest of the vampires would remain cautious, fearing the supposed curse that Marcus had fabricated: that his death would doom all vampires.
Yes, that was the plan. Marcus' death would have no actual impact on the vampires, but it would keep them in check.
Satisfied with his strategy, William leaned in and kissed Selene gently on the forehead. In a low voice, he asked, "Tell me, do you want revenge?"
The unexpected intimacy made Selene, who had never been close to a man before, feel her blood boil. Flustered, she pushed him away and retreated to sit on the couch, her face a mix of confusion and embarrassment.
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Fairy Tail: Igneel's Eldest Son (Chapter 256)
I Am Thalos, Odin's Older Brother (Chapter 336)
Reborn in America's Anti-Terror Unit (Chapter 542)
Solomon in Marvel (Chapter 924)
Becoming the Wealthiest Tycoon on the Planet (Chapter 1284)
Surgical Fruit in the American Comics Universe (Chapter 1289)
American Detective: From TV Rookie to Seasoned Cop (Chapter 1316)
American TV Writer (Chapter 1402)
I Am Hades, The Supreme GOD of the Underworld! (Chapter 570)
Reborn as Humanity's Emperor Across the Multiverse (Chapter 660)
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