Felix finally spoke, his voice quiet but firm.
"Then we don't force them."
Everyone turned to him.
"We start where acceptance is possible," he continued. "Elenador first. Then the Demon Empire. We build proof, stability, trust."
Lucien narrowed his eyes. "A cascading legitimacy model…"
"When the strongest powers stop fighting," Felix said, "the others will listen. Not because they like vampires. Not because they trust humans."
He looked up at the Vampire Lord.
"But because the world will change, and staying out will become riskier than joining."
Arven studied his son for a long moment.
"…You're thinking like a ruler," he said.
Felix shook his head. "No. I'm thinking like someone tired of people dying for reasons older than they are."
The Vampire Lord smiled faintly.
"You understand politics better than most kings," he said. "Peace is not declared; it is built."
Lilith stepped closer to Felix. "So… this won't end quickly."
Felix looked at her.
"No," he said honestly. "But it will end."
Queen Cassandra straightened. "Then Elenador will host the first accord."
Lucien nodded. "I will prepare the Mage Tower as neutral ground."
The Vampire Lord turned toward the horizon. "And I will summon the Demon Emperor."
Felix clenched his fist once.
"One step at a time," he said. "That's enough."
The Vampire Lord's crimson eyes narrowed, glinting with both amusement and warning. "You want him to come? Do you understand what that means, Lilith? He is still human."
Lilith stepped forward, resolute. "I don't care. He saved me. He's the only one I trust. I want him with us."
Felix glanced between her and the Vampire Lord, feeling the weight of the unspoken tension.
The Lord's lips curved into a faint, dangerous smile. "Very well, but know this, girl—bringing him into our world will change everything. One misstep, and even your precious human will turn to ash."
Felix met the Lord's gaze steadily. "I can handle it."
Lilith exhaled softly, relief washing over her face. "Then… we go together."
The Vampire Lord's gaze lingered on Felix for a long moment before finally inclining his head. "So be it. Prepare yourself, human."
Felix's grip on his sword tightened. Beside him, Lilith's hand found his.
Together, they stepped forward, following the Lord of the Vampire Empire.
Arven stared at Felix, disbelief showing on his face.
"Felix… if I let you go to the Vampire Empire, your mother will kill me. Do you understand that?"
Felix smiled faintly, calm as ever.
"It's fine. I'll come back once the treaty is done. I promise."
He raised a hand casually. "Okay, Father. See you soon."
Arven opened his mouth to argue, then closed it again. His shoulders sagged. "…You've always been like this."
Before he could say more, Lucien stepped forward.
"Don't get the wrong idea, kid," Lucien said, folding his arms. "You're not going alone. I'm coming too."
Felix blinked. "…You are?"
Lucien smirked. "Did you really think I'd let my student wander into the Vampire Empire by himself?"
Felix narrowed his eyes. "Teacher, are you trying to escape lessons by calling this an escort mission?"
Lucien scoffed. "As if you'd ever let me slack off."
Felix tilted his head. "Then what about the Mage Tower?"
Lucien waved it off. "Don't worry. Your mother can easily act as Mage Tower Master while I'm gone."
Felix froze.
"…My mom?"
Lucien looked at him, genuinely surprised. "You didn't know?"
Felix hesitated. "She's strong, sure, but acting Tower Master?"
Lucien laughed quietly. "Felix, your grandfather—your mother's father—is the Archduke of the Royal Empire. One of the strongest mages alive."
Felix's eyes widened slightly.
"And your mother?" Lucien continued. "She inherited even more talent than he expected. She stepped away from the tower for family, not because she lacked power."
Felix went silent, processing that.
"…So I really come from a scary family," he muttered.
Lucien smiled. "Now you're starting to understand."
Ahead, the Vampire Lord waited, Lilith standing beside him, watching Felix closely.
Felix frowned. "You can fly, but how are we supposed to follow you?"
The Vampire Lord's gaze was calm, almost amused. "That is a problem, I see."
Lucien stepped forward, a thoughtful glint in his eyes. "There is a way."
They all turned to look at him.
"We can fly," he said, "using wind magic."
Felix blinked, shocked. "Wait—what? Really? How?"
Lucien pointed toward the sky. "Look at me, Felix. Learn flight magic."
Felix's eyes widened. "You're… my flying teacher?"
Lucien chuckled softly. "It's not easy magic. I'll carry you at first until you get the hang of it."
Felix hesitated, then nodded. "Okay… let's go."
They followed the Vampire Lord through the clouds until they arrived at the heart of the Vampire Empire, a realm of ancient power, home to one of the oldest and strongest races in existence.
Lucien glanced around. "Your Highness, is there a swordsman here? Felix will need one for training."
The Vampire Lord nodded. "Of course. Our Knight Regime is unmatched. He may train under any of them while he is here."
Felix tilted his head. "Wait… why did you say that?"
Lucien smiled faintly. "Your father asked me to make sure you don't skip your training before we left."
Felix groaned, half amused, half exasperated. "So he doesn't want me to slack off. Fine… I get it."
The messenger gulped as the shadowed figure approached, his eyes wide with fear. The figure slammed a massive hand onto the chair, the wood creaking under the weight behind it.
As the figure stepped closer, the sunlight dimmed beneath their looming presence. Their voice cut through the room, deep and commanding.
"How did she survive?"
The messenger's knees weakened. Cold sweat ran down his forehead as he stammered, "I—I don't know, my lord…"
"She just... appeared," he added, voice trembling.
The shadowed figure's eyes narrowed, burning with anger. "You're telling me she just appeared? Out of thin air?"
Before the messenger could react, the figure's hand shot out, gripping his neck and lifting him effortlessly from the floor. Air fled his lungs as he choked, gasping for breath.
"You expect me to believe she popped up like some trick?" The voice was cold, sharp, and unforgiving.
"Please… I—I didn't know! I swear!" the messenger pleaded, his face turning blue as panic consumed him.
The figure's grip tightened, dark veins pulsing along his arms. His eyes gleamed with cruel hunger. Slowly, dark energy coiled around the messenger, draining the life from him.
A faint red mist drifted from the man's pores and mouth, curling into the shadows like smoke into flame. When the process ended, his body went limp, pale as parchment, collapsing to the stone floor with a hollow thud.
The figure stepped back, shadows flickering from his fingers. "She should have died that night," he whispered into the heavy silence. "So why does her heart still beat?"
Thunder rolled outside, and a flash of lightning cut through the darkness. For a brief moment, the figure's features were revealed: sharp and angular, framed by wild, wind-tossed black hair. His eyes glimmered a piercing, icy blue, cutting like shards of moonlight.
As the light faded, the figure's true presence became clear—this was no ordinary man. He was a prince.
A scream of rage tore from his throat, shattering the glass windows. His hands clenched into fists, the storm outside echoing the fury burning within him.