NAPE - 83

“As you know, there’s an unwritten rule that pure-blood vampires should never reveal their identity to humans or interfere in their affairs. Breaking that... it’s as good as disrupting order. Pressure is mounting to deal with this, regardless of the facts. They plan to use this opportunity to curb the Tudor family’s influence.”

“Who is the accuser, based on the report?”

“We don’t know precisely yet. We’re investigating.”

Isabel’s eyes shone coldly. While there was a principle that pure-blood vampires shouldn’t interfere in human affairs, the criteria were ambiguous. It was often unavoidable to have connections in politics when dealing with business or territories.

Although Doyoon had contacted military officials, it was true that he hadn’t caused any major problems yet. Relentlessly digging into it and dragging it this far was a rather petty and cowardly tactic. Perhaps this incident could even lead to bloodshed.

“There’s an alternative. The Executor has the right to forcibly convene the Elder Council, doesn’t he? We could hold a trial based on this matter and privately discuss whether punishment is warranted, or something more.”

Doyoon, deep in thought, shook his head.

“Bibi doesn’t know anything yet. The order is messed up, but there are other alternatives. I don’t like it, but I have no choice. Even if there’s risk, we’ll use the prepared half-blood vampires...”

“I’ll do it! I’ll do it!”

Mid-sentence, a loud shout came from somewhere. Doyoon looked up to see Bibi, wrapped head to toe in a blanket, hopping down the stairs like a zombie. She moved so frantically that she missed a step and tumbled down.

Fortunately, Doyoon moved swiftly and caught Bibi just as she was about to hit the floor.

“You almost got hurt. Why didn’t you sleep more?”

Doyoon hugged Bibi, his eyes dripping with affection. Isabel watched them with a curious gaze.

“I want to reveal myself. I know exactly what I inherited, and I want to use that influence. It’ll be a good opportunity. For me and for Doyoon!”

Despite being wrapped in a blanket like a cocoon, Bibi’s eyes were quite resolute. Doyoon chewed his lip, looking troubled.

“...We promised to do everything together, didn’t we?”

“But.”

“Instead, I won’t be angry. About you ditching me to meet the trainer, I mean. I was really mad at you then, Doyoon.”

Bibi looked up at Doyoon earnestly. Just as Doyoon had risked danger for her, she too wanted to act for Doyoon. It didn’t matter if it meant pushing herself into a complex and sharp conflict. She no longer wanted to live like a weak fawn. She wanted to be someone who could exert influence in Doyoon’s important moments.

Reading the desperation in Bibi’s eyes, Doyoon couldn’t easily refuse. When he first tried to bring Bibi to his side, it was to secure more allies who would vote for him in the Elder Council. It was only that far. But... to place an even greater responsibility on her. His heart felt somewhat heavy.

“I ask again, do you admit it?”

The chairman of the Elder Council pressed him with a solemn voice. Doyoon, having finished his thoughts, nodded.

“I admit it. However, I wish to clarify that it was not due to my private greed.”

“If not greed, do you mean there was another purpose?”

“Yes. It was unavoidable to prevent the extinction of our species.”

Doyoon’s words caused a huge ripple among the vampires. Though their expressions were hidden by masks, their astonished murmuring grew louder. The chairman pounded his gavel, calling for silence. He glared at Doyoon through his mask.

“What nonsense is this? Vampires facing extinction!”

The chairman was utterly unconvinced. Vampires stood at the apex of their species. They reigned like gods, the supreme predators on Earth. Yet, the word “extinction” was uttered. He couldn’t comprehend what the Tudor heir was thinking.

“As you all know, the pure-blood vampire population is visibly dwindling. The rate at which we are annihilated in various incidents is faster than the rate at which children are born.”

“We preserve our species by increasing the number of ordinary vampires through poison, not reproduction. Don’t forget that.”

Someone sharply pointed out.

“I admit the expression might be a bit of an exaggeration. But vampire society is small. I am speaking of the possibility of self-destruction. River, bring it.”

No sooner had Doyoon spoken than River came forward, pushing a trolley. Under curious gazes, River lifted the stainless steel plate cover.

“This is...”

Gasps of “Hah!” and louder murmuring filled the air. What lay on the plate was Jack’s head.

“This is Jack, a pure-blood vampire of the Roel family. He met his demise due to a drug developed by someone.”

It was indeed good that he hadn’t discarded Jack’s head and had carefully preserved it. It was an excellent item to shock these complacent vampires.

“This, this can’t be.... That drug must be destroyed immediately! Who on earth developed such an absurd thing?”

“The drug developer has been annihilated. We are currently searching for that research facility, but first... there is something else we must pay attention to. Ordinary or half-blood vampires.”

Now, the atmosphere of the Elder Council had completely shifted to Doyoon. They were so shocked by a vampire’s death that they had forgotten the main purpose of the meeting.

“Unmanaged ordinary vampires, especially half-blood vampires, live arduous lives, treated as beasts, abused, and used as experimental subjects. Moreover, many are raised as expendable ‘hunting dogs,’ exploited by their masters, and then killed.”

“Oh dear.... How pitiful.”

Someone muttered in a voice full of sentimentality.

“In human society, they belong to the lowest class. Most pure-blood vampires are unaware of this suffering or choose to ignore it. If, by any chance, someone harbors hatred, where will that arrow be aimed? Furthermore, there’s no guarantee that such a drug won’t reappear, and no one knows into whose hands it might fall.”

Everyone inhaled sharply at Doyoon’s words.

“Currently, in countries like Thailand or Vietnam, where hunter forces are weak, criminal organizations are forming, centered around half-blood vampires. Vampire assimilation into human society is an unavoidable step. I admit I was hasty. But please consider this an act for the public good, aimed at future countermeasures.”

Moreover, Doyoon, working as a hunter in Korea, had learned that some vampires who harmed humans were products of improper upbringing and environment.

While he didn’t feel heartbroken sympathy, he had learned a lot. Suddenly, Doyoon wanted to see them live at least like humans. He desired a beneficial coexistence.

Doyoon believed that the beginning of vampire assimilation was to reveal their existence to humans. That was why he contacted the military. When he first encountered Bibi, he also envisioned creating issues centered around hunting dogs. The more options, the better.

“How about we take a vote? On whether his actions ultimately disrupted order or not. And on whether a reconsideration is needed regarding whether vampires should interfere in human affairs.”

As heavy silence fell, Richard, seated at the head of the Elder Council table, gently proposed. The female vampires sitting beside him stole admiring glances at him.

For the vote, everyone received a paper. The masked vampires meticulously checked their papers with inscrutable expressions. After some time passed, River, who had been waiting at the back, carefully collected the ballots and brought them to the chairman. He adjusted his mask and carefully began to unfold the thirty votes.

“For, For, Against, For...”

Opinions on the agenda were quickly gathered.

“Currently, the opinions supporting Henry Bilskadi Tudor’s claims are 13 votes, and those advocating for punishment are 10 votes.”

Now, 7 votes remained. At least 3 more votes had to support Doyoon. Everyone swallowed and watched the chairman’s slow hands. The chairman, unfolding a folded paper, suddenly froze. He rubbed his eyes, let out a brief gasp, and then stood up from his seat.

“There is a ballot with the Executor’s seal. As you know, this carries the power of 7 votes.”

At his words, the elders gasped in surprise and murmured. Everyone looked around at their neighbors to see if the Executor was among them. But all attendees wore masks, and there was no one bleeding, making identification difficult.

“That’s impossible. Wasn’t he annihilated 200 years ago?”