The guards in the hall withdrew, leaving just Count Stanwin, Merlin, and Count Altadin's daughter, Baratha. The atmosphere was solemn.
"Count Stanwin, these people had come after the Leicester clan's greatest secret – the Bead of Infamy! The noble progenitor of our Leicester clan was a full-shifting Host with powerful capabilities. Back then, he had accompanied the royal family in establishing the Holy Dragon Empire. Moreover, he was dubbed with the highest title of duke. It's a shame that in so many years, no one else in the clan had an exceptional almighty beast bloodline. As for some ancestors who'd chosen parasitism, they had failed and died. Therefore, our title dwindled bit by bit, becoming the current countship.
