Elara looked him straight in the eyes and eventually opened her luscious lips, her eyes shimmering with a mix of concern and curiosity. She spoke, her voice a soft melody that hung in the air, "But, what about the church? Aren't you afraid or at least a bit apprehensive about what they would think once they learn of our relationship? I never lived in your world, but even I know that something like this rarely happens. Even high-ranking nobles like you rarely recruit someone of my race to work for you. As for the lesser-ranked nobles, they don't even have the guts to think about it. The Church of Illumination is the strongest entity in the world, even stronger than your 'royal-class' noble family...",
Elara's face turned a little bit nervous after mentioning the church. She decided to finally be frank with Elysar despite him maybe turning to abandon her after remembering that there existed such a powerful organization hating people like her. She was also shocked by Lady Ravenna's behavior, so she blurted everything. Previously she avoided these topics as she didn't want to lose hold of various resources Elysar provided her, during her last few days, exponentially increasing her chances of revenge on them in the future, but she couldn't do so anymore. She needed to gather some more information on the way these nobles thought.
A subtle change, she was unaware of, now flickered across Elara's symmetrical and well-proportioned, pretty face, a fleeting apprehension taking hold. She was well aware of the church's power, and her kind bore the weight of their oppressive rule. Their existence was overshadowed by a perpetual fear, as news from the underworld whispered tales of even the mightiest vampires, akin to human Knight Lords, falling victim to the church's cruel grasp.
The horrors and unspeakable tortures endured by vampires captured were whispered of in hushed tones, especially from the dangerous and cruel Inquisition Order, from within the church, leaving an indelible mark on her and every other vampire's consciousness.
They almost naturally always assumed vampires as some kind of evil beings who needed to be eradicated, no matter what kind of person an individual vampire they hunted down was, no, they mostly didn't even think of them as people, but as creatures. Even someone as unrestrained as her couldn't help but turn a bit apprehensive while thinking about them.
Vampires were creatures that required human flesh to survive. They are unable to subsist on other forms of sustenance, although they are able to consume them, and therefore had to feed on humans to maintain their existence. This made them dangerous and unpredictable threats to society, and the church viewed them as serious menaces to human life.
As a result, the church established strict laws and harsh penalties against vampires. Anyone caught sheltering a vampire, or even suspected of doing so, was subjected to severe punishment, up to and including excommunication from the church and possible imprisonment or execution.
The church saw their actions as necessary to protect the innocent and maintain order in society, as they believed that vampires were inherently evil and dangerous creatures. The church taught that it was their duty to hunt down and eradicate these monsters, as they posed a significant threat to human life and the safety of the community.
Vampires themselves were often forced to live in hiding, in secret underground communities, to avoid being discovered by the church or other vampire hunters. They were seen as outcasts and shunned by society, living in fear of being discovered and hunted down.
This conflict between the church and vampires had been a long-standing issue, with tensions running high on both sides. While some members of the church might have sympathized with vampires, the official stance was one of intolerance and violence towards these creatures, who were seen as threats to the very fabric of society.
The Inquisition Order was a secretive and highly specialized branch of the paladins, tasked with rooting out heresy and blasphemy within the church and beyond. They operated with an almost fanatical devotion to their cause and were widely feared and respected throughout the church hierarchy. They were the most cruel toward vampires and are most likely to torture them if they catch them.
Therefore, in her mind, the cost and benefit relationship obtaining her as a subordinate shouldn't be that high for Elysar, 'Or is there something more about me that I don't know about...?', But just then that idea popped inside of her mind and she thought about it more. However, Elysar didn't notice it and just laughed confidently in reply after hearing her voiced concerns and looking at her anxious face, "The strongest entity? They are, but what about it? I'm going to become the strongest entity in the future myself...", Elysar grinned a little while clenching his hands in excitement, "Anyways, you shouldn't worry about them either way...",
"They won't go after me, and especially my family, just because of such a small matter. Those kinds of norms mean nothing to people like me, to be frank. They are only meant to keep commoners in check. Almost all high-ranking nobles understand that it's the strongest fist that decides the norms and rules and that social norms are just for the weak-minded...",
"And thankfully, the church still doesn't have a bigger fist than us all, especially our 30 high-ranking Duke noble houses including the 10 King-Class ones. If even just a fraction of us join together, they are done for. They understand it too, therefore, they never step out of line for such small matters like the one you mentioned...", Elysar smiled knowingly, "However, it is hard for us to ever join for something, therefore, we, the individual noble houses, also, at least on the surface, follow the church's teachings and rites, pay our tributes, and similar...",
"Not to mention that their blessing really works wonders in terms of mana blessings in various ways when applied onto just born babies and toddlers. We all wear masks in this grand charade, the Church included. They know we pretend, and we know they do too, but the game must go on for the sake of appearances",
"The Church is almost certainly not blind to our true intentions, but they understand that sometimes appearances must be maintained for the greater good and the 'order' in society. That's why they don't punish us nobles for our 'evil' and 'immoral' deeds but go around punishing commoners and criminals all day long for those things. The Church knows our true colors, but they see the bigger picture. Our mutual deception is the glue that holds our society together...", Elysar smiled as he spoke candidly.
'He will become the strongest entity in the future?!', Elara thought to herself, a mix of surprise and skepticism crossing her mind. Here she was, a former average middle-ranking criminal in the underworld, and even she recognized that Elysar was currently weaker than her.
She had always considered herself an unconventional individual, but his boldness and ambition surpassed her own, 'Are all nobles like this? Wild and hungry for power?', She wondered silently.
As Elysar confidently spoke about his future plans, a spark ignited within Elara. She realized that if he, despite his current limitations, dared to dream of becoming the strongest entity, then perhaps she too could strive for greatness. The thought of disregarding any fears that she may have previously harbored unknowingly toward the church in favor of her own ambition began to take hold.
'I will become the apex predator in this world in the future!', Elara's inner determination surged, fueled by Elysar's ideology of the strongest fist ruling. If the world rejected her because of her identity, she would make them respect and submit to her with the might of her own fist. A smile crept across her face, gradually growing into a radiant expression that illuminated the entire carriage. Yes, if everyone thought of them as predators, then she will become the strongest one in existence.
Elysar was taken aback by Elara's transformation. The brightness of her smile and the newfound resolve in her dark blue eyes captivated him. At that moment, he realized the profound impact his words had on her. A mixture of surprise and intrigue danced across his features, witnessing the blossoming of a kindred spirit on this unexpected journey as well as the journey of life.
He didn't fear it, he welcomed such subordinates with great and strong mindsets like his own. So, they both suddenly exchanged feral and understanding grins. At this time, they both felt like, from this short conversation, the distance between them greatly narrowed.
"It appears that you have shed those unnecessary lingering fears that were buried deep within you. It's commendable, for only by discarding such hindrances can one truly ascend to the pinnacle. Embrace the freedom from mental barriers, whether they be fear, emotions, morals, or any other trivialities. Let your primal desires and ambitions guide your conscious and calculating mind. It is the fundamental principle for success in this world, and one that I myself adhere to.", Elysar declared with conviction, his voice resonating deep and magnetic.
"To commemorate this newfound liberation, why don't we indulge in a hunt for pheasants? It will provide you with a more satisfying feast to replenish yourself. The 'normal' food we brought is obviously not sufficient to satisfy your needs...", Elysar suggested, his eyes now fixed on Elara playfully.
As he sat with a commanding and expansive posture, Elara found herself captivated by his presence. Despite his current inferior strength, Elysar exuded an aura of authority, as if he were destined to ascend to the summit and assert dominance over all in the future. It was a sight that held her transfixed, evoking a brief sense of admiration and fascination within her for the first time since meeting him, "Well, I appreciate your offer, Elysar, but I am not hungry at the moment. Perhaps later, considering the journey ahead is likely to be a lengthy one..." Elara responded, a seductive smirk playing upon her lips. It was something that was also absent before. Elysar noticed it and grinned even wider before nodding in understanding.
The journey continued, and as they moved onward, the scenery transformed into dense forests, where towering ancient trees formed a lush canopy overhead. Sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting dappled patterns on the forest floor. The air carried the sweet fragrance of blooming flowers and the earthy scent of moss-covered ground. Elara, sitting beside Elysar in the carriage, couldn't help but feel a sense of tranquility and awe at the wonders of nature surrounding them.
Their route eventually led them to the shores of a vast, crystal-clear lake. The water sparkled under the warm rays of the sun, reflecting the azure sky above. Along the shoreline, white sandy beaches stretched out, inviting travelers to pause and immerse themselves in the serene ambiance. The celestial pegasi, now grounded, grazed peacefully nearby, their majestic presence adding to the picturesque scene.
The journey continued, taking them through towering mountain ranges, their peaks touching the heavens. Jagged cliffs and cascading waterfalls punctuated the rugged terrain, creating a breathtaking backdrop. Elysar and Elara peered out of the carriage windows, marveling at the majestic grandeur of the mountains. The air grew crisper and cooler as they ascended, and the celestial pegasi showcased their agility, maneuvering through narrow passes and scaling steep slopes with ease.
With each passing day, the scenery unfolded like a living painting, displaying the diversity and splendor of the realm they traversed. From tranquil meadows to mystical forests, from serene lakes to awe-inspiring mountains, the journey offered a visual feast for their eyes and stirred their souls with wonder and appreciation.
Throughout their expedition, the carriages glided smoothly on the well-constructed roads, their enchanted wheels rolling effortlessly, and flying above uneven or overall difficult surfaces. The mana arrays within the carriages hummed softly, their presence enhancing the overall experience. The passengers enjoyed a comfortable and stable ride, shielded from the bumps and vibrations that typically accompanied long-distance travel.
And as the carriages traversed diverse landscapes filled with natural wonders, Elara's senses attuned to more than just the beauty of the landscape. Elara's vampire instincts often led her to the tantalizing aroma of human food after some time. Her heightened vampire instincts caught fleeting scents carried on the breeze.
When it happened the first time, she just inhaled deeply, her nostrils flaring imperceptibly, as the tantalizing aroma of human food reached her sensitive senses and she couldn't contain herself anymore. The journey had stirred her appetite, and she found herself yearning for the taste of mortal delicacies, "Elysar," She said, her voice laced with a subtle hunger, "I can't help but notice the alluring aroma of human food in the air. It's been far too long since I've indulged in the pleasures of the culinary world...",
Her words carried a mix of longing and mischief. Elysar's lips curled into a knowing smile as he nodded in understanding, "Ah, the culinary arts...", He replied, his voice tinged with a hint of amusement, "Indeed, there are exquisite flavors to be discovered on our journey Elara...",
And with hunger for mortal delicacies reocurring, she asked Elysar to make stops a few more times at a few more human villages they flew over to indulge in a culinary adventure that delighted her senses. And with satiated and uplifted Elara, they continued on their journey.
The other bodyguards who accompanied them were taken aback by Elara's indulgence in human food, but their astonishment remained unspoken. They lacked the courage to voice their thoughts or question her actions, opting to maintain a respectful silence due to Elysar.