The "dead apostle" is the origin of the vampire legend.
According to the description of a temporary worker apprentice from a certain empire:
"Wearing a red cloak and a black dress, a castle by the sea that spans 20,000 square meters, rows of servants and a warehouse full of jewels, sleeping in every day from 6 am to 8:30 pm, getting up to have a bottle of 82-year-old blood plasma, then inviting a group of fox and dog friends to dance on the street until midnight (of course, that's called a ball), finally standing on the balcony with a glass of red wine, being pretentious under the moonlight until dawn, and then going back to sleep - this is the true life of a vampire, low-key yet luxurious and profound."
Of course, this is the image portrayed in modern film and television works. In classical literary works, the image of vampires is more elegant and mysterious. They have eternal life, fear sunlight and holy water, are accustomed to nocturnal activities, possess supernatural powers, and of course, the most important racial trait - the need to consume blood.
For vampires, consuming blood is akin to humans needing to eat. However, this feeding process has a side effect - some of the living beings bitten by vampires will be transformed into their kind. Those transformed are called the "kin" of the vampire, with a relationship like that of a parent and child. The kin will then develop their new kin, eventually forming a vast vampire family lineage spanning generations.
Lorelei's target was a second-generation kin directly under the White Wing Lord, who had lived for over a thousand years and held a high position in the entire Ortenrosse family, managing a large group of kin developed over a long time. To take down such an "immortal", thorough preparation was necessary, which is why she valued Gertler's intelligence so much. But now the intelligence that was about to be obtained was disrupted by Shinji, so naturally she had to find the culprit to compensate. She didn't directly confront Shinji because he possessed great strength and inherited mysterious powers from the Age of the Gods, being one of the most capable individuals valued by the El-Melloi family. The Barthomeloi family does not emphasize kinship but pays attention to those with strong special abilities. If Shinji did not have these abilities, he would not have reached this point.
However, Shinji simply does not care about Lorelei's schemes.
"You must know how much damage the Gertler family has done to the El-Melloi faction. We will retaliate tooth for tooth and blood for blood. Who would have thought you, young lady, would intervene and make me waste so much effort? You ask me for compensation, but I haven't even asked you for compensation yet."
As for the heir of the Bathory family, so what? Is that so impressive?
Okay, it is indeed impressive. But Shinji hasn't hesitated to hold a knife to the lord's throat either, there's no need to be led around by the nose by an underage girl.
"No problem, what compensation do you want?" Lorelei raised an eyebrow, exuding an aura of nobility.
Shinji let out a few "uh" sounds. He was just casually saying that he couldn't let his momentum be weakened. Who knows, maybe Lorelei was taking it seriously. Besides, he's here tonight as El-Melloi's assassin, he has no right to negotiate terms.
"The matter of compensation, please discuss it with Lord El-Melloi. I'm just an assassin who doesn't see the light of day."
"Okay, I will visit Lord El-Melloi as soon as possible to discuss the matter of compensation."
Lorelei's serious attitude made Shinji feel increasingly strange.
"I say, young lady, what are you planning?"
"I'm planning for you." Lorelei said, formally pointing her whip at Shinji's (disguised) chest, "Claiming to be an assassin who doesn't see the light of day, I'm very interested in you and hope you can serve me."
Hearing such a direct declaration, Shinji's interest in Lorelei rose again. This future queen, could it be that this is how she gathers her subordinates? Come to think of it, it's quite possible. This straightforward approach fits well with her noble bearing, perhaps this is what they call the aura of a ruler.
Although Shinji did not have the idea of bowing his head and pledging allegiance, he did not feel any aversion to it either. He felt that if the compensation was appropriate, there would be nothing wrong with putting in some effort for her.
"What are your thoughts?" Lorelei pressed on.
"I feel deeply honored to be invited by the young lady." Shinji rubbed his nose.
"And?"
"That's it." Seeing the disappointment in Lorelei's eyes, Shinji smiled and said, "Don't get it wrong, young lady. I am El-Melloi's assassin, and I won't have any thoughts without the Lord's permission."
"Then, if, I say if, if the Lord allows it, would you be willing to serve me?"
The hopeful gleam in Lorelei's eyes made him very difficult to refuse. This was not some kind of suggestive magecraft, but the natural charm of the Bathomeloi family that they cared little about.
Shinji thought for a moment and said, "To be honest, I can't switch to the Bathomeloi side. El-Melloi's faction is good, I don't plan to leave. But if the conditions are appropriate in all aspects, I don't mind accepting the young lady's employment. As an assassin, killing a traitor is my specialty."
"Hearing you say that puts my mind at ease." Lorelei finally smiled, her beauty particularly striking in the gradually waning moonlight. "How can I get in touch with you?"
"As long as the young lady and the Lord have discussed it, he will give you my contact information. Oh, since the young lady appreciates me so much, let me tell you some information about me."
"What kind of information?"
"I have a secret treasure that can suppress the dead apostles. Even if it's an ancestor, they will be at a disadvantage if they encounter me unaware."
"Really?" Lorelei's eyes shone like the morning star.
"I have no reason to lie to you."
"It seems I need to reassess your value, and that's what you hope for, isn't it?" With the excitement subsiding, Lorelei displayed the wisdom befitting a future lord.
"I don't deny it," Shinji said straightforwardly. "If Gertler can negotiate conditions with you about the 'White Wing lord', why can't I?"
"Of course you can. I've always believed that people's abilities and values are equal. If you truly have that capability, the Bathomeloi family would be willing to pay any price to recruit you."
"I look forward to your family's offer," Shinji chuckled. "Young lady, if you have nothing else, I'll continue my 'treasure hunting'. There are only fifteen minutes left before dawn, and the Magical Law Department's people will come to clean up, so I need to find more valuable things as quickly as possible."
"This small family of only three generations, what could they have that's valuable?" Lorelei snorted disdainfully.
"You can't say that," Shinji activated the Moon Spirit Marrow and began clearing the obstacles. "Magus lineages always have some hidden treasures, just because the Bathomeloi family doesn't value them doesn't mean they're completely useless. El-Melloi is currently in a period of revival, and even the smallest help is good."
"Then let me help too." Lorelei manipulated the wind, cutting through some massive ruins and debris.
"Is that alright, young lady?"
"There's nothing wrong with it. Don't put me in the same category as those pampered aristocratic young ladies."
Bathomeloi Lorelei was truly one of a kind.
=====
Support Me At Patreon.com/AbsoluteCode