"King Uther, what brings you here? Don't tell me you're thinking of challenging me." The black-haired girl in gothic attire greeted him with a meaningful glance as she sipped the red wine in her hand.
They had arrived at the Eclipse Princess' mansion without any forces accompanying them. If King Uther had brought a large contingent, the Eclipse Princess would have attacked them long ago.
The only one he had brought with him was Merlin, a gesture that even the Eclipse Princess interpreted as a sign of peaceful intent.
Despite the widespread rumors of his plans to put the vampires in their place for attacking the Church, she could tell that his visit was not one of immediate hostility.
After all, the vampires who hunted humans and sought their blood had never been allies of the Eclipse Princess—they were her enemies.
Therefore, she had no reaction to his proclamations against them.
However, that did not mean the Eclipse Princess would greet him warmly.
They were strangers, and she viewed him as an enemy as well, particularly given his closeness to the Church, as the rumors about him suggested.
But perhaps that impression would end here.
"Let's cooperate, Eclipse Princess," King Uther stated calmly.
Her eyes widened in surprise at the statement, and she responded with a sarcastic tone.
"I never imagined that someone who despises magic would want to cooperate with the so-called 'lowly' vampires, King Uther."
"You are not a lowly vampire, Eclipse Princess. You are a noble existence, a True Ancestor," King Uther corrected her.
"Yes, noble. But if my brothers and sisters were still alive, would you seek me out and think of me as noble, King of Camelot?" Altrouge Brunestud snorted disdainfully.
Her attitude revealed that she had not yet moved past the scorn directed at her for being a half-blood, the result of her mixed lineage between an ordinary Dead Apostle and a True Ancestor. It made her, in the terms of her so-called peers, a "mudblood"—a term right out of the Harry Potter.
Her brothers and sisters, who were also creations of Crimson Moon of the Brunestud, saw her as something lesser.
No wonder the wiki described her as insane and mentally unstable. Living in an environment that toxic, where everyone ridiculed her, would break anyone eventually. She had become a menace—a force to be reckoned with. And perhaps it wasn't just mockery that had shaped her; being insulted alone doesn't break a person. There was likely more to it—abuse, bullying, or some other malevolent acts.
After all, True Ancestors couldn't be judged by the moral standards of humans. Even humans, despite being capable of judging right and wrong and being bound by laws, still committed countless atrocities when they encountered someone they deemed inferior.
Why was there so much bullying in so many countries? Why did people target the weak and the helpless? If humans were capable of that, why would the True Ancestors be any different?
That's why King Uther wasn't angry at her sarcastic remark. He only grew angry when people disrespected him. After all, he was a jerk with a God complex.
"Well, enough of that, Eclipse Princess. We are not here to hate each other, nor do I intend to insult your heritage. Please, let's keep this strictly to matters of your family business," King Uther asserted with a firm tone.
She gazed at him deeply, her expression unreadable, before responding, "Very well, go on. I am curious about this cooperation you seek to discuss."
"As you may have already heard, I have come to propose a cooperation between us. I understand you do not have a permanent home, Eclipse Princess. I will offer you sanctuary in Camelot in exchange for one thing: you must refrain from interfering in our affairs, particularly in the matter of hunting your kin. To be precise, I refer to the Dead Apostles who have broken the rules laid down by your father and the Counter Force—the rules that forbid them from preying on humans. I require their corpses to answer the demands of my people for justice," King Uther explained, his gaze unwavering.
"That's all?" the Eclipse Princess asked, a note of disbelief in her voice at the simplicity of the terms.
"Yes, that is all. I do not want you attacking us out of nowhere simply because we are hunting vampires," King Uther reiterated, his tone resolute. "However, it would be greatly appreciated if you chose to assist us. Additionally, I will not stand in the way if you decide to raise your own faction."
"You once told me that cooperating with her was a bad idea, my king," Merlin whispered softly into Uther's ear.
"The plan can't remain unchanged forever, Merlin. I must adapt to the circumstances. Without a doubt, having her as an ally will benefit me in the long run. I don't believe she would allow her men to wreak havoc in the lands of her allies. She's far too prideful for that," Uther replied quietly, his voice barely above a murmur.
"Don't think I didn't hear you, King Uther and Sage Merlin," Altrouge snorted, clearly displeased by their side conversation.
"For now, I have no interest in building an empire or interacting with others. Provide me with a land where I can find peace, and I will ensure that you obtain the vampires you seek. I know exactly how many of them there are and precisely where they are located, making your hunt far more convenient," she stated confidently.
"Since we have concluded everything, please leave now. I wish to be alone. I will send you the list to your castle shortly," Altrouge added, making a dismissive gesture to indicate their departure.
Uther and Merlin exchanged a glance and nodded in silent agreement.
Since their cooperation had been established, there was no reason for them to stay any longer.