Second Orc War (15)

What Count William had in mind was certainly not whether telling Ryan the secret would affect his family's strength.

The times had changed. This was no longer an age when having three or five extraordinary followers was enough to set one above others. In this new era, extraordinary beings were nothing unusual, and vampires had long since lost their once-terrifying reputation.

Even the lofty dragons were no longer symbols of invincibility.

A century ago, Count William had gained the power of a vampire through blasphemous power. At the time, he had done it for life itself. He feared death and desired a longer lifespan.

But now, within the Empire, the William surname was ancient and glorious, yet the old count had realized that it was not enough.

In this Empire, that surname could earn him sufficient respect. But in an Empire where even gods could be blasphemed, such respect was far too superficial.

If those nobles could blaspheme gods, how highly would they really regard William?

Therefore, in the Empire, relying on ancient surnames and prestige was no longer enough. A new era had arrived, and one had to build alliances.

However, the vampire power William had acquired for immortality had also greatly hindered him in this regard.

Other nobles would not treat him with reverence simply because of the William name, nor would they become his friends. Instead, the changes brought by vampire power made them respect him from afar.

Things could not continue like this. Count William's Family could not remain shut away upon this land.

Thus, Count William valued Ryan's letter more than Ryan had expected.

It was not only Ryan.

He had always been like this over the years. After all, Count William had not ignored Ryan's earlier inquiries about Werewolves, and Ryan had not been