The False Feast and a Sinister Plot

Moments later, inside the dining hall of the Blood Manor.

‘Is this it?’

Seraphina felt a wave of disillusionment wash over her as she gazed at the blood-soaked slices of beef—likely beef shank—thinly cut and served on a smooth white plate. Beside it lay a sprig of broccoli. Did red and green truly make for an appetizing combination?

Oh, no, you misunderstand. It wasn’t her illusion of the individual dishes that shattered, but her entire fantasy of the Blood Feast.

After over half a month of anticipation, Seraphina had expected the Blood Feast to be as grand and solemn as depicted in the youth dramas or historical series of her past life.

A host, goblet in hand, would ascend the stage and deliver a speech.

Everyone would then raise a toast to the deeds of some esteemed hero.

Or perhaps, they would enjoy the exquisite dishes while watching live performances, with singing and dancing.

But… there was nothing of the sort. Absolutely nothing. These were merely fabricated scenes, designed by film and television to evoke an atmosphere of nobility.

In reality, there was only a dense hum of chatter. It was practically a massive social gathering.

All the rules about not speaking during meals. All the expectations of gentlemanly conduct or ladylike grace.

Using a fork in the left hand and a knife in the right. Cutting food into small pieces and eating daintily.

None of it applied.

It was no different from an ordinary family dinner, perhaps even akin to a banquet held in a rural greenhouse. The vampires still gravitated towards their familiar companions, sitting together, whispering secrets and engaging in boisterous discussions. Their voices were a ceaseless murmur.

Everything was precisely as boisterous as it had been before the feast. The only difference was the venue, which had shifted from the reception hall to the dining room. Those who enjoyed boasting continued to boast, and those who loved to brag still did.

Just like the male vampire to Seraphina’s left:

“…I never would’ve thought, damn it all, that Iberian missile, with a sudden whoosh, precisely targeted and blew the pants right off the 401st Armored Brigade Commander of Isilia…”

‘Brother, what on earth are you talking about? Missiles? Armored brigades? Is this still another world?’

‘And I don’t even know you! Why are you cornering me to tell me this? Where are your friends!?’

‘Speaking of which, where’s Iqiyah?’

Ignoring the middle-aged vampire who was still rambling beside her, Seraphina scanned her surroundings, finally spotting Iqiyah to her right.

She was seated at the head of the long table’s shorter side and had been ensnared by an elegant, aristocratic vampire lady. Iqiyah frequently nodded amidst the other woman’s spittle.

Judging by the forced smile on her face, she wasn’t faring much better.

‘Oh, right. And where are the others?’

Seraphina first located Godia. Like Iqiyah, he was seated at the shorter end of the long table. However, he was on the opposite side, seemingly a million miles away from Iqiyah.

With no one engaging him in conversation, his face was etched with loneliness and gloom. He could only focus intently on the beef before him, meticulously cutting it into small pieces and bringing them to his mouth.

Then there were the young vampires who had surrounded her in the reception hall. They sat opposite her in the dining room, still giggling and chattering boisterously, just as before.

And then there was…

“Hey.”

The voice suddenly exploded beside Seraphina’s ear, startling her.

Only then did she realize that Shest, the female vampire, was seated directly to her right.

‘Strange… she hadn’t made a sound just moments ago…’

“You’re Iqiyah’s familiar, aren’t you?”

Shest’s voice was affected and artificial, giving Seraphina an uneasy feeling about her intentions.

“Yes, why?”

“Hmm, then you’re the third person in this world named Scarlett.”

‘Huh?’

At her words, Seraphina froze.

‘The third?’

‘Does that mean… there are only three Scarlets left in this world?’

‘That can’t be right, can it? Iqiyah owns the Blood Manor, and Godia is a Vampire Prince. Logically, the Scarlets should be among the most prominent of noble families, shouldn’t they?’

‘How could there be only three people?’

“Heh heh,” Shest let out a sinister chuckle, an evil smile of triumph spreading across her face as she saw Seraphina’s incredulous expression.

“Little one, it feels strange, doesn’t it?”

“That’s because you don’t know the Scarlett family has a rather dark past.”

Shest propped her chin on her hand, her elbow resting on the dining table. She turned to face Seraphina directly.

“You know about the [Blood of the True Ancestor], don’t you?”

“Of course, I do.”

The [Blood of the True Ancestor], the blessing that flowed through Iqiyah’s veins, brought her immense power, yet also inflicted a severe debuff upon her.

“One could say that the Scarlett family rose to become the head of the vampire race precisely because of the [Blood of the True Ancestor].”

“But do you know… how this formidable power fell into the hands of the Scarlets?”

“H-how did it?”

“Sacrifice.”

Before Seraphina could react, Shest burst into laughter.

“Iqiyah never told you, did she? She once had an older sister who accompanied her throughout her entire childhood.”

‘An older sister?’

“But when Iqiyah just reached adulthood, she died suddenly, barely four thousand years old.”

“The reason for her untimely demise was that her death was merely a transaction between her father, Godia Scarlett, and the True Ancestor.”

“In truth, though she was Iqiyah’s sister, she was not Godia’s daughter, but a familiar.”

“Godia adopted this familiar precisely to offer her life to the True Ancestor, in exchange for the [Blood of the True Ancestor], allowing the Scarlets to ascend to the head of the vampire race.”

“Because of this, Iqiyah and Godia have an extremely strained relationship, yet it wasn’t so bad that they would never meet again—for she, too, was a beneficiary.”

“And… I have something to tell you, Seraphina.”

Shest grabbed Seraphina’s shoulder, pulling her close. She whispered into her ear:

“The next sacrifice… is you!”

“What!?” Seraphina abruptly pushed Shest away. “What nonsense are you spouting!?”

Despite Seraphina’s crude behavior, Shest showed no sign of offense. Instead, a look of pity spread across her face.

“A pitiable wretch, about to be sold, yet still counting the coin for her betrayers…”

“Recently, Iqiyah has been in poor condition, hasn’t she?”

“That’s because the Scarlett family’s transaction with the True Ancestor is nearing its expiration, and the power of the [Blood of the True Ancestor] has weakened.”

“Therefore, they urgently need to make a new transaction.”

“That’s why Iqiyah sought you out… and made you her familiar.”

“…You’re lying to me…”

Seraphina trembled all over.

“Iqiyah… she would never do that to me…”

Seeing Seraphina’s reluctance to acknowledge the truth, Shest erupted into another fit of laughter.

“Fool, just think about it. Why would Iqiyah be so kind to you for no reason? It’s precisely because she intends to use you as a sacrifice!”

“Everything… is merely to slaughter you at the opportune moment.”

“So… are you willing to become someone else’s sacrifice, resentfully accepting death, or… will you fight against your predetermined fate?”

Having said this, Shest pulled a small vial from her pocket.

“I’m giving you a chance to live.”

“Secretly pour this into Iqiyah’s food.”

“Although Iqiyah’s power is immense, this potion can destroy a vampire at the blood level, annihilating her life.”

“What do you say? If you kill her, you won’t die.”

“Not only that… our Redster family also possesses a potion that can turn familiars back into humans.”

Shest produced another vial, shaking it before Seraphina.

“Isn’t that wonderful? This is your only chance to return to your old life, you know~”

“As long as you can kill Iqiyah…”

Shest saw Seraphina’s throat visibly constrict.

“Then,” Shest took Seraphina’s palm and pressed the poison vial into her hand. “Take this potion and complete your task.”

“…”

In silence, Seraphina rose to her feet, slowly walking towards Iqiyah.

Watching Seraphina’s retreating back, Shest smiled sinisterly.

Hahahaha.

‘I knew it. Newly turned familiars, especially those who were once human, were always so easy to manipulate.’

‘Typically, such familiars are in the initial stages of transformation, constantly living under the humiliation of their master’s oppression.’

‘This humiliation made them utterly despise their current existence and long for their former lives.’

‘At the same time, humans… are creatures whose minds were remarkably susceptible to influence.’

‘With both factors combined… a slight provocation was enough to ignite these familiars’ resentment towards their masters, leading them to murderous intent.’

‘And this tactic had never failed her.’

‘Hmph hmph hmph…’

Envisioning the future that was about to unfold, Shest couldn’t help but let her lips curl into a smile.

‘Iqiyah… Scarlett… Your years of monopolizing the [Blood of the True Ancestor] are over.’

‘Once that fool kills Iqiyah, I’ll kill her myself and seize the [Blood of the True Ancestor] from her!’

‘Then, then…!’

“Shest.”

“Then the Redster family will ascend to the pinnacle of the vampire race! Cackle, cackle, cackle!”

“Shest!”

Finally, the voice from outside reached Shest’s ears.

Under the watchful eyes of everyone, she slowly turned, looking behind her.

“You… what is the meaning of this?”

Iqiyah’s eyes narrowed, her face etched with a menacing glare. She gazed down coldly at the arrogant vampire who had been so smug just moments before.

In her hand, she swirled the vial of poison.

“I hear… you intend to kill me?”