Chapter 84 84 – Negotiation With Grigori Tepes [1]

"Feel free to sit on that couch. Don't worry about manners with me, Ruler." The Vampire lord pointed at the empty couch to the left.

"Thanks." Kai replied shortly and sat in the middle. Ibaraki and Amber sat beside him in a similar position to the women beside the Grigori Tepes.

The Vampire lord seemed to be pleased with his action, and the man's grin grew.

"As expected of the Ruler. Even Mythical creatures are serving him."

It wasn't something that Kai expected. It seemed like Grigori misunderstood something about his actions. It was just something natural for him to be between Ibaraki and Amber.

However, the Vampire lord misunderstood that as an action that came from their servile.

Pouring a red liquid on the wine glass in front of him, the Vampire lord looked at Kai with interest. "You're better than what I've heard, Ruler."

The wine glass was half filled before Grigori moved his chin, ordering the woman on his right to serve it to Kai. She nodded gracefully and pushed the glass to Kai. He nodded in response as thanks, and the woman returned to her position.

The other woman moved. She poured a red liquid from another bottle into another glass. This time, he served it to Grigori, which he took in his hand and raised it right under his chin.

"I guess an introduction is in order. As you know, I am Grigori Tepes, the lord of all vampires in Romania. Beside me are my wives, Diana and Liana. And that brat over there is my daughter, Liliana."

Kai looked at the women, and they smiled.

"I am Liana." The one on the left said.

"While I am Diana." And the other continued.

He nodded at them. "I am Kai." Then he turned to the girl with long red hair.

She was still glaring at him, which made him a bit confused. When he looked at her, she threw her face away to the left, so he ignored her and turned back to Grigori.

"On my left is Ibaraki Douji, an Oni." He introduced his companion to the Vampire lord as the other party also introduced his wives. "On my right is Amber, a Phoenix."

Both of them nodded with a smile but didn't say anything. They were just here as Kai, the Ruler's Mythical creatures, his contracts, and servants. If they weren't allowed to talk, then they wouldn't talk.

Kai was also a bit experienced with a Supernatural World now. Amber believed that he would make the correct decision.

"I am aware." Grigori nodded at Kai and sipped his drink, blood.

"I am curious about why you, the mighty Ruler who can do anything in the world, visit this humble vampire. While you just revealed your presence, the fact that two Mythical creatures with overwhelming myths in their name with you proved that you're not in Romania for a vacation only."

"You're correct." Kai nodded at his words and straightened his back as he took the drink that was served to him. He sipped the wine slightly, enjoying the light taste in his mouth before continuing, "We're here to pursue something."

"Hmm, pursue, huh?" Grigori hummed, hunching his back a little.

The Vampire lord's wives and his daughter, Liliana, glanced at Kai curiously, interested in his goal. Even if the red-haired girl acted as if she wasn't in the room, it seemed like she was still interested in Kai. If not, she would just leave the room as it wasn't locked.

"Yeah." He nodded slightly and put the glass on the table. "Do you mind if I put on a soundproof barrier around the room?"

"Feel free to." The Vampire lord raised his hand, allowing him.

'Amber.' He commanded Amber using a telepathic message. Showing off his strength in front of the Vampire lord wasn't a good idea.

Not only did he not grasp the man's personality yet, but it would also give the other party a grasp of his. And while he could put a soundproof barrier by himself, his position didn't allow him to move by himself.

That was why he showed off his other trait, the one that only a Ruler had. The power to command those who contracted to him.

Amber silently put on a soundproof barrier around the room, surprising the Vampire lord and his family. His eyes widened a little as he glanced at Amber, to which the Phoenix girl replied with a small smile.

"Impressive," Grigori commented. "I guess the one who found my location is also the Phoenix. As expected from a Mythical race. Unlike us, who got our myths from our stories and ancestors, the one who was born from Myths is really different. Still…"

The Vampire lord turned his gaze to Kai once again. A pair of sharp golden eyes contained a hint of interest and greed.

Kai also felt a subtle change in Grigori's mood. Previously, the Vampire lord was wary of him. And now, added to that wariness was a slight interest. It seemed like he managed to impress the red-haired man enough to gain his interest.

'But this is still the start. The real negotiation is starting now.'

"So, Ruler. Tell me what you pursue and the purpose of your visit." Grigori's smile fell from his face, replaced by a serious expression as he put his hands together.

"I hope it's not just something like you wanted to take us under you just because my father was once served the strongest?"

"It's not that." Kai immediately shot down his suspicion.

It was natural if he would think like that. Suppose they knew about the strongest and the loyalty of those who served him.

But Kai also knew that already. Loyalty couldn't be forced and inherited. The one who was loyal to the strongest was Grigori's father, the former lord, and not the current lord.

If he wanted Grigori's loyalty, then he needed to get it himself.

"I am here to give you a piece of information in exchange for your help to pursue my target." He spoke with a calm tone. "If we don't pursue this, I am afraid that Romania will also get caught in his terror."

Suddenly, a red Spirit Power leaked out from Grigori's body as his gaze turned sharper, and his mood fell down in a swoop. The atmosphere became heavier at once.

The women on Grigori's side didn't seem to be affected, but Liliana's body was hunched to the front because of the sudden change in pressure.

However, Kai wasn't affected. Because of his large Spirit Power reserve, it had increased after he deepened his bond with Ibaraki. Now his Spirit Power reserve could be compared to Ibaraki Douji or even Amber.

Grigori indeed had golden irises, a sign of him being a part of the Mythical Race or creature.

But that was something he got from being a descendant of the previous Vampire lord, the one who was actually a Mythical creature. So his power, even though it was great and stronger than many vampires, still fell short of an actual Mythical Creature.

Still, the Vampire lord was a leader of his own country. He had pride to keep and a country to protect.

So, with a chilling voice and sharp glare, the Grigori spoke, "Did you just threaten the Romania vampire, Ruler?"

***

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