Chapter 116: The Second Generation Vampire
Coal Ball's wife was considerably more obedient compared to Coal Ball himself.
Yet this obedience felt distinctly peculiar.
Norton still vividly remembered the scene when this mother bat, after giving birth to her first litter, flew directly onto his face and attempted to offer him her milk.
This creature seemed to have categorized him within her children's system, or perhaps viewed him as some elderly figure requiring care?
But precisely because of this, the intimacy and simple-mindedness of these little creatures provided Norton with the greatest sense of reassurance.
If they were to evolve intelligence comparable to Abraham's, he wouldn't even consider nurturing them in the first place.
Watching Coal Ball's wife so obediently lick his flesh, Norton felt she deserved a name of her own.
"Very well, I shall bestow upon you the title of Plum Blossom Prince, equal in rank to Prince Coal Ball, so you may fully experience the splendor of exalted status!"
Norton sat alone in the secret chamber, talking to himself and engaging in conversation with a bat as if it were natural.
Sometimes he appeared profoundly deep and calculating, while other times he resembled a complete fool. One could only say the Church's training methods were too authoritative, capable of distorting even a normal person's psyche.
Yet it was only during these solitary moments that Norton truly let down his guard and enjoyed leisurely time.
After feeding the bat Plum Blossom, Norton finally stood up, casually picked up clothes from the floor to wrap around his waist, then extended his slender, wrinkled fingers to gently ring the bell on the coffin lid.
"Ding ling, ding ling..."
The clear bell chimes snapped Elizabeth out of her daze as she sat hugging her knees on the bed, a delicate blush appearing on her exquisite features.
She had been fantasizing about the pale Progenitor gently smiling at her, tenderly slicing her arm open with extreme care, and drinking her blood with loving motions—every gesture expressing concern and affection for her...
In her fantasy, while they engaged in this intimate blood-drinking ritual, a group of beautiful girls knelt around them, watching Elizabeth with envious eyes, yearning to receive the Progenitor's gentle treatment themselves...
Damn it, who had conditioned her to become like this?
Over five years, Elizabeth had blossomed into even greater beauty. Her classic European features made her face exquisitely delicate with snow-white skin, complemented by her sparkling azure eyes—so beautiful she almost radiated a holy aura.
Norton's five years of conditioning had successfully afflicted her with an extremely severe psychological disorder, whose symptoms currently manifested exclusively toward Progenitor Norton.
For instance, like just moments ago, fantasizing during solitude about the usually aloof, cold-hearted Progenitor showing her his most tender side.
For instance, constantly envisioning the Progenitor's figure in her mind, with all her thoughts and actions seemingly converging around him.
For instance, paying extraordinary attention to maintaining her skin, appearance, and personal hygiene, so the Progenitor would experience better flavor and form deeper impressions when tasting her.
And for instance, appearing utterly cold and emotionless like a robot around others, yet once she detected the Progenitor's presence, performing various attention-grabbing antics to capture his notice...
Elizabeth felt her entire existence was meant for the Progenitor, wishing to dedicate everything to him. Her fantasies, or rather her pathological psychology, had ironically become the necessary condition enabling her to avoid breakdown and survive under Norton's intense pressure.
Norton's frequent intentional coldness toward Elizabeth had created an intense craving for his approval within her.
And when someone seeks another's approval, it means they've already been enslaved.
This Hakino was too wicked! Look what he'd turned her into!
Truthfully, Elizabeth's current state had exceeded Norton's expectations—she had conditioned too quickly.
Her various Norton-related fantasies during idle moments constituted continuous self-brainwashing, enabling her to reach Norton's desired outcome even before the ten-year mark.
Further conditioning risked potentially darkening the girl, so Norton decided it was time to stop while ahead!
At seventeen years old, she was at her freshest and most vibrant, making this the perfect time for her transformation into a vampire.
"Click-clack, click-clack, click-clack..."
The crisp sound of high heels echoed through the stone floors of the ancient castle's eerie corridors, growing progressively closer.
High heels already existed in this era, though most were wooden-heeled and not particularly comfortable, yet they remained the best method to avoid soiling one's feet.
Elizabeth wore her meticulously tailored white corset dress with dainty white leather high heels, elegantly entering the basement where Norton resided.
She had noticed the Progenitor Excellency seemed particularly fond of observing girls' feet, legs, buttocks, chest, hands, face, and skin, so throughout these years she had devoted herself to refining her appearance, striving to become increasingly exquisite to attract the Progenitor's gaze.
As bat chirps grew clearer, she finally entered Norton's bedchamber.
The moment she stepped inside, an oppressive sensation of being watched by something terrifying spontaneously emerged, causing Elizabeth to instinctively lower her head.
Norton sat upright on an exquisite chair with a backrest, his posture still elegant and noble like an emperor enthroned.
Though unclothed except for fabric wrapped around his groin, this did nothing to diminish the intense aura of oppression and nobility surrounding him.
Instead, his pale, withered physique intertwined with his elegant, noble temperament created a peculiar paradoxical feeling—both profane and holy.
"Your Excellency!"
Elizabeth carefully knelt and prostrated herself, deliberately lowering her body slowly so she could incidentally reveal a glimpse of pale skin while bowing, hoping to capture the Progenitor's attention.
But unfortunately, the Progenitor paid no mind, his increasingly dim russet eyes containing only indifference and heartless coldness.
"Elizabeth."
A hoarse, shadowy voice resonated through the room, and as Norton spoke her name, she visibly trembled before performing a full five-point kneeling prostration.
"Your... Excellency, I am here!"
"Five years have passed since you first offered your blood. Throughout these years, you have proven diligent and dedicated, greatly pleasing me.
However, mortals ultimately face fading beauty and fleeting youth, denied eternal life! Therefore, are you willing to become my servant, serving me for all eternity?"
Norton's withered face appropriately displayed a trace of sentimental expression, as if he actually felt such emotions.
But his words struck Elizabeth as a tremendous surprise, completely overwhelming her with shock.
Elizabeth's face filled with excitement as she used her hands and legs to crawl forward on her stomach until she reached Norton's feet. Tears welled in her eyes as she excitedly lowered her head to kiss Norton's feet.
"Your Excellency, I am willing! Elizabeth will serve by Your Excellency's side forever! Your Excellency..."
Glistening tears streamed from Elizabeth's eyes. After all her efforts over so many years, she had finally achieved results today.
She could finally become one of the Progenitor Excellency's inner circle!
This far surpassed even her wildest fantasies in happiness.