Chapter 229: Blood Husband
The tension that Elder Achilor’s speech had created did not break into chaos this time.
Instead, it settled.
Like a blade being slowly sheathed, the energy of the arena shifted from wild celebration into something sharper, more controlled, more dangerous. The vampires did not disperse, nor did they lose their excitement, but now there was a structure to it, a sense of direction that had not existed before.
Orders began to spread.
Guards repositioned themselves.
Emperor level figures spoke quietly among themselves, already making plans, already calculating the future based on what they had just witnessed.
And at the center—
The three cocoons pulsed steadily, their presence now treated not as a spectacle, but as something sacred, something that must be protected at all costs.
It was in this moment of controlled stillness that Cain moved.
Not openly.
Not in a way that anyone would notice.
But within the depths of his control over blood—
Something stirred.
A faint ripple beneath the ground.
A quiet movement that no one sensed, not even Elder Achilor or Lord Vord, whose attention remained focused on the broader situation.
Cain’s lips did not move.
His expression did not change.
But within his control—
A spell formed.
"...Let’s stir things up a little..."
His thought flowed smoothly, almost lazily, as if he was merely entertaining himself.
From beneath the ground, a thin tendril of blood emerged, not in a violent burst, but in a slow, creeping motion, like something alive that had no desire to be seen.
It moved along the shadows.
Between feet.
Beneath robes.
Through cracks in the stone.
And then—
It rose.
Among the Moonshade family.
A small, almost unnoticed shape.
A blood tentacle.
It was not large.
It was not imposing.
But it carried Cain’s will.
The tip of it formed a mouth.
A grotesque, unnatural slit that opened slowly.
And then—
It spoke.
"So lucky..."
The voice was low, almost mocking, yet clear enough to be heard.
"The Vampire race... truly blessed..."
The words slipped into the air like poison, soft at first, but enough to draw attention.
A few heads turned.
"...To have such talents..."
The tentacle remained hidden among the Moonshade family, blending into the shadows, its presence masked so perfectly that no one could immediately pinpoint where the voice came from.
"And yet..."
It continued, its tone dripping with sarcasm.
"...their husband..."
A pause.
Just enough to draw focus.
"...is a useless brat."
The moment the words landed—
The reaction was immediate.
The Moonshade family exploded.
"WHO SAID THAT?!"
"WHO DARES?!"
Their voices roared, filled with anger, filled with outrage that surged like a wave, crashing outward with no restraint.
Elder Ghurn’s eyes widened, his expression turning dark as he stepped forward.
"Show yourself!"
Another elder clenched his fists, his aura flaring slightly.
"Whoever said that, come out!"
Their pride had been struck.
Not just lightly.
But directly.
Because the three sisters were no longer just members of their family.
They were the pride of their lineage.
And their husband—
Whether strong or weak—
Was tied to them.
To insult him now was to insult all of them.
"Find him!"
"Search everyone!"
"Do not let that bastard escape!"
The voices rose again, this time not in celebration, but in fury, their gazes sweeping across the crowd, searching, probing, demanding answers.
But—
There was nothing.
The tentacle had already begun to retreat.
The moment the words left its mouth, it slipped downward, dissolving back into the ground, vanishing as if it had never existed.
No trace.
No presence.
No evidence.
Cain stood still.
Silent.
Calm.
As if he had done nothing.
"...Perfect..."
He thought, his lips barely twitching.
The chaos he had created spread quickly, the Moonshade family now questioning everyone around them, their eyes sharp, their voices demanding, their anger refusing to settle.
Even the surrounding vampires reacted.
"...What was that...?"
"Who said that...?"
"That voice..."
"Where did it come from...?"
Confusion layered over the tension, turning the atmosphere even heavier.
And then—
A presence moved.
Lord Vord stepped forward.
His earlier excitement had cooled, replaced by a serious expression, his gaze sweeping across the Moonshade family.
"Enough."
His voice was not loud.
But it carried authority.
Immediately, the noise began to settle.
Elder Achilor stepped beside him, his eyes narrowing slightly as he observed the situation.
"...This is not the time for chaos."
His tone was firm, leaving no room for argument.
The Moonshade family fell silent, though their anger did not fade.
It simmered.
Waiting.
Lord Vord’s gaze sharpened.
"...Who is this husband...?"
The question cut through the air.
Direct.
Unavoidable.
Elder Achilor turned his attention toward the Moonshade family as well.
"...Is there truth in what was said?"
His voice carried weight, not accusatory, but demanding clarity.
The Moonshade family hesitated.
Not because they did not know the answer.
But because of what the answer might bring.
Then—
A figure stepped forward.
Elder Rivik.
The former Patriarch.
His posture straight, his expression composed, though his eyes held a depth of thought that few could read.
"...It is true."
His voice was calm.
Steady.
Clear.
The words immediately drew attention.
"The three sisters..."
He continued, his gaze shifting briefly toward the three cocoons.
"...are indeed married."
A ripple spread through the crowd.
"To a single vampire."
The words carried weight.
Heavy.
Surprising.
Unusual.
"...All three...?"
One of the Emperor level vampires muttered.
"That is..."
"Uncommon..."
Lord Vord paused.
Elder Achilor paused as well.
The information was unexpected, not because such arrangements were impossible, but because of who the three sisters had just proven themselves to be.
"...Explain."
Achilor said simply.
Elder Rivik nodded slightly.
"...Their marriage was formed under circumstances that benefited the family at the time..."
His tone remained measured.
"...And though their husband..."
He paused briefly.
"...does not possess the same level of talent as them..."
A murmur spread.
"...He is not entirely without value."
The statement surprised many.
Because it did not match the insult that had just been thrown.
"...More importantly..."
Rivik continued, his gaze steady.
"...the three sisters themselves..."
"...hold deep affection for him."
The words landed heavily.
"They have chosen him."
"...And they have not wavered."
The murmurs grew louder.
Some confused.
Some doubtful.
Some intrigued.
Lord Vord frowned slightly, his eyes narrowing as he processed the information.
"...A man of lesser talent..."
He muttered.
"...yet chosen by all three..."
Elder Achilor’s gaze deepened, his expression unreadable.
"...Interesting..."
Rivik inclined his head slightly.
"...Whether he is strong or not..."
"...whether he is worthy or not..."
"...is not for us to decide lightly."
His tone remained calm, yet carried a firmness that was difficult to challenge.
"...Because their choice..."
"...is clear."
The words settled.
And for a moment—
No one spoke.
Cain stood among them.
Silent.
Still.
But inside—
"...What...?"
His thoughts halted.
His gaze shifted slightly toward Rivik.
"...This old bastard..."
A flicker of confusion crossed his mind.
"...Didn’t he hate me...?"
He remembered.
The disdain.
The cold looks.
The quiet opposition.
"...Then why..."
His eyes narrowed slightly.
"...does he sound like he’s defending me...?"
For the first time since everything began—
Cain felt something unexpected.
Not fear.
Not excitement.
But confusion.
And that confusion lingered until he became even more confused of the Unknown reason this old bastard was doing this?