บท 70: Chapter 70: The Vampire Warlords
"So what will you do, Eleanor?"
Mallory sipped from his glass of wine, watching the marchioness incline back in her luxurious couch. Eleanor swept a hand through the long, silky strands of her golden blond hair before fixing her sapphire eyes on her dark-haired counterpart.
"I wonder. What about you, Mallory?"
"Hmm, I was thinking of hunkering down and hiding somewhere until the whole affair blows over, to be honest."
"Heh…that sounds just like you indeed." Eleanor nodded. She twirled a single strand of her blond hair around her finger playfully. "To be honest, I am also inclined toward a wait-and-see approach. I see no benefit to attacking the so-called Demonic Emperor."
"That is so like you." Mallory chuckled. "I did think you would do that."
"Really? And whatever gave you the idea?" Eleanor smiled, but her expression didn't reach her cold eyes. "Did you perhaps think of me as a coward?"
"Not at all." Mallory held up both his hands. ���Rather, I hold you in very high regard, my lady marchioness. You are famed throughout Tyranvania for your brilliant strategic mind. This would only be the natural approach for you. Given how Stryker, Virginia and Gregory will not – cannot – afford to ignore the successor to the Demonic Emperor, they will definitely attack him. After all, they will no doubt see him as a usurper to their ambitions."
Mallory leaned back in his seat, swishing the blood inside his glass before taking another sip. He then tilted it toward Eleanor before continuing.
"Therefore it only makes sense that the…um, leaders who do not possess as much military might as theirs sit back and watch." He ruffled his brown fringe from his chestnut eyes and grinned. "When two tigers fight, the hunter is sensible enough to keep his head down and wait until the battle is over. For surely both tigers will be severely wounded at the very least. That makes it easier for the hunter to hunt them. And in this case, it wouldn't be just two tigers but four."
"Indeed." Eleanor smiled in return, this time her expression more sincere. "However, given the circumstances, perhaps the hunter might not be the best analogy."
"Oh?" Mallory raised an eyebrow, surprised. "Why not?"
Eleanor leaned forward and traced a finger along the deck of cards stacked on top of the smooth mahogany table between them. "How much do you know about the new Demonic Emperor?"
"That he is a very young vampire…a former human mage who was capable of defeating our previous king, Vincent Lucard, and drank his blood to become a powerful vampire himself. He bears the crest of the Demonic Emperor, and is capable of wielding ice magic in addition to our innate blood magic. And I've heard that he has two demonic legions under his command right now. The Witch of Winter and the Lich Lord."
He frowned and pondered for a moment.
"That is in addition to the vampire barons, viscounts and counts who have chosen to rally under his banner. First and foremost of them is Count Claude Lyon, and his father-in-law, Baron Valencia…also known as the Blood Sword Demon."
"That is correct."
"Even so, there shouldn't be anything for us to worry about. Only the lowest-ranking vampire nobles are flocking to his banner. The marquises and dukes have chosen to side with us…or attempt to fulfil their own ambitions."
"Oh, I am not concerned about the low-ranking vampire nobles…though I must warn you that they are not to be underestimated." Eleanor shook her head in disapproval. "They can still muster a sizeable force on par with one of us five Warlords. And now they are united under a single leader…do you really think we can dismiss them as insignificant?"
"Perhaps not," Mallory conceded. "I will admit that I am impressed. I didn't think the young Demonic Emperor to be would be able to recruit so many to his side. I heard he did so by eliminating a conclave of nobles on his own and then bringing their leaderless knights under him. It also helps that Claude is an influential noble in his own right."
"Claude is cunning, yes, but he lacks the ambition and ruthlessness required to be a ruler. That is why he chooses to back this new young vampire as his king. Again, Claude and Valencia cannot be underestimated. That combination of cunning and martial prowess makes for a terrifying prospect."
"Yes. I had the fortune to witness Baron Valencia's skills in the battlefield once before." Mallory shuddered. "He will no doubt have whipped the vampire knight regiments of the fledging Demonic Emperor camp into shape. I dare not pit my forces against theirs at this juncture."
"That is correct, but I wasn't talking about the vampires under the new Demonic Emperor." Eleanor sighed. "My main concern is with the two demonic legions that he has brought under his command. Do you not think there has to be something about him? The Witch of Winter has always been soft, so I wasn't surprised when she was the first to swear fealty to him, but when the usually neutral lich lord joined his camp, I began to suspect that there is more to him than I thought. And that just reinforced my impression of him when I received the news that he eliminated a conclave of nobles by himself. Can you imagine that?"
"I suppose you have a point. But two legions and a sizeable vampire coalition against three Warlords and their armies? Even they wouldn't come out unscathed from a battle like that. Each vampire army is an equivalent of a demonic legion in their own right. If we join either side, it will tip the balance."
"Is that why you've come to me?" Eleanor laughed. She was aware of Mallory's reputation. Even though he was far from being the strongest vampire, he was an exemplary diplomat. His strengths lay in forging connections and fostering alliances. She had just listened to his glib tongue.
"Yes. Perhaps we can coordinate our efforts and bring an end to this civil war once and for all."
"We have potential to do that," Eleanor agreed. She then smiled slyly. "But which side do you propose we ally with?"
Mallory hesitated for a moment. "I honestly do not know. That is why I have approached you for advice. I'm sure that you, the renowned strategist, must already have some thoughts as to who would be a better prospect."
"I do have my own opinions on the matter," Eleanor affirmed. "But I'll only tell you after you offer yours."
"I…I'm sure my thoughts are not worth listening to…"
"Please do not be coy with me, Mallory," Eleanor interrupted. "You must already have some sort of idea before you came here to propose an alliance with me. And I know you are far from stupid. You're certainly more intelligent than the nearly invincible berserk warrior, Stryker, or the insidious Blood Queen Virginia, or the skilled Knight of the Night Gregory, even if you aren't as strong as any of them."
"I'm not sure you're in any position to call Virginia insidious…"
"What was that?"
"Nothing." Mallory sighed. "All right then. I do not wish to join any of the other warlords, if I were to be honest."
"And why is that?" Eleanor prodded. "I'm sure you have a good reason for that."
"Well, the primary reason is that…if the warlords win…once the new Demonic Emperor is defeated, we'll just go back to fighting amongst ourselves, wouldn't we?"
Eleanor laughed. "You are correct. That is certainly the best and greatest reason why we shouldn't throw our lot with the other warlords."
"Also, they wouldn't accept our help anyway." Mallory placed his glass on the table and rubbed his forehead in frustration. "You and I…we're different. But those three…they have gigantic egos. Their pride will never allow them to subordinate themselves to others. They would never admit to needing help from any other forces. Even now I suspect they are working separately, and intend to attack the Lyon stronghold by themselves, without allying with anyone else. In contrast, the new Demonic Emperor seems more open to the idea of welcoming allies."
"You are actually correct." Eleanor looked amused, her eyes taking on a faraway look. "They are actually attacking the Lyon province independently of each other. And at different times too. If they would only work together and form a loose alliance…coordinate their assault…they might, as you mentioned earlier, muster a force powerful enough to challenge the coalition of two demonic legions and lower-ranked vampire nobles. But they were unable to swallow their pride and give up on their ambitions. Each of the other three warlords wish to seize the crown for themselves. Even if they somehow put aside their differences and work together for now, once the battle is over, they will go back to fighting against each other. In fact, it is more than likely that they will turn on each other even before the assault on the Lyon province is finished. With such distrust among their ranks, how would they ever agree to an alliance?"
"Then I am correct in thinking that you also intend to join the Demonic Emperor's camp?" Mallory asked heavily. He didn't seem very happy about the idea, but he knew they had little choice. As powerful as their armies, even they wouldn't be able to challenge the newly enthroned Demonic Emperor.
However, he couldn't help but feel bitter at the prospect of abandoning his ambitions. Honestly, though, he was aware of how unlikely it would for him to succeed as the next Demonic Emperor. Even if it wasn't for this upstart, he realized that he was outmatched by Stryker, Virginia and Gregory. He had come this far through political manipulation and playing his enemies off against each other, but he didn't have a solid base of an army loyal only to him…only a loose network of alliances from ancient noble houses who owed his family favors.
And even now there rumblings among those ancient houses about siding with the Demonic Emperor. His power base would be falling apart at this rate.
If he moved now, he might be able to salvage something. Of the five warlords, he was the one with the shakiest foundations and least claim to the throne. If he joined the new Demonic Emperor and pledged his forces to him, then perhaps he would still be able to maintain his rank and status, or even get a higher position. After all, as the new Demonic Emperor, the youngster was going to need manpower. Mallory was certain that his skills as a diplomat would come in useful during the new regime.
But it still sucked that he wouldn't be the one sitting in the throne.
Eleanor appeared to share similar sentiments. She was reclining in her chair and considering the options available to her.
"That appears to be the best option for now," she conceded with a sigh. "Though it means giving up my claim to the throne…a strategist knows when it's best to not fight a losing battle."
"A losing battle?" Mallory raised an eyebrow. "I never thought I would hear you say that."
"It's not like I like admitting it. But if this new Demonic Emperor is as capable as I think he is, then we only have a very slim chance of winning. Think about it…he has two demonic legions under him right now. If he prevails over the three other warlords and absorbs their forces, he would only become stronger. How are we supposed to face such an enemy? We're better off swallowing our pride and serving under him."
"You are right." Mallory sighed, his eyes resting upon his glass of blood. The network of allies that he had painstakingly built up over the centuries – the ancient houses who agreed to aid him, in particular – all seemed inclined to serve the new Demonic Emperor. The general consensus was that they were delighted at the prospect of a real vampire becoming the Demonic Emperor for the first time in so long. Perhaps this was for the best.
"However…" Eleanor raised a finger. "That is contingent on him winning against the other three warlords."
"You mean…?"
Eleanor smiled cunningly. "Like I said, wait and see. If an opportunity arises, we ride in. It is entirely possible that we overestimated the boy and he gets destroyed by Virginia or Stryker. When that happens, we would be fools for throwing our lot with him."
She then picked up the deck on her table and shuffled it. Drawing three cards, she placed them on the table.
"The Emperor. Death. Strength." Eleanor looked up. "I wonder what this foretells?"
"The death of the new Demonic Emperor?" Mallory breathed. "Or…?"
"Or that the Demonic Emperor will bring death to his enemies through overwhelming strength. Who can say for sure?" Eleanor studied the cards, fascinated. "As I said, we should wait and see. Play it by ear and seize whatever opportunity befalls us."
"Understood." Mallory swallowed and rose to his feet. He picked up his glass and drained it of blood before setting it down. "I shall go make preparations then."
"I will be counting on you." Eleanor nodded. She raised her own glass, as if in cheers. "Here's to a delightful cooperation."
"Let's hope everything goes as planned," Mallory mumbled nervously before he disappeared into the shadows.
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