My Vampire Harem Will Dominate Everything

"The fifth relics," Akiko continued, "are where things get interesting or frightening, depending on who you ask."

"The wielder of the fifth Daydream relic is one of the most terrifying vampires alive. Not just for what he can do with his relic, but because he is also one of the only nine eighth-ringed vampires to exist."

Ezra blinked in mild surprise. He hadn't really considered what it'll look like if a prince was also an eighth ringed vampire.

He knew in the back of his mind that both Prince Caspian and Wrthur were both eighth ringed vampires but he'd never sat down to think about what it actually meant.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

There were no ninth ringed vampires and only nine eight-ringed vampires.

Eighth-ringed vampires were legends in their own right and nearly unstoppable. The Monarchy had four, all royalty, while the council had five, all Council elders.

"As you know," Akiko said, "the eighth-ringed ability, Avatar, is quite the gift."

"It grants the eight ringed vampires the ability to split into different bodies, each one different yet connected to the whole."

"Each capable of independent thought yet sharing the same consciousness."

"Each Avatar isn't just a clone but an original in its own way. Even if you manage to kill one Avatar, the others live on as the person. There are no real or fake bodies, all of them are real bodies."

"To truly kill an eighth ringed vampire, one must destroy all of their Avatars. Or at least, that's how others play it."

"The eight-ringed vampires know how to kill each other by killing just one Avatar. They won't let the secret out though."

"Now imagine merging the eighth ringed ability, Avatar, with the fifth Daydream relic, Cradle. What you get is a monster."

"Cradle grants its wielder the ability to create multiple astral projections that can either amplify a vampire's existing ability or temporarily grant them unique, powerful abilities."

"It was originally designed by the Progenitor as a support relic for his heir since the wielder cannot use it on themselves, but with the Avatar ability, that limitation is moot."

"Due to the nature of the eighth ringed ability, each Avatar possesses the relic, and all of them can enhance the others. The result is an army of one, each an eighth-ringed vampire."

Ezra's brows rose on his head. Every eight ringed vampire could create Avatars but were restricted to the same powers.

With Cradle and Avatar, one could create Avatars with the exact ability needed to kill a single person. Imagine having an army of eighth ringed vampires created just to kill you.

"With Caspian wielding Riptide and our fifth Daydream relic wielder in play, even as the Society has the advantage in numbers, they understand the cost of attacking the Monarchy."

"They can't afford a war with us. It would mean the death of at least half the elders. And they definitely don't want that."

There was silence as both Akiko and Ezra mulled on her words. Things were not as simple as propaganda would allow one to think.

The Monarchy and Society were at a stalemate, both sides keeping the other in check.

Ezra's mind went to the Progenitor's palace sitting under the Ark. The stalemate was one he'd have to break if he wanted to stop this world from being wiped out.

There was no other way.

After a few seconds, Akiko picked up from where she left off.

"Now, here's another interesting fact. The wielder of the fifth Nightmare relic has a connection to you." She turned to look at Ezra, her voice carrying a note of accusation.

"The fifth Nightmare relic, Tomb, is… or rather was, wielded by the Faewall City Lord, James Harlow."

Ezra stood stoically. There was nothing he had to say about this.

"According to the reports," Akiko said, "James Harlow is dead. And the reports are quite particular that you… played a role in his death."

Ezra's perception flicked briefly to James' beating heart, safely hidden within his pocket dimension. Enjoy new chapters from empire

He said nothing, letting his silence serve as both an acknowledgment and denial.

Akiko's eyes narrowed slightly but she didn't press the issue.

"Moving on," she said. "The wielder of the sixth Daydream relic died centuries ago, long before the Death Wave."

"He was the first vampire to discover one of the Progenitor's relics, which ignited the fervor for relic hunting. His discovery proved that the relics were not mere myths. Unfortunately, with his death, the sixth Daydream relic is gone forever."

"As for the sixth Nightmare relic," she continued, "its wielder met their end at the hands of one of the Society's Council Elders. He was still a fifth ringed vampire but was too uppity to be kept around."

Ezra nodded slightly.

"Now," Akiko said gleefully, like she had been waiting for this the whole time, "the seventh relics."

"The seventh Daydream relic is wielded by another eighth-ringed vampire. One you know of."

"Prince Arthur." She grinned, showing teeth.

"His relic, Aether, grants him the ability to create light. But not just any light."

"Light that gives."

Ezra frowned at that but remained silent.

Akiko stopped walking and turned to him fully. "I'm sure you know more about its counterpart than I do, considering you wield it."

Her gaze seemed to pierce through him. "Based on the information we've gathered, you wield darkness."

"Darkness that smothers."

"Darkness that takes."

Ezra exhaled. Those words described his relic accurately.

"We know the names of the relics with us but yours. What's the name." Akiko asked somberly.

Ezra hesitated for a moment before answering. "Valaren," he said finally. "That's its name."

Akiko tilted her head, her expression thoughtful. "Valaren. A noble name. Fitting, I suppose."

"But that's beside the point." Akiko said, everything about her, completely serious. "Do you know why I'm telling you about the relics?"

Ezra said nothing.

"Think back to what we've learnt, brother." She said. "You are not connected to the death of just one relic wielder, but three."

"Three relic wielders." She repeated. "Do you understand now why it's so difficult to trust you?"

Her eyes bore into his, unyielding.

"So, the question is…" She paused, taking a step closer. "What is your plan to prove yourself to the Monarchy?"