Compromise and Tradition

"It's sister Anastasia! And she brought a human with her!"

The announcement caused Hunter to stop short in his tracks. Anastasia returned earlier than scheduled, and Hunter felt a chill down his spine.

In terms of raw physical power, he stood at the top, however, Anastasia actually far surpassed him in her use of Zecian Aura. Moreover, her Whitelock Bloodline was superior to him since she was of pure blood. The only reason why she couldn't win against Hunter was because he had more experience. He was nine years older than her, after all.

However, when he heard that she brought a human with her... a smile appeared on his face. Bringing in a half-descendant is one thing... but bringing in a human inside the village? It was the taboo of all taboos.

"HA-HA-HA! To think that Anastasia would cause her own downfall. Ah~ praise Augustus. I'll be crowned as the village chief earlier than expected." He said to himself.

From within the house of the village elders, a commotion was heard. It was still early in the morning, and they were just contemplating on how to kindly turn down Hunter if he were to pay them a visit today. And then they were met with a surprise like this, it almost gave them a heart attack.

"WHAT?! Are you absolutely sure about this, my child?"

"Maybe it was one of us, and he just forgot to undo his disguise."

"But he smelled like a human. And his blood... hahh~ it smelled so sweet!" The young girl continued.

The village elders bolted upright despite their old age.

"Ridiculous! How absolutely vile!"

"This is insanity! A human?! Entering the Whitelock Village?!"

"BRING ANASTASIA WHITELOCK TO US, RIGHT NOW!"

The young girl was surprised at the reaction of the village elders. At first, she thought that the news would just surprise them, nothing more. But now, she regretted informing them about it.

Had she known their reaction, she would've kept the news to herself.

Then again, it gave Anastasia and Albrecht an express pass to the village elders. If anything, they'd be able to explain their case sooner than initially expected.

— — —

Before Albrecht and Anastasia could step foot inside the village, two guards blocked their paths. They immediately realized that Anastasia was trying to bring in a human into the village.

"Anastasia, what's the meaning of this?" The guard asked. He knew Anastasia from when she was still a child, that's why he was surprised that she would break a taboo like this.

Since Anastasia had a good record of being obedient to the rules, he demanded an explanation first.

Anastasia didn't delay her answer. "He knows how to cure mother. That's why I'm bringing him in."

Albrecht nodded his head. He stayed silent the entire exchange. He could've easily averted the situation, but he chose not to since he wanted to see how Anastasia would handle the situation.

"T-then..." The two guards looked at each other since they had no idea what to do.

On one hand, Anastasia's actions was considered taboo. On the other hand, if what she said was true, then this is their only hope of saving the Whitelock Tribe.

While the guards wracked their brain together, Albrecht and Anastasia patiently stood there.

"Remember what happened a couple years ago? When we had a decline in childbirth? We brought half-descendants into our village, right?" The second guard muttered.

"Yes, what about it?"

'That was done for the sake of the village. It was considered taboo back then as well, right?"

"Right." The first guard understood what the second guard was saying, and his eyes lighted up.

"Then... we have to let them in. This is for the sake of the village. It might be considered taboo... but it's the direct descendant of the village chief herself. Surely, the village elders would understand."

As the two guards debated, a couple of high-ranking vampires approached the entrance, pointing a scythe at Albrecht.

"Human, you're coming with us!" Efvin Whitelock, the leader of the group, announced. He then formed a handcuff with his own hardened blood, locking Albrecht's hand with. This handcuff is effective against other races because Efvin had to die before it could come off..

"I have a name." Albrecht called out. Nevertheless, he followed them.

Anastasia also trailed right behind them, not daring to speak another word. She was trying to come up with a decent explanation to the village elders so they'd allow Albrecht to assist. 'Still, how could he be so calm?' Anastasia asked herself since Albrecht wasn't even fazed.

Honestly, Albrecht was shaken to his core, but his poker face was impenetrable. He knew that he shouldn't show a hint of weakness. Even though the vampires surrounding him were close to level 50, he still held his ground and maintained his composure.

If it came down to it, he could use his trump card and convince them about something. But then again... it would be quite an intricate process.

There was no instance of an Albrecht in another dimension attempting something like this. Even the System had no idea what to expect of Albrecht's decision.

Albrecht asked for more information regarding the scenario, but there were no prior records of it ever happening. That's why the System could only apologize for its shortcomings.

Efvin didn't speak the rest of the way. However, Albrecht noticed that he would occassionally glance at Anastasia from time to time.

It wasn't that hard to notice that he was interested in Anastasia. His expression spoke louder than words and based on his expression, he was worried to death. He didn't want to do this, but the village elders ordered him to bring Anastasia and the human. Left with no choice, he followed the order.

Then again, he was confused as to why Anastasia would do something that was considered taboo. She was an upright vampire and the second-heir to the position of the village chief.

It was a bizzare situation for Efvin. He badly wanted to know what her relationship was with the human.

They reached the house of the village elders, and they were ushered inside. Albrecht was led to the center of the room, and all the village elders stared at him with probing eyes.

"State your name."