Ismatrazel Mor Vandereich, the current head of the Vandereich clan that had nearly 5 million members around the entire Rakos Empire, stood before Kahn in an imposing manner.
He was currently the strongest person Kahn had met so far in this new life. The clan leader who also ranked in the top 15 strongest fighters and was also one of the top 5 swordsmen in the empire just apologized to him on behalf of his clan for the improper welcome.
"Lord Father, this human thoroughly insulted our clan right in front of our hall. He deserves to be killed!" exclaimed Vivian and drew her sword at Kahn again. Her image flickered and a blade was aimed right at Kahn's neck. But before it could even move an inch, it stopped in its way.
A thumb and a forefinger had grabbed the blade in its charge. And the fingers belonged to none other than the clan leader of this vampire clan.
Another burst of horrifying aura was released from the vampire lord but this time, it was filled with killing intent. But surprisingly, it wasn't directed at Kahn but Vivian instead..
The next second, Vivian caved in the stone floor under this pressure and multiple cracks appeared on the solid ground.
"Do you really believe that I will allow you to kill someone in front of me just because you're my daughter?" asked Ismatrazel, his gaze full of contempt towards his own daughter.
Even Kahn wasn't the target of this raged aura felt a chill under his skin from this horrifying pressure.
"Commander! Take them away." ordered the vampire leader and the next second, a vampire mage donned in white and golden mage robes appeared out of nowhere and quickly cast an entrapment spell on both Vivian and captain Livaan who just tried to kill Kahn under a false pretense.
"Lord Father! Why are you taking an outsider's side?" asked Vivian who was now trapped inside this extremely dense and strong mana cell.. Like a bird in a cage.
"Silence!! I will deal with you later."
The noble vampire's gaze then turned towards Kahn and Albestros who stood at the center of the battlefield. He gestured at the mage commander, who released the aura of a 3rd stage saint rank mage himself and the very next second, Kahn and Albestros disappeared from the center along with the vampire clan leader.
Inside a lush green garden where a luxuriously made white tea table with blue patterns carved on it was kept, three figures suddenly appeared out of nowhere.
On one of the seats, was a young and silver-haired vampire sitting as if waiting for someone.
"Allow me to offer you our hospitality." spoke the vampire lord and sat on the main seat.
Several professionally dressed servants that stood on the side started pouring them an aromatic tea in their respective cups.
Without standing on ceremony, Kahn sat at the other end.. Completely unfazed by this sudden grand gesture of friendliness. Albestros on the other hand seemed a bit hesitant.
"No need to worry. You're in no danger." spoke Szayel and gestured to the old man to sit down.
Next, his father spoke.
"My son.. Told me about everything. During the meeting with the inner circle of the clan, he only mentioned how he was ambushed and nearly killed by our enemies to flame a war between us and the neutral faction.
But he did not tell anyone about how one of our own was in cahoots with the enemies. Or how they found out about Szayel's sudden visit as per my orders.
So no one knows about there being a traitor in our family but myself and my son." revealed the vampire without beating around the bush.
"And I assume you already know who that is now." spoke Kahn in a calm and collected manner.
"Yes. To see that my own daughter shook hands with our enemies, just to become my chosen successor. And even planning to kill her stepbrother for it." said Ismatrazel with a disappointed look on his face.
"And I once thought of her as a worthy candidate.. But this is crossing a line. Whatever matters of the family should stay in it. We will deal with it our way. I'll make sure that you won't be targeted."
Suddenly, Kahn interjected as spoke.
"I don't mean to get entangled in your clan affairs, lord clan leader. I didn't even intend to save your son, to be honest. Until I learned of his real Identity and decided to escort him here."
"And why did you do so? You are well aware of how you could've been killed after you made that stunt of blowing up mana bombs in our vicinity." asked the elegant vampire lord.
"Worth the risk if I'm to get rewarded handsomely." replied Kahn and sipped the aromatic tea. The first sip itself gave him a heavenly and blissful feeling.
"Hahaha. I like honesty, young man. Besides, someone like you who reached semi-saint rank at this early age is a rare case. Even I myself didn't believe it when Szayel told me about you. And to create a Saint Rank skill this early.. You're indeed a true genius." praised the clan head.
"I did feel like you were actually someone sent to infiltrate our ranks under the disguise of saving my son at the last moment. But after learning how you used yourself as bait to find the true culprit behind the ambush.. I must say that I'm impressed.
Now tell me.. What do you want as your reward? I could even offer you a suitable rank in our midst given your incredible talent. I myself am a swordsman so I know the amount of hard work and practice you must have put yourself through over a decade to reach this level. So it'd be a waste to let your talent go unnoticed." proposed the clan leader.
[I wonder if he would commit seppoku if I tell him that I did it all in just two months..] thought Kahn.
"Thank you for the offer, my lord. But what I want as a reward transcends far above something like a position or a rank in your prestigious clan." replied Kahn.
His sudden refusal gave all three males a surprise.
"Then what do you want that is far more precious than what I offered you?" asked the vampire lord curiously.
Kahn gave a light smile in return and spoke confidently..
"Your Friendship."