Allister Mor Vandereich, the previous clan leader of the Vandereich clan and the current Faction Leader of the Pureblood Faction now sat in a carefree manner on his throne.
"You've greatly disappointed me. Both I & your father had high hopes for you. And whatever qualms you had with Szayel.. It should've stayed in the clan. You've committed the taboo of colluding with the enemy. And to think that you share the same ideology of our species ruling over others.. I thought we taught you better than that.
That was the reason why our species nearly went extinct in the empire once. And this approach instilled by my predecessor & me is the reason why we Vampires are now one of the strongest forces in the empire.
But you wish to cross that line and destroy everything we've built over the past 3 centuries?
If not for me & your father.. The Faction Council would've decreed to burn you alive with all those traitors. But it doesn't mean you will face no consequences." spoke the old faction leader in his domineering voice that froze Vivian's entire body. His wrathful gaze had shaken her core as if she was looking at inevitable death.
"Forgive me for intruding, Great Ancestor. But I still don't understand why did we have to go to such extreme measures? These matters should've been dealt within the faction. Why these public executions?" asked one of the elders.
"To make a statement. After those runts from Demi-Human Faction killed the majority of the clan heirs, crippling our future generations... There was a need to show that we won't take it without uttering a word.
Although we can't openly declare war on them and put the entire empire in chaos… this was something that needed to be done. Otherwise, soon they would've spread the rumors about the dead clan heirs and we would've lost all our prestige anyways.
As for the people responsible from their side.. We've killed 50 thousand of their faction members over the past month hidden from the public eyes. This will also be a reminder for them to not cross the line ever again.
And because of this display of executing the traitors, we've scared everyone who ever had a thought of it and increased the loyalty of our clan members who felt threatened for their future because of this revelation." explained the faction leader.
"Understood, Great Ancestor." spoke the elder.
"As for you.. We didn't have you killed because it would've broken the spirit of our clan members to see that the clan heiress herself was one of these traitors. It would've done more harm than good.
But now.. You shall be punished with Core binding ritual." decreed Allister.
"No!! Have mercy on me, great ancestor… Grandfather! I promise I will never do anything like this again. I will serve the clan with all my soul! Just give me another chance! Please!!.." shouted Vivian as her body was shivering in fear as soon as the decree from Allister reached her ears.
"Silence!! This is your second chance. From now, your core shall be bound to your stepbrother, Szayel Mor Vandereich.
You will be prohibited from having a marriage.
You can no longer have a family or children of your own.
Your position as the clan heiress has been discarded and you will never rise in ranks in our clan.
Your candidacy for the Clan Leader's position has been nulled.
You will serve Szayel as his servant till your last days. If he dies, you will die along with him.
You are to obey his every order even if it means harm to your own life.
After the seal has been placed, you won't be able to kill yourself either. Your life will have only one meaning.
To serve and protect your master. And serve the clan.
This shall be your punishment for betraying your family!" declared the old vampire, showing no mercy towards his granddaughter whom he once cherished the most.
Vivian dropped on the ground, she started crying and begging for forgiveness. Her pleads for mercy filled the entire grand hall.
Szayel on the other hand, looked at her with lifeless eyes as if something in him had changed. Although he was overshadowed by Vivian's talent and glory most of his life.. He never truly hated her.
But after finding out that she didn't even care whether he lived or died as means to accomplish her goals.. He learned a very harsh lesson.
Now, he didn't care whether she was killed or forced to become his slave. All he could think of was how to become strong and become worthy of being a good clan leader in the future.
He looked at Vivian who was now grabbing his leg and pleading for forgiveness but there was no empathy for her in his eyes.
Because if not for Kahn showing up that day and saving him.. He would've died a horrible death in a no-name place and the now crying figure of Vivian wouldn't even have blinked twice.
He had learned his lesson already. That in pursuit of power, authority and strength.. Even your own family wouldn't shy away from killing you.
And this was how he too had to become if he wanted to survive in this world where only the powerful made the rules.
Dozens of mages then entered the and under the orders of the clan ancestor, the very painful and terrifying ritual of core binding was performed on Vivian as her soul shuddering screams frilled the grand hall.
Although Allister & Ismatrazel felt a lot of pain in their heart.. They had no choice but to abide by the clan's rules. Letting Vivian live even if it meant as a slave to the clan and giving her a fate of no freedom is the best thing they could offer.
Because in their clan, there was one rule that transcended everything.
'The Clan comes first, everything else later.'
[Great Father.. What about that human boy?] asked the clan leader to his father using a telepathic communication artifact as they watched the whole procedure.
To his query, the faction leader replied in a solemn tone.
[I know you want him as your discipline but now is not the good time. Although he's a human.. We can use the ancient bloodline ritual to turn him into a vampire as I witnessed once more than two centuries ago. But first…
I would like to meet this Kahn you speak of.
And see if he's really worthy of becoming someone like the First Emperor.]