46: The domineering Viktor

The voice was not loud, but it was filled with intimidation; it was sharp and focused, echoing throughout the entire room, lingering for a long time.

Seeing this, Serena did not remain silent; she immediately knelt on one knee and replied loudly:

"Reporting to Elder Victor, it is I, Serena, your foster daughter. I am the one who has awakened you from your slumber at this time."

"Serena..."

Victor used his pair of withered, razor-sharp claws to push against the sides of the sarcophagus and slowly sat up. When he saw Serena's face, a look of reminiscence appeared in his eyes.

After closing his eyes and pondering for a good while, he continued to speak.

"Serena, my foster daughter, has the 100-year time limit arrived?"

"It has not. It has only been one hundred and sixteen years since you fell into a slumber."

Serena did not intend to hide anything and answered the question truthfully.

"One hundred and sixteen years? Does that not mean it is still during Emilia's reign?"

Victor's previously lowered eyes instantly became sharp, staring at Serena with murderous intent.

Although he was expressionless, his entire body exuded an aura that inspired fear.

This caused the half-kneeling Serena to immediately feel immense pressure, as well as a fear that rose inexplicably from the bottom of her heart.

However, at the same time, she also felt more at ease.

The stronger Elder Victor was, the more favorable it would be for the plan to deal with Kraven.

Suppressing the emotions in her heart, Serena said in a firm tone:

"Yes, it was I who disregarded the clan rules and rashly awakened you."

"Are you trying to die?"

The murderous intent in Victor's eyes almost solidified. His previously relaxed body instantly tensed up. In the next second, he flew out of the sarcophagus and landed in front of Serena, his eyes narrowed as he looked down at her.

He then raised one of his sharp claws, clenched it tightly, and said coldly:

"If you want to die, as your foster father, I can grant your wish right now. I will just act as if I never saved you."

At this moment, he had already developed the intent to kill.

In his eyes, Serena was originally just a replacement for his own daughter, Sophia.

But now, Serena had committed the same mistake as his daughter: ignoring the rules and trampling on their authority. This was a crime he could not tolerate.

The reason he did not act immediately was that he wanted to give Serena a chance to explain.

Of course, if Serena could not provide a convincing reason, he would drain her blood on the spot.

Serena was frightened by his sudden movement, but she forced herself to remain calm, raised her head, and explained:

"Foster father, the reason I acted this way was entirely due to the circumstances; I had no other choice."

"Hmm?" Victor frowned, his expression unreadable.

"Because if I did not awaken you, the Vampire Clan would likely face the crisis of extermination."

"You had better be telling the truth, otherwise I will not spare you easily."

"I would naturally not dare to deceive you, foster father."

"Hmm, speak. Tell me everything you know, from beginning to end." Victor clasped his hands behind his back, then his figure flashed, and he returned to the bronze throne at the very top of the hall.

"However, I must warn you in advance: if you have done such a thing because of some groundless news, then you will still die."

"I know the gravity of the situation. I believe that after hearing this news, you will certainly agree with my judgment."

Hearing this, Serena knew that Victor's anger was only temporarily suppressed. She composed herself and then revealed the news of Emilia's death:

"The situation is this: two days ago, when Elder Emilia was returning from outside, she was attacked and unfortunately died."

"Wait, you said who died?" Upon hearing this news, Victor immediately raised his hand to confirm.

"The ruler of this century, Elder Emilia."

"Hmph, I have long warned her not to always think about finding good ways to improve her strength from the outside, but she never listened."

Upon hearing of Emilia's death, Victor did not appear surprised; instead, a mocking look couldn't help but appear on his face as he commented:

"For a woman to become one of the Elders was already fortunate enough, yet she spent every day thinking about getting some useless ways to improve her strength. It is only normal that she died."

Serena stood below, listening to Victor's ruthless commentary; she dared not interject, nor did she dare to continue speaking.

"However..."

Victor tapped the bronze chair lightly. In the next second, his eyes became sharp again, overflowing with cold light:

"She was an Elder of our Vampire Clan. If someone dares to kill her, that is not giving us face. Speak, who did it?"

"It was the Werewolves."

Serena immediately replied: "And the leader of that group of Werewolves is none other than the progenitor of the transformed Werewolves, Lucien. He chased me last time, and I recognize the pendant on his chest."

"Who did you say!" Upon hearing the three words "Lucien," Victor's voice suddenly rose, and he stood up from the bronze throne.

His face was twisted, and he had completely lost his previous composure.

"Lucien. This name is one I looked up in the 'History of the Vampire Clan'."

Serena secretly observed Victor's reaction and then repeated the name Lucien once more.

Seeing him react so strongly, Serena could not help but speculate in her heart: "Foster father, why do you react so strongly to this name? You didn't even act like this when you just heard the news of Elder Emilia's death."

"Lucien, hehe, what a good Lucien." Victor repeated the three words "Lucien" several times in a gloomy voice, his eyes filled with rage.

But thinking of how Kraven had once told them that Lucien was dead, he calmed down again and confirmed with Serena:

"Can you be sure that the Werewolf you saw was Lucien? You didn't see wrong?"

"I can judge by the pendant on his chest."

Serena heard the tone of questioning in his voice, so she immediately laid out everything she had speculated:

"Moreover, back then Kraven said he killed Lucien, but he only brought back a piece of skin with a tattoo, which proves nothing at all. It is far less convincing than that pendant and the Werewolf's strength."

"He carries that pendant with him at all times; presumably, that pendant is very important to him."

"Shut up, do not mention that pendant." Upon hearing the word "pendant," Victor immediately shouted to stop her.

"Also, the location of this mission was arranged entirely by Kraven. No one knew about it except for him and his men."

Serena clasped her hands and bowed to Victor: "Therefore, I suspect that he colluded with Lucien to murder Elder Emilia. Although I do not know what his reason is, this matter was absolutely done by him."

Victor fell silent, and his expression returned to calm. Serena, standing below, could not tell what he was thinking.

After the entire room had been quiet for a good while, Victor waved his hand and instructed:

"Although what you said, Serena, is very logical, I still need to verify it."

"I..." Serena wanted to say something more, but was interrupted by Victor's calm gaze.

"Go and call Kraven here; I have some things to ask him."

"Yes." Serena sighed. She also knew that everything she had said was speculation and there was no substantial evidence.

The fact that Victor was willing to believe her and further interrogate Kraven was already giving her a lot of face.

Therefore, she could not say much more. After receiving Victor's order, she immediately retreated.

In the dimly lit room, Victor sat above, watching Serena's retreating figure with a calm expression. His right hand tapped lightly on the bronze chair, making a rhythmic clanging sound, as if he were deep in thought.

"Lucien, Kraven... Hmph, they are nothing but a group of clowns."