I Am Louis XIV

"In this regard, you and His Highness Theodric have the same views." Louis said.

"Yes, it may be possible for wizards to coexist harmoniously with mortals, but it is not possible for vampires. You should know it best, because you are the kind of person who will pursue it to the end when there is a slight threat." Amon's doll is crooked Speaking on the candlestick, the doll's glass eyes were dimmed under the candlelight. Just like Theodric said, he should have separated part of the mist and contracted it inside the doll's body: "This is what Theodric is worried about. He knows that you can find out, and then..." He opened his hands: "You will definitely try to eliminate this threat forever, at least in your life. But this is different from what you have encountered before, from the other world. The danger is different, Your Majesty, he is also for your own good, you cannot fight against us."

"I will," Louis seemed not to notice that the doll suddenly showed an evil smile and small fangs: "But Amon, are all thirteen clans involved in this matter this time?"

The doll scratched its face in surprise, although neither the ceramic doll's face nor the vampire would feel itchy: "The last time we were asked to do this was the second-generation vampire. Our parents, you are not qualified to do this. Your Majesty, let me tell you directly. The people involved in the assassination this time are Makavi and Xinmoor. But no vampire will stand on your side. Whether it is the Sabbat Hidden Banquet or neutrality, the tricks you play among humans cannot Shake the blood clan."

"I don't need anyone on my side," Louis pulled out another chair and sat down: "Can you drink like this?"

"Yes, but it's best to add some blood." Amon said with salivation: "This shouldn't be too much. Your Majesty, it's just one cup. The doctor has to take out this blood to treat you."

"I don't have that kind of fool around me." Louis said: "But I can give you a little." He brought a bottle of Brittany's famous sparkling cider, and the golden wine dropped into the blood and turned into a beautiful Orange: "How beautiful, I wish you good health," Amon said, "Your Majesty."

The doll was only a little taller than the cup. It jumped directly into the cup, lowered its head and took a big sip: "Your blood is like a raging lava," it said: "No matter how calm and hard it is on the surface, it is full of blood on the inside. Searing and devastating.”

"This is the result of me suppressing myself all the time. I want to be a good king, and I gave up a lot for this. To be more precise, I stood still from the beginning and did not cross that fragile thin line." Louis also took a big sip: "I'm not the kind of person who only regrets after losing, but Mary's sudden departure still makes me feel tired and disappointed. Amon, you and Mr. Theodric are also princes, Those who hold a high position, you should be able to understand... When I find that a path cannot be passed, or that it will take a lot of effort and effort to pass, of course I will give up this path and change to another one. It seems now , maybe I was wrong at the time, some people may be born ungrateful... No, maybe they understand, but they have never taken bitter medicine, even if it is honey, they will not find it sweet."

The doll Amon chirped twice: "That's true, Your Majesty. Mortals are like ants in front of you. Of course you can use the rights given to you by God at will."

"Do you and Theodric both think that I will take action against the vampires involved in this matter?"

"You are a stubborn person, I have known this for a long time."

"Makavi and Simmel, you mentioned these two names," Louis said: "I know that Simmel's ancestral home is in Oxford, and that of Malkawi is in Toledo. They are Spanish and British people and they Did you make a deal?"

"Yes, what Carlos II and Charles II promised were territories and privileges." Amon said the message that Theodric had never delivered directly: "Your Majesty, each of the thirteen clans has its ancestral land. But the ancestral land almost belongs to the heads of each clan, and most of the descendants of the vampires will be scattered in various directions. You know, we need to eat every day. Unless we encounter a situation like the Black Death, the lower vampires will soon be killed. I noticed something was wrong - they couldn't enter the church, couldn't use silverware, and were afraid of the sun. But there is a situation, Your Majesty, if he has a noble surname and territory, then his strangeness will be overshadowed by his power and identity. cover."

"Just like the Elizabeth Bathory of the past." Louis said that Bloody Mary had two origins in history. One was Queen Mary I of England, and the other was Elizabeth Bathory of Hungary. When Louis was in the world I have read records about her. She is a fifth or sixth generation vampire. She was a human before her husband died and was transformed after her husband died. She consumed nearly a thousand girls in the name of hiring maids in the castle (this is still As long as there are records), after being exposed, she was imprisoned in her own room in the castle because of her surname and origin. It is said that the doors and windows were sealed with bricks and stones. If she were still a human, she would definitely live a very painful life. But she is a vampire, so for her, it is just giving up some less important things.

Therefore, for the vampire clan, if there is a fiefdom, not only can their own food sources be easily solved, but also developing descendants is no longer difficult - the noble master has countless quirks, and people can always understand them. Even the most troublesome mass and other sacraments can be "completed" in the chapel of the castle under the pretext of not completely exposing one's true identity in front of the public.

The nobles who owned the territory could also collect taxes, open courts, hire doctors, and raise soldiers and executioners. Their castles were forbidden places for civilians. Not only were they allowed, but even the king's soldiers were not allowed to enter.

"But the only ones who can let you and Theodric warn me are the heads of these two families." Louis said.

"They intend to seek a fiefdom for their direct descendants." Doll Amon showed a strange smile: "I heard that they accused Theodric of being in close contact with you at the secret banquet meeting to evade themselves. of guilt.”

"Shouldn't they use your deal with me as an example?" Louis said. "You got Livonia back."

"They don't dare to be enemies with Zmich." Amon said with a smile, and then he saw the king's teasing look: "You also said that vampires are different from humans," Louis XIV said bluntly: "Your Highness, Do you know what kind of existence the Vampires are to me? I don’t think the Vampires are devils or monsters. It must be said that they are just a new kind of life extracted from humans. You and Ti Orderric reminded me that the vampires use humans as food..." The king opened a small box on the round table and said, "Don't humans ever treat their own kind as food? You just take blood, and we can still eat it. It’s a bit more complicated, from grease to skin, from fat to brain, from bones to internal organs, we not only eat, but we also eat meticulously, scientifically, and regularly.”

"It seems Theodric is right to worry," Amon whined, "You are determined to go against us."

"How come?" Louis shook his head, "Don't you need order?"

"The vampires have their own laws." The doll Amon jumped out of the wine glass. Miraculously, there was no water stain all over his body. Its glass eyes were as small as two beans, but they were filled with evil crystal luster: "And For the Secret Banquet, their laws are already quite complete. They will not even look at you or listen to a word you say. If you dare to threaten them, don’t think they will be like Nophele. Just accept it."

"There are twenty million people in France now," Louis said suddenly, "and there will be more in the future."

"What's the use of having more lambs."

"Sheep will also eat flesh and blood." Louis said: "Why do you need a fiefdom? You didn't need it hundreds of years ago - because humans are developing and pioneering, and your transformed newborns hope to still retain their original status. A comfortable life, any Vampire can find an inaccessible place to live in seclusion, but that’s not possible now, there are humans everywhere, they are everywhere, and they are more powerful, just like wizards, your advantage is becoming weak."

"But at least while you are still a mortal, Louis." Doll Amon said: "You will pay the price for your arrogance."

"Does it matter how I am? Maybe if I die, France will be in turmoil for a while, but mankind will continue to move forward." Louis held the cup: "I don't understand what you are dissatisfied with. I am seeking a wizard, a vampire Even a future where all residents of the other world coexist.”

If the original doll Amon was indeed deliberately exaggerating the threat, now it is true... His emotions are so complicated that the doll's body is about to burst: "Can you still let us change the recipe, or sacrifice like Abel?" Did God sacrifice the first-born and only-begotten sons of mankind to the vampires like that?”

"What you need is blood," Louis said, "not life."

Doll Amon opened his eyes slightly, saying that vampires only need to ingest about one to three cups of blood, but in order to avoid leaving traces, they usually kill their prey after finishing their meal, "You mean bleeding? "It thought of a possibility, but: "We cannot ingest dead blood." Coagulated blood will weaken or even kill the vampire.

"Medicine is developing." Louis said. Amon didn't even know whether he was joking or crazy: "Now I know why I fell in love with you, Louis, what a crazy king!"

"What's strange about this," said Louis: "I can use silk, food and mansions to hire wizards, and of course I can use the same things to hire vampires, since both we and our enemies have abandoned the original law. Law, then let us be more thorough." He paused: "Of course, I don't mean to target all thirteen clans. I still say the same thing, Your Highness, I hope that my territory and country will be safe no matter day or night. There are rules to follow, and I won’t put forward too harsh conditions, but France—at least there shouldn’t be any criminals who have attempted to assassinate His Majesty the King.”

“Who do you want to hire?”

"Vandro," said Louis.

"I think so," the doll Amon said: "Zimixi is a member of the Sabbat. We do not agree with the conservatism and caution of the members of the Sabbat, but it is not impossible, Your Majesty."

"How should I put it, Your Highness, are you willing to accept the bond of the covenant with mankind?"

"This is exactly what I came for," the doll Amon said: "Your Majesty, I don't even mind being hostile to Mokavi and Xinmoor. Anyway, we don't have much to deal with before, but I hope, I hope I can have you, I My first wish, Your Majesty, is that I want you to be my descendant and take over the authority of Tsimich.”

"I probably cannot grant you this wish," said Louis. "I belong to France."

"That may be the case for the first fifty or sixty years, but what about after that?" The doll Amon took two steps on the table, stretched out his two tiny hands, and touched Louis' face: "Time has never belonged to the vampires. Enemy, even if you are old, after you drink my blood, you will regain your youth and vitality, and it will last forever."

"How wonderful, or so it sounds."

"This is not a difficult choice, Louis. When you grow old and die, you will be buried by your descendants, rotting in the soil, and living with sand insects and ants. Your beautiful hair, snow-skinned skin, and blue eyes like gems will only be compared to portraits. People's memories can still remain, but the portraits will fade, the memories will fade, and one day, your glory will gradually dim, and people will no longer remember that there was such a king... But if you become my descendant, Louis , all this is just a short moment to you."

The patriarch of Zmich rarely said with such sincerity: "When you wake up, you will still be as beautiful and charming as ever. The art, music and drama you love will jump to a new level, or have more. Pleasure and novelty are waiting for you to enjoy, and you don’t even need to work as hard as you do now, and you can still be high and dominate everything.”

"Perhaps," it continued, "I was wrong before. Not all clans are unwilling to stand by your side. If you are willing to accept my invitation, not only Zmich, I can even persuade Lesenba for you." The head of the family, Your Majesty, if you really have that kind of ambition."

"It's also your ambition, Your Highness. If I become Zmich, will there be a second blood family occupying the throne in France?"

"You are really sober," the doll Amon said: "But do you think Theodric will accept your employment? He is so old-fashioned, and if I can't be your father, I will be your enemy."

"There are thirteen clans in the Blood Clan, as you reminded me before."

Doll Amon took a step back, "I really admire you, Louis. How bold do you have to be?"