Chapter 422: Chapter 428

Upon spotting the darkened look on Jonathan’s countenance, Yeverie said, “We’ll definitely leave this place, Your Majesty.”

Slightly stunned, Jonathan glanced at Yeverie. I can’t believe she’s worried I’d get discouraged.

Smiling, he replied, “I believe it, too. However, I feel bad that you have to endure this suffering.”

“It’s fine.” Yeverie blushed. “As long as I’m with you, I don’t feel like I’m suffering, Your Majesty.”

Jonathan chuckled.

Neither of them could figure out what the situation was in the snowfield.

Jonathan wished he had a pair of wings so he could fly up high and study the land from above. It’s like my eyes are blindfolded. I keep trying to clear the fog in front of me away so I can see clearly, but I can’t.

The snowstorm had ceased, leaving the snowfield in eerie silence.

Sometimes, people wished for their surroundings to be quieter. Nevertheless, living in an environment devoid of sound would really scare them and drive them mad.

Therefore, neither Jonathan nor Yeverie could sleep.

Most of the time, they would pretend to slumber but couldn’t resist opening their eyes eventually. There were also a few times, they even caught each other staring.

They found those instances hilarious and eventually opted not to sleep at all.

“Let’s chat a little,” suggested Jonathan.

“Sure.” Yeverie nodded.

“Where are you from, Yeverie? I’ve never heard you mention your parents before.”

She was taken aback slightly before answering, “My father is a foreigner while my mother is a local.

However, both of them are vampires. I grew up in Eastsummer, but I never met them before.

Apparently, they were killed during Eastern Invasion.”

Her words surprised Jonathan because he didn’t expect her to be an orphan too.

He couldn’t help but ask, “Do you hate us Chanaean?”

“In the past, yes. Over time, I found myself incapable of holding on to that resentment. Back then, our people invaded another land, so it was their fault that they were killed. I despised the elders who encouraged the invasion, but they’re all dead now.”

Jonathan chuckled. “I was worried you would detest me.”

Hastily, Yeverie denied, “No, I don’t dislike you, Your Majesty.” Blushing, she resumed, “In fact, I respect you and like you too, Your Majesty.”

The edges of his lips curved upward.

“What about you, Your Majesty? I know you’re a Chanaean, but you’re so mysterious.”

“I’m the same as you. I don’t know who my parents are. I was raised by my master, you see. It’s not until this year that I learned my background, though I wish I didn’t.”

“Why?”

Jonathan didn’t want to disclose his background. However, he did listen to Yeverie’s story, so he didn’t want to withhold his tale when it was his turn to tell it. Thus, he took in a deep breath and uttered, “It’s a long story. To make it short, I was a cursed child, and my father murdered my mother. He would’ve killed me too if he didn’t go by the belief that ending a son’s life would incur bad luck in the future.”

“Oh, dear.” Yeverie paled slightly. “How can this be? Aren’t parents supposed to love their children?

Isn’t there a saying in Chanaea that goes, ‘Even a vicious tiger won’t devour its cubs?’“

Unwilling to speak of the matter any longer, Jonathan shifted his sight away. “Let’s talk about something else.”

Yeverie didn’t continue the topic as she was aware he still hadn’t made peace with the matter.

A brief silence ensued before Jonathan changed the subject because he didn’t want the atmosphere to turn awkward. “Oh, yeah. There’s one thing I’m curious about, Yeverie.”

“What is it?” Yeverie blinked.

“Since there’s a limited number of members in vampire society, how do you all plan to protect the future of the bloodline?” inquired Jonathan. After all, there are less than four hundred vampires still alive. It’s impossible for them to keep intermarrying. If this continues, doesn’t that mean the vampire population will keep shrinking?

The question stumped her momentarily as she scratched her head. Then, she answered, “Our numbers have decreased over the years, especially after Eastern Invasion. We survived because we were young and didn’t participate in it. Vampires have a powerful life force. Hence, we can live for a very long time. However, our people keep dying during incidents like the invasion and maybe during the upcoming Great Tribulation. According to our history, there were more than three hundred thousand of us during our golden age.”

They’re on the verge of extinction! In that instant, Jonathan realized the reality and cruelty of evolutionism. It’s the survival of the fittest in an ironic way. Beings who seem powerful are often the ones facing annihilation. For example, tigers, leopards, polar bears, and even dinosaurs. They’re all mighty creatures, yet they face extinction, even more so for dinosaurs since they all died out very early on. In contrast, planktonic microorganisms have been thriving. Humans have survived not because they’re powerful but because they’re intelligent. That’s their strength. Still, humans die easily. Just a change in weather will be enough to kill them. Nothing in human history has stopped humans from causing more deaths. Vampires did the same with their past wars and invasions.

Sighing slightly, he asked, “Did Leahra set any rules for marriages?”

Yeverie replied, “She didn’t, but we vampires have our own beliefs. Most are too proud to wed a member of another race. Of course, some still intermarry. A few of the children born from this union are pure vampires, while others are pure humans. However, no half-vampire half-human has ever existed.

Typically, only a pure vampire’s name will be recorded in vampire genealogy. Only then will they be able to enjoy the benefits and learn the cultivation techniques of their people.”

It was then realization dawned upon Jonathan. I still don’t know much about everything in vampire society because I haven’t been spending much time in it. Well, I got kicked out almost immediately after I was crowned! Not only that, I’m forced to escape to this godforsaken place. This is bullsh*t! This reminds me of the time when I watched a television program about my country’s history. I always thought those kings were a joke. Now that I think about it, I think I’m a joke, too. However, I’m not like them. I’ll definitely return there with allies to slay Anakin and snatch back my rightful throne. The vampire society is my foundation. I won’t abandon it. Still, I’ve no idea what this place is or when we’ll be able to escape it.

Sighing, he didn’t want to think about the problem anymore. Whenever he did, he’d feel annoyed.

Upon noticing his frown, Yeverie asked, “Do you think vampires will survive the Great Tribulation, Your Majesty? Will our species go extinct?”

Jonathan was slightly astonished by her words and spoke. “There’s a powerful race in human history called the Yartranians. For a thousand years, they wandered around, their people scattered across the globe. Additionally, they suffered endless discrimination and persecution. During the second world war, they even faced genocide. Despite that, not only did they survive that ordeal, but they even built their own country. Do you know why?”

“I know a few things about them. The Yartranians possess a strong belief. Belief can be such a terrifying thing as it grants faithful followers the unwavering courage to face authority, persecution, and death.”

“That’s right. For example, we Chanaeans don’t have any beliefs. If I must point to one, the only candidate is money. They will do anything for it.”

“Are you trying to say that vampires also need a belief, Your Majesty? That we should base our faith in Leahra?”

“As long as even a single vampire possesses strong faith, the essence of this race will never fade away.” Jonathan paused before resuming, “However, there are too few vampires around. While I’ll do my best to lead you all through the Great Tribulation, I don’t know what’ll happen in the future. No one can stop the wheel of time. We can only accept fate and not go against it whether the outcome is life or death.”

Yeverie lowered her head gloomily. I have been a vampire since I was a child, so I possess the pride and belief of my race, but he doesn’t.

“Say, Your Majesty.” Abruptly, she said, “I’ve always had this question in my mind.”

“What question?” asked Jonathan.

“I’ve watched many movies and listened to many ancient myths about vampires in the past. Many people seem to treat vampires as a symbol of evil. Are vampires good or bad?”

“Well… I can’t answer that question. If you ask me whether I think you’re a good or bad person, I’d say you’re good. Vampires as a whole, on the other hand… Hmm, let me ask you this, then. Do you think Anakin is a good person? Vampires definitely did frightening things during the course of their development. However, when viewing these events from the perspective of a vampire, they may seem justified. Are you familiar with Chanaean history?”

“I know a little.”

“Do you know who Julius is?”

“I do. He’s a famous tyrant in history.”

Jonathan grinned. “History is like a maiden. Whoever likes it is free to sleep with it. Everyone can comment on history. As history is in the past, there’s no definitive conclusion that can be drawn from it.

The only facts one could determine about history were the cause and effect, completely untethered to the concept of good and evil. That is the truth. Hence, it’s wrong to judge a person by labeling them as only good or evil. For example, Julius. You call him a tyrant, but that’s not correct.”

Sighing, he didn’t want to think about the problem anymore. Whenever he did, he’d feel annoyed.