The Conquerors Path Chapter 995 - 993-A Tough Choice.

I pondered that idea, watching Vixuola battle fiercely against the impulse to lunge at me and drain every drop of my blood without mercy.

She senses it deep down—sipping my blood would bring her immense benefits, forging a route to elevated existence and amplified might. Those potent forces surge richly through my veins, and at this instant, Vixuola clings desperately to her composure, barely resisting the drive to assault me and satisfy her ultimate yearning to transform into a far greater being.

For the sake of acquiring greater strength.

Right as Vixuola teetered on the edge of madness, I gradually withdrew the allure, granting her relief from the intense craving that pleaded with her to yield to my blood and turn into my captive. Moments later, she flickered away, positioning herself slightly further from my reach.

"Huff... huff... huff..."

Her labored panting echoed through the space as I spotted her standing some distance off, bent over with hands on her knees, strands of hair plastered to her sweat-drenched face. At that sight, I swiftly folded my wings inward, drawing my aura back while approaching her step by step. But as I moved closer, she lifted a hand, gesturing firmly for me to halt and keep my distance for now.

"Are you all right?"

I posed the query, and after several deep inhalations, Vixuola responded moments afterward.

"Yeah... I'm fine."

Her response lacked real conviction, as I noticed her regaining her poise, rising tall once more; her form shimmered briefly, restoring her to the poised and commanding figure from earlier. Her eyes gleamed with an added intensity as they met mine, blending hints of longing, submission, and profound reflection.

"Why not start from the start and fill me in on all of it?"

The suggestion came from behind me, prompting a turn to see Vixuola settled once again in her prior seat, gulping down the wine as if to tame her "thirst"; with a sheepish grin, I answered.

"Of course, and apologies if it affected you strangely."

With that, I took a seat opposite Vixuola, then began recounting my tale.

"I've always outshone every peer in talent, until one day I tumbled into this ancient realm, utterly unlike anything from my upbringing. It struck when I was just 13."

I halted there, adopting a nostalgic expression before pressing on.

"That's when brutal ordeals were thrust upon me, challenges that almost shattered my spirit. Honestly, I can't say how I endured them. In the end, I collapsed atop an altar, with a figure of divine aura looming above. Those murmured words of his linger in my memory..."

I stopped again, locking gazes with Vixuola as I uttered.

"The world is yours..."

After a breath, I went on.

"That's the message I received, followed by a torrent of agony that overwhelmed me. I passed out then, and upon awakening sometime later, I grasped my true nature, my essence. Knowledge flooded in unbidden, guiding me onward, revealing my extraordinary status. Fortunately, I also gained the power to conceal myself, shielding from prying threats."

I paused to steady my mind and draw steady breaths, suppressing the chills and ache from those recollections, then turned my focus to Vixuola and proceeded.

"From there, it became a matter of concealing my identity while steadily building my power, aiming for the day when I could reveal myself without fear and stride forth boldly as I truly am. And that opportunity arrived today."

With that, I flashed Vixuola a broad grin, which left her momentarily entranced before she snapped back and inquired.

"So, do you possess that capability?"

I held back at her unfinished query, offering a smile.

"Indeed, though the method is far from simple. It's a precise ritual, and completing it binds them to me in loyalty, compelling their service. Thus, I've never attempted it, never encountered a worthy candidate, and never felt the need."

My explanation caused Vixuola to tremble briefly, yet the latter portion tempered her eagerness somewhat. For a woman who clawed her way to her current rank, accepting subservience to anyone would prove a bitter pill—nothing light to accept.

Once power climbs to certain heights, holders grip it tenaciously, shunning alternative routes with fierce determination. It's a harsh reality, undeserving of harsh judgment.

"I get it; that sounds like a grueling existence."

Vixuola remarked with a crooked smile, drawing my reply.

"It has been challenging, yet rewarding too. Along the journey, I met valuable souls—some to safeguard, others who illuminated my path—so overall, it's far from terrible."

My statement coaxed a sincere smile from Vixuola, even as the astonishment from recent events lingered in her expression. So, I reclined in my seat, embracing the quiet, as we shared a calmer hush beneath the moonlight, with breezes whispering by.

"This issue carries grave weight, potentially reshaping the entire vampire society's framework. Handled wisely, it could elevate us to challenge even the dragons."

As she spoke, I noted Vixuola quivering with excitement over the prospects dawning for her kind. Despite all shifts, favoritism toward one's race endures unchanged, and her observation rang true. Angels, that legendary lineage tied to celestial realms, wield formidable might in tales of old.

"How much of your true power have you been suppressing?"

To her probe, I grinned.

"A great deal."

I shot back with a cunning smirk, prompting Vixuola's light laugh. Her ambition surged visibly, and I sensed the vision she chased, the destiny unfolding before her.

"Upon assuming that form, your might would surge inherently from embracing such a heritage. Is your Origin realm 7 level just a facade?"

Her inquiry drew only an enigmatic grin from me in response.

"Superiority brings its perks."

Vixuola's eyes tightened at my evasion; she bristled at my secrets but relented, knowing my ascent demanded utmost discretion.

"What prompted your trust in me?"

A straightforward yet weighty query. After a lifetime in shadows, baring myself to her specifically offered vampires a golden chance they'd kill for—so her selection puzzled her deeply.

"Because you stood out as the finest choice."

My direct, earnest reply pierced her gaze, pleasing her more than she'd confess.

"The sole reason you've revealed this now is your confidence in facing any fallout, yet I suspect you still wish for secrecy about your identity?"

"Correct, although deeper loyalty could unlock further revelations."

She inclined her head in agreement before delving into key concerns.

"Is there a cap on how many you can convert?"

"I can't say for certain, but each conversion drains me heavily, leaving me vulnerable briefly afterward. I can't repeat it casually either—it demands time and energy. Moreover, as you grasp, it requires intimate contact..."

I faltered, a faint flush coloring my cheeks as I added.

"My blood must be drawn up close, through direct skin contact while feeding. Alternatives fail, and naturally, I'd avoid such intimacy with males."

Her lips quirked at the revelation, eyes sharpening as she pondered its implications.

"Would those you create fall under your absolute command?"

"I'm no deity. They pose no threat to me, but neither am I their puppet master. They're free to forge their own lives."

Vixuola absorbed the response skeptically, yet refrained from challenging it.