Harem System In A fantasy World - Chapter 178: Has he returned

Chapter 178: Has he returned

“Did she at least give a reason for her refusal?”

The third Grand Elder stepped forward.

Dorian.

Unlike most vampires with porcelain-white skin, Dorian’s complexion was bronzed. His eyes were completely abyssal black, with no visible separation between iris and pupil.

It gave him a striking, almost unsettling appearance. He was also the largest among them, his broad frame towering even over the other elders.

Lucius looked at him steadily.

Of all the elders present, Dorian was the closest to him. They had known each other for centuries. Their fathers had been close, and that bond had carried forward into their generation.

Lucius brought a hand to the bridge of his nose and rubbed it lightly.

“No,” he said simply. “She gave no reason.”

He paused briefly.

“All she said was that if she were to choose a mate, it would be on her own terms.”

Dorian nodded slowly.

“That does sound like her.”

There was no surprise in his tone.

Truthfully, most people in Celeste’s position might have chosen the same. No one liked feeling cornered. No one liked feeling as though their life was being decided for them.

Still—

The situation was delicate.

No one in that chamber liked the idea of relying on someone so young for the clan’s future. But the truth was unavoidable.

There was a great deal at stake here.

To an outsider, it might look like a simple marriage.

But things were never simple.

Wars had been started over far smaller matters. Entire bloodlines had been erased over wounded pride.

At their peak, the vampires would never have sought help like this. They would have stood alone and dared anyone to challenge them.

But this was not their peak.

Not anymore.

The youth born in the last century were weaker than their ancestors. Their overall talent was declining with every new generation.

Even Celeste herself — daughter of two Ancestor bloodline holders — had only been born with a True Vampire bloodline.

That fact alone had shaken the elders deeply. The new generation did not match the old. And the trend was only continuing.

And that frightened them.

Some might argue that Celeste could awaken her bloodline later in life. It had happened before.

But such awakenings were rare in modern times.

The last recorded case was Morgana herself, over a thousand years ago.

They could not build their future on a miracle.

And so, they were looking at other options.

The pressure had not been overwhelming before. They had managed quietly, handling border tensions with the dragons through minor skirmishes.

But lately, the dragons had grown bold.

Too bold.

That was why this matter had been brought up seriously now.

Even Lucius knew the situation was becoming dire. That was why he had taken the proposal into consideration. That was why he had sent a letter to his daughter.

Dorian’s expression turned thoughtful.

“I do not enjoy placing this burden on my young niece,” he said slowly. “But we all understand how delicate our situation has become.”

Lucius gave a grim nod.

He understood better than anyone.

It was then that Lilith, who had remained silent until now, finally spoke.

Her voice was calm, smooth, and carried a quiet authority.

“Forgive my daughter,” she said softly. “You all know she can be… headstrong.”

A faint, almost imperceptible smile touched her lips.

“But worry not.”

She looked toward her husband.

“Letters can only do so much,” she continued. “Persuasion works better face-to-face. I will speak to her personally when we next meet.”

Her crimson eyes were steady.

“I will try to convince her.”

The elders nodded respectfully toward their queen.

Lilith might appear gentle, but they all knew her mind was sharp.

“As you wish,” Dorian said with a low bow before stepping back into place.

“In any case,” Lucius continued calmly, his deep voice echoing through the vast chamber, “we must proceed with the assumption that we are on our own for the foreseeable future.”

The elders straightened slightly.

“With that in mind,” he went on, “I want one of you stationed at the southern outpost along the border.”

A ripple of surprise moved through the hall.

They already had strong forces positioned there. Several high-ranking mages were guarding the border, and the fortress was well fortified. Sending one of the Twelve Elders personally would be seen as a serious move.

Lucius noticed their reactions but remained calm.

“I understand we already have capable people there,” he said. “But I will not take any chances.”

He fell silent for a moment, thinking.

The hall grew quiet as everyone waited. Then his gaze lifted and settled on a beautiful blonde-haired woman standing among them.

“Sienna.”

The woman stepped forward.

Unlike the other female elders, she wore a sharply tailored formal suit rather than a dress or flowing robes.

The clean lines of the outfit suited her composed demeanor. Her long blonde hair was tied neatly behind her back, and her posture was straight and disciplined.

“I shall entrust the southern castle to you,” Lucius said.

Siennda bowed her head without hesitation.

“As you wish.”

Lucius gave a small nod.

“If that is all,” he said, and the elders understood.

They all bowed in unison before turning to leave.

The heavy doors at the far end of the chamber opened slowly. One by one, the powerful figures exited the hall. Dorian began to follow, but—

“Dorian.”

Lucius’ voice stopped him.

Dorian paused immediately.

He understood that he was to stay.

The other elders glanced back curiously but did not question it. The doors closed behind them with a deep, echoing thud.

Now only three remained in the vast dark chamber.

Lucius.

Lilith.

Dorian.

Lucius rose from his throne with a serious expression and walked toward Dorian, who had turned back and approached him as well.

They stopped less than a meter apart.

Both of their expressions were solemn.

Then—

They both broke into smiles.

Without another word, they pulled each other into a tight embrace.

Their laughter echoed loudly through the chamber.

“How have you been, brother?” Dorian asked, clapping Lucius firmly on the back.

Lucius laughed deeply.

“You still call me that in front of the others?” he replied. “You’ll ruin my image.”

Lilith watched the two of them with a faint smile on her lips.

For a moment, the heavy weight of politics and pressure disappeared.

In its place stood two old friends who had survived long years together.

Lilith stepped down from her throne as well and moved to stand behind her husband. A gentle smile rested on her face as she watched the two old friends laugh like boys again.

Dorian turned from Lucius and looked at her properly. For a moment, the powerful Grand Elder disappeared, and only a brother remained.

He opened his arms and pulled Lilith into a tight hug.

“My beautiful little sister,” Dorian said, his voice thick.

To anyone watching, it would have been a strange sight. A man known for his calm and steady presence now had tears welling up in his abyssal black eyes.

It was even funnier since he was so big while she was so small. He hugged her carefully, as if afraid she might break.

Lilith laughed softly.

“Brother,” she said warmly.

He pulled back slightly and held her shoulders, looking her up and down as if inspecting her.

“Has this brute been treating you well?” he asked seriously, nodding toward Lucius.

Lilith’s laughter grew.

“He has,” she said. “You do not need to worry.”

Yes.

Dorian and Lilith were blood siblings.

After a moment, Dorian finally let her go and stepped back, regaining some of his composure.

His expression settled into something more serious again.

“Should I assume you called me back for something more than a short reunion with my sister?” he asked.

Lucius’ smile faded.

“Yes.”

Dorian’s face hardened.

“He has not returned?” Lucius asked quietly.

Dorian’s expression soured further.

“He has not,” he confirmed.

Only the three of them knew who they were referring to. The name did not need to be spoken.

“It has been centuries,” Lucius said slowly. “What could be keeping him?”

Dorian shook his head slightly.

“Who knows. He never said where he was going. Only that it was for the good of the clan.”

Lucius sighed deeply.

The weight of that unknown lingered heavily in the room.

After a moment, Dorian shifted the topic.

“How is my little niece?” he asked, trying to lighten the mood.

Lucius sighed again, though this time there was something more personal behind it.

“She is growing more distant the older she becomes,” he said honestly. “She barely listens to me anymore.”

Dorian gave a faint smile.

“Well, she is at that age.”

Lucius nodded.

“That she is.”

They continued speaking for a while longer, their conversation shifting between politics, old memories, and small matters concerning the clan.

The tone was lighter now, though the weight of the earlier discussion still lingered in the air.

After some time, Lilith understood that it was time to leave the two men alone.

“I will leave you two to speak,” she said gently.

Dorian smiled and leaned forward, placing a brotherly kiss on her cheek.

“Take care, little sister.”

Lucius stepped closer as well and gave her a small, brief peck on the lips.

Lilith gave them both one last look before turning and walking toward the massive doors. When they closed behind her, the chamber felt noticeably quieter.

Lucius’ expression changed at once.

The warmth disappeared. What remained was the King.

“Come,” he said simply.

Dorian followed without question.

They walked toward the front of the two sleek stone thrones. Behind Lucius’ throne, set into the backrest, was a deep red gemstone the size of a fist.

Lucius raised his hand and bit into his finger.

Dark red blood welled up instantly.

Without hesitation, he let a single drop fall onto the gemstone.

For a moment, nothing happened.

The hall remained silent.

Then—

The red gem pulsed faintly.

A low rumbling sound filled the chamber.

The wall beside the thrones began to collapse inward, not breaking apart, but folding into itself smoothly, as if the stone were liquid.

Within seconds, a massive entrance formed, wide enough for five grown men to walk side by side.

A cold draft flowed out from the darkness beyond. Lucius stepped forward first. Dorian followed closely.

The passage inside was completely dark at first. But the moment Lucius placed his foot inside, the walls began to glow.

Mana stones of every color lit up one after another along the floor, walls, and ceiling. Blues, reds, purples, golds, and greens illuminated the corridor in a soft, steady light.

The sight was breathtaking.

And strange.

If one looked closely, they would realize that aside from the glowing gemstones, the walls themselves were perfectly smooth. There were no seams, no bricks, and no signs of construction.

It looked as though the entire tunnel had been carved from a single massive piece of stone.

Their footsteps echoed as they walked deeper into the hidden passage, the glowing mana stones lighting their path further into the mountain’s heart.