Chapter 297: Cassian Arcelis.

"Well, that is, if you can call her a human at this point."

Aurelia suddenly shrugged.

"What does that mean?"

Lucian tilted his head, wanting to know more, but just as Aurelia was about to answer, her expression changed as she looked in a certain direction.

"What is it?"

Lucian frowned as he followed her gaze.

He didn’t see anything but—

"He’s here."

"Who?"

"Lord Arcelis."

Aurelia answered with a smile. Lucian narrowed his eyes in confusion, he still did not see or hear anything, even when he expanded his senses.

Aurelia chuckled at his attempt, though she did not say anything. A few more seconds later, Lucian finally saw him walk in together with a few Vampire servants.

And the instant he appeared, Lucian noticed the change.

There was no formal announcement like most would expect, the music did not stop either, and yet, the moment the Vampires here saw him, all the conversations came to an abrupt stop, people who were standing casually, drinking blood or wine instantly straightened their backs. Those who were standing in the middle instantly moved away without anyone telling them to.

It wasn’t fear, at least not entirely.

It was... respect, acknowledgment.

A natural reaction from people who knew someone far above them had entered the room.

Lucian stared at him.

He looked like a man straight out of a woman’s fantasy CEO novel. A tall, well-built man in his early thirties, short, well-styled black hair, handsome face, devilishly charming crimson eyes, wearing an old-fashioned black suit beneath a dark crimson coat.

Lucian also noticed how the man wasn’t wearing any crown or jewellery, heck, it didn’t even seem like he was carrying a weapon, but...

Just his presence alone and the way the people acted around him gave away a simple notion.

A ruler.

A being who ruled this place.

However, what Lucian noticed more was something stranger.

His presence, or the lack thereof.

Sure, one look at him gave off a strong Aura, a feeling that the man was easily one of the strongest beings in existence.

But...

The moment you closed your eyes, you wouldn’t even know if he was there or not, which was a strange feeling, especially for Lucian, who was used to watching and observing people not just with his eyes, but with his ears, nose and all the other senses he had developed so far.

This man, however... gave off nothing.

Even Aurelia wasn’t this strange, sure, he did not notice her when she first approached him, but once they started talking, he did smell her sweet scent.

But not him.

’Just what is with these people.’

Lucian snorted inwardly.

He also realised how all this while, he had been overly reliant on heartbeats, he needed to change that. He needed to upgrade his methods or Vampires would continue moving past his blind spots.

And as he was thinking all this—

"Don’t push yourself too hard."

Aurelia smiled.

Lucian looked at her and tilted his head in confusion.

"You become very obvious when something interests you."

The Vampire chuckled.

"That is disappointing."

Lucian pouted.

"It is adorable."

She smiled and Lucian did not know how he was supposed to react to that answer. So he changed the topic instead.

"So he’s Lord Arcelis?"

He asked, wanting to know more and Aurelia became a willing guide.

"Cassian Arcelis, the Patriarch of House Arcelis, he has led Arcelis for a millennium now."

"How old is he?"

Lucian asked with a curious look on his face.

"Three thousand, eight hundred and seventy-three."

Lucian slowly turned towards her.

"...you know the exact number?"

"We Vampires are very sensitive about age."

Aurelia chuckled.

"Makes sense."

Lucian shrugged, his eyes returned towards Cassian.

Three thousand, eight hundred and seventy-three years.

That was... absurd.

"An Ancient, huh."

He muttered.

Ancient Vampire.

A Vampire older than two thousand years.

From what Lucian had read, these beings were as strong as an Archdemon.

So yes, they were extremely strong.

"Indeed."

Aurelia nodded.

"One of the strongest Ancients of House Arcelis."

"How many Ancients does House Arcelis have?"

Lucian asked curiously.

"There are a few."

Aurelia chuckled, not giving a proper answer. Lucian didn’t pry further either, he could tell it was sensitive information.

As the two continued their conversation, Cassian moved further into the hall and as he did, the Vampires around him bowed their heads, greeting him.

Lucian did not fail to notice that not every Vampire bowed in the exact same manner, some lowered their heads, others bowed from the waist. Younger Vampires were noticeably more respectful, even members belonging to other Houses acknowledged him.

Lucian’s eyes fell on Garrick.

The Warden Seat was standing among several Arcelis Council members and even he bowed his head a little.

It wasn’t a deep bow that looked submissive, but Garrick did treat him with respect.

That made Lucian stare at him for a moment, a person who commands every single hunter in the Enclave, should he... really be bowing his head?

Or was it out of respect?

He wondered in his head, and as he did, Cassian’s eyes moved through the hall, passing over all the Vampires of different Houses, Garrick, Hadrian, several other notable nobles Aurelia told Lucian about and finally—

The Patriarch’s eyes stopped.

He was looking at Lucian.

Or more precisely, the woman standing with Lucian.

Then, the Patriarch began walking towards them, the people in his path moved aside before he even got close, Lucian glanced at Aurelia, she looked completely relaxed, she was even smiling.

And...

It did not look like she was going to bow.

’Huh.’

Lucian noted that.

Then, as the Arcelis Patriarch came closer—

"Cassian."

Aurelia greeted with a nod.

Lucian raised his eyebrow.

Shouldn’t he be called Lord Arcelis here?

He wondered but then—

The Ancient Vampire smiled in return.

"Aurelia."

"It has been some time."

"Thirty-one years."

"You counted."

"You didn’t?"

"I did."

The two chuckled and Lucian...

He blinked in surprise.

Just... who was he standing with all this while...?