Published at 28th of September 2026 6:13 am

Chapter 2057: Shadow of Jacob’s Throne

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Sandra, Malik, and the rest soon made their way back to Castle de Vile.

The towering gothic structure loomed over the surrounding landscape like a monument of dread. Its black stone walls rose high into the crimson sky, while countless spires and pointed towers stretched toward the heavens.

The sight of the castle alone was enough to evoke fear, its presence carrying an oppressive sense of terror.

Upon reaching the castle, Malik and the others separated from Sandra.

"I’ll speak with His Majesty," she said solemnly. "Get your injuries looked after."

Malik nodded silently.

As Sandra watched him and the others head in a different direction, she took a deep breath and made her way toward the throne room.

Countless ravens flew overhead, their constant cawing pressing an invisible weight on her shoulders. She entered the castle, then silently moved through its shadowy corridors. Soon, she arrived before the throne room.

The massive doors opened with a deep creak. Beyond them lay Jacob de Vile’s seat of power.

The chamber was enormous, with towering pillars, elaborate gothic arches, and countless dark ornaments adorning the walls. A long crimson carpet stretched across the floor, leading all the way to the throne at the far end.

Yet despite its grandeur, there was nothing comforting about the place. It was dark, oppressive, and terrifying. A deep sense of dread permeated every corner.

Sandra, as powerful as she was, couldn’t help but feel a chill creep down her spine every time she visited the ruler of this realm.

She walked forward with grace.

At the end of the chamber sat Jacob, her king, her sire, her... maker.

Sandra remembered the day she was turned like it was yesterday. She hated Jacob. Hated him for taking away her humanity. Hated him for turning her into a vampire. She would have much preferred to die as a human than live for eternity as a foul undead creature.

Yet, for all her hate, she never displayed an ounce of hate toward her sire, her king. All she ever showed him was love and infatuation and longing.

She truly was an exceptional actress. After all, long before she became a vampire, long before she even became an adventurer, she was part of a traveling circus band. Acting was her livelihood, and theatrical flair ran in her cold, cold blood.

The Vampire King rested upon his throne, perfectly still. One hand supported his chin, the other held a goblet of blood. His crimson eyes slowly turned toward Sandra.

Cold, unforgiving crimson eyes. They scrutinized her in silence, as though judging every word she had yet to speak.

"Your Grace." Sandra obediently got on one knee and lowered her head.

Jacob stayed silent for an entire minute. At last, he spoke:

"So... what do you make of that man?"

Sandra knew which man Jacob was referring to.

Head still lowered, she replied honestly, "He is dangerous, Your Grace. In a one-on-one battle, he will come out victorious against any of your Generals. Even me."

Jacob’s eyes narrowed. "Even you?"

"Yes, Your Grace."

"High praise," Jacob murmured. "But I suppose it only makes sense. He did kill four of my Generals in a single night..."

His thoughts turned distant, recalling what his ravens saw and heard.

He asked again, "And Malik? What do you make of his actions?"

Sandra knew where he was heading with that question. Jacob wanted to kill Malik for his performance in front of Adam.

However, Sandra had other plans.

"Swift. Ruthless. Smart," she said. "He might be arrogant, but he’s no fool, Your Grace. Had it been any other General, they would have died."

Jacob hummed again. He always did like Sandra’s perspective, her thought process. It was different, smart, so very human. It’s why he always listened to her. He didn’t trust her. But he did value her.

"Now then," Jacob shifted in his seat, leaning forward. "Why did you grant them safe passage through the mountains, my little dove?"

Sandra’s heart was gripped by a cold feeling of terror. One wrong answer, and she knew Jacob wouldn’t hesitate to kill her.

No matter how much he valued her, at the end of the day, his Generals and the vampire population were just as much a plaything to him as the adventurers and the humans.

However, she had already prepared an answer.

She raised her head slightly and glanced at Jacob’s feet. She humbly answered, "I allowed them safe passage because there was little reason to stop them in the mountains, Your Grace."

Jacob’s eyes narrowed.

Sandra continued, "If we attacked them there, they would have no choice but to scatter and flee. Some might escape into the mountains, forcing us to hunt them down one by one. It would be far more troublesome than simply allowing them to gather on the battlefield."

Her voice remained calm despite the fear consuming her inside.

"Once they arrive, we can crush them all in one place. Their entire army will be within reach, and we will not have to waste time searching for stragglers. Besides, Your Grace..."

Sandra’s lips curled into a faint, expectant smile.

"I doubt you would care whether a few adventurers live or die before your great reunion. Their lives are insignificant compared to what you are about to accomplish. Once you are finally reunited with Lady Charlotte, what meaning will the lives of these adventurers have?"

Hearing his lover’s name, Jacob’s expression softened. A faint gust of summer wind blew through the cold recesses of his dead heart.

"Whether they live for another day or die on the battlefield will make no difference," Sandra continued.

"So I thought it best to let them come willingly. Let them gather their forces. Let them believe they are marching toward a battle they can win. And when the time comes..."

Her crimson eyes turned feral like those of a bloodthirsty predator. But none of that emotion was directed at Jacob. It was directed toward all those who wished to stand in his way!

"We will simply kill them all at once," she concluded. "And I believe that would be far more pleasing to Your Majesty than wasting our strength hunting them through the mountains."

Jacob fell silent for several minutes. His lips parted and he asked, "What do you think?"

His question was not directed at Sandra. It was directed to the figure who just emerged from the shadows of his throne.

Dressed in strange, old-fashioned garments, an elderly, hunched-back woman appeared beside Jacob. Her skin was tinted grey, and her eyes were dull and distant.

The elderly gypsy leaned heavily on her gnarled wooden staff as she glanced at Sandra.

"Ah, a clever lass, this one." The elderly woman smiled warmly. "I concur with her assessment, Your Grace."

She then weakly turned to Jacob and nodded.

"What remains... is for you to decide."

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