Essex nodded, “Orcs, my bros, I hope you all gain honor.”
Eugene and his two companions saluted Essex once more before sitting down.
Finally, Essex turned to the vampires and asked, “Members of the vampire clan, where are your three representatives?”
The thirteen vampire princes exchanged glances and simultaneously gave a strange smile.
Prince Fred stood up slowly and said, “Honorable leader, we vampires have only one representative.”
This statement caused an uproar among the wizards and orcs.
Essex was taken aback and uncertainly asked, “Prince Fred, did you just say that the vampires are only sending one representative?”
“Yes, just one,” Fred replied seriously, showing no signs of joking.
Essex felt a surge of joy inside but kept his face neutral, smiling as he said, “It seems the vampire clan is very confident in their abilities. If you wish to send only one representative, so be it. Who will it be?”
Essex’s gaze sharpened as he quickly scanned the thirteen vampire princes.
The thirteen princes stood up together, then turned and respectfully bowed to Leo. “Master, we entrust the honor of the vampires to you.”
Leo nodded and stepped forward from his seat.
The hall erupted in shock; the wizards and orcs were wide-eyed.
A mere vampire count!
The orcs burst into laughter first. “A tiny vampire count? I could crush him with one finger! It seems the vampires have no one left if they’re sending such a minor descendant!”
The white-robed wizards said nothing but smirked coldly.
Essex scrutinized Leo with a cold eye, but the hood was too large to see Leo’s face clearly in the shadows.
Moreover, Leo had concealed his aura entirely, making it impossible for Essex to gauge his strength.
With suspicion in his heart, Essex raised his hand to signal for silence.
“Sir, you must be a rising star. Please introduce yourself,” Essex said with an air of authority and kindness.
Leo gently lifted his hood, revealing his true face.
“I am human. My name is Leo,” he said with a smile.
This statement caused an uproar, turning the hall into a boiling pot.
A human at the Dark Clan’s leadership election? This was unprecedented.
Eugene jumped up and roared, “Outrageous! Vampires bringing a human here? Are you rebelling or aligning with humans?”
High Priest Zach also stood up, furious. “Vampire clan, you owe us an explanation.”
The thirteen vampire princes remained expressionless amidst the accusations, looking only at Leo.
No matter what, they had to stand with Leo.
Leo sneered, releasing a powerful aura that instantly filled the vast hall.
The air became scorching hot as if every drop of moisture had been sucked out.
All the orcs and wizards found it hard to breathe; their thoughts even slowed down.
Everyone was stunned by Leo’s terrifying presence.
Who exactly was this human?
Even the usually unflappable Essex couldn’t stay seated. He slowly stood up, looking serious. “Sir, who are you really? Why are you here today?”
The wizards and orcs, intimidated by Leo’s display of power, dared not act rashly and watched the situation unfold.
Leo spoke calmly, “My purpose here is simple. I heard about the Dark Alliance’s leadership election and am interested in the leader’s position. So I came to nominate myself.”
This statement left everyone, including Essex, dumbfounded.
A human competing for the Dark Alliance leader? How absurd!
Traditionally, the Dark Alliance leader was chosen from among the three major dark clans. How could a human, considered lowly and incompetent by the dark world, take on this role?
After a long silence, Essex burst into laughter. “Young man, your joke is a bit too much.”
Essex seemed unwilling to clash with Leo and spoke politely.
“A joke? No, I’m serious,” Leo said solemnly. “I am determined to become the Dark Alliance leader.”
Essex was taken aback by Leo’s firm stance. His face stiffened. “Mr. Bloomer, the Dark Alliance leader has always been from one of the three major dark clans. As an outsider, especially a human, it’s impossible for you to get this position.”
Leo smiled. “First of all, though I am human, I have surpassed humanity. My strength can crush you all. So there’s no reason for you not to accept me as your ruler.”
“Secondly, I am not an outsider. I am the leader of the thirteen vampire clans and their chosen representative for this election. So I am qualified to be your leader.”
This revelation shocked everyone. Even the experienced Essex was stunned.
When did the usually divided vampires unite under one leader?
And when did they bow to a human?
The wizards and orcs felt overwhelmed by this crazy turn of events!
“It seems no one has any objections. So let’s start the competition,” Leo said with a slight smile.
“No! This can’t happen!” Essex panicked.
“Why? Do you have any objections?” Leo’s face turned cold.
Essex grew anxious. “You are human; we are dark clans. Our interests don’t align. We can’t accept your candidacy.”
“Yes, we oppose!” Eugene shouted fiercely. “I suspect having a human leader would harm our dark clan’s interests.”
“Oppose!”
The wizards and orcs erupted in a chorus of opposition.
Essex shrugged helplessly. “You see, everyone opposes it. So you can’t run.”
“As far as I know, in the dark world, strength rules. Besides my superior strength, our interests do not conflict. In fact, my leadership would be a win-win situation,” Leo said confidently.
“A win-win?” Essex wasn’t easily convinced.
Leo laid out his offer directly, “I can help you defeat the Church!”