Chapter 260

Blood.

It is blood.

His blood!

It is his blood!!!

After realizing what made her so desperate, Elizabeth trembled all over.

Her once danger-glittering crimson eyes snapped shut, her nostrils flaring slightly as she drew a deep breath.

Inhale—exhale—

"Hss… ha!"

Herbert's warm, fresh blood emitted an irresistible, deadly allure.

The scent crept into her nostrils like a living thing, thread by thread, spreading through her veins.

The vampire's body began to tremble faintly; her reason floated like a tiny boat in a storm, ready to be swallowed by the surging desire.

The taste was like the strongest poison, yet also the sweetest temptation.

Elizabeth was on the verge of collapse.

Dragged into the abyss by the suffocating aroma, she was losing the last shred of her sanity.

At the final moment before her mind shattered, she used her last will to slam her forehead against the coffin lid.

Thud—

Intense pain exploded across her skull, granting her chaotic mind a fleeting moment of clarity.

Gulp!

She swallowed hard, letting saliva slide down her parched throat, trying to ease her craving this way.

But it did no good—it only made her more desperate.

"Ah, ah…"

I want.

I want… his blood…

Give me!

Give me!!!

Under prolonged starvation and intense stimulation, Elizabeth nearly lost all reason, on the verge of becoming a mindless, blood-drinking monster.

【Hunger for Blood】

A common affliction appearing among weak vampires and their subservient races.

When the affliction erupts, the patient's body trembles uncontrollably, their eyes turning crimson and growing brighter as the hunger deepens.

Eventually, their pupils burn like flickering flames.

Their gums become hypersensitive and swollen; their teeth ache faintly, then grow sharper and longer.

During this stage, they cannot concentrate, grow irritable and quick-tempered, lose patience with everything around them, and feel intense loneliness.

They no longer act as cautiously as before—they may recklessly invade human settlements or attack stronger beings.

Their attack methods turn more savage, abandoning technique; though their power surges slightly, they become easier to target.

In truth, vampires are an extremely cautious race.

They hide in shadows, disguise themselves as nobles, constantly observe the outside world, and flee at the slightest disturbance.

Unless necessary, they never drain a victim's blood completely.

They prefer small, repeated feedings—or even keeping prey alive to provide a steady supply of blood.

To avoid large-scale manhunts by other races, vampires practice extreme restraint in feeding, even calling this practice—elegance.

But under Hunger for Blood, they lose this composure.

Patients become abnormally greedy for blood, refusing to be satisfied with small amounts; they drain every prey they catch until the victim becomes a desiccated corpse.

When "Hunger for Blood" erupts, all past disguises are stripped away at once.

For weak, low-ranking vampires and blood descendants, this transformation is extremely dangerous and fatal.

This terrible "hunger" state persists until their desire is utterly sated.

And most often, when they regain consciousness, it is already too late.

This abnormal hunting behavior alerts other races.

If it happens near the gathering places of other races—hmm… it's utterly disastrous.

It will inevitably trigger widespread panic, drawing the iron fist of the "Vampire Hunters," "Demon Slayers," "Exorcist Order," "Knights of the Holy Order," and other organizations.

Yet there is a way to treat—or rather, avoid—this state.

And it is very simple.

As long as they consume a fixed amount of blood regularly and avoid prolonged starvation, vampires will not enter the "Hunger" state.

Drink enough, and the thirst fades… it makes sense.

As for why Elizabeth entered the Hunger for Blood state, the reason is simple.

Elizabeth had long been on the brink of Hunger for Blood; for this reason, she maintained prolonged slumber, to prevent her mind from shattering while awake.

Though she had consumed considerable amounts of Herbert's holy blood in recent months, it only temporarily suppressed and eased the hunger.

Compared to the accumulated thirst she had built up over years, it was like a drop in the ocean.

To fill her bottomless desire, sustained nourishment is needed.

And before that…

Elizabeth will fully transform into an unconscious, blood-hungry beast, and will not awaken until she has absorbed enough blood.

No…

"No! Cough! Cough!"

At the moment her consciousness was about to collapse, Elizabeth struck the coffin lid again with her head.

Thud!

Thud-thud-thud!

No.

I don't want to become a monster!

"No! No! No! Aaahhh!"

Although Elizabeth had long ago lost her humanity and become a vampire monster who could only survive by draining others' blood,

she did not wish to lose her sanity completely and become a full-blown madwoman.

No.

For what have I struggled so hard all these years?

Wasn't it precisely to avoid becoming such a monster?

I've held on this long—how can I fail at the very end!?

"Give me… blood…"

Her mind was in utter chaos.

Yet precisely at this critical moment, her thoughts grew sharper.

It's not over yet—there's still a chance!

Elizabeth knew clearly who the only person she could beg for help was.

"Herbert, give me!"

"Save me…"

She humbly begged behind her, toward the invisible paladin, hoping he would rescue her.

If Herbert could give her just a little blood, just enough to temporarily suppress her bloodlust and ease it slightly, that would be enough.

Just a tiny bit—that's all she needed!

"Give me your… blood…"

At this point, Elizabeth's words began to break apart, barely forming coherent sentences.

She was now fighting solely with willpower and instinct.

That was remarkable.

In this world, there was a saying: "A vampire's hunger is true hell."

In the past, many people had been turned into vampires for various reasons and forced to join their ranks.

At first, most refused to accept this tragic fate—they resisted the bloodlust, unwilling to fall so far.

They tried to overcome instinct with willpower.

But in the end… nine out of ten failed to hold on.

Either they succumbed to desire and became vampires, or they ended their own lives before collapsing entirely.

The bloodlust that rose from the depths of the soul was far more terrifying than most could imagine.

That Elizabeth could still hold onto her sanity was already astonishing.

For she was no ordinary vampire—she was a legendary vampire who had thirsted for centuries.

The desire she felt now was beyond ordinary comprehension!

"... blood, blood."

But clearly, she might not last much longer.

"..."

Herbert watched Elizabeth's desperate, pitiful struggle, his eyes lowered, a faint smile curling on his lips as he shook his head slightly.

"What a tragic yet admirable sight."

He looked at Elizabeth's… buttocks, nodded critically, and added:

"This scene is truly moving."

As for exactly what moved him… that was not for disclosure.

Also, regarding Elizabeth, Herbert would of course intervene at the final moment.

Emotionally, there was no enmity between them—he did not wish for Elizabeth to collapse utterly.

Though there was a slight "conflict of interest" involving illegal blood product dealings, their private relationship was still decent.

Rationally, Elizabeth was a prisoner under his custody and discipline.

As a warden with strong justice, he should not ignore a prisoner's suffering—he ought to offer help proactively.

Emotionally and rationally, Herbert would act—he would not let her become a madwoman.

But!

Even now, Herbert still showed no sign of intervening.

He was still waiting.

The timing was still a little off.

The perfect moment had not yet arrived!

The point of "intervening at the final moment" was not in "intervening"—it was in "final moment."

It was still the timeless truth: "Giving coal in the snow" was always better than "adding flowers to brocade."

Help too early, and they might think you were unnecessary—never truly grateful.

Help too late, and it would be too late for everything.

How to grasp and control this timing — neither too early nor too late — is the true key to "maximizing the debt of gratitude."

The current situation already allows for action, but it's still missing just a tiny bit of heat.

Still need to keep drawing it out — only then can the real initiative be seized.

On the other hand, Eliza hasn't yet spoken aloud the words he wants to hear.

"Eliza, I can indeed help you, and I certainly will help you, but don't you think something's still missing right now?"

Herbert placed his palm on Eliza's calf, his fingertips sliding gently over stockings woven from rare spider silk, and gave a little squeeze.

Eliza's mind was entirely focused on resisting desire, showing no reaction to his impropriety — her body merely trembled once on instinct.

Feeling the silky texture, Herbert licked his lips and said softly, "I don't get it — just how much do you like… my blood?"

Is it really that good?

Addictive enough to lose your head over it.

Of course Eliza couldn't explain further — Herbert didn't need her to explain in the first place.

"When you're begging someone, how should you phrase it? I don't need to teach you, do I."

Pinching that silky yet somewhat cool slender leg, he said softly, "Also, I think you still don't respect me enough."

"At a time like this, you still won't even say 'please' to me."

The white-haired warden, dropping a Godfather reference no one could understand, chuckled low and whispered to his prisoner.

"Alright, Eliza — pray to me."

The gentle voice flowed into Eliza's ears; Herbert's voice at this moment sounded incomparably clear.

It drowned out all desire, passing straight into her soul.

"It's time to cast everything aside, to abandon all unnecessary concerns."

"Pray to me with devotion."

"Entrust everything to me, and in return, I shall save you, granting you everything you desire."

"I shall grant you what you desire — 【True Salvation】."

!!!

Eliza's mind jolted violently; her consciousness actually cleared for a brief moment, and for an instant she could no longer feel that terrible desire.

Th-this, this is!!?

Just how did he do it?

Before the doubt in her heart could fade, Eliza had already done what she ought to do most.

"P-please… please, please~"

Unexpectedly, in just a few breaths' time, the vampire's once-trembling voice suddenly turned seductive.

Herbert:?

Wait, why are you so practiced at this?

Aren't you supposed to first go "Grrk, kill me!" and then be "forced" to lower your head and compromise?

And in fact, without Herbert needing to prompt her any further, Eliza had already begun to sweetly, coquettishly beg on her own.

"Her~bert~ please~"

"Please!"

"Please give me your blood—"

At this moment, Eliza didn't agonize too much; resolutely, she pulled out the coquettish tricks she'd used countless years ago when acting spoiled with her parents.

Like a greedy child begging for candy, she threw herself into full-on coquetry!

"Just give it to me~"

"…Give it to me now!" (clenching her teeth)

She had once sworn an oath — that she would never lose her reason.

Even if one day death should come.

Even if covered in filth, stripped of dignity, she would die with her reason intact.

Eliza would absolutely not die as a monster.

That was the one and only conviction she had left.

This yearning even transcended life and death.

Finally.

In Eliza's "sincere" pleading, after what felt like an eternity of waiting, she heard a voice like heavenly music.

"Sigh."

That man laughed softly, exhaled as if helplessly, and gently shook his head.

【"Alright, you can make your move now."】

Hearing the prompt in his ear, Herbert also let out a breath of relief.

The timing had finally ripened.

"Alright, alright, seeing how sincere your attitude is… fine, I surrender."

Herbert nodded "reluctantly," knowing the moment had arrived.

If he pushed her any further, it wouldn't be coquetry anymore — she'd be getting ready to actually bite… well, he'd already heard the sound of teeth clenching just now.

If he teased her any longer, she'd really bite!

Alright, quit while you're ahead — can't really bully her too far… though Herbert genuinely suspected whether she actually felt bullied at all.

She shouldn't be enjoying this, right?

"I'll help you!"

"You don't need to worry anymore. Relax—leave everything to me."

Herbert's voice was gentle, soothing the vampire's restless soul—utterly without a word on why Elisha had entered the critical state.

Yes, why was that?

Don't ask, that's all.

You only need to know that I saved you from fire and water.

As for why you were in fire and water, that has nothing to do with you, child—don't be so curious.

In short, don't ask too many questions.

"Thank— ah!"

Just as Elisha excitedly prepared to thank Herbert, she suddenly felt a chill on both her legs.

Riiip—

Accompanying a piercing tearing sound that ripped through the darkness, the stockings wrapped around her slender long legs were ruthlessly torn open.

!!?

This sudden chill and strange stimulation startled Elisha fully awake.

"Wait!!? You! What are you doing? You… ah~"

Before she could even ask clearly what was happening, before she could even feel panicked, Elisha had already personally experienced Herbert's help.

Warmth.

A dizzying warmth gently fell onto her legs, like winter sunshine scattering her already fragile will.

"Ah…"

At this moment, all bloodsucking desire vanished in an instant; the long-lost tranquility made her sigh with utter contentment.

After that bloodsucking instinct was filled, her hoarse voice gained a touch of languid allure.

Elisha didn't want to do anything now; she even wanted to just fall asleep right there.

"…"

And behind her, Herbert's expression was calm, without a trace of desire, and there was even an un-meltable seriousness in his eyes.

Fresh blood mixed with golden light surged from the wound on Herbert's wrist, flowing down to his fingertips.

The bloodstained fingers slid like a deft brush, gently smearing the fresh blood onto the vampire's Bai Xi calves.

Light strokes.

One horizontal, one vertical, one horizontal, one vertical, one horizontal…

After finishing one on the left leg, he continued writing on the right leg up to the thigh.

That's right.

Herbert was with a perfectly serious expression on the Young Lady vampire's body…

Writing the character "正"!

(End of this chapter)