The King of Vampires (Isekai)

The sky over Rome was heavy, thick with dark clouds as if the heavens themselves trembled at what was about to unfold. Arthur stood at the edge of the grand terrace of his palatial estate, his white hair dancing in the violent wind, his golden eyes staring into the horizon with a cold, absolute authority that defied the ages.

His figure was godlike—towering at 1.88 meters, his body sculpted to perfection, as if carved by the hand of the divine. His face, more beautiful than any actor or model the world had ever worshiped, radiated a deadly charm, a beauty that had deceived many but spared few. His long white hair, cascading over his broad shoulders, was like a crown, the mark of a king who had transcended death itself.

Behind him, his children—Selena, Daniel, and now Marcus—stood in silent reverence, each of them aware that the storm they were about to unleash would change the balance of power forever.

Arthur spoke, his voice calm but resonating like thunder."Call the Elders. All of them. Summon them to the Grand Hall. It is time they remember who I am."

Selena's gaze flickered. "Father… even those in the hidden circles?"

"Especially those," Arthur replied, his voice cutting through the air like a blade. "Those who hide have already betrayed me in their hearts."

Marcus, still new to this eternal life, looked between his siblings. "Father, why now? Why not let them linger in their false power? We've already removed the visible traitors."

Arthur turned, his gaze falling upon Marcus like the weight of a mountain. "Because, my son, treason is not always an action. Sometimes, it is a thought. And I can hear their thoughts."

Arthur's lips curled into a dark smile."Their hearts are tied to mine. I feel every whisper, every flicker of rebellion. Before they even dare to plan against me, their hearts ignite, their bodies reduced to ash by my will alone."

Marcus stiffened, the magnitude of Arthur's power settling into his bones."You can kill them… just by their intentions?"

"I have always been able to," Arthur said, stepping toward his children. "But I allowed the game to unfold. I wanted to see who would remain loyal without fear. Power is not in killing. Power is in knowing when to kill and when to spare."

He looked at each of them."Some of the Elders have forgotten the old ways. They believe time has made me soft. They believe their age gives them immunity."

Arthur's golden eyes blazed like suns."I will remind them."

Selena smirked. "This will not be a council. This will be a massacre."

Arthur's smile widened. "If necessary."

He turned to Daniel. "Send the summons. Tell them Arthur commands their presence. Tell them absence will be seen as an act of war."

Daniel, always precise, simply nodded and began dispatching the encrypted messages, knowing that refusal meant immediate death.

Arthur walked past them, his long coat trailing behind him like the cloak of a warlord."I have spared enough. Now, I will reign without mercy."

The Grand Hall of Rome's underground citadel roared to life as the Elders arrived, each cloaked in ancient garments, their faces showing centuries of pride, arrogance, and fear. The hall, carved into the rock beneath the city, had seen many gatherings—but never one like this.

Arthur entered last.

The room fell into a silence so absolute it choked the air. He did not need guards. He did not need weapons. He was the weapon.

He ascended the steps to his throne—he didn't need it, but tonight, it would serve a purpose.

One of the Elders, a bold one named Vassili, stepped forward."Arthur… we answered your call, but I must question—why now? Why summon us with threats of annihilation?"

Arthur's gaze locked on him."Because you have all grown too comfortable. You confuse my patience with weakness."

He rose, his aura suffocating."You believe the passing of centuries has made me lenient. You believe the world's evolution makes me obsolete. You. Are. Mistaken."

His voice cracked through the stone walls."I know your thoughts before you speak them. I know who among you harbors treason, who imagines a throne without me."

Arthur raised a hand, his golden ring gleaming."Watch."

Without a word, three Elders exploded into ashes—no screams, no chance to defend, no time to plead. They perished the moment their betrayal crystallized in their hearts.

Gasps echoed in the hall. Panic rippled through the assembly.

"You feel that?" Arthur said, his tone now viciously calm. "That tightening in your chest? That is the bond I placed in each of you. You breathe because I allow it."

Another Elder fell to his knees, begging."My King—my Master—I never—"

Arthur's eyes flared."Lies."

The Elder combusted, his body turning to cinders.

Arthur stepped forward, descending from his throne."You live because I will it. You exist because I desire it. You will obey not from fear—but from knowledge."

Selena and Daniel watched in awe, knowing this was a side of their father even they had rarely witnessed.

"You think I do not see? That I do not feel?" Arthur continued, his voice now a venomous whisper that reached every soul in the room. "Your heartbeat is mine. Your breath is mine. If you so much as imagine betraying me, you will burn before the thought completes itself."

The Elders fell to their knees, their ancient pride shattered.

Marcus, standing beside his father, whispered. "This is beyond power."

Arthur's gaze softened, but only for his son. "This is dominion."

He addressed the hall."You will now disperse. You will return to your posts across the continents. And you will remember this day for the rest of eternity."

He paused."If you forget… I will remind you."

Later, in the private chambers, Selena poured herself a glass of aged red wine."That was the most brutal I've ever seen you, Father."

Arthur sat, unbothered. "I was lenient before."

Daniel leaned against the marble wall. "You turned five Elders to ash without lifting a finger."

Arthur's gaze hardened. "I could have turned them all. But some lessons are best taught slowly."

Marcus finally dared to ask. "Father… what would you do if I ever… if I ever—"

Arthur interrupted, but his voice wasn't angry. It was resolute."You would die before you finished the thought."

Silence settled in the room, heavy and eternal.

Arthur then added, almost kindly, "But I know you won't. You, Marcus, have proven your loyalty not through words—but through action."

He sipped his wine and looked out over the ancient city."We will now focus on expanding. Real estate, governments, the secret markets—our influence will be absolute."

Selena smiled, sharp and dangerous."Let's start with the Vatican."

Arthur laughed softly."Oh, my dear, I already own it."