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Chapter 218: The Sword of the King
🕑 Added 2025-02-10 14:18:48 +0000 UTC"Uh... If I heard you correctly, Prince Vlad, you just said you wanted to order a spaceship that could travel beyond the solar system?" Josh couldn't help but confirm.
Even vampires are getting into space travel now? Is there any logic left in this world?
"That's right. I've lived too long and travelled to every corner of the earth. Everything here has become boring to me, so I want to see what's beyond this planet. Didn't your Boeing company successfully launch its first satellite last year, sending something from Earth into space? So I want to know if you can build a spacecraft that can leave the solar system. I'm very interested in space travel. And you should understand—I don’t need the complex supplies humans do. I can survive in space without them," Dracula said calmly.
"I see. Actually, for something like this, Prince Vlad, you could have just sent someone to inform the European division of Boeing. There's really no need to come all this way in person—this makes me feel quite overwhelmed," Josh said, nodding.
So this guy's just bored with Earth and wants to explore space.
To be fair, vampires would actually have an easier time with space travel than humans. They don't need food, water or waste disposal. If they reduced their activity, a little blood could keep them alive for a long, long time.
The only real problem would be exposure to ultraviolet light, but that could be solved with a UV-blocking suit and special coatings.
So if vampires were astronauts, the cost would be much lower than for humans.
And for someone like Dracula, it's even less of a problem. He could probably survive without drinking blood at all, and UV rays might not even affect him.
Still, for some reason, Josh felt that Dracula wasn't being completely honest with him.
Was it just his imagination?
Meanwhile, in a mirrored room where neither Josh nor Dracula could see, the Ancient One furrowed her brow and waved her hand, summoning a reflective surface. She looked at her own face—unchanged for centuries—and began to doubt herself.
"Am I really so terrifying? Another 'old friend' trying to run away...
But I've always been so nice!
Sigh, why do these people never understand me?"
Back in the study, Dracula explained, "I actually had someone check with Boeing's European division first, but their response was that it was impossible. So I figured I should come directly to you—the one who can actually make the decisions. As far as funding is concerned, don't worry. I've lived for so many years and have countless descendants. I can certainly afford a spaceship.
Great. The European division of Boeing, eh? You're finished!
In his mind, Josh had already condemned the head of the division to death. (TL/N: He's Just Joking don't worry he will not kill the head)
Technically, from Boeing’s current technological standpoint, interstellar travel really was impossible—practically a fantasy. Even in the Red Alert universe, Yuri could build a moon colony, but he still wouldn't claim to have mastered interstellar travel.
And given the technology of this world? Definitely out of reach.
So in that sense the European head of Boeing wasn't entirely wrong.
But wait a minute... Who is the European head of Boeing again?
"Prince Vlad, you are indeed wise. Under normal circumstances, building a spaceship capable of space travel with Boeing's technology would be extremely costly and unreliable. However, I do have a unique opportunity for space travel available right now, and the departure is soon!" Josh's mind was full of complaints, but his eyes lit up with an idea.
"Oh? Tell me more. If it's suitable, I won't hesitate to reward you," Dracula's eyes gleamed with interest.
"Among the guests I've brought is a woman named Mar-Vell. She comes from the Kree Empire, a vast interstellar civilization..." Josh smiled and immediately revealed Mar-Vell.
An alien acquaintance—though they'd known each other for some time, their relationship wasn’t deep enough for it to matter.
So there was no hesitation in throwing her into the mix.
Besides, it wasn’t like he was harming her—just arranging for Dracula to hitch a ride.
"Oh? So what are you suggesting?" Dracula was intrigued.
"I'll talk to her about it, but it probably won't be cheap," Josh said after a short pause.
He still had to think about how to handle this situation. Forcing Mar-Vell's hand was out of the question—the technological gap between them was too great, and he couldn't be sure if she had any hidden countermeasures. If that led to Kree retaliation, things would get ugly.
Earth did have powerful protectors like Odin and the Ancient One, but what if the Kree Empire targeted him alone?
Josh seriously doubted they would intervene to save a mere human like him.
Sneaking Dracula on board wasn't ideal either. Josh had no idea how powerful Dracula really was, or if he could evade detection by Mar-Vell's ship's sensors. Kree technology could even detect Flerkens--who was to say it wouldn't pick up a vampire?
The safest option was to get Mar-Vell to volunteer and take Dracula with him.
Technically, Mar-Vell could take people from Earth into space. There were no Kree laws against it—she just wasn’t inclined to do so. Otherwise, she wouldn't have invited Carter in the first place.
So the key was to offer her an irresistible deal.
A win-win situation was ideal.
But the reward couldn’t be too enticing—if it caught the attention of the Kree, and Mar-Vell reported it, Earth would be in trouble. She was still loyal to the Kree, after all.
"Money isn't an issue. If this works, I won't hold back. And when I leave Earth, my vast empire here will need a successor," Dracula promised without hesitation.
He had lived long enough to understand the complexities involved. He didn't even consider approaching Mar-Vell directly.
After all, he was still on Earth—it was best to follow the rules for now. He could do as he pleased once he was gone.
Josh was tempted by Dracula's words. Money was becoming just a number to him, but who would say no to more wealth? And considering how long Dracula had lived, his collection of treasures must be considerable.
"By the way, here's a little present for you—a wedding present," Dracula said with a wave of his hand. A long, ancient looking box appeared on Josh's desk.
"I'll be back tomorrow night at the same time. I hope to have good news by then."
With that, Dracula's voice faded and his figure disappeared from the study.
Vampires—true to their name—really did come and go like ghosts.
Josh muttered to himself as he reached for the box.
He wasn’t worried about traps—if Dracula wanted to harm him, there was no stopping it anyway.
The moment his fingers touched the box, a chilling sensation spread through his hand—it was made of solid stone.
Upon closer inspection, he noticed an inscription on the surface.
Excalibur? Broken Steel?
Josh's expression changed instantly.
King Arthur's legendary sword?
Could this be real?
With Dracula's status, it was unlikely he'd give a fake.
In Celtic mythology, Arthur wielded two famous swords.
The first was the legendary Sword in the Stone, which broke in a duel with King Pellinore in violation of the chivalric code.
Later, with Merlin’s help, Arthur received another blade from the Lady of the Lake—a sword known as Broken Steel. (TL/N: This is all AU)
Meanwhile, in the mirrored dimension, the Ancient One glanced at the box, her expression changing briefly in surprise.
Even she hadn't expected Dracula to offer such a significant gift.
