Chapter 222

Jean-Claude didn't mind the titles—usurper, pretender—who cared? Like he told Lucien, the world only understood power. He'd be glad to wield it. This world was broken, and he needed to fix it. Without vampires' help, progress stalled. With their immortal DNA, humans could extend their lives.

Imagine the breakthroughs that longevity could bring. Diseases eradicated, knowledge retained through centuries, cultures flourishing as they adapted across generations—these were possibilities within reach.

Humanity's reluctance to embrace this potential was baffling. Their short-sightedness kept them chained to the old ways: brief lives filled with fleeting achievements and inevitable decline. Vampires offered a different path—a chance to rewrite the rules of existence and create a future where life's span matched its potential. Jean-Claude envisioned cities buzzing with innovation, societies where time wasn't an enemy but an ally.