I am Dracula. An interview with the greatest vampire. Boris Borisovich Shabrin

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СКАЧАТЬ seen religions rise and fall, gods come and go. And yet, I remain unchanged.

      My beliefs, if you can call them that, are a mix of pagan rituals and Christian dogma. I was baptized in the Orthodox Church, but my mother was a follower of the old ways. She taught me the importance of respecting the forces of nature and the spirits that dwell within them.

      As a ruler, I saw religion as a tool to unite my people. I knew the power it held over their hearts and minds. So, I used it to my advantage. I supported the Orthodox Church, built monasteries and churches, and even made donations to the Pope in Rome.

      But, at the same time, I was also known for my cruelty towards those who defied me. Some called me a tyrant, a monster. But, I saw it as a necessary evil. To maintain order in my land, I had to show strength and resolve. And, I found that religion was a useful justification for my actions.

      However, my relationship with religion was complicated. While I used it to control my people, I also feared its power. I had seen firsthand how it could turn people against each other, how it could be used to justify atrocities.

      And so, I walked a fine line. I used religion when it suited me, but I also kept a distance from it. I never fully gave myself over to it, never let it consume me. I remained a skeptic, always questioning, always searching for the truth.

      Religion is a complex and messy topic. It has caused wars, divided families, and led to countless deaths. And yet, it continues to be a part of human life. As an immortal being, I have seen the best and worst of it. And, I can say with certainty, that it is a force to be reckoned with.

      Dracula’s policies and reforms

      Fose: Dracula, many people see you as a bloodthirsty monster, but few know about your efforts to improve the well-being of your people. Can you tell us about your attempts to improve trade and commerce in Wallachia?

      Dracula: Ah, yes, my attempts to boost commerce in my land were not without their challenges. The merchants of the time were a fickle bunch, and it took quite a bit of persuasion to get them to invest in our economy. But I was undeterred, and I did everything in my power to make Wallachia a hub of trade and commerce.

      Fose: And what about your efforts to reform the legal system?

      Dracula: My legal reforms were a matter of great importance to me. I wanted to ensure that justice was served to all, regardless of their status or wealth. It was a difficult task, but I managed to weed out corruption and implement a fair and impartial legal system.

      Fose: And what about your construction of new fortresses and roads?

      Dracula: They were crucial to the defense and prosperity of Wallachia. I had to ensure that our borders were secure, and our people had access to the resources they needed to thrive. The construction was no easy feat, but I was determined to leave a lasting legacy that would benefit my people for generations to come.

      Fose: It seems like you had a lot on your plate during your reign. How did you manage to accomplish all of these feats?

      Dracula: My determination and love for my people drove me to accomplish these feats. I knew that the road ahead would be difficult, but I was willing to take on any challenge to make Wallachia a better place. It wasn’t easy, but the rewards were worth it.

      Fose: It’s clear that you have a deep sense of commitment to your people. Do you have any final thoughts on your legacy?

      Dracula: My legacy is one that I am proud of. I may have been seen as a monster by some, but my efforts to improve trade and commerce, reform the legal system, and construct new fortresses and roads have left a lasting impact on Wallachia. I may be immortal, but my legacy will live on long after I am gone.

      Chapter 2: Becoming a Vampire

      Turning Vlad into a vampire

      Vlad’s encounter with the vampire who turned him

      Fose: So, Dracula, can you tell me about the first time you encountered the vampire who turned you into a vampire? Did you seek him out, or did he come to you? And what led to your initial meeting?

      Dracula: Ah, the origin story. How quaint. I suppose I could indulge you, although I doubt you have the mental capacity to fully comprehend it. You see, I didn’t seek out the vampire who turned me, nor did he seek me out. It was a chance encounter, if you will. I was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time.

      Fose: Can you elaborate on that?

      Dracula: Elaborate? Very well. I was a warrior, fighting for my country and my people. I was a man of honor and principle, unlike most of the weak-minded fools of this era. One day, I stumbled upon a cave in the Carpathian Mountains. Inside, I found the vampire, slumbering in his coffin. It was then that fate decided to intervene.

      Fose: And what happened next?

      Dracula’s eyes glinted with a cold, detached amusement as he considered the magician’s question. What happened next is none of your business, he drawled, a sardonic smirk playing at the corners of his lips. Suffice it to say that the vampire turned me into a vampire, and my life was forever changed.

      He leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms over his chest as he regarded the magician with a calculating gaze. You can’t even begin to comprehend the magnitude of that change, he continued, his voice dripping with contempt. I became immortal, with powers beyond the comprehension of mere mortals. I could move faster than the blink of an eye, sense things that no human could ever detect, and crush a man’s skull with a single blow.

      A flicker of something almost resembling regret passed over his features, but it was gone in an instant. But with great power comes great responsibility, he intoned, his voice low and deadly serious. I had to learn to control my thirst for blood. I had to learn to exist in a world that I was no longer a part of. And I had to learn to do it alone.

      He leaned forward, his piercing gaze fixing the magician in place like a butterfly pinned to a board. Do you have any idea what it’s like to live for centuries, never aging, never changing, always on the outside looking in? he demanded. To watch as entire civilizations rise and fall, as empires crumble to dust and new ones take their place? To see the same mistakes repeated over and over again, with no hope of ever seeing true progress?

      He chuckled darkly, a sound like shards of ice raining down on glass. You humans are so limited in your scope, he said, a note of contempt creeping into his voice once again. You see only what’s right in front of you, never looking beyond the horizon to the infinite possibilities that lie beyond. But I…I have seen it all. And let me tell you, mortal, it’s not a pretty sight.

      Fose: Impressive! Can you tell me about the nature of the vampire who turned you?

      Dracula’s eyes glinted dangerously as he regarded Fose. The nature of the vampire? he repeated incredulously, as though the question itself was beneath him. You humans always want to categorize and label everything, don’t you? But some things are simply beyond your comprehension.

      He paused for a moment, as if considering whether to reveal any more. Finally, he spoke again, his voice low and menacing. The vampire who turned me was no ordinary creature. He was powerful, cunning, and ancient, with СКАЧАТЬ