NOVEL NEXT Chapter 67
67
“Is it good?”
“Mmm… Yes.”
Nahun, who had found the vampire girl Veronica near Dorhon Castle, was taking her for a walk around the streets.
“First, we need to do something about your appearance.”
“Excuse me?”
Nahun immediately rented an inn to clean her up. He bought her new clothes instead of rags and had her wear shoes, then called a hairdresser to tidy up her messy hair. She transformed into someone who could walk the streets without any issues.
“Looks good. You seem presentable now.”
“…What do you mean? That sounds a bit strange.”
“It means you can walk around without any problems. Don’t interpret it in a weird way.”
Nahun sighed deeply, wondering what kind of things this girl had heard growing up. He then spoke to Veronica, who was happily drinking warm corn bread and milk.
“When we go to the Demon World, you need to practice properly. You have to train hard.”
“Yes…”
“Then I’ll make sure to feed you things much tastier than this.”
Even though she was still a child, she was nevertheless a girl. The cost spent to transform her from a ragged state into an appropriate appearance was considerable. Nahun’s reasons for making this expenditure were not mere pity.
“Who is your lord?”
“…It’s Seere von Debata.”
This was ultimately to draw Veronica into Seere’s faction. She had the potential to become the strongest lord in the future and was well worth integrating into their forces.
“Right, remember that well. You must engrave it deeply in your heart and show it through your actions. Otherwise…”
“Ah, I understand.”
As Veronica nodded, Nahun smiled satisfactorily.
“Finish eating, and let’s get going.”
“Where to?”
“Where else? We need to go to the location of the Moon’s bloodline.”
“…I-I don’t want to go!”
“I’m not doing this to send you back. What do you think I’ve been saying all this time?”
Nahun had already explained to Veronica that they were going to the Kalt Mountains, home to the Moon’s bloodline. However, she had been so preoccupied with how delicious the bread and milk were that she hadn’t listened properly.
“Um… about that…”
“You weren’t listening, were you? You must have been too busy eating.”
“No, I wasn’t!”
“Forget it. You must have been very hungry. Still, it’s best to stop eating now. If you eat too much at once, you’ll get sick.”
“…Yes.”
Nahun explained to Veronica once more.
“The reason I’m going to meet your race is to form an alliance. I have no intention of sending you back.”
“Really?”
“If I were going to send you back, why would I keep asking who your lord is?”
“Well… I see.”
Veronica nodded as if she understood. After hastily finishing her remaining bread, she jumped up and said.
“Let’s go quickly. But when we meet the bloodline, you will protect me, right?”
“I probably won’t need to. Just hearing that I’m the Demon King will likely deter any threats.”
“Is that so? It seems my lord is quite a formidable Demon King.”
“Of course.”
Nahun chuckled.
“He will be the Demon King who reaches the highest position.”
#
The Moon’s bloodline, the vampire race, lived in a small basin surrounded by impossibly high mountains in the cold Kalt Mountains. Due to the rugged terrain and wild weather of the Kalt Mountains, humans were unable to approach this place, allowing the bloodline to enjoy their freedom.
A stranger set foot in the domain of these bloodlines. It wasn’t a beast with black hair… but rather a great demon with black hair.
“Is this the right place?”
“I don’t remember well, but it seems right.”
“I see.”
Unlike when Nahun concealed his appearance at Dorhon Castle, he took off his hood, and Veronica looked at him with curiosity.
“Why are you looking at me like that?”
“Oh, it’s nothing.”
Nahun found it strange but decided to let it go. Instead, he focused on what began to come into view in front of him.
“It’s quite grand. Did they hide it with magic?”
It was the vampire race’s castle. The massive white stone walls were imposing and appeared strong. Nahun turned to Veronica, who was following him closely.
“Stay close. If you get lost, I won’t know what to do.”
“What? You’re not going to look for me?”
“As I said earlier, I need to finish my work quickly and return. So don’t get lost.”
“That’s unfair…”
“Make sure to follow closely so that doesn’t happen.”
With Gremony on the 55th floor plotting something unknown, it was crucial to move as fast as possible. Nahun approached the castle gates without hesitation, and Veronica cautiously followed behind him.
Perhaps thinking that no one would come, the castle’s guards were not particularly vigilant. Their level of defense was basic, and Nahun approached them to formally request entry.
“I am a messenger of Demon King Seere von Debata.”
Naturally, the vampire race, who would tremble at the mention of a Demon King, did not welcome him, and the guard politely refused his request.
“Sorry, but we do not accept messengers from any Demon King. Please leave.”
“Then could you simply relay one thing to the elder for me?”
“…I’ll listen and decide.”
“Just tell them I’ve come seeking the Moon’s blood.”
“Wait… what did you just say?”
Nahun reiterated clearly to the guard.
“I said I’ve found the Moon’s blood.”
“Is that true!?”
“Yes. However, you know well that I cannot share this information with just any guard. So…”
On a night when the moon would rise, two yellow eyes glimmering like the moonlight stared into the guard’s.
“You should either hurry and summon the elder here or let me enter.”
“…W-Well, permission for entry requires the captain’s approval. Please wait a moment; I’ll return shortly!”
One of the guards dashed into the castle, while the remaining guard looked at Nahun with a somewhat dazed expression.
“Uh, messenger?”
“Yes.”
“The child behind you… she appears to be one of our kind, am I correct?”
The guard pointed to Veronica. Nahun nodded in agreement but spoke sternly.
“Her lineage is indeed of the bloodline, but she is no longer a child of the bloodline.”
“Excuse me?”
“I believe that answer sufficed.”
“…Yes.”
The guard could not take his eyes off Veronica after that. Nahun found the guard’s reaction somewhat amusing.
‘Did they drive her away and forget about it? Now they’re coveting the descendants of the bloodline.’
Nahun could easily guess how Veronica was feeling given the guards’ demeanor. He looked down at her with a sympathetic heart.
“What’s wrong?”
However, Veronica had an astonishingly blank expression. Nahun squinted his eyes in thought.
‘Have I been overly concerned?’
No, no matter how he thought about it, he had not been excessively analytical. It would be more accurate to say that Veronica was too indifferent.
“The captain has given permission!”
At that moment, the guard who had gone inside returned. He delivered the message that entry was granted.
“Can we enter now?”
“Once inside, the captain will guide you to the lord.”
“Understood.”
Nahun looked at Veronica. Although she had insisted she didn’t want to return to the bloodline, she might have been uncomfortable stepping into the homeland of her race.
He had intended to at least offer her some comfort, but Veronica was still wearing that vacant expression. When she met Nahun’s gaze, she asked him.
“Hey.”
“What is it?”
“Is there any bread left?”
He doubted whether this was really the same child who had said she didn’t want to go before they departed. Nahun, feeling utterly perplexed at how a child could think, considered the situation.
“…None.”
#
“Please, come in.”
“I’ve been waiting.”
Guided by the captain of the guards, Nahun arrived at the heart of the castle, the Moon Spirit Hall. The moment he entered, he was welcomed warmly. Seven young men and women were sitting at a long rectangular table. But Nahun knew that despite their youthful looks, they were simply aged individuals who had lived long lives.
Nahun himself was merely a reincarnation, but these individuals were genuine elders. One tall young man who appeared to be in his mid-twenties spoke.
“Please, sit down. We haven’t prepared much, but it must have been tiring to get here.”
“I appreciate the kindness, but there’s no time for that.”
“Hmm?”
Nahun addressed the seven sitting at the table, the vampire lords.
“I request that you use the Moon’s blood to allow me to meet the ancestress.”
“…Why would you want to meet the ancestress?”
“I have a reason to meet her. I did not come here for you; I came to find her.”
Nahun’s tone was polite, yet the underlying message was sharp. It was equivalent to saying to the seven lords leading the bloodline, ‘Your matters do not concern me; just summon the ancestress.’
“Haha! This one is amusing!”
At that moment, a woman broke into laughter. She was Roselia, one of the lords leading the bloodline. She tossed her rose-colored hair back and said.
“Really, you wish to meet the ancestress?”
“Yes.”
“I’ve heard you brought the Moon’s blood with you. But you’re asking us to believe your word without even showing it to us? How can we give you a positive answer?”
“Oh, did I not show it?”
Nahun said as if he had forgotten, pulling a bright red orb from his pocket. The expressions of the lords instantly changed upon seeing it.
“Wow… is this real?”
The Moon’s blood. It was a gem formed from crystallized blood of the ancestress. The Moon’s blood was a treasure of the vampire race, representing their hope for the ancestress to regain her power and was a necessity to secure.
“However, let me tell you, the ancestress is not one you can meet at will. I’m afraid we can’t allow that.”
“Why not?”
“Because, even our bloodline can only have the lords meet the ancestress. Why would such a noble being meet just anyone?”
“Just anyone…”
Nahun chuckled.
“I came as an official messenger of the Debata clan. Are you saying I’m just anyone?”
“If the Debata clan were as they used to be, you wouldn’t be just anyone…”
Roselia spoke candidly.
“The Debata clan has now been reduced to a lowly Demon King, right? How can a mere messenger of such an inconsequential Demon King be anything special?”
When Roselia said this mockingly, the other lords chuckled lightly. It was expected that they wouldn’t have a favorable reaction, given their deep dislike for Demon Kings, but Nahun felt his irritation rising.
Although he hadn’t shown any of his power, he had not anticipated this level of impertinence. Had their prolonged separation from the Demon World allowed them to forget the fear of a Demon King’s existence? There was no other explanation for such a response.
‘…Sometimes, the logic of a Demon King might actually be correct.’
“Insulting the ancestress and making such demands… How about you hand over the Moon’s blood and leave? If you wish to keep your life, that is.”
Nahun felt an overwhelming urge to retaliate against those who spoke carelessly about the child working hard.
“Veronica.”
“Yes?”
“Stay outside.”
“…Why?”
When Veronica questioned him, Nahun shot her a glance. In an instant, she felt frozen with fear.
“If I say to stay outside, then stay outside.”
“…Yes.”
Veronica cautiously opened the door and stepped out, while Nahun turned to face the lords. The lords who had just been sneering had gone silent.
They felt the atmosphere change, not merely because it became tense but because they sensed that Nahun was not to be trifled with.
“…Living in this backwater, you must be oblivious to the recent events.”
“What…?”
Roselia’s brow twitched. However, Nahun was already angry, and he had made up his mind. If he couldn’t resolve this peacefully, he would force them to listen.
“Do you not understand who must crawl like a dog if they wish to keep their lives? It is pitiful to see you bloodlines serving such foolish lords.”
“Have you said enough!?”
Roselia’s surroundings were stained with bright red blood. She was about to use the vampire’s unique magic, ‘Blood Magic’. Although it wasn’t real blood, it manifested as magical energy, creating a rather eerie scene.
“I’ll tear that arrogant mouth of yours apart!”
The blood that spread around her gathered together and transformed into a sharp spear. Roselia took it and charged at Nahun.
“Wait, Roselia. Stop.”
One of the lords tried to intervene as Roselia lunged forward, but another lord scolded the one who intervened.
“What of it? She wants to show him a lesson. Roselia, give that arrogant brat a punch…”
Crash!!
The Roselia that had clearly been charging forward was thrown backward and smashed into the wall. The stone wall bore the mark of the impact as she was left with a gaping hole in her stomach.
Nahun hadn’t done anything special against Roselia, who had formed the blood spear. It was simply the result of his punch. The lords could only widen their eyes in shock at the sight of Roselia, who had died instantly without even letting out a scream.
“What… what did you do!? You fiend!?”
“How dare you disrespect a lord…!”
“Thinking about it, seven of you leading such a race seems excessive.”
Golden eyes locked onto their prey. The lords sensed that they, who had always ruled nobly, were now nothing more than mere rabbits in the presence of Nahun.
“Should I leave just four of you?”