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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Yuziro
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“That’s…”
He was slightly flustered.
Regita’s unusual behavior and unfamiliar expressions were disconcerting.
“Why are you asking?”
“Well, I’m curious.”
After blurting out the question, Regita seemed surprised by her own curiosity.
This line of questioning was clearly unfamiliar to her as well.
He considered the question seriously, then realized it required no real thought.
“I simply wanted you to regain your senses.”
That was the only reason.
There was no need for hesitation or elaborate explanations.
“Why did you want me to regain my senses?”
“Because it’s more beneficial to me.”
“Hmm.”
His straightforward answer seemed to only increase her confusion.
“Beneficial… that’s a difficult concept. For now.”
With that, Regita turned away.
Her face seemed slightly flushed, though the alcohol was likely to blame.
He, too, might have been experiencing the same effects.
The alcohol had a particularly strong effect that night.
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Regardless, the next day arrived.
They made their final preparations for departure.
“Are you ready?”
He asked.
“Yes, Jekkiel. I haven’t forgotten anything.”
Demeri nodded vigorously, having packed a surprising amount of belongings, as if she were a traveling merchant.
“Regita, are you ready?”
“My only luggage is this greatsword.”
She swung the greatsword through the air.
The transparent, jewel-like blade shone brilliantly in her hand.
A shimmering, aurora-like trail followed its trajectory.
“Ruin, you’re staying here, correct?”
“Yes. I have much to learn from Sariel. I no longer wish to be consumed by revenge. Thank you, truly.”
It was a good outcome.
The one who had once been Luigh Kiran’s greatest threat had found her own path.
He felt a pang of pride.
Their preparations were complete, but Sariel, to whom they owed their farewells, was nowhere to be seen.
He had heard snoring coming from the dwelling, but no one dared to disturb him.
Ruin offered an awkward smile.
“Ahaha, I’ll explain everything to Sariel. Please, feel free to depart when you’re ready. This isn’t our last meeting, after all.”
“It can’t be helped. We’ll depart then. I have a feeling we’ll be visiting often.”
With a slight feeling of regret, they turned to leave.
Just then, a familiar voice called out.
“Wait!”
Sariel’s voice was welcome, but…
Urp—!
Sariel stumbled forward, vomiting the remnants of the previous night’s alcohol.
He looked unwell.
“…Perhaps it would have been better if you hadn’t come out.”
Seeing him struggle to see them off filled him with a strange sense of guilt.
“Oh dear…”
Despite his struggles, Sariel managed to reach them.
He squinted, his face contorted in pain.
“You’re leaving now?”
“Yes.”
Jekkiel nodded, and Sariel extended a hand.
He assumed he wanted to shake hands, but he murmured.
“Thanatos.”
“Thanatos?”
“Yes. Give it to me.”
It was a puzzling request, so unexpected, and Sariel’s current state made him hesitant.
Did he intend to wield it?
Break it?
Use it as a cane?
Countless possibilities flashed through his mind, but he assumed there was a reason.
Reluctantly, he placed Thanatos in his outstretched hand.
He shrugged and ran his fingers along the edge of the blade.
Thanatos began to gleam, its surface shimmering.
“You can’t tell by looking, but the blade was quite dull. You’re going to continue striving for your cause, right? You need at least this much maintenance.”
“It was dull…?”
He had never once considered Thanatos to be blunt.
But if this was an improvement, how much sharper had it become?
He didn’t show it, but as Thanatos’s owner, he was pleased.
“Go now. Next time, bring Christine. I’ll take care of that rapier of hers as well.”
“I will.”
Sariel waved them away, though a hint of regret lingered in his gesture.
Their visit had clearly been a welcome one.
“We’ll be going then.”
This time, it was a genuine farewell.
They followed Ruin, but Regita suddenly stopped.
“Wait a moment.”
“Why?”
“I should at least express my gratitude. Even if I were reborn, I doubt I’d ever acquire such a greatsword.”
Regita raised her greatsword.
The others exchanged worried glances.
A Radiant Dragon wielding a greatsword was a terrifying sight.
“What are you…?”
“Excuse me, Regita…?”
As if ignoring their concerns, she lowered the blade.
The jeweled surface caught the sunlight, scattering it in hexagonal bursts.
Captivated by the display, the others momentarily forgot their anxieties.
Regita focused, gathering her power.
Then, with a single, decisive strike…
KABOOM!
A wave of force, too fast to follow, erupted from the blade, slamming into the entrance of Sariel’s workshop.
“……!”
Everyone’s eyes widened.
As the dust settled, Sariel’s workshop remained intact.
Should they have been more surprised by the workshop’s durability or Regita’s impulsive act?
Demeri suddenly pointed.
“Look! Over there!”
Emblazoned on the entrance of the workshop was the symbol of a dragon, the mark of a Radiant Dragon.
Beside it, subtly etched, was the symbol of a vampire.
“It’s a parting gift. Look at this and remember us. We’ll be doing our part, wherever we are.”
“Hahaha!”
Sariel laughed heartily, waving goodbye without a trace of reluctance.
Finally, they departed.
Jekkiel asked quietly,
“…Why did you add the vampire symbol?”
“I told you. I’m going to be following you around from now on.”
“That’s absurd.”
Regardless, they continued their journey, one step at a time.
Everything was proceeding smoothly.
Just then, a message appeared before him.
›The Wulfen have begun to move.
The Wulfen.
The apex predators of the wolf-kin, they were a formidable force, possessing both immense strength and cunning intellect.
They were a blend of the intelligent Lamia and the powerful Radiant Dragons.
A main scenario branch point… the Wulfen’s movements were surely ominous.
He began to consider their motives.
Lost in thought, he felt a nudge on his shoulder.
“What are you so worried about?”
“It’s nothing.”
“Are you concerned about what’s to come?”
“I always am.”
“Don’t worry too much.”
Regita nudged him again with her shoulder.
Was this a sign of camaraderie among dragons?
As a vampire, he found the gesture irritating.
“Until that mark on the workshop fades, I’ll follow your lead, even if it kills me. I’ll be right behind you.”
“Until the mark fades…”
He considered how long that might be, then chuckled.
It was a foolish thought.
That mark wouldn’t fade unless Sariel himself removed it.
He had to continue striving for his cause.
He had to see it through.
He wasn’t alone anymore.
He had companions now.
‘Therefore…’
He took another step forward.
Confident and resolute.
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[Is he gonna get a werewolf waifu next? THE HAREM THICKENS]
