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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Mod7
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Rounia awoke to a vast expanse of white, an endless, snowy plain stretching out before her under the bright sun.
Despite the frigid landscape, she felt no cold. Instead, a sense of warmth and invigoration washed over her, like a gentle spring breeze.
“You’re…”
She looked at the man standing before her, his sharp, black eyes meeting hers.
She recognized him. Ethan, the Hero Candidate who had become somewhat famous at the academy for severing Kanion’s arm.
But he was more than just that. His deeds were legendary among the first-year students.
Even Rounia, who usually paid little attention to such rumors, had heard tales of his exploits.
Some whispered that he was a nobleman in disguise, seeking revenge for his family’s death at the hands of demons.
She had never met him, nor had she ever intended to. And yet, here he was, standing before her.
A spirit of ice hovered behind him. Despite its changed appearance, Rounia recognized it.
“Gartea? Is that you?”
Rutea, formerly Gartea, nodded. A smile touched Rounia’s lips, despite the disorienting circumstances.
“Rounia… I’m sorry.”
Ethan began, his voice gentle. But his next words made Rounia’s smile falter.
He told her that she had died, that she was now a vampire, that Kanion was dead, and that he had resurrected her at Gartea’s request.
She remembered her final moments, her hand instinctively moving to her stomach.
“The baby…”
Ethan shook his head. The answer was clear. Rounia lowered her head, her voice barely a whisper.
“I see…”
Ethan didn’t know what to say. He doubted he ever would.
“How… how am I supposed to live now?”
Now that she was a vampire, she had nowhere to go.
She couldn’t stay in one place for too long. She wouldn’t age, and she couldn’t have children.
She had been an orphan, and now, even her Hero Candidate mark was gone.
“…Do you regret becoming a vampire?”
“I don’t know.”
It was the truth. She didn’t know what to do, how to live.
“But… no one chooses to be born… I’ve been given a new life, so… I’ll find a way to live.”
Ethan smiled. Her red eyes, once dull and lifeless, now shone with a spark of determination.
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Rounia left with her clan. I wasn’t sure if there was anything else I could have said.
The Queen’s heart had the power to alter the characteristics of her race. Ashron, having inherited the heart, could now change the inherent traits of vampires.
I returned to Eastvan. Winter was fast approaching.
“Ethan—!”
Hessia ran towards me as I opened the door. She had grown taller while I was gone.
She looked more like a six or seven-year-old now.
I chuckled. Was this what it felt like to be a parent? I ruffled her hair.
Hessia giggled, enjoying the attention.
“Welcome back, Master.”
Janet, the dark elf, bowed her head. She had been playing with dolls with Hessia and quickly hid them behind her back.
“I’m home. I’m so tired.”
I collapsed onto the sofa. I finally understood why dads always came home from work and immediately crashed on the sofa.
Hessia climbed onto the sofa and snuggled beside me. I didn’t want to move. I just wanted to relax.
“Ethan!”
“What?”
“Make me fried chicken.”
“…”
I summoned Lien from my shadow.
It felt a little wrong, using my bodyguard as a chef, but Lien enjoyed cooking.
“My lord… how are you feeling?”
“I have about 40% of my mana left.”
“You need to rest. Absolute bed rest. You promised me you would recharge your mana, and you went and created a barrier and summoned the Colossus. This has to stop.”
I pouted. How was I supposed to know Ashron would attack?
Lien tied an apron around his waist and headed towards the kitchen.
Tia had helped me find a new place after the attack.
It was a detached house on the outskirts of Eastvan, with a basement and a yard.
I was even thinking about planting a garden in the spring. It was a quiet, secluded neighborhood.
Perfect for training the Black Brotherhood.
“You need to rest for the rest of the break, my lord. Promise me.”
I nodded at Lien’s nagging. The best way to recharge mana was to rest.
Mana was abundant in the air in this world. It naturally replenished your mana reserves, like internal energy accumulating in a dantian.
But I couldn’t sit still. I got bored easily.
I opened my skill window.
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⚙ Skill Window ⚙
Linchester Swordsmanship – Modified – (Lv7)
Hand-to-Hand Combat (Lv5) · Spirit Magic (Lv5)
Necromancy (Lv5) · Elemental Magic (Lv5)
Mana Control (Lv6) · Physical Resistance (Lv5)
Immunity to Heat and Cold (Max) · Cold Resistance (Max)
Fire Resistance (Max) · Lightning Resistance (Lv4)
Poison Resistance (Lv6) · Mental Resistance (Lv4)
Combat Intuition (Lv5)
