https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-555-Lanchi-has-Always-Enjoyed-Granting-Wishes/12584862/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-557-Who-Says-the-Sun-Will-Find-the-Moon-/12584864/
Chapter 556: Lanchi and Sigurei's Unending Farewell
Chapter 556: Lanchi and Sigurei's Unending Farewell
The snow-covered land, bathed in moonlight, held an unseen chill and danger.
Despite the radiant moon, shadows lingered, refusing to be dispelled from the wintry landscape.
Sigurei stood before Lanchi, her fists clenched, her hair dancing in the cold breeze.
The beret she never took off had fallen during their tumble from the carriage, revealing a pair of wolf-like ears that belonged on a beastman.
Her breath came in short, erratic gasps, forming tiny clouds of frost that mingled with the falling snowflakes.
"Sigurei..."
Lanchi, usually disinterested in the secrets of others, now had his suspicions confirmed as he gazed upon Sigurei's ears.
According to an ancient tome he had glimpsed during the Shadow World's Cathedral Villain's Dinner, pure-blooded wolves exhibited beastman-like traits under the moon's glow.
And here, in the moonlight, Sigurei's strength had visibly increased.
"I'm not human, but I'm not a bad person."
Sigurei's weary gaze lifted to the night sky, her voice a hushed murmur.
Though her strength increased at night, enough to rival a Level 6, the gap between Level 6 and Level 7 was insurmountable, no matter the skill involved.
Furthermore, while she gained physical enhancements and regenerative abilities at night, the vampires gained their undead nature.
Even a Level 7 powerhouse might not be able to withstand a vampire count.
Sigurei didn't understand why the vampire count in the distance had stopped his assault, but it was clear he had noticed her ears.
The count, Gregory, bowed slightly, his gaze fixed on the person behind Sigurei. "Mr. Roche, I find you most intriguing. If you're willing to cooperate with us vampires, we won't harm you."
Gregory's tone was friendly as he addressed Lanchi. He was well aware of the craftsman's skills—skills capable of restoring and perfecting artifacts of sacred quality. As such a human treasure, Gregory had no intention of causing him harm.
Whether he became his subordinate or was offered to the Ancestor, his value was immeasurable.
"Though I am curious about your true identity in the Pollant Empire, we can discuss that at length later."
Gregory clasped his hands together, his posture relaxed.
Such a royal grand master craftsman would undoubtedly be a national treasure in the Pollant Empire. However, according to his intelligence, there was no noble by the name of Roche McKassy in the empire.
It was likely that he had assumed this identity when visiting the Beastman City-State to conceal his true identity, which was probably that of a high-ranking minister or similar.
Regardless, his value had just increased.
It wouldn't be easy to insert a high-ranking spy into the Pollant Empire during wartime.
"..."
Sigurei tightened her grip on Lanchi's wrist.
She couldn't comprehend why this frail artist behind her remained so calm at this moment.
He seemed devoid of a heartbeat, his composure unshaken.
Could it be that he realized the vampires wouldn't dare kill him?
"Excellent. I appreciate humans who are open to communication."
Gregory observed Lanchi's demeanor, pleased with what he saw.
His captive showed no signs of panic or hostility towards the vampires, indicating a rational human who understood the situation.
"However...if you wish for me to treat you favorably, there is one thing you must do."
Count Gregory continued, his raised finger pointing at Sigurei.
"Give her to me."
In truth, before tracking them to this location, he hadn't expected any additional gains.
And now, he had stumbled upon a remnant of the wolf clan.
The more he observed her hair and eye color, the more pleased he became.
She was most likely the werewolf Duke Eduardo, the Fourth Progenitor, had been searching for.
As Gregory's words hung in the air, his outstretched finger directed a thick, sanguine magic that enveloped Lanchi and Sigurei, trapping them within an invisible, blood-hued barrier.
Sigurei's keen intuition, like a sharp blade, sensed the growing danger in the air.
A massive, transparent cage materialized, the unique vampire magic of the count confining everything around them.
"Little one, the reason I haven't harmed you yet is that I wish to ask you a question: Did you escape from the Temple of the Moon Goddess?"
Count Gregory inquired nonchalantly, having captured the pair.
"..."
Sigurei's icy gaze fixed on the distance, her grip on Lanchi's wrist tightening further.
"Hmm."
Seeing that Sigurei remained silent and the imperial craftsman unresponsive, Count Gregory shook his head with a smile.
"Actually, I was also present during the wolf clan's blood moon disaster, when we wiped out their last sanctuary. I killed several wolves, but I can't remember the exact number."
He counted his fingers, trying to recall, but to no avail.
"I do remember a wolf with hair the same color as yours—a tenacious one who challenged the Fourth Progenitor to a duel, all to buy time for the weak wolf clan to escape."
Gregory's eyes drifted to the moon hidden among the clouds, his voice filled with nostalgia. It had been a breathtaking sight—the once prosperous holy land of the Temple of the Moon Goddess reduced to ruins, with withered limbs of the wolf clan scattered among the fallen architecture.
The blood of the elders, wolf women, and children had been drained or evaporated, leaving behind a thick, pungent scent of blood that permeated the air.
The entire wolf clan's sanctuary had become a feast for the vampires.
"Unfortunately, only one pup managed to escape in the end."
A self-satisfied smile curved Gregory's lips as he concluded his reminiscence.
As expected, his guess had been correct.
In the distance, Sigurei stood silent, her face shadowed, her eyes hidden beneath her hair.
She remained unshaken by Count Gregory's words, but her fingers trembled, and the veins on the back of her hand pulsed with a fury that threatened to consume her.
The memories that surfaced were of a night bathed in blood-red moonlight, a night of absurdity and hallucinatory sensations that suffocated her within the Temple of the Moon Goddess.
Even now, she felt a chill run through her.
"Little girl, your reaction tells me I've guessed correctly, haven't I?"
Count Gregory snapped his fingers, his gaze fixed on Sigurei. "Do you know how ugly and pitiful your father looked when the Fourth Progenitor ripped out his spine?
"I never expected to stumble upon you here. I believe the Fourth Progenitor will be most pleased when I bring your corpse to him."
Count Gregory observed the young wolf cub, who had not yet come of age and had nowhere to run, with satisfaction, anticipating her breakdown.
It was only fitting, given that she was the offspring of the Wolf Clan's strongest warrior and possessed combat talent that even the Wolf King lacked.
At such a young age, she had reached the fifth rank through her own hard work and determination.
It was a blessing that she hadn't been allowed to continue growing stronger.
From now on, the Progenitors need not worry about the revival of the Wolf Clan; all they needed to do was snuff out this last remaining sprout.
After killing Sigurei with his own hands, he would receive a reward from the Fourth Progenitor, Duke Eduardo.
To be promoted to the rank of Marquis among the bloodlines, one would need to receive a bloodline gift from one of the top five Progenitors; otherwise, it would be impossible.
The perfect arrangement filled Count Gregory with a sense of bliss in this rare moment of happiness.
On the snowy ground, some distance away, Sigurei still did not respond to him.
"..."
Sigurei was certain that she hadn't escaped her fate after all.
Ever since she had narrowly escaped her homeland, she had felt the presence of bloodlines chasing after her every day and night.
Indeed, she was never meant to live, and perhaps it would have been better if she had died with her parents that day.
"You've wanted to die for a long time, haven't you? I know how painful it is for you to be alive, so I'll send you to meet your parents now. This human has treated you well, hasn't he?"
Greed and obsession were evident in Gregory's gaze as he made no attempt to hide his desire to break Sigurei's spirit.
"If you want him to stay alive, it's best not to continue endangering him like this."
Count Gregory raised his palm, his fingers curling slightly upwards as if he could effortlessly control the entire snowy domain. A hint of compassion appeared in his eyes as he regarded his captured prey.
He wanted the young wolf to know that he didn't mind killing this human as well, so she shouldn't try to use him as a hostage in any way.
The only choice she had was to die alongside this human or let him live on alone.
"Alright, make your decision."
Gregory's voice echoed across the snowy plain like a funeral bell.
Each word spoken by Count Gregory carried an air of authority.
Under the blood moon, he was the ruler of the night, and the will of any human seemed insignificant.
"Blood Count..."
Sigurei's voice trembled with long-suppressed anger.
In the moments when she closed her eyes, she felt nothing but loneliness.
At the fifth rank, she could defeat a baron, and during the night, she might even stand a chance against a viscount of the sixth rank.
However, if there was a seventh-rank bloodline, she could only resign herself to her death.
Time had been too short for her to grow strong enough to pose a threat to the bloodlines.
Sigurei felt a heavy sense of fatigue and powerlessness that spread from her limbs throughout her body.
Her gaze fell helplessly on Lanchi.
"..."
It was a silent expression of gratitude for having met such an interesting person in her final moments.
Unfortunately, she would not get the chance to grow up.
After a while, Sigurei called out softly to Lanchi beside her.
"Mr. Roche..."
"Hmm?"
Lanchi's ears perked up slightly as he listened to her.
Before Lanchi could hear what Sigurei was about to say, she had already let go of his wrist. The small figure walked away from him towards Count Gregory.
"Goodbye."
She said.
Her life might not have been valuable, but she knew that someone like Roche shouldn't die. As long as he lived, there was still hope for the Pollant Empire. Perhaps they could deceive the Blood Count, escape back to the empire, and become a double agent.
He was a good man.
"That's a good girl."
Count Gregory showed a hint of approval, licking his sharp teeth as he couldn't wait to drain the sweet blood from this young wolf cub.
Although a mummified wolf would look ugly, having the remains of this nearly extinct wolf cub in his palace would be a valuable addition to his collection.
"..."
Sigurei knew what her fate would be.
She had seen too many of her clansmen die at the hands of the bloodlines.
Strangely, she didn't feel as afraid as she thought she would; instead, she felt a sense of impending release.
Her only regret was that she wouldn't be able to return to the Pollant Empire and tell her younger siblings about the interesting things she had experienced along the way.
Just thinking about it brought tears to her eyes.
She didn't want to die, and it was only when she resolved to face death that she realized how precious the little happiness she had left was.
Perhaps her life had no meaning, but the sacrifices of her clansmen had given her life a different kind of significance. She was the last flickering flame that her father had desperately protected.
However, just as Sigurei felt her chest tightening with pain.
She felt a hand grasp hers.
It was a large, warm hand, reminiscent of the few remaining memories she had of her parents.
Sigurei turned her head in astonishment.
Lanchi was looking at her with an expression of helplessness.
"..."
"We can negotiate, but never compromise with criminals. There's still a lot for you to learn."
Lanchi smiled as he tightened his grip on her hand and pulled her back.
His eyes seemed to be telling her, "Everything will be alright."
Sigurei gazed briefly into Lanchi's beautiful emerald eyes, her steps faltering, her lips parting slightly.
But before she could say anything, he had already led her back to his side.
This brief change of events caused Count Gregory, who was watching from a distance, to furrow his brow.
Count Gregory began to approach them again, his footsteps making no sound in the snow. He maintained a certain distance, his eyes cold and detached.
Blood-colored magic began to gather at the tip of the count's fingers, distorting the air in front of him and forming deep blood-colored rings that devoured everything in their path, as if they could instantly crush any object.
Blood-colored arcs appeared in the space around them, further restricting Sigurei and Lanchi's movements.
"Oh? So, you want to die together?"
Count Gregory lowered his hands,
"I thought you were a smart man, Mr. Roche..."
He pressed his thumb against his knuckles, his voice deepening, and his eyes glinting with murderous intent.
The airflow on the snowy plain was mercilessly paused, and within the dim snow curtain, the aura of blood-colored magic rapidly intensified.
The cold, blood-colored light circles in the surrounding air became even more pronounced.
(End of Chapter)
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