Volume 1, Chapter 58 – Epilogue

For most vampires, sunlight was a deadly yet alluring poison. Many vampires adored bright, sunny weather but were unable to touch it due to their race. However, for Count Pescia, a pureblood, basking in the sun was nothing more than an ordinary luxury.

Though both his status and power permitted him to take multiple wives, Count Pescia was a nobleman devoted to a single love. After the death of the mother of his eldest daughter, the Count poured all his energy into raising his child. He rejected all marriage proposals from noblewomen and minimized his interactions with women to avoid his daughter’s questioning.

One could say that Count Pescia dedicated the latter half of his life entirely to his daughter. And today was the day he would welcome her home.

The recent demon attack had merely been a feint. Its true purpose, it seemed, was to facilitate high-ranking demons in carrying out assassinations within the Niru Diocese. However, Count Pescia was not clear on the specifics—partly because such information was hard to come by, and partly because it didn’t matter who the demons had killed. What mattered was his daughter’s return.

Of course, there had been unpleasant developments during this time. Due to the sudden demon assault, minor unrest had broken out among the troops, and the Niru Bishop had seized the opportunity to flee back to his diocese. Though the bishop, aware that detaining the Count’s daughter would provoke war, had agreed to quietly return Yisi, Count Pescia was still furious. He publicly beheaded the guards responsible for overseeing the bishop.

But that was all in the past. Now, the Count stood atop the city walls of the border town, repeatedly adjusting his attire as he eagerly awaited the return of the carriage convoy.

“My Lord, look—could that be the young lady’s convoy?”

A young man dressed as a civil official pointed toward the end of the hillside, where a line of black dots, like ants, could be seen advancing toward the city.

A smile instantly spread across Count Pescia’s face.

“What other convoy would dare take this road today? Prepare my horse—I’m going to greet Viel!”

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“At once, my lord.”

…

Yet, Count Pescia’s hopes were dashed. The reality was that neither Yisi nor Camilla was in the carriage. Aside from Refina’s group and the detained servants, the convoy contained only a single prisoner’s cart, shrouded in black cloth.

“What is the meaning of this?!”

Back at the lord’s manor, Count Pescia roared at the five kneeling pets—servants he had specially sent to attend to Yisi’ needs in town, tasked with ensuring her return. Now that Yisi was missing, the Count naturally demanded answers from them.

Trembling, Refina, the leader of the group, shrank back, her voice quivering.

“F-Forgive me, my lord… Our master said she had another mission… and would not be returning…”

“Not returning? Did I not make it clear? No matter what, Viel must return! Did you fail to convey my words to her?!”

The Count paced back and forth, the sharp clicks of his boots against the floor making the pets’ hearts leap into their throats. They were certain that had they been ordinary soldiers rather than his daughter’s favored pets, their heads would already have rolled.

“I did tell her, my lord… But she only asked me to deliver a gift and this letter to you. She said… once you read it, you would not stop her.”

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“A letter? Where is it?”

Refina hurriedly produced the letter from her clothing. The red wax seal bore the exquisite crest of the Pescia family’s direct lineage—a mark possessed by only two individuals: Count Pescia and Yisi.

His anger subsiding slightly, the Count broke the seal and unfolded the letter in haste.

To my beloved father,

By now, Refina must have informed you that I will not be returning to the territory. However, this is not an act of defiance against your will, but rather a necessity—the situation has reached a point where I must pursue this matter.

As you know, a few days ago, the high-ranking demon Samael appeared in the Niru Diocese with the intent to assassinate me.

At this point, Count Pescia frowned, but his eagerness to know his daughter’s circumstances compelled him to read on.

After some investigation, I uncovered the demons’ true objective. They sent Samael to kill me because they knew that if I were harmed on church territory, it would provoke your wrath and reignite the war between vampires and the Church.

Though the Pescia territory has grown considerably in strength, we are still no match for the entire human alliance. After much deliberation, I have decided to fully utilize the power of the Demon King Ouranos to infiltrate human society. My goal is to win over powerful human allies while further investigating the demons’ true strength and nature.

For nearly a millennium, we vampires have fought the demons, yet we know shockingly little about them—not even their dwelling place. In the past, we had no means of investigation, but now, with Ouranos’ guidance, I believe that one day I will ascend to the legendary floating city suspended in the sky. There, I will harness Ouranos’ power and become the false king who rules the heavens.

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When that day comes, the world’s order will be rewritten by my hand, and your Pescia territory will become the mightiest among vampires—no, it may even be possible to overthrow the Vampire Queen and seat you upon the throne as the new king of our kind. This shall be my goal, and I will strive tirelessly toward it.

Should I fail to achieve results for a long time, I will return to your side. But until then, please indulge this small act of rebellion from Viel. With every accomplishment, I will send you a secret missive. Please do not miss me too dearly.

Additionally, as proof of my growing strength, I have ordered Refina to deliver the captured fallen angel Samael to you. Due to time constraints, I was unable to extract further information from him, so I leave that task to you. Forgive Viel’s incompetence, Father—the intelligence Samael holds will surely be of great use to us.

Finally, I hope you will watch over me and bless my journey. I vow to return with the floating city in hand.

May the name of our ancestor, Cyril, protect you.

Your eternal daughter,

Loiswell Edith Pescia.

By the time he finished reading, two trails of tears had streaked down Count Pescia’s face. Though the handwriting belonged to Camilla, the lipstick mark at the end was unmistakably Yisi’s—his daughter always sealed her letters to him this way. There was no doubt of its authenticity.

He gently rubbed his thumb over the long-dried red imprint, took a deep breath, and spoke with a mix of reluctance and pride.

“I have governed the Pescia territory all these years… for your sake, Viel. ‘Your Pescia territory’? Is it not yours as well? You claim you cannot bear to part from me, yet you venture into human lands for my sake. The floating city is Ouranos’ stronghold—do you truly believe it will be so easily found? And to speak of seating me on the vampire throne—such treasonous words, hahaha.” Though tears still glistened on his face, the Count laughed. “That’s my Viel. Only she would say such things.”

After a long silence, he composed himself, wiping his tears with his sleeve before turning to Refina and the others, who still knelt with their heads bowed in fear.

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“Rise. I understand Viel’s intentions now. This was not your fault. Moreover, as reward for sharing Viel’s burdens during her time in the Niru Diocese, you may each select a parcel of land within the Pescia territory. I will grant you the title of honorary baron.”

“My lord, I must decline,” Refina replied without hesitation. “If granted land, I could no longer remain by our master’s side. I would rather live without such privileges.”

The other pets similarly refused the reward in their own ways.

After a moment’s thought, the Count sighed.

“Very well. In that case, I entrust you with the task of following Viel in secret and resolving any troubles in her path. Her journey into human territory is fraught with peril, and given her temperament, she would be displeased to learn of your interference. Thus, you must act without her knowledge. Additionally, I will place all my elite assassins under your command. Ensure Viel’s safety at all costs—do you understand?”

“Yes, my lord. We have long been prepared to lay down our lives for our master.”

His smile deepening, the Count waved his hand.

“Rise, all of you. Viel has left me with another task—Samael, was it? Whoever you are… you who dared harm my Viel, I will make you taste the true depths of hell.”

Stroking his chin, Count Pescia’s sharp features twisted into a chilling grin.

End of Volume One.