Elysia’s Transformation and Heloise’s Farewell

A faint glimmer of light began to pierce the eastern horizon.

The carriage rumbled along the muddy, rain-slicked path, jostling its occupants with every turn.

Inside the carriage, Adrian slumped back into his seat, leaning against the cushions.

Across from him sat Ilisia.

Heronie remained at the graveyard, awaiting the arrival of the Order’s personnel to coordinate the site cleanup.

Though Ilisia had made no grand movements during the recent battle, a single evasive maneuver had shredded her clothes in multiple places and ruined the shoes on her feet.

Having discarded her tattered garments and ruined shoes, she now lay curled across the carriage’s berth, wrapped in a large blanket.

Ilisia’s silver hair, still damp and slightly coiled, cascaded casually over her shoulders.

Only one thought consumed her mind—

She had killed her own brother.

Yet, the elation of avenging her sister, the fury at her brother’s betrayal of their family, and the medley of other complex emotions, had flared for but a moment before swiftly vanishing, as if torn out by the roots…

All of it was gone.

Ilisia’s heart was no longer keen…

“Having just transformed into a Blood Demon, if you’re subjected to intense emotional shocks, your emotions will be instantly severed to protect your brain,” Adrian explained to her. “But don’t worry, those feelings will eventually resurface in your mind; it merely requires time.”

“Eventually? How long is that?” Ilisia asked.

“A few months, or perhaps even years,” Adrian replied.

Ilisia fell silent, truly feeling nothing at all, save for a profound drowsiness that washed over her, much like when she had feigned death before.

Ilisia gazed at Adrian, suddenly recalling that she had once been fond of this young man…

Yet, she had forgotten what it felt like to love.

She could only remember that his blood was sweet, utterly unlike that of those creatures at the graveyard…

After a long silence, Ilisia finally spoke: “What kind of monster… have I become?“

“A Corrupt Seed. To be more precise, you are a Blood Demon, a variant of the Corrupt Seed,” Adrian’s voice remained calm. “You must now subsist on human blood to survive.”

“Who turned me into this?” Ilisia’s voice was equally devoid of emotion. “Was it Charles?”

“No,” Adrian shook his head. “Charles is also a Corrupt Seed, but he’s a Ghoul, not a Blood Demon.”

Ilisia shook her head, still bewildered.

Seeing her confusion, Adrian let out a long sigh and said, “There are two particularly advanced types of monsters in this world, known as Evil Seeds and Corrupt Seeds, respectively.”

“Evil Seeds are the progenitors; they continuously transform humans into Corrupt Seeds. Corrupt Seeds inherit the Evil Seeds’ power and serve them,” Adrian continued. “However, a Corrupt Seed lacks the ability to turn other humans into Corrupt Seeds. Your brother was a Corrupt Seed, so he couldn’t have turned you into one.”

“He is no longer my brother,” Ilisia closed her eyes and took a deep breath.

“The one who likely transformed you was your family’s missing maid,” Adrian mused, “though it’s not certain yet…”

“You could just say you don’t know,” Ilisia’s voice was cold, tinged with weariness. “So, what now? Are you taking me to the Order to be dealt with?”

“No, disposing of you would be a waste; you are to become my Sword Attendant,” Adrian declared. “You’ll protect me to the capital, then we’ll head north to a desolate, wretched island where even birds wouldn’t alight, and then…”

A peculiar request indeed.

“Are you not formidable enough? Do you still require my assistance?” Ilisia interrupted Adrian.

“I am still human. No matter how exquisite my swordsmanship, I cannot directly confront those monsters,” Adrian said, propping his chin with his hand. “I require a ‘sharp sword’ that can face them head-on.”

“You want me to train in swordsmanship, then follow you to hunt my own kind?” Ilisia asked.

“Yes,” Adrian smiled. “You are a Blood Demon, the swiftest variant among Corrupt Seeds. With the right equipment and environment, you could even rival an Evil Seed…”

“Then how long must we stay together?” Ilisia interrupted Adrian again.

“For a very long time, until every single Evil Seed has been eradicated,” Adrian said.

“So long as I have blood to drink, it matters not,” Ilisia stated.

“I possess a great deal of blood, and I can also regenerate it through continuous consumption,” Adrian assured her. “Rest assured, you will never lack for blood.”

“That will suffice then,” a faint smile finally graced Ilisia’s lips. “Your blood is sweet, Adrian. I believe I’ve grown addicted; the blood of others now smells foul to me.”

Adrian nodded, remaining silent.

“I need to rest; I am weary,” Ilisia murmured, tugging her blanket tighter before closing her eyes.

Thus, the carriage continued its slow, steady journey.

****

The carriage arrived at an industrial park on the outskirts of the city.

This was a warehouse belonging to Delarose Industries, housing the most advanced combat equipment that had just arrived today.

Adrian opened the carriage door and stepped out.

Not far away, Heronie leaned against the doorpost, her recently dried red hair still somewhat dishevelled, cascading casually over her shoulders, a single strand resting by her collarbone, fluttering gently with the morning breeze.

Her originally icy demeanor completely melted away upon seeing Adrian, leaving only a hint of grievance and a subtle wistfulness.

“Your Order works with remarkable efficiency, doesn’t it?” Adrian greeted her.

“Indeed…” Heronie sighed softly, her voice gentle. “Unlike some, who flee before the sun has even fully risen, without so much as a ‘thank you’.”

“I’ll write to you once I’m on my way. Besides, we’ll meet again in the capital,” Adrian said, glancing at Heronie.

“Yes, yes,” Heronie offered a faint smile, though her beautiful eyes held a hint of something morbid. “A few letters will suffice for me; I truly am such an easily placated little girl.”

Heronie chuckled softly, drawing out her words with a gentle lilt: “Or perhaps… I should simply abandon the Order and accompany you on your journey?”

Adrian’s Adam’s apple bobbed slightly.

‘Hey, hey, don’t put this pressure on me, woman.’

“Heronie, the Order needs you at its helm for these plans to proceed smoothly,” Adrian quickly began to placate her, adopting a serious tone. “Moreover, Ilisia is currently unable to perceive emotions; at best, she is merely my servant.”

“Oh?” Heronie’s smile deepened further. “What if her emotions return one day?”

Adrian’s heart skipped a beat.

“She’s a Blood Demon, with strength far surpassing yours. What if she were to ‘force herself upon you’…” Heronie whispered. “I rather dislike others touching what I deem unwanted.”

A moment of silence hung in the air.

Adrian fell silent for a moment, pressing his lips into a tight line.

‘No, big sister, do you truly believe I wouldn’t rather dive into your embrace, breathing in your scent, and live a life of pampered decadence as a prince consort every single day?’

‘But I’m pressed for time and burdened with a weighty task right now; can you please not torment me like this?’

“Heronie, consider it for the sake of the entire kingdom’s populace,” Adrian said, his expression serious. “I genuinely need her. Otherwise, every time I’ve left those Evil Seeds thoroughly wounded, there’s always been no one to deliver the finishing blow, allowing several to escape needlessly…”

“Alright,” Heronie took a deep breath, crossing her arms. “The moment her emotions return, you are to write and inform me immediately…”

“Mmm, I’ll try my best…” Adrian scratched his head.

“And in the future, when you write to me, don’t sign with someone else’s name, nor tamper with your own,” Heronie instructed.

“Understood,” Adrian nodded.

Heronie watched him silently, still wearing a playful smile, yet the emotions in her eyes slowly grew obscure and unreadable.

She suddenly reached out, grabbing Adrian’s collar, and her entire body swayed and leaned towards him.

Adrian quickly steadied Heronie by her shoulders.

‘The second phase of the boss fight is coming.’

“You bastard,” Heronie muttered through gritted teeth.

All traces of mockery, indifference, and playful composure vanished from Heronie’s eyes.

A tear fell.

“W-wait a minute, why are you crying?!” Adrian stammered, a hint of panic in his voice.

“You’re always like this; every time, after only a day or two, you…” Heronie’s voice trembled slightly, tinged with resentment and defiance. “I’m telling you, there will be places on this journey where I can’t watch over you…”

Adrian’s heart lurched violently.

“Don’t be reckless, don’t… don’t die,” Heronie’s lips trembled slightly, and the tips of her ears were also tinged with a faint red.

She tried hard to maintain her ‘bad girl’ persona, but ultimately, she resembled a pouting, disgruntled girlfriend.

“Even if you die, I will… I will personally drag you back from hell,” her voice carried a slight sniffle. “Then I’ll make you kneel and call me ‘Queen Heronie‘ a hundred times…”