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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 24
Chapter Title: Sorting Things Out
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Odobaekryeong was home to countless species, so many that no single person could claim to know them all.
Thus, the world at large divided all species into three broad categories.
The first was the Inferior Species.
Species like elves, which had almost no Awakened Ones.
The second was the Lesser Species.
Species like orcs or beastfolk, with an average ratio of Awakened Ones but exceptional fertility.
The third was the Superior Species.
Species like demons or giants, who, though few in number, were almost guaranteed to be born with a Class and Trait.
Of course, there were always exceptions, such as the fool from a direct line of a great magical house who failed to awaken, or the high-ranking Awakened One who happened to be an elf.
But these were rare cases.
It was no exaggeration to say that for most, destiny was determined by the species they were born into.
In that respect, the vampire species was unique.
Whether one was pure-blooded.
Or mixed-blooded.
And how potent their blood was.
All these factors came into play, dividing even vampires into Superior and Lesser Species.
What was certain, however, was that vampires were one of the most powerful species in all of Odobaekryeong.
After the world was swallowed by the Labyrinth, sunlight—the vampires' greatest weakness—had vanished, while even the lowliest vampire possessed the power of an Awakened One.
It was only natural, then, that House Vlad had reigned as one of the top-ranking families among the Baekdaesega.
*Crunch!*
"Kugh!"
"...!"
This was why the captain of the guard could only grit his teeth.
When he first heard the report that the gatekeepers had been taken down by two intruders, he had no doubt the situation would be resolved quickly.
This was the Nightless Castle.
A domain directly controlled by House Vlad, home to over a hundred vampires.
This meant that the number of Awakened Ones who could be mobilized immediately was in the hundreds.
But…
*Crack!*
"Is there anyone who can cast spells? Stop him, whatever it takes!"
"It's no use, it's not work— Aaargh!"
"Normal attacks don't work! Keep your distance and use the ne— Gack!"
Arms were broken.
Legs were bent.
Screams echoed from all directions.
The sight of dozens of vampires falling like autumn leaves was a veritable nightmare.
It was impossible to believe this scene was real.
…Especially since he, the one who should have been commanding them, could only watch with his limbs twisted and broken.
*'This is, absurd…!'*
Ordinary spears and swords having no effect?
He could understand that much.
While rare, there were species and Awakened Ones with [Physical Resistance].
It was also surprising that abilities like fascination were ineffective, but he could accept it.
But…
*'To block an oar-infused strike with his bare body and not even get a scratch… where did this monster come from?!'*
He was a 3-star high-ranking Awakened One, and he had poured all his oar into an attempt to slice off the monster's neck, yet the creature had caught his blade with its bare hands.
For the captain, whose limbs had been snapped so effortlessly as a result, it was an unbelievable sight.
But no matter how much he denied it, reality was reality.
He trembled in fear.
Even a 5-star Awakened One would block or dodge such an attack, yet his oar, capable of inflicting a fatal wound upon direct impact, had no effect.
It meant that even thousands of lesser Awakened Ones rushing him at once couldn't stop this monster.
…Perhaps not even high-ranking Awakened Ones could.
And so, watching the intruder move through the Nightless Castle as if it were deserted, the captain could only despair.
"Everyone, get back!!!"
However, the guards did not give up so easily.
They threw their bodies at the intruder to halt his advance while they dragged over a ballista.
With five vampires of immense strength barely managing to haul it into position, the ballista took aim.
The moment the siege bolt, as large as a pillar, struck the intruder.
*BOOM!!!*
"We got him!"
"We finally got the bast—!"
*Step.*
They had been about to cheer at the power of the explosive-enchanted bolt, strong enough to pierce even a castle wall.
But immediately after.
They could only freeze.
The sight of the intruder walking out calmly from the swirling inferno, still completely unscathed, turned them to ice.
And as their eyes met the intruder's, they swallowed dryly without realizing it.
*KRA-KOOOM!*
"…!?"
—A single crimson flash descended upon the intruder's head.
It contained such immense power that it not only forced the intruder, who had taken oar-infused blades and a ballista bolt with his body, to block with his hand for the first time.
But the sheer force of the impact drove him into the ground up to his knees, making the captain's eyes widen.
The intruder spoke for the first time.
"Your hospitality is rather poor."
"Unfortunately, our house has no custom of treating uninvited pests as guests."
*Click, clack.*
The sound of proud footsteps echoed.
After the cloaked knights who had appeared out of nowhere parted to the left and right.
A girl with brilliant blonde hair, dressed in a magnificent red gown, emerged from between them.
Her eyes narrowed as she watched the intruder pull his legs from the ground.
"It has been a while, Lord Mad Demon."
"…!"
And in that moment.
The captain of the guard held his breath.
He finally understood why the intruder possessed such monstrous strength.
And why it was only natural that they couldn't stop him.
The young man with dark, crimson-black hair was none other than the Iron-Blooded Mad Demon of the Paljongyungma.
The monster who, upon coming of age, had single-handedly invaded the Iron-Blood Castle, slaughtered its former lord, and taken the title for himself…
"Or perhaps, should I call you the Fifth Young Master of Unlight?"
"Call me what you will. Whatever you call me, my nobility remains unchanged."
"That confidence, so self-assured it borders on arrogance, is the same as ever."
…Ren Unlight.
A direct descendant of the great magical house of Unlight, a family held in special regard even among the nobles who prided themselves on their prestigious lineage.
Whether due to his personal might.
Or his family's influence.
As the others watched the man they dared not oppose and swallowed nervously.
The girl who met his gaze head-on asked languidly.
"So, what is all this commotion you've caused by suddenly visiting my castle?"
"Do you ask because you truly do not know?"
"Of course, I ask because I do not know."
"…"
"—If I had known the reason, I wouldn't be wasting my time conversing with a pest like you."
The earlier strike was merely a warning.
Had she not intended to ask for a reason, she would have started by cutting off his limbs, even if he was a young master of Unlight.
Ren's expression grew cold as he looked at the frigid Elise.
"How arrogant for someone who has yet to claim the title of Matriarch, Blood Princess."
"And you, Lord Mad Demon, seem to have forgotten that this is the Waning Moon City."
"…"
"…"
Their gazes crossed.
The air grew chilly.
Ren exuded a heavy, oppressive aura.
Elise's blood-red eyes flashed.
As the onlookers gritted their teeth against the chilling tension radiating from the two.
The maid who had been cautiously following Ren until now spoke up.
"Master. I think it would be best to restrain yourself now."
"Are you daring to tell me to back down?"
"N-No, that's not it! It's just, you shouldn't forget your original purpose by fighting the Blood Princess, right?"
"…Hmph. Fine."
Perhaps because he thought she had a point.
Ren scoffed lightly, withdrew his grim aura, and spoke with an air of haughty dignity.
"Bring your fiancé here at once. If you do, I will overlook your earlier insolence."
"…Why are you suddenly looking for that fool, Dion?"
"You should know it is the law of Odobaekryeong for a house to deal with its own blood kin who has caused trouble, no?"
"Surely you didn't cause all this ruckus just because that fool killed a few servants?"
Elise's eyes widened.
Seeing her, Ren scoffed as if to ask how she could feign ignorance.
"I am not talking about that incident."
"Then what are you talking about?"
"The incident where my worthless little brother killed the son of the Lord of Soma Castle and his soldiers, then fled with the prisoners."
"…"
In that moment.
The Nightless Castle fell silent.
Not just Elise, whose eyes were wide, but also her high-ranking vampire knight escorts, and even the lesser vampires sprawled on the ground with broken legs.
As everyone wore expressions of disbelief, Elise spoke for them all.
"Are you expecting me to believe such a joke?"
"…"
"What's with that look?"
"—So, you really didn't know."
If Dion were truly staying in the Nightless Castle, she would have known.
From her attitude of treating his words as nothing but nonsense, he seemed to grasp the full situation.
Ren smirked.
"Using his fiancée as bait. That is just the sort of thing my little brother would do."
"…"
"Enough. Out of respect for the Blood Night Demon family, I shall withdraw for today."
They were to be grateful he had only broken the limbs of those who stood in his way.
Despite being the one who had stormed in unannounced, Ren turned as if bestowing great magnanimity.
And the maid, after a hesitant glance, gave a quick bow and scurried after the young man.
Elise simply watched their retreating figures leave the Nightless Castle with cold eyes.
***
*Pow!*
"That Mad Demon, how dare that lunatic…!"
After bringing some semblance of order back to the chaotic castle.
Elise returned to her room, where she punched a cushion until it burst, grinding her teeth in fury.
"Just you wait. I will make you regret causing a disturbance in my castle for the rest of your days!"
If it weren't for the succession contest, she would have cut off at least one of his arms before sending him back.
For a moment, she lamented her political situation, which prevented her from creating friction with the Unlights.
But her anger soon turned in another direction.
"And Dion Unlight! What has that fool been up to now?!"
Dion had killed the son of the Lord of Soma Castle, a 3-star Awakened One, and wiped out his soldiers.
Even considering his personal maid, Parsha, it was utter nonsense.
Even the other soldiers and knights had been dumbfounded when they heard it.
But no matter how mad Ren was said to be, he wouldn't have caused such a scene over something that never happened.
If his words were true…
"It's fine that he's decided to finally reveal his abilities, but what am I supposed to do if he causes this kind of trouble!"
Thanks to the list of 'bats' Dion had left her before, she had been able to conduct a clean sweep of her inner circle.
This had reaffirmed her conviction that Dion had been deliberately playing the fool all this time.
The incident he had just caused was further proof.
It was a million times more logical to assume that Dion, who had struggled against Gerald just days ago, had been secretly cultivating his strength rather than experiencing a sudden growth spurt.
In that sense, he had certainly become more promising than before, but…
"Haaah… Then and now, that fool makes it impossible for me to think well of him."
Elise pressed her temples.
No matter what hidden abilities he had, what ultimately mattered was how useful he was to her.
But if Dion kept causing trouble, he would only become a hindrance.
Especially since, just as the Mad Demon had invaded today, the other young masters and ladies would also begin to make their moves the more Dion revealed his abilities.
"As I thought, it would be best to secure another fiancé candidate, just in case."
Fortunately.
Or unfortunately.
Thanks to this bat extermination, she had discovered that her damned 'sister' had blocked all her potential marriage prospects.
If she had broken her engagement with Dion without knowing this, she would have been cornered, desperately searching for a new fiancé. So, it was fortunate she had avoided that trap, but…
The very lack of a reliable partner was a disqualifying factor for an heir.
Considering the possibility that Dion might meet a sudden, violent end, she needed to find a new candidate now.
There was just one problem.
"…Though no matter how hard I look, I can't seem to find any decent men."
Elise clicked her tongue as she reviewed the list of potential fiancé candidates her butler had compiled.
She needed a fiancé from at least one of the Baekdaesega, but most such men already had a long line of official wives and concubines.
The few exceptions had already been snatched up by her sister.
As she scowled at the list of candidates, which now consisted only of flawed prospects.
A peculiar candidate suddenly caught Elise's eye.
"He passed that bridal contest? And he received a domain without even marrying the Calamity Princess?"
"Given that he claimed to have a fiancée from the Baekdaesega, he is presumed to be from a direct line of the Baekdaesega as well."
"He always wears a mask made by Baekmyeon, the Lord of the Castle of Comedy, and is thus called the White-Masked Young Master…"
His identity, his species.
Everything was a mystery.
But looking at the candidate, whose actions alone made it clear he was exceptionally capable, she wore an intrigued expression.
Of course, he wouldn't be without his own problems, but…
"If I can make him break his engagement with that fiancée, he wouldn't be a bad candidate."
Seeing as she allowed her fiancé to participate in a bridal contest, his fiancée must be either incredibly incompetent or on terrible terms with him.
Shaking off such a pathetic woman should be easy enough.
In that case, depending on his status, she would have to consider breaking her engagement with Dion and getting engaged to this White-Masked Young Master instead.
Thinking this over seriously, Elise smiled haughtily.