This was due to the Fourth Primogenitor's original soul exerting strong control over its Beast Vassal. Matrix No. 12 had no ability to resist the newly awakened original soul and fell back into slumber.
After adapting to the body, the Original asked in a cold tone:
"Who are you?"
"Did you force me to awaken?"
This sudden awakening clearly displeased the Original. Having been sealed in the ice coffin and bound to Aurora's body, it deeply resented its current state. Naturally, it harbored significant malice toward Aslan, who forced its awakening.
Aslan glanced at No. 12, or rather the Original, and sighed.
"As expected, it's got morning grumpiness."
Aslan had anticipated this. He could sense various things within No. 12's body: a Beast Vassal and a sealed soul filled with malice. It was only natural that the All-Breaking Talisman's effect was so potent that it instantly shattered the seal on the original soul.
As for how he confirmed it? No other method was needed. The tone of voice alone made it obvious.
Based on Aslan's limited knowledge of Strike the Blood, Matrix No. 12 currently didn't even have a name. It was more or less like a child with amnesia. Though "amnesia" was too extreme, it was like a child with few memories and experiences.
How could a child speak with a tone full of malice yet mixed with majesty?
Hearing Aslan's words, the Original frowned and continued staring at him coldly.
At that moment, Aslan considered the situation and thought for a moment.
"How about we make a deal?"
After all, he had little information about the Original. As the original soul of the Fourth Primogenitor created by Cain, it might hold much information about the Cleansing. Aslan preferred making a fair and honest deal.
Looking at the Original, it didn't seem like someone easy to talk to. A simple and direct deal would be more pleasant.
The Original observed Aslan's body, its eyes showing a hint of excitement.
"What deal do you want to make?"
Seeing this, Aslan shrugged and said:
"I'll set you free and ensure you regain power no less than in your prime. In return, you give me everything about the Fourth Primogenitor."
In this world, even the Fourth Primogenitor was at best Five-Digit level, and that was with their Beast Vassals. Without them, even a Primogenitor had nothing but great magical power and immortality.
For Aslan now, granting someone Five-Digit power was easy. He just needed to buy a Five-Digit Divinity. At most, it would cost a few million Thousand Eyes coins.
The Divinity he granted would provide a comprehensive boost, which would surely be highly beneficial for the Original.
"…"
Across from him, after hearing Aslan's words, the Original suddenly narrowed its eyes, hiding a rainbow-like gleam. At that moment, it chuckled softly.
"Interesting, very interesting. You came at the perfect time. I can give you everything about the Fourth Primogenitor right now."
"Oh?" Aslan raised an eyebrow, catching the malice in the Original's words.
At that moment, the Original, sitting atop the ice coffin, suddenly smiled.
"I'll give you everything about the Fourth Primogenitor now, so you… help me take back all my power!"
As soon as the words were spoken, No. 12's body emitted a translucent soul with a faint blue glow, which lunged at Aslan in the blink of an eye.
Seeing this, Aslan looked startled. He stood still and muttered:
"Hmm… so how did it interpret its own words?"
"And how dare it try to take over my body?"
"Has it been locked up so long it's lost its common sense?"
Aslan said, slightly stunned. He didn't even have time to react.
The original soul was instantly incinerated by the Dog Sun Authority within Aslan's body. Naturally, the Sun Authority was intelligent. It only burned harmful trash, like the original soul with zero IQ. The Fourth Primogenitor's power, useful to Aslan, was perfectly preserved and not burned.
The original soul's speed in causing trouble was truly unexpected for Aslan. If it had been a bit slower, he could've turned it into a creature card. That would've at least been salvageable. Now, there was no need to save it. It was directly diagnosed as beyond help.
Still, there was at least one good thing. The Fourth Primogenitor's power and status were successfully obtained. Now, in this world, even observed by Little Garden, Aslan was the Fourth Primogenitor.
Then Aslan looked at Matrix No. 12 beside him. The girl stared at him with curiosity but also a hint of fear.
"You… are you going to absorb me?"
As the twelfth Beast Vassal Matrix and the one sealing and monitoring the original soul, No. 12 had her own consciousness. But she didn't want to lose her form and become a Beast Vassal so soon. The artificial vampire girl looked at him anxiously.
"Absorb? Why? Why would I give up a cute girl just to get a big Beast Vassal?"
"Besides, compared to a Beast Vassal, I prefer you like this."
Aslan stroked No. 12's soft hair and said. Looking at her, he recalled she didn't have a name yet.
"By the way, do you have a name?"
"Name? What's that?"
No. 12 looked at him, confused. Her only memories were her mission as the twelfth Matrix and vessel for the Primogenitor. She knew nothing else. Her general knowledge was severely lacking. It seemed she'd need to learn a lot.
"Then your name will be Aurora Draculea."
Draculea was Leticia's family name. The Fourth Primogenitor was something Aslan planned for Leticia. However, due to the original soul's "wise" actions, that power ended up with him. But Aslan wasn't short on Fourth Primogenitor power. No big deal—he'd just share it with Leticia when he returned to Little Garden. Not a problem.
So, giving Leticia's family name to someone else before her wasn't an issue, right? Even if it was, who cared? Leticia was his now anyway.
In truth, sharing Spirit Status was something only those very close and trusting did. It also held symbolic meaning.
Like Hera, the Queen of Gods in the Greek Pantheon, who shared Spirit Status with Zeus, jointly controlling the authority of the King of Gods.
As for giving Leticia's family name to someone else… this wasn't something a casual relationship could do.
The name Aurora came from the original Strike the Blood story, meaning Sleeping Beauty Aurora. It perfectly fit Matrix No. 12's traits, the Sleeping Beauty who'd slumbered for who-knows-how-many years.
"Aurora Draculea?"
The girl lowered her head, thought for a moment, then nodded at Aslan.
"I accept your suggestion. I am now Aurora Draculea."
One second she was fearful, the next she agreed. This kid—maybe she could be taken home and raised like a pet. Of course, that was Aslan's initial plan. All twelve little girls—he wanted them all.
"Alright, Aurora, come back."
Aslan reached out, stroked Aurora's head, and pinched her cheek.
The next second, Aurora turned into a stream of light and flew to Aslan's back, igniting one light wing behind him. Twelve light wings represented the twelve Beast Vassals. Each time a Beast Vassal returned, one wing would light up.
Feeling Aurora, or Beast Vassal No. 12: Alrescha-Glacies, return to his blood and absorb his power to grow, Aslan moved his mind, using the Fourth Primogenitor's power to summon Alrescha-Glacies.
A mermaid with wings on her back appeared, holding a vase. Her stunningly beautiful face and unusual owl-like body unleashed terrifying power around her. Layers of ice covered the ground.
"Top-tier Five-Digit power?"
Aslan muttered, estimating Alrescha-Glacies's current strength.
How to put it? It was definitely far stronger than the original Fourth Primogenitor's Beast Vassal. After all, Aslan was now a Four-Digit being. How could his summoned Beast Vassal be weak?
"But it hasn't reached Four-Digit. Maybe because the Sun Authority in my body isn't from the Zodiac."
If it were a Zodiac, especially Pisces, Aslan estimated Aurora might instantly break through to Four-Digit. She might even inherit the Pisces Sun Authority.
Unfortunately, Aslan only had the Dog and Dragon Sun Authorities, which didn't match the Zodiac at all. Perhaps the twelve Beast Vassals could take over Shiroyasha's Sun Authority?
It was decided—when he returned, he'd show off to Shiroyasha, flaunting his twelve little Beast Vassal girls.
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
As Aslan freely unleashed Beast Vassal No. 12: Alrescha-Glacies around him, the entrance to the underground mausoleum suddenly creaked and vanished.
Inside the mausoleum, Aslan, controlling the Beast Vassal, turned and looked at the entrance curiously.
At the entrance, several figures stared at him, mouths agape, saying in shocked voices:
"The Fourth Primogenitor, he's really awakened!"