The clang of steel echoed through the dim corridors of Fort Edran.
Before me stood a woman — tall, sharp, and radiating authority.
Her hair was a cascade of pale gold, bound behind her head in a soldier's knot. Eyes the color of frost glinted beneath her helm, and her posture screamed discipline. The faint scar across her jaw only made her beauty more formidable.
Lucille Krieg — Commander of the Knightguard.
A system prompt flashed before my eyes.
[Slave #3 detected — Lucille Krieg]
My brows twitched. "So… the system already knows her name," I murmured.
Lucille's eyes widened, her hand gripping her sword. "Who are you?" she demanded, voice calm but edged with lethal focus. "And why are you here?"
I tilted my head, smiling faintly. "You're the leader of the Knightguard, aren't you, Miss Lucille Krieg?"
Her sword arm stiffened. "How— how did you—"
"I know a lot of things," I said softly, stepping closer. "Like how an orphan like you has been bullied at your position for years, mocked for your lack of noble blood."
Lucille's face froze. A flicker of pain passed behind her eyes. "So the Church was right," she whispered. "A new dark race... not a mindless monster, but one that walks and talks like us."
Her sword flared with pale golden aura. "Tell me— how many of you exist?"
"For now?" I met her gaze, my crimson eyes glowing faintly. "Only one. The birth... and the end."
She moved first.
Her blade carved through the air, singing with sacred energy. The stone walls cracked from the sheer force of her strike.
I raised a hand. Blood rippled around my fingers, solidifying into a crescent blade that intercepted the strike. The impact sent dust and rubble swirling.
Lucille gritted her teeth. "You're fast— but not fast enough!"
She leapt, sword glowing like the sun. I smiled faintly. "Blood Art— Crimson Veil."
The air rippled crimson. Her blade pierced through, but only caught mist — I'd already vanished behind her. My fist connected with her chestplate, sending her crashing into a wall.
Lucille coughed blood, but still stood. "You… really are something beyond mortal."
"Thank you," I replied. "But I don't have time to kill you today."
Before she could charge again, I shattered the nearby window with a blast of blood force.
The night wind rushed in, carrying the scent of iron and rain.
I turned once more, smirking. "We'll meet again, Knight of Frost."
Then I leapt into the night sky.
By the time the guards burst into the chamber, Lucille was on one knee, sword trembling.
"Such power…" she whispered. "Who was that man?"
The rumors spread through the fort by dawn — a monster with red eyes and wings of blood.
The humans were preparing for war.
Meanwhile, Lilith and I walked through the quiet side streets of the lower town.
The chaos behind us didn't matter anymore.
We watched the sunrise filter through the rooftops, the scent of roasted grain and wet stone in the air. For once, I almost felt... human again.
We hunted monsters on the outskirts, sharpening our new strength. Lilith's control over her flame and blood magic was improving fast — she moved with elegance that only made her deadlier.
After a short rest, we returned to the main street. The bells of the Church echoed faintly.
To my surprise, we could enter freely.
Lilith wanted to pray.
She knelt by the candles, her white hair shimmering under the stained glass.
"For the vows we took," she whispered, "and the eternity we'll share."
I said nothing. Just watched her — my first companion, my first creation... my first wife.
The town square was bustling when we stepped out.
Merchants shouted prices. Children laughed. And yet, in the middle of it all — a scream.
A young woman, barely twenty, was being beaten by a nobleman's guards.
Fruit lay scattered on the ground, red like blood.
The noble sneered. "Filthy slave! You dare soil my robe?"
No one intervened. No one even looked at her.
Lilith's voice was cold. "Vale."
"I know." My jaw tightened. The same rage I'd felt as Han burned inside me. "She's like that child… abandoned."
Before the noble could strike again, a crimson blur tore through the air.
His body hit the ground before he even realized he'd died.
The guards followed — silent, efficient deaths.
The crowd screamed and scattered.
I crouched beside the girl. Her breaths were shallow, her skin pale. Blood stained her cheek.
"Don't die here," I whispered. "You're not meant to."
I touched her forehead.
[Slave slot available: 3/3]
[Do you wish to enslave this being?]
"Yes."
A surge of red light enveloped her. Her wounds sealed. Her eyes fluttered open — bright violet, glowing faintly in the dusk.
Her old garments dissolved, and in their place, she was reborn.
She was beautiful — slender, with long platinum hair cascading down her back. Her ears were slightly pointed — half-elf heritage. A faint shimmer of magic circled her wrists like chains breaking free.
Eve Stormwatch — that name whispered itself in my mind.
Lilith appeared beside me, cloak fluttering. "You didn't hold back."
"I couldn't," I said, lifting Eve gently. "Let's go."
We fled the scene before the knights could regroup.
Hours later, we found an abandoned tavern on the outskirts.
Eve lay on a soft bed, her breathing calm.
When she stirred, Lilith was the first to speak — her tone warm. "You're safe now."
Eve blinked, looking between us. "So… you're the ones who saved me?"
"Don't worry," I said quietly. "You'll be with us from now on."
Her gaze sharpened. "You're the Master Vampire… aren't you?"
I froze. "How did you know that?"
Eve's voice trembled. "My father was a half-blood elf. The Church hunted us for years. Before he died, he told me to seek the new Lord of the Dark Continent… the one who would change everything."
I sighed softly. "New Lord, huh? I guess that's me then."
Lilith gave a teasing smile. "So… is she the second wife now?"
"W-well," I muttered, scratching my neck, "I couldn't just leave her."
Eve smiled faintly. "Even if you are a bad person, I'll still follow you."
I met her gaze. "What we're doing isn't bad. It's survival."
Later, when Eve fell asleep, I strengthened her bond — granting her sun immunity and regeneration like Lilith's.
Lilith and I retired to the next room. The air felt… different.
She sat beside me on the bed, her voice soft. "Although I knew I wouldn't be the only one… isn't this too fast?"
"I couldn't let someone like her die," I said quietly.
Lilith's eyes shimmered. She leaned closer, resting her head on my shoulder. "I know. You won't ever let that happen… because that's who you are."
She hesitated, then smiled faintly. "But still… we just married, didn't we?"
I looked at her, lips curling. "And?"
Her crimson eyes glowed under the candlelight. "So… we should at least consummate it."
The room went still. My heart — once lifeless — beat again.
She blushed, whispering, "Vale…"
I reached out, gently brushing a strand of her hair behind her ear.
Our hands met — fingers intertwining.
Then, slowly, we kissed — soft, hesitant, yet certain.
The night outside grew silent, the moon painting silver light across our joined hands.
Somewhere in the next room, Eve stirred in her sleep — hearing faint sounds that promised the dawn of something eternal.