In Alicia's former chambers within the cold stone walls of Vanadias Castle, I stood before a long mirror, fastening the last pieces of armor onto myself. The room still carried faint traces of her presence—of her blood…

Surprisingly, I had chosen to wear armor today.

Amael was right. Marching into Valachia unprotected would be nothing short of suicide—and perhaps worse, sheer arrogance. Not even I could delude myself into thinking I could face an entire kingdom alone. Still, I wasn't going there to launch an attack. My purpose was simple, at least on the surface: to bring back Alicia and Levina.

And yet, deep down, I knew there was more.

If I crossed paths with Rucain—whoever or whatever he truly was—I wouldn't let the chance slip by. If he turned out to be Cain himself, then ending him might be the key I needed… perhaps even my way back to the present. That thought alone was enough to make my blood stir.

So, I prepared myself carefully, piling every possible advantage onto my side.

The armor I wore was medieval in design, forged with a practical sort of brutality. Over a sturdy black leather tunic, I buckled on a steel chestplate, reinforced vambraces, and greaves that clinked faintly as I moved. For the first time, I looked like I was truly marching to war.

The set had been a gift from Viessa, who had pestered me endlessly to wear it for safety during our trip to Natulen to face Rulana. I had always brushed her off—until today. My gaze drifted to the helmet resting on the table. After a long moment, I picked it up. It might serve me well, whether for protection or simply to hide my face when slipping into Valachia.

I caught my own reflection in the mirror again—only this time, another presence shifted into view.

Amaya.

I nearly jumped out of my skin. "God, you scared the hell out of me," I muttered with a groan.

I was never good with women who carried that unsettling, ghost-like stillness. It had been difficult enough at first with Mary, though eventually I had grown used to her. But Amaya… she was something else entirely. Emotionless, quiet, always appearing where I least expected. She had a way of slipping beneath the surface, leaving me unsure of her thoughts—or her intentions.

Still, I understood why she was here.

"I'd rather have you stay," I told her, adjusting the strap on my chestplate. "It's safer here."

Her reply cut sharper than I expected. "Like it was safe for Alicia and Levina."

I grimaced at the words. "It's still safer than in the heart of the enemy. I'm going into the very place Rucain and the original Witch call home. Do you understand what that means?"

Amaya lowered her gaze, silent for a moment. Then, without warning, she stepped closer and rested her forehead lightly against my back.

"…What are you doing?" I asked, caught off guard.

"I will help you, Darling. Take me with you."

I turned toward her, frowning. "Do you even know what 'Darling' means?"

She spoke the word without hesitation, almost like she was repeating a line from memory. "Someone important to you. Someone you don't want to lose… someone you want to stay with forever."

For once, I was at a loss for words.

"Am I really that kind of person for you?" I asked quietly.

She nodded, the slightest motion, but her voice trembled as she added, "I don't want to be left alone. Not again."

Something in my chest hurt. Before I could think better of it, I reached out, resting her head gently against me. She stiffened at first, surprised, but I held her there with care.

"It's fine," I said. "You won't be alone. Not while I'm here."

So please don't become the Vampire Witch.

In the end, I chose to take her with me. Reckless as it might be, she wasn't wrong. If Rucain came here again while I was away, Amaya would be vulnerable. Better to have her by my side.

When we finally stepped out of the castle gates, waiting for me there was Viessa.

"Edward…" She called as I walked. She stood waiting in the courtyard, arms crossed loosely, her gaze immediately drawn to the gleam of steel along my chest and shoulders. Her eyes narrowed, and then she chuckled softly, clearly happy. "So, you really are wearing it after all."

I adjusted the strap across my side and gave a small shrug. "Well, it might come in handy."

She stepped closer, looking at me carefully. Then, without warning, she reached up and ruffled my hair, her fingers brushing through the white strands with an almost sisterly warmth. "You really look like a man like this."

I grimaced. "I am a man."

"Yes, yes…" she muttered, though her smile slowly faded into something softer, sadder. "I'm sorry about Alicia. And your daughter."

"It's fine," I said. "It's my fault. I should have taken them with me instead of leaving them here."

Her eyes lingered on me with quiet sympathy before she spoke again. "Edward… I heard something from the others. Ernest fought Rucain when he came for Alicia and Levina."

My eyes widened. "He did…?"

Viessa nodded. "He tried to stop him. But he couldn't do anything. Rucain just… left, with them."

"Why didn't he tell me that…?" My voice came out quieter than I expected, weighted with guilt as the memory of my harsh words toward Ernest yesterday replayed in my mind.

"Because Ernest is Ernest," Viessa said softly. "He's good, honest—but stubborn. He probably felt like failing to protect Alicia and Levina, after you entrusted them to him, was enough. He wouldn't want to burden you with excuses or half-measures."

"I see…" I muttered awkwardly, shifting my weight.

Viessa, however, only smiled faintly, her tone taking on a teasing lilt. "I think he likes you a lot, you know. Maybe the way someone would care for a little brother they wish they had."

I scoffed and turned away. "Yeah, maybe not."

But before I could move further, she caught my arm.

"Wait."

Her voice was quiet, but the next thing I knew she had pulled me into a warm embrace. For a heartbeat, I stood stiff, surprised. The scent of her hair, the warmth of her arms—suddenly, I was reminded of Christina. The way she had clung to me that day when I reunited with her, my first day at Sancta Vedelia after long years.

"Be careful," Viessa whispered against me. "And don't be reckless."

I hesitated before patting her back. "Yeah. You too."

When she stepped back, her composure had already returned, her lips curling into a confident smirk. "We're preparing for the final battle against Valachia. You'd better be ready by then."

I placed a foot in the stirrup and mounted the horse waiting for me. "Tell Ernest to prepare the defenses properly this time," I said, adjusting the reins.

"Don't be so harsh toward him!" Viessa's scolding followed me across the courtyard.

I ignored it with a faint grimace, urging the horse forward.

Amaya, silent as ever slipped behind me.

Without another word, the two of us rode out of Vanadias, the looming path toward Valachia stretching before us.

***

Valachia Royal Castle

The throne room of Valachia was as vast as it was oppressive. Alicia walked through the doors, her steps echoing against polished stone as Witch Knights in armorS flanked her on either side.

Her gaze lifted, and there he was.

Rucain sat upon the throne. One elbow rested lazily on the armrest, his cheek leaning against his fist. A smile curved his lips.

"I trust you're finding your new quarters to your liking," he said.

Alicia ignored his courtesy, her chest tightening as anxiety surged. "Where is Levina?" She asked. Levina was the only thing anchoring her here, the only reason she hadn't already risked everything in a desperate attempt to escape.

Rucain tilted his head amused. "She's fine. Asleep." His smile widened. "She was… rather noisy, crying out for you and her father. So we put her to sleep."

Alicia's eyes narrowed.

He chuckled when he saw it. "Such a fierce gaze. Fitting, really, for the next Vampire Witch."

Alicia blinked, startled. "W–What…?"

"When Cain first spoke of you, I admit, I was skeptical," Rucain continued, his tone casual, almost conversational. "But now that I've seen you for myself… I can only agree with him."

Before Alicia could answer, the doors at the far end of the room swung open with a heavy groan.

Daleliah strode forward.

"May I have an explanation, Lord Rucain?"

Rucain glanced at her, amused by her upset expression. "Why are you so angry, Daleliah?"

Her eyes glimmered with restrained anger. "Rulana and Klorentor have been captured. Skaran has been killed by the Moonfang and Dolphis Heroes."

For a moment, silence filled the hall.

Three Blood Lords gone in mere days.

"Hmm. Three Blood Lords lost so swiftly. Regrettable," Rucain said at last, though his expression betrayed no true concern. He sounded more entertained than troubled, which only deepened Daleliah's scowl.

She stepped forward, fists clenched tightly at her sides. "What was the purpose of the attack on Vanadias?"

Rucain's smirk widened. He lifted a hand and gestured toward Alicia. "This woman."

Daleliah's gaze shifted, her frown deepening as she looked at Alicia more closely. "What about her?"

"She carries Merithra's Blood," Rucain said.

"...!"

Daleliah's eyes widened in shock, flicking back to Alicia as though truly seeing her for the first time. Alicia herself froze, confusion churning in her chest. She knew the name—Merithra, the Goddess of the Vampires, the one they all worshiped. But what did she have to do with that goddess?

"She may become a new Vampire Witch," Rucain continued, savoring every syllable, "different from the ones before her. Aren't you curious to see what she'll become?"

Alicia's breath trembled. "W–What do you want from me?"

Rucain leaned back against the throne, a wicked gleam in his eyes. "Daleliah. Bring her to the Witch. It's time."

Daleliah hesitated, her lips pressing together, but she gave a curt nod. She gestured sharply to the Witch Knights, who moved instantly, gripping Alicia's arms to drag her away.

"L–Leave Levina out of this!" Alicia cried, struggling against them.

Rucain's laugh echoed across the room. "You should be more worried about yourself, Alicia. The next time I see you… I will call you Witch."

Her heart pounded, fear mingling with rage. Her eyes trembled, but her voice came out with desperate strength.

"S–Senior Edward will come! He won't! He won't let it happen!!"

Rucain's smile only widened.

"I will be waiting for you 'Senior'," he said calmly as she was being dragged away.

Alicia wanted to resist, wanted to tear herself free from the hands that dragged her along—but every time her body tensed, the thought of Levina froze her in place. If she fought now, what would happen to her? That single fear kept her bound tighter than any chains could.

Her whole body trembled as they led her across the dim corridors of the castle toward a crimson tower that loomed like a wound against the sky. A chill swept down her spine the closer they drew. Something about that place whispered danger, a dread clawing at her chest.

At the tower's base, the Witch Knights stopped. Only Daleliah continued forward, her cold eyes flicking toward Alicia. "Climb," she ordered simply.

Step by step, Alicia ascended the spiral staircase. Each rise made her chest tighten further, her heart hammering against her ribs as though trying to break free. Her arms shook. Her fists clenched until her nails bit into her palms.

'Senior…'

She imagined his hand reaching for hers, his voice cutting through her fear. He had saved her before, and even if it sounded pathetic—even if it revealed how powerless she was—she wanted him to save her again.

But this time felt different and she felt even more scared.

She just wanted to see him again at least once.

At last, they reached the highest landing. A heavy door loomed before them, carved with symbols that pulsed faintly in the dim light. Daleliah placed her hand on the handle and pushed slowly, the hinges groaning.

The room beyond was vast and silent.

"Enter," Daleliah said.

Alicia hesitated before entering. As soon as she stepped past the threshold, the door closed behind her with a thud.

She spun around, flinching at the sound.

But Daleliah was gone.

And then, another sound echoed through the room—soft, wheeled, dragging.

Alicia turned.

An old woman sat in a wheelchair, emerging slowly from the shadows. She seemed so weak yet her presence felt suffocating, overwhelming. Alicia's instincts screamed at her—this was her.

The Original Witch.

Alicia's back hit the cold wood of the door as she pressed herself against it, her heartbeat roaring in her ears.

The Witch's eyes, dim yet piercing, widened slightly upon seeing her. For a long moment, silence reigned, before a single broken whisper escaped her lips.

"Ah…"

She wheeled herself closer, the sound grating against the silence. Alicia wanted to run, but her body refused to move.

Then, before Alicia's disbelieving eyes, the old woman pushed herself to stand, rising slowly, bones creaking, yet her gaze never let hers.

"Merithra… Dear Merithra…" Her trembling hand lifted, fingers brushing along Alicia's pale cheek.

Alicia turned her face away, nails scraping desperately against the door behind her, her breath coming quick and shallow.

"We are finally one again…" The Witch whispered, tears spilling from her weary eyes.

Then it happened.

With a sudden, violent surge, crimson blood burst from the Witch's body, raw and uncontrollable. It tore across the room and wrapped around Alicia like living chains.

"Aghh!" Alicia gasped, her body jerking as the blood forced itself into her flesh, seeping through every pore. Pain ignited across her skin, burning, tearing, consuming. The walls shuddered under the pressure.

-CRACK!

The Original Witch's frail form split like shattered porcelain. Her body cracked apart, fragments scattering before collapsing into dust at Alicia's feet. The empty wheelchair clattered violently before being hurled through the air, shattering the tower's windows as it was flung into the night.

Meanwhile, crimson continued to engulf Alicia.

Her body convulsed. Her arms, her legs, her chest—all of her was being swallowed by the torrent. Every vein in her body burned like fire, and yet beneath the pain, something else stirred. Something dangerous.

Her vision blurred as the blood crept higher, wrapping her neck, her face. Terror unlike anything she had ever felt coursed through her.

Tears spilled freely as Alicia's eyes trembled, her voice breaking in desperation.

"E–Edward…"

The crimson reached her tied hair which turned loose and lengthened unnaturally, strands darkening as raw blood bled into her.

And then the room erupted.

–BOOOOOOM!

The tower shook violently as an explosion of crimson light tore through its highest chamber, shattering stone and blasting the roof apart. The deafening roar echoed across the skies of Valachia, announcing to all that something terrifying had awoken.

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