Cain stared at Ivira, unable to hide his disbelief. She spoke with this strange mix of calm confidence and quiet determination, and it made him pause.
She actually knows how to cure that bastard old Rivik? Seriously? Is she going to save this ancient parasite? Not that can't be. But are there some I didn't recall?
He clicked his tongue softly in his head, annoyed and curious at the same time.
Rivik, or rather the creature wearing Rivik's fading body like an old coat, was frozen for a different reason.
The parasite only absorbed some of Rivik's memories. It had no idea about Ivira that much. Does she have an idea what disease was even killing this body? What would happen if she knew? It only knew how to drain, corrupt, and pretend and only some of the memories so it was a little bit tense. So when Ivira spoke so boldly about a cure, even the parasite hesitated. Is there really something? Or is she bluffing?
Before either Cain or Rivik could speak, one of the blood maids stepped forward. Her tone carried pride.
"Ma'am Ivira is a genius healer," the maid said. "She studied medicine at the Blood Rage Kingdom Academy. She is very skilled."
Both Cain and Rivik blinked. Then both muttered internally at the same time.
Oooooh… So that's why.
How come I don't know that? Cain would try to recall.
Rivik would mutter. "Oh fuck! The mission!"
But that shared understanding vanished a heartbeat later.
Because both realized the same thing.
And both panicked.
Oh no.
If Ivira tried to cure the parasite, she might succeed.
If she succeeded, the parasite would die.
If she succeeded… the truth might come out.
Cain didn't want Rivik cured either. Not because he cared about the parasite. But Rivik's death would loosen the Moonshade Family's grip on him. He could use his death to make sure he'd be hated later on soon. And if Rivik survived… he can't let that happen. So curing Rivik was the worst outcome for Cain.
But before he could think of what to say, Rivik spoke first.
"Daughter," the old bastard said with a soft, tired sigh. "It's fine. There is no cure for this. I have searched for many hours in the library."
Ivira opened her mouth but Rivik raised a thin hand.
"No. Listen to me." His voice shook. It wasn't an act. The parasite was weak and the body was rotting from the inside. "I sought the best vampiric physicians. I visited the Blood Scholars. I went to the Witch Doctors in the Shadow Mire. I even begged the Blood Priests. All of them studied my condition. All of them said the same thing. They cannot find the source. They cannot heal me."
He inhaled a long, shaking breath. His voice softened into something tired and old.
"It is complicated, daughter. My mana breaks down every night. My blood weakens every sunrise. My spirit dims every time I draw breath. No one understands why. I only know one thing… I am tired."
He let his head fall back against the coffin.
"I want to rest. That is all. You do not need to worry for me. I have lived long. Too long."
Cain watched him and felt a strange twinge.
If he stayed quiet, Ivira might blame him later.
If he agreed too quickly, she might see through him.
But if he rejected Rivik's wish, he might get dragged into this mess.
He had to pick a position that would protect himself.
So he nodded.
"I understand," Cain said, using a respectful tone he rarely used. "Master Rivik… I can feel it too. You want to rest. Even if someone manages to save you, your spirit is already tired. You would give up again. It is better to respect your wishes."
He sounded sincere. His voice even shook slightly. He played the loyal son-in-law role perfectly.
Rivik blinked and looked at Cain, surprised.
Then he chuckled weakly.
"Well… I didn't know you cared so much, boy. If I knew you were like this, I wouldn't have treated you so harshly. You are not talented, but you have a good heart."
Cain screamed in his head.
I AM A DAMN OVERGOD YOU CORPSE-SMELLING FOSSIL—
But he swallowed the insult and forced a smile.
"Thank you, Father-in-law."
That word—father-in-law—made Rivik pause.
He turned slowly toward Ivira, expecting her to explode.
But… somehow… Ivira did not explode.
She bowed her head slightly and spoke in a soft tone that made the room freeze.
"It's alright, my husband. Thank you."
Every blood slave and blood maid widened their eyes.
Rivik almost coughed blood.
Cain nearly fainted.
WHAT?! Why is she so sweet?! Why isn't she angry? WHY IS SHE AGREED?! I'm obviously trying to kill your dad. So WHY!?
Cain looked at her, stunned. She lifted her chin and gave him a smug little smile, beautiful and cold.
It said clearly:
Do you think I don't know what you're doing? I see everything.
Somehow, Cain felt his stomach twisted.
What's that smug look?
Suddenly, Ivira turned to the blood slaves.
"Go," she ordered. "Find a human or an elf with powerful vitality. Preferably muscular. Bring them quickly."
Cain's eyes narrowed.
Could it be that she knows? That the parasite needs vitality to die? Did she actually figure it out? Or is she aiming for something else?
The blood slaves bowed and left.
Rivik panicked.
"There is no need!" Rivik shouted. "Daughter, I told you—there is no cure. My body is falling apart. My blood is failing. My soul is dimming. I have accepted it. Let me—"
Ivira raised a hand.
Her eyes softened.
"Father, I understand you are tired," she said. "But let me check first. I only want to understand."
Rivik wanted to refuse.
Cain didn't know whether he should support or stop her.
He felt stuck.
If she tries something stupid, the parasite will react. But this world is backward. She probably doesn't know the real cure. She will only try her own method. If she fails, she'll give up. And even if she succeeds by accident… I'll figure it out.
Still, he felt a strange tension creeping up his spine.
Ivira stepped forward.
"Father," she said. "Let me examine you."
She pressed her hand on Rivik's arm. Her palms glowed faintly with crimson mana. She closed her eyes. Her breath slowed. Her expression sharpened.
Cain leaned closer.
Even the parasite trembled.
Ivira's eyebrows furrowed.
"This is strange," she whispered. "Very strange…"
She pressed her hand harder. Her mana spread like soft threads, searching through Rivik's decaying veins.
"Your blood flow is irregular," she said. "Your mana pool expands and shrinks without rhythm. Your nerves flicker. Your heart beats like it's being squeezed. Your muscles tremble even when you do nothing. Your spirit is thin like a torn cloth."
She shook her head slowly.
"There are so many abnormalities."
Cain felt sweat on his palms.
Rivik froze, almost shaking in the coffin.
Ivira opened her eyes at last.
Her gaze was sharp.
Her voice was steady.
Her face was pale from shock.
"I know why your mana is being drained," she said.
The entire room became silent.
Cain's heartbeat stopped.
Rivik's eyes widened, blood-red and trembling.
The blood maids and slaves stared with gaping mouths.
Ivira leaned forward.
Her voice was calm.
"Father… I finally know the reason."
And the scene ended there.