"Do you want my blood, young one~?"
The voice of the vampire True Ancestor, Canluthis, was low and alluring, as if infused with a mysterious, bewitching power.
"..."
Her words left Kurose Akira silent for a moment. This vampire True Ancestor was undeniably different from the others. Most vampires thirsted obsessively for the blood of others—yet she seemed far more interested in giving her own blood away.
After a brief pause, Akira finally spoke.
"You said earlier that when you fall into slumber, another True Ancestor replaces your consciousness. What exactly does that mean?"
"Because~ the two of us~"
Canluthis deliberately drew out the pause in her words before gently revealing the answer.
"We fused."
"…Fused?"
Confusion flickered across Akira's face.
"Mhm~"
Canluthis began recounting their story.
"Both of us lost something vital. I lost my blood. She lost her physical body. In order to survive… we had no choice but to merge together."
"She lost her body?"
Akira rubbed his chin, curiosity surging within him.
He understood Canluthis's situation—she had given her blood to others until it was exhausted. But the other True Ancestor losing her entire body?
Why?
Was it because she challenged the Demon Mother?
As Akira pondered, Canluthis let out a soft sigh and continued.
"Tia's body was crushed into dust during her battle with the Demon Mother. In the end, only a single drop of blood remained. That battle taught us one thing clearly—before Her, even demi-gods are nothing more than ants."
"…?"
Akira's expression grew heavy.
These two vampire True Ancestors were undoubtedly demi-god–tier beings. Even if they had been only level 95 in their prime, they would still have been peerless experts wielding domains.
And yet, from Canluthis's description, even beings of that caliber were utterly insignificant before the Demon Mother—no more than insects to be crushed.
This realization stirred a deep, unsettling anticipation within Akira.
What kind of existence was the Demon Mother, exactly?
A true god?
And if so… why wasn't She bound by the laws of the world? Why hadn't She ascended from the Magic Continent to the realm of the gods?
"So," Akira said slowly, piecing it together, "you lost your blood, and she was reduced to a single drop of blood. To survive, you merged everything you had together. Is that correct?"
"Mmm~"
"Then—"
Akira's tone suddenly turned serious, deep and cold.
"Why did you place a curse on me?"
At first, he had assumed it was merely a typical vampire True Ancestor blood curse—at most, a fragment of a soul clinging to him.
But now he understood the truth was far more complicated.
Both True Ancestors' souls were likely parasitizing his own soul.
Canluthis fell silent, as if carefully weighing her words. After a moment, she finally spoke.
"It may be because… Tia harbors an overwhelming obsession with the Demon Mother's blood. Although she was slain in a single strike, she poured everything she had into wounding the Demon Mother—enough to make Her shed a precious drop of blood."
Her voice softened.
"And within your blood… there lingers a trace of the Demon Mother's aura."
Akira murmured quietly, "So it really is because of the Demon Mother's aura…"
He understood now.
Everything stemmed from the Demon Mother's presence within his blood—most likely originating from the tainted lust magic fragment that Idis had once bestowed upon him.
"I apologize for the harm Canluthia caused you," Canluthis said sincerely. "We slept for thousands of years. Her thirst for blood became extreme… and you happened to carry the Demon Mother's lineage."
Akira chuckled softly.
"Are you pleading on her behalf?"
Canluthis's voice grew gentler still.
"Young one… if harming me can ease your anger, then please—hurt me as much as you like. I am willing to bear your wrath. I only hope the misunderstanding between us can be resolved."
"..."
Akira fell silent.
The two vampire True Ancestors had completely different personalities—but for some reason, he sensed a faint pleasure in Canluthis's tone.
Don't tell me… she's a masoch—
No. That was ridiculous.
And yet, the [Masochist] trait he had extracted from her blood suddenly made that thought feel disturbingly reasonable.
"This matter is mine to decide," Akira said at last, his stance firm. "Stay out of it."
Whoever made the mistake would bear responsibility for it.
"Kurose Akira~"
At that moment, Ivsha stepped out of the room, wrapped in nothing but a bath towel.
After soaking in hot water, her skin glowed pale pink, supple and enticing. Rising steam clung to her figure, adding a hazy, tantalizing mystique.
"What is it?" Akira asked curiously.
Ivsha smiled mysteriously.
"Could you come inside for a moment? Virola needs your help."
Akira frowned slightly.
"What? You and Ailis can't help her wash properly?"
He stood up, storing away the vampire True Ancestor's blood.
After returning to the guild, Ivsha and the others had gone to bathe together in the hot spring room. Aside from Mare Rhein, everyone was inside.
With Ivsha and Ailis present, Akira hadn't been worried.
But now, it seemed something had come up that even they couldn't handle.
"Mmm~"
Ivsha nodded gently, smiling.
"Virola doesn't want us touching her deer back—but she also can't clean every inch of it herself. So the current situation is… rather interesting~"
"…Interesting?"
Akira echoed the word softly, surprised by her choice of phrasing.
But a problem immediately surfaced.
Virola didn't want him touching her deer back either.
"I might not be able to help," Akira admitted. "Virola doesn't want me touching her deer back."
"How could that be~"
Ivsha walked over gracefully and looped her arm around his.
Akira felt soft warmth press against his arm, a dizzying fragrance filling his senses.
"Virola specifically said that no one except you, Kurose Akira, is allowed to touch her deer back," Ivsha explained.
"She really said that?"
Akira was surprised. Virola had clearly refused him before.
"Of course~"
Ivsha laughed softly, tugging him toward the hot spring room.
"When have I ever lied to you, Kurose Akira?"
She slowly pushed open the door.
Thick, milky steam poured out, filling the air.
As the door opened fully, Loserine's blue-glowing figure came into view.
She had already removed her armor, standing there in her pure soul form—completely exposed, every detail vividly defined.
She merely glanced at Akira indifferently before brushing past him and leaving the room.
"Is the knight lady finished bathing?" Ivsha asked gently.
"Mhm."
Loserine answered curtly and returned to her room, the door closing behind her with a dull thud.
Though her demeanor was cold, Akira noticed something subtle—the star-like lights within her soul flickered for a brief moment when the door opened.
"Then it's our turn, Kurose Akira~"
Ivsha guided him inside and mischievously closed the door using her heart-shaped tail.
Inside, Ailis was carefully washing Virola's human body.
"Master~ Are you joining us for a bath too?" Ailis beamed at him.
"Ailis, your towel is about to fall," Akira said with a smile.
"Ah!?"
Ailis froze, then hurriedly checked herself—only to realize the towel was still firmly in place.
"Master, you tricked me again!"
Akira chuckled and gently rubbed her head before turning to Virola.
"Virola, do you need my help?"
She blinked at him, puzzled.
"Help? Guildmaster, what would you help me with?"
Akira paused.
"Didn't you ask me to help clean your deer back?"
"No, no~"
Virola waved her hands quickly.
"I can clean my back myself! Look!"
She turned around and carefully wiped her deer back with a towel.
Watching this, Akira frowned slightly.
So he'd been played by Ivsha again.
And then—
A sudden cool sensation washed over him.
Looking down, he realized his clothes had vanished, replaced by a towel wrapped snugly around his waist.
Ivsha's soft, seductive voice whispered by his ear.
"Kurose Akira, since you're already here~ let me help wash you properly~"
"..."
Akira could only surrender, smiling faintly and nodding.
The hot spring room was spacious—easily large enough for a dozen people. And they were all close companions. There was no need to be overly reserved.
Come on—let the guildmaster properly inspect everyone's growth!
What Akira didn't realize… was that he was walking straight into Ivsha's carefully laid trap.
After showering, Akira stepped into the hot spring.
Warm water enveloped him, instantly melting away his fatigue.
Just as he was about to close his eyes and relax, Ivsha silently appeared beside him.
"Kurose Akira~ let me help you clean~"
"Mm… just don't do anything excessive," he reminded her.
Virola and Ailis were right there. She couldn't go too far.
Ivsha smiled sweetly.
"Of course~ I'll be careful."
Her eyes sparkled mischievously.
"And the steam is so thick~ they won't see anything."
"Huh? What did you say?"
Akira frowned slightly, not quite catching her last words.
But before he could ask—
Ivsha slipped underwater and ambushed his Holy Light.
"—!?"
Akira's eyes went wide.
No restraint whatsoever!
"Ivsha—"
He tried to warn her, but Ivsha paid him no mind, continuing to tease and play beneath the water.
At that moment, Ailis and Virola suddenly approached.
Akira's tension spiked—and so did the radiance of his Holy Light.
Fortunately, they stopped about a meter away, failing to notice Ivsha underwater.
"Master, where did Sister Ivsha go?" Ailis asked. "We want to ask her for some fragrance magic~"
"Fragrance… magic?" Akira gritted his teeth. "What's that?"
"I don't really know," Ailis admitted. "Sister Ivsha named it. But it makes us smell really nice! Right, Virola?"
"Mhm~"
Virola nodded, smiling warmly.
"It's filled with vibrant life energy~"
Akira blinked.
Just then, a pink heart suddenly floated behind them, radiating warmth and affection.
"That's Sister Ivsha's fragrance magic!" Ailis exclaimed. "But where is she?"
Akira smiled calmly.
"She probably went to the restroom. Go play for now—no need to worry."
"Oh~ okay!"
Ailis turned back to Virola.
"Let me help you keep washing~"
"Thank you, Sister Ailis~"
The two happily ran toward the heart Ivsha had created.
The instant they turned away—
A brilliant burst of Holy Light erupted.
Ivsha emerged from the water, lips parted just enough to reveal the sight within.
Her pink mouth was filled with dazzling Holy Light.
"Ah~ Thank you so much for your gift, Kurose Akira~ gulp~"
She swallowed it down, delicately wiping the remnants from her lips.
Every movement, every smile oozed irresistible seduction.
"So… what exactly is fragrance magic?" Akira asked.
Ivsha blinked playfully.
"It's a secret~"
"..."
Akira narrowed his eyes. Even without an answer, he had a pretty good idea.
Ivsha leaned closer, pressing against his chest, whispering in a dangerously enchanting voice.
"Kurose Akira~ could you transform into your half-dragon form?"
"Your dragon scales~ I want to wash them very thoroughly~"