Ignoring the slander in the middle, Sevitis moved her gaze to the very bottom of the panel.
“Seven Sins Eye, huh…”
So that was her Soul Vein, and the source of this information.
She just wondered why the Soul Vein had been an empty shell since its awakening. Why had it suddenly activated now?
Was it because she had become a vampire, or because of the deal with the Old Monster?
And seeing this “Awakening Progress,” did it mean she could awaken other abilities in the future?
But the specific effect of this ability still needed further development. So far, she had only used it on herself and the demon tiger.
Putting aside that nonsensical description, just being able to “see a target’s weaknesses and information” was already very useful.
Although she didn’t know what exactly those weaknesses were, judging from her fight against the demon tiger, the practical value was still very high.
Most importantly, this ability suited her well. The strength of a Soul Vein wasn’t determined by how exaggerated its effect was, but by how well it suited its user.
Not to mention that her Soul Vein likely had growth potential.
She had never heard of anyone else’s Soul Vein growing.
Even Eulalia, who was treated like a treasure by the Theocratic Nation, couldn’t grow her Soul Vein.
Thinking about this, Sevitis couldn’t help but curl her lips into a smile.
‘Finally… I finally beat that woman at something. My grand goal is within reach. Hehehe!’
After gloating in her heart for a bit, Sevitis rubbed her chin and continued thinking about the effect of her Soul Vein.
If it worked on living things, could it also work on non-living things?
So she carefully reached into her collar and pulled out the pendant that had been with her for almost twenty years.
“Come on. Let me see your true face.”
Sevitis took a deep breath, feeling an inexplicable unease rising in her heart.
Because this thing might be related to her origins. Even if she always pretended not to care, it was impossible for her not to be curious.
Sevitis concentrated, focusing her gaze on this crescent-moon-shaped silver pendant.
As expected, the panel information appeared again:
[Name: Time String]
“Heh, an interesting name. Definitely not some cheap street stall item.”
She moved her gaze further down. However, when she saw the content below, Sevitis’s slit pupils involuntarily contracted.
[?????????]
[?????????]
[?????????]
Sevitis: ?
Below was a row of question marks. The entire panel, aside from the name at the top, was empty.
What did that mean? Was there no information, or couldn’t she see it?
It was impossible for there to be no information. But if she couldn’t see it, then this thing’s origin was far beyond her imagination, and her origins were the same…
She didn’t doubt that her Soul Vein’s ability was insufficient. This eye could even see her own dark history. It couldn’t be that useless.
Sevitis’s small face tightened, and she stared hard at the silver moon pendant in her hand.
After a long moment, she let out a light sigh and tucked the pendant back into her collar.
‘Forget it. Now’s not the time to dwell on this.’
‘Rather than indulging in an unfathomable past, it’s better to embrace the reality in front of me.’
Sevitis gently flapped her bat wings and flew over to a nearby surviving tree.
She found a patch of grass that looked decent and lay down.
Full and satisfied, it was time to think about life.
No, about vampire life.
In her current state, how was she supposed to go to Kantaier Academy to register for the exam?
She’d probably be blasted to pieces by magic the moment she got close.
What about her bet with that bad woman? Should she just give up? And what was the point of all her efforts over the years?
What did she survive for?
Sevitis subconsciously clutched the torn Portrait of a Girl she always kept hidden in her chest, a thousand thoughts swirling in her mind.
The reason was simple. She had a future that wasn’t an illusory dream.
As for those troublesome problems… she’d leave them to tomorrow’s self.
She was tired.
In this silent forest, no one could answer the questions in her heart. The girl slowly closed her eyes under the tree.
The soft moonlight shone on the tiny buds scattered among the lush branches, filtering through the gaps in the leaves and bringing a familiar fragrance.
The half-moon pendant faintly flickered, echoing the bright moon in the sky.
A silvery white halo shone on the girl’s peaceful and delicate face, guarding this rare moment of peace in reality.
…
Crossing the Blood Burial Forest and arriving in the eastern part of the Ateria Continent.
Deep within the Demon Race’s territory lay the Eternal Night Imperial City, forever shrouded in a crimson mist.
Inside the vast and deep palace hall, giant stone pillars dozens of meters high surrounded the throne in the center.
At this moment, a small figure was sitting sideways on it, looking bored.
The girl had pure white hair, flawless as frost and snow.
Two strands of soft hair hung at her cheeks, perfectly framing her delicate, palm-sized face.
A high side ponytail tied at the back of her head reached down to her waist, gently swaying in the air as she dangled her legs out of boredom.
Crack.
Without any warning, the crystal glass in her hand was instantly crushed.
An invisible wave of magic erupted from within the girl, shaking the surrounding stone pillars with a rumbling sound.
The girl’s hand froze in mid-air. Her previously lazy crimson pupils suddenly contracted.
She muttered in a daze:
“This feeling…”
“How is that possible… Didn’t she already…”
The girl’s eyes pierced through the window, looking toward the distant Blood Burial Forest, even crossing beyond that dark forest.
“…But the resonance from bloodline can’t be faked.”
“But I’ve been searching for years without any progress… Why would it happen now…”
The girl unconsciously bit her nails.
Drip.
The splashing liquid from the glass dripped down her fingers onto the ground.
The girl abruptly stood up from the throne.
“No, none of that matters. Even if there’s only a one-in-ten-thousand chance, I absolutely can’t let it go!”
She dragged her intricate black skirt, walking barefoot on the cold stone steps.
The pair of large bat wings on her back unfurled with a whoosh.
“I have to go. That’s my…”
The girl’s crimson eyes burned like two ghostly flames in the darkness.
“Your Highness.”
A cold voice stopped her, interrupting at an inopportune moment.
From the shadows at the side of the hall, a golden-haired vampire stepped out without warning.
She bowed slightly. Her black-and-white maid uniform was immaculate, and her cold face showed no emotional fluctuation.
The girl’s movement paused, her brows slightly furrowed:
“Hilda, as Head Maid, why are you here?”
“You nearly tore the entire imperial city apart with that commotion. It was hard for me to pretend I didn’t hear it.” Hilda retorted calmly. “May I ask what could possibly make you so out of sorts?”
The girl didn’t hide anything. She answered directly:
“…I sensed her presence.”
“Her?” Seeing the intense bloodlight in the girl’s eyes, Hilda quickly understood. “I see.”
“Since you understand, you know I have to go at a time like this. Step aside, Hilda.” The girl didn’t look at her, her tone brooking no argument.
“Precisely because of times like this, I have to stop you.”
The girl’s gaze instantly turned sharp. A terrifying pressure erupted like a tsunami.
“Please calm down, Your Highness. Do you intend to fly barefoot across half the continent like this?”
Hilda merely swayed slightly under the fierce pressure, her tone still calm:
“I know you’ve been waiting for this day for a long time. But you are the Empress of the Vampire race. If you leave the imperial city at a time like this, what do you think those restless fools will do?”
The girl froze. Hilda continued with downcast eyes:
“Moreover, you are one of the Seven Demon Kings. If you make such a conspicuous move right now… I doubt that certain person would appreciate such a ‘welcome,’ would they?”
The hall was dead silent for half a minute before the suffocating pressure slowly receded.
“…Hah.”
The girl let out a long sigh. She turned around somewhat dejectedly and walked back to the throne.
“You’re right. Send Karina out. Have her team spare no expense in searching for clues.”
The girl sat back down on the throne, resuming her initial elegant and lazy posture.
“As you command.”
“But—!” She crossed her little legs, propped her chin on one hand, and smiled, revealing two sharp little fangs.
“I will take the final step myself.”
“As you wish, Your Highness.”
Hilda bowed deeply again. But just as her figure was about to melt back into the shadows—
“Um, Hilda, one more thing…”
“Please, speak.”
“Earlier… I got a little excited and accidentally knocked over the milk…”
The previously imposing Demon King now looked like a child who had done something wrong, twisting her fingers together sheepishly.
Hilda discreetly glanced at the pool of milky white liquid on the steps of the throne.
Her expression remained perfectly calm as she respectfully replied:
“I will immediately go and reheat a cup of warm milk. Of course, I’ll add extra sugar for you.”
“Mm-hmm! You’re the best, Hilda!”
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