Chapter 44: Pride

The smoke and dust from the explosions hadn’t fully settled yet when several muffled thuds echoed in succession.

Clatter, clatter.

Several charred scroll cylinders rolled down the slope and bumped right against Bauer’s toes.

He stared intently at the figure gradually becoming clear in the depths of the smoke, his tongueless mouth only able to force out a sound of “Uwaaa,” his eyes full of disbelief and accusation.

“Why are you looking at me like that? Financial strength is part of one’s strength too, understand? Since even you brought scrolls… then what makes you think that I, the Duke Heir, would leave home without any?”

‘S-Scrolls? Scrolls?’

Bauer was stunned. ‘What is this guy saying? Those cylinders on the ground are magic scrolls? Those are high-end magical items worth one gold coin each!’

A scroll directly sealed the magic spell formula inside, allowing the user to skip the cumbersome incantation and instantly release it simply by channeling mana.

But precisely because the manufacturing process was extremely complex, these items were not only expensive but also had market value without availability.

Without deep connections, you simply couldn’t buy them.

Even the barrier he had used to set his trap was a low-grade item he had barely managed to acquire at a high price.

And now you’re telling me that all these empty cylinders rolling on the ground are scrolls?!

That barrage of fireballs she threw out like stones—every single one of them was paid for with gold coins?!

The silhouette gradually sharpened. She walked up to the still-burning corpse of the Demon Spider, gave it a glance, then poked it with the tip of her boot.

After confirming it was dead, she patted her chest lightly.

“Whew, that was close. Good thing I’m just a cut above. This victory was entirely due to my personal effort and hard work.”

As she spoke, she theatrically wiped a bead of nonexistent sweat from her forehead.

Then she turned to face Bauer, who was in the corner.

“Now then, it’s time to deal with you.”

She tilted her head slightly, her tone carrying a feigned surprise.

“Speaking of which, how are you still alive? I clearly worked so hard to throw that many fireballs just now, and not a single one hit you?”

‘Damn! That move just now was definitely intentional! If you’re going to kill me, then do it—why keep throwing fireballs at my lower half?!’

Bauer’s eyes were bloodshot. He struggled to his feet, frantically patted out the still-smoldering sparks in his crotch area, and glared fixedly at the figure before him.

‘A man can be killed but not humiliated! I am a prince of the duchy. Even if I die today, I’ll drag this damn illegitimate daughter down with me!’

He gripped his sword hilt with his left hand, about to let out a roar. But in the next second, the thick smoke ahead was gently parted by a small leather boot.

Stepping out from the smoke first was a slender calf wrapped in black knee-high stockings, slightly plumped by red straps.

Following that was an intricate, dark red Gothic War Skirt that swayed in the ashes with its owner’s steps.

The airflow from the burning flames blew away the lower smoke, fully exposing the petite figure under the firelight… and what finally emerged from the dust was not the black-haired, blue-purple-eyed illegitimate daughter he had in mind.

Her hair was white as frost and snow, her eyes were crimson and dangerously ominous—along with that bone-chilling aura, everything about her had undergone a complete transformation.

Bauer’s surge of anger instantly sputtered out. He froze in place, utterly bewildered.

‘Who is this? Where the hell is that damn Sewei Adams?’

He took a step forward to get a better look, but the white-haired girl had already fully emerged from the smoke.

And behind her, a pair of pitch-black bat wings slowly unfurled, causing Bauer’s newly lifted foot to hover midair.

His pupils violently contracted. He finally understood the true identity of the person before him.

She was of the Demon Race! And not just any demon—she was a Blood Demon!

‘W-Why is a Blood Demon here? Isn’t this the exam hall of Kantaier Academy? How did the Academy’s magic barrier let a monster like this slip in? And where did that illegitimate daughter go? That mocking voice just now was clearly that waste’s voice!’

Bauer looked around in panic.

“Don’t bother looking. I think you’re looking for me—i.e., the ‘damn illegitimate daughter’ you’re always talking about.”

The white-haired girl crossed her arms and spoke flatly.

‘Huh? What does that mean? This Blood Demon is the illegitimate daughter?’

Bauer’s first reaction was absurd disbelief, but upon reflection, he thought it was the most logical explanation.

‘Right! No wonder that useless bastard suddenly got so strong! It wasn’t that I was too weak—she actively degenerated and defected to the Demon Race.’

‘Blood Demons naturally have the ability to assimilate other races into their thralls. She must have willingly embraced a Blood Demon to gain power and become a monster!’

‘I don’t know how she infiltrated the Academy, but none of that matters now.’

‘Today, I, Bauer, will fight this damn human traitor to the very end! I am a prince of noble blood—how could I ever bow to the evil Demon Race?!’

Bauer’s eyes sharpened. He drew his sword from his waist, let out a roar, and staggered toward the white-haired Vampire before him.

‘Even if I die here, so what? I’ll prove I’m no coward. I’ll be a warrior who died gloriously fighting the Demon Race! My legend will surely spread across this continent!’

Bauer put all his strength into a downward strike.

But she simply sidestepped lightly and deftly dodged the attack.

“What’s with that look? Do you hate me that much?”

The girl asked lightly.

The first blow missed. Bauer wasn’t angered. He turned around and continued glaring at the Blood Demon, his chest heaving violently.

‘I want to tell her loud and clear: I am a prince of the Human Duchy. Hating the Demon Race is only natural! Does she think everyone would grovel to the Demon Race like she does, stooping so low for power?’

‘Even if my tongue has been cut out and I can’t speak, I will prove my pride with my sword to this traitor!’

But seeing his tragic, resolute expression, the white-haired girl let out a snort of laughter.

“Pfft—hahahaha!”

She doubled over laughing, tears even forming at the corners of her eyes.

Bauer ground his teeth.

‘What’s so funny? I, Bauer, am ashamed to share the title of noble with a traitor who has abandoned the human bloodline! Since you look down on my resolve so much, then you’ll pay for that arrogance!’

Bauer roared and charged again with his sword, but she easily dodged once more.

“Sorry, sorry, I really couldn’t help it.”

The girl wiped away her tears, but the wicked smile on her lips grew even more malicious.

“So you hate me that much. Well… since you can’t speak, let me guess why you hate me so much.”

She straightened up, tapping her chin with a finger, putting on a thoughtful pose.

“Is it because you think I, as the Duke Heir, willingly sank to betraying the Human Race and becoming a demon traitor? Or is it purely racial hatred?”

‘Do you even need to ask?! Both, obviously!’

Bauer snorted in disdain and charged a third time with his sword.

“With that self-righteous look, you really do think that… How arrogant and laughable.”