Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

It was the middle of the night when Fredo finally excused himself to attend some of his duties with the faction he had been neglecting for several days. He suggested moving Naru to his own room.

In Naru’s opinion, going from one bed to another wasn’t a bad deal. If only all of his choices could be between one comfy mattress and another…

Fredo’s bed was comfortable, but so was his own. And it would be weird if the old Vampire decided to rest himself and ended up sharing the bed with him, so Naru was happy to oblige.

That being said, he really didn’t understand why the older Vampire insisted on carrying him from one to the other, but he was lazy enough not to complain.

The Water Elemental silently trailed after him without being told. He didn’t really know how to feel about that yet.

The estate was completely silent. The curtains in his room had been pulled closed, repelling the light from reaching any of the curving surfaces of the bedposts, and it blocked out the hideous sight of the white castle in the distance. Like a vengeful ghost, the White Star’s beloved palace haunted every corner of the Endable Kingdom. Even the other sections couldn’t escape the massive beam of sunlight that spilled from their subterranean horizon.

In some ways, Section 2 and 3 were even more pitiful than Section 1. They weren’t even entitled to see the specter in its full, gaudy glory. They only knew the light the ghost left behind.

But that was all out of sight and out of mind for Naru for the time being, by strict order of the Duke himself.

Not that he was complaining.

Naru pulled the covers up to his chin and rolled over comfortably. The Water Elemental floated at eye level, off the side of his bed, twinkling like it had swallowed up the night sky.

Yes, it would be nice to stay like this a little longer.

No violent swordmasters, no annoying hyungs, no ambitious princesses, no soft-hearted Wolves. No combative Whales, no whimsical Mermaids, no scary old assassins…

Just the peace and quiet of his own room.

… It was actually a very novel experience.

There was a time when Kim Roksoo could have his ‘peace and quiet’, or he could have his ‘own room’, but never both.

When the Earth still knew peace, he never had a space that wasn’t shared with others. And by the time he had reached an age to make and save money, when he could afford a place to call his own, the world had swiftly fallen into ruin.

In the serene recesses between sleep and waking, Naru found his mind wandering towards the Western Continent.

The others.

… Has it really only been three months? This journey, it was a strange and slow inhale. A drawn out expansion in which there he has scarcely had the chance to catch his breath since arriving.

Their strange cooperation, between just as many humans as there were not, had become a noisy second-nature. Even his heightened senses had grown accustomed to the restless tug of a volatile swordmaster’s aura pricking at his awareness, or an excitable dragon constantly grabbing for his attention to look at this and that.

‘I should try to meet with them before meeting the crown prince.’

He would have to come back to the Endable Kingdom in just a few days, so in some ways, it hardly seemed worth the trouble.

But they were probably worried. Naru hated inconvenient, annoying things, but he wasn’t cruel.

To give them some peace of mind, especially considering the Mermaid Queen died, it wasn’t too much to just show his face.

Raon… was definitely going to be upset.

“Sigh…”

Naru closed his eyes tighter, willing himself to fall asleep.

At least the little dragon wasn’t alone.

Choi Han, Cale, and the others would make sure he would be alright until Naru could go back.

Comforting himself with the thought, Naru managed to slip back into unconsciousness easily. This was his first proper rest since the battle in the ocean, so falling asleep wasn’t difficult. It was amazing how tired he felt considering he had done nothing but sleep for the past several days, but then again, maybe a Vampire’s stasis isn’t quite as ‘restful’ as it is ‘regenerative’.

All too soon, the night had passed and morning arrived.

Knock knock.

“Young master-nim.”

The sound of the door opening softly was perfectly timed with his silver lashes fluttering slowly awake. A very tired, very happy Melundo greeted him as Naru yawned and sat up.

Normally, this was a welcome sight indeed.

But then, Melundo opened his mouth.

“The liege will be arriving in about an hour.”

Right. That was one of the White Star’s conditions to keep with the Duke’s narrative for Naru’s sudden relapse. His heart couldn’t handle the news of the Mermaid Queen and the Hydra, causing his weak body to collapse. And now, that crazy bastard wanted to have a talk with him?

… Wasn’t his so-called uncle supposed to be busy, pretending to run his kingdom into the ground? Couldn’t he just go away?

Ah, really.

This was why Naru needed to clean up all of these threats to his future happiness. How was he supposed to do anything when he had a crazy bastard always checking up on him?

“Would the young master like to receive the liege here, or in the drawing room?”

Naru knew he had caused a lot of difficulties for the servants these past few days and thought about his answer before replying.

“Does it make any difference, one way or another?”

“No, the Duke-nim said you should do whatever makes you most comfortable.”

“What about you? Or the rest of the staff?”

Melundo paused, his wrinkly eyes crinkling at the corners.

“Of course not, young master-nim. We are happy to serve at your convenience. Tea is being prepared for you in the meantime, but it can be served anywhere.”

“... Well, then.”

Naru thought about it for a moment. What sort of impression would the White Star find most agreeable and pitiful at the same time?

“Please help me get dressed comfortably. I’ll have tea downstairs, but let's have that guy come to my room.”

“As you wish, young master-nim.”

He decided to save a proper bath for after dealing with the White Star.

Considering the few encounters Naru has had with that crazy bastard, he suspected he would want something to do to relax. Facing such a horrible personality first thing in the morning was hardly a good start to anyone’s day.

Instead, he took advantage of the convenience of quality of life magic and resolved his cleanliness with just a little bit of magic.

… Rather, he tried to.

But Melundo quickly interrupted when Naru began to raise his arms and a light purple glow emitted from his small hands.

“Young master-nim! Please, allow me. You are still recovering your strength!”

“Mm, sure.”

The ever-attentive butler used a quick fix of magic to resolve Naru’s immediate hygiene, and then took to manually freshening him up. Picking out soft, fresh pajamas and fixing his hair as much as was manageable.

It was getting a bit longer, Naru noticed.

“Melundo, shall we cut my hair?”

“Ah? But? You see, this…”

“What is it?”

“Since the liege will be here soon, perhaps now is not a good time.”

“Oh. It shouldn’t take long, I was just hoping to trim it?”

Melundo began to sweat, the smile fixed on his aged face a bit stiff and unnatural.

“... R, rather, I think longer hair suits the young master-nim well.”

Naru felt it was a little odd, but the man was anxious about so many things that he didn’t bother asking.

“... Okay. Then, let’s just leave it for now.”

Once Melundo visibly relaxed, Naru shrugged and decided to forget about it. It was just a passing thought. He didn’t care that much either way.

Of course, Melundo cared very much.

Not because he disagreed. He would have liked to go ahead with the young master’s suggestion if it would make him more comfortable. It would even be a bit easier to manage the boy’s hair if he could cut it a bit.

… The problem was, the Duke had also told Melundo that he should help convince Naru to grow his hair out.

‘Sigh.’

The master’s intentions were very obvious. Then, Naru would truly look like a miniature version of Duke Fredo.

‘Won’t that be cute?’

Of course, it was very cute to imagine.

‘But, Duke-nim!’

How can this servant’s poor, ancient heart handle the amount of disagreeing opinions between them?

Completely unaware of the inner struggle facing his butler, Naru’s attention had wandered to the window. The curtains were pulled back and allowed in some ‘natural’ light.

The Endable Kingdom looked even more lively than it had when the city was decorated for the recent cultural holiday, which had a slightly less ‘festive’ atmosphere. The difference between a sanctified occasion and a voluntary celebration, he supposed.

Now, the preparations for the tournament were in full swing. Banners of different factions arched over the streets, and many homes even flew flags of various colors from their rooftops. Because it was an occasion to impress the nobility with fierce battle prowess and entry was allowed from every section, a large amphitheater in Section 3 had been reserved for the occasion.

Conveniently, that venue was a recent investment project of the Duchy, so the profit for hosting such an occasion funneled the expenses direct from the kingdom’s treasury and into his father’s (and, by extension, his own) pockets.

It felt a bit like taking money directly from the White Star’s own wallet.

It made Naru very happy.

Looking at the streets, no one would have believed this was the inaugural instance of this particular tournament with the amount of spirit the kingdom put into the preparations.

In fact, their enthusiasm was a little alarming.

All he did was say a few words at a single noble awaiters meeting, and now this…

Naru Von Ejellan, the son of Duke Fredo, beloved by all dark creatures. His words carried some weight, it seemed.

‘I guess I am a bit important here.’

Melundo finished setting his hair and turned around. He ended up frowning at his choice of clothes for his young master.

“Something wrong?”

Tapping his chin with his index finger, Melundo’s eyes went from the new clothes of the highest quality thread, smooth and warm to the touch, and then trailed over to Naru’s current appearance.

“The young master’s slippers are a little worn… I should replace them. Would the young master-nim mind waiting for a moment?”

Hm?

Naru thought his slippers looked and felt practically brand new. Then again, Melundo would know better about this kind of thing.

“It’s fine, you can get the slippers. I’ll finish dressing myself.”

“Ah, this? Are you sure?”

“It’s fine.”

A slight smile pulled at the corner of Melundo’s lips and he slipped out of the room in a hurry. At the same time, the boy unbuttoned his shirt while yawning, blinking away the morning drowsiness that lingered.

He was quite comfortable at the moment and was in no hurry to go back to the Western continent.

Once he left this room, there was a world outside he had to face and a long list of things to do…

A sharp gasp broke the room’s former silence. All his residual tiredness vanished without a trace, light-purple eyes wide as they reflected his appearance back into the empty room.

The tattoo over his heart.

‘It’s getting worse.’

The black tendrils that had extended past the sharp outline of the inverted heart.

… They definitely spread.

Before, the lines maybe extended a centimeter or two, branching black spiderwebs that tested the edges. Now the inky veins extended close to a dozen centimeters in all directions, almost reaching his shoulder and starting to bypass his ribs, reaching even the top of his stomach.

“Shit.”

The gluttonous priestess said she wasn’t sure about the relationship between his body and the Vitality of Heart, and that damned old man never answered when Naru asked for him. He figured the voice of the crybaby had been completely absorbed by his plate, but he had no real way of knowing for certain. The Sound of the Wind never said anything about it, either.

Speaking of the Sound of the Wind, Naru hadn’t gotten it back from Choi Han before passing out. That guy better not have lost it. Imagine losing a thousand-year old, profane personality like that? It’ll probably yell at him for days.

Remembering all he still had to do, the very idea made him tired. Naru could feel the unavoidable tides of his responsibilities beginning to rise. It made him feel like the child he appeared to be, only he was facing the ocean and did not know how to swim.

Boom, boom!

Boom! Boom! Boom!

His heart began beating quite fast.

Percussive, sharp.

It was a little painful.

Naru forced his mind to calm down and picked up the new shirt. He put his arms through the sleeves but didn’t button it immediately. He rested his hand around the edge of the tattooed heart, eyes lowered.

Naru wanted to ignore it.

But.

Wasn’t this too ominous?

Why was this happening? He recalled the details of [The Birth of a Hero.]

Taylor Sten took the Ancient Power in the original novel… and died not long later. Could it be some kind of curse?

… Damn it.

Nelan Barrow, so many things that guy wrote about have gone all wrong. He wasn’t reliable at all.

Knock knock.

“Young master-nim, I have returned with the slippers.”

The door was already opening, and Naru had to make a split-second decision.

‘I shouldn’t let the others know.’

He hastily buttoned his shirt as Melundo entered the room.

Until he had a better idea of what was happening to his body, he didn’t want to cause undue alarm in the others and would keep this to himself. If it was just a gradual change in the tattoo, then he could just cover the marks with disguise magic in the future.

But he had a feeling it wouldn’t be that simple.

‘One thing at a time.’

The White Star would be here soon. His focus had to be on the present, not a future that might not happen.

Toeing off his current slippers, Naru allowed Melundo to set the new ones in front of him.

He paused before putting them on.

“This. Is a bit…”

Melundo looked at him innocently.

“Is something the matter, young master?”

Well.

There wasn’t anything functionally ‘wrong’ in being given slippers in the shape of small bunnies, but Naru was still a grown adult in his heart. Even if he had grown accustomed to wearing clothing that would suit a child, he couldn’t help hesitating. Stepping into lop-eared, light purple slippers placed in front of him was a challenge he never thought he might face in his lifetime.

Something about it felt… deeply wrong.

Still. He had no choice. If this was deemed a viable option in maintaining the facade they’ve arranged, then Naru was willing to comply. Even the smallest details had to be taken into account when dealing with a crafty bastard like the White Star.

“... It’s nothing.”

With a poorly concealed grimace, Naru put on the very cute, very soft slippers and exited his room. He descended the stairs, down the massive grand staircase in the center of the mansion, and through the main foyer towards the dining hall.

He went as far as he could before his path was effectively blocked. It was as if every servant in the manor dropped their duties and ran to see him.

“Young master-nim!”

“Thank the ancients, you’re on your feet again…”

“We’ve been terribly worried.”

“Your slippers are so cute, young master Naru-nim!”

“How are you feeling?”

“Do you need anything?”

A little overwhelmed, Naru gave a feeble performance with shy, placating gestures.

“Better, cough. I’m much better now. I’m sorry to have caused everyone to worry.”

Several maids made a show of smoothing his hair and even the guards that had left their posts grabbed the front of their armor, as if covering their hearts.

One of them gave a self-deprecating laugh.

“It was our negligence, how could we let you get injured in the first place?”

With a soft expression lifting his features, Naru shook his head.

“No, it is nothing like that. You all have your own responsibilities. I allowed myself to get carried away. If you blame yourselves, I will only feel worse.”

Lashes trembling, Naru appeared truly heartbroken

“All of you are important to me, so if you want to help me to feel better, all I can ask of you is to continue to stay beside me and Father in the future.”

His gaze extended beyond the reach of the surrounding servants and looked lost, as if watching something in the middle distance.

In reality, he was looking at the Water Elemental that bobbed around the servants heads. There was something about the lilting, floating creature that, even in its eerie silence, reminded him of the one who left it behind. With a dream-like whimsy, its little legs twirled in response to the heightened activity around them.

Another knight patted Naru on the top of the head as if coaxing him, voice gentle.

“Ah ha, look at our young master-nim. He is so well-behaved.”

Smiling, the little young master of the Von Ejellan Duchy looked especially sweet. All of the servants were extremely touched by this earnest appearance, except for one person.

… After all his years working for Duke Fredo, Melundo was able to detect something a little darker behind that innocent expression.

To be called well-behaved, Naru felt that it was fair praise.

While it was true that he could envision mapmakers across both continents scratching their heads, wondering how one of the Hais Islands had been blown right off the map, Naru could confidently say that wasn’t his fault.

‘Choi Han and Whitira did that.’

Naru only told them to make a mess.

Thinking about all the havoc he had no actual part in, he was at most just an enabler. In what world was a bystander guilty of anything?

At the same moment.

The knight captain, who rarely made appearances in the house, saw the commotion in the middle of the front hall. He stepped forward and cleared his throat, causing his direct subordinates to fumble for excuses before running off to their respective posts. Some of the maids were less inclined to listen, so he gave them a stern stare and spoke in a tone full of authority.

“Come, now. Let us not crowd the young master-nim. Go on, all of you. Return to your duties.”

“Thank you. Thank you, all of you.”

Naru addressed the captain first and then the remaining servants before they dispersed.

“Please understand, I would hate to appear at all ungrateful for what you’ve done for me. Of course, I appreciate all of your care and concern… but we Vampires aren’t so weak to be knocked down so easily. So you don’t need to worry about me. Don’t let me interfere with your responsibilities.”

Naru mustered up a very bright, yet very gentle, smile and beamed directly at the knight captain who was almost the same height as Fredo.

“Right, Captain-nim?”

The captain’s next words caught in his throat.

This.

“Y, Yes. Young master-nim. That’s right.”

The man’s name was Salvatore. He had a build like Choi Han’s, but this Vampire’s hair was dark navy, so dark it almost looked black. It was styled messily and pushed back out of his face, hanging just beneath his shoulders. Sharp and deep-set green eyes chased the lingering servants away.

He stood in front of Naru for a beat too long, hands furling and loosening by his sides several times.

‘I really want to pick him up... !’

Such a polite child, but, no. He can’t now. Not after making a big show of dismissing the others. A captain must maintain order.

… He had to be strong in the face of such a worthy adversary.

Steadying his nerves, the stoic Vampire pursed his lips.

‘Be cool. Be cool.’

“Ahem. Cough. Yes… I will be going then, I beg the young master-nim’s pardon.”

“I am in your debt, Captain-nim.”

“It, it’s nothing. This is what I should do.”

A bit flustered, the knight struggled for a moment. He felt like he should comment on something else, but had nothing witty or worthwhile to say.

Before he lost his courage, he ended up speaking in stunted, forced sentences.

“You. Your heart is your greatest strength. Young master-nim. So! Therefore. Please don’t worry too much. And rely on us! Rely on us all even more!”

With that, Salvatore hurried away. Naru tilted his head to the side, wondering if the man felt unwell.

‘His face became very red before he left?’

“... Melundo, make sure the Captain-nim is drinking enough blood.”

“I will do as you say, young master-nim.”

Melundo gave a slight bow before gesturing towards the dining room.

Despite all the morning’s delays, the tea was still somehow at a perfect drinking temperature by the time Naru finally sat down. He examined the silverware arrangement before him, taking note of the teacup and pot, cloth napkin and accompanying sugar, silver spoon, and saucer. Some toasted bread and small portions of meat had been prepared.

But something seemed to be missing.

“... A light breakfast today?”

There were no pastries.

It had become second nature to indulge in sweets when home, such that Naru found it unusual that there were none waiting on the table.

“Ah, ah, no, young master-nim. The liege is bringing some snacks to share, and one should avoid overeating while recovering.”

“Oh, I see.”

Silently wringing his hands, Melundo understood his duty as a butler to ensure the young master’s health first and foremost… The Vampire attendant felt a pang of guilt for making Naru wait according to the White Star’s schedule. Were the circumstances different, Naru would have been able to eat comfortably and at his leisure.

Even if the liege was a very terrifying person, to make their Von Ejellan family abide by a human’s schedule… It was really too much!

“If, if the young master-nim is still hungry afterward, please let this servant know right away. The cooks were very displeased to know they couldn’t personally prepare the young master’s breakfast.”

“Mm, sure.”

Actually.

To say the cooks had been ‘displeased’ would be a very modest understatement. It would be more accurate to say that the servants in the kitchens were beside themselves with grief. They fretted all night over what exactly to make for their young master to help him recover, only to have their hopes dashed by the announcement of the White Star’s rather unwelcome visit.

Still, they all believed the White Star to be a responsible and doting uncle and trusted partner of the Duke, to whom their loyalties really belonged.

They wouldn’t go against the announcement even if they wanted to.

Naru didn’t really care that much, but the longer he thought about it, the more Melundo felt especially aggrieved.

Especially when reflecting on the earlier exchange in the main foyer. The servants had all been so expressive and sincere. Even the stalwart knights were moved by their young master.

‘The Duke couldn’t even accomplish such a feat when he acted as Naru.’

It was a very simple exchange on the surface, no more and no less than exactly what the Duke had asked of his unintended progenitor. The little Vampire that had accidentally become central to their lives, interacting naturally with the other servants who shared in Melundo’s responsibilities and worries.

These subtle changes in the boy’s identity, the ripples that followed were unexpected even for him who knew the truth behind Fredo the Second’s identity.

There was something in this young master’s sincerity that exceeded all expectations. It pinned their undead hearts in place.

Perhaps it was a simple manifestation of the revision of their goals. For the Duke, Naru’s existence had been a means to an end for over a century. Now, coming to know this child, and seeing for himself the vitality his existence breathed into their world, Melundo could see the ways in which Naru’s significance had grown alongside their fondness for him.

To think, this Naru had nearly lost his life on account of their goals. He did not resent the Vampires nor curse the circumstances. While he didn’t blindly do as he was told, he had also accepted his role with all the natural, inherent clumsiness that came with inexperience.

… It made the old Vampire a little emotional.

Melundo knew he was unlike the other servants.

He served the Von Ejellans for centuries, tied his life’s purpose to the betterment of their kind by giving the Von Ejellans every opportunity to improve their lot. His tenure attached to the household exceeded the entire span of Fredo’s life.

He had been alive to see the previous generation of Von Ejellans tear each other apart with their own hands, and he had been helpless to stop them.

He had watched Fredo, who once looked just like this child sitting before him now, grow.

Watched, as the light began to dull in his eyes, for his heart to turn bitter and for violence to become the most effective strategy to dealing with threats against their kind.

Everyone wanted to be useful.

Everyone enjoys feeling needed.

As an attendant, he had more troubles since this child appeared in their lives, but so was his role amongst the Vampires more important than ever before.

Having an opportunity to be a part of the future that his master had set out to create, the peace they had carved out with bloodied blades and paved by piles of the dead.

He was no knight, but even in his trivial role as a butler, he understood the binding weight of fealty all the same. Theirs was a loyalty cut from the same cloth, service of different shades that were still sewn into the same tapestry.

For long-life creatures, life runs its course slowly and often beneath a long, shrouded mantle of loneliness. Though they finally have a place to call home, the experience still remains unfamiliar and sometimes unnatural for those who live within this kingdom.

Independent and strong as they are, a minority of Vampires would willingly submit to act as servants. Even in service to the Von Ejellans, the most powerful and noble of their kind, it was never an easy thing for most Vampires to bow their heads.

But it’s different now.

Their loyalty to the Duke was implicit and essential to their survival. Following such strength has always been a matter of course. A subservience, or perhaps even a responsibility, of which they were born to carry out.

But, concerning their young master.

Naru’s dependence upon them gives meaning to the fragile peace and sense of security they’ve strived to achieve.

A single presence, filling the emptiness of fate for a forgotten and lonely species.

Naru, who sat there blankly while drinking his tea, would have been seriously disturbed if he could hear Melundo’s thoughts.

He definitely didn’t want anyone to think he was amazing or anything unnecessary like that. It would just invite more trouble.

Unaware of the butler’s wandering attention, Naru frowned at a plain piece of toast and asked a question.

“Melundo, can you bring some jam or preserves?”

The man didn’t react immediately, blinking a few times as if he didn’t understand.

Raising his gaze, Naru was shocked to see Melundo pull out the handkerchief from his breast pocket. The butler blotted the corners of his eyes which were lined by tears.

“... Uh, actually. This is fine.”

He bit into the dry bread with a cautious glance at the butler, thinking.

What was that reaction?

Did the servants have some scary preconceptions about the house, if this was how they reacted after he made such a simple request?

Did Melundo perhaps think he was half as unpredictable as his father? Fredo was a little bit crazy, but surely he didn’t terrorize the servants over such simple requests. Right?

It wasn’t like Naru was going to reprimand him or cut his salary.

Maybe he should get a raise. Or take a vacation.

‘I’ll mention it to Father next time I see him.’

… Anyway, sticking with something simple to eat was probably for the best. Naru had to get his mind in the right state to deal with a different kind of crazy bastard soon. It would be a shame if he got nauseous from listening to the White Star’s voice and ended up throwing up his breakfast.

For the third time today, Naru was in his room when a knock came from outside. At least this one, he was expecting.

‘Knock knock.’

“Nephew. I’ve come to see you.”

The door opened smoothly, and in walked an unnerving man wearing an even more unnerving mask.

“Ah, Uncle. You’re here.”

Naru masked his disappointment, forcing warmth into his voice as he got up from the sofa. He hurried over to the White Star like a dutiful, excited child. His eyes sparkled, pure as water from a mountain spring, and he hugged the man around his midsection.

A chuckle sounded above Naru’s head.

“You don’t sound very happy. Can’t I come here?”

“Ah, I didn’t mean… Uncle can do whatever he likes. I just felt bad for taking you away from your duties again.”

“There’s no need for that, we’re family, aren’t we?”

Drawing out of the hug, the White Star’s smile fell as he looked over Naru meaningfully, checking his complexion and eyes for signs of distress.

“How many times do I have to tell you, there is no work important enough that I can’t stop to check on you. Did your father tell you I came by the day before yesterday? You were still asleep at the time.”

‘Such a convincing performance. ‘

Naru’s smile grew thicker, and he pretended to be embarrassed by the White Star’s doting attitude.

If he didn’t know this man was a completely untrustworthy monster beneath that mask, Naru really might have fallen for the show of affection. He could understand how the White Star had convinced so many dark creatures to follow him despite himself being a human.

When Naru remained quiet, the White Star guided them towards the sofa in the middle of the room.

“Let’s sit and talk for a while.”

He placed a basket down on the table that Naru hadn’t even realized he had been holding before.

“I brought you some snacks. Have as much as you like.”

Politely, Naru smiled and accepted.

“Thank you, Uncle.”

They paused their conversation while Naru took a few bites from a classic, simple cookie filled with morsels of chocolate. Once again, they were excellent. The chocolate was a sweet reprieve from the unpleasant company, but such things never last.

“Is it delicious?”

The White Star asked, like he was really curious. Naru offered him one.

Even if he didn’t really feel like sharing with this bastard.

“Of course they are. Won’t Uncle have one?”

“... Yes, alright.”

He agreed relatively easily, and the two sat in a strangely peaceful silence while eating cookies. It was a little surreal.

“You must have a very skillful chef in the castle, Uncle.”

The child spoke with surprising earnestness over something so simple. The boy did have a sweet tooth, he supposed.

The White Star chewed mechanically and swallowed.

As a matter of fact, the white castle only maintained an operating kitchen to maintain appearances. These basic experiences of fulfillment had been long forgotten by now. As expected, the White Star could not taste them at all. Even the textural sensation on his tongue felt numb to the pleasure of eating. He may as well have been chewing sand.

Naru was watching him, expression expectant, and the White Star stared back for a moment before deciding what to say.

“They are delicious.”

He lied.

Cale Barrow did not know why he felt the need to do so, but he did.

Appearing satisfied, the child finished the cookie in his hand, grabbed another, and sat back comfortably against the sofa.

The White Star gathered his thoughts and returned to the subject at hand.

“Does our Naru know why I have come by today?”

“... To bring snacks?”

Naru considered the possibility that he would be able to drive the punk away if he acted like a little fool.

Of course, it was unsuccessful.

“Well, that is one part of it. The main reason is because our favorite little young master-nim really frightened the whole kingdom very much. Do you have any idea how much the people were worried for you?”

The words were doused with flawless compassion. There was no real trace of anger, but a contemplative scolding, calculated down to the last pause.

The same way Ron’s dangerous smile made his back turn cold, Naru found this side of the White Star a little scary.

The man’s sympathy was too perfect to be convincing.

… In hindsight, the White Star couldn’t have seemed less like his father after Naru had woken up. The Vampire Duke had been angry and frustrated, relieved, aggrieved, and haggard, all at the same time.

Such a reaction seemed very… scattered, for someone putting on airs of languid confidence at every opportunity.

Then again, Fredo had invested a hundred and fifty years of meticulously planning into this scheme, only to forcibly hand over control to Naru with virtually no say in the matter.

It made sense that he would be angrier than the White Star, who probably just saw him as an accessory to the kingdom’s social-political landscape.

Shaking his head, Naru tried to drive away those useless thoughts right now. He needed to focus. He tried his best to sound apologetic, but the delivery came out a little softer than he intended.

“Ahh… I’m very sorry, Uncle.”

It almost made it sound like he was trying not to cry.

“I know I was wrong. I heard about some… things. And they upset me, but I know it was a mistake. Father said it’s because I’m not mature enough yet. I need to take better care of my health before worrying about others.”

Sighing, the White Star stroked the top of the boy’s head a few times.

“I do not wish for an apology, only for you to understand some things. What your father said before—that our Naru is still young of mind and innocent of heart—that is true. Your age may be over a hundred, but it’s in part because you’ve been kept away from much of the world’s cruelty. It is easy to reject the harshness of reality when you’ve been deprived of the worst of it.”

Naru did not know what to say to that. Didn’t think he could respond without it sounding like a lie.

The world’s cruelty.

He had gone hungry, cold, and lonely on more nights than he could count, and many more than he cared to remember. Could trace a path of bruises on paper skin before he could read a road map. Learned to run towards anything else before he could even understand what he was running from.

Even if he was an excellent liar, Naru didn’t think he could get by responding to the White Star’s words.

He thought of Ohn, Hong, and Raon.

He thought about a fierce, young dragon that once hated humans, but now calls them his friends, treating them as if they were family. Three children who could sit and eat dinner besides Vampires, just because they were shown some basic kindness by them.

In his opinion, it really wasn’t necessary to experience all of the world’s misery to grow up well.

That was what Naru wanted for them, anyway.

Eventually, the White Star continued to speak. Maybe he took Naru’s silence as shame, or maybe he didn’t really care and just wanted to do whatever he wanted. Either way, Naru was glad the conversation had moved on.

“In your lifetime, the Endable Kingdom will reach above the ground and you’ll be able to do anything as you please. But do you understand what that means? What it will take to achieve such a goal?”

“Um…”

Thankfully, the White Star didn’t seem like he was particularly expecting Naru to answer.

“Nothing is possible in this world without sacrifices. Just the same as you can’t live without drinking blood, our kingdom will never be able to coexist alongside those who live on the surface without taking something in return.”

Pursuing his lips, Naru nodded. He wasn’t stupid enough to disagree with the White Star to his face, but Naru was thinking something else.

‘You’re totally insane.’

What a backwards way of thinking. Why did things have to exist in this black and white world?

“I see.”

Finishing off the cookie he’d been holding, Naru took the time to figure out exactly what he wanted to say.

“I beg Uncle’s pardon, as I don’t know the full story, but at the time I just thought it was very unfortunate. Father has told me more about the world since I’ve lived at home. How there are so many creatures who wish we were gone, who would choose to hurt us even if they’ve never met us. They treat us like we’re monsters when all we’ve done is exist. So I just… couldn’t understand why we would respond to the hate of others by turning on each other. Since we know best how it feels to be treated this way, why would we turn against other creatures who have gone through the same thing?”

Naru had gone over this story in his head all morning, practicing more or less what he wanted to say. He thought it sounded pretty good. It was consistent with his “personality” and the story that the Duke told the White Star.

“I just hope Uncle won’t resent me for having such thoughts about our, ah, enemy?”

Stealing a peek at the eyes behind the mask, flat and intense, it was a stare that brought goosebumps to Naru’s skin. A critical lens, familiarly cast over the curves, it felt as if he recognized the analytical slant of those eyes that calmly reflected his young face back at him.

This feeling…

‘I really need to stay far away from this bastard in the future.’

There was seriously something wrong about him, even beyond all the things Naru knew.

There was an impulse in his nerves that told him he should put as much distance between them as possible.

Yet, he had no choice but to remain still and to press on. Whether it was through this terrible conversation or toward the Western continent, Naru could only follow the present path forward.

“This… Well, I think your lack of education on the subject is really what’s to blame. Meaning, it isn’t your fault.”

Pupils shaking, Naru blinked at the White Star.

“Uncle isn’t angry? I haven’t caused him any trouble?”

“No, you didn’t cause trouble. In fact, you’ve helped me to remember some things I had overlooked. I’ve lived for a long time and have forgotten some of it.”

That sounded like praise, but Naru really didn’t feel like it was a good thing.

“That woman who died. She was once a trusted and dear friend to me. Did the Duke tell you that?”

Naru lowered his gaze, nodding.

The White Star turned and one of his hands shot forward, grabbing Naru’s face. It wasn’t rough, but it wasn’t gentle either. His thumb pressed into one cheek, and his other fingers squished the other side together. It effectively turned his head, tilting up his chin so that they were looking directly at one another. Naru was so surprised he nearly choked on a piece of cookie.

In an abstract and imprecise way, Naru could sense the same dark and irreverent waves radiating from the mask as he had when accidentally brushing against it. He reacted involuntarily and flinched away, but the White Star did not allow him to move.

“You must listen especially carefully, my nephew.”

A rumble sounded somewhere in the mansion, but it seemed too far away to be related to the White Star’s sudden aggression.

For a moment, the human just sat and watched the child struggle in his hold. His head was rarely such a mess of many things, but amongst the warring trains of thought, the prospect of releasing Naru did not occur to him, nor did he particularly care about the boy’s comfort at this exact moment.

He had some things he needed to say to this child.

Once, a very long time ago, the White Star had been born into a world separated from society. He had once been elevated by a title and reared for greatness. Inheriting the mantle of Dragon Slayer, and, ultimately, leaving his humanity behind. It was his responsibility to see it through to the end.

[Become strong. Then save the world.]

Those words, etched in stone in this very village hidden from the gaze of the outside world, still echoed within Cale Barrow to this day.

[I will rule the world. Do not resent me.]

The statement did not resonate from his heart. He could not detect anything from within that useless, empty cage. No, it lived within his mind.

Haunted him, strengthened him, and fueled his ambition.

To the White Star, Naru was an interesting, powerful, and especially pitiful creature. He himself couldn’t comprehend the affection so many of his pawns held for this boy, but he could appreciate the fact that it amounted to something meaningful. He could appreciate it because, after all, a noble title once rested on his shoulders, too.

“We are more alike than you think.”

The White Star released the hand gripping each of Naru’s cheeks and smiled, tilting his head to the side. Face a little sore, Naru rubbed his cheeks but didn’t dare to complain. The White Star was staring at him with an unsettling intensity. It was as if he was waiting for the Vampire to trip up, to defend the Mermaid Queen or himself for being sympathetic towards her.

It was all he could to keep his voice under control when he nodded and replied.

“To, to be compared this way to a man as great as Uncle, it is an honor.”

The White Star hummed, nodding noncommittally. He thought about the path laid out before the child sitting beside him.

A responsibility to be perfect. The naive belief of, and faith in, others. To uphold inherited convictions without seeing the bigger picture.

The White Star pulled Naru closer with one arm around his shoulder, leaning the boy against his side. It took everything in Naru not to stiffen and lean away, forcing himself to uncomfortably rest his head against the man’s upper body.

“Tell me, Naru, do you know what idealism is?”

“Um. I’ve learned about it in my lessons with Miss Solena. It’s a type of thinking that is usually… optimistic. A belief that things can get better?”

“That is more or less correct. And that person, her idealism stood in the way of progress for all dark creatures. Had she only listened to what I had said, she would still be alive. I had no desire to kill her, but I also had no choice to dispose of her. You might not be alive today if she’d had her way. Even your father may not be alive. She was willing to turn against us all for her own shallow sense of justice.”

“There are likely going to be more times in the future when you will disagree with the things I say or the things that I do. But you must understand that everything our kingdom does, it is done in the name of raising dark species up to be on equal footing with the rest of the world.”

A hand patted Naru’s silver hair.

“That woman’s idealism is to blame for her meeting such an end. I don’t want to see you following in her footsteps. Your gentle nature can be a terrible weakness if you let it control you, so you must listen to your uncle well in the future. Do you understand?”

Naru replied after a little while, his trembling lashes obscuring his eyes from the White Star’s overhead view.

“It’s difficult, uncle, but… I’ll do my best to listen in the future. I just, no, rather, she did not sound like such a bad person.”

“There are times when good people must die for a better cause. It is even better when a bad person can die for that cause, but this is not always the case. It’s why your father goes to such lengths to protect you.”

When the White Star heard Naru collapsed.

That some servants heard it was so severe, it was thought he could die from the sudden relapse.

At that moment, the White Star didn’t think about anything.

It wasn’t shocking. It wasn’t a happy moment. He didn’t feel sadness or loss.

At first, he only felt it was a pity for the child’s own sake.

Naru’s future would be less troublesome if he had died. Now he was stuck continuing living according to everyone’s expectations.

But living a little longer was better for both of them. In the future, when Naru died, the White Star would not let his death be in vain. He would make sure his end held more meaning than anyone else’s. Wasn’t that a King’s duty?

Or even, an uncle’s responsibility?

Naru had been quiet for some time. It was a good thing if he was afraid.

He should be.

Consider it a small lesson, when he reports on all of this back to Fredo. That Vampire had been a little too impudent lately. His regular insubordination and lack of respect wasn’t usually an issue, but he had exercised his willful behavior directly in the White Star’s presence too many times recently and it had grown tiresome.

Cale Barrow did not care for it.

Let this serve as a reminder to him.

That as a Duke, he may be powerful, but he was no king.

And as a father, he cannot keep the weight of the world from breaching his doorstep.

As soon as the White Star left, Naru took a bath as planned.

“Was the magic this morning not sufficient…?”

Melundo seemed troubled once again, but Naru was quick to reassure him. He didn’t want the old butler to burst into tears over something like this.

“No, but that man is an excessively crazy bastard. And he seems to like hugs more than I thought.”

Suppressing a shudder, Naru entered the bathroom and immediately shut the door behind him.

From outside, Melundo fluttered around momentarily, seemingly at a loss. He decided not to bother Naru further, as the boy seemed drained all over again after the liege had left. Instead, he picked out some comfortable clothes for him and set them out before quietly leaving.

In the hallway.

“Did the Duke-nim by chance leave his office?”

Melundo stopped a passing maid to ask.

She pursed her lips and shook her head.

“Not since this morning when he asked not to be disturbed. Is, is the young master alright?”

“Ah! Of course, he is fine, yes. Nothing to worry about. Excuse me.”

Melundo gave a weak smile to the young Vampire before turning down the hall and heading towards the Duke’s exterior office.

Knocking lightly on the door, Melundo was sweating underneath his collar. Disturbing the Duke when he did not wish to be disturbed… It was asking for malice.

“D, Duke-nim. The liege has gone. I thought you should know, the young master-nim is…”

Melundo stepped through the door only to stop speaking, brow furrowed.

What was this?

… Hadn’t the Duke entered his office first thing in the morning? When did he leave?

Was the maid mistaken and he had left?

But then, where did he go?!

In fact, the Duke was still at home. And, until recently, he had been working, just as he said.

The White Star wished to meet with his son to ‘educate’ him about the Mermaid Queen. It went against every one of his instincts to let the meeting proceed.

His instincts as a leader, his instincts as a Vampire, and, he would not deny it, his feelings as a father.

His son had nearly died.

Died.

He had felt the boy’s almost nonexistent pulse beneath his fingertips.

When he sensed that human’s arrival, the Duke had simply teleported to his room. It seemed like an excessive use of magic, but he didn’t really care. He opened the doorway behind the mirror that led to Naru’s room and simply stood there.

He was still standing there now.

Face blank, arms crossed.

The Vampire was thinking.

When his own parents had died, he hadn’t felt a single iota of this frustration. Some sadness, some loss, but it paled in comparison. It wasn’t simply his feeling of responsibility for involving a human in the affairs of Vampires. Nor was it the responsibility he felt towards caring for his subjects.

Something seemed to matter more than the crown he had so long sought.

What did all the power in the world mean if he couldn’t even keep his son safe from harm? He felt powerless to do anything but watch, standing a mere ten meters from where they had been sitting side by side.

At least he was able to watch the White Star interacting with Naru this time. Made sure he didn’t cross any boundaries.

… Yes, Fredo did accidentally blast a hole in the tunnel when the White Star had grabbed Naru’s face like that. Squishing his son’s round cheeks together—only he should have the right to do that as his father, how dare he?

Annoyed, Fredo sighed and ran a hand down his face. He wanted to keep Naru here at least a little longer to monitor his health, but he knew yesterday night the boy was already talking about leaving again. He had his plans to go see Rowoon’s prince, and probably to contact his friends.

He left the tunnel and returned to his room. Fredo poured himself a drink of scotch.

For the burn, not the alcohol.

Vampires couldn’t suffer intoxication, after all. Their poison resistance was second to none.

The Vampire sat down in a plush chair and snapped his fingers.

“Solena.”

“Duke-nim. How may I serve you?”

“Have you done as I asked?”

A pause.

She looked over her master’s inexplicable expression and could tell he was in a rare bad mood.

“Young master Cale Henituse has returned to Count Henituse’s territory with the two Cats, Ohn and Hong, as well as Vicross and Ron Molran.”

Hearing no response, the attendant took that as the order to continue.

“Princess Rosalyn of the Breck Kingdom and the Blue Wolf Lark remained at the Whale Village to help coordinate relief efforts. There were some casualties on both sides, but no deaths other than her Majesty. Secretariat Archer has taken priority to dissolve the theocracy of the mermaid’s territory and is working to establish a long-term alliance to replace the previously dissolved treaty between the mermaids and the Whales, but it is a going slow effort.”

“Naturally. Hmm.”

The Duke took a sip of his drink.

“And the Dragon?”

“... The Dragon-nim Raon Mir was very upset.”

“And where is he now?”

“I believe he went to the sanctuary at the base of the mermaid’s territory, where he and the young master had previously stayed for several days. For this reason, I was unable to follow him—I apologize for failing to meet your instructions. However, I wished not to disturb the mermaid’s period of mourning. Entering their territory during this time did not feel appropriate.”

“... Yes, that was the right call. As always, our Solena is very sensible.”

A slight smile finally eased the Duke’s expression, and Solena felt the thinnest shred of fear ease away from her stiff shoulders. It was a matter of instinct, not rationality. She didn’t expect the Duke to lash out or to act violently on account of a bad temper, but the difference of strength between them was such that she couldn’t help but feel naturally oppressed when he was like this.

Speaking of which.

“Duke-nim. Did something happen?”

“Well, that human was here to see my son. It was an unpleasant visit.”

Solena simply waited for the man to continue. She had served beside him long enough to know which pauses were meant for interruption, and which ones were not.

“Naru handled himself fine. I, however, nearly sent the man into his next reincarnation. Sigh.”

The Duke tipped his head back and stared at the ceiling for a moment.

“Would killing him really be so bad? Honestly, I could just kill him again and again, forever. It wouldn’t be that hard, even with his ancient powers.”

“Duke-nim…”

“Or I could contract a demon. If he can use that fool Geresy to do all sorts of rituals and absorb all that dark mana, why can’t I?”

“Permission to speak casually, Duke-nim?”

“As you wish.”

Solena cleared her throat and closed her eyes, face scrunched slightly in concentration.

“You sound like an ‘extremely crazy bastard’ right now.”

Her voice. It came out strange.

Softer and yet more severe than usual.

Duke Fredo stared at her for a long, long time.

When the woman opened her eyes to see his emotionless face, her complexion turned red.

“T, That was. An impression. Of the young master-nim.”

“... Pfft. Hahahaha. A Vampire of so many talents, yet your impressions are horrible. In the future, perhaps you should stick with gathering intelligence.”

“D, Duke-nim! I was, ahem, trying to make a point.”

Snorting, Fredo polished off his glass and placed it neatly on the table.

“And what point is that?”

“T, That. Ahem. You have managed to accomplish more than any of the others would have thought possible in just your lifetime. Quitting when you are so close to the end… Didn’t you swear his reincarnation this time would be the end?”

Duke Fredo crossed one leg over the other.

“I suppose I did say that.”

“For us to have a home, and a place to return to—that was the promise you gave to all of our kind when they agreed to follow you. We have that now, but what we make up for in comfort, we suffer for security. So long as the liege exists, did you not say that we shall never be truly free?”

“I wish you made less sense when you spoke. I should have called Melundo, he’s better at agreeing with me.”

Rolling her eyes, Solena still maintained her professional posture and measured tone.

“More than that, does the Duke-nim not have a responsibility to the young master-nim as well? A deal that, I recall, hinges on Naru-nim being able to do whatever he wants, and spend as much money as pleases—or something of that sort?”

“Oh, right.”

Actually, Fredo hadn’t thought much about that recently. Of course, he hadn’t forgotten, but their relationship felt like it was hardly outlined by money anymore. What did an allowance matter when he would give the child anything he asked for?

So long as he was happy.

“More than that, wouldn’t you be setting a poor example as a father? To go back on your word, to take the easy way out, to delay—”

“Alright, alright. I get it. Very well. I suppose I’ll reserve my inclination to murder that man for another day.”

“This servant advises against that.”

“Solena, what about the other thing I asked? Have you taken care of it?”

“... Yes. He is in the basement.”

The woman pursed her lips.

She was not in a position to question the Duke once he made up his mind about something, but even she had mixed feelings about this decision.

Knock knock.

“Father, are you in there?”

Ah, what a pleasant surprise. Naru was seeking him out of his own free-will? Fredo’s expression lightened, and Solena, who had seemed a bit fatigued previously, seemed to flood with relief.

‘She hasn’t seen him awake since the incident, has she?’

Thinking about it, Fredo had sent Solena into the field immediately after he brought Naru back to the kingdom. They had spoken through the communication device, but only briefly.

As much as Fredo wanted to spend quality time with his son by himself, especially after having to watch a human bastard accompany Naru for over an hour, he thought she deserved this reprieve.

When she answered the door, Naru looked surprised, then happy.

“Miss Solena. I was wondering where you had gone.”

“Young master-nim, it is this servant’s fault for not finding you sooner. I am so happy to see you are well.”

Naru raised a brow as he glanced at Fredo seated on the couch. The room contained a vague smell of alcohol, which was odd. Stepping aside, Solena removed a stack of books from the place Naru tended to sit, adjacent to Fredo.

“I heard someone laughing, but I’m surprised. I thought you were working. Are you just slacking off, hiding in here?”

“Oh, I guess I’ve been found out.”

Clicking his tongue, Naru crossed one of his legs and propped his elbow on the armrest.

“Both of us can’t do nothing. Someone has to manage the Duchy, and it’s not going to be me.”

Fredo tilted his head to the side like he said something cute.

“That’s why we have Solena.”

The woman looked at the man coldly before turning a glowing smile to the younger Vampire.

“Young master Naru-nim, as a matter of fact, for the upcoming tournament, I have requested a custom outfit be made by the tailors just down the street. Before you leave for the Western continent, why don’t we go and have a fitting? That way, we can leave the Duke-nim to work in peace. Alone.”

“Hey, now. Don’t take him from me! He just got here!”

Naru snorted.

“Will there be a chance later? I feel like I should go back sooner rather than later. I was worried about Raon and the others…”

“I have been keeping a close eye on their whereabouts, young master-nim. Everyone is safe and accounted for. You needn’t worry. I would be happy to escort you to see them, in fact.”

“Oh. Really?”

That made him pause for a moment. He figured Solena had been busy overseeing the faction while Fredo dealt with the aftermath of the incident in the ocean. This whole time, she had been keeping track of his friends?

That was…

“Thank you very much.”

“It is my pleasure, young master-nim. May I say, your hair looks quite nice.”

“Oh. Really? I thought it was a bit long.”

Solena very expertly did not glance in Fredo’s direction, knowing full well how the Duke felt about it.

“If it makes the young master-nim uncomfortable, then we can cut it anytime. But this servant thinks it looks charming.”

“Mm, it’s not uncomfortable. I hadn’t thought much about it in the first place.”

With a gracious smile, Solena bowed her head before changing the subject.

“I heard the liege paid you a visit? Was it alright?”

“Tsk. Alright? That punk is out of his mind. I mean, I didn’t know her very well, but the Mermaid Queen was far from perfect. She didn’t seem like she was trying to be, though. He said she was killed by her ideals. What a load of nonsense.”

“Is it nonsense? I wonder.”

The Duke asked, a lilt in his voice. Naru cast a glance in his direction and shrugged, speaking his mind.

“I mean, ideals are all a bit nonsensical? But people need them in order to survive. What does it matter if they make sense, if it’s important? If no one thought their lives would ever get better, then they would lose the will to keep moving forward.”

Naru still didn’t know all there was to know about the mermaids and their history, but he firmly believed that the Mermaid Queen was a decent person who did not want creatures to suffer. Could she really be blamed for that? She saw the experiments the White Star was conducting on humans, Elementals, Elves, and all creatures in between, and couldn’t abide by it even if it cost her her life.

“I still don’t really understand her.”

When they first met, Naru came to understand her cryptic warnings about the future. That she hadn’t ‘given up’ but rather accepted the fact that she and all the mermaids were going to die at the hands of the Whales.

Even if it cost her and all the mermaids their lives, she was willing to make that sacrifice to keep the White Star from succeeding in his plans.

… Just what future did she see to make her feel that way?

During their last conversation, in that white, empty space.

‘There is a world that should have existed instead of this one. There was a different story that was meant to be told.’

It was likely [The Birth of a Hero]. The future she spoke about, it would have been past volume five, so he wouldn’t know. His only guess was that the Mermaid Queen and the hydra killed each other in that timeline, right around the time of the battle for the ocean.

Leaving the mermaids without a leader at a critical time, and at the mercy of the Whales.

Thinking about Whitira’s Berserk transformation… Naru could imagine the ending.

‘So she was willing to submit herself and her people to that, because she knew Choi Han would eventually defeat the secret organization?’

Sensing that his son’s thoughts had gone far afield, Fredo leaned across the table and caught his eye.

“She was a mysterious person, even a hundred and fifty years ago. If you try too hard to understand her choices, you may end up even more lost than where you began.”

“Mm. That’s true. I can’t imagine her sitting in Gersey’s seat at the noble’s meetings.”

“Oh, it was very fun. She would perform hydromancy and read Count Mock’s future on occasion, but the ‘waters only speak in riddles’. That is to say, she would give him benign warnings about nonsense that would make him paranoid. It was an amusing time.”

“Pfft. Did she ever pull that trick on you?”

Chin pointed proudly, Fredo scoffed.

“Of course not. I was the one who gave her the idea in the first place.”

“I should have figured. That has your foolishness written all over it.”

“Hey, now.”

Solena chuckled lightly as the two chatted back and forth a little longer. There was still much she needed to do, but it was worth it to take the little bit of time to stop and listen.

As a servant, that was her most important role.

To listen and serve.

In watching the exchange, her trusted master and his beloved child, the woman felt comforted at her conscience.

Yes, she was right. The Vampires deserved better than Fredo trying to take the easy way out. Killing the White Star today would only put off their problems for another ten or twenty years.

Maybe she advised him out of her own selfish desire, but Solena wanted to spend the remainder of her life not worrying about the next hurdle they had to overcome or the most recent threat against their home.

Like this… She would not mind spending the remainder of her time in this world like this.

About an hour later, Naru left quietly. They didn’t alert most of the servants since he would be returning so soon, with Solena and Melundo being the usual exceptions.

Fredo spent the time sighing and fixing the boy’s outer robe several times. He made sure Naru had everything.

Money, communication devices, blood. Food. Magic stones, for good measure.

“This time, you must come home unhurt.”

Naru showed a frown and stepped back, lightly throwing off the hands hovering near his collar.

“Why are you saying something so obvious? I hate pain. What happened before, it was an accident.”

“... Yes, I’m aware. So we agree that there will be no more accidents?”

“Of course. And I’ll be back in three days. Or, well, two and a half now? What could happen in that time anyway?”

The Vampire looked at him with narrowed, suspicious eyes.

“Who knows? You always find a way to surprise me, my son. Usually it is amusing, but I could do with far fewer of these near-death encounters. For someone newly undead, you toe the line between ‘dead’ and ‘undead’ much more often than I can bear.”

There was still a bit of playfulness beneath the warning, and Naru grumbled.

Fredo felt satisfied with the little bit of pink that reached the boy’s ears.

“Have you decided where to go first? Rowoon? Or the Whale village? Or perhaps—?”

“Ahh, don’t list them off. It gives me a headache.”

Pressing a hand against his temple, Naru recalled Solena’s debriefing earlier. She had done an excellent job keeping track of all of the other’s locations and it was a huge relief not to have to find them himself. But it was also disheartening to know they had spread out so much in such a short amount of time.

If the White Star was just a little less crazy, then none of this would even be a problem.

It’s really all that bastard’s fault.

Naru didn’t have any desire to keep changing the timeline, but he also was the one burdened with the knowledge of the original novel. All he could do was rely on that knowledge and shape the choices of those around him.

Choi Han would be the hero this world needed, and Alver would be an agent of change for dark creatures everywhere.

Naru just needed to make sure the path forward remained clear of obstacles. And to keep his own promises along the way.

So the first step…

“Please send me to the Mermaid Kingdom.”

He did say to that ‘auntie’ he would do his best to watch someone grow up well.

“There is a certain dragon I need to find.”

Fredo gave a brief chuckle. He had predicted that much.

“What is it?”

“Nothing. I will handle things here so you can relax when you return. The tournament is expected to be a four-day affair, so think of it as a mandatory vacation.”

A twitch pulled at the edge of Naru’s mouth.

“I will hold you to that. If I am inconvenienced at all, be prepared to hear about it.”

“Hahah. Don’t doubt your father so much. When have I ever disappointed you?”

Shaking his head, Naru thought about…

…

Actually.

The Duke really had made good on all of his promises, hadn’t he? Sure, the man was dramatic and enjoyed harping on this or that, but he had made good on everything Naru had asked or requested. He even accompanied him to contract a demon, which was far beyond his expectations for their working relationship.

With a thoughtful expression, Naru nodded and had to concede.

“Fine. I will admit, Father has shown he can be a bit reliable.”

The Vampire Duke had nothing to say for once, expression blank. It was alarming and Naru leaned away.

“W, What? Is there something on my face?”

“Ah, no. Just. Hm.”

Fredo stepped into the teleportation circle and lowered himself to one knee, looking at Naru’s face with a curious scrunch in his brow.

Slowly, he reached a hand out and squished Naru’s cheeks together.

“H’y? Wh’a ‘re ‘ou ‘oing?!”

It was hilarious, Fredo thought, how quickly he became angry. Like an angry little hamster, or maybe a mouse. So adorable.

“Haha, nothing, just checking something.”

He let him go and took the opportunity that the child’s guard was down to pull him into a hug.

After tensing for a moment, Naru’s shoulders relaxed to allow himself to be hugged, but he was still cautious.

“... What is it? Are you checking something else now?”

“No.”

Naru expected the Vampire to say more, but it seemed like he was done speaking.

…

Maybe the boy had gotten used to being picked up by too many people in these three months, as the cool body temperature now felt familiar instead of strange and new.

Raon was always cold, too. And Raon was always sticking to him.

How did Raon do it, just throwing himself all over people? Naru tried to remember.

Awkwardly, he raised his arms and hugged the Vampire back. He let his head rest on Fredo’s shoulder, since it seemed like the right thing to do.

That same moment.

An embarrassing thought occurred to him.

If Fredo was really his father.

‘It wouldn’t be so bad.’

“Cough. Enough already.”

Forget about it, what was he thinking? He knew they worked well together, but he was getting carried away with playing house. If Fredo wanted children, he would have had them by now.

‘What am I even thinking?’

Naru’s face felt hot and he lightly pushed Fredo out of the teleportation circle.

The Duke, seeing the embarrassment clearly written on Naru’s face, just smiled and decided not to press him on it.

“I would say be careful, but I suppose that’s too obvious, isn’t it?”

“Sigh, exactly. So hurry up and teleport me already.”

“Alright.”

Naru could hear the smirk in Fredo’s voice.

“Be careful.”

“What did I just—!”

Naru didn’t even have time to voice a proper complaint before his surroundings changed all at once.