Chapter 72

Chapter 72

Thesaya fell asleep not long after, the toll from her fight with Charlotte and the interrogation by Ian apparently significant. She stirred again when the eastern sky began to lighten, curled up under the robe like a wild animal.

"...Ah." She sat up abruptly, locking eyes with Ian, who sat across from her and sighed a beat too late.

"Why are you startled?" Ian, prodding the fire with his Sword of Judgment, asked.

Thesaya blinked and smiled, "I'm not used to having someone by my side. Sorry."

She huddled within the robe, her movements awkward as if she wasn't accustomed to wearing anything over her body. She would have discarded it already if it weren't given by Ian.

"It's scratchy."

"Endure it. I'll buy you clothes when we reach a village."

"Clothes...?"

Thesaya frowned as if disgusted by the idea, then looked at Ian with a peculiar expression.

"If that's the case, couldn't you just give me clothes you've worn, Ian?"

"They'd be too big for you."

Charlotte was the tallest in their party. Ian was about half a head shorter than her, and Thesaya was about a head shorter than Ian.

"It doesn't matter. I'd have your scent."

Thesaya sniffed the hem of the robe, her fangs flashing between her lips. Thirst swirled in her red eyes.

"I won't stop you from smelling it, but know if you try anything foolish with me, you'll lose your head," Ian said indifferently.

Thesaya nodded, "Don't worry. I won't do anything that stupid."

For as long as you could control her instincts.

Ian responded with a snort. He had no intention of letting her feed on him, uncertain of what else she might drain along with his blood. Ian's gaze shifted to the eastern sky, noting the approaching dawn. His eyes returned to Thesaya, who had been sniffing the robe, now looking back at him.

"Why? You said smelling it was fine."

"The sun is about to rise."

"So?"

Ian's brow furrowed, "Are you okay with the sunlight?"

"It's not great. It weakens me. Ah, you were worried about me." Thesaya grinned, stretching before removing the hood pressed over her head.

"Let me show you."

As the sun peeked from the east, its light stretched over the mountains and lit up Thesaya's profile. She squinted as if the brightness hurt, her silver hair beginning to lose its luster, turning a near-ash gray. Her pale skin lost its vitality, becoming utterly sallow, and the pronounced fangs above her lips vanished.

"Being in full sunlight really does hurt," Thesaya murmured, opening her eyes, which had changed from red to a deep, murky green, reminiscent of an old swamp.

Driven by a mage’s innate curiosity, Ian asked, “Is that your true form?" Finnd new chapters at novelhall.com not sure. This is just what happens during the day. I can hardly use any power. Right now, even a stab could probably kill me," Thesaya answered nonchalantly, putting the hood back on.

With her gray hair and deep green eyes, she now resembled a slightly undergrown, ordinary fairy.

"That's why I mostly hide in the shade during the day. In this state, I'd struggle even with a bear."

"Do all vampire clans become like this during the day?"

"I don't know. I've never seen another vampire in daylight."

"What about sleep?"

"Unless it's like yesterday... once every three days is enough. Usually, I hide and sleep in caves or thickets during the day. It's too dangerous to wander around like this."

Ian nodded, absorbing the new information. It was all news to him. If other vampires were the same, then confronting them during the day might be an easy way to defeat them.

"Thanks for sharing your weakness," Charlotte's low voice followed.

She had woken up and was stretching, appearing somewhat like a large cat. After licking around her mouth with a dry tongue, she turned to Thesaya.

"When it's time to kill you, I'll remember to hold back with joy."

"Sadly for you, that time won't come, you beast. And feel free to try anytime. I'll make sure to scratch the other side of your face too. To keep things balanced." Thesaya responded with a smile.

Charlotte snorted, "Even as a demon, the disgusting pointy-eared brat is just as revolting."

"Are you alright?" Ian asked.

Charlotte moved her arms and neck around, "Perfectly fine. Does not hurt at all."

"Come here. I'll change your bandages."

Charlotte hesitated but glanced at Thesaya before nonchalantly approaching Ian. Ian unwrapped the bandage around her face and blinked in surprise.

Though not something a follower of Lu Solar should say, Ian didn't point it out. Their wildness and fighting spirit were almost instinctual, encoded in their genes.

"Listening to you, it does seem quite severe."

Thesaya nodded and then added, "I apologize on behalf of my kin. Charlotte."

Her tone was not apologetic at all.

Charlotte smirked, licking her lips, "There's no need for you to apologize. Your situation is probably worse than mine."

"What do you mean by that?"

"Even if you regain your memories, what difference will it make? Your kind will never accept you as one of their own. A fairy who turned into a demon. They'd rather kill you. It's a pity you've lost your memories."

Charlotte shrugged, "Life would have been more painful with them. Maybe that's why you erased them yourself, unable to bear being what you've become. Considering your kind's frailty, it's entirely plausible."

Thesaya didn't respond further. After a moment of silence, she looked up at Ian again.

"Ian. It seems the beast's words may be true. My instincts keep whispering to kill her. Can I just follow that instinct?"

"Please allow me, Ian. It wouldn't take even a minute now." Charlotte eagerly chimed in.

Ian glanced back and forth between them and finally chuckled.

"Thanks to you both, I know exactly what to do now. Yes, you two will only be satisfied if one of you dies."

"Exactly...!"

"Finally, you understand."

"So, from now on, you two are one."

Both stiffened simultaneously, their expressions bewildered.

Ian continued leisurely, "From what I see, you'd kill each other given the slightest chance, even under the pretense of a mistake. But I can't stand to watch that. I'd rather lose both than lose one. Right, Thesaya?"

"Uh... Eh?"

"If Charlotte dies, you die by my hand. Even if it's something else that kills her, you die."

"What...? No..." Thesaya's eyes widened in disbelief before she fell silent.

Ian's gaze, deep and unwavering, made it clear he would tolerate no defiance or objection.

"...Alright."

"Good. And, Charlotte." Ian's gaze turned to Charlotte.

After a moment's resistance, she reluctantly met his eyes, influenced by his authoritative tone.

"Look at me. Now."

"Uh..."

Charlotte's gaze locked onto Ian's, her orange eyes rippling with waves of emotion.

"Death might actually be a blessing for you. So, I won't kill you. But I will take your hands, ensuring you can never wield a weapon again. And of course, you won't be able to escape from me."

Charlotte couldn't even let out a breath, seemingly completely overwhelmed by him.

Ian smiled, "Your response?"

"...Understood..."

"Good." Ian's smile persisted as Charlotte quickly turned her head away.

Silence settled over the carriage, but Ian leaned back against the seatback, feeling unexpectedly light. He might have felt like a real villain boss now, but the feeling wasn't unpleasant. In fact, it was quite the opposite. The efforts to persuade clients or companions in the past had often been frankly bothersome and tiring.

As Ian looked back at the map contentedly, Thesaya whispered to Charlotte, who was sitting on the coachman's box.

"Feels like we're tied by fate now, Charlotte."

Charlotte, without turning back, retorted, "Don't you know how to shut up?"

"I've been alone for so long. Until now, I've mostly talked to animals. Unfortunately, they can't talk back. Unlike you."

"Damn it..."

As Charlotte sighed, Ian folded the map and remarked, "We should be passing through a city by tomorrow noon."

Charlotte and Thesaya jerked their heads toward him.

To have to take these two into a town...

Yet, Ian spoke nonchalantly, "I'd appreciate it if you both could keep from fighting and stay quiet while we're there."

He had no intention of forgoing a stop at the village because of them, especially not when a warm bed and a decent meal were at stake.