Chapter 148 Return To The Everwinter House (2)

[Hi all! I have a small announcement to make. Next week, there will be no chapters as I'm preparing for Christmas and the New Year. Chapters will continue until Sunday, and I'll take one week off from 19th to 25th December.

Also, I want to spend some good time storyboarding and planning the next act of the story. I am committed to writing this story to the end, so you don't have to worry about me abandoning it halfway through. However, I will need time to plan the story's conclusion adequately. The story will resume on 27th December.

Thank you for your understanding, and I hope you have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!]

Five days have passed since my parents arrived at the Elven Sanctuary. During those five days, our family shared plenty of stories with each other. I would tell them about all my exploits during the year we were apart while they would tell me about their lives back home. They were planning on returning to being Hunters, but my sudden ascension had thrown those plans into the trash.

However, there was always a silver lining, even in the most unfortunate times. Now that we were reunited, my parents had decided to formally join the Valter House and help with the family affairs. While they haven't decided on whether they wish to become Vampires, they could easily hold administrator or advisory roles in the family.

But they were more interested in catching up with their precious son. Or in my mother's case, she was excited about getting to know her future daughters-in-law better.

The five days passed by in a flash, and our time in the Elven Sanctuary quickly ended. While the Elves and Shadowgarden House were in no hurry to kick us out, for my future plans to come to fruition, I couldn't just turtle myself here.

"Have you prepared everything?"

I stood at the Warp Gate of the Elven Forest with a considerable entourage behind me. Mainly the group that came with me to pick Rosa up before we got embroidered in the Bloodborne invasion mess.

Lilith was standing with Capella and her subordinates, who all wore defeated and sombre faces. Well, that was to be expected, given their circumstances. They were meant to protect Lilith in her travels, yet they were defeated by Rosa's sleeping gas and forced into deep comas while their mistress was kidnapped. Next, when they awoke, they didn't do anything against the Bloodborne invaders and were saved by the Shadowgarden House's benevolence.

Ultimately, they had proven themselves worthless on this trip and could only hide their head in shame. Fortunately, they were about to return to the Moonreaver Dimension, which meant their nightmare was soon over. Alas, only some people shared their sentiments.

"I told you for the millionth time, I have everything under control, you worrywart!" Lilith scolded me, but love was brimming out of her eyes. She held my hand tightly, seemingly wishing never to let go.

"Can't I worry about my Bloodmate? Plus, I don't really like or trust your brother."

"Haha, I understand your feelings, Jin… But my return is essential if we wish to leave in peace with the Vampire Society. And do you really think that my brother would dare to do anything to me? After you defeated him so soundly?"

"I understand the logic, but… My heart can't help but worry."

"You stupid fool…"

Lilith leaned onto my chest and gave me a big, firm bear hug. She nestled closer and deeper, like someone sinking into their mattress after a long day of work. Eventually, a familiar young white-haired maiden broke our embrace.

"Alright, that's enough! You've been hogging Brother for the past few days; haven't you had enough?!"

"Hoh? Says the girl that's going to spend the most time with him at the Everwinter Estate," Lilith's brows raised in annoyance as she looked down at Irina.

Due to recent developments, it has been decided that I would return to the Everwinter House with Irina. It has been proven that Irina was useless when it came to diplomacy, and sending her back alone would do more harm than good. Not to mention, there was a trap waiting for her when she returned. If I wished to root out all of my dissidents for good, I had to accompany this airhead back to the Everwinter House.

Lilith and Ysabelle would return to the Moonreaver and Blackburn House to affirm their peaceful relations with my Valter House. They commanded far more influence in their families, and there wasn't anyone dumb enough to harm them back in their homes. By the time they returned, the Valter House would have gained the support of three Guardian Houses, effectively cementing my place in Vampire Society.

Meanwhile, Rosa would remain with my parents in the Elven Forest while she continued to spy on my enemies. My parents were still my weakest link, so I couldn't rely on just anyone to protect them. Fortunately, I just happened to have a Progenitor-level wife willing to watch over her parents-in-law. Not to mention, Rosa's unique talents allowed her to aid me no matter how far away she was.

"Hmph! You should just stay in the Moonreaver House forever! Brother and I will do just fine without you!"

"What did you just say?!"

Lilith and Irina's arguments had become somewhat of a daily affair now. If I didn't see them talk smack to one another, I might have thought they were sick. Alas, as much as I wished to watch them chug it out, this wasn't the time or place.

"That's enough! We have important business to tend to!"

"... Fine."

"Hmph!"

Both girls were unsatisfied, but they obeyed my command. Funnily enough, being assertive and dominant was one of the methods Master Issei wrote in 'How to train your Harem.' While I didn't have the heart to scold them all the time, I had to raise my voice once in a while.

Ignoring the two feisty girls, I turned to the most peaceful woman in my harem.

"Ysabelle, if you run into any trouble…"

"Yes, I know…" The black-haired Goddess tenderly received my hands and repeated the words I said to her last night. "I just need to call for you, right?"

"Yeah," I returned with a smile. "I doubt the Blackburn House will cause you any issues. But once my business with the Everwinter House is over, I'll come and pick you up."

"I'll be waiting."

Ysabelle chuckled and planted a kiss on my cheeks. Goodness… Why are they tempting me when we're about to separate? Tsk, perhaps I should develop a cloning spell that allows me to be in two places at once. No, given my magical power, I could conjure such a spell. I simply didn't have enough time to theorise and execute it just yet.

Finally, I looked back at the Elven Forest, where my parents and Rosa waited. I had long said my goodbyes to my parents, and given that I would only be gone for a week, I didn't feel guilty about leaving them alone after our reunion.

However, I was sad to leave Rosa all alone once more. I waved my hand and sent a telepathic message to the girl, who never seemed to change her expression.

[Take care, Rosa. I'll be back soon.]

[...]

[If you ever miss me, just send me a telepathic message. I'll talk to you anytime you want.]

[Go… and… return to me… soon…]

Rosa, who was never one to express her feelings, sent out her innermost desires. She wanted me to never leave her side. She wanted me to be safe. She wanted me… to return to her. Those words struck my soul like lightning, paralysing me for a brief moment. However, I couldn't help but smile immediately afterwards as I replied:

[Haha, duly noted!]

Phew, I really have demanding wives, huh? I have to squash this ridiculous plot twice as fast now.

❖❖❖

The Everwinter Estate. The Matriarch's Residence.

The Everwinter Estate was a peaceful land. Being so far up north, it was well hidden by the elements, as endless amounts of snow and ice protected the isolated residence. The Everwinter Estate has always remained calm and peaceful throughout the endless Winters. Even during the Winter Hunt, the Vampire stronghold never had one crackle of unease or an ounce of festivities that would break the serenity of the beautiful estate.

However, that all changed in recent weeks.

News of a Progenitor, a wholly new one, had emerged. Even Cthulhu, the Demon Lord that the Everwinter House had fought with throughout the years, was less scary as a full-fledged Progenitor.

Alongside the fallen Bloodborne House, the Everwinter House was the most ancient of Vampire Houses. They had ancient monsters who knew Dracula personally and lived through his reign of terror. They acutely knew how powerful a Progenitor was, and that fear was ingrained down to their very souls.

Even Matriarch Innocence, the strongest female Vampire and the greatest Everwinter to ever live, feared Dracula.

Which was why the entire House was on edge.

They didn't know what kind of Progenitor Jin was going to be. And to add salt to injury, some members had crossed Jin.

Mainly those in Damien's faction and Elders who had suppressed Irina due to jealousy. In fairness to them, who would have guessed that a crippled human could rise up to become the top Vampire in their history. Alas, it was too late now. Those that had even harboured evil thoughts about Jin and Irina were now shaking in their boots.

And that included…

The Matriarch herself.

"Have they arrived?"

Seated solemnly in her cabin, a youthful beauty stared out the window with an empty look. In pure attributes alone, the woman seemed seventy percent identical to Irina, just a tad bit more mature with her porcelain face and thinly drawn eyebrows. Heaving a deep sigh, the woman gestured to the only person beside her. Variel, Matriarch Innocence's trusted butler and one of the two who accompanied Irina in her travels with Jin, knelt down by the Matriarch's side and affirmed.

"Yes, they have… They're awaiting your summons."

"Haha, now this is a first… A Progenitor waiting for my summons." Matriarch Innocence laughed helplessly and raised her head up to the ceiling. "Dracula would never allow himself to wait for another. I was always the servant being forced against my will."

"That's what made him a tyrant, isn't it?"

"Hoh? Are you saying that this Jin isn't a tyrant? That he won't follow down Dracula's path?"

"I wouldn't dare guess the intentions of a Progenitor," Variel added smilingly. "But the fact that he's willing to give you some semblance of respect… That alone speaks volumes."

"I see…"

When the Matriarch first heard that Jin had become a Progenitor, she didn't know what to feel. The bug she'd thought was a mere boy toy has now ascended to a pedestal she could never reach. A monstrous existence that once brought the world to heel. And most importantly…

She feared Jin's wrath.

The Everwinter House had never once treated Jin as a proper guest and even schemed against him back in the Winter Hunt. It wouldn't be strange to think that the man bore a grudge. Not to mention, Irina never did have the best impression of her blood-related relatives. If Irina wished to eradicate the Everwinter House, there was no stopping the powers of a Progenitor.

Matriarch Innocence feared that Jin would be like Dracula, a tyrant who disregarded logic and did everything for his own selfish desires. If Jin was like that… The Everwinter House was certain to be doomed.

But if he was as respectful as Variel has claimed…

"You seem fond of the boy, Variel."

"As fond as I can be, my liege."

"So… What do you think he'll do?"

"Excuse my rudeness, but… That will depend on your sincerity."

Variel spoke from the bottom of his heart. While he was a firm member of the Everwinter House, the man had come to adore and respect the former cripple who clawed his way to the top of the Vampire food chain. The best-case scenario for everyone involved… was for the Matriarch to cater to Jin's demands.

Even if it meant bending her knee.

"Okay then…"

Standing up from her chair, the woman stood at the door to enter the very same room where she'd met Jin for the first time. However, unlike last time, she wasn't the hunter… but the hunted.

"Send them in."