As sat quietly with Zara on a long bench overlooking a serene artificialke near the city''s central park. The sky dimmed as shades of orange and purple stretched across the horizon. Nearby, the rest of their team lingered around the parked caravans, giving the two of them space.


    For a while, neither of them said a word. Zara gazed nkly at the calm water. As mirrored her silence, his eyes fixed on the gentle ripples of theke.


    Until, it was As who finally broke the stillness. "What does it feel like…" he began, his voice low. "To take someone''s life?"


    Zara''s eyes widened at the unexpected question, and she turned to look at him. "My Lord…" she started, but her voice faltered.


    She sped her hands together nervously before finding her words. "At first… it felt painful," she admitted. "But, over time, I began to understand…"


    She paused, her voice dropping as if weighed down by the truth she was about to share. "In this world, we can only survive by defending ourselves… or by killing our enemies."


    As took a deep breath, nodding slowly at her words.


    "You didn''t say anything when I told the team we were heading to this city," he said after a moment.


    Zara remained silent, her gaze falling to the ground.


    "What do you feel?"


    Her shoulders tensed, and she lowered her head further. "Anger," she finally admitted, her voice trembling.


    As sighed deeply, standing and continuing to look out over theke. "I''m giving you the opportunity you need," he said. "Take it, or we''ll leave this city."


    The silence stretched between them once more.


    After a few moments, Zara rose to her feet, lifting her head. Her voice was clear as she spoke. "I will take this opportunity, My Lord."


    As turned to face her, cing a hand on her left shoulder.


    "We are all on the same ind, Zara. The same fate. We''re not just teammates; we''re family. Your pain is my pain. Our pain."


    She hesitated for a moment, then nodded firmly. "I will work hard and remain loyal to you forever."


    As gave her a small smile. "I know you''ll be someone extraordinary. You have the potential."


    They decided to camp by theke that night, amon open area often used by awakeners passing through the city to hunt in nearby zones or dungeons. The space was wide, with each group settling into separate areas, giving everyone enough room for privacy. Although some groups were close to each other, it still felt spacious and peaceful.


    As had already sent Kurogasa on a reconnaissance mission to gather intel on their target—the city mayor''s residence. While As could have easily taken direct action to settle this grudge, Edrik had devised a more strategic n, one that would deliver a far more devastating blow to their adversary.


    As the hours passed and night fell, the group remained on high alert, waiting for Kurogasa''s signal to proceed with their next move. Edrik, meanwhile, was focused on his own preparations to ensure the n went off without a hitch.


    A message arrived from Edrik. "This city mayor seems to be quite the gangster. He''s got plenty of awakeners with levels above 50 stationed at his residence."


    As read the message silently.


    The note continued. "Well, no need to worry though. Morganna and Kurogasa alone are more than enough to deal with them."


    As smirked faintly.


    Kaida and Garen prepared dinner for the group, setting up a small barbecue as the evening deepened. The scent of grilled meat filled the air, mingling with the cool breeze from theke.


    It was a strangely serene night, the kind of tranquility rarely found in a desert city. The lush grass, theke, and the surrounding trees made it feel like a different world entirely.


    Morganna sat alone on a bench near the water, her gaze distant as she stared at theke. As approached her, carrying two tes of food and two bottles of drink. Without a word, he set them down between them, then sat beside her, taking a bite of his grilled meat.@@novelbin@@


    For a while, neither of them spoke. Morganna eventually picked up her te and began eating in silence.


    Moments like these were rare for As—moments where he could sit and talk without the pressure of training, nning, or fighting weighing on his shoulders.


    Earlier, he had spent time discussing strategies with Edrik and Kurogasa during their journey, shared personal reflections with Zara by theke, and checked in with the other team leaders near the fire.


    Now, he wanted to talk with Morganna.


    But what could he say that would interest her?


    Blood?


    No, talking about blood would only lead the conversation into territory that could ruin the atmosphere. It wasn''t the right time for that.


    Perhaps… ask about her world?


    As weighed his options, considering what might genuinely capture the Vampire Queen''s interest. But maybe, just maybe, a glimpse into her past would pique her interest.


    "Do you know the grandest ughter I''ve ever done?" Morganna''s voice broke the silence, catching As off guard.


    He turned to her, surprised by the unexpectedment. She still stared out at theke.


    "Mind sharing?" he asked cautiously.


    Morganna turned to him, her crimson eyes—which usually red to life under certain conditions—now appeared dimmer, almost muted. Those fiery eyes often served as a reflection of her emotional state, glowing faintly in moments of tension but zing at their brightest when she was on the cusp of battle. Now, however, they seemed subdued, not sure what was the reason.


    "I killed a world," she said.


    "The whole?"


    "Yes."


    He took a moment to process her words, the weight of them sinking in. Destroying a world wasn''t just an act of war—it was annihtion on an unfathomable scale. The kind of conquest he had thought was nothing more than exaggerated tales.


    "Only by killing can we grow stronger. That''s the rule," she continued. "So if you''re hesitating about this, just let me show you how it''s done the right way."


    "Do I look like I''m hesitating?"


    "That''s a foolish way of thinking," she said. "If you''re questioning the morality of it all, you''re wasting your energy. The only ones who matter are those who have pledged their loyalty to you."


    As stayed silent, digesting her perspective. Was she reading his thoughts? Or had she merely seen through him?


    "If you think I''m insane, you''re wrong," Morganna said, her voice rising slightly. "You hold me back with your inexperienced mindset."


    As remained calm, choosing not to interrupt, sensing that she needed to let her thoughts flow freely.


    "The only way to survive is to be stronger. And the only way to do that is by killing!"


    She turned fully to him. "Kill or be killed," she said firmly.


    She continued, "I''m being generous by articting my words so carefully."


    As felt the anger burning inside him ever since he found out what had happened to Zara. He knew he couldn''t just ignore it without doing something. That same feeling he felt when he learned about Mira''s past—how her ssmates at the academy didn''t just bully her but even killed her parents right in front of her.


    "If you think you can seek peace by other means, you''re wrong," Morganna pressed on. "I''ve lived long enough to prove that''s not possible!"


    "Your path will not be easy," she added.


    At that moment, As''s Awakener Device chimed. A message from Edrik shed across the screen, confirming that the n was unfolding as predicted and that the follow-up wouldmence immediately.


    As stood, and the Vampire Queen rose with him. They faced each other in silence, their eyes locked. The moment was brief, yet it seemed to stretch on forever.


    "You''re doing… not worse," she finally said.


    A faint smile tugged at his lips. Maybe that was the highest praise he could hope for from the Vampire Queen.


    Perhaps it was the first time he''d heard her speak so much in one sitting, or maybe she had far more to say than he''d ever given her credit for. After all, she had once been a Rank-9 Immortal—a Lord with thousands of years of experience, victories, and defeats etched into her eternal life.


    As took a deep breath, closing his eyes for a brief moment before opening them again. His calm expression hardened.


    As long as he could still walk freely in this world, no—he would never doubt his decisions!


    "Let''s go," he said firmly.


    Morganna''s lips curved into a faint smile, and her crimson eyes red to life in response.