LGHTNOVELBOOK Chapter 68: Chapter 68: Sisters Meet
[This is a throne forged of blood]
[Countless comrades' corpses fell at his feet, watching them fall in madness and despair]
[Even if he closes his eyes, what appears in his mind is the feeling of wielding the blade - the touch of the blade, as hard as metal and stone, unstained by blood, merging with the delicate, soft, fresh, and lively flesh]
[Even after thousands of years]
[He can't forget this feeling]
[Heavy and long memories are soaked in blood, but one pure white and flawless scene cannot be defiled]
[In the sea of flowers, she is still so beautiful]
[Whenever he is devoured by the impulse that almost burns his soul, he sees this scene appear in his mind]
[Even to the point where all the cells in his body are wailing]
[He can still stubbornly persevere]
[He doesn't know how long this state can last, nor when the end of this dream will come]
"…Did I dream again?"
Moran exhales deeply.
Even though the vitality of this body is incredibly abundant, his soul has long been scarred from the struggle.
The hall before him looks empty and cold.
Although it is very gorgeous and solemn.
However, it is filled with more emptiness.
"…Moran…why are you always sleeping like this…?"
A cute and pleasant voice comes from beside him.
A trace of warmth merges into the cold hall.
Moran, who was originally immersed in the blood dream, comes back to his senses and can't help but show a kind smile.
The young Arcueid is asking him a question.
"I'm already very, very old, I don't have the abundant vitality like you, Arcueid…"
"Old…? Moran, aren't you a True Ancestor? You taught me a few days ago that True Ancestors don't age…"
Arcueid's expression is still puzzled.
Like a child who can't solve a math problem.
Her expression is confused and uneasy.
"Yes, I am a True Ancestor, and also the strongest True Ancestor right now, but my soul is very old… The old I'm talking about is different from the aging of living beings…"
Moran speaks slowly like an old man in his twilight years.
His tone is also very gentle.
The only thing that feels out of place is his young face, which is clearly different from his tone and demeanor.
He has been maintaining this appearance.
As if stubbornly trying to protect something.
His reminiscent and gentle expression is moving, but Arcueid feels a little inexplicably sad.
"Could it be…Moran…will you die…?"
Arcueid's face is full of unease.
Her tender little hand quickly grabs Moran's palm.
As if wanting to keep the man in front of her by her side, not letting him leave to a place she can't find.
"…I don't want you to die!"
Arcueid says anxiously with teary eyes.
Her voice is filled with sobs.
[Suddenly, you look at Arcueid saying these words]
[Your memory seems to be taken back to a long time ago]
[Back to that beautiful and nostalgic full moon, when Brunestud of the Crimson Moon also said these words to him]
[Now, the young Arcueid]
[Actually said it too]
"Don't cry, people will eventually face separation one day. Before that, I will try my best to stay by your side… Arcueid, you are the last proof of my life. I want to teach you that death does not mean the end."
Moran takes Arcueid's hand.
The two of them walk slowly together.
[You know that your time is running out]
[It will take even longer to determine the Idea Blood, and you may not be able to fix the cornerstone in this life]
[The principle you are obsessed with is inheritance]
[Although one of the two major goals has not been achieved, the ultimate True Ancestor has already been born in your hands]
[Arcueid is still very young now]
[Her future will definitely inherit your principles, and even allow the Moon Princess to return to this castle]
[That scene must be wonderful]
[However, you know that you won't be in it]
[Now, just to suppress the urge to drink blood, you have already spent nearly 90% of your power]
[In fact, you are only conscious for two hours each day]
[The time when that critical point arrives is getting faster and faster, and you know you have to make the final preparations]
"Zelretch, it's been at least five hundred years since our last meeting, hasn't it?"
"Yes, it's really been a long time. Among the True Ancestors, it's truly rare to see someone like Moran who has persisted for so long, a unique case. That girl…is she the hope you and the Moon Princess have?"
[The Second Magician visits Millennium Castle]
[You and he are fellow disciples who have known each other for thousands of years]
[The Jewel Magician, who learned the true teachings from the Magic King like you, understands your situation better than anyone else]
"Yes, Arcueid. The crystallization of technology created by all of us True Ancestors. However, she is still too young now…"
"Hmm…I won't beat around the bush, Moran, how much longer can you last…it's been almost three thousand years."
Zelretch's eyes show concern.
Most of the old friends he knew have been buried by time.
Now, those he can meet with.
He can probably count them on one hand.
"Conservatively, I can last up to a hundred years, unreservedly, maybe a dozen years. If I participate in battle, I'm afraid…
I haven't thought about this question for a long time, I've prepared myself to welcome it."
"…Is that so, you've prepared yourself."
Zelretch hesitated for a moment.
In the end, he sighed as if giving up.
"If according to my prediction, the Holy Church, if there are no accidents, will ask us True Ancestors for assistance soon. You, who are in the Magic Association's camp, have probably seen your subordinates busy dealing with the Dead Apostle problem recently."
"You want the Church to step into this ancient Castle?"
"Hehe, I have my own ideas. From any point of view, Arcueid is too young now, I want to pave the way for her and Altrouge… Even if we don't talk about the Holy Church or the Magic Association, the biggest problem is still in this Castle."
Moran's tone is very calm.
But the amount of information revealed is not low.
Only this king, who has hunted True Ancestors for thousands of years, can say it so lightly.
"Is it the True Ancestors…"
"Well, True Ancestors are inherently arrogant and conceited beings, and the concept of hierarchy has never applied to us. After I'm gone, Zelretch, I hope you can help me take care of Arcueid and Altrouge."
"You've really arranged everything."
Zelretch shakes his head with a headache.
But he doesn't directly refuse.
"Heh, it's just your senior brother's last wish, could it be that you, this junior brother, won't even help with this last little thing?"
"Using your senior brother status to pressure me? Don't be so distant, I'm not so heartless that I won't even help with this. You don't need to tell me, I will help you take care of them, at least while I'm still alive in this world, they won't have any problems."
Zelretch answers very solemnly.
Afterwards, the two of them clink glasses and drink the wine together.
As if making a final farewell.
They, who have a thousand years of friendship, don't need to say too much.
[Several years have passed again]
[Altrouge has returned to Millennium Castle, she has once again completed the work of defeating the Fallen True Ancestors]
[Just like you in your dashing youth]
[This time, she rushed back for two main reasons, one is that she sensed your condition, and the other is that she heard that the True Ancestors seemed to have created some ultimate weapon]
"Hmph! Those True Ancestors have no right to refuse! I think they've been driven mad by their bloodlust!"
[Altrouge threw a tantrum as soon as she returned.]
[She is still your beloved daughter.]
[In her eyes, all True Ancestors should unconditionally obey your orders; giving a weapon self-awareness is just a small matter.]
[She already harbors displeasure towards the True Ancestors.]
[But after venting her frustration, Altrouge's top priority is still your problem.]
[After learning about your estimate of your own lifespan,]
[She gritted her teeth and suppressed her grief.]
[You haven't seen her make this expression in over six hundred years, not since Brunestud of the Crimson Moon passed away.]
[You are her most beloved True Ancestor.]
[And the reason she returns to Millennium Castle.]
[It's because you are still in this Millennium Castle that she can call Millennium Castle home with a happy smile.]
[At the same time, you are also now]
[The only person who can indulge her whims.]
[Dead Apostles also have no concept of time; Altrouge had only been deceiving herself in her heart.]
See, Moran isn't like those third-rate True Ancestors.
Even after nearly three thousand years, he will definitely continue to persevere, always maintaining that handsome appearance.
Because he is my favorite—
Altrouge had always believed this.
But today, hearing Moran personally say that his time is limited,
She can no longer deceive herself.
Although Moran's figure and appearance are as handsome as ever, his aura is very faint.
Like a scattered mist.
Just a gentle breeze.
Could dissipate this illusion that she loves most.
It's hard to believe that this is the True Ancestor King who once hunted over a thousand Fallen True Ancestors and was feared by countless Dead Apostles.
"—Ugh, ugh."
Altrouge's emotions burst like a dam.
What poured out from her eyes and throat was a childish, incoherent wail—a desire for things not to be this way.
[Here, there is no Black Blood Princess.]
[There is only a woman grieving over the impending death of her beloved.]
[Pride and etiquette are thrown to the wind.]
[She lay disheveled in your arms, sobbing and weeping like a child.]
[This night was very long.]
[For Altrouge's sake, you strained your mind to resist the overwhelming bloodlust. You stayed awake all night, just to care for one of your most beloved daughters for thousands of years.]
[Just like back in those mountains and fields.]
[Back then, you also comforted Altrouge like this, helping her to stand up again from Brunestud's Spartan training.]
[Now, it's the same.]
[She is still the girl from a thousand years ago.]
"I won't leave you for a single step from now on."
[Altrouge made this selfish declaration.]
[Even with reasons like Fallen True Ancestors and Dead Apostles, there is absolutely no way to pull her away from your side.]
[In this final time,]
[She only wants to be with you wholeheartedly.]
[To this, you could only offer a helpless smile.]
[You won't refuse her.]
"Hmm…"
Movement came from outside the hall.
Altrouge sensed an unfamiliar presence.
She subconsciously thought that a thief had infiltrated the castle, but when she turned her head and saw that golden figure,
Her consciousness suddenly went blank.
"Mother… Mother…"
Altrouge murmured in a daze.
That long, flowing hair as dazzling as gold, and the platinum, immaculate dress, were truly captivating.
It really is too similar to Brunestud in her memory.
Only the aura is different.
"Moran… who is she…?"
Arcueid looked confused.
She had never seen Altrouge in this Castle in the dozen years since she was born in Millennium Castle.
"Arcueid, she is your sister, Altrouge."
"Sister…? I remember now, you told me that before I was born, there was another person who also inherited your bloodline!"
Arcueid looked delighted.
Clearly, she had heard of Altrouge.
Arcueid's face was filled with a cheerful smile.
She walked with light steps, very lively, to Altrouge's side.
The two sisters met for the first time.
"Allow me to introduce myself! I am Arcueid Brunestud~
I am the royalty of the vampires called True Ancestors, in other words, a princess! Nice to meet you!"
Arcueid was very enthusiastic and outgoing.
Compared to her doll-like past,
Moran had taught her many things in these seventeen years, and she had grown into a cheerful and optimistic lively girl.
"Ugh…"
Altrouge's heart twitched.
As if something ingrained in her instincts was acting up.
In her impression—
The woman with this face should be noble and elegant, almost representing the absolute embodiment of strength and beauty.
Virtue and coldness were her bywords.
How could she be so frivolous!
She's practically like a lively tomboy!
"Eh? Did I do something wrong…? That shouldn't be… I practiced my greetings for a long time…"
"No… you…"
Altrouge looked like she was about to explode.
She clenched her fists, constantly enduring.
However, Arcueid didn't realize anything yet.