Chapter Fifty-Seven: The Choices of Two People

Xingyu lay alone on the ground, as if every bone in his body had been shattered, unmoving. Waves of pain surged through him, yet he seemed unable to feel it; his eyes, hollow and unfocused, stared up at the sky. “At last, even Lilith has abandoned me?” Xingyu gave a bitter smile, the ache in his heart overwhelming any pain from his wounds.

His mind was filled only with the cold, indifferent gaze Lilith had given him as she left. He had never hoped for her forgiveness—after all, he had hurt her too deeply, so much so that he could not forgive himself. Still, Xingyu would rather Lilith hate him, even take his life; he would accept it willingly.

But now, Lilith's complete disregard pierced him more cruelly than hatred, as though she had never known him at all. Something precious, irreplaceable, had slipped away forever, and Xingyu felt he could never find it again. He lay motionless amidst the wreckage, as if already dead, until a search party from the Blood Hunter Guild found him and brought him back.

Meanwhile, I had returned to the hotel where I was temporarily staying, sitting before the floor-to-ceiling window, savoring a glass of red wine.

“Lilith, where did you just go?” Lilir, who had entered my room, noticed the wounds on my body that hadn't fully healed and asked with concern.

“It's nothing. I just went out to clear my mind—and dealt with a Judgment along the way.” I did not look at Lilir's worried face, still gazing out at the moon, my words barely more than a whisper.

For reasons I could not name, since meeting that human, my heart had been restless. Did I still linger in attachment to him? I questioned the self I once was, but got no answer.

Yes, the Lilith of the past was gone. Now, only the real me remained. What unsettled my thoughts was merely the last traces of longing from my former self, and as my blood returned, that longing would one day vanish entirely.

“Lilith,” Lilir called my name again.

“Is there anything else?” I replied coldly, as if we were strangers.

“It’s nothing.” Lilir hesitated, then shook her head in disappointment. “Lilith, next time you go out, take me with you. If you encounter another Judgment, I can help. It’s too dangerous for you alone.”

“Very well. Next time, I’ll bring you,” I replied indifferently.

“Then I’ll go rest in my room. You should rest soon as well, Lilith. You fought a Judgment—surely you’ve spent much of your magic.” With that, Lilir departed, sorrowful.

“Is this really alright, Your Highness?” After Lilir left, Ang asked me in a low voice.

“What’s wrong with it? Haven’t I always been this way?” I answered coolly.

“You do care for Lilir, don’t you? She’s your only sister. So why deny her concern?” Ang pressed.

“Even if she cares, I have nothing to give in return. I am but a cold machine, Ang, you know that well. I have no feelings, and I cannot respond to the feelings of others. Better to sever all hope now, than let her be wounded by false hope.” I wore a self-mocking smile. “Someone without blood or tears has no right to receive another’s concern. Just like our mother; in the end, it was only harm to both.”

“Your Highness, your lady mother departed in happiness. She never regretted her devotion. Please don’t say such sorrowful things,” Ang said heavily.

“I know. I was only venting my thoughts. Don’t worry, I am not so fragile as to give up over such a small matter,” I replied calmly.

“Enough, Ang. You may leave. I wish to rest. There has been much today; I am tired. I need to absorb the gift she left me—I do not want to waste her last legacy.” I spoke to Ang.

“Yes, Your Highness. I take my leave.” Ang answered respectfully and exited.

I drew the thick curtains closed, plunging the room into darkness. Sitting quietly on the bed, I let the silence of the night soothe my turbulent heart. Within me, the Source Blood gathered from the Seventh Judgment slowly dissolved, merging with my own blood, healing the lingering wounds of my body.

Meanwhile, Xingyu, who had been rescued and brought to the Blood Hunter Guild, lay quietly in his hospital bed, his body swathed in bandages. The only S-class Blood Hunter, an elder in white robes, sat beside him, asking about the events.

“Damn it, those vampires are getting more and more arrogant,” the elder roared in anger. As a staunch supporter of the militant faction, he had never agreed with the Guild’s policy of peaceful coexistence with the vampires, but had been forced to comply by the other two S-class Hunters. Now, he could no longer endure it.

“Don’t worry. I’ll see you get justice for what you’ve suffered. Rest well,” he said, comforting Xingyu before leaving the room.

“Are you alright, Xingyu?” After the elder left, the optimist approached with concern.

“Don’t worry. I won’t die. If only I could, how much easier it would be,” Xingyu replied, his voice low.

“Don’t talk nonsense. Xiaoyou would never want to see you so down. Pull yourself together; her vengeance depends on you,” the optimist encouraged him.

“I saw Lilith,” Xingyu said.

“Oh? Did she save you again this time?” the optimist asked.

“Yes, she did. She’s saved me so many times, more than I could ever repay in this life,” Xingyu sighed.

“That’s true. You owe her a great deal,” the optimist recalled the blood contract between Lilith and Xingyu and could only sigh.

“But this time, Lilith was utterly indifferent, as though I didn’t exist. It hurts. Why does it hurt so much? I feel as though I’ve betrayed Xiaoyou,” Xingyu spoke in anguish.

“There’s no betrayal. Xiaoyou surely wishes you happiness, not for you to live every day drowned in hatred and pain. If you truly fell for Liliana, I believe Xiaoyou would be glad,” the optimist thought of his own daughter and closed his eyes in pain.

“I can’t. I can’t do it. I can’t forget Xiaoyou’s death. If I betray her, how can I justify the sacrifices she made for me?” Xingyu said, tormented.

“Enough. Don’t think about it. Let time decide these things,” the optimist said, comforting him. “But you must be ready. If my guess is right, the Guild will move against the vampires soon. Their first target will surely be Princess Liliana. When that time comes, you’ll have to make your own choice. Think it over carefully.” With those words, he too left Xingyu’s room.

“What should I do?” Xingyu pondered after hearing the optimist’s words. Soon, a smile appeared on his face. “I’ve already made one mistake. I don’t want to make another. Let me use this life to repay what I owe you.”