The next morning, as the two were eating breakfast, Elder Selina suddenly hurried in and said, “Your Highness, there is urgent news.”
Hearing this, Kiz put down her cup and asked softly, “What is it?”
Selina was momentarily surprised… Why was the princess’s tone of voice so gentle this time? Had something else happened with the Saint?
However, she merely glanced at Elia before continuing, “The Council of Elders has detected a strange temple ruin in the northern territory of the empire. It emits an energy that even makes us elders feel dread… What’s even stranger is that the energy is almost identical to the Saint’s magic, yet slightly cruder.”
“Oh? What does that mean?” Kiz asked, appearing calm on the surface, but her heart was already churning with massive waves.
Similar to Elia’s magic? What was going on? Could it be the magical energy diffusion from that previous sword strike? That shouldn’t be…
“Furthermore,” Elder Selina continued, not answering Kiz directly but presenting a new puzzle, “the energy from the temple ruin isn’t just a weakened version of the Saint’s magical power… what’s even more absurd is that there seem to be at least a dozen different abilities there that are almost identical to it… How to put it? Hmm… it’s as if several weakened versions of the Saint are gathered there simultaneously.”
Hearing this, Elia could no longer sit still. She put down the bread in her hand and asked, “Where is this temple? How far is it from here?”
“It’s located in the northern territory of our Vampire Empire, about three hundred miles from the border. Also, due to various issues in that area, it is highly recommended to travel by carriage after making thorough preparations,” Elder Selina said with a slight bow.
Elia then looked at Kiz, who happened to be looking at her as well.
The two locked eyes for several seconds, each confirming the other’s thoughts in their gaze.
Then, Kiz waved her hand and continued in her gentle tone, “Elder Selina, you may leave for now. Just report any updates as they come.”
Selina nodded and withdrew, closing the door behind her.
Kiz turned to Elia and asked, “Do you want to go see that temple?”
“Yes. This time, it’s just reconnaissance. We’ll go together.”
At this, Kiz lowered her head and thought carefully before asking, “Are you sure we’re just going for reconnaissance? Not to do anything else?”
“I’m sure. If we discover danger, we’ll retreat immediately.”
Only then did Kiz nod with satisfaction. “You’re learning…”
“Hey, you actually know how to play with memes now? Impressive!”
“Huh? Meme? What’s a meme? Some kind of plant?”
“Uh… never mind. Pretend I didn’t say anything.”
In the following days, the two were busy with intense preparations.
Kiz mobilized the most elite Royal Guards to arrange meticulous escape routes.
Simultaneously, she specifically invited several Blood Clan experts skilled in concealment and reconnaissance to lie in wait in the northern territory, ensuring nothing went wrong.
Elia, meanwhile, began researching the information on that abandoned temple.
From ancient texts she didn’t know where Kiz had found, she learned that the temple was built two thousand years ago, dedicated to some long-forgotten deity.
After being abandoned, it became a stronghold for various dark forces.
It had only fallen into complete desolation in recent decades, and few had approached it since.
“It’s said there are very deep underground spaces beneath this temple,” Elia said to Kiz, pointing at the map.
Kiz nodded. “We need to be careful when we go in. There might be traps, or people from the Holy Grail Order or the Church… After all, it’s a place closely related to you. They have no reason not to go.”
“Right.”
…
On the night before their departure, the two sat by the window, admiring the starry sky outside together… It had to be admitted, the night sky in this world was truly beautiful.
“Elia, if we really discover something there this time… what will you do?” Kiz asked, as if prompted by some unseen force.
Hearing this, Elia was silent for a few seconds before answering honestly, “I don’t know. But I must know the truth, even if the truth is cruel.”
“No matter what the truth is, I’ll stay by your side,” Kiz said, taking Elia’s hand and intertwining their fingers, then looking at her with gentle eyes.
“I know,” Elia replied, turning her head to meet Kiz’s deep gaze.
Then, the distance between them grew closer and closer… Just as their lips were about to touch, the door to the Sleeping Palace was opened.
“Princess~ I’ve come to play with you!” A little girl came bouncing into Kiz and Elia’s private world.
Elia looked closely. It was Lillian Lasombra… the young daughter of the Lasombra Clan whom she had met briefly at the Blood Feast… Huh? Right! Lisa was the Lasombra Prince.
Did that mean Lillian was Lisa’s daughter?
So… this little brat was trying to hit on her mother’s best friend?
While Elia’s mind was in a whirlwind, Kiz shot the coldest look imaginable towards Lillian standing at the door, gritting her teeth as she said, “Get out…”
Lillian, terrified by the overwhelming killing intent, hurriedly left.
Early the next morning, just as the sun was rising, the group set off.
Kiz and Elia rode in an ordinary-looking carriage, disguised as part of a merchant caravan.
Following behind were over a dozen Royal Guards disguised as escorts, all elites among elites within the Blood Clan.
As for Elder Selina, she remained in the Royal Capital to oversee the situation, ready to provide support at any time.
With all preparations made, the carriage headed north along the main road.
On the journey, Kiz held Elia’s hand the entire time.
“Nervous?” she asked softly.
“A little, but more than that, I’m looking forward to it.”
“Huh? Looking forward to what?”
“Of course, to knowing the truth~ No matter how outrageous the truth might be, it’s better than being tormented like this now,” Elia said, waving her hand.
Kiz nodded firmly in response.
She understood this feeling very well… It was like the confusion and fear she felt when she alone had to hold up the Blood Clan.
The carriage continued northward… Ahead lay unknown dangers, but at least for now, the two of them were still together.
And as long as that was the case, there was nothing to fear.