“Wait a bit. I’ll find a quiet corner where you can have some blood. But don’t drink too much, okay…”
Hearing the young man’s utterly serious declaration, Iyefut froze in place. It was the first time in her life that she had confessed to a boy, and it had been magnificently misunderstood.
How infuriating…
But then again.
On second thought, it was actually quite reasonable. A duke’s daughter of the Blood Race suddenly confessing her feelings to a human mad rogue—his reaction was probably the normal one.
The young man always seemed so lazy and carefree, occasionally tossing out flirty remarks or making rude gestures, coming across as utterly heartless…
It was all just a facade. Deep down, this man understood far more than he let on.
Well… fine then. Since he hadn’t caught on, she could just spend more time with him…
A campus life like this wasn’t so bad, after all~
Just as the young man’s thoughts began to wander, a soft warmth pressed against his arm, accompanied by the faint, enchanting fragrance of a red spider lily drifting into his nose.
With a sidelong glance, he saw Iyefut leaning gently against him. She was still facing the painter as she explained with a smile, “These high heels… my feet are aching from standing so long. Mind if I lean on you for a bit?”
“Uh… sure, no problem.”
Inside Iyefut’s mind, her little internal drama unfolded once more. The rational chibi version of herself tugged desperately at the emotional one, but no matter how hard she pulled, the emotional side refused to budge, stubbornly clinging to the young man’s side.
Sang had always assumed that Blood Race bodies were cold to the touch, but Iyefut’s was surprisingly warm—like a little sun.
Sang was coming to understand Iyefut more and more. This woman had a mysterious obsession with all things beautiful, whether it was her gorgeous appearance, her various personal affections, or even an ideal perfect world.
She was what people called an idealist.
“Somewhat unexpected…” Yi Ye murmured softly.
“Unexpected how?”
“Such a tiny frame holding so much power… You’re the strongest human I’ve ever met…”
“You’re really fascinated by humans, aren’t you… And I’m not small! I’m only fifteen—I still have growing to do!”
Fifteen… well, technically almost sixteen if you counted by virtual age.
“Pfft… Mad Rogue really is adorable… But you’re right. I don’t dislike humans at all. In fact, I’m rather addicted to their wisdom. The Eiffel Iron Tower behind us was built by humans, the steam train was invented by them, electricity too… I want the world to become even better, with humans and the Blood Race living in peace.”
If any other noble had said that, it would have been dismissed as a joke.
But coming from the Red Lycoris, it stirred up complicated feelings. This girl might actually be capable of saving the world.
In the end.
The one to truly change the world might not be the 【Hunting】 Organization or some hero, but a little princess with progressive ideals.
“Idiot Yi Ye…”
“Huh…? Why are you suddenly calling me an idiot!?” Iyefut had been quite moved, only for Mad Rogue to shatter her mood in an instant.
“Yi Ye, you haven’t seen enough humans yet. Their greatness is beyond imagination, but so is their vileness. You need to stay cautious. Who knows, maybe I’m not a good person.”
As he spoke.
Sang recalled his days serving the 【Hunting】 Organization, infiltrating the 【Heavenly Key】. He had never considered himself a good person.
“I don’t care. I know—Mad Rogue is a good person.”
“What makes you so sure?”
“The wind tells me everything. I like your scent…”
At that moment, a rare warm breeze of midsummer swept through, stirring chaos in the young man’s heart.
“Hmph! You’re clearly just craving my body, making it sound like a confession…”
“Hee hee hee, guilty as charged~” Iyefut gave up and admitted it outright.
Why not just go along with him when he’s like this?
Ten minutes or so later, the painting was finally complete.
This wasn’t a photograph—there was only one canvas. Iyefut chose to keep it for herself. Seeing the time getting late, the two set off on the road back to the academy.
As they crossed the bridge over the man-made canal, a sprawling caravan caught their attention. It was loaded with goods and escorted by dozens of people, with flags bearing an “S” emblem fluttering at the front and rear.
What surprised Sang even more were the two men at the lead—each holding a flintlock gun.
“A gun…?”
How could there be guns here?
They looked a bit crude, but there was no mistaking it: those were guns.
As Sang puzzled over it, Iyefut exclaimed from beside him, “That’s the Academy of Sciences convoy. I heard they’re renting a stall for the school celebration to show off their inventions to the students.”
The school celebration was a public event, drawing vendors from afar and filling the streets with exhibition stalls…
“Oh… I see.”
The Academy of Sciences was a civilian organization founded by humans many years ago. Though not officially recognized by the Blood Race, it secretly received funding from many nobles. Its headquarters was in the outer ring of the Central Hub. Electricity, steam trains—most such innovations came from them.
Their symbol was an “S.”
They had always kept a low profile, but for some reason, over the past decade or so, they’d made astonishing progress, churning out one valuable invention after another.
As they walked, the two leaders noticed Sang and Iyefut. They halted and approached slowly. First, they gave Iyefut a courteous bow, ever the gentlemen, then handed over what looked like a flyer.
“You’re welcome at our stall to learn more.”
“Th-that’s a gun, right?” Sang asked, puzzled.
At his question, the two men froze in unison, their expressions screaming: How do you even know what a gun is?
Sang realized his slip-up and fumbled for an excuse, settling for an awkward laugh.
Though baffled, they didn’t hide it. Nodding, one explained, “Yes, that’s right. It’s a flintlock gun, our latest research achievement. It lets ordinary humans without power gain some strength… But this is just the first generation—too many flaws. Not ready for practical use yet. It’s more of a proof of concept right now…”
“Oh, cool…”
Glancing at the flyer again, Sang noted the inventor’s name: L…
After a brief chat, the convoy moved on, handing out flyers as they went.
Staring at the gun and the inventor’s name, Sang felt a strange premonition. Iyefut, meanwhile, was once again awestruck by human ingenuity. She took a keen interest in the flintlock gun.
Sang shot her a glance. “You… could tinker with little inventions yourself.”
It was half a joke, half sincere. As one of the highest Blood Race, Iyefut’s lifespan was conservatively estimated at six hundred to a thousand years. No one was better suited for inventive pursuits. Yet as a top-tier Blood Race from the Cape Family, it wasn’t exactly convenient for her to indulge in human toys.
Sure enough.
The next instant, Iyefut said awkwardly, “Father doesn’t really like me doing that…”
“Just ‘doesn’t like’ it?”
“Um…” Iyefut managed a strained smile.
Duke Cape was a top-tier ruler, but hardly a passing father. It seemed he had given up on Iyefut…
On reflection, it wasn’t such a bad thing. Thanks to Duke Cape’s abandonment, she had the chance to interact with the outside world and bloom into a white red spider lily.
Before long, watching the Academy of Sciences convoy recede, Sang’s thoughts turned to another question—the mystery of the 【Philosopher’s Stone】. Could the Academy folks give him some answers?
Maybe he should pay them a visit sometime…
…
About an hour later.
Under the serene and picturesque night sky, Sang and Iyefut returned to the Knight Academy together. Though no gentleman, he could act like a man when it counted—like walking a lady home.
This time, Sang escorted Iyefut to the entrance of the girls’ dormitory building, watching her go.
Before parting, something occurred to Sang. He glanced around to ensure no one was watching, tugged down his collar, and said, “Here, go ahead and drink. I’m a man of my word… But seriously, not too much…”
In the shadows of night, Iyefut gazed at the young man’s neck. Her bright eyes shimmered like autumn waters, blinking with faint ripples. Heaven knew what crossed her mind as she stepped forward, bringing her lips to the side of his neck. After hesitating several times, her cherry lips brushed it lightly.
She didn’t bite—just a soft kiss.
Muah~
Then, with quick little steps, she hurried away.
“Not thirsty anymore. Suddenly lost my appetite~”
Staring at Iyefut’s retreating figure, Sang was utterly baffled. Had his neck gotten sweaty? Was it too gross to bite, so she politely claimed she was full instead?
The more he thought about it, the more convinced he became.
Hmph, Iyefut, don’t underestimate this young master. No love experience across two lifetimes, but I’m still a man who understands women.
Heh heh heh…
To his surprise, Iyefut seemed to have picked up his walking style. Beneath the yellowish, tranquil glow of the streetlamps, gentle breezes stirred the air as tree shadows danced. The girl spread her arms wide and took elegant yet lively catwalk steps, balancing carefully while ensuring each foot landed squarely in the center of the pavement tiles.
She shone brighter than the stars.
The young man watched her for a moment, a smile spreading across his face, before he turned and walked away.
When she reached the base of the school building, the girl with her gradient-colored long hair glanced back stealthily, stealing a look at the young man’s retreating back. The corners of her mouth lifted in a soft smile as she murmured to herself, “Tonight… was so much fun…”
Just then, a carrier pigeon alighted suddenly on Iyefut’s shoulder. She froze for an instant before untying the letter from its leg.
She hadn’t even read it yet, but she already knew the contents.
This red letter had to be from the family…
In the past month or two, Iyefut had received several such letters from her family. It seemed her submitted draft proposal to “abolish the Slavery Law and the 【Grace】 System” had sparked intense dissatisfaction, and now they were urgently summoning her home.
She had felt a twinge of hesitation before.
But after her recent deeper bond with Mad Rogue, her determination had solidified.
Humans and the Blood Race might truly be able to coexist peacefully—in a far more reasonable way.
