NOVPUBThe Eternal Night Snowfield, washed by moonlight, harbored unknown coldness and dangers.
Though the moon shone bright, it couldn’t fully dispel the shadows that cloaked the snowy expanse.
Siegler stood in front of Lanci, her fists clenched, as the cold wind fluttered her hair.
The beret she never took off had fallen during the tumultuous escape and roll in the blizzard.
A pair of ears resembling those of orcs yet wolf-like adorned her pale hair.
Her breathing was erratic, each breath turning into a tiny puff of mist, merging with the snowflakes.
"Siegler..."
Lanci had never been interested in delving into others’ secrets until he saw Siegler’s ears, finally confirming some of his guesses.
According to the ancient tomes he saw at the last Sanctuary Evil Banquet in the Shadow World, pure Wolf Clan members would exhibit traits similar to orc-like werewolves under the moonlight.
Under the blessing of the moonlight, Siegler evidently became stronger.
"I’m not human, but I’m not a bad person."
Siegler looked wearily into the night sky and murmured softly to herself.
Although she became stronger at night, enough to confront Sixth-order, the absolute gap between Sixth-order and Seventh-order couldn’t be bridged by any skill.
Moreover, while she only gained enhanced physical abilities and Regeneration at night, the Blood Clan possessed immortality during nighttime.
Even a Seventh-order might not be able to outlast a Count of the Blood Clan.
Siegler didn’t understand why the distant Count of the Blood Clan had ceased his attack, but it was clear he had noticed her ears as well.
Until, the Count of the Blood Clan, with a hint of elegance, bowed to the person standing behind her.
"Mr. Rocky, I am very interested in you. If you wish to cooperate with our Blood Clan, we won’t harm you," said Count Gregory in a friendly manner.
He had long been informed of the artisan’s skills—adequate for repairing and completing sacred quality artifacts. To him, a human treasure like this was not to be harmed.
Whether making him one of his own or presenting him to the Ancestor, his worth was immeasurable.
"While I am very interested in your real identity in the Palante Empire, those questions can be asked slowly."
Count Gregory crossed his arms, adopting a casual and relaxed posture as he spoke.
Such a royal master craftsman must be a national treasure in the Palante Empire; however, in his intelligence records, there was no such influential figure named "Rocky McCarthy."
The very fact he assumed the guise of Rocky McCarthy on a mission to the Beastmen City-States likely indicated a noble status within the Palante Empire itself, not wishing to attract undue attention.
But at most, he would be a high official.
Nevertheless, his value had increased.
Inserting a high-ranking spy into the Palante Empire during wartime was not easy.
"..."
Siegler’s grip tightened on Lanci’s wrist.
She couldn’t understand why the frail artist behind her could remain so calm at this moment.
It was as if his heart had stopped beating.
Had he realized that the Blood Clan would not dare kill him?
"Good, I like humans who can communicate," Gregory said, observing Lanci’s state with satisfaction.
The man did not exhibit panic or any hostility towards the Blood Clan, proving to be a rational human who understood the nature of the times.
"However... to receive favorable treatment from me, there is just one thing you must do now," the Earl continued, lifting a finger to point at Siegler,
"Hand her over to me."
In tracking them to this location, he hadn’t expected any additional gains.
Yet he had encountered a remnant of the Wolf Clan.
The more he observed her hair and eye color, the more Gregory liked what he saw.
She was, most likely, the werewolf that Duke Eduado, the Fourth Ancestor, was searching for.
As Gregory’s words fell, echoing his gesture, a thick, blood-colored magic power diffused around them, forming an invisible wall around Lanci and Siegler, enveloping them in a blood-hued aurora.
Siegler’s intuition, sharp as a blade, sensed the escalating danger permeating the air.
A colossal transparent cage emerged suddenly, and the Count’s unique Blood Clan magic power trapped everything around Lanci and Siegler.
"Little one, the reason I have yet to harm you is because I want to ask if you have escaped from the Moon Goddess Temple?" inquired Count Gregory leisurely.
"..."
Siegler’s gaze grew icier as she looked into the distance, pulling Lanci’s wrist tighter.
"Humph."
Seeing no response from Siegler and no reaction from the empire’s craftsman, Count Gregory shook his head and laughed,
"Actually, I also participated in the day of the Wolf Clan’s Blood Moon Catastrophe, the operation to purge the last sanctuary of the Wolf Clan. How many wolves did I kill? I don’t remember."
He looked at his fingers, counted, but didn’t arrive at an answer.
"All I know is that there was a wolf with hair just like yours who fought desperately against the Fourth Ancestor, just to let the weaker members of her clan escape."
Gregory looked towards the moon amidst the clouds, reminiscing about a scene he couldn’t forget; the once-thriving sacred site of the Moon Goddess Temple was now reduced to ruins, with the desiccated limbs of wolf clansmen scattered among the collapsed structures.
Elders, Wolf Girls, children—their blood had long been drained or evaporated away, leaving behind only the intense scent of blood that assaulted the nostrils even as one merely passed by.
