Chapter 458: It feels even stranger

The air was as quiet as if it had been frosted.

At this moment, everything was silent, except for the crackling campfire and Ailin's wildly beating heart.

Vampires in this world have heartbeats.

She was still alive!

And this feeling had never been so strong!

All the dark clouds piled up in her heart dissipated because of that promise.

Unlike Ailin, who was moved to the point of tears, Kuitin Copper Furnace was completely desperate.

He didn't expect the Empire to be so sick to such an extent that even vampires could be tolerated!

Seeing this Prince of the Empire so persistent, even not hesitating to tear his face with himself, this ally, after weighing it repeatedly for a long time, he finally gave up insisting.

Of course, the main reason was that he found he really couldn't win, and even if he won, it wasn't worth it.

Ailin Campbell was Platinum Tier to begin with, and the kind that could fight back and forth with a Purple Crystal Tier Chaos God-Chosen.

Even if she was seriously injured now, it would take a lot of effort for him to deal with her.

Not to mention these humans were ungrateful and didn't talk about right and wrong, only about positions!

From that Prince Prince Prince Kelin, whose strength was unfathomable, to the loyal knights beside her, everyone chose to ignore it as if they hadn't seen it.

How to fight this?

Thinking of this, Kuitin's tense muscles relaxed, no longer facing each other with hostility as before, and put down his rigidity.

"... Since the Prince of the Empire has said so, then the Lord of the Gaoshan Kingdom will pretend not to see it, the war is important."

Ailin, who was in a panic, showed an expression of disbelief, looking at the dwarf whose position changed instantly.

She thought it would take a long time to persuade this ally to continue fighting side by side with the Campbell Principality, but she didn't expect Prince Prince Prince Kelin to solve this problem in just a few words.

He once again generously reached out and pulled her when she needed help most...

"Thank you for your understanding," Luo Yan nodded slightly, "Just as you said to me earlier, I hope you also take the overall situation into account."

Kuitin looked at him expressionlessly, and a cold snort drifted from under his dense beard.

"I declare in advance that if any consequences arise because of your foolish actions, the Copper Furnace family has nothing to do with it! We are just following the ancient alliance and fighting for our common destiny."

"I can testify for you and your family, with the reputation of the Prince of the Empire as a guarantee... if anyone asks about this, just say the Empire forced you."

Luo Yan raised two index fingers to swear, and after making the first oath, he put down one index finger, turned to face Ailin, and continued to speak gently.

"Besides this, I also issue a statement that no matter what the result is, the Prince Prince Kelin Principality will always stand with Ailin Campbell!"

This sentence was like a warm current, instantly hitting the softest part of Ailin's heart.

Her face "whooshed" and turned red, from her cheeks to the roots of her ears, and hot steam seemed to rise from her head.

"I..."

She opened her mouth, instinctively wanting to say that she wasn't worth him doing this. He was willing to believe the words she said, that she had absolutely not sold her soul to Chaos, nor had she signed any contract with any demon... she was already very grateful!

However, thinking of his sentence "Don't speak yet," she subconsciously closed her mouth again, but the slightly trembling lips and the burned-red face were hidden in the shadow of the lowered hood.

She seemed to have returned to that unfinished dream.

That sense of security that made her indulge made her return to childhood...

＿￠o

Teresa, standing on the side, was surprised at first, then looked at Prince Prince Kelin with a look of awe.

She really didn't misread him—

This gentleman was a truly noble knight!

Even if he wasn't a knight.

Kuitin shrugged, indicating he had no opinion.

No matter how the Prince Prince Kelin Principality treated Ailin, that was a matter within the human race itself; he only cared about the foothold of the Copper Furnace family in the Gaoshan Kingdom.

However, out of concern for his own neck, he couldn't help but ask one more question:

"Just as I'm being talkative, I'll ask by the way... what if she goes crazy and bites people? I heard that some vampires are six-relatives-unrecognizing when they go crazy."

Regarding this matter, Luo Yan was undoubtedly the one with the most say among everyone present.

He had seen many vampires at the Demon King Academy. Most of those who pretended that they would die without human blood were probably not craving blood, but other things.

From the perspective of the ingredients themselves, the blood of the Minotaur was undoubtedly the most delicious, and besides that, there were countless substitutes.

At least the vampires in Hell hadn't bitten necks directly for a long time. This is like humans liking beef, but they wouldn't take a knife and fork to eat it on the cow.

However—

These were not the point.

Luo Yan looked at Ailin with a smile.

"Ailin."

Ailin was caught off guard and responded subconsciously.

"... Hmm?"

Luo Yan looked at her and said gently.

"Promise me, don't hurt others."

"If you are really hungry, you can borrow my neck."

The meeting that decided the future fate of the "Northern Border Rescue Army" finally ended, and the commander of the dwarf reinforcements, Kuitin Copper Furnace, finally decided to turn a blind eye.

However, he also proposed that to prevent morale from wavering, the Campbell side must find a way to hide Ailin's identity!

At least, they had to cover up the smell on her body and couldn't let the dwarves discover that their commander was actually a shameful vampire!

Although Luo Yan felt that Ailin still smelled quite good, he knew what the smell the dwarf was referring to meant.

That was the racial talent of dwarves.

After all, in the mine, they often didn't use their eyes to confirm each other's identity, but their noses.

Their mortal enemy, the ratmen, actually had this talent too. If a vampire stood in front of them, they could smell it in minutes.

However—

This was not a problem for Luo Yan.

"Leave this matter to me, I happen to be proficient in alchemy." Looking at Kuitin, who was suspicious, Luo Yan smiled and guaranteed.

He was too good at this!

Especially mixing perfume to cover up the aura of the undead!

Until now, no one had discovered that none of the priests in the Yinsong Town church were alive; they were all undead planted by the Demon King...

After leaving the command tent, Luo Yan followed Ailin to the latter's tent.

Along the way, both were very silent, until they stood at the entrance of the tent, Ailin held back for a long time before squeezing out a sentence as small as a mosquito.

"I... can I speak now?"

Luo Yan was stunned, then remembered what was going on, and laughed.

"Of course... you can now."

Didn't expect this guy to be so obedient.

In his impression, this Princess Highness was clearly a person with quite a lot of opinions; he didn't expect her to have such an interesting side.

It was really not a wasted trip.

'Gee, Demon King, didn't expect you—'

'You You, shut up.'

'Ugh—'

The white mist that had just floated out from Luo Yan instantly felt like it had been shot in the chest, disappearing aggrievedly...

? ￠O

Seeming to realize her strangeness, Ailin lowered her head and hurriedly lifted the curtain of the tent, walked in "clatter, clatter, clatter," her movements as stiff as an old steam engine.

Luo Yan glanced at Teresa standing on the side, who gave him a "please" look, and then stood outside the tent like a loyal gargoyle.

That look seemed to mean "I'll keep watch for you," without the slightest awareness of hiding away...

Seeing that this knight lady was pretending to be stupid intentionally or unintentionally, Luo Yan gave up the silent hint and followed Ailin into the tent.

Anyway, he didn't intend to do anything bad.

The atmosphere in the camp was very quiet.

Ailin lit the candle on the table, dispelling the darkness in the camp.

The furnishings here were quite simple; besides the marching bed and a wooden table with a map, there was only an empty shelf.

That was probably used to hang armor and weapons.

Ailin reached out to her chest, seemingly intending to take off the cloak and hang it up, but her index finger stopped just after unbuttoning the first button.

Silence spread in the tent.

Just when Luo Yan was thinking about whether to speak first, Ailin finally spoke, breaking the heart-fluttering silence first.

"I'm sorry..."

Luo Yan couldn't help but smile.

"Why the sudden apology?"

Ailin turned her head and said in a low voice.

"You came because... you didn't receive my reply, right?"

Luo Yan was stunned, his expression a bit subtle.

However, Ailin took this as acquiescence and explained anxiously.

"I'm sorry, I didn't tell you anything, but I swear I didn't mean to hide it from you, I just..."

"Didn't want me to worry."

Ailin nodded gently, this time using silence to answer his inquiring look.

Luo Yan didn't continue on this subtle topic, just looked at those emerald eyes that were both strong and a bit dodging.

"Can you let me see?"

That expression seemed to be a refusal; she still needed some preparation.

However, Luo Yan didn't give her a chance to digest this anxiety alone.

He walked in front of her, ignoring her eyes that closed after dodging and then half-pushed and half-accepted, and slowly reached out to take off her hood.

A head of silvery-white hair as bright as moonlight poured down like a waterfall.

In the eyes that reopened, there was a miserable look, and Ailin subconsciously wanted to retreat, but was stopped by a gentle and firm gaze.

"To be honest, it's quite beautiful."

"... You don't have to comfort me." Ailin lowered her head, biting her lip.

Luo Yan shook his head gently and said seriously.

"I never lie."

This was the truth.

Although the setting of "white hair" was a bit ahead of its time for Campbells, it was just right for the players of "Catastrophe OL."

He was the same.

Of course, Professor Lilith was an exception.

"Thank you..."

Looking at Ailin, who suddenly started thanking him again, Luo Yan couldn't help but smile again.

"Why did you suddenly start thanking me again."

Dodging the burning gaze that was like a branding iron, Ailin blushed and said in a hoarse voice.

"Because... just now. Thank you... for helping me out."

"I just said the truth." Luo Yan's voice was very light, as if saying a very ordinary thing, "The Ailin Campbell I know is not the kind of person who would sell her soul to Chaos for power or other desires."

This unreserved trust caused a crack in Ailin's strictly guarded heart.

"Can you tell me?" Luo Yan looked at her seriously and continued in a concerned voice.

"The part you know."

Ailin took a deep breath, and those emerald eyes, which were unfocused due to confusion, gradually gathered determination and confidence again.

She told everything that happened during the day.

From how Rolandar's weird piano music disintegrated the morale of the Allied Forces, to her having to call upon the power of the ancestors to protect the lives of her subordinates, to her recklessly rushing into the forest to deal with Rolandar, to finally being forced into a desperate situation by endless Chaos beasts, and the last thought in her heart before losing consciousness...

Including her summoning "Prince Prince Kelin" with the Light of Praise, including her appearing in a cave after waking up inexplicably...

She told everything without reservation to the Mr. Prince Prince Kelin she trusted most, even though some parts made her feel hard to speak.

For example, the man named "Luo Yan."

Luo Yan listened quietly, without interrupting a word throughout.

Even when mentioning "Luo Yan," at least eight out of ten of her sentences were describing a shameless rogue in different ways.

Until Ailin finished saying everything with a red face, a thoughtful expression appeared on that handsome face, as if he were carefully analyzing an extremely complex academic problem.

He had told Ailin about his experience of studying in the Xuebang, which made it convenient for him to talk nonsense from the standpoint of a Xuebang mage.

"Based on my shallow understanding, the essence of the 'Light of Praise' is not a weapon, but the honor passed down from generation to generation in the Campbell family and the faith in the hearts of the Campbell people. Simply put, it is a manifestation of 'faith'... am I right?"

Ailin nodded gently.

"You can explain it this way."

This explanation was very accurate, even to the point of surprising her, because even she herself spent a long time to understand these secrets.

The Campbell family didn't write these things into the epic, because once some things were written down, they wouldn't work.

There are always people who are smart enough to want to take shortcuts.

"If so, then can I make an assumption."

Luo Yan looked at Ailin and continued in a guessing tone.

"You drove the power of the Light of Praise to the limit in the battle to protect the people of Campbell, and even didn't hesitate to offer your life as a price. This behavior itself has exceeded the category of 'weapon,' more like a... sacrifice to pray for victory from the gods."

"... Sacrifice?" Ailin looked at him blankly.

"That's right."

Luo Yan nodded and continued.

"The 'Light of Praise' responded to your prayer, or rather... the god who bestowed miracles upon the Campbell family responded to your prayer."

His voice was gentle and full of power, as if explaining the holy doctrine for Ailin—

Although it was a doctrine he just made up.

"Any miracle has a price, and your vitality was not enough to pay this price, so this price was eventually manifested in the form of a curse."

"Simply put, your life was deducted to a negative number—uh, I mean, you overdrew something that we all can't see, but the gods can see."

Ailin widened her eyes and was stunned for a long time before she could barely squeeze out a sentence.

"Curse? But..."

How could the loving Saint Xisi cast a curse on His child?

Moreover, she was doing the right thing.

"Of course, the word 'curse' might be hard for you to accept. Perhaps I should use a more accurate term—a holy 'compensation'."

Looking at Ailin, who couldn't accept this "curse theory," Luo Yan quickly put a brand-new alter ego on his theory.

And after this operation of his, Ailin was no longer confused, and hope gradually radiated in her eyes.

So that's it—

It's a holy compensation!

This way it makes sense!

Watching those eyes that radiated light again, Luo Yan struck while the iron was hot, adding bricks and tiles to his theory in the name of holiness.

Not to make it sound more perfect and reliable.

It was purely to stuff a bunch of correct but useless garbage into it, increasing the difficulty of reciting the original text and the cost of discussion and exchange, thereby indirectly reducing the probability of being exposed in theoretical exchanges.

Ailin was completely stunned. At this moment, her mind was full of that holy compensation, and the appearance of Prince Prince Prince Kelin trying hard to plan for her.

She never regarded herself as a savior who dedicated herself; she just felt that she should do it, so she went forward without hesitation.

However, that beautiful explanation was still like a light falling from the sky, splitting all the darkness and fog in her heart.

The guilt and self-doubt that had plagued her since leaving that cave found a glorious exit at this moment.

Just as Prince Prince Prince Kelin said, although she became a vampire, she was not a vampire who sold her soul to demons.

But a "God-Chosen" who was reborn after burning herself out to protect the people of Campbell!

No matter if others believe it or not—

At least he believes it.

"But that 'Luo Yan'..."

"That's not important!"

Luo Yan quickly interrupted Ailin's words, the haste of which even made Ailin feel a hint of surprise, so much so that it was hard for her not to think deeply.

Looking at that increasingly flushed face, Luo Yan continued without stopping.

"As you said earlier, that guy is not a good person, but I am more inclined to think that he didn't do anything, just played the role of a 'bystander.' I assume that is a vampire living in seclusion in the deep mountains. If you substitute his perspective, what will you find? A peer who was not born because of the vampire's Embrace! She was even born from Holy Light!"

"If I were him, it would be hard for me not to be curious about this special peer, thereby generating the idea of wanting to study—"

"That, can I say a word..." Ailin looked up at Prince Prince Kelin with a red face, finally couldn't help but interrupt his "talking to himself" again.

Perhaps she thought too much.

But she didn't want the person she admired to be brooding over some non-existent misunderstandings and hide the depression in his heart.

Especially that explanation, which was both like comforting herself and like comforting himself, really made Ailin feel heartache.

Even if she admitted that there was a little bit of happiness in this bitterness. At least Mr. Prince Prince Kelin's reaction showed that she was not just a friend worthy of respect in his mind.

Luo Yan stopped talking and looked at Ailin, who had something to say.

"What's wrong?"

Holding back the shame of wanting to avoid his gaze, Ailin showed the bravery she would only show on the battlefield in front of him, and answered in a tone like an oath.

"That shameless man... he didn't have time to do anything to me!"

Seeming to feel that just saying this wasn't convincing enough, Ailin blushed and stuttered, continuing to talk nonsense, "Al, although a button was unbuttoned, bu, but the clothes inside were worn!"

"…………???"

"I, I feel like you seem a bit nervous about his name... but actually there's no need, I I I... am innocent!"

Ailin's face was even redder, this time even her voice was out of tune, as if her brain had been burned out.

With Luo Yan's intelligence, he could naturally see what this Xiao Chunu was thinking, and it was precisely because of this that he almost couldn't hold back his expression.

I'm eating my own vinegar, that's fine...

No—

Where did you see that I was eating vinegar?!

The untimely inner voice suddenly popped out, which was clearly mixed with a bit of playful ridicule.

'Demon King! Don't panic yet, I remember you said that most vampires have missing brain cells, just like little demons—'

'You You, shut up.'

'Ugh—'

Luo Yan felt his brain was a bit messy, and didn't have time to bicker with his Godhead.

However, there was clearly someone here whose brain was messier than his, only to see that the flush covering her cheeks was gradually staining toward her emerald eyes...

Ailin's eyes turned scarlet, just like a mandala blooming in Hell, flashing with noble and eerie light under her silvery-white bangs.

But what was strange was—

Her expression was not noble at all, even carrying a hint of morbidity, just like seeing a tender and delicious prey.

"So hot..."

"Blood... ah... blood!"

"Blank-eyed" Ailin whispered loudly, her shoulders shaking slightly, and suddenly pounced like she had lost her mind, while opening her small mouth that had grown fangs at some point.

Although Ailin seemed to have lost her mind, Luo Yan was instantly sober.

Only to see his left hand shake in a quick movement, deploying several barriers without hesitation, while his right hand reached forward, grabbing the forehead that was killing over.

"Vivian! You have some nerve!"

He really didn't know that the Prince Prince Kelin family's Embrace had this hidden function, not only being able to control their own dependents, but also being able to "descend" from thousands of miles away.

However, Luo Yan was a person of such meticulous mind that he could guess the truth of the matter with his toes.

The Demon King's majesty was released in an instant, and "Ailin's" eyes also became clear in an instant, the desire for blood turning into panic about being whipped.

She subconsciously wanted to play dumb and then slip away, but facing those eyes that were not angry but majestic, she instantly knew her trick had been exposed.

The clear red pupils were covered with aggrieved water mist, "Ailin" pouted, complaining in a voice completely inconsistent with that heroic face.

"I... I just wanted to see, which vixen it was, who cheated the token my dear Vivian gave you."

Luo Yan interrupted her words expressionlessly.

"Sit down."

Her knees trembled slightly, and "Ailin" immediately sat down obediently, not daring to have the slightest negligence or resistance. However, in those scarlet pupils, what flashed was not fear, but expectant light.

There was nothing to look forward to.

Luo Yan just wanted to ask her some things.

"I ask you what, you answer what."

"Yes!"

"Have you had any changes recently?"

"I I I grew taller!"

"Talk seriously."

"I I I grew—pfft, Platinum!"

Platinum, huh.

Luo Yan nodded slightly.

"Not bad."

"Hehe..."

"Ailin" smiled foolishly, pretending to be modest and touching the back of her head, "It's just so-so... just to the extent of beating the Fear Demon examiner away with one punch in the final assessment!"

Luo Yan raised his eyebrows.

"Is that so? Then you've made quite a splash."

"Oh my oh my, it's okay, it's okay!"

"Ailin's" nose was already in the sky, modestly saying it was okay, but her face was a look of "praise me more."

There was no change on Luo Yan's face, but he couldn't help but smile in his heart.

To be honest, having been away from home for so long, he actually missed it.

After things here come to an end, he would go back and see.

After finishing her own business, Vivian blinked curiously again, throwing the topic to the brother she was thinking about.

"Speaking of which, big brother, has your strength become stronger again recently?"

That pat on her forehead just now was simply amazing; she couldn't move a bit!

Luo Yan smiled faintly upon hearing this, and said calmly.

"It's okay, I'm Purple Crystal Tier."

"Purple Crystal Tier!!!"

Subconsciously opening her mouth wide, "Ailin's" eyes completely turned into the shape of little stars, casting an incredible gaze at him.

A Purple Crystal Tier powerhouse under twenty-five!

What is this?!

This is simply the reincarnation of a Demon God!

At this moment, the worship in her heart was simply endless like the magma outside the Demon Capital!

Looking at Miss Vivian Prince Prince Kelin, who was brewing flattery, Luo Yan suddenly thought of something and frowned slightly.

"By the way, I'm talking to you here, your 'dependent' won't hear it, right?"

"No, no!" Vivian waved her hand that didn't belong to her, and said with a grin, "She will only remember that she had a dream, and will have no memory at all, hehe..."

Having said that, she actually couldn't do anything, just happened to catch up with the dependent's spirit and physical strength reaching the limit, so she had the opportunity to project her consciousness with the power of the ritual.

Once the other party's resistance was aroused, her control was lost instantly. Only when the dependent surrendered to her from the heart could she truly come and go freely, otherwise she could at most use some small tricks of "controlling."

By the way, this unpopular ritual was taught to her by Haini Weite.

Some low-bloodline vampires might still use this skill, but for illustrious families like the Prince Prince Kelin family...

Does controlling a few puppets require transcendent power?

Ordinary human nobles are simply not worth them developing into dependents, and the God-Chosen who are truly valuable are generally not something they can eat.

Although Vivian's mood of wanting to strangle this vixen wasn't fake, this matter did indeed let her pick up a big bargain.

Thanks to her super invincible, wise, and martial brother!

Just when the two were talking, Teresa outside the tent was blushing, constantly glancing at the tightly closed curtain, curious but not daring to look inside.

She just heard a burst of unnatural commotion, why was there no sound suddenly?!