“Listen to me, Lin Shu —” Sefina desperately tried to speak.
“Wait!”
Hati suddenly bared her teeth, her ears twitching. She quickly retreated to Lin Shu’s side, staring intently at the area behind Sefina.
The sound of rustling footsteps echoed from the forest behind them, growing closer and closer. Someone was rushing toward them.
“Master,” a figure appeared behind Sefina.
It was the captain of the Drago guards. He was panting, and after catching his breath, he bowed respectfully to Sefina.
The guard captain looked up and saw Lin Shu, his eyes lighting up with joy. “Miss Lin Shu? It really is you. You’ve finally returned. The Master has been so worried about you.”
Lin Shu’s hand tightened. It would not be an exaggeration to say her heart was in total turmoil. The guard captain’s reaction was nothing like what she remembered from the last time she had seen him.
“Did you… did you go to Tepus Manor last time?” To confirm her suspicions, Lin Shu questioned him.
The man looked confused for a moment and bowed his head slightly. “No, Miss Lin Shu. After you left, we contacted the Master first. Without her instructions, I wouldn’t have gone anywhere.”
‘So that’s how it is…’
Then what had she seen that day? Was it a hallucination?
Lin Shu gave a self-deprecating laugh. It turned out that everything she believed in was fake. Those lies had even taken root in the depths of her heart. Now, Sefina’s words and the testimony of others had completely overturned Lin Shu’s perception of reality.
‘I’m such a fool.’
‘If I had just waited a bit longer, or tried to verify it one more time…’
“Master, the other team members are behind us. They will arrive shortly,” the guard captain added in a low voice, his gaze shifting between Hati and Lin Shu.
“Lin Shu, we have to go, quickly. You promised me, remember?” Hati turned her head, urgently seeking confirmation from Lin Shu. She saw the pain in Lin Shu’s eyes.
Although there was a contract and a promise between them, the current situation made it clear there was some kind of misunderstanding between Lin Shu and Sefina. If the misunderstanding was resolved and Lin Shu realized Sefina hadn’t abandoned her, would she choose to stay?
The thought filled Hati with panic, mixed with a sense of loss.
“Step down. Have the others stay on guard at the rear. Do not approach without my command,” Sefina turned and ordered. “I have something to say to Lin Shu.”
“But Master, your injury —”
“Step down.”
“Yes.” The guard captain retreated a few steps, turned, and walked out of the forest.
Only three people remained standing face-to-face in the quiet woods. The moonlight filtering through the gaps in the leaves barely illuminated the surroundings.
“I’m sorry, Lin Shu. I failed to protect you,” Sefina’s voice was very soft.
She took a step forward, and Hati immediately blocked Lin Shu’s path. Sefina didn’t care, however; her eyes never left Lin Shu.
“I left you at the manor because I discovered the Sacred Race had sent a team. I knew their target was you, so I kept it from you, intending to deal with them myself.”
The secrecy and the departure back then had been the beginning of the misunderstanding.
Hati interrupted her. “Vampire, you aren’t naive enough to think that by killing me, you can keep Lin Shu hidden, are you? The Sacred Race has had their eyes on her for a long time. Why do you think I was able to find her so quickly?”
“Is it that key?” Sefina suddenly understood.
“Correct. The Sacred Race can sense its existence. If I can find her, other teams can too!”
“That’s enough,” Lin Shu spoke up, interrupting their argument.
Sefina and Hati looked over at her simultaneously.
“Sefina, everything started because of me. If we don’t deal with this key and my identity, and just keep running away, the Sacred Race will eventually find us.”
Hati was so powerful, but if they sent several more demon-hunting groups, what would happen?
“I don’t want you and Drago to get hurt.”
Perhaps hearing the intent in Lin Shu’s words, Hati fell silent.
“No, Lin Shu,” Sefina shook her head desperately. “The Sacred Race is very focused on you. They will use you.”
She had worked so hard and finally found Lin Shu. Was she still going to leave?
“I know, Sefina.” The corners of Lin Shu’s mouth pulled back into a small smile.
She stepped forward toward Sefina.
“Eh? Lin Shu.” Hati rushed forward and grabbed the edge of Lin Shu’s clothes, her ears drooping sadly to the sides.
“It’s okay, Hati.” Lin Shu placed her hand reassuringly over Hati’s and slowly pushed it away.
She looked deep into Hati’s eyes, silently conveying her determination with her gaze. Hati didn’t pursue her any further. She took a small step back, her eyes following Lin Shu intently.
Lin Shu walked toward Sefina.
When she was only a few steps away, Lin Shu opened her arms and threw herself into Sefina’s embrace, hugging her tightly. The familiar fragrance instantly surrounded her, making her feel as safe as she had before.
“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have believed those words so easily…” Lin Shu buried her face in Sefina’s shoulder and closed her eyes. “After leaving Tepus, I felt true warmth and respect here with you at Drago.”
Sefina hugged Lin Shu back with all her strength, her arms tightening.
At that moment, Lin Shu looked up, seized the opportunity to break the embrace, and took a small step back. Looking into Sefina’s confused and complex eyes, she asked a question.
“Sefina, did Drago once have a human maid with black hair? Who was she?”
“Her?” Sefina froze instantly, bewildered by the sudden question.
Lin Shu raised her hand. In truth, she didn’t expect Sefina to provide an answer. She only needed a moment to distract Sefina’s attention.
Lin Shu spread her five fingers and chanted the incantation for the SLEEP SPELL. A faint light shimmered at her fingertips, reflected in Sefina’s suddenly widened eyes.
Sefina had never been on guard against Lin Shu, just as Lin Shu had once been with her. Her gaze turned vacant, her eyelashes trembled, and she finally closed her eyes.
As Sefina’s limp body began to collapse, Lin Shu rushed to catch her. Moonlight spilled over Sefina’s sleeping face; even in sleep, her brow was still slightly furrowed.
“I’m sorry, Sefina,” Lin Shu whispered to herself. “I have to go. Once I find the answers, once I am strong enough to face all of this…”
Lin Shu placed two fingers to her lips and blew a sharp whistle.
A moment later, the neighing of a horse came from the sky. The black horse that had been pulling the carriage and had fled in fright earlier flew back over the forest. It circled for a moment before landing in front of Lin Shu. It lowered its head and affectionately nuzzled Lin Shu’s cheek.
With great effort, Lin Shu supported the sleeping Sefina and carefully placed her on the horse’s back.
“Take her back to the manor,” Lin Shu stroked the black horse’s smooth mane and whispered softly into its ear.
As if understanding Lin Shu’s words, the horse raised its head and let out a long neigh. Its hooves ignited with flames as it kicked off the ground lightly, carrying Sefina into the air.
Soon, the black horse disappeared into the night sky.
Lin Shu turned around and looked at Hati, who had been waiting quietly.
“Let’s go.”