Chapter 326: Another Truth

"You… You can actually speak?!"

The woman's voice was like two stones grinding against each other, but at that moment, the group couldn't be bothered with how grating it sounded—this woman could actually speak?!

"I am a Countess, after all. Isn't it rather rude to ask that?" The woman seemed completely drained, failing several times to push herself up against the wall. In the end, it was Victoria who lent a hand and helped her up.

"Speaking of which, I have a question for you: Who are you people, and how did you get here? Was it my husband—" The woman paused, then refuted her own idea. "No, if he wanted to kill me, he wouldn't need to go through so much trouble. None of the Von Richthofens are any good. He would have done it himself."

The Von Richthofen standing in the room didn't look too pleased, but Aive gently patted the Shadow Spirit's shoulder. "Relax. What do the sins of the Surface Elves have to do with an Elf from the Shadowfall Netherworld like you?"

Yelena's expression soured even more. "That doesn't sound very comforting."

"Wait, so you're… the Count's wife?" Ron was so stunned by the woman's first few sentences that he was completely bewildered. "But—but the Count said you and your daughter were dead! We even paid our respects at your graves just a couple of days ago!"

"Is that what he said?" The woman looked around, the filth of her surroundings making her sick. "Heh, don't tell me he actually developed feelings for me? 'No, that's impossible. How could anyone in that family have such complex emotions?' He simply couldn't kill me… But why?"

The woman looked at Ron. If she was any judge of character, this man had to be the leader. "Young man, I've just woken up and haven't sorted things out yet. Could you tell me what's been happening outside?"

"Just woken up? I just knocked you out with one punch," Quest scoffed. "And that was after you attacked us first. Now you're telling me you just woke up?"

"Attacked?" The woman subconsciously glanced at her own hands, at her fingernails that were no different from weapons. "No, that's not right. That wasn't me. I'm a Mage. If I really wanted to attack you, I certainly wouldn't pounce on you like an animal!"

"Not to mention the state I'm in… Heavens, are the servants dead or something? Even if he imprisoned me here, I am still the lady of this house! They can't just neglect basic cleaning, can they?!"

Ron and the others exchanged glances. Finally, with an expression of deep regret, Ron spoke slowly. "It seems you're not yet clear on your situation. In that case, let me tell you what I know."

"But I must say, with the utmost regret: your servants are, in fact, all dead now."

This unexpected development extended their stay. Yelena slipped out, relocking the door before the Gargoyles passed on their patrol, and then went to relieve Delaford. Inside the attic, the woman claiming to be the Countess sat on the edge of the dusty bed, listening quietly to Ron's account without interrupting him once.

"So, that makes you the current Lord of Delusional Land," the woman said, gesturing for a cup of water and sipping it as she spoke. "He got what he deserved. This land has never favored anyone; he too was doomed to be cast aside after being used up."

"Just as he cast me aside after taking my power."

"I don't understand," Victoria frowned. "Silvia said that when the domain faced a crisis, you and your daughter voluntarily…"

"What else would he say? That the so-called crisis in the domain was because he wanted to take his wife's power as a witch?" the woman sneered. "Before I was put to sleep, the only crisis this domain faced was him making a deal with the true master of this land in order to plot against me!"

There was little hatred in the woman's expression and tone, only deep disdain. "How naive I was back then. He was ostracized, so he brought his people here. I thought we would live out an idyllic life, grow old together, and I would be the one to see him off. If Mary had been willing to accept the domain, I would have stayed here and played with her. If she wasn't, we would have traveled the world as mother and daughter, looking for our next romance…"

"But the Von Richthofens are leopards who can't change their spots! After catching wind of some rumor that this place held great power and forbidden knowledge, he threw himself into it without a second thought! I tried to persuade him, Mary and I both did. The power in our bloodline was already enough for him to study for a lifetime, so why did he have to touch something even more dangerous? Even I wouldn't dare to covet what's here!"

"But he went mad. He thought I was being selfish, that I wanted to keep the secrets of this place for myself," the woman pursed her lips. "When it became clear that his own power at the time wasn't even enough to scratch the surface, he turned his sights on me. He believed that if our powers were combined into one, he could become the eternal master of this land—the price being that the longevity rooted in my witch bloodline would be erased. I would be reduced to dust, and our daughter Mary and all her descendants would live out their lives as ordinary humans."

"If he truly had the power to achieve it, I might not have even stopped him—I loved him, especially back then, when our life was happy and blissful—but the truth is, he didn't have that kind of ability at all. He wasn't worthy of being the fisherman here; at best, he was just the bait."

"So, as our conflict deepened, he plotted against me and put me into a deep sleep until today." The woman seemed to be trying to feel for her power, but she couldn't even cast a single Light Magic spell. "My power must have been stolen by him. That's how he became the Vampire you saw—powerful, but still far from enough."

"What about your daughter?" Victoria asked. Her Holy Emblem wasn't reacting, which suggested the witch wasn't evil. "Do you think he would harm your daughter?"

"How would I know? But I hope not. She was our 'little pearl'," the witch sighed. "But you said a grave was erected for her too. I can only hope she died of old age, living a happy and full life under the protection of her hypocrite father."

"I don't think anyone could live a happy and full life in a world where her own father is a Vampire," Ron said, shaking his head. "Thank you for telling us all this. You seem to have lived for many years and possess vast knowledge, and you know your husband very well—so, could I trouble you to speculate? Your husband said he's preparing to abdicate and join you and your daughter. What do you think he's really planning to do?"

"Abdicate? Don't be ridiculous," the Countess sneered. "Him, give up his power, even if that power is just commanding a horde of Undead? Impossible. Not even his own daughter and wife could convince him to give it up. You think he had some kind of epiphany on his own?"

"Silly children, take your friend and run. How many days are left until the ceremony? I hope you have enough time to get back to the other side of the mountain. Otherwise, when the full moon comes…" The woman's expression suddenly changed drastically. "Oh no! The full moon?! Your dry, pale companion locked you in here. You can get out, right?"

"Go stop him! If you have to, you can even kill that companion of yours who wants to inherit the title! You must stop him at all costs! Otherwise, as the Lord of Delusional Land, your death will come much sooner than you think!"