Chapter 149 - 102 : Slumber (2)

Chapter 149: Chapter 102 : Slumber (2)

"The old monsters in the capital were different," the Viscount continued. "Their strength was overwhelming, but it was still strength. You knew what you were standing before. Ethan doesn’t give me that feeling."

He paused, then added more quietly, "And yet, I wouldn’t dare underestimate him."

"I’ve never encountered anyone quite like him."

The Count finally turned from the window.

His eyes settled on his younger brother for a moment before moving to Lucian.

"There is no need to force an answer out of something we don’t yet understand," he said calmly. "For now, let him settle in."

"If he is willing to stay, then we have little to lose by welcoming him. Perhaps, in time, we’ll understand him better."

The Viscount nodded.

The Count looked toward Lucian.

"And sometimes, it is better to gain a friend than to create an enemy. I see no reason to make an enemy of someone like him," the Count continued. "And if he truly has nowhere else to go, turning him away would accomplish nothing."

His gaze rested briefly on Lucian.

"Our family has been known for its hospitality for generations. You did what was expected of you when you helped him."

Lucian’s expression softened slightly.

"Thank you, Father."

"You’ve already brought him here, so I will leave him in your care."

Lucian straightened.

"Mine?"

"Yes." The Count’s voice remained calm and measured. "See that he is comfortable and that his needs are met. If there is something reasonable that we can provide, provide it. You don’t need to come back to me for every decision. Use your judgment."

Lucian nodded. "Understood."

The Count paused.

Lucian turned toward the door, ready to leave.

"Lucian."

He stopped and looked back.

The Count’s expression remained unreadable.

"While you’re at it, try to learn whatever you can from him without offending him."

Lucian understood the meaning immediately. His father wasn’t asking him to interrogate Ethan or pry into matters the young man clearly wasn’t ready to discuss. He simply wanted him to pay attention.

"Yes, Father."

Lucian opened the door and stepped out.

The door closed quietly behind him, leaving the Count and the Viscount alone in the study.

Two hours later, Lucian returned to the guest quarters.

The night before had left little of the noble heir in his appearance. Now that he had been given time to wash, change, and have his wound properly treated, he looked much more like the young master of the Veymont family. His clothes were clean and well-fitted, made from good material without being overly elaborate, and the bandage around his arm had been neatly replaced. Even his hair had been properly arranged.

He stopped outside Ethan’s room and knocked lightly.

"Come in."

Lucian opened the door.

Ethan was sitting inside, dressed in a set of clean clothes the household had provided. The clothing was simple by noble standards, but the quality was obvious. The fabric was soft and well-made, and everything fit him far better than the rough clothes he had been wearing in the forest.

"Sorry for taking so long," Lucian said as he entered. "After speaking with my father, I had to get my wound treated and change. I didn’t realize how uncomfortable those clothes had become until I finally took them off."

Ethan gave a small nod. "It’s fine."

Lucian took the seat across from him.

"I spoke with my father about you and explained your situation. He understands that you need time to figure out where you are and find your way from here." Lucian paused briefly before continuing. "He agreed to let you stay with us for as long as you need. Whatever our family can reasonably provide while you’re here is at your disposal, so don’t hesitate to ask if there’s something you need."

Ethan nodded. 𝒻𝑟ℯℯ

"Thank your father for me."

"I will."

Lucian glanced toward the table.

"Actually, we haven’t had a proper meal since this morning. I asked the kitchen to prepare something. It should be here soon."

It did not take long.

A few servants arrived with a meal and quietly arranged everything on the table before leaving. There was enough food for both of them, along with warm drinks. Once they were alone again, Lucian began eating, and Ethan followed.

For a while, neither said much.

The quiet meal felt surprisingly ordinary after everything that had happened.

Ethan eventually set down his utensils.

"Actually there is something I need your help with."

Lucian looked up. "What is it?"

"I need blood."

Lucian paused.

"Blood?"

"Animal blood."

The request caught him off guard, but he waited for Ethan to continue.

"I might look okay but the truth is I haven’t recovered fully from my injuries."

Lucian studied him for a moment.

"How much do you need?"

Ethan fell silent, thinking.

He had already used a considerable amount of Living Blood to suppress the spatial energy inside him, and the ordinary animal blood he had consumed earlier had only provided a small amount in return. If he wanted to recover properly, he needed far more than a single animal.

After considering it, he answered, "A great deal."

Lucian waited.

Ethan added, "Enough to fill a large pool, if possible."

Lucian’s hand stopped halfway to his cup.

"A pool?"

"Yes."

There was a brief silence.

Lucian slowly lowered his hand.

He had already stopped trying to understand where Ethan’s methods came from. At this point, the best thing he could do was simply accept that Ethan knew what he needed.

"All right. I’ll have the household arrange it."

Ethan nodded.

"There is one more thing."

"What is it?"

"It would be best if it could be arranged somewhere I won’t be disturbed."

"That shouldn’t be a problem."

Lucian thought for a moment.

"We have several unused areas beneath the castle. I’ll find one that gives you enough space and privacy."

"Good."

"I’ll also have the animals blood delivered there once everything is ready."

Ethan looked at him for a moment.

"I’ll repay you for this."

Lucian gave a small shake of his head.

"You’ve already said that."

"I mean it."

Lucian met his eyes for a moment, then smiled.

"I know."

Ethan said nothing more.

Ethan leaned back slightly, letting the thought settle. A safe place to recover. Enough resources to replenish what he had lost. And people willing to help without asking for anything in return.

What more could a wounded Vampire ask for?

By evening, the Veymont estate had become busy with activity. Animals were brought in from the family’s holdings while butchers and servants worked in an unused section of the estate. Barrels were carried below ground one after another, and before long, the smell of fresh blood had begun to fill the stone corridors.

No one was told exactly why such a large amount of blood was being collected. They only knew that the young master had ordered it for the mysterious guest who had arrived with him. The Veymont family had enough resources that fulfilling the request placed no real strain on their stores, so the work continued without question.

By the time the sun began to set, the basement was ready.

Lucian personally came to collect Ethan.

They walked through the castle, passing servants carrying trays, guards standing beside archways, and rooms where family members and officials went about their business. They descended one staircase, then another, until the sounds of the castle gradually faded behind them. The air grew cooler as they went deeper, and eventually Lucian pushed open a heavy wooden door.

Beyond it stretched a stone corridor lit by wall torches. They walked deeper, turning left, then right, before descending another flight of steps. At last, they reached a large chamber.

Lucian stopped at the entrance.

Even he felt slightly uncomfortable at the sight before him. A wide stone pool occupied much of the room, filled nearly to the brim with blood. Its dark red surface barely moved, and the smell was heavy in the enclosed chamber.

"This should be enough?" Lucian asked.

Ethan looked over the pool.

"It will do."

Lucian nodded. He glanced around the chamber before turning back toward Ethan.

"I’ll leave you here, then. If you need anything, just let one of the servants know."

"All right."

Lucian left, pulling the heavy door closed behind him.

Ethan waited until Lucian’s footsteps had faded completely before removing his clothes. He folded them neatly and set them aside, then turned toward the pool.

Stone steps led down into the blood. He descended slowly, the blood rising from his ankles to his knees, then to his waist, until he finally submerged himself completely.

The world disappeared.

Ethan closed his eyes.

The Blood Seed responded almost immediately. It had been struggling against the strange spatial energy inside his body for days, consuming Living Blood faster than he could replenish it. Now, surrounded by fresh blood, it finally had enough to work with.

The blood was weak. There was no Qi or spiritual energy within it, nothing comparable to cultivator blood. But there was life, and there was quantity.

The Blood Seed began refining it.

Living Blood slowly formed and spread through Ethan’s body, flowing toward the places where the spatial energy continued tearing at his flesh and meridians. The foreign energy resisted, but this time, the Living Blood did not run short.

The struggle continued beneath the surface, silent and relentless. Ethan could feel the difference. The damage was still there, but it was no longer consuming him faster than he could recover.

His breathing gradually slowed as his body settled into the process.

There was nothing more he needed to do.

He had blood. He had a safe place to recover. His body could handle the rest.

Ethan allowed his consciousness to sink deeper. The castle above, the voices beyond the door, and the unfamiliar world he had entered all faded into the distance.

Only the blood remained.

Beneath the Veymont estate, the Blood Seed continued its silent work as Ethan finally slipped into deep slumber.