Separation

Era of Order, Year 1137.

The blood bat flew away.

After simply dealing with the scene, Luo Lun returned to Marie's residence. Sure enough, that girl Marie was still sound asleep. She could hear the snoring as soon as she approached her room.

Her sleeping posture must be terrible.

Luo Lun didn't go in; she returned to her own room.

Then, the moment she pushed open her door, her gaze froze. That mysterious blood bat was currently hanging quietly upside down under the eaves outside the window.

Luo Lun frowned in confusion. She really couldn't understand the intention behind this Lord's capricious behavior.

Luo Lun opened the window, and the small figure flew in. It landed on Luo Lun's shoulder, tilted its head, and looked at her unblinkingly with its jewel-like eyes.

Luo Lun also tilted her head and looked at the blood bat.

This bizarre staring contest made her inexplicably feel a hint of absurdity.

It felt like the two of them were mindless bots.

Luo Lun was still unsure if this little guy could actually speak, but she had definitely heard a human-like hum coming from the blood bat's mouth earlier.

Whatever, I'm going to rest, My Lord. Luo Lun lay down on the bed. Having gone through a battle and treated her injuries, an immense wave of exhaustion suddenly washed over her, drowning her like the tide. If you need anything, please tell me tomorrow.

The blood bat hung upside down from the ceiling like a quiet black ornament, making no movement, as if agreeing to Luo Lun's request.

Luo Lun's tense nerves finally relaxed, and she soon drifted into dreamland.

When she opened her eyes, the morning light was already shining through the window, casting golden spots of light on the floor.

Before her was an unfamiliar ceiling. This was Marie's house... and hanging upside down from the ceiling was that mysterious Lord.

Recalling what happened yesterday, Luo Lun still felt a sense of unreality.

Yesterday's encounter replayed in Luo Lun's mind: she was set up by that guy Ned and besieged by a group of assassins... and then this little guy, who came from who knows where, instantly killed all the bad guys.

I really have some nerve, peacefully spending the night with this little guy who kills without blinking an eye. Luo Lun silently mocked herself.

Luo Lun propped herself up on the bed. The blood bat, as if sharing a telepathic connection with her, quietly landed back on her shoulder.

Uh... My Lord, I need to wash up.

The blood bat flew off her shoulder again.

After Luo Lun finished brushing her teeth, washing her face, and walking out of the bathroom, the blood bat flew back onto her shoulder once again, tilting its head to look at her.

Luo Lun: ...

A soundless silence spread through the air.

She didn't know if it was an illusion, but it seemed to really like being close to her.

With its small, round eyes and adorkable features, it actually looked quite cute.

However, the bloody slaughter from last night made Luo Lun well aware that this little guy was absolutely not some harmless little pet. Even her own life was currently resting on a mere whim of the little creature on her shoulder.

Luo Lun pushed open the door and stepped into the living room.

As soon as she walked out, she smelled an enticing aroma.

Yo, Miss Blood Pact Leader, you're up quite early. What did you experience last night? Marie was lying lazily on the sofa, holding an open newspaper. Hearing the noise, she raised her eyes to glance at Luo Lun, her tone carrying obvious teasing. I left breakfast for you on the table... Wait, what is that thing on your shoulder?

Luo Lun heard the teasing in Marie's first sentence and knew this girl must have misunderstood something. She explained, I was a bit tired last night. Something happened, but it's all resolved... Well, I'm getting ready to head back. Thank you for your hospitality.

The core strength of the Blood Pact within the Elven race had all been buried under the shade of the giant tree last night, along with Finn and Ned... Luo Lun only needed to anonymously report the location of the Blood Pact branch's stronghold to the Elven Guard, and the rest would be the elves' business.

Those remnant drug-peddling lackeys, having lost their commander, probably wouldn't be able to stir up any more trouble.

Encountering two consecutive ambushes... Luo Lun herself couldn't clearly say whether this mission was a successful completion or a tactical retreat.

Did something really happen last night?... Eh? Are you leaving already? But you've only stayed for one night. Stay a few more days, I wouldn't mind. Marie threw aside the newspaper and bounded up from the sofa, her tone carrying genuine reluctance to part. Also, what exactly is that thing on your shoulder?

I am an assassin, staying here will only attract trouble. Luo Lun sat at the table and began to enjoy the breakfast Marie had prepared. It was a sandwich and some milk that had gone cold.

So what exactly is that thing on your shoulder! Marie trotted over to Luo Lun, bent down, and brought her face almost right up to the blood bat, her eyes sparkling with pure curiosity.

I don't know either. It just suddenly followed me back. Luo Lun didn't know how to explain it to Marie.

What is this? Marie pointed at the blood bat. Is it a small magical beast? It doesn't feel like one... It seems like a magical construct?

The blood bat tilted its head and gave her a glance, then somewhat arrogantly turned its head away, completely ignoring her.

The blood bat didn't seem to like this girl.

Marie reached out, wanting to pet the little guy, but Luo Lun hurriedly stopped her: Don't touch it carelessly, it's very dangerous!

Luo Lun couldn't guarantee that the one on her shoulder wouldn't suddenly slit Marie's throat.

Stingy. Marie pursed her lips but still pulled her hand back.

Under Marie's gaze, Luo Lun ate the last bite of the sandwich and drank the last gulp of milk.

Well then... Luo Lun stood up and straightened her clothes. I should get going.

Is... is that so? Marie's tone revealed a hint of melancholy.

Mhm... We can keep in touch through letters. If I have free time, I'll come visit again. Luo Lun pushed open the door. In Marie's momentary daze, Luo Lun's figure had already disappeared.

As expected of an assassin, coming and going without a trace.

Marie muttered to herself, then lay back down on the sofa and began to conceive a new story.

...

My Lord... can you hear me? Could I trouble you to take me to see your true body?

Luo Lun looked at the blood bat on her shoulder, already having a guess in her heart.

The blood bat was a magical construct. Under normal circumstances, it could only make simple responses, but that unfathomable existence was likely watching this place through the blood bat and could also descend to control it, just like last night.

Why was she being monitored by such an existence... Luo Lun had no answer in her heart, so the most direct method was naturally to go ask face-to-face.

The blood bat stared at Luo Lun for a moment, then flapped its wings and flew off her shoulder.

However, this time, the blood bat's flying speed wasn't fast, and even Luo Lun could perfectly keep up.

Luo Lun hurriedly followed after it.