The Son of the Brave

Chaos Era, Year 1830.

Deep in the forest, in front of a wooden cabin.

"Xia Lun, Aina, I’ve come to visit!"

Liyana carried a rabbit and a basket of fruits and vegetables, pounding on the door with enthusiasm. "Open up! It’s me!"

A middle-aged man with short black hair and an elegant robe opened the door.

"Ah, Liyana, long time no see."

Liyana stared blankly at the scruffy-faced man. "Who are you?"

"I’m Xia Lun, of course. Don’t recognize me?" Xia Lun took the gifts from her hands. "Come in, don’t just stand there."

"Holy crap, it really is you! How did you turn into an uncle?!" Liyana exclaimed in disbelief.

Xia Lun sighed. "Well, it’s been six years since we last met… After attending my wedding with Aina, you went off adventuring around the world."

Liyana muttered, "It’s only been six years…"

"I’m human. Six years is a long time for me." Xia Lun shook his head. "How have you been?"

"Eh, so-so. What about you? Don’t you and Aina get bored staying in the forest all the time?" Liyana asked casually.

Xia Lun’s mind suddenly flooded with intimate, indecent memories of Aina, and his cheeks flushed slightly.

"Ahem… We do travel to other places often. It’s not boring."

Liyana glanced around the cabin’s interior.

Though there were no lavish decorations, the place was warm and cozy. The oak floors were spotless, and a vase of freshly picked white tulips on the table added a touch of elegance—proof that the owners lived well.

"Where’s Aina?"

"She’s with our child."

"Child?! You two have a kid?!" Liyana gasped, then punched Xia Lun’s shoulder playfully. "Damn, you sly dog… I remember Aina’s from the Blood Clan. Getting pregnant can’t be easy for her."

But Xia Lun only nodded, his expression turning serious, devoid of joy.

"When was he born? Did you name him yet?" Liyana, oblivious to Xia Lun’s mood, pressed excitedly. "Boy or girl?"

"A boy… Aise. He’s three now."

Liyana advised, "That old already? You should really consider moving into the city, Xia Lun. He needs to socialize with other kids his age."

Xia Lun hesitated. "I’ll think about it."

He led Liyana upstairs.

Sunlight streamed through the window, casting a glow over Aina’s smooth, flowing hair, like a cascade of silver.

She sat gracefully in a chair, a book in her hands, her slender fingers turning the pages delicately… while a beautiful, delicate boy sat on her lap, quietly reading alongside her.

A perfectly harmonious scene.

"Liyana," Aina greeted softly, closing the book and setting it aside before lifting Aise from her lap.

"You haven’t changed a bit, Aina." Liyana stepped forward, bending down to pat Aise’s head. "Nice to meet you, little one… Wait, Xia Lun, does that make me his aunt now?"

Aise winced slightly, as if in pain, his lips parting—but no sound came out.

He glanced back at his mother. Aina’s calm gaze held a hint of sharpness, a silent warning.

"Liyana, you’re an elf. We were born the same year, so you’re only thirty-five. For an elf, that’s practically still a child—by human standards, you’re not even an adult yet," Xia Lun chuckled. "But sure, Aise can call you aunt."

"So you’re the only one who went and aged?" Liyana gave Xia Lun a light punch. "Don’t you feel guilty around Aina?"

"Huh?" Xia Lun blinked.

Liyana grinned. "She still looks like a maiden, and you’re already an uncle… In a few years, if you two go out together, people might mistake her for your daughter. Doesn’t that bother you?"

Xia Lun stiffened slightly—he’d never considered that.

"I don’t mind," Aina said flatly. "Pointless question."

"Still as icy as ever, even after marriage, huh, Miss Mage?" Liyana covered her mouth, whispering to Xia Lun, "Did you drug her or something? How’d you get her to let you touch her?"

"Ahem, don’t let Aina’s demeanor fool you. She’s actually quite open to… marital activities," Xia Lun replied awkwardly.

Aina had no reservations about desire—she saw it as natural, nothing to be shy about.

"Ohhh, cold on the outside but warm inside, got it." Liyana nodded sagely, then smirked, poking Xia Lun. "Living the good life, huh…"

"What are you two talking about?"

Aina’s voice froze both Xia Lun and Liyana in place.

Liyana quickly changed the subject. "A-Aina! You’re from the Blood Clan, right? Why not turn Xia Lun into your thrall? That way, his lifespan could be extended—"

"I carry the blessings and power of the Goddess. Even Aina, who’s surpassed the Progenitors, can’t turn me into a Blood Clan thrall," Xia Lun explained. "No other method can prolong my life either… But I’m content just being her husband."

"Then what about Aina afterward?" Liyana couldn’t help asking. "You’d leave her alone?"

"It doesn’t matter," Aina’s cool voice cut in. "Being with Xia Lun is just a fleeting amusement in my long life. If he dies, I’ll forget him. No big deal."

She paused briefly. "Xia Lun once said he’d forgive me even if I found another man after his death."

Liyana’s breath hitched, but before she could speak, Xia Lun patted her shoulder, smiling faintly. "It’s fine. This is enough."

"Ghk—"

Aise, who had been silent until now, suddenly clutched his throat, gagging violently.

Xia Lun’s face paled. "Aise, are you okay?"

"What’s wrong with him?" Liyana asked, bewildered. "Is he sick?"

Disgusting…

So disgusting…

What is this? It’s revolting…

Love? Is this what Father calls love?

Aise’s eyes burned crimson as he choked himself, his stomach twisting in revulsion.

He despised this emotion on a visceral level.

These disgusting creatures… If only they’d all just die.

Kill them…

Kill them all…

Blood is the only warmth…

No—Father, Mother, they’re good people. Aise should love them.

Love…

Aise trembled violently, his insides churning.

It hurts… It’s so sickening…

The things I love... must all be destroyed. That is the only right way.

Yes, as long as everything is destroyed, all will be well.