"How is this possible? Aina, what are you talking about?" Xia Lun looked incredulous. "We never had any descendants back then."
Aina belonged to the Blood Clan, commonly known as vampires. As one of the highest-ranking beings among them, she had even surpassed the progenitor of the Blood Clan, possessing an almost eternal lifespan.
Due to their differing races, there was a degree of reproductive isolation between Aina and Xia Lun, making the probability of conception extremely low—though not zero. In other words, persistence could eventually overcome the odds.
"Do you remember, Xia Lun? We once had a child..." Aina spoke slowly.
Wolund stood rooted to the spot, not daring to utter a word.
Xia Lun's expression darkened as unpleasant memories surfaced in his mind. "Aise?"
"Yes, Aise. Your own son." Aina nodded slowly.
Aise was the first—and so far, the only—child of Xia Lun and Aina.
And Xia Lun had executed him personally, driving a longsword through his heart.
Distant memories resurfaced in Xia Lun's mind.
"Father... I love you." Aise spat blood, his face twisting into a grotesque smile. "I will become a shadow you can never forget..."
Aise was a monster.
Though he wore human skin and was the son of a hero, he was born evil—a true incarnation of malice. No matter how Xia Lun and Aina tried to discipline him, his nature remained unchanged. In the end, after he committed an unforgivable atrocity, Xia Lun ended his life himself.
"Don't dwell on it, Xia Lun. Don't torment yourself over that wretch. It wasn't your fault." Aina held onto Xia Lun's arm. "Back then, I could have done it for you, but you refused..."
"You were his mother, Aina."
"I never had much affection for him. He was just an accident born from our pleasure. It was only because you wanted a child as a symbol of our love that I gave birth to him. To me, you are the only one who matters."
"Don't say that. Aise was our child." Xia Lun murmured.
"You're too kind-hearted. That’s why he hurt you so deeply..."
Wolund remained motionless, his expression unchanging. This wasn’t the time for him to speak.
Mida finished her ice crystals, seemingly full, and curled up on the soft fur rug.
"Then, who is he...?"
Xia Lun turned his gaze back to Wolund.
"A maid violated by Aise bore his child." Aina explained in a detached tone. "She secretly gave birth to Aise’s offspring."
"Why would she do that?" Xia Lun couldn’t help but ask.
"According to her diary, by the time she realized she was pregnant, it was too late for an abortion. Forcing one could have endangered her life."
Medical knowledge back then wasn’t advanced, and a maid certainly couldn’t afford a high-tier healing mage.
"Then... why didn’t she come to us?" Xia Lun pressed.
"You were the great hero." Aina leaned against Xia Lun’s shoulder. "After what Aise did... she felt she and her child would tarnish your reputation..."
"That’s absurd!" Xia Lun’s voice rose slightly. "Did I... fail her in some way? Did she not trust me?"
"No, you did everything right. You were the finest of heroes..." Aina gently patted his back. "She was originally going to be sold by her family into prostitution, but you bought her freedom. Working for our household, she earned enough to live comfortably. Later, after the incident with Aise, she received substantial compensation... She was grateful to you, even idolized you. That’s why she hid it—she didn’t want to stain your name."
Xia Lun took a deep breath, his eyes softening with sorrow. "What a foolish girl... My reputation means nothing compared to her happiness."
"Don’t worry. Aise’s child was filial to her." Aina squeezed Xia Lun’s hand. "She lived a peaceful life... She recorded everything in her diary and made her descendants swear to keep it secret. It wasn’t until the fifth generation, when their family faced a crisis, that they sought my help. After verifying their bloodline, I began assisting them.
Your descendants didn’t inherit much of my Blood Clan traits, but it was enough to let them live over a century."
Xia Lun nodded. The fifth generation... By then, he had already passed away.
So, Wolund was his eleventh-generation descendant?
"But why does he call you by name?"
"Why not?" Aina countered. "I told him to. Should he call me ‘great-great-great-great-great-great-great-grandmother’ instead? So everyone knows how ancient I am?"
"Never, Aina... To me, you’ll always look just past adulthood."
"Hmph. My appearance hasn’t changed anyway." Aina sniffed.
Wolund stood there, bewildered. He had never imagined someone like Aina could display such a playful side.
Xia Lun turned back to Wolund, his gaze now much gentler. "I’m sorry... child. I misunderstood earlier."
Wolund snapped out of his daze and offered a shy smile. "Then, how should I address you... Ancestor?"
"Just call me by my name, like Aina." Xia Lun waved a hand.
With his body rejuvenated, his mindset had grown younger too. The thought of Wolund—who looked older—calling him "ancestor" felt oddly uncomfortable.
"Alright then... Xia Lun." Wolund didn’t press further.
"This kid adapts fast." Xia Lun whispered to Aina.
"Of course. I looked after him when he was little." Aina replied telepathically. "Most of your descendants were disappointments, so I ignored them. Wolund’s the only one with decent magical talent."
If Aina approved, then Wolund’s aptitude must be noteworthy, Xia Lun mused silently.
"So... Wolund, why have you come to see me?" Aina gestured to a nearby chair. "And sit down."
"Yes, Aina."
Xia Lun was surprised. Despite addressing Aina casually, Wolund clearly still feared her—he hadn’t moved until she permitted it.
Wolund began, "Recently... a cult has emerged within the Yalan Empire. They’ve secretly conducted blood sacrifices across several villages, attempting to revive the evil god they worship."
Aina narrowed her eyes. "Oh? Are they so strong that you can’t handle them?"
"No... I've already eradicated all the troublemakers... Though some remain hidden too deep to be rooted out yet," Wolund replied, then glanced at Xia Lun. "However... they referred to the malevolent deity they worship as... the 'Hero.'"