Chapter 1390

<Chapter 1390> 1390. Spirit’s Atlantis

A little girl with pale skin and black hair stared at me with her round red eyes.

“Dad?”

The girl called out to me with a bewildered term of address.

But the confusion only lasted for a moment. My mind quickly kicked into gear, analyzing the situation.

Truthfully, I’d been through something like this quite a few times before. In the “Vampire Detective” world, random young women would suddenly appear out of nowhere calling me “Dad.”

‘Probably around ten times now.’

At first, I thought they were just trying to scam me for my money, but DNA tests revealed they were all actually my daughters. Though, to be fair, they had initially approached me for my wealth.

‘In the Vampire Detective world, I was definitely getting played. Back then, I didn’t have any control over pregnancies yet.’

I messed around with their mothers. Most of them took after their moms and turned out gorgeous. Occasionally, when an unattractive one showed up, I’d just slip her some cash and send her on her way.

‘Honestly, it never really felt like they were my kids when they suddenly appeared.’

I lacked paternal instincts. I’m not sure if that’s just my nature or because I refused to acknowledge them as mine.

‘Probably the latter. Thinking about Yuria or Elena having my child makes me actually feel like they’re mine.’

In short, it boiled down to whether or not I acknowledged them as my own.

I looked at the girl again.

‘She seems a bit too old to be my daughter, doesn’t she?’

The girl looked about ten years old. And I’ve only been in Atlantis for around two years, so even if she was born then, she wouldn’t be older than three.

“You’re claiming to be my daughter?”

“… Aren’t you Heavenly Horse? Kasha-nee said my dad is Heavenly Horse.”

“I am Heavenly Horse. So who exactly are you?”

“Batori Ersia.”

Ersia clearly stated her name while looking straight at me. That’s when Ok Jung stepped between us, tensing up as if protecting Ersia from me. After all, Ersia did seem rather cocky.

“M-Master… Ersia…”

“Don’t bother explaining. I already know. You must be Batori Erzsebet’s daughter.”

Batori.

Just hearing that surname gave me a pretty good idea what was going on.

I impregnated Erzsebet. On purpose. More specifically, I created a vampire child to serve as a subordinate. Originally, that’s why I brought Erzsebet in—to produce offspring.

‘Ah, right. Vampires don’t follow human growth patterns anyway.’

Since she’s not human, it makes sense she’d develop differently.

“Hmm…”

What should I do with Ersia?

‘She’ll probably grow up to be quite beautiful.’

She didn’t feel like my daughter.

Still, I wasn’t about to deny that Ersia is my biological child. She carries my blood and was born out of necessity.

‘Thinking about it this way… maybe I can start feeling some paternal affection.’

I smirked slightly and spoke.

“If you’re mine…”


“Father.”

“Really?!”

Ersia dashed past Ok-jung and lunged at me. I grabbed Ersia with both hands and lifted her up. The warmth and weight of my daughter, whom I was holding for the first time, felt profound.

“Daddy!”

“That’s right.”

“Lord Cheonma!”

“That’s me too.”

Ersia’s excitement suddenly deflated as her mood plummeted. She looked up at me with teary eyes.

“…Why did you come now?”

“I was busy.”

What does this kid like anyway? As I pondered, I swung Ersia around. But her expression soured even further.

“Put me down.”

“Why? Don’t you like playing with your dad?”

“This isn’t fun. And Dad… do you really think of me as your daughter?”

“You are my daughter.”

“In that case, I guess I’m the successor of the Cheonma Sect then?”

“…Huh.”

I hadn’t expected such a question.

“See? You can’t answer that.”

“…I’m just surprised, that’s all. I didn’t expect you to declare succession to the throne of Cheonma right in front of me… Impressive, even though you’re my daughter.”

“Huh? I never said I wanted to kill you!”

“Claiming the Cheonma Sect means something like that.”

“Wh-Well, then I won’t be part of any Cheonma thing.”

“…Alright.”

I put Ersia down. She hesitated for a moment before hugging my right leg tightly.

‘Why is this kid so strong? Is it because she’s a vampire?’

Her strength seemed to exceed that of an average human. Ersia buried her face into my side and rubbed against me.

“So this is what Daddy feels like.”

“To call me ‘this’… Fine, whatever.”

I asked Ok-jung about Ersia’s stats, but Ersia herself spoke up, reciting her status window clearly:

「Name: Bartori Ersia


Class: Dhampir


Title: Walker of Blood-Red Futures


Divine Seat: Lady of Blood


Affiliation: 8th Atlantian Cycle


Strength: 44 Agility: 31 Stamina: 30 Mana: 61 Luck: 13


Unique Trait: Blood Demon Construct (A)


Trait: Vampirism (A)


Skills: Blood Sorcery (B), Swordsmanship (B).」

‘Impressive. Her stats surpass those of most exiles.’

Despite looking like a ten-year-old, Ersia was barely two years old. Considering her age, she wasn’t just good—she was outrageously talented.

「The King of Demonic Horses inspects your daughter.」


「The King of Demonic Horses smiles. It confirms without doubt that Ersia is your daughter. The power of Cheonma flows within her.」

Ersia’s Unique Trait, Blood Demon Construct (A), was undoubtedly influenced by my own trait, Cheonma Demon Construct (S). The King of Demonic Horses’ reaction confirmed it.

‘It must be rare for this to happen by coincidence. Could it be due to her Luck stat?’

I stroked Ersia’s black hair. She would grow stronger quickly. Her impressive stats were proof of her potential.

—

“Kyaak!”

Ersia bit into my side—hard. Looking down, I saw her fangs embedded in my flesh as she greedily sucked my blood, her face blissfully dazed.

“Ack! Stop! Let go!”

I hastily lifted her up, but she offered no resistance. Crimson droplets streamed from her mouth—it was my blood.

“My goodness! Ersia!”

Ok-jung frantically wiped the blood off my side while glancing nervously at me, worried I might harm Ersia.

It felt unfair. Even I wouldn’t get mad over a little playful mischief from my daughter… right?

‘…Or maybe I should be angry since it drew blood?’

Ersia still had a glazed look in her eyes. Being a dhampir…


It might be true. I decided to give it a try.

“Ersia. If you want blood, just ask. Don’t silently sink your fangs like this. I can always give you blood.”

“Dad. You taste amazing.”

“…That’s a strange thing to say?”

“Why does Dad taste so good?”

“I’m a delicious man.”

“Mas-, Master…!”

I was just joking around but Okjeong panics, her face turning red. I shrugged like it’s no big deal. Truth is, the two small holes in my side had already healed.

“I’ve decided.”

Out of nowhere, Ersia speaks. Her gaze on me burns fiercely.

“I will earn Dad’s approval.”

“I already approve of you.”

“Lie.”

“…What do you plan to do after earning my approval?”

“I’ll surpass Dad and claim him as mine.”

“You’ll claim me? Why?”

“Cause Dad tastes good.”

“Am I just food to you….”

Seems like a vampire instinct. Still, is my blood really that tasty? I wiped some blood from my side and put it in my mouth.

It tasted metallic.

“Maybe it’s because she resembles Erzebet, she’s quite bold.”

“From what I see, Master resembles her quite a bit.”

I met Elizabeth Bathory.

The atmosphere I remember about her was dark and cold. It was more than melancholy—it bordered on madness.

“You’ve changed.”

Right now, I don’t sense any madness from her. There’s no trace of sadness either. She’s smiling even in the dimly lit room.

“That child changed me. Though I still resent you… I love my daughter, Ersia, even more.”

“She was rather cute.”

“Ersia is my daughter and yours. I know I cannot stand by your side, but… Ersia carries your blood within her. Do not forget that fact.”

“I know.”

In front of me stood a brother-sister duo with crimson hair and eyes. Both had sandy-colored skin and distinct features. Especially the girl, who wore clothes with a high level of exposure.

Ahmad Nakhbi and Kasha Nakhbi. The siblings reacted differently upon seeing me.

“Heavenly Horse-sama! We’ve been waiting for your return!”

Kung!

Ahmad Nakhbi prostrated himself on the floor, shouting. His bow was impressively quick.

“Why did you take so long to come?!”

Kasha glared at me with teary eyes. Approaching me with an almost violent momentum, she suddenly hugged me instead. I wrapped my arms around her exposed waist. The smooth, warm sensation made my heart race.

Just as my hand started to slide down towards her butt, Kasha stopped me by grabbing my wrist.

“There’s no time for this. Do you even know what’s happening to the Heavenly Horse Faith?”

She says this with a serious expression.

Regretfully pulling back, I asked her,

“What’s going on?”

“A rebellion has broken out. We tried to handle it, but… it’s too late. The Heavenly Horse Faith is about to fall into the hands of the rebels.”

“This is absurd. They start a rebellion just because I was away? Who’s the ringleader?”

“Karok Rios.”

“Never heard of him. What does he do?”

“Heir of the Black Sand Crocodile Tribe. He rallied the desert warriors and started the rebellion.”

“Black Sand Crocodile Tribe? What kind of tribe is that?”

“…”

Kasha stared at me like she’s asking if I’m serious.

Even if she looks at me like that, there’s nothing I can do. Karok Rios, Black Sand Crocodile—these are all new to me.

But since a rebellion has occurred, there’s only one thing to do. I slowly got up from my seat.

“The house is in chaos, so it’s time to clean it up. Where are those rebels?”