Chapter 410: The Dark Demon Is Rarely Encountered (4k)
“Another method?”
As Dark pondered, his curiosity grew.
Simply reviving Vlad would not solve the problem.
Then, what could Professor Shylph do to help the Blood Princess remove the influence of the first embrace?
Setting up barriers, opening secret passages… Then what?
The Mana Spirits were affected, indicating their actions were still centered around Vlad.
But if the essence remained unchanged, how much could change overall?
Seemingly guessing his thoughts, Professor Shylph immediately said, “There’s an issue here. What exactly is a vampire’s first embrace?”
Dark furrowed his brows slightly and replied, “A disease?”
In fact, he had thoroughly researched information related to vampires.
The vampire’s “first embrace” primarily stemmed from their bloodline.
The closer one was to the progenitor, the stronger the effect of the first embrace.
A vampire with sufficiently pure blood could secrete a special magical factor from their fangs.
This magical factor was akin to bacteria. Once injected into a victim’s bloodstream, it could rapidly multiply by absorbing blood power, thus infecting the entire body.
The so-called “enslavement” could actually be categorized as a “symptom.”
It was very similar to “septicemia.”
Thus, after researching, Dark felt that a vampire’s first embrace was more like a disease rather than a common “magic” or “curse.”
However, Professor Shylph clearly did not think so.
She explained clearly, “Though I don’t know why you think it’s a disease, in my knowledge, a vampire’s first embrace is actually a form of reproductive behavior.”
“Reproductive behavior?” There was an undeniable element of surprise in Dark’s tone.
Professor Shylph patiently explained, “Vampires have extremely low fertility rates. Of course, this is a common ailment among immortals. However, despite their weak reproductive capabilities, immortals can still get sick and die if killed, making it difficult for them to live to a natural end.
This leads to a gradual decrease in their numbers, putting them on the brink of extinction. To ensure the continuation of their race, vampires developed the ability of the first embrace over time. Even without normal reproduction, they can still increase their population.”
Dark pondered, “That seems to make sense.”
Professor Shylph continued, “Knowing the nature of the problem allows us to address it effectively. Ophelia Brad did not become a blood slave because she, as a member of the Blood Tribe, has innate resistance to bloodline erosion, preventing the first embrace from completing. In a sense, she is still in the ‘reproductive’ process, but now this process is nearing completion.”
Dark asked curiously, “So we need to find a way to interrupt this ‘reproductive’ behavior?”
“If we could interrupt it,” Professor Shylph said, “the problem is that the first embrace is irreversible and cannot be stopped once started. It will inevitably continue. Therefore, we must seek new approaches, such as replacing the subject of this process.”
“Replacing…”
Dark narrowed his eyes, deep in thought.
He realized he had grasped the logic behind Professor Shylph’s words.
Using some method to conceptually replace the subject of the “reproductive” behavior.
Making the reproductive action continue while removing Ophelia Brad from it.
This was likely the unique logic of this idealistic magical worldview.
Without Professor Shylph’s guidance, Dark would never have figured it out based on his own logic.
But with the logic established, how could he practically achieve this replacement?
Through ritual magic, utilizing the special properties of the secret passage?
What role does the vampire Vlad play in all this?
Professor Shylph answered each of these questions for him one by one afterward.
After a moment, Dark suddenly understood.
Professor Shylph wanted to transfer the “reproductive” behavior onto the vampire Vlad.
But not by “reviving” him; rather, by “conjure” him.
Interpreting the concept of “reproduction” through the form of a “magical golem,” thus replacing Ophelia Brad!
…
“As one of the Demon King’s vessels, Vlad perfectly fits the concept of the Demon King’s reproductive object.”
“If everything goes smoothly, not only will we free Ophelia Brad, but we can also completely resolve Vlad’s soul.”
“It’s a win-win situation,” Professor Shylph slowly said.
“Speaking of which, I was able to come to this conclusion thanks to your Mana Spirit.”
…
Dark chuckled dryly, knowing that the existence of the Mana Spirit hadn’t escaped Professor Shylph’s keen eye.
But turning one of the Demon King’s vessels into a magical golem was indeed a brilliant idea.
If someday N “Demon King’s vessels” could be gathered, perhaps the Demon King could be summoned on the spot?
…
Professor Shylph’s arrangement for the scene was far more profound and complex than Dark had imagined.
At its core, she employed a special “ritual conjure method.”
She viewed the entire castle as the site of the ritual, adjusting the astrological energy with the star barrier to create the necessary environment.
—Achieving this within a short time was entirely due to Professor Metia’s extraordinary personal abilities.
Subsequently, using the special properties of the secret passage, she recreated historical scenes to complete the entire ritual.
Among these, the key “actors” were the Blood Princess, Wit, Robert, Tom, and Professor Ryan Hux.
Yes, even Professor Ryan Hux was part of their plan!
…
“Wit Gold, as the Hero’s Child, represents a certain generation of the Hero.”
“Robert Broheim was once parasitized by the vampire Vlad, representing the Hero’s companion, a half-demon polluted by demons.”
“Tom Nixon is a half-orc, representing a mage who went from initial hostility to becoming a friend and eventually joining the Hero’s team.”
“Ryan Hux, the spear-wielding hero, represents the ‘old man,’ a pivotal character who appears at critical moments to save and aid the Hero.”
“Ophelia Brad, however, represents a pregnant Demon King!”
…
This wasn’t fabricated; it was a real historical event.
That generation’s female Demon King, while pregnant, was defeated by the Hero. She protected her unborn child by being stabbed through the heart, but managed to give birth successfully using a secret technique.
The Hero, moved by compassion, didn’t kill the child but took him away to raise as his own.
Until the Hero’s death, the Demon King’s child showed no signs of rebellion.
Living as a sub-human in human society, he lived a peaceful life.
Only after the Hero’s death did he pack his bags, leave the human kingdom, return to demon territory, reclaim his rightful throne, and become the new Demon King!
Afterward, there was a period of peace between demons and humans.
But peace ultimately broke down, and the treaties signed couldn’t be enforced, leading to renewed war.
This was a crucial part of historical records.
It perfectly illustrated that the conflict between demons and humans was irreconcilable.
…
Professor Shylph excerpted this history, compiling it into a highly feasible “play” according to the ritual requirements.
Whether this “play” would achieve the desired effect…
She wasn’t entirely confident.
Everything was modeled after Professor Didi’s approach.
Professor Shylph had no experience.
To her, this “experiment” was also an exploration of the secret passage.
A hasty attempt.
Moreover, the actual executor of the ritual was Ophelia Brad herself.
She and Professor Metia only participated in setting up the scene and planning the process.
Apart from that, they were merely spectators.
Throughout the ritual, their presence would create unpredictable effects on the environment, so she could only hide in Professor Metia’s pumpkin carriage.
The pumpkin carriage could mask aura and conceal presence, making it a precious magical tool.
In fact, she could bring Ophelia Brad into the Mana Academy thanks to the carriage’s special power.
But under these circumstances, an intruder appeared.
…
“So my appearance changed the ‘course of history’?”
Dark looked odd.
Professor Shylph’s arrangements certainly weren’t just about scripting a historical “play.”
To make this “play” effective, many hidden arrangements were necessary.
The effort and resources expended were enormous.
If such massive preparations were wasted simply because of his intrusion, he would feel guilty.
“No.”
Fortunately, Professor Shylph’s response alleviated his concerns.
“In the Hero’s quest to defeat the Demon King, there are naturally more than five actors involved. As long as the main storyline remains unchanged, the side plots can be adjusted.
Even if problems arise, Metia is there. She can patch any gaps from the outside using the barrier’s power.”
Metia’s voice followed, “Tonight, it’s rare to encounter.”
…
Perfect timing, perfect location, perfect personnel.
…
Everything seemed predestined.
Everything seemed fated.
…
But in reality.
Fate had already been shattered.
Everything had already been altered.
…
After understanding the whole situation, Dark gradually relaxed.
Whether the ritual succeeded or failed had little to do with him.
All he needed to know was that after tonight, the Mana Spirit would recover, which was enough.
“So next…”
Dark considered, “Can I find somewhere to take a nap?”
…
“We are at the top of the bell tower,” Professor Shylph’s voice floated lightly.
Unlike Professor Metia, who enjoyed stirring up trouble, Professor Shylph never intended for Dark to participate in this from the beginning.
As for the “observation” Metia mentioned, she had no interest.
“That’s too high,” Dark yawned. “I’ll just find a nearby classroom to lie down. Hopefully, it will be over when I wake up.”
So he found an empty classroom nearby and walked in with the magical golems.
Tonight’s ritual involved the safety of Ophelia Brad.
If he insisted on interfering, it might cause unexpected complications.
One doesn’t need to have enlightenment, but one must have principles.
This gossip wasn’t worth eating!
Besides, he was already full.
So full it was almost bursting!
“The fact that Wit is the Hero Bret and the Blood Princess Ophelia’s child!”
“According to Professor Shylph’s theory, when the Blood Princess gave birth to Wit, she was still in the ‘Demon King’s reproductive’ stage, with demon blood flowing in her veins due to the first embrace.”
Working backwards, it’s likely that demon blood flows in Wit’s body as well.
“No wonder he could understand the book Into the Abyss!”
…
“The most serious information revealed by this incident is likely this point.”
“A future Hero with Demon King blood…”
“Compared to this, the Blood Princess is less important.”
“If this information were exposed at this point, Wit’s situation might become very difficult.”
“I’m lucky that Professor Shylph told me everything.”
“I wonder if they planned a ‘mother-son reunion’ scene?”
“I doubt it.”
“After all, in this play, the Blood Princess plays the role of the Demon King to be defeated by the Hero.”
“The drama between the Demon King and the Hero is a timeless topic.”
…
Dark lay on the seat, resting his hands behind his head, quietly looking at the ceiling of the idle classroom.
In the corner of the ceiling, a spider web was spread, with a spider busily weaving, making the web denser and finer.
Unconsciously, he closed his eyes, falling asleep for the third time tonight.
The Imp Beast lay on the table beside him, looking up at the sky.
The Lion Beast and Deoxys leaned against the opposite wall, crossing their arms and legs, in the same pose.
The Mana Spirit’s magic card still flickered faintly, but the frequency was steady, and the brightness was low.
…
Life is full of strange coincidences.
The Hero’s child has demon blood in his veins.
The Valkyrie’s child has demon god blood in his veins.
Even the descendants of the Kingdom’s twin swords are like this.
How many half-breeds with demon blood exist in this world?
How true is the claim of “total annihilation of demons”?
…
“Beeep—”
In the dreamy scene filled with flowers, Dark suddenly woke up.
He opened his eyes, reaching for his mana deck.
A continuous vibrating door card quickly came into his hand.
“Is it information from the door card? Not the selection card?”
Dark nodded, feeling a breeze and the lingering fluctuations of mana.
“Who sent me a message through the door card?”
