"So that's it."
After hearing Elu's story, Vlad couldn't help but mutter to himself.
Three years ago, the forest within the secret realm was not only rich in resources, but also the main hunting ground and playground for the centaurs.
But for some unknown reason, a mysterious force swept across the entire forest. All creatures, including the centaurs who were hunting at the time, rushed uncontrollably toward its depths.
From that day on, the secret forest became a forbidden zone for centaurs.
That was also when their father disappeared.
Vlad glanced at the two sisters, their four strong and shapely legs folded beneath them on the straw mat, and finally voiced a question that had long weighed on his mind:
"Why is your lower body different from your mother's?"
"Ah~"
Startled by the question, Elu couldn't help but recall the moment they first met.
For a moment, her small hands instinctively pulled her cloak tighter around her, trying to hide her full, peach-shaped rear.
Seeing her shy reaction, Vlad looked away, pretending not to have noticed anything.
Leia, oblivious to the awkward tension between her sister and Vlad, didn't sense anything unusual.
When Elu didn't respond, Leia spoke up softly:
"That happened three years ago too. My sister and I were playing near the forest when we found some rubies in a stream. After that... we became like this."
"Rubies... a stream?"
Vlad's eyes narrowed as a thought struck him.
He suddenly recalled the river Marcus had once warned him about—the one that encircled the village.
At the time, his instincts told him not to investigate too closely. But now he wondered—could the source of that river lie within the secret realm?
The more he thought about it, the more likely it seemed. Vlad decided he would go investigate after treating Luanna tomorrow.
That night.
As the one who had saved their mother, Vlad couldn't refuse the sisters' hospitality. He had no choice but to sleep in the same room with them.
The bed was large, made of soft straw mats, and covered with thick, warm bedding that wasn't scratchy at all.
Elu lay beside him, her cheeks bright red and her watery eyes wide with anxiety. She didn't dare move—because a pair of large hands were currently roaming across her chest.
For a moment, she didn't even dare breathe, afraid of waking her sister who lay next to her.
In the dark, Vlad watched her trembling ears and couldn't help but whisper curiously:
"I've always wondered... since you centaurs have two digestive systems, which one do you use when you're pregnant?"
A soft voice whispered back, full of nervousness:
"W-Why are you asking that?"
"Just curious."
Elu's breath hitched again. After a pause, she replied quietly:
"My mother once told us... that more than a hundred years ago, we were all human."
Vlad paused. His hands might have pressed too hard, as Elu let out a low moan.
Realizing this, he asked, "You mean you were once humans?"
Elu nodded, her face flushed.
"Yes. The village elders said there was a terrible illness spreading at the time. The kingdom ordered that all infected people be gathered and dealt with to stop the disease."
"But many escaped and found this secret place to hide."
"No one knows what happened after that, but not long afterward, people started to change... Some couldn't handle it and chose to end their own lives."
Listening to her story, Vlad silently confirmed his suspicions.
He could sense the strange energy moving within Elu's body. His tongue brushed over his lips as he resumed his "treatment."
When Elu finally couldn't hold back any longer, Vlad sank his fangs into her.
Her trembling and muffled sobs filled the room.
Vlad raised his bloodstained mouth and smiled darkly.
The next morning.
Vlad made his way to Luanna's room.
Judging by the way her eyelashes fluttered, he could tell she was already awake.
She had probably learned the full story from Elu and Leia last night, and now didn't know how to face him.
But Vlad wasn't interested in her thoughts.
He was eager to explore the forest. With some luck, he might uncover something valuable. As for danger—Vlad had full confidence in his strength. Even if he couldn't rule the world before the return of the gods, he could still stand at the peak.
As he began unwrapping the cloth bindings, a few accidental bumps occurred—nothing unusual, right?
Looking at Luanna's red, pointed ears, Vlad muttered in his heart,
"It's not like I haven't seen this before. Just some flesh—what's the big deal?"
As the last bindings loosened, a wave of soft, trembling flesh was revealed.
Vlad didn't hesitate—he started immediately.
Once he brushed away the distractions, he focused entirely on the treatment.
His fingers moved methodically. Luana's body trembled beneath his touch. Before she could react, a sharp pain shot through her, causing her eyes to fly open.
"Don't move! Stay still—no distractions!" Vlad barked.
"Y-You..." Luanna whimpered softly.
"Can you be a little gentler? It really hurts..."
"I can't take it..."
"No, please speak clearly. You're going to give people the wrong idea," Vlad muttered, casting a nervous glance toward the door.
Thankfully, Elu and Leia weren't in the room today. Luanna must've asked them to stay away.
Looking at her slender fingers gripping the bedding tightly, her whole body flushed and tense, Vlad sighed.
"It'll be over soon. Just hang on a little longer."
"Mm~ Then hurry..."
Just as she said that, Luanna grabbed a piece of cloth and stuffed it into her mouth, trying to stifle her voice.
No... why does this scene feel so familiar?
Vlad stepped outside, rubbing his temples.
Today is exhausting. Not just mentally—but visually too.
The sun's really bright today...
Wait—something felt strange.
He looked up at the sky again and muttered,
"Huh? I don't feel uncomfortable at all...?"
What's going on? he wondered.
"Could it be because of the barrier?" he murmured.
"Brother Vlad, how's my mom?"
Elu rushed over, gripping his sleeve tightly, her voice full of worry.
"Don't worry. The toxins are completely gone. Your mother just needs a few days of rest. With the centaurs' strong bodies, she'll recover quickly."
Vlad reassured the anxious sisters.
"Thank you, Vlad."
Elu looked at him gratefully. Then she lowered her head shyly, fingers fiddling nervously.
"About last night..."
Leia tilted her head curiously. "What about last night?"
"Ah! Nothing, nothing!" Elu waved her hands frantically.
"Sister, let's go check on Mom!"
Leia grabbed her sister's hand and tugged her toward the room.
"Phew~" Vlad exhaled, watching them disappear.
"Ah, these innocent little centaur girls... so naïve."
All he did was take a sip of blood, and she actually...
Good thing she was pulled away. Otherwise, he wouldn't even know how to explain himself.
It's all because of that strange glowing orb. If it weren't for that thing, how could he have done such a thing?
Yes, it was the orb's fault. Definitely.
Still... now that he thought about it...
A vampire and a centaur—what a bizarre pairing.
With strange thoughts swirling in his head, Vlad strode toward the forest.