"It could be considered a blessing in disguise."
"I didn't expect my self-healing ability to improve by more than a level," Vlad thought, knowing it was the result of the brief transformation triggered by the Hellfire Demon King.
He looked at the demon hunters—drained dry of blood and lying lifeless. A sweep of blood-red flames passed through, erasing every trace of their existence.
"It was Brother Vlad! Brother Vlad saved us!" a surprised voice rang out.
Elu sprang forward like a swallow returning to its nest and dove into Vlad's arms.
She was visibly overjoyed.
Seeing her bright, tear-filled eyes and bloodied wounds, Vlad gently stroked her back and comforted her softly.
With Elu's gentle and timid nature, she must have been terrified.
"Brother Vlad!" another voice called out.
Leia and her mother Luanna also appeared from the shadows.
Leia's expression flickered with something unreadable when she saw Elu clinging to Vlad.
Startled by her sister's voice, Elu quickly pulled away from Vlad, stepping to the side with a flustered expression, clearly unsure of what to do.
"Sister, you..." Leia began, surprised as she looked Elu over from head to toe.
But Elu, blushing furiously, covered her sister's mouth before she could finish.
Meanwhile, Luanna stepped in front of Vlad, bowed slightly, and said sincerely, "My lord, I didn't have time to thank you last time. I never expected you would save us again. I truly don't know how to repay you."
Though Luanna's voice was calm, Vlad's sharp perception caught the subtle unease behind her composed exterior.
It wasn't just Elu's affectionate behavior moments earlier.
It was also the awkwardness of not knowing how to face him.
After all, Vlad was the only man besides her late husband who had seen her body.
Still, Luanna's maturity and self-control allowed her to speak with grace and dignity.
Vlad glanced meaningfully at the beautiful, silver-haired centaur woman.
He didn't look away until he noticed a trace of panic in her eyes.
His gaze paused on the pointed ears hidden beneath her hair—now flushed red, like an elf's.
Finally, he asked, "How did these people find this place?"
Faced with Vlad's question, Luanna glanced at Elu and answered, "Maybe Elu was followed when she went out for food."
"Oh?" Vlad turned toward Elu.
Meeting his gaze, Elu lowered her head, overcome with shame. Tears filled her eyes and threatened to fall.
"Actually, I think she was looking for you," Luanna whispered.
"Ever since you left without a word last time, Elu's been distracted."
Luanna turned back to Vlad. "She's gone out nearly every day since then."
"Every day?" Vlad raised an eyebrow in surprise. "How long has it been since I left?"
Luanna looked at him curiously. "About seven or eight days."
Vlad frowned. He hadn't realized he'd been unconscious for that long.
As he thought about it, Luanna suddenly noticed his missing right hand and gasped, "You're injured!"
Elu rushed to him in alarm. When she saw that his hand was gone, she burst into tears.
Even Luanna and Leia looked at him with concern but didn't know what to say.
"It's fine. Don't be so worried—my hand will grow back," Vlad reassured them.
"Really?" Elu looked up at him with teary eyes.
"Really. Watch closely if you don't believe me," Vlad said with a warm smile.
The others looked closely and saw that small buds and tissue structures were already forming at the stump of his wrist.
Their worries eased, and at the same time, they were amazed at his incredible healing ability.
Boom~!!
Suddenly, the thunder of galloping hooves echoed in the distance.
Through the rising dust, dozens of centaurs charged toward them.
"Luanna, we're here!!" shouted a middle-aged centaur leading the charge.
He had a burly frame and well-defined muscles.
Luanna whispered to Vlad, letting him know that this was Cruz, the captain of their centaur garrison.
She stepped forward and said, "Cruz, thank you for coming, but the enemy has already been dealt with—by Vlad."
Not wanting any misunderstandings, Luanna quickly introduced Vlad.
At first, the centaurs looked wary, even hostile. But after hearing the full story, their expressions softened, and they looked at Vlad with friendly eyes.
"Thank you for your help, warrior," Cruz said as he stepped forward, knelt before Vlad, and saluted him with heartfelt sincerity.
So simple and genuine.
Looking at this group of tall, muscular centaurs—each one averaging between 1.9 and 2 meters tall—Vlad's eyes flickered with interest.
"It was nothing, really," Vlad replied modestly. "I'm honored to have helped."
His humility and graciousness quickly won over the crowd.
Cruz laughed heartily. "Friend! You saved my people. Tonight, we won't stop celebrating until the fire burns out!"
He thumped his chest generously and shouted to the others:
"Let's go! Prepare a feast worthy of our friend!"
Another loud cheer followed, and in a cloud of dust, the centaurs galloped away.
Seeing Vlad's slight surprise, Luanna explained with a smile, "As you know, we don't keep much food here. They need time to gather it."
Vlad nodded in understanding—they were going out to hunt.
As he watched the centaurs disappear into the distance, he couldn't help but assess their potential.
"Natural-born cavalry.
Incredible speed, powerful bursts of strength—this is a race that evolves passively through sheer physical ability."
"What a waste for them to remain hidden here."
He looked over at Luanna, a thoughtful expression in his eyes.