"Alright, let's go inside."
Not wanting to linger on the earlier topic, Arthur smoothly changed the subject.
"Since you're visiting my place today, let me prepare a big feast to welcome you."
"I'll let you have a taste of my cooking."
"Hm? What's wrong?"
As he spoke, Arthur suddenly noticed something off about Akashiya Moka.
She was staring at him, her eyes burning with an intensity that looked as if she wanted to devour him whole.
That gaze was all too familiar.
It was the same as when she'd wanted to bite him before.
Could it be… she wanted his blood again?
"Ah…"
Startled by his voice, Moka snapped out of her trance.
Her eyes flickered, her cheeks flushed, and she let out a slightly embarrassed laugh.
"Sorry, I was just a little distracted."
Only now did she realize—her vampiric instincts had stirred again, making her crave his blood.
Fortunately, it was still within her control, and she managed to suppress it.
"I see…"
Arthur gave her a brief look, then smiled.
"Come on, don't just stand in the doorway. Let's go in."
"Then I'll intrude."
Moka smiled, nodding lightly.
Arthur took out a brand-new pair of indoor slippers from the shoe cabinet.
They changed into them at the entryway and stepped into the bright, spacious first-floor living room.
One side of the room was lined with huge floor-to-ceiling windows, giving a perfect view of the beautiful garden outside.
The garden alone was worth a fortune.
Sliding open the window, Arthur turned to her.
"Moka, what would you like to drink?"
"Um… plain water is fine."
She blinked, hesitated for a moment, then gave her answer.
"Alright, one moment."
Arthur arched a brow and walked toward the kitchen.
If he remembered correctly, Moka liked tomato juice—it resembled blood in color.
But since he didn't have any here, she had probably chosen water instead.
By then, the sun had vanished beyond the western horizon.
Night quietly descended.
The Milky Way stretched across the heavens, sprinkling the night with starlight.
With Moka's help, Arthur prepared dinner.
She insisted on lending a hand, and seeing she was determined, he relented.
At the dining table on the first floor, Arthur placed the last dish down and sat opposite her with a smile.
"Alright, let's eat."
"Itadakimasu."
They pressed their hands together and said it in unison before picking up their chopsticks.
The spread before them was abundant.
Crispy-on-the-outside, tender-on-the-inside tofu in tomato sauce, its sweet and tangy flavor whetting the appetite.
Golden tempura shrimp and assorted vegetable tempura—similar in texture, yet each with its own charm.
Garlic-steamed spare ribs, rich with aroma, the meat tender and juicy, sliding cleanly off the bone with a bite.
Braised chicken with potatoes, crispy potato rings, jade rolls of greens, garlic broccoli, chilled cucumber salad…
A full table of homestyle dishes, balanced with meat and vegetables, brimming with variety.
Moka picked up a piece of tofu, took a bite, and chewed gently.
Happiness and satisfaction filled her heart.
Her expression said everything: crescent brows, lips curled in a faint smile.
To her, the food tasted extraordinary—better, in fact, than anything she had ever eaten before.
And the reason?
Her gaze shifted, settling softly on Arthur across the table.
Not far away at all—he was right there.
As the dishes slowly disappeared, time slipped by unnoticed.
Before they knew it, it was past seven o'clock.
Night enveloped the garden outside.
The lights inside were warm and gentle.
After soaking the dishes in water, Arthur and Moka sat together on the sofa, gazing out at the courtyard.
They didn't speak.
They simply savored the quiet contentment of a full stomach.
After a few minutes, a thought came to Arthur. He turned to her.
"Moka, have you ever seen an evil spirit?"
"Evil spirit? No, I haven't."
She blinked in surprise, then shook her head.
"You haven't?!"
Arthur was taken aback.
Evil spirits in this world weren't as common as in Mieruko-chan's world.
But judging from the past few days, they certainly weren't rare either.
Since Moka had lived in the human world for three years, it didn't make sense for her to have never encountered one.
Still, if she said so, he had no reason to doubt her.
There had to be a reason.
After a pause for thought, he asked,
"Moka, would you mind if I examine your body?"
"Sure."
She agreed immediately, smiling without the slightest hesitation.
Though inside, her mind began to whirl.
Examine… her body?
Did that mean… touching her directly?
Her cheeks reddened.
She had answered so readily—wouldn't that sound… suggestive?
"Alright then, here I go."
Closing his eyes, Arthur released his spiritual power to envelop her.
The Authority of the Colorless King granted him formidable mental strength.
And after the seven Authorities fused into the Supreme Authority, his powers had undergone a transformation.
Combined with the Third Magic—the Materialization of the Soul—his spirit was comparable to that of a god.
A true god.
Not merely a weak divinity with a trace of godforce.
The moment his invisible power enveloped her, Moka froze slightly.
A glimmer of crimson flickered faintly in her pupils.
And when Arthur's spiritual force touched her… he saw another Moka.
In a world painted blood-red.
Above, a blood moon hung in the sky, casting its eerie glow.
The earth was littered with crooked crosses like gravestones, and twisted, withered trees.
The branches bore no leaves—only clusters of bats hanging upside down, taking their place.
And there she was.
Silver-haired, red-eyed Akashiya Moka sat upon a throne woven from vines.
One hand propped up her chin, her right leg crossed over her left.
Her chin tilted ever so slightly, her face expressionless.
She carried an air of lazy indifference, yet the majesty of a queen.
When Arthur saw her, she seemed to notice him too.
Her gaze narrowed, deep and cool.
Then the corner of her lips curved in the faintest, unreadable smile.
A pulse of intangible information flowed into his mind.
Back in the living room—
Arthur withdrew his power, already understanding the truth.
Though Moka's abilities were sealed, she was still a vampire of True Ancestor lineage.
The "Inner Moka" had taken measures.
Whenever an evil spirit approached within fifty meters, she released an invisible aura of intimidation.
It struck fear into them, driving them away.
That was why "Outer Moka" had never encountered an evil spirit in the human world.
"Is it over?"
Moka blinked at him, a little uncertain. She hadn't felt anything.
"It's over."
Arthur smiled and nodded.
Her bright eyes lingered on him, full of curiosity.
"So, did you find anything?"
"Yes. It's like this…"
He explained—though in simpler terms—that her True Ancestor power would automatically emit a special aura, warding off spirits.
That was why she had never met one.
…
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