"A date?"
"Yes, the first day of the New Year—such a meaningful day. Master, don't you want to have a sweet date with Niv?"
Though expressionless, Niv's eyes flickered with a trace of anticipation that Hel could see.
"A date, huh? I don't have anything else to do anyway, so why not."
Hel got up, washed, and noticed that the castle felt unusually empty today.
"I understand Arwin and Sebas are busy, but what about everyone else?"
"Sir Knight Black took his wife shopping, Anna and her mother are in the greenhouse, and Miss Lily is probably still sleeping."
"Sleeping… well, that's just like her usual style."
Hel muttered but understood; after all, vampires are nocturnal. Disliking early mornings is natural.
"All right, let's go."
After getting ready, Hel placed a mask on Niv that barely covered half her face, then took her small hand and headed out into Heim City.
Though the city was still technically at war, Hel's series of public-friendly policies had greatly improved residents' lives. While not making everyone rich, nobody went hungry, and the "work-for-relief" program created many new two-story apartments, easing the housing shortage.
Other policies, implemented by Sebas but clearly Hel's own, also benefited the citizens. Naturally, some people's interests were affected—especially noble heirs, some wealthy merchants, and gangs in the slums. These groups were primary targets of Hel's attention.
As Hel and Niv walked the streets, a few eyes followed them from the shadows.
"Master, should I take care of them?" Niv whispered, holding Hel's arm.
Hel shook her head. It wasn't appropriate to spill blood on the first day of the New Year. Tomorrow, Sebas could handle it.
They continued their stroll, and over time, the hidden gazes faded—except for one.
This gaze never left them, and shockingly, its owner casually appeared right in front of them.
"Yo, we meet again, Count."
It was Witt, the one Hel had previously swept away with a water attack, now dressed as a mercenary, sitting shamelessly outside Hel's newly opened milk tea shop, one hand holding a small cake, the other a pearl milk tea, cream smeared across his mouth.
"Count, are you out with your little girlfriend? Seems my appearance is ill-timed. Still, allow me to formally apologize; your date might be ruined because of me."
He released the psychic pressure of a fourth-tier mage, enveloping them.
"Could the Count please come with me—"
Before he could finish, a sharp voice rang out beside Hel.
[High-level Elemental Magic: Anti-Magic Field]
Instantly, a complex magic array blossomed beneath Niv's feet, rapidly covering Witt.
Sensing danger, Witt instinctively tried to cast a flight spell to escape. However, as he traced the magic circle, he realized the surrounding elements no longer obeyed him. Even the elemental power within his body felt like it was slipping from his control.
"Impossible!" he shouted, spinning to flee.
Another sharp voice sounded.
[High-level Elemental Magic: Elemental Seal]
Golden chains burst from the ground, wrapping around Witt. Once fully embedded in his body, he completely lost control of his elemental power. Controlling his own body also became extremely difficult.
To avoid being killed outright by this little girl, he weakly pleaded,
"Mis… misunderstanding! I mean no harm!"
But Niv ignored him.
A huge hammer of ice had formed in her hands. With a light swing, the wind pressure alone caused Witt to collapse to his knees, barely resisting.
Once he fainted from fright, Niv released the ice hammer, returning it to pure elemental form, and returned to Hel's side, holding her arm.
"Master, the villain who interrupted our date is defeated. Shall we finish him off?"
"Don't be so eager to kill," Hel said, fondly patting Niv's head, surprised by how seriously she took this date. Normally, Niv was the least interested in fighting.
"Today isn't for bloodshed. Tomorrow, just hang him on the city gate," Hel decided.
Witt, lying on the ground, went pale. He had only wanted to test Hel, relying on his fourth-tier power to dominate this remote county—but his bravado met a wall.
He couldn't even stand up after the ice hammer; scared of being smashed to pulp, he was escorted to the castle dungeon by Hel's city guards.
Of course, Hel wanted to learn more about the Skoll School. She didn't hang him on the wall, simply imprisoned him because he showed up at the wrong time. After all, she had promised Niv a date today.