Chapter 101: The Shifting Score and a Chilling Realization

“Attestor… will your family have any objections?”

Imeline and Lucia both turned their gaze to Attestor. Seeing their reaction, Lovelenica likely understood that the scores from the Monster Hunt Exercise held significant importance for Attestor.

Indeed, this was the case. Regardless of Lucia’s score, the Church valued her powerful physique, her self-healing abilities, and the Holy Fire that purified all.

As for Imeline, she was royalty; even if she couldn’t achieve a satisfactory score, it was hardly a major issue.

Attestor alone needed to use her Monster Hunt Exercise scores to prove her worth.

In response to Imeline’s inquiry, Attestor merely shook her head, speaking to everyone with a serene composure.

“It’s fine. Knowing you’re both safe and sound is more than enough for me. It doesn’t matter if I don’t gain my family’s recognition, having you by my side is all I need.”

“Thor…”

Listening to Attestor’s words, Imeline murmured softly. The three then exchanged a smile, accepting the reality that their Monster Hunt Exercise had concluded.

In truth, part of Attestor’s desire for family recognition and resources was to rescue Lucia from Lovelenica’s grasp.

If Lovelenica had truly changed, then Attestor wouldn’t need her family’s approval as much. Through this battle, Attestor had begun to see Lovelenica in a new light, hoping only that Lovelenica wasn’t merely putting on an act.

“Heh, it’s not over yet, you know. Don’t you intend to continue with the Monster Hunt Exercise?”

Lovelenica looked at the three women before her, chuckling softly as she asked them.

“Oh? Are you implying you’ll cover for us?”

Imeline shot Lovelenica an exasperated look, answering her own question.

“Even if you wanted to cover for us, it wouldn’t work. We’re currently… and besides, if you did protect us, how would you explain the black-clad figures and the Vampire afterward?

It’s certainly impossible to continue.”

“That’s true, but I don’t think you’re necessarily going to lose to Julie and her group.”

“How could that be? Julie is taking two-fifths of our total score. Most of the Specters in the Lost City are only Impure-level, and Contaminated-level Specters are rare. We can only win by sheer numbers; how could we possibly— Wait, could it be?”

Imeline’s words abruptly trailed off mid-sentence. With Lovelenica’s reminder, Imeline realized that the crucifix recorded more than just the Specters they had previously killed.

When they had eliminated the black-clad figures earlier, a light had also flashed on their crucifixes. Those black-clad figures were also considered Fantasy Creatures eligible for scoring.

These black-clad figures were at least third-tier, worth far more points than second-tier Specters. Moreover, since Lovelenica wasn’t wearing a crucifix, the points for the fourth-tier black-clad figures she defeated were all tallied under Lucia and the others.

This significantly boosted their accumulated scores.

Thus, the cold, black-clad figures transformed into wonderfully warm points.

“That’s fantastic! If we include those black-clad figures, we might not lose after all!”

“Exactly. For now, just come back to the tower with me. These Specters can’t climb the tower, so you can rest properly up there.”

Lovelenica smiled faintly at their joyous expressions, then once again used a Holy Healing Scroll to treat the three, restoring some of their stamina, before leading them back to the tower.

On the way back to the tower, they inevitably encountered a few Specters. These were all handled by Lucia.

Lovelenica hadn’t taken Lucia’s crucifix, subtly favoring her by allowing her to defeat a few more Specters.

Upon reaching the top of the tower, the three — Lucia, Imeline, and Attestor — finally relaxed completely. The air at the summit was far fresher than the murky resentment below.

With Specters unable to ascend the tower, they could now rest peacefully.

After settling down, Lucia recalled the escaped Vampire and questioned Lovelenica about it.

“By the way, Teacher, did you discover anything about that Vampire during your pursuit? Any clues about her origins or identity?”

“Heh, she specifically uses firearms in combat and other arcane weapons. This one clearly has ties to the Hillebach Duchy, doesn’t she?”

Before Lovelenica could even speak, Imeline, who was sitting beside them, leaning against the railing, was quick to answer.

“Was that person injured? Does she have self-healing abilities?”

Imeline looked at Lovelenica, awaiting her reply. Although Imeline had attacked Olivia with her Flamefall at the time, the distance had prevented her from clearly seeing if Olivia had recovered.

Imeline and Attestor were already aware of the previous intelligence regarding Incomplete Bloodkin. Imeline believed Olivia to be one as well, reasoning that no true Bloodkin would fight solely with firearms, without using any blood magic.

If Lovelenica had observed that the opponent lacked self-healing, it would almost certainly confirm she was an Incomplete Bloodkin.

“Mhm.”

Lovelenica nodded, confirming Imeline’s conjecture. While Olivia had indeed gained self-healing abilities after signing a contract with Lovelenica, Imeline was referring to *before* that.

At that time, Olivia could only heal her wounds by consuming blood and couldn’t store excess power for self-healing.

“Her wounds truly didn’t heal, and she used an arcane weapon to escape my grasp. I believe, just as you suspect, she very likely has some connection to the Hillebach Duchy.”

Hearing Lovelenica agree with her deduction, Imeline gave a proud little huff, then continued speaking.

“I’d say these Vampires might even be creations of their Hillebach Duchy!”

“Hey, Imeline, the Hillebach Duchy is still a human nation, after all. They wouldn’t go so far as to research something so morally reprehensible, would they?”

Lucia waved her hand, dismissing Imeline’s radical assertion. How could a human nation engage in research that transforms humans into Vampires, a practice that violates human rights, morality, and ethics?

She believed that only cults or human traitors, like those who betray humanity and abandon their own nature, such as Hochell, would research such things.

The Vampire they had just faced was probably just the product of some cult.

“Sigh… Lucia, you’re too naive. Don’t imagine humanity as a unified front. There are all sorts of conflicts between human nations, and it’s not surprising for these humans to do anything.”

Imeline sighed helplessly. As a member of the royal family, Imeline had witnessed the endless schemes and infighting among various noble factions since childhood.

She had long understood the treachery of the human heart; human horror was no less than that of Fantasy Creatures. Anything that could bring profit or secure victory was something humans would do.

Lucia was still too naive. She believed humanity’s enemies were only Fantasy Creatures, unaware that humans were also enemies to each other.

It was precisely because of this innocence that she continued to trust Lovelenica even now.

However, Imeline didn’t dislike Lucia’s purity.

No!

At this thought, Imeline’s pupils suddenly constricted. She inadvertently glanced at Lovelenica, then quickly averted her eyes.

‘Artificial Bloodkin… Vampire… orphanage… monthly blood draws…’

A terrifying thought surfaced in Imeline’s mind.

If that Vampire was created by the Hillebach Duchy, then what about those black-clad figures who turned into blood after death?

Was the Arcadia Kingdom’s national defense so fragile that it would allow two unknown forces to infiltrate? Or was it… that one of these forces was already operating within the Arcadia Kingdom itself?