Chapter 75: The Weight of Choice and Hidden Truths

Ultimately, Lucia still couldn’t grasp why Rachel would pursue such a path again.

“Even with a slow cultivation speed, by the Bishop’s age, one should surely reach Fifth or even Sixth-tier strength, right?”

“You’re right, but what good is Fifth or Sixth-tier strength when facing even more powerful Fantasy Creatures?”

Though Fifth and Sixth-tier strength was considered formidable in human kingdoms, it was utterly insufficient in the realms of Fantasy Creatures.

In the Arcadia Kingdom, there were only five Seventh-tier powerhouses in total. While a Seventh-tier individual could contend with Calamity-level Fantasy Creatures, they could only manage the lower-tier ones.

Each Fantasy Creature realm harbored almost a dozen Calamity-level Fantasy Creatures, and the Decay-level ones, corresponding to Fifth and Sixth-tier, were countless.

Her sister, Liliana, for instance, was depicted in the original work as the highest-tier Calamity-level creature. With her power alone, she could annihilate the entire Arcadia Kingdom.

Among humans, only a fully matured Lucia would be capable of confronting her.

“Perhaps she despaired of this long, seemingly endless struggle. She sought a shortcut, secretly studying dark magic, but was discovered and expelled by the Mage Association.”

“I imagine that when one has lost everything, if an opportunity to become a Bloodkin presents itself, most people would find it impossible to resist the temptation.”

“Eternal life, magical circuits and physical prowess far exceeding ordinary mortals… with infinite time, perhaps one could truly fight this endless despair until their tears ran dry. That’s why she became a demon.”

Lovelenica couldn’t help but sigh. She could likely understand Rachel’s actions and thoughts, yet she neither approved of her nor pitied her.

It wasn’t that Rachel’s experience wasn’t pitiable, but rather, Lovelenica felt there was no need to pity her. Becoming a Bloodkin was Rachel’s own choice.

Since she had made that choice, she shouldn’t expect any mercy or salvation.

“…Is that how it is?”

Lucia murmured, half understanding, half perplexed. To fight despair with endless time did indeed sound somewhat logical.

She looked once more at Lovelenica beside her.

“Teacher, what if this opportunity were offered to you? Would you choose to become a Bloodkin?”

“Cough, cough, cough…”

Hearing Lucia’s sudden question, Lovelenica’s heart jolted, nearly causing her to lose her composure.

‘Who needs such an opportunity?’ Lovelenica thought. ‘I’m already a born Bloodkin.’

She coughed awkwardly twice, then replied.

“Of course not! My talent isn’t bad, and besides, I have you, Lucia. You are the hope of humanity.”

Lovelenica’s words were not false. A fully grown Lucia would be capable of eradicating all Fantasy Creatures in the world.

As her strength continuously increased, her abilities would manifest with even greater efficacy.

Though Lucia’s current healing factor could only mend minor injuries, upon reaching Fifth-tier, she would be able to regenerate severed limbs.

By Seventh-tier, she would essentially be immortal, much like Lovelenica’s Bloodkin form. Even if her head were crushed, it would rapidly regenerate.

Her Sacred Fire, moreover, could incinerate everything. Currently, its manifestation was merely its immense penetrating power, capable of burning through elemental bodies or hard objects.

However, at Eighth-tier, it would even be able to achieve conceptual incineration.

Just as Liliana could wield the power of destiny, Lucia would even be able to burn away the destiny Liliana altered.

This, ultimately, was the cause of Liliana’s defeat.

As for why Lucia could become so incredibly powerful, it would only be revealed in the later stages of the original work.

Her strength was actually bestowed by the Celestial Realm. The Celestial Realm chose for humanity to rule this world, and thus granted Lucia this power.

Ultimately, Lucia lived up to the Celestial Realm’s expectations, nearly slaughtering all Fantasy Creatures and establishing humanity as the world’s rulers.

Though some formidable Fantasy Creatures still remained, their reproductive capabilities were inherently poor.

Coupled with their drastically dwindling numbers, their race had entered an irreversible decline. From then on, Fantasy Creatures became truly creatures of fantasy.

At this thought, Lovelenica’s heart suddenly sank. This was actually a good opportunity to test Lucia.

She could gauge Lucia’s attitude towards her if she were to transform into a Bloodkin.

“Lucia, what if I genuinely chose this path, chose to embrace eternal life? What would you do then?”

Lovelenica’s tone was deliberately light, as if she were merely joking, exploring another possibility in life.

“Huh?”

Hearing Lovelenica’s peculiar jest, Lucia first froze, then fell silent, seemingly at a loss.

“This… if Teacher truly became a Bloodkin, I would be very troubled…”

In Lucia’s heart, Lovelenica was her savior, the one who had given her shelter and taught her strength.

Though the process might have been strict and extreme at times, Lovelenica’s help to Lucia was undeniably immense.

As long as Lovelenica remained human, Lucia would continue to harbor a deep gratitude towards her.

Thus, upon hearing Lovelenica’s hypothetical, Lucia found herself in a difficult predicament.

“Teacher, I can’t think of an answer… Please don’t ask me such questions!”

“Besides, didn’t you say such a thing wouldn’t happen? Since it won’t, then don’t put me in such a difficult spot…”

Lucia responded with a pitiful whine, not answering Lovelenica’s question but choosing to evade it.

Although she had been the first to ask if Lovelenica would choose to become a Bloodkin, Lucia had only wanted to understand the idea itself. She had never considered what would happen if Lovelenica actually became a Bloodkin.

In fact, if Lovelenica were forced to become a Bloodkin, perhaps through a forced embrace ritual, Lucia would feel grief but still side with Lovelenica.

She would explain the situation to the Church, trying her best to save Lovelenica’s life.

However, if Lovelenica willingly became a Bloodkin, Lucia would undoubtedly feel anger and a sense of betrayal.

She would definitely apprehend Lovelenica, demanding a clear explanation. As for whether to kill her or not, that would depend entirely on Lovelenica’s answer.

“Hahaha, don’t look so upset.”

Lovelenica offered a faint smile, treating her previous words as nothing more than a jest.

“It was just a joke; I wasn’t asking you to seriously consider it. Let’s go back and continue training.”

“The hunting exercise is next week, so we should prepare thoroughly.”

“Mhm…”

The two walked slowly, one after the other, towards the training grounds.

In reality, Lucia had only considered the scenario of Lovelenica transforming from a human into a Bloodkin.

She had never once contemplated the possibility that Lovelenica had been a Bloodkin all along.

If Lucia were to discover this truth, her faith would likely crumble, just as it did in the original story.