Chapter 95

It was dusk when we returned to Wiltsbrook Castle after our trip to Kanak. The northern region was so vast that it took nearly three hours just to travel there and back.

After dinner, Alec retired to his room and finally opened the system window. Just as he had discussed with Louise earlier, it was time to start finding someone trustworthy among the Northerners who could assist them.

With this in mind, Alec summoned Cassdain.

‘Sir Cassdain.’

Soon, a chilling mist enveloped the room as his servant spirit appeared before him.

‘You called for me,’ came the cold, echoing voice. Cassdain’s sharp features and tattered cloak gave him a ghostly presence, with a look that suggested he might have once been quite charming—if he hadn’t turned into a blood-draining vampire.

As Alec’s level increased, so too did the power of his servant spirits, including Cassdain and Gideon.

‘Gideon,’ Alec thought, summoning the small creature as well.

Gideon responded with a low growl as Alec, now seated, placed him on his lap and began stroking his fur. Turning to Cassdain, Alec spoke, “I summoned you to ask for advice.”

‘Ask, and I will answer.’

“We need someone who can represent the Northerners as our advisor. Ideally, this person will understand the North well enough to assist us in governing. When you were the lord of this region, did you have such an advisor?” Alec inquired.

Though Cassdain had once ruled these lands, his knowledge was from centuries ago, so he couldn’t provide insight into the current state of affairs. However, as a former lord, Cassdain’s advice was still invaluable, especially given how he had already helped with matters involving the wild men and Hiliberry.

‘So, you need someone to assist you in governing?’

“Exactly.”

‘I did not have a formal advisor. However, I will search for someone capable of serving you well.’

With that, Cassdain took a deep breath, as though he were sniffing the air for something. Alec watched in slight confusion, unsure why his servant spirit was smelling for something. Perhaps it was the scent of blood?

After a moment, Cassdain opened his eyes again.

‘Curious. I detect the scent of one of my descendants in Kanak.’

“…A descendant?”

Alec was momentarily speechless. Not only was it surprising that Cassdain had a descendant, but that he could sense their blood even after being sealed for centuries was astonishing. Alec recalled how the system described Cassdain’s heightened ability to distinguish blood, though he hadn’t realized just how sharp that ability was.

“Did you have a child before you turned into a vampire?”

‘Shortly after I was bitten by a bat, my wife and young son fled the castle.’

“…I see.”

Though the story seemed tragic, Cassdain’s face remained as cold and expressionless as ever, showing no trace of emotion.

‘The scent is one that would be perfect to serve you. If they bear my blood, they will make an excellent aide.’

Would they really? Alec couldn’t help but feel intrigued. Cassdain might have been a vampire, but his descendant would have been born into a lineage of nobility. Alec was curious about who they might be.

“I suppose I should find out more about this person. Track them down, and observe how they live. Report back once you have more information.”

‘As you wish, master,’ Cassdain replied before disappearing through the wall, his tattered cloak billowing behind him.

Alec watched him leave, then put Gideon back into the system. Given how late it was, he expected Cassdain wouldn’t return until the next day.

Rising from his chair, Alec began to undress, thinking about how much he had already immersed himself in this world. How long had it been since he thought about where he originally came from? He hadn’t expected to adapt so fully, yet here he was, deeply involved in the affairs of this place, almost as if he belonged here.

Louise.

Alec had never imagined he would fall for someone, let alone someone who was technically another man’s woman. The uncertainty surrounding whether the original Alec’s soul would return only made Alec more cautious. He didn’t want to fall any deeper.

But despite his thoughts, his heart seemed to have other ideas.

With a quiet sigh, Alec opened the system window again, planning to sleep soon. As he absentmindedly glanced through various details, he noticed that the character list was glowing.

“…?”

Since when had it been like that?

Curious, Alec opened the character list. To his surprise, new information had been updated for someone he hadn’t expected.

The entry, which had previously been marked with question marks, now revealed the following:

***

[Alec Myers]

[Alec Myers]

[Male, Age: 23]

[Duke of Brent. A peerless handsome man unmatched in appearance. Committed suicide by consuming poison.]

[Special Note: After death, his soul has been wandering in another world.]

[He mistook his own mana for an illness. He was always cautious, fearing his mana would burst out of his body.]

[Died in a dungeon break in another world.]

“….”

Dungeon break? Death?

Alec couldn’t tear his eyes away from the screen. It was shocking enough to learn that Alec, who had already died once, had died again. But the mention of a dungeon break left Alec in disbelief.

The concept of a dungeon break was something that occasionally occurred in the world Alec originally came from. After a gate appeared, if the boss monster wasn’t defeated within a certain time, the creatures inside would break through the gate and pour out into the world. This led to a terrifying catastrophe, with monsters killing anyone in their path. Hunters were dispatched to close these gates, but sometimes smaller, unnoticed gates still unleashed their horrors upon the world. Even failing to kill the boss monster would result in a dungeon break.

To think that Alec died in such a dungeon break…

“So the world he ended up in had gates too?” Alec thought in disbelief.

Could it be the same world Alec once lived in? He couldn’t be sure. Regardless, dungeon breaks were dangerous events, and given Alec’s previous circumstances, it was possible he had faced something overwhelming.

Alec collapsed onto his bed, staring blankly at the ceiling. Had their souls been switched? No. The gates had long since ceased to appear in Alec’s former world. He had killed the god responsible for sending the beasts into the human realm, securing peace for his old world. That place was no longer threatened by gates or monsters.

It seemed the old Alec had been in another world, one similar to Alec’s, where gates still appeared, and he had perished there.

Alec couldn’t help but feel a mixture of sorrow for Alec’s second death and relief at one significant realization.

“Alec won’t be coming back.”

**

As we prepared for departure to the capital, I pondered how best to make an entrance. From the early morning, my thoughts were focused on how to surprise everyone when we arrived. No one would expect us to return after successfully navigating the treacherous journey to Wiltsbrook Castle and back.

With Andrew joining us, the shock would be even greater.

‘First, I’ll make sure to give Marcel a good scare,’ I thought, feeling satisfied at the mental image of Marcel’s face contorting in surprise.

Some would be astonished and glad at our return, while others might have prayed for our demise.

After final preparations, I received farewell greetings from the castle staff who were staying behind.

“Safe travels, mMy Lady. Just like your arrival, I’m sure nothing will trouble you on the way back,” said Jane, one of the attendants.

“Thank you, Jane. When I return, more staff will be coming with us. You’ve worked so hard taking care of the castle while we’ve been here.”

“It was my pleasure, My Lady. It was rather fun! Let me escort you to the carriage.”

“Thank you.”

I smiled softly at Jane, and she returned the gesture.

Outside the castle, Alec, Andrew, and the rest of the staff were busy loading the carriages for our journey. Unlike when we first arrived, we had only three carriages now, and much less luggage.

“Alec,” I called.

“Louise,” he responded.

As soon as he saw me approaching, Alec extended his hand.

“You can ride in this carriage,” he said, offering his hand to help me inside.

I glanced at him briefly, then accepted his hand and climbed into the carriage.

“Thank you, Alec.”

His face brought back memories of last night, when I had debated going to his room. Part of me had hoped he would come to see me, but to my disappointment, he hadn’t.

‘Maybe I need to make the first move,’ I thought. Although it was a bit disappointing, expecting a man who had kept his distance for three years to suddenly crave my presence every night seemed like too much to ask.

As I gazed out the carriage window, Andrew approached with a smile.

“Andrew!” I greeted.

“You’re here, Louise! I can’t wait to finally head back to the capital—”

‘Slam.’

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