---

Chapter 65: Awakening Dream

The witch was struck as if by invisible lightning, twitching violently before crying out in pain, a flicker of fear finally appearing in her eyes as she instinctively stepped back.

But how could Roy let this opportunity slip away?

Did she think she could come and go as she pleased?

With the power of the Evil Dragon Blood Armor, Roy tore apart the beast’s restraints pure muscle, and before Leanna could dodge, he firmly grabbed her hands and slammed her to the ground.

A low-tier magician was utterly helpless when caught in close quarters.

Roy ignored her desperate yet weak struggles and fully activated Blood Resonance.

A strange rhythm spread out, allowing Roy to feel the turmoil of blood within her.

The next second, Leanna began to struggle in pain, her brows furrowing as she let out sharp gasps.

But Roy knew this was just the demon blood reacting to external influences, and it was actually good news—it meant Blood Resonance was working.

Previously, when resonating with Charlotte, Nia, and the others, Roy had awakened their blood potential; now he was reversing the process, forcibly suppressing it.

But Leanna would have to endure the turmoil of her blood, a pain akin to her veins boiling.

Watching the girl beneath him trembling and twisting, her face contorted in agony as if she might wilt at any moment, Roy felt a twinge of sympathy.

So, she could show this expression too.

No, wasn’t it obvious? The so-called witch was merely a term of disdain used by others.

Leanna was just a girl slightly older than himself.

As the destined daughter, she must carry a cruel fate. But even if he couldn’t change her destiny, Roy wanted to ease her suffering as much as he could.

The restless blood would calm down eventually, but momentary pain was unavoidable.

In resignation, Roy pulled the girl tightly into his arms to redirect her focus away from the pain.

Leanna clawed at his back as though trying to tear him apart, but to Roy, she seemed so weak and helpless, like a drowning person desperately trying to hold onto something.

Feeling the turmoil of her blood and the faint scent of bellflower, he held her tighter, resonating again and again.

Finally, after who knew how many attempts, Leanna tilted her head back, wrapped her arms around his neck, and released a high-pitched wail that sounded like a sob, before going limp and completely collapsing into his arms.

Seeing Leanna unconscious, Roy quickly sat up, scooped her up, and after a thorough check, he finally sighed in relief.

The twisted snake scales vanished, reverting to smooth, delicate skin, and the previously rampant extraordinary fluctuations settled into tranquility.

Most importantly, the pain on the girl’s face finally disappeared; though still pale, she had regained her usual beauty.

No, maybe she was even cuter than usual?

Her sleeping face was so serene and peaceful, like a slumbering beauty from a fairy tale, enchanting anyone who gazed upon her.

What a beautiful girl, too bad she has that mouth. Roy smirked, thinking that Leanna had a certain charm when she wasn’t teasing him.

But seriously, after all this effort to save her, isn’t it reasonable for him to ask for a little reward?

Since he couldn’t play with her normally, now that she was unconscious, shouldn’t it be his turn to score a point?

Roy wore a mischievous grin, gently lifting the strands of hair from her face, wiping the blood off her cheek, and then giving that teasing face he adored so much a hard pinch.

Finally getting his sweet revenge made Roy feel invigorated.

But was a pinch really enough? Just wait till I make your cheeks swell…

Unexpectedly, the unconscious girl suddenly stirred, her little face sleepily nuzzling against his finger as if she were a defenseless little creature.

Seemingly not satisfied, she leaned even closer into Roy’s embrace.

Watching the girl curled up like a hibernating snake seeking warmth in his arms, Roy felt a strange tenderness in his heart; for a moment, all thoughts of revenge vanished.

“Alright, I give up. Even asleep, you’re such a troublemaker…”

Roy leaned down, gently lifting her into his arms, her sleeping face appearing even softer.

After a tense wait of several minutes, Kreya finally saw the basement door open.

Seeing the black-haired boy carrying Leanna out, she was initially filled with joy, but soon bewilderment took over.

The time needed to suppress the blood backlash usually counted in hours; sometimes, Leanna had to slaughter a whole night, killing hundreds of snake beasts to fully calm down.

But this guy is way too fast!

“Take care of Leanna for me,” Kreya said as she took Leanna from the boy.

As he turned to leave, Kreya instinctively asked, “Aren’t you staying?”

The boy paused for a moment.

“Leanna is fine now; though not completely cured, she won’t suffer blood backlash in the short term.”

With that, he took another step.

“True, but I feel like…” Kreya stammered before softly adding, “If you could stay, she would be really happy.”

After a somewhat long silence, Roy, conflicted, rubbed his head and sighed as if giving in.

He turned back and said, “Could you send a message to my maid?”

————————

In the darkness, Leanna wandered through her past memories.

She hated sleeping.

Every time she closed her eyes, the memories she thought were buried deep would surge up like quicksand, dragging her into a cruel nightmare.

Her father’s death, being cast out from her family, having to consume the loathsome corpses of demons for power, and forging ahead through endless schemes and slaughter.

None of it was pleasant.

But now, after having sacrificed so much, where was the retreat?

Having long since grown accustomed to it all, Leanna walked barefoot through the bloodstains, numbly stumbling forward in the darkness.

Yet this time, the darkness ahead was scattered with glimmers of light.

Perhaps on a leisurely afternoon, or while sipping a warm cup of coffee, among those glimmers was always the shadow of a black-haired boy.

Faint, like the light of fireflies, seeming fleeting and far too dim to illuminate the darkness surrounding her.

Even so, it was so beautiful, drawing Leanna in as she unconsciously reached out her hand—

Even if just for a moment, she wanted him.

However, just as she was about to touch that faint glow, Leanna’s hand suddenly froze.

Because she recalled those words.

“Just playing around.”

The tenderness she cherished so dearly was to him merely a casual gift.

She had never truly had a chance with him from the very start.

With that thought, Leanna couldn’t help but smile wryly.

To be thinking of this even in a dream, it was indeed a nightmare.

The road abruptly came to an end.

The girl shut her eyes, letting her consciousness plummet into the abyss as if weightless.

But she felt something supporting her body.

In her hazy state, a thin yet warm light flickered before her eyes—

 

---