Important note at the end of chapter~!
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There was a time where one race had stood above the rest, praised and deified as descendants of gods. These were the Vampires. Small in number, they excelled in their natural affinity with magic. That paired with their lifespans meant that even the most talentless of the vampires would live long enough to become a master of magic.
And that's precisely what happened during their time. With every other race envious of their abilities and gifts, every vampire, regardless of age or gender, were taught to fight.
If the need ever arose the vampires had the ability to utilize every member of their race to defend their homeland. Even if their blood sucking nature seemed devilish in the eyes of others, with their strength they fended off each devout believer.
Eventually they turned from monsters, to holy beings in the eyes of the people of Tortus. The people had no choice but to accept them, as each attempt to eliminate them ended in catastrophic failure.
But, already declared as the strongest race, a development had happened that only made them seem even more untouchable. And that was the birth of a certain female vampire.
Whether it be talents or looks, she prevailed in every field. Being the daughter of the reigning king and queen, everything she ever wanted was gifted to her. Usually such a development would result in her character becoming poisonous, and yet her heart only ever moved to aid her people.
And at the age of 12, her uniqueness only grew. She was an Atavist, the blood of ancestral vampires ran in her veins. With it came the ability to cast magic without the need for a magic circle. That should have been enough to deem her the strongest being on Tortus when paired with her lifespan and a vampire's natural talent in magic.
Automatic Regeneration, so long as she had mana, the little princess couldn't be killed. Wounds were meaningless, and before long she became a legend on the battlefield.
Demon, Crimson Eyed Beauty, Devil, Bloodsoaked Queen, she was given many names by those who were unfortunate enough to meet her. She became praised by her people but simultaneously a figure they declared sacred.
There were only a few people capable of treating her as the little girl she was, those that treated her as a living being rather than an object of worship, something that neither her mother or father could do.
Her uncle and a few of her appointed knights, trusted fully she treated them as family. For they stood to fill the familial void both of her parents were too busy to fill.
In particular, her uncle, Dienleed Galdea Vesperitio Avatarl, was the closest thing she had to a father.
Her days were filled with happiness, her people were happy, she ascended the throne with no trouble, war all over the world had ceased, there was only one thing that irked her—
Those she had considered her closest personnel had cut ties with her, whether it be her uncle or her appointed knights, all parties addressed her with coldness as one would with a stranger. She noticed that even the sight of her made her uncle clench her fist.
And on the day she would be official declared by the Holy Church as a messenger of god, she was betrayed—
Her uncle led a group into the castle and slaughtered everyone and everything. Her parents, her cousins, knights she had been familiar with since birth, the betrayal had shocked her so much that she didn't even respond when she was bombarded with magic spells.
Her cries went unheard as her uncle coldly dragged her into the darkness of the abyss, locking her in a tomb where the sun would never shine.
For centuries that scene played over and over in her mind, what had caused the deterioration of their relationship? Why did her uncle betray her? And for centuries she was unable to come up with an answer.
Well, she did come up with at least one answer, and that was—
"He hated me…" Yue was sitting upright against the headboard of her bed. A solemn expression on her face as she recalled the events that had transpired in her past.
It was these memories that her mirror had used against her in the last trial. These very memories made her realize that there was a reason why her uncle didn't kill her. 'He hated me' that's what she had thought for the past few centuries.
"But now I'm not too sure…" She closed her eyes with a painful expression, faint images painted her mind as if to recreate a scene she had repressed in the back of her mind.
There was one thing her uncle had said to her before locking her in the abyss.
"I'm so sorry… But there's no other way. One day, someone will save you… someone you can trust… Someone that will surely protect you— This is all— But please, forget— Love—" Only the first half she was able to comprehend, as for the second… only snip bits of it came to her before she held a hand to her head as if to suppress the migraine growing in her head.
The very foundation of her thought process the past few centuries had been shaken with a single encounter in the labyrinth. Why did she forget it? Why until now did she truly believe he hated her?
"I see… Well, that's a huge relief~!" Ivan sighed before sitting on the foot of her bed with relief. His reaction solicited an annoyed eyebrow twitch from Yue.
"No, no, no, don't get me wrong. This situation is pretty bad, I mean, you were the strongest person of your time… and yet your Uncle sealed you at the depths of a labyrinth that mortals nowadays can't reach. The man was scared shitless of whatever he thought was going to attack you! Not only that, but he needed to put on a show too… he needed the world to think Aletia Galdea Vespeririritio Avatarl was dead…"
"Um, Ivan, that's too many ri's…"
"Point taken! What I'm trying to say is that no matter what we're gonna have to deal with whatever it is head on. Though the likely scenario is that your uncle was thinking of the gods that even the liberators find troublesome…"
He got up from her bed before stepping up to her side.
"What your uncle probably didn't predict was US. I mean, a team full of beings that have control over the different types of ancient magic isn't exactly anticipated by many. And don't forget we've been tested by the self-proclaimed god slayers themselves on what we need to go against Ehit."
Ivan laid a hand on hers, grasping it before looking into her eyes.
"So don't you go thinking we're gonna die so easily! Your troubles are ours, and ours are yours! We ain't gonna let you run away thinking you could get out of helping us out~ Let's figure everything out from the bastard himself, we'll find out what exactly happened from Ehit's mouth… right after we give him a couple death wishes for all the trouble he's caused~!"
"...."
A smile bloomed from Yue's lips. 'That's right… it's too late for me to leave everything to this guy. The others too… fufufu~ Where would they be without be~? I'm going to figure out why my uncle betrayed us… and I'll do it by beating that false god first!'
She allowed Ivan's hand to pull her out of the bed, leaping to his chest before wrapping her body around him. 'But first— a little thanks from me!' She sent a provocative smile toward Tio, declaring that even if Tio earned Ivan's affection, no one holds a place greater in his heart than her.
*𝘾𝙃𝙐𝙐𝙐~! ❤️*
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I must report that I've made another miscalculation. It seems that Volume 12 of Arifureta is not the last, the author himself said that the last one would be Volume 13, which has no release date. So if I catch up to that I have no idea if I'm going to just freefall it with the knowledge I have now and make an ending or put this work on hold until it gets released.
I'd like to hear your guys' opinions on that.
So hey, thanks for reading after all this time. It's been more than half a year, and it'd be a lie to say I'm not a little proud to have been consistent with this work throughout the whole journey. Thanks for motivating me to come this far. Have a great evening, and I'll see you all next time!
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