Free Web NovelChapter 130: Epilogue: The path to redemption (7)
"I’m listening, General Levreeshka Dulcar. Though frankly, I don’t know what else there is to discuss. I already explained my reasons to your brother Adrian Dulcar over a month ago, and I thought they were more than clear," Julius Azuralis begins, seated on a small throne.
At his side stand his son Rudeor and his wife Victoria.
"What I want to talk about has nothing to do with that. It was only an excuse to reach you without giving the guards too many explanations," Levreeshka replies, standing before them.
She then pulls out the small golden emblem from her pocket — the one Alexander Azuralis gave her before their farewell.
Julius stares at her in silence, his expression filled with growing concern and unease.
Rudeor remains indifferent, at least outwardly, while Victoria cannot hold back her tears.
"I assume you know who this belonged to, right?"
"I know exactly who it belonged to. When my nephew Alexander decided not to return with us to N’Raeth, I knew this day would come eventually — though I truly hoped it never would. What surprises me is that a General of the Scarlet Army herself came all this way to deliver the news... and to hand me his emblem."
"The reason I’m here is related to his death. He spoke a lot about you, and how you always saw him as a coward. If I came, it’s only because he wanted his family to know that he died as a true man."
"Pff... oh, spare me. He was always a coward and he died like one — he probably turned tail and ran from the enemy like he always did, but he clearly wasn’t fast enough to save his own skin," Rudeor snaps.
"You’re wrong. He died fighting, and my being here is proof. If I’m standing in front of you today telling you about his courage, it’s only because he gave his life to save mine."
"If that’s true, then he really was a brainless idiot!" Rudeor cuts in again, even more furious. "He abandoned his sister Elisabeth, then he abandoned me — his own blood — but he went and sacrificed himself for a vampire after his parents were killed by your kind?! He died like a complete fool!"
Levreeshka’s eyes, now fixed on Rudeor, grow colder and more ruthless, just like her voice.
"Don’t you dare insult Alexander ever again. I owe him my life and I won’t allow his honor to be tarnished even now that he rests in the Realm of the Dead. I don’t care that you’re his blood relative, nor that I’m inside your home — disrespect him one more time and I swear I’ll kill you."
"H-How dare you—?"
"Enough, Rudeor!" Victoria intervenes, both irritated at hearing him speak that way about Alexander and aware that Levreeshka’s words are no empty threats.
Still sobbing, she turns to the vampire.
"H-How... how did it happen?"
"Oktavian Azuralis."
Just hearing that name is enough to plunge Julius, his wife, and his son into total shock. They remain in absolute silence, listening to Levreeshka.
"Alexander and I had formed a sort of alliance. He would help me retrieve the Tear of Azkarith, and in return I would give him the body of the traitor you were all desperately searching for. But things didn’t go as planned. I was defeated by the Platinum Death and ended up wandering the sewers of New York, weak and powerless, with Alexander helping me. That’s when Oktavian attacked us. If I had been at full strength, I would have wiped out him and his men easily. But I could barely stand on my own feet. He could have run away, but instead he chose to face someone he knew he couldn’t beat — just to buy me time to escape. He did it because he was tired of running and tired of the coward’s reputation forced upon him. He gave his life not to save me, but so that at least one person would remember him as a brave man instead of a coward. If I came all this way, it’s only because he wanted you to know he died fighting like a true man."
After that long, uninterrupted speech, Levreeshka pauses briefly. She lets out a deep sigh, her eyes glistening with tears and her voice trembling slightly. freēwēbnovel.com
"He begged me to tell you this. Now that I have, I’m certain his spirit will finally rest in peace in the Realm of the Dead alongside his sister and parents — just as he wished before we separated."
"From your words and the tone of your voice, it’s clear that you truly wish to honor my beloved nephew’s last wishes. And so we shall. We will engrave on his tombstone that he sacrificed himself courageously, fighting a vile traitor. That way, in the distant future when our descendants gather at the family cemetery to pray to their ancestors, they will know of Alexander Azuralis’s bravery," Julius concludes.
Though he keeps his composure, the pain of losing his brother’s son is evident. Yet another thought still torments him.
"General Levreeshka Dulcar, if you have no pressing commitments, I would like you to remain here a few days as our honored guest. You mentioned facing Oktavian Azuralis — we have been hunting that criminal for a decade with no success. I have some questions I’d like to ask you about him, if it’s not too much trouble. It is because of him that House Azuralis has fallen into disgrace. His actions irreparably tarnished our reputation, and ever since, the king has all but abandoned us. I imagine you saw the consequences yourself on your way to Flumarx Town."
At those words, Levreeshka does something that leaves everyone stunned. She drops to her knees and prostrates herself before Julius.
A gesture that would normally mean little, except that she — like every other General of the Scarlet Army — has never bowed before anyone except the King of Mildelar.
"G-General Levreeshka Dulcar... what is the meaning of this?" Julius stammers.
"You asked me to stay here for a few days. In truth, staying here was already something I wanted to do — but not for just a few days. It is thanks to an Azuralis that I am still alive today. Returning Alexander’s emblem and telling you of his courage is not nearly enough to repay my debt. That is why, Lord Julius... I ask for permission to join House Azuralis."
"Y-YOU’RE JOKING, RIGHT?! A vampire — here ? Staining the honor of this house with her presence? Not after your kind took my uncles and my cousin Elisabeth!" Rudeor bursts out, but Julius cuts him off with a sharp gesture.
"I cannot accept, General Levreeshka Dulcar. Not only for the reasons my son stated so crudely, but to protect this house. If King Markus learned you abandoned him to ally with us, he would fly into a rage — his wrath would descend upon our small domain, and crushing us would be effortless for him. Now please — rise, General Dulcar. I won’t have a vampire of your rank kneeling before me."
Levreeshka only bows lower, her forehead nearly brushing the ground.
"Then I cannot accept your refusal, Lord Julius. And you needn’t call me General anymore. I have nothing left to do with the Scarlet Army — I’m just a vampire whose only purpose is to honor the one who saved her. And the only way I know how is to place my strength at your service."
"Father, don’t be fooled — she’s too dangerous! You know as well as I do that we can’t take a vampire at her word. I wouldn’t be surprised if she gained our trust just to stab us in the back and seize our domain."
"I doubt a vampire as powerful as she is needs tricks like that. If she decided to wipe out our house and claim Flumarx Town for herself right now, none of us could stop her. I’m not thrilled about a vampire joining us either — but I can’t deny I’d feel safer with an ally that strong. Our family would be more secure, and our business would thrive. We’d finally be able to take on missions we’ve always turned down as too much for us."
"T-That’s nonsense! Even if she was a General in the Scarlet Army, I’m sure I could take her down without much trouble."
"I beg to differ," Levreeshka says, her tone still respectful.
"Then prove you’re stronger! Fight me!"
Levreeshka shakes her head.
"No need. Instead, let me ask you something — the headman of a nearby village told me about a certain Don Dargot and his bodyguard, Tristan Borrin. From what I hear, those two run roughshod over your domain. If you’re so eager to fight, why not take them on and break their hold?"
"I’ll take care of soon enough! I’m training hard — I’ll be strong enough to deal with them before long!"
"No need for that now. I killed them tonight."
"T-You... you actually defeated Tristan Borrin?!" Julius exclaims, stunned.
"Yes. In minutes I did what you couldn’t manage in years. I’m not saying this to belittle you — I’m saying it so you understand how much use I can be. I implore you, Lord Julius — let me repay my debt to Alexander by helping you restore House Azuralis to its former glory. I beg you!"
Julius rises from his throne. He advances slowly toward Levreeshka and stops before her. Then he rests his hand on the back of her neck.
"Guard well the emblem Alexander gave you, Levreeshka Azuralis."
🔶️END OF SHORT STORY 1🔶️
