Chapter 68: The Land of Memories

Everyone tore through space and arrived in the Demon Realm. Under my guidance, we came to the place I had spoken of—a spot I assured them would not be easily discovered by the First Judgment.

Astonishment widened everyone’s eyes as they took in the scene before them. Outside, boiling magma churned, exuding a pungent sulfurous stench, its scorching heat pressing upon us. Xingyu was already drenched in sweat, and even Liliel appeared listless, her usual lively energy nowhere to be seen. Yet, once we crossed that invisible boundary, a paradise-like landscape unfolded before us. Beneath our feet was a garden in full bloom, butterflies fluttered gracefully nearby, and a simple wooden cottage stood quietly ahead, its walls draped in verdant vines. In the human world, this might have been an ordinary sight, yet here in a realm dominated by blazing magma, it was nothing short of miraculous.

“What is this?” Liliel, who had been dispirited ever since entering the Demon Realm, stared wide-eyed at the spectacle and asked in surprise.

“Everyone, welcome to my home.” I stepped to the front, facing the group, and made a lady’s curtsy before speaking.

“Sister Lilith’s home? Isn’t your home the Blood Clan’s ancient castle?” Liliel asked, puzzled.

“This is where Her Highness Liliana lived before she returned to the Blood Clan’s castle. Every blade of grass and every tree here holds memories of her childhood, so please, be careful not to damage anything. Once lost, these things can never truly be restored, and even if they are, the memories they carry will be lost.” Before I could respond, Xuelan answered in my stead.

“But if the First Judgment finds us here, wouldn’t this place be in danger of destruction?” Duke Feng asked gravely after hearing Xuelan’s words.

“There’s a barrier outside, set by my father, that conceals our presence. Otherwise, how could such a place have existed here for so long? If the First Judgment does discover us, we only need to lure him away. There’s no need to worry,” I replied to Duke Feng.

“So this is where Lilith once lived?” Xingyu looked around, murmuring almost to himself.

“Yes, this is the place of my childhood. From the moment I was born, I lived here. It holds memories of my mother, my father, and me.” I gazed at the place, nearly unchanged over three centuries, its warmth just as I remembered. Yet those who once lived here were long gone.

I looked upon the familiar scene, recalling the warmth of the life I once had here. Then I turned to Xuelan and said, “Come with me, Xuelan. Let’s visit Mother together.” Silently, I walked toward the little cottage.

“Yes, Your Highness Liliana.” Xuelan responded respectfully, closely following behind me.

Xingyu watched my slightly lonely figure, saying nothing, only gazing in silence. Liliel wanted to come with me, but Ang gently held her back, shaking his head with nothing more to say. Liliel watched my retreating form, and in the end, she did not persist, biting her lower lip as she saw us off.

Xuelan and I skirted the cottage, slowly making our way toward a gravestone that stood quietly beneath a lush, ancient tree, surrounded by pure white lilies in full bloom. I approached the gravestone, reaching out to gently trace the name engraved upon it: Lydis Liliana. This was my mother’s name. In her memory, my father changed my name to Liliana Lydis Dracula—and I have always loved that name. Every time I see it, I feel as if my mother is still beside me.

“Liliana, don’t be too sad,” Xuelan said softly, stepping up behind me and resting a comforting hand on my shoulder.

“Don’t worry, I’m fine. Have you forgotten? I no longer possess the emotion called sorrow.” I replied calmly.

“But you still feel pain, don’t you? Even if you don’t know why, the feeling is still there, isn’t it? Don’t force yourself anymore. If you need to let it out, just do so.” Xuelan pulled me into her arms, whispering in my ear, “Right now, you’re not Her Highness the Princess of the Snow Clan. You’re just Lilith—the girl who once loved to nestle in Lady Lydis’s embrace.”

Her words struck a chord deep within me. I buried my head in Xuelan’s arms and closed my eyes tightly. I wanted to cry aloud, to vent all the sorrow in my heart, but I could not. Ever since I awakened my bloodline and returned to my true self, I have lost the ability to cry once again.

“Liliana, it’s all right. Even though Lady Lydis is gone, you still have me,” Xuelan comforted me softly.

I lingered in her embrace for a long time, then raised my head and stepped back. “I’m all right now.” I looked at the gravestone once more and spoke gently, “Mother, I’ve come to see you. I’ve grown up. I can bear everything now. Mother, you wished for me to live, so I will. No matter who seeks to take my life, I will not allow it. Mother, I hope you will bless me.” I prayed quietly before the gravestone.

“Lady Lydis, I will take good care of Liliana. I will not let anyone harm her. You can rest assured,” Xuelan also stepped forward, speaking to the gravestone and silently vowing in her heart that she would never again allow Liliana to be hurt—not even by the Duke of the Sword, even if it cost her own life. She would protect this girl, whose heart had already endured too much pain.

“Let’s go back,” I said to Xuelan after lingering a while longer by the gravestone. “Let’s not worry everyone.” I cast one last, lingering glance at the gravestone nestled among the white lilies, then walked back toward the others.

“Yes, let’s go back,” Xuelan replied, following closely.

“Lilith!” Liliel called out joyfully when she saw us return.

“Your Highness Liliana, with the Blood Knights here, you are well protected. I would like to go outside and keep watch on the Sword Duke’s movements. If he follows us into the Demon Realm, it will give us more time to react,” Duke Feng said to me.

“Very well, then I leave it to you. Take care,” I replied.

“Yes, rest assured, Your Highness. I may not be able to confront that sword-madman head-on, but if it comes to retreating, I am confident I can get away unscathed,” Duke Feng said with assurance, then turned and left.

“Now, everyone can find a place to rest in the cottage. Before the Sword Duke discovers us, we should recover our strength,” I told the group, leading them toward the cabin.

Thus began our life in hiding in the Demon Realm. While we concealed ourselves here, war erupted in the human world between the Blood Hunters’ Guild and the Blood Clan, and in the shadows, the vampires’ presence was felt once more. Though the vampires had vanished after their devastating defeat, it seemed that in a short span of time, they had regained their strength.