CHAPTER 125: OPHIS’S MOTHER: PART-1

Back at Leo’s house

Leo and the others still couldn’t find a clear answer to the question gnawing at them. Why had the Fallen taken Dracula with them? What possible reason could there be?

Nothing made sense. Unless their intention was to twist him into something like themselves... otherwise, there was no use, no logic to it.

"The only thing I remember was... him using some weird book," the cloaked figure finally muttered with a troubled frown.

Ophis nodded, recalling the image vividly. "Yeah. I saw my father always carrying that book... he said it was more important than his life."

"Book?" Leo blinked in surprise.

But there was little information to go on. They didn’t know what the book was capable of or why it mattered so much.

"So what should we do now?" Valra asked, her eyes fixed directly on Leo. Not just her—everyone turned toward him, watching in expectation.

Leo stiffened, blinking as he raised his hands slightly. "What? Why’s everyone looking at me like that?"

"Because," Ophis said sharply, her tone edged with annoyance, "someone here always acts like a hero and jumps in to save others. Their goal must be tied to the relic somehow—that’s the only conclusion we’ve managed to reach, right?"

Leo sighed, shaking his head firmly. "No... we’ve had enough of this. Let’s just enjoy our lives. No more fighting!" as his fist tightened.

Valra’s gaze stayed on him, blank and piercing, as if silently asking him—Oh really?

Leo softened his expression and gave her a gentle smile, nodding with quiet reassurance. "Believe me. I’m not going to do anything reckless again. Everyone’s safe now... right? Trust me on this."

His words were tender, almost comforting, but Valra felt doubt stir within her chest. After everything that had happened today... after all the lies she had witnessed, how could she simply believe so easily again?

"Anyway," Leo added, "I don’t care what they plan to do with Dracula, or what their schemes are. As long as he doesn’t cross paths with us, then it doesn’t matter." His voice carried weight, and the seriousness of it made everyone present nod in quiet agreement.

Leo then turned toward Ophis. "Come on, I’ll show you the room where you can rest for the night."

Ophis nodded with a faint smile and hopped lightly from the couch, ready to follow him. She was just about to leave when Leo paused, glancing at Valra before asking about his aunt.

If Valra was here, did that mean Raphael was still awake as well?

But to his surprise, it seemed his aunt had already gone back to work.

"Sigh... she really pushes herself so much, doesn’t she?" Leo muttered under his breath. Then he turned to Ophis again. "There’s one room available upstairs. Would you like to sleep there?"

Ophis tilted her head, her lips curving into a small pout. "I thought I was staying in your room? Wouldn’t you want me there?" Her eyes shone brightly, soft and pleading, almost like a puppy seeking affection.

Valra’s eyes bulged in sheer horror. "That little rat..." she hissed under her breath, gritting her teeth so hard they almost cracked.

Yet, despite her fury, she couldn’t bring herself to say anything aloud. After all, Leo had already fallen for those pitiful, shimmering eyes so easily... and now he had taken Ophis straight into his room.

Valra sighed heavily as she turned her gaze toward the cloaked figure. Her playful expression faded, replaced by sharp seriousness.

"I don’t know who you are... but just because Leo trusts you, and just because you saved him, that doesn’t mean I trust you. So answer me—who are you, and why are you protecting him?"

The cloaked figure was silent for a long moment before finally replying in a flat tone. "I am someone who simply wishes to protect him... that’s all. And I don’t need your trust, woman."

Valra frowned deeply, unease prickling at the back of her mind. Something about this figure was off.

’The Last champion we haven’t encountered was Lust... but didn’t her Master die there?’ she thought.

Was something wrong? Was there something she missed?

"Whatever..." Valra finally muttered. She lifted her hand, pointing two fingers from her eyes directly at the cloaked figure. "My eyes will stay on you." Her tone carried a dangerous promise—always watching.

The cloaked figure gave a low hum before suddenly asking, "I heard you are Leo’s lover... Can you tell me the story of your love?"

Valra blinked before smirking slyly. "What, you expected me to actually tell you that?"

"Well, I did—"

"Of course I’ll tell you," Valra interrupted suddenly, her lips curling into a fiery grin.

"So that you know exactly how much I love him. And you better not even think about doing anything weird to him!" her eyes blazing with possessiveness.

She snorted with a serious face, not caring how blunt she sounded. She wasn’t about to let another girl slide in. She had his kiss already, and she would make damn sure to assert her claim.

Let every other girl know—Leo was no longer available in the market.

Back off, bitches.

The cloaked figure blankly stared at Valra, listening in silence as she launched into her story...

Meanwhile...

Leo placed the casket gently near his bed before glancing at Ophis, who sat awkwardly, fidgeting under his gaze.

Leo frowned slightly. "What’s wrong?"

Ophis hesitated for a long moment before finally raising her face. Her cheeks burned crimson as her fingers trembled against her lap. Lifting her blushing face toward him, she stammered,

"T-Thank you..."

Leo blinked, caught off guard, "I only did what I could... you can’t expect me to stay silent after reading such a lovely letter~" His teasing tone made his grin widen.

Ophis’s blush deepened. "T-That was not... argh!" She gritted her teeth, glaring at him through her embarrassment, only to see his grin grow even wider.

If she had known this would happen... Getting teased by that little boy!!

She wouldn’t have sent that shit!

Arrh!!

Her lips trembled as she muttered, "Still... you put yourself in danger. For that... thank you." She bowed her head, small tears glistening in her eyes. "F-For a nobody like me..."

Leo’s expression softened instantly... He leaned closer, his hand gently patting her head.

But Ophis swatted at his hand with flustered eyes, her voice trembling as she snapped, "D-Don’t treat me like a child!" Tears still shimmered at the edges of her eyes, yet even so, a quiet smile crept across her lips.

Leo exhaled softly. He wanted to ask her so many things...

Why didn’t you run when you had the chance?

Why didn’t you fight back?

Why did you just give up?

But he didn’t ask them.

For now, let her enjoy her new life.

Except...

"How old are you again?" Leo asked curiously.

Ophis smirked, sticking her tongue out, "Puh! It’s rude to ask a lady’s age~"

Leo tilted his head. "Lady? Who?"

"..."

Ophis looked at him flatly, her expression screaming Really? as if his lame joke had drained her soul.

Leo coughed awkwardly, scratching his cheek before quickly changing the subject.

"Also... are you sure you’re not sleeping in that?" he asked, pointing toward the casket with genuine curiosity.

He couldn’t hide it... he needed to know. Did she still sleep in there like some vampire from the old legends?

Ophis gave a small smile, "Well... since it’s only us, I’ll tell you. My mother sleeps there."

"Your... mother?" Leo’s eyes widened in surprise.

"Yes," Ophis whispered, her lips trembling. "She has been there ever since my other mothers locked her inside. Unable to open it, s-she was sealed away for eternity..." Her voice broke as she turned her face away, unable to let him see the pain in her eyes.

Leo hummed thoughtfully, his gaze shifting back toward the casket. "Your mother... ah," he muttered, remembering the painting he had seen before.

"Why did they lock her away?"

Ophis clenched her fists tightly, anger flashing across her face. The mere thought of it—the betrayal of those women she once considered mothers—burned inside her. They had sealed away her true blood mother as if she were nothing. That was why, when they died, killed by her father... not a single tear had fallen from her eyes.

Rubbing the corner of her eyes with a trembling hand, she muttered, "I don’t know... But no matter what, even my father couldn’t open the casket. It was locked so tight that I sometimes wondered if my mother is even aliv—"

Thud!

"Oh? It opened?"

Ophis’s face froze in shock. She spun around, her crimson eyes widening in disbelief as she saw it.... Leo had just opened the casket.

"What the F-"