Frost did not expect to land this far off course. Her primary target was the Capital of the Larin Empire, where she had planned to take down Mary D’ Grace in the same hour. Since an Isolation Sphere could extend time by ten times, one hour was plenty of time to extract whatever she needed from that tyrant.

Thus, it was unfortunate that she landed at the furthest theoretical distance from the intended landing place. Even more unfortunate was that this was the first time she was exposed to the limitations of [Precognition].

Dark, confined spaces interfered with how [Precognition] functioned.

By default, Frost could peer into the future by five seconds. This was extended to ten seconds thanks to her [Fate Allotter] Ability, which enhanced future-peering Abilities. However, the way [Foresight] currently worked was that her targets needed to possess Vibration Stacks.

The [Reverberating String] applied Vibration Stacks to all targets indiscriminately within a 500-meter radius. However, this was still limited to five seconds. She could only peer ten seconds into the future of a target if they were physically tethered to her via a string.

Unsurprisingly, spaces without a medium for vibrations to travel through interfered with [Precognition]. However, the fallback was her eyesight version of [Precognition], which at least allowed her to peer three seconds into the future.

This was problematic. Her perspective within the capsule was skewed as a result, so she had to rely on indicators such as the Light carried by living creatures, the color of the flames in their hearts, as well as the color of their intentions.

The latter of which was what led to her immediate bloodlust.

It was unfortunate that innocent people had to be caught up in the mess. She had resigned herself to believing it was unavoidable. But she could not, in good faith, leave without at least offering reparations.

Also, it was a good opportunity to learn a bit about the Larin Empire before storming Grace, the Capital.

* * *

Frost pondered on these things as she sat on wooden chair. Perhaps it was because of how she sat that she made the splintering chair appear comfortable.

To an onlooker, it appeared as though she was contemplating on a method to snuff the life out of the old man, who was sleeping on a tattered bed in front of her.

Surrounding her were handmade decors and straw toys, which belonged to a young girl who peered at Frost through the crack of a door. Behind her was an older woman: the wife of the old man.

Muffled voices also came from beyond the thin walls of the house.

“Fifth Generation… A noble walks through our fields, and the only thing we can offer her is a flimsy chair!?”

“How do we know she is a noble and not from the Bloody Regiment!?”

“We’d be strung from our entrails and burned at the stake if she was from the Bloody Regiment!”

“Calm down… It’s fortunate enough that we haven’t been burned. What if she’s here to assess our contributions to the state?”

“We’re giving everything away! What more can we possibly give!? They burn our crops, and they expect us to cough up more from our empty coffers!?”

“Please not so loud! If she’s the Marquis of the House of Relace, then aren’t we in a more precarious position?”

“We’re in no position to bargain either…”

There were many terms that caught Frost’s interest. She pondered on her next course of action as she watched the sleeping old man with the eyes of a hawk. The young girl shuddered, as if imagining that Frost had considered his life to not be of any worthwhile value.

Her mother clasped her mouth and expected the worst. They could do nothing other than watch after allowing her into their homes. After all, a lowly Vampire could do little against those with higher blood purity.

However, Frost gestured for the woman to approach as she wore a neutral expression.

“He’s in good condition. A bit of shock in his system since he happened to breathe in my blood. But there will be no adverse effects. I guarantee it.”

“I-Is that so…?” The old woman hunched forward, her hands tucked by her thighs out of both respect and as a way to keep her body as small as possible in the face of a higher being.

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“Relax. I believe I haven’t introduced myself. I apologize for the sudden intrusion as well.” Frost briefly stepped out of her chair.

Before she could even bow, the old woman threw her hands up, horrified at the gesture.

“You must not…”

“It’s fine.”

But she could not stop Frost, since that in of itself was a crime.

They’re incredibly on edge. How has the Larin Empire been treating them to be so afraid of a higher blood purity Vampire?

Nav answered immediately, “It is the social hierarchy of Vampires. Those at the bottom best keep their heads down, less they wish to lose them. Unlike humans and most species, Vampires can dominate the bodies of those beneath them. As such, is it really that surprising that they’re afraid of you?”

Frost knew this but hearing it spelled out revealed the cruel power dynamic between her and the common folk. It returned horrible memories of the date she had with Jury, where a Vampire waitress struggled to approach her.

Hiding her existence was impossible to Vampires and Demi-humans alike. Their instincts did not allow them to be ignorant of her presence.

They’re far too guarded. I can get anything I ask from them. But, it would be in bad taste to make demands when I’ve inconvenienced them. Hm… I have an idea, Nav.

“Do tell.”

They already believe me to be to be a Marquis. Probably higher. Which leads me to believe they’ve never seen the face of this Marquis.

“You will assume their identity?”

Not quite. It’s better if I keep it as simple as possible. My namesake as the Head has little value here. But there is a name that can help gain their trust.

“Ahem. It seems that news of our presence has yet to reach here. I hail from the Nex Megalopolis. Have you heard of the name the Black Dove?”

“Black… Dove…? C-Color!?” The young girl exclaimed.

“I am… not very aware, no.” The old woman regretfully uttered.

“Does: does that mean you’re a Healer too?”

“I’m so sorry about my daughter! She… doesn’t know what she’s saying. Matilda. How could you call our honored guest a–!?”

Black particles of light bounced off the old woman’s body. Her aching knees and swollen feet were miraculously healed by this light. Frost merely waved her hand in the air, as if gently pushing a flower from a bouquet aside, and the particles disappeared, leaving behind a pleasant scent.

“Healing is the motif of the Black Dove. I’ve arrived at the Larin Empire under their request to investigate the Clot.”

“M-My apologies:!”

“Do not lower your head. Please, I’ve come for information. I’m not here to ask of you for anything else.”

“M-Mother… The Black Dove wouldn’t hurt us…”

The young girl: who was no older than ten: knew well about Frost’s existence as the Black Dove. No longer was she peering through the crack of the door. She was now standing with a gentle spark of fascination in her eyes, like she was standing in front of a hero.

Now that she was no longer hidden by the doorframe, Frost noticed the child’s right arm.

“Come. May I see that hand?”

“A-Are you sure…?”

“It is in my nature to heal. Come, child. Your mother can answer my questions while I tend to your illness.”

Frost spoke in a motherly tone. Suddenly, the air of dread that suffocated the family was replaced with an inviting warmth. She offered a hand, and slowly, the little girl approached.

“… You don’t mind touching it? It’s…”

She was self-conscious of how her hand looked. It was a black, tarry crystal with a pulsing, red growth embedded within. The infection caused her arm to appear like a fungal cap made of crystal, and her veins along her arm jutted through her skin. Scabbing formed around them as well.

Frost gently ran a hand along her arm and was shocked to find that her veins had also crystalized.

Appearance wise, it resembled Silicon Rot.

However, unlike Silicon Rot: which was a Tier Five disease…

The Clot

Qliphoth Corrosion

< A form of Qliphoth Corrosion specific to Vampires. It gradually turns the victim into a corresponding Sin or Impuritas. At 100% infection, the target either becomes a Sin of Wrath or a Clot (Impuritas) >

… It could not be cured with [Cure Disease] or [Cleanse]. One could slow it down at best. Once it took root, it was impossible to remove. Frost attempted to heal it just in case, but no amount of Healing magic could cause the infection to reverse.

The infection itself resembled late-stage epidermodysplasia Verruciformis: the tree man disease. This disease: which could be found on Earth: caused one’s skin to resemble the barks of a tree, or even horns.

“… This goes beyond Healing magic…”

“Healers can’t do anything about it?” The girl quietly asked.

Frost slowly shook her head as she placed her free hand onto the girl’s.

“Do you mind if try something else?”

The girl seemed to understand what Frost wanted to do to her hand. And yet, the girl still smiled. She was elated that Frost even considered touching her hand. Her mother on the other hand, took a step back when her daughter came close, as if afraid of being infected by her arm.

Frost realized that this child must have rarely received the warmth of another person.

“Close your eyes, ok?”

“Easy!”

Frost produced a tiny pale crystal. It was a miniature Isolation Sphere. She used it to hide her severing the girl’s arm. Afterwards, she healed it back, only for her arm to return infected.

“I’m so sorry. This is the best I can do for you…”

“That’s ok! I still have another three years if things go ok.”

“… Are there any others afflicted with this?” Frost asked the mother as she pulled the girl into an embrace.

“It’s been like this since Queen Mary returned from Atlas.”

“Queen, instead or Princess? Is it interchangeable with her?”

“No one is certain if her mother is still alive. Cities are overrun with the Clot. It was not long ago when there was an imperative to clean the Clot once and for all. But that…”

The old woman trembled as she recalled a horrific memory.

“… Had… Had… how many… were strung up from their innards… and then burned… the screams…”

“Mother is talking about the Red Nights.” The young girl smiled innocently.

“She hasn’t been the same since. Our village can barely afford to cost of travel. She was lucky enough to receive a grant for education. I can’t imagine what she had to witness.”

The girl continued to smile. Frost had children with the same stars in her eyes.

Children like Alice, who were so severely traumatized that they dissociated themselves from reality. She knew that this girl would one day be visited by the White Rabbit.

“… Has the Larin Empire been doing this to its people?” Frost felt an insurmountable rage brewing.