I. Rescuing the Lady

When I told Lamia that I intended to retire from the military, we were in the midst of sword training. Under my guidance, her skills had improved remarkably; she was no longer as clumsy as when she first began.

Lamia, breathless and flushed with excitement, trembled slightly upon hearing my words. She shouted, “What?” and with doubled strength, brought her longsword down in a vertical slash.

I deflected her strike and stepped back two meters, saying, “I’ve already spoken with Regan. He approved my retirement, allowing me to receive the full pension of a major general.”

Lamia exclaimed, “You’re retiring just like that? Leaving us Valkyrie Battalion comrades behind? What, are you just going to idle away the rest of your days?”

I answered, “I’m not that kind of person. I’ve made arrangements with that Masked Man. We’re opening a detective agency under my name. I’m investing forty million, he’ll handle the cases, and we’ll split the profits fifty-fifty. We’ll be rich before long.”

As we spoke, I parried and dodged, left and right, while Lamia continuously employed her sword-and-shield techniques, blending feints with true strikes. Several times, her wooden sword nearly grazed me.

She said, “Have you forgotten how badly that Masked Man tricked you before?”

I replied, “Of course not. But this time, he won’t get away with it. I even asked him—he claims to be mentally challenged and thus qualifies for the Black Coffin’s welfare benefits. We only have to pay half the taxes.”

Lamia shouted, “You’re being completely played by a mentally challenged man!” Our wooden swords tangled together; seizing the moment, she grabbed my wrist and pulled me into her arms, pinning me to the ground. I quickly called a halt—this was Helsing’s dojo, and if we kept struggling, my other treasured sword might be drawn.

Lamia released me and said, “I win.” Sweat trickled down her neck into her gi. She deliberately tugged at her soaked garment and said, “Don’t get into my bed tonight.”

I hurriedly protested, “How can that be?”

Lamia made a playful face and said, “Punishment for not telling me sooner.”

I hastened to explain, “I’ve been very busy. Three days ago, Regan and I took down the governor; the day before yesterday, I accompanied Michael on an inspection of the slums; and yesterday, I had to handle my resignation paperwork…”

Lamia interrupted, “Stop! You should have told me when you were dealing with your resignation yesterday.”

I said, “I had other things that day, didn’t I have to sign the contract with the Masked Man?”

Lamia pounced and pinched my cheek, shouting, “You’ve signed the contract?”

I cried out, “Don’t worry! I had Faja review it. It’s fine. This time, the Masked Man didn’t deceive me.”

Lamia retorted angrily, “Fine, you tell Faja but not me. Don’t expect to touch me for a week.”

Thinking quickly, I said, “Don’t want kids anymore?”

Gritting her teeth, she said, “Three days, then. Not a single finger for three days!”

She stepped back, performed a graceful salute, threw her wooden sword onto the nearby rack, and went into the changing room.

My waist ached slightly. Upon reflection, perhaps I should let her forgive me for a week, so as not to damage our foundation.

Lady Yaochi appeared at the door and bowed to me. “Your lady’s swordsmanship is advancing rapidly. Her talent even surpasses Salvador’s.”

I realized she might have overheard my conversation with Lamia and felt a bit embarrassed. “Yes, thank you, madam, for letting us use your dojo. I know it’s a lot to ask every week.”

Lady Yaochi smiled. “Helsing actually welcomes your visits warmly. I do as well. When you come, the place is livelier.”

I said, “To be personally instructed by the master is an incomparable honor.”

Lady Yaochi and Lamia were already well acquainted. Lamia seemed like a daughter Lady Yaochi never had, and Lady Yaochi resembled the mother Lamia had lost long ago. I genuinely enjoyed coming here; every word from Master Helsing enriched me profoundly.

Lady Yaochi asked, “Any news about Bella?”

I sighed, “None yet. She might be hiding in the lower levels, or perhaps she has already escaped the Black Coffin and is concealed somewhere in town. Some unfinished Ember buildings are her best hideouts.”

Lady Yaochi looked downcast. “I failed to sense the demon’s presence. I feel deeply ashamed.”

I said, “Don’t say that. If you hadn’t released that demon, I might now be a beggar or even a corpse by the roadside.”

Lady Yaochi said, “My husband once said, ‘The heart is a clear mirror; the sword reflects its wielder.’ The power of the mind blade springs from the heart. Your attitude toward your enemies determines your blade’s strength. Longqi, you are a remarkable and unusual person, but your heart is still unsteady, so your mind blade remains imperfect.”

I silently repeated her words, sensing profound truth, yet finding them somewhat elusive.

She continued, “When you face enemies—be they bandits, demons, vampires, or the undead—you must decide how to treat them. Will you destroy them, understand them, redeem them, or simply drive them away to protect others? Different situations and foes require different mindsets. Then your mind blade will be limitless and ever-changing.”

I began to sweat, for she spoke of a realm I had sensed but could not yet transcend.

The mind blade is humanity’s ultimate weapon against the supernatural, a hidden potential akin to a vampire’s magical blood or a revenant’s infernal fire. To wield it as powerfully as Helsing—that is a dream few dare to dream.

Suddenly, an inspiration struck me. I exclaimed, “You… you deliberately let Belfegor go…”

Lady Yaochi said, “If I hadn’t, Bella would have died. But because of my momentary mercy, more innocent girls suffered. I cannot absolve myself of responsibility.”

Indeed, she bore responsibility, yet she was also my benefactor. Her compassion caused tragedy, but had she not spared Belfegor, the governor would not have died, and many more would have fallen victim.

I declared loudly, “What nonsense are you thinking? I can say clearly now, no one commands more respect from me than you. Your health is fragile; don’t blame yourself. If you fall ill, how would I face Master Helsing?”

Lady Yaochi replied, “Thank you for your kind words. I should prepare dinner for you all now.”

I said, “That’s too much trouble. We can’t keep imposing on you.”

Lady Yaochi said, “Helsing is away. If you and your lady don’t mind simple fare, please stay and keep me company.”

Lamia approached and said, “That’s fine, madam. Longqi and I were just about to clean the dojo for you.”

We swept the floor twice, shared dinner with Lady Yaochi, and I inquired where Master Helsing had gone. Lady Yaochi frowned and said, “Let’s hope all goes well.”

At that moment, the dojo door rang. Bella screamed sharply, “Let go of me! Old man! Let go! What do you think you’re doing? I warn you, behave yourself!”

I was stunned to realize that Helsing had captured Bella.

Helsing had her bound tightly, limbs restrained, carrying her on his shoulder as he entered the dining room. I worried he might have been injured, but he showed no sign of harm.

Lady Yaochi said happily, “I didn’t expect it to go so smoothly.”

Helsing said, “The demon inside her is weak, subdued by my mind blade. If not for the combined assault by the three vampire elders, she wouldn’t have suffered such severe depletion. That could have caused a minor problem.”

I noticed the ropes were made from twisted white cloth strips, inscribed with red characters. These were demon-sealing tools crafted by Lady Yaochi.

Seeing Lamia and me, Bella called out, “Hey! Longqi, Longqi’s wife! Don’t let this lecherous old man bully me!” She was unaware that Regan and I had already uncovered her identity.

Lamia shook her head. “Master Helsing is trying to save you.”

Bella snapped, “Save me? Are you blind?”

I said, “Miss Bella, everyone knows there’s a demon inside you. If it doesn’t consume souls for long, your body will become ugly, old, weak in a few months. Do you want that?”

Bella looked frightened, asking, “You already know?”

I said, “Moreover, if you don’t control this demon, all your luxury and power will vanish. You won’t attend any more banquets or be surrounded by admirers, spending money lavishly. Can you bear that?”

Bella gritted her teeth. “What… should I do?”

I said, “The new governor, Michael, has ordered your capture alive. Considering you’re a victim too, he has granted you amnesty, but with one condition—you must tame the Belfegor within you.” This was my spontaneous fabrication, but I believed Michael and Regan would approve. The only challenge would be convincing Tanqi, though that demon was quite reasonable.

Bella gasped, “What? Governor Michael? And you even know her… name?”

I said, “Yes. So, what do you say?”

Bella hesitated, then said, “I guess… I’ll try.”

Lady Yaochi smiled. “The demon has merged with your soul. To destroy her would destroy you. But I can weaken her malice and strengthen your will until you can coexist. By drinking blood, you can sustain yourselves, much like ancient cancer treatments.”

I thought silently, “Bella’s malice is indeed heavy.”

Bella asked, “How long will it take?”

Lady Yaochi said, “I estimate two years. You may rest assured, your freedom won’t be restricted, but you must come to my humble home for treatment every two days.”

Helsing said, “But if you try to run, I swear I will bring you back. Then, death will be your only option.”

Bella had no choice. She said, “No way out, huh? Ugh! Why am I so unlucky?”

Lady Yaochi led Bella into the prepared ritual. Soon, a sacred light surrounded them. The three of us stood nearby, tense and vigilant.

I heard Helsing’s voice enter my mind, much like Faja’s. “I heard you opened a detective agency?”

I quickly said, “Yes, Master. What orders do you have? As long as it’s for you, I offer a 50% discount.”

Helsing whispered, “Lady Yaochi’s treatment will worsen her condition. I need to find a medicine that replenishes her lost magic.”

I asked, “Replenish magic?”

He glared at me. I wasn’t sure what I had said wrong, but words like replenishing magic or sword training seemed somewhat improper.

He said, “Correct. Charon Corporation is involved in many fields. As a world-renowned pharmaceutical company, they have researched supernatural phenomena for centuries. Perhaps they have a medicine to reactivate the magical blood within her.”