THE GENERAL'S DISGRACED HEIR

Vespera knelt before David, her pale hands resting gently against her lap, her head bowed as if in reverence. Her long, white hair cascaded over her shoulders, strands shimmering with the last remnants of her former self.

For a brief moment, David simply observed her, his azure eyes narrowing as he assessed what had changed. The air around them seemed to crackle with an unspoken tension.

Oddly enough, nothing seemed drastically different—her power was now bound to him, her once glacial presence no longer biting against his skin, and yet… something was off. Only now, without the looming threat of battle between them, did her beauty stand out. The elegance in her posture, the delicate curve of her lips, the ethereal glow of her skin—it was mesmerizing. Continue reading at My Virtual Library Empire

And unsettling.

A slow, mischievous grin spread across Vespera's lips, sending an involuntary shiver down David's spine. Despite all logic telling him he had nothing to fear—she was his Aetenus, a bound familiar—there was something in her gaze that made him wary. It wasn't defiance. No, it was something far worse. Obsession.

"Stand," David commanded, his voice firm as he kept a respectable distance.

Vespera did as he ordered, but instead of maintaining that distance, she took a step forward. And another. And another.

Before he could react, her arms wrapped around him, pressing her cold yet soft body against his armored form. A delighted hum left her lips as she tilted her head, peering up at him through thick lashes.

"My lord," she whispered, her voice sultry. "Do you find me… unpleasant?"

David sighed, bringing a hand to her waist. His grip was firm, keeping her in place but not pulling her closer. "I'm watching you," he murmured.

Vespera's eyes widened before she let out a dramatic gasp, placing her hand against her chest as if wounded. "Ah~! How cruel, my lord! To be so distant even when I offer myself so openly… Could it be that you are shy?"

David resisted the urge to groan. What have I gotten myself into?

Meanwhile, deep in Vespera's mind, a small spectral figure—her daughter—was gleefully raising both thumbs, her bright, starry eyes filled with excitement. "Mama, you got this!"

Before David could process the situation any further, varous windows opened before him as he took his time to read them.

[System Notification]

Winter Devil successfully devoured. Soul has been forged into Aetenus.

[System Notification]

You have defeated the Doorkeeper. You have received the Key to the Night King's Domain.

[System Notification]

You have received 50,000,000 DC.

[System Notification]

Affinity to Water and Ice manipulation has significantly increased.

David's gaze dropped to the system window. Fifty million Dimension Coins. It was an enormous sum, yet he knew all too well how quickly it would burn away in the system shop.

He exhaled in defeat. Rich for a short time… and broke just as fast.

Vespera tilted her head, noticing his reaction. "Something troubles you, my lord?"

"It's nothing," he muttered, waving a hand dismissively. He opened his spatial storage, summoning a small, blue shimmering portal before reaching in. From within, he pulled out a pitch-black key, its surface smooth yet seemingly absorbing all light around it.

The moment Vespera laid eyes on the key, she stiffened.

A visible tremor ran through her body, and her hands clutched onto David's shoulders. Fear—genuine fear—flashed in her expression.

David tightened his embrace. "It's going to be okay."

Vespera hesitated, then slowly nodded. If her master said it would be fine, then… she would trust him.

David examined the key for a few more seconds, rolling it between his fingers. Before he could act, Vespera awkwardly shifted. "M-My lord, if you'd like… I can show you how to use it."

David let out a nervous chuckle. "I know how to use a key."

Silence stretched between them.

After a few seconds, David sighed and handed it to her. "Alright, you do it."

Vespera chuckled, taking the key with a small smirk. Without hesitation, she raised it and inserted it into thin air.

Click.

A deep, resonating lock sound echoed through the frozen wasteland. Suddenly, the very air fractured, crackling with immense power as streaks of lightning danced across the void.

David instinctively moved, shielding Vespera with his body as the space before them twisted.

With a deafening rumble, a massive double door emerged from the ground, stretching high into the dark sky.

David stared. "...And how exactly am I supposed to open that?"

Vespera merely smiled and took his hand. "Follow me, my lord."

Without hesitation, she walked forward—straight through the doors.

David blinked before realizing the truth. It was an illusion. The door was already unlocked.

Elsewhere…@@novelbin@@

The transition from battle to peace was stark. The scene shifted to an opulent royal chamber, decorated in deep blues and silvers. A large, lavish bed sat in the center of the room, and upon it lay David, his expression calm yet unmoving.

Seated beside him, Luna gently held his hand, her fingers lightly tracing over his palm as she whispered, "Master… when will you open your eyes?"

A soft knock came at the door.

Luna turned as the door opened, revealing the Archon stepping inside, followed closely by Salomonis.

The Archon's expression was one of concern. "Has he woken yet?"

Luna shook her head. "No."

Salomonis frowned, crossing his arms. "Three days… It's been three days, and he's still like this. Are you sure he's alright? Should we call a mage?"

Luna exhaled softly. "Master is fine. He just needs time."

Her golden eyes gleamed with determination as she stood. "We can't afford to wait any longer. This is his wish. We must proceed with the dungeon raid."

The Archon glanced at Salomonis. "The girl is right. We shouldn't delay."

Salomonis sighed, rubbing his temple. "Tch. I just wish he was here to help with this mess… but if he left you in charge, I'll trust his judgment."

His gaze fell back onto David's still form. Wake up soon, kid. We need you.