The Time-Stop Breeding Uncle Want’s to Retire

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He blinked.

He saw a place shrouded in deep darkness. It was broad daylight outside, yet this place was abnormally dark. Hans sighed deeply.

He hadn’t imagined the Vampires would be operating underground. They had created a space beneath the surface, complete with an artificial sky and stars.

And the one who made all of this possible was Lucy, the Vampire Lord. The more he thought about it, the less he understood.

How could a race with such power be reduced to slaves of the demons?

It was beyond Hans’s comprehension. But then again, the demons had managed to make a deal with the Vampire Lord, so perhaps it wasn’t so impossible after all.

“Are your wounds feeling any better?”

“Vampire Lord.”

“…Are we that close?”

Hans coldly retorted, looking at Lucy as she approached. He understood logically, but not all humans could be so rational about their feelings.

“How cold. I did save your life, you know.”

“Your tone has changed.”

“That’s what happens when I’m relaxed. It’s more comfortable this way.”

“…”

“Well, I’m sure you have many questions. Let’s talk while we walk.”

Lucy started walking without waiting for a reply. Hans was dissatisfied, but he had no choice but to follow.

Lucy smiled.

“What do you think of Vampires?”

“Vampires. Bloodsuckers, parasites who feed on human blood.”

“Those are harsh words.”

“It can’t be helped.”

“I understand. You’ve been forced to part with them for three years.”

“…”

“But try to understand my situation. That was the best way to save both you and me at the time.”

Hans couldn’t help but sigh and relax his expression at Lucy’s plea. She wasn’t wrong.

What else could he have done against three True Demons?

“Was that demon, Zaiha, that strong?”

“Hmm, as far as I know, he’s the second-highest ranking True Demon.”

“Second-highest…I see, so that’s why you…”

Zaiha was the second-highest ranking True Demon?

Hans gulped.

Blood Demon whom he had faced before was third-highest, and even that was just a clone. He had almost died.

‘If I hadn’t fought him, I would have definitely died.’

And despite fighting with everything he had, what was left afterward was… Hans clutched his throbbing head and said,

“By the way, what did you mean by your last words?”

“Correcting a mistake?”

“Yes, that.”

“I was referring to the twisted relationship between you and them.”

“Twisted relationship?”

“Of course.”

Hans looked up.

The stars shone brightly in the perpetual darkness of this place. But looking at the starlight, Hans felt an inexplicable loneliness.

“They desire many things from you. That desperation led them down the wrong path.”

“They desired many things?”

“Yes, to be loved. Some desired control, others simply wanted you to stay with them forever. That’s quite a lot, isn’t it?”

“…”

“But perhaps because they’ve already experienced loss, they made the wrong choice. Ignoring your own will.”

Hans couldn’t say anything. Lucy’s words were true. She wasn’t defending them. She was simply explaining what they had done.

“Did you know? If you continue down a twisted path, the only thing that awaits you is ruin.”

“…Ruin?”

“Yes. They’re holding back for now, but as time passes, they will undoubtedly cross the line.”

“Cross the line…?”

“I can’t tell you what that means. But what would happen if you regained your senses then?”

Hans fell silent and thought. If more time had passed, if they had done something irreversible…and he had regained his senses then?

He was already confused and unable to do anything now. It would have been much worse then.

Hans sighed deeply.

Ironically, he couldn’t refute Lucy’s words…

“If that had happened, it would have been irreversible. The balance would have been broken, and the demons would have consumed everything.”

“Is it that serious?”

“Don’t deny it. If they were here right now, you would be furious, wouldn’t you?”

“…”

“Ah, of course, I’m not saying that’s wrong. It’s only natural. Your own will was taken from you.”

Lucy’s words carried weight, an undeniable truth.

At the same time, she understood Hans. It was difficult to reject words spoken with good intentions.

And now, Hans’s mind was in turmoil.

‘Why would they do such a thing? No, why would she do such a thing? Did the others just go along with her?’

The confusion clouded his judgment. Lucy simply observed him with an impassive expression.

Hans spoke,

“So, what are you?”

“What do you mean?”

“Why are you correcting this distortion?”

“You’re asking that now?”

As she said that, Lucy slowly organized her thoughts. How could she explain this?

Those damn dragons were making things so troublesome.

“If dragons are the sun that loves all, the benevolent guardians, then we Vampires are the moonlight that shines in the darkness.”

“What?”

“To maintain balance, some things must be cut away, coldly and decisively. But severing ties is a cruel and painful act.”

“So, dragons are the benevolent guardians of balance, and Vampires are the cold-hearted executioners. Is that right?”

“Yes, that’s exactly it.”

If dragons were the shield that protected and embraced all, then Vampires were the cold blade that cut away the rot. At least, that’s how Hans interpreted it.

He asked,

“Then why did a guardian like you intervene?”

“To correct a twisted causality.”

“What does that even mean?”

“To observe what choice you would make when you were freed from the hypnosis. That is the role of us Vampires.”

Hans was speechless.

‘What choice would I make?’

‘Should I hate and resent them?’

‘Or should I simply forgive them?’

He didn’t know. At least, he didn’t want to think about it now.

“You seem troubled. Rest for a while.”

‘Time is a great healer.’

‘But for them, it will be a punishment.’

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Lionheart Fortress, where the Royal Knights resided. The boisterous shouts and sounds of training were gone. As if reflecting their mood, the sky was dark.

Thick, dark clouds obscured the sun, casting a shadow over the land. Helia, standing blankly, turned her head.

Her Teacher, who had always been there like a sturdy tree, was gone.

‘What have I been doing?’

Helia struggled to remember, but her mind was blank.

“…It’s cold.”

Winter was approaching. Just like the winter when she had lost everything. Helia looked up. As expected, snow was falling from the sky.

A chill ran down her spine. Seeking warmth, Helia went inside. The fairies who usually cleaned and maintained Lionheart Fortress were nowhere to be seen.

Where had they gone?

She didn’t have the energy to think about it. Helia walked silently, as if wandering through an endless desert. The crackling sound of a fire caught her attention.

“…Helia?”

“You’re just in time. Come warm yourself.”

“…Thank you.”

She saw the others gathered around the fireplace in the dining hall. They had already taken out the firewood prepared for winter.

Helia quietly sat beside them.

Surprisingly, no one spoke. They simply stared blankly at the dancing flames.

‘Someone said they needed firewood to prepare for winter…’

‘Who was it?’

She couldn’t remember. Or rather, she didn’t want to.

Ruby, who had been silent, cautiously spoke,

“Let’s eat something.”

“Ruby, your tone…”

“Sorry…I…I can’t take it anymore.”

Ruby’s voice cracked like glass. Perhaps to hide her sadness, she quickly disappeared into the kitchen.

Helia finally realized.

Unlike the cold air, the tears streaming down her face were warm.

A bitterly cold winter had arrived.

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[Translator Notes]