Chapter 157

Chapter 157

Enrique had to work overtime today as well. She had to handle four unexpected classes, totaling 18 credits, in one week. Her overtime had been going on for two months now.

In this country, there wasnt even such a thing as overtime pay, so it could be considered a serious violation of human rights. (Vampires dont receive basic rights. Furthermore, there are no labor rights in Krasilov.)

Handling substitute classes wasnt difficult for someone like her, but the problem lay with the curriculum. Generally, shouldnt they at least provide a syllabus or materials if they were going to assign lectures to someone else?

First, I have to make them my kin.

This is an issue she couldnt give up on. It resolves numerous problems all at once. Dealing with those who keep creeping up should be solved with just one command from the Elder, and shell have a reason to confine them to their dwelling during the day while she roams at night.

And resolving the lifespan issue is a trivial benefit.

I should have done it when he was a little younger. Ugh, that beard though

When one becomes a vampire, most bodily functions shut down. Its mainly parts where hair grows that do so. If she had dealt with it when he was still young and tender, he wouldnt have thought about growing a beard.

She held back from forcing it now because she thought there would only be a fifty-fifty chance of success.

If I supply blood packs and he remains in Nightwalker state for two hundred years, if I raise him well from the beginning Hm.

Wiping away the saliva from the corner of her mouth, Enrique returned to her classroom preparations with a cooler and more lethal expression, her gestures becoming lighter.

After some time passed, Enrique stretched her stiff shoulders and yawned. With a groan, she shivered.

Alright. Perfect. Once the finals are over, finally finally, its the end

If there had been just one more diligent professor like me, Jans University would have been renowned as the worlds top institution. Enrique sniffled tearfully. (She had failed two-thirds of her classes last semester.)

Knock knock.

Leave it at the door.

Thats not allowed.

With Enriques brief response, the door to the professors research lab creaked open.

Huh?!

How have you been?

Enrique turned around in surprise at the familiar voice.

Clang! The teacup she was holding slipped from her hand and rolled to the floor. She didnt even care that coffee spilled all over the class materials she had just prepared.

Uh uh wh why?

Whats wrong?

Why?

Enriques pupils dilated. It felt like her head was being shaken by a sudden shock.

Ivan briefly pondered as he observed her. Time was deadly even for vampires. The fact that even vampirism couldnt cure dementia was incredibly surprising.

In principle, immortals should have strong resistance to aging. However, since it was based on the human brain, enduring more than two hundred years might have been difficult.

Ivan you?

Mm.

Are you okay? Uh?

Clear drool trickled from Enriques mouth. Ivan frowned and took a step back.

Your beard?!

At her words, Ivan reflexively touched the spot where his beard used to be, then lowered his empty hand.

He nodded silently.

It was a disguise.

Finally!!!! I believed in you, Elise!!!

Side ep: Shaving the Beard, and Then.

This incident occurred when Ivan was lying in the most splendid guest room of the Royal Palace, receiving specialized treatment from the priests.

Due to severe fatigue and lack of energy, Ivan would faint several times a day. Even that was beyond what could be expected and prepared for in terms of willpower.

And every time he opened his eyes, he had to endure the abrupt experience of nursing staff changing.

So, Big Brother, what do you think? When I told them, Stop it, hes not the Count! Do you find my status window useful, isnt it? Haha!

Mm.

Eugene would come in and make a fuss before leaving.nove(l)bi(n.)com

Uncle, you didnt even come to check on me once, but Im here. Now you know how magnanimous I am?

Mm.

Even I needed to be checked on! Look at this. I almost lost my arm back then!

I will follow your command, Your Highness.

Ivan said calmly.

His life did not simply revolve around reminiscing about past heroes. Rather than merely imitating and following those from bygone days, the time spent together formed the essence of his life.

After sending away Jill Ber, he had finally realized this. Ivan had decided not to be bound by the regrets of the past heroes any longer.

He had to move forward. He had to excel further. The hero party wasnt ready yet, and the world wasnt kind to any of us.

Moreover, fundamentally, managing a beard was difficult and detrimental to hygiene. If it werent for reverence for the monarch, he wouldnt have even thought about growing it in the first place.

So, it was better this way. Especially considering it was a situation demanded by the monarchs sole heir.

Is there no one here!! Bring a sharp knife immediately!!

Elizaveta, with an excited face, stood up and shouted. When the startled aide handed her the sword at his waist, she swung it once and then managed to retrieve a razor from him.

Ivan closed his eyes bitterly as he watched his beard being cut away, feeling as if he were graduating from long-held memories.

*

The journey to Krasilov was smooth. In fact, it had to be. Sane individuals wouldnt dare provoke the wrathful lord (anger) leading the army to Krasilov.

As characteristic of train travel, just like the return train to the academy, which usually had some kind of hiccup, Ivan could enjoy a comfortable train journey with a somewhat new feeling.

If there was one thing that was difficult to bear, it was Elizavetas behavior.

Now, Ivan. Open your mouth.

Your Highness, I have my han.

Exactly.

Where did they manage to procure apples this season? And why did someone always come to cut apples while lying down with bandages?

Amidst such questions, Ivan chewed on the apple that had entered his mouth unexpectedly.

Seeing his reaction, Elizaveta nodded approvingly with a pleased expression.

Exactly. You must chew thoroughly. Just swallowing could choke you.

Your Highness, Im not a child.

Werent you?

?

Ivan was momentarily at a loss for words at the young lords remark, who was nearly eight lifetimes younger than himself. But Elizavetas eyes were extremely serious.

Doing everything forbidden, going out and getting beaten up, falling down injured at every opportunity, not contacting home even when dying How is that any different from a child? You may have used Krasilovan for many years, but you dont seem to know the term for calling for help in such situations.

In my dictionary, thats called a soldier.

Haha, a joke. If you were just a soldier, youd be in the military court.

Elizaveta laughed without a trace of humor in her eyes.

When Ivan suddenly tried to get up, feeling a chill, a swift white hand pressed firmly on his forehead, forcing him back down.

Feeling uncomfortable somewhere? Feel free to say it. If its your knees, for instance, that would be considered blasphemy.

No, Your Highness.

Haha, exactly. Youre good.

Ivan lay there now, wrapped in bandages and splints all over his body. The situation had resulted in fractures on both sides of his ribs and thighs.

It was normal to find it difficult to move, but Ivan was a superhuman. And if magic was functional, superhumans could easily force their bodies to move, at least to some extent.

If given sufficient training, I can move as long as my neck isnt cut off. So, I would say the current treatment is excessive medical care.

Its a situation where you have to worry about overestimated insurance premiums. (There is no insurance service in Krasilov.)

Now, would you like to drink more water or eat more apples?

Im fine.

Ivan sighed quietly as he lay on the window, cutting across the knee of the Ironblood Lord of Krasilov.

What is there that I cannot do for you? Tell me anything.

Elizaveta smiled warmly and caressed Ivans stubbled cheek. Unable to resist her touch, Ivan simply closed his eyes dutifully.

The attendant, unable to witness the kings condition, turned his head. Upon reflection, it was better to face the charge of blasphemy than to witness such a sight. Watching such things made one feel as though they were twisting inside, ready to die.

The train arrived smoothly in Krasilov.

Ivan was to be taken to the Vigor Hospital as soon as he disembarked and imprisoned. Since Elizaveta was the visitor, he couldnt even attempt to escape.

Every day, he was fed piles of strange salads containing eels, oysters, various nuts, celery, and garlic.

Finally, after dedicating himself to treatment for a month, he was officially able to return. As his official position was not the Commander of the Counterintelligence Command, but a professor, he headed to the university the next day.

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