"Who on earth are you?"

  This was a question that Kenley had been eager to ask for quite some time. From the initial signs of abnormality to the present discoveries, Kenley had an inkling that this hosted wraith might be intricately linked to the significant plot of the hidden side quest titled "The Princess of the Vanquished Kingdom."

  "Master, Tia loves you deeply. Please don't harbor any doubts about me," pleaded the entity.

  "Cease imitating Tia. I am certain that you are not her," Kenley declared with unwavering conviction in his tone.

  "Master, you must be exhausted. Tia is Tia, after all. How could I not be Tia?" Tia smiled in a somewhat sinister manner.

  "But Tia would never grasp my hand in such a way," Kenley said, his gaze shifting as he observed 'Tia' clutching his hand, his expression laden with suspicion.

  "It was merely an accident, Master. Please don't be cross with me!" 'Tia' hastily apologized.

  "Then why did you say, 'Do you really want to see me that much' just now?" Kenley suddenly encircled Tia's waist with his arm and stared intently into her eyes, as if attempting to penetrate the very depths of her soul.

  Caught off guard by Kenley's assertiveness, 'Tia' blushed demurely upon being embraced by him. "Master, if you desire my company, Tia is at your disposal at any time."

  However, Kenley was not in the mood for such advances at the moment. He calmly inquired, "Since you claim to be Tia, then tell me, why have you been amassing gemstones?"

  "Tia has no notion of what you're referring to, Master," Tia retorted, returning Kenley's gaze.

  Kenley offered a faint smile. "On the Dark Continent, there exists a type of wraith known as the Soul Devourer. Ever since their demise, they have harbored an insatiable craving for gemstones imbued with potent magic. In the absence of prey to consume, these magic-infused gemstones serve as their primary source of sustenance."

  "Master, what is the purpose of imparting this information to Tia?" 'Tia' continued to feign ignorance.

  "The Soul Devourer not only has the ability to consume souls but also to possess others. Once those ill-fated adventurers are slain by a Soul Devourer, their very bodies become the playthings of the wraith, subject to its whimsical control. As far as I'm aware, few Soul Devourers are impervious to garlic, Tia," Kenley said, his eyes as sharp as daggers.

  "Master, I'm completely at a loss as to what you're saying," Tia replied, her demeanor betraying a palpable sense of unease.

  "Tell me, Tia, how have you managed to survive all this time? During those sixty years in the Spire Library, what did you rely on to sustain yourself? After all, you had no means of obtaining blood," Kenley pressed on.

  "Master, Tia has been in a state of hibernation within the coffin all along and had no need to drink blood," Tia said, evading Kenley's gaze.

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  Kenley tightened his embrace around Tia. "Tia, as long as you tell me the truth, regardless of what it may be, I shall not hold it against you."

  "Master, Tia truly has no understanding of what you're talking about."

  "Are you still reluctant to reveal the truth?"

  "Master, you must be jesting with Tia."

  "I have given you an opportunity, Tia."

  "Tia truly doesn't comprehend."

  Just then, Kenley leaned in close to her ear and whispered a string of words that rendered 'Tia' utterly motionless.

  She remained frozen in place for an extended period, her eyes wide open, not uttering a sound.

  One second passed.

  Two seconds.

  Five seconds.

  Twenty seconds elapsed...

  Suddenly, Tia sprang up from the bed and glared menacingly at Kenley.

  "Master, don't push me to my limits."

  "Tia, I've already assured you that as long as you're honest with me, I won't hold any grudges, no matter what the truth may be," Kenley said as he sat up.

  Meanwhile, Normani watched the tense exchange between the two with a puzzled expression, nibbling on her finger and observing their interaction with keen interest.

  "Master, what benefit will you derive from knowing the truth? Wouldn't it be better to simply continue living as before?" 'Tia' said, her face contorted with evident struggle and pain.

  "Tia, come here and sit on my lap," Kenley said, patting his thigh.

  "I cannot do that, Master, unless you abandon your pursuit of the truth."

  "This is a matter of life and death for Tia! Are you still determined to persist in your resistance?" Kenley's expression darkened with anger, and a powerful aura emanated from him, leaving 'Tia' momentarily speechless.

  "I..." Tia gritted her teeth, clearly flustered.

  "Tia is unlike ordinary vampires. She is not only a child of the darkness but also a progeny of the Mother Goddess. Ever since she became an undead being, she has been mired in a sea of pain. Her kingdom, her father, her mother, her siblings—all were consumed by the encroaching darkness. Due to her undead nature, she is often haunted by the memories of her kingdom's fall in her dreams, reliving those harrowing moments time and again. She has often confided in me that at times, she wishes she could keep her eyes open indefinitely.

  "In the palace enveloped in a thick shroud of black mist, her father and mother sacrificed their lives to protect her. Witnessing her parents' brutal slaying before her very eyes, the excruciating pain of her powerlessness and insignificance continues to torment her memories, searing her soul like a blazing fire. Tia's life hangs in the balance because of you!!" Kenley's gaze was so intense that 'Tia' could not bear to meet it.

  "Stop! Please stop!" 'Tia' covered her head, clearly in great distress.

  In that instant, Kenley rushed forward and embraced 'Tia' tightly!

  He planted a passionate kiss on her lips.

  Normani, who was watching from the side, stared in amazement at the scene unfolding before her, her eyes brimming with curiosity.

  The kiss lasted for approximately ten seconds before Kenley pulled away.

  'Tia' looked at Kenley with a dazed expression, utterly bewildered as to what to say or do, her thoughts in complete disarray due to Kenley's series of unexpected actions.

  "Thank you," Kenley said, his tone softening, all traces of his previous intimidating demeanor vanishing.

  "Why are you thanking me?"

  "Because you have safeguarded Tia for an entire sixty years," Kenley said, gently patting 'Tia' on the back.

  "How did you discern this?" 'Tia' visibly shuddered, caught off guard by Kenley's revelation.

  "Deduction."

  "Deduction?"

  "During those sixty years in the Spire Library, as a vampire, it was impossible for Tia to have survived without consuming blood. However, you must have devised a means to keep Tia alive by transferring magical energy to her," Kenley stated bluntly.

  'Tia's cheeks flushed with embarrassment, confirming Kenley's suspicion. "Indeed, that's the case..."

  "Who exactly are you?"

  "I cannot recall."

  "Not even the slightest bit?" Kenley probed.

  "All I remember is my unwavering determination to protect her, to protect Tia. That is my sole obsession."

  "Then do you remember your name?"

  "No, I don't."

  Kenley nodded, not doubting her words. Unlike vampires, who retain clear memories of their past lives, Soul Devourers are driven solely by their obsessions, and their own memories are often in a state of disarray.