Vampire Overlord System in the Apocalypse

Chapter 118 - Heartwarming Morning

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Pride revealed a bit of the lore of his own unique world named Vedas, where four Draconic Fathers created all Dragons, however, the fourth one, for a certain reason, separated himself in two, bringing forth the enemy of these four Draconic Fathers, imprisoning his twin and bringing forth the death to the surface of this world.

It was an intriguing and fascinating world, which made Noah desire to one day explore it, he did not know how, but such a thought remained within his mind.

"Do you know more about the Gates that originated in your world? Are those five planning to get in Earth?" asked Noah.

Pride seemed a bit confused as he waved his head.

"I am sorry, my lord, but I do not know the details of such things… I was imprisoned in the Dungeon's space long ago, and before that, the Draconic Fathers had not descended in eons. It is not known if they truly came here or remained within our world," said Pride.

Then, Noah decided to tell Pride about the Dragon that appeared in the middle of the Apocalyptic Era.

"Ah! Could… could that had been Agni-sama…?! He was described to be a walking catastrophe, his breath could consume mountains and shape the land to his liking… Perhaps… He could have been… defeated…" sighed Pride.

"Hm… I hope so, one less of those guys to deal with," said Noah.

"Well, I have no relation to them anymore, as I serve my liege above all else now," said Pride, quickly recovering.

"So I am guessing that this guy will become my roommate or something?" asked the Blood Progenitor.

"Master… who could that be?" asked Pride.

"He's the Blood Progenitor, the original owner of my abilities, now, he's imprisoned inside of my soul, don't let him manipulate you and don't listen to any order he could give to you," said Noah.

"Very well," said Pride, becoming wary of the Blood Progenitor.

"Hmph, as if trying to convince this lizard would change anything in my situation…" sighed the Blood Progenitor.

Suddenly, Noah felt as he was slowly waking up.

"I suppose this is my farewell, I will meet you in the outside world, Pride," said Noah.

"Yes, my lord, I shall await your call," said Pride, as Noah suddenly disappeared from this black space.

Both the Blood Progenitor and Pride silently began to stare at each other…

"…So…" muttered Pride, as the Blood Progenitor glared at him rather bitterly.

"Err… What do you do to pass the time?" asked Pride.

"…I sleep," said the Blood Progenitor.

"…Sleep? Oh…" said Pride.

"It is better than being reminded of my pathetic situation. At least on my dreams, I can be a bit happy," sighed the Blood Progenitor, as he closed his eyes and completely ignored Pride.

"Hi? Are you there?" asked Pride, as he began to poke the Blood Progenitor with his heads.

"What?!" asked the Blood Progenitor.

"Did you slept?" asked Pride.

"No, not even a second passed since I closed my eyes! Scram off!" roared the Blood Progenitor.

"Damn, what is the problem with this guy… How does my lord manage to deal with him?" wondered Pride, resting and deciding to sleep too.

Meanwhile, Noah's senses were beginning to be fully regained now, as he felt the warmth of the sun crossing through the window embrace his face and chest…

It seems that he was carried to the manor, as the sun of the window always woke him up.

If he were a conventional Vampire, he would be turning into ashes after being hit by sunlight, but it did not even hurt him.

Even less after bathing himself in flames so much yesterday…

Noah's eyes began to slowly open, as he found that he was indeed on his bed, with a beautiful young woman sleeping peacefully at his side…

"(Iris… She probably carried me here, just like I did for her a few times before… Hah… She looks beautiful when she is not chattering all the time…)" thought Noah, releasing a mild smile as he glanced at Iris sleeping face, she seemed in peace, and her face looked pure and carefree.

Something deep within Noah made him feel like he needed to protect such an adorably sight…

To make sure to always let her sleep such as carefreely as she is doing now.

"(I have become soft…)" he thought, glaring at the ceiling, some days ago such a thought would have never surged inside of his mind, but now that he was trying to develop his cold feelings a bit more, such thoughts began to emerge from time to time, and whenever he glanced at her, such "human-like" feelings intensified.

"(Just as the Blood Progenitor said. I am really a pathetic man…)" he concluded, realizing that deep within the life he had gone through, having Iris at his side made a large void within his heart be filled.

And without him realizing, the other voids were also being filled by his cheerful and loyal subordinates.

He purposedly looked for people who needed to change their lives, that needed strength, and create scenarios where they could only rely on him.

Yes, it might have been incredibly scummy, but now that they had become so strong, it seemed to not be a downside at all for them.

And it was not as if Noah minded being scummy or not.

However, he could not help but have feelings surge within his heart as he glanced at Iris.

Have his powers somehow brainwashed her mind to make her love him?

Or Iris was weak-minded enough to fall in love with the first person that finally gave her the help she needed and the power she desired to change her fate?

None of such questions answers mattered in anything.

But Noah's mind or at least a small part of it was being slightly annoyed by them.

Nonetheless, he had almost no feelings of morality, so he had no guilt for anything he had done.

But he had pride, and the thought of having brainwashed someone to love him did not suit well with such pride.

As Iris slowly opened her eyes and smiled peacefully at Noah, he asked her directly.

"Iris, do you feel brainwashed by me?" he asked.

"E-Eh? W-What kind of question is that?" asked Iris.

"Answer me truthfully," said Noah.

"H-How can you even think that? Is it because of the Subordinate's Royalty Skill, Noah?" asked Iris while glaring at Noah with a bit of concern.

"…Maybe," said Noah.

"No, that Skill doesn't brainwash me… it is more of a contract type of thingy. I have in my mind the "law" or "order" of never betraying you… But it is not exactly brainwashing, it is something of a restraint, different from brainwashing…" said Iris while furrowing her eyebrows, touching Noah's nose teasingly.

"I see…" said Noah, feeling a bit relieved.

"I fell in love with you because you brought me many opportunities and… you never discriminated against me, you never insulted me as everyone else did… and if you did, they were always subtle, and only to encourage me to strive to become better and stronger… Have you ever done something bad to me that was not to encourage me to become braver or stronger? …You had never really had bad intentions with me, didn't you? How wouldn't I fall in love with such a man? My entire life I had… been always alone… But you always stood at my side, and even protected me and helped me become stronger so I could take care of my own too! …It was obvious that I would end up sticking to you…" said Iris with a gentle smile, making Noah a bit flustered…

"A-Ah… I see… That's how it is then…" said Noah, although the thought of "the brainwash makes her think that there is no brainwash" emerged on his mind, he quickly decided to eliminate such thoughts, what was done was done anyways, perhaps he needed to be more confident in such things like he is in everything else.

"What kind of thoughts were you having?" asked Iris concerned.

"Nothing… Never mind what I said," said Noah.

"…Are you sure? I am… your wife now… you can tell me those things… I want you to open up to me a bit…" said Iris.

"…I suppose it is the lack of experience I possess in a relationship, which had made me slightly lack confidence in such a matter, but your answer has relieved my mind, so let's not continue this topic. Nonetheless, there were times where I was way too harsh when you only had good intentions, it was simply my immaturity at that time, I apologize. I will make sure to make up for it," said Noah.

"Oh… I see! I felt kind of the same… I am glad that I could clean it up for you! And... well, yeah, but don't worry about it now, we are here now, that's what matters... And..." said Iris, cheerfully smiling at Noah as she kissed his nose.

"I love you…" she said.

"...I love you too," said Noah rather expressionlessly, although Iris could see through his eyes that he seemed happy.

Noah had just… said something big without realizing it!

"EH?!" asked Iris in shock!

"What?" asked Noah.

"You said it! You said… it…" said Iris while blushing and releasing steam.

"Hm? What are you even talking about?" asked Noah.

"T-That's… the first time you said that Noah! That you love me…" said Iris.

"Is that so? I thought I had said it before…" wondered Noah.

"N-No… well, never as direct…" said Iris.

"Well, I believed that it was correct to reciprocate for your feelings with my own. Was I wrong?" asked Noah.

"Eh? No, no! Not at all… It was… it felt nice… no one ever had told me that… Much like you… I am an orphan, you know? And well… this world is so horrible that… It's just…" muttered Iris.

"Don't think about the past anymore. With you at my side, this world does not seem too bad for me, Iris," said Noah, interrupting Iris' thoughts.

"Noah…" said Iris, feeling charmed once more by his simple words.

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