"Your cleanup job was *too* thorough."

Guya’s voice sounded utterly miserable in Xueluo’s mind as Edward closed in.

*If I could handle it, I would’ve already.*

After silently grumbling this, Xueluo forced a faint smile. She met Edward’s gaze.

"Just... gathering flowers here. Is that not allowed?"

【Can’t you think of a better excuse?】

Though Guhya’s tone dripped with exasperation, Xueluo kept smiling as if nothing troubled her.

But for Edward, it was a different matter.

He raised his right hand.

*Vvvvzt!*

A pure silver Soulblade materialized in his grip.

The moment it appeared, Xueluo’s entire body recoiled—as if dumped on a sun-scorched beach.

*Beach...*

*Guess I can’t go there anymore.*

【Focus on the situation, would you...】 Guhya muttered, eyeing the blade.

【That thing emits abnormally high UV output. A Holy War-era weapon designed specifically to exterminate Vampires.】

As Guhya spoke—

*Crackle!*

Amidst the sizzle of magic tearing through air, Edward leveled the Soulblade at Xueluo’s throat.

"Ordinary Vampires freeze solid at the sight of this blade." He pressed closer, eyes locked on hers like a hawk sighting prey. "How long do *you* think you’ll last?"

As the blade’s sting crawled under her skin—

*Will he still give me that spot later...?*

【Pay attention, Contractor!】 Guhya snapped.

"Sif Frosteren."

A voice suddenly echoed in Xueluo’s skull.

*Huh?*

*That’s... old man Zerich’s voice.*

Her eyes darted to a raven perched on a nearby branch—Zerich’s messenger.

But *Sif Frosteren*?

What was that—

"Sif Frosteren," the voice cut in again before she could react. "Just tell him that. Then you’re done."

*Well...*

Watching the blade inch nearer, Xueluo realized she had no real choice.

She cleared her throat.

"Ah... Sif Frosteren."

Her voice held zero conviction.

...

The Soulblade stopped.

*Huh.*

Then—

"Where did you hear that name?" Edward demanded.

His face contorted with rage, shattering his usual smug composure.

【He’s furious. I can feel it.】

*I can too—*

*CRASH!*

Edward swung his blade, splitting the boulder behind Xueluo clean in half.

*Definitely furious.*

Before Xueluo could react—

*Snap!*

Edward’s hand clamped around her throat, lifting her off the ground.

"Spouting that name now... Are you *threatening* me, Vampire?"

*He’s already labeled me a Vampire. Seriously.*

Muttering under her breath, Xueluo’s fingers drifted toward the Soulblade at her waist—calculating how to sever his wrist.

"Edward-sama."

New voices cut through the tension. Hymn Blood Hunters emerged from the trees.

"We heard commotion. What happened?"

Edward glanced at his comrades, then at Xueluo dangling in his grip.

"Nothing... Nothing at all."

He dropped her and turned toward his team.

*He’s just... letting me go?*

Xueluo scratched her head as Edward walked away.

【He fears you’ll shout that name aloud.】

*Oh?*

【His reaction suggests it’s a secret. A well-kept one.】

*So he backed off... afraid I’d scream it if pushed too far?*

Watching Edward’s retreating figure, Xueluo took a slow breath.

*I’ll ask Zerich later... just who this Sif is.*