Back in the Everwinter Estate…

While Jin had moved Cthulhu elsewhere to engage in battle, the carnage within the Everwinter House didn't stop. With their leader gone, the Outer Demons lost their commander and, therefore, their sense of purpose. Many fell into berserk states, unable to recognise friend from foe. Their savagery was fully displayed when they ripped through the Everwinter defences, tearing down everything in their path.

Due to the suddenness of the attack, the Vampires of the Everwinter House were forced into an all-out battle where all sorts of organised plans were thrown out the window. Ancient Vampires showed off their experience by mowing down Outer Demons by the hundreds while Blood Servants threw their bodies in front of their enemies to thin out the numbers.

Alas, the sheer number of Outer Demons that Cthulhu brought over seemed to be endless. Even after shaving down one wave after another, the maniacal monsters continued to march like an undead horde. If Cthulhu was present, there was no question that it would be the last day of the Everwinter House.

However, without their Lord…

"Freeze, you insolent degenerates."

Matriarch Innocence sent out an overwhelming blizzard that froze anything it touched. Vengeful winds blew apart the Outer Demons that dared to step foot on her land as numerous icy shards of death reaped the lives of the Demonic beings. While everyone feared Matriarch Innocence for her immense power and fame as one of the strongest Vampires ever to live, not many knew what her forte was.

Mass combat.

There was a reason why the Everwinter House could hold an entire Gate for centuries single-handedly.

The Winter Sovereign Aspect.

Any Vampire who possessed this legendary mark was the undisputed God of Winter. No one could challenge them if they were within their cold and icy domain, no matter how many numbers were thrown at them. At its apex, the Winter Sovereign Aspect could turn an entire continent into ice and even freeze a million soldiers in one spell.

Of course, against forces of nature such as a Demon Lord, Matriarch Innocence would be hard-pressed to do much, but when it came to combat against a massive group… That's where the ancient Vampire thrived.

But Matriarch Innocence wasn't the only one with the Winter Sovereign Aspect…

"Go back to hell!"

Irina lowered her hands after an intense snowstorm raced past the Everwinter Estate. Caught in her domain, none of the elite Outer Demons stood a chance against the Goddess of Winter. Most of them froze to death, forever encased in an icy hell they could never escape from. Others resisted their fates, only to be hit by a symphony of sharp, icy weapons which drew blood wherever they touched.

There was nothing the Outer Demons could do against Irina, especially after she was empowered by Jin's magical seed. In terms of strength against numbers, the girl was likely only beneath Matriarch Innocence. No other Everwinter Vampire could compare with the white-haired Goddess anymore, and they instinctively knew it.

Matriarch Innocence watched her precious granddaughter slay Demon after Demon and couldn't help but feel a heavy heart.

When negotiating peace terms with Jin, she had signed Irina over to the Valter House. Therefore, even though Irina was once part of the Everwinter House, she was nothing more than a stranger who once had ties to their family.

'How regrettable, she could have been a great heir…'

While Matriarch Innocence lamented her past choices, Irina's mind was focused on far more essential matters. Killing the Outer Demons was necessary, but her most pivotable concern was with her precious elder brother, who had disappeared with humanity's greatest threat.

"Brother, are you safe?"

Irina thought out loud, not caring about the numerous eyes on her. Both Outer Demons and Vampires had focused on the lonesome flower amid a blizzard, but Irina didn't care a single bit. She placed her hands into a clasp and acutely felt her connection with Jin in her heart.

"You're still alive… But, I can't see what you're doing… It's at times like this where I really envy Rosa."

Rosa could 'see' anything on the planet. So long as there were plants nearby, Rosa could always spy on Jin and ascertain his safety. Unfortunately, Irina didn't have that broken ability. Like a faithful military wife who stayed at home, all Irina could do was rub her heart and sense the seed Jin had planted in her.

And through some miracle, a voice sounded off in her mind. Alas, it wasn't from the person she wished to see most.

[Irina! Can you hear me?]

[Lilith? How are you in my head?]

[It's a long story, but that's not important now! What happened to Jin?! I can't feel his presence on Earth! This has never happened before!]

[T-That… He teleported away with Cthulhu!] iｎ????????????α????. ????????????

[HE DID WHAT?!]

Lilith's voice got frantic within Irina's mind. Irina could imagine the blonde-haired beauty pulling her silken hair at that very moment as she continued her hollering.

[And you let him do that?!]

[You think I could stop him? Once Brother has his mind set on something, he'll…]

[Tch, I know that! That bastard, does he ever think about how we feel whenever he plunges himself into danger?!]

While Irina didn't like Lilith's derogatory tone, the girl wholeheartedly agreed. If it meant protecting his loved ones, Jin would constantly dive into the belly of the beast all alone. He would incur life-threatening injuries to himself rather than let anyone harm a hair on his lovers' bodies. It was one of his strong points, but at the same time, it was something that none of his four lovers appreciated very much.

After ranting a little more, Lilith calmed down and started analysing the situation the same way Jin would.

[He teleported away with Cthulhu, huh? Well, at least I can feel his soul beating strong, so he's definitely still alive. The problem is, why can't I feel his presence on Earth?]

[... Are you able to scan the entire planet already?]

[Not quite yet. My dimensional magic has improved, but not to the point where I can find anyone on Earth. However, Jin is special. Be it under the ocean or high above in the clouds. I can sense his presence as long as he's on Earth.]

[... I see.]

Irina felt defeated by the news. Over the past few weeks since Jin's ascension to a Progenitor, Irina thought she'd also grown tremendously, and the results proved that. She could easily dispatch elite Outer Demons that would give A-Ranked Hunters or powerful Vampires problems, all with a single spell.

Yet, compared to the girl she considered her greatest rival, Irina could only look back at her misguided pride with shame. While she was fooling around with Jin, the other three girls worked hard. They honed their skills beyond comparison and were now capable of performing feats she could only dream of.

'Okay, let's start training seriously after this mess is settled… Of course, I'll need to spend a few more nights with Brother first!'

Unaware of Irina's silent resolution, Lilith continued her own monologue:

[While I can't sense him on Earth, I can feel his soul burning strong. I don't think Jin is in any trouble, but…]

[We can't be sure, right? He's against Cthulhu, after all.]

Demon Lords were the apex of the Outer Demons. Throughout the years, Demon Lords had terrorised the planet, and every living creature feared their existence. Vampires and Humans were forced to forgive each other precisely because of the threat that Demon Lords posed. For Jin to go against such a monster alone… It was completely unheard of.

[Even if he's transcended, we can't let him fight Cthulhu alone! Do you have any clue on where he might go?]

[... You said that you couldn't feel Jin on Earth, right?]

[Yeah?]

[What if he's not ON the planet but above it?]

[No way…]

Heeding Irina's advice, Lilith channelled her magic skywards. Far above the clouds, the ozone layer, and the farthest reaches of the planet… Lilith's eyes continued up.

Until…

[That madman! He's fighting in Outer Space!!!]

[Yeah, sounds like him…]

Of the four girls, Irina knew Jin the best. She knew all of his thought patterns and how he made his decisions. It was natural that she would be the one who solved the puzzle of the missing Jin. Lilith was somewhat irritated by that fact but didn't let it show in her voice. Rather, she continued:

[Should we help him?]

[Don't bother, we will only be a hindrance to Brother.]

[But…]

[Irina… Right…]

A third voice cut into the 'call,' forcing Irina and Lilith to jump in shock.

[Rosa! Where did you come from?!]

[Unimportant… Jin… Safe…]

[He's safe? How?]

Lilith got a taste of her own medicine as Rosalyn ignored her cries and got to the main point.

[World Tree… Helping…]

[He's getting help from the World Tree? Is that even possible?]

[... He's my man, so yes.]

[This bitch…]

Lilith resisted the urge to teleport to the Elven Forest and slap Rosa's pristine cheeks red.

[Have faith… In him…]

[Tch, you have a point.]

As much as Lilith hated to admit it, Jin was far stronger than any of them. Plus, if he had the unconditional assistance of the World Tree, there wasn't much the four of them could do to help. All they could do was have faith in the man they called their lover.

[Okay, I'll take care of matters on my end. From my intelligence, half the planet is engaged in war. Even the annoying Holy Church has dispatched all their forces to face the other Demon Lord that invaded.]

[There's another Demon Lord here?!]

[Yeah, Baishe. It has brought a legion of flying Demons. Give them a few more hours; half the continent would be overrun with death and destruction. Speaking of which, Irina… Do you need help?]

While Jin had kept Cthulhu busy, the Demon Lord's minions were still wreaking havoc on the Everwinter Estate. It was natural for Lilith to offer her assistance. However…

[No need.]

Irina stopped the connection from her end, and her eyes overflowed with magical power. The ever-freezing world somehow got even colder as an azure glow lit up Irina's winter-grey eyes, and her body emitted a chill that could turn anything into ice.

"I'll end it all before Brother returns."