The Martial God: Demonic Cultivator in a World of Magic [Isekai LitRPG]

The room fell into silence after Nebula’s last words, as she facepalmed. Although my words broke the growing tension, a little of it still remained. It was enough that the silence felt odd, the flickering candlelight felt too loud. I could sense the unease radiating from Nebula as she sat on the edge of the bed, raising her face to look at me.

Her blue eyes pierced into me, and I realized my mistake. Nebula’s calm but demanding voice broke the silence. “Fine, but how did you know?”

Shit. I froze on my spot.

“I understand how the maid would know. She probably smelled me or something; she's a Demi Wolf or perhaps something more. But how about you?”

“Uh, what makes you think I knew from before?” I tried, to no avail.

She scoffed with a mocking laugh, “Oh, please. You're smarter than this, young master. You shouted at the maid to reprimand her when she revealed the secret, instead of getting surprised at the news. How can I not tell that you knew it already?”

Clearly, acting oblivious wasn’t getting me out of this situation. 

It was my turn to facepalm as I shook my head. The situation was too sudden, I couldn't think through my reactions. The answer to that question hovered on the tip of my tongue, but I couldn't say it. I knew about her race from playing Arcane Crown, but I couldn't tell her that. What excuse could I use to get out of this situation?

I stayed silent, searching for the right words, watching her grow impatient. “Young master, you know you can’t walk out of this by being silent, right?” she pressed with her gaze unyielding.

Another sigh escaped me, and I spoke. “Fine, fine... Ever heard of Aetheris Eyes?”

“No way,” she narrowed her eyes. “You have Aetheris Eyes?”

“Yep, a pair right here,” I pointed at my eyes. “Mine don’t change shape though, so it’s easy to hide. They let me see the level and some other information about people.”

Nebula’s frown deepened as she wore a thoughtful expression, and about then, Lilian’s voice slipped into the conversation. “Wait, you have Aetheris Eyes too?! You never told me!”

Holy shit, this girl… I shot the stupid maid a warning glance, but it was too late. Nebula’s narrowed eyes shifted between the two of us, skepticism clear on her face.

“Sounds like you’re making up a lie on the spot, my dear,” she said coldly.

I cursed inwardly. Of course, it was a lie. It was my Insight Skill, not some divine Aetheris Eyes, but it was a convenient excuse. Can’t believe I’m using the same excuse on both the mother and the daughter, I thought as I blurted out some more.

“No, it’s true,” I pointed above her head. “You’re level 27, are you not? I can see that floating above your head. That’s how I knew you were ten levels above Luciel when I was taunting him. Well, almost ten,” I added, hoping the specific detail would lend credibility to my story. 

“Mhm…”

Nebula observed me with a frown, and I took her silence as a chance to Lilian, adding, “And Lilian, I swear to god, I’ll tell the head maid to increase your stupid chores if you don’t keep that mouth of yours in check!”

For once, Lilian seemed to get the message. She blinked and fell silent, though her expression remained rebellious as she wore a small frown.

Nebula ignored the exchange, focusing solely on me as she leaned back into the bed a little. “I see… fine, I trust you. It’s not that shocking in a world where Demi-Gods walk the earth. So you knew I’m a… vampire from the beginning?”

“I did. That you're a half-blood vampire,” I replied, relieved she had chosen to believe. “I don’t think the baron is a vampire, so it was your mother, I’m assuming… Oh, and your maid is also a vampire, I know that too. She's a thrall, if not I'm not wrong.”

Nebula’s frown deepened at my words, her eyes flickering with an emotion I couldn’t quite place as she murmured, “Very useful eyes you have there…” 

Well, that sounded ominous. It didn’t help that she fell silent after that. I could practically hear the gears in her head turning until, finally, she spoke again. “I… hope you’re not going to blow my cover, young master Romani. Since you didn’t the first time you realized I’m a vampire, I'm hoping you won't.”

I had no plans to.

“Only my father knows I’m a vampire since he knew my mother was one. It'll be really troublesome for everyone if this news gets leaked. So please stay quiet about this,” she said, turning to shoot a sharp look at Lilian. “Especially be sure this maid of yours stays quiet.”

Lilian’s eyes flashed with anger, her claws slipping out silently. “I don’t take orders from you, noble vampire missy. How da—”

“Stay quiet, Lilian. Is this entire situation not your fault?” I cut her off, shooting her a stern look. Lilian huffed, crossing her arms and grumbling before returning her attention to the pudding cup in her hand.

She muttered to herself about how good this ‘jelly’ was as if trying to distract herself as she started eating it.

Nebula and I ignored her, and I replied. “I understand. No need to worry, we two are tied by engagement. I won't sell you out. Your secret is safe with me,” I told her, and I was being sincere. “Plus, I don’t really have any prejudice against minorities, rest assured.”

Nebula’s gaze softened slightly, and she smirked at the last line. “Yeah, I can see you don't. Since you have a demi-human maid serving you… especially one whom I don’t think you’re sharing the bed with.”

I rubbed the back of my head at her jab, not sure how to reply. Given my reputation, I couldn’t really blame her for saying that. 

“Regardless,” she continued, her tone softer as she stood up from the bed, “Thank you… Iskandaar. I think I should leave you for now, you must be tired.”

“Yeah.”

She added, “And I advise you to leave soon, in case my mother and brother scheme new plans against you.”

“Ah, about that,” I interjected when I recalled something. “I’ll not be leaving for Romer yet. I have a place I want to visit here in Carlstein. Can we talk about it a little?”

She blinked. Curiosity flickered in her eyes as she turned back to face me. “Somewhere near Carlstein? Interesting. Which place is it?”

My expression turned serious; I didn’t want her to think I was joking. “The Wraithwood Forest. I have some needs there.” I replied and watched as her curiosity morphed into a frown.

A shadow of concern crossed her features as Nebula stared at me, her thoughts racing as she tried to piece together my intentions.

****

The gazebo was a quiet, peaceful place nestled in the yards of the Carlstein estate. Ivy crept up the stone walls, and the nonexistent walls offered a view of the castle and the moat. Nebula put down the cup of tea as a breeze wafted through us, carrying with it the fresh scent of earth.

“Yesterday you mentioned the Wraithwood Forest,” she began, her eyes searching my face. “Why do you want to go there, of all places? It’s not exactly a welcome to visitors. It’s called Wraithwoods because it’s inhabited by spirits and ghouls.”

I took a slow sip of tea, meeting her gaze. The liquid didn’t ease the tension between us as I replied, “There are some things I need to take care of. Personal matters, you could say.”

Her eyes narrowed slightly. I noticed that she did that a lot while talking to me. She was not satisfied with my vague answer. She leaned forward, tapping her fingers lightly on the table’s edge. “Personal matters, my dear? In a cursed forest? Come on, don’t be silly. That place is dangerous.”

I appreciated her warnings, but at this point, I could feel a flicker of irritation growing under my calm facade. I didn’t need her lecture, I needed information. As the princess of this barony, she should know a lot. That was why I came to her. “I’m aware of the risks, please, I am not suicidal. It’s just something I have to do.” 

The tension between us thickened at the rejection, and I could see her frustration growing. She crossed her arms. “You already know my greatest secret, Iskandaar. Yet here you are, keeping your little secrets from me. How is that fair?”

I exhaled, unsure if I should say these words as they left my lips. “Look, it’s not as if we’re actually an engaged couple, Nebula,” I snapped. “So let’s stop acting like you care and just help me out for once. It’s just information I’m asking. If you want to play politics, just tell me. I’ll find some locals to guide me.”

Nebula blinked at the blunt words, and her brows tightened. Her eyes narrowed, and I could see her jaw clench. For a moment, she looked like she was ready to walk away, to leave me to find some local like I said. But she stayed, her voice low as she said. “You think I’m acting out of care, young master? You overestimate yourself. I’m simply reluctant to tell you anything because if you die, this engagement will be useless. I’ll be stuck with a tarnished reputation, and my father’s barony will lose its connection to the Romani family. I’m not willing to risk everything because you decided to go on some foolish, dangerous quest.”

I frowned but didn’t reply immediately. If she put it that way, I could understand. With a sigh, I found my irritation softening. Nebula Carlstein was the closest heroine to ‘victory’ back in the game, Arcane Crown. She was not an emotional girl. She, who grew up in a household without her mother and tortured by her stepmother, had grown a strong personality with a calculative mind. She wasn’t emotional, she would not flinch if Romani’s trash ended up dying.

I rubbed the back of my neck, realizing the reason behind her rejection. “I get it, Nebula. Fine. I can’t tell you everything, just that... if I don’t go there and meet the person I’m looking for, I’ll end up dying. I have no other choice.”

Confusion flickered across her features. “What do you mean? Who are you looking for?”

“...The Forsaken Alchemist,” there was no point hiding it now, so I said it after a moment of hesitation.

Nebula’s eyes widened, and her face paled at the mention of the name. “The Forsaken Alchemist? Are you out of your mind?! Do you even know what the rumors say about him?”

I didn’t respond, waiting for her to continue. She leaned forward, adding, “They say he was once a renowned alchemist, someone famous, but after watching everyone around him die, passing on the exact date that he has been seeing written above their heads from the day he was born, he started losing his mind. Slowly. He became interested in immortality. Then some terrible stuff happened to him, someone very close to him died, and his interest turned into obsession. He left human civilization and retreated into the Wraithwood Forest, where he’s been brewing a potion for eternal life ever since.”

I didn’t speak yet, for she had more to add. “But the experiments… they twisted him. Rumors say that the people who’ve sought him out have either never returned or come back… changed. It’s unwise to visit the Wraithwoods itself, but to go meet the Forsaken Alchemist is suicide.”

“I see.”

She paused at my nonchalant reply, frowning, as her eyes locked onto mine. “You don’t get it, do you? If you’re lucky, he might help you, whatever help you need him for, but if you’re not… you might end up as one of his experiments, just another lost soul in that cursed forest. It’s dangerous, you understand?”

I listened in silence, processing her words. The risks she spoke of were clear, but my resolve was unchanged. It was either dying to the wraiths in the forest or dying from my receding lifespan. The choice was simple. Besides, I had a 5th Ascension knight with me. 

I leaned back in my chair, and my gaze drifted to the morning sun outside the gazebo. The soft light bathed the area in a pale glow, casting soft shadows on the walls. The tea in my cup had grown cold, but I sipped it anyway, as thoughts spun in my head.

Nebula watched me, her eyes briefly lingering on my neck. 

I caught a flicker of something in her gaze—hunger? Huh, that’s the first vampiric trait she showed. I had that fleeting realization as she quickly looked away, shaking her head.

A cool breeze passed over us, rustling rustling her silver hair and brushing against my skin. 

Finally, I set my cup down, hearing a clunk as I spoke again. “Thank you for the talk, it was valuable,” I said. “I know the risks, but… I have to do this. I am not exaggerating when I say death is a doorstep away for me if I don’t go. I appreciate you for this talk, even if it’s only because you have no other choice.”

She sighed, her shoulders relaxing slightly. But she didn’t reply. My fiance raised the cup of cold tea with a disapproving look as we sat in silence, enjoying another cool breeze brushing against our skin.