Chapter 99: Walking With You

Upon seeing Owen, Mulan hesitated for just a moment before immediately stopping and detouring around any place where their eyes might meet, quietly hiding behind a secluded street.

“Lord Jonst, what’s wrong?” Farolynch, who was following alongside Mulan, noticed his sudden caution and, as they both carefully concealed themselves, his curiosity grew. He glanced outside as he asked.

“It seems an unexpected person has arrived. It’s best we don’t let him find us,” Mulan explained in a low voice without taking his eyes off Owen.

Why would Owen come here? Had the royal capital learned that this train stopped here and deliberately sent Owen to investigate?

No, that’s impossible! Mulan immediately dismissed the thought. He had bought his own ticket and set his own schedule when leaving Digo; he hadn’t informed anyone. No one else knew which train he was on, there was no real-time tracking, and it was unlikely Owen would be dispatched just because an ordinary train broke down. Besides, the other passengers who hitched a ride were not heading toward Digo.

Furthermore, Mulan was still fairly well-informed about the Black Castle’s real-time intelligence. At least, he knew Owen was not in Digo when he departed.

In other words, given the current situation, Owen must have come to Shire on his own.

Mulan felt a faint unease, and dark thoughts began to stir in his mind.

After a moment, Mulan planned to quietly slip away. He didn’t want to confront Owen directly. If they were to meet, it should be after Owen had learned that Mulan Jonst was here and came to the baron’s estate on his own initiative.

“Let’s go back first.”

Back at the baron’s estate, Mulan immediately sought out Shire to give him detailed instructions.

Seeing Mulan and Farolynch arrive hurriedly, Baron Shire immediately sensed the gravity of the matter and accompanied them to his study.

The study was a spacious and elegant room, with large bookshelves, a grand desk, and a comfortable chaise lounge sofa. The three either sat or stood near the sofa. The heavy curtains were drawn aside just enough to reveal a narrow slit of the window.

After a few minutes, Mulan had roughly explained the situation.

“So, you mean that whether this person is connected to the vampires or not, I must not reveal anything?”

Mulan nodded solemnly.

“If he is unrelated to the vampires, exposing yourself—even if I protect you—would mean that conspiring with vampires is already a fact. You would inevitably face imperial judgment and investigation by the Black Castle. It would be a harsh ordeal; remember what I told you before.”

Baron Shire shivered instinctively.

“And if he is connected to the vampires?”

Upon hearing Shire’s question, Mulan shifted his gaze slightly towards Farolynch.

“If he is connected to the vampires, not only will you be in greater danger, but my situation will also become precarious. If he discovers your betrayal, death is certain—you might even be drained of your blood to extract the source blood. As for me, he will try to probe and understand my condition before possibly making a move. More likely, though, he will retreat for the time being.”

“He might choose not to confront me directly, instead returning after I leave. Then you would face him alone. If, upon his return, he finds me still here, he might attack me, or perhaps he will keep a closer watch on me within the Black Castle, placing me in a covertly dangerous position.”

Shire’s expression stiffened.

“In any case, neither scenario bodes well for me…”

Muttering this, Shire suddenly brightened, looking at Mulan with great seriousness.

“What if—I mean, what if, Lord Jonst—I pretend to be completely unaware of your destruction of the werewolf base and the killing of Sanderro, acting fearful yet suspicious? Just a clueless lackey. After all, even if I suspect you’ve done something, I lack the power to oppose you. They would understand, right?”

Shire’s initiative in proposing this made Mulan smile softly and nod in response.

“Indeed, if you stay out of it, all suspicion will fall on me. Given your level of awareness and condition, you simply couldn’t resist me. And as a half-vampire, it’s perfectly reasonable for him to believe he could deceive you.”

Seeing Shire’s expression improve, Mulan restrained his smile. Shire noticed the change and quickly added anxiously,

“Lord Jonst, I don’t intend to shift all the danger onto you; I was just speculating, just speculating…”

“No, Shire, your suggestion is excellent!”

Mulan rose from the sofa and walked to the floor-to-ceiling window, peering through the narrow gap in the curtain at the outside.

“I won’t be upset about this. After all, if he is truly connected to the vampires, then no matter what you do, he will focus more on me in the future, perhaps even acting against me here.”

Mulan turned to Shire, his expression serious and gaze intent.

“But, Shire, if you do this, you must immerse yourself among the vampires long-term, understanding your value to them, without revealing it. At the same time, you must be mindful of the empire and not expose yourself there either!”

Shire felt a weight on his chest. His fists clenched and unclenched repeatedly. He glanced at the silent Farolynch beside him, then looked up at Mulan.

“Lord Jonst, will you save me? Whatever you ask of me, I will do my utmost, or come close! I want to live, especially after realizing how wonderful this world truly is!”

The confrontation between Mulan and the werewolves had terrified but deeply moved Shire. He hadn’t slept all night, his mind filled with the memory of those two powerful figures in the forest—their speed and strength, fangs and swords, terror and courage...

At this moment, no lights were lit in the study. Mulan stood by the window where the only light fell, while Shire sat on the dim sofa. Mulan’s solemn gaze fixed on Shire.

“Shire, if at first I didn’t think much of you, after last night you have proven yourself. You have courage, wisdom, and ambition.”

Mulan’s voice was low but strong. He avoided the cheap term “friend” among nobles, choosing instead “partner,” which in Dirga’s context implied deep intimacy. He extended his hand toward Shire.

“Come, Shire, to the window.”

Shire instinctively stood and walked to the window. Mulan slightly drew back the curtain, letting some sunlight fall on Shire. Though he showed clear discomfort and dislike, he did not evade the light.

“Your proposal is exactly what I hoped for. I very much want you to help me, to realize your own value and fulfill your wishes in the process. Power often leads to losing oneself; danger often causes retreat. But in you, I see the potential to forge ahead. This is no mere flattery—it’s the proof you gave last night!”

Mulan’s words stirred a flicker of excitement in the previously disheartened and anxious Shire. Emotion is a strange thing. At this moment, he felt he could deeply perceive Mulan’s sincerity, understanding Mulan’s recognition of him!

“Shire, I am very lonely, terribly lonely... On this difficult path forward, I need a partner like you!”

Mulan’s gaze and tone were sincere. He slowly placed his right hand over his chest—not the flat palm favored by nobles, nor the clenched fist of soldiers, but with thumb and index finger linked, the other three fingers extended outward.

“If you are willing to trust me, if you are willing to give me a chance, Shire, I, Mulan Jonst, promise you: as long as you do not betray me and continue to trust me, I will never abandon you. No matter what happens, I will help you. I cannot promise a guaranteed outcome, but I will do my utmost!”

Speaking these words, Mulan’s voice held a hint of hesitation and anxiety. His expression was earnest as he looked at Shire.

“Shire, do you trust me?”

Shire stared at Mulan in stunned silence. Just now, he felt Mulan’s loneliness deeply, and even more powerfully sensed the longing and expectation in his emotions. He could truly feel he was needed by Mulan—the admiration, the recognition, the hope, and the anxiousness—were all feelings Shire had scarcely experienced.

Whether because this was the only reliable option for his survival, or driven by some inner impulse, Shire suddenly felt his fear diminish significantly. He felt compelled to meet Mulan’s expectations.

“I trust you, and I am willing to be your partner. If this is my one chance at life, I believe you will genuinely help me! If I survive and grow, and you still do not despise me, then, Mulan Jonst, wherever you go, I will walk with you!”

Mulan looked at Shire seriously, then extended his hand, pounding it firmly against Shire’s and grasping it tightly.

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