My Blood Legacy: Reincarnated as a Vampire

Chapter 348: Humility and Justice

Nothing was really moving forward while Dante was in the realm of the werewolves. In fact, anything could happen during that time... and well, something did happen.

In the heart of Dante's newly-founded kingdom, within the great walls that surrounded it, the long-awaited return of the Virtue of Justice, Joan of Arc, had finally come to pass. She was driven by a single purpose—to understand what was truly happening in the world, and to see her most important disciple... the Virtue of Humility, Sara Scarlet.

It had been a long time since they had last seen each other, especially after... Jeanne had killed Dante during the Blood Armageddon incident.

Let's just say, Sara hadn't taken it well, that her own master had been the executioner of her greatest love in this life.

Now, however... Jeanne walked the stone corridors of the new fortress with a resolute but serene gaze. There were no guards or citizens. After all, Albion from the start was never meant to be a kingdom but a fortress, so it was understandable that no life was present beyond herself and Dante's wives.

Her footsteps echoed softly against the floor, and her shining armor gleamed in the sunlight like a beacon of justice and righteousness.

Despite her austere figure, her heart was beating fast, anticipating the moment when she would finally reunite with her beloved disciple. She had felt Sara's absence intensely, a gap in her soul that only Sara could fill.

Sara was like a daughter to her... and after that incident... well, there were few occasions that had been beneficial to try and reestablish any sort of relationship. Jeanne knew she had failed her disciple.

As she reached the inner gardens of the fortress, Jeanne saw the woman she had been searching for, after so many years...

There, among the flowers and vineyards, dressed in white as a symbol of her virtue, was Sara. Her blue hair glistened under the afternoon sun, and she was kneeling, tending to a small plant that had just begun to bloom. Even in her simplicity, she radiated a quiet strength and a power that didn't need to be proclaimed.

For a moment, Jeanne hesitated. Not out of uncertainty, but because despite all her courage, she didn't know how to handle relationships between people. She was stuck in the realm of good and evil, right and wrong... the weight of her feelings made it difficult to take the next step. That's why she had delayed coming to speak with Sara, and at the very least, apologize for killing her husband...

Even though Dante had come back to life afterward... well, that part had been surprising.

Her hand rested on the hilt of her sword, a gesture that always brought her comfort in times of inner conflict.

But now, that weapon, a symbol of justice and duty, felt inappropriate. In front of her disciple, whom she treated like a daughter, she felt disarmed. Sara was more than a companion or ally; she was a part of Jeanne, someone she had guided and shaped. But now, Jeanne also knew she had betrayed her in the most profound way possible.

Gathering her courage, Jeanne stepped closer, and her long shadow stretched over the spot where Sara knelt.

"Sara," Jeanne finally said, her voice firm but carrying a slight vulnerability she rarely allowed herself to show. "I... I'm back."

The Virtue of Humility slowly lifted her gaze, meeting the eyes of her former master. For a brief moment, the silence between them was almost palpable. There was a tension in the air, not of hostility, but of deep sadness and an ocean of unspoken emotions.

"Master," Sara responded, her voice soft but with a restrained coldness. "So much time has passed... and so much silence between us."

Jeanne continued to stare at Sara, still trying to process what was happening. Everything she had imagined—the tension, the apologies, the raw emotions—seemed to vanish like smoke in the face of Sara's relaxed, lighthearted attitude.

"You... you're really not mad?" Jeanne asked, almost in desperation.

"Mad? Of course I was mad, Master," Sara responded, still grinning. "But it's over now. And honestly, I just find it funny. All this 'virtue and grand duty' stuff can get exhausting if you don't take the time to... I don't know, laugh about it once in a while.

You know what's funny? Dante dies, then he comes back. The whole dramatic mess happens and... in the end, here we are, like always. Life goes on."

Jeanne shook her head, still perplexed. It wasn't what she had expected, but in a way, Sara was right. Everything had passed, and Dante, somehow, was alive again. The drama that once seemed impossible to overcome now felt like a distant memory.

"I... well," Jeanne murmured, finally allowing herself to relax. "I guess maybe I took all of this a bit too seriously, didn't I?"

"A bit?" Sara teased, her eyes sparkling mischievously. "You almost exploded when you saw me! I thought you were going to pass a death sentence on the spot."

Jeanne chuckled, a quiet, but genuine laugh. It was rare for her to let herself relax like this, but somehow, Sara's presence always brought out a lightness in her that Jeanne hadn't realized she still had.

"So, what do you suggest now?" Joana asked, glancing at Sara, who was already back to tending the plant she had been caring for earlier.

"I suggest," Sara began, not looking at Joana while plucking a dried leaf from the plant, "that we go grab something to eat. Because honestly, if you came all the way here just to apologize, then we deserve a proper feast."

Joana, unable to believe the simplicity of the suggestion, just nodded, laughing again. "Food it is, then."

"Exactly! And no more old-fashioned speeches, please," Sara said, casting a playful glance at Joana. "You sound like a character from some epic tale. The next step would be for you to recite a poem about the power of justice or something."

Joana couldn't contain her laughter this time. "Do I really come off like that to you?"

"Absolutely. But it's part of your charm, Master," Sara winked. "Oh! And please, don't use that charm to get my husband interested in you. I'm exhausted here, okay? I can't handle any more women hovering around my darling." Sara said playfully, though Jeanne clearly saw the 'I will kill you if you try' look in her disciple's eyes.

"Speaking of which... How did you find this place?" Sara questioned, though it wasn't her who had said it.

"Well... it seems someone asked my guardian archangel to guide me here..."

"Oh... Dante talked to the Heavenly Father again..." Sara murmured, and Jeanne's eyes widened in shock.

"W-what?" Jeanne stammered.

"Yeah, they seem to have become friends... Considering that, she must be the Heavenly Mother, since my darling doesn't like having men around." Sara mused, a thoughtful expression crossing her face. "Ah, anyway, let's get something to eat." Sara added, walking ahead, and Jeanne... could only follow.