Chapter 103.2: , Battle of the Old Castle

"Why are you here? Did you come in search of Night Crystals?"

What I got in a reply was something that sounded like a chuckle. A mist of darkness, that couldn't be seen through even with eyes of a vampire, gathered from who knows where and took a shape.

Jet-black coat that resembled the night itself and porcelain-like white skin without any vitality. Blood red eyes, just like me, and cold yet somehow arrogant smile. The appearance of the female vampire hadn't changed even slightly from when I first encountered her. Neither the wounds from Rainel's attack when he was on his deathbed nor the traces of Photon Delete Senri used have remained.

Even though she's in front of me, she still doesn't have any presence. I can't smell her either. But she's not an illusion. This shouldn't be the ability that ordinary vampires have. It's not magic either. Night Crystals can't erase the scent, so it shouldn't be that either.

Sable holds out her arm. She doesn't look any different than me, but for some reason I can't think of her as the same human as me.

"No need to be afraid. Today ―― I only came as a scout. My Lord has ―― shown interest in you. I would very much like you to accompany me."

"... Sorry, but I already have a wife. I appreciate the invitation but I can't come with you."

Would Senri be able to detect the presence of the vampire in front of me? ... It would be difficult. What Senri uses to detect the undead is the negative aura that leaks out of them, it's the same thing I'm using for detection.

Are there any ways of hiding it other than with the Night Crystal? Unfortunately, even if I ask her here, she wouldn't tell me. But there's something I'm curious about even more.

As I'm staring at her, Sable continues almost like she's trying to convince me.

"The Lord has spoken, that if it is possible, we would like to welcome you in our army with the same treatment as an executive. The same rank as me, most of your wishes will be fulfilled. If you desire human women, you can get as many as you want. And ―― power too. You are strong, but you are still inexperienced, you don't know how to use your vampire powers."

Those are pretty good conditions but it's out of the question. I don't intend to leave my beloved Senri and I'm sure even Senri wouldn't come with me if I tried to go to the Stake King's side. As long as Senri is on hostile terms with the Stake King, I'll be the enemy of Sable and her group. It's what one would call the weakness of being in love. Besides, I also have a lingering attachment to human society.

"What if I refused?"

"Then, it can't be helped."

Sable shrugged with a faint smile still on her face. But she doesn't look like she's going to give up.

Good grief, this is why I don't like monsters... be it Man-Eater, Rainel or Albertus, they're all so selfish, it's troubling. They should take a lesson from Senri, who always listens to my selfishness.

However, that aside ―― I asked something that I couldn't help wondering about.

"By the way, why did you show yourself?" "What...?"

Sable looked puzzled.

"I'll be honest. I don't know how it works, but I can't read your presence. If you launched a surprise attack on me, there's not a very high chance that I'd be able to avoid it. Why did you show yourself so boldly?"

I would never do something so dangerous. To start with, if you think about the circumstances in which we parted last time, there's no chance the negotiation would be successful.

No, I get it. I get her rationale even without having to ask. I understand it and it's pretty convenient as it is, but... when she comes out this unreservedly, my feelings can't accept it.

"It was obvious that the negotiation would have failed. If you still insist on taking me with you, you'll have to do it by force. Judging from the way you attacked Rainel, it's not like you hate surprise attacks, right? Why did you appear in front of me all fair and square?"

"... I understand your intentions. I'll listen to your nonsense later. Sorry but I can't let my Lord wait for long."

Sable says as if finding it bothersome and points her finger at me. It's a white finger without any blemishes. A blood thread slowly stretches out from the gap of her index finger on her right hand and sways to and fro in the air.

It's a special ability of the Stake King. I've already seen it before so I'm not surprised. It's delicate, but bundled up it has terrific power enough to restrain Rainel. It moves in erratic ways and it's also hard to avoid. I strongly grip my machete, take off my sunglasses with my left hand and put it away in my pocket. I squint and say clearly.

"I understand it, Sable. I understand even without you having to say anything. You think that it's easy to restrain me. You don't consider me an enemy."

That's why she appeared upfront. That's why she talked so peacefully despite what happened in Rainel's castle last time. This all despite the fact that suppression was her prerequisite.

When I put it in words, it's nothing special. Whether to take this as a show of her self-confidence or as her belittling me is up to the interpretation. But I wonder why. I feel a little ――gloomy.

All the enemies I've fought until now were strong, but they still looked at me as their enemy. Even Rainel, who was overwhelmingly above me, didn't look down on me this much. I'm surprised.

Sure, Sable is above me. She has the same characteristics as me, but she's superior in everything.

But, even though she should have observed the fact that I can use Necromancy even if partially, that I tied with Rainel at the very last moment and this battle too――

It's impossible... to go with somebody who doesn't acknowledge my power or dignity.

Sable frowns and says as if placating me.

"I won't run away. I'll be troubled if you lump me together with the Skeletons you've defeated."

I don't say anything anymore.

Sure, that time I could only stall. Pathetically enough, I had no other choice but to be saved by Senri. I was on the brink of death at that time, but it's different now.

Right now I'm unscathed. I have plenty of blood power too and I'm not exhausted either. In addition, right now I'm stronger than I was then. My soul continues to fall. I also had Senri share her blood with me.

Fighting with somebody stronger than me is the usual thing. I've beaten up every single enemy who tried to control me.

Is it because she's also a vampire? Is it what people call the hate for the same kind? I can feel a fighting spirit, strong enough to surprise me, boiling inside me. For some reason, my fangs are aching so much it's unbearable.

No―― that's wrong.

Then, I calmed down for a bit. I took a deep breath and licked my lips.

This is surely―― the Lord's will.

"I haven't been exercising enough lately. Show me the power of the famous 'Stake King's' retainer, senior."

I get it. I understand it. I can understand it now. It's a feeling that perfectly fit the expression of being convinced.

The Lord was surely planning to kill a vampire.

The reason why Horus Carmon gave me the ability, 'Curse Steal', was because the person he wanted to steal blood from was ―― a vampire. There's no mistake. The Lord's obsession is in my body, in my soul.

I don't intend on going along with the Lord's delusions, but I have to brush off the sparks that fall onto me.

I can't escape anyway. Turning my back on a vampire that can freely manipulate blood is suicidal.

Right now our goals are matching. It's not really a lie that I wanted to properly see this so-called vampire power.

I have a chance to win.

"Senri will surely praise me if I tie you up and take you back." "It's way too foolish to be so engrossed with the Death Knight." Thread-like blood gathered and turned into a crimson sword.