The war with the allied forces has ended.
Although my participation lasted only a single day in practical terms, it seemed to be anything but short for the majority of the vampires who had been resisting since before, causing the entire Grand Duke’s Castle to be filled with joy.
It felt like a festival.
Maid and butler staff bustling about in the Grand Duke’s Castle, nobles busy with post-war arrangements, and residents of the duchy originally living outside but who had taken refuge underground due to the chaos were now returning to the surface, creating an atmosphere I had never experienced before.
It was an unfamiliar sight. The Grand Duke’s Castle I had experienced three years ago was nothing like this.
Back then, there was a solemn tension wherever one went.
Every day was all about getting beaten to a pulp by Martini or learning magic, so I never really wandered about. Yet, every time I walked the corridors with Stella, the glances directed at me were anything but friendly.
‘Wasn’t it said that there were many opposing factions back then?’
Honestly, looking back now, I can fully understand their reactions.
I mean, asking them to risk their lives in a war to save a weakling vampire they’d never seen before, who would want to do that if they were sane?
Isn’t it strange that the cold glances didn’t escalate to actual harm?
It wouldn’t have been surprising if someone had tried to make my life difficult, but the fact that no one did was proof of Martini’s overwhelming charisma.
‘In the end, Martini was right.’
Although they reluctantly followed her, even her subordinates voiced their dissatisfaction about protecting me, and I myself could never find a reason to believe I deserved such kindness, constantly doubting the acts of goodwill shown toward me.
But ultimately, Martini had succeeded in her gamble. The hopeful atmosphere now pervasive in the duchy was likely the future she intended to protect.
“Oh, it’s the Progenitor,”
Whispers I could hear nearby.
How many times has it been? Whenever the bustling vampires in the corridor spotted me, they halted their activities, stepping aside against the walls and bowing their heads.
Gratitude, envy, joy, and relief.
The passionate welcome was so different from the cold stares I had received three years ago that it felt rather awkward.
‘Lowell is still alive.’
A vampire I had whimsically taken from the Mist Labyrinth and sent to the duchy when I left.
As I passed by the other day, I caught a familiar presence and peeked over, and it turned out to be him.
As soon as he recognized me, he bowed his head with all his might as if to bury it in the ground. I brought him outside for a quick chat, and he mentioned he was handling administrative work here.
To be honest, aside from Lowell, I didn’t recognize anyone. The atmosphere was largely the same no matter where I went.
‘This is why I don’t wander around much after the war ended.’
Excessive friendliness was surprisingly burdensome. It was as if I became overly conscious of my walks and even my breathing.
But today, I had a significant schedule, so I had to endure this much.
I straightened my posture, trying to appear as confident as possible, and arrived at the stairs leading down.
With calm and confident steps, I joined Plona as planned.
“Oh, sister.”
Adjusting to the lingering gazes around, I gave a short nod.
To escape quickly to the underground, I approached the door guards at the stairs, and they opened the gate with courtesy before I could explain I had permission from Martini.
The heavy door closed behind me.
As I descended the spiral staircase, Plona let out a proud laugh.
“You’re loved.”
“More like revered, but… close enough, I guess.”
“I’m glad everyone recognizes your true worth here. But where are we going?”
Plona cocked her head, clearly curious about why I called her without Eleonora and Lavina.
“It’ll be faster to see it in person than to explain.”
I veered toward the path leading to the Underground Prison instead of the Underground Farm, just as I had been informed.
Cells lined the corridors, some occupied and others empty. Most of the prisoners were humans captured during the recent war.
However, my aim wasn’t to meet any human captives. Ignoring the cells on my left and right, I moved inward, where the chaotic mix of blood scents noticeably diminished.
Plona flinched slightly.
“…Senpai.”
Her voice was different this time, tinged with a certain perplexity.
I watched Plona’s reaction closely and tapped lightly on the bars.
Bang, bang. Celin Soleis, tied up and bowing her head beyond the bars, slowly raised her eyelids.
“How are you feeling? Starting to get your wits about you?”
The reason Plona and I had come down to this place today was that Celin had awakened as a vampire three days after taking in my blood.
I had initially thought to visit her right after she awoke, but I figured she would need some time to come to terms with reality before we could have a proper conversation, so I delayed it a bit. By now, she must have sufficiently understood her situation. Looking down at her, I saw resignation in her crimson eyes.
“…Yeah. I’m awake. Now what happens to me?”
“Well, the most likely outcome is that you’ll be used as a tool until you die. It’s not set in stone, but…”
Of course, I didn’t voice that things wouldn’t likely improve.
Celin Soleis would have to live like a mindless doll, bound by the golden chains of a jailer forever, unless something extraordinary occurred.
“My throat… is parched.”
Celin dropped her gaze and muttered.
“From the moment I opened my eyes again, I felt like I’d go mad from the burning thirst. And now this thirst… will last forever unless I drink human blood.”
“Exactly. You’re a vampire now.”
“I wanted to at least bite my tongue to understand what had happened to my body. I mean, even my severed wrist grew back, so I wouldn’t die from biting my tongue once or twice, but I couldn’t bring myself to do it.”
“Considering I’ve sealed your self-harm, obviously. Even if I released those restrictions, you wouldn’t be able to escape from here. You wouldn’t be able to harm any other vampires without my permission either.”
I wasn’t just calling her a mindless doll for nothing.
For Celin Soleis, free will was virtually nonexistent now. Forever.
“…Is that so? Is this the price I have to pay?”
“Isn’t it milder than you thought? Just treated like a tool? I’ve been here captured by you, handed over to the Luminous Kingdom’s Palace, and every day I’m tortured and mutilated multiple times… begging for mercy.”
Celin couldn’t respond as promptly as before.
What silenced her was either belated guilt or anxiety about the future awaiting her.
Unconsciously chewing her lower lip with her fangs, Celin finally nodded bitterly after a long pause.
“You’re right. Vampires are the enemies of humans, but you have every right to blame me.”
“Just know that. So—”
“Uh, sister! I…!”
Plona, who had been unable to focus properly since facing Celin, suddenly interrupted.
As I turned my head, Plona stepped back, startled, releasing the hem of my clothing that she had been gripping.
Was it an unintentional impulse? A look of guilt colored Plona’s face.
“I’m sorry! It’s nothing at all! Just keep talking—”
“Plona, if you have something to say, go ahead. Anything is fine.”
Plona’s eyes flickered, unable to find their bearings.
The cause was obvious.
Celin Soleis. The former senior colleague who had reappeared as a vampire.
Whether I’d label it predictable or unexpected, Plona’s response was indeed unnatural.
Without a moment’s hesitation, she had aimed a sword at Celin, and from that point to this moment, it was as if she had completely forgotten about her, showing no concern after entering the Underground Prison until now.
Yet suddenly, upon seeing her face again, she was flustered as if she had just remembered?
It was definitely something amiss.
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