“Welcome.”
After hastily preparing for a quick escape, I dashed out of the Vampire Residence Area as if fleeing in the night and returned to the previous location, where Stella, still looking indifferent, greeted our party.
Stella’s gaze, having passed over me formally, halted at Eleonora.
Facing the red gaze, Eleonora flinched like a herbivore confronted by a carnivore, took a step back, and darted her golden eyes between Stella and me.
“She’s not an enemy. You don’t have to be on guard.”
Seeing her gesture asking for an explanation, I informed her, causing Eleonora’s eyes to stop their pendulum motion.
Summoning her courage, Eleonora met Stella’s gaze once more but seemed intimidated by the still-gruff red eyes staring down at her, quickly retreating behind me to hide.
Kind of cute.
But I guess it’s a point that she only hides after realizing I’m not the enemy.
In fact, if Stella were an actual enemy, there wouldn’t be much Eleonora could do even if she stepped forward. Still, isn’t it important to have the resolve not to step back in front of an adversary?
Well, the feelings I have regarding Eleonora are the same as usual.
As I glanced back and forth between Eleonora and Plona, who lay passively like she had fainted, my heart grew heavy again.
Let’s put that aside for now. There’s no point in worrying about it at this moment. If Plona wakes up as a vampire later, then we’ll figure something out then.
“So your party includes a Dragonkin. That’s unexpected.”
“I didn’t think it would turn out this way, either.”
After my sorta excuse, Stella glanced over Eleonora as if to score points.
There was a hint of skepticism in her gaze directed toward Eleonora, who was undoubtedly out of her league by her standards. However, Stella didn’t say much since she was aware of Eleonora’s potential as a Dragonkin.
“Master, that vampire is…?”
“She’s a vampire from the Duchy. She came to rescue us, and I’ll explain the details later.”
Upon hearing that she came to rescue us, Eleonora glanced around and finally noticed the human corpses sprawled across the ground, gasping in surprise.
Speaking of which, do we even need those anymore? This much strong human blood is precious.
When I asked Stella, she said the corpses were of no particular use and to do as I please, so I decided, albeit a bit late, to drain the blood from the church’s trackers.
Perhaps it had been left for too long; the blood seemed to have begun coagulating, making it hard to draw out. Perhaps they had already bled out enough through their wounds.
This isn’t that surprising, but I can’t just waste such valuable blood without even trying.
Come to think of it, I was able to sense the heartbeats and blood flow of the enemies when I used blood magic for detection.
During the fight earlier, I was distinguishing between sensing others’ blood and manipulating my own, but perhaps I could also manipulate others’ blood.
I focused on the blood stuck to the veins and pulled it towards me.
It felt like I was grabbing something, and a sense of fatigue washed over me. There was subtle resistance, but it wasn’t too strong.
Even so, I could instinctively tell that this method wasn’t wrong.
If it were a living person, it might have been impossible, but moving something that was completely still isn’t too hard.
As I fought through the dizziness, the blood slowly began to rise from the corpse.
‘I did it.’
Though the blood came out slowly and somewhat clumsily, like a poorly turned faucet, that’s just how it is, I suppose.
I carefully drank the remaining precious blood, not wanting to waste it, reclaiming the remnants of life left by the pious servants of the deity.
“By the way, who is that over there?”
Stella asked with a slightly nauseated expression, likely because I unexpectedly shifted into blood-draining mode.
Only then, after looking in the direction Stella pointed out, did I remember the presence of another party member I had brought along.
“Oh right. Lowell.”
Honestly, I had completely forgotten about Lowell while pondering how to collect the blood.
I mean, why not forget? I hadn’t originally planned to bring him along.
In reality, Lowell’s position in my mind was somewhat ambiguous.
He wasn’t exactly someone who had entered my circle, but I also wouldn’t care much whether he lived or died, so it’s not like we were complete strangers. It’s roughly around that point.
If Lowell were in danger, I wouldn’t feel compelled to risk my life to save him.
However, considering that he had quickly organized the necessary information during our stay in the Mist Labyrinth and helped me think through things, it would be a shame to just cast him aside.
He isn’t someone I truly trust but is essentially harmless. And can be put to use here and there.
That’s about the level of recognition I have for Lowell.
As I stepped outside the tent with Eleonora and our luggage, I briefly considered what to do with Lowell, and by chance, he happened to walk by, so I extended an invitation.
And to my surprise, despite being weak and timid, Lowell really did gather his things and pop out in just ten minutes, leading us to where we are now.
“So, that’s how it is.”
“Yeah.”
Seeing Lowell, I was momentarily reminded of Kanak, but quickly shook my head to dismiss the thought.
If I suddenly left the battlefield and returned only to find him gone, I would be bewildered. I had initially found something about him off-putting, but it would be nice to at least say goodbye before departing.
But I’m now assumed to be dead. Soon, rumors will spread that the Progenitor of Vampires has died in the Mist Labyrinth, so there’s no reason to leave behind a dangerous variable.
“Hmm.”
Meanwhile, as Stella’s gaze, oozing an aura that screamed “I’m not ordinary,” landed on Lowell, the coward timidly shrank back even further.
Honestly, while it was my suggestion, I don’t know what made Lowell decide to follow me.
Now, there’s no longer Ludrik here, and even if he fell back on my power due to my negligence, he would have been taking care of the traffic among the vampires around here lately.
If he chose to stay, wouldn’t it have been easier for him than before?
Well, considering that the one providing food is leaving, maybe those things would be meaningless to him.
I genuinely couldn’t care less about what the other vampires are doing, so I have no interest in the details. But I’m aware that it’s Lowell’s statements, fueled by the fact that I’m behind him, that give them weight.
From that angle, it’s certainly a better choice for Lowell to follow me rather than stay… right?
Even if he remained here, he’d be forced to deal with the issues of food supply or fluctuations in his social standing after I’d left.
In that regard, choosing the unstable geographical environment over an unstable social one might be rational.
“So what happened? Did you succeed?”
“Yes. There’s still the last step left, but the false report has been successfully completed.”
A wave of relief washed over me.
If Stella guarantees that it was successful, then I shouldn’t have to worry about humans tracking us for a while.
This time is different from when the Duchy was at war. Back then, humans were misled into thinking I was in the Duchy, so tracking took a little longer, but now they’ll think I’ve died.
I don’t know when humans will realize I’m still alive, but one thing is sure: since my escape from the Luminous Kingdom, I’ve distanced myself from their grasp more than ever.
“However, that vampire doesn’t seem fit for combat.”
“She’s weak, that’s true. But she does have a quick mind, so I thought she might be useful.”
“Hmm.”
However, Stella’s expression turned somewhat dubious upon hearing my answer.
“Why?”
“If it’s a Dragonkin girl, it should be fine, but that vampire will be a burden.”
“Ah.”
I faced an unexpected obstacle.
Well, it’s only Stella who knows what lies ahead. I just grabbed my gear and brought the party back; I haven’t heard anything about future plans yet.
While I casually invited someone I thought could be decent, forcing a companion into a situation that increases the chances of danger for both of us isn’t wise.
If Stella’s showing reluctance, then it would also be risky for Lowell. The burden of having to fill in for his lack of strength will only grow.
Should I reluctantly dismiss him, feeling bad for initially bringing him along? No, if I apply the same reasoning as with Kanak, it would mean killing him if I didn’t take him along.
But then, before my statement could leave my mouth, Stella’s question was faster.
“First, may I ask one thing? You believe that vampire is worth recruiting, don’t you?”
“Value… sounds a bit grand, but I think she’s at least usable.”
Weak, but quick on the uptake and submissive enough that she has never gone against me, always doing her best.
The mere fact that she knows her place, with a low possibility of becoming my enemy, gives her half the win already.
Once she got the gist, Stella nodded and turned her head back to Lowell.
“You there, vampire.”
“You, Progenitor? No way! Maybe… yes, yes! Did you call for me?!”
Lowell, who had been muttering in shock, jumped at Stella’s summons.
Come to think of it, I hadn’t told Stella that he didn’t know I’m the Progenitor.
But I doubt this maid would blatantly slip that through her mind.
From the start, Stella must have had the plan to get rid of Lowell right here if I denied her question.
“Unfortunately, at this point, it would be tough for you to follow us.”
“I see. Then there’s nothing I can do—”
“I don’t have time to explain in detail, but if this continues, the Mist Labyrinth won’t last a few years. Humans’ magic has reached a level where they can theoretically attempt to break through the barrier. Now that the palace and the Empire have turned their attention this way, it’s only a matter of time before they take action, meaning the weak will not escape death if they stay here.”
Wait, what? I’m hearing this for the first time.
Lowell’s panic was evident as he struggled to process the sudden influx of incredulous information.
“However, since the Progenitor acknowledges you, if you wish, I can arrange to send you to the Sahelrn Duchy. Since there is a chronic shortage of administrative personnel after the war, if you work hard, your safety will be guaranteed.”
Of course, that applies if one is qualified to use the term “safety” for a vampire, Stella added with a hint of self-mockery.
Lowell glanced at me for a moment. He didn’t waste time asking pointless questions like whether I was the Progenitor.
Perhaps realizing I’m not just any ordinary vampire, while his gaze held surprise and confusion, more than anything, there was a hint of understanding in it.
“Thank you for the generous offer, but may I ask one thing?”
“Go ahead.”
“Scarlett, or rather, should I say Aria? If I go to the Sahelrn Duchy… can I be of help to Aria?”
“The Sahelrn Duchy supports the Progenitor. Contributing to the Duchy would benefit this individual in any form.”
“Then, I will go.”
Well, good.
Even if I can’t take him along, it’s far more comforting to hear rumors of him dying elsewhere rather than here.
From Lowell’s perspective, it should be a decent option too.
Living as a tenant in the Elf Forest enjoying wild survival is likely much less stable compared to following the Progenitor of Vampires, who’s akin to a ticking bomb on the Terra continent.
With a somewhat relieved heart, I lightly waved my hand toward Lowell to wish him well.
I refrained from hastily making promises of reunion. Is it extravagant to think about such things when we don’t even know what will happen today?
But whether he chose to ignore my sense of crisis or did so out of ignorance, Lowell bowed politely toward me, trying to create an atmosphere.
“Thank you for everything you’ve done. I’m just a weak and useless person, but I’ll be waiting for the day we meet again in the Duchy.”
“…Right.”
Well, if he survives, we might meet again.
I hope he does well in the Duchy. If he does that, it would certainly be much safer than here.
“Then we need to move before it gets any later.”
Prompted by Stella, we left the forest. It felt strange to break away from the woods where we had relied on for months.
But none of us turned back. The path ahead seemed daunting enough without the need to look back.
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