“Did I really have to do this?”
Rewinding time a bit, after a fierce march across the Bertica Kingdom, I finally set foot back into the territory of the Sahelrn Duchy and moved a little further in.
Grabbing the clothing bag that Eleonora had delivered, I changed behind a suitable tree with Plona’s help and actively expressed my dissatisfaction.
Looking down, my eyes caught the outfit I had obtained in exchange for shame from the Helraig Duchy.
A black dress, shoes, and long, clingy gloves that reached above my elbows. It was a full set of clothing that seemed more suitable for aristocratic social parties than battlefields.
The clothes I had worn until now were plain ones that emphasized durability, but I didn’t really mind wearing women’s clothing at this point. Of course, I thought the dress was a bit much.
If necessary, it wasn’t impossible. But was it really essential to leisurely change clothes in such a critical situation?
I honestly still couldn’t help but think that this was a small—well, significant from my perspective—prank designed by Jeil, who harbored old grudges against me.
You know, that feeling when everyone is dressed casually at a gathering but one person shows up in formal wear and stands out awkwardly?
Above all, having always worn loose, baggy clothes, wearing a dress that clung tightly from my chest to my stomach made it hard to relax.
I thought it would be much more comfortable to fight in familiar attire. The idea of fighting in this outfit was utterly ridiculous.
However, when I raised my skeptical question, Jeil smirked and shook his head.
“Did I not mention before? Don’t think about fighting ‘comfortably.’ It’s unfortunate, but believe me or not, humans and vampires alike will treat you as a representative of vampires. Don’t let down your guard. I will not tolerate you being seen as a fool by humans while leading with me here. Understood?”
I frowned instead of answering. Even though he used an indirect expression like ‘representative of vampires,’ I knew well what it meant now.
“Fine, let’s just go quickly.”
I glanced at Plona, who wore a furious expression, glaring at Jeil, before I raised the white flag of surrender.
Now was not the time to waste any more moments.
Given the chaos near the border we just crossed and that we still had to travel for at least a few more hours to reach the heart of the duchy, I could already feel the atmosphere growing intense all around.
It was apparent that the war had not just begun yesterday or today.
Although I knew from the start that timing would be impossible, I couldn’t help but feel anxious as we approached our destination.
I continued to pick up the pace as the leader. It was my first time in heels, and I felt somewhat awkward, but after about five minutes of running, I eventually adapted, leading to no decline in my mobility.
As we got closer to the Grand Duke’s Castle, the traces of humans increased.
Numerous footprints of soldiers, the imprints left by horses’ hooves and wagon wheels. Burnt-out logs that had left behind remnants and scattered ash.
And most noticeably, a large amount of dried blood smeared on the surrounding dirt and trees.
The more we moved, the more corpses in red and dreadful conditions increased around us.
It would have been better if all those were human corpses, but the smell told another tale. There was undoubtedly a mixed presence of vampire bodies among them.
I quickened my steps without a word. It wouldn’t be wise to exhaust myself thinking about heading into combat, but this time Jeil did not stop me.
After about two more hours of moving, Lavina, who had maintained rare silence until now, suddenly spoke up.
“Aria, I can hear noises from the forest over that way.”
Lavina pointed slightly north from the course directly heading to the Grand Duke’s Castle.
It wasn’t quite right to call the area a forest, but still, the instincts demonstrated by elves in nature shouldn’t be underestimated.
Considering that the united forces were generally positioned to the north, there was a chance of conflict happening over there.
“What time is it now?”
“Yes, my lord. There are roughly about 50 minutes left until the expected sunrise.”
Eleonora, running lightly from behind on my right, answered my question while moving ahead.
Just over an hour left. Normally, the vampires of the duchy would retreat before sunrise.
Logically, it would make sense to join forces immediately with the Grand Duke’s Castle and launch a full counterattack after sunset the next day.
But something felt off.
Without clear evidence, I had an uneasy and chilly feeling. It felt like we were precariously dancing on a trap that, if we stepped wrong, would cause us to plunge into a pit.
“Let’s go check it out.”
I turned direction without much thought.
Being isolated outside after dawn would pose a problem for us as well, but we had emergency countermeasures just in case. It would be better for me to put in some effort rather than risk being unable to escape.
And this decision was proved correct in less than 30 minutes.
“……Stella is there. Martini is probably with her too.”
Amidst the overwhelming scent of blood that felt like being submerged in syrup, I noticed a familiar aroma and conveyed the information.
Having been together for three years, I could tell at this distance.
In Martini’s case, the last time I met her was when my sense of smell wasn’t as sharp, so I couldn’t make an accurate comparison, but there was no way there could be another scent stronger than Stella’s among vampires.
Something was definitely happening. Otherwise, there was no reason for those two to remain on the battlefield without retreating so close to sunrise.
My ominous premonition soon turned into certainty. Although there was still a little time before dawn, the closer I got, the brighter the night sky became.
The sounds of clashing weapons and desperate screams filled the air. The massive heartbeat of humans that made me doubt my own senses was overwhelming.
Even in the battlefield of Pahera, I had never felt such a vibe. It was unimaginable just how much blood and death would need to be spilled to create this kind of heavy atmosphere.
All these humans came here to kill the duchy and the vampires.
Martini and Stella had been fighting this battle all along.
And three years ago, they had once experienced such horrors just to save me.
Something unknown rose within my chest. For the first time, I truly felt what the struggle of true vampires meant, and my heart began to pound loudly.
‘This is the path the vampires have walked.’
Ever since I was reborn, I had done everything I could to survive. To survive, I could throw anything away, and I didn’t hesitate to resort to ugly, desperate struggles.
Yet still, at this moment, I fully understood that the struggles I had made to survive until now were merely acts of fleeing.
Was this the culmination of the struggle that spanned two thousand years?
The weight felt different. The sheer magnitude of the malice and hopelessness overwhelmed me.
“Plona, Eleonora, Lavina.”
I called their names as I ascended the low hill.
Without them, I wouldn’t even be standing here right now.
Thanks to Eleonora, I found respite; because of Plona, I escaped assassination in the elf forest; and thanks to Lavina, I grew stronger through Blood Supplement and completed my Unique Magic.
If even one of them were missing, it would have been impossible.
And Martini and Stella, as well as the vampires of Sahelrn Duchy, must have made countless sacrifices unseen to help me reach this point.
“I’ve made my decision.”
Finally, I felt determined. I would save the Sahelrn Duchy by my own will.
Not because of any necessary relationships, the only trusted power I had, or the obligation to repay a debt, but because I wanted to save the duchy according to my own hopes and will.
“Will you stay with me until the end?”
I would become the king of vampires. For those who gifted me this miraculous day, this time, I would guide them with the miracle of hope.
Without hesitation, the three nodded in agreement.
A sudden, unreasonable blank check that cut all explanations short. Still, Plona smiled joyfully, Eleonora wore a proud yet serious face, and Lavina nodded confidently with spirited assurance.
Courage rose within my pounding heart. There was no more hesitation.
Just as dawn broke in the east, I finally climbed up to the top of the low hill. As I reached the peak that had obscured my view, the scene beyond the hill unfolded before my eyes.
There stood the vampires of the duchy, including Martini and Stella.
Surrounded vampires. The rising sun. The knight’s raised sword.
My thoughts moved faster than my actions. Instinctively, I thwarted the sword of the knight aiming for Martini’s neck, pulling out the shadow of the knight.
The oddly mismatched attire quickly drew attention.
Soon, the murmurs and gazes from both human and vampires on the battlefield flew to me, piercing through.
The shift was dramatic.
On one side, disbelief and agitation; on the other, anticipation and hope.
I instantly understood what role I had to play here.
I had a certain level of confidence in survival acting. Stepping deliberately and with a sound meant to be heard, I stood tall and composed atop the hill.
Yes, look at me.
Just as you saved me three years ago, this time I will save you all.
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