When he was still human, the man’s explanations were calm and fluid, revealing that he must have read quite a few books.
So this is what it means to see the length of one’s education through their eloquence. Thanks to him, I was able to grasp the general information I wanted to know before the beastmen troops began their advance.
Pretty useful. Nothing beats the insights from a local’s experiences.
As I contemplated giving him a solid five-star rating and seriously considering a future revisit, I belatedly realized that I didn’t even know the man’s name.
It was quite a funny picture to extract all the information I wanted before finally introducing myself, but thankfully, I didn’t have a guilty conscience about following such formalities.
“What’s your name?”
“Oh, I forgot to introduce myself. I’m Lowell. If it’s alright with you…?”
“Scarlet.”
Indeed, among the vampires I’ve seen, his social skills were exceptional; he naturally responded to my out-of-context question without saying something like ‘What’s with this now?’
Truth be told, it was just that I was bombarding him with questions without giving him a chance, but he accepted it as if we had both forgotten, and I glimpsed a hint of a salesperson’s trace in him.
Just when the emotion of compassion I had temporarily lost was about to return from another dimension, a small commotion arose among the vampires. It seemed the scout team had returned from checking out the beastmen’s movements.
“It looks like they’re starting to move as well. I hope we can make it back alive today.”
Lowell rubbed his palm across his clothes. Despite the mask covering his face except for his mouth, it was clear he was nervous.
There was definitely no impression of fighters anywhere. Yet considering he had survived thus far, he couldn’t have been completely inexperienced in battle.
“How have you been until now?”
“It’s embarrassing, but I really have no talent for fighting. I’ve been cooperating with those in similar situations day by day, but even that has been tough to pull off. I’ve shamelessly been lurking behind beastmen, preying on the leftovers, but there’s been no blood for me, and the last meal I had was already ten days ago.”
Ten days, huh? That’s a long time to starve.
It’s not yet at the point of starving to death, but it’s certainly a period where you can start feeling a sense of crisis.
“Is the quota high?”
“The base quota is the same for everyone, so it shouldn’t be different for someone like you, Scarlet…Did you hear anything from Rudrik?”
“Rudrik, right? Since he didn’t say anything after I stabbed him at the start, I thought you might have given him a heads-up.”
Lowell appeared startled at my casual mention of the name of the chief of the Security Maintenance Force who ruled the town, flinching as he quickly glanced around to ensure no one else was listening.
Seeing that everyone had already moved on, he sighed enviously and replied.
“I’ve never seen anything like this living here. I figured you’d be stronger than me, but you really are quite formidable.”
It seemed Lowell was similarly annoyed at the Security Maintenance Force, which was taking away scarce prey like they were deducting taxes, especially with the struggle to keep food on his plate.
Given he couldn’t even scrape together enough to eat, it was unrealistic to expect him to look favorably upon those who came around demanding payments. If that were possible, he might as well be a saint. Or a fool.
“What happens if you don’t pay up?”
“There have been a few who didn’t, and they all ended up dead from ‘unfortunate accidents.’ It’s tragic.”
Lowell emphasized the phrase “unfortunate accident.”
I figured as much when I heard it yesterday. It was expected; it wasn’t surprising lack of twists.
“By the way, you said you move with other vampires during hunts. Are you sure it’s okay for you to be out like this?”
“Well, it’s not so much about forming a party; it’s more like we cooperate with whoever happens to be nearby at the time. Who knows when anyone will die anyway?”
What should I do? I pondered for a moment.
Frankly, it’s not hard to help Lowell.
I am always reluctant to part with even a drop of blood, and I absolutely wouldn’t consider giving my prey to someone else, regardless of the quantity.
So that’s why I was in conflict with Rudrik.
But aside from that, if delivering a meal to someone knowledgeable who provides me with beneficial information was all I had to do, then sure, I could do that.
After all, in a chaotic fight, dozens could be drained in moments, so what’s a little leftover to handle?
However, I was clearly already marked by Rudrik and the Security Maintenance Force. It wouldn’t be difficult to give up one prey, but there was a possibility of Lowell also getting targeted because of it.
I always prioritize my own survival above all else. To survive, I can do anything and abandon anything.
Is there anything dumber than putting myself in danger by sticking my nose into things I don’t belong in?
Yesterday, I had the confidence that I could withstand a one-on-one battle against Rudrik, and I was confident I could escape with at least Eleonora if anything went awry. So, I had attacked strongly as a means of asserting dominance, but going beyond that wasn’t feasible.
So, I can’t guarantee Lowell’s safety. He is certainly a useful source of information, and I’d feel a little regret if he died, but that’s all.
He is by no means irreplaceable enough for me to go through unnecessary trouble to protect him.
…Wait, should I even be contemplating this? Given how he manages to state everything he wants to while avoiding direct expressions, Lowell is already walking a fine line.
It’s best he take care of his own life. I provide the opportunity, but the judgment is yours.
“If you want, I can lend you a prey. I can’t promise anything for the aftermath, but if you keep proving useful…”
“Really?”
“Yeah. But if you’re thinking of offering it up, forget it.”
My willingness to spare just one prey is purely a trade for information and to prevent a disaster of him starving to death.
I won’t allow myself to give my earnings to someone who just sits back and reaps the benefits. That’s absolutely unacceptable.
Lowell seemed to be smart enough; he took a moment to think, appearing to grasp what I meant by not being able to guarantee the aftermath.
“May I ask you just one thing?”
“Sure.”
“Are you planning to oppose the Security Maintenance Force?”
“No. As long as they leave me alone, they can play king or collect taxes; it’s none of my business.”
Of course, if they start acting foolish, the conversation would change. But it seems he’s seriously considering things. I honestly expected him to think of it as a joke since I haven’t fought in front of him.
Whether he is sharp-eyed or simply desperate enough to clutch at straws, I’m not quite sure.
Although I suggested it, I genuinely don’t understand what’s causing Lowell to deliberate. But what’s on his mind isn’t crucial. What matters is the result, not the process.
“If that’s the case, please let me know. I’m tired of living like this.”
Eventually, Lowell smiled faintly and took my hand. Even though he was wearing a mask, his expression seemed weary, almost like someone resigned to their fate.
But that’s not my concern. What’s important is that having a guide certainly makes things easier.
“Alright. Then lead the way.”
“There are a few spots where the castle walls have collapsed. There should be guards there too; is that okay with you?”
That’s why we’re going there.
If I were to be greedy, I’d want to head to where the beastmen are fighting. The fact that it’s the fiercest battlefield means the strongest and most delectable creatures are there.
But it feels burdensome to jump right into the frontlines from day one. Although I’ve progressed a lot since escaping the Luminous Kingdom, I’m still weak.
For some reason, it seems like Eleonora has a pretty high opinion of me, but having seen real strong ones in the duchy, I can’t be too reckless.
Yeah, at first, I should focus on quantity over quality. Safety comes first.
“It doesn’t matter. Just as long as it’s in a place with minimal competition.”
“I understand.”
Saying there’s less competition means there are fewer vampires, which is probably troubling. Yet Lowell moved quickly in a direction different from the bulk of vampires without saying another word.
He seemed to have a lot of questions, but he didn’t utter any unnecessary words during the move.
I must say, I appreciate that he’s sharp and quick-witted.
*
As I approached, the thick scent of blood permeated the air. Looking up at the sky, the area ahead was as bright as daylight.
The sound of swords clashing, shouts, and screams. The brutal wails transcending the distinctions between friend and foe displayed the horrors of the battlefield.
It felt familiar. Yes, it was the same feeling I had when I was chased by the imperial army while fleeing to the duchy after escaping the Luminous Kingdom.
Maybe it was because of the light warming my blood from Eleonora, but as I got closer to the battlefield, my senses became sharper, and my heart began to pound impatiently.
It was a delicious, bittersweet scent that was both thrilling and chilling at the same time.
From all directions, an overwhelming aroma almost drowning my brain, if I had taken just five more seconds to look away, my mouth would have been overflowing with saliva.
Simultaneously, hazy memories from that day’s nightmare began to resurface.
On that day when I broke through the imperial army’s siege alone to escape to the duchy, memories carved not in my brain but in the blood and mangled flesh came back to consume me.
The sensation of being pierced by dozens or even hundreds of spears and having my limbs torn off.
The horrifying pain and despair I felt while standing on the edge of life and death.
The helplessness I felt for myself and the hatred for the humans trying to kill me.
I had to remind myself not to be consumed by emotions, and since leaving the duchy, I had buried the dark, murky impulses deep within my heart, but the familiar scent of the battlefield shattered that damn dam.
The relatively peaceful recent days began to be quickly overlaid by past despair, and I found myself consciously unclenching my fists that were tightly balled up to the point I could see my veins.
I noticed the nail marks imprinted on my palm.
Right, this was my reality. I was back to the day I had to kill and be killed among humans.
Ah, indeed, this is where I belong.
In the end, this battlefield filled with blood and death is where I was meant to return.
Here, I don’t have to worry about anyone’s gaze.
There’s no need to force myself to pretend to be cheerful or okay.
There’s no need to pretend to be strong or weak.
There’s no need to tremble in anxiety about being stagnant.
I’ll kill, eat, and survive. That’s what matters here.
Receiving an odd glance from Lowell, I realized I was smiling.
When I tried to manage my expression too late, I couldn’t help but feel a flutter in my heart, like a child excited for a school trip.
Suddenly, I found myself laughing at how ridiculous I had become. I had just wanted to survive, but now I was feeling excited in front of a battlefield rampant with blood and death.
Who would have thought that I would feel the life I so desperately longed for so close to death?
Wait for me, Martini. I won’t waste the life you saved.
I’ll gather my strength and grow by killing and consuming all.
One day, I’ll devour all the trash that attacked the duchy.
So you have to stay safe. No matter what happens, I will survive and return to you once again.
Today is just the appetizer for our reunion. Let’s see what color the blood flowing through Pahera is.
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