I suppose the negotiation went neither badly nor well. My father asked me for some time to come to a decision.
Which is only reasonable. The plan I proposed is something nobility would find themselves typically unable to accept.
The risk is too high, and if I were him… I would probably agonize over the right choice.
I do not expect to be accepted right away. On the contrary, it would be scary if I were.
However, it would seem Ludo Formet… is not stern a person as I had imagined him to be. Time had made its mark on him and he looked much older than I remembered, but I could tell that he still considered me his son from the way he spoke.
If so, my chances might be better than I expected. Aside from whether he might let us stay here, he should at least be willing to lend us some money.
Most of my negative energy is concealed by the night crystal. The main problem is the vampire hunter, but I doubt they would be right on our heels already.
Well, rationally speaking, it should be impossible. If they are, then it would mean that through some means they have deduced our current location and that they were able to either outrun or keep up with my top speed, both of which spell disaster.
I woke up from my slumber and felt thankful that I was able to greet yet another day. I crawled out of the closet, stretched lightly and walked over to Senri’s room which was next to mine.
As usual, the curse did not activate when I tried to enter Senri’s room.
Half the day had passed and a world bathed by the light of dusk awaited out of the window. It was time. I need to meet my father once again.
Depending on his answer, we might be released from the life of a fugitive.
However, maybe father… I would rather not think about it, has made preparations to have me purged.
The undead are beings that are apart from the rules of this world… and are tainted souls. It is said that a soul once fallen into a necromancer’s hands cannot ascend to heaven unless it is purified. In other words, purging does not mean death but salvation.
Well, that is the general belief though heaven’s existence is questionable ( Here I am, still alive without getting purged even by the straight-laced Senri). It is probably too hard a reality for father to not only have his son’s body stolen but also for his soul to have suffered such disgrace.
He would choose purification of my sake. Although it would not be any of his business… I cannot deny the possibility of that happening.
When my father asked me for some time to think things over, I replied that I would be back the next day. The reason I granted him only a day was to lower the chances of risk. It would be hard to get Death Knights here in just a day and there are not many normal soldiers capable of defeating a vampire.
I hate myself for not trusting my own father, but it was necessary in order to survive.
I made myself presentable and spoke to the bespectacled Senri.
“I’m leaving to hear my father’s reply. Although the chances are low, there’s a possibility that I could be walking into a trap. Would you come with me?”
“… Of course”, Senri replied, without hesitation.
Senri is a member of the Order of Death Knights. And she also holds proof of that.
I did not speak of my companion to my father. He would find it hard to believe that a Death Knight was helping me anyway, and there is a chance that information about me could reach Epée’s ears if my father were to get in touch with the Death Knights.
Moreover… she turned her back on the Death Knights when she chose to help me. It felt too unfair to make use of her awkward position upon taking into concern her personality.
However… the outcome could be different if he were to see her for himself. If he were to find out about Senri, his views could change as well.
Besides, Senri is pure. No matter how many times my fangs pierce her, her soul remains untainted. Even if my voice does not reach my father, hers might.
It was totally unlike me to be nervous. As I stood lost in thought, Senri clasped my hand. Pale fingers that carry the finest blood intertwined with mine.
Senri smiled gently and spoke reassuringly in a voice that had never changed since the first time we met.
“Don’t worry… I, won’t betray you. We, can run away together.”
☠☠☠
Once again, I entered the Formet mansion grounds and headed towards father’s study.
The security had lightened around the mansion. Perhaps it was for my sake, but it felt like he made himself too vulnerable. It may not be my place, but maybe I need to point out the need for more security.
I tried to sense the presence of people in the study. Although untrained, I am able to instinctively sense the number of people in a place even from a distance if I focus.
There is probably just one person, my father. At the very least, I do not sense more than one living being. The chances of us walking into a trap has become low.
Senri got on my back and I jumped up to the window in a single breath.
The atmosphere… did not feel unpleasant today. I opened the latch from the outside and entered the study through the window. The window swung open and warm breeze filled the room.
Ludo Formet was the only one who awaited them in the study.
His expression made apparent his exhaustion. He must have agonized over his decision for a whole day.
Father raised his brows when he spotted me but soon his attention shifted to the Senri on my back.
“Ah, you’re here… and who is that girl you’re carrying?”
“Senri Silvis. She… is an ally. You see, I can’t live without drinking blood now…so, with her consent, I borrow a bit of her blood.”
“!… I never… asked you that.”
His expression openly grew more strained. I wonder if he perhaps thought that I lived as a harmless undead without hurting anyone.
That cannot be. Sure I did not mention it directly….
The duty of a noble is to his fief and its people. Maybe there is too much of a difference between a son who has become a monster but has retained his mind versus a son who has become a monster but has retained his mind and yet cannot live without partaking blood. I have failed. Maybe I should have kept it a secret for some more time.
Was it too premature to have father meet Senri…? Did I get too carried away once I realized that it was not father who had sold off my corpse…?
The strained atmosphere further increased the distance between me and father.
However, at that moment, Senri got off my back and looked at my father resolutely.
With a kinda deep voice for a girl, but pleasant all the same, Senri uttered.
“Lord Formet, it is a pleasure to meet you. I am… Senri Silvis. A member of the Order of Death Knights.”
A plain robe. From its pocket, she retrieved a seal made of silver and gold.
It was the symbol of the Death Knights – a seal that was a combination of a sword and a crucifix.
I feel a bit sick upon seeing it directly. I had never seen it before, so maybe Senri had kept it hidden for my sake.
My eyes widened in spite of myself. I stared fixedly at Senri.
She had already displayed her will by wanting to return the sword to Epée. And considering her personality, it is impossible that she would try to make use of her position where she has practically withdrawn from the Order.
However, Senri’s voice never faltered. Without hesitation, she faced my father with her back to me.
It would be a rare sight for the Death Knights to have ever visited such a remote place in the country. So it must have never occurred to him that his undead son would bring along a member of the Order. Father’s face warped in surprise.
“Death Knight, did you say?!”
“I am… separated from the other knights for now… but your son is truly strong-willed. Although his soul was tainted by dark magic… he has never once lost his mind.”
The words rolled off her tongue. Father retreated as if intimidated by a girl half his age. It was really unusual to see the always fairly brusque Senri to speak so politely to someone.
Every word from her mouth was as sharp as the sword and full of faith.
She was incredibly charismatic. Standing there, was the epitome of a Death Knight in everyone’s imagination. It is said that one preyed upon by a vampire would have their mind polluted as a result, but Senri showed no signs of that.
I want her blood. I suppressed the welling of a tremendous blood lust with a scowl.
Senri continued.
“Lord Formet… your concerns are entirely justified. However, could you believe in him and entrust him to me?”
☠☠☠
It was the best conceivable outcome. The tension from a moment ago dispersed.
Father looked a little more relaxed.
“… Looks like you found yourself a splendid companion. I am a little relieved.”
“Yes. Just that made becoming an undead worthwhile.”
“… Don’t be absurd, Lierre. …Ah, I suppose it’s End now.”
He sounded thoroughly exasperated. However… those were his true feelings.
It was an added perk. Although I am in a precarious position where I stand to be annihilated any time, I would not be able to drink her blood if I were human nor would I have a girlfriend as fine as her.
I never imagined that Senri would turn out to be such a powerful ally back then, but it was worthwhile to negotiate with Epée at the risk of getting killed.
Father had prepared a briefcase full of money, a map, identification papers and… a single key.
“… It’s the key to an unused mansion. It needs cleaning… but I suppose it would serve better as a hideout the way it is. It should be perfectly capable of housing two people. However, stay on guard.”
He looked fairly ill at ease as he handed over the key to me.
So, I suppose it would be alright to hole up in this fief for the time being.
I never imagined he would prepare for us a place to stay on top of all the money. Ludo Formet must have a lot of people to protect. Naturally, if the Death Knights or the country were to find out about this, he would lose his head.
I cannot stay here forever for his sake. However, I should at least be allowed some time to gather my bearings.
Nothing connects me to father and it should be alright even if someone were to follow the trail of the key I just received.
My worries dispersed and I felt great. I wanted to converse a little longer, but it would not bode well if someone were to enter the study by chance.
If things pan out as intended, perhaps we would be able meet again.
I expressed my gratitude once again and headed towards the window with the briefcase and map in hand.
As long as the Death Knights who are capable of sensing negative energy do not close in on me, my identity would be safe.
Maybe, someday… I might even be allowed to enter the house through the front door.
As those thoughts ran through my head, I heard my father speak solemnly.
“Lierre… no, End. I cannot allow you to take the Formet name as you are now. You, are dead.”
“… Ahh, of course, I know that much.”
Well if I am found out and my relationship with my family is discovered, they could be put in danger. I did not need to be reminded. I do not intend to use the name.
… Come to think of it, I did carve the family name on Roux’s grave. Though I doubt anyone would notice.
I shrugged as my father’s lips curved into a smile.
“Instead… as proof that you’re my son, I will bestow upon you the title of Baron.”
“… Low rank.”
“… No complaining. Originally, it’s not something you could even desire as the third son”, said father with a scowl.
I found it amusing in spite of myself and laughed out loud.
“Ahh, alright . Thank you, father.”
Baron End. It does not really roll off the tongue but I guess it is not too bad.
Above all, I doubt there exists a lesser vampire with peerage.
“… I have something I need to speak with Ms.Senri in private. It won’t take long, so wait outside.”
I wonder what the conversation is about. Though I am a bit curious, I am sure Senri would fill me in on it later if it was something I needed to be made aware of.
That is how much I trust Senri.
I nodded vigorously and jumped out of the window in much better spirits than when I walked in.
