**Chapter Eight: Tranquility**
It seems that my relationship with Senri has changed slightly.
I can’t let my guard down yet, but it’s a change for the better. She has started to make jokes with me and has shared her Knowledge. She has even provided Training. If this is a trap, I would become distrustful of humans. As long as I don’t stray from my path, she will surely remain my ally.
During our journey, I learned many things.
The cycle of Bloodlust and the Necessary amount of blood. The disparity in strength against the End Knight, and how I might react to the Vampire’s Weakness. The magnitude of my violent impulses and the methods to suppress them.
This Knowledge is essential for my survival. Senri was well-versed in the End Knight and how to kill Vampires, but she didn’t know how a Vampire could use certain means to prolong its life. I gradually came to understand myself, step by step.
I also began to grasp Senri’s personality. She may seem rigid, but she can joke around and even laugh. Though she appears serious, she is flexible and possesses the capacity to embrace both kindness and harshness. Yet, at the same time, she has her own vulnerabilities. Occasionally, she even adopts an inviting demeanor—
She is a complex individual. However, considering her position, strength, Knowledge, and even the taste of her blood, she is an ideal partner.
It was nothing short of fortunate that Senri was the one targeting the Lord. I must make the most of this luck. With such a strong ally by my side, I need to decide on our next course of action.
And without being caught by pursuers, we safely arrived in the city.
It was a medium-sized city, similar to Enage. The outer walls were of moderate height, with a river nearby, and even as dusk approached, many people were lined up at the gates. Merchants with carts and horses were undergoing cargo inspections, but as long as other travelers didn’t appear suspicious, they seemed to pass through without issue. Even in Enage, identification wasn’t required. The outer walls were likely more of a strategy against magical beasts.
Well, I do have identification prepared by the Lord…
As we stood in line, Senri whispered.
“End, watch your step…”
“…”
There was a small trench dug outside the gate, with water flowing gently within.
It was clearly a strategy against Vampires. If the trench surrounded the entire city, even a Vampire in bat form wouldn’t be able to enter from above. If I had stepped in without noticing, I would have suddenly lost my strength and fallen.
Such things are frightening. If I hadn’t known, I would have undoubtedly fallen for it. In this world, it seems that various traps are laid out, invisible to normal humans.
However, I thought that a small trench like this could be crossed if I resolved to do so…
“Is this common?”
“It is. In larger cities, the defenses are well established. There was one in Enage as well… though it wasn’t flowing due to being blocked.”
Enage was close to the Lord’s home. If the Lord intended to take over my body, it wouldn’t be surprising if he set up strategies against Vampires.
Beyond flowing water, Vampires have many Weaknesses. I must be careful…
A spear-wielding gatekeeper watched the travelers pass through with a bored expression. He was likely checking for any suspicious behavior over the flowing water. Senri approached with a calm demeanor and squeezed my hand. I returned the gesture, feeling her slightly cold fingertips.
Then, I took a deep breath and crossed over the flowing water, successfully entering the city of Semesera.
—
We walked through the twilight city and quickly found an inn. It was a medium-sized establishment. Aside from the thin curtains, I had no complaints. After securing two rooms, we held a strategy meeting in my room.
Senri spoke with her usual cold, piercing gaze.
“In a city of this size, there’s a possibility that pursuers may arrive. We should leave quickly.”
“Such things can happen anywhere.”
“…End… are you in a bad mood?”
“…Just a little. But there’s no need to worry. I understand what’s important.”
The size of Semesera was comparable to Enage. The number of people and the liveliness were similar, but there was one clear difference.
Perhaps due to the large river nearby, Semesera was crisscrossed with many waterways. While I could step over a trench, crossing a long bridge alone would be impossible. I might manage it with Impossible, but that would leave me in a dizzy state for a long time.
It is said that on water, Vampires lose nearly all their abilities. Special abilities, of course, but their entire strength would likely diminish, and they would probably lose their regenerative capabilities as well. In my case, while I don’t possess any special abilities of a Vampire, I would lose the skills I learned as Shiki before the Mutation, such as “Sharp Claw” and “Sharp Fang.” Even an ordinary person could easily kill me in that state.
Of course, if Senri were with me, I could cross the bridge, but that would make me a severe burden.
“I don’t need sympathy. I know we’re on the run. It’s just a selfish desire. I just wanted to look around the city and try some street food. I’ve never done that before.”
Senri’s eyes widened in surprise. I was aware that my wish was rather childish.
When I went on errands with Ruu, I didn’t have the luxury to explore the city. In my previous life, I had become unable to walk by the age of ten, so I had hardly ever wandered the streets alone or tried street food.
That’s why I had a little hope, but it seemed that human cities were harsher than I had imagined.
Most Vampires choose not to lurk in cities, instead residing in ancient castles, ruins, or underground labyrinths. I had thought of them as akin to magical objects, but it made sense if human cities were this difficult to live in.
Moreover, the curtains in this room were thin enough. Even if I closed them tightly, some sunlight would likely seep in. This meant that despite having a bed, I wouldn’t be able to sleep there. With a closet available, I would have to hide inside during the day to avoid the sunlight.
Sleeping in a closet wouldn’t cause my body to ache, but I still had my thoughts about it.
With a small sigh, Senri spoke gently.
“If there’s anything you want me to buy, I’ll get it for you.”
Something to buy, huh? There are plenty of objects I desire. I need a change of clothes, and I want to eat something a bit more elaborate. I also want to drink Senri’s blood. However, buying something that would become a burden isn’t ideal since we’ll be leaving this city soon.
“…If there’s a book of magic, I’d like you to get that. I can exchange the precious metals I picked up from the Lord’s mansion for money.”
“…What kind of magic?”
“Anything is fine. But it would be great if it’s something that could help us escape.”
I had no idea what was available. I had never read a book of magic in my previous life, and the ones in the Lord’s mansion were far too difficult.
After pondering my vague request for a while, Senri nodded slightly.
“…Understood. I’ll find something suitable. Anything else?”
“…I might not be in a position to say this, but please be careful. The pursuers are likely targeting you as well, not just me.”
Senri looked momentarily surprised by my words, which included my concerns, but she quickly smiled in response.
—
**§ § §**
A completely collapsed and burned mansion. Before a simple grave made nearby, stood one person and a shadow of a beast.
The person was a middle-aged man clad in a long black coat. He was large, with a deep hood covering his face, and three swords hung from his waist.
The man was enveloped in a strong scent of blood. There was an unsettling aura about him.
“Alba… how is it?”
“…………”
The other was a black dog. Nearly two meters long and standing about a meter tall, it was a large dog. Its sleek, black fur and muscular limbs possessed the unique beauty of a beast. Its golden eyes were sharp, yet they held a certain intelligence within.
The dog, called Alba, had been sniffing the grave for a while but soon lifted its head, directing its gaze into the depths of the forest.
“Have you chosen to pass through the forest… as expected. You wouldn’t be foolish enough to confront Annihilation.”
“…………”
In response to the man’s soliloquy, Alba looked up at its master as if it understood human speech. Receiving that gaze, the man clad in black formed a deep smile at the corner of his mouth.
“Ah, indeed. We shall not head to Enage. However, supplies are Necessary. If we pass through the forest and follow the path… it would lead us to Semesera. But that city is not easy for a Vampire to live in. …Ah, no problem, don’t worry, Alba. Lower rank Vampires without a master are nothing compared to a naïve child like the End Knight. At most, I’ll just work for the reward…”
His murky black eyes stared intently into the depths of the forest, and a voice, as if intoxicated by heat, echoed through the empty woods.
Then, the man and the beast vanished silently into the darkness.