**Prologue: Natural Enemy**
The world flickered in and out of focus. It was the wind of Light that inevitably made me feel the insignificance of my own soul.
The Order of the Final Knights proclaims its duty as Purification. If this is indeed what Purification entails, then the heat that burns this soul, the pain, is likely meant to atone for the sins I have accumulated.
I know that living a second life contradicts the fundamental rules of this world. Yet, I still do not wish to die. I harbor no particular ambitions, but the regrets I carry are far too heavy to accept my own death so easily.
It was like a wind, like waves, and like the sun all at once. In the white flickering of my vision, I desperately tried to move the limbs that had already vanished, resisting the force that sought to return me to a state of being.
I gathered the energy of death. I felt my strength growing stronger and stronger. However, it was merely an illusion. If this power was granted by a single Human, then my survival until now could only be described as sheer luck.
Ah, how harsh this world is, especially to a Dark Elf like me.
Existence fades away. Before I can even recall my life, it is snuffed out. Consciousness disappears. The first time I resurrected was a miracle. The second time, I was saved by Senri. But there likely won’t be a third.
“———N/A!”
I tried to roar, but my voice had already left me. And just like that, I succumbed to death.
—
And then, I awoke on the bed.
A darkness so complete enveloped me. The window was tightly covered by the light-blocking curtains I had brought, not a single ray of moonlight seeping through. My head throbbed painfully as I slowly surveyed the room, pressing down on my wildly beating heart.
“Hah, hah, hah… Crap, not again… that dream…”
Lower rank Vampires do not sweat. If I could, I would have been drenched in cold sweat. Breathing was also an unnecessary action for me. The ragged breaths I took were merely remnants of my living days.
When I closed my eyes and focused, I could feel my dark soul. My hands, my feet, my entire body trembled. But that was proof of life. If that had happened while I was asleep, I would have died without the chance to resist.
“End… that dream again.”
“Ah… but it’s fine. I’m getting used to it.”
Senri, who had been curled up beside me, slowly sat up and grasped my arm. I could see her defenseless nightgown-clad figure.
It had been nearly a week since the surprise attack from the Annihilation Order.
My life had changed just a little.
First, I had started sleeping at night. Next, Senri had begun to snuggle up to me while I slept. Of course, it was a temporary measure, but having Senri nearby made the nightmares a little more bearable. Moreover, if that attack were to happen again, I could quickly receive blood and endure it.
My survival from that wind of Light was nothing but luck. I was awake, and Senri was close by. Those two facts had saved my life.
If I had been asleep, I would have died without a chance to resist. If Senri had not been there, I would have been unable to suck blood and counter the Purification as I perished.
According to Senri, that technique was called “Liberation Light (Soul-LiLiース),” one of the most basic techniques of the Final Knights.
Originally, it was said to be used only to kill the lowest tier of Dark Elves, yet it had corroded my soul as a Lower rank Vampire and brought me to the brink of Purification. This was despite the considerable distance that should have existed between us and the Knights. During the day, Senri ran at full speed, and at night, I did the same to distance ourselves. Even with a carriage, they would not have been able to catch up.
This meant that the power of the Annihilation Order far exceeded my expectations… and even Senri’s.
Taking a deep breath, I inhaled the sweet scent of blood wafting from Senri’s body. Her loose nightgown revealed her neck, which glimmered alluringly even without light. While I appreciated her closeness, the Bloodlust that surged after a nightmare made it difficult to resist.
I couldn’t possibly take advantage of the fact that she had saved my life twice by overpowering her for blood.
Senri whispered soothingly, trying to calm me.
“It’s fine… Just find peace of mind, End. The Master who unleashed such a wide-ranging power to kill you… must have done something quite impossible. The Blessing’s power is finite; there shouldn’t be a second time.”
“That’s right. Indeed, it can’t happen again… It’s impossible for a second attack.”
I told myself that, fully aware it was just a comforting lie.
The Knights— that man is my natural enemy.
Senri is a remarkable partner. She is fair, kind, and possesses a heart of compassion that allows her to sacrifice herself for others. And it is precisely because of this that the Knights, who seek to take her from me, are trying to kill me with a terrifying force that negates her virtues.
Senri’s words about the impossibility of such an attack are likely true. If that kind of power could be wielded without a drawback, Dark Elves would have long vanished from this world, and even now, a week later, there has been no second attack.
However, at the same time— I cannot shake the feeling that another attack is still possible.
I had entrusted the Master Beast with the task of dealing with it, yet I could not understand why he would take matters into his own hands. Perhaps Albaトス reported a failure, or maybe he grew impatient waiting for a success report. Regardless, even if it was a technique that consumed a great deal of Blessing, if it became possible again, that man would execute it. As long as Senri is away, he would do it as many times as necessary.
I am terrified. I have touched the dragon’s scales. I even contemplate returning Senri to him. She has become an irreplaceable presence in my life, yet I am also aware that I have distorted her existence. But even if I returned her, I am certain the Knights would not forgive me.
The best I could hope for was a change from killing me as an enemy to purifying me with mercy. I would prefer neither.
For now, I have no means to counter that attack. What can I do when I cannot even see the enemy?
All I can do is escape beyond the range of the Knights’ attacks and gather strength to mutate into a Vampire as quickly as possible. Even now, the thought of it sends shivers down my spine. I find myself instinctively shrinking back, but I steel myself by looking at Senri beside me.
She is trying to keep me alive. I must escape at all costs…
“Thank you, it’s fine. I’m calm now. Senri… you should sleep a little longer. We need to move in the morning.”
“No problem… Is the blood fine?”
“It’s fine. Ah, yes… it’s still fine.”
Self-control is necessary. The instincts of a Vampire are trying to consume me. If I were to be abandoned by Senri, I would truly become a monster in this world.
“Good. Then that’s settled. Goodnight, End.”
Once I confirmed that Senri lay back down, I also reclined on the bed. The delicious scent wafting from so close made me frown and bite my tongue. I cautiously reached out, finding Senri’s hand and gripping it tightly. She shivered slightly but returned the grip with strength.
I must embark on a journey. My destination is a place beyond human reach. The power of the Knights is abnormal. I nearly died from an attack from an extreme distance. If by any chance I were to encounter them again, death would be inevitable.
However, there was one more concern.
From the slightly cool hand I held, I could feel the flow of blood in her arteries. My head began to heat up.
This is strange. It’s strange because I have already consumed a significant amount of Senri’s blood.
Vampires enhance their power by drinking blood. According to Senri, my physical abilities are already comparable to those of a true Vampire. In fact, my strength slightly surpassed that of Albaトス when he was not exerting himself. This indicates that the Negative power I possess is quite close to that of a Vampire.
Yet, I have not yet mutated into a true Vampire.
The Lord said I had talent. The blood I regularly receive from Senri is undoubtedly of the highest quality, and I have killed countless magical beasts. It should not be strange for me to mutate. No, it’s the opposite. Given how long I have survived, the fact that I have not yet done so… something is off.
The “Liberation Light (Soul-LiLiース)” is a powerful skill, but its effectiveness varies depending on the type of Dark Elf.
To put it simply, it is less effective against those with robust physiques. It works best on spiritual-type Dark Elves, and it is effective against Lower rank Dark Elves whose souls are exposed. However, once one becomes a true Vampire, the effects are visibly diminished.
Lower rank Vampires are like pupae. Therefore, it is unlikely that the “Liberation Light (Soul-LiLiース)” would have any significant effect on the Negative power of a Lower rank Vampire, yet it had shown considerable effectiveness. Once I become a Vampire, the likelihood of being annihilated by that power would decrease.
I must gather strength at all costs. I must use every means available. Before I am toyed with and killed by the Knights.
—
The interlude has concluded, and we now enter the third part. Daily updates are impossible, but I will do my best to update regularly, so please continue to accompany me. ( ´ー｀)