**Chapter 2: Caravan II**
The world is vast. The sky stretches high, and the unobstructed landscape reaches to the horizon, evoking deep emotions in me, who had long been unable to move. As a small dog, merely running around the caravan feels like a grand adventure. When I venture into the taller grass, I disappear from human sight, and nothing is visible to me either.
However, I possess a keen sense of smell. My senses sharpened when I became a Lower-Rank Vampire, but in my canine form, they are unparalleled. According to Senri, who heard from the Master Beast, Alba was able to track me down from a hundred kilometers away by scent alone. Sadly, my sense of smell isn’t that sharp, but I can easily distinguish Senri’s location.
During my free time, I tested my abilities. The dog body is surprisingly convenient. At first, I thought it was a scam that I couldn’t gain combat abilities like Alba, but the fact that I go unnoticed by humans is truly remarkable. It’s a little sad that I am loved much more than I was when I was human.
I learned many things about my canine body. My sense of smell is extraordinarily acute. My combat abilities are nearly nonexistent. I cannot use magic in this form. I inherit the weaknesses of a Vampire. I cannot eat onions or chocolate.
It seems that the curse of becoming a dog is separate from the Vampire curse. While the power to transform into a dog came from my Vampire abilities, the transformation itself is not a result of that power. You might think this is meaningless, but it’s an important distinction.
Yes, I can maintain my dog form even on water. Originally, Vampires lose all their powers on water. Even if I tried to transform into a bat or wolf, my transformation would revert. But I am different.
Since my transformation into a dog is a separate curse from the Vampire one, it doesn’t break when I step onto the water.
This revelation came about through a careless mistake by Senri and me. We accidentally tried to enter a city where the Vampire countermeasures were properly established while I was still in my carrier case. If my transformation had reverted, it would have been a disaster.
While my weaknesses remain unchanged, I become weak enough that I can barely walk, but this is an important difference. It means that as long as I am in the carrier case, I can board a ship. Of course, this is under the premise that Senri is there to assist me.
According to Senri, it wouldn’t have been surprising if the Lord had become a first-class Necromancer much earlier. Perhaps the Lord delayed becoming an An/Ade/Nador after resolving the attack on the Lisque. He likely aimed to complete the An/Ade/Nador that incorporated “Curse Absorption.” To put it another way, his ideal was to take over the body of that An/Ade/Nador and become the strongest King of the Dead.
My “Curse Absorption” contains all of Holos Carmen’s years of research.
Holos Carmen is dead. The remnants remain within me, but his ideals were not realized. At the very least, using that power effectively would serve as a tribute to the pure Mage that is the Lord.
Now, after finishing his watch, Senri returns. I greet my master, wagging my tail while holding a large decorative box given to me by one of the merchants.
The blood of children is fresh. Although there are individual differences based on nutritional status, gender, and age, it generally smells very delicious. However, it cannot compare to Senri’s blood.
I run around Senri, checking to see if he has any injuries. If he were hurt, I would be able to tell by the scent. It seems he has come through the day unscathed.
Bending down, Senri lets out a deep sigh as he looks into the box of spoils.
“…Baron/A, you brought back so much again… You must have a talent for being a dog.”
Inside the box were numerous coins and jewelry. Most merchants who can form a caravan are wealthy, and some deal in gemstones.
When I carry the box over, he adds various items with an exasperated look. If I tap my paw on something I want, there’s a good chance he will give it to me. Most of the coins were copper, but a few silver and gold coins were mixed in. I have money given to me by my father, so I’m not in need, but he is a good customer.
“I’ll have to return this again.”
“Yip!”
“I told you it’s no good to do that, right? Don’t you have any pride?”
“…Yip.”
Even though I know I’ll just be turned down again, Senri always insists on returning my spoils. I may be an adorable puppy, but Senri is a beautiful girl. The image of me, going to collect money, and my owner returning it has become a sort of iconic scene, unbeknownst to us.
I am merely making the most of my circumstances. There’s no pride to speak of. He gives me treats and money. No one pays attention to a dog’s eyes, so they even share information with me. After all, all I want is blood, and that is something Senri provides. I was satisfied. It would have been perfect if E-pe didn’t exist in this world.
The children of the merchants forming the caravan were all bright and clever. With neatly arranged hair and clean clothing, their bright eyes sparkled as if nothing good could come from this world. Every night, during their free time, they gathered around the campfire to learn from their parents. Knowledge is power for merchants. In those moments, everyone was serious. At first, they chased me away when I approached, but once they realized I could lie quietly nearby while they studied, they allowed me to listen.
I heard tales of their travels, stories of history, and discussions about the town, and I even recalled methods of calculation that I had almost forgotten.
Among the caravan were families of mercenaries. The children of mercenaries often had sharp gazes, and I struggled to form friendships with them. However, children are children. Once I got used to them, it was no trouble at all.
I observed the children training with weapons, ran around with them, learned how to set traps, and studied methods of concealing my presence and detecting others. In pure combat ability, Senri was overwhelmingly superior, and for a Vampire, concealing one’s presence and detecting others was relatively easy, but gaining knowledge was incredibly enjoyable. Besides, mercenaries could potentially become my enemies, so it was best to be prepared.
Sadly, I was unable to witness any magical training. While there were a few Mages in the caravan, most of the members were highly skilled, and they didn’t practice magic beyond reading from books.
Mages are very rare, and their skills are closely guarded secrets. The content found in spellbooks is basic, and they are not foolish enough to reveal their powers in places where they don’t know who might be watching. They might also be avoiding consuming their magical energy, lest they find themselves unable to fight when it truly matters.
As the caravan progressed, the surrounding scenery began to change. From grasslands to wastelands. The magical creatures appearing transformed from mere beasts to magical beasts with the characteristics of multiple creatures, as well as humanoid beings like goblins and orcs. This was a sign that we were approaching the edge of human territory.
Under the rule of the Demon King, powerful magical beings gather. Near the territory of the Demon King, magical beings appear that ordinary humans cannot contend with. For intelligent magical beings, a caravan is a delicious feast. They can acquire a large amount of food and also gather weapons, armor, and treasures. Among the humanoid magical beings, some even target horses.
However, the caravan is well aware of this and has fortified its defenses, so they are not easily overwhelmed.
While there were many injured among the people, Senri, with her overwhelming combat prowess and healing abilities, soon earned the title of the Goddess of Victory, while I spread mental comfort during the battles.
We became known as “The Goddess of Victory and the White Dog.”
—
Inside the thick tent, I had finally returned to my human form after a long time. I draped a black cloak over myself, just enough to cover my skin. For a Vampire, consuming blood is essential. I had grown accustomed to my dog form, but to engage in Vampirism, I needed to revert to my original appearance. I cannot use my Vampire powers in my dog form, and that includes “Vampirism.”
Senri always sleeps wrapped in her cloak. Most mercenaries do the same, but we only rent a larger tent when it’s time to feed. I cannot be seen in my true form, nor can I draw blood in the open.
“…End, you’ve been a bit too carefree.”
Returning to my human form for the first time in a while, Senri looked at me with a reproachful gaze, echoing words I had heard repeatedly over the past few days.
“I’m the type to enjoy the moment. Besides, it’s good for gathering information.”
“…You seemed to be having quite a bit of fun. It’s not good to stand out too much.”
Well, I did have fun. I can’t remember the last time I played tag or hide-and-seek.
“I’m sorry. But there are plenty of white puppies around, so I won’t be noticed.”
It might be a bit selfish to stay in the carrier case all day, but the caravan is always on the move during the day. They have no time to spare to look my way.
Recently, I had been in puppy form for so long that it felt refreshing to see Senri smaller than me. I shrugged and said, “Everyone is kind to me. Wagging my tail is just a way of giving back.”
Senri had been staring into I’s eyes for a while, but soon let out a deep sigh.
“…Haa. The curse is unpredictable. That’s the only thing you need to be careful about.”
“I wish I could keep watch with you. It seems the magical objects have grown stronger recently.”
“There are other mercenaries around, so it’s not a problem.”
I leaned closer to Senri, almost crawling, and took hold of her wrist. The fragrant scent of her blood made my head spin.
The wrist I touched was delicate, smooth skin tracing the bones beneath. It was hard to believe such a slender arm could possess strength comparable to mine. The thought of not tearing her clothes made me feel a pang of regret.
Senri fell silent for a moment, but after enduring my gaze for a while, she tilted her head slightly, exposing her pale neck.
Her cheeks were faintly flushed. Perhaps due to the tension, her heartbeat quickened just a bit.
It was unavoidable, I reasoned with myself. The power of the Epe was terrifying. To confront it, I needed to gain strength as quickly as possible.
In vampirism, the location of the bite was crucial. Biting a finger versus biting the neck resulted in a significant difference in the amount of power gained, even if the same volume of blood was consumed. Senri’s ability to create blood had its limits. Opportunities to feed were already scarce, so there was no option but to bite her neck.
“End… You’re becoming less reserved.”
“That’s… a sign of trust.”
I pressed down on Senri’s weakened hand, pinning her against the thin fabric beneath us. Her soft, warm body lay quietly, waiting to be vampirized. Just that thought made my head heat up, and my heart raced.
She was not wearing the armor of blessing. I leaned in, brushing my lips against the skin beneath her ear, trailing down her neck. My fangs throbbed with a strong ache. As my nose brushed against her neck, the sweet scent of blood flowing beneath her pale skin overwhelmed my senses.
Ah, even without having fed yet, this feels so good.
There are those who willingly offer their blood to a vampire while remaining human. However, in my view, it is never a one-sided relationship. When a human is captivated by a vampire, the vampire is equally entranced by that human.
But on the vampire’s side… when consumed by instinct, they might drain the life from their prey.
Her exposed neck, with its radiant white skin and intoxicating scent, drew me in, and Senri’s body twitched slightly.
“Mm… End… Hurry, finish it.”
“Well, hold on. The night is still long. When I do this… it smells really good.”
Even without biting her yet, her white skin was growing warm. Senri let out a suppressed breath, trembling. I carefully traced my tongue over her skin as if a doctor were about to make an incision.
Sweet. Not just her blood, but her skin, her flesh—everything was exquisite. Senri was a prime specimen, not only for a vampire but also for a ghoul.
Her body was filled with pure, healthy energy. If I were to compare her to a fruit, she would be a perfectly polished apple. The sweet aroma intensified, indicating that even Senri, with her strong rationality, was being overwhelmed by pleasure.
Her restrained hands trembled as if resisting. I held them down carefully, ensuring not to break her resolve. Normally, Senri could easily kill me, but now she had become mere prey. This situation excited me intensely, fueling my strength.
Not yet. I could only drink a little blood. To end this precious opportunity in an instant would be a waste. I pressed my tongue against her neck, searching for the blood vessels beneath. I meticulously sought the perfect spot for my fangs.
Where should I bite? It was a vexing decision.
“Haa, haa… Hurry, End. If I don’t finish soon, I’ll be unhinged.”
“Mm… What are you saying, Senri? You’re already unhinged.”
Ah, this clothing is a hindrance. It felt like I was trying to eat a fruit with its skin still on. It was far too disrespectful, far too blasphemous.
Beads of sweat glistened on her skin. I licked them away, and as if intoxicated by the heat, I spoke to Senri. She was always sharp, but sometimes she could be a bit absent-minded. Perhaps that was why Nebira and the others had been paying attention to her.
While Senri might perceive this as a meal, the act was incredibly close to an intimate union. For a vampire, the distinction between the two was almost nonexistent.
“As far as I’ve seen, mercenaries only borrow tents when they bring in the opposite sex…”
“…N/A!?”
Senri’s body, pressed against the floor, jolted violently. The sweet scent intensified in an instant, and her previously faintly flushed skin turned bright red. Could it be that she hadn’t realized? The curious gazes from merchants when she went to borrow the tent.
By tomorrow, the looks directed at Senri would change slightly. It’s fine; after all, the caravan would soon part ways, and no one had confirmed that Senri had brought a man in, so they would likely assume there were circumstances that couldn’t be voiced.
“End, no! It’s over! I’ll give you my fingers instead!”
That was too much—having brought me to this point and then leaving me in limbo. I ignored her verbal resistance and continued my search for the blood vessels with my tongue.
“It’s fine. If anyone says anything, just deny it. Either way, I need to borrow a tent to get my blood. Now, just wait a little longer while I find the right spot.”
The aroma was far superior to just a moment ago. Whether it was impatience or anger, one thing was certain: her excitement heightened her flavor. The fact that vampirism didn’t involve pain and was accompanied by sexual pleasure made the existence of a vampire all the more enticing.
Senri writhed beneath me, causing the tent to sway. I had intended to savor this moment a bit longer, but perhaps it was time to act. The ache of my fangs was reaching its limit.
Logically speaking, it didn’t matter where I bit. The taste would undoubtedly be exquisite.
I decided on a spot and, like a knife cutting into tender steak, prepared to sink my fangs in when suddenly, a shrill scream pierced through the fabric of the tent from outside.