**Chapter 20: Corruption**
Even after entering the coffin, the swirling black emotions in my mind showed no sign of settling. In the darkness, I desperately took deep breaths to calm myself.
This Demon King army is the worst. They lack fairness.
My decisive battle with the Devourer was interrupted by an intruder—the Demon King, Raineal. From where had he been watching? Perhaps, despite the distance, he had been observing from within the castle. If he had arrived just ten seconds later, I would have been pierced by the Poison Needle and had my head severed by the cursed flames of the Devourer.
But what a terrible situation. Even as I was on the brink of death, no one came to my aid, yet they rushed to help the Devourer, who was merely a bit battered… Well, I am not a member of the Demon King’s army, nor am I an ally, but it’s still too much. Monica also failed to provide me with crucial information about the Devourer. She did share some details, but they were critically lacking.
Indeed, the only one I can trust is Senri.
It’s fine. Missing the chance to kill the Devourer is acceptable. The outcome has already been decided. When we meet again, I will undoubtedly kill it. There is no path to forgiveness. It cannot be trusted. I will ambush it and kill it like the trash it is, erasing its existence as if it were nothing.
The real problem lies with the Demon King Raineal. I cannot win against him. At least not with my current self. The Raineal I faced last night in the battlefield exuded a power that made me certain of this at first glance.
In the darkness, his thick legs pressed firmly against the ground, his massive body, and his mane—all glimmered with a mysterious golden light.
The Demon King Raineal is a golden lion. A great beast king, without any contrivance, in all his glory.
He appeared to be just a beast. However, his size surpassed that of the Devourer and rivaled even the black evil dragon created by the Lord at the very end. Yet, the moment he landed on the ground, his footfalls made almost no sound. I, facing him up close, could not even catch a glimpse of his full form.
His voice was calm, lacking the mocking tone that the Devourer possessed. Though his face was not human, it conveyed a considerably deeper intelligence than that of the Devourer. And more than that—his front paws bore silver claws reminiscent of knives meant to kill me.
Those are not just silver. They are the same holy silver that Senri possessed. A precious and rare metal blessed to cut through all forms of magic. It is the metal that completely inhibits my regeneration abilities, a vampire-slaying metal.
With such a physique, evading an attack would be difficult. Alba-tos was not armed. The Devourer also did not possess any silver weapons. I, who had just begun to learn how to wield my power, stood no chance. Not alone.
But I will kill him.
The Demon King Raineal turned his dual gaze toward me, who was battered from the fight with the Devourer, and smiled.
“End-BaロN/A. Well done in defeating my subordinate, the ‘Devourer’ Hebram. Your power is commendable.”
His voice radiated overwhelming superiority. He did not even consider me an enemy. And that was likely the case. A king should understand the difference in our strengths.
“Hebram will surely reflect on this. In the Sei manner, I wish to welcome you into my army. Once the invasion of RoN/A-burg is complete, I shall grant you the reward you desire.”
His eyes were filled with the heat of a beast. Though he presented it as a proposal, there was an undeniable pressure in his voice. What would have happened if I had refused?
His voice sought to bind me. It belittled my life. It was a voice meant for a ruler over his subjects.
He is my enemy. I will kill him. Conflict breeds conflict, and strong resentment is born from it. I am reluctant, but it cannot be helped. I will kill the Demon King Raineal, the Devourer, and this detestable army completely and perfectly, until there is no more resentment left. I may be cowardly, but I am more tenacious than anyone.
Once I have been wronged, I will never forget.
—
I sensed a presence approaching. The lid of the coffin was gently knocked. The scent of Monica… and nearby, I could smell Oliver as well. Night had returned.
At that moment, the emotions swirling in my mind had calmed down to some extent. It was still somewhat better, but now I could greet the Devourer outside with a smile.
I opened the coffin and sat up. Monica, still dressed in her form-fitting attire, spoke with a slightly trembling voice. Nearby, Oliver was huddled close.
“Good morning, End-sama… How are you feeling?”
Feeling? …The worst.
The battle with the Devourer had granted me many things, but I had also lost much. The cool gear I had hoped to show off to Senri, my pride, was gone. Not to mention, I had used my blood power for large-scale regeneration multiple times, and now I was nearing depletion. Knowing how to use my power might be a plus in some ways, but my mood was at rock bottom.
Yet, I deliberately spoke in a calm tone.
“Well, it’s not bad.”
“I apologize for last night, End-sama. However, it may sound like an excuse, but… Oliver and I never doubted your victory.”
“It’s fine, it’s all in the past. Besides, it’s not a big deal.”
Ah, it’s fine. Wounds heal. The only thing that doesn’t heal is the wound in my heart. What’s important is maintaining my composure. If I had lost my cool, I wouldn’t have been able to defeat the Lord. I wouldn’t have been able to defeat Alba-tos either. So I will act the same way this time.
I noticed Monica visibly relax her shoulders, as if relieved. Oliver lifted a large box that had been left behind and quietly placed it in front of me. In this moment, he resembled a mere dog rather than a wolf.
“I’ve brought replacements for the equipment you lost last night… and there are also celebratory gifts for you, who has defeated the Devourer and joined our army.”
Inside the box were numerous items radiating magical brilliance. Some were things I hadn’t seen when I had browsed the treasure vault earlier. However, they were likely softer than my body and would not regenerate like I do. If I transformed into a dog, they would fall off, and if I became a giant dog, they would surely tear apart. The only item I still had from what I had acquired was the Lord’s relic beneath Senri, the pitch-black hatchet, “Light Eater.”
In the first place, magic doesn’t affect me. Items that enhance the wielder’s abilities don’t work on me, nor do items meant to defend against attack magic or curses. I don’t need a sword either. It would just dissolve in poison anyway… My right hand doesn’t dissolve in poison. I want clothes that won’t tear or fall off. I don’t always want to fight (almost) naked.
Disheartened, I chose the sturdiest-looking, best-tailored black outfit.
Seeing me excitedly choose my gear, Monica hurriedly asked for confirmation.
“Is… is that all? No one would complain if you took everything.”
“I don’t need it. Human items are just too fragile.”
Even inorganic objects cannot keep up with a vampire’s durability. However, if I live long enough, I will surely find some favorite items.
Let’s think positively. My time is just beginning. There will be both good and bad things, but as long as there are more good things in the end, that’s what matters.
I convinced myself, and then asked Monica.
“Well then, now that I’ve joined this Demon King army… I’d like to know a bit about it. Who would be knowledgeable about such matters?”
“Y-yes. If it’s about this army, I believe I can provide you with general information.”
“I see… That would be helpful.”
“I’m honored.”
Monica smiled faintly for the first time. She must hold a fairly high position in this army. Well, even if she is high up, most around her seem like beasts with fur, so it’s quite convenient.
After packing the unnecessary items back into the box, Monica closed the lid. I reached out and lightly grasped her wrist. Monica flinched and looked at me.
“!? Uh… It’s fine. I won’t take it with me. I’ll leave it in the room, so if you change your mind, feel free to use it—”
“No, I don’t need those anymore. But there are things that haven’t been compensated for.”
“Is it… a weapon? If so, there should still be some left in the treasure vault.”
“No. What I need compensation for isn’t a weapon.”
“? Uh… then…”
In the back of my mind, the black flames still smoldered. Monica, who was too blissfully unaware, seemed a bit strange.
What I need compensation for is—blood power. I had used a large amount of blood power during the fight with the Devourer. As a result, Bloodlust was creeping closer. I could still manage it, but there was no reason to hold back. I needed to replenish my strength as soon as possible. I was busy.
I smiled at her with affection.
“It’s blood. Monica, I used a lot of blood because of you. I need you to replenish it.”
“!?”
The change was dramatic. Monica initially wore a blank expression, but her eyes widened, and the color drained from her face.
The grip on my wrist tightened forcefully. However, I did not release the hand I held.
Responsibility must be taken. The reason I had not drained Monica’s blood until now was not out of mercy. There had been no permission, no valid reason to do so. But now, I had resolved to turn the entire Demon King’s army into my enemies, and Monica’s failure to provide proper information about the man-eating creatures had led to dire consequences.
“I-I’m not joking… If blood is necessary, then there’s a prisoner…”
“It doesn’t suit my taste. I want to drink the rich, nourishing blood of a Succubus.”
“!? End-sama, I am not a Succubus!”
Monica’s voice trembled as she looked down at her form-fitting attire, which did little to hide her curves. I had mistakenly thought she was more exposed due to her voluptuous body and the revealing outfits she wore when her wings were present, but apparently, that was not the case.
“Oh, is that so? Well, whatever. I’ve made up my mind. I will drink Monica’s blood. Right now.”
I had promised Senri that I wouldn’t drink blood from any humans other than her, but upon reflection, I realized that Monica wasn’t human, so it was fine, right?
Did she think I had granted her permission? That was not the case. I was still angry. I had thought of Monica as an ally, but I felt betrayed. A strong irritation surged within me. This was also a punishment.
Monica desperately tried to stand and pull away, but the strength of a Vampire surpassed that of a Demon. She offered a small voice of protest, as if begging for mercy, her resistance feeble and misplaced.
“End-sama, my stomach! If you drink my tainted blood, I will definitely get sick. Please, have mercy, I beg you!”
The sweet scent reminiscent of overripe fruit assaulted my senses, shaking my mind.
It had been a long time since I indulged in Vampirism. I intended to take my time savoring her blood. She seemed knowledgeable about Vampires, and perhaps she was sturdier than a mere human. I would ask her for the proper way to drink blood.
Though she could escape by severing her arm, Monica showed no signs of wanting to do so. It was pathetic, considering I had nearly been melted away because of her.
I pulled her arm forcefully, dragging the struggling Monica into the coffin. The coffin was spacious enough for two people, so there was no issue with fitting us both inside. With my left hand, I pinned Monica down and glared at Oliver, who was trembling in the corner of the room. A voice colder than I expected escaped my lips.
“Oliver, I’m going to have my meal. Keep watch to ensure I’m not disturbed. If anyone comes, deceive them and send them away. If you interfere, I will kill you.”