Chapter 15: The Battle of the Ancient Castle
I had thought this before while hunting alongside Lazar and the others, but it seems that the ones sending the dead this time are leaning heavily towards Skeletons. After a while, Evil Spirits (Wraiths) appeared as well, but the numbers were clearly different. However, none of them posed a significant obstacle for me. The Evil Spirits were the only ones I was slightly anxious about, as it was my first time fighting them (of course, excluding the Lord’s Wraith, but that can be considered an exception). Still, I had been learning about them.
The various abilities of the Evil Spirit species target living beings. They have no effect on me, as I am already dead. Even when subjected to their horrifying screams meant to instill panic in the living, my mind remains undisturbed, like a calm sea. Moreover, the Lord’s legacy allows me to slice through ghosts as if they were solid.
I dodged the massive attacks of the Giant Skeleton, weaving between its large bony arms. I had already grown accustomed to its absurd agility. While the opponent’s strength was formidable, its size made it unwieldy. Though its massive form was suited for trampling numerous soldiers, to me, it was merely a large target.
I spun my body around and swung my cleaver with all my might. The flesh of my arm creaked, and the pitch-black blade delivered a dull sensation.
—It’s hard.
Was it sturdier than human bones? The blade I swung down towards its neck stopped halfway. The Giant Skeleton shook its body violently, trying to throw me off.
But that was a futile resistance. I used “Sharp Claw” to sharpen my claws and pierced into its bony body, enduring the force. I could use my strength as if I were breathing.
And if I couldn’t sever it in one strike, then I would just have to slash it repeatedly.
With brute force, I pulled the cleaver free and raised it high once more. The blade I aimed and released struck true, landing at the same spot on the Giant Skeleton’s neck—about halfway through.
A dull sound echoed as the massive skull, encased in bone, flew through the air.
As I leaped off its shoulder, the towering giant collapsed. Even though it was made of bones, its size meant it had considerable weight, causing the ground to tremble violently.
It seemed that the core of the Skeleton was located in its head. Since it was moving without a brain, I thought it could have been located in its body, but perhaps it was just the way things were, as I couldn’t move solely by my body either.
The once numerous Skeletons had significantly dwindled in number. The remnants of countless Skeletons littered the ruins of the vain Demon King’s castle. I had buried an uncountable number of them, most of which had been caught up in the Giant Skeleton’s indiscriminate attacks.
Had I generally defeated the large targets? Keeping my guard up and paying attention to my surroundings, I let out a small sigh, calming my exhilarated spirit.
—Is this all?
I had been curious about the power of a typical necromancer, but the Lord was undoubtedly a high-ranking sorcerer. This time, my opponent had been careless. They were unaware of my true nature. However, if the average necromancer was at this level—there would be no problem.
I could win. I could initiate the attack. I could seize their knowledge, skills, and power. As for Senri, she wouldn’t stop me from defeating the necromancer.
Just as I entertained such absurd thoughts, I frowned.
“……It’s time to go.”
I had overstayed my welcome. Among the Adaro, there was no sign of the sorcerer. The necromancer was cautious; surely they were observing this battle. Before they could devise a counter-strategy or before the necromancer’s true self arrived, I needed to leave the city.
And once again, I would travel with Senri. This time, I had the “Crystal of Night.” There would be less worry about pursuers than before. I would find a town where we wouldn’t attract too much attention and hide away.
Things had been going well recently, to the point where I found myself harboring ill thoughts. However, I must not forget that I was the one being hunted.
The “Crystal of Night” was enticing to the Adaro. No matter how many reserves I had, it wouldn’t be enough. But if the necromancer were to come at me with full force, the risk would be far too great. I should consider myself fortunate this time.
The problem was Senri. Knowing that a necromancer was present, would she accept the choice to leave the city? Senri had been on my side, but it was undeniable that her true nature as an Eclipse Knight remained. If she chose to stay—then I would have to fight.
As I pondered these matters while mindlessly swinging my cleaver, I suddenly realized that there were no moving figures around me.
The night castle ruins, littered with scattered bones and weapons, resembled a hellish landscape. The corpses of the Adaro would remain there unless purified by an Eclipse Knight. According to Lazar and the others, the corpses of the Adaro were said to be mourned by the city. Tomorrow, when the townsfolk saw this scene, they would surely be astonished.
There would likely be no further night raids now. Regardless of quality, releasing such a massive horde must have taken time or required special materials, making it impossible to replace the “Black Bones” or “Giant Skeletons.” I didn’t want to believe this was merely a test.
I should return to Senri. Just as I turned on my heel, a familiar voice suddenly descended upon me.
“Well done, ‘Ancestor.’”
I opened my eyes wide and instinctively readied my cleaver. I scanned my surroundings. I could sense the negative energy emitted by the Adaro. Even without that, I could distinguish their scent. Yet, for some reason, I couldn’t grasp that presence. Perhaps it was because the air was still thick with the scent of the Adaro I had just fought, but it didn’t seem to be hiding.
It had been the same last time. They had appeared out of nowhere.
The cold voice praised me, but I felt no joy. The timing couldn’t have been worse.
“Indeed, we are not fatigued, but to destroy so beautifully—one would hardly believe you are still a lower rank.”
“Peeking from the shadows, are we? Such poor taste.”
Seiburu. The Vampire King, “The King of Stakes,” and the familiar who had tried to dominate me, only to be burned by Senri.
So, they were alive after all. It was strange for me to say, but the Adaro’s tenacity was extraordinary.
Along the way, I had heard information from Senri.
“The King of Stakes” was said to be the nemesis of the Order of the Final Knights. He commanded countless dark armies and numerous former Demon Kings, making him one of the most terrifying sorcerers in this world. The fact that the Order of the Final Knights, an absolute hero, still maintained its power even in the present speaks volumes about the strength of that Demon King. According to Senri, the battles between the Order of the Final Knights and their King had been long and were still unresolved.
The power of an Eclipse Knight cannot be resisted by the dead. Even a powerful Vampire should be no match for me in a battle of the living, but I had a vague understanding of why victory was not guaranteed.
The Order of the Final Knights was weak against living armies. Just as the third-rank Knight, Del-Godor, had been captured by the Demon King Rainer, it could be said that if one could gather a few magical entities of that class, they could contend with the Order of the Final Knights.
In an instant, various thoughts raced through my mind.
Seiburu was strong. First and foremost, the number of mutations was different from mine. They could use special Vampire abilities that I couldn’t yet access, and they likely had considerable combat experience as well. Senri had let them slip through. The chances of me being able to kill them were quite low. This was a significant upgrade in their true nature.
My heart thumped loudly. A cold heat coursed through my body.
But Seiburu was an enemy. They had tried to inject their blood into me to control me. Though I was reluctant, I had to deal with them. I didn’t know how they had tracked me down or why they had shown up now, but they were far too much of a nuisance. Just like with Rainer, it seemed they couldn’t help but interfere.
What I should be alert to wasn’t the Vampire’s abilities, but this hidden presence. Seiburu was a Vampire transformed by the King of Stakes; they were not an “Ancestor.” This meant they shouldn’t possess the abilities of “Shiki” or “The Wandering Darkness”—they must be hiding using a different power than “Shadow Veil.”
Fortunately, my weapon was of special make. If it could kill the Adaro, then it could certainly slay a Vampire. There was a chance of victory.
I cautiously asked, “Why are you here? Have you come to search for the Crystal of Night?”
The response to my query was a voice that sounded like a suppressed laugh. From nowhere, a dark mist that even the Vampire’s eyes couldn’t pierce began to gather, taking shape.
Draped in a pitch-black coat reminiscent of darkness, with porcelain-like, lifeless white skin. Eyes as red as blood, cold yet somehow haughty, wore a smile. The appearance of the female Vampire was unchanged from the last time I encountered her. The wound from Rainer’s final strike and the marks left by Senri’s “Annihilation” were nowhere to be seen.
Despite being right in front of me, there was still no presence whatsoever. No scent either. Yet, she was not an illusion.
This was not a mere Vampire’s ability. It wasn’t magic either. The Crystal of Night couldn’t erase scents, so it wasn’t the power of the crystal.
Seiburu extended an arm toward me. Though her form was indistinguishable from mine, for some reason, I couldn’t believe she was the same kind of human.
“There’s no need to fear. Today, I have come as a scout. My master has shown interest in you. I definitely wish for you to accompany me.”
“…I’m sorry, but I already have a wife. I appreciate the invitation, but I can’t go with you.”
Can Senri truly sense the presence of the Vampire before him? …It seems unlikely. The aura of negativity that Senri uses for detection is the same as what I can perceive.
Is there another way to conceal oneself besides the Night Crystal? Unfortunately, they probably won’t share that information here.
However, there was something else that piqued my curiosity.
Seーブル continued, as if trying to persuade me, while I stared intently.
“If possible, my lord wishes to welcome you into our ranks with a position of authority. You would be on equal footing with I; your desires would be fulfilled. If you seek a Human woman, you can have as many as you wish. Furthermore—power. You are strong, but still inexperienced; you do not know how to wield the power of a Vampire.”
It was quite the tempting offer, but it was a conversation that had no merit. I had no intention of leaving my beloved Senri, and even Senri, as capable as he was, wouldn’t follow me to the King of Stakes. As long as Senri opposed the King of Stakes, I would also be an enemy to Seーブル and his kind. It was the weakness of being in love. Besides, I still had lingering ties to Human society.
“What if I say no?”
“Then it can’t be helped.”
Seーブル shrugged his shoulders, still wearing a faint smile. However, it seemed he had no intention of giving up.
Honestly, this is why magical beings are such a hassle… Whether it’s the ‘Devourer of Souls,’ Rainer, or Alba, they are all selfish and troublesome. I should brew a potion from Senri’s claw dust for all the times he indulges my whims.
But putting that aside—I couldn’t help but ask a question that had been nagging at me.
“By the way, why did you show yourself?”
“What do you mean…?”
Seーブル looked at me with a puzzled expression.
“To be honest, I don’t know how it works, but I can’t sense your presence. If I were ambushed, my chances of evading would be quite low. Why did you boldly reveal yourself?”
I would never take such a dangerous risk. Considering the circumstances of our last parting, there was no way a negotiation could succeed.
No, I understood. I didn’t need to ask; I knew the reasoning. I understood, and while it was convenient, my emotions couldn’t quite accept it when he approached so openly.
“The failure of negotiation was evident. If you still intend to take me, then you must do so by force. Judging by your attack on Rainer, you don’t seem to dislike ambushes, do you? So why did you appear so brazenly before me?”
“…I understand your will. I can listen to your nonsense later. I’m afraid I can’t keep my lord waiting too long.”
Seーブル said this with an air of annoyance, pointing his finger. His unblemished white fingertip extended, and from the gap between his right index finger’s claw, a thread of blood slowly extended, swirling in the air.
That was the special ability of the ‘King of Stakes.’ I had seen it before, so I wasn’t surprised. It was a terrifying power, delicate yet strong enough to bind Rainer if gathered together. It was versatile and difficult to evade.
I gripped my hatchet tightly and stowed my dagger in my pocket with my left hand. Narrowing my eyes, I spoke clearly.
“I understand, Seーブル. I know without you saying it that you think it would be easy to subdue me. You don’t see me as an enemy.”
That’s why he appeared from the shadows. That’s why, despite what happened at Rainer’s castle last time, he approached me calmly. Even though he was assuming control.
If I put it into words, it seemed trivial. Whether one interprets it as confidence or condescension depends on the person. But why did I feel a slight—unease?
Until now, every opponent I had faced, regardless of their strength, had seen me as an enemy. Even Rainer, who was overwhelmingly superior, had not underestimated me to this extent. It was surprising.
Indeed, Seーブル was superior. He shared the same traits as I did but should have surpassed me in every aspect.
Yet, he should have observed that I could use Necromancy to some extent, that I had barely drawn with Rainer, and that he had likely witnessed our current battle.
To engage with someone who does not acknowledge power or dignity… was simply unthinkable.
Seーブル frowned and spoke soothingly. “You cannot escape. It would be troublesome if you compared me to the Skeleton you defeated.”
I said nothing further.
Indeed, back then, I could only buy time. Pathetically, I had relied solely on Senri for help. I had been on the brink of death at that time, but now, it was different.
Now, I was unscathed. My blood power was sufficient, and I felt no fatigue. Moreover, I was stronger than I had been back then. My soul continued to descend, and I had also received Senri’s blood.
Fighting against someone of superior strength was nothing new. Every opponent who had tried to dominate me had been thoroughly defeated.
Was it because my opponent was also a Vampire? Was this what they called sibling rivalry? I felt an unexpected surge of fighting spirit, and strangely enough, my fangs ached with anticipation.
No—wait.
I paused for a moment, regaining my composure. Taking a deep breath, I licked my lips.
This must be—Lord’s will.
“I’ve been out of practice lately. Let me see the power of the renowned ‘King of Stakes’ Familiar, my senior.”
I understood. I could comprehend it now. It was a realization that resonated deeply within me.
The Lord surely intended to kill the Vampire.
The reason Holos Carmen granted me the ability of ‘Curse Absorption’ was that the one who sought to take my blood was a Vampire. There was no doubt about it. The Lord’s obsession resided within my body, within my soul.
I had no intention of indulging in the Lord’s madness. However, I had to fend off the sparks that fell upon me.
After all, there was no escaping. Turning my back on a Vampire who could manipulate blood was tantamount to suicide.
In this instance, our objectives aligned. It wasn’t a lie that I genuinely wanted to see the power of a Vampire.
There was a chance of victory.
“If I bind you and take you away, I’m sure Senri will commend me.”
“To be infatuated with the Eclipse Knight is quite foolish.”
The blood, which had been like a thread, gathered and formed a single crimson sword.