Volume 3, Chapter 39 – That Makes Absolutely No Sense

“Why do you care so much about my Race? I am who I am. Is that not enough?”

I ask Belood in return.

Honestly, I don’t understand why he’s so concerned about it.

I wasn’t sure if I should just answer honestly that I’m a Vampire, or if there was some other motive behind the question.

I can’t afford to fail here.

After all, it’s not just me; the lives of the other three are also on the line.

“Why, you ask?”

He sounds slightly irritated, perhaps because he isn’t getting an answer.

Oh, did I choose the wrong words?

“It’s only natural to be curious when seeing such an incomprehensible existence as yourself. At first, I thought you were a human Saint because of those clothes. But one look at your ears makes it clear you aren’t human. Yet, your ears are too short for an Elf or Half-Elf, and their shape is different as well. And upon closer inspection, I can sense the scent of the Dark Kin coming from you.”

Oh, he figured out that much? Belood really is something else.

“However, I know of no Demon Race like you, nor do I feel the aura of a kinsman from you. Besides, I’ve never heard of a stray member of the Demon Race blending in with humans to become a Saint.”

Eh? Demons can identify their own kind by their aura? Whoa, that’s amazing.

“I also thought you might be a Vampire after seeing those fangs when you speak, but then there are your eyes, and the fact that you move freely under the sun. You wear the Holy Vestments and rosary that prove you are a Saint, and you use massive amounts of Holy Attribute Mana—it’s absurd. An existence like yours fits nothing in this world! Is it really so strange to ask who you are when faced with such an incomprehensible being?”

Belood poured out his reasons all at once.

I see. Am I really that incomprehensible?

Ah, well, yeah. I guess that makes sense.

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“That is why I allowed you to send your subordinates away, thinking you might have circumstances that made it difficult to speak in their presence. Now, answer me. Who are you?”

So that’s what it was. I understand his reasoning, but will he actually believe me?

“Hmm, alright. I’m a Vampire. Probably…”

“Probably?”

“Well, it’s for the same reasons you just mentioned, Belood. Lately, I’ve been losing confidence in whether I’m actually a Vampire myself…”

“…”

I feel like he’s looking at me with exasperation, but maybe I’m just imagining things.

“Then why aren’t your pupils slit-shaped? And what happened to your blood-drinking urge?”

“Because I don’t create any thralls. I have a blood-drinking urge, but I only feel it occasionally. When it gets to be too much, my knight friend usually shares some of her blood with me.”

“I see. But to your kind, humans should be nothing more than food, shouldn’t they? Why go to such lengths?”

“Even if you ask me why, I don’t really have a reason. I just don’t want to attack others and take from them by force.”

Belood muttered, “I see,” and thought for a moment before hitting me with the next question.

“Then why aren’t you burned to ash by the sunlight?”

“Because I’m a Vampire who was born to get energized by basking in the sun.”

“…Why are you not burned despite wearing those abominable Holy Vestments and that holy rosary?”

“Because I’m a Vampire who was born to absorb Holy Attribute Mana and get energized by it.”

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Is it just my imagination, or does Belood look like he’s getting more and more irritated?

“…Why can you use Spirit Summoning?”

“Because I was born with the Unique Skill Spirit Summoning.”

“…Are you making fun of me?”

Ah, he’s mad. I think this reaction is a bit much considering I answered him honestly.

“I’ve told you the truth. Whether you accept it or not is up to you. I’m just that kind of existence.”

Belood remains silent and expressionless, as if trying to digest what I’ve said.

I feel like no matter how much longer we continue this conversation, I won’t be able to give him an answer he’ll easily accept. It might be safer to change the subject.

Besides, I couldn’t bear getting another incomprehensible diagnosis like that Chuunibyou stuff.

“Belood, are you from this village?”

“…I lived here for three years a long time ago.”

“Was this a Demon Race village?”

“No. There were Demon Race members here, but various races lived here. Anyone who wasn’t human, anyway.”

“Then, that grave is…”

“It’s the grave of a Dark Elf woman who was like a mother to me.”

“I see. May I pay my respects?”

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“…Why?”

“If it’s the grave of the foster mother of the person who saved our lives, isn’t that enough of a reason to pay respects?”

“…I see. Do as you wish.”

“Thank you.”

I push myself up.

Thanks to lying in the warm sunlight, I’ve recovered enough that I can walk on my own.

“Is your body alright now?”

“Yes. Basking in the sun always perks me up.”

Ah, oops. Belood is giving me a highly suspicious look.

“Well then, I’ll go pay my respects.”

I quickly move away from Belood and head toward the grave.

“Fiene-sama, are you finished talking?”

“Yes. Everything’s fine. He didn’t do anything to me, so don’t worry.”

“That is good to hear. Where are you going?”

“I’m going to pay my respects at that grave. Apparently, the woman who was like a mother to him is resting there.”

“I see. I shall accompany you.”

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We kneel before the gravestone and offer a prayer.

“Elsa-san, thanks to your son Belood, our lives were saved from a terrifying monster. Your son has grown into a fine man. So please, rest in peace in heaven.”

Since it was a fact that he saved our lives, I spoke my words of gratitude aloud.

Then, out of goodwill, I made a suggestion to Belood.

“Belood, shall I perform a Funeral Rite to send Elsa-san off, so she doesn’t end up wandering as an Undead?”

“…Yeah.”

“Alright then.”

Maintaining my prayer pose, I chant a plausible-sounding spell I just made up on the spot.

“O thou who hath reached the time of final slumber. In the name of I, Fiene Argentata, I grant salvation unto the soul of Elsa. May heavenly blessings and eternal peace be yours.”

——Funeral Rite! And let’s throw in a Purification too!

I cast Funeral Magic and Purification Magic on the grave.

I barely felt any feedback, so perhaps there was no longer a soul left in this grave.

However, I’m sure I purified the remains thoroughly, so there’s no longer any fear of her coming back as a Zombie.

When I happen to look up, Chris-san, Shizuku, and even Belood are staring at me with looks of pure shock.

Hmm? Did I do something again?