Volume 4, Chapter 13 – A Moonlit Secret Meeting (1)

“A-A-Ade? Why are you here?”

“My, do I really need a reason to come see someone as precious as you?”

Ade said this, her snow-white skin flushing a faint cherry-blossom pink.

That’s just because she’s warmed up by the hot spring, right?

“Oh? You don’t seem very happy. And here I am, your fiancé, having come to visit you.”

“Um, I’m pretty sure I turned that offer down…”

“It’s fine, isn’t it? It’s not like anything will be lost.”

No, I don’t think that’s the point here.

“Even so, you really are wonderful. The moon floating in the sky—yes, let’s just say it’s a spotlight highlighting your beauty. Your silver-white hair shining in the moonlight is simply gorgeous.”

Before I knew it, Ade had moved so close I could feel her breath on me, and she gently stroked my hair.

Her eyes softened as she looked at me.

Her vertical pupils, characteristic of a Vampire, held a tender light, as if she were gazing upon something beloved.

“S-S-So, what business do you have with me?”

As I managed to stammer out a response, Ade smiled and moved the hand that had been stroking my hair to my back, softly pulling me into an embrace.

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Ah, she’s soft.

Her massive chest pressed against my modest one, softly changing shape against me, and I could clearly feel the sensation.

“I told you before, didn’t I? I came to see my darling. Is that not enough?”

I can’t believe she can spout such embarrassing lines with a straight face.

“Since you’re staying at such a lovely Ryokan, I want to join you in the hot spring and get closer to you.”

“Uh, I see. I understand, so please move back a little. It’s a bit hot since we’re in the water.”

Wait, Ade isn’t staying here, is she? Isn’t using the bath without a reservation a problem?

“Oh, is that so? I suppose it can’t be helped.”

With that, Ade gave me a light kiss on the cheek and smoothly pulled away.

Huh?

Did she just kiss me?

“My, how cute. Your face is beet red. Could it be that was your first time?”

“Eh? Ah? No, wait, eh? Um, well?”

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“You really are adorable. Would it be alright if I kissed your lips now?”

“Eh? N-N-No! No way!”

“Fufu. Then I’ll save that for next time.”

Ade laughed happily.

“Still, I’m amazed you can remain without Awakening.”

Ade gently cupped my cheeks with both hands and looked into my eyes. Those vertical pupils were filled with an endlessly serene light.

“Why… do you ask?”

I managed to squeeze the words out.

“Why what?”

“Why do you… care so much about me?”

“Just as I told you when we first met, I fell in love with you at first sight. Does one need a reason to love someone?”

“That’s…”

Her answer was so profoundly human that I found myself speechless.

If it were a Vampire like Felhi, I could have brushed it off without hesitation. But because it’s Ade…

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“Ah, your eyes are truly wonderful too. Listen, Fiene. Please, promise me you’ll never Awaken.”

“Eh?”

I was shocked by her words.

It was a statement that almost seemed to deny everything Ade had lived through—it was practically a denial of being a Vampire itself.

“Please, Fiene.”

Ade looked into my eyes with a serious expression. Looking at her beautiful face, I felt my cheeks grow warm.

“I’m sorry, but I did a little research on you. Despite being a Vampire, you overcame your blood-drinking impulse and chose a path to live alongside humans—who should have been your food—as a Saint. Furthermore, you live with Elves, who are usually the victims of humans, and you even have spirits following you, and fight to protect a beautiful forest.”

After delivering this all in one breath, Ade narrowed her eyes gently once more.

“Knowing that made me love you even more. That beautiful, honorable heart of yours… I never want to see it break or be tainted. But if you were to Awaken, I’m sure it would be corrupted. I want you to stay exactly as you are.”

Ade paused. As I gazed at her expression, she returned to her serious look and spoke again.

“That’s why, Fiene, I want you to undergo an Existence Evolution into a race other than a Vampire Noble.”

“An Existence Evolution into something other than a Vampire Noble? Is such a thing even possible?”

“There isn’t a single recorded instance of it in the past. But, I believe that if anyone could do it, it would be you.”

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Ade’s voice sounded slightly bouncy, despite her serious expression.

“I mean, a Vampire who tries to coexist with humans, a Vampire chosen as a Saint, a Vampire who wears Holy Vestments and drinks Holy Water, a Vampire who uses Holy Magic and Healing Magic, a Vampire who naps under the sun, a Vampire who contracts with spirits… everything about you is an anomaly. If you’re that kind of person, don’t you think you could evolve into something other than a Vampire Noble?”

“That’s…”

Is that really true? Certainly, I couldn’t say the possibility was zero at this point.

Could I achieve Existence Evolution if I made Riche a Greater Spirit, like the Elves do?

“You want to undergo Existence Evolution too, don’t you?”

“I’m not sure. I don’t actually understand much about what Existence Evolution is…”

At that, Ade looked slightly surprised.

“Oh. Well, do you want to know?”

Ade wore a mischievous, childlike smile.

“Yes, please tell me.”

I answered without hesitation.

Hearing that, Ade smiled brightly, looking incredibly happy.