Volume 1, Chapter 33 – The Paladins Guarding the Mansion

The cold morning wind blew against his face, kicking up dust that forced Cecil to shut his eyes and curse under his breath.

“Damn it.”

He was a paladin from the Niru Diocese. His reason for joining the military wasn’t to defend human territory but to find a job that was relatively safe, well-paying, and respectable. Since there had been no war between humans and vampires in the northern continent for nearly a century, becoming a paladin was the ideal career choice.

However, things changed yesterday.

Ever since the violent eldest daughter of the vampire count became a hostage, Cecil, as a member of the city defense force, had grown busier. Not only did he have to participate in training, but he also occasionally had to join the search for the escaped hostage. And yesterday, he was even assigned directly to the mansion’s guard detail, tasked with monitoring the hostage’s movements. In the past, he would have considered this an easy job. But now, with his wife about to give birth, he was forced to stand guard for a vampire. The anxiety gnawing at him made Cecil increasingly irritable.

If humans could grow wings, he would have flown back home several kilometers away in an instant to witness the birth of his child—whether a son or daughter. In truth, his heart was no longer here.

“Hey, Cecil, no need to be so worked up,” said Bruno, the paladin standing guard alongside him, grinning. Unlike Cecil, who had just become a paladin, Bruno was a seasoned veteran with years of military experience. His calm demeanor was something Cecil admired.

But this was an exception. Cecil shot back irritably, “You wouldn’t be laughing if your wife was about to give birth.”

“Hahaha, you’ve still got a long way to go. I already have five kids.”

“Tch.”

Their half-hearted conversation had barely begun when a maid rushed out of the mansion in a panic. Her frantic expression made Cecil tense up immediately—something must have happened inside.

Sure enough, before the maid could even steady herself, she grabbed Cecil’s hand with a near-tearful expression.

“Sir Paladin! L-Lady Pescia is missing again!”

“What? The hostage escaped? Impossible! I’ve been standing here the whole time. I swear, not even a fly could’ve gotten past me without my notice!”

“But Lady Pescia really is gone.”

The maid’s expression didn’t seem like a lie, and such a lie would be pointless anyway. Cecil first instructed the maid to return to the mansion, then hesitated for a moment before taking a step toward the main road.

“Bruno, I’ll leave this to you. I need to report to Vice High Priest Owen.”

But before Cecil could take a second step, Bruno grabbed his shoulder, his face as relaxed as ever, as if this were a routine occurrence.

“Hey, hey, no need to bother Vice High Priest Owen over something this trivial.”

Reaԁ on КаtRеаԁіոɡCαfe

“But that’s an important hostage for the exchange with the bishop! If she escapes—”

“This is the seventh… no,” Bruno counted on his fingers, “the ninth time this month. She always comes back on her own. Just leave it be.”

Ninth time? Cecil froze. In his memory, the hostage had only escaped twice. In other words, aside from the first two incidents, the subsequent seven had been deliberately concealed by the paladins on duty.

As if sensing Cecil’s hesitation, Bruno casually patted his shoulder.

“Looks like you’ve still got a lot to learn, rookie. It’s best not to trouble Vice High Priest Owen unless absolutely necessary. Reporting every little thing just makes us look incompetent, doesn’t it?”

“But—”

“I know what you’re thinking. Look, she’s already back.”

Bruno gestured toward the distance. Just as he said, two noble-looking girls were strolling leisurely toward the mansion. Cecil knew that one of them was the hostage—the vampire rumored to feast on a baby every night.

Bruno was the first to speak, greeting Yisi with a warm smile.

“Morning, Miss Hostage. Out for a walk again today?”

“Ah, yes. Good morning, Mr. Bruno.”

The exchange didn’t end there. Cecil watched as the vampire discreetly slipped Bruno a silver coin.

This was outright bribery! No wonder Bruno was so calm—he’d been bought off by the vampire, becoming a traitor to humanity!

Cecil knew he had to report this to Vice High Priest Owen. But not right now.

If he left abruptly, Bruno might quietly dispose of him. Pretending he hadn’t seen anything, Cecil averted his gaze. However, Yisi didn’t immediately return to the mansion. Instead, she circled Cecil curiously.

“Hmm… a new face? Are you a rookie?”

“Ah, yes. He just joined last night. Name’s Cecil—used to be under my care for a while,” Bruno chimed in.

“So it’s Mr. Cecil, then. I’m sorry for always causing you trouble. Please take care of me from now on.”

Reaԁ оn KаtReadіոgCαfе

As she spoke, the vampire girl extended her hand toward Cecil. At first, he didn’t understand what she meant. But when he saw the innocent smile on her face and the faint glimmer of gold in her palm, he gulped.

It was a gold coin.

In the Ymir Theocracy, a single gold coin was enough to cover a family of three’s monthly expenses. And if it was the more valuable vampire Hyurent gold coin, that duration would extend even further—equivalent to nearly two months of Cecil’s salary. He instinctively glanced at Bruno, who winked at him with a look that said, ‘You know how it is.’

No doubt Bruno had been bribed the same way. The man was rotten to the core. But Cecil hesitated. With his wife about to give birth, raising a child would be expensive. If he just wanted his child to grow up ordinarily, it wouldn’t be a problem. But Cecil wanted his child to live a prosperous life. If it was a son, he even dreamed of making him a spellcaster—which would require a substantial amount of gold.

“Just take it. Miss Hostage won’t force you to do anything. Isn’t your wife about to give birth?”

“Huh? You’re having a baby? A boy or a girl?” Seemingly interested in the topic, Cecil noticed the golden glimmer in the vampire’s hand multiplied—now two gold coins. “I didn’t realize I was causing you so much trouble. I really feel bad about this.”

Two gold coins!

Cecil felt the idol in his heart begin to crumble.

Two gold coins could buy a decent sword. Should he raise his child to be a spellcaster? Or let them follow in his footsteps as a paladin?

Thoughts only a father would have swirled in Cecil’s mind.

But before he could imagine his child at five years old, Bruno took the coins from Yisi and pressed them into Cecil’s hand.

“It’s fine if us rough guys stand in the cold wind, but we can’t let Miss Hostage stay out here too long. Cecil, this isn’t like you.”

“Ah… ah…”

The cold, weighty sensation in his palm was undeniable. Accepting these two gold coins meant he was now on the same boat. Cecil closed his eyes. He hadn’t betrayed the Church—the coins had been forced into his hand. He would teach his future child that humans and vampires were irreconcilable enemies.

But just as he thought this, the sound of rapid hoofbeats approached from a distance. A paladin was riding toward the mansion at full speed.

Instinctively, Cecil stepped forward, trying to shield the vampire girl. According to regulations, paladins weren’t allowed to let the hostage leave the mansion—doing so would be dereliction of duty.

But it was already too late.

Cold sweat trickled down Cecil’s back. He desperately signaled Bruno to hurry the vampire and the other human girl back inside. But Bruno acted as if he hadn’t noticed, even yawning lazily.

It’s over.

Reаⅾ οո ΚαtRеαdiոɡСαfе

Cecil closed his eyes in despair. His career was ruined here. He might even be dragged before the Tribunal for judgment.

However—

“Oh! Miss Hostage, out for a walk with your sister again? My apologies for interrupting, but I have some news for the paladins on duty.”

“Not at all. I just got back.”

The newly arrived paladin removed his helmet, dismounted, and bowed to Yisi before turning to Cecil.

“Who’s Cecil?”

It seemed even this paladin had been bribed by the vampire. Was humanity doomed? With that thought, Cecil reluctantly stepped forward.

“That’s me.”

“Your wife is experiencing difficult labor. The temple sent me to notify you—you’re granted temporary leave to return home. I’ll take over your duties.”

“What?!” The words struck like a thunderbolt. Cecil’s vision darkened, his legs giving way as he struggled to process the news. “This has to be a joke, right?”

Only silence answered him. With a clatter, his weapon fell to the ground as Cecil collapsed onto his backside.

He wasn’t ignorant of what difficult labor meant. In such cases, there was an 80% chance of death. The overwhelming shock left Cecil breathless, his chest tight.

Even if he rode home now, it would be too late. And even if he made it, what could he do?

“Seems like you’re in a tough spot… Need help? I don’t know much about childbirth, but I’m decent at healing magic.”

“H-Healing magic?” The vampire’s words jolted Cecil back to reality. “Right! Even injuries can be healed with magic!”

“The priests already tried. Their abilities couldn’t stop the bleeding.”

“How about a high-grade potion? If you don’t mind a vampire’s help, I can assist you.”

Cecil watched as the vampire girl produced a pale yellow potion. He had never seen a high-grade healing potion before, but he had no other options. He hastily mounted his horse.

Rеаⅾ оn КαtReaⅾіոɡСafе

“Please, Miss Hostage! Hurry—hurry back with me!”

“No, riding a horse is too slow. Let’s use teleportation magic. I just need your wife’s name to locate her.”

“Now’s not the time for jokes, Miss Hostage!”

“Ah, everyone says that. Well, I guess it’s understandable if you’ve never experienced it. Anyway, tell me your wife’s name first.”

The way the vampire girl tapped her chin while muttering to herself only made Cecil more frantic.

“Her name’s Carol! Is that enough? Miss Hostage, get on quickly!”

“Carol… Got it. Don’t move away from the horse. Camilla, hold onto me—[Advanced Teleportation.]”

“Yes, Onee-sama.”

A flash of white light engulfed them. In an instant, the three of them—along with Cecil’s horse—vanished from the front of the mansion, leaving only Bruno and the newly arrived paladin behind.

After a moment of silence, Bruno stroked his chin, looking somewhat impressed.

“Welp. Even after seeing it multiple times, it’s still unbelievable. Teleportation magic actually exists, huh?”

“Yeah, I feel the same. Honestly, every paladin on rotation thinks so. Who’d have thought the legendary brutal vampire would willingly help humans? If I hadn’t seen it myself, I wouldn’t believe it even if the bishop said so.”

“What did she help you with?”

“Me? Hehe, Miss Hostage noticed I had a crush on the vice-captain and secretly set up an opportunity for me. Got rejected in the end, but at least I confessed. It was closure—what about you, Bruno?”

“Me? That’s a secret.” Bruno tossed the silver coin in his hand. At first, like Cecil, he had assumed the vampire was bribing him. But now, it seemed more like an incidental gift. Lately, Bruno had grown too embarrassed to accept Yisi’s coins. “Guess I’ll treat myself to some good booze tonight.”

“Hehe, don’t forget about me.”

“Naturally.”

Laughing together, the two paladins watched the rising sun, sharing the same thought in their hearts:

Maybe vampires weren’t so evil after all.