Volume 9, Chapter 22 – The Two Vampire Princesses’ Morning

A misty white light bloomed before her eyes, the external stimulus rousing Yisi from her sleep.

“Is it the second day already…”

“Yes, My Lord.”

Laxy’s voice sounded beside her ear. Still lying in bed with messy hair, Yisi let out a long breath and sat up abruptly.

Her [Omniscient Map] showed Laxy’s experience bar had grown to the one-third mark. When she first met Laxy, it was only half of what it was now.

It seemed yesterday’s battle with the undead had benefited Laxy greatly. At first, Yisi had worried that her companions were killing former members of the Divine Religion, but Lin later explained that only the undead in the noble district were former followers. The undead on the city’s outskirts were mostly ordinary residents and patrol soldiers who had lived there originally. Since they were transformed by the deathly aura and lacked strong lingering obsessions, they had no self-awareness. After becoming undead, they simply acted on instinct, gnawing at the corpses of the living.

It was worth noting that although Lin had taken the core of the barrier within the city, the undead there did not disappear. The barrier’s function was only to absorb and purify the deathly aura, not the source sustaining these undead. The reason Bishop Fulun turned to dust was simply because his final wish—handing the complete barrier core to Lin—had been fulfilled.

Furthermore, after coming out of the underground shaft, Lin had bid farewell to the more intelligent Nightmare Knights in the same manner, one by one. Like Bishop Fulun, the Nightmare Knights quickly turned to ash. As for the less intelligent zombie maids responsible for cleaning, telling them ‘their mission was complete’ had no effect. To grant them release, Lin had forcibly ended their mission with magic.

As for Yisi, besides gaining insight into Lin’s motivations and reasons for living, there was another gain she didn’t quite know what to do with.

It concerned the mandate given to the Divine Religion by the Gospel.

Yesterday in the shaft, Yisi had told Lin that if the Gospel’s prophecy was absolute, then the person responsible for the tragedy should have been the Pope who forcibly reversed the Gospel’s will at the time. On the surface, this seemed sound. But in reality, it was just something Yisi said to help Lin overcome her survivor’s guilt. What she truly thought was, if the Gospel was truly omniscient and omnipotent, then it should have known even about the Pope’s decision to sacrifice himself in place of the one-third. But the fact was, the Gospel hadn’t mentioned this. Thus, Yisi had several hypotheses.

First, the Gospel knew that for Lin to control her power, the entire capital’s population had to be sacrificed. But the Gospel also knew that the Divine Religion at the time would likely not accept sacrificing the whole city for Lin. So, it devised a roundabout plan: have one-third of the members offer themselves, inducing the Pope to step forward, thereby triggering the tragedy of the dead city.

However, this idea conflicted with the information she had. If the Gospel was the mastermind behind all this, it would mean the Gospel possessed the ability to think for itself and make choices. But Laxy had said the Gospel was merely a book that answered questions, lacking self-awareness. If the Gospel truly orchestrated this tragedy, it would be far too terrifying—better to just tear it up.

Second, according to Laxy, the Gospel was merely a book that answered questions, lacking self-awareness. This would mean the Gospel simply stated the optimal solution under ideal conditions, without foreseeing the Pope’s defiance. Therefore, the responsibility would lie entirely with the old Pope himself. Judging from the Divine Religion’s current course of action, this seemed to be their interpretation of the tragedy: the Gospel merely gave the best solution, without predicting further possibilities.

“As for the last possibility… Did the old Pope misinterpret it? That’s the most unlikely outcome.”

Shaking her head, Yisi got out of bed. She didn’t intend to tell Lin any of this—at least not now. Firstly, telling Lin might just earn her hatred. Secondly, if it shook Lin’s faith, heaven knew what she might do.

“Haaah, but at this point, remaining just an observer seems a bit cold.”

Just like an audience member moved by a play might feel the urge to rush onto the stage to help the protagonist overcome difficulties and repel attackers, after learning about the dead city, she had shifted from being an observer to being part of the drama.

Yisi couldn’t help but find her thoughts amusing.

This incident would become the stuff of heroic epics later on, Yisi had a premonition.

Beside her, Laxy tilted her head in confusion.

“Observer? My Lord, you’ve been muttering to yourself for a while now. Are you facing some trouble?”

“No, it’s nothing. I’m going downstairs.” Her gaze shifted to the desk behind Laxy, where an open diary lay. Yisi smiled. “You can continue writing in your diary, Laxy.”

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“Yes, My Lord.”

After changing her clothes, Yisi quickly went downstairs to the living room. Although it was breakfast time, she had just woken up and had no appetite. She preferred to do something first, wake up for about ten minutes, and wait for hunger to set in before eating.

The sound of string music came from the living room. It must be Pepe practicing her instrument. Contrary to her sadistic tendencies, Pepe had an interest in playing the violin. This wasn’t required by noble upbringing, but purely a personal hobby.

Yisi entered the living room.

As expected, Pepe, dressed in a black formal gown, was playing the violin. There was no third person in the room.

Pepe wouldn’t pick up her violin when others were present. It was her habit.

“Yo.”

The playing stopped immediately.

Edith lowered her violin, her eyebrows raised in displeasure.

“Don’t you know how to knock before entering?”

“Because your playing was so beautiful, Pepe, I momentarily forgot to knock.”

“Your expression doesn’t match your words.” Clicking her tongue, Edith sighed resignedly, placed the violin on the wooden stand beside her, and leaned back against the sofa. “But having been interrupted by you so many times, I’ve somewhat gotten used to it. Ever since we were back in the Pescia territory, you always used to eavesdrop like this.”

“Have you been up long, Pepe?”

“Yes, three hours earlier than you. Seeing as you look like you haven’t woken up yet, want to go for a walk?”

Rubbing her sleepy eyes, Yisi nodded, accepting Edith’s invitation.

The early autumn morning breeze brushed past her face, the refreshing sensation invigorating Yisi. She tightened her collar. Beside her, Edith, looking perfectly natural, extended her hand towards Yisi.

Hmm…?

Her already awakened senses jolted again. Yisi was momentarily flustered. Pepe’s gesture likely meant for her to take her hand. But doing so first thing in the morning, and in the garden where companions might see them at any moment, was simply too embarrassing.

Seriously, how can Pepe do these things so naturally? Is it because she’s more experienced?

Yisi’s predicament brought a mischievous smile to Edith’s face, and the wings at her waist fluttered lightly with amusement.

“What? Unwilling?”

“No… it’s not that I’m unwilling…”

She wasn’t a timid person. If it were nighttime with poor visibility, she might have forcefully taken Pepe’s hand instead, making Pepe the embarrassed one. But as she’d said initially, it was still daytime, which made her feel too shy.

Edith tilted her head slightly, observing the subtle changes in Yisi’s expression from the side, and pressed playfully, “If you’re not unwilling, and it’s just a walk, what’s there to hesitate about?”

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“What about Camilla and the others?”

The moment the words left her mouth, Yisi regretted them. Bringing up other companions during a private moment like this, even if Camilla and Mary were as important as Pepe, was taboo.

But Edith didn’t get angry, didn’t even seem to care. She just waved her hand with an exasperated expression.

“They went out. Said they needed to buy ingredients. I was worried Tiffany might not be able to restrain Camilla, so I had Refina go along too. You know Camilla’s personality; she easily causes trouble.”

“Aren’t you the same, Pepe?”

“You woman, are you doing this on purpose?”

Edith’s eyebrows shot up in annoyance. As if in retaliation, she disregarded Yisi’s wishes and forcefully took her hand—or rather, gripped it.

“Ah…”

Letting out an unnatural gasp, Yisi instinctively stiffened for a moment, then her palm began to sweat. However, the sweat wasn’t from embarrassment, but from nervousness and unease. She was currently wearing casual clothes, and her hair was still messy from just waking up. If an outsider saw them, her own embarrassment didn’t matter, but if Pepe was also dragged down and seen as someone lacking taste, it would make her feel even guiltier.

The more she thought this way, the faster her heart beat, increasing her anxiety. She couldn’t stop glancing outside the garden to see if anyone was passing by.

Edith couldn’t help but laugh.

“What’s wrong? You look so nervous. It’s just holding hands, is there a need to make such a fuss?”

“…If I had changed into proper attire before leaving, I wouldn’t be like this.”

“That’s because you lack confidence, Yisi. If I were you, I would walk proudly down the street, wanting the whole world to know I have such a beautiful wife. Of course, this wouldn’t happen to me; I always pay attention to my attire.”

“The first half of that was comforting, but the second half completely doused cold water on it.”

“Don’t you like it?”

As if she already knew the answer, Edith’s long, white eyebrows arched slightly. Coupled with a challenging smile, she gave off a forceful, irresistible aura.

Averting her gaze slightly from such scrutiny, Yisi replied helplessly, “Yes, yes, I like it.”

“Perfunctory.”

Although she said that, Edith didn’t ask Yisi to repeat herself. She just started walking casually, changing the subject without warning.

“It’s been a year.”

“Are you talking about the time since Pepe and I met?”

“I’m surprised you still remember. As a reward, how about coming to my room tonight? I’ll have Refina go to another room temporarily.”

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“No need.”

“Tch.” Pouting, Edith continued, “I received Father’s reply.”

She must be referring to the suggestion Yisi made some time ago about improving the Blood Clan’s living conditions: replacing slime blood with human blood to solve the food problem.

Taking a small step forward, Yisi looked curious.

“What did Count Pescia say?”

“Although his tone was full of reluctance, he’s willing to try. Father also hopes to make the territory stronger.”

“So it’s not entirely hopeless…”

“Also, there’s something else I need to tell you.” It seemed to be something important; Yisi felt Edith’s tone turn serious. “I dismissed my pets.”

“Eh?” Yisi instinctively stopped and looked at Edith’s profile. But Edith’s expression showed no hint of regret or sadness. Instead, she looked relaxed, as if she had seen through something. “Pets… you mean those girls?”

“Yes, them. A year has passed, and I haven’t been without growth either. That kind of relationship is pathological, isn’t it? I didn’t realize it before because, as a bearer of the Fallen Mark, I was only focused on how much time I had left. Looking back now, because I felt I was treated unfairly, I took my anger out on my subordinates. I really did some excessive things.” As if those were distant memories, Edith gently shook her head. “But what’s done is done. I won’t regret it or apologize. Those things are part of who I am. As lower-class vampires, they were meant to serve pure-bloods. I won’t change that view. But, for old times’ sake, I gave them a considerable sum of gold, enough for them to live the rest of their lives without worries.”

“But after what happened with Hetty, those who remained were all fiercely loyal to Pepe.”

“Pfft. I didn’t expect you to speak up for those pets.”

Edith’s genuine smile made Yisi’s heart tremble.

Just as someone usually gentle suddenly getting angry would make bystanders uneasy, when someone usually fond of tormenting others suddenly reveals a smile of having let everything go, the contrast made Yisi feel an indescribable beauty.

“Hoh, you look stunned. I know I’m beautiful, but is it necessary to stare so intently? But if you like it, I don’t mind letting you look like this all day.”

Being called out directly by Pepe, Yisi suddenly snapped back to reality, awkwardly twirling a strand of hair.

“I just suddenly feel that Pepe has become mature, and I’m not quite used to it… Honestly, you’re overwhelmingly beautiful, very charming.”

“Hmph.” Imperceptibly, a faint blush crossed Edith’s face. “It’s just growth. After experiencing so much, one should learn something. Since I realized keeping pets in the mansion was wrong, there’s no need to hypocritically keep them there. I probably can’t do the same things to them as before.”

At this point, Edith gazed into Yisi’s blue eyes. Yisi’s own reflection swayed in those pupils like a vortex, possessing a power that felt like it could pull her in. Even the most intoxicating red wine couldn’t compare to a single word from her. Edith couldn’t help but feel discouraged by her own lack of resolve, but it was precisely this that made it so intoxicating.

“But they are fiercely loyal to Pepe. I don’t think they’ll leave you so easily.”

“Hah, indeed. I thought about that too. But now I already have…” As if finding it hard to say, Edith averted her gaze from Yisi, her voice faltering for a moment. “…There’s no extra space anymore. They are just mistakes from my past. Do you like sharing me with others?”

I’m the last person who has the right to say no.

“But just shutting them out like this…”

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She wasn’t unable to understand Pepe’s meaning. To Pepe, those pets had always been just toys acquired by chance. As Pepe said, lower-class vampires were just disposable consumables to pure-bloods. That Pepe could give them money was already considerable generosity. But even so, in her eyes, it was a very cruel ending for those girls whose bodies and souls belonged to Pepe.

“Can’t you arrange a position for them? Like maids or handmaidens.”

“Keeping them by my side will only give them false hope.”

“Umm…”

Honestly, she didn’t know how to solve this either.

As if seeing Yisi’s thoughts, Edith huffed in dissatisfaction.

“You woman, you’re truly sentimental. Always thinking of helping people completely unrelated to you. That’s precisely why—Haaah.” She sighed resignedly. “I will handle my own affairs. Yisi doesn’t need to worry about me. I won’t be a softy like you. Besides, there’s something I need to discuss with you.”

“What is it?”

“Residence. Do you prefer a warmer place, or a colder one?”

Not understanding Pepe’s meaning for a moment, Yisi answered honestly.

“A warmer one.”

“I see. You said it yourself. Don’t blame me for not reminding you if you don’t see snow in winter.”

“No, no, what are you trying to say, Pepe?”

“Tsk.” Clicking her tongue again in annoyance, Edith let go of Yisi’s hand. With an expression as if she were sulking, she said, word by word, “Small. Town. By. The. Sea.”

“Eh?”

If she remembered correctly, that was what she had said back in the Ymir Holy City about where she wanted to live in the future.

Has Pepe already chosen the location?

However, by the time Yisi wanted to ask, Pepe was already two steps ahead, walking in front of her.

A future residence… Shouldn’t I be the one choosing it?

I’m really too slow.

Sighing at her own inadequacy, Yisi quickened her pace. Then, while Edith wasn’t paying attention, she quietly, suddenly, grasped Edith’s hand.

Just as she expected, although it was barely perceptible, Pepe’s shoulders jumped slightly at her sneak attack.

—This was retaliation.