However, Eleanora felt like something was out of place. She wondered whether this Dhampir was really under the effects of her「Charming Demon Eyes.」
Those under the effects of her「Charming Demon Eyes」normally loosened their face muscles as if drunk, and their tone of speech became relaxed.
However, this Dhampir's face was completely expressionless and his tone was normal.
And she could feel some kind of strange power in his eyes that were supposed to be hollow and vacant. Looking into them made her feel a chill, as if she were peeking into the depths of some abyss, and yet she experienced some kind of mysterious feeling.
Could it be that my Demon Eyes have been resisted? That should be impossible without a high level in the Mental Resistance skill. Even with the Dhampir's【Status Effect Resistance】and the【Magic Resistance】skill of a Dark Elf... The【Mental Corruption】skill is a possibility as well, but if he had that, it's strange that he hasn't become some kind of madman who can't even hold a conversation. He doesn't appear to be insane. But I suppose it's best to be sure.
Eleanora had absolute confidence in her own Demon Eyes, but this Dhampir was someone who possessed the goddess Vida's divine protection. He was an opponent that warranted caution.
「Hey, what do you think about me?」(Eleanora)
「Huh... I think that you're a beautiful person.」(Vandalieu)
「I see, that makes me happy. Will you be my friend?」(Eleanora)
「... If you're fine with me being your friend, it would be my pleasure...?」(Vandalieu)
「Well then, would you praise the evil god Hihiryushukaka that we worship? Say that he is a wonderful god.」(Eleanora)
「Sure...」(Vandalieu)
As Eleanora requested, the Dhampir pressed his hands together in prayer and said,「The evil god Hihiryushukaka is a wonderful god.」
And then he looked at Eleanora in silence.
It seems that I was worrying needlessly, thought Eleanora.
If the Dhampir was conscious, he would have immediately realized that I'm a Vampire and been on guard. And there is no way that someone with the divine protection of Vida would praise an evil god in a normal state.
The Dhampir would definitely not have complied with my last request if not for the effect of the Demon Eyes. This Dhampir is still an infant, but according to the information we have, he's supposedly intelligent and is referred to by his subordinates as "King" and "Holy Son". He should be a proud individual.
Eleanora had initially thought that he looked ominous, but now she smiled, thinking that he was rather adorable. Now all she needed to do was question him and then bring him to where Sercrent and the others were waiting.
「You have tamed the Undead, haven't you? How did you do it? When did you receive the goddess's divine protection?」(Eleanora)
「That's right, but even if you ask me how I did it... Well, in any case, I'm able to tame them. As for the divine protection... Are you talking about the prophecy?」(Vandalieu)
What a surprise. Not only has he received the goddess's divine protection, but her prophecy as well. There's no doubt that the goddess had taken notice of him and is watching over him even now.
Wouldn't it be dangerous to dispose of him? This thought occurred to Eleanora, but she couldn't go against Birkyne's orders even if that was true, so she drove it out of her mind.
「I see... Well then, I wonder if you know about the【Sword King】Borkus? Can you tell me where he is* right now?」(Eleanora)
「Borkus should be* in the audience chamber.」(Vandalieu)
「Should be...?* Has he turned into an Undead?」(Eleanora)
「Yes.」(Vandalieu)
TLN*: In Japanese, ある/aru is used for inanimate objects while 居る/iru is used for people when saying something/someone is/be somewhere etc. Eleanora uses the former when asking the question, referring to Borkus's remains as an inanimate object, but is surprised when Vandalieu replies with the latter, implying that Borkus is a person.
As expected, it seems that the【Sword King】Borkus has turned into an Undead. But judging from the fact that he's still in the audience chamber where his body should have been, it's likely that this Dhampir hasn't managed to tame him. I suppose an Undead hero is beyond even this Dhampir's abilities to tame after all.
It would be best on giving up on retrieving his remains. If Sercrent wants to attempt it, I'll just have to let him do what he wants on his own.
「Also... How did you repair the castle and the city? It should have been considerably damaged; did you make the Undead repair them?」(Eleanora)
「No, I made Golems to repair them.」(Vandalieu)
Golems? Is he saying that possesses not only the Spiritualist Job, but the Alchemist Job as well?
It would be best to question him in more detail –
「Oi, how much longer are you planning to take?」(Sercrent)
Sercrent had entered the room without Eleanora noticing. The Subordinate Vampires were behind him.
「You have asked him everything that needs to be asked; there is no more use for him.」(Sercrent)
「... I believe we decided that I would lead him to you.」(Eleanora)
「Silence. We came because you wouldn't come no matter how long we waited.」(Sercrent)
「How impatient of you.」(Eleanora)
In the corner of her vision, Eleanora could see Sercrent grinding his fangs without even trying to conceal his irritation. Is he trying to threaten me?
I would appreciate it if you don't do such unpleasant things, considering that I have to maintain eye contact with the Dhampir so that he stays under the effect of my Charming Demon Eyes.
「This child might be beneficial to us. It would be useful to ask him how he tamed the Undead and how he used Golems to repaired the ruins.」(Eleanora)
If this Dhampir is indeed using the goddess's divine protection to tame the Undead, killing him could incur the goddess's wrath and cause movements from the Pure-breed Vampires who worship Vida hiding in the far depths of distant Devil's Nests.
And if I can find out how he used Golems to repair the ruins and this method could be applied elsewhere, it would definitely be useful. Not even one year has passed since this Dhampir came to Talosheim. If this method could repair an entire fortress city in that short period of time, it might be possible to build small towers and castles in the space of a single month.
The strategic value of such a method is immeasurable. Surely even this man would understand that.
「... Eleanora, have you gone insane? The mission we received was to kill that Dhampir. That takes priority, and everything else can come after we have accomplished that. Any secret knowledge or rare skills he might have are irrelevant.」(Sercrent)
However, what Sercrent was advocating was that they uphold the rule of their society, the rule that the commands of the Pure-breeds must be obeyed without question.
And that was also correct. As Sercrent said, what both Birkyne and Gubamon emphasized above all else was that their orders should be carried out. Anything other than that was unnecessary; praise would not be given if their orders were not carried out.
「I wonder what you mean when you ask whether I've gone insane?」(Eleanora)
「Those words mean exactly as they sound. Could it be that you have developed some affection for him? To me, it looks like you are hesitating to kill him and repeating your questions in order to delay the inevitable.」(Sercrent)
「There is... no way that is true. You dare ridicule me?!」(Eleanora)
She raised her voice unintentionally, but that was not because of anger but because she was trembling. And as Sercrent made this accusation that was supposed to be completely off the mark, she was surprised by her own trembling.
Impossible; are you saying that I'm feeling guilty only now, after all this time? I was supposed to have discarded these emotions when I swore loyalty to Birkyne-sama!
She had been abandoned by her family, captured by the lower members of Birkyne's society and raised by them. She had received training while witnessing those with poor results being drained of their blood, many of them being her friends.
She had endured being forced to kill her comrades who were raised together in the same environment, being encouraged to betray them and repeated torture conducted for absurd reasons in order to finally become a Vampire.
『Listen, Eleanora. There are only two kinds of people in this world, the rulers who stand at the top and the weak who are trampled underfoot. If you want to become a ruler, you have to trample someone beneath your feet. After all, a ruler only becomes a ruler when there is someone beneath them. There is no such thing as a king who doesn't even rule a single commoner, is there? So if you don't want to be oppressed and exploited, you have to oppress and exploit someone else.』(Birkyne)
Those words that Birkyne had spoken remained in her ears. Steal if you don't want to be stolen from, persecute others if you don't want to be persecuted, kill if you don't want to be killed. This was the only way that Eleanora had been able to protect herself; this was supposed to be an absolute truth.
So there's no way that I can hesitate to kill the Dhampir before my eyes. I've killed countless people up until now. I've been betrayed by friends and comrades, almost killed by them and then I killed them in return. Considering that, why would I hesitate now of all times?
「If you're willing to say that much, then you and your subordinates can just do it, can't you? Are you just going to stand there like scarecrows while making me do all the work on my own?」(Eleanora)
As Eleanora provoked them, the Subordinates began to tremble, looked at each other and then took a step. A step backwards.
Nobody tried to approach the Dhampir. It was as if they were being overpowered by something.
「Eleanora, you do it. If you don't, I will report to Birkyne-sama that you refused to kill the Dhampir.」(Sercrent)
「! You bastard...」(Eleanora)
It was only through great strength of will that Eleanora resisted looking at Sercrent. What was he playing at, trying to brush aside his numerous failures in the past? She felt an urge to tear his throat out with her claws.
But it's just a matter of killing the Dhampir. That's all I need to do.
「Can you come here?」(Eleanora)
She called out to the Dhampir who had been staring at her the whole time. His eyes were endlessly empty.
She would kill this child. It was simple. Once he came closer, she simply needed to stab him with a sword or swing her claws at him; it wouldn't even matter if she kicked and tore through his soft belly with the claws of her toes. Eleanora was strong enough to kill even a heavily armored knight with brute strength alone.
Killing this child is like crushing an insect.
The Dhampir approached her at a brisk, casual pace. Eleanora couldn't stop her heart from throbbing violently, and her breathing was becoming irregular.
He was within range for her to kick him. She felt a painful sensation in her chest. That's right, I won't finish him with a kick. My claws, I'll dispose of him with my claws.
He was within range of her claws. My hands are trembling; he needs to be a little closer. But if he walks any closer, we'll break eye contact. Sercrent and the others are in the way behind me, so I can't step back.
Eleanora decided that there was no other choice but to lift the Dhampir up. She would simply need to grab hold of his head, thrust her fangs into his neck and drain his blood until he died.
And then Eleanora was staring into Vandalieu's eyes at point-blank range.
There had been no change; there was still no light in these eyes. They were empty, devoid of anything.
But she sensed something that existed inside that emptiness.
Something that Eleanora couldn't run from no matter how much she tried, something she couldn't disobey no matter what she did, something that didn't exist.
No! I must not disobey this person!
Instinctively, Eleanora became unable to move. She stood completely still, still breathing heavily, unable to pierce the Dhampir with her fangs.
At this moment, Sercrent shouted.
「Do it, you bastards! Dispose of the Dhampir and Eleanora as well! Just like we did to that piece of trash, Valen!」(Sercrent)
「Wha –?!」(Eleanora)
Swords were pointed at Eleanora and the Dhampir. Before they could pierce her back, she flew as if pulled forward by something.
She dived onto the bed that the Dhampir had been sleeping on and rolled forward.
「Tch, she avoided it instinctively. As to be expected of one of Birkyne's bodyguards, even if she is rotten. But with that wound, it's now impossible for her to defeat us.」(Sercrent)
There was a wound in Eleanora's back so deep that it might have grazed her heart. Even though she was a Noble-born Vampire who wouldn't die so easily unless her heart was completely destroyed or her head was cut off, her movements would be slowed from taking damage.
「If I kill you along with the Dhampir and seal your mouth, Birkyne and Gubamon will never know about my failures! Die!」(Sercrent)
Sercrent could feel that the Dhampir was emitting an unusual presence. Though it wasn't as powerful as his or Eleanora's, the reason he had been talking so much might have been to shake himself and his followers free of that presence.
However, those words would lead to Sercrent meeting the most terrible of fates.
「What did you say just now?」(Vandalieu)
Ah, the Demon Eyes weren't having any effect after all.
Even as she stared at the Dhampir, petrified with fear, Eleanora forgot the pain of her wound and felt a strange sense of relief.
Relief at the fact that those eyes were not looking at her.
You are reading the story above: TeenFic.Net