For vampires with strong bodies, physical strength and 5 senses, climbing a steep cliff is no trouble. Even if its mostly uneven, even if its slippery, they can climb smoothly by stabbing with their extended claws. Death Knights can fly, but theyre no match for vampires in terms of stealth. Neither darkness, nor cold weather or flames can stop me. Only silver, garlic and flowing water can stop the vampire from advancing.

I carry Senri on my back and climb the cliff. The castle of the Mirage Demon King from a close distance looked ridiculously huge compared to the Lords mansion and even compared to Rainels castle that was also built on the mountain. Both its height and width were on another level. Rainels castle was built on the surface of a mountain but this Demon Kings castle was built on top of a cliff.

I unintentionally opened my eyes wide. The castle walls seem to be made by stacking up stones, but I cant imagine how much time it would take to finish such a huge structure. Some parts of it have collapsed, but thats also quaint in a way. Theres no light around and the surroundings look desolate. We heard from the nearest town Dessend that it was used for sightseeing, but its probably mostly abandoned.

The negative signs are approaching from all directions. Some of them seem to have already entered the castle, I can feel some of them inside too. I cant tell exactly how many there are because there are too many presences, but their quantity aside, their quality is definitely not worrying. Both Senri and I can easily massacre them.

Several Skeletons appear, climbing the steep cliff. I immediately use Silhouette while carrying Senri on my back and jump onto the stone wall surrounding the castle.

I didnt make a sound. A pebble rolled down and fell on the ground, but Skeletons dont seem to have noticed. Their senses arent dull, but they cant be compared to those of a vampire.

I regretfully put Senri down, crouch and inspect the situation below. The Skeletons are entering the castle without discussing it among themselves, only making noisy sounds of the armors grazing against each other. Skeletons that appear from a different direction also enter from the main gate with the same efficient movements. It almost feels like Im watching a flowing river. Even though, just a moment ago they were observing the situation around

Senri answered my unspoken question. They have a commander. Theyre probably linked. Linked?

Necromancers can make a connection between the undead theyve created. They can communicate through that.

I see I did certainly think that their movements were remarkable. It couldnt be a result of a single order. I dont remember feeling that kind of thing when I was the Lords undead, but I was a special undead so I cant be used as a frame of reference.

Then I realize something important.

Wait a minute does this mean that my cover was blown because I defeated that thing?

Its possible.

You should have told me that beforehand.

? They cant share their vision so your face hasnt been uncovered.

Senri says wonderingly, her eyes open wide. Looks like there is no word for wait and see in the dictionary of Death Knights or it has a very low priority. As expected from the Knight Order thats focused on offense. They would definitely rather make the first move, rush in and annihilate everybody instead of letting them roam free.

Senri adds.

But their behavior probably didnt change because you defeated one of their groups or so I think.

Its hard to judge.

A while ago, Senri said that the presence inside the castle disappeared. There is a possibility that that could have been the trigger. If we assume that everybody who was on standby started moving because the individual inside the castle disappeared why did it disappear? Did it die? Or theres also a chance that it found the Night Crystal inside the castle. If that was used to repress the negative power that the undead release, from the perspective of Senri, who was looking for the signs of the undead, it would almost seem like the presence had disappeared.

But there is a way to look for it even when the emission of the negative power is being repressed. Night Crystal can only erase the presence. My nose cant be deceived. Here, I hesitate. Should I turn into a dog?

Vampires have a keen sense of smell, but it gets much better when I turn into a dog. I should turn into a dog if I want to be absolutely sure.

But if I turn into a dog, Ill lose clothes again. If I get bigger, my clothes will be torn. If I turn back into a human, Ill be naked and its also troublesome to have to get dressed each time.

Senri was silently looking at me. She probably wanted to chase after Skeletons as soon as possible, but she always patiently waits for me to finish thinking.

Even when Im wasting time here, Skeletons still continue invading the castle one after another. I wish I could transform into a humanoid form like Oliver

Then, a revelation dawned upon me. Its crazy, but still worth trying.

Senri, watch. ?

I fire myself up, pour in the blood power and use the dogification ability.

As usual, an eerie sound of my skeletal structure changing rings right by my ears. However, Im only pouring the power on top of my head. I remember how to control blood power. If I can adjust its strength, if I can improve the regeneration ability in some of my parts by concentrating, I should also be able to restrict its range.

The transformation ends as smoothly as usual.

I look below. I have legs and arms. Im still wearing clothes. Nothings torn. I check my face. The back of my head is bushy. My protruding nose is clearly perceiving the scent of the dead. My field of vision is wider than usual.

I picked up the sunglasses that had fallen on the ground. I unfortunately cant put them back on because of the ears growing on top of my head, so I put them in my pocket.

I did it I really did it. Transforming only a part of my body. It needs some knacks, but since I was able to do it once, Ill be able to do it the next time too.

This way I can chase after them with the strengths of a human form while using the strengths of a dog form. I proudly smile at Senri. Because I have a dogs head, I end up panting and my tongue pops out.

Thanks for waiting, Senri. Lets chase after them.

End umm you always keep surprising me.

The expression of Senri, who was always calm and composed, was stiff. Her lips were trembling.

I wonder what happened?

Senri took a step back and said a little apologetically.

But its really scary so please revert back.

?!

I unintentionally roll back my tongue from too much shock. For Senri, who has fought so many monsters so boldly to be scared Senris apologetic face is even more shocking.

Am I perhaps black, right now?

End, can you remain calm if my head turned into a dog without any warning?

Senri says uncharacteristically fast, in a very natural manner. If Senris head suddenly turned into a dog, I would feel much sadder than if my whole body turned into a dog.

I see the looks, huh? I overlooked it. I cant see my face and Im a lesser vampire so even if I look into a mirror, Ill only appear translucent. But if even Senri says so, I must look really unbalanced. Just as I thought I had a good idea

With a slight hope in my heart, I ask.

Will you give me blood?

End dont get carried away.

A cold voice hits my ears. Then, I move my nose. I look down on the main gate. It smells It really smells. This is Its the smell of the living Senri, theres a human inside!

?!

Its the smell of excitement. Senri was preoccupied by the undead so she probably didnt notice. I jumped down from the rampart. At the same time, I pour in the blood power and expand my jaw. I know it. I know how to use the power. I could never learn magic properly no matter how much I studied, but this power is instinctual.

At the same time as I jump down, I open my jaw towards the head of Skeleton that was about to invade through the main gate. My fangs crush its skull together with the helm. An indescribable smell of metal spreads through my mouth and I spit it out. By that time, other Skeletons had already reassembled their posture, but even then, theres no way ordinary Skeletons could be a match for me.

There was no mutated individual here. I steal a spear and destroy all the Skeletons that had assumed a defensive posture with a single swing. Thats when Senri finally jumped down. I throw away the spear. Its decently sharp and has a nice reach too, but my hatchet is even more powerful, and its not made for swinging indoors.

I suppress the blood power and revert the size of my head.

Lets go.

End, sometimes I cant keep up with you. Revert back.

I can smell a human. I cant smell blood, but we should still hurry.

End revert back.

It might be dangerous so Ill be going ahead. Follow me, Senri. Woof Woof. End

Its a little lonely that I dont have a tail to wag. Perhaps because this is a tourist spot, my curse didnt seem to have any effect when entering the castle.

Most traps wouldnt have an effect on me. Neither poison nor magic will work on me and I also have my regeneration ability. To start with, I cant imagine that there would be traps in a castle thats used for sightseeing I made up my mind and ran inside the castle.

The inside of the castle was as desolate as its outside. It looked better than the Lords mansion, but there were no furnishings inside, no lights and there was a giant spider web laid on the ceiling. I felt indescribably melancholy exactly because it was built so splendidly. Some vampires have made their own castles. Maybe if I survive long enough, I could have a castle too It might be hard legally, but I dont think itd be impossible if I exploited the loopholes in the law. If I had stolen all assets of the Mafia Ive destroyed, I wouldve been able to build a small castle at least.

The air is damp and chilly, but I dont feel cold. Senri doesnt seem to be cold either. I move my nose. Right now, my sense of smell can differentiate scents to an unbelievable degree. Albertus could find me more than a hundred kms away with just the smell. At this point, this sense should be called a paranormal sense instead of the sense of smell.

I can smell things in chronological order. I can smell both the dead and the living. Following it, I move ahead without stopping. I meet a group of Skeletons here and there, but I destroy them with a single blow. Senris swordsmanship is precise even in darkness. Destroying only the insides of the group of the Skeletons, Senri says.

End revert back.

My ears twitch. I can hear a sound. Its the sound of a sword fight. I can hear a voice. A human voice. I can hear their breath. Mysterious pleasure is aching in the depths of my head. My instincts are pleased to display vampire abilities. Its a dangerous sensation.

This smell is coming from the basement, Woof. // This smell is coming from the barksment

End