Why are you here? Did you come in search of Night Crystals?

What I got in a reply was something that sounded like a chuckle. A mist of darkness, that couldnt be seen through even with eyes of a vampire, gathered from who knows where and took a shape.

Jet-black coat that resembled the night itself and porcelain-like white skin without any vitality. Blood red eyes, just like me, and cold yet somehow arrogant smile. The appearance of the female vampire hadnt changed even slightly from when I first encountered her. Neither the wounds from Rainels attack when he was on his deathbed nor the traces of Photon Delete Senri used have remained.

Even though shes in front of me, she still doesnt have any presence. I cant smell her either. But shes not an illusion. This shouldnt be the ability that ordinary vampires have. Its not magic either. Night Crystals cant erase the scent, so it shouldnt be that either.

Sable holds out her arm. She doesnt look any different than me, but for some reason I cant think of her as the same human as me.

No need to be afraid. Today I only came as a scout. My Lord has shown interest in you. I would very much like you to accompany me.

Sorry, but I already have a wife. I appreciate the invitation but I cant come with you.

Would Senri be able to detect the presence of the vampire in front of me? It would be difficult. What Senri uses to detect the undead is the negative aura that leaks out of them, its the same thing Im using for detection.

Are there any ways of hiding it other than with the Night Crystal? Unfortunately, even if I ask her here, she wouldnt tell me. But theres something Im curious about even more.

As Im staring at her, Sable continues almost like shes trying to convince me.

The Lord has spoken, that if it is possible, we would like to welcome you in our army with the same treatment as an executive. The same rank as me, most of your wishes will be fulfilled. If you desire human women, you can get as many as you want. And power too. You are strong, but you are still inexperienced, you dont know how to use your vampire powers.

Those are pretty good conditions but its out of the question. I dont intend to leave my beloved Senri and Im sure even Senri wouldnt come with me if I tried to go to the Stake Kings side. As long as Senri is on hostile terms with the Stake King, Ill be the enemy of Sable and her group. Its what one would call the weakness of being in love. Besides, I also have a lingering attachment to human society.

What if I refused?

Then, it cant be helped.

Sable shrugged with a faint smile still on her face. But she doesnt look like shes going to give up.

Good grief, this is why I dont like monsters be it Man-Eater, Rainel or Albertus, theyre all so selfish, its troubling. They should take a lesson from Senri, who always listens to my selfishness.

However, that aside I asked something that I couldnt help wondering about.

By the way, why did you show yourself? What?

Sable looked puzzled.

Ill be honest. I dont know how it works, but I cant read your presence. If you launched a surprise attack on me, theres not a very high chance that Id be able to avoid it. Why did you show yourself so boldly?

I would never do something so dangerous. To start with, if you think about the circumstances in which we parted last time, theres no chance the negotiation would be successful.

No, I get it. I get her rationale even without having to ask. I understand it and its pretty convenient as it is, but when she comes out this unreservedly, my feelings cant accept it.

It was obvious that the negotiation would have failed. If you still insist on taking me with you, youll have to do it by force. Judging from the way you attacked Rainel, its not like you hate surprise attacks, right? Why did you appear in front of me all fair and square?

I understand your intentions. Ill listen to your nonsense later. Sorry but I cant let my Lord wait for long.

Sable says as if finding it bothersome and points her finger at me. Its a white finger without any blemishes. A blood thread slowly stretches out from the gap of her index finger on her right hand and sways to and fro in the air.

Its a special ability of the Stake King. Ive already seen it before so Im not surprised. Its delicate, but bundled up it has terrific power enough to restrain Rainel. It moves in erratic ways and its also hard to avoid. I strongly grip my machete, take off my sunglasses with my left hand and put it away in my pocket. I squint and say clearly.

I understand it, Sable. I understand even without you having to say anything. You think that its easy to restrain me. You dont consider me an enemy.

Thats why she appeared upfront. Thats why she talked so peacefully despite what happened in Rainels castle last time. This all despite the fact that suppression was her prerequisite.

When I put it in words, its nothing special. Whether to take this as a show of her self-confidence or as her belittling me is up to the interpretation. But I wonder why. I feel a little gloomy.

All the enemies Ive fought until now were strong, but they still looked at me as their enemy. Even Rainel, who was overwhelmingly above me, didnt look down on me this much. Im surprised.

Sure, Sable is above me. She has the same characteristics as me, but shes superior in everything.

But, even though she should have observed the fact that I can use Necromancy even if partially, that I tied with Rainel at the very last moment and this battle too

Its impossible to go with somebody who doesnt acknowledge my power or dignity.

Sable frowns and says as if placating me.

I wont run away. Ill be troubled if you lump me together with the Skeletons youve defeated.

I dont say anything anymore.

Sure, that time I could only stall. Pathetically enough, I had no other choice but to be saved by Senri. I was on the brink of death at that time, but its different now.

Right now Im unscathed. I have plenty of blood power too and Im not exhausted either. In addition, right now Im stronger than I was then. My soul continues to fall. I also had Senri share her blood with me.

Fighting with somebody stronger than me is the usual thing. Ive beaten up every single enemy who tried to control me.

Is it because shes also a vampire? Is it what people call the hate for the same kind? I can feel a fighting spirit, strong enough to surprise me, boiling inside me. For some reason, my fangs are aching so much its unbearable.

No thats wrong.

Then, I calmed down for a bit. I took a deep breath and licked my lips.

This is surely the Lords will.

I havent been exercising enough lately. Show me the power of the famous Stake Kings retainer, senior.

I get it. I understand it. I can understand it now. Its a feeling that perfectly fit the expression of being convinced.

The Lord was surely planning to kill a vampire.

The reason why Horus Carmon gave me the ability, Curse Steal, was because the person he wanted to steal blood from was a vampire. Theres no mistake. The Lords obsession is in my body, in my soul.

I dont intend on going along with the Lords delusions, but I have to brush off the sparks that fall onto me.

I cant escape anyway. Turning my back on a vampire that can freely manipulate blood is suicidal.

Right now our goals are matching. Its not really a lie that I wanted to properly see this so-called vampire power.

I have a chance to win.

Senri will surely praise me if I tie you up and take you back. Its way too foolish to be so engrossed with the Death Knight. Thread-like blood gathered and turned into a crimson sword.