The woman introduced as Arbatos is looking at me with eyes that are lit with a strong will to fight, as if she is about to jump at me. It's hard to believe that she hasn't attacked me yet.

　I stare back into Kainushi's eyes.
　The creepy guy who doesn't know what he's thinking rubs his hand wrapped in a thin leather glove, makes an uncomfortable expression, and says.

You didn't see that coming, did you?　I didn't expect it either. The one you have in your hands must be very valuable to Annihilation. I specialize in ...... hunting, but--

I need time to think.

You don't have time.

　At my words, the man next to me, Arbatross, grips the table and bares his teeth. His thin fingers dig in, and the thick wooden table creaks and cracks. It's a terrifying physical strength that doesn't seem to be reinforced by positive energy.

　But of course, I could do the same thing.
　I had anticipated that my opponent would be a formidable foe, so I had broken the rules and sucked his blood, and I hadn't gone into this negotiation without a plan.

　The content of the deal was not unexpected either. It was just a little more ...... peaceful than I expected.
　The only thing I have that they might want to negotiate with me for is the Senri.

　This might be a bad idea.
　I'm a monster. Senri feels sorry for me because I'm a monster and I'm to be hunted. If that premise is broken, then there's no reason for Senri to stick around.

　Nice work. I don't think the Knights of the End will keep their word, but if I can hide my negative power, my chances of escape go up significantly.

"I can't live without blood.

I don't know. I don't know. If you can hide your negative power, you can get your prey as safe as you want. If you really are a harmless vampire, there are many ways to do it.

　Cainusi frowned at my words.

　...... That's hard to do.

　It's true, there are many ways.
　Vampires are hunted because the undead are often intoxicated by the bloodsucking urge to kill and suck the blood out of their prey.
　In addition, true vampires can use a curse to turn their blood-sucking targets into their dark family members. The vampire is the enemy of humanity itself.
　But on the other hand, if I don't display those characteristics, I can be as harmless as possible. Since my curse is useful in certain fields, perhaps I can find a patron.

　The piece of paper that Kainushi held out was a contract.

　The piece of paper itself would have no power, but it contained what Kainushi had just said: that I would voluntarily leave Senri in exchange for the Night Crystal and my freedom.

I'll take a stroke. And a blood seal. The blood seal, too, proves that I was not compelled to obey by violence. ...... I must take it with me to fetch the selfish princess.

It's not ...... proof.

It is. Vampires are cursed. When they die, their bodies turn to dust. It's impossible to get a blood seal from a corpse, and the demise knight can recognize the negative power you've imbued.

　Kainushi's voice sounded low and depressed.
　It's not surprising that the ...... Senri would be convinced and accept it.

　I'm not sure what to make of it. The size is small, but the crystal looks familiar.

　--It's real.

　I instinctively understand. It's a crystal that absorbs the negative vibes that are constantly emanating from me and prevents them from spreading outward.
　I don't know if it's big enough to completely hide my presence, but it's better than nothing. I want it so badly.

Even at this size, it's a very rare item, rarely found. It's a very rare item that is rarely found, even in this size. ...... It's an item that all the members of the night family want. It's not something that any of the lesser people should have.

You can't replace a ...... senri.

　I'll deny it once. Peaceful life is what I want, but it's just a rock. Since there was a second one, there must be a third and a fourth one in the world. There is only one Senri in the world.

　Cainusi frowned at my answer, and then said in an admonishing voice.


You're limiting the future of Senri Sylvis. You don't really think that following you will make her happy, do you? If she has any sense of humanity, shouldn't you let her go?


　There it is. This man has clearly identified my weakness.
　My strength is my human spirit, and so are my weaknesses.

　I can't help but ...... feel a little sympathy for the man in front of me. It may be more difficult than a powerful demise knight.

I'm not sure what the princess got out of your seduction.　What has the princess gained from being seduced by you? Her career is scarred, her former comrades chase her, and she falls ill in bed. You sip her blood and use her weakness as a shield to take advantage of her kindness, didn't you?　If you have a human heart, you should think ...... well.

　I am weak when stuffed with words, with righteous arguments. Because I have no justice.
　You are right. I don't need to be told that. I took advantage of Senri's weakness, I took advantage of him, I gave him nothing, and even then I wanted to survive.



　The plan may have collapsed .......
　What am I supposed to do?　...... No, it's obvious.

　Take a deep breath, like a human, and look up at Kainushi.

"Senri gave ...... me everything.

"......

Oh, don't get me wrong. When I say she gave me everything, I mean everything but her virginity. She's still pure. That's why she's still a member of the Order. I thought there might come a day when I'd have to return her to the Order.

　I don't know what the logic is, but a strong blessing resides in a pure body.
　That's why most of the Knights of the End, male and female, are said to be pure. It's one of their weaknesses, and some of the night family members and demons take the initiative to target that weakness.

　Cainusi's eyebrows twitched.

"You knew that. ...... I'm ashamed of myself.

　I picked up the pen on the desk and wrote the name of the end in one breath without hesitation.
　I guess he didn't expect me to comply with his request so easily. He put the pen down and said to the blinding Cainusi.

There's just one thing I have to tell you. I didn't seduce Senri. ...... Senri seduced me. I didn't take it from her, she gave it to me. Senri made me human. You don't understand, Kainushi, what it's like to go from being human to suddenly becoming a monster. And the joy of being accepted by others.

　The pupils of Arbatross, who hadn't said a word while letting out a ragged breath, narrowed.

　I took the Night Crystal from the table and put it in my pocket.
　I bite through the skin of my right thumb and bring my bloodied thumb to the contract.


I'm in love with ............ Senri. So if it will make Senri happy, ...... I'll gladly release her.


　With great effort, I press my thumb against the contract and release it. My fingerprints remain firmly on the contract.
　I wonder how it is that a blood seal is left on a document that will turn to ashes when you die.

　I'm glad I did this. I can't think of any other way. It's for the best. The rest is a gamble.

　Before I could even think about it, Kainushi lifted the contract and confirmed it, nodding widely and putting it in his pocket.
　He smiled and held out his hand to me as if to shake my hand.

I'm glad I'm an understanding ...... vampire. A weight has been lifted from my shoulders.

By the way, there's one thing I need to check. ......

What's ............ that?

　He sat back in his chair, not holding my hand, and narrowed his eyes.


　Kainushi and Arbatross. They're terrible users. Their expressions didn't change too much when they heard my words.
　I'm the one who's the monster, but they're in opposite positions.


　Yes, it's exactly what I imagine ...... vampire hunting to be.


　I smile. This deal was really close.
　And then I said my question.

"Do you have the demise knights' permission for that contract?　I know that the Knights of the End are not the kind of people who show mercy to monsters.


It's no wonder ...... they gave me the job. You're too smart for your own good.

　The arm reaches out and grabs my arm. My strength goes out the window.
　But by then, I've kicked the table hard.

　The large, heavy wooden table flips over, and my hand slips out of its grip. The strength that I had almost lost rapidly returned.
　A roar echoed, and a beat later, screams and shouts came from the surroundings.

　It should have been a complete surprise attack, but Kainushi hadn't been crushed by the table.
　He quickly moved to the side to avoid it, and stood there unperturbed, smiling in the midst of the stares.

　Did he have a crucifix under his glove that relaxed the moment he was touched? If I hadn't kicked up the table, I might not have been able to shake his hand off.

　But in that moment, all I felt was a deep relief.

　The relationship between vampire hunters and vampires has to be that way.

　Cainusi pulls his sword from his waist. A silver sword with a very bad feeling.

　A crucifix. I knew it in my gut.

　It clearly meets the requirements of a cross a vampire would fear. Cainusi grasped the sword with its impossibly large tsuba, considering the size of the grip and blade, and gave a small laugh.

"Don't feel bad, you poor vampire. I did not break my contract. I'll at least have mercy on your soul.

　The guests, aware of the situation, screamed and rushed for the exit, throwing out the drinks and food they had been drinking and picking.
　That's right. Crowded places are meaningless to vampire hunters. The demise knights try to protect people, but the vampire hunters don't even try to protect people.



　They hunt vampires because of money and--and deep resentment.
　They don't have the blessed talent to overwhelm the dark family like the Knights of the End, but they are madmen with strong emotions who can't give up.

　Even if he kills a thousand people, if he can hunt one vampire, he will do it.
　These were the vampire hunters.

　Raising a large table with one hand, Arbatross says as if to spit.

"You've sucked a lot of blood. I don't care how much you say, I can smell it. ...... vampires

You're going to kill me and then go talk to Senri?

What? This is a small service. I'm a private person. ...... I have to ingratiate myself with that monster.

　So it's acceptable if things get complicated. Well, it seems the only thing they want is to kill me.

　They're not gonna let me go. Well, that's true. If vampire hunters don't hunt vampires, they need to change their name.

　But I didn't expect them to even let me out of the store. .......
　Kainushi takes out a bottle from his pocket and sprinkles the liquid inside on his sword. Droplets of water dripped from the sword blade.

　It is most likely the holy water that corrupts the bodies of the undead. You must not take it. The pure power of this is greater, but I don't know how strong the effects of holy water are.


　Cainusi and I are a little like each other.

　I smile at him, a little friendly. Cainusi's brow furrows. And he cuts me a card.



"I didn't break my ...... promise either. I haven't told anyone about the letter.

"......


　I didn't. I just showed them the ............ letter.
　I didn't come with you when you came here. But ...... yes, he did wait for me at the rendezvous point.


　It was a close call. If he had tried to negotiate peacefully at the end, I would have had no choice.
　It's not like I can't wish Senri well.


"............, put the sword away.

　And just as I had planned, a cold voice echoed through the almost empty tavern.