Negotiations were okay or not okay, I guess. Dad said he needed time to think.
　Of course. Of course, what I'm proposing this time is the kind of thing that a nobleman would not accept.

　It's too risky, and if my father and I were in opposite positions, ...... we would have a hard time deciding what to do. I don't expect you to accept it right away either. On the contrary, I'm more afraid of being accepted right away.

　But it seems that Rudolph Fomet is not as strict as ...... I imagined him to be. I hadn't seen my father's face in a long time, and it looked much older than I remembered, but I could tell from his every word that he still considered me his son.

　It seems that I have a better chance of winning than I had imagined. At the very least, my feeling is that he might be able to provide me with some money, if not a place to live.
　The negative vibes have been suppressed as much as possible with the Night Crystal. The problem is the vampire hunters who are after me, but no matter how professional Kainushi is, it's not likely that they'll catch up with me today.

　No, it's just not possible. If they did catch up with me, it would be in the worst case scenario that they had somehow managed to capture my current position and were moving as fast or faster than me at full speed.

　I woke up from my sleep and thanked God that I could wake up again today. I crawled out of the closet, checked my physical condition briefly, and joined Senri in the next room.

　As usual, the curse was not triggered when I entered Senri's room.

　The sun was halfway down and the world outside the window was a pale black. It was time for the appointment. I have to see my father again.

　Depending on his answer, I could be freed from being hunted.
　But depending on what happens, my father will have the resources to purify me, which is ...... something I'd rather not think about.

　The undead are beings who have fallen outside the rules of the world - unclean souls. It is said that a soul in the hands of a necromancer cannot ascend to heaven unless it is cleansed. In other words, as a general rule, purification is not killing, but saving.
　Well, it's just a pretext, because it's doubtful that heaven really exists (since the stubborn Senri didn't immediately purify me and let me live like this), but it must be a very serious fact for my father that my corpse was snatched and sold, and my soul was humiliated.

　He chooses purification for my sake. It's none of my business, but I can't say there's no possibility that I'll take that option.

　He asked for time to think, and I told him I'd be back the next day. The reason I only gave him one day was to reduce the risk as much as possible. It's hard to find a demise knight in one day, and mercenaries who can kill vampires are few and far between.
　I hated myself a little for not trusting my own father enough, but this was necessary for my survival.

　I finished dressing and said to Senri, who was waiting for me.

I'm going to go get my dad's answer. I don't think it's likely, but I think it's possible that he's waiting for me. Will you come with me?

"............ of course.

　Senri agreed without hesitation.

　Senri is a member of the Knights of the End. He even has the proof.
　I didn't tell my dad about the companion. It would have been hard to believe that the Knights of the End would help us anyway, and there was a chance that my father would contact the Knights of the End and they would leak the information to Epe.
　Besides, ...... she's betrayed the Knights of the End and is now cooperating with me. I'm not sure what to make of it, but I'm sure it'll help.

　But if you look at it from a ...... perspective, it's different. If he knew that Senri was helping him, he might change his mind.
　Also, Senri is pure. I've sunk my teeth into her a few times, but her soul is pure. Even if my voice can't reach her, her voice can.

　I'm uncharacteristically nervous. Senri gently grasps my hand as I ponder. Her fingertips, white with the finest blood, twine around my hand.
　He smiled softly and said reassuringly in a voice that was almost the same as when we first met.

"Don't worry ......, I won't betray you. I'll run away with you.



§§



　I broke into Fomet's house again and headed for my father's study.
　The perimeter was a little less secure than yesterday. Perhaps my father had reduced it for my sake, but it seemed too unprotected. It's not my place to say, but I should probably point out to him that he should increase the security a little more.

　I search for signs of the study from outside the window. I have no training, but perhaps because of my vampire instincts, I can determine the approximate number of people from a distance if I concentrate.

　There was probably only one, my father. At least, there was no sign of many living people. It was less likely that they were waiting for him.

　I put Senri on my back and climbed to the window in one breath.

　There were no ...... bad vibes today. I opened the window from the outside and climbed in. The window swung open, letting in the warm air.

　In the study, Rudolph Fomet was waiting all alone.
　His complexion showed that he was exhausted. He must have spent the whole day thinking about it.

　My dad frowned when he saw me, but he immediately noticed Senri riding on my back and opened his eyes.

"Ah, there you are. ............ Who's the girl on your back?

"Senri Sylvis. My ............ collaborator. See, now I can't live without blood, so I'm taking some of it with ...... your consent.

I'm not ............ listening.

　My dad's face twisted into a blatant expression. I'm not sure if he thought I was harmlessly playing the undead and not hurting anyone.



　That's not possible. He certainly didn't say that. .......

　The duty of a nobleman is to rule his domain and protect his people. The psychological hurdle between a son who becomes a monster but remains sane and a son who becomes a monster and remains sane but can't help but sip blood may be quite ...... different. I failed. I guess I should have kept it a secret for a while.

　Was it premature to bring Senri to see me? ......?　Did I get a little carried away when I found out that my dad hadn't sold off my body ......?

　Tensions spread between me and my dad.
　But then Senri stepped off my back and turned a determined gaze toward my father.

　In a voice a little low for a woman, but pleasant to the ear, she said.

It's a pleasure to meet you, Lord Phomet. I am ...... Senri Sylvis. I'm a member of the Knights of the End.

　A sober colored robe. From her bosom she takes out a small seal made of gold and silver.

　The seal is a combination of a sword and a cross.
　The moment I see it, I feel a little sick. It's the first time I've seen it, but maybe they were thinking of me and hid it from me.

　I widen my eyes. I stare at Senri's back.
　She showed her intention to return the sword to Epe. Given her character, it would be impossible for her to take advantage of the fact that she had effectively left the group.

　But there was no hesitation in Senri's voice. Without hesitation, she turned her back on me and faced my father.

　It's not every day that the Knights of the End come to this part of the country. He must not have thought that his son, now undead, would have a member of the Order with him. Dad's face twisted in astonishment.

"What?　The Knights of the End ......?

"Although he is temporarily away from the ...... ranks at the moment, ...... your son is truly strong. Even though his soul has been humiliated by the evil arts, he has not lost his ...... mind.

　His words were unhurried. Dad retreated as if overwhelmed by the girl who was two sizes too big for him. It's very rare to see the always somewhat blunt Senri use honorifics.
　The words that came out of her lips were as straight as a blade, and full of conviction.
　I felt a strong charisma. There he was, in everyone's mind, the perfect demise knight. It is said that those who are attacked by vampires have their minds tainted, but there was no sign of that.

　I want blood. I frowned and stifled the tremendous blood-sucking urge that came over me.

　Senri says.



Lord Phomet ...... has valid concerns, as I'm sure you do. But can you trust ...... him and let me handle this?




§§



　It was the best possible outcome. The tense atmosphere that had been there a moment ago had dissipated.
　Dad said with a relaxed expression.

"...... Looks like you found a great partner. I'm a little relieved.

Yeah. It's worth being undead for.

"...... Don't be ridiculous, Riel. ...... Oh, now that was an end.

　I'm not sure what to say. But ...... he meant it.
　It's a perk. If something happens to you, you're in a position to eradicate it, but if you were human, you wouldn't have been able to suck Senri's blood, and you wouldn't have gotten a girlfriend as good as her.

　At the time, I didn't think Senri would be on my side, but it was worth the risk of being destroyed to negotiate with Epe.

　My dad provided me with a case full of bills, a map, an ID card, and a key.

............ It's an abandoned house. It needs to be cleaned, but it's ...... a good place to hide. It should be fine for two people to live in. But be careful.

　With a somewhat anxious look on his face, he took the key that was given to him.

　I guess that means you can stay in this territory for a while.
　I didn't expect him to offer me not only money, but also a place to stay. Rudoh Phomet has many things to protect. Not to mention the Knights of the End. If the country finds out, he'll lose his head.

　You can't stay here forever, considering your father. But I can at least get myself ready.
　There's no line between me and him, and the key he gave me should be traceable.

　I felt great, my concerns were allayed. I felt like talking some more, but only if someone happened to come into the study.
　Hopefully we'll have another chance to talk.

　I took the case and the map, thanked him again, and headed for the window.

　As long as the demise knight, who can sense negative forces, doesn't come too close, it's unlikely that my identity will be discovered.
　Maybe someday I'll be allowed to come in through the ...... front door.

　When I think about this, my dad says in a serious voice.

"Rielle ......, no, End. I can't allow you to take the name Fomet now. You are dead.



'...... Yeah, of course I know that much.

　If they find out and question our relationship, my family will be in trouble. I don't need you to tell me that. I'm not even going to say my name.
　I'm not even going to say my name. ............ Oh, by the way, I carved it on Lou's grave. Well, I don't think anyone will mind.

　I'm sure no one cares.

But ............ in exchange, I will give you the title of Baron to prove you are my son.

"........................ is low.

Don't ...... complain. Don't complain, you're the third son, you don't deserve it.

　Dad says with a frown. I couldn't help but be a little amused and laugh.

Oh, okay. Thanks, Dad.

　Baron End. It's a little awkward to say, but it's not a bad feeling.
　And what's more, no other lower-ranking vampire has ever held a title.


I need to have a little private chat with Senri. I'll be done in a minute, so wait outside.

　I wonder what it is. I'm a little curious, but if it's something I really need to know, I'm sure Senri will tell me later.
　That's how much I trust Senri.

　I nodded loudly and jumped out the window in a single breath, feeling better than when I entered.