Bloodsucking is an ability, like the claws and fangs of ghouls.

　The Lesser Vampire does not have the ability to make vampires powerful demons, but "bloodsucking" is one of the few abilities that can be used by the Lesser Vampire.

　I can smell it. It smells so sweet it makes you swoon.

　Vampires suck blood, but not just any human blood.
　They know when blood is good or bad. I guess that is one of the abilities of vampires. If you get used to it, you may even be able to tell the state of your health.
　In fact, since I have acquired five senses, I can vaguely sense the emotions of others from their smells. It's quite possible.

　The situation is bad. I had to leave the company because of Oliver.
　But it's not the worst, by any means.

　The worst that can happen is that the Sentry dumps me and I have to fight him. I still have my life by the skin of my neck.

　Oliver falling flat was completely unexpected. Even if Arbatos, a girl, had pushed me that hard, why would he think that Oliver, who was much older than him and a grown man, would give in just by showing up?

　Because of him, I've become an enemy of the company.

　I knew about how werewolves were created, but perhaps the meaning behind it was even heavier than I thought.
　It is also possible that the impression I had of vampires was naive.

　The monster that tore through the mercenary like a piece of paper probably only fears more monsters.

　Oliver was completely deflated. His wire-like hair and swollen body shrunk, his ears twitching as he watched my every move.
　The current Oliver would be able to kill me easily.

　There was a demon in front of me. A demon in the form of a woman.
　A black costume that hid only her parts and large wings that sprouted from her back. Twisted horns on its head.
　Her figure is more uneven than Senri's. If I were a mere mortal, I would have looked at her eyes wide open.

　But what I see is not appearance, but blood.
　The companion Oliver had called me - a demon who seemed to be named Monica Urzbia - had a strong sweet smell, like rotting fruit.
　I didn't detect it when I was in human form, but apparently the smell changes when you turn into a person.

　Monica's reaction to seeing me was quite close to Oliver's. And when she heard from Oliver that I was the Founder, her expression became even more twisted with astonishment.

　During this trip, Senri had been telling me about the undead, but it seemed that he had mixed his own subjectivity into the information. Well, the sense of the Knights of the End, who continue to pursue vampires and ancestors, must be quite different from the general public.

I'm not sure what to say.　It's impossible. ...... Why are we here?

I thought so too. I didn't expect to find anyone here to interfere with me.

What?

　A demon is a monster that often appears in myths and fairy tales. Unlike vampires, they are the enemies of God who corrupt and hunt people.
　They are generally more powerful than humans, and are said to control a number of evil magics, and to be behind great wars and terrible events.

　I don't know its fighting skills. Of course, I've never met one before.
　But if Monica's main attack is magic, I think I'll have an advantage. The look on Monica's face wasn't as terrifying as Oliver's, but it was a glimpse of awe.

　In general, I'm probably stronger than you.

　Monica was a wreck. But the fact that she was only that bad after the fight with Senri showed that she had done pretty well.

　Should I kill her?　No need to think about it, I should. Monica and Oliver are not my enemies, but they are Senri's. And being Senri's enemy is the same as being my enemy.

　I've left the company, but I've done my best to reduce the possibility of any suspicion being cast on Senri.
　Considering Senri's personality, there was little chance that he would come after me, but I couldn't join him that easily either.

　I also have a grudge for killing the mercenaries who gave me beef jerky.
　I can kill them now. I can snuff out Monica and gouge out Oliver's heart, who is too traumatized to use his full strength.

　Monica, sensing my emotional turmoil, steps back. Oliver is shaking pathetically.

　But at the same time - I'm not sure what to make of that.

　I'm a monster. I have no intention of betraying Senri, but the undead are more on Oliver's side.

　And although I have extrahuman powers, I am very weak in the light of the ...... sun.

　I need a base. There's no way to get into lomburg.
　We're on the front lines with the Mad King. We'll have to be prepared for vampires. We could have gone in as puppies, but word will spread quickly that there are vampires who can transform into lovely white puppies with long, bushy hair.

　We have to decide. Before the night is out.
　Kill them if you must, use them if you must. Of course, if you're going to live, you're going to kill, but if you're going to survive, which way should you go?

　The cloak I took from my random luggage on the way out does not fit me well. He had no weapon.

　Monica says, kneeling there, like a knight kneeling before a king. Her wings are closed, and her voice is dignified, if a little shaky.

I'm sorry, my king. I didn't know the king was mixed up with the caravan. ...... Please allow me to apologize. And ...... from here on out--across the Rhomburg--is the territory of our Lord, Lord Rainer. It's a place where no one is supposed to go, but I'd like to invite you in, as well as apologize.



　What?　You're inviting me?　I'm still in the lower ranks, is that okay?
　I'm worried about Lomburg, but he's the so called Demon Lord. It's best not to antagonize him if we want to survive.

　I'm worried about leaving Senri's side for a long time, but I believe in her. I'm sure she'll believe in me too.

We may be at war, but our victory is already secure. There is no Night King among our allies, and I'm sure Lord Rynell will be pleased.

"Can I have some ............ blood?

Of course I will!　I'm ready for a hundred, two hundred!　We have plenty of prisoners!　There are plenty of prisoners to go around! I will give as much as I can for the king!

　At my question, Oliver jumped up, drooling from the corner of his mouth as he approached me. The hot exhalation and strong animal smell.
　He opened his mouth as if he were going to bite my head off, and I could see his tongue like a flame.

　I don't need a hundred or two hundred.

"I'm a gourmet, Oliver. I'm a gourmet, Oliver. I could have had some great blood. The price is high.

"......, I'm sure you'll be pleased to hear.

　But you're a prisoner of war.　POWs usually look like they've had it rough.
　First of all, you can't be undernourished. You can't be stressed out. You have to be a girl. They have to be innocent. They have to be young. Better if she's a Knight of the End.
　I don't think there's blood as high quality as Senri's.

　I licked my lips. I got the blood from Senri a few days ago.

"Well, let's get Monica's blood for starters. I've never drunk demon blood before.

"What?　

　At my words, Monica, who had been on her knees until then, opened her eyes, let out a small scream, and shuddered.

　The smell of Monica is just so sweet. It smells like overripe rotten fruit, like the smell of Senri's blood boiled down a hundredfold.
　But I suppose there's nothing I can't suck on. I'm a vampire, after all, and I don't think I'll get sick to my stomach, let alone taste it.

　Monica replies in a shuddering voice.

I don't think that's possible. ...... I'm not human. I am a demon. The blood in my body is cursed in a different way than the king's.

　Apparently, it's impossible for a vampire to suck the blood of a demon. Maybe that's why I smell so rotten.
　But I narrowed my eyes.

"Cursed ......?　I love it. My power as an Ancestor is more in the ...... direction, so it doesn't matter if I'm cursed. There's no garlic in the blood, is there?

I'm sorry, but I can't help it.

　Monica bows her head so far that it touches the ground. Apparently, it's quite disgusting.
　Well, ordinary vampires are said to kill people by sucking their blood, so that reaction is understandable.

　Senri said that he didn't know what would happen if the curse was multiplied, so let's give him a break for now.

　This is a risky choice. But it seems that Monica and Oliver don't doubt the possibility that I really was Senri's dog. If I play my cards right, I should be able to get away with it.
　I nodded, conscious of my kingly gesture.

"Well, that's fine. I don't want to antagonize the Demon Lord either. I'll let you show me around before night falls.