As I thought when I was hunting the undead with Razal and the others, it seems that those who are sending the dead this time are more inclined toward the bone people. Wraiths also appeared in the latter half of the game, but their numbers were obviously different.
　But none of them are much of a hindrance to me now. I've never fought a wraith before (with the exception of Lord's Ghost, of course, but that's an exception), so I was a little nervous, but I'm learning about them too.

　The various abilities of the demonic species target living beings. I'm already dead.
　The fearsome cry of terrorizing living things doesn't disturb my spirit in the least. And the Lord's legacy can cut through ghosts as if they were real.

　I can evade a Huge Skeleton's massive attack and run up the smooth bones of its arms.
　He was already used to his ridiculous athletic ability. His opponent was strong, but his size made it difficult for him to maneuver. His massive frame is good for kicking around a lot of soldiers, but he's a target from my point of view.

　He turns his body and swings his machete with all his might. The flesh of his arm creaks, and the jet-black blade conveys a dull feeling.

　--It's hard.

　Perhaps it's tougher than human bones, but the blade swung down at his neck and stopped halfway.
　The giant boneman shakes his body and tries to shake me off.

　But it's a futile resistance. I use my claws to sharpen them, pierce the bone body, and endure. I can already use my strength as if I were breathing.

　And if you can't cut it off once, just slash it again and again.

　Pull the machete out by force and swing it over.
　The blade that he aimed and released firmly hit the Huge Skeleton in the neck - where he had pierced half of it earlier.

　A dull sound echoed, and the huge skull wrapped in armor flew through the air.

　As soon as it jumped off his shoulder, the towering behemoth collapsed. The ground shook violently, as if the weight of a bone of that size was worth it.

　Apparently, the core of the bone man is in his head.
　I think it would be better to have the nucleus on the body side, since they are moving without brains anyway, but I guess that's the way it is, since I can't move with just my body either.

　The number of bones that had been so numerous had dwindled considerably. At the site of the castle of the Demon Lord of Vanity, there are countless remains of bone people lying around.
　I've buried more than I can count, but most of them were caught in the sketchy attacks of the giant bone people.

　I think I've already killed most of the big ones.
　Keeping a watchful eye on my surroundings, I let out a small sigh and calmed my elated spirit. 　


　--That's about it.


　I had been wondering how powerful a common necromancer was, but Lord must have been a very high ranking magician.
　This time, my opponent was careless. He didn't know who I was. But if the average necromancer is this good... there's no problem.

　We can win. We can attack. We can take their knowledge, their skills, their power. There's nothing to stop Senri from defeating the necromancer.

　I frowned when I got that far into my ridiculous fantasy.





It's time to go to .............



　I've been here too long. There was no sign of the sorcerer among the undead. The necromancer was cautious, he would be watching this battle.
　We should get out of town before the main body of the necromancer arrives.

　Then we'll travel with Senri again. This time we have the Night Crystal. We won't have to worry about the hunters as much as before. We'll go and hide in a city where there's not much garlic.


　Things have been going so well lately that I've been having bad thoughts. But you have to remember that you are the hunted.


The Night Crystal is attractive to the undead. It doesn't matter how many you have on reserve. But no matter what, it's too risky when a necromancer is coming at you full force. You should consider yourself lucky this time.

　The problem is Senri. Will she accept my choice to leave the city when she knows the necromancer is there?
　Senri is on my side, but there is no doubt that she is still a demon knight at heart. If she chooses to stay, I'll have to fight for her.

　As I mindlessly swung my machete, before I knew it, there was no one moving around me.

　The ruins of the castle at night, littered with mangled bones and armor, looked like a hellish scene.
　The corpses of the undead will basically remain there unless they are cleansed by the Knight of the End. According to Razzal and the others, the city will mourn the corpses of the undead. The people of the city will be very surprised when they see this scene tomorrow.

　There will be no more attacks tonight. Regardless of the quality of the undead, they released such a large horde, and even brought out the Kuro Bones and Giant Skeletons, which are irreplaceable because they take time to mutate and require special materials. I don't want to think that this is just a small test.

　Let's get back to Senri.
　Just as I was about to turn back on my heel, a familiar voice came down to me.



I was about to turn on my heel when I heard a familiar voice.



　Your eyes widen and you reflexively raise your machete. I search my surroundings.
　I can sense the negative energy the undead are giving off. Even if it's not there, I can smell the undead.
　But I don't know why I can't catch its presence. It's partly because I've just fought a battle and the air is full of undead, but it's not mingled.


　It was the same last time. It just appeared out of nowhere.




　The cold voice was praising me, but I wasn't happy at all. Worst timing ever.


Sure, we're not fatigued, but I don't think we're quite the Lesser yet, destroying it so beautifully.

"Hiding and peeking. Bad taste.

　Sable. The demon king of the vampires, the king of the stakes. The vampire who was supposedly burned by Senri in an attempt to control me.


　I'm not sure if I'm still alive. I'm sorry to say this, but the undead are notoriously stubborn.


　Senri gave me some information on the way.

　The King of the Stakes is a sworn enemy of the Knights of the End. He's one of the most fearsome demon lords in the world, with countless armies of darkness and many former demon lords under his control.
　You can tell the power of this demon lord from the fact that he is still in power even now that there is an absolute hero called the Knights of the End. According to Senri, the battle between the Knights of the End and their king is long and has yet to be settled.

　The power of the Demise Knights is something that the dead can't resist. Even the most powerful vampires would be no match for them if they fought head-on, but I can understand why the battle has not been decided.

　The Knights of the End are vulnerable to living armies. It's a good thing that you're not the only one who has a problem with this.

　In an instant, many thoughts crossed my mind.

　Sable is strong. First of all, he has a different number of mutations than I do. He can use special vampire abilities that I can't use yet, and he probably has a lot of combat experience.
　Senri missed the shot. It's highly unlikely I'll be able to kill him. He's a true superior.

　My heart thudded hard. Cold heat rushes through my body.


　But Sable is the enemy. He planted blood in me and tried to control me. I don't like it, but I have to deal with it.
　I don't know how he came after me or why now, but it's too much. I wonder if he's the kind of person who needs to be interrupted, like he was with Lynell.


　It's not the vampire's abilities we should be worried about. It's this concealment.
　Sable is a vampire who was turned by the King of the Stakes, not the Founder. That means she doesn't have the abilities of a wraith or a dark prowler--she's probably hiding behind a different power than a shadow.

　Fortunately, my weapon is specially made. If it's designed to kill undead, it can't kill vampires. We have a chance.

　I ask cautiously.


"Why are you here?　Have you come looking for the crystals of the night?


　The reply to my question was a chuckle.
　Out of nowhere, a dark mist that even a vampire's eyes could not see gathered and took shape.

　A jet-black coat reminiscent of darkness, and skin as lifeless and white as ceramic. She has the same blood-red eyes as me, and a cold, yet somehow arrogant smile.
　The female vampire's appearance was no different from the last time I encountered her. There was no trace of the blow that Lynel had dealt her on her deathbed, no trace of Senri's Annihilation.


　He should have been right in front of me, but there was still no sign of him. Not even a scent. But it wasn't an illusion.
　It's not just a vampire's ability. It's not magic. The night crystals can't mask the smell, so it's not the crystals.


　Sable reaches out her arm. She looks just like me, but for some reason, I don't think she's the same person.



Nothing to be afraid of. Today I'm here to scout. My master has expressed an interest in you. I'd like you to come with me.

"...... I'm sorry, but I already have a wife. I appreciate the offer, but I can't go with you.


　I'm not sure if you'll be able to see the vampire in front of you?
　...... will be difficult. I'm not sure if I'm going to be able to do that.

　There are other ways to hide the crystal than the night crystal?　Unfortunately, he won't tell me even if I ask here.


　But there was something else that bothered me more.


　As I stared at him, Sable continued as if to persuade me.

"The Lord says he'd like to take you into his army, preferably as a senior officer. He's my equal, he'll get most of what he wants. If you want a human woman, you'll get one. And-- and power. You're strong, but you're not ready yet, you don't know how to use your vampire powers.

　That's a pretty good offer, but it's not worth talking about.
　I'm not going to leave my beloved Senri, and even she won't follow me to the Stake King.
　As long as Senri is against the Stake King, I'm an enemy of Sable and the others. It's called love and weakness. And I'm not ready for human society.



"What if I say no?




You're welcome.


　Sable cowered with a thin smile on her face. But he's not going to give up.

　It's a good idea to take a look at the website and see if you can find anything that might help you.
　You should drink some of Senri's nails for always listening to my selfishness.


　But that aside, I asked something that I couldn't help but wonder.


"By the way, why did you show up?

"What's ......?


　Sable gives me a quizzical look.


Let's be honest. I don't know what your logic is, but I can't read you. I don't know what your logic is, but I can't read you. If you were to surprise me, the chances of me being able to avoid you would not be very high. Why did you show yourself so openly?


　I would never do such a dangerous thing. There was no way I could have successfully negotiated with him, considering the situation when we broke up last time.

　No, I get it. I don't need to ask, I know the logic.
　I know the logic, and that's good, but ...... I can't get my emotions to agree with you when you're so open about it.


The failure of the negotiation was obvious. If you still want to take him, we'll have to take him by force. Judging by your attack on Lynell, you're not averse to a surprise attack, are you?　Why did you show up in front of me, fair and square?

"...... I understand your intentions. I'll take all your crap later. I'm sorry, but I can't keep the Lord waiting too long.


　Sable said with a hint of annoyance and pointed a finger at him. A white fingertip without a scratch. A thread of blood slowly stretches out from the nail of his right index finger and flutters through the air.

　This is the special ability of the King of Stakes. I've already seen it, so I'm not surprised. It's a delicate but terrifying power, strong enough to bind Lynel when bound. It's shapeshifting and hard to avoid.

　I gripped the machete tightly and with my left hand I removed my sunglasses and put them in my pocket. I narrowed my eyes and said clearly.







"I know, Sable. You don't have to say anything, I know. You think it's easy to pin me down. I don't think of you as the enemy.

　That's why you came at me head-on. That's why you spoke to me so calmly after what happened last time at Rynell's castle. Even though he's supposed to control it.

　It's nothing once you put it into words. It depends on whether you take it as a sign of confidence or laziness.
　But I don't know why. I'm just a little bit... bewildered.

　The opponents I've fought so far, despite their differences in strength, have all seen me as an enemy. Even Rainer, who was overwhelmingly superior to me, didn't take me lightly to this extent. I was surprised.

　Indeed, Sable is superior. He has the same traits as me, but he's superior in every way.

　But he knew that I could use some of the necromantic magic, he knew that I had a close call with Lynel, and he would have observed this fight.


　I'm sure you've observed this fight.


　Sable frowns and says in an appeasing manner.

"You can't escape. I don't want to be lumped in with the bone men you defeated.

　I didn't say anything else.

　All I could do was stall for time. Pathetically, all I could do was ask Senri to help me.
　I was dying then, but not now.

　Now I'm unharmed. My blood is strong enough and I'm not tired. Plus, I'm stronger than I was in the first place.
　My soul continues to fall. I have Senri's blood.

　I've always fought better. I've beaten every single person who's ever tried to dominate me.

　Is it because they're vampires?　Is this what you call homophobia?
　I feel a surprising surge of fighting spirit in myself. Strangely, my fangs are aching.

　No--no.

　That's when I came back to my senses.
　I take a deep breath and lick my lips.


　




　This must be-- this must be Lord's dying wish.



I haven't been getting enough exercise lately. Let's see what you're capable of as a member of the famed King of the Stakes, senior.

　I understand. I understand. I understand now. It was the perfect feeling of understanding.

　The Lord was probably going to kill the vampire.



　The reason why Holos Kamen gave you the ability to "suck" is because the person who tried to take your blood-- a vampire. No doubt about it.
　I have the Lord's obsession in my body, in my soul.

　I won't play along with the lord's obsession. But I have to fight the fire that's coming down on me.

　You can't escape it anyway. It's suicide to turn your back on a vampire who can control blood.

　We have the same goal this time. It's not a lie that I wanted to see the power of vampires.


　We have a chance.


I'm sure Senri would appreciate it if I tied you up and took you with me.

"You're too foolish to fall in love with a demise knight.

　The blood that had been thread-like gathered to form a red sword.