As I could see from the top of the door, the underground area was surprisingly large and intricate. Numerous passageways connected to the wide cavern.

　The golems seemed to still be there. Footsteps could be heard, but the sound reverberated in the air, making it difficult to determine their direction.

　The intense pain that had been running through my entire body had subsided somewhat as I fell into the darkness. Perhaps the darkness had increased my strength. This pain is probably the result of a tug-of-war between me and Sable.

　I was still too weak to move, but I couldn't stay down.
　Senri was calm even in this desperate situation. I'm not going to let you get away with this.

　Senri's skin glowed faintly. It's a quiet glow with no heat. She was wearing clothes that didn't show much skin, so the light was minimal, but I wondered if she would be glowing from head to toe if she took off her clothes.
　I wonder if Senri noticed my gaze and said in a hushed voice.

The oxygen in the basement is ...... thin. The end may be fine, but I'm replacing it with a blessing.

　That's what I call an anti-undead specialist. You think of things I don't even notice.
　I was impressed, but then I asked her what she was most concerned about.

"............ will it melt if I touch it?

"...... is trying not to melt. But you can't touch it.

　It won't melt but you can't touch it? ......I see. .......
　I nodded my head in agreement, but in the darkness I saw Senri frown.

"End, you're ...... too curious.

　I want to touch it. ...... Next time I get blood, I'll make sure it glows. Switch heads.

If the golem isn't old, that means someone's been in and out of here.

　How hard can it be to manufacture a golem?
　That will determine the strength of the opponent, but if it's as good as the one that showed up this time, it's manageable.

　In the first place, when a trap is set, it can be expected that there is some kind of conspiracy. The only question is who that person is.

　According to Senri, the mayor was just a man. It was daytime when Senri was summoned, and now Senri has the existence of nighttime crystals in mind, so I don't think there is any mistake in his judgment.
　However, this underground palace - a labyrinth-like space - is too inconvenient for humans to operate. And in fact, there is no human scent coming from underground, except for Senri's.

　It seems to be a complicated situation.

　Looking down at the golem, Senri tells me something I don't know enough about.

There is very little ...... of the demon steel that absorbs power and cuts through it, at least at the moment. It's only partially used, but it's been a while since I've seen it.

The undead that Horos controlled didn't have it, either, by the way.

　A metal that swallows blessings is a horrible thing, and if I had one, I would have used it. Apparently it's too rare.
　And how powerful could the master of this labyrinth be to deploy it even on golems that were not that strong?

　Then, Senri added. He points to the Blood Ruler I hold in my hand and says.

End, your machete is made of a small amount of demon steel and adamant steel. That's why it can cut through evil spirits and won't falter against holy silver weapons.

So it's a good weapon?

It's also cursed from above. Probably no mere mortal can handle it.

　Now that I think about it, this machete is quite sturdy.
　I've acquired many things, but the only thing that's still intact after going through the fierce battles with Arbatos and Lynel is my body and this machete.
　As expected of a weapon prepared for me by Lord. I'll treasure it.

　As I stopped speaking, Senri took a deep breath and closed his eyes. And I couldn't help but open my eyes.

　The light from her silver hair spread like a veil. It's a pale light that I probably wouldn't have noticed if there was any light at all outside. I could barely make it out because of the sheer darkness.
　The light was undoubtedly from a blessing that the undead hate, but it didn't hurt or shock me when it touched me.

　I could hear my heartbeat, my pulse. Senri opened his eyes and said in a quiet voice. His breathing is labored to the point where you can't notice it unless you're paying attention.

The terrain is quite complex. There are quite a few golems. This is ...... nasty.

　I see. ...... So that's what Senri's perception is. You'll be able to find a lot more than just a few.
　And if you look closely, you can see that the light is only diffused around the machete in his hand.

　Senri's words were weaker than ever.
　He hadn't changed his demeanor even when he was seriously injured in the battle with Arbatross, so perhaps this was a sign of trust?

　The pain that had been tormenting my whole body eases a little. My spirits lifted.
　The darkness is my domain. I don't need to tell you that I have the ability to apply the Blessing, but I don't stand a chance against a monster that targets a former Knight of the End.

　Senri took a cautious step forward.
　I reached out my arm and poked its shiny neck with my fingertips. Unusually, the little back of Senri's head quivered, and he turned to look at me. She looks at me as if she's accusing me of mischief.

"...... what?



Trick floor. There's something here.

What is it?

　I see it. I see it. I feel like I'm on another stage.
　Or maybe I'm just getting used to being a vampire again.

　I crawl, lowering myself to the ground. The carefully carved floor. The smell. The colors.
　The darkness was on my side.

"The colors are ...... different. Senri, you're not seeing.

　I can see the world in any darkness as if it were daylight. Even colors are easy to distinguish.
　But perhaps Senri's eyes can't see that well. She only knows what's going on around her with the help of her blessing.
　The power of the Knights of the End is a formidable thing, but it is not universal. That's why I didn't notice the door under the box until the mayor told me. Well, I didn't notice it either. .......

　I see a large hall. I could clearly see that some parts of the floor were a different color.
　It was also slightly uneven. Probably a switch.

This is a trap to kill the ...... demise knight.

　The light of perception from Senri's blessing had some turbulence here and there. The light from Senri's blessing showed some disturbance here and there. The weapons I carry and the demon steel mixed in with the remains of the fallen golems are disrupting my perception.
　The switches on the ground are probably made of the same metal. I crawled closer to the switch and gently pressed it with my hand.

　The switch moves slightly. There is a sharp sound, and an arrow flies out of nowhere. Just as it was about to pass over my head, I reached out and forcibly grabbed it.

　The arrowhead is made of demon steel. If you ask me, the luster looks a little like my machete.

　I looked at the strange smelling arrowhead and carefully touched it with my tongue.
　The taste buds of a lowly vampire mutated from a corpse are quite tolerant. I feel a pleasant tingling sensation. I snap the arrow in half and tuck it into my pocket.

　I say, trying to blow the gloom away.

"Poison. The demon knight is too strong, so the countermeasure is stronger. It's annoying to me, because I'm so weak.

"End, don't pick at it. That's what makes you sick to your stomach.

What?　It's because Senri doesn't give me enough blood.

Your ............ meals are too long.



§§




　The labyrinth was designed in such a way that Senri scowled.
　True darkness without a single light. Hardly any air, and the demon steel that prevented blessed perception. And the golem that attacked in the darkness.
　A mass of malevolence that an ordinary mercenary would have difficulty even resisting properly.

　I'm not sure what to make of this.

　The ingenuity of my seniors left me in awe. I see. ............ So if you build a castle like this, you can protect yourself from the demise knights.
　But when I build a castle, I'll take more precautions. I'm going to have to take more precautions when I build a castle, so that I can fight off a pair of vampires and a demise knight.

　The underground labyrinth consisted of numerous passageways, rooms, and doors.
　Thick metal doors exist not only in front of the rooms, but also in the middle of the passages, blocking the steps of intruders. They were not locked, so they were probably intended to increase the blind spot for ambushes.

　The vampire curse is unique. I don't enter other people's houses unless I have permission.

　One of the criteria for that separation is the door.

　Now that I think about it, perhaps the reason I was able to enter the door to the underground space was because the owner of this underground palace had invited me.

　The doors of the labyrinth have made me feel very uncomfortable to enter. As a lowly vampire, the door had little effect on me, but without Senri, I would have been greatly exhausted.

　But Senri had taken care of all that.
　I opened the door, made sure it was safe inside, and Senri invited me in.

"Come in, End.

　Curses are truly mysterious. For example, I lose almost all of my vampiric powers when I pass over flowing water, but hot water only weakens me.
　Perhaps it is better not to think too much logically.

　The pain that was eating away at my soul had turned into something with a fever. My head felt dizzy, as if I had caught a cold in the past.

Thank you. I'm sorry it took so long.

"...... Don't worry about it. End, you've been helpful.



　Senri is so kind. The fact that she's counting on me inspires me.
　I use the machete to cut the golem in half as it falls from the ceiling. The golems, who were startled at first, are defeated like drudgery.

　I wonder if Razzal and the others have retreated properly. .......

　The underground labyrinth is so intricate that it's hard to tell what's going on, but the destination is steadily approaching.
　I'm not sure what to do, but I'm going to do it.


I can feel it. I'm almost there. ...... There's a hint of an oversized night crystal.