Chapter 236
Chapter 236. Encounter with the Known
Hello, it’s Zilbagias, having successfully arrived in Evaroti after a flight lasting several hours.
“Hey, Zil-kun! The city is so far away!”
“Yeah.”
“Hey, Zil-kun! The starlit sky is beautiful!”
“True.”
“Flying in the sky feels amazing!”
“Indeed.”
…With Enma sticking to my back. Without the warmth of Liliana in my arms and the emotional connection with Leila, it would have been tough.
In contrast, Enma was in high spirits, and the daily Evaroti through Claire had also given the green light. This way, if anything went wrong while I was at the Demon Lord Castle, they could rush over in a few hours—maybe. It’s good to have a backup plan.
Now I just pray that backup doesn’t end up being useless.
Since there’s no fancy dragon landing pad at Evaroti Castle, we just landed straight in the training grounds. Local Night Elf Soldiers welcomed us.
“Welcome, Your Highness.”
“We will guide you to your room right away.”
“Very well. Also, call in the important officials.”
Since Claire needs to be in a position to gather information, I’ve got to show my face to the bureaucrats.
Despite the long-distance flight, Leila showed almost no signs of fatigue as she changed into a sundress and stretched with a satisfied “Umm.”
It’s easier to change in and out of than a maid outfit, so she often dresses like this while traveling. Liliana was also looking around and curiously sniffing the wildflowers sprouting in the corner of the training ground, asking, “Where is this place?”
Now that I’ve brought Liliana along, maybe I’ll help treat the injured once the night is over… of course, after Enma leaves.
“Wow, that was quick. Dragons are awesome!”
Even after landing, Enma continued to cling to me, beaming.
“Was that your first time?”
“Yep! I never had the chance before. But wow, is this Evaroti? Before I switch with Claire, I think I’ll do a bit more sightseeing!”
Don’t mess with me… don’t you dare smile with Claire’s face, I’ll destroy you.
‘Really, her expression is just Enma’s… They say the expressions are prepared in advance, but it looks like it’s rooted in her soul.’
While I was suppressing my anger, Antendeixis was completely calm. I needed to cool my head a bit.
“By the way, is Claire still in a dreamy state?”
“Yeah, that’s right.”
“Oh… I wonder what kind of dream she’s having.”
Does Enma have the means to read Claire’s thoughts?
“I don’t know! She’s sunk into my consciousness right now, so I can’t see anything. I might be able to tell her expression if I pulled her soul out.”
“Oh…”
Antendeixis could read my emotions and thoughts like a book, though.
‘That’s because I’ve poured a vast amount of power into your soul, creating a space inside. From within, I can read your emotions and thoughts like an open book. However, Enma is sitting on Claire’s soul, so she can’t read the finer thoughts… but she might at least see rough emotions. Stay alert.’
Don’t worry; I’ve never let my guard down with this one.
“I see.”
While we exchanged these words, I was heading towards my room in Evaroti Castle (the former residence of Osshimaier XIII) when—
“Oh, Your Highness.”
I encountered a beautiful woman in a dress. The vampire noble Yavka elegantly curtsied and said, “It’s been a while.”
“Yeah, it has.”
I nodded casually and returned the greeting.
“Is there any problem?”
But Yavka flinched for some reason at my next words.
“…Has something happened?”
“No! …Nothing has happened yet.”
Yet…?
Yavka was starting to sweat coldly as she looked at me, furrowing my brow.
“Well… there’s a chance that the existence of the vampire race has been revealed…”
“Huh? Who’s the fool that messed that up?”
“That would be me…”
Huh…? I was left speechless by the small Yavka.
“B-but! I covered it up by saying it was a dream, so it should be fine. I think it’s going to be okay. And if it’s not, I’ll just give up…”
She let out a half-hearted resignation as if to say she would offer up her head or heart.
Well… it’s only been about a week since the autonomous district started. I thought it was bound to be discovered eventually, but isn’t this way too soon…?
“Well, let’s see… just because it’s been discovered, I won’t punish anyone. The important thing is that no one from our district has died. I won’t take action against minor bloodsucking unless it gets reported.”
If the district residents recognize the threat of vampires and grow wary, making bloodsucking more difficult, I won’t interfere with that, but if troubles arise resulting in casualties, I will be angry…
“Puhahaha, this is why amateurs are…”
As I was thinking, the undead next to me piped up. Enma was wearing Claire’s face and grinning wickedly.
“Honestly, don’t you think having people like this around is unnecessary?”
Yavka glared at Enma, who had her hood pulled down deeply. She made a small snort, as if sensing the stench of death.
“Vampires living in a human city is just asking for trouble—”
I knocked Enma on the head, silencing her.
“…Your Highness, who is that?”
“I’m Claire, who will be stationed in Evaroti as the representative of the undead.”
I emphasized her name and introduced her. Don’t forget, you’re ‘Claire.’ Don’t cause unnecessary friction with your words and actions; it’s Claire who will struggle!
“…”
Did my feelings get through to her? Enma fell silent.
“It’s probably impossible to get along, so let’s both just stay uninvolved. I’m not interested in petty squabbles.”
With a wry smile, I glanced between Yavka and Enma and tightened my expression.
“—Don’t let me down.”
If you use the autonomous district as an excuse for a nasty fight…
I’ll drag you into the light of day, you enemies of humanity…!
“Yes.”
“Never.”
Both Enma and Yavka nodded earnestly. Good.
Thus, I parted with Yavka. I wonder what kind of blunder she made that her identity is at risk? Isn’t she at least a viscount? Did she forget to cast a sleep spell or something?
Also… speaking of hiding identities.
“Hey, Enma.”
“Yeah, what is it?”
“There are a lot of dog beastmen here, but can you really disguise yourself as a human?”
Will the stench of death give her away?
“…………”
Enma’s expression grew stiff. It was a long, drawn-out silence for her.
“Well… it’s like, you know. I can blend in like a gravekeeper or something similar.”
What the hell, you’re just as bad!!!
