Master’s Smile

C131 – Mel

Uwaah…. The fog is really thick.

I had thought the same thing when I came to the vampire territory before, but this fog is so thick that I can’t even see out of the corner of my eye.

I don’t even know where I’m going like this.

I guess that’s what the vampire’s goal was.

“Wapuh…. Goodness gracious! Is there a need to have this much fog!? It’s so irksome!”

The vampire, Vampir, was also exasperated while clearing the fog away.

This fog might mean nothing for the vampires living here, but for the ones who come from outside, it must be irritating.

“We should be there in a few minutes.”

Vampir, who had grown weary of dispelling the fog, said so while burying her face in my chest.

…She’s still quite nimble even while we’re on top of a horse like this, huh.

The fog gradually clears as our horse moves forward.

Although it’s not completely gone yet, as some are still lingering around, it doesn’t obscure the view ahead anymore.

And after riding for a while, a large gate could be seen right in front of us.

On either side of the gate, stood two armed soldiers.

The vampire territory, much like the kingdom and other human nations, had also built gates for inspection.

“Halt.”

I stopped my horse and obeyed the soldier’s words.

I’m not here to do a raid, you see.

The soldiers then approached me and looked at me suspiciously.

Their red eyes proved that they are vampires.

“…Human? Why is there a human in vampire territory?”

“Are you a vampire hunter?”

I smiled wryly and denied the soldiers’ words.

Vampire hunters are special adventurers who specialize in killing vampires.

There are adventurers who have such a special vocation for defeating vampires, which are extremely powerful monsters.

Of course, there are some hunters who can exert their power over vampires, but not one of them would think to break through the vampires’ base.

“Then what are you? Are you coming here to be my food instead?”

“Hahahaha!! I like that!”

I told them that I’m not a vampire hunter, and now they scoffed at me like I was a fool.

Hmm…. Certainly, a human coming to a place like this is nothing more than a suicidal maniac.

When I was convinced by my own thoughts….

“Ara? What seems to be funny?”

Such a penetrating cold voice echoed around my chest.

I looked down and saw Vampir looking at them with a gentle smile.

No, it seems I was mistaken in thinking it was a terrifying voice, seeing that she has a gentle smile on her face.

…For some reason, the soldiers are getting paler, though.

They were already pale to begin with, but this just made them lose more color.

“V-V-V-Vampir…-sama…!?”

“F-F-F-F-For what reason have you come here…!?”

“Ara? Am I not allowed to come back?”

“No! There’s no such thing!!”

The soldiers are trembling while looking at Vampir.

…You, what kind of character do you go by around here?

I can’t help but pull my face as it’s the exact opposite reaction compared to when I was with Ritter

“And? Do you have any business with my food (important person)?”

“S-So it’s Vampir-sama’s food, I see! P-Pardon my rudeness!”

The soldiers bowed deeply to Vampir.

…I guess there’s no apology for me. Well, seeing that I’m considered as a food, there can’t be one in the first place, huh?

Though, it’s not wrong to say that I am indeed…Vampir’s food.

“Now, could you open the gate at once? I’m going to be late for the assembly.”

“Y-Yes! Right away!!”

The soldiers rushed to the side of the heavy-looking gate and quickly opened it.

I then moved my horse forward.

“Forgive me, Master”

After advancing for a while, Vampir finally spoke to me.

“I will take full responsibility for those undesirables over there.”

Eh? Ah, no, that’s fine.

It’s disturbing to see Vampir with no light in her eyes as she says something like she would get rid of them.

Especially since I don’t want to have you experience something bad.

“Muuuu, but I’m not convinceeed!!!”

Vampir grew restive, flailing her arms and legs.

Don’t go wild while we’re on a horse, okay? You might fall later.

Well, I’m glad that she’s angry for my sake.

I patted Vampir, who was pouting her cheeks in anger, to soothe her, and looked ahead.

If I follow my old memories, I think we should be getting there soon….

“Ah, we have arrived.”

And just as I remembered, we soon reached the city of the vampire territory.

It’s a city with faint fog surrounding it, and a series of tall tower-like buildings.

It was a sight not often seen in the kingdom.

The ground is also paved with cobblestones, and the sound of our horse’s footsteps can be heard clearly.

“Sigh…. The city is still as deserted as ever and the fog is really bothersome as well.”

Vampir said so, but I don’t think it will clear up at all.

Because the fog here serves to reduce the power of the sunlight.

A vampire as powerful as Vampir can handle the sunlight to some extent, but ordinary vampires will simply be extinguished if exposed to it.

The fog may be annoying to me and Vampir, but to the vampires living in this city, it’s something that protects their lives.

…In any case, the people…rather, the vampires walking around the city are quite few, no?

“Indeed, it wasn’t a prosperous town to begin with, but would it have been this deserted?”

Vampir, who has visited here more often than I have, also wonders.

Hmm…. Perhaps, there’s something wrong…?

“That’s because of the “Assembly of True Ancestors”.’

As Vampir and I still pondered, a mostly monotone voice could suddenly be heard.

Ooh, it’s been a long time since I heard this voice.

I turned around with a deep smile on my face.

“It’s been a long time, Vampir-sama…and also, Master-sama.”

Ahead of me was a petite girl in a maid outfit, bowing deeply.

Yeah, it’s been a long time, Mel.

“Yes.”

When I answered, she gave me a faint smile.