Vol 2 Chapter 5 (2/2)
“Like Selim?”
<yes! inally=”” just=”” a=”” vampire=”” shaped=”” like=”” an=”” ordinary=”” flower=”” but=”” she=”” slowly=”” changed=”” her=”” forirl!=””>
The moment Professor finished her sentence, Val leapt off his seat and ran for the door
“U today, Doctor! Professor!”
And without even waiting for an answer, he opened the door and sprinted away
Although Doctor and Professor had no idea what kind of an expression Val earing, they could see that he was now motivated to move forward
Watching Val leave, Doctor grumbled to himself
“My word And without even taking the tinosis”
<it’s so=”” wonderful=”” that=”” he’s=”” all=”” energetic=”” again!=””>
In contrast to Doctor’s sullen tone, Professor sounded nothing short of ecstatic
Listening to Professor’s cheerful voice, Doctor put his lips to the cup of tea on his desk He downed the tepid drink in one go, and said to hi to tell Valdred
“Young man you are more special than you realize”
Doctor, a vaht eternity, sounded truly concerned for the boy’s future
“You will only be able to die when you desire death, and have evolved your body to be capable of such a thing In other words, until that time comes, you will never die After all, no one yet kno to destroy a soul”
And he added, in an incredibly envious tone:
“If Young Relic is a ‘standard’ created by the combination of countless vampiric traits--a Relict--then Val, you are an ‘invincible’ After all, you are not even a vampire”
<-ctor? doctor?=”” doctor?=””>
“What is it?”
<you’ve been=”” talking=”” to=”” yourself=”” for=”” a=”” while=”” now=”” is=”” everything=”” okay?=””>
“Oh Yes I’m fine”
Doctor smiled aardly and chuckled
“I was saying because we vampires are so difficult to kill, we fear death even more than humans do”
<=>
Waldstein Castle, residential area Parlor
[Yes! We vas, but we are at the same time possessed of many weaknesses! That is why, in the distant past, I joined a co varanted the honor of acting as chairs But alas, duty called me back to my homeland of Growerth, for I was tasked with the responsibility of officially succeeding , ‘Which do you value more, your friends, or your people?’, I answered that I valued both, but that I trustedin their power to anization, and]
“I don’t reive me a history lesson, Count” Watt said with a wave of the hand, slouching on the parlor sofa His feet were on the marble coffee table, shoes and all, and he stubbornly carried hi room
The fe, her head bowed as she shrank into the sofa with an obvious look of fear
[Ah, but was it not you who asked to hear about the Organization’s exploits? If you are here in the role of the en ht of your responsibilities]
“shi+t How am I supposed to act all well-behaved when I’ in an acid bath? What’s with all the lecturing, Count?”
[I am a viscount, Mayor]
At the center of the parlor were Watt, his secretary, and the tre pool of blood But they were not the only ones in the room
Fourin one corner of the roo hi And in the shadows of the pillars of the large parlor were the castle’s olves, already in wolf-for by to react to any hostility
“This welco waruy who’s supposed to be Growerth’sall chicken-shi+t in front of a no-good petty villain, anyway?”
[I assure you, I insisted that I would not need their protection for today’sBut it seeuarded around you If you turn this around, of course, that would ree to which they fear your power Is it not so of which you can be proud? But it is indeed true that this is no atentlemen’s conversation I shall have them clear the parlor]
After the long-winded speech, the viscount nal the maids and the olves to leave But Watt stopped him
“Neverlike this We’ve coht as well let all of you hear why I asked ‘bout the Organization” Watt said brusquely, taking out a crumpled piece of paper from his suit pocket
It was the short letter that Melhilm had sent him the other day
When the viscount finished reading the letter, his entire body shook in waves as it drew excited letters in the air
[My word! To think that Melhilm had survived!]
“You look happy”
[Is there a reason as to why I shouldn’t be? Ah, so Miss shi+zune hadn’t devoured him whole after all! To think that my old friend was still alive I foresee a wonderful Carnale Festival this year Ah, yes]
“Why don’tcha go learn to read properly and co the table
The teacups teetered over and fell Tea spilled onto the table But the viscount, seely unconcerned, calmly wrote out another series of words for Watt
[But is it not true that you and Miss shi+zune are guilty of having attempted to murder him? I oes around comes around Or perhaps you could call it karma]
“”
[And of course, if I were to find that one soin my power to stop him And should he make an attempt at Relic, then I would also plainly refuse him]
Though the viscount’s stateful answer Watt, clearly tired of trying to nitpick at every one of the viscount’s tangents, changed the subject
“As if I’d want help froonna put Melhilet in my way”
[Though I would like to point out the nonsensicality of asking a man to stand by idly as his friend isout your plan will only lead to your perainst yourself]
Watt laughed defiantly
“Well, then? I say bring it on! That’s why I’ you for information in the first place”
[I fear youof the word ‘beg’, Mayor]
Each time Watt stepped across the line of forrew colder, his secretary would tremble even more The viscount, alone free from this cycle, tried to continue his conversation with Watt without caring for the reactions of those around him
[Ah, in any event, as I anization now In fact, in more recent years, I’ve had no contact whatsoever with their ize! I’ve forgotten that I frequently play side Garde the Black as party members Garde slipped my mind, as this friend of anization’san officer]
“Never heard of him”
[H, the Black Gravekeeper? The dark destroyer who ravenously devours corpses of all affiliations at the front lines of every war and conflict, feared even by fellow vampires?]
“How am I supposed to know? And what kinda superhero name is that, anyway? Or is this buddy of yours tryin’ to become a professional wrestler in A?” Watt said, astonished The viscount looked troubled by his attitude
[Ah, so I see you have knowledge of but a few of the Organization’s officers Hanization bestows upon each officer a moniker connected to a color For instance, I was once known to them as Gerhardt the Redblood]
“Full points for creativity”
[Ah, you do not find it a particularly likable name, then? Personally, I’ent from a japanese cartoon]
Watt ignored the viscount’s coet the conversation back on track Although the viscount was not particularly intimidated by this act, he nonetheless continued to discuss the other officers of the Organization
[I suppose I should begin with the one I presuanization, Caldiestone the Yellow, Ishi+bashi+ the Indigo and outside of Rainboe have Rude the Gold, Mars the Silver, Yamada the Pearl]
The viscount listed off the nah and changed to aWatt a piece of advice
[I will cite the officer Sigmund the Green as one reason why it is in your best interests to at least reanization]
“Who’s that?”
[Ah, listen well, Mayor This vampire is one that you, as mayor, should never hope to face as an enemy This is because--]
<=>
[-My sincerest apologies, but as today is the first day of the Carnale Festival, I uests today]
After a discussion of the officers of the Organization, and granting official per the festival, the viscount apologetically ended the conversation
[As a citizen under your care, Mayor, I wish great success upon this year’s Carnale Festival]
“If you’ve got ti wishes, why don’tcha try and lend us a hand like the other hardworking citizens here?” Watt said, getting off his seat and leaving the parlor, e down on the carpet
When he opened the parlor door, he saw a girl standing before him
‘Ferret? That’s not right’
She was a total stranger
The skinny girl, dressed in huhtly towards hih in his place
Watt left the roo behind hiet the better of the viscount next time
<=>
‘It’ continued to encroach upon the island in total silence
Over great distances, spreading out thin
As far as its hands could reach
Little by little--
<=>
“fucking Count Slithering around without a fucking clue ‘bout how good he has it” Watt spat anxiously as he descended the hill He had elected to take the back door out the castle and down the deserted hill in order to avoid showing his anxiety to the cameras camped in the courtyard
Suddenly, his secretary’s cell phone rang
“hello? Yes Yes Oh”
Ignoring the secretary, Watt continued walking down the path alone She was probably discussing so cerein in several hours’ time
However, from the tone of her voice, Watt soon realized that her conversation was much more serious than he initially believed
“What’s wrong” He asked, stopping in place and turning towards her
The secretary hung up and reported the contents of her conversation with a mystified look
“I’ve been told that the incident at the harbor has left soreat deal of infor around at theas usual in the harbor”
“Tch So we still haven’t caught the son of a bitch who decided to go rabid on us”
“Also, sir City Hall received a strange phone call asking for you” The secretary said, looking even more bemused Watt impatiently raised his voice
“I’ll decide if it was strange or not Tell me what it was about”
“Oh! Yes, sir The phone call was froott left acare of a friend of the mayor, badly injured Please send help’”
A ott Watt frowned at the mention of both The dojo was a municipal facility where students learned ott was, essentially, the master of the dojo He was a skilled warrior who had participated in many international competitions, and he had been awarded honorary citizenshi+p at Neuberg several years ago Watt remembered clearly because he had been the one to award it to the man It was also rumored that he had entered the tournament that had taken place at Waldstein Castle last year, not budging an inch in the face of his vampire opponents
“Ol’ Traugott said that? A friend of mine?”
“I’ve been told that her name was Kijima shi+zune”
‘So it was shi+zune, huh’
The pieces fell into place
‘Ha And I was so sure she was sticking to hoet it now Other than the count, there aren’t many people on Growerth who know japanese’
Ignoring the fact that he himself was one such person, Watt continued to reason out shi+zune’s situation
‘Yeah There’s japanese people attending that dojo, and Tarugott’s trained in China and japan Makes sense So what, has he been feeding her all this time?’
But that was not the problerievously enough that Traugott took the tiive him a phone call--meant that she was likely in critical condition
That led Watt to a single answer
“So you made it in time for the festival Eh, Melhilm?”
He did not care an ounce for the fact that shi+zune--the strongest of the cards in his hand--had been incapacitated
Watt grinned htly into fists
As though he was excited for the prospect of facing this powerful new threat
However, Watt never realized that far overhead, over the mountain path at the back of the castle, a flock of bats were in flight
The bats glanced at Watt, but ignored him and fleards Waldstein Castle
The bats had human eyes
<=>
Underground, Waldstein Castle The Execution Area
He re The beautiful vampire as once a flower
Wanting to see her once reeted by a somewhat different Selim
She had minimized the size of the flower and vines that rapped up around her lower body She was reading a book, leaning against the guillotine
Despite the great difference in scale froht to behold--as least, this was Val’s honest opinion
In a corner was a pile of vahtly cutting down the pristine beauty of the scene But Val decided to pretend he hadn’t noticed them
His ad the great flower and the vines, but he thought that even the girl that made up her upper body was quite lovely Of course, this particular opinion was likely from the character of another vampire that had been injected into him
Although his current form was just an illusion, Doctor and Professor had told hinificance
‘Then what in the world am I?’
Wanting to find answers to his question, Val decided that his first course of action should be to ask for the story of the girl who had changed herself from flower to human
But how should he ask her?
If he were to come out and directly ask her ‘Why did you decide to look like a hus in one way or another He stood there, rooted to the spot, unable to think of any sensitive way to parse the question
In the meantime, Selim seemed to have noticed his presence She put down her book and flashed hientle smile
“Uh”
Noould be even harder for him to ask such a personal question
‘If only I were someone really brave So’
Selim watched as the boy before her underwent an incredible transformation
Val’s body stretched vertically His boyish face grew sharper, and a pair of sunglasses popped up over his eyes Even his clothing changed--he earing a skull-print T-shi+rt and a leather jacket
It was an unfamiliar face to Seliest, most brazen person he knew--Watt Stalf
“Hey Let’s talk”
His attitude did a 180 as he strode towards Seli someone else’s character at a tiot to his quest to find himself, he did not seem to care at the moment After all, even his character had become close to that of Watt
“Oh, yes?”
“Don’t get scared You know I can transforht?”
“Um Yes”
Selihtly confused Val approached her and put an aruillotine she had been leaning on, he found, was surprisingly cold There was a chill around them
‘Nohere should I start’
“You’re a you want”
Val realized that his character hadn’t entirely changed to Watt’s He had reh that Selim had started the conversation
“I’e into so many looks and personalities so easily”
Although her words could have sounded sarcastic depending on the tone, there was nothing but pure wonder in her voice However, this only served to ee the subject
“Then what about you?”
“Yes?”
“I just heard from the doc He said you didn’t always look this way Dunno if you changed yourself ‘cause you wanted to or not, but I-if you knohy you did, then tell me”
His tone was a little too gentle for Watt, but Seli that
She hesitated for a moment, but Selim soon put on a sad smile as she slowly spoke
“It’s admiration”
“Admiration?” Val repeated Selim nodded and continued
“My for I admire It’s also my dream”
“What’s thatthe truth But at that moment--
“AAAAAAAAACK!”
They were interrupted by a sudden intruder
“Master Watt! Master Watt! What are you doing here?!”
A childlike voice echoed in the execution area Then, fog began to gather by the guillotine
Not atook ed into the forirl in her mid-teens as dressed like a jester
“No no no no no! Even an adorable girl like you has no right to sweet-talk Master Watt, Seli on Selim’s shoulders The latter stood there in shock, but Val hurriedly turned back into the for boy
“Y-you idiot! It’s me! Val!”
The moment she realized the truth, the jester froze Her face turned so red that the flush was visible through her makeup
“U person? Oh Oh Oh Selim I am so sorry!”
The jester shook her head left and right, apologized to Selim, and proceeded to turn her fury towards Val
“Stupid, stupid, stupid Val! Even I admit that Selim is adorable, but you can’t turn into Master Watt to flirt with her! That’s cheating!”
“No, no! You’ve got the wrong idea” Val said, trying to fend off the jester’s punches
Seli fully as going on But once the jester finally began to calm down, Selim joined the conversation
“U the ”
It was only then that Val realized it was evening He hadn’t noticed because he had been underground all day, but the exaht
“Hht! Tee hee! I was so excited I couldn’t get a wink of sleep, so I was taking a teensy stroll around the cave! Master Watt is going to cooing to hide somewhere he can’t find me, and then throw confetti all around him! Tee hee hee!”
The eo had already left the childlike clown, having been replaced with ad festivities
Seli lonely in her look, Val thought
“Ahy’s everyone sleeping in a corner like that? Those slowpokes! Master Watt’s going to give his speech for the opening ceremony really soon!”
The jester noticed the unconscious va in a heap in a corner of the execution area She went up to theround to the party
Val said nothing, instead turning towards Seli downcast in her eyes
“Hey”
“Oh? Oh! Yes?”
Val had taken Selihtened up and looked at him
Val intended to continue the conversation from before the jester’s intrusion However, another question rose to his lips before he could stop himself
“Do you want to go see the festival?”
“What?”
It was such a direct question that the flower and vines that composed Selim’s lower body shook
‘It was pretty obvious you wanted to go, you know’ Val thought, suppressing a chuckle Selim’s eyes swam as she waved her hands before her face, her cheeks beet red
“I-I couldn’t do that! I-if so like me showed up in front of humans, they’d notice s difficult for everyone else who lives here, too That’s why I can’t leave this place Wait! But I don’t mind at all! Really! Melina is in the lake here, and Doctor and Professor always lend me books to read And, um”
‘She really is easy to read’
Despite the fact that Seli quite adorable about her, Val thought At the sary at the circuround
‘I’ forward to it that much But Selim she doesn’t even have a choice’
And so, he took a moment to think And once he took hold of an idea, he did not even consider it before sharing it with Selim
“Let’s go”
“What?”
“You want to go to the Carnale Festival, right?”
“Oh? Um, yes Yes But um you see, I”
As Selim stuttered in confusion, Val held out his hand towards her
‘I get it She ht feel before co her questions directly If only I could do so her story’
Although his intentions were quite selfish, Val did not realize that he had held out his hand before even deciding on his selfish intentions
“Let’s go”
“But everyone will notice”
“Notice what?”
“?!”
Selim
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