38 Episode VIII: Peace (1/2)

My relationship with Senri seems to have changed a bit.

I can't relax yet, but it's a change for the better. She's started telling me jokes, she's given me knowledge. She's given me training. If this were a trap, I'd lose faith in people. I'm sure she'll be on my side as long as I don't take a wrong turn.

I've learned many things during my journey.

The amount of blood needed for the cycle of the bloodsucking urge to come. How I would react to the vampire's weaknesses, to the difference in power between me and the demon knight. The magnitude of my violent urges and how to control them.

It's essential knowledge for my survival.

Senri knew a lot about demon knights and how to kill vampires, but he didn't know how vampires could live longer. I began to understand myself one step at a time.

I also began to understand Senri's own personality. He seems like a hard man, but he jokes. She even laughs. She seems serious but flexible, kind but able to accept both the good and the bad. And yet, he also has a weakness. Sometimes he even acts like he's asking me out.

He's a complicated person. But her position, her strength, her knowledge, and her taste for blood made her an ideal partner.

It was fortunate that Senri was the one who was after Lord. I had to make the most of this luck. He had to decide his next course of action while he had her as a strong ally.

And without being caught by the pursuers, we reached the city safely.

It's a medium-sized city like Engay. It has moderately high walls, a river nearby, and many people lined up at the gates even near sunset.

Merchants with wagons or horses are searched, but other travelers seem to pass through unless they look suspicious. I was not asked for any identification at Engay either. I guess the outer wall is more of a protection against magical beasts.

Well, there is an ID card prepared by the Lord as well: .......

While standing in line, Senri whispered to me.

”End, look at your feet .......

......

On the outside of the gate, a small trench had been dug. There was water flowing slowly in it.

Obviously, it was a measure against vampires. If the ditch surrounded the entire city, real vampires would not be able to enter from the sky as bats.

If I had stepped into the ditch without noticing, I would have suddenly lost my strength and fallen down.

This is what scares me. If I hadn't known, I would have fallen for sure.

It seems that in this world, there are measures against the undead here and there, just invisible to ordinary people.

However, I think that a small gap like this can be overcome if you are prepared. ......

Does it happen often?

”Yes. In big cities, they are well maintained. There was one in Engei. It was ............ out of order, though, and the water wasn't running.

Engay was near the Lord's home. If the Lord was going to take over my body, it wouldn't be surprising if the Lord was taking measures against vampires.

Besides running water, vampires have a number of other weaknesses. You have to be careful. .......

A gatekeeper with a spear is watching the travelers with a bored look on his face as they pass through the gate. He is probably checking to see if anyone is behaving unnaturally as they pass over the flowing water.

Senri approached me with natural movements and squeezed my hand. I squeeze her slightly cool fingertips back.

Then, with a single breath, I climbed over the flowing water and made my way into the city of Semesera.

§§

I walk through the city in the dark of night and quickly find an inn. It's a medium-sized inn. I have no complaints except for the thin curtains.

We took two single rooms and had a strategy meeting in my room.

Senri said with the same cold eyes as usual.

In a city of this size, there's a chance they'll come after us. We'd better hurry and get out of here.

It's everywhere.

...... end ............ Are you in a bad mood?

...... A little. But don't worry about it. I know what's important.

The city of Semesera is about the same size as Engage.

The number of people and the bustle is about the same, but there is one clear difference.

Perhaps because there is a large river nearby, there are many waterways in the city of Semesera.