43 Vampires hunt. (1/2)

My goal is survival. If there is even the slightest chance of that happening, I will do everything in my power.

Why would I waltz into my opponent's field, no matter how desperately I want the Night Crystal?

It's impossible. No matter how many people I surround myself with, no matter how much I set the time to my advantage at night, no matter how much I show that I have no intention of harming them, they are professionals who hunt the families of the night.

I've seen all kinds of powerful enemies. I'm not so smug as to think that I can compete with them with a little bloodsucking.

”...... Plotted, huh?

I'm not so sure I can compete with them with a little blood.

Albatross turns around and stares at the owner of the voice with eyes that look like they're about to pounce.

Senri was standing behind Kainushi and Arbatross.

A deep hood hid his hair, and he was disguised by a pair of glasses. However, her piercing gaze, like a drawn blade, and the tip of her sword, a sign of the Knight of the End, are pointed right at Kainushi.

Although she wasn't quite ready yet, I had asked her to sneak into the tavern before nightfall. Probably further than Cainusi and Arbatross.

To watch over my dealings with the vampire hunters. I wasn't planning on coming out if nothing happened.

But I knew from the start they would attack. I didn't know what to do when he tried to negotiate peacefully, but grudges don't go away that easily.

Senri's skin was horribly bloodless.

Maybe it was because of anger, or maybe because I had been a little too indulgent and sucked up too much blood.

I couldn't help but say something embarrassing, but she didn't seem to mind.

A second class knight with a power incomparable to mine pointed his blade at me, but the will to fight did not disappear from both of us.

I'm not sure what to make of that.

”You've been seduced, ...... slut.

”Alba, stop. She's not ours to destroy.

Kainushi gives a small shrug. But his eyes are as cold as his boisterous partner's. His hand is still holding the crossbow.

To my knowledge, vampire hunters are a step behind demise knights. But I wonder... I can't afford this.

I thought you'd retreat when Senri showed up. Don't tell me you still have a plan.

But the ...... treasured child of destruction. It's a little too ...... playful. Do you understand?　The vampire is still a lowly ...... singular individual created by Holos Kamen, the Ancestor. ...... I don't know. It's not as if the Knights of the End don't understand the dangers.

”............

”Ancestor”. I've never heard of it. I've never even seen it in an atlas.

But since Senri didn't interrupt, is it common knowledge in their world?

Kainushi stroked the blade with his fingertips and continued.

You don't know what's in there. We have to kill it before it turns into a monster. If a new founder appears, there will be many victims. I don't mind, though.

”............ He hasn't bitten anyone yet but me. He's still got reason. Maybe he won't lose it.

It's--

Kainushi's expression changed.

He frowns, sighs heavily, and spits.

”That's - that's very troubling. If it's a characteristic, it's the worst ...... of the Ancestors that have been identified so far. It could be a poison that invades the world. Sounds like the kind of thing a second-rate necromancer would think of. Senri Sylvis, if that trait spreads it will become a force to be reckoned with. Are you raising ...... the worst vampire of them all?

For a moment, Senri's face was filled with strong hesitation.

Our eyes met. But I didn't say anything. There's nothing I can say.

I don't know what the founder means or what the worst vampire is. I just have to believe.

The silence lasted a few seconds. Senri frowns and makes a stifled sound.

”Go back to ............. I'll ...... keep an eye on him.

”...... ouch, negotiations broke down, ...... too bad. Alba--

Kainushi didn't show a hint of agitation when he heard the answer.

I'm not sure if I'm going to be able to do that.

I'd rather not hurt you, but I'm not going to. I didn't want to hurt you as much as I could, but you can ...... kill me half to death.

”............ I refuse. I'll kill that vampire!

”............ Are you kidding me? You're asking me, a mere mortal, to fight the Knights of the End?　Just go. Just get him, and I'll let you help me hunt him down.

Unbelievable. They're going to fight the Sentry?

That was completely unexpected. Senri is stronger than me, even with limitations, and he doesn't have the obvious weaknesses that I do.

Arbatross lifts a huge table with one hand and throws it at Senri with ease.

His body is not that big, but his physical strength could possibly rival mine. I wonder if there's some kind of trick to it.

But there was no time to think. At about the same time, Kainushi stepped toward me.

The crossed swords in his hands were raised wide.

”Keep your eyes open, vampire.

”?

The speed wasn't that fast. But it felt really bad.

I stepped back and avoided the blow with time to spare. Droplets of water fly. To me, it looked like a clear, colorless liquid, but a powerful poison.

For a vampire, a cross is not such a deadly weakness. But it makes you sick to look at it, and it weakens you to touch it. In addition, Cainusi's sword was made of silver and sprinkled with holy water.

It is unlikely that the wound will regenerate as quickly as usual. Perhaps a single blow would disable him from fighting.

This was his first fight with a vampire hunter. I can't afford to worry about Senri.

Backing up, he lifted a nearby table and threw it as hard as he could, just like Arbatos had done.

He was full of energy. I'm feeling great. Cainusi clicks his tongue in a small, slippery motion and sidesteps wide.

Apparently he has much less endurance, strength, and regeneration than I do. This one has a lot of weaknesses to pay for, I hope.

We got what we came for. All that's left is to run. Fall back, wary of the attack. On the other side of the Kainushi, Arbatos is attacking Senri with all four limbs, moving like a beast.

Don't worry. Senri will be able to fight him off.