Ch.274Chapter 274 – Domestica (3)

Vampire.

In my memories from before coming to this world, I had at least a rough knowledge about such beings.

“They were a race that sleeps in coffins every day, can’t function under the sun, fears garlic and crosses, and dies when a stake is driven through their heart.”

“Is there any creature that wouldn’t die from a stake through the heart? And why is garlic even mentioned there?”

Sia heard my muttering and asked with a bewildered expression, “And what’s a cross?”

But she quickly composed herself and continued.

“Well, I understand you only know vaguely. They do sleep in coffins regularly, and they do hate sunlight, so that’s correct.”

Sia added quietly after saying that.

“The weak ones can perish under sunlight. That’s why most of them sleep in coffins during the day.”

“Really?”

“Well, the strong ones can use their special arts to fight at full strength under sunlight for short periods.”

Sia continued her explanation.

“Basically, they’re a race with powerful regenerative abilities and they’re skilled in special arts that manipulate blood.”

“Manipulate blood?”

“Yes. Usually arts that utilize the blood in their own bodies. In exchange, they can use powerful magic. Their power is considerable, so they’re not a race to be taken lightly.”

She added that their physical abilities were naturally formidable as well.

“Plus, there are quite a number of them, and they’re good at working together. Thanks to that, they have their own territory even in the vast, barren demon realm.”

“Is that impressive?”

“In the demon realm where struggle is commonplace, having an unwavering territory means they’ve continuously defeated an enormous number of challengers.”

It seemed we were dealing with more troublesome beings than I’d expected.

Sia suddenly added as if she just remembered something.

“Oh, but I don’t think I’ve ever seen them eating garlic. Do they really fear it?”

“That aside, if we’re dealing with vampires, the situation becomes more serious.”

Kris said with a serious face.

“As you know, vampires are a high-ranking race among demons. Considering that demons are causing incidents here and there…”

“There’s a possibility they’re plotting something like in Albheim or Ferarius.”

Eve quietly added.

As we were about to continue our conversation, Domestica interrupted.

“Excuse me, demons? What do you mean…?”

“It’s not news everyone knows yet, so you wouldn’t have heard.”

Beatrice looked at Domestica as she spoke.

“Quite some time ago, we witnessed the appearance of demons. And in the elven nation, demons initiated a battle that culminated in the appearance of a demon lord.”

“…I see.”

Domestica seemed a bit flustered, as if she couldn’t believe it.

But soon, as if changing her mind, she shook her head slightly and spoke again.

“No, you all wouldn’t make up such strange stories. So demons have really crossed over?”

“Yes.”

Beatrice confirmed decisively.

Kris then gently added.

“As I mentioned earlier, this isn’t a story that’s spread nationwide yet. I wonder if the maids didn’t think they could be demons?”

“The possibility isn’t zero.”

For those who knew the situation, it might seem strange not to be suspicious, but for those unaware, they might just think these were odd people and leave it at that.

After all, stories of demons were legendary in this place.

People might think, “They look like demons from legends,” but few would have thought they were actual demons.

“Vampires, except for their skin color, look almost identical to humans, and if they used magic that interferes with perception, it would be even easier to misunderstand.”

“Interferes with perception?”

“It’s magic that literally makes you draw less attention. The effect varies from person to person.”

Beatrice casually explained that it was magic that could be easily cast over a wide area at a low cost.

“There’s also invisibility or warping. But both are difficult and require catalysts, so they’re not convenient to cast.”

Beatrice analyzed that if they didn’t plan to stay long, perception interference would have been sufficient.

“Well, that’s not so important. There’s a more critical issue.”

“It’s who the demons have been in contact with, right?”

Beatrice nodded and said.

“Whether it’s someone from the royal family, a high official, or perhaps a very beautiful maid, we can’t know.”

Beatrice said that for now, only the demons would know the answer.

“So there’s only one thing we can say now.”

Beatrice raised her index finger and said.

“There’s someone in the royal palace who’s in league with the demons.”

Everyone nodded at her words.

And though it wasn’t explicitly stated, her words implied another fact.

‘At least Florence or the king likely believes the demons are on their side.’

Otherwise, there would be no reason to let demons into the palace or to make choices that would strain relations with the church.

Perhaps they were thinking of using demons to drive out the church.

‘…Even so, they seem too indifferent to the people.’

Seeing that maritime trade still hadn’t normalized, the royal family seemed excessively unconcerned about the people.

However, since this wasn’t something we could know for certain at the moment, I left it at that.

While I was thinking, Domestica’s expression became somewhat bewildered, and then she quietly clasped her hands and spoke.

“…In the royal palace, such…”

She seemed unwilling to believe that not only were there demons, but someone was in league with them.

And soon she asked with a gloomy face.

“Who could it possibly be?”

“We don’t know.”

We still couldn’t know exactly who was in league with the demons.

After all, most of us didn’t even know which nobles were in Florence or the palace.

Beatrice soon spoke with a calm face.

“But the demons are leaving trails to the extent that rumors are spreading among the maids.”

She continued in a cold voice.

“The one in league with them will inevitably reveal their tail. In one way or another.”

At Beatrice’s words, Domestica closed her eyes.

And soon, as if in prayer, she said.

“…Padre… where is this country heading…?”

“…The former king wouldn’t have expected this either, Domestica.”

Beatrice quietly comforted Domestica.

+

After concluding that there was someone in the Florence royal palace in league with demons,

We quickly moved to the port of Fiume.

Fortunately, there were no further problems on the way, and thanks to Domestica taking care of all aspects of daily life, we could travel very comfortably.

“It was also easy to enter.”

Eve quietly said while driving the carriage.

“I didn’t expect the guard to let us through immediately upon seeing Domestica.”

“…That’s true.”

Of course, we had made preparations to enter, but they became meaningless as we were allowed through just by showing Domestica’s face.

“It was as if they were waiting for Domestica.”

“Yes.”

It happened to be almost the end of the evening when we entered.

At such times, guards usually don’t let people in easily, but upon seeing Domestica’s face, the guard seemed to show an expression of relief.

It was clear that Domestica was treated as quite an important figure here.

“What are you going to do?”

“For now, we’ll leave her be.”

After spending a short time with her, we could confidently say that Domestica wasn’t a bad person.

She showed some suspicious behavior, but we could believe it was driven by good intentions rather than malice.

“Let’s pretend not to notice and let her go as she wishes.”

“Let’s do that.”

Eve seemed to have similar thoughts and easily agreed.

She must have also observed Domestica over the past few days and concluded there was no need to worry.

Instead, she looked at me with a concerned expression.

“…I honestly don’t want to get involved in strange affairs.”

Given that we inevitably got involved in some incident during our travels, Eve’s concern seemed to have reached its peak.

Grateful for her concern, though she couldn’t see it due to my helmet, I silently smiled without answering.

“Don’t just smile. Please ease my worries a bit.”

“How did you know I was smiling?”

Slightly taken aback, I asked, and Eve laughed and replied.

“Just as Kay can roughly guess what I’m thinking just by looking at my face, I can tell what expression you’re making inside just by your atmosphere.”

“…Was I such a simple person?”

“That too,” Eve said lightly before laughing.

“Seraphina and Christina can also infer what Kay is thinking and what expression he’s making inside the helmet.”

“I see.”

It seemed I was destined to be unable to hide anything from my companions.

“Maybe that’s the power of love, if you can call it that.”

“Huh?”

“It’s nothing.”

Eve laughed and brushed it off.

As we exchanged light conversation, a voice came from inside.

“Kay, Domestica is asking us to stop.”

“It seems she wants to get off around here.”

Eve said as she brought the carriage to a halt.

Soon the door opened, and Domestica stepped out.

“Well then, everyone. Thank you for everything.”

“We should be thanking you.”

Eve smiled and replied to Domestica’s greeting.

Domestica then took out a few silver coins and said.

“It’s not much, but please accept this as my thanks. …I wish I could give you more.”

“This is fine.”

It wasn’t like we were in dire financial straits, and Domestica had made our stay very comfortable by taking care of everything.

I had even considered refusing payment altogether.

I only agreed to accept what she offered because Eve insisted that taking at least something would make the other person feel better.

“I have business to attend to, so I must go in another direction… but you all came to the port for a ship, right?”

“That’s right.”

Eve said so, but her expression darkened slightly.

We hadn’t properly told Domestica exactly why we were coming to the port, but she seemed to know at least part of it.

‘Was it Beatrice?’

Rather than Beatrice deliberately ignoring what we had discussed, I suspected she might have inadvertently let something slip.

Even now, she was pulling her hat down low, as if feeling guilty about something.

“If you’re looking for a ship, first go in that direction. …I don’t know if anyone will provide a ship at this time, but it’s worth a try.”

As she said, sea dragons had appeared in the sea.

In such a situation, it was unlikely anyone would lend a ship, but there might be alternative routes, so as she said, it was worth a try.

Eve smiled and said.

“Don’t worry too much about the ship. We value our lives too.”

Domestica responded to Eve’s words with a smile.

“If you encounter any problems in this city, mention my name. The guards will accommodate you.”

After saying this, Domestica bowed to us.

Then, looking at Beatrice, she said.

“Take care of yourself, Beatrice.”

“…Yeah.”

“I’m glad you’re with good companions.”

Domestica smiled and said.

“Go with them. …And forget the sad memories.”

“……”

“Then I shall take my leave. May the goddess guide you all.”

Kris smiled slightly, as if she had learned something from Domestica.

Soon, Domestica turned away from us and disappeared beyond the alley.

“Well, let’s get going then.”

The first thing we needed to obtain was a ship.

As we headed to the driver’s seat and everyone was about to board the carriage, I noticed something.

“Kris?”

For some reason, Kris was standing still in place.

Wondering what was wrong, I approached her.

“…What’s wrong, Kris?”

“Something feels strange. Hmm…”

Kris closed her eyes for a moment.

Soon, a gentle golden divine aura began to emanate from around her and spread to the surroundings.

‘…Is she detecting something?’

It felt like the divine power was spreading out as if searching for something.

After a short while, Kris slowly opened her eyes and said with a serious expression.

“Kris.”

“Lord Kay.”

I could see Kris gripping her staff tightly as her demeanor changed.

Divine energy was still flowing from her.

And Kris, slightly bowing her head as if apologetic, said.

“Is it because I’m an incomplete deity? I only noticed it now that we’re so close.”

“What did you sense?”

“Demons.”

Kris declared seriously.

“I can feel demons nearby.”

“Damn it.”

It seemed that, as Eve had worried, we were going to get involved in something unexpected again.