Ch.48Chapter 48: Vampire (4).

“Princess…? For someone like that….”

I understand Yuria’s muttering.

The aura emanating from Lilith was weak for a vampire princess.

Perhaps even weaker than Lisa?

It’s a situation where you could believe she was truly just a child.

Even this magical power I’m sensing is only because she’s regained some strength after drinking Robin’s blood.

Before that, I truly thought she was a vampire with no combat ability.

The ones who came running, calling her “Princess,” aren’t pushovers either.

An adult vampire should have at least as much energy as Robin, but these ones also have minimal aura.

“Hmm, this is different from what I researched. They’re weak.”

Lilith gives a bitter smile at Valt’s harsh assessment.

“There are circumstances for that. Shall we enter the city instead of standing here?”

Although my expectations were fading due to their unexpectedly poor abilities, I still wanted to gain something since we’d come all this way.

“Let’s do that.”

Only then did Valt begin to properly take in Brasov, the vampire kingdom.

Indeed, befitting a vampire castle—an antique structure with pointed ash-gray roofs and a somewhat gloomy atmosphere.

Blood clouds blocking the ceiling drift hazily around, creating a mysterious ambiance.

Even setting aside our purpose, exploring such a place is exciting.

Feeling his heart flutter slightly, Valt follows Lilith’s footsteps.

***

Thus, they arrived at the entrance to the castle.

Its appearance differs from typical human castles. Normal human castles are usually surrounded by moats with drawbridges.

But the vampire castle before Valt’s eyes had its entrance slightly—no, significantly—elevated, at a position impossible to reach for anyone unable to use mana.

“Oh, they’ve made this difficult to enter.”

Was it because of war? The entrance was positioned high up, drastically enhancing the castle’s defenses.

This must be how the relatively small number of vampires managed to survive for so long.

Valt was wondering if he should jump or ask the gnome for help, but entry into the castle proved easier than expected.

“Please wait a moment.”

After speaking, Lilith forms a hand seal and mumbles an unintelligible incantation.

Woong—

Blood-colored energy emanates from Lilith, creating a bridge to Brasov’s main gate high above.

Since the castle gate was a swinging door, when Lilith’s red bridge touched it, the gate began to open with a thunderous noise and no resistance.

Kuuung—

“Let’s go in. Welcome to Brasov, the holy land of vampires.”

A truly mystical sight.

Feeling satisfied, Valt is the first to step onto the blood-colored bridge.

“Oh, it’s solid. Fascinating.”

“It’s an application of blood magic.”

Thus led by Lilith, they arrived at Brasov.

The city’s size was slightly smaller than the imperial capital but still enormously vast.

Naturally, it would be expansive since it forms a kingdom as a single city.

But something was strange. There weren’t many people—no, vampires—visible on the streets.

Even those who were visible merely glanced at them once before continuing on their way with weary steps.

Robin, noticing this, makes a puzzled expression.

“Hmm, this is strange… Something seems to be happening…”

Lilith shows that bitter smile again and hurries them along the path to the castle.

“I’ll explain when we get to the castle. As expected, our situation isn’t very good.”

Something is definitely wrong. Even though vampires might prefer slightly gloomy and dark places, this is practically a dead city.

The only way to satisfy their curiosity was to go and see.

The castle where the Vampire King of Brasov resides was no different.

Again, the entrance was positioned high up. But since there were many vampires inside the castle, bats poured out from what looked like windows rather than the large castle gate, then lined up in front of Lilith.

“P-Princess! You’re safe!!”

Valt, who had been slightly skeptical, now seemed convinced that Lilith was indeed a princess.

But questions began to arise.

The biggest question was why the vampire princess had been in that human village.

He could guess there were circumstances, but the issue was what those circumstances could be that would require this weak princess to go that far.

Greeted by the castle’s servants, Lilith introduces Valt’s group.

“These are my life’s benefactors. Please don’t be hostile and treat them with respect.”

The servants thank Valt’s group in unison.

“Thank you, benefactors! Princess, please come inside. His Majesty is waiting.”

“Alright, I’ll enter with my benefactors.”

“But…”

Lilith cuts off the servant’s negative reaction decisively.

“They might be the nobles who can solve this situation. Do I need to explain such things one by one?”

“……”

“Go attend to your duties. Don’t we lack time to be standing around like this?”

At Lilith’s words, the gathered servants hurriedly disperse.

Situation? Nobles?

It seems Lilith intends to request help from Valt’s group after witnessing their strength.

Not bad. Although it was disappointing that the vampires were weaker than expected, the fact that they use blood magic remains unchanged.

It would be beneficial in many ways to put Lilith in his debt and become friendly with the vampires to learn blood magic.

Once again, Lilith recites a spell, and the blood-colored bridge extends, allowing Valt’s group to enter the massive ash-gray castle.

During their walk here, Valt’s group had used Amrit to prepare for any possible situations.

While Lilith was clearly showing goodwill, they had identified retreat routes just in case.

However, in this place, short-distance communication was possible among Valt, Robin, and Yuria, but communication with Lisa’s group was impossible.

It seems the barrier magic on the ceiling is causing some kind of interference.

Unlike its ash-gray exterior, the castle’s interior is filled with red decorations, befitting vampires.

A red carpet like one would see at award ceremonies is standard, and even the backgrounds of the frames hanging on the walls are all red.

Even the decorative items show their love for the color red, with red vases containing red flowers.

However, compared to the castle’s enormous size, the decorations seemed somewhat shabby.

The group, choosing not to mention this aloud, passes through massive staircases and corridors to visit the audience chamber where the vampire monarch is presumed to be waiting.

In front of doors large enough for ten grown men to walk side by side, Lilith speaks softly.

“Your daughter has returned, Father.”

Unlike humans who strictly use the title “Your Majesty” when the father is king, vampire etiquette seems less rigid.

Creeeeak, THUD!

As the massive doors of the audience chamber open, Valt, Robin, and Yuria feel a suffocating pressure from the tremendous energy they sense.

At least 8th circle level of immense power.

Kugugugugugu—

At the sudden flow of magical power, Robin and Yuria drool, except for Valt.

“Kuh!”

Valt, on the contrary, is excited.

He had been losing interest due to the vampires’ low level of power.

But this magical power now being displayed was enough to rekindle Valt’s curiosity.

‘Interesting!’

“Hup!”

He intensifies his body, amplifying his magical power.

While he can’t completely repel the pressure of 8th circle magic, Valt’s enormous magical power at least allows him to move his body.

‘Amazing! This level of pressure!’

In terms of Aura users, this would be Sword Master level; for mages, Arch Mage level.

Until now, the only 8th floor or higher individuals Valt had met were the Emperor and Marcel. And both were Aura users.

Seeing a pure 8th circle Arch Mage for the first time, Valt couldn’t help but be excited.

“F-Father! Stop it! These people saved me!”

At that, the sticky pressure of magical power vanishes without a trace.

“I-I’m sorry, Sir Valt! My father must have been worried about me!”

As Lilith bows deeply in apology, Valt merely shrugs as if it’s nothing.

“It’s fine. You have a father who loves his daughter dearly.”

[Come closer.]

A majestic, deep bass voice.

The voice, imbued with magical power and presumably belonging to the Vampire King, reaches Valt’s group.

They step forward and enter the audience chamber.

But something is strange. No one except the Vampire King is present in the audience chamber.

Normally, a king would have servants assisting during an audience.

This indicates a problem. Something is definitely happening in this vampire castle.

Finding this intriguing, Valt speaks.

“Pleased to meet you. I am Valt Geruntula, Vampire King.”

It might seem somewhat impertinent, but Barbarians aren’t typically very polite.

It’s only because it’s Valt that he shows this much courtesy.

“I am Robin Ash, Your Majesty.”

“I’m Yuria Lykant.”

The Vampire King gazes down at them intently.

Vladimir Bloodwell.

A young king who has ruled the vampires for only 200 years in their long history.

King Vladimir’s lips move as his calm voice is heard.