Whipped Cream (5)

Perhaps embarrassed by her sudden display of vulnerability, Aureli didn’t even open her mouth and leaned against the window, not showing her face.

“You’re not hurt anywhere, are you?”

Erica spoke and was immediately enveloped by a sense of discomfort.

Did I just worry about her?

With a slightly tired look, Aureli nodded her head.

Well, that’s probably not the issue.

Since it’s a relationship that will eventually crumble with one of them dying anyway, a little concern should be fine, right?

“…Sorry.”

“No, well… No need to apologize.”

In the silence that followed, Erica felt awkward. It was an atmosphere she had never experienced while being with Aureli.

Why did she cry in the first place?

Because I held her hand?

Erica pondered for a moment. But it’s a bit much to ask outright.

Above all, is it right to ask? That was far from the consideration she had learned growing up.

Right now, it would be appropriate to just stay quietly by her side without saying anything.

Erica looked around once more.

For some reason, it’s the seat next to her again.

The driver operating the vehicle seemed to read the atmosphere and said nothing, and Aureli next to her looked like she was about to close her eyes, seeming very tired.

“Want to sleep a little?”

“…Ah, yeah…”

At such a listless voice, Erica gently removed the hair hanging over Aureli’s mouth.

She was startled by her own action that she did without realizing, but Aureli had already closed her eyes, seemingly overtaken by sleep.

I don’t know either. It’ll work out somehow.

Listening to the faint breathing, Erica glanced at Aureli.

Her hair was disheveled and couldn’t find its place, and her smooth skin was slightly reddened.

Her eyebrows and lips trembled slightly as if trying to soothe her tired mind and body.

Seeing her slightly frowning face, probably due to lack of energy, Erica felt herself becoming calm as well.

So she has this side too.

It was markedly different from the appearance Aureli had shown so far.

As if her always excited and smiling stance had been a lie, now she was just a single hurt girl.

“Eri, Erica…”

“Yes, yes?”

She hurriedly answered at the sudden sound of her name, but no voice came.

Wondering what it was, she turned her head, but Aureli was still deep in sleep.

“Haa.”

Why is she calling my name?

Come to think of it, it was like that. During the time spent with Aureli, not once had she properly grasped the situation.

Even after their relationship of aiming for each other’s lives became misaligned, she clung to Erica and showed some unknown affection.

At the same time, she always flaunted a relaxed posture in front of her and dismissed her attempts to anger her.

“Ugh…”

When was it that she smiled slyly and handled her as she pleased, and now she’s pretending to be weak?

Even shedding tears.

Is this all a tactic too?

“E-Eri…”

“Ah, I get it. I get it.”

Erica sighed and lightly grabbed Aureli’s slumped shoulder, pulling her towards herself.

The silver hair fluttered, tickling her cheek.

As she gently stroked it and saw Aureli’s expression return to a peaceful one, Erica felt her chest becoming heavy.

Is she in pain? Is she having a bad dream?

Erica looked out the window. The lights going out one by one covered the night streets in darkness.

It’s not just the slightly misaligned relationship between Aureli and herself. The world has been broken for a long time. Law and order have collapsed, and people were busy falling into beasts while filling their own gains.

Life began to rot, rolling on the streets unable to find its place.

She’s no different. She became a wanderer, having lost joy and happiness. She had been sustaining her life day by day without knowing what goal she was living for.

Maybe that’s why. Her interest in Aureli, who had somehow seeped into her daily life.

She couldn’t control her hand reaching out to the appearance that seemed like it could crumble at any moment.

If the misaligned relationship between her and Aureli would someday be cut off by someone’s death, then until then, at least.

The thought that she might be able to embrace her tired body.

It was because of that thought.

When I opened my eyes.

I realized that my body was slightly tilted.

What I felt on the side of my head was a firm texture. And I realized.

Ah, am I leaning on Erica?

I immediately closed my eyes again.

“I know you’re awake.”

“Was I caught?”

After hearing a soft sigh, as I tried to lean more, my cheek was pinched.

“It hurts.”

“That’s why I did it.”

“Is that your preference?”

“Ha.”

I pondered for a moment.

“Well, this… cheek is quite plump.”

“Pfft. Are you talking about your own cheek being like that?”

“It became like that from managing it.”

I think it’s the first time I’ve seen her laugh. I didn’t say it out loud because I felt like I’d get scolded if I did.

“I used your shoulder well. Did I lean on you while sleeping?”

“…Yes.”

“I should have been awake then! What a shame!”

“Not really.”

Fortunately, she didn’t ask anything more. I was relieved that it was the usual Erica.

When I raised my stiff body in the morning and got up from the sofa, I had to hold my head due to the sudden rush of blood.

When I turned my gaze for a moment, I saw the red cubes in the glass bottle Seran gave me. Thanks to the high-quality premium material, it seems like it could be used as a raw material for weapons.

[ The crown has become redder. ]

At Bloody’s words, I stood in front of the mirror with creaking steps. It certainly feels like the color has deepened.

It’s not completely red. If it were paint, it would be like mixing a little red into a large amount of white.

I suddenly realized.

When the remaining three goals are completed, the crown will finally become a completely red color.

And I’ll become a vampire.

I won’t have to hold onto this hell-like body and cough up blood anymore. When I become a vampire where just surviving with a single life and standing on the ground will cause all surrounding living things to be torn apart.

I can be killed by Erica.

I couldn’t help but smile at the trembling sensation.

I glanced at the air. Although I’ve completed the second goal of Dracul’s reinforced skin, there’s no sign of the third goal opening.

The letters are broken and the sentence is slowly being combined, it seems like it will take quite a while.

I twisted a side lock of hair for a moment.

It’s a good opportunity in the end.

Now I should focus on the delegation and Seran.

I appeared in a quiet place through a spatial transfer magic circle. It seems I’ve arrived in Uijeongbu as I can see the Association.

[ I feel a rift. ]

“I don’t feel anything though?”

[ It’s the spirit realm. ]

That’s interesting.

I held a knife in my hand and took a few steps. The faint noise soon became a commotion and I felt strong air currents.

Soon when a bunch of people escaped from a building, I slipped to the side and walked down the street.

I saw a small rift closing on the other side.

The door of a dark building opened and three knights appeared.

“It’s the delegation.”

They’re wearing white armor and holding long spears. The tips are sharp. Similar to the weapon Seran used.

[ As expected, that guy can’t be trusted! He was going on about saving the world but in the end he’s committing slaughter! ]

Seran wasn’t visible. There were only three knights swinging their spears.

The awakened ones fighting against them fell down, coughing up blood.

“That must hurt.”

[ Save them! Aureli! ]

I pondered for a moment.

“If I save them, will Erica praise me?”

[ Gyaak! You can’t be trusted either! It’s my fault for trusting you! ]

I looked around. Erica wasn’t visible. Has she not come yet? Or is she busy?

I changed my thinking. Let’s try walking towards the incoming side first. When she arrives, Aureli who is watching this scene might be less attractive than Aureli who has defeated the delegation and is constantly saying “Are you okay?” to the citizens.

Then she might pat my head.

[ Hurry! Hurry! ]

No.

Come to think of it, that would be away from my purpose.

Wouldn’t Erica’s trust in me increase?

She might realize, “So you were actually a good child.”

“Ugh…”

But I’m hated anyway. I seem to have stabbed her abdomen countless times.

Of course, my heart seems to have been pierced five times too.

It seems like a part I don’t need to worry about.

[ Help them! They’re dying! Isn’t it dangerous! Can’t you hear those screams! ]

“Alright.”

As I approached the building, the eyes of the three knights turned towards me. A golden light shone and then a mechanical sound was heard.

“We’ve been waiting. The king is looking for…”

My knife pierced the armor. Then I grabbed the staggering knight’s neck and threw him against the wall.

The other two knights’ eyes shone. I quickly swung my knife and splattered blood. Holding two condensed double-edged swords, I sliced the swinging spears. Space distorted and iron fragments floated in the air.

I spun around and dug into the two knights. Armor was crushed and a white waterfall burst. With a low mechanical sound, the golden eyeballs disappeared.

[ Well done! Aureli! I’m proud of you! ]

“I’m not a baby.”

When I turned my head, I saw the knight I had thrown getting up trembling.

“Aureli!”

The more important Erica appeared.

This is an opportunity.

As I was watching her running towards me, in the corner of my vision, the knight swung his spear.

I didn’t dodge.

My abdomen was pierced just like that. Blood spurted from my mouth and a shallow pain came.

“Ah, it hurts! I think I’m going to die! Erica! Help me!”

Erica stopped in her tracks.

“You crazy bitch.”