Orlie, perhaps feeling embarrassed by suddenly revealing a broken appearance, leaned against the window without showing his face, not even smiling.
“Are you in pain?”
Erica asked, suddenly filled with a sense of unease.
Was I really worried just now?
Looking slightly tired, Orlie nodded.
It’s not exactly a problem, I guess. After all, the relationship between the two of us will eventually collapse through one person’s death, so a little concern shouldn’t be too bad.
“…Sorry.”
“No, it’s fine… You don’t have to apologize.”
Erica felt awkward in the silence that followed. It was a mood she had never experienced while being with Orlie.
Why was he crying in the first place?
Because I held his hand?
Erica pondered for a moment. It felt a bit much to ask directly.
Above all, was it right to ask? It was far removed from the consideration she had learned while growing up.
Right now, it would be better to stay quietly beside him without saying anything.
Erica looked around again.
For some reason, they were still side by side.
The driver of the vehicle seemed to have sensed the atmosphere and said nothing, and Orlie next to her looked so tired that his eyes seemed about to close.
“Do you want to sleep a bit?”
“…Ah, yeah…”
Hearing that lifeless voice, Erica gently brushed the hair that was stuck on Orlie’s face.
For a moment, she was startled at her own action, but Orlie appeared to have already succumbed to sleep, eyes closed.
I don’t know. It’ll work out somehow.
Listening to his shallow breathing, Erica glanced at Orlie.
His hair was messy and unkempt, and his smooth skin was slightly flushed.
His eyebrows and lips trembled weakly, as if trying to comfort his exhausted body and spirit.
Seeing the slightly crumpled face, Erica felt a sense of calm wash over her.
So this is another side of him.
It was a stark contrast to the image Orlie had always shown her.
The always cheerful stance, smiling brightly, felt like a lie; now, he was just a sick girl.
“Er… Erica…”
“Yeah, yeah?”
Startled by her name being called, she answered anxiously, but there was no voice in response.
Curious, when she turned her head, she found Orlie still deep in sleep.
“Ha.”
Why does he call my name?
Thinking back, it had been true. Throughout the time she spent with Orlie, she had never once fully grasped their relationship.
Even after their lives started to conflict, she had clung to Erica, expressing an unknowable fondness.
At the same time, she had always exuded a casual confidence in front of her, dismissing her annoyances.
“Ugh…”
When he used to playfully manipulate her with a sly smile, was he really just pretending to be weak now?
Even shedding tears.
Is this part of a plan?
“Er… Er…”
“Ah, got it. I understand.”
With a sigh, Erica gently grasped Orlie’s slumped shoulder and pulled him closer.
His silver hair brushed against her cheek like a gentle caress.
As she softly stroked him, Orlie soon returned to a peaceful expression, and Erica felt her heart tighten.
Is he in pain? Is he having a bad dream?
Erica gazed out the window. One by one, the lights were going out, engulfing the night in darkness.
It wasn’t just her relationship with Orlie that was askew. The world had long been broken. Law and order had collapsed, and people were busy clawing their way back, devolving into beasts.
Life began to rot, left lying in the streets without any direction.
She was no different. Having lost joy and happiness, she became a wanderer. Day by day, she survived without knowing what she was living for.
Perhaps that’s why she found herself drawn to Orlie, who had seeped into her daily life before she realized it.
Unable to restrain her hand from reaching out to his vulnerable appearance.
If someday their misaligned relationship were to be cut off by someone’s death, then until that time,
could she embrace his weary body?
That was the thought that had crossed her mind.
#
When she opened her eyes,
she realized her body was slightly tilted.
What she felt against her head was a solid texture. And then she understood.
Ah, am I leaning against Erica?
She quickly closed her eyes again.
“I know you’re awake.”
“Did you catch me?”
At the sigh that could be heard faintly, she leaned her body more, only to have her cheek pinched.
“It hurts.”
“I meant to do that.”
“Is that your preference?”
“Ha.”
She pondered for a moment.
“Well, your… cheek feels bouncy.”
“Ha ha. Are you really saying that about your own cheek?”
“It just turned that way from taking care of it.”
It seemed like she was smiling for the first time, but it didn’t come out because she feared being scolded if she said anything.
“You used my shoulder well. Was I leaning on you while asleep?”
“…Yes.”
“You should have been awake! What a shame!”
“Not really.”
Fortunately, she didn’t ask anything more. She felt relieved to see the usual Erica.
Erica, who sluggishly rose her body in the morning, found herself holding her head due to a sudden rush of blood when she got up from the sofa.
Glancing aside, she saw the red cubes in the glass bottle that Seran had given her. Being high-quality materials, they seemed suitable for weapon manufacturing.
[ The crown has turned red. ]
I stood before the mirror with a creaking step at Bloody’s words. Indeed, it felt like the color had deepened.
It wasn’t a pure red. It resembled a mixture of abundant white with a hint of red.
Suddenly, I realized.
Once I completed the remaining three objectives, it would finally become a crown of pure red.
And I would become a vampire.
No longer would I have to cling to this hellish body and spit out blood. Merely by being alive with a single life, I could become a vampire that drained the life of all living beings around me.
I could be killed by Erica.
I couldn’t suppress the smile that crept across my trembling senses.
I glared at the air. The second objective, enhancing Dracula’s skin, had been completed, but there were no signs of the third goal being unfurled.
The letters broke apart as the sentences slowly began to form, and it seemed like it would take quite some time.
I absentmindedly twisted my hair.
In the end, it was a good opportunity.
Now, I would have to pay attention to the envoy and Seran.
I emerged calmly in a secluded area through the spatial teleportation magic circle. It seemed I had arrived at Uijeongbu, where the Association was visible.
[ I feel a crack. ]
“I don’t feel anything.”
[ It’s the Spirit World. ]
That’s an interesting thing.
I gripped my knife and took a few steps. A subtle noise quickly turned into a commotion as a strong current of air began to surface.
Soon, when a crowd of people emerged from a building, I stealthily moved to the side to walk my path.
On the other side, I saw a small crack closing.
The dark building’s door burst open, revealing three knights.
“It’s the envoy.”
They wore white armor and held long spears. The tips were sharp, resembling Seran’s weapon.
[ I knew he can’t be trusted! He talks about saving the world while engaging in slaughter! ]
Seran was nowhere to be seen. It was only the three knights whipping their spears around.
Awakened ones fighting back were collapsing, spewing out blood.
“That must hurt.”
[ Save them! Orlie! ]
I hesitated for a moment.
“If I save them, will Erica praise me?”
[ Gyaah! You’re not to be trusted either! I should have known better! ]
I looked around. I couldn’t see Erica. Was she not here yet? Or was she busy?
I shifted my thinking. For now, let’s walk towards them. When I arrive, it will be more attractive to Orlie to triumph over the envoy while repeatedly asking if the citizens are okay.
Then she might even pat my head.
[ Hurry! Hurry! ]
No, wait.
Thinking about it, that would detract from my goal.
Wouldn’t that raise Erica’s trust level towards me?
She might awaken to the fact that I’m really a good person.
“Ugh…”
But anyway, I’m being hated. It feels like I’ve stabbed her abdomen countless times.
Of course, I feel like my heart has been pierced at least five times as well.
I guess that’s something I don’t need to worry about.
[ Save me! I’m going to die! Isn’t that dangerous! Don’t you hear those screams! ]
“Alright.”
As I approached the building, the eyes of the three knights turned toward me. The golden glow shone, and soon mechanical sounds echoed.
“We’ve been waiting. The King is looking for…”
The knife pierced the armor. I soon grabbed the staggering knight’s neck and tossed him against the wall.
The other two knights’ eyes glowed. They swung their spears rapidly, splattering blood. Clutching two double-edged swords, I sliced at the swinging spear. The space warped and metal shards floated in the air.
I spun around and burrowed into the two knights. The armor crumpled, and white waterfalls burst forth. With a low mechanical sound, the golden eyes disappeared.
[ Well done! Orlie! I am proud of you! ]
“I’m not a child.”
Turning my head, I saw the knight I had thrown standing up shakily.
“Orlie!”
The more important Erica appeared.
This is my chance.
Seeing her running toward me, I noticed the knight swung his spear from the corner of my eye.
I didn’t dodge.
My abdomen was pierced instead. Blood gushed from my mouth, and shallow pain coursed through me.
“Ah, it hurts! I feel like I’m dying! Erica! Help me!”
Erica froze in place.
“You crazy girl.”
