#Episode 39
In a fleeting moment, Vasha quickly gathered the countless thoughts that flashed through her mind.
She then sat in the chair prepared beside the Count’s bed, smiling faintly with a nonchalant expression.
“Nice to meet you, Count. My name is Vashw.”
“…Tch.”
Even though Vasha greeted him, the Count did not respond and continued to ignore her. Whether it was because he found her unpleasant to look at, or because he considered her unworthy of his attention, was unclear.
It didn’t matter either way. Vasha continued speaking, unfazed by the Count’s disregard.
“Sir Albert probably mentioned it to you in advance, but I will be staying in the mansion for a while to keep you company. I look forward to our time together.”
Seeing that Vasha wasn’t about to back down easily, the Count eventually gave up on ignoring her. Rather than respond to Vasha’s words, the Count asked, not hiding his displeasure.
“What has Albert ordered you to do?”
“He’s concerned about your health….”
Before Vasha could finish her answer, the Count cut her off with a wave of his hand, as if the matter was trivial.
“That’s enough. I wasn’t really curious anyway. How much did he promise you? I’ll give you that much, so stop bothering me and leave.”
Though the Count was eccentric, he wasn’t violent or arrogant. He could have easily summoned someone to drag Vasha out, but instead, he was trying to persuade her to leave.
After all, he had reluctantly agreed to this absurd arrangement of having a companion, thanks to his great-nephew Albert’s persistent persuasion.
“I cannot do that.”
Despite the Count’s stubborn attitude, Vasha answered gently and calmly. Compared to Todd, this level of resistance was nothing.
The Count, growing frustrated with Vasha, eventually couldn’t hold back any longer and turned his head toward her. His wrinkled forehead furrowed deeply, following the lines of his frowning brows.
“I know Albert’s nature well. He won’t easily pay the price he promised you. So stop wasting your time….”
But as soon as the Count met Vasha’s eyes, his drooping eyelids flew open in surprise.
The Count’s clouded eyes fixed on Vasha, and they were soon filled with both joy and astonishment. The look in the Count’s eyes, which seemed to regard Vasha with awe, held a gentle affection, as if looking at a long-lost loved one.
“Ah…”
The Count’s withered, skeletal hand reached toward Vasha’s face. A breath escaped his parched lips, almost as if his soul was slipping out.
However, the hand stopped in mid-air, unable to touch Vasha. As the Count’s dazed eyes gradually regained focus, he almost fell out of bed in his haste to kneel before Vasha.
“I have committed an offense against one so high.”
Vasha, too, was taken aback. The meaning of the Count’s words and actions was clear. Surprised, Vasha stared down at the Count, who was now bowing low on the ground.
‘He’s figured out who I am.’
Since Albert and the others hadn’t noticed that Vasha was a vampire, it meant that the [Cognitive Distortion] ability was still working.
If the Count could recognize Vasha’s true nature, however, there was only one explanation.
‘If someone is already familiar with vampires, Cognitive Distortion won’t work on them….’
And typically, humans fear and shun vampires, especially those who have encountered one before.
If someone had barely survived an encounter with a vampire, it was natural for them to try and escape if they met another.
But the Count was different. The moment he first saw Vasha, what flashed across his face was joy.
That made the situation clear.
‘This man is pro-vampire… If that’s the case….’
Vasha reached out and placed a hand on the Count’s forehead. As if guessing what Vasha was about to do, the Count closed his eyes.
Vasha focused her energy on her fingertips, searching for traces of other vampires in the Count’s blood, soul, or body.
Though most of her powers had been sealed along with her memories, her sharp sense remained intact, which had saved her from danger many times.
“…There’s no sign of another vampire’s presence. So, you’re not a servant or familiar. You must be a follower.”
A follower of vampires.
They are followers of vampires, despite never having been bitten or brainwashed by one.
The Count looked up at Vasha and smiled. His wrinkled face was full of bitterness.
“…My master is one of the four direct descendants of the Vampire Lord, Lady Lucy van Vassenar of the Menorah clan.”
***
After Vasha left, Todd, who remained alone in the room, continued to sift through his memories.
“A noble’s mansion with no sacred relics or demon-repelling wards…. Ah, I remember hearing something about that….”
After what felt like a long time, Todd finally managed to brush off the dust that had been covering the dormant memory.
<Take note, Todd. Occasionally, there are foolish humans who worship vampires. They’re the kind who throw away any sacred relics just to invite vampires into their homes. Never assume that just because they’re human, they’re on our side. Always be suspicious, and keep doubting.>
Todd’s aunt, Wilhelmina, often sat him down to talk about the precautions to take while on a hunt.
<Worship vampires? Even though vampires feed on humans? Why would anyone do that?>
<There are many reasons. It could be because vampires are beautiful… or because they themselves want to become vampires and live forever.>
<Eternal life, I understand that, but risking your life just because they’re pretty?>
<It’s not something they can help. Vampires use their appearance to lure in their prey, making themselves as attractive as possible.>
Wilhelmina tousled Todd’s hair, chuckling at his inability to comprehend it.
<That’s why our Van Drake family is so important. Unlike other humans, we can see the ugly truth hidden behind the sweet scent.>
“A servant of a vampire….”
Recalling the memory, Todd muttered under his breath.
In a household as grand as the Count’s, the only person who could have disposed of the sacred relics was the head of the family, the Count himself.
Count Renfield was undoubtedly a servant of a vampire.
“How could I forget something so simple?”
Todd sighed in frustration.
The term ‘servant of a vampire’ refers to those who follow vampires. If bitten, they are called minions, and if voluntary, they are known as followers.
‘Although I haven’t been to the Count’s quarters… since I didn’t sense any magic, he’s more likely a follower than a minion.’
Todd trusted his senses.
Even a faint scent of the master’s aura lingers on minions. While the Lamphas religion cannot distinguish it, the Van Drake family, with their heightened senses, certainly can.
If there had been even a trace of a vampire’s presence at the mansion, Todd would have noticed it immediately.
“At least I’ve figured it out now!”
Having cleared up the nagging doubt that had been bothering him, Todd threw himself onto the sofa.
If it were an actual vampire, that would be one thing, but a mere servant of a vampire was no real threat. In fact, not carrying any sacred relics made him easier to deal with than an ordinary human in the eyes of a lesser vampire.
‘It’s like a feast set up by someone else.’
And with a follower, even more so.
“He’s probably just begging to be turned into a vampire so he can live forever.”
Todd scoffed. Then he reached for an apple from the basket on the table and bit into it. The apple crunched between his teeth.
It was sweet and delicious. Far better than the apples Lenny had given him.
But for some reason, it felt as though he were chewing on sand. It had tasted better when he ate it while sitting across from Vasha….
“………..”
Todd scowled.
It was all because something was bothering him.
Todd abruptly sat up and began biting his nails, mumbling.
“…What if the Count offers up his hiding place in exchange for being turned into a vampire?”
