#Episode 58
‘Whether it’s a simplified form or not, it seems the 【Master-Servant Contract】 has been successfully completed. I feel my strength returning. If this keeps up, I might be able to create a couple more minions.’
If she maintains this current momentum, she believes that one day, she will also recover her lost memories. With that thought, everything seemed to be going smoothly.
‘Hehe, Todd will surely be pleased to hear this news!’
***
“What! You actually made a 【Master-Servant Contract】?”
“That startled me.”
Todd had a request, so the three of them gathered late at night in Laurus’s study.
Just as Vasha felt it was a good opportunity to bring it up, Todd reacted by jumping up, exclaiming loudly, startling Vasha.
Todd seemed exasperated, letting out repeated sighs of disbelief, unable to find the words to respond immediately. Vasha was left bewildered, noticing Todd’s clear frustration.
‘I thought he’d be happy about this… Why is he angry?’
Vasha had felt uneasy about Todd’s distrust and skepticism ever since mentioning the idea of assigning Melina as her personal maid.
That’s why, when the opportunity presented itself, she quickly prepared the groundwork to make her a follower.
Vasha felt a bit indignant, as she had done it with the intention of pleasing Todd, only for Todd to not appreciate her efforts.
With a slight pout, Vasha began to defend herself.
“No, you said you couldn’t trust Melina… That’s why, when she made an oath, I seized the moment and made the contract right then. Besides, it wasn’t even a proper contract; it was just a simplified one…”
Vasha provided her own reasons and tried to explain her decision logically. However, Todd wasn’t listening and continued to be angry.
“In the end, you went ahead and made a real 【Master-Servant Contract】! You took in a servant without even telling me!”
“I told you, it’s only a simplified one…”
Vasha denied it with all her might.
In her current state, it would be embarrassing to even call Melina a servant. If other vampires heard about it, they would laugh at her for counting someone like her as a servant.
He could still recall the shameless moment when Vasha had hidden under the cart upon arriving in Noctiluca, his face now slightly flushed from the memory.
At last, Todd realized he might have overreacted, but his anger didn’t subside so easily.
‘Even though she hasn’t become a full servant yet, she still made a contract with the intention of eventually making her one!’
In the end, what Vasha was arguing was that Melina wasn’t truly a servant yet, not that she had no intention of making her one.
That subtle difference felt like a thorn beneath his heart, making Todd uneasy.
Todd realized he had felt this similar sensation recently.
It was when he had thought Laurus might become part of Vasha’s bloodline…
Even back then, his heart had raced uncontrollably, and he felt an anxiousness he couldn’t shake.
‘It’s all because of that woman’s carelessness. Expanding her influence in such a haphazard way might just end up drawing the attention of the Lamphas Church, hindering my own plans for revenge…’
Todd continued to justify himself by blaming Vasha. But deep down, he knew it was just an excuse.
After all, it wasn’t like she was dealing with someone unknown. Making a servant out of a maid whose background was fully known wouldn’t draw the Lamphas Church’s attention or interfere with his revenge.
‘…Ah. This must be madness. It only happens when I’m dealing with her…’
Whenever it involved Vasha, even minor matters seemed to throw him off balance. To think he was already feeling like this without even wielding much power… Todd took a deep breath, trying to calm himself.
But every little thing Vasha did was getting on Todd’s nerves!
Even the fact that Vasha was sitting closer to Laurus than he was annoyed him.
In truth, Vasha had only distanced herself subtly because of Todd’s overreaction, but Todd, in his frustration, couldn’t recognize this.
‘Alright. I’ll have to endure this much insanity for the sake of revenge…’
Todd bit his lip, glaring intensely at Vasha.
“I’m your familiar. That means you should consult with me even when you decide to make a follower.”
“Okay, okay.”
Vasha raised her hands in a gesture of surrender.
Though he seemed to be trying to hold back his anger, his shoulders kept rising and falling, and his eyes were bloodshot, as if he might faint at any moment.
‘Why is he so angry at such a young age? They say humans get high blood pressure from this. I should warn him to be careful of getting a rage-induced illness.’
Even Laurus, seeming concerned about Todd’s state, surprisingly took Todd’s side.
“It’s understandable that your familiar would react this way. It’s a sensitive matter.”
Todd raised an eyebrow. For that sly old man to be on his side? Something was definitely up.
“What scheme are you plotting now…?”
“Indeed. I hadn’t realized… I’m somewhat weak when it comes to relationships like these…”
Before Todd’s raised voice could reach a higher octave, Vasha immediately interjected, feigning distress.
With a pitiful look on her face, furrowing her brow, Vasha met Todd’s gaze and smiled.
“After all, you’re my first familiar, aren’t you?”
“….……”
Todd closed his mouth once more. Seeing Todd’s reaction, Vasha inwardly celebrated.
‘He pretends to be cold, but he’s surprisingly soft-hearted. Playing the pity card worked perfectly.’
And she wasn’t about to let go of this golden opportunity while Todd was at a loss for words. Vasha took advantage of Todd’s distraction and started speaking rapidly.
“If something like this happens again, I’ll be sure! to inform you first. No, that sounds too much like a notice. I’ll consult with you. Pinky promise!”
Vasha quickly extended her pinky finger.
Once Todd regained his senses, he might insist on making a serious vow rather than settling for a mere pinky promise.
Hastily concluding the topic with a figurative stamp of finality, Vasha shifted the conversation.
“So, what did you want to ask for? You said you had a request. What is it?”
“Tsk.”
Todd clicked his tongue. He had almost forgotten because of the 【Master-Servant Contract】 talk. With a sigh, Todd finally spoke up.
“…I need a swordsmanship instructor. Someone who’s reasonably skilled.”
“Swordsmanship? All of a sudden?”
Vasha, hearing something she hadn’t expected, opened her eyes wide in surprise. Standing up abruptly, Vasha pointed an accusatory finger at Todd with a look of indignation.
“You never told me that! You’re not consulting me, either!”
“That’s why I called you now. If I wanted to exclude you, I wouldn’t have called you in the first place.”
Todd replied casually, looking away as if disinterested. Vasha, finding his shameless attitude absurd, scowled and retorted.
“Is it because you’re worried Laurus wouldn’t accept the request if I weren’t here?”
“Hmph… You’re not entirely clueless, I see.”
“Hey!”
As Todd and Vasha bickered, Laurus, who had been deep in thought, finally spoke up.
“In that case… it might be appropriate to introduce you officially.”
Laurus shook the bell on the table.
Ding, ding.
Soon after, the door to the study opened, and the butler entered. Despite the late hour, he appeared as impeccable as if he had been on standby.
Even after several encounters, he always gave off a more rigid, meticulous impression, resembling a banker rather than a butler.
“You called, my lord.”
Laurus pointed at the butler, who greeted him with a respectful bow, and said,
“This is Oliver, the head butler overseeing the affairs of the Renfield household. He’s also somewhat aware of the situations regarding Lady Vasha and the familiar. Should you need anything, feel free to call on him. Given his younger age, he may be able to provide more detailed assistance than I could.”
Hearing this, Todd raised an eyebrow.
“So, he’s aware of everything? Who’s us? How I ended up as the successor?”
“Yes, of course. Oliver has even had the chance to briefly meet Lady Lucy. So when he first encountered Lady Vasha, he immediately recognized her identity.”
It seemed they were referring to the moment when she first accompanied Albert to meet Laurus.
At the time, they couldn’t have known what Vasha was planning. What if Vasha had controlled Laurus and turned him into a subordinate? It was surprising they had even allowed the meeting to happen.
‘Is it because Laurus is a follower of Menorah…? Ordinary vampires wouldn’t dare make a move on him so easily. In any case, it implies vampire affinity… So, Oliver is a follower too.’
