I Will Try Raising an Enemy

 

 

 

#Episode 74

 

 

Since it was an independent action rather than one following the church’s command, it would not be beneficial for their movements to be noisily revealed to those around them.

 

If this matter were to hinder Bernardo’s appointment as cardinal later on…

 

Although Bernardo showed no interest, Matteus could not help but be concerned.

 

The two waited at the end of the line to enter Noctiluca.

 

The chatter from those around them was boisterous and noisy.

 

In a voice so low that their conversation could not be heard, Matteus whispered,

 

“I’m not sure if any descendants of Van Drake are still alive. Too much time has passed.”

 

“The vampires wouldn’t want to recklessly kill the last remaining Van Drake. We should hope for that,”

 

Bernardo replied in a similarly low voice. However, contrary to his hopeful words, Bernardo’s face was deeply troubled.

 

Matteus also had a grim expression as he clicked his tongue.

 

“Well, even if that child managed to survive, would they still be in their right mind…?”

 

It was unlikely that the vampires would have treated a young Van Drake with care and affection.

 

Considering how brutal and sinister those creatures were, they would have undoubtedly devised every possible method to extract screams from the young Van Drake in their grasp.

 

A myriad of gruesome and chilling methods flashed through Matteus’s mind.

 

He shuddered slightly, his body trembling. Would all their limbs be intact? It would be a miracle if even one remained.

 

Bernardo clicked his tongue and muttered,

 

“We have to place our trust in the Van Drake bloodline. After all, they’ve endured as the vampires’ natural enemy for over a thousand years. They aren’t ones to be taken lightly…”

 

Though he spoke in this manner, Bernardo’s face still bore an anxious expression. He tried to shake off his worries.

 

‘Ask with faith and do not doubt. I am the light in the darkness, the lighthouse that guides you beyond the vast ocean…’

 

Bernardo silently recited a verse from the scriptures to calm his mind.

 

As if to bless them, the star of Lamphas, guarding the wall of Noctiluca, shimmered and scattered light.

 

***

 

After finishing his work, Todd headed straight to the embankment. Usually, at this time of day, Todd would go to Vasha’s room, but today he didn’t even glance in that direction.

 

He walked with heavy, thudding footsteps, clearly irritated. It was obvious just by looking at him that something had happened between him and Vasha.

 

‘The young master doesn’t resemble the Count in appearance, but when it comes to his temper, he’s a perfect match…’

 

‘Oh, as if his bad temper wasn’t enough, it gets even worse when he gets entangled with Miss Vasha… I better stay away so I don’t get caught in the crossfire.’

 

In situations like this, the best course of action was to stay as far away as possible.

 

The servants passing through the corridor quietly distanced themselves from Todd, making sure not to make a sound.

 

While Todd was striding toward his room amid the avoidance of those around him, someone called out to him.

 

“Is your training over?”

 

“……….”

 

Todd frowned and turned around. Laurus, leaning on a cane, was looking at Todd with a gentle smile.

 

‘That hypocritical old man!’

 

Todd clicked his tongue at the sight of Laurus pretending to be a kind old grandfather. He felt like shouting, ‘What’s your scheme this time?’ but refrained as there were still servants walking through the corridor.

 

Since he was officially staying at the villa as Laurus’s grandson and successor, he could not ignore the eyes of others around him.

 

Laurus, fully aware of this fact, smiled and made a proposal.

 

“Why don’t we have a little chat?”

 

***

 

Following Laurus, Todd stepped into the reception room. As soon as the door closed, he abruptly demanded,

 

“So, why did you suddenly call me here? What’s your scheme?”

 

“Please, sit down. There’s no need to rush, is there?”

 

Even when it was just the two of them without Vasha present, Laurus always showed courtesy to Todd, who was Vasha’s familiar. Todd took this deference from Laurus as a matter of course, but somehow, it still irritated him.

 

Laurus sat slowly on the sofa. Perhaps it was difficult for him to walk, as he groaned involuntarily while lowering his body.

 

“Oof.”

 

“……….”

 

Todd eyed Laurus suspiciously, scanning his face as if trying to read his intentions, then sat down on the opposite side.

 

An awkward silence hung between the two for a moment.

 

As if to break the tension, Laurus spoke lightly.

 

“Ah… come to think of it, I heard you’ve been playing chess lately. Why don’t we play a match together sometime?”

 

“Dammit, what did Vasha say to you this time?”

 

Laurus’s suggestion was casual—something anyone might say. But since Todd had recently quarreled with Vasha over that very topic, he instinctively raised his voice.

 

At Todd’s sharp and sensitive reaction, Laurus’s eyes widened in surprise.

 

“Lady Vasha didn’t say anything in particular… If I must be specific, it’s just that you used to visit her room frequently but haven’t done so lately. Seeing Lady Vasha looking rather down, I thought it might be a timely gesture to intervene… and it seems I was right.”

 

“Timely, my foot!”

 

Todd snorted. Still, it was a relief to know that Vasha hadn’t shared everything with Laurus, and his anger began to subside.

 

Moreover, hearing that Vasha seemed down somehow lifted Todd’s mood.

 

Not wanting to show that his mood had improved over something so trivial, Todd responded with deliberate sarcasm.

 

“A frail old man barely able to move came looking for me, huh… Your nosiness knows no bounds. Are you sure you’ve read Vasha’s heart correctly? What if you’re just stirring up trouble?”

 

“Haha. Lady Vasha is a gracious person. Even if I’ve misunderstood, she wouldn’t blame a lowly old man like me.”

 

“How very self-righteous of you.”

 

Todd clicked his tongue, feeling irritated by Laurus’s shameless reply. But deep down, he couldn’t help but be impressed.

 

How could he be so sycophantic in everything from start to finish!

 

Todd believed that everything he needed to know, he had learned from Van Drake, and he thought there wasn’t much to gain from other humans.

 

However, he did think it was worth learning how Laurus could act so slyly, selling out his own kind while feigning innocence with those around him.

 

Unaware of Todd’s thoughts, Laurus continued speaking.

 

“Well, this may be just my guess, but judging from the concerns that Lady Vasha often shares with me, it doesn’t seem like my meddling is entirely misplaced.”

 

“Concerns? What concerns?”

 

At the mention that Vasha had concerns, Todd asked urgently. His eyes flared up as he stared daggers at Laurus.

 

Seeing Todd’s reaction, Laurus chuckled and teasingly replied,

 

“What else could Lady Vasha be concerned about, if not about child-rearing?”

 

“Damn it.”

 

Todd cursed as he slumped against the back of the sofa. Since Vasha treated him like a child, it seemed only natural that this old man would mock him with talk of ‘child-rearing’ as well.

 

‘So she badmouthed me to that old man, huh. What did they talk about behind my back for him to be acting like this?’

 

Feeling deeply offended, Todd responded aggressively.

 

“Not a very suitable appointment, is it? You’ve never raised a child yourself, after all.”

 

“Still, wisdom comes with age.”

 

“And that’s how Albert ended up a gambler, right?”

 

It seemed Todd had struck a nerve, as cracks appeared in Laurus’s calm facade. His wrinkled cheeks twitched slightly.

 

“…Sometimes, the nature of the seed matters more than the environment.”

 

A sneer formed on Todd’s lips. Seeing that Laurus wasn’t backing down from a single word, it was clear that old ginger was indeed spicier.

 

Laurus quickly regained his composure, instantly realizing the root of Todd’s hostile and combative attitude.

 

There was no benefit in provoking Todd further. Deciding it was best to ease the tension, Laurus willingly shared what Todd was curious about.

 

“Lady Vasha is always worried that you might harm your health because you push yourself too hard. She says she’d like to stop you, but she knows you wouldn’t appreciate it, so she consoles herself by venting to me instead.”

 

“Always worrying over pointless things. And what’s the point of telling you? Does she think it’ll change anything? It’s useless.”

 

Todd grumbled.

 

‘She could’ve just come to me directly. Who knows? Like that one holiday, maybe I’d have listened to her.’

 

All things considered, Vasha’s complaints to Laurus weren’t anything significant. But just knowing that Vasha was that concerned for him was enough to quell Todd’s anger.