Episode 25

Kyle’s morning had been troubled. A string of ominous events made it feel like a dark cloud was hanging over him. With his ordination interview just a month away, he worried that if this unease persisted, he wouldn’t perform well.

He thought of Bishop Johan, whom he’d met at Ingdberry Cathedral a few days prior.

“You seem burdened. Is something weighing on your mind?” the bishop had asked.

“It’s just… nerves, I suppose. I wonder if I’ll be able to fulfill my duties well.”

“You’ll do well,” the bishop had assured him with deep trust in his voice.

Kyle hadn’t had the courage to be honest in the bishop’s presence. How could he confess that the real source of his worries was longing for a woman? He didn’t want to disappoint someone who felt like a father to him.

It was a relief that only God knew the depths of his inner turmoil. At least God could encompass all things with understanding.

Kyle left the seminary building, feeling the need to clear his mind. It was quiet on campus since afternoon theology classes were in session for the younger students.

Perhaps he’d go to the library next.

After a circuit around the campus, Kyle decided that reading might help push aside his distracting thoughts.

“…Oh?”

As he approached the main entrance to reenter the seminary, he noticed a man lingering nearby. Sometimes, visitors to Ingdberry Cathedral would lose their way and end up at the seminary entrance by mistake. Maybe this was one of those cases.

Kyle walked over to offer directions.

“Hello, brother. Are you lost? Would you like some help finding your way?”

Up close, he saw that the man held a silver hip flask in one hand, and the strong smell of alcohol—probably whiskey—wafted off him.

“Sir… I’m afraid the seminary is closed to outsiders. Let me walk you back to the main entrance of the cathedral.”

The man studied Kyle. Despite the alcohol scent, his gaze was sharp and intense.

He was slightly shorter than Kyle but broad-shouldered, with a build that suggested strength even beyond that of an ordinary man. Though middle-aged, he seemed as robust as any young soldier.

“You’re a student here?” the man asked.

“Yes, I’m studying theology.”

“Ah, wearing a cassock, I see. My vision gets a bit blurry when I’m drinking; I apologize.”

“It’s no problem. I’ll show you the way out. Follow me.”

Kyle began walking alongside the man, keeping the conversation going to make the walk less awkward.

They reached the main entrance of Ingdberry Cathedral quickly enough.

“This is the way out, brother.”

“Thank you. Here, have a drink as thanks,” the man offered, extending the flask.

“Oh, no, I….”

“Don’t be shy. It’s fine vodka,” he insisted.

“I’m really all right.”

“A young man who doesn’t know the taste of liquor? What a waste of life,” the man scoffed, unscrewing the cap and taking a swig himself.

Kyle tried not to let his discomfort show and decided to stay nearby until the man left. There was always a chance he might wander back into the cathedral and cause trouble or simply pass out.

“If you don’t want the drink, then let me offer you some advice.”

“I’m listening.”

Kyle replied, hoping to get through the conversation quickly and send the man on his way.

“Tell me, theology student, do you believe in vampires?”

“…Excuse me?”

“Blood-sucking monsters.”

“Well… I’m not sure.”

“They exist. They walk among us. One might even be nearby, so keep your back covered if you don’t want to end up as prey.”

Was he rambling from drink or was he serious?

Kyle couldn’t tell and remained silent.

“May the Lord’s holy power wipe them out.”

The man brought his hands together as if in prayer, his eyes fixed on Kyle.

“I trust you’ll hold the same wish. As a servant of the Lord, it’s only fitting.”

The man finished his monologue and walked away, leaving Kyle with an unsettled feeling as he watched him go.

There are so many strange people in this world…

* * *

Meanwhile, Rosanna was trying to decipher the intentions of the man who had offered her his blood.

“Offering me your blood… what’s your angle?”

“You needn’t worry. I’m a dhampir. I’m merely helping a fellow kindred in need.”

“And I’m just supposed to believe that? Your timing… it’s too convenient.”

“Suspicious, aren’t we?”

“That’s what city life does to you.”

The man folded his arms, looking down at her.

“And if you refuse my offer, do you have another plan?”

She didn’t. She was already on the brink of losing control.

“I noticed a child hovering outside the alley. The scent indicates he’s a half-blood—likely your companion. Are you planning to drink his blood?”

“Are you insane?”

She might have joked about how delicious Henry’s blood could be, but that was all it was—a joke. She would never harm something so small and innocent. Not now, when she felt the urge to protect him more than ever.

But in her current state, how could she even go back to Henry?

Fear. Was this what fear felt like? For the first time, she felt a fragile emotion, a vulnerability she hadn’t known before. She didn’t want to become a frightening presence in Henry’s life, someone who might harm him.

“You—your name.”

“Raymond.”

“Ray… mond. Give it to me.”

“Quite the royal attitude, aren’t you?”

A soft chuckle escaped Raymond’s lips.

“Fine. Let me help.”

As Raymond knelt down, Rosanna lunged at him, gripping his shoulders as her fangs sank into his neck.

The taste of blood flooded her senses, invigorating her. Her taste returned, and excitement surged through her veins as the blood spread throughout her body—a natural response.

With what little control remained, Rosanna pushed Raymond away, putting some distance between them. Her flushed cheeks and blood-red eyes met his gaze.

Only her ragged breathing filled the silence. Gradually, she regained control, her eyes returning to their soft gray-blue.

“Your blood… it’s delicious.”

It was a true sentiment, spoken in her hazy state of mind.

* * *

At the end of the day, Ruby’s closed up. Nina flipped the sign on the door to “CLOSED” and walked back inside.

The shop was the perfect image of a dessert haven, with ruby-colored walls, stained glass accents, and display cases all centered on the theme. Even the desserts boasted rich ruby hues, coated with glossy raspberry glaze to make each one look irresistibly decadent.

Beautiful and sweet things come with poison.

The shop embodied Nina’s philosophy and taste.

“Let’s clean up and get ready for tomorrow. You’ll help, won’t you?”

Nina leaned against the counter, watching Raymond, who seemed lost in thought.

“You’re thinking about her, aren’t you? What was your first impression? Is she as beautiful as the rumors say?”

“…”

“I’d love for her to be a true beauty. I adore beautiful things. It would be such a thrill to watch that pretty face twist from my experiments. I can’t wait to have some fun with her.”

“She’s not someone to be trifled with.”

“Of course. She’s an upper-class vampire, isn’t she? The Enache family’s connection to the ‘Progenitor’ is even documented, so it makes sense our superiors would be interested.”

The Progenitor—the being of primordial chaos said to have existed before any god was born, creator of all monsters.

Whether such a mythical, transcendent entity truly existed was anyone’s guess, but there was no doubting the prestige of the Enache family in vampire society. Securing their heir would be a significant gain.

Rosanna Enache, then, was a vampire whose capture was more valuable than her death.

“I don’t care about ancient records whose authenticity I can’t confirm. I’m just following orders from above, that’s all.”

“I know Hunter Raymond treats his mission as faith itself. But tell me—how did it go? Today was your chance. Think you’ll get close to her?”

Raymond absentmindedly rubbed his neck, recalling the woman who had been unable to control her thirst. Though the wound had healed, he could still remember the sensation of her bite and the sound of his blood being drained.

“I’ve created a debt. Now I’ll watch her reaction. But more importantly, explain this.”

Raymond reached into his pocket and held out a small object. A round red stone, translucent under the light.

“A resonance stone. It amplifies the effects of Lycan-β in the target’s system. I even dusted some of it onto the chime above the shop door.”

“That explains her condition—she was losing her senses the closer I got.”

“Noel asked if I could create a booster, so I researched it. Imagine drafting an operation based solely on the assumption of my success, then informing me about it afterward. The guy’s got a rotten personality.”

Nina moved behind the counter and pulled out a glaze container, ready to mix in the Lycan-β she’d brought from her quarters. Once this special glaze covered the desserts, the trap for the vampires would be complete.

It was harmless to humans, but for vampires, consuming these desserts repeatedly would build up toxins in their bodies.

As the shop’s clientele grew, more vampires would inevitably blend in among them. Soon, Ingdberry would become a stage overrun with creatures who had lost their sanity.

Once law and order broke down, the hunters from the Order of the Holy Cross would have justifiable cause to step in. They could hunt openly without interference from the Council, which wasn’t likely to risk an all-out war. The Britna faction, with its moderate stance and comfortable reliance on peace, wouldn’t dare to jeopardize that stability.

In the midst of the ensuing chaos, capturing Rosanna Enache alive would be the grand finale of this operation.