Chapter 150: Iona’s Observation Diary (5)
Chapter 150: Iona’s Observation Diary (5)
Around the time Iona’s infamy began to spread throughout the Nersia Kingdom.
—The Evil God descended.
The curtain rose on the Great War.
Just thinking about it gave me goosebumps, and I felt a sudden prickle on the back of my neck, as if someone were watching me.
I glanced around just in case, but the only thing in sight was the large portrait of Iona.
“Must have been my imagination…”
I guess I got a little too immersed in my reading.
However, there was no time to catch my breath. I had to finish the rest of the diary before Iona returned.
Since my Excellent Memory allowed me to recall anything I’d seen once, I picked up the pace, flipping through the pages faster.
Flip.
—The Evil God is overwhelming the entire Eurelia Continent.
In the face of violence that is divinity itself, both the Lord and I are nothing more than children.
Many fought and died, while others surrendered and became cultists.
What should we do?
While we were debating whether to remain in hiding or flee elsewhere, an envoy from the Levantine Empire arrived.
—The Humanity Union.
An alliance that disregards race and past grudges, formed solely to strike down the Evil God.
It seems the Nersia Kingdom has already agreed to join.
We decided to join as well.
From now on, we can only drink human blood if there is mutual consent… but still, being able to walk under the sun again is something.
The Francesca Clan was never blood-crazed like other groups, so it wasn't a significant drawback for us.
Of course, the thought of facing the Evil God is terrifying.
Fortunately, I heard that a newly appeared fellow called the Hero would handle that part.
Our clan’s job is simply to strike down the cultists so they cannot interfere with the Hero.
We can manage that much.
As always, the Lord’s judgment will prove correct.
—I met my younger sister, Ayla, in the most unexpected place.
The Prince of the Levantine Empire, the King of Nersia, and Lord Francesca.
A party was in full swing as the three met to celebrate joining the Union and discuss future plans.
Out of nowhere, the Crown Prince of Nersia introduced Ayla, claiming she was his attendant.
He said he found Ayla trapped in a basement while recapturing and restoring a castle that had fallen during the war.
Since I had become quite famous, the Crown Prince realized there was a connection between Ayla and me and immediately took her under his protection.
At a time when the Francesca Clan’s entry into the Union was a hot topic, it seemed he intended to score points with me, the clan’s de facto second-in-command…
But what did it matter? The important thing was that I had found Ayla again.
I might not care for our biological parents, but I held no ill will toward Ayla.
If anything, I felt a sense of kinship, having endured our parents’ wretched behavior together.
I hope Ayla and I can get along well again, just like the old days.
The Crown Prince said he would arrange a private place for us to catch up.
I am grateful.
—Ayla didn't tell me what happened over the last ten years. But I could guess to some extent.
Ayla… looks very much like me. They likely intended to use her as my substitute.
If I hadn't met the Lord, I would have ended up no different from Ayla.
I invited Ayla to live with us, but she refused, saying she wanted to repay the Crown Prince’s kindness and would remain his attendant for a while longer.
Does she like the Crown Prince?
I don't think it will end well. No matter if she is my sister, no royal would take a woman who lived as another’s plaything for ten years as his wife.
Of course, Ayla probably knows this better than I do.
I should just smile and support her choice.
—After joining the Union, we began clashing with the Evil God’s army in earnest.
Thanks to the support from other Union nations in the rear, we managed to hold them off without much trouble.
Ayla acted as a bridge, utilizing her position as the Crown Prince’s attendant and my sister.
At first, Ayla looked so dark and gloomy it seemed she might die at any moment, but as time passed, her expression gradually brightened.
What a relief. Is it because I tell her stories about the Lord every time we meet?
The Lord is always getting into delightful antics, so there are plenty of funny stories to share.
For some reason, the Crown Prince kept intruding whenever I met Ayla…
Well, I suppose he’s doing it to strengthen the bonds of the Union.
—As the war intensifies, the front lines are being pushed back.
Ayla seemed worried about it too, asking if she could flee to the Francesca Clan’s side if things went south.
I couldn't give her an answer immediately, as the Lord, not I, is the master of the clan.
Of course, when I asked, the Lord readily agreed.
I told Ayla how to enter the ruined castle, the Francesca Clan’s headquarters.
It was the first time since our reunion that I saw Ayla smile so brightly.
With this, I can rest easy no matter what happens.
—As if cultists weren't enough, now monsters are swarming in.
They refused to believe in the Good Gods even if they died, yet they bow so easily to an Evil God.
Spineless wretches.
Anyway, there isn't a single day without blood on my body, so my instincts are constantly acting up.
I’ve managed to endure it so far… but I worry I might accidentally tear into an ally’s throat.
If that happened, the position of vampires within the Union would be jeopardized. Naturally, it would also be a burden on the Lord.
Perhaps pitying my struggle, Ayla offered to share her blood with me.
She said that as long as there was mutual consent, I could feed directly from her like before.
Ayla’s blood was sweet.
—Something is wrong.
My blood, which always moved according to my will, is unresponsive. Even my mana feels stiff, making it difficult to weave spells.
Both blood magic and regular magic are completely blocked.
Is it because I’ve been overexerting myself lately? Or perhaps it’s because I fed directly for the first time in a while yesterday.
I stopped by the headquarters to say I would be resting for the day.
…And there, I overheard unbelievable news.
The Nersia Kingdom fell to an unidentified Cardinal-level cultist?
The leadership was all killed, and only the servants managed to escape?
My mind went blank.
I told the headquarters I’d only be gone for a day, but I can no longer stay at the front.
I have to get to the clan’s castle immediately.
I’m so glad I told Ayla how to pass through the barrier for a time like this.
Since they said only royals and nobles were targeted, Ayla, a mere attendant, should be fine.
She must be waiting for me at the ruined castle with the other clan members.
—I was too late.
The moment I passed through the barrier, a scent of blood so thick it made my nose sting wafted toward me.
It wasn't the smell of human or monster blood.
It was deeper, more refined… Yes. I instinctively knew it was the scent of vampire blood.
Clutching my trembling hands, I headed toward the audience hall where the Lord would be.
In the hallways, I saw human-shaped scorch marks and large piles of ash.
They say that instead of rotting and returning to the earth, a vampire’s corpse turns to ash and returns to the dust.
Could the reason I don't see the other clan members be…
No, it can't be.
I shook my head, but the ominous thoughts wouldn't stop.
I ran like a madman, as if being chased by something.
The moment I threw open the doors to the audience hall—
I saw the hall filled with cultists. And there, standing among them, was Ayla.
I saw Ayla, her hand thrust through the Lord’s heart.
—I curse my past self.
If only I had asked the Lord to save Ayla too on the day I became a vampire.
If only I had investigated more deeply and found Ayla sooner while I was out making a name for myself.
If only I had controlled my charm perfectly so the Crown Prince wouldn't have developed feelings for me.
If only I hadn't told Ayla how to pass through the barrier.
If only I hadn't sucked Ayla’s blood and had arrived sooner in a healthy state.
If only… If only I had noticed Ayla’s jealousy a little sooner.
If I had, would things have been different?
I don't know.
The only thing certain was that the Lord, who hadn't yet drawn her last breath, squeezed out her final strength to rescue a powerless me.
And that she died while comforting me, saying it wasn't my fault.
Only that was certain.
The Lord’s corpse, which never lost its smile until the very end, burst into flames and instantly turned to ash.
No matter how hard I tried to grasp the ash scattering in the wind, it slipped hollowly through my fingers.
However, there was one thing that did not scatter.
It was the jewel necklace the Lord always wore because she liked the color.
She had said it was originally a transparent crystal, but her blood had stained it a dark, blackish-red.
I hung the Lord’s sole remaining legacy around my neck and etched it into my heart.
I am Francesca now.
I alone am Francesca.
“Wait, what…?”
My head throbbed from the sudden influx of information.
I knew Iona’s clan had been massacred by cultists.
But the cause wasn't just being caught in the war; it was her sister’s betrayal?
And that sister’s name is Ayla? Given the circumstances, she likely became a follower of Jealousy… or rather, the God of Narrow-minded Usurpation.
I recall there being a high-ranking follower of Narrow-minded Usurpation named Ayla.
Cardinal. Ayla the Gazer.
In H&A, the name was mentioned, but she wasn't a boss that actually appeared.
That’s why I hadn't paid much attention to her…
No way. Could it be the same person? How could a human from over 300 years ago still be alive?
She isn't a long-lived race like Iona or Iris.
No matter how high-ranking a priest of the Evil God you are, you can't escape the flow of time unless you’re at the Apostle level.
Even in the Church of Light, the Pope changes roughly every 100 years.
They might live longer than others, but that’s about it.
Still… the fact that the name and the cult are the same is very unsettling.
Is it really a different person? If it’s the same person, then the person Iona is looking for is…
As I continued this internal Q&A, a sound interrupted my thoughts.
Step. Step.
The sound of small footsteps outside the door snapped me back to reality.
Is Iona back already? No, it’s not 'already'; quite a bit of time has passed. I just didn't notice because I was so focused on reading.
The moment that thought crossed my mind, my body moved.
I returned the notebook to its original position as precisely as possible and quickly scanned the room.
There was nowhere to hide. Why on earth did this laboratory only have a desk and experimental tools?
Fortunately, I wasn't entirely out of options.
This desk. Since it was unnecessarily large, the empty space underneath was also quite wide.
There was no more time to hesitate. Using the sound of the doorknob turning as my cue, I scrambled under the desk.
Click—
“Heh-heh. Heh-heh-hm~”
A moment later, Iona returned to the lab, humming a tune.
Even though I was masking my presence with the robe’s ability, someone of Iona’s caliber might still notice.
I focused my mind on my mana, knowing that if Iona felt even a hint of suspicion, I’d be caught.
Just hiding blindly wasn't enough. I had to manage my mana to blend in with the surroundings as naturally and ordinarily as possible.
Did it work?
Fortunately, Iona didn't notice my presence and sat down at the desk.
“Oof…”
But my sense of accomplishment didn't last long.
The moment I saw those fair, creamy calves right in front of my eyes, I realized something had gone horribly wrong.
A student who sneaks into a professor’s lab, peeks at her diary, and then hides under her desk to stare at her calves?
Is this… okay?
I don't think it is…
Drip.
A single bead of cold sweat rolled down my spine.
I’m losing it.