Chapter 23
Translator: True Detective
Chapter 23: Vulgar Slaughter, Craven Survival. (1)
Alice fleeing all day. Somehow she freaked out every time our eyes met. She seemed to be hiding as much as possible, but...
‘As expected... Princess felt it too.’
‘I don't know well either. Except for once previously, we never even encountered properly.’
From the perspective of watching, it was just clearly visible. Should I say a personality that cannot lie. The girl avoided by pretending not to see, or slipping away stealthily.
‘Have business though.’
I couldn't let her keep running away. Thus, I drove her well, and succeeded in luring her to a dead end. Alley with few people. She wouldn't be able to run away with this much. I raised my arm nonchalantly, blocking the girl’s retreat path.
“Miss Alice.”
Only then meeting eyes. Somehow tearing blue pupils.
“Finally caught you. You were running away like that all day...”
“Y-Y-Yes...”
No. Why are you really like that. You are seeing me for the second time today. I asked inwardly with a frustrated heart.
‘Princess.’
‘Perhaps in Princess’s view, is my face that ugly?’
‘Ah right true.’
Certainly not because I’m ugly. Besides, it’s a bit much to say with my own mouth, but my face without the mask is quite decent. I was immersed in doubt, but soon came to my senses and cleared distracting thoughts. Whatever the circumstances, handling business first was priority.
‘Today’s schedule is busy.’
Have to move diligently. About that unknown reaction, I can talk a bit more later. I opened my mouth first.
“How about a date for a moment? Just the two of us.”
“Y-Yes... Yes...?”
Pupils shaking here and there. Seemed to receive a big shock.
“Nothing much. Just have a person to introduce to Miss Alice for a moment.”
“P-Person to introduce...? To me, s-suddenly... why?”
“We decided to get along close right? You remember? That day I found your necklace.”
“Ah...”
“Since we’re getting along close anyway, wanted to introduce my other friend too. You aren't used to academy life yet right? It is better to have even one more acquaintance.”
“I-I-Is that so...”
“You will follow me right?”
“......”
“Miss Alice?”
“Y-Yes! Yes...! I-I will go! Please let me go!”
Girl hesitated, but eventually started to follow. Looking at such appearance, feelings were strange. Date was just words said as a joke, was it that hateful. No matter what, it hurt my heart that my favorite character showed such a reaction.
‘Dragging her forcibly because of business though...’
Mood became sad. Fluttered for a moment, as expected no connection with romance in this life either. When sighing low lamentation, something wiggles in the front pocket. Princess sticking her head out peek soon.
‘Princess? What do you mean.’
‘Well, if looked at in a broad sense, it’s not wrong words right?’
‘If man and woman are walking affectionately alone, that is a date. Is there anything else?’
Would it be. Why are you convinced.
As expected of vampire. Perhaps because conservative race, seemed clumsy in this aspect.
‘Indeed.’
Race that gets stoned in the street if premarital chastity is not kept. Also race taking Mind-Body-Spirit Virginity Theory as a required liberal arts course. Moreover vampires serve only one spouse for a lifetime they say. It was a race of chastity plain and simple.
‘Come to think of it... was pureblood vampire’s lifespan about 300 years?’
Usually ordinary vampires live about 200 years, but they say purebloods are different. Especially, cases inheriting royal blood thickly like Carmilla are special. Because power becomes stronger as much as noble bloodline.
‘How old are you, Princess?’
‘......’
Was treating half as younger sister, but was quite a distant older woman. If calculated in human age it would be roughly similar though...
‘Should treat politely from now on.’
As a kid of Eastern Country of Courtesy, impression had to be strange. While rolling this and that distracting thoughts. Steps leading Alice reach destination.
“Ah, arrived.”
“Here is... Main Building A though?”
Main Building A. Space used by Class A personnel among cadets. Just this building was as wide as a decent university campus. Alice was just looking around with bewildered eyes.
“E-Excuse me... what brings us here...”
“Someone I know is attending Class A.”
“Perhaps the person you said you would introduce...?”
“Correct. The person we are looking for now.”
Just in time lectures would have ended. Since contacted in advance, she will appear if waiting. How long did we stand awkwardly like that. Familiar blond hair is seen in the distance. Girl running brightly smiling upon discovering us.
“Ah... Sir Viktor! You were waiting here!”
“Miss Lanne. Seems been a long time.”
Lanne Kihano. Protagonist of original work [Lanne & Grandia Academy: The Märchen]. At the same time figure taking charge of Class A Runner-up. Girl who has a connection with me at the time of entrance exam. I greeted gladly toward sparkling purple eyes.
“First time since entrance ceremony right?”
“Yes! It’s been a week! It was regrettable since eyes just met briefly at entrance ceremony too!”
“Fufu, Miss Lanne is still vigorous. I was also sad being apart from Miss Lanne.”
“You don't know how surprised I was checking class assignment. Because I naturally thought you would enroll as Class A Top Student.”
“I am lacking, grateful that you thought so.”
“I do not say empty words!”
Who says not protagonist. Lanne pouring out positive energy bboom bboom as soon as meeting. Welcoming this side endlessly, was like a retriever wagging tail madly.
“Come to think of it, are you keeping the part I asked previously well.”
“If request... ah, right! Of course keeping mouth shut thoroughly!”
“Then it is a relief. As I told you that day I have personal circumstances.”
“Yes, I understand! Isn't Sir Viktor my life savior! Of course should grant this much request!”
Previously, entrusted one request to Lanne. To keep the fact that I hunted Jangbung-i (Reader) a secret. In addition requested silence about power and eccentricities I showed.
‘Apostle of Evil God... If it becomes known that I handled [The Reader], several troublesome things will occur.’
Don't know how faculty side will come out. Might be associated with Purgatory 70th floor conquest immediately, buying wariness. Fortunately Lanne was a thorough person regarding promises.
“Certainly it was a strange request, but do not worry!”
“Reliable.”
“Come to think of it, heard rumors about Sir! Heard performance in last exam was tremendous!”
“Seems I am really a hot potato. If even Miss Lanne knows.”
“Because it is news of the first close friend made in academy, how can I let it flow!”
Chatter shared simply. After finishing greetings, I take out business immediately.
“Shall we enter main subject slowly? Reason I looked for Miss Lanne like this today.”
“Ah, right. Didn't you say there is someone to introduce?”
“Correct. Please greet each other. This is Miss Alice.”
“Nice to meet you, Miss Alice! You are Sir Viktor’s classmate.”
“Ah, t-th-that... Hello? N-Nice to meet you...”
Deop-sseok—. (Grab) Lanne grabbing hand without hesitation and shaking hands. Alice had no choice but to shrink at that. If there is reason daring to make these two meet...
‘Lanne’s existence... will be helpful to Alice.’
Nightmare. Original sin Alice harbored. Her ability is madness triggered from dreams.
‘Powerful strength enough to become a disaster later, but problem is she cannot control that power...’
Alice is inexperienced in control. Since born with such constitution itself. Reason trying to hide ability, reason trying not to step forward at all in events like sparring, all were this. Afraid someone would get hurt by her mistake. Afraid her cursed power would kill someone. Pitiful girl lives always trapped in obsession.
‘Besides... Alice’s power accompanies even mental wear.’
Continuing nightmare. State where it becomes difficult to distinguish whether this is reality or dream. Until she can control ability completely, madness was scheduled to eat away Alice’s mind continuously.
‘That’s why Lanne is needed.’
Protagonist, Lanne Kihano. She emits positive energy in all directions. Not just simple feeling is so, actually emits divine power. Because harbored vast amount of divinity by birth. Thus, just by sticking two close, can relieve Alice’s nightmare significantly.
‘Well... even that is only a part though.’
Anyway remaining part is something I just have to help. Until Alice blooms as disaster, 2 years from now. Still quite time left. For now stopping at relieving her mental stress will do. Since associated with sensitive power called nightmare, needed to approach carefully. Well, making a friend she can rely on while at it.
‘In original work she suffered something similar to bullying too.’
Human, sharing gutter even inside gutter. There were descriptions that Alice couldn't mix well in class often. To prevent that too, wanted to stick our protagonist by side. I speak smiling brightly.
“Miss Lanne. You said you would grant any one request of mine right?”
“Of course! Sir Viktor is my life savior.”
“Then, please take good care of Miss Alice.”
“If Sir’s close friend, she is close friend to me too.”
“Glad that you answer refreshingly.”
“E-Excuse me... Viktor-nim? What is all, th-this talk...”
Yes. Alice just got friend forced-sold. Regardless of own will.
“Miss Alice is also okay right?”
Well. Anyway good thing for you. I protect you from becoming disaster. Look at Lanne, how amenable and decent the kid is.
“Y-Yes...”
“Believe you will stay close.”
“I look forward to your cooperation, Miss Alice!”
“Yes...”
Alice nodded, unable to make any retort. Harmonious atmosphere. One case solved for now.
Friend Matchmaker. Around time when a few hours passed after finishing academy schedule. Moon and stars were floating in sky darkened in the meantime. Taking advantage of such night, I slipped out of dormitory building quietly.
“Should not stand out to others’ eyes. Indeed activity seems best done at night.”
“Sleep for a moment. Since there is quite distance today.”
Escaping building, find appropriate point. Afterwards utilizing Wall Clipping. Completely escape academy. We walk dark alley. Carmilla released transformation before knowing, and returned to original form.
“Rubbing on floor with strange posture again, place moved deceptively. This is fascinating no matter how many times experienced.”
“Fufu, cannot inform detailed things as trade secret.”
“Didn't expect either. More than that left academy completely today? Seem not even near...”
“Correct. Came out quite far today.”
Look around. City. Just gloomy feeling whether because it is night. We crossed dark scenery side by side. I open mouth with leisurely steps.
“City quite far from academy. Place where we first met you know? Near that sewer.”
“Sewer... mean that zone where this lady almost got executed.”
“Correct. Fortunately I arrived not late.”
“Still dizzying memory. By the way, why in such city out of blue...”
Princess tilting head even while shuddering. I answered staring at screen floated in front of eyes. Breath was cooled albeit a little.
“There is one thing to handle.”
Ting—!
I fiddled with the mask. Held in hand before knowing, colorful colored balloon sword. In other hand held white fragment of stake used sometime. Lip corners of mask wriggle as if happy.
“Shall we go.”
It was dispatch of one-day vampire hunter.