Chapter 24
Translator: True Detective
Chapter 24: Vulgar Slaughter, Craven Survival. (2)
Vampires. Originally if it’s vampires, they are a race that doesn't make human blood their staple food. Once they fought putting silver and teeth against each other, but that’s a story of distant past. The two races made a peace agreement after a long war. Not attacking each other, and deciding not to interfere. Like that an era of peace came, but...
‘......Heard there were many complaints.’
Some families even among vampires. On that side, they considered harmony with humans unsatisfactory.
‘Anti-Human Faction.’
Humans are also just one of the prey. Must treat them the same as other livestock. How dare short-lived species be equal to vampires. It was the voice raised especially by those immersed in vampire supremacy. Due to this, vampires split into two categories. Pro-Human Faction considering humans as targets of harmony. Anti-Human Faction regarding humans as prey. Conflict continues like that for over several centuries.
‘Then... eventually the incident burst out.’
Coup d'état occurred. Centered on Carmilla’s uncle, the Anti-Human Faction drew their swords. The dynasty collapsed, and numerous Pro-Human Faction members were purged. The only one who survived in such chaos was Carmilla.
‘Princess is also truly pitiful...’
A pitiful life. Even destined to be caught and murdered by the Anti-Human Faction if the player doesn't help. She acts cheerful usually, but a gloomy ego must have settled inside. Because of that, I sympathized with her vigor unconsciously.
“Princess.”
“Why do you call, Viktor?”
“Princess is a vampire, aren't you.”
“Correct. This lady is the pureblood said to be the most noble among the masters of the night.”
“Staple food of the species called vampire is said to be strong blood. Then can you not consume ordinary human meals?”
“Mmm?”
Unexpected question. Since we were walking in a gloomy alley, the girl had no choice but to tilt her head.
“Human meals... not that I can't consume? Of course I wouldn't get necessary nutrients. Although human meals can also be enjoyed as a kind of delicacy, indeed what becomes the driving force of the body is strong blood.”
“Usually consumed livestock blood. Especially liked young lamb’s blood the most.”
“I do not cover anything. Cow, sheep, pig... since they are all strong blood for now.”
“Then how about humans?”
“......”
Was it because of a word thrown casually.
Flinch—.
Carmilla’s shoulders flinched. Girl closing even the lips she was opening, looking up at this side blankly. Pupils shake a few times, then soon calm down the gaze she harbored. Only silver hair fluttered in the gentle wind.
“......Human, huh.”
“Among vampires, there are those who are obsessed with human blood particularly. Did you say Anti-Human Faction. Heard those who collapsed the existing dynasty are also those sharing such spirit.”
“Yes...”
Anti-Human Faction. Human. Collapsed dynasty. Carmilla couldn't open her mouth for a while. Perhaps because of memories cut off in a corner of her heart. After taking a deep breath, those lips answer with a more rigid throat.
“Human blood is special. Different from general livestock’s strong blood. Humans are creatures possessing intelligence and culture like us vampires. Such parts influence vampires.”
“If influence...?”
“Power originally harbored explodes. Maintains a rapidly awakened state. Every single sense becomes clear, authority of Blood Manipulation, overall physical ability also becomes stronger. Just with one bloodsucking, growing by climbing several more stairs. Besides, heard that taste is also supreme delicacy.”
“Strange. Then isn't there no reason not to make human blood staple food?”
“No... if a vampire consumes human blood even once, they can no longer remain as themselves. Cannot even touch other livestock’s blood. Taste buds break down completely.”
“Means cannot be satisfied unless it is human blood...”
Drug. If defined in human language, would it be such a feeling.
“Not stopping there, violence also deepens. Impossible to return to before. As drugs are to humans, human blood is such a thing to vampires.”
“Certainly if violence deepens, and coveting human blood...”
“War. Eventually vampire and human will clash.”
“Pro-Human Faction worried about such parts. Afraid of returning to that era of madness.”
“Correct. However in case of Anti-Human Faction, they ignored these concerns. Rather they are wishing for war. Plan to collapse the human world, and make the entire continent vampire’s territory. Heard they intend to make humans into livestock, and work them like slaves.”
“Terrible.”
“What is more terrible is the part that numerous kin are participating in that plan.”
This was also content I knew. Seven Destructions that will arrive on the continent soon. Sixth among them, Red Night. Hell that will dye the human world with mountains of corpses and seas of blood.
‘Vampires, and tens of millions of ghouls poured into the human world...’
New Kingdom founded newly centering on Anti-Human Faction after collapsing the existing dynasty. As soon as finishing preparations, Carmilla’s uncle starts marching toward the human world. Harmony made hundreds of years ago breaks, and the era is dyed with war once again. If the player doesn't prevent this, the world gets soaked in bright red light. World of vampires opening. Wanted to avoid that bad ending at least. Because humans become livestock, falling into a status of only getting blood sucked for life.
“Princess...”
Suddenly became curious.
“Why do you refuse human blood, Princess.”
“......”
Why does she refuse. Human blood. Although said drugs or whatever earlier, eventually it is the best energy source for vampires. In their eyes humans would look like a species born to become their prey. Because that much perfect prey in all parts. Do they care about human pain. With that pain as fertilizer, can grasp stronger authority. Thinking only of vampires, making the kingdom greater. Many belonging to Anti-Human Faction would have harbored such thoughts.
‘Why.’
Then why. Did the girl not walk the same path as them. Did not hold hands with rationality they presented. Moreover if it’s Carmilla, she tends to be particularly proud of her own race. Why did she, half immersed in supremacy, want harmony with lowly short-lived species.
‘What kind of person are you?’
Because of vengeance? Because Anti-Human Faction collapsed the dynasty, and executed loved ones?
Or because of fear? Was she afraid of war soon to come?
If not even that, acceptance? Did she simply follow predecessor’s will? Obsession that she must also be so since it was so until now?
“......”
Finding that reason becomes the step of next move anytime. I stared at Carmilla quietly. Surging silence shimmers inside red eyes.
“......Humans are an inferior race.”
Girl opened her mouth. That throat wasn't bold, but there was no sign of being mean either.
“Vampires are superior. More than any kin in the world. Compared to that humans are very small. Kin like bugs on a finger.”
“......”
“Therefore, bestowing mercy. Because humans are creatures equipped with sufficient intelligence and culture. However, if we cannot live without killing such microorganisms, how can we call ourselves noble.”
What she tried to protect.
“Layla de Leviathan. De Rony Gibliase.”
Testament said to be left by Ancient Progenitor. Star the girl admired, and also made as aiming point.
“If living just because alive, would that be life. Pilgrimage without penance cannot be called pilgrimage, and belief without temptation cannot be called belief.”
“......”
“Nobility is, not possessing ugliness. Having numerous flaws, but not being dirty. Being able to look at oneself reflected in water proudly. Just followed that. Not vulgar, not craven.”
“I see.”
I nodded. Satisfying Q&A. Princess I serve seemed to be timber to become a sage king. Because she tries to become a better person even if somewhat clumsy. I laughed tapping the tip of the mask tok tok.
“Hmm... just in time arrived almost at destination too.”
“Curious since earlier, what business in such a remote city?”
“Chased traces. Heard recently, there are many people missing in this vicinity.”
“Missing...?”
“In reality kidnapping. Because someone is sweeping up humans.”
“......Surely.”
“Probably exactly what you thought of. New Kingdom, seems wriggling slowly from that side.”
“Already moving? Thought at least 2 years remained until human world invasion...!”
“Of course not a full-scale invasion. Since there is an order.”
Permeating slowly.
“Probably building a base. Preparing for invasion to deploy later.”
“Does that base mean around here? People who went missing...”
“Yes, probably kidnapped by vampires of New Kingdom. Intending to use like food after locking up in place where light doesn't enter. Feeling of making a ranch with humans, intending to make continuous strong blood supply measure. Heard estimated victims so far are three digits.”
“S-Such...! Where on earth, do such lowly acts happen!”
“Arrive soon.”
I rummaged through inventory, took out item prepared in advance. None other than a mask. One with red paint unlike mine. Hand over to Carmilla following from side.
“Please accept.”
“Mask...?”
“Because will encounter other vampires. Will clash too. Isn't it troublesome if Princess’s identity is exposed then. In that sense when active in original form, please wear this mask from now on.”
“Thorough. Although a somewhat repulsive modeling...”
Girl hesitating for a moment, but covering with mask. Two masks. Could be said to be perfect combination. Feeling like became Power Rangers.
“By the way... Viktor, how do you know such things?”
“That is, because I am Princess’s caaaapable servant?”
“Sometimes wonder if too capable, even worried but...”
“Anyway arrived.”
“Hmm?”
Where we stopped was, middle of plaza. Section without particularly special buildings. Toward girl tilting head, I throw one unexpected request.
“Princess, can you unfold Blood Manipulation Art? Toward the floor we are standing on, ask for impact with all strength.”
“Attack? To the ground with nothing...?”
“Please. You will know what it is soon.”
“Mmm, mmng... Understood. If it’s Viktor there must be some meaning.”
Girl Carmilla nodding. As soon as speaking, hammer made of blood was held in hand. Blood compressed and deep aura starts to boil bugeul bugeul. Not long after, along with shallow shout hammering explodes.
“Heueup...!”
Kuuuung—!
Momentarily brushing bursting sound. Immediately after, floor of vicinity we were standing on sinks.
“Kya, kyaat...?”
Hwiiiiii—!
Wind felt with whole body. Floor collapses, and falling into space below it. Passing long cylindrical space, soon reddish light is seen at end. I grinned beyond the mask.
‘Found it.’
Human Farm. Between reddish air, wide scenery unfolds. Site where about one factory could be built. Clumsy appearance because not completed yet. Smell of blood as if slaughtering humans wafting thickly from here and there.
“Viktor...!”
Carmilla making wings with Blood Manipulation. Girl snatching me, reduces falling speed slowly. Robe flutters in wind.
-Wh-What? Ceiling collapsed?
-Something is falling! That looks like vampire and... human?
-How did they enter? Fuck, bring all kids for now!
Shouts heard from below. Probably guys standing guard. Body soaked fully in blood, seemed just had a big bout. Are things scattered beside corpses.
“Princess.”
Peolleok—. (Flutter)
Strong headwind subsides, and toes land lightly. Pupils glaring at this side. One and all red wet with blood. I extended both hands leisurely. In one hand stake, another balloon sword.
“Hmm.”
Ta-ak—!
Step touching ground kicks ground immediately. Stepping familiar steps, body blinking like error. Moved with shallow bursting sound.
Pajik—.
Three vampires standing in closest position. Guys met eyes in empty air. State drawing swords with Blood Manipulation as if assuming combat. Whether everyone confident in skill, momentum to rush with fierce eyes.
“Hey, just kill immediately!”
“It’s human! Cut off limbs one by one first and start!”
“No one should enter here! Looking at glance intruders so must remove...”
“Wait, but where did this bastard disappear...?”
Pajik—.
However, target already out of sight. I appear behind back of panicked guys. Before they turn around, swing fragment of stake gripped tightly.
“Peek-a-boo!”
Chwaaaak—!
Along with rough cutting sound, silhouettes falling tiltingly. Legs cut below thighs amicably. Sound of meat cooking from cut surface, skin peel melts down. Those making blank expressions for a moment, soon grasp situation and scream.
“Kk, kuaaak!!”
“Leg! M-My leg!!”
“Melting, skin melts down...!”
Voices ringing loudly. Not long after, other vampires who grasped commotion run over. Whether everyone was in middle of doing work, appearance covered in blood all over body.
“Wh-What! What happened!”
“Intruder? Just how many invaded for commotion to...!”
“Good timing while at it, just catch all and put in ranch will do.”
Rushed out like that, but waiting in front was one human. Grotesquely smiling mask. I spoke playfully.
“Everyone hands up, bang bang.”
Appearance of legendary vampire hunter.
Abraham Van Helsing. Blade. Han Se-gun. (Reference to Korean novel) Onion Kim.
One inheriting that lineage, Viktor. It was landing with stake.
“Everyone surrender. If not surrender cut, if surrender cut.”
Only good vampire is our Princess. Rest must all be put in coffins.