The Crimson Bandit's Reluctant Guardian
Eluke possessed a superior ability to communicate compared to me. Even accounting for her perfectly corrected speech patterns, the difference was unmistakable. Her attitude of listening to her counterpart's words until the very end. Occasionally, she would interject with precisely timed, appropriate questions. She always guided the conversation so that it flowed naturally and harmoniously. This manner of speaking, which punctually poured out whatever she felt like saying, had clearly taught me valuable lessons through reflection. It was a habit she must have naturally acquired during her time as the Pope.
It would be impossible for me to catch up even if I began learning right now.
"The village burned down and I lost my parents too."
"I must have wandered quite a bit."
"Yes. Because I had nowhere appropriate to go."
Oder, the vampire boy, was speaking with far greater composure than before. The result of Eluke sitting beside him and taking the lead in the conversation.
Honestly, this was slightly enviable. She could extract information from someone without using her fists.
"So you joined the Crimson Bandits?"
"Right before I was on the verge of starving to death."
Perhaps because of the fear I had caused her. Once I created a gentle atmosphere, she willingly spilled her entire story.
Especially after Eluke removed her robe hat while pretending to be hot, she became even more enthusiastic.
Clearly we had the same appearance. But was it perceived differently? My gaze remained fixed on her calm face without any movement.
—Even with the mask covering my expression, I can tell. You fell head over heels.
It was the beauty strategy once again.
A ploy already validated in the parallel world as Liam.
Of course, I still could not be careless.
Was there not a possibility that this brainy strategist had a weaker body than me?
"Was there no choice in the matter? Is that just an excuse?"
I stood at an angle and pressed her.
Following the instructions I had received beforehand.
"Do not threaten me. Are you not sorry for what you did?"
Eluke wrapped it up in a soothing tone.
Of course, this had been agreed upon in advance.
"Do not be afraid. Please continue speaking."
"The Crimson Bandits actively accepted refugees. At first it was suspicious, but..."
Oder began opening his heart even further and spilling the contents from the very bottom.
—That Clitia-nim also has such a frightening side.
He had quickly drawn close to me by exploiting me.
Without using any violence at all.
A savage but peaceful strategy.
After all, a former saintess could not possibly keep up with the wisdom of a current Pope.
"Now, what shall I say?"
She had become proactive and asked first.
I could consider her practically an ally now.
"There are people who have contracted with the earth spirits. I would like to know what happened."
It was a question I had wanted to clarify since earlier.
Pretending to be indifferent, I concentrated.
"A certain elf recently joined the bandit group and arranged the contract."
For a moment our eyes met.
I slightly nodded my head, sending a signal to delve deeper.
"Did you join on your own?"
"Yes. He came directly to my hometown."
"Could you tell me everything that elf was mainly doing?"
Elves could perform photosynthesis.
They grew by directly absorbing sunlight like plants.
A feature worthy of the term noble bloodline.
The sun that gave them light was the Goddess herself.
From birth they were a blessed race of the forest.
The Emperor had even become envious of their nobility, found suspicious faults, and suffered a great humiliation.
Because that elf was vulnerable to sunlight, they became the most despised race of vampires.
There must be a troubling undercurrent hidden there.
"Say everything you know."
I pressed her again since she might be lying.
"I talk with the boss a lot. Other than that, I know nothing..."
It was not particularly useful information.
An elf of such talent had come of his own volition. Would I not give him the utmost care?
"Are you really telling the truth?"
"I am not entirely sure."
"It is fine even if you are not. Think slowly."
No matter how many times I comforted her, the result remained the same.
As a low-ranking member, she seemed to know almost nothing of the internal affairs of the Crimson Bandits.
"I understand."
In the end, there was no success.
Perhaps I would have to investigate the truth of the vampire elf myself.
"One more question."
Eluke calmly moved on to the next question.
"When the pure-blooded vampires next make contact with the bandit group, when will it be?"
The most important question.
It was the first step toward reaching the Vampire Lord.
"Even if it is ambiguous, answer if you know."
"That is content I find difficult to tell."
Suddenly a thick voice intervened.
It came from somewhere other than Oder's mouth.
From beneath the ground.
Immediately a large mole made of sand erupted.
"Stop holding on to an idiot who knows nothing and talk to me."
A solid aura surged through.
At least a high-rank spirit.
I had raised my aura in preparation for battle.
"Are you here to seek revenge?"
"Never."
The mole thrust its long snout at me.
"My contractee found you. I will take you to the Crimson Bandits' base."
I roughly guessed who the spirit was.
"The elf who claims he became a vampire on his own?"
"Exactly. So what will you do?"
Although I had wanted to go there anyway, I would not make the foolish mistake of following recklessly.
The possibility of a trap was very high.
"Let's discuss."
"Do as you like."
I stepped back a little and consulted with Eluke.
"What should we do?"
"Normally I would reject it, but with you here, what is there to worry about?"
After all, unless it was the Demon King or the Four Heavenly Kings, I could fight anyone.
"Besides, I am here too, so even if a pack of vampires swarm us, there is no problem."
"Let's accept."
The conclusion was to simply trust in power and push forward.
No matter how much I racked my brains, the means to protect my body would ultimately be strong force alone.
"Have you decided?"
"Taking me."
"You have thought carefully."
The mole began waving its sand like wind and rapidly expanded in size.
To approximately twice the size of a black stone horse.
"I will transport you safely."
Seeing me offer my back, I mounted without hesitation.
With this, I was one step closer to the Vampire Lord.
***
"It is here."
The village appeared in my field of vision.
Finally, we had arrived.
Only after the sun had begun to set.
"Did you deliberately take the long way around?"
I complained by flicking sand at it.
The time of day when vampires restored their vitality.
It was too clear what her intentions were, and I was dumbfounded.
"You were prepared. Just understand and move on."
"Are you not being too brazen?"
"Bringing the enemy to their base is something that requires this much, is it not?"
It was a reasonable measure even if I had been in her position.
I had nothing to say, so I idly gripped sand in my hand and let it fall gently.
"I will let you down."
We reached the edge of the village.
As the mole returned to its original size, my feet naturally touched the ground.
"Oder, you go back to your house."
"I want to stay with this unni longer..."
"Hurry."
A command mixed with coercion.
Oder reluctantly walked toward the village.
As he went, he kept waving at Eluke.
"Are there many like you in the bandit group?"
"There are quite a few. The aftereffects of the war do not distinguish ages and they come looking."
Was I too prejudiced?
He was a vampire but nothing more than an ordinary boy.
I felt a slight unease because it reminded me of Erin.
If he had attacked, I would have dealt with him coldly, but in battle he had stayed far away.
Even while coming to the village, he had not shown any particular aggression.
Clinging to Eluke with the black stone horse and laughing brightly without fail.
I had learned in the convent that when vampires become so, the evil boiling inside cannot be controlled.
It seemed not always the case.
"Now follow. Leave that monster here."
"Why? I do not want to."
Eluke, who had been stroking the black stone horse's head, replied in a gentle tone.
"At the moment, the vampires left in the village are only non-combat personnel. Everyone will fear us."
"We black ones do not attack others without reason."
When had she started calling me 'black one'?
We briefly argued and then decided to leave it at that.
"Wait here."
After watching me gently pat its nose.
We finally entered the village.
"Do not touch anything. There are many buildings that our spirit's power barely maintains."
Row upon row of ruined houses, some collapsed.
Their forms remained, so they had repaired them with rocks and dirt.
The streets were completely covered with thick cloth.
Was it for blocking the sunlight vulnerability?
It was already evening, so the light was extremely dim.
—Just wait a moment! It will brighten up!
The Sun-bask had prevented any trouble.
Soon the field of vision brightened as if it were daytime.
We would be able to prepare for any unexpected attacks.
Even if ambushed, we would not die, but just in case.
"There is no need to be so cautious."
"Aren't you being reckless in the enemy's base?"
"I have nothing to say."
Following the mole, I swept the corners of the streets.
Walls with cracks.
Potholes in the road.
A dead cat lying at the roadside.
Even without saying it, it was difficult to call it cheerful.
The word 'harrowing' fit perfectly.
But why?
A vitality still lingered.
On the cracked walls, crooked drawings of children had been drawn.
The potholes were used as trash bins.
Next to the dead cat, there were small toys and stones.
As if mourning in this way.
A ruin, yet the scent of life had bloomed.
Much deeper than an ordinary village.
It did not seem like the nest of a vampire who indulged in the desire to taste blood and committed atrocities.
"It looks like a shelter for ordinary refugees."
Eluke, who had been using holy power to scan the surroundings, muttered with thoughts similar to mine.
"See? It has changed like this since my contractee arrived."
A fulfilling emotion was conveyed.
I became more curious about what thoughts the vampire elf held.
"Here."
The guidance ended in the center of the village.
"Wait inside."
The large house that was still in its complete state.
It was not a palace, but compared to other places, it was like a palace.
"Go in."
I carefully grasped the protruding door handle and turned it.
A unpleasant creaking sound.
A room with no furniture revealed itself.
"Come."
An elf was sitting on a large rock beside a fireplace with no fire.
Dull blonde hair and long ears.
Fresh red eyes and pale skin.
Anyone could tell it was a vampire and an elf.
"Wipilrud Stetwood."
Was this an introduction?
It was so dry that I nearly did not recognize it.
"Do you know who I am?"
"The excommunicated saintess."
Unlike lower-ranked vampires, he properly recognized me.
The lack of reaction was the same.
"So what were you looking for me for?"
"I will first apologize for the wrongs our bandits have committed."
He did not seem particularly sorry.
His eyes and mouth, which did not move in the slightest.
The expression looked as if he were frozen.
"I did not get hurt, but only they died?"
"It is unfortunate, but since you broke the promise with me and went on a blood hunt, there is nothing to be done."
For now, my impression was not bad.
I could not read emotions easily, but words came through well.
"I called you because I have a request."
"What is it?"
"Make me the Vampire Lord."
Was it a misunderstanding?
The closed walls began to feel suffocating.
"You are serious?"
"I swear on the World Tree and the Sun."
"What are you that you swear on the Goddess?"
"That is what it means to be serious."
I understood.
Wipilrud was quiet like other elves, but instead his mind was noisy.
A species with a different way of speaking to the master.
I had a premonition that something troublesome would happen.
"Why should I help you?"
"I am the Guardian of the next Hero party."
"..."
This time I could not suppress my shock.
"How can I believe that?"
"I remember what the Goddess said when she first appeared in my dream."
"Recite only the front part."
"Sorry for putting a heavy mission on you."
Correct.
He was truly the Guardian.
"Will you say more?"
"No need."
Why would a spirit that must protect nature want to be the head of mosquitoes?
There was something seriously wrong.
"I heard through the spirits what happened in Serda."
A dry voice carried a slight interest.
"You said you help the Hero party. Help me too."
A mad junior.
My gaze, raised thanks to Selen and the others, was dashed to the ground.
"First, I need to know what your purpose is."
"I can say anything."
"Speak about why you became a vampire."
Wipilrud rose from the rock and firmly opened his mouth.
"Vampires are also living beings."
As expected, the strange statement flew out.
"All life must be respected. Plants, insects, monsters too. But vampires have always been persecuted. Only because we are a race that is weak to sunlight."
It was not pretense.
His face was flushed as he suppressed his anger.
"You want to stop racial discrimination?"
"Yes. But I am an elf who is considered noble. Even if I work hard for vampires, to others' eyes it will look like deception."
So I had directly become the target of prejudice.
My ideals were sound, but there was a serious problem with the means.
"Why do you want to become the boss?"
"I made the decision after talking with the leader many times."
His fresh red eyes looked straight at me.
An intent to receive help no matter what.
"Currently the boss only sees humans as food. I will drag him down and unite the hearts of all vampires."
A mental unity to oppose discrimination.
After all, it was not completely absurd.
"You are not a bad elf."
"Indeed."
I was relieved.
The future was unclear, but...
"Will you help me?"
I and Eluke were in the position of having to find the Vampire Lord.
Wipilrud's purpose and our direction roughly matched.
"Let's see the situation."
The Guardian chosen by the Goddess herself.
If handled well, he would surely become capable.
Like Liam who had the power to defeat the Demon King.
"Where is the boss? I must meet him."
"He is on the second floor."
"Can I just go up?"
Wipilrud nodded his head quietly.
"You will be surprised when you see."
"Me?"
"Actually, the boss is the one who made me believe you would help me."
Who on earth was he?
Carrying my curiosity, I climbed the wooden stairs beside the living room.
At the top of the stairs was a small attic room.
In a space with only a futon and dust, a man was leaning against the wall.
"Are you the excommunicated saintess?"
It was a familiar face and voice.
"Ivar?"
No.
We looked exactly alike, but the atmosphere was completely different.
"Someday I wanted to meet you. I am Ivar's twin brother, Dwain."
"..."
It was an undeniable fact that I could not help but be shocked.
Eluke is better at communication than me. Her speech is perfect, yet the difference is obvious. She listens to the end, asks apt questions, and keeps the conversation flowing naturally. It is the wisdom of a Pope. I will never catch up.
“The village burned and I lost my parents.”
“I wandered a lot.”
“Yes, nowhere to go.”
Oder spoke calmly. Eluke took the lead and sat beside him. I envy her. She gets information without fists.
“So you joined the Crimson Bandits?”
“I was starving.”
The gentle atmosphere made her spill everything. She removed her hat pretending to be hot. We look the same but she feels different. I see through her beauty trap. It worked in the parallel world. Be careful. She might be a strategist.
“Choice? Just an excuse?”
I pressed her. Agreed instructions. “Do not threaten me. Are you sorry?” She wrapped it in kindness. Pre-agreed. “Continue.” The bandits accepted refugees. At first suspicious… He opened his heart completely. He respects Clitia. Without violence, a peaceful method. A former saintess cannot match a Pope’s wisdom. What now? She asks first. We are practically allies. About the earth spirits. I focused. A contract elf joined. Our eyes met. Nodded to dig deeper. Joined on his own. Came to my hometown. Tell me everything the elf does. Elves photosynthesize. Noble bloodline. Blessed by the Goddess. Forest race. Emperor hated their nobility. They became vampires for sunlight weakness. Hidden depths. Say all you know. I pressed again. Talks to the boss mostly. Not useful. But give him care. Really? Not sure. Think slowly. Same result. Low rank, knows nothing. I understand. No success. Investigate myself. One more question. Calm next. When do pure-blooded vampires contact the group? Most important. First step to Vampire Lord. Answer if you know. Difficult. Voice from underground. Large mole erupted. Talk to me. High-rank spirit. I raised aura. Revenge? No. Long snout. My contractee found you. Take to base. Vampire elf. We went to town. Deliberately long way. Vampires restore vitality. I was prepared. Too brazen? Bringing to base requires this. Sand in hand. Let down. Village edge. Feet on ground. Oder, go home. Want to stay… Hurry. Coercion. Waves hand. Many like you? Quite a few. War ignores age. I was prejudiced. Ordinary boy. Reminds me of Erin. No attack, stayed far. Clung to Eluke, smiling. Learned control evil in convent. Not always. Follow. Leave monster. Why? Do not want. Gentle protest. Non-combat vampires fear us. We black ones do not attack freely. Name? Briefly argued. Wait. After nose pat. Enter village. Do not touch. Buildings maintained by spirit. Ruined houses. Repaired with rocks. Streets covered with cloth. Evening, dark. Wait, it brightens! Sun-bask. Becomes daytime. Prepare for attacks. No need to be cautious. Reckless in enemy base? Nothing to say. Swept streets. Cracked walls. Potholes. Dead cat. Harrowing. But vitality. Child drawings. Trash bins. Toys and stones. Mourning. Life scent in ruin. Deeper than village. Not vampire nest. Shelter for refugees. Eluke scanned with holy power. Changed since contractee. Fulfillment. Curious about elf’s thoughts. Here. Central village. Wait inside. Large intact house. Like palace. Enter. Door handle. Creak. Empty room. Come. Elf on rock by fireplace. Dull blonde, long ears. Red eyes, pale skin. Vampire elf. Wipilrud Stetwood. Introduction. Dry. I know who. Excommunicated saintess. Recognized me. No reaction same. Apology for wrongs. Not sorry. Frozen face. I did not get hurt. Broke promise, blood hunt. Impression not bad. Words pass. Request. What. Make Vampire Lord. Sincere? World Tree and Sun. You swear on Goddess? Serious. Wipilrud noisy mind. Different from elves. Troublesome. Why help? Guardian of next Hero party. Shock. Remember Goddess dream. Heavy mission. True Guardian. More? No. Spirit protecting nature as mosquito boss? Wrong. Heard from spirits. Dry voice interest. Help Hero party. Help me too. Mad junior. Eyes dashed. Purpose? Any. Why vampire. Rose, firm. Vampires are life. Strange. All life respected. Plants insects monsters. Vampires persecuted. Sunlight weakness. No pretense. Flushed face. Stop racial discrimination? Yes. I am noble elf. Hard work seen as deception. Target of prejudice. Ideas sound, means problem. Reason for boss? Talks with leader. Red eyes straight. Desire help. Boss sees humans as food. Drag down, unite hearts. Mental unity. Not absurd. Not bad elf. Indeed. Relieved. Future unclear. Help? We must find Vampire Lord. Purpose matches. See situation. Goddess chosen Guardian. Will be capable. Power to defeat Demon King. Where boss? Meet. Second floor. Just up? Nod. Surprised. Me? Boss made me believe. Who? Curiosity, up stairs. Small attic. Futon, dust. Man leaning. Ivar? Same face. Different atmosphere. Wanted to meet. Twin brother Dwain. Shock.