Let's Throw Some Punches First, Lady Roselia
Roselia, the lady of House Edward—one of the empire's most prominent noble families and the cherished eldest daughter of Count Edward. These days, she was head over heels for Romeo, the brothel's pretty boy by the lake, and had blown through her entire allowance on him without a second thought. She didn't see him as just some gigolo. She was fully prepared to take over the family, pay off the brothel, and make him her husband.
Lady Roselia, who fancied herself the tragic heroine of a romance novel, had been standing watch outside the convenience store by the lake that day too, pining for Romeo. Or at least, that's how it had been.
'Huh? Why am I...?'
She found herself wandering blankly through the night streets of Oscar, the capital. Why, exactly? The question faded as quickly as it came. There, just ten steps ahead, was a dazzling head of silver hair. It hit her all at once—she'd been chasing after that man.
The moment he stepped into the convenience store, Roselia had felt it. He was her destined one. All thoughts of Romeo, who used to torment her every day, had vanished. Romeo? Who was that? Sure, he was attractive enough, and yeah, she'd poured a fortune into him, but he was in a whole different league from the man with that breathtaking silhouette.
In that brief encounter at the store, she'd taken in every detail of his features. That pale face... she just wanted to protect him. Her maternal instincts surged.
Yes. Lady Roselia, eldest daughter of Count Edward's house, was hopelessly smitten.
'What do I do? My eyes are probably all puffy from crying earlier.'
She checked her face repeatedly in her hand mirror, nodding in satisfaction. A few flaws, but the darkness would hide them. Reassuring herself, she cleared her throat and called out.
"Excuse me."
As soft and delicate as possible. But her destined man ahead didn't respond.
"Excuse me. Handsome gentleman."
Still nothing. But that was fine. It just added a teasing thrill.
"Excuse me. Can you not hear me?"
Only then did the man turn. Silver hair shimmering faintly in the moonlight, deep crimson eyes with a strange allure, and an expression that could captivate anyone. Ah, how could he be so perfect?
"What is it?"
Even his voice was gorgeous.
"Um, well... I've been watching you since the convenience store..."
"Please leave. I beg you."
"I'm not trying to sell you anything..."
"It's dangerous here. Lady, you should get to safety."
"It's not dangerous. You can just protect me, sir knight."
Roselia pretended to stumble, throwing herself into her destined man's arms.
"I did warn you."
"Oh dear, does that mean it's actually dangerous because you want—"
But she couldn't finish. She'd seen his face—grimacing like he was about to cry as he looked at her. The moment a fierce glint erupted in his eyes, her mind went hazy.
"Where'd he go?"
I had to find him fast. If that guy really was a vampire, and if he'd set up that magic circle because he was some high-profile monster...
I couldn't guarantee the life of the lady who'd followed him.
No traces. He hadn't stirred up any mana, and there was no trace of that foul, monster-specific stench of blood either.
I thought he was just human. Someone with unusual hair, that's all.
That's when it hit me—the cloying perfume scent from that lady earlier. The acrid smell that had stung my nose. She must've passed through here.
'Which way?'
A dimly lit alley with few people. I had no idea why a vampire would be hunting live meat in the capital, but if he was starving, he'd go after her blood no matter what.
Then—
"Kyaaah!"
A shrill, piercing scream cut through the night streets. The lady's voice.
I bolted toward the sound.
"If I save her life, I'm sending the bill to House Edward."
For today's lost business, too.
There she was—clothes in tatters, sprawled naked on the ground, with a shadowy figure pinning her down.
"Ahh, a little more... a little more! My lord, my beloved lord..."
Her eyes, gazing vacantly into space with a hollow smile, gleamed with a red light as she clung to the figure.
'Mesmerize.'
One of a vampire's signature skills. While draining blood, it shows the victim illusions to prevent resistance and dull the pain. That's why bodies found drained by vampires are usually twisted in grotesque grins.
I never thought I'd see it for real.
Not the time for sightseeing.
"How about we call it quits?"
The thing yanked its fangs from the lady's nape and stood the moment it sensed me. Something was off about it.
'Is it... crying?'
I thought I was seeing things at first. Maybe the moonlight was playing tricks on the light in its eyes. But no—clear tears welled up and spilled from the corners.
"Crying because the blood tastes that good?"
"Ahh, I promised... I promised I wouldn't..."
Blood smeared on its lips, the vampire wept. I filed away the useless info for later and approached.
"Listen. I'm innocent."
"Just one question. That magic circle by the capital—you set it up?"
"You're the one who destroyed it?"
"Yeah."
"Why would you do that?! It was to keep me from drinking blood!"
"Your circle caused a mana rift. The higher-ups found out and wanted it dismantled. That's it."
I checked the lady. Still lost in her illusion, staring into nothing, but she seemed fine otherwise. Once the mesmerize wore off, she'd snap out of it. Her skin was still plump—no massive blood loss.
"...Because of you. You made me break my promise to her."
"No, it was your greed sucking up too much. You tangled the forest's mana."
Crunch! The sound of grinding teeth rang out clearly.
"A promise not to drink blood?"
It looked at me with sorrowful eyes.
"Yes. But it's meaningless now."
The air shifted. Bloody aura erupted from the vampire's body, who had been wailing moments ago. Going berserk on fresh blood?
"It's your fault. If you hadn't destroyed that circle..."
Why's it my fault? You screwed up the installation. Anyone could see the vampire wrecking a perfectly fine forest was the villain here, but it acted like I was the aggressor. Talk about unfair. Should I drag it to court?
The stands would be packed with gawkers. Priests and inquisitors yelling for execution. Crown Prince Astur presiding, handing down guilty or not. Everyone in the courtroom on my side. Hell yeah. Three bangs of the gavel, death sentence for the vampire.
Problem was, it wouldn't come quietly.
Its eyes bloodshot red, fangs sharpening. A real vampire. Silver hair and crimson eyes? Pureblood status. Weak from blood starvation or not, still no pushover.
'Can't take it easy.'
Time to get serious.
"Let's throw some punches first."
Priority one: knock some sense into it. Questions about the circle and dark magic ties could wait.
Low-end estimate: 6th rank mage. Dodging incoming spells, closing in...
-Hyaap!
The vampire conjured blood-red blades, silver hair whipping as it charged. Close quarters? Jackpot.
The blade traced a red arc at my throat. Vampire speed—insane. Anyone else, head gone.
"Whoa!"
I parried the blade aimed at my neck. The twisted trajectory threw its balance, body tilting.
"Urk!"
I slammed a kick into the off-balance vampire's gut.
"Guhk!"
Solid. Rough texture underfoot. This thing worked out? Vampire durability? I'd aimed to crack bones, but muscles unscathed.
"Tough little bastard."
"You fucking dog..."
"Trash talk won't help the pain. Calling a guy a dog bastard?"
Hyaap! Now a leg sweep. I stepped back; it stuck like glue, slicing at my waist.
Clang!
Mana surged in my palms, shattering the blood blade. Crack! It snapped with a loud report.
No weapon now—spell barrage next? I analyzed its pattern.
"Huh?"
Its eyes widened at my hands.
"N-Navy blue mana... You don't mean...?"
"That's enough."
Change of plans. I uppercut its slack-jawed chin.
Crack!
"Gahk!"
Eyes fully glazed, it crumpled to the ground.
"Whew, close call."
No need for extra trouble. And those memories? All bad ones. No point dredging them up.
"We still need to talk."
Tsk. Subduing a blood-starved, broken-spirited vampire? Easy.
Shame—I'd hoped to loosen up a bit.
"Too bad."
Interrogation later. I glanced at Lady Roselia, dress shredded. Killer body for all the rough handling. Face-matching huge tits, scarlet nipples, golden bush same shade as her hair, teasing slit. A beauty like that, exposed in the street? If some thug found her first...
Lucky a gentleman like me got here first.
"No clothes left worth wearing..."
I stripped the vampire and dressed her in his. Then placed my hand over the two holes in her neck.
What I pulled out: Fresh Flesh Spray and bandage strips. Both magic items from the convenience store.
Apply spray and bandage—
Whoosh!
Light seeped in; the wound vanished clean.
"Lady, snap out of it and get up. Sleeping here'll mess up your mouth."
"Mmm, five more minutes..."
Mesmerize fully worn off, she was out cold, mumbling.
"Lady!"
"Ahhn! My lord!"
Lady Roselia blinked awake.
"Wh-what's going on...?"
"Feeling better?"
"Where's my lord?"
"No idea what you're talking about. You're drunk. Head home."
I blocked her view of the silver-haired vampire on the ground, just in case.
"This..."
She pointed at the clothes; I ignored her. No time to waste—send her packing.
"Don't want to shame House Edward or whatever it is? Go home. Where's your escort?"
"Ah... Probably waiting near the store."
"Can't have you staggering through alleys like this. I'll call them."
Still dazed from the aftereffects, she nodded blankly at me.
"Okay..."
Good, now scram. Time for me to head back to the store.