Gucheng was lying on the sofa in the living room, listlessly watching TV. It happened to be a cooking show in the morning.

Next to the ancient city, Yukina is flipping through a book as thick as a dictionary.

Next to her was a thick aluminum box from The Lion King's agency and something she had bought at a supermarket near her apartment.

"That, Yukina."

"Yes. What's the matter? ”

"What are you holding?"

"It's a medical book, and I'm investigating a cure for a vampire cold."

As she spoke, Yukina turned the pages of the book to the old city. It is densely printed with chemical equations and diagrams that are difficult to read.

"And the ones you bought..."

"It's the material of medicine."

"Medicine?"

"Yes. Although I think there should be a medicine for vampires in the Demon Special Zone, but because the senior is not logged in to the Demon Clan, it will become a very troublesome thing if you see a doctor. ”

"Is that so?"

"So, I'll reconcile."

Yukina smiled at the ancient city and made a declaration.

There was a sense of foreboding.

"It's a classical method, but it's the same ingredients as the pharmaceuticals sold in the market, so it's great to be able to get the ingredients."

Yukina, who said this, took out the medicine mill that often appears in period dramas.

It looked so pale, and the ancient city cast a suspicious look at it.

"What kind of material is it?"

"Yes, green onions first."

Among the ingredients that Yukina bought, I did see a fresh green onion.

"Yes. If you put the roasted green onion in your mouth, the sulfurene contained in the green onion will irritate the mucous membranes, causing a sore throat and a slightly sore nose to relieve it. ”

"Is this an old woman's wisdom bag! Well, it has nothing to do with vampires, right?! ”

"And, garlic! Garlic can make people strong and has a strong bactericidal effect, and it should also be used to treat colds-"

"It should work, but what are you trying to do with the vampire eating garlic......?"

The ancient city asked Yukina with half-open eyes.

Well, Yukina can't go on.

"Yes, if that's the case, get some fresh turtle blood or something......!"

"Even if you call it a vampire, you can't just suck blood, you can do anything!"

The props prepared were denied one by one, and Yukina pursed her lips,

"That's right...... Well, that's the only way to do it. ”

With a nervous expression, Yukina reached for a tightly packed box, ready to open the lid.

"It's a catalyst used in spells. However, it was originally used to make poison for assassination. ”

"Poison?!"

The ancient city roared back.

Yukina is a person sent by the Lion King to monitor the Fourth True Ancestor. If he judged that the ancient city would harm humanity, he was killed, and he was given such permission. In other words, the catalyst was prepared for the assassination of the ancient city.

"It was specially sent by a former roommate. If that time comes, let me use this. ”

"Ordinary former roommates will bring you poison?!"

"That, it's okay. Poisons are also medicines, as a famous alchemist in the Middle Ages said. Just don't get the portion wrong. ”

"But don't forget, if anything goes wrong, I'll see God right away. And it was a drug used to assassinate the True Ancestor, and the danger was too high. ”

"Really? …… Sure enough, it still doesn't work! Yukina lowered her head in frustration and muttered.

"Then I'd better prepare the dishes first. Borrow an apron with Nagisa-chan. ”

"Huh? Is the preparation of the dish, is it necessary to prepare the snowy vegetables? ”

For Yukina's unexpected reaction, the ancient city was very puzzled.

Yukina had already put on her apron while he was confused, and suddenly took out a knife from her book bag.

"Yes, of course. Porridge should be fine. ”

"Wait a minute...... Why is that combat knife here? ”

"That's why I'm going to make porridge. To cut into the medicine of the green onion to make porridge. ”

"Isn't a kitchen knife good?"

"Yes, but sure enough, it's better to use a knife that you're used to, and this can even cut off the pig's thigh bone."

I don't have pork bones for you to cut, so I don't need them at all. The ancient city thought depressedly.

I don't know if I understand the mood of the old city, so Yukina happily puts on Nagisa's apron and quickly begins to prepare for the meal.

……

The ancient city fell asleep for several hours after that.

"Are you awake?"

The ancient city rolled over tiredly, and a voice that seemed to be worried sounded in his ears.

When he looked closely, Yukina, who was nervous because he was worried, was watching him beside the ancient city.

"Ji Hiiragi...... Have you been watching over me?"

"Yes. Yes...... No, I'm not looking at my senior's sleeping face all the time......"

Yukina blushed and quickly explained.

But all this has already fallen into the eyes of the ancient city.

……

Later, Asa Onion and Yase also came to visit, but they made a complete fuss at home, and he almost didn't hang up.

"Senior, is it okay?"

Yukina called out to the ancient city and sighed.

The ancient city, which was depressed on the sofa, didn't move much since the two of them left.

"That, senior?"

There was no answer, and Yukina peeked at the ancient city's face in surprise. Then suddenly I was taken aback. The hollow eyes of the ancient city actually shone red.

It feels like the atmosphere surrounding the old city is different from usual. It is corresponding to the vampire true ancestor, a cold sense of coercion and majesty.

Yukina was about to be overwhelmed by that strong pressure.

"I'm fine, it's okay compared to this Yukina, right?"

The ancient city leisurely straightened his feet and asked Yukina. Judging from the sound, it doesn't seem that the physical state has improved.

It's better to have an impression that has deteriorated.

Let's not mention this yet.

From the cold tone of the ancient city, Yukina couldn't hear any sense of play.

"Yes, I'm fine...... Ah, senior?! Blood......! ”

"Maybe it's because the cold mucous membrane has become fragile."

Red blood flowed from the mouth of the ancient city. It seems to be a mark after the nosebleed was wiped off with his hands.

Gucheng licked the blood that remained on his lips with the tip of his tongue. From the slit of that lip came elongated, sharp fangs.

"It's going to be quiet this time. No, drink some water before then—"

Yukina brought a new tissue and wanted to help Guro wipe the blood off his lips. But before that, Guru took Yukina's hand and pulled her over.

"Learn, senior?! How ......"

Yukina is being held by the ancient city, and she notices something unusual.

There is an abnormal heat emitting from the whole body of the ancient city. The body temperature is also exaggeratedly rising.

If it were an ordinary person, he would have lost consciousness in this dangerous state.

But the actions of the ancient city are unexpected by Yukina. Guru's hand went around Yukina's back and hugged Yukina, who was stiff.

"Yukina's body feels so cold."

Putting his cheek to Yukina's neck, he whispered in her ear.

Feeling the breath of the ancient city, Yukina's body trembled.

"Oh......!?"

"And it tastes good."

"You, what are you talking about! Hurry up and lie down in bed than that! ”

Yukina desperately tries to persuade to calm down the ancient city.

The ancient city coldly shook off Yukina's hand that was resisting with all his might.

"I don't want it."

"Huh?!"

"If Ji Hiiragi can sleep with me next to me, I can consider going to sleep."

"At times like these, please don't be kidding! Just, even if it's a fever! ”

Yukina's voice was angry. Obviously, she was so worried, but Guru just ignored her words, and Yukina began to become more and more annoyed.

But Gucheng hugged Yukina hard and whispered in a gentle voice.

"I'm worried about Yukina'......!"

"Huh?"

Faced with the unexpected words of the ancient city, Yukina's heart was pounding.

The fiery gaze of the ancient city is watching Yukina at a very close distance.

"It's been because of my business, Ji Hiiragi has been messing around with me. I'm keeping you with me like this today. ”

"Senior......

There was a force in Yukina's stiff body. As if they were being pushed down by the ancient city, the two of them hugged each other and fell on the sofa.

Although the breath of the ancient city still fell on Yukina's neck, Yukina did not resist.

"It's okay, senior. Because that's also my task. And, that ...... It's not that annoying to be with seniors like this......"

Wrapping her hand around the back of the ancient city, Yukina said in a stiff tone.

But the ancient city did not speak again. Maintaining the position of pressing against Yukina's body, he stopped moving. Yukina wordlessly waited for his reaction, and after a while Yukina opened her eyes with a surprised frown.

“…… Alas, seniors?! ”

"Thank you! - I just kept that position. "The ancient city was exhausted and unconscious.

The high fever made his expression very painful, and he breathed irregularly.

Emotional restlessness and erratic behavior are among the symptoms of a vampire cold.

The reason why the ancient city is abnormal is because of the cold virus.

Was the last thing he said because of a fever, or was it his true words—there was no way to confirm it now.

"Really!"

Yukina puffed out her cheeks as if she was injured and emerged from under the ancient city.

The ancient city continued to fall asleep as if nothing had happened.

Yukina, who seemed to be still a little annoyed about this, pinched the ancient city's cheek with her fingertips. And then—

"Huh!?"

Sensing something unusual outside the apartment, Yukina quickly stood up.

The body is already moving before you think. Pull out the silver spear from the storage box standing by the wall.

Slide the metal handle away smoothly and unfold the three steel blades.

A demon-breaking spear that neutralizes mana and slashes all enchantments.

The Lion King's hidden weapon, the Snow Wolf.

Yukina's spear was pointed out the window.

The location of the ancient city home is on the seventh floor of the apartment, and a strange figure floats in the air outside the window.

Dressed in a bride-like dress, a petite figure.

It's a beautiful girl, but it's not like a human.

"Are you ......!?"

Feeling the stinging indifferent gaze, Yukina ran to the balcony.

The reason for Yukina's warning is not that the girl is murderous. It's better to say the opposite. I don't feel any emotion from the girl. Just looked at Yukina and them expressionlessly.

It's almost like a machine—

"Capture the source of mana's magic for the beast."

The girl's lips weave an inorganic voice. It's like executing a programme. (Markne)