I thought I knew everything about the Lancaster's business, and I was wrong. I took advantage of my free access to Baudouin's office to make copies of a number of documents, including a quarterly report to the Dean of the Lancaster College, in Old English.

I know about plantations, factories and warehouses. I know about hotels and brothels. I know about the slave and meat trade. I even know that there will be occasional contraband. Of course, they will hide something so that it will not be taxed, so I don't know about the bloody campaign.

The landed gentry of New Orleans turned out to be a complete disappointment. Their unusual taste creates a demand for the most terrifying scenes. Two or three times a week, men, and sometimes women, have the opportunity to be forgiven of their debts or punished in exchange for a night of fighting.

If, of course, they survive.

Ladies and gentlemen, dressed in expensive suits and domino masks, took a coach ride to a villa in Lancaster, walked through a maze of manicured grass, and sat down the slopes of a Greek-style amphitheater for refreshments. An entertainer in a robe and a full-face helmet loudly announces the evening's show.

The arena also employs a number of professional boxers to guarantee the quality of the art of killing.

Broken

"Hiss ......"

I breathe slowly. I don't need air anymore, but the cycle of breathing provides a soothing rhythm and I need to stay focused.

The interior of the wooden house has changed. It's no longer ridiculously big as I remember it when I was a kid. The building is only more spacious because of some furniture. The cot had turned into a covered bed that reminded me of my own bed, before I became who I am now.

The smell of smoke from firewood and the smell of fresh rain are as common as before. I let the moonlight shine through the open window into my skin and gazed out at the endless fields of thorns. I didn't know them for what they were, I knew they were supposed to look dangerous, but I felt protected. Safe. No one can cross this land to hurt me. They will turn into bloody shards in the labyrinthine forest.

I haven't gone out yet. I'm not ready.

I continued to breathe. In and out. In and out. I just need to hold on a little longer. Hunger and thirst don't make me pounce on the bars. I'll never see you again.

I've been here for two weeks and it's only happened twice.

A jingle interrupted my musings. Harold was opening the door to my cell. I could feel his hungry eyes staring at my body, and I thanked Baudouin again for the parting gift he had given me. He had left clear instructions not to touch me inappropriately, and the male vampire had not yet broken that order.

When I kill them all, I'll let them die without pain.

"It's time. The brute said.

I adjusted my half-mask and tightened the leather armor I was wearing. They are part of my public image. To the audience, I am a woman of a Himalayan tribe who is cursed to taste blood and fight without a sword.

Yes.

I never know how they swallowed all this nonsense.

We walked through a short corridor to the gate of the arena. Harold remained benevolently silent.

Wait a few more minutes. I can do it.

The door opened, and I stepped over the threshold. The night was filled with sweat, excitement, the smell of sand and blood. In front of me, a burly man in a tartan skirt and an ancient helmet wiped his injured shoulder with a stained piece of cloth. The corpse of a hungry wolf lay a few feet away.

"Ladies and gentlemen! Demetrius won his daughter's freedom, can he repeat the feat for his family? Can you help him deal with that damn blood beast?"

Take it seriously.

I looked up to the sky and spotted the purple figure of the silent watchman. When I realized its existence, the warped paradise was getting closer and closer to me.

It doesn't judge. That's what I can perceive, and at this moment, that's what I need. I bask in the strange light, savoring the simple intentions of the eyes.

Furious thirst slipped in the background, if only for a moment. My only worthy companion is a giant eye in the sky. This illustrates my current social status.

"Five lives, I have five lives, who will give me the sixth?" No? It's five lives! Let the name begin!"

The man grabbed a trident, and I finally noticed a discarded fishing net lying around. Baudouin must have been from the point of view of the Romans, as I recognized it as a cavalry attire. Then Harold would have become a member of the Lannistas, the master of ceremonies of the Roman circus, and I would be an idiot.

The man snorted and rushed at me, clumsily pushing the trident out. I easily pushed my sword aside, stabbed him in the wound in the shoulder, and jumped away.

I licked my blood-stained fingers for all to see.

"We're one life away!" The Blood Beast has taught us another lesson!"

The man howled in pain. The crowd cheered in agreement. I want to eat my prey. He tastes so sweet. Fear is just that, it brings life to the surface.

I have to be patient.

My opponent has "life". Instead of going for the fatal blow, I just hurt them until they run out of it. The audience can spend money to buy an extra life for the competitor, or they can spend the same amount to get rid of one.

To win, they just need to shed blood.

For me, the game is slightly different. I can complete the battle by moving, but I have two goals: to provide entertainment, and to consume as few resources as possible. If I woke up the audience, Harold would have made me eat more of the loser's meat. On rest days, the herd arrives a little faster.

If I am defeated, or if I am too fast or too cruel, pain and hunger will follow.

If Harold punishes me for no reason, I will kill the opponent immediately.

There is a balance of fear in our relationship. I managed to make myself too valuable to kill and too hard to control.

The defeated Retirius finally recovered from his pain and clutched the trident tightly with both hands, like an oversized sword. He waved me a few times threateningly, but I didn't move. I can now make out the most obvious feints. The man got impatient and swung around my head, and I ducked forward to close the distance.

He reacted immediately, laid down his bulky weapon, and slammed forward. He's a lot faster now, and I can barely get a hat. The impact pushed me back. My arm hurts a little. He immediately pounced on me, but this time, I expected it. I dodged his lunge and poked him in the side with my claws as he passed. Don't go too deep.

When I raised a finger, the person and the crowd shouted at the same time. I licked it again. Well. I can't wait any longer.

"This is the second one!" Is Demetrius' hope dying? Can he make the monster bleed?"

The monster was the announcer's code to slow me down. Drag the fight. I'm so thirsty, they must understand, right?

As Demetrius stood up, a heavy object slammed into his feet. There was silence on the stage.

Throwing objects, especially weapons, inside is ground up, who dares to ......

Yes.

A petite woman in a blue dress and a plaid mask waved at me. Her crimson hair swayed up and down with a giggle.

Itself.

The announcer recovered faster than me.

"Mistress! Will you bless Demetrius?"

She waved her hand lazily and sat down. The dismissal was well done, and all the attention returned to him, forcing him to make a move.

"Excellent! Demetrius, you get a second chance. Don't let this noble rally disappoint!"

I watched speechlessly as the gladiator picked up the broadsword and pulled another one out of his boot. So, no longer the gladiators of Retillius. Dimachae

US? If I'm not mistaken, they were the ones with two swords.

I retreated in front of my opponent. It's clear that he knows how to use these tools. His posture is different, he feels confident. I don't see any breakthroughs. I dodged one piece after another.

The third time, I tried to grab his arm, but his second sword slammed out. I almost got bitten. His movements are more conservative and efficient.

Melusi

E broke the rules and made the fight more difficult, and it was clear to me that she would not be punished more for this deviance.

I slid to the side and sprinted to the left. Demetrius easily caught up with me, and then I turned around and rushed forward. The gladiator was caught off guard and fell. His weight made it difficult for him to change direction quickly. He waved his arms as I walked past him. The blade slashed at my armor, and the blow didn't bleed.

I rolled forward and grabbed the discarded trident. When he lunged at me again, I swung the huge weapon and smashed it into his body. He collapsed to the ground.

The crowd cheered in approval, delighted with my agile mind, despite my quick thinking.

"Oh oh oh, it seems that our heroic Demetrius still looks down on this blood girl!" Three have fallen, and two remain!"

I licked the fork on the outside. There is very little blood. Not sharp. Soon. I can only wait.

"The Trident isn't yours."

Melusin's voice once again quieted the intoxicated crowd.

Oh no, she didn't.

I couldn't say that, I tilted my masked helmet to the side and threw it at her with a spear like a javelin.

Melusin's eyes widened in disbelief behind her plaid mask. She barely fell to the ground, and the weapon struck the stone behind her with a loud bang. I threw it first, just in case.

Yes, it's yours now. It's your turn, you nasty dominatrix.

Melusi

E trembles with anger, but she's already broken the rules twice for her own fun. She's walking on thin ice now, and she knows it. She sat down angrily, and I turned to the gladiator who had fallen to the ground and sneered.

I made sure she noticed.

Now my anger has subsided, and hunger and thirst have once again taken possession of me. Waiting is the worst. I get easily distracted from cravings, but I do need something to focus.

I walked for a while, and when my preparations were done, I stood in front of the panting gladiators.

I waited. Maybe I broke his ribs?

"You!"

They are always subjected to the same insults. There is no girl with lilies, no incompetent worms, no threefold fools. Didn't anyone tell them that diversity is the spice of life?

"For my children!" He stood up as he spoke, his voice clear.

The crowd erupted in cheers. The narrative of that moment became clear in their sick minds.

This is a well-intentioned criminal who fights for the freedom of his family. There, the grim maidens from the tribes of the Beginning of Time, the relics of an ancient world, where women can wield blades as sharp as their tongues.

I don't care. I'm Ariane, I'm my own. I will live, I will go home. I will devour all that stands in my way, whether it be saints or sinners.

The man rushed at me again, but he slowed down. It was easy for me to dodge his cuts by moving backwards and sideways. I put my hands behind my back and amused everyone. Eventually, he cornered me, and then stretched out, and I threw out the net that I had been hiding.

Casting a net is an art. You have to make sure that it is as wide as possible when it lands.

Demetrius retreated in horror and subconsciously raised his hand. The nets were beautifully wrapped around it, and I made a groove in its left cheek with my claws. Yes. We have finally come to the conclusion of this farce.

The final act is about to begin, and the crowd is now quiet. The desperate man fumbled for a while and finally managed to escape. He immediately roared in despair and rushed at me. As the crowd watched me with bated breath, I stood my ground. When the knife reached for me, I took a step back, grabbed my arms, let myself fall, and put one foot against his stomach and pushed hard.

It's a clever trick.

The big man was propelled like a derailed locomotive and slammed into the walls of the arena, sending a commotion from the metal. I caught up with him right away. I lock one arm with one leg and the other with my right. I pulled his head back and bit deeply.

At last.

Await. No, that's wrong! I know that stench! That villain named Jasper used the same drug! How is it......

Magic potions? How is it? When?

There was a small glass bottle on the floor. He must have drunk it while groping under the net. But who will give it to him?

I threw up. With a grim face, I turned around and pointed my finger at Melusi accusingly

e。 She bent forward in anticipation! I knew it!

"You! You have defiled the blood!"

Whispers and whispers rang out from the crowd, and the voices grew louder and louder. How dare she! How dare she pollute this precious thing!

The pain of the braces broke me down. Harold came over and picked me up, then retreated into the hallway.

I need it. I need, need, need.

When Harold brought me another prisoner, I restrained myself from killing the crying guy on the spot.

Two weeks later

There is no sign of Melusin, and I can only assume that she was rebuked for her stupid performance. The fight was still difficult, but I was well fed and sane. Mostly.

Three weeks later

I was confronted by an old French sailor with gray hair and a nose flattened by repeated fractures.

"No, you have to move better. I give. ”

Marius was popular with the crowd, especially when he used a ridiculous harpoon as a spear. He played dirty, and I learned a lot from him. We're in a bad mood tonight and I want to learn a few tricks. God knows I can do better. It's unladylike, but I'm willing to do anything to survive.

Four weeks later

Marius is dead. He was killed by a fallen debtor who stabbed him in the back after the battle. On the bright side, I drank this shameless bastard dry. I have a new fighter, an Italian, who teaches me how to use a knife.

Five weeks later

The Italian bigwig is known as "Benedetti". His knife-wielding skills and appearance apparently made him popular with the widow sex audience. Therefore, I rarely fight. We also captured a coolie named "Dragon". He called himself a "martial artist". He moves well, but plays too cleanly.

Six weeks later

I lost my first fight in a while to a desperate fighter, apparently a somewhat famous cavalryman. He impaled my arm with a suicide attack. The audience loved it. I think he might even survive.

Seven weeks later

When I woke up, I was greeted by the familiar red brick ceiling. 496 to be exact. There is very little entertainment here.

The cells consisted of three brick walls and a metal rod so that my captives could see my quarters, although they were. The only good thing is that I don't need to go to the toilet and it's not hard to keep it clean. This young vampire has no sweaty armpits and no dead skin. nor the blood of the moon.

Even my costume had to be washed by the frightened maid after every fight. I had little reason to undress, and so far I've cleaned myself up in record time, so avoiding any spectators.

"I'm Ariane, I'm myself, I'm going to survive, I'm going home."

I repeat these sentences every night, although my mind is not on it these days. I've accomplished something I thought was impossible when I woke up without a pulse.

I am bored.

I knew that on an intellectual level, my life was in danger. I also know that I am a prisoner, but my life has become routine. There are only a few changes. Sometimes, I was sent out to practice with other gladiators as a reward for good performance.

I learned to move better, I knew where it hurt and what my body could do, but that only covered an hour. Sometimes, I would also fight, and although it was fun, it ended quickly. The rest of the time, there is nothing to do.

I asked for a book, but they gave me a Bible. I guess it's a botched humor. I remember the cross on the Brothers Gabriel and their terrible effect on me. However, when I opened my own one, nothing happened, despite the sacred symbols on the cover.

I think that now that I know of the existence of unnatural creatures, reading this most solemn book will give me some new insight into the world. Unfortunately, I didn't find much interest. It seems that a lot of it is about who gave birth to whom, and which tribe camped where.

Disappointing.

Two sets of footsteps approached my door. Harold walked in, dragging a reluctant woman in a maid's uniform. He opened the door and pushed her inside. I approached slowly, and she stuck out her neck, but when I approached, she grabbed my arm.

I didn't show any surprise and when we were done, she left without saying a word. I opened the folded paper she had placed in my hand and looked at the contents.

Don't let him deform.

There was no signature on the letter, and I couldn't make out who wrote it in bold. After a while, Harold returned with his new armor. Not wearing a helmet this time.

"Put it on, hurry."

As I walked towards the arena, I knew something had changed. Winter is coming. The air became colder and quieter, and the whispers and laughter of the crowd quieted down. I looked around in amazement as my feet landed on the sand.

The noisy crowd was replaced by what I called a benefactor. Mrs. Moore sat on a comfortable throne in the middle. Baudouin and Melusin stood on either side. The red-haired enchantress was smirking smirk, and I was now sure that my opponent would be a tough opponent to deal with.

Mrs. Moore glared at me.

"Let the mercenaries ......," she paused. Melusin leaned over to her and whispered a few words. Moore thought for a moment and nodded in agreement.

"You're right, it's not strictly a rule. Inform Monsieur Vatier that he will be able to go back shortly. ”

Harold nodded and walked to another door. After a while, there was a terrible crack and sound from the dark hallway in front of me.

What the hell is going on?!

That nasty sound lasted for half a minute, culminating in a sound that clotted the blood in my veins: a primordial roar of the most savage. The sound echoes in the enclosed space. Birds flew in the distance, and the world around me held its breath.

The clatter of claws on the cold stone announces the arrival of a nightmare creature. The dark gray skin covers every inch of muscle of the chimera between man and wolf. Even hunched over, it was half as tall as I was, and the claws at the end of its long, powerful hands dwarfed mine.

What the hell is that!

Should I fight it!?

The creature's yellow eyes landed on me, and at the same time it jumped, and I moved. I dodged the beast and slipped under its outstretched arms, slicing my claws across its strong sides.

It feels like carving in stone!

The monster's hands grabbed the air, and before it could turn around, I rushed from behind and kicked it in the lower back. I've used this move before to push an unbalanced opponent against the wall with some success. Right now? It felt like hitting a pile of bricks.

The monster turned around and tore at the air where I had been standing. It almost missed me. That thing was fast, almost as fast as I was, unless I moved. That said, I'm not going to do any more shows.

I eat well and I don't need alms.

I brought into the depths of my heart the predatory side of all reason. The Lancasters are gone, and so are the locked doors. It's just me and the prey.

Large, resilient. Deals fatal damage. Don't procrastinate.

The monster lunged at me, this time stopping out of my reach and lunging at my torso. I move, with the jump I used to hit the mage.

The enemy missed, but its arm touched my leg and I was pushed off course. I barely hit the side of my target's head before hitting it in the back again. This time, the creature howled in pain and reached for its left eye. I don't wait. I jumped on it, put my hands in its jugular vein, and I pulled.

But to no avail.

My claws got stuck in rocky skin. I struggled in vain for a while, and then the monster's claws hit me in the abdomen and threw me out.

He makes a horrible heart-rending sound when my claws are ripped off his arteries, and another when my body flies.

Is that my guts?

Oh my God, this is, oh my God, oh my God, this ......

This is not right.

In a panic, I tried to pull my bowels back as quickly as possible, while the beast was coughing and attacking. By the time it was my turn, I was almost done.

Don't think about it, Ariana, don't think about what it's like to touch your organs. Hi!

The beast jumped again. So much blood! It committed suicide while wrestling with me, slitting its own throat.

I just need to hold on a little longer!

It walks forward, and then ......

Well, such an alluring bouquet!

I will share it.

The monster staggered towards me, and then attacked me. I made my third and last move tonight, dodging blow after blow with one hand against my stomach until finally, I tripped up.

What's wrong? Why?

I looked down at my bloody body. The wound did not heal at all. I'm going to bleed!

Taking advantage of my distraction, the monster grabbed my left arm and pulled. When I felt that the things that should have been in my heart came out, the pain came again. So strongly! I managed to lift my right hand, so the beast's other arm was caught in my torso.

The pain was almost enough to make me faint, only panic and the will to survive kept me from breaking down.

It opens a large, hellish mouth filled with jagged fangs.

Oh, God! It's going to eat me!

No!

I grabbed it by the jaw and pulled it towards me. The beast's mouth bit my finger, and a new pain intertwined, but I had plenty of time. The creature didn't think of this. No prey wants to come closer.

My mouth was pressed against the cracked wound in its throat, and I began to drink water. The beast trembled, and it was too late.

A force and a shock of life hit my mind like I had never felt before. There was no time to think about any cabins, no time to prepare. I was just washed away.

of the night. Hunter. In the light of the full moon, I saw something in the valley. It's an abominable thing to swallow a child! I shoot. It lunged at me. I run. I came to a house. I walked to the cellar door. Something bit my ankle, but I turned around and stabbed it in the eye. I ran in. The beast was too big to keep up with me.

of the night. Hunter. Blood sings in my veins as I howl triumphantly. The pale prey and their poor mounts were dismembered and lay around me.

Early..... Regretful. Sadness. Disgrace. Exile.

I pushed the body away and took a deep breath. It's incredible! Of course, it can't be compared to my master, but it's the closest. I heard the sound of suction, and I looked down. Under the dirt and clotted blood, I was unscathed.

There was silence on the field. Mellusin's face was a mask of numbness, and Moore was brooding. Baudouin was pale and sweaty.

"It's not fair!" Madame, it's a draw!"

"Unless I'm mistaken, your candidate is a. How can this be considered a draw?"

"Enough! Don't argue in public. Merusin, don't be stupid. Accept the loss and get away. ”

“But…”

Mrs. Moore's image blurred, and I heard a loud bang as Melusin's face shifted back. She collapsed to the ground, coughing up blood.

Oh.

Oh.

Let this moment be etched in my memory until the end of the world. Melusin's pretty face had a man's handprint, and blood was dripping from her poisonous mouth. Whatever God has given us vampires, praise you. Ha!

The numbness hit me like a hammer. I ate a lot and got a lot hurt in a very short period of time. I'm almost on my feet. As I was dragged away, I looked up at the silent watchman.

"Do you like it too?"

Pale light shone on the grass. In the semi-darkness, everything looks the same gray except for the small scarlet droplets. I giggled and picked up the smoking musket. With such an obvious clue, who needs a police dog?

I walked forward quickly, lest my prey get into the belly of another animal. It's a giant swamp rabbit! I'll show it to my dad. I will definitely break the record for him and Achilles. Ariana Renault, the greatest hunter of the Renault family, I'm coming!

The path passed through ferns and through bushes, and I followed. Within a minute, I began to hear the sound of wood breaking and whimpering in pain. Ha, it's too close.

That's my prey. What a big rabbit!

"Please don't, friend!" Don't you know me?"

I took out my hunting knife and ended it humanely. Just cut a slice and it will bleed.

"No, Ariana, please, Ariana, I beg you! Ariana, no!"

Well, everything is fine. I licked the blood because it tasted so good. Not bad!

Now I just need to take the body to the camp and weigh it. After I have gloated, I will ask Achilles to help me gut it.

Its empty eyes and it can't see anything, which is the strangest thing. It's almost as if it's ......

"Hey!"

In the name of all the saints in heaven, what are these stupid dreams! How bad. What person in his right mind would hunt at night in the estuary? Ridiculous. Striding through the dark swamps of Lyon, you are sure to be bitten by an alligator and drown in a gloomy pond. I don't want to be caught doing such pointless things.

And, of course, the little thing about my best friend being murdered. Unfortunately, I don't want anything more from those nightmares.

I lay there in relative peace. I have fully recovered from yesterday's fight and cleanliness, and although my accommodation was not comfortable, there was a pleasant feeling to lie in bed.

Hunger and thirst inevitably let me know, and like a clock, two sets of footsteps approached my cage. When my donor appears in my sight, I restrain myself and jump up with displeasure. The door opened, the donor shoved something glittering into Harold's hand, and he left us, and I noticed my expression for a moment. When I hear the sound of the door closing, I allow myself to smile warmly.

"Good evening, Antz."

The Cádiz was finally contacted.