For the past hundred days, I've woken up to the same thing: pitch black. My hand is easy to find and pull the handle. Silently, the top of my sarcophagus slid up along a pair of well-lubricated rails. The exterior is completely smooth. It can only be opened from the inside.

My room was small, but I liked it. The room was fully furnished, with a bed that I barely needed, a desk, a wardrobe with a hidden secret exit, and a small fully equipped library. I quickly got dressed, passed through the reinforced door to the rest of the basement, and rushed up the steps to the study. Loth wasn't here, so I quickly opened two golden communion cups with runes written on them, and gulped down the crimson stuff inside.

These glasses are designed by Roth to keep the liquid alive for a short period of time. This way, I can get some nutrition from the donors and I don't have to touch them anymore. Although it's not much, just a pale replica of the real thing to quench the thirst until the next bounty. It is not enough on its own.

I closed my eyes and listened. Loth is out of the office, which means ...

I left the part of the house that doubled as the doctor's office and went to Loth's private quarters. A woman is slowly walking down the stairs. Even though she was dressed in conservative clothes and her hair was a little gray, when she saw me, she blushed like a girl.

"Hello, Mrs. Nobel."

"Oh! Hmph, Ariana! I didn't see you there. I'm just um. ”

"Of course, Madame Nobel, I wish you a pleasant evening."

Mature girl turns a delicate tulip shadow and wobbly legs awkwardly exit. I could smell her as she walked past me. Oh my gosh, Loth, you've played at a super level this time.

Leaving our guests to their own devices, I continued, hearing Loth in the smoking room. I knocked politely on the door.

"Good evening, Rose, are you decent?"

"Good evening, Ali, please come in, please come in!"

Loth sat leisurely, wearing a very casual set of silk pants and jackets, crossed over her muscular, hairy chest. He sipped whiskey from a low glass and didn't look at anything with his eyes.

"It's great that you're here, I have three things to tell you."

"Oh?" I replied, suddenly alert.

"Nothing bad, I assure you. First, I found a letter from Ximena at the drop-off point. Here you go. He said, handing me a sealed envelope.

"The second thing is a little bit subtle, you know. Would you like to be seated? He said, pointing to a leather couch. I did as he was told.

"I noticed that the abominable little weasel who abused poor Margaret was arrested yesterday. I have to mention that I received a very thoughtful thank you letter from her. She even offered to introduce you to her favorite nephew, a banker from Savannah who happened to be looking for a wife. ”

"Pass".

"I will convey your regrets, miss. What worries me slightly is the condition of the weasel's hands. Now, you've fully complied with our agreement, and you have every right to kill that bastard, however, I want to give you a piece of advice, as an old monster to a young monster. ”

"What an unusual seriousness. Be sure to tell. ”

"I know you're playing with that scammer and you're just biting and questioning another scammer from three weeks ago. You treat them differently. Why?"

"I'm curious about Bishop's lies. It was as if he couldn't stop, as if his life depended on it. Testing the limits is very interesting. ”

"So, you did it on the spur of the moment, didn't you?"

"Really?"

Loth calmly placed her cup on the coffee table, fingers crossed over her chest, a gesture that now reminds me of a lecture.

"Many of our long-lived creatures don't value life as much as most mortals. They usually hesitate to torture or kill. This is a natural mechanism that I have observed in all the peaceful societies I have lived in, and which, I believe, is caused by the need to live in harmony. Killing became taboo. We outsiders don't need it. This is both a benefit and a huge risk.

You see, the more you listen to your instincts, the easier it is to go down the path of easy killing, until the concept of civilization and peaceful coexistence loses its meaning. ”

My Master is the best example of this.

"Do you mean I shouldn't torture or kill?"

"Of course not, you're a vampire. Besides, it's hypocritical for me to make such a request from you, don't you think?"

I remember the only time we hunted down a group of gangsters together. They raided a distant farm, and none of them were spared. Loth has ...... Thoroughly. He's not messing around like I am. He was methodical and ruthless.

"I'm just suggesting that you make a guideline and try to follow it as much as you can."

"What if I decided that I could mercilessly torture the rapists and those who wore white at other people's weddings before I killed them?"

"I see. I'm not judging you on the scale by which you decide a person's fate, Ali, I'm just asking you to find one. ”

I pondered these words. Loth is experienced, and he has a point. I guess I can at least give it a try.

"I have to think of one. If my life is in danger, it doesn't apply. ”

"Naturally. Now, let's talk about something more pleasant. I apologize for the heated discussion, I have something to put everyone at ease. A young Englishman came to see me this afternoon. He wants, what is that? Give me a proposal that I like. Something. I thought you might want to hear about it, so I told him to come at eight o'clock. ”

"You've thought so well, Rose. I'm grateful. ”

"You're welcome, little girl," he added with a smile, "if he wants to coat me with a thick layer and shove me in his mouth, as Aunt Freya said, I want you to eat him." ”

I laughed when we talked about yesterday's hunt. Whatever happens, tonight is going to be fun!

"Cecil Rutherford Bingle, Miss, is at your service!"

The red-haired man took off his bowler hat and bowed perfectly. I couldn't believe my eyes. His ribs, his wide waxed beard, his fur coat, everything makes him look like the hero of a stupid book about mummies and maidens. He had a rugged and handsome face, a chin like a sledgehammer, and skin tanned like that of a perfect traveler. He spoke in a tone that even looked like he was in the middle of the theater and had to be heard by the audience on the fourth floor! I was just in awe.

Rose smiled at me with a knowing look.

"It is my pleasure, Mr. Bingle"

"Ho-ho-ho, don't be scared by my naughty look, miss, I promise you, I won't bite!"

What a coincidence.

"But the road is not safe, and I say, a gentleman must do everything in his power to keep himself safe! Now, I apologize to you if I seem abrupt, but I am very saddened by the fact that I have come so late and for the reason of my visit, and I beg you to hear me as soon as I finish, for this matter is urgent, and you are to see Professor Delaney. ”

Reluctant to retaliate with a tooth for a tooth.

"So, let's go back to the living room. Ali, my dear, could you please make a pot for our guests and drink it with us?"

"Monsieur Delaney, alas, alas, I need not tell you how to manage your house, but what I am about to talk about is so serious that it will hurt your sensitive feelings, and it will be a shame for your niece to feel uncomfortable at these words."

Loth had a serious and tragic look. With a red nose and beard, he looks like a gray-haired retired captain reminiscing about a doomed expedition to the North Pole.

"My esteemed guest, I appreciate your tactful observations, I see that you show admirable concern for those around you even when you need it, but I now ask you to trust my judgment on this matter, as this involves my expertise, please be patient, as the necessity of her presence will be explained in due course."

"Very well, Mr. Delaney, lead the way!"

I asked the two men to prepare the tea and the cups. I found the ritual of making tea relaxing, which is one of the reasons why Loth let me use his precious reserves. It doesn't matter if I don't drink, the act of preparing it and the aroma of successful brewing are enough rewards.

When I arrived elsewhere, Loth was busy explaining the subtle differences between the two rune systems, one of which I was unfamiliar with.

Once served, I sat down on a comfortable leather couch and leaned slightly to the side. Bingle gave me one last look suspiciously and began to tell his story.

"Three years ago, I was stationed in Gibraltar and I met the most peculiar and lovely woman whose name was Flora Schaeffer. As the daughter of the Prussian Junkers, she had a keen and curious interest in ancient history. When my service ended, I agreed to follow her on an expedition to Syria deep in Turkish territory. I won't tell our story now, because one night is not enough to tell it clearly. Suffice it to say that she found a stone tablet full of strange runes, and she studied it with a morbid obsession.

Seven months ago, I received a letter from her that she had come to the Americas, and it took me by surprise. In fact, the only thing that matches these strange runes comes from a single amphora, which was sold by a group of aborigines to an antique collector who disappeared shortly after. The letter was vaguely worded, but implied the need for a dangerous expedition. Alas, by the time I arrived, she had already left to hire a group of notorious adventurers, called heroic companions. That was three months ago. I fear that her eagerness may have cost her dearly.

I inquired about them and learned of one of the most terrible things: they are now suspected of several heinous banditry crimes, such as robbery, kidnapping, and extortion. Since then, they have escaped the law by fleeing the area around Savannah. My companion was missing, and I feared the worst had happened.

In search of clues, I found her notebook in her personal belongings, but many of the notes were runic letters that I couldn't read. I was about to despair when a friend of mine mentioned you, Mr. Delaney. He said you are a scholar, a gentleman, a sharpshooter, and these are qualities that I desperately need. ”

He nodded in understanding. He opened his notebook, pulled out a few drawings, and raised an eyebrow. He put them back in their place and continued the conversation.

"I understand the importance and urgency of your task, Mr. Bingel. Before we continue, I beg your forgiveness for my rudeness as I have something to discuss with my niece. Allow us to leave for a moment. ”

I followed Rose out.

"Really?"

"He's going to invite me to join him on his expedition, and I'm going to accept it because I'm bored and his story sounds funny. I think you should join in as well. ”

"Isn't every trip dangerous?" What if I can't find my prey?"

"I don't think that's going to be a problem, at least not in the early stages. I expect a lot of violence. I asked this because I recognized the runes on the stele and amphora. Those are vampire runes. ”

"Really? On the tongue?"

"Yes. They are very rare in secular circles, and it doesn't make any sense for them to appear outside of vampire cities. I'm curious how the trail got here. I also need to make it clear that the remote parts of the world are hiding places for the deranged, and strange runes are closely related to them. ”

"Hmph."

"There's one main problem if you join, though, and that's your characteristics. Mr. Bingle is more shrewd than he seems, and I have no doubt that he will soon find out what the problem is. I'd be disappointed if we had to shut him up. ”

"If we travel together, I'm afraid it's inevitable. Do you have any suggestions?"

"Well, I glanced at Mrs. Schaefer's notebook, which contained a lot of things about magic, though I doubted that she was a practitioner herself. I'm sure Bingle knows a thing or two about magic, and I suspect I'm just scratching the surface. Otherwise, he will defend himself in advance and not believe it, so as not to appear like a madman. We can pretend you're under a spell. ”

"Cursed? That is, am I a cursed person?"

"Yes."

"Will he believe it?"

"If you tell him the story, he will. Vampires are very convincing. I'm sure you'll figure it out. ”

"What should we do with him when we find out the truth?" I'd rather know beforehand. If we end up disposing of him, I won't make a connection or swear. ”

"If we could hide most of your physical strength and my deadliest magic weapon, he would have expected it. If so, he'll naturally think we're nothing more than two eccentrics, and we don't have to kill him. If we expose inhuman qualities, it's different. He'll want to know the truth. ”

"If we fight alongside him, it will be disgusting to kill him."

"So let's make sure that doesn't happen."

I don't even recommend killing him, and then we'll restore everything ourselves. This man was a supplicant of Rose, he was also a guest, and he was always respectable. It would be wrong to kill him.

We walked back, and as I sat down, Loth turned to me.

"Cecil, I beg your forgiveness for my faux pas. I had to ask my niece if she would be willing to share the details of this tragedy.

But before we get started, Cecil, I have to ask you. Do you believe in magic? Do you believe that there are things in the dark corners of the world that should not exist in civilized societies? Do you believe that there is any knowledge that is better not to learn?"

"Mr. Delaney, no, Loss. I don't dare to say that, because who in their right mind would believe such childish nonsense! When I was in Syria, my eyes did not deceive me. What I have seen and fought against will never be written in the compendium of natural history. ”

"Indeed, this leads to the story of my poor Ariane."

In a trembling voice, I told Bingle about my father, the African explorer. How he hunted dangerous prey, and how one day he found a strange altar while tracking down a ferocious lion on the plains of the Serengeti. On the altar is a statue of a bat. Out of curiosity, he took it to a local wizard. He was told that the statue was associated with a powerful spirit, the soul of a night hunter. A greedy, bloodthirsty beast. He was told that the Night Hunter would share its gift in offering a suitable sacrifice. Father thought it was funny, so he took the sick statue home as a terrible trophy. Year after year passed, and we didn't remember it until my father's eyesight deteriorated and he was forced to retire. Alas, the thrill of hunting was undeniable, and he became more and more fascinated. What if he could still chase the most dangerous prey and take them down? What if he could act at night like the deadliest leopard? The thought consumed him until he couldn't take it anymore.

I tried to stop him, to distract him, but in vain. One night, I saw a light in the distance and became suspicious. As I approached, the most horrific sight appeared, and I almost fainted. On the grass lay my father, the cursed statue and the bloody corpse of the family dog. My father turned to me, and the madness in his eyes made me shrink back in fear.

"Behold, Ariana, blessed are we!" He said in a loud and terrifying voice. Then, laughing, he ran into the woods with an extremely unnatural pace and vigor. I waited for him to return, and at dawn I saw him appear on the horizon. He let out a terrible scream as the sun shone on him. He fell to the ground, unconscious. I immediately set out to save him, but as soon as I walked out, a sharp pain seized me, and I had to retreat. Such a sacrifice does not seem appropriate. Indeed, how could such a terrible entity accept anything other than the most precious of flesh? We are not considered worthy. In exchange for vision, my father and his bloodline were cursed never to walk in the sun or be put to death. To make matters worse, I now have to follow their habit and drink the blood of the living!

Without looking back, I left the house and went to my dear uncle for help, for he was known for his breadth of knowledge. He protected me and since then we have been together looking for a cure. ”

As I finished reading this hollow story, warm tears slipped freely from Cecil Rutherford Bingle's weather-beaten face. When he spoke, his voice trembled with excitement.

"What a terrible story, my dear, what a terrible, what a terrible fate! Ah, the cruelty of cruelty, to put such a burden on the shoulders of such a kind soul, such a meek temperament! If I can help......"

I shook my head, my eyes moistened with excitement, and my face was slightly red despite the paleness of my face.

"This, Mr. Bingle, seems doomed, but at least I have my dear uncle to take care of me. I want companionship and help, because if I can't save myself, my heart can safely believe that I should help others. ”

Bingle let out a terrible sob, and emotions overwhelmed him again. Loth grabbed my shoulder with a fatherly hand, and his face was full of sadness and regret. As he turned to wipe his tears, I heard him whisper.

"Seven out of ten."

What?! The man is crying, I deserve at least nine! Phew.

"Cecil, you may ask yourself why I have told you this delicate news, sir. I would like to explain why my niece is qualified to listen to this kind of story. "She is also fluent in the language of death. Ariana, can you take a look at this?"

I picked up my notebook and read what I had written down from my amphora.

"Salt".

"Salt?"

"Yes, salt, alchemical reagents. This is Akkadian, derived from an Akkadian inscription. Pay attention to these sharp dents. The runes were designed to be carved into stone tablets with a stylus. ”

"What does that mean?"

"This is most likely taken from alchemy. It implies some kind of laboratory, or even something bigger. ”

"Who would perform alchemy in a language that has long since died?" Bingle asked.

"Maybe a man who learned alchemy from a dead civilization."

Or someone who was present while it was still alive.

Loth cleared his throat, and the adventurer came out of his musings and looked at him.

"My dear Mr. Bingle, if I understand correctly, you need my expertise to decipher Mrs. Schaeffer's notes, and you still ask me to take part in this expedition, right?"

Bingle's request was said so bluntly that he blushed with embarrassment.

"Well, I know I'm asking too much, well, but the situation requires me to put my pride aside! Indeed, Flora's life is definitely in danger, and I am willing to sacrifice my reputation if I can bring her back alive and safely. Forgive me for making a bold request, knowing that we in Bingler are not out of the question. Of course, I will compensate you for your efforts, but I know that for a gentleman like you, adventure, knowledge and honor are more important!"

I never thought that Bingle would be so accurate about Lot, even if the reasons were wrong. I could see that his curiosity was piqued. An amphora covered with ancient runes, found here? Even I'm curious.

"Don't worry, Mr. Bingle, as long as your pleas for help doesn't fall on deaf ears. I'm willing, no, desperate to help you save your friends from those scoundrels. We will set out to-morrow to find the brave companions you have spoken of, so that we may be able to ascertain the whereabouts of Miss Schaeffer. I have a few acquaintances in law enforcement who can't wait to tell me where they are now. Perhaps these outlaws will accept the discussion, and if not, we can obtain this knowledge from them through violence or subterfuge. ”

The conversation turned into a minutiae, and after a manly handshake, Bingle was gone. Loth and I went to his studio.

The large room, which occupies half of the first and second floors, is his refuge. I've only been in a few times and never been alone, so I was a little taken aback when he pulled me in.

"Ariana, I'd like to ask you a favor. I'm exhausted......"

I couldn't help but giggle. He smiled, a little embarrassed.

"Yes, I didn't anticipate Clara's appetite. Anyway, I'm tired. Can you help me pack?"

"Of course."

He pointed out what he wanted to bring, and it took me hours to carry the heavy equipment and gadgets onto the heavy wagon. Even if he wasn't going to use it, I used his heavy armor as a safety measure.

I myself took with me the practical equipment he had made for me, as well as my rifle, knife and notebooks on ancient languages. I went to the kitchen to prepare a lot of travel food. When I was done, I went back to my room.

I chose a piece of paper. This was torn from an ad with a few words on it.

"I love you, daughter, and don't forget your promise."

A tear stained the ink a little.

I put it in a locket and hung it around my neck.

Finally, I decided to open Ximena's letter. Most of the content was about her own news, but there was one sentence that caught my attention.

"We have been confirmed that the 'Lady of the South' has lost all its crew off the coast of Senegal."

This is the boat my master was on. I don't know what happened to him. I've been told that an older vampire can go into a state of stagnation if trapped somewhere, so it's likely that he's still alive, locked in an iron coffin, lying in the dark depths of the ocean.

I don't know what I think.

The faux tendrils of twisted love made me yearn to save him, but they soon fell silent.

I was relieved that I wouldn't see him again. I hate that I lose my mind as soon as he's around me.

I was afraid of what would happen to him when he was released. It's inevitable.

Well, don't be depressed. It's out of my control.

I dragged the sarcophagus to the wagon, secured it, and called it a day.