...?..
Are you gonna tell me a bedtime story tonight?"
"Uh huh. Which story would you like me to tell you tonight? Do you perhaps have a preference, or would you like me to pick this time? I have an infinite number of stories in store just for you So~tan!"
"Can you tell me the story of the greatest person you've ever known?"
"You always avoid the topic whenever I ask. Don't think that just because I'm a kid that I can't tell it when you do that Onee-sama." Sona adjust her glasses calculatingly.
"..."
"See, there's the look on your face when I mention the topic! The way your eyes avert mine whenever I ask about it. Sirzechs-sama, Ajuka-sama and Falbium-sama. You've told me stories of their feats, how they were like in the civil war. Yet each and every time your eyes want to convey another you freeze up and let your eyes wander up to the side."
"*Sigh*... as expected of So~tan... Fine, fine, This time I'll tell you the story of the greatest Person I've ever known... A story of a person who strove to achieve his dream. Even when his dream was impossible. Even when he was falsely accused and imprisoned by the race that he once saved. He did not crumble and continue to chase his eternal dream until the bitter end."
Tears fell from Serafall's eyes.
Those were tears of guilt, and longing for forgiveness. Serafall wiped it off immediately and continued to tell the tale of the man he loved to her sister..
...….Xenovia Sensei Pov...
It's now been 10 days since me and Grayfia had met Xenovia. And since then, me and her got to know each other quite well this past few days.
"Sigh...I hope she becomes close to Grayfia like this soon too..."
The day that I recruited Xenovia the atmosphere between her and Grayfia had been quite awkward, it's really troubling but for now at least they have idle chatter and acknowledge each others presence.
...3 days later In a lake Somewhere in Romania...
(Once more. And this time I'll put more gravity runes in your body, try to maintain the speed of your sword swings underwater for about 5 more hours.)
I instructed to my apprentice telephatically with magic while we were underwater. While I stood under the surface proud and relaxed the opposite could be seen on the face of Xenovia. A tired look with a "please let's eat" expression could be seen on her face underwater.
(Sorry hatchling, but you asked for this now be a good pupil and let's do it right from the beginning once more.)
My pupil let's out a sigh in her mind, (Yes, but could we take a small snack first? my stomach keeps calling out to me Sensei.) Xenovia rubs her tummy and looks at me pleadingly. I sigh before chuckling.
(Fine, fine you have an hour, but then you will be running up a mountain two times aft-.)
(Yes!)
Ignoring what I had in store for her later, Xenovia swims up to the surface.
(Kids these days...don't let their elders finish sentences, oh well at least I can screw Grayfia now since I have some time to burn fufu.)
...1 week later Xenovia Pov in an Unknown Forest in Romania...
In the distance, under the starry sky, gravestones with strange engravings as far as the eye can see could be seen all over the obscured forest.
As we headed deeper into the forest I begin to sense that we were being watched.
"..."
(Larx wake up...I think we're being watched.) I contact Larx in my head.
(Zzz zzzz Xen don't touch my pommel. I'm sensitive there hehe...)
Not good...Larx is still asleep. The training I did today must have had a huge toll on him.
Sensing my unease Sensei rubs my head to calm me down.
"Be at ease hatchling, they wont bite if I'm with you so calm yourself."
Heeding Sensei's words I calm down and we move on. Treading deeper into the forest I see lots of silhouettes of what appeared to be hairy looking humans accompanied by large looking dogs.
Their appearance in the distance unnerved me to an extent but I managed to shrug it off and decided to stayed close to Sensei for safety reasons...
Walking a bit further we soon reached a crossroads with a strange obelisk in the center that had the same weird engravings on it like the gravestones we passed by moments ago.
I was stuck in thought of what the markings could mean but then I was brought back to my senses by Grayfia-san who instructed me to come closer to the strange monument.
I did as I was told and got closer to the strange monument.
"…!"
*Gatagatagatagata!*
A slight vibration is transmitted through the ground. What is it?
*Gatagatagatagata!*
Following the noise. I couldn't help but be creeped out.
The strange noise came from the wheels of a horse drawn carriage, which was unmanned for some reason...
Heading near where we were the unmanned carriage came to halt near the strange obelisk, then the door to it eerily opened by itself beckoning us to go inside...
"Ah...eh?..."
Without a moments delay Sensei sits inside casually while Grayfia-san elegantly sits opposite to him.
"Come on hatchling no need to be scared, the carriage is perfectly safe~~." Sensei gives a thumbs up as he repeatedly taps the seat next to him.
"N-not scared, not at all! But..." Despite Sensei's words I was reluctant on entering the carriage.
"*Chuckle* sure you're not~~~"
"Not scared!...Just feel like walking to our destination..."
"That won't do Xenovia-sama, the place where we're going can't be accessed on foot, so I insist you get in and join us." Grayfia says sternly.
"S-c-a-r-e-d~~."
"Master you're not helping."
Ticked by Sensei's teasing I reply.
"No I'm not, going in!"
"Don't feel like walking anymore, going in. G-going in...
(*Yawn* I've heard most of it, if you're really that scared I can hold your hand in my human form if you want partner.) A now awake Larx suggested.
"N-no need I'm an adult, fine by myself!"
Mustering my courage I finally go inside, only for me to be startled by spectral being who closed the door of the carriage shut from the outside.
"Eep!..." I couldn't help but gape at what I saw...
...Riding the Carriage...
It had been a while since the carriage started moving. I am currently gazing absent-mindedly at the scenery outside the window to clear my mind of the haunted carriage we're currently riding.
The scenery around us changed from forests to snowy open fields. After some time, the two lanes merged into single lane mountain road surrounded by a snow covered forest.
It seems we've been traveling down the snowy mountain road for about an hour now.
As I continued to gaze at the snow covered scenery Grayfia-san who is sitting right beside me speaks.
"Um...Xenovia-sama. If you would please...Can you stop crushing my hips."
"Grayfia-san what do you mean?..."
"You're hold on me. It hurts, because you've got me on a hip lock Xenovia-sama. Please let go.
It seems I have unconsciously held onto Grayfia-san ever since I saw the specter that showed up..
"Ah sorry!" Noticing what I did only just now I let go of her and blushed in embarrassment.
"What a cute reaction, so Xen is afraid of ghosts who would've thought..?."
"Hush Larx-sama. I am happy that you finally trust me a bit. But why do ghost scare you so much? Haven't you faced more dangerous beings than this since before we've met?"
"I-its different with ghost they can't be killed...If I knew carriage was haunted. Would've never went inside!"
"I see...I guess I don't have a choice. Please hug me once more Xenovia-sama. Just don't squeeze me so hard this time, ok?"
"Grayfia-san...U-understood...Will try."
I hug onto Grayfia-san again, but this time I lighten my grip on her hips.
"T-thank you..."
"Anytime Xenovia-sama..."
"..."
"This moment is touching and all...But we're almost there...Don't forget to bring your belongings ok?"
Sensei says, while cleaning what seemed to be a sword attached with a peculiar firearm.
"Well, here we are. This is the place."
The carriage slows down and l could see a huge castle covered in blankets of snow outside. Apparently we're finally at our destination.
As we approach the large iron gate, the carriage comes to a stop.
"It took us a while but we're finally here home sweet home~~."
"Wow..." Me and Larx gasp at the sight of the huge castle before us.
"Pretty impressive ain't it Hatchling?"
"Nnn Pretty impressive."
"You'll have plenty of time to admire it from the outside later, for now let's go inside. I will be your guide Xenovia-sama."
"On behalf of all its residents. I welcome you to the starting point of those who desire to cross worlds...The structure that was based from another world...Cainhurst Castle."
"It's the base of our Organization, and it's now your home too. So by all means, make yourself comfortable and relax."
"Nnn will do..."
"Milord!"
The one who comes calling is a doll-like little girl who is wearing a dress worn by those princesses back in the Middle ages. The reason why I thought she looked like a doll is because she has a very beautiful face."
Her eyes, nose, and even her mouth look like those western dolls where she doesn't seem like a human, and her beauty seems like it was made by someone. You can say that she is flowing with a very mysterious atmosphere. She has long wavy blonde hair, and it makes her look like a doll even more. And the colour of her face is really bad that she looks like a corpse.
I presume she is the same age as me from her appearance.…
"...!"
I open my eyes wide after looking at her feat.
-She seems to have no shadow.
..Judging from that she must be a Vampire from one of those scary stories Larx tells me while traveling...
The Vampire girl kneels before Sensei.
"Oh, Elmen it's you. What happened? You look troubled what's the problem...?" Sensei asked the the vampire girl.
"What happened?..."
"You disappeared all of a sudden!" The girl Sensei called Elmen shouted.
"Me?" Sensei points at himself confused.
"Uh huh, What if something had happened!? I know I keep saying it but you are one of the great progenitors of the Vileblood race, the god of us Vilebloods you have to be more careful Milord.."
"You're also the esteemed leader of multiple races now please don't forget..."
"..Sorry for worrying everyone...You see...Ophis-chan talked to me about a potential recruit...and I couldn't help but go and take a look."
"A new recruit?..So then... This person next to you .."
"Yes meet my new apprentice Xenovia Astra. We met at the Old Maou Ruins."
"I see, that's why you suddenly left... I guess I can't lecture
Milord for that.."
"Ah...where are my manners. How do you do, Xenovia-san. I'm honored to meet the new apprentice of Lord Cainhurst."
"I am Elmenhilde Karnstein one of the many servants of Lady Carmilla. I'm also the fiancé of Lord Cainhurst's son. Please call me Elmen."
Elmenhilde…It certainly is a name which sounds so vampiric. It certainly has a noble ring to it.
"Carmilla...?"
"Oh you don't know? Lady Carmilla is Lord Cainhurst's little sister who is one the three progenitors of my race the Vilebloods."
When I heard Sensei was once human I was shocked. Elmen then informed me about Sensei's origin and his relations with Vampires while taking a tour of the castle.
Vampires or as they would like to be called Vilebloods are residents of a hidden city called Yharnam hidden somewhere in Romania. Along with the Werewolves they came from another world. Contrary to myth they don't have a weakness for sunlight or other weaknesses you see in tv but like the Werewolves they have weaknesses to fire and silver. Elmen also added that Vampires are adept in using their blood as deadly weapons in combat.
"We Vilebloods have had a huge influence on the culture of you humans. One of the many examples we passed down to you were how to make the first Firearms, Modern Medicine, Photography, and Music Boxes (:3).
"Taking advantage of our advanced knowledge we infiltrated human governments to direct human industries and politics as we see fit in the shadows."
"The ones who lead us are The Three Progenitors or The Three Great Ones, they are the ruling bodies of the Vileblood and Beast Hierarchy. Unique existences. Powerful enough to be seen as gods. Worshipped by us Vilebloods, either directly or indirectly."
"Whether or not the Three Great Ones are actually gods or just higher levels of beings is inconsequential, the question itself is entirely academic. The important thing is: they exist. They have had a huge influence on the world. They are ageless, but they can be killed. Their powers are strange things, often involving Eldritch manipulation or Dimension Creation or things that you humans cannot comprehend. Even perceiving the true forms of the Three Great Ones properly requires a supernatural amount of perception(insight)-something a human fool once tried to do, at the cost of his sanity."
"One of the three stands before you the Twin Great One Lord Nasc [tln Nasc is an Irish word meaning link or relationship.], the creator of the pocket dimension we are in now." Elmen points at both Sensei and Grayfia-san.
"...?"
Elmen ignores my confused expression and continues to passionately explain while we walk through the long corridors of the castle.
"Never one, without the other, the twin essences of the unknown. Lord Nasc is the Silver touch of Benevolent Tranquility and the Ashen embrace of Malevolent Chaos. Compassionate and the Cruel, Divine and the Sinister, they are one and both."
"You overestimate us too much Elmenhilde-sama. Please tone it down it's embarrassing." Grayfia-san's says as her face goes a little red.
I'm just stating facts. Grayfia-sama! Your relationship with Lord Cainhurst is the ideal relationship of my race! To be one with your Beloved in Flesh and Heart, doesn't that transcend the relationship of husband and wife?!"
"Grayfia is right you overestimate us too much Elmen. Mine and Grayfia's circumstances ain't all It's cracked up to be."
"Eh, really Milord?"
"Yep for example when I take a piss Grayfia can se-"
Sensei couldn't finish what he wanted to say because Grayfia-san froze him solid.
"..."
"Don't worry Elmenhilde-sama, Master will thaw out eventually please introduce the other two Great Ones to Xenovia-sama."
"..Uh...Yes well... The second one is The Great One of the Cosmos Lady Carmilla, she is the one who introduced to us Vilebloods and even those hairy Lycans the concept of channeling power from Celestial Bodies to use as deadly forms of powerful spells, and finally the one who helped you humans to prosper to your current age. The Great One of Knowledge Lady Eliza who resides in the Great Library we Vilebloods call Byrgenwerth"
"Well, that's all that I know, do you have any questions Xenovia-san?"
"Nnn... Enough info for now, thanks Elmen." I bow my head in gratitude.
"You're welcome, if there's anything else you need help with, don't be afraid to approach me. Later" Elmen bids us farewell and walks off.
After some idle chatter with Grayfia-san we reach a crystal covered garden and we exit into a hall surrounding it.
"This is the castle's main corridor. This place is connected to the Organization Hall, Shop, and the Resident's rooms."
"Oh, if it isn't Grayfia. When did you get back?"
Just then someone spots Grayfia-san and calls out to her.
"...Where were you? You and the Leader ran off, and it was just chaos around here!"
"My apologies Scathach-sama. Something came up." Grayfia-san sincerely apologizes to the person.
"Let me introduce you. This is Scathach-sama. She is one of the elite fighters of our organization"
"I see...No wonder I didn't recognize your face. You must be new."
"The name is Scathach no need for formalities. Pleased to meet you."
"Xenovia Astra please to make your acquaintance..." This woman... Not on Sensei's level but very strong...
"Fufu No need to be nervous I won't bite... You're welcome to talk to me if you need anything...Till we meet again rookie..."
"Ah..."
Before I could say anything Scathach-san's body disappears in a puddle of dark matter.
"I'm afraid this is is where we temporarily part ways as well Xenovia-sama. You can apply as a mercenary and do missions for money in the Organization Hall or you can take a rest for while in your room."
"Me and Master will be attending a meeting. We'll check on you after it is finished."
"Later the Master would like to talk to you about your duties and responsibilities that fall to you as his apprentice."
"Well, I'll see you soon Xenovia-sama."
"Nnn...take care Grayfia-san."
Grayfia-san gives us a curt bow leaving just me and Larx.
"Well that certainly was an unexpected...to meet otherworlders like me...We sure keep running into complex situations eh Xen? So... what do we do now partner?" Larx pops out from his sheath.
"We'll check the Organization hall."
"Alright! Time for our mercenary debut! Let's go to the Hall, become famous and make lots of money!"
"Yeah!..." Larx was showing an awful lot of enthusiasm so I mimicked him as well.
...Organization Hall...
"Large…"
It was a large room teeming with people of different races from Fallen Angels to even the magical pointy eared Elves that Larx talked to me about. All of them must have come here to take jobs.
The inside is cleaner than I thought it would be. I expected its interior to look like some form of dingy pub, with an overpowering impression and cluttered interior, like from Larx's tales but… The interiors and even the front desk seems like it was made from high grade materials.
The place was very noisy however, when me and Larx walked in, a considerable amount of attention was drawn. While we walked up to the counter, the eyes of the surrounding Members are following us.
"I would like to register."
"Ah, yes. Are you alone?"
"Not alone have Partner." I point at Larx behind my back.
"Erm… Is that so…ok then.."
There was an awkward silence, but then the Receptionist starts to explain.
"Anyone can register, but there'll be a test, the test is necessary to give you a rank. Ranks are required for some missions because of their difficulty to finish."
"Got it."
"It'll be a test of fighting forms, are you sure you'll be alright?"
"Have Partner don't worry."
"Are you really sure? You could get killed…"
"Unconcerned."
"Well… If anything happens, I take no responsibility."
"Fine with me."
"So, you still wish to do it…? I understand. Just a moment, please."
She began typing on something that Larx informed me was a computer. The Members became a bit noisy behind my back.
There wasn't anyone who started a quarrel, but the atmosphere is quite uncomfortable. Adults were snickering others who were the same age as me were looking at me with pity.
"Are you alright, Xen?"
" ? "
"Wow you're not nervous at all, well forget it, you're fine this way."
"Nnn.."
After a few minutes, the Receptionist finishes typing.
"Sorry to have kept you waiting. I'll escort you to your examination room. This way, please."
"..."
We were lead to a spacious area surrounded by magically reinforced walls on all sides. It seems that this is the Organization's Examination ground, or at least that's what I think it is.
In the center of the spacious room stood an extremely beautiful woman. With long purple hair and crimson red eyes, and wears a full-body outfit that highlights her curvaceous body, a sinister red spear could be seen resting on her shoulder.
It happened to be none other than Scathach-san.
A regular child, would cry as soon a they laid eyes upon her. Even Larx, who was used to the killing pressure of strong foes, was slightly surprised.
"For us to meet so soon...Tell me child. Are you the applicant?"
Through her words alone, the spear she possessed let out an enormous amount of magical energy.
However, I wasn't frightened at all. And bluntly replied;
"Yes." (Attagirl Xen you sound like a big shot!) Larx praised.
"Fufu. I see..." Scathach-san seems amused by my reply.
"I'll be your examiner. Show me your strength, young warrior. If you will not, I will take your life!"
"The contents of the ranking examination is easy. You have to fight me. If you die before 1 minute runs out, I'll personally carve rank F in your grave! Survive until 1 minute runs out, and you rank as E, D, C or B depending on your performance. However landing a hit on your examiner before 1 minute runs out is another story. If by chance you successfully land a hit on me you are automatically granted A rank! I expect a high rank from you, student of the one who bested me."
"I'll do my best..."
"Just so you're aware, I hate going easy, whatever the task it maybe. When my spear and your sword clash. I'll be aiming for you're heart! If you're having doubts about your survival, now's the time to leave!"
The moment Scathach-san said that, a killing pressure fell over us. If I had to rank the killing intent she is showering us it would be as Larx describes as S++.
"I am the Queen of the Land of Shadows Scathach, show me your power rookie!"
(This our awaited debut. Let's show her what we're made of Xen!)
"Understood."