Hide and Seek
"A charm spell…"
She accused me, tone clipped… hmm, accuse is not correct, because like what she said, I indeed just used [Charm] skill on her, but that was not my fault, okay, this skill is always active it is not like I want to charm every female I have come across with.
It was a fortune she was strong enough to resist this skill, if she were slightly weaker, I'm sure she would be affected by my eyes and basically become my slave… and I already have a lot of them, I do not need any more slaves I probably would never use.
That was more than enough for her companions to send enmity eyes full of disdain toward me. Well, it cannot be helped. From their perspective, it must look like I just tried to hypnotize their friend or something like that.
I only smile in amusement at their reaction.
"Apologize for my rudeness, but that is not quite right."
I point my finger toward my eyes.
"It is a curse I was born with, or perhaps you could call it a blessing. These eyes will charm any opposite gender who takes a gaze upon it. There is nothing I can do about it. If you want to blame something, blame it on my birth or the fact you were born a woman."
That was a little rude, don't you think?
"But if you want to continue this negotiation, here is a little advice. You better look into my chin or anywhere else, avoid eye contact at all cost."
Letting out a deep breath she is trying to calm her nerve down, well, it is true she is strong, but… still far weaker than me, I'm sure, my skill has actually taken an effect on her, even if it was just a little.
"Apologize for how I'm acting."
Why is she the one apologizing?
"No need, rather that was on me. I should have warned you before we begin this meeting. More than that, we better continue from where leave before. If you still want to resume this meeting, that is."
With that sentence came out of her mouth, her friend has no choice but to follow her decision, doesn't mean they ceased being alert though, unlike before, their eyes have become a kind of hard to look now. With how dirty and alerting they look at me, well the two men still hide it with no problem, but the red-haired woman with the biggest bust size I have ever seen in my life, is this even possible to get that big? Her emerald eyes, she is clearly giving a real nasty look toward me, so she even has no intention of hiding it, huh?
Is she having some kind of grudge toward charm spell or something?
It's kind of hard to pretend that I did not aware of her obvious disdain eyes, though.
Until the onyx haired woman delivering a little jab to her side making the red-haired woman winced in surprise and she is send a glare to her friend who calmly return her glare with calm eyes, as if their eyes can speak what they have in their mind they keep their eyes locked to each other for quite sometimes, it's rather funny to witness if you ask me. While the red-haired woman has her flaring and childish glare in her eyes but her friend only responses to it with a flat, almost bored gaze. It's just a hunch, but somehow I have a feeling this is probably not the first time they have had this kind of silent argument.
"What do you think you are doing?"
"Make sure you are not ruining our chance to end the war as soon as possible?"
"Yeah, sorry about that, but this man just used a charm spell on us. He's scum!"
"Well, maybe that's true, but we still need his strength and assure an alliance with his faction."
"Even if he is a scum?"
"Can't you calm down? I'm the one who just got affected. Why are you the one who's bothered by it? Calm your cow tits down?"
"My breast has nothing to do with this, and he just used a charm spell on you."
"Is it about your fiancé?"
"Former! I have nothing to do with that scum anymore."
"Whatever."
That's the index of their mental conversation if you want to know.
How you might ask? Simple, because curse, forbidden art, dark magic, and sense manipulation are my forte.
After five or ten seconds they finally brook away their wordless exchange with the red-haired turn her head away from her friend and my gaze, she breathed in deeply and adorable comical pout formed in her pretty face, contrast from her the woman who just introduced herself as Serafall, she still keeps her composure with the calm and collected face.
An amused smile stretched on the lips of the other present individual, especially from my faction's side.
"Apologize for my friend's behavior."
Again… why are you the ones who apologizing?
"No need to, rather I prefer to we continue the meeting by now."
"You are right, so… can I have your answer?"
"To that crazy proposal of yours in assisting your group in winning the civil war?"
"Yes."
"No, thank you."
"Can I have the reason?"
"Do I even need to say it?"
Silence. Her smile gets wider as I finish said that sentence.
This woman sure loves staring at other's eyes, isn't she?
Like right now, for instance. Is she that confident with her magic resistance? I would not take responsibility in case you actually become a victim under my spell.
Be my guest.
And in case you want to know why I refuse her proposal is simply because there's no merit in doing it. It doesn't matter what trigger it or what they are fighting for, for war is nothing but hell, a blood maniac like Tristan would definitely like it, though.
Probably because she's actually affected by my eyes, she closed her eyes and move her head away from my direction with a little smile played on her lips… or that what would look like from the other's perspective, but from mine, it almost looks like that she was avoided my eyes because she actually is fallen by my eyes, I truly wish it was just my imagination or me just miss seeing a thing, but I'm sure there is a blush painting on her face when she avoiding my eyes.
Maybe I will use [Wish upon the stars] after this, just to make sure she is actually alright.
I understand you were strong, maybe almost as strong as Carmilla or Krul, and leading a big and important army must have increasing your ego and made you overestimate yourself, it's not your fault, you are still young after all, but sorry to say this, I'm not standing at the top of my race (excluding NPC) in the game for nothing, lady.
This body of mine is the ultimate exemplar of vampirism, the epitome, and pride of my race.
You are simply not strong enough to resist my skill completely, that's all… maybe I should create contact lenses to conceal these eyes' effect after this meeting is over, and when I have the motivation and chance.
Rather than that, I don't have an obligation to do that, do I? Besides, it's not my fault that my eyes have this kind of ability.
She was still looking away from me, but I could see her pursed lips, collecting herself?
It's too late to regret it though and too early to believe in yourself.
Don't blame me, it was never my fault. It just me or she has been quiet for a quite long time?
Looking to the woman beside me, I found Carmilla's eyes staring directly back at me… wait, what with that eyes? Why are you looking at me as if I'm the one who is wrong in here?
I don't know why, but somehow I feel some sort of guilt as I keep staring into her eyes.
I better avoid her eyes. If not, I'm afraid I will actually think this is my fault.
What about Krul?
Glance… unlike Carlmilla's boring gaze, this loli has a playful smirk stretched across her lips, as if she was saying "now you have done it, way to go man"… sometimes this woman can be a pain, too. Tristan with her usual cheeky smirk enjoying the flow of this meeting.
Before long, she finally raises her head and stares back at me. This time her eyes' angle seems kind of low than before, to my chin maybe. Well, aren't you learning something?
She's smiling as if nothing is happening.
"Exactly, there's no way ones would agree when they suddenly asked to join a war they have no relation to out of nowhere."
Well, if you want to pretend like that, then I will follow it.
"Spare me the frivolous lines. Now tell me what you have in your mind to pique my interest."
"That's what I expect."
She's smile until her eyes closed.
Which I return with the same smile.
"If that's the case, then I will cut all the sweet talk."
She takes a deep breath, then lets it out and inhaled again, repeating this cycle several times.
"I do think highly of your skill and power. That much is true. The civil war that suddenly ended in just a year, and the fact the Vampire faction has united as one and recovered from the civil war in tremendous speed in a short time, the answer of those miracles is none other you, not only that somehow you managed to piqued the interest from other factions such as Nordic and Greece, and made them as your allies. No one in this world has ever done these achievements in less than ten years."
"Why thank you for the compliment."
It's not exactly a compliment though, since she's basically just said something that I actually accomplished in this world.
"That's why "we" have a proposal that might intrigue you."
She brings her finger up to her face. She seemed to think as a smile crept up to her eyes.
"Once this war end there will be three factions in Devil society, one faction led by the only remaining original devil, Zelkram Bael, and next is a faction that will be led by us, it's mostly will be consisted by our family and its allies, and last is the faction that led by the current Satans… that is if we win this war"
So they are not planning to obliterate their enemies? Well, that also makes sense, since their number is already so small, and there are at least 20 clans that follow the Satan faction, that's more than half of their total number.
From what I observed from the flow of war, in terms of personal power the rebel army was stronger than their opponent, and the answer for that is these four individuals and the current leader of the rebel army, the only survivor of the original devil from the Great War. But the Satan still has the higher advantage with their number and various inherited sacred power from each clan such as the Phenex and their healing potion.
It is just a matter of time before the Clans that follow Satan faction notice that the rebel has more powerful figures than them, well… devil by nature is either loyal to the tradition or loyal to power, so it's either they deflect from their faction to join the other stronger side or stay loyal to their belief until their demise come.
"And what is in it for us?"
Hoo, this is the first time Carmilla to speak since this meeting started.
I guess she's hate to be left in the dust. Come to think it was only me and her that speak in this meeting.
"If we managed to accomplish something more than the other, our faction will be able to expand even further than ever before, I can assure you great profits on that occasions."
She directed that not only for me but also for everyone in this room.
"So what you are saying, is that "there will be no returns unless you win", that was quite a clever way of thinking."
I relaxed my face and rest it on my hand, an amused smile forming on my lips.
"However, sorry to say, but that's not enough for me to-"
"In our faction, we will be the ones who hold the highest authority."
She cut me. That was rather rude.
"All we want is only an assist from your faction to finish this war as quickly as possible and save the pillars devil before they went extinct in this war. We will honor you as the second in command in our army, and the hero of this war. By any means, I'm not telling you to work under us, but standing with us as an equal."
Hoo~~~
Looking to the side, I can see the light in Tristan and Krul's eyes become even brighter. Well, I guess they know where she's going with this.
"In other words, if the four of us die, it will be all yours to do with as you please. I've heard your faction has been looking for more power from other factions, I'm sure 1/3 of the devil faction will be a great help for you."
She showed me a fearless smile as she spoke those crazy ideas.
This woman is not sane. Who in their right mind would propose such a ridiculous deal with someone they just meet?
But… she's right, honestly, I don't care what she has in her mind; I have no intention of aid them. Whoever will win is irrelevant to me, as long I can get several handfuls of the corpse from the noble devil, that is more than enough for me. But not anymore. I want this deal.
"Honestly, you are a truly unpleasant woman."
I like this woman.
- Serafall -
This might have been too late to say this, but aren't I just spouting some crazy idea right there?
It's not too late to take back what I just said, right?
Lifting my gaze from his chin a little, I have to make sure his eyes will not get caught in my range of vision.
I watch as the smirk of his mouth becomes wider… well; I guess it was too late for me to reconsider my proposal.
Honestly, what I did before was one of the biggest mistakes I've ever did in my life.
Now, I realized.
I was a fool, an arrogant little girl who put herself too high on the pedestal in her mind for her own good, thinking she was a big shot just because she became the commander small army.
I should have known this man was not like any other man I've ever met before.
The number of men who had tried to seduce me to warm their bed with charm magic are as many as there are stars in the sky.
However, none of them were worthy enough of my time, not even for one second. The effort I put to neutralize their spell was as easy as breathing. Their magic was like a frail branch clinging desperately to its withered dried-up tree.
So fragile, weak, and almost pathetic to watch.
However, not for this man, he differed from any of those men.
His enchanting blood-red eyes, drowning me in the sea of mythical warmness, pale skin that I have no problem embracing…
STOP IT RIGHT THERE SERAFALL SITRI! Get a grasp of yourself woman, you are not this kind of cheap woman who falls for the man you just met. Don't let his sublime eyes trick you… stop it fool!
Back to the topic, girl. Is the difference in power between us can be really that big? To the point, even I could not refuse his simple charm magic?
That's the more reason for us to make an alliance with him. The devil's population was already in threat. The longer we draw this war, the more damage we will cause to our society. Half of the pillars were fallen in the Great War. We must end this war as fast as possible and make sure to save even one pillar from extinction.
It was ironic that was coming from me, the same devil who had already made one pillar extinct.
The smile… smirk he directed to me then was so blissfully sweet and warm that I felt myself melting away inside.
"Honestly, you are a truly unpleasant woman."
Ahh~ what a beautiful voice suited for someone I lo…
STOP IT! Serafall Sitri, you fool.
Well, I guess we have a deal here.
I hope the other won't be angry with this decision… yes, no way. I can imagine Irene will strangle my neck after this.
- Epilogue -
- Tristan -
"Hmm, it appears it's my win."
His words feel like a grain of salt to my wounds. With me being battered with scars can't even move a finger, my face kissing the ground, blood that I love so much flowing from all part of my body, providing a warm sensation I don't want to taste, my beloved hair and dress was tattered in all place.
With what is left inside my body, I glancing my eyes to see the tip of his weapon and something that once was a part of my body, my dismemberment left arm, unmoving as if it was a part of a lifeless mud doll.
It's so hurt, hurt so much that I can't feel it anymore
The fact that I didn't felt any insult in his words just added more pain to my pride and body.
So this is the power of the new lord of vampire I heard so much about? His power is worlds apart from me. Is such a wide gap between us even possible? I can't even put a scratch on his clothes, so humiliating.
"Kill me."
With my last energy, I requested my end.
"Hahh… why everything has to be killed or to be killed matter."
He said with an exasperated tone.
I want to punch him, no; I want to kill him, in the cruelest way I can imagine.
Aren't you the one who demanded us to follow you out of nowhere, and as if I will obey someone I don't know, I will never do that!
"You have lost to me. That means your life and death is mine to decide."
"And I asked you to kill me. After that, you can do whatever you want to my clan."
"You really want to die that much, eh? Leaving this world even without ever achieving anything in the world with your own hands? Everything you ever achieve has served to you like a golden apple, and you choose to die. That was so pitiful, I can't even bear to laugh at it."
With sudden hatred toward his words, I look up dead into his eyes with flames in my eyes, his damnable face.
For whatever reason, he has in his head. His smirk only gets wider because of my glare.
"Nice eyes you have there, so much better than the previous one. Full of flaring life."
Dematerialized his weapon, he took a step with a manner worthy of admiration. He stops right in front of me.
"Follow me and I will take you to the new higher level of this world," he said while kneeling on one leg, his hand reached out to me
Is he crazy?
Before answering his request, I relieved my throat first. I clean my mouth from the blood that irritated me.
"You should have known this, I hate you, I want to kill you, you who appear out of nowhere and destroyed my perfect life."
Feeling the sudden burn in my chest and throat, the blood surging from my inside and forcefully break out through my mouth.
Darn, look below to my leftover hand, the "mark". Does it keep spreading all over my body, even in this pitiful condition, in my dying state? What a nasty and merciless taste of technique.
"Pfft… perfect?"
Standing, he spreads his arms, as if what I lived for was something to mock for.
My land where I live and my people whom I lead.
"Are you saying leading a small group in this tiny land was the perfect life for you?"
Back to knelling, he trailing off with a tranquil voice, and I hate myself for thinking that.
"Don't be a fool, all this time you were selling yourself too cheap, you always limiting yourself, be greedier and follow me, and I will give you something you would never imagine you will get."
Ahh, I hate this man even more now.
"And what? Pledging my loyalty and swore that I will live and die for you? How ironic, that exactly what I will call "limiting myself". I love myself more than anything in this world, and I will never pledge myself to anyone. I will live as I please and die for my own sake."
With bloody teeth, I smirk at him with an arrogant attitude, the intention of mocking him before I went to another side.
"Heh."
Completely different from what I had hoped, the surrounding atmosphere suddenly changed… to the elated one, what's wrong with this man.
"Interesting, but who ever said something about "loyalty" in here?"
What?
"I am all the more pleased with you. From the start, I didn't expect you to be loyal to me. I told you to come and follow me, but I never asked for your trust."
"Hah? Are you perhaps insane? Are you saying you still want me even after knowing I want to kill you?"
"Hmm… yes? Besides, I don't really care what your intent, someone like you will be more interesting and getting stronger if there's no shackle to hold you back."
What is this situation? Is this what they call the hallucination before the death door? Or this man is just that stupid? But whatever, I will pay with you in this game, let us dance to the death.
If he truly means what he said, if by following him I can take his life, then I will do so.
"I don't know what you are planning in that wicked head of yours, but fine, if that means I can live longer to take your head, I will comply with your ridiculous proposal."
"Well, that was a big goal you have. I see no problem in that."
Once again, he extended his hand to me.
"Good heavens, you are a truly unpleasant man."
Under this red moon, I grasp his hand with my bloody hand as I swear if there is one who will kill him, that person would be me.
- TBC -
Ahh, shit, not going to lie. I am already really bored with this hobby, my interest in OC fanfic has been long gone.