Chapter 78: Something Missing

The entire vampire crisis has ended in the first day of the Red Moon. Lord Shadow's magic took care of every ghouls in the Lawless City and thanks to our efforts weeks before, no vampires and ghouls threaten the nearby kingdoms, even in the chaotic Oriana kingdom. The second and third day of the Red Moon passed peacefully as the number of vampires and ghouls capable of benefiting from it is now close to zero.

Lord Shadow vanished as soon as his nemesis did. He really is watching over us the whole time… like a guardian angel. It's good that his archnemesis, Necromancer, didn't engage in combat with him that night. I wasn't in Midgar when they clashed for the second time but reading the reports is enough horrify me. The thought of Lord Shadow losing is absurd… but Lady Alpha was not kidding when she said so. Lord Shadow not only lost, but was nearly killed.

Lady Alpha even said he was suffering the whole time… showing a side of him that he never showed to us before…

We parted ways with Mary and Van Helsing as both would resume their vampire hunting journey, though we promised to keep in contact with Mary, whose queen is captured by Necromancer.

We also returned the unconscious Lady Claire to her apartment in Midgar. It took her days to recover but thankfully she survived… though she immediately went back to search for Lord Shadow as soon as she woke up. Unfortunately for her, Lord Shadow is currently busy, so busy that even we didn't know where he is or what he's doing.

I gave my report, especially concerning my… Mina's memories, to Beta. After she read the report, she started locking herself in her room, most likely to write a novel based on Mina's memories. I have to admit that the story is quite beautiful and probably could sell really well.

I shouldn't be feeling this because I've dedicated my life for Lord Shadow… but I can't help but feel… pity for Alucard… or Count Dracula. His love for me… for Mina… transcends time. He lashed out at the world for cursing him but he didn't harm me. He could never harm me… even as I drove my sword into his heart and cut his head off. He showed concern for me even before we met. He even gave me a gift that I would treasure forever.

"I hope you found peace in the afterlife… Count." I whispered.

"Ho hoo… So you've fallen in love with him, huh Epsilon?" Beta whispered in my ears from behind, startling me as I didn't notice her approaching whilst I am lost in my thoughts.

"Ahhh! Beta! Don't do that!"

"Sorry! I can't help it because you look like a maiden in love!" Beta teased with laughter.

"More like maiden in… mourning…" I replied with a serious tone.

"You serious?" She asked whilst losing her smile.

I didn't reply as my tears fell down my cheeks.

"O-Oh… Sorry…" Beta said, losing her teasing tone as she pulled me to a hug. I wept in her arms, mourning the Count.

In this life, I belong to Lord Shadow… just as Mina Harker belonged to Jonathan Harker. If we are reincarnated again… would we be together again?

I don't exactly love him... My feelings for Lord Shadow is still stronger than for him. But I can't help but think that he doesn't deserve his fate. It's not fair! He should have a happy ending too!

"Do you think… he's at peace?" I asked Beta in between my sobs.

"I'm sure he will be happy if you are happy." Beta answered.

Yes… she is right. I have to find happiness… Not just for him but for myself as well. And thanks to his gift, I've finally overcame my greatest weakness and no longer need to rely on slimes or that defective amulet that can only change the size of a single body part, though said amulet helps a lot in regards to mastering my new shapeshifting powers long before I even get it.

I shall use this gift to achieve happiness, Count Dracula!

I woke up days after the vampiric pill's effects wore off. Maybe it's because my magic control is already chaotic and the Red Moon being added to the mix that my condition is far worse than before. I admit I was pretty reckless when experimenting with Carmilla's blood. But I can't help it! I want that shapeshifting powers! With it I don't have to use illusions to become Don Jon or whoever I wanted to be. And despite the heavy drawbacks, the experiment was a success.

But this resulted in Sherry no longer leaving my side though.

"How long will you follow me around Sherry?"

"All the time! Because the moment I leave you, you'd hurt yourself!"

Oh great. She's becoming like my sister. How did that happen? For some reason… I don't dislike it though.

Few days later she still sticks close to me even when I wore the Necromancer's mask and doing evil boss stuff. Never leaving my side at all times. She's even bold enough to sleep next to me every night and wouldn't take no for an answer. The Wraiths started to notice but didn't say anything… except the arrogant elf Arrinoth. Sherry quickly shut him up with killing intent though.

Adra in particular is behaving a bit weirdly… like expecting something that didn't come. Did I forget something?

Anyway, I am not allowed to do heavy stuff, not even experimenting on the Blood Queen, by her. Makes me wonder who's the real boss here. I'm also banned from extracting memories from my clone in Midgar so I have to figure out how to extract filtered information so the extraction won't overwhelm my brain.

I also really need to figure out how to control my magic. It's been driving me crazy since my last fight against Shadow.

Why do I keep failing at magic control ever since I took the Tears of Diablos? Magic control should be my forte. It should be simple! What is missing? What is—

"What is missing…" I muttered my thoughts out whilst walking in the hallways of my lair, on the way to the throne room because no rest for the wicked. But suddenly… "Ughh…" I almost fell down.

"Clau—Lord Necromancer!?" Sherry asked with concern.

"I'm okay." I reassured her, which doesn't work considering how I'm struggling to keep standing. I'm feeling weak again.

"You can't be working at this time! Please get some rest!"

"I can't. I have a meeting with Yukime."

"The fox can wait! Your health can't!"

"I've made her wait long enough. If I keep this up, she… they will notice my weakness. I can't afford to let that happen, Sherry." I argued, which shut her up as she understand the position I put myself into. This is the life of an evil boss who used terror to control his subordinates. As the evil boss, I must maintain a terrifyingly strong image lest they betray me without a second thought.

We both entered the throne room. The only one waiting for an audience with me is Yukime. Her face is… as neutral as ever, constantly hiding her true emotion. I sat down the throne and Sherry stood beside me. That's the cue where Yukime is allowed to speak.

"Greetings Lord Necromancer. I'm glad for this opportunity to bask in your presence." Yukime said while bowing.

"And I see that you've grown closer to Lady Acolyte." Yukime said whilst glancing at Sherry. Sherry glared at her through her mask, and Yukime decided to stop teasing as she felt Sherry's killing intent.

"Skip the pleasantries and get on with it, vixen." Sherry said with contempt.

"Very well. I must apologize for failing to fend off the vampire hunters invading the Crimson Tower per your command. The man… Van Helsing… is too powerful for me and thus I decided to retreat."

"Apologize? You dare!?" Whoa, that's a scary killing intent, Sherry.

"Please forgive my impudence, Lord Necromancer. I am prepared to receive any punishment you see fit." Yukime bowed once again, not showing signs of being affected by Sherry's killing intent.

"Punishment, eh…?" I murmured as I stood up from the throne. Sherry looked like she wanted to stop me but she stopped herself in order to maintain our position as master and subordinate.

"I have something in mind. Heh heh heh." I said while chuckling. My chuckle got some reaction out of her. Even if it's faint but I saw her widening her eyes for a brief moment. Yes. That's the reaction I wanted.

Lord Necromancer has been… pretty merciful as of late. Adra didn't receive his punishment after failing to hunt down his sister as per Lord Necromancer's orders. Lord Necromancer even tolerated Arrinoth's annoying rants lately, allowing the Acolyte to scold the haughty elf in his stead. I'd like to think that his recent closeness to the Acolyte has something to do with it. How romantic.

I thought he would tolerate my failure in the Crimson Tower too considering I am still a valuable pawn of his. But his chuckle reminded me of how evil he is… I have a bad feeling about this.

"We're going to visit your old village. And it is there that I shall grant your wish."

I widened my eyes and held my breath. He is going after the spirits of my deceased people in order to punish me… I must stop him! But… I can't… I'm too afraid to oppose him!

"Yes… my lord…" Is the only thing I can say. Oh mother… My people… I'm sorry for my cowardice… I'm so sorry…

Author's Note:

Now we're entering a new arc, but not John Smith arc yet. Also, Epsilon isn't really in love with Alucard. I highlighted the reason why she has such high opinion of him (enough to mourn for him) twice in her perspective.

HundredMasks: Author, you cooked hard, and well, I can't wait for the john smith and don Jon rivalry because spy films are basically my childhood, ss for the Godzilla vs Ghidorah,. I'm just eager to witness what you've cooked

also, epsilon perspective? I wanna see the misunderstandings on their side lmao

Answer: Hope I can do the Don Jon VS John Smith justice. Godzilla VS King Ghidorah is still not fleshed out btw. We shall see how that goes.

Thanks for the suggestion, HundredMasks. I've added Epsilon's perspective.

TheVirtualPug: Rip Carmilla. Will you be creating some hints for the rest of the cast that Claude is Necromancer? It would be cool. You could even make some sort of "plot twist" (misunderstanding) regarding Necromancer/Claude's true motivations and goals. There are so many possibilities and options to explore.

Answer: I have plans for that but that's for the far future.