Chapter 55: Laura
I sat down a chair in my sister's room to guard her. I suggested to Beta and Mary that we should take turns to guard her even during the day because I said that vampire woman feared no sunlight and both of them seemed to agree with me instantly. Are they that gullible? Or is my acting that good? I should get an Oscar for my performance!
It's been few days since we guarded over my sister. She hasn't woken up yet but her condition miraculously didn't worsen over time. Her blood is still actively fighting against the vampiric blood, neither side gets any advantage over the other. The blood transfusion we gave her definitely helps in that regard. Maybe the garlic too.
It's only a matter of time before the vampire woman comes to attack her again. It should be that kind of pattern.
I inspected my outfit and my silver swords. I bought the wig, prosthetic face mask with the moustache and the outfit from Snow Fox Corporation. I also bought some padding to make my build look more muscular underneath the coat and some cloth inside my boot to make me look a bit taller. It's amazing that they got such items. As if they know exactly what I needed!
I couldn't possibly buy them from Mitsugoshi because Gamma would've been able to track me down easily. I also couldn't use slimes for this disguise because I fear Beta could've noticed it and then my shadowbroker act will be stopped by the Shades once again begging me to rest. Seriously, why are they behaving like I'm already one foot in the grave?
The silver swords were ceremonial swords I got from bandits years ago. It was made in Oriana, which is why its handle and guard was decorated beautifully. Silver was too soft to be used as weapon and thus I almost sold them but decided to just put them under my Eminence in Shadow collection since they look so cool. Looking back, I'm glad I didn't sell them.
Besides durability enchantment, I also gave them a fire enchantment that makes them effective against enemies who regenerates their wounds like that vampire from few nights ago just so I could just say these weapons are blessed to fight evil creatures. I learned how to enchant weapons by studying the enchanted weapons that many bandits seem to carry these days. The Shades said the Necromancer made and sold them to the bandits.
I know you made so much money from your weapon sales, Necromancer! Why didn't you put some of them in your dungeons, you stingy bastard!?
But anyway, even with the durability enchantment, this weapon still ain't that durable so I should avoid straining it so much and perform maintenance regularly. But the fire enchantment seems to work so well against that vampire that she retreated after just one slash. Even Beta and Mary were astonished by that feat. It was perfect.
Besides the swords, I also have some cross shaped daggers with the same fire enchantment, a vial of water I infused with my magic to become bootleg holy water, a bunch of garlic, and a wooden stake in my coat's pockets.
I chewed on some garlic from time to time in order to maintain my vampire hunter image, though I suppose I shouldn't overdo it. Wouldn't want to smell like garlic after this whole vampire hunter act is over.
Speaking of garlic, my sister's room is filled with garlic. There's garlic in every corner, every window and door. The room practically smells like garlic. Sis is going to be mad at this but at least she wouldn't know it was because of me.
Because school hasn't started yet and because sis is unconscious, I could commit to this shadowbroker act 24 hours a day. Hopefully the vampire stuff would make school get postponed even longer.
"Mr. Van Helsing. It's time to rotate. You can go rest now." Said Beta as she entered the room through the window. Mary followed close behind.
"Very well." I said as I left through the window as well.
"He's gone. Haaahh… How mysterious he is. I've scoured every records, every reports, every old tales and rumors and none of them mention anything about this man. Even you, Mary, who has lived for over 1000 years didn't know a thing about him. And yet not only he knows about us, he knows more about Carmilla's characteristics than us, as if he has faced such creatures before. Van Helsing. Who are you, exactly?" I murmured as I watch the mysterious man leave.
"I want to know too. I feel as if I have much to learn from him." Said Mary in admiration of the man.
We took turns guarding Miss Claire day and night. I would've asked for reinforcements from the Numbers but they would likely fall prey to the vampire, doing more harm than good.
Only one of the Seven Shades can match her and currently I am the only one available. Zeta and Epsilon are out spying on the situation in Oriana. Gamma is busy with Mitsugoshi. Eta is busy analyzing Necromancer's Artifact and Lady Alpha is still in Alexandria and Delta… Delta can't be told to stay and guard so she's out there hunting vampires and ghouls along with the Numbers.
It's now getting dark. And I have a feeling that tonight is the night she will finally come to attack Miss Claire once again. We both looked out of the window in anticipation… only to be surprised when Carmilla appeared behind us.
"What!?" I exclaimed. What a blunder! Of course she wouldn't go through the window and would just pass through the door with mist form! She even ignored the garlic!
"Urghh… what horrible stench." She said as she covered her nose with her hand. I guess she is still affected by the garlic after all. But she seemed to have endured it. I noticed a large scar on her torso, where Mr. Van Helsing wounded her.
"Ohhh… my sweet Laura. Here you are. Don't worry. I shall take you home." She said while lifting Miss Claire in princess carry.
"Laura?" Mary muttered, seemingly in recognition of the name.
"You both shall not get in my way!" She shouted as she kicked both of us out of the window.
"Aghh!" Both of us grunted as we fell to the ground outside the dorm and saw Carmilla flying with a large bat-like wing coming out of her back while carrying Miss Claire in her hands.
"Miss Claire!" I shouted as we both chased after her, but she's too fast that we can't catch up. We soon lost her completely as she flew away from the capital.
"Dammit!" I shouted while stomping the ground in frustration, causing cracks on the street floor.
"How am I going to explain this to Lord Shadow!?" I said while clutching my head with both hands.
"I… might have an idea where they are." Muttered Mary.
"What!? Where!?" I exclaimed while grabbing both her shoulders.
"She called the girl Laura and she said she's taking her home. I have a suspicion as to where this home is."
"Explain." I said.
"Centuries ago Carmilla was just another weak vampire struggling to survive with her sister Laura. I… tried to help her but she refused and they end up joining Crimson. We became enemies and… I hunted them both down to their old home, which is located several kilometres away from the Capital… and I killed her sister Laura there. She has grown to despise me since then." Explained Mary with a sad expression.
"Then lead the way." Said Mr. Van Helsing as he suddenly appeared behind us out of thin air.
"Wh-What!? Mr. Van Helsing! Where did you come from?" I shouted.
"Unimportant. We must focus on rescuing si—Miss Claire." He said.
"Very well. Follow me." Said Mary as we began sprinting out of the capital.
We arrived at our old ruined home and I put dear Laura on the couch.
"Ohhh…. Laura… Laura… How did I forget… How could I forget about you…?" I said as I slowly regain my memories of my beloved sister. But as I tried harder to remember, images of a dreadful sorcerer in black robes and skull mask flashes in my mind.
"Urgh…! Lord Necromancer…!?" I clutched my head as terrible memories flooded my brain.
I wanted to become strong so I joined Crimson's faction. Is that so wrong!? To want to survive? And yet my dear Laura was killed in this very home by that bitch Mary for that decision. That bitch will pay. I will show her the error of her ways and make her crawl for scraps under my heel!
After the dreadful man Don Jon defeated all three rulers of Lawless City, he took some of us vampires with him. I, as one of the weakest among my vampire brethren, was chosen. When we arrived at his base, he revealed himself as the dreaded Necromancer, a ruler of death and master of our fates.
We were tortured, we were starved, we were experimented upon. Not only our bodies but our minds are also violated. We knew only pain and fear of more pain. I was sure I died at one point but… I woke up as the last survivor of the cruel experiments. At that moment I already gave up resisting. Whatever offer he made, I accepted willingly.
He made me strong through pain. He forged me to a formidable weapon. He turned me into an undead, a true vampire. No more pain… no more suffering… just pure unadulterated power at my fingertips and an undying body.
From then on… I swore that I must be useful to him… so that he will show me his mercy… shower me with rewards… for his rewards are as sweet as honey but his punishment as terrible as hell itself.
I realize now that I've been toyed with and manipulated by my lord. He even erased dear Laura from my memories in order to make me love him and only him. But… what choice do I have…? My mind and body has been broken, violated and molded by his vile magic to become his toy. I no longer have any will to resist him. In fact… I want to remain at his side… Ohh… Laura… At least you're back… I'm sorry but… Let's become strong and serve our lord together.
"Uhhnn…." She's waking up. Good. Come back to me, sweet Laura.
Author's Note:
Carmilla's backstory revealed. Notice a pattern here? Unlike Cid who rizzes girls effortlessly, Claude does not rizz girls. He manipulates, torments and exploits them when they are down instead, just like with Sherry and Iris. Carmilla had it worse though.
Rhaveno: van helsing? What's next? Dracula? Alucard?
Answer: *sweats nervously*
Anime0CC0Manga: i hope Iris will be ok
Answer: She might will be, she might will not be
King0fP0wers: Aww man, looks like Carmilla's gonna die soon. And I was actually starting to grow fond of her. God damn it, Cid.
Say, who would you rate as the Strongest of the Wraiths? For that matter, do they each have specialties like the Shades do?
Answer: It's not over yet. Also, glad you liked her character. Hope you enjoyed this backstory.
Among the Seven Wraiths… there is only one who is the strongest and I'm not telling who it is yet. As for roles:
1. Gilfried = Leader and administrator role like Alpha, not as strong as her obviously
2. ? = ?
3. Mundane Mann = Weakest, usually work as assassin, position is reserved for undead
4. Adra = Hunter and tracker, like Delta, position is reserved for beastkin tracker
5. Carmilla = Infiltrator, vampire and experimental subject, position is reserved for sexy villainess
6. Arrinoth = Just pure fighter, a musclehead even though he's not even a beastkin
7. Acolyte = Mage, position specifically reserved for Sherry, Necromancer's apprentice.
Bolvar57: Los subditos del nigromante caen como moscas a diferencia de shadow garden.
Answer: Yeah I figured there hasn't been much casualties among Shadow Garden yet. Soon.
