You're a Vampire?
When Don Quixote raised his eyes to gaze at Duq'arael, he couldn't help but furrow his brow deeply.
Then what am I?
As a Bloodfiend Elder himself, Don Quixote should be able to clearly sense the bloodthirst of other Bloodfiends—even those who were Elders like himself, at least to some small extent.
Even here, in Kazdel, the bloodlust of the scattered few Bloodfiends from The City clearly reached him.
Yet what about this Duq'arael standing before him?
Don Quixote felt nothing from him.
Given this, Don Quixote couldn't help but voice his doubt inwardly: How exactly are you a Bloodfiend?
And what on earth was a Lord of the Blood Court supposed to be?
At this moment, it was Nearl who adapted the quickest.
"There are 'Bloodfiends' here on Terra as well. They seem to be different from your own race," Nearl whispered softly from behind Don Quixote, rising slightly onto her tiptoes.
Don Quixote nodded in immediate understanding.
However, to Duq'arael, Don Quixote's current attitude was indistinguishable from outright provocation.
Fixing Don Quixote with an impatient stare, he repeated firmly:
"You still haven't answered my question."
"I've told you already, I too am a Bloodfiend. Perhaps the place I hail from and your concept of 'Bloodfiends' simply represent different branches."
Don Quixote replied with knitted brows, taking two steps forward as a crimson lance solidified within his hand. The surrounding Sarkaz mercenaries had already scattered far away.
"…"
Duq'arael fell silent briefly, eyes narrowed sharply at the blood lance in Don Quixote's grip.
Able to manipulate blood... Perhaps there is some truth to his claim after all.
"And why are you causing such a disturbance here?"
"Because my sense of justice compels me to act!"
Don Quixote answered without hesitation, voice filled with resolve.
"These mercenaries lack any sense of justice! They torment innocents and slaughter each other without remorse… As a righteous Bloodfiend Fixer, I neither accept nor can tolerate such behavior!"
Duq'arael's eyes narrowed further, but before he could respond, Don Quixote continued, his voice lowering slightly, as if speaking half to himself:
"Besides... I possess the beginning of a dream—that all people can live harmoniously, and that Bloodfiends and others can coexist peacefully. But... my sense of justice forbids me from standing idle when that harmony is disrupted."
Don Quixote barely finished half of this sentence before Duq'arael's brows furrowed intensely, irritation surging within him.
"How utterly weak…how unbearably weak!"
He snapped furiously:
"Why would Vampires need harmony? Absolute strength and conquest—only through domination can Vampires claim what is rightfully theirs..."
Before Duq'arael could finish his sentence, Don Quixote's blood-red lance tilted slightly forward. Duq'arael responded without hesitation, a droplet of crimson already manifesting at his fingertips.
Nearl's pupils shrank instantly in alarm.
"Wait, Don Quixote...you're not really going to fight right here...?"
"You go on ahead, Nearl. I'll catch up with you shortly."
Don Quixote smiled reassuringly:
"No need to worry... You know, I am the strongest, after all."
"Step back for now, Scar."
At the same moment, Duq'arael calmly instructed Scar, "It appears this fight is inevitable."
Ideological conflict, Don Quixote's provocations, and various other factors...
All had culminated in this imminent confrontation.
Nearl and Scar both hesitated briefly, then retreated together. And the moment they left—leaving only Don Quixote and Duq'arael at the center of Scar Market—the battle exploded without warning.
Thus began the battle between Don Quixote and Sanguinarch Duq'arael.
---
Meanwhile, elsewhere, Suo was strolling through the slum districts, reflecting on his recent progress.
He had successfully spread the Index's reputation. Now all he needed was to keep making appearances, solidifying the urban legends surrounding the Index.
Things seem to be progressing well. Without much trouble, the Index should soon grow strong enough to be fully useful.
Pausing momentarily in his step, Suo slowly allowed his consciousness to sink within himself.
Now's a good time to check on the other 'selves'.
The Will of The City rapidly expanded above Kazdel, spreading outward, assessing current developments.
Almost immediately, Suo spotted Heal alongside Theresa and Theresis. He merely glanced briefly, withdrawing his gaze without lingering.
X should be preparing to enter the stage soon, too.
With that thought in mind, Suo's consciousness shifted slightly further away, spotting Don Quixote's distant figure—
—and then witnessing the chaotic battle unfolding between Don Quixote and Duq'arael.
"?"
Why are those two fighting?
Then again, considering their irreconcilable beliefs, along with Don Quixote's knack for stirring trouble, it wasn't exactly surprising.
Besides, once the Twin Kings formally announced their truce, Duq'arael would likely be the first to oppose.
Given Duq'arael's ideology, he indeed represented a major internal instability. Dealing with him now would simplify matters greatly.
I wonder just how far Don Quixote can push him...
Such thoughts passed fleetingly through Suo's mind. Exhaling gently, he refocused on his current task.
It was time to distribute more Instructions.
Moments later, Suo approached one Sarkaz household after another, knocking softly on their doors, presenting them with Instructions, repeating the same words he'd used during his first encounter.
On each citizen's face, he watched as initial surprise quickly turned to absolute delight—like discovering that an urban legend was actually true.
As expected, every single citizen accepted the Instructions.
From the Sarkaz's perspective, following Instructions offered protection, gave them something meaningful to do, and even saved them money on medical treatments. Given all these benefits, why wouldn't they accept?
To the Sarkaz, the Index was practically a saintly benefactor! To receive the Index's protection required no payment whatsoever—merely obedience to a simple Instruction!
Where else could you find such generosity?
Thus, the Index's influence rapidly grew again.
It was precisely at this moment…for the first time, Suo heard the question he'd long been waiting for.
Someone asked him if they could formally join the Index.