POV: Haruki
"Find out how they achieved the dimension separation. And steal it for us," said Le Fay.
I laughed at the audacity. "A very nice goal. Though you have yet to explain why I should be involved in this at all," I said, letting a certain menace edge my voice.
"We agreed to help each other, did we not? To save those dear to us. This is an opportunity to do so," she replied.
The threat to my sister was unspoken, but present.
"Except this only saves your brother. It has nothing to do with my sister," I answered, calm and precise.
"Have I explained to you what I intend to do after I have broken the oath?" she asked, equally calm.
"Play house with your dear brother?" I said, my tone deliberately mocking.
She chuckled softly. "Reformation," Le Fay said. "The goal of the Hero Faction is good and noble. We merely need to remove the extremists. Listen, even among the original members, there is no unanimous agreement on what humanity should become. My brother wishes to create a global human empire, where humanity can defend itself from these… creatures of fairytale," she added, her voice carrying venom.
"When this day comes, I can vouch for you. I can ensure you and your sister live in peace. Meanwhile, I will make certain your sister is not sent on a suicide mission. Or any dangerous one," she said, still calm.
"You are threatening my sister," I replied, my voice low and menacing. The anger beneath it was sharp and contained.
"No," she said evenly. "I am telling you that I can help you greatly, if you help me as well. You scratch my back, and I will scratch yours."
The carrot and stick method.
I controlled my temper with effort. "Very well. I will do this mission of yours. Make sure to keep your word. When should we start?"
For now, she holds my sister, and I will play along with her games. Just as I will play Sirzechs's game. They think they can control me. Use me for their design. Let them.
"We will conduct the ritual tomorrow. After that, we will have a one-week window to prepare you. You must perfectly play your role, master Dorian's vampire abilities, and replicate his personality without flaw. Within a week, you must return, or suspicion will arise," said Le Fay.
I nodded. She left to organise matters.
"Do not take it the wrong way," said Tobio, attempting reassurance. "Le Fay is under much stress. She would not actually harm your sister. She is a softie on the inside."
I snorted at that.
—-------------------------
The ritual was painful, more than I had anticipated, and its disorientation clung to me even after it ended. Only then did Le Fay decide to reveal another reason why I was chosen for this infiltration. Cao Cao had been monitoring her movements and those of her allies. Her options were limited. The ritual itself was volatile, prone to collapse or worse, and demanded precise control. She had decided that my mastery over both holy and demonic power made me suited to contain it. That revelation came after the fact, of course, when my compliance was already sealed by success.
In any case, the infiltration could be of use to me as well. The Carmilla faction and the Tepes faction had made peace out of necessity, yet the tension between them was obvious. Within the vampire world, there were still smaller factions pursuing their own designs. Their society followed the outlines of feudal politics: political intrigue, assassinations, strategic betrothals. I would have to navigate all of it while keeping my cover intact and searching for the method of their dimension separation. It was so secretive that even Dorian, a trusted member of Lord Tepes's court, knew nothing. Supposedly, only Queen Carmilla and King Tepes were aware.
I had assimilated Dorian's one hundred and twenty-four years of memory and needed to anchor myself to avoid being overwhelmed by it. Fortunately, he was an aloof figure to most things, which should make playing him less taxing.
I looked in the mirror and saw no reflection. Vampires could not be seen in normal mirrors or photographs. Inconvenient. I would have to rely on magical mirrors to observe myself. Dorian's height matched my own, six feet three. His body was lithe, his face striking, his eyes crimson, his fangs prominent.
"You look positively dashing," Lavina's teasing voice drifted from behind.
I rolled my eyes. The sight was uncanny; beauty overlaid on something unmistakably lifeless.
"No need to stroke my ego," I said, my tone dry.
"You are right. It is already the size of Mount Everest," she said, her voice laced with amusement. "Though I must say, I didn't take you for vain."
"Even you must admit, this face of Dorian Thornevald is perfect," I said, without false modesty.
"Yes, he is beautiful," she conceded, moving toward me. She placed both hands around my neck as though inviting a dance, her expression shifting into something quieter, more sincere. "Though to me, you are much more beautiful than this empty face."
"Is that so?" I asked, my voice lowering.
Her eyes deepened, and her grip lingered, fingertips brushing the line of my jaw. She leaned into me without hesitation, the warmth of her breath against my skin a quiet provocation. I let my hand rest against her lower back, firm enough to make her still, letting her feel the measure of my control. Her lips curved in a faint smile, half challenge, half surrender.
She tilted her head, allowing me closer. The air between us tightened. Her pulse was quick, though her posture remained deliberately poised. I could feel the intent in her movements; she wanted me to close the distance, to dictate the pace. I obliged. My other hand came to her chin, guiding her face upward, my thumb brushing along her cheek as her breath caught. The room seemed to contract around us. Her fingers tightened on the back of my neck, her eyes briefly fluttering shut as I leaned in, letting the promise of what came next hang between us.
When it was over, and after exploring Lavina's body with unhurried precision, I dressed and sat at the bed's edge. She remained naked, pressing herself against my back and kissing my neck.
"Are you nervous?" she asked, her voice quiet.
"Not really. Even if the worst happens and I am discovered, my holy ability and demonic power will allow me to escape. Vampires are extremely vulnerable to anything of light or holy origin. I am their natural enemy," I replied. The statement was not a false bravado.
"Well, I hope everything goes well," she said, rising. Her naked form was flawless, unselfconscious. "I have a gift for you."
She summoned a single gilded shard. The holy energy emanating from it was immense.
"The Fragment of the Ark of the Covenant," Lavina explained. "A single gilded shard from the chest that held the tablets of the Law, an object of divine wrath and mercy. It has the following abilities:
Divine Thunderclap: Once per day, it can unleash a storm of holy lightning obliterating all enemies in a 500-meter radius, sparing only those with pure hearts or divine protection.Law of Retribution: The wielder can enforce absolute cosmic justice; any oath broken within sight triggers instant punishment, curses, divine blindness, or petrification.Sanctuary's Aegis: Generates a near-impenetrable barrier for ten minutes, immune to all magic and physical attacks."I was impressed. "How did you manage to get it?"
"I stole from Mephisto," she said without concern.
I chose not to question it. "I am thankful, truly. But what have I done to deserve this generosity?" My tone held skepticism.
"I like you. I want you safe. It's not as if I was using it," she said, almost shyly.
This girl. I embraced her, still naked, kissing her as she laughed. I moved to her neck, then lower, lifting her by her hips until her legs locked around my waist. We continued without pause until I threw her onto the bed. Hunger stirred in me, sharp and animalistic, demanding I take what lay before me. My fangs extended.
I pulled away at once, biting my own arm. The pain, like ice water, cleared my head.
"Are you okay, Haruki?" Lavina's voice carried concern.
"It seems my vampire hunger decided you were prey. A pathetic lapse of control," I said, my tone casual as I lay back, staring at the ceiling.
She climbed onto me, smiling. "So you're saying I am irresistible."
I rolled my eyes.
"Still, you can't avoid blood forever," she said. "Drink from me."
I raised a brow. "You are serious. Truly, Lavina, you are a wonder. Why would you desire such a thing?" My amusement was genuine.
"Well, I used to read vampire novels," she admitted. "And besides, it's strangely romantic that your first blood would be mine."
"Yeah, no. I am not a vampire. This is merely a temporary measure. I can control myself," I said, standing.
"Boo, boring," she complained, childishly.
Still, I thought, more potions would be necessary to keep this hunger in check.
—--------------
It was finally the day of action. Today I would step into the heart of vampire society and convince creatures older than the nation I was born in that I belonged among them. I had to make them believe the lie while pursuing my own design. I dressed in the manner of their nobility, high-collared, layered finery, black and silver worked with meticulous care. In the mirror, I looked every inch a man of their court. Regal. Controlled. Dangerous enough to be left unchallenged.
"So, ready, my prince of darkness?" Lavina's voice came from behind me, light and teasing.
I turned my head slightly, my expression tightening. "Please do not call me that. It is… unbearable."
She smirked. "How about… lord of shadows?"
I shook my head, unimpressed, my refusal clear.
"Master of blood?" she tried again, barely containing her amusement.
"It is good to know at least one of us is enjoying this," I said, my tone dry.
Her eyes brightened with sudden mischief. "Now, can you do that thing again? The cool one? Pretty please?" She clasped her hands together as though in prayer.
"I am Dracula. Bleh. Bleh." I delivered it flatly.
"No, not that. The other one. The cooler one," she persisted.
I stared at her in silence.
"Pretty please?" she added, her expression shifting into an exaggerated, pleading gaze.
I exhaled, more resignation than breath, and gave her what she wanted. "Men call Darkstar… and I am of the Knight." My voice was without inflection.
Her reaction was immediate, she burst into laughter, so much so that it stole her breath. It went on for minutes, echoing in the room until I found myself laughing with her despite my better judgement.
When it finally subsided, I studied her in the quiet that followed. Lavina worked with Le Fay, but she did not answer to her. She struck me as someone who answered to no one at all, moving through life without leash or chain. Yet she was here, involved in matters that did not suit someone without an interest. I could not say why. Instinct told me she could be trusted. Perhaps that was my holy nature speaking.
"Can I ask you a favor?" I said, voice even.
Her levity fell away. "For you? Anything." She said it without pause, without calculation. No deception clung to the words. For reasons unknown to me, she seemed to hold me in some private regard.
"There is a nun with Twilight Healing living with me…" I told her of Asia's circumstances—her excommunication from the Church, the betrayal by those who should have sheltered her, and how I had pulled her from the brink of sacrifice at the hands of the Fallen.
Lavina's eyes dimmed with sympathy.
"I have reason to believe she will soon be in danger. I will not be present to intervene. If it is possible, I would have you check on her while I am absent."
It was merely gut feeling, but with the nature of magic, ignoring such things would be idiotic.
"Of course. You can leave her to me. No harm will touch her while you are away," she promised, simply.
A rare smile came to me then. "Thank you."
"Now, was that so difficult?" she teased, the sharpness in her tone softened by the warmth in her eyes.
"Yes. Actually," I said without humor.
She tilted her head slightly, her voice turning strange, deliberate. "My dear Haruki, asking for help is not giving up. It is refusing to give up."
I gave no answer.
We walked together to the meeting room. This would be the last time I saw them before my departure into the vampires' domain.
"We have six months until the transformation withers away. You must succeed within that timeframe," Le Fay said. Her voice betrayed unease.
I inclined my head in acknowledgment.
"Haruki…" she began again, hesitating. "I am sorry for threatening your sister. I did not mean it. I will never harm the innocent."
I accepted her apology with grace. My face betrayed nothing.
Inside, nothing had changed. I still needed power.
AN: Another chapter is out! My boy finally got laid, with Lavina, no less. Just to clarify, Haruki still doesn't trust Le Fay at all; the reasons for this will be explained in future chapters. I've seen some of the critiques, but I'll let the story speak for itself. Most concerns are addressed in later chapters.