"Uncle Ryan! Uncle Ryan! What is this Library of Borges?"
Edric asked with a curious excitement etched on his face.
"Your highness. How many times have I told you not to call me uncle."
Ryan had a faint smile on his face as always.
"Hmph! You call me highness and then refuse to listen to my orders. I will call you whatever I wish."
Edric snorted with his small hands folding around his small frame.
Ryan shook his head in resignation as he said: "As you wish your highness. Now onto your question. Library of borges is a library situated in the vampire territory. It is the biggest collection of knowledge on the continent. Some of the human scholars became a vampire just to visit that library."
"But didn't you say last time that vampires can't convert humans into vampires unlike what the common folks believe?"
Edric now looked really confused on his part.
"Although what you say is correct but it would more precise to say that vampires can only convert humans into halflings. so both my statements stand correct."
"Hmm... Doesn't that make them too powerful?"
Edric felt skeptic at Ryan's explanation.
"In a sense it does. But hear me out first. The conversion is an ability that most vampires don't possess. Only some rare ones or the ones with fairly pure bloodline can."
Edric nodded his head in understanding.
"That makes sense. I can understand that those with pure bloodline can do so but what about those whom who called rare?"
Ryan let out a soft chuckle in amusement.
"Your highness, I have to say. You really are different. Most kids your age struggle to even do simple arithemetic and here you are. Discussing logical reasoning with me at 9 years of age."
After taking a small pause, Ryan continued: "All vampires are born with an unique ability based on blood manipulation in their arsenal. Although the chances of them getting something useful in battle is almost zero, its still possible. If they get really extremely lucky then they can get a support skill such as [Blood Domain] or [Conversion] for instance."
Edric's face glinted with fascination.
"Can I go to the library someday as well?"
Ryan laughed after seeing the innocence of the little boy in front of him.
"Sorry to break it to you your highness. But the chances are quite low."
Edric squealed with joy after hearing that.
"You mean there still are chances?!"
Ryan knew what kind of person Edric was. Always optimistic.
*Chuckle*
"Yes. Although slim, there is a possibility."
Edric just needed that confirmation to get excited and run off through the whole garden. The garden lit up with the sheer laughter of the youth.
...
*Chuckle*
"I bet you didn't expect me to actually be able to enter the library."
Edric was sitting in the carriage talking to himself as the coachman took him to the library of Borges.
"Hey! Coachman. How much long until we reach there?"
Almost instantly, a voice came from the front of the carriage.
"Just a little while longer. Your highness the prince."
The coachman's voice didn't contain any animosity and instead the respect that one might expect when a commoner meets a noble in human society.
"What is your name, by the way?"
Edric asked casually but with a hint of his usual curiosity mixed in his eyes which the coachman couldn't see.
"This humble one is Ustaf."
"So Ustaf. I am a bit curious and to be honest a lot surprised. I expected everyone here to be more..."
"More hostile? Yes. That's certainly true by your perspective. But having a pretty long life makes you just as wise and calm as stubborn."
Edric felt like he was talking to just a normal old man instead of a vampire in his 30s according to vampire aging.
"You definitely have piqued my interest now, Ustaf. What's your opinion then?"
Edric asked with clear curiosity in his voice.
"On what, your highness?"
The coachman's voice still held respect in it.
"On anything. On humans. On society. On life. On this war."
"My personal views don't differ much from the general public here. But if you really do want to know then I would be honored to tell you. You must be wondering by now as to why everyone still treats you with respect even though you are the enemy prince. But we don't see it like that. We are a proud race but that doesn't blind us to be unable to see the picture."
"What do you mean?"
Edric asked in a puzzled manner.
"All vampires understand the importance of humans and since our life is so long, we are more insusceptible to short-term happiness. Moreover, we know the struggles of both races. We respect the struggles of humans."
A smile formed on Edric's face as he listened to the voice coming from behind the curtain of the carriage.
"I wish we could feel the same way."
There was almost a sigh hidden in Edric's words.
Hearing the solemn words of Edric, Ustaf didn't say anything. His face was stiff. He wanted to say something but he couldn't. Not because he lacked compassion, but because Edric was right.
Humans were selfish and foolish. They mostly never thought of the bigger picture. However, it was not their mistake completely either.
It was not a difference in mindset but the lifespan.
The silence stretched for a few moments.
"What about the war? Do you think we need to continue this pointless war?"
Edric's usual smile had been replaced by something deeper. Something that he didn't allow to surface fully. Maybe sorrow, or grief or maybe something more complicated. Even he didn't knew.
"Of course we don't. We don't need. But we can't end it either. You know it too, your highness."
There was raspiness in Ustaf's voice. His voice sounded almost... sad.
Edric knew that Ustaf was right. He knew it too.
"Yes."
None of them spoke a single word after that. The silence however didn't feel awkward or suffocating, it felt grounding. There was a silent understanding in the air now. It was a harsh reality that they had to accept. Accept every single moment again and again.