We arrive in Ashton as the sun begins to set, casting long shadows across the city walls.
The gates stand wide open. Unguarded.
We walk through, and the silence is immediate and unsettling. The streets are empty. Shops are shuttered. Houses abandoned.
[Eldrin] "Where is everyone?"
[Sylphaeris] "Most likely fled already. An oracle condemning your country plus vampires attacking would do that."
We continue through the deserted streets, heading toward the center of the city where the Lord's mansion should be. Our footsteps echo off the cobblestones.
Vesper looks around nervously.
[Vesper] "This is creepy."
[Wright] "Stay close."
The mansion comes into view—a large, ornate building with high walls and elaborate architecture. Unlike the rest of the city, this place is very much occupied.
The gates to the mansion courtyard are broken open. Shouting echoes from inside.
We approach and step into the courtyard.
Chaos.
Servants and guards huddle in corners, faces pale with fear. Dozens of vampires move through the crowd, examining people one by one. Angels stand in formation near the entrance, looking both official and annoyed. Seven or eight of them, all in matching white and gold armor with excavation equipment strapped to their backs.
And at the center of it all, two figures argue loudly.
A vampire and an angel.
The vampire is a tall woman with long silver-white hair cascading down her back like a waterfall. Her skin is pale as porcelain, her crimson eyes gleaming with theatrical indignation. She wears elaborate dark clothing—layers of black silk and lace with silver embroidery. She gestures dramatically as she speaks.
[Seraphina] "I was here FIRST! This is MY claim!"
The angel is a broad-shouldered man with short golden-blonde hair and warm tan skin. He wears pristine white and gold light armor, standing with perfect military posture even while arguing. His amber eyes narrow in irritation.
[Lucien] "Your claim?! You're looting a noble's mansion like a common bandit!"
[Seraphina] "I am NOT a bandit! I am claiming rightful spoils!"
[Lucien] "That's literally what bandits say!"
[Seraphina] "You're just jealous because you don't appreciate fine things!"
[Lucien] "I appreciate things that aren't stolen!"
Sylphaeris floats forward, her expression exasperated.
[Sylphaeris] "Stop fighting like children!"
Both of them freeze mid-argument and turn toward her.
Their expressions shift immediately—surprise, then recognition, then respect.
They both bow.
[Seraphina] "Lady Sylphaeris."
[Lucien] "Lady Sylphaeris."
Sylphaeris crosses her arms.
[Sylphaeris] "Would one of you like to explain what's going on here?"
Seraphina straightens, her theatrical demeanor returning in full force.
[Seraphina] "I arrived first. I've been waiting for an opportunity to lay waste to Aldencrest for decades. When I heard about the oracle, I knew it was time."
She gestures to the mansion.
[Seraphina] "Plus, the Duke here has an extensive collection of vintage wine. It's wasted on such a vile individual, so I came to liberate it. I brought my entire traveling group for this."
Lucien makes a disgusted sound.
[Lucien] "See? Acting like a lowly thief."
[Seraphina] "It's not theft if the owner is corrupt!"
[Lucien] "That's still theft!"
[Seraphina] "You're just jealous because you don't have refined tastes!"
[Lucien] "I'm here on official business! Spirit King Luminor sent me to investigate strange occurrences in this area, only to find YOU looting a mansion!"
He gestures to the angels behind him.
[Lucien] "I brought my entire archaeology team to document historical significance, and instead we're dealing with bandits!"
Sylphaeris's eyes widen.
[Sylphaeris] "Luminor sent you here?"
[Lucien] "Yes. He mentioned unusual activity near Aldencrest and suggested I investigate."
Sylphaeris turns to Seraphina.
[Sylphaeris] "And you? Did Nocturna send you?"
Seraphina blinks.
[Seraphina] "What? No. I came for the wine."
Sylphaeris's expression darkens.
[Sylphaeris] "I'm going to have words with Luminor later."
I step forward, drawing their attention.
[Wright] "What are those vampires doing over there?"
I gesture to a group of vampires examining servants and guards, separating them into two groups.
Seraphina turns toward me and freezes.
A visible chill runs down her spine. Her crimson eyes widen.
[Seraphina] "Lady Sylphaeris... what... what is that?"
Lucien has also gone still, his hand moving instinctively toward his weapon before stopping.
Sylphaeris smiles.
[Sylphaeris] "This is Wright. He's someone the Goddess deeply respects. He's starting a farm in the Voidleaf Wilderness."
Silence.
Lucien stares at me for a long moment, then at Sylphaeris, then back at me.
His mouth opens. Closes. Opens again.
He raises a finger as if to ask a question, then lowers it.
Finally, he just shakes his head and crosses his arms, pointedly looking away.
Seraphina, on the other hand, looks absolutely delighted.
[Seraphina] "Someone the Goddess respects? How fascinating!"
She steps forward with a graceful curtsy.
[Seraphina] "It is an honor to meet you, Lord Wright. I am Seraphina, a traveler and lover of wine and fine dining."
Lucien hurries to bow, though his posture is stiff and awkward.
[Lucien] "Please forgive my earlier discourtesy. I am Lucien. I lead a group of archaeologists who explore ancient ruins."
[Seraphina] "Ha! An archaeologist? How can you handle ancient treasures with those clumsy hands of yours? You break more things than you preserve."
[Lucien] "Better than being a thief. I defend ruins from plunderers like you."
[Seraphina] "You're just a brute. You solve everything by hitting it."
[Lucien] "That's called being efficient!"
I clear my throat.
[Wright] "So, about those people being separated?"
Seraphina's expression becomes more serious, though she maintains her elegant composure.
[Seraphina] "Ah, yes. My companions are using memory-reading magic to identify who among the Duke's household is corrupt and who is simply following orders."
She gestures to the smaller group being corralled.
[Seraphina] "Those individuals participated willingly in the Duke's schemes. They will have their blood drained to create a very special vintage wine."
I blink.
[Wright] "Wait, what?"
[Seraphina] "Chaos Blood Wine. It's quite rare and requires very specific conditions to produce properly."
[Vesper] "You're going to turn people into wine?!"
[Seraphina] "Not the people themselves, just their blood. We're not monsters."
[Eldrin] "That's still deeply disturbing."
[Lucien] "That's something we agree on."
[Seraphina] "Oh, don't be so dramatic. It's a perfectly acceptable practice for dealing with the truly vile."
A loud growl interrupts the conversation.
Everyone turns to look at Lucien, whose hand has moved to his stomach.
He looks embarrassed.
[Lucien] "It's almost dinner time."
I can't help but smile.
[Wright] "He's got a point. Why don't we continue this conversation over a meal?"
Seraphina's eyes light up.
[Seraphina] "Oh! I would be delighted to host you all! Consider yourselves my honored guests. I'll have a feast prepared!"
[Wright] "Will it be made of blood too?"
Seraphina looks genuinely offended.
[Seraphina] "Of course not! Blood tastes awful unless it's properly distilled into wine. No, I'll have proper food prepared."
[Vesper] "Wait, how do you distill blood into wine? What kind of equipment do you use? Is it similar to normal distillation, or—"
[Seraphina] "Oh, it's quite fascinating! The process involves—"
[Lucien] "Can we please discuss this AFTER dinner?"
[Wright] "Alright. Let's eat."
Seraphina claps her hands together.
[Seraphina] "Wonderful! Please, follow me!"
She sweeps into the mansion with grace, completely ignoring the servants and guards still huddled in various states of panic.
—
The dining hall is extravagant.
A long table made of dark wood sits beneath a crystal chandelier. The walls are lined with portraits and tapestries. Seraphina directs us to seats with the air of someone who owns the place.
Within minutes, vampires begin bringing out dishes.
The food is impressive.
Roasted fowl glazed with a deep crimson reduction that Seraphina assures us is NOT blood. Delicate pastries filled with spiced meats and exotic vegetables I don't recognize. A soup that shimmers faintly in the candlelight, smelling of herbs and distant spices. Aged cheeses paired with crystallized fruits. Bread so fresh it's still steaming.
And on the table, several exquisite bottles of wine.
Everything is arranged with artistic precision.
Lucien wastes no time digging in, his earlier complaints forgotten as he piles food onto his plate.
[Seraphina] "Must you eat like a barbarian?"
[Lucien] "Must you talk during every meal?"
[Seraphina] "I'm being a gracious host!"
[Lucien] "You're being annoying."
He takes another large bite.
[Lucien] "Though your meals are always delicious."
[Seraphina] "Is that a compliment? From you?"
[Lucien] "Don't get used to it."
Despite the bickering, Lucien is clearly enjoying the food. He eats with the kind of single-minded focus that suggests he genuinely loves it.
I try the roasted fowl. It's incredible—rich and savory with a hint of sweetness.
[Wright] "This is really good."
Seraphina beams.
[Seraphina] "Thank you! I've traveled extensively and collected recipes from across the world."
Vesper examines her soup very carefully before tasting it.
[Vesper] "You're sure there's no blood in this?"
[Seraphina] "I assure you, I would never serve blood to guests. It's terrible for digestion."
Eldrin takes a tentative bite and nods approvingly.
[Eldrin] "This is excellent."
I take another bite, then ask the question that's been on my mind.
[Wright] "Do vampires usually drink blood from humans?"
Seraphina picks up one of the wine bottles on the table. In a single fluid motion, she tilts her head back and drains the entire bottle in seconds. The movement is so graceful, so elegant, that it almost makes you forget she just drank a whole bottle. She sets the empty bottle down and dabs her mouth with a napkin as if she'd merely taken a sip.
[Seraphina] "Not directly. As I mentioned, blood tastes awful in its raw form. We only distill it into wine, and even then, it's quite regulated."
She sets down her napkin.
[Seraphina] "Spirit Queen Nocturna banned the practice a long time ago. We're only permitted to drain blood from truly vile individuals, which is why Chaos Blood Wine is so rare."
Sylphaeris nods.
[Sylphaeris] "I remember when she implemented that rule. She said watching her followers drink blood was icky."
[Seraphina] "It's a very sensible rule. Though it's a shame, as it's one of the only wines able to intoxicate a vampire."
[Lucien] "I'm glad it's banned. You're a mean drunk."
[Seraphina] "Please, you love me when I'm drunk."
[Lucien] "Do not."
[Seraphina] "Do too."
[Lucien] "Do not."
[Seraphina] "You definitely do."
Sylphaeris laughs.
[Sylphaeris] "You lovebirds should get a room."
I blink.
[Wright] "Lovebirds? I thought you both hated each other from how you're always arguing."
Sylphaeris grins.
[Sylphaeris] "They're actually married."
The table goes silent.
[Wright] "You're... married?"
They both pause, then speak simultaneously.
[Seraphina] "Unfortunately."
[Lucien] "Regrettably."
Then they glare at each other.
Sylphaeris sighs.
Vesper whispers to me.
[Vesper] "They don't seem very happy about it."
[Wright] "Yeah."
The conversation moves on, though I'm still processing the fact that these two who can't stop bickering are actually married.
Seraphina refills her wine glass and takes a more modest sip this time.
[Seraphina] "So, what brings you all to Ashton? Surely not just to investigate our little... acquisition."
[Wright] "We're heading to the capital. Aldencrest summoned heroes from another world—children, actually. We're going to help them."
Both Seraphina and Lucien stop eating.
[Lucien] "They what?"
[Eldrin] "They used forbidden magic and pulled a group of children from another world to use as heroes."
Seraphina's elegant composure cracks, her expression turning to genuine horror.
[Seraphina] "Children?! They summoned children?!"
[Lucien] "Forbidden magic? The kind that destabilizes the world itself?"
[Wright] "Yes. Jyne confirmed it. We're going to rescue the children first, then we need to remove anyone who knows how to cast the forbidden magic to prevent it from being used again. The world can't handle another summon."
[Seraphina] "Those vile insects have really outdone themselves this time."
[Lucien] "Aldencrest is worse than I thought."
Everyone at the table nods in agreement.
One of the vampires approaches the table and clears her throat politely.
[Vampire] "My Lady, I have information you might find interesting."
Seraphina gestures for her to continue.
[Vampire] "I read the mind of the estate manager. When we attacked, a request for backup was sent to Duke Vareth. He's currently leading an army back to retake the city."
She pauses.
[Vampire] "And he's bringing the otherworld heroes with him."
I sit up straighter.
[Wright] "They're coming here? How convenient."
[Vesper] "Wait, an army? Should we prepare for a fight?"
Both Seraphina and Lucien wave dismissively.
[Seraphina] "Oh, please. It'll take far more than an army to threaten us."
[Lucien] "A few hundred soldiers aren't a concern."
[Seraphina] "Besides, most of my people are here, and Lucien brought his entire archaeology team."
[Lucien] "There's no way a few humans will defeat a group of angels and vampires."
They sound completely unbothered.
[Wright] "Then we'll wait here for them. If the summoned heroes are coming, I can meet them directly."
Eldrin stands.
[Eldrin] "I'll take my leave. I need to deliver the food to Respera as quickly as possible."
[Wright] "Travel safe. Thank you for guiding us this far."
Eldrin bows.
[Eldrin] "It was an honor. Good luck with the heroes, Wright."
He leaves, and we continue our meal.
—
After dinner, Seraphina personally shows me to my room.
We walk through the mansion's corridors, past elaborate decorations and expensive artwork.
She stops in front of a large door and pushes it open.
[Seraphina] "Here we are. I hope this suits you."
I step inside and stop.
The room is massive. A four-poster bed sits in the center, draped with silk curtains. The furniture is all dark wood and polished to a shine. A balcony overlooks the city. There's even a private washroom.
[Wright] "This is... very grand."
Seraphina smiles.
[Seraphina] "Only the best for someone the Goddess respects. Sleep well, Lord Wright. Tomorrow will be quite interesting."
She closes the door as she leaves.
I look around the room again. It's far nicer than anything I'm used to.
I walk over to the bed and sit down. It's incredibly comfortable.
Tomorrow, the summoned heroes will arrive. I'll finally get to meet people from Earth. People who know about manga. Maybe they can catch me up on the latest releases.
I can't help but smile at the thought.
But more importantly, I need to make sure they're okay. They didn't ask to be summoned here, and they definitely didn't ask to be used as weapons.
I lie back on the bed, staring at the ceiling. The mattress is so soft it feels like I'm floating.
My eyes grow heavy.
I drift off to sleep on this incredibly cozy bed.