The Undead King of the Palace of Darkness

We succeeded in making it into town unsuspected by anybody, and planned our next move in an inn.

We were already in the Formet Barony, but the particular part of town felt unfamiliar.

The town was needlessly huge with the buildings here and there, and it had an overall idyllic atmosphere. There were not many soldiers guarding the town, and most of the residents we spotted seemed to be either farmers or merchants.

Never would they have imagined that an undead, widely known as the enemy of mankind, would ever trespass into their town. I suppose it is a sign of peace. Perhaps they have grown a little too complacent with their peaceful life.

I intended to meet my family alone. The one I am to meet is not just the Lord of the land but also nobility. He is certain to have people guarding him, and I did not want to show Senri my weak side.

Naturally, as soon as we arrived here, she could have inquired about my station in previous life, if she had so wished. I had a total of seven siblings (although I had no older sister), and I am probably the only one to have passed recently.

It is not my intention to hide my last name from previous life. I suppose the information would not cause me any trouble, as the Lord, the only one who held absolute control over me is no more.

The reason I still go by the name of End is due to a sort of gratitude I feel towards the Lord, and because there is the possibility that Epée or the Vampire Hunters might target my family should they happen to discover my family name. Although it would be a futile attempt. I do not really care if my family were to be taken hostage. At most, I would find it a little off-putting.

My body matured when I evolved into a lesser vampire. I shot up a bit in height and had also developed some muscles, but my face remained the same. My parents… should be able to recognize me. In the event that they do not, I shall cross that bridge when I get to it.

I washed up thoroughly, brushed my hair and put on decent clothes. I will not be taking the ‘Blood Ruler’ with me. I can use my fists against normal humans, not to mention, anyone would be horrified if their dead son breaks into the house, all armed.

“End… you’re… really… brave.”

“You think the odds of this working are slim?”

“…Yeah. Bound to fail for starters. Because the undead… are the enemy of mankind.”

Senri is a brutally honest person. Her purple eyes looked earnestly into mine.

I am not really expecting to be welcomed with open arms.

When that happens, all I have to do is run away from there. Things will continue to be the same as they are. I am free now.

“But… maybe they will accept you, End. You have retained much of your own self. Good…luck.”

“Ah, thanks, Senri.”

“… Do… you… need blood?”

Senri asked hesitatingly. Looks like Senri felt sorry for me.

That is unnecessary. I am used to tragedy. As someone who fell victim to an incurable illness and then overcame death, my mind is quite strong, probably.

The color had returned to Senri’s face in the week that had passed. The blood she lost must have been replenished.

No matter how confident she is in her physical abilities and endurance, Senri is still human. To put it simply, she will die if she loses too much blood.

I am all right, since I had my fill the other day. Not that I do not want her blood, but I would rather not place a burden on a convalescing Senri.

Well, come to think of it, we have grown a lot closer. It could be attributed to us being incessantly pursued… but it looks like my plan is bearing fruit.

There is the possibility that she is treating me like she would a pet… but if she would allow me to feed from her neck, I do not mind being treated any which way.

“I’m good. But, would you give me a hug?”

Senri’s eyes opened wide upon hearing my request, but she soon opened her arms wide and embraced me.

☠☠☠

I quietly made my way through the dark night.

I only had to exert a little strength to run at a blinding speed. If I were to pass by a normal human being, they would probably only consider me a sudden gust of wind.

I effortlessly jumped from one roof to the other, and did not feel any tiredness.

“??”

“What is it?”

“Nah, I feel like I heard… something just now.”

“?… Must be your imagination. I heard nothing.”

Two men dressed like soldiers looked at each other, puzzled. I wonder if they are patrolling the town. I retreated into the shadows and went past the puzzled pair of men.

The stage I skipped in the process of evolution, Dark Stalker, has completely dark skin and is capable of concealing itself in the darkness.

There is a reason for the order of stages in evolution that happens due to the curse “Rebirth”. I am gradually maturing… as a monster. My time as fleshman, ghoul and even the stage of dark stalker that I skipped over have all shaped the way I am now.

My only concern was about not obtaining the ability to conceal myself in darkness that a Dark Stalker is said to possess. If I had it, I would be able to move around even more covertly. I can still use the abilities I obtained during my time as a ghoul. So I should be able to use the abilities of a Dark Stalker as well.

However, as of now, I have nary an inkling on how to use it. It might be better if I could find a Dark Stalker and observe the ability with my own two eyes, but I have never come across any other undead besides the ones the Lord had under his command.

I moved quietly under the shadows and headed towards the Baron’s mansion, which was the biggest in town.

The mansion was surrounded by a fence. There were several guards on patrol but they all looked relaxed.

I am strong. Even if I had not been given a little training, guards who do not possess any weapons that could target my weak spots, can do me no harm, no matter their number.

I almost forget what I am since I am pursued by my archenemies all the time, but I am a vampire, a being that the whole world fears. Although I am still only a lesser vampire.

I kicked off the ground, and easily crossed over the thorny fence that was meant to discourage intruders. I was completely stealthy and did not make the slightest sound.

They must not be prepared for any intruders other than humans. A true vampire is capable of transforming into a bat or fog, so any amount of countermeasures they come up with would only be futile.

I ran through the large garden. The study of my father, Baron Formet, should be at the far end.

The mansion felt very nostalgic. I was moved to a villa when I fell ill, so I had not seen the mansion for a few years until my death, but seeing it now brought back memories.

I did not allow myself to get carried away by my emotions as I neared the mansion.

The moment I witnessed the shut door at the front of the mansion, I felt an unpleasant sensation in the pit of my stomach.

The owner of the house refused to let me in. The curse of the vampire was in effect.

I had expected this. I am already dead. It would be abnormal if they actually welcomed their son who is supposed to be dead.

However, I was a little taken aback. More so because Senri, a complete stranger, had already accepted me for who I am.

The curse still has a weak effect on me , so I might be able to enter if I pushed myself. Even if the door were to be locked, I would be able to tear it down given my physical strength.

However, it was not burglary I intended to commit. It was not my desire to make a racket, and since I am a smart monster, I would not turn desperate upon being refused entry.

I thought for some time before deciding to go around back. The study was on the third floor, but there should be a window in the room if I recall correctly. And he must still be working at this hour.

I want to soon return to the inn and have Senri comfort me.

Sure enough, there was a light in the study. Warm light poured through the window. There was no handrail but it should be easy for a vampire to cling to the walls.

There was no need for me to steel my resolve once again. I was ready. Although we were once family, I am no more than a trespasser now. I have no time to dawdle.

I would be lying if I said I did not want to see my siblings, but I shall graciously give up on it.

I extended my claws and pierced them into the wall and scaled it quietly. From what I could see through the window, the study looked almost exactly the same as I remembered.

Be it the huge bookshelves lining the wall or the elegant brown rug. A small chandelier hung from the ceiling and the spacious room was filled with its warm glow.

There was no change in the silhouette that sat at the table either.

Maybe he had a few more gray hairs, but it was none other than Ludo Formet, my father as I remembered.

Though lean, he had broad shoulders with black hair and dark eyes, and the level-headedness reflected in his eyes somehow resembled my own. He was sitting with his back to the window and looked to his side once, but it seemed like he was completely unaware of me looking in from behind.

I squinted as I watched him for a while.

From the outside, he looked like a very capable man. And as someone who was his actual son, he was certainly not a bad father. After thinking about it calmly for some time, he truly did not look like a man who would sell off my corpse.

Well then, how shall I greet him?

I tilted my head to one side, and thought no further as I gave the window a light tap.