Claude was kind enough to take care of Wolfe, letting him run wild in the fenced garden at the back of his castle. There were other dire wolves there, so Wolf could socialize with members of his own species. I stroked his silver fur and patted his head, eliciting a delighted rumble from him, and then gave him a gentle push.
"Have fun, Wolfe. We'll call you when we need you."
Wolfe rubbed his head against me, and then bounded off.
"We'll take good care of him," Claude assured me, and then he led up into the castle proper. As we moved through the courtyard, I caught sight of a stable that was populated with black war horses. Unlike most demons such as orcs, vampires apparently considered themselves refined and thus reared proper steeds. Their horses seemed even more potent and ferocious than the steeds that humans bred and rode.
Claude caught my glance and smiled. "If it pleases you, my lord, I can arrange to prepare one of our best horses as a gift…"
"No need," I told him hastily. "I'm happy with Wolfe. I'm just kind of surprised that we have horses here in the Demonic Empire. They seem so different from the horses from the human kingdom. So much fiercer and aggressive."
"Ah, of course. They are a type of demonic horses, the Nightmares. That feeling you're getting from being in their proximity…that sense of unease you feel, it's miasma produced by them. They're capable of shadow magic. They are used in great effect by our vampire cavalry. Most enemies are unable to withstand the psychological horror and shock that is induced when facing an entire charging regiment. Even other vampires."
He then grinned.
"I believe you will have an opportunity to see them in work, especially once the other vampire warlords learn of your existence."
"I honestly hope we can settle this peacefully," I grumbled. "I understand the necessity of war, but it's such a tragic waste of lives and resources…especially when we have other enemies to face."
"True. That's why I hope my lord will be able to end this civil war as swiftly and decisively as possible, and unite the vampire legion under your command."
"I wouldn't place all my hopes on me if I were you," I told Claude. "I'll do my best, but I can't guarantee anything."
Claude chuckled. "I know. In fact, it's reassuring that you are more aware of your limits. I would be more worried if you recklessly make grand promises that you clearly have no way of fulfilling at the moment."
"Ah, right." I swallowed and nodded. Claude continued to smile, and then he gestured for the guards to open the main doors to his home.
Awaiting inside the grand hall was an entourage of servants, along with a single lady vampire in an elegant gown. Tall and beautiful, her auburn hair stylishly tied in a bun, she bowed respectfully.
"This is my wife, Valerie," Claude introduced her. He smiled at her. "I think you received the message, but this is the new lord."
"Yes, I have," Valerie affirmed with a smile. A zoo bat flapped its wings as it descended from one of the arches overhead to perch on her arm. She stroked its head. Then she lowered her head once again. "My liege."
"Nah, please don't address me as such. I haven't earned the title yet."
"Perhaps so, but we have chosen to support you. My husband has a good reason for placing his faith in you."
"That's right." Claude nodded at her. "I'll explain more later, but for now, our guests need to rest. They have been traveling for many days now. I believe this is the first time in a while that they get to sleep in a proper bed."
"Ah…of course. I have already arranged a room for them." Valerie smiled and nodded. She turned to a couple of dark-haired maids, who followed her obediently. "Please, this way."
While we moved, I could sense Stella tensing. She was bearing the weight of the stares from the many vampires in the castle, both servants and guards. Just from being next to her, even I felt uncomfortable under so many bloodthirsty gazes. However, she resisted her fear and maintained a posture of dignity, holding her head high as she marched by my side.
"Valerie's father, Baron Valencia, is a staunch ally that you can rely on," Claude explained while we climbed the massive stairs toward the second level. "Our families have been linked by marriage, and of all the other vampire nobles, I trust him the most."
"Being a baron, my father's forces are not even a third of my husband's," Valerie said modestly. "But you can rest assure that he will join us all the same."
"Thank you."
A couple of maids hurried past, their eyes flashing as they glanced at Stella, who did her best not to flinch. Claude must have noticed it, and he turned to Valerie.
"Remember to remind the servants and guards that they are to touch the lady. Anyone who harms the lord's woman will be executed."
"Uh, she's actually my knight…" Before I could complete my sentence, Stella tugged on my arm to stop me. When I glanced at her, she shook her head and maintained her stoic expression. Her intent was clear. I nodded, and turned back to Claude. "Thank you."
"Not at all."
"This is the room we have prepared," Valerie told us, stopping by a massive bedchamber. She smiled and gestured to the two servants beside her. "Please let Rachel and Ria know if you require anything."
"Thank you." As the maids opened the huge door, I realized that it was a single room with only one massive bed. I raised an eyebrow and was about to ask, "Only one room?" when Stella quickly intervened and bowed.
"My lord and I would like to express our gratitude for your hospitality." She did a curtsy, the kind that only nobles would know, with a graceful dip of her head. "We will definitely repay your kindness and not disappoint your expectations."
"Not at all. Rather, we are honored to house esteemed guests such as yourselves." Unlike the other vampires, Valerie kindly placed a hand on Stella's shoulder. I could see the shock in the two maids' eyes. "Rest well, my dear."
"Thank you, Lady Valerie."
"Uh, you can dismiss the maids," I told them. "We'll call upon them if we need anything."
"Understood. The staff's quarters are that way, down on the first level." Valerie pointed down the stairs and toward the west wing. I nodded.
"Thank you."
"We'll discuss more about our plans going forward tomorrow," Claude said with a smile and a nod. "I'm sure it's not a coincidence that you have come to Tyranvania."
"You are right. I will probably be relying on your assistance from now on."
"We will do our best to assist," Claude promised. There was a short moment of silence, and he bowed his head. "Good night, my lord. Sleep well."
"You too. Thank you."
Both Stella and I then entered the massive bedchamber. The moment I closed the door, the red-haired knight practically slumped onto the carpeted floor, her knees giving way.
"That was so…nerve wrecking," she whispered, trembling. I could see how distressed she was.
"Are you all right?" I asked. Stella nodded, her head lowered.
"I am very sorry…to show such an embarrassing side of myself…"
"It's fine. Even I was barely able to endure such intense stares from the vampires…and I wasn't even the center of their attention." I helped Stella up and supported her to the huge bed, allowing her to sink into the luxurious covers. She sighed and wiped at her forehead, but I smiled. "You did really well, to endure it until now."
"I couldn't disgrace you, sir." She closed her eyes briefly, looking bitter. "But it's clear that I'm far too weak."
She wrapped her hands around herself.
"You should sleep," I told her and turned toward the door. She reached out and seized my hand.
"Where are you going?"
"To get another room. You can't really expect a young man and young woman to share a room, especially when they are not married."
Stella snorted. "Isn't it too late to be worrying about this? We've been sharing a tent for the last few days. Worrying about impropriety now is meaningless. Besides, the vampires believe that I am your woman."
"But you are not…"
"Please." Stella bowed her head. "I know, but I…think it's best to give them that impression for now. Otherwise I'll be in danger. You've seen the looks on their faces. How much they desire my blood. The only reason why they haven't laid a hand on me is because they believe I am your woman. If you disabuse them of that notion…"
"I won't let any of them harm you," I declared fiercely. "You're my knight and aide, remember?"
Stella scoffed at that in a self-deprecating manner. She closed her blue eyes and sighed heavily.
"Calling myself your knight and aide…in the face of such monsters, it's nothing but a joke. I realize how weak I truly am. Any one of them could kill me with a flick of their fingers and there would be absolutely nothing I can do to protect myself."
"I will protect you," I assured her. Stella's eyes flickered open and she glared at me.
"That's supposed to be my job." Then she sighed. "I say that, but only now do I realize what a fool I've been. I can't even protect myself, how am I supposed to guard you? Worse, I'm also nothing compared to you…"
"Why did you even listen to Silvia in the first place?" I rolled my eyes. Stella hesitated and then she raised her head to meet my gaze.
"That future of coexistence…I wanted to see it," she admitted. "I don't know why, but I wanted to believe in that small possibility. Of a future without war, of peace between humans and demons. I desired to share in that supposedly hopeless dream of yours. I don't know why, but I have this feeling that if it's you, you might just be able to realize it."
"Why is everyone holding such unrealistic expectations of me?" I muttered darkly. "All I want is to take revenge on the fuckers who betrayed and tried to kill me."
"Speaking of revenge…" Stella cocked her head to the side curiously. "Aren't your targets the strongest Hero party? Shouldn't you be looking for them instead? Why did you come this far into the Demonic Empire instead?"
"My next target, Miranda, is a tricky one," I explained. "She's a mage."
"Like you?" Stella asked, not understanding. I scoffed. Holding out a hand, I froze an ice sculpture of a rose into existence.
"Not like me. As you know, I'm an ice mage."
"Yeah, an extremely powerful one. But since you're both mages, can't you fight on par with her at least? With your vampire powers too, you should be more than a match for her…"
"Miranda is a multi-mage, capable of using all elements except ice and water. She isn't just any mage. She's one of the best and most powerful. That's why she was in the strongest Hero party."
I sighed and shook my head. Leaning back on a chair, I recalled the information I had gathered when I had returned to Havan Kingdom.
"Also, there have been a lot of nasty rumors about her floating about lately."
"Ah! I've heard about that too! I don't know how true they are, but they say that the villages near the region where the mage Miranda has set up her laboratory are disappearing, becoming ghost towns. Entire populations vanished overnight, never to be seen again. There's no one to confirm them, but even then lots of people claim that they know the villagers who have disappeared."
"Yeah…if my suspicions are correct, then a lich would be of great help in dealing with her." I turned toward the windows, which were currently being obscured by dark satin curtains. "And if I want to hire a lich, then I must recruit the lich lord, Lindley, to my side."