What fate awaited Chifuyu and Ariel?
If the hunters decide they can't be allowed to live, Ariel plans to quickly break Chifuyu's chains and take him so the two could run away in the meantime. Ariel has no intention of harming a human, and she has a surefire to prove that.
"Vampires are known to be deceptive. There's countless that snuck into our society pretending to be human."
The president voices that he's not ignorant to a vampire's nature.
In normal circumstances, vampires can be easily told apart from humans. But they have an uncanny power that allows them to change their features to that of a human. All vampires have pointed ears, red eyes, noticeably sharp and long top canine teeth, and pointed nails. By changing their appearance to seem human, the top of their ears round out, their eyes take on the color of something besides red, their canines become less suspicious, and their sharp nails retract. This is an ability all vampires can pull off as long as they have sufficient blood in their system.
"But I sensed nothing except genuine regret, reflection, and resolve from your monologue. If I was told 20 years ago that I'd someday come across a changed vampire, I would've laughed and put that person behind bars for suspicion of betrayal. I guess anyone is capable of change, even a monster."
"Ha."
Ariel scoffs at the president's sentiment.
"I agree as well. I was already on board when Shoyo was backing her up, but I must say I'm thoroughly convinced now."
Dallas concurs with the president.
The other hunters and onlookers begin conversing amongst themselves. Naturally, some were still doubtful. No matter how convincing Ariel may have sounded, the humans currently present have been struggling against the vampires for as long as they've been alive. They would never accept a vampire to join their side even if it meant they were guaranteed success in coming out victorious in this long battle.
"I still don't think we should ever side with a vampire."
"Yeah, he's right!"
Every one of the onlookers were against it while some of the hunters were still unsure. It was difficult to decide on the spot if they would benefit from Ariel joining them. The opinions of those from the Hunter Agency have more political power than hunters. Since the president is leaning more towards having Ariel on their side, the views of those below him have no say in the end. Though generally the president and his staff are on the same wavelength, this case is an exception.
"These guys are gonna put up a fight to the very end, huh?"
These mocking words came from Shoyo who was still just chilling back.
"I respect and value what all of you have to say, that's why I chose most of you to join the agency. But I ask that you all trust in my decision, even if it goes against the majority."
"President..."
"No matter what, I will always go with the best course of action that has merits for humanity."
"President, what're you doing?"
"I Vow on my life as Cid Biyakuse that my decision is not the wrong one."
He deeply bowed to everyone. He has the authority to always make his decisions final. But he seeks for those under him, as their leader to have full trust in him and accept his wishes.
This leaves them reluctant, rethinking their previous thoughts. The words the president spoke has that much sway not only because of his position, but because he also put his life on the line. He vowed.
During the war 200 years ago when Ariel and her army invaded, they would've easily taken control of this world if it wasn't for the interference of an unknown person, who is also responsible for sealing her. They taught the humans how to fight against vampires and told them various things. One of the many pieces of information that was brought to light was what a Vow is.
A Vow is a spoken promise to oneself that must be set with a consequence if broken. The president made this Vow on his life. So if Ariel betrays them, his life will be forfeit.
"Vampire! Our president just put his life on the line for you, so you'd better not betray us!"
"Well, if I did betray you, I'd kill him anyway..."
Ariel voices a true statement.
"You have my respect, human known as Cid Biyakuse."
"Likewise, Vampire Lord Ariel Ryuji."
"Many of you may not be able to trust me, but I can also at least put my life on the line to show my resolve. I vow on my life as Ariel Ryuji to never harm a human with malicious intent."
"Hey, did you hear that?"
"She put her life on the line just to have our trust?"
"She just swore not to harm us."
They were taken aback.
"I've done all I could now Chifuyu."
"You're amazing Ariel!"
Chifuyu was in awe of Ariel's resolve. He knows he didn't make a mistake trusting her.
His sudden praise made Ariel blush a little as she tried to hold herself back from smiling ear to ear. She's rather weak to compliments.
"Vampire Lord Ariel Ryuji!"
Being brought back to reality, she turns to all the Hunter Agency members who had looked at her with resentment not too long ago. They all called out to her in unison.
"It's good to have you!"
Another surprise comes at her. The hunters follow suit.
"It's good to have you, Ariel Ryuji!"
Erika and Dakota, who'd just been quietly watching let excitement show on their faces now that it looks like nothing will happen to Chifuyu.
Everyone present was on board, Ariel had finally accomplished something in her life without any bloodshed. Gratefulness overwhelmed her countenance.
"Thank you for having me."
***
"So Ms. Vampire Lord, what do you prefer to be called by?"
"I'm no longer a Vampire Lord, Ariel is fine."
"Alright then Ariel, it's time to pick your brain on some essential questions. Why did you attack us over 200 years ago?"
"Hmph."
Ariel exhales as she prepares to answer.
"That's right. When we first attacked, you guys weren't even aware of our existence. After all, we're not from this world."
"Yeah, you vampires originate from the Alter World."
"We'd discovered the existence of Shioto not too long before I invaded. Scouts were sent to determine what this place was. After waiting for their return for about a year, we found out that this land thriving with humans. Under orders from the Vampire King, I was to be sent here just to observe this new world. In our world, we've been at war with the humans there for several centuries. The Vampire King had no interest in this place, all of his focus was towards the conflict right in front of him. So he had no intention of sending any forces to subjugate the humans here, at least not yet. But I disregarded his orders and brought a portion of my army with me that numbered at a total of 5000 vampires. I thought that would be more than enough to quickly take over this small world, but you guys had a hidden protector that's definitely not from here. That person taught you all how to fight against us, though they were the one who wiped out the majority of the forces I brought."
"Thanks to that hidden protector, we've been able to fight against the vampires for the past couple of centuries."
"Haha. Wow, you were really a hothead back then weren't you?"
"Haha. This guy is ticking me off a little."
Shoyo throws in some quick banter upon hearing Ariel's answer.
"Anyway, there are a few books written on the events that occurred 200 years ago. I read them of course but not much was said about are sweet guardian angel that protected us for a bit before vanishing. Who knows, perhaps they're still watching over us."
Shoyo adds in that almost nothing at all is known about this person. Maybe they asked for their existence to be hidden as much as possible.
"That's possible. I was beaten by them so their strength is certainly on par with the Vampire Lords."
"Um... Excuse me. You guys keep calling this person they. You fought them didn't you Ariel? Is their gender unknown?"
Chifuyu throws in a question. He's been dragged into this world, so he has every right to know what he can.
"Yeah, their whole body including their face was covered. As far as I can remember, their voice was hard to distinguish as male or female."
"Hm. Thanks for answering. My second and last question will affect a critical decision for us hunters."
"What is it?"
"When do you think the vampires from the Alter World will invade with the intention to crush us?"
"That will undoubtedly be when the war in the Alter World ends, if they win that is. Since I've been sealed for about 200 years, I have no idea if it's still going on."
"Figures."
"Has anybody from Shioto ever been in the Alter World yet?"
"Yes. Though we haven't explored much, or really anything at all. We had an expedition several years ago, but the majority of the hunters that went weren't even done in by vampires. They were slaughtered by monsters. Only a handful of survivors returned. I'm still not sure if there's any merit to even going there. But..."
"But?"
"We still must know what's there. So we'll be commencing our 2nd expedition in time. Much sooner than planned since you're on our side now. We should have no problem surviving there for a long period of time if you're with us."
"I see. So that's the decision you were talking about. Do you think you guys can hold your own now?"
"I'm sure. The first expedition was about 11 years ago. We have dozens of capable 1st Rank Hunters and a handful of Special Rank Hunters whose skills speak for themselves. Then of course we have that bonehead over there."
"Heya!"
"Our plan is to survey as much of the Alter World as possible and set up some portal artifacts the hidden protector gave us, and now also to find out whether this war you speak of is still going on over there"
"Portal artifacts huh, I'm assuming they're two-way portals so you can travel back and forth."
"That's correct."
"Portals? Is that how the Alter World is connected to ours?"
"Yes, Chifuyu."
It's common knowledge that vampires come from a foreign planet known as the Alter World. There are portals that connect the two that were only just discovered a couple hundred years ago. The latter part of information was determined not to be made public so people don't try to actively search for these portals.
"Although I said we have this numbskull Shoyo, he probably won't take part in the 2nd expedition. After all, we don't know how many vampires have been in hiding here. If they catch wind of our plan and choose to attack, Shoyo will be here to intervene."
"We should be cautious of the vampires here on Shioto. They stayed in hiding for so long waiting to unseal Ariel. Now that she's free and no longer on their side, they may plan something big soon. For some reason, I can't imagine them just returning to the Alter World."
Shoyo jumps back into the conversation. Everyone believes his statement to be right. Although Shioto has been relatively peaceful on the outside, there are still numerous missing persons cases or dead bodies found each month. There have also been a couple of big incidents where some vampires claimed dozens of lives in broad daylight. Those are suspected to be strays who perhaps wandered onto their world or vampires who were already here that began to starve.
"Did you forget that other presence Shoyo?" Ariel poses a question that they'd already talked about.
"I didn't. There was at least one other vampire who remained in hiding when Ariel was unsealed. There's no doubt they reported that their precious Vampire Lord betrayed them. One of them called themselves the Slayers. Perhaps it's what the group of vampires that are on Shioto go by."
"The Slayers... Ariel, do you know this group?"
"No. There was never such a group I was aware of."
"I see. This is rather troublesome."
Suddenly, Ariel seems to have come to some sort of realization.
"I'm starting to recall the face of the vampire that gravely injured Chifuyu... He was a low-ranking subordinate in my army! Wait, so were some of the other vampires there."
"I think I see where this is going."
"Back then, I never really cared about those under me. I just saw them as dispensable underlings. Now that I think about it, all the vampires that were present in that forest used to be my subordinates. It may be far-fetched to say this, but this group calling themselves Slayers may be vampires that were all under me. I played the part of a great leader, so I wouldn't be surprised if they abandoned the war to save me."
"We're finally getting a clear goal. All this time we've mainly been on the defensive. Our name isn't just for decoration, right guys? Until the next expedition, we're going to focus most of our forces on sniffing out these rats."
Humanities counterattack commences at long last.
"The hunt begins."
***
"I'm sure the verdict is clear, this court is now adjourned."
The judge officially ends the trial, those present have accepted Ariel as an ally and Chifuyu will no longer be executed.
"Listen up, what happened during this trial will become confidential information. It is to remain a secret that Chifuyu has become a half-vampire and that we have a Vampire Lord on our side. The latter can be revealed in due time. But until then, if any news of what transpired today gets out to the public, the heads of everyone here will be rolling. Do I make myself clear?"
"Sir!"
The president gives his final statement before pardoning everyone. He personally walks up to Chifuyu to unchain him.
"Nice to meet you kid. Shoyo, I leave him in your hands."
"That's the plan."
"I'll be waiting to see your merits as a hunter, Chifuyu."
"Uh... Yessir!"
"Hmph."
The president lets out a slight chuckle as he leaves the courtroom. Chifuyu bows to him.
"Looks like you get to live Chifuyu."
"I'm relieved, this whole thing has been exhausting."
"You think you're ready for what's to come?"
"I'm sure I can handle it."
Chifuyu's eyes conveyed absolute resolve.