"Hmm? So?" I asked, trying to appear tough. It seemed Marie hadn't yet realized that I wasn't even a vampire. In fact, I was a Higher Aether. Physically, there wasn't much difference between the two, but when it came to power, vampires were leagues ahead due to their blood manipulation abilities. The Spade family, however, had been renowned for their ability to take on vampires one-on-one, sometimes even defeating them. While men were typically known as the vampire hunters, the women weren't far behind. They possessed innate magical and alchemical skills that allowed them to fend off groups of undead with ease. That was the general information passed around, but when it came to the actual successors of the family, the stories suggested their abilities were even greater. Despite her current status as my slave, I couldn't afford to underestimate her. Who knew what would happen if someone managed to break the enslavement spell?
[THE HOST NEED NOT WORRY ABOUT THE CONTRACT BEING VOIDED FORCEFULLY. THERE ARE NO KNOWN METHODS THAT ARE FEASIBLE. THE ONLY WAY IT CAN BE VOIDED IS THROUGH THE DEATH OF THE KIN. IT IS A PERMANENT CONTRACT.]
"Wait... Didn't you ask me if I wanted her as a temporary slave? Why is she permanent now?" I questioned HYM, irritation bubbling up.
[THERE WAS AN ERROR WHEN MAKING THE CONTRACT, SO I PRIORITIZED MAKING IT PERMANENT.]
"You..." I started to argue, but Marie interrupted me.
"Hmm... Your eyes... Red, huh? Which family are you from?" she asked, her curiosity evident. Vampires were what people called "bloodline demons," meaning they were born into their vampiric state rather than being turned into one. Kin contracts, like the one I'd just used on her, were rare in most cases. Vampires naturally despised humans due to the centuries of vampire hunting, so trusting a human enough to make them kin was practically unheard of. Unlike slaves, kin had the ability to betray their masters if they deemed it necessary. So from a vampire's perspective, giving someone the power to kill you with little benefit in return was both dangerous and pointless.
"... That's none of your business," I replied coldly. "I can't go around giving such sensitive information to a stranger, now, can I?" In truth, I wasn't a bloodline vampire at all—I was a made one. And as far as vampire families went, I didn't know much beyond the fact that they kept a low profile and rarely interfered with human affairs. They were like true hermits, content to exist in the shadows of society.
Marie seemed to want to ask more questions but thought better of it. She cast her gaze downward at her feet, which were wrapped in simple cloth. At least she wasn't barefoot. I turned my attention back to HYM, trying to get some practical information. "Where's the nearest town?" I asked.
[STRAIGHT AHEAD, 2 KM FROM THE HOST'S CURRENT POSITION, IS THE BORDER TOWN OF CHAFEIRE. HOST IS ADVISED TO LOOT MORE MONEY FROM THE BANDITS' CORPSES BEFORE CONTINUING.]
Seeing that Marie was still lost in thought, I took the opportunity to rummage through the bodies of the dead bandits. It wasn't exactly the most glamorous task, but it was necessary. In the end, I collected about 416 lamda worth of coins, along with a few pendants and keepsakes that could be sold for a couple hundred more. While I was at it, I found a shoe that was roughly Marie's size and handed it to her. It wasn't a perfect fit—slightly too big—but I instructed her to stuff some leaves inside to make up for the looseness. She seemed a little disappointed, but did as I said without complaint. I also found a pair of shoes for myself that fit perfectly. "Fantastic!" I exclaimed, feeling a small sense of victory despite the grim surroundings.
"Let's go," I said, turning to Marie as I started walking toward the edge of the forest. She quickly followed behind me. After a while, I asked, "What do you know about Chafeire?"
"You mean the Portland of the kingdom, Chafeire?" she responded, her tone shifting from hesitant to enthusiastic. After I nodded to confirm, she continued, "Chafeire is the main trading hub for the TRUMPLE kingdom alliance. It's where goods and gold flow into and out of the continent. The town's proximity to the ocean makes it something of a tourist destination, too. You'll find all sorts of people there—merchants, travelers, and even dwarves. I've read that they've established their own community there. I've always wanted to visit, but... I've never had the chance. Are we going there?"
She seemed to enjoy talking about the place, her words flowing with excitement, until she caught herself rambling. She blushed slightly, embarrassed by her enthusiasm. I couldn't help but smirk a little. A nerd for geography and trade routes, it seemed—but at least she'd be a useful guide.
"Yes," I replied simply, my mind already calculating what we'd need to do once we reached the town. We'd have to stay low, blend in, and avoid drawing any attention. Though Chafeire was a bustling center of trade, it was also a place where information traveled fast. The wrong word in the wrong ear could spell disaster for both of us.
As we continued walking, I thought more about the next steps. Finding a place to stay would be easy enough with the money I'd collected from the bandits, but we couldn't afford to settle in one spot for too long. I had to figure out how to navigate this new reality, where allies were few and enemies lurked in the shadows. The Spade family's fall had left a power vacuum, and power struggles were bound to erupt across the continent. The Trumps had long sought dominance, and without the Spades to balance the scales, the future looked uncertain at best. The only thing I could do now was stay sharp and ensure that Marie and I survived whatever was coming next.