Half an hour later, Diablo regained consciousness, feeling disoriented. As he attempted to stand up, Enryu stopped him and handed him a glass of water.
Enryu - It's better if you lie down, you've lost a lot of blood. Do you remember what happened?
Diablo - Yes, I remember... My head is pounding. Will she be, okay?
Enryu - Don't worry about that. Rell just told me that this happens to vampires when they taste blood for the first time.
Diablo - By the way, I have a question that has been on my mind since our first meeting. You and Rell don't really love each other that much, do you?
Enryu - Of course we do, but we used to be enemies. I'll tell you our story but promise me you won't tell Uta anything about it. This story would break her heart.
Diablo - I promise I won't tell her.
Enryu - It all happened 18 years ago...⬇️
Our kingdom's king assembled an army of assassins, warriors, archers, and mages to fight against the hero Eugene. I was among them. We spent six months strengthening our forces, and when we were finally ready, the king sent us on a mission: 'Kill the hero, Eugene.' We traveled through countless places: mountains, plains, forests, cities, until we finally found where he lived. He was in one of the northern villages. As soon as we found him, we attempted an attack, but it was in vain. He had a formidable defense that wiped out 80% of our army in seconds. One of his defenders was Uta's mother, Rell. Half of the survivors tried to flee, but they were killed by enemy assassins. Those of us who remained were captured and tied to tree stumps.
At dawn, Eugene woke up, and his guards told him everything. He became enraged and came out to see us. When he saw us, he immediately recognized us as the king's soldiers and grew even angrier. He walked past each of us, asking, 'What do you think I will do now?' He killed everyone whose answer he didn't like.
Diablo - And what did you answer?
I gave him a logical answer based on his powers. I told him that he would angrily attack the kingdom and conquer it, killing everyone who stood in his way. He told me that for giving the correct answer, he would spare my life until the evening, allowing me to repent for my sins before killing me. He said the same to others whose answers he liked. I spent the day trying to recover my mana, and I managed to gather enough to use teleportation to escape. I also spent the day trying to untie the ropes. One or two hours before evening, I was ready to escape, but I couldn't bear the thought of just fleeing, so I decided to kidnap someone from his team, even though I was weaker than all of them.
When Rell came by to give us water one last time, I enchanted my partially loosened rope so it wouldn't snap. As soon as she approached, I wrapped the rope around her with all my speed. She started screaming, and everyone rushed out. At that moment, I activated the teleportation, but at the last second, an assassin threw a dagger at my neck, leaving me with this scar (He shows the scar). I barely escaped with my life. I appeared right at the prison gates, locked her up, and warned the guards not to get too close to the bars or untie the rope under any circumstances, or she would break through the walls, kill everyone, and escape. I went to report everything to the king. The king listened to me in amazement and told me, 'If your magic can contain her, bring her here and call the royal mages.' So, I did. I brought the bound Rell to the king. The king then declared, 'I pass judgment: from now on, Eugene's guard Rell will live with Enryu and never leave his house.' Then, the royal mages cursed both of us. She can't leave our village, nor can she harm any villager, otherwise, she will die. Since then, we've lived together, gradually finding common ground, and eventually, we fell in love.
Diablo - Now I understand...
When a man and a woman live together for years... you get the picture. When Rell found out she was pregnant, she decided to keep the baby and raise it. Since Uta was born, I haven't seen her sad, it's as if she left everything behind and started a new life. I want to lift this curse from her, but even after all these years, I'm still afraid that she might decide to leave us and go to him.
Diablo - After everything you've been through together, I don't think she would still go back to him.
When I see how much she loves Uta, it warms my heart. I'll probably have this curse lifted soon.
Diablo - And what if she leaves you?
I don't think she would go against Uta, especially since Uta plans to kill the hero. In any case, we need to discuss this the day after tomorrow at the council, where her fate will be decided. You must not tell Uta or anyone else about this.
Diablo - As I promised, I won't say anything. By the way, you use teleportation, right? What magical sources do you use to create it?
Enryu - Air and fire, but I'm not using sources to create it, I was born with these abilities, I have all the teleportation options. I can transport myself or someone else, or I can open teleportation gates, which I mainly use in battle. If someone is caught between the doors when they close, they get sliced in half.
Diablo - Wow, that's amazing. I can use gates too, but only to travel to the lands of demons.
At this moment, Uta woke up, and they stopped talking. Diablo rushed to her and asked how she was. Uta was upset with herself
Uta: (With teary eyes) How... How can you worry about me after what I did to you? I almost killed you.
Diablo - Kill me by blood loss? That's impossible. And you're more important than I am. How are you feeling? Your eye color and fang size have changed. Only your skin color remains for you to fully resemble a vampire.
Uta: (Looking in the mirror) Very good, I like this better. (Laughs)
Diablo - Indeed, you look even more beautiful now. (Hugs her)
Enryu - Could you stop flirting, at least in front of me?
Uta and Diablo started laughing.
Since everything was resolved and all questions were answered, Uta and Diablo began preparing the carriage to leave.