Chapter 71
Ian's arm slowly lowered. Charlotte looked at him with a gaze that seemed to say, "Surely you're not going to listen to this nonsense," but he showed no reaction.
There was a reason for this—Thesaya's words weren't entirely baseless. It wouldn't be too late to sever her neck if what she said turned out to be sheer nonsense. Thesaya, perhaps feeling relieved or something else entirely, let out a breath at that moment.
Thud.
Ian plunged the Sword of Judgment into the ground beside him, its blade pointing directly in front of Thesaya's neck, suggesting a deadly possibility.
Sitting beside the sword, Ian placed his hand on the hilt and spoke, "I'll listen. But if you spout nonsense or try any tricks, this will turn into a guillotine."
Thesaya's gaze drifted to the thin, long blade of the sword, a palpable threat in the air.
Swallowing her fear, she managed a smile, "Okay, got it. But really, hear me out. I've given up on sucking your blood, especially after the day when hordes of people on horses came after you. Before that, I thought I could catch you if I endured a little longer. Strangely, after that day, even the thought of it makes my skin crawl and scares me."
...That was the day I enhanced my abilities. Ian nodded calmly, though he was inwardly surprised. She had sensed that change instinctively.
"There was no reason not to follow you. As I said, there was no need for me to fight. But when you stopped by that village, the situation was different. I couldn't get close to it. It was bearable at night, but during the day, my insides felt like they were boiling, it was revolting."
She was referring to the vicinity of the Temple of Brazier, a dangerous place for her, a vampire, given it was under the domain of Lu Entre. Ian's brow furrowed for another reason, his grip on the sword tightening.
"So, what does this have to do with your request?" Ian asked, his eyes narrowing.
"This is the main point. While you were in that village, I stayed away, hidden. I planned to follow you once you left. But a few days later, a guy came looking for me. He called himself the adjudicator of our clan."
"The adjudicator...?" Ian’s eyes narrowed.
"Yes. He said he was responsible for punishing those in our clan who break the rules and those who pose a threat to the clan. And he dared to say that meeting him, a mere experimental hybrid, was an honor."
Thesaya gasped for air as if reliving the fear and anger she felt at that moment.
"He showed me three small coffins in front of me, saying he would disassemble my limbs from my body and take them separately. He said not to worry, he'd reassemble me when we returned... I naturally told him not to spout nonsense. I wouldn't return to that laboratory. It was truly horrific. I still have nightmares about it—"
"Stick to the main point."
"...So, I fought him. But he was incredibly strong, wielding power in ways I had never seen. Thanks to you, I had saved up some strength. I could mimic some of his tricks, too. I thought I might win, but when he showed his true power, the situation completely changed."
Ian's eyes narrowed slightly. The Thesaya he remembered was a great demoness who rose to the position of queen by consuming the pure blood of vampires. There must have been attempts by the adjudicator to track her down even then.
...Could this also be because of me?
The only significant change was that. By following him, Thesaya hadn't been able to fully awaken her potential and master combat techniques on her own.
Was this a butterfly effect?
While he pondered, Thesaya continued, "Of course, I had a trump card to survive. It worked. Though I wasn't uninjured, I managed to buy some time to escape."
"Escaping the pursuit couldn't have been easy."
"I used my brain. I've hunted many beasts, so deceiving them was as easy as breathing. I smeared my blood on every beast I saw and scattered them in all directions. I knew he was tracking me by the scent of my blood."
Thesaya looked up at Ian.
"And then I followed your scent. You were all I could think of. I thought you might help me since you had saved me before. I realized it was a baseless hope only after seeing you. So, I decided to hide and regain my strength by hunting beasts. If you wouldn't help me, I had to be able to run away."
"Don't talk nonsense. I know you've been watching for days." Charlotte growled.
Thesaya immediately retorted, "I did that because I was scared. I thought you would attack me with a knife the moment we met. You seemed like you knew how to kill me. I tried to approach you several times, but fear stopped me each time. That's probably why this beast noticed me. See? It's not because you're so great. It's not because you've beaten me. If I had been at full strength, you would be in pieces right now, you mere beast!"
Is this what they call gradational anger? Ian thought as he watched Thesaya glare at Charlotte, who was about to kill her.
Charlotte's sneer followed, "Such assumptions are meaningless, you pointy-eared brat. After all, you're the one lying defeated beneath me."
With a crunch, Charlotte pressed down harder on Thesaya's arm. Thesaya winced in pain but didn't scream this time.
“Boasting about brute strength, such ignorance—” Her voice, previously biting, quieted down as the sword of judgment tilted toward her neck.
Ian's dark eyes, void of any sympathy, looked down upon her.
"So, you want me to kill that adjudicator?" he asked.
"It's not just about him," she replied, "He told me that the clan hasn't given up on me. That it would be better for me to get caught by him now than later. Even if you kill him, another adjudicator will come after me."
Ian's gaze deepened.
"But those are just minions," Thesaya swallowed before continuing, "The ones who turned me into this monster still lurk within Lu Sard. I can never forgive them. So, Ian, I'm asking for your help in my revenge. That's my request."
It was, admittedly, an attractive proposition. Keeping Thesaya close meant that the vampires he'd eventually have to kill would come to him. Perhaps, the way Thesaya had gained power in the game was by killing the adjudicators who came after her and absorbing their pure blood.
By assisting Thesaya, Ian could gain experience points from the adjudicators while also preventing Thesaya from becoming stronger. Additionally, it could weaken the forces of the vampires he'd have to face eventually. However, he did not reveal these thoughts, merely looking down at Thesaya with an impassive face.
"I can't defeat them on my own. But with your help, it could be different. I've seen what you're capable of. You're strong and never back down from a request. So please, Ian, accept my request," Thesaya implored.
After a moment, Ian spoke, "I understand your situation, Thesaya."
"Thesa, please."
"Alright, Thesa. Perhaps, as you say, I could fight the adjudicator following you. I might even help you take revenge on the vampires of Lu Sard."
"I know you could definitely do it—"
"But a request isn't just about asking. I don't act on mere sympathy."
Thesaya's eyes widened as Ian continued, fidgeting with the dagger in his hand, "A request requires a proper reward. If I'm to fight the entire vampire clan for you, how will you compensate me adequately?"
"A-anything, everything. Vampires have a lot of money. If you help me with my revenge, it's all yours. I'm not interested in that."
"That's an uncertain reward. Besides, those are spoils I could claim without your help. The reward for a request must come from what you possess, Thesa."
Ian paused, then asked, "So, Thesa, if I accept your request, what can you give me?"
Thesaya’s eyes quivered before gradually settling down as if she had come to the realization that she had only one thing to lose and one thing to offer.
Then, she said, "I'll give myself to you, Ian."
Ian's eyes narrowed slightly in response.
"My life is the only thing I have to offer."
"Your life holds no value to me," said Ian.
"Then use me. I'll do anything you ask. I will help with your current tasks. After you're done with your missions, help me with my revenge. You won't stay in the north forever. Keep me by your side and use me until then."
"To become my slave?"
"Call it whatever you want. I have no other choice, Ian. Otherwise, I'll end up dragged back to Lu Sard."
“....”
"I don't want to be treated like an animal and die without anyone knowing who I am. I'd rather live as your client and slave, dreaming of revenge."
She wasn't entirely foolish. But that didn't mean he believed everything she said.
"The terms still don't seem favorable." While saying this, Ian looked into Thesaya's red eyes.
"Any spoils from the adjudicators will be mine."
"Okay."
"And you will not take a single drop of their pure blood."
Thesaya's eyes widened momentarily. The desire for pure blood was a vampire's instinct, not easily restrained. But she had no choice in Ian's terms.
"...Okay," Thesaya finally answered.
Ian nodded and reached out, swiftly pulling the dagger still embedded in her gaunt shoulder.
"The contract is established."
He then looked at Charlotte, who, although skeptically, released her hold on Thesaya. Thesaya, rubbing her wrist, stood up and smiled.
"Thank you, Ian. I mean it."
"Remember, if you break this contract and run, not only will the adjudicators chase you, but I will too."
"Of course. ...In that sense."
Thesaya's gaze shifted to Charlotte, who stood with a furrowed brow.
"Now that this beast seems to have no use, may I kill her?"
"If you wish to die, proceed. If not, sit quietly."
"...Okay."
Though she cast a sharp glance at Charlotte, Thesaya obediently moved toward the fire. Charlotte, glaring at Thesaya's retreating back as if wishing her dead, turned to Ian.
"Do you really intend to trust the promise of such a pointy-eared demoness, Ian?"
"We didn't make a promise. We made a contract. You're a mercenary now; you should understand the difference."
"She'll surely betray us."
Ian shrugged, "When that happens, I'll let you kill her. Since you're the one who caught her."
"...! Are you for sure?" A spark of excitement flashed in Charlotte's eyes.
Ian nodded, "Yes. I don't trust her either. So, keep an eye on her. Make sure she doesn't do anything foolish."
Charlotte, momentarily startled, looked at him with a mix of anticipation and curiosity, "If she messes up, can I just stab her?"
"If it's necessary."
Since that wouldn't be enough to kill her.
A faint smile spread across Charlotte's face as she nodded and swiftly turned toward the fire.
"I'll be watching, you pointy-eared brat. I hope you mess up big."
"I heard that, so don't bother speaking. Your breath stinks."
Charlotte growled, but Thesaya acted as if she hadn't heard.
Ian watched this exchange with a fleeting smirk. It was not long ago that he had been accompanied by a knight of Tir En and a child blessed by Lu Entre. Now, he found himself in the company of a beastfolk and a vampiric fairy.
...Truly, the future is unpredictable.
Muttering to himself, Ian approached the fire and picked up his robe from atop a blanket, offering it to Thesaya.
"...?" Thesaya looked at him quizzically, as if genuinely unsure of his intentions.
With a click of his tongue, Ian said, "From now on, always wear this. I don't want to see you walking around half-naked anymore."
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