Vol 5 Chapter 2 (1/2)
Chapter 2 - Crimson Confusion
The night was filled with silence
The fullquietto dye the waves with a layer of serenity
A retro-style westernseashore while the refreshi+ng sound of waves breaking could be heard in the distance
This type of htly comical in appearance, but it was fully-equipped hospice home
Built intentionally by the sea, this luxurious hospice hoed to someone wealthy
Nevertheless, its owner did not have much time left to enjoy it
Because in her near and foreseeable future, she was fated to depart for heaven
Presu by the , knitting, she watched the sea outside with a tender expression on her face
Having lived to this day and age, she was totally at peace with the world withoutNeither did she harbor any co to the quiet waves, she silently knitted
A sudden visitor interrupted the quiet night
The priant serenade
Seeing graceful footsteps approaching, the old lady--Welfica--smiled cordially and opened the
”It has been a while, va lady”
Her gaze rested where the queen of the night was standing silently
The snohite co
Crimson lips
Crimson eyes
Rushella Dahm Draculea
”My granddaughter is worried about you You disappeared suddenly, didn't you?”
Kirika's grandic--had already heard about Rushella's disappearance
Her granddaughter had asked her to relay any news back to her Even so, Welfica had not expected Rushella to co alone
”I have so to ask you”
Keeping a certain distance from Welfica, Rushella spoke
She seeue on her face was also quite deep
”What is it?”
Welfica's hands continued with her task while she responded to Rushella
Her leisurely attitude surprised Rushella a little
”So you're willing to answer hter first”
”You would have left if I did that Or even try to stopforce as well, wouldn't you?”
Realizing that Welfica had predicted her plan, Rushella had no choice but to conceal her right hand, holding her usual dagger behind her back
”Fighting a vaht would be a bit too much for these old bones So, ould you like to ask?”
”About myself”
Rushella pointed at herself
With the full irl asked sorrowfully
”Who am I?”
This question was filled with heart-wrenching pain
This was a sense of loss originating fro a personality in the first place rather than losing it
Without any evidence to bear witness to her sense of self, Rushella's existence was so transparent, alht
Seeing this girl as the saetically
”I have no answer Who you are is a question that you and the boy by your side should know, shouldn't it?”
”That woman called me an imposter”
Naturally, Rushella did not accept the cursory answer and brought up the heart-wrenching truth
”If what she says is true, then who a to be a True Ancestor? Then how does that explain emblem of fresh blood? Why don't I have memories? Why did I slumber until recently? Why--”
”Why did you encounter him That's what you wish to ask, isn't it?”
Welfica shtly
Her delightful s facesilent
But soon, she shook her head to refute Welfica's suggestion
”Shut up I've already forgotten him”
”Then why did you come here? If you've already cut off communications with him, then it would be best if you didn't see me”
”Because there's no one else I can ask I've tried searching for in on my own Those whatever occult researchers and historians, I used the ot any satisfactory response No helping it, my only choice was to come to you”
”I see But I guess I will be disappointing you Last ti I knew”
”The True Ancestors are no longer The final True Ancestor was Miraluka, right? In that case, who am I!?”
”Why don't you ask her directly?”
”!”
Rushella made a conflicted look
Indeed
That would surely be the fastest way
The one she should find first was Miraluka
”I've learned from Kirika's text that she has already returned She is currently at Kujou-kun's home Rather, she is currently at her own home”
””
Rushella's face went livid
Clenching her fists desperately, she gritted her teeth
”I used to think that the word 'death' was the furthest thing one would associate with her As one would expect, she is still alive Isn't this perfect? That also gives you a reason to go back”
”Like anyone would”
Rushella was unable to reject the notion wholly
Welfica continued, trying to persuade her
”Suppose I or anyone else knew about the truth of your identity and told you--Even then, you still won't find salvation”
”Hoould you know?”
”Anyone would know after living for so long, even if I am just a short-lived human You simply wish to find out about your past so as to fill the void in your heart And no e”
”What difference does it o back?”
She murmured indifferently
Because she had already made her decision in her heart
If she was going to return shaotten to this point, she would not have decided to disappear in the first place
”It'll just end up repeating the same old same old It's better that I'm not there, especially with that woain”
”My, how pessihtness of day was exuding from all over your body, almost like you weren't a vampire”
””
”Follow your own choice, but do not regret it However, you should pay a littlecare of your body, shouldn't you?”
”What are you talking about?”
Seeing Rushella play dumb, Welfica extended her left hand towards her
There was a tiny droplet of blood on her left index finger
This was a s under her arm
The droplet of blood, seeping through the skin, caused a change in Rushella's eyes
They became crimson
Her nostrils quivered as she bared her sharp fangs
Driven by instinct, Rushella felt coreat difficulty, she stopped herself, covered her nose and mouth then backed away
”Desiring blood from even someone as old and decrepit as I am You must be quite thirsty, evidently I've heard from Kirika that you did not take with you the backup supplies of Kujou-kun's blood I can't believe you really refrained frohtest drop of blood all this time?”
””
Rushella did not answer Hugging herself tightly, she clutched her ar deeply into her flesh, trying her hardest to control her breathing
”You should understand No va your instincts will only kill your mind Why are you so stubborn?”
”Who knows”
Rushella finally regained her sanity Leaving Welfica, she stood somewhere even farther away
”Sorry for disturbing you If possible, please don't tell Hisui and the others about my visit”
”I can't promise you that If her friend doesn't return, Kirika will feel sad”
””
Rushella did not say anything more
Turning around, she took a leap, ju and ran down the hill
As expected of a vaht, that speed was extraordinary
There was no hope in chasing after her Contacting Hisui's group noas pointless too
With slight sadness, Welfica watched her leave then returned to her task at hand
The surroundings returned to silence quickly as the black night grew even darker
Daas still quite far away
”Look at that troubled face of yours What's themade you unhappy?”
”Why don't you ask yourself honestly? Please don't coain”
At the dining table, two people were sitting face to face Hisui grumbled with a scowl on his face
Tonight's etables and spinach as side dishes It had been a while since Hisui had eaten this type of traditional japanese cuisine
With Miraluka as the chef, needless to say, the taste was excellent--rather, to Hisui, this counted as the nostalgic flavor of everyday ho No matter how much his mouth co food for an instant
Having lived for so long, this va skills had reached the level ofwas a piece of cake for her
Ever since Hisui reached middle school, she had seldom cooked personally, but today was a rare occasion when she showed off after so long
”What's wrong with a parent going to see their child's learning? High school is not compulsory education and requires tuition to be paid In other words, the person paying has the right to knohat kind of learning attitude is shown by the one who is going to school, don't you agree?”
Unable to find counterarguitimate words, Hisui's face turned even worse
Although he had experience living on his own, this was not total independence seeng as he was enjoying the inheritance left behind by Miraluka
It was reasonable if she were actually dead, but now that she turned out to be alive Hisui had no words to refute her at all
”It really pissesis so delicious”
”What did you say?”
”Nothing”
Hisui shut up and continued eating
This really was a taste that brought back memories
Only the real Miraluka was capable ofthis type of taste
Pretending to help out in the kitchen, Hisui had observed her every movement earlier Even her experienced techniques were identical to what he had seen in the past
Hisui was not doubting the authenticity of the person before his eyes, but he simply could not believe in her return completely
Quite shaken, his heart felt lacking in a sense of reality
Bit by bit, this feeling was changing the ordinary daily life the two of theether
However
So in his heart
”What's theat my face”
”Nothing I'm full Let me clear up”
Avoiding Miraluka's gaze, Hisui took the utensils to be washed
Although the queen-like Miraluka was capable of cooking, she left all the other chores to Hisui
While washi+ng the dishes, Hisui casually asked her
”By the way, do you really not knohere Rushella went?”
”No idea I wanted to ask you, actually It looks like she's quite stubborn about you Why did she just leave?”
”Who knows”
Hisui feigned calmness and answered emotionlessly
Instead of asking face to face directly, he asked the question while engaged in other tasks so as to hide the agitation in his heart
”Did she feel fear towards me? I doubt it But it is a little troublesome that she disappeared”
”What do you mean?”
”Hoh”
”You didn't know Rushella, right? Yesterday, you even asked me how I came to know her Is it actually possible for you to have vampires you don't know?”
”Of course To ers apart from myself Other True Ancestors probably feel a sense of responsibility towards their servants and descendants, but I have no family apart from you Hence, I need not care”
Having shi+fted their location to the living room, in front of the television, Miraluka explained nonchalantly
Like Hisui, she was uninterested in these topics when occupied with other tasks
”Then What's Rushella's identity? A vampire who isn't a True Ancestor But she possesses the characteristics of True Ancestors you told es themselves into emblems, mystic eyes that can control all creation She Who on earth is she?”
After finishi+ng the dishes, Hisui took off his apron and returned to the living room
But Miraluka did not look at him
”You're really concerned about her While I ay, did you start having feelings for her?”
”Answer ed by you, share the same characteristics as a True Ancestor like you?”
”Try thinking a little on your own”
”Hey”
Hearing that, Hisui could not help but feel anger rising in his heart, but Miraluka remained unfazed
Perhaps because there was nothing worth watching at the moment, Miraluka switched the television off in boredoan to speak tirelessly as though reciting a poem
”I've always been alone, but the other True Ancestors were different Their own bloodlines, or rather, what one would call the prosperity of the vaard this matter as a crucial priority I suppose True Ancestors like these have existed In that case, they had to consider countermeasures: how chould they maintain the rule of vampires after their destruction? Within their own blood kin, how could they nurture capable successors? They ht into these issues Otherwise, they would have soughtthem”
”What the heck!? What did the other True Ancestors do? That vaht previously, he said he wanted to ask you for a favor to revive his clan Is this related!?”
”This is ht a Pure of the Pure and survived, as expected of ht?”
”Either way, it's your credit, right? What now, you're starting to brag?”
Hisui retorted unhappily while Miraluka smiled faintly
”Indeed, I'd like to brag a bit every now and then I've raised you so well, to becoreat match for me”
Before he knew it, Miraluka was already before his eyes
As a va was as natural as breathing Without giving Hisui any time to react, she embraced Hisui
”My prided son Can I call you that? Or would it be better to call you er brother?”
”In terrandson”
”So noisy, shut up”
Hugging Hisui tightly, she buried his face into her excessively voluptuous bosom
A concentrated and sweet fragrance filled his nostrils An adult scent that other girls could not compare with at all
Different from Rushella
”Let go!”
”Very well”
Unexpectedly, she released hiht her lips up close
Hisui expected her to aim for his lips But Miraluka kissed his forehead instead
”I don't knohat you're thinking, but I never did anything to that i to say, it'd be best if you voice your concerns and talk to me clearly”
”It's not like what you think Although I want to get to the bottoet about it”
”You believe me?”
”If I don't believe you, ould?”
Hisui answered gruffly, bringing a wry smile to Miraluka's face
Seeing her calitation in his heart rise dra room
Arriving at his room on the second floor, he lay down on the bed and stared at the ceiling with nothing better to do
Miraluka knew so
She definitely knew soins
If he stubbornly questioned her, he would probably be able to get her to answer
Nevertheless, Hisui could not do it
Whether about Rushella's past or his suspicions against Miraluka, Hisui was unable to voice his doubts
Even the cellphone beside him felt repulsive--He did not want to confide in Eruru and the other girls
Why?
This series of self-questioning was itated
The fluorescent lighting overhead see hi himself into darkness
”Am I afraid?”
Muttering alone, no one answered him
Despite the presence of the parent whoether and the room he had lived in for so many years, Hisui felt inexorably lonely
In the dark baseht flickered from the ancient candlesticks
Scented candles burned quietly, filling the base the place into a vahold
The table of ebony finally welco--Miraluka
Late at night, past ht, she came to the basement
A large collection of books, wine, as well as the sacred cross sword, Tzara Blade, which slept here This was virtually like her castle
She usually spent her nights sleeping in the room where Rushella had stayed, but apart from that, she would always come to this place
Holding in her hand a glass that was like a piece of high-class artwork, Miraluka unsealed a bottle of red wine from her prized collection
A rich aroer than the srance mixed with the other
Sight, smell and taste--She iht about by the fine hile exa her own arm
If one was fortunate enough to discover the lost arm of Venus de Milo, surely it would be the arm before her eyes--that perfect and blemish-free arm of hers would inspire such fantasies in the viewer
Clear skin that was so pale that it would seeical
Anyone would feel the desire to touch her, yet fearing that her beautyin the end to si that perfect skin which only existed in fantasy
This skin, belonging to the pinnacle of all vampires, forbade all acts of encroachment
There was a tiny crack in the palm of her hand
Rather than the result of rough skin rupturing, this blemish seemed as natural as a crack in a mineral
For a vaeneration, let alone Miraluka who stood as a True Ancestor, this type of wound was not supposed to exist in the first place
Looking at her arm, Miraluka casually extended her hand into the white porcelain pot on the table
Instantly, a new fragrance started spreading in the basement
The fragrance of fresh blood
The pot was filled with crimson blood
Scattered in a mess around the pot were empty blood packs used for transfusions
The volu a vampire's thirst
Rather than drinking it, Miraluka soaked her hand in the blood
After a few brief seconds, she withdrew her hand
Wiping the hand that had been covered in blood, she revealed the delicate hand of white
Nevertheless, the wound remained
Probably expecting this result, Miraluka did not show any gloom on her beautiful face
Her philosophical voice simply resounded faintly in the basement
”Just as I thought, old blood won't work eh?”
Miraluka licked the blood on her hand
The tip of her crier, looked very salacious
Her eyes flashed with cri frolinted coldly
”What terrible flavor I knew it, blood must be drunk directly”
Saying words that all varee with, Miraluka stood up
Putting on the Inverness cape that was hanging on the wall, she departed with quick and lively footsteps
Night was the tied to her
The queen's stroll began
Late night--Reina alking towards a convenience store
Nor out
However, she happened to have trouble sleeping this night Furthermore, drinks were out at hoone out tonight
Since her parents were away froht
The nearest convenience store to her home was only five ht and there was little chance of running into crime
Nevertheless, on this very night, the road was deserted
The bone-chilling air stung her body,Reina feel especially lonely
Buying a drink at the convenience store, she quickly turned back to head home
But along the way, a tall shadow passed her, brushi+ng shoulder to shoulder
”Oh my”
The other person noticed her first and stopped, turning around
Hearing someone call out to her, Reina looked back as well
She could still remember that beautiful face
She had seen her just earlier today during the school's open house Hisui's--most likely Hisui's distant relative
But encountering her at night, she gave off a completely different impression coher
The invisible pressure given off fro Reina back away
””
Tripping slightly, Reina almost fell over
She reached out to support herself against the concrete wall on her right, thusto maintain balance But unluckily, there happened to be a sh the skin of her pal
””
Even a dog would have difficulty detecting it, perhaps this could not even be called the smell of blood at all
Nevertheless, the woman before her eyes smelled it
Cri in her eyes, she walked over
”Are you okay?”