Melty Blood Scenes 0-5

00
The beginning of August. Traffic density: Five cars per hour. Daily estimate of approximately 100 people using electric railways. Temperature: 38 Degrees Centigrade.

───This summer.

The humid weather makes it painful to breathe. Someone said we looked like fish in a tank, gasping for breath.

MELTY BLOOD

I heard that as I passed by on the street. I had to laugh to myself. A fish in a tank gasping for breath? It's true a fish out of water will suffocate, but not fish in a tank, like us surrounded by moisture.

...... Then I thought about it a little more. A fish left all alone. It drifts, motionless, to the top, belly-up. The water stagnates. It grows dark with algae. The dead fish opens and closes its mouth.

───Ah, that's what they meant. Yes, those words describe this summer perfectly. The roasting air feels like you could hold it in your hand. It's impossible to see more than ten meters ahead. Even though it's the middle of the day, no one is around. The silence of abandoned ruins hangs over the town.

In the streets, there aren't even the shadows of cars. You could sleep in the middle of the road without any worries. It's like I'm walking through the ruins of an ancient city, lost beneath the sea.

So what they said about the fish was dead on. I, Tohno Shiki, aimlessly drift through this bright darkness.

TSUKIHIME

A strange summer. It's not that no one is here, it's just that no one is on the streets. The platforms by the trains are empty. All that passes by are the trains full of people. On the other hand, you can see where the people are if you look carefully. Inside the department stores, things are as busy as ever. The cafes are as full as any other day. It's only outside that looks empty and abandoned. It's a normal summer day inside the buildings.

Right, everyone is inside. It isn't because it's so hot outside. Rather, that rumor is the cause.

"───Did you hear? There was another murder in the park yesterday───" "───You mean that rumored vampire serial killer? I guess it hasn't ended yet───"

I hear voices discussing the same story yet again. The sound of the voices behind me, a group of girls eagerly sharing the latest gossip as they walk.

"───Um, hey."

I turn around to talk to them about it.

There is no one there. The city is abandoned. As if the voices were just the wind and those girls passing by were just a mirage. Maybe to those girls, I was also just a mirage as I passed by.

I realize my legs brought me to the park. There is no one here either: only the silence of deep night. Perhaps this is what they mean by "midnight sun".

"───that? You know, like before? All those murders? The killer who murdered all those women for no reason───" "───I know, I know. He's back! I heard they found bodies ripped apart in an alley───"

The voices catch me and I turn around. Schoolboys hazy in the light of the midnight sun fade away.

That is the reason why Tohno Shiki walks through the town alone. When did all these rumors start to spread throughout town?

They say the murderer is back. They say the victims die from blood loss. They say the killer is a vampire, Death itself.

The incidents from one year ago had almost been forgotten. But I know it isn't possible for that vampire to have returned. That killer died. And no other vampires have appeared.

But that hasn't stopped the rumors from spreading. All across the city they whisper the stories, the body count rising with each telling. Yesterday it was the park. Today it's the alley. Will it be the school tomorrow? The body count is still rising. More and more people believe in the rumors, until no one will go out at night. ...... This is exactly what happened one year ago.

The suffocating heat. The town where traffic has ceased. But, the strangest thing is...

────There are no strange murders this time. Just the rumors.

if Crazy Dream

I feel dizzy. Not surprising, since I've been walking all over town since morning. My parched throat wants a drink from the machine, but it seems I don't have my wallet.

"Ah, man───just don't have any luck these days."

I complain softly, but it's true. That phrase seems to be popular this summer. Actually, everyone I pass seems to be saying that.

Bad luck. I feel so uneasy. Only bad things happen. I'm heading in a bad direction; accidents just keep happening.

Like the time my foot slipped on the stairs. Or when I accidentally saw Hisui changing and Akiha and Kohaku kept teasing me. Or that misunderstanding with Arcueid where she got so upset. Or when I broke that dish Senpai liked so much. So much unhappiness at each little thing.

The heat makes it hard to think, but...... maybe there's nothing strange about it all. Other people are having bad luck too.

But then again, it seems to skip over the faultless Arcueid, the calm and composed Ciel-senpai, the perfectionist Akiha, and Cleaning Master Hisui...

Then in other words, is it just all these coincidences that give me such a bad feeling?

"────Is it not coincidence, but inevitability?"

"Eh......?"

Again, the words of someone passing by.

"───────"

I sense someone turn around behind me.

"──────Excuse me."

A girl I've never seen before bows curtly and walks away.

"...... That's rare, a foreigner."

Well, not exactly rare. After all, Arcueid and Ciel-senpai are both foreigners.

"────────"

The hair on the back of my neck starts to stand on end. I stop walking and try to think why. After a few minutes, it hits me.

"Oh, is that it?"

Simple, really. I started wandering the town like this two days ago. That girl is the first person I've seen clearly────

Dizzy again. Probably because I've been standing in the heat too long.

...... You know, it's true. This summer is like a bad dream────

Hologram Summer, Night ON THE BLOOD LIAR

Program No6 Error



Severing contact with Tohno Shiki. Successfully withdrew Etherlite from his brain while passing by, have moved to a sufficient distance.

...... Strange. Did I fail? Tohno Shiki had a strange expression on his face when he saw me.

I do not think anyone can detect a filament only a micron thick.

"────Oh, is that it?"

Tohno Shiki spoke those ambiguous words and sat down beside a flowerbed.

He was probably dizzy. His data indicates that he is not in favorable health.

...... This is the alley. No sign of anyone being here for at least a week.

"This is where Tohno Shiki entered into his contract with the 'True Ancestor' Arcueid and thus fought with Chaos."

Tohno Shiki's "Mystic Eyes of Death Perception" allow him to see the life span, the end of existence for any object.

Here he first met the 'True Ancestor' Arcueid Brunestud.

No, it really was their second meeting. The first time, Tohno Shiki was a dangerous killer ruled by his taste for death who barged into her plans.

...... Yes. According to memory files I can read, Tohno Shiki is normally a kind-hearted individual.

However, homicidal impulses may emerge. He cannot be classified as harmless.

"Able to perceive an existence's 'death', Tohno Shiki can dismantle anything using his knife. He is the only one who can kill the immortal True Ancestors."

True Ancestors. A legend which has been handed down through the ages and never fades.

Vampires, destroyed by the light of the sun, the living dead which drink the blood of others in exchange for immortality.

And the beginning of the vampire race, the True Ancestors.

Humans whose blood was sucked by the True Ancestors become blood-drinking monsters themselves.

Those who became vampires because of True Ancestors are called Dead Apostles.

Most vampires today fall in this subspecies of Dead Apostles. The oldest and most powerful of these are called the 27 Ancestors.

"Nrvnqsr, one of the 27 Ancestors was annihilated here. Shortly thereafter, The Serpent of Akasha, who had his blood sucked by an Ancestor, had his cycle of reincarnation ended here."

Unnumbered, The Serpent of Akasha: Michael Roa Valdamjong.
 * 1) 10 of the 27 Ancestors, Nrvnqsr Chaos.

Even the Knights of The Church were unable to defeat the two of them. Did no one predict they would meet their end in this Far East country?

"...... No, there was one person who predicted it."

Predicted. There was one who saw the possibility of the outcome.

It wasn't a very detailed prediction. His equations formulated that "the ancestor will fall to ruin in this land."

"The ancestor has fallen, but the True Ancestor still remains. Of course, the agent of The Church is still watching and other factors continue to interfere with further calculations."

The power structure of the country Japan is different than ours. There are peculiar rules followed in the island country.

One of those rules is to let demons take care of demons.

The ones unifying the demons in this area is the Tohno family. The current head's mixed blood resulted in abilities closely resembling the vampiric race.

"...... Tohno Akiha? I am interested in her as well, but he and the True Ancestor are my primary concern."

There is no time left. I have spent too much time observing this place.

If it escapes this time, there may not be a second chance. Three years ago that vampire escaped the hands of The Church.

I will destroy it this time with my own hands.

"There are several days until the full moon. As much as I do not wish to admit it, I am going to fight with calculations that do not guarantee victory."

A sad thing for an alchemist of the Atlas Academy to say. However, it is not too late.

Three years ago. After that failed vampire hunt, I left the Atlas Academy.

The Magi Association has cast its feelers far and wide to search for me, a deserter, and bring me back.

Fleeing them has taken a toll on my mind and body, which have already begun to fail. All the same────

"────I made it. There is still the possibility I will accomplish my goal."

I must hurry. I have only one purpose, to exterminate that vampire.

The affliction of a vampire's desecration of a human body and the vampire whose roots spread here in this town. Because I must remove both of them, I───

01
"Sion Eltnam Sokaris. Hereby decreed as candidate for Academy Director."

The grim face of the university president reading the edict. The students and the teachers look at each other, wide-eyed. Unhushed whispers rise and hundreds of eyes face me.

Surprise. I'm astonished, I never would have thought it. Blame. Unforgivable. Denial. I can't believe it. Other words I can't make out, blending together into sounds as arcane as the syllables of a spell.

"Henceforth, Sion Eltnam will be Sion Eltnam Atlasia. She will be accorded the privileges and respect of an instructor and have the same status as ambassador-at-large."

The words of the university president are absolute. Not just because of the authority of his position, but because the words make it clear it is a command. There is no protest from the audience, only more glares directed at me.

"────"

It's not as though I've suddenly changed. Of all those gathered in the great hall, only the university president and I seem calm. As for everyone else──the students and even the teachers are dumbfounded with surprise.

I suppose it is natural. I am now Sion Eltnam Atlasia. Those given the name of Atlas are chosen to represent this Academy. No one guessed that out of all the students and faculty, it would be an Eltnam.

"────────"

Of course, I was calm. Not that I was informed beforehand I would be given the name Atlasia. Simply that among the Atlas Association, I was the only one with the requisite power. Instead of being surprised, it was rather natural to be bored.

...... Just what has changed in my life since then? I do not look any different in the mirror. Since I was an Eltnam, a once-noble house, the others treated me with contempt.

I excelled as a student to erase the sin of my ancestor. The others wanted only to have me removed. As long as I was the top student in the class, all they could do was ignore me. Once I became Atlasia, I had the power to remove them.

They were afraid of my retribution. They probably believed I would treat them in the same manner they treated me. They did not want to receive any contempt.

I am a noble. The blood of the sinner Eltnam runs through me, but I am not ruled by my emotions. In the first place, I do not feel any emotions towards them anyway.

If they wished to distance me, then I will keep them distant. That will not change from before. I do not need anyone, so I do not need to associate with them. I already had the needed laboratory, so I just continued to excel in my studies.

It was eight years ago. What was correct? What was mistaken?

────Even now I don't really know for certain.

"...... Not good. It's already this late."

I open my eyes. Was it because I was so exhausted? I saw a meaningless dream.

No, because I was dreaming, you could say I was not completely exhausted. If my mind were truly burdened, I would not have seen anything.

"...... Probably because of overexertion during the day. There is something wrong with this much heat."

I had heard that Japanese summers were hot, but I had not thought it would be this bad. The heat shining back from this town is too strong even for me, a child of the desert.

I thought I would sleep through the heat of the day, but it seems I could not control the time of my awakening.

"...... A cold night. I must have slept too long?"

Whatever the case, confusion is for certain. Not sleeping properly and not ordering all this information is setting myself up for failure.

"...... But before that, I must confirm where the next incident will occur."

As long as I can move, I must finish the preparations.

Fortunately, I have data on this town I downloaded from Tohno Shiki. I can find the source of all these incidents without needless roaming.

"Ah, come to think of it...... Tohno Shiki. Securing him is also a priority."

It is before midnight. There are three possible routes he will take. It should be easy enough to determine his current location.



"...... Then, all that's left is this?"

I come out to an unfamiliar clearing. A small clearing apart from the office buildings.

Until a short while ago everything was another large city park but it now transitions into private property.

"Wow. From down here it really looks impressive."

I look up at the building under construction.

I heard the monumental architecture would be finished next spring. Nobody seems to be sure exactly what it's going to be, but it's something important.

I've heard everything from a big department store to the corporate office of a powerful electronics company.

"The area around it is also being landscaped. Maybe I don't have to go this far."

The land all around the building is perfectly flat like a mirror. The name of the building, Shrine, may be appropriate... but it's going a little too far.

"────Well..."

I hold my breath and scan the area. No sign of anyone else around.

Of course there are less and less people as night falls, thanks to the rumors of the vampire murders starting up again, but...

I can understand why no one would be in the park, or the back alley, but this place is empty of people for another reason.

"...... Well, after all, this is private property. The only people around would be trespassing, s why should I expect to see anybody......?"

───And then, I suddenly get assailed by nausea. My fingers are numb and my throat is parched.

My pulse quickens. A feeling like poison creeping from the back of my brain.

Without even realizing it, my right hand reaches into my pocket and soundlessly takes out my knife.

"────This... sensation."

...... I've felt these chills so many times before. Am I just disposed to this?

Before I meet up with something unworldly, I always get assailed by this sensation.

"............"

...... I sense someone. Someone standing right behind me.

Someone (a human?) on this private property where no one should be. A faint chill. And...... the vampire has returned────!

"...... But, something is......"

It feels a little different. Are my reactions weak? It simply feels "different from usual", a discomfort that indicates the presence of an outsider.

"──Well, show yourself......!"

"Hello? Is someone there?"

I speak with my knife hidden behind my back. ───And then,

"Good evening. Do you have business with me?"

Even though it was all so sudden, the girl speaks so calmly.

"────"

Seeing her, I was startled.

That distinctive dress and hat. Definitely a foreign look, and I'm almost afraid to say it, but she looks really cute.

"What is it?"

"Oh, ah... well, no, nothing really."

"Um──Sorry, I mistook you for someone else. Sorry to be so rude."

"You do not have to apologize. But that is not the way to greet someone, is it?"

Her tone is so smooth. ...... Now that she mentions it, it makes total sense. Lately, I seem to be off-kilter.

"...... You're right. It's a little late, but, good evening."

"Yes, nice to meet you."

"So, what are you doing here? Are you looking for something at this hour?"

"Eh? ...... Ah, yeah, something like that. And what about you? You couldn't have not heard about how dangerous it is at night──"

Oh, right. If she's a foreigner, she wouldn't have heard the rumors circulating this town.

Since she's probably just sightseeing, she wouldn't know anything about the vampire murders last year, either......

"It's nothing...... Um, I don't know why you are here, but it's better to not hang around places where no one is around. You never know what might happen."

"────"

She just stares at me. ...... It's only natural. There's no way she can understand me if I keep suddenly blurting out all this stuff.

"No, you cannot say I don't know what will happen. Whatever shape he takes, the vampire will appear. Even you are patrolling in order to find him, are you not, Tohno Shiki?"

"W────what?"

"You could say we are looking for the same thing, Tohno Shiki. ...... Although our reasons are very different."

She speaks devoid of any expression. Those chills return. Pain in my temples like a stabbing needle...

"An irregularity like you throws the equation out of balance. Unless I move quickly to root out any problems, the results this time will also be undesirable."

Her arms swings forth and I hear an unfamiliar click. She holds a black gun in her hand.

"────Please, resist if you wish. My name is Sion Eltnam Atlasia. Your freedom now belongs to me."

And with that, she jumps towards me. This foreign girl I'd never met before attacks me with almost unspeakable speed.

IF SHIKI BEATS SION GOTO 02

IF SION BEATS SHIKI GOTO 03

02
"Ahh......"

"That's enough. I don't know what you're trying to do, but it's meaningless to continue."

"Yes. I admit defeat. Even though I collected all your data I could not finish reading it. ...... Even if everything was walking on a tightrope I can't believe I'm finished before even had a chance to start."

"..............."

"What's the matter? I have no strength to resist. This may be a selfish request, but please end it as cleanly as possible."

"...... Cleanly as possible? Look...... You seem to know something about me, but aren't you making a big mistake here? I'm no killer out for blood. Even if you asked me I wouldn't kill you."

"Not... a killer?"

"Yeah. I'm not going to hit someone while they're down. I don't have a quarrel with you so there's no need to take it all the way. If you promise you won't attack me I'll let you go. ──You don't look like a vampire anyway."

"...... This is troubling. I may keep quiet, but I will not lie. Therefore I can't promise not to attack you again."

"Eh? ...... You can't... then you mean... um..."

"That's right. Once my wounds heal, I will bind you."

"────"

"If you don't like it, then you just have to kill me. For someone like you it would be very easy."

"......... Idiot, what do you mean, easy?"

"Eh? Did you say something, Tohno Shiki?"

"Yeah, I said something. I was complaining about being involved in something weird again! ...... For crying out loud, if it's not one thing it's another────"

"────I cannot understand. This seems to be causing you pain."

"You're the one who isn't understandable. But you don't look like you'll go back on your word."

"Yes. As long as I am not mistaken, I will not change."

"I see. Your expression speaks for you. (Why do I only meet these kinds of people?)"

"Well, anyway...... Um, can you tell me about your situation? You've been telling me what to do, so maybe you can at least tell me why?"

"...... My situation... You mean my purpose here?"

"Yeah. For some reason, you don't seem like a bad person. If you could tell me about your situation, I'll listen... Um, I'm also kind of curious why you attacked me."

"...... I understand. I was told you were not a bad person, and this confirms it. I should have explained the circumstances from the very start, Tohno Shiki."

"?"

"My goal is to find a cure for vampirism. I have been researching a way to return humans bitten by a vampire back to normal."

"A cure for vampirism......?"

"Yes. As you know someone who became no longer human after being bitten by a vampire, you can understand, right? The result of someone being desecrated by a vampire is death. Of course, we know how a human could become a vampire, but we don't know if a vampire could return to being a human. Many magi have attempted to research this problem and failed, but I do not intend to. I will make the impossible possible. That is what Atlasia means."

"..............."

"Tohno Shiki, I believe you can understand how I feel. Like me, you have seen a friend become a vampire before your eyes."

"───────You seem to know a lot about that."

"Ah...... That was inconsiderate of me. This is upsetting you."

"...... No, it's okay. I'm just being childish."

"I understand what you're saying. You want to find a cure for vampirism──I can't hate you for something like that."

"But why did you attack me? I'm not turning into a vampire, and I don't know a lot about them, either."

"Of course. I did not come here to make you a research specimen. I came to this country to ask the cooperation of the True Ancestor."

"Eh───True Ancestor, as in Arcueid?"

"Yes. If I want to find a cure for vampirism I have to study the source of Dead Apostles, a True Ancestor. If I merely needed data on the Dead Apostles, The Church has compiled much of that. However, that is insufficient. I need to investigate an unaltered True Ancestor."

"...... I see. But I'm not sure Arcueid would go for that. She's kind of fickle that way.

"I know that. A noble True Ancestor would not grant the request of a mere mortal. I need you to negotiate for me."

"Me? Negotiate?"

"(Nod)"

"Idio-That's not going to work! You think she'd listen to me? Where'd you get an idea like that!?"

"W-well, you... the True Ancestor... aren't the two of you... l-l-lovers?"

"────"

"With you as a mediator, perhaps I could speak with her a little. That is why I wanted to secure you first...... This is all the result of my carelessness."

"Wha...... carelessness? You mean before?"

"Yes. I drew in all your data. The numbers indicated we were evenly matched, but my thorough knowledge meant my chances of winning were high. However, my loss means my abilities were the slightest fraction lower."

"......? Um, then that isn't being careless...... doesn't that just mean your fighting ability is───"

"Wha, what are you sayinggg! I only lost because of carelessness! Excessive carelessness! My performance was far below my standard! I admit I miscalculated your power, but under normal circumstances, I would be the victor! You see, an hour ago, I calculated every single one of your maneuvers. Doesn't this just mean my evasion rate data was off by less than 0.5%!? If not for that one small mistake, our positions would have been completely reversed! Can you not understand such a simple thing!?"

"Eh───right. Sorry I doubted you."

"Ah...... no, I was being a little rude. I would appreciate it if we just changed the subject."

"(......Hmm. She seems totally different from before.)

"To get back to your problem, you really just want me to bring Arcueid to you?"

"Yes. My intent was to formally request the True Ancestor's cooperation."

"I see. So you won't give up even now? ...... Okay...... if that's the case, oh well."

"? Oh well? What do you mean?"

"I mean, I can act as a middle man between you and Arcueid. ...... In all likelihood she's going to say no, but you wouldn't give up unless we tried, right?"

"(Nod)"

"C'mon, it's just asking for cooperation, right? So, I'll lend you a hand. To be honest, I'd like to cheer on someone doing your kind of research."

"Eh......... cheer... on......?"

"Yeah. Suddenly attacking me out of nowhere was surprising, but we can call it even. ...... If your research is successful, I feel like───I could finally help her."

".................."

"I'll do something about Arcueid. Actually, I'm looking for her right now. I figured she would know something about these disturbances happening. I went to her place, but───"

"So she has concealed her location."

"Yeah. And by patrolling the town, I thought I'd find the rumored vampire, or at least Her Highness the fickle princess."

"...... I understand. Then I can lend you a hand in your purpose. If you're tracking down the rumors, I can find the vampire more quickly than you can."

"Eh? Really?"

"Yes, if the rumored vampire does exist. Data gathering is my specialty. If I have at least a backup, I can scan the minds of everyone in this town in one day."

"───Hmm, I don't really quite understand, but you don't have to go that far, do you?" (...... She has a scary look in her eyes.)

"But, yeah. I'd appreciate any help. I was feeling kind of hopeless by myself."

"Then I will chase down these rumors. And you?"

"It's alright if I look for Arcueid and bring her to you isn't it? But, there's one other thing before that."

"Before that?"

"It's Sion, right? If we're going to be partners, we should call each other by our first names, shouldn't we?"

"─────────────────────"

"You have a point. Very well. You may call me Sion. And you───"

"Ah, Shiki's fine."

"────────"

"...... Shi-Shiki."

"Yeah. That's much better, isn't it?"

"...... Shiki..."

"Yeah."

"Shiki."

"Yeah, I said that's fine."

".........................................."

"............... Then I will go start gathering information on the vampire. Please prepare for the negotiations with the True Ancestor, Shiki."

"Yeah. But we don't have to go right away, you know."

"That would be the best, I think. We'll both need some time. Let's meet again tomorrow night right here, in front of this building."

"Okay. I think I can manage something by then."

"Shiki. Can you... hold on for a minute?"

"Eh......? Did I have something on my head?"

"...... Something like that. Well then, see you tomorrow night."

"Yeah, see you tomorrow───Hm. This seems a little familiar. It reminds me of a year ago."

"?"

"It's nothing. See you tomorrow night, Sion!"

"...... Yes. See you tomorrow night, Shiki."



───That night, the air was maddeningly hot.

"Water......"

I run, seeking any moisture I could find. I run through the dark forest. I run through the hell of the steep mountain pass. Compared to walking through the familiar deserts of my youth, the mountain path flooded with trees is like walking on needles.

All the knights who had accompanied me are dead. No one is left alive. I go back to the village. All the villagers are dead. The well is dried up. The river is filled with corpses. Still, I crawl my way to it, hoping to find water.

"Ah... hah... ah!"

Choking, I drink and drink. As if I'm brought back to life. Something feels intertwined. Like a large cloth, endlessly intertwined.

It's in my way, so I pull at it over and over. I tear and pull but the cloth still gets in the way. Each time I bend to drink, I get wrapped further inside. I pull again and the rustling cloth entangles in my fingers. Again and again.

Rustle.

Rustle. Rustle.

Rustle. Rustle. Rustle.

Rustle. Rustle. Rustle. Rustle.

Rustle. Rustle. Rustle. Rustle. Rustle. Rustle. Rustle. Rustle............!

Skin. The human corpses shaped into a large sheet. Dead bodies. Empty shells drained of everything inside. The skin of all the hundreds of people pushed in and piled up until the dark and the damp rotted away their skin and it all oozed together into one hideous sheet sheet sheet sheet sheet sheet sheet............!!!!

"Ha... ah!"

────Even seeing that, I need water, so I continue to drink.

They get in my way, but I drink anyway. The cartoon-like faces are actually comical. Yes, mutilated, fleshless, organ-less. The seemingly clothed corpses were piled up here.

Everyone was drained. That vampire drank every last drop of their blood.

───What a nightmare. As if it was a curse.

"Atlasia. Even if you're the only one, you have to survive."

The speaker was one of the Knights, the only one I knew. A Knight of the Shield. A woman. Just like me. That is why I survived. Allowed to escape.

She is... definitely────

I run along the mountain path. I run until dawn. But there is no way out.

The curse rebounded on itself. Cursing myself, I cannot escape from myself.

And before my eyes ───Something appears, black as night.

It drinks and drinks. Filled to the brim, the blood leaks from its eyes. It is not enough. However much it drinks, it cannot be sated.

"H... ha... hahahahaha!"

Crying tears of blood, it begins to laugh.

The fluttering of black wings. The black eyes draw near. Drip, drip. The rich red blood continues to flow.

────Dawn approaches. At my crawling ankles trying to escape, Something wet and slippery.

The crying, laughing, blood drinking monster────



And then I wake up. ...... It is still daytime. Like in my dream, today is stiflingly hot.

I think I am not suited for walking around during the day. In the first place, I spend most of my time indoors as an alchemist.

My skin isn't used to being in the burning sun.

All the same, I made a promise. To him──to Shiki. A promise to gather information on the vampire in his place.

Longitude unmeasurable. The laws of time do not apply. Yet it appears in a predesignated space. It is not born, but is very troublesome. It is somewhat random so it cannot be expected. All the pieces are assembled. Knowing what actions will take place, the future is simple.

The appearance of the town has not changed. The streets are still empty. The heat radiates off them like smoke.

All the pieces are assembled. Knowing what actions will take place, the future is simple.

Why did I volunteer? It occurred in a mountain village in Western Europe. If they needed alchemists, they should have requested the ones from Prague. All the same, The Church requested help from us, the Atlas Academy.

Even though people pass me by, if I look behind me, no one is there... only a strange emptiness.

First, limit the conditions. The place where it will occur easily, the culture, the population. Furthermore, simulate world affairs. Consider the random appearances of aces. 2000 patterns is acceptable. Begin after all variables are assigned value. Values with only some possibility are

"────────"

I raised my hand. They said they needed calculations, so I thought I would calculate. Yes, we need to calculate. That is the all-encompassing fundamental of the alchemists of Atlas.

It's just so hot. Too hot for even a desert dweller.

not needed; filter for optimal candidacy. 12,500 corresponding sectors on the Earth. Only those places are where it can occur. Measuring atmospheric pressure results in predicting the time and place of a typhoon. It is the same. Then, grasping its general progression is

I hurriedly enter a large building in order to download data simultaneously from the gathered minds there.

With only poor Magic Circuits, we cannot rely upon magical means for the realization of the occult. Therefore, we use only our minds to do so. We read the stars, the wind, people, the

This is why they call me the Spirit Hacker Sion Eltnam. This filament, Etherlite, is able to compel and coerce the human nervous system.

possible. The problem. The problem is, The problem is, yes, guessing what its prime condition is. What was the original cause of the phenomenon. What does it desire? Eternity? It cannot be. Such foolishness, why would it desire that? Is there

Because the intent is not to destroy the mind, you cannot call it cracking.

world. Collecting information to diagram the root ancestry of events. Our brains are possessed by the demon of Laplace. We interfere with limitless possibilities to set up limited formulas for "reading the future".

...... I really don't need to do that. In the first place, I...

a meaning to living forever? Perhaps there is? Wishing to make the impossible possible? Yes, in the first place, why do you cling to being human?

──Stop it. Stop it. Stop it.

──Stop. Stop. Stop. Stop.

────Utter chaos. I want silence. Cut. No I have to tell myself not to cut! I'm still being influenced from that nightmare. Calmly. Calmly. Cut. Cut. I have to block these thoughts from my mind.

──Third thought process halted. ──Seventh thought process halted. ──Second thought process halted. ──Sixth thought process halted.

"............ Ah..."

Suddenly, I'm very tired. My throat is parched and sore, and my tired body collapses in on itself.

"Ha──ah."

I expel the air from my lungs. It's like breathing fire.

"Can't...... breathe..."

My vision blurs. If I don't rest... if I don't sleep properly, I won't be able to keep going. I may only have two or three days left.

"But, I can still move."

If I can move, I'm still alive. I'm still injured from last night's battle, but it won't slow me down.

"Ah... I really was careless yesterday, wasn't I?"

I knew about Shiki's abilities. But I was never clear on his fighting experience.

Maybe he only fought on a few occasions, but those were against members of the 27 Ancestors and an agent of The Church. If he was strong enough to stand against creatures like them, he could hardly consider me to be a real enemy.

"It is a little... regrettable."

......? What was that outburst? Shiki has already agreed to help me. There can't be any problem, so what is regrettable?

"My Etherlite is connected to him. If he tries to back out of our agreement, I can calculate his location easily enough."

After we agreed to cooperate, I touched his head and attached my Etherlite.

Not remote control, but direct contact with my Etherlite burrowing into his nervous system. Therefore────

"But, that's just in case."

...... I start to feel less and less well. ...... I should stop thinking these extra thoughts.

Anyway, I have to fulfill the promise I made with him.



Information collection ended easily enough. It does seem that most of the citizens have heard of the second coming of the "vampire". But it is only thin rumor, not too different from the information that Shiki knows.

"All the same, no one denies the rumor. Even if the credibility is nonexistent, it is a rumor accepted naturally."

Everyone seems to feel something bad is going to happen. The emptiness of the town has crept into their hearts.

The town will bake in the heat today, and probably tomorrow as well. The stage is set, a town under attack by fierce heat of record high temperatures.

The spawning of strange paradoxes of unknown origin. Terrible ideas, ill omens, visits to the temple portending bad luck.

Coincidence? The dark night where "uneasiness" fed by anxiety becomes reality. Even though not one murder has occurred, everyone says it "happened", and the vampire has returned.

And. During the deep night in the empty town, a lurking shadow which wanders the streets.

I must guide this loose "rumor" into a definite shape.



Sion arrives according to schedule.

"Good evening. You are right on time, Shiki."

"Same for you. A big difference from someone I know."

...... Actually, she would come extremely early and then go hide.

"Shiki. How did things turn out with the True Ancestor?"

"Well, it can be pretty hard to get hold of her sometimes. But I left a note in her room. Maybe tomorrow will be different..."

"Is that so? So she covers her tracks well. This won't be easy."

"Right, right. As fickle as she is, she might just have decided to go off and play around for a while without even knowing what's going on."

"Perhaps. Do you not think she left you intentionally, Shiki?"

"───Intentionally? What do you mean, Sion?"

"I mean that the returned vampire could possibly be the True Ancestor."

"That's impossible. Arcueid would never do the kinds of things they're talking about."

"...... Never? You really are a wonderful person, denying it so completely like that, Shiki."

"Er, well, thanks..."

I stammer a reply. For some reason, her words don't seem sarcastic, and almost have a ring of admiration to them.

"A-anyway, Arcueid doesn't drink human blood. You might not know that, Sion, but she───"

"She isn't the vampire in the rumors, right? If you say so."

"However, if the vampire has returned to this town, then isn't it strange that there is no other vampire around besides the True Ancestor? There has to be something which was a model for all these rumors."

"A model for the rumors......? Wouldn't that be the incident from a year ago?"

"That isn't the model, but the source. The rumors have been very clear about that. No one has actually seen or heard anything themselves. Putting aside what is true or false, does there not have to be some 'shadowy figure wandering the night' on which to base these rumors?"

"......?"

Sion is a little hard to follow. No, in the first place───

"Sion, I've been wondering. You talk about research and studying vampires... who exactly are you?"

"I am an alchemist. You know about magi, do you not? The one named Ciel belongs to The Church, but there is another organization called the Magi Association."

"I am a member of the Magi Association. There are three separate branches. I belong to Atlas."

"The Church views vampires as their enemy, but they have an agreement with us, the Magi Association. ...... You could say we're a military force that isn't black, but not white either."

"...... Magi Association......"

...... Hmm. If that's the case then maybe Sensei is also in this Association. Maybe Sion even knows her.

"I do not. Your Sensei is London's problem child, so it is natural for a member of Atlas like me to not have met her."

"W-what did you say, Sion? How did you..."

"I can tell what you're thinking. You're someone whose face is easily read."

...... Hmph. I'm used to Akiha and the others saying that, but it is a bit of a shock to hear it from Sion, whom I've just met.

"...... Whatever. Then what do we do from here? It isn't fair if you don't tell me the results on all the information you gathered before."

"I don't mind. But what I gathered was not really any different than the rumors you heard. So I have nothing to tell you."

"My. That's a little troubling."

"Isn't it? So now we will just have to confirm it with our own eyes after all. If we're going to find the rumored vampire and the source behind it, we have to search the city at night."

...... So we're back to that. I didn't expect anything better. This reminds me more and more of what happened last year.

"So...... This is my plan, Shiki. Why don't we look together? I don't know this town very well. I would be wasting my time without a guide.

"Eh? ...... Well, they say two heads are better than one but is it alright? Your purpose is to research vampires, so......"

"We cannot declare for certain the source of these rumors isn't the True Ancestor, correct? Reason stands that if we fulfill your goal, it would be easier to find the True Ancestor. It would be meaningless if only I found the True Ancestor, and you would become free much quicker. I think that goes without saying."

"────"

I see, that's what she's thinking. Well, we'll see, I guess.

"Alright. Give-and-take, then."

"Yes. As much as I can, I will help you with your agenda."



"We've walked so far and still we haven't found anything. The town is strangely quiet, but there's no odd feeling to the air."

"We haven't gone into the areas mentioned in the rumors. I hate to say this, but more victims will appear as time passes."

"Huh? Sion, what do────"

"Whoa!"

"Halt!"

"Who────!?"

"Se...... Sen, pai......?"

"Tohno-kun......!? Wh-why are you with her──"

"──Sion Eltnam. Don't tell me, you..."

"I think you misunderstand, agent. I asked for Shiki's help, so he accompanied me."

"No one forced him. As for what you're thinking about, no."

"...... Is that so? So he has nothing to do with you, then. So you won't ask for his help when we fight."

"────"

"Se, Senpai, hold on! This may look like something is going on, but you don't have to bring out your Black Keys like that all of a sudden."

"Tohno-kun please be quiet! ...... Goodness, why do you always show up in these bothersome situations? Or is it that you can't resist the request of a cute girl?"

"T-that's definitely not it!"

"At any rate, stand aside, Tohno-kun. I will not listen any longer. If you get in my way, prepare to be punished."

"Sion Eltnam Atlasia. An order has been issued by The Church to take you into protective custody, or failing that, to capture you by any means necessary. A similar request has been issued by the Atlas Association. Do you have anything to say in your defense?"

"──I have nothing to say. But I will not let you capture me. If you try, you will be destroyed."

"Yeah, saying that all of a sudden is a little── W-wait, Sion... What did you just say!?"

"You will not comply with The Church's orders? Very well, then. As an agent of The Church, I am placing you under arrest."

"I will make you reflect on your actions. Your partner will also have quite the painful experience."

"Uwaaa! Senpai, why are you getting so serious!?"

Who should fight? Shiki Sion

IF SHIKI/SION BEAT CIEL GOTO 04

IF CIEL BEATS SHIKI/SION GOTO 05A

03
"sstt......!"

"Battle finished. Fourth, sixth thought processes halted."

"Results compiled. Your choices in combat are rated at merely 70. Even if you possess the ability to inflict instant death, your tactics are still easily predicted."

"Damn...... What do you want!?"

"I do not intend to harm you any further. Did you not notice something different? ...... Your intuition was correct. Just as you felt, my method of fighting is entirely different from those you have faced before."

"────"

"You must stop resisting. I have no interest in taking your life. I require you in my calculations, so if you do not resist, you will not be hurt."

"Eh───Hey, don't touch people's heads like that!"

"Please calm down. Did I not say I would not harm you? All I did was connect my Etherlite to your brain."

"Huh......? Co−connect to my brain? What the heck......?"

"The artificial nervous system called Etherlite. In terms you can understand, a filament only one micron thick. Think of it as a thread you cannot see using the naked eye."

"......!"

"...... No way. I do feel something strange on my temple, but that───"

"Yes. Upon contact with your skin, it seeks out your nerves and fuses with them. The maximum range is 5,000 meters, so it is a simple matter for it to fill your entire body."

"No further explanation is needed to understand, correct? I have hacked your mind and body. From now on, I will control your actions. I assume there are no objections, Tohno Shiki?"

"...... No objections!? Like hell there aren't, you idiot! I don't know who you are, but are you crazy!?"

"How rude. I am trying to hold a civilized conversation. Tohno Shiki, please correct yourself."

"Correct myself? Are you stupid!? First you attack me and now you want to control me!? If you're sane, then that makes me the crazy one. Seriously, you're as ridiculously random as Arcueid. No, you're even worse of a random bastard!"

"Ra−random────!?"

"You are calling me random!? How superficial your knowledge must be for you to proclaim the actions of an alchemist like myself as random! No, to use the term random so senselessly is evidence of that probability! Yes, as you say, I cannot but think that you are the one who has gone crazy!"

"Eh────huh?"

"Correct yourself! I am Sion Eltnam Atlasia, an alchemist of the Atlas Academy where all knowledge is accumulated and stored! What an insult. There is no one who can match my speed of thought and rational knowledge acquisition! Do you understand, Tohno Shiki? I am not a man, but a woman! In your rough terms, you should not call me a random bastard, but a whore!"

"────────"

"Let me warn you, is your behavior not unnatural? I have gathered information from the past year from you and all you have done is proceed from one engagement of low victory probability to another! It is so amazing, it is enough to almost make one cry! How Tohno Shiki has been able to survive this long... it can only be a miracle────"

"────────(Whoa)"

"Ah────────"

"───Back to the main topic. Tohno Shiki, I will have your cooperation with my research. I respect your right to choose, but please do not consider refusing. I now have control of most of your nerves, so if you disobey, I may be forced to hurt you."

"Eh, well────(WHOA) uh, what do you mean?"

"Do you not understand? I am saying I will fry your nerves if you do not listen. I have no qualms about sending electricity along this Etherlite to fry your brain."

"...... (Stupid. In that case, all I have to do is cut it. I may not be able to see it with the naked eye, but if I take off my glasses......) ......"

"I advise against it. If you cut the Etherlite, your entire body will burn. The Etherlite is now a part of your nervous system. ...... Yes, while this may not be effective against the True Ancestor, it is quite effective against humans. Before nerve damage ensues, you would probably die from the pain."

"What────just now, what did you──"

"I read your thoughts. The Etherlite is connected to your brain, so no matter what you think, I can read it. Well, I am able to read subjects and verbs minus the conjunctions, at least."

"...... Uwaa, that's amazing. Then, this──" (Um, why do I always get involved in things like this?)

"Do not misunderstand me. I do not intend to force you. Our goals are the same, so I propose a mutual relationship to achieve our objectives."

"......? Work together to achieve our objectives......?"

"Yes. Our goals overlap somewhat. Otherwise, we would not be negotiating like this."

"...... Speak for yourself. You can't call this negotiation."

"I only chose the method with the best chance of success. This was the most suitable method to achieve your cooperation."

"Well, you must be well−rested by now. My method of fighting is to chip away the opponent's fighting strength, not like the method of chipping away the opponent's body that you all employ."

"...... You got a point. If it wasn't for that strange string, I would have run away by now."

"I do not mind. Once connected, it cannot be removed except by me. Wherever you go, it will follow."

"Yeah, yeah. That's what I thought."

"Well? What's this about us cooperating?"

"It is as it sounds──have you changed your mind? You were disparaging me earlier, so for you to listen to me attentively now......"

"All I can do is listen, right? And, well, your methods are a little rough, but you have been polite. I guess I can hear you out. You didn't finish me off, and you do seem sincerely interested in talking it over. ...... And, well, you don't seem like a bad person."

"I did not attack you while you were down because you might have used a very strong counterattack...... But if you wish to view it that way, it is just as well. It is meaningless for me to offer another point of view."

"Then, I will be concise. My goal is to discover a cure for vampirism. I wish to obtain data from the vampires in this area. Such as a member of the True Ancestors, the origin of the Dead Apostles."

"Eh...... True Ancestor... you mean Arcueid?"

"Yes. She is the last of the True Ancestors. ...... Correction, there may still exist some lower members of the True Ancestors, but what I need is the data of True Ancestor royalty from Arcueid Brunestud."

"Data from Arcueid...... you want to make her into a guinea pig or something?"

"Of course not. You of all people know full well that is not possible. I seek only the aid of the True Ancestor. I wish to examine her blood, body and fluids to understand more about the vampiric impulse. If possible, I would like a full week, but that may be more difficult than finding a cure. If she does help me, it would only be because you are cooperating with me."

"? Why do you think she would help me if I'm with you?"

"That, that is───because you are the one the True Ancestor is the most...... interested in."

"At any rate, I wish to approach vampirism from a medical standpoint. Consequently, I need data from many vampires. Once bitten by vampires, people become no longer human. Until now, it has been impossible to save them. I challenge that impossibility. It has to be in line with your goals. Because, you know someone who became a vampire."

"────"

"────What is it?"

"Nothing, really. You just have a way with words."

"I am pleased at your correct evaluation, but what makes you say that?"

"Oh, nothing. But the next time you speak so lightly of her, I'll have no choice but to fight you."

"────"

"...... Certainly I was not considerate enough. What I said was not good."

"...... It's fine. If you say your goal is to cure vampirism, then it's alright. It definitely is something I see as very important."

"Then, you will help me, Tohno Shiki?"

"Yeah, but I really don't get you. If you knew so much about me, you should've known talking it over from the beginning would've been fine. If you said that was your goal, I wouldn't have refused."

"...... So it seems. I was mistaken. I did not have a complete understanding of you."

"However, this may be for the best. Verbal promises are one thing, but if you do not put a high priority on our cooperation, I have means of ensuring you listen to me."

"Yeah yeah. The loser must obey the winner, right? That's fine, but I'm not exactly swimming in free time. I have my own reasons for walking around late at night."

"Searching for the rumored vampire? I have not said anything about that, but I also have an interest in finding it."

"? You, you know about that vampire?"

"Yes. Upon arriving here, I heard the rumors. The atmosphere in this town is strange and I knew something unusual was going on."

"...... I see. If an outsider like you thinks that way, then that rumored vampire probably does exist."

"I cannot say that is absolutely true, but the True Ancestor seems to be pursuing it. It is her responsibility to dispose of Dead Apostles. She could not turn a blind eye towards any in the town she lives in."

"────! You even know about Arcueid hiding her whereabouts!?"

"You are thinking it now. About how she is evading you because she is worried over you and wants to settle it herself. So if we find the rumored vampire, we should find the True Ancestor. At that time, she may listen to me if you ask her to."

"...... I see. That's why you want my help."

"Yes. I wish for you to mediate our negotiations. For the time being, that is your first priority."

"...... I see. That's pretty simple, but saying 'for the time being' makes me a little uneasy."

"But of course. You even said before that the loser has to obey the winner. Because I defeated you, I have the right to use you. Is that unsatisfactory?"

"Yes, but I'll keep quiet. Since you're looking for the rumored vampire, I won't be doing anything different. I'll help you out until we find Arcueid."

"Very prudent. After concluding negotiations and business with the True Ancestor, I will leave this country. Staying in one place too long is dangerous. As for negotiation, that will be my problem. If negotiations break down, I will remove the Etherlite. Is that acceptable, Tohno Shiki?"

"Yeah, no complaints. But what do you want me to do? Help her to see things your way?"

"No. If I need you to, I will let you know. All you have to do is ask her to listen to me."

"I see. Then, lead on, My Lady."

"First is investigating in town. I am unfamiliar with the area, so I ask you to direct us."



That is how our patrol began.

"So, you are different from the magi Senpai was talking about?"

"I am different from the majority of magi. There are factions of Magi Associations that guide the practice of rituals and the revelation of knowledge. Please think of alchemists as not practicing rituals, but discovering them."

"Discover? You mean, like making new magic?"

"Most types of magic are already identified, but we discover new methods. As the name alchemist implies, we try to create precious metals from base metals, for example."

"Ah, that makes sense now. Like... making gold out of lead?"

"...... Yes, but that refers to the Central Association of Alchemists. I am part of a different organization of alchemists, the Atlas Academy. We have no interest in the transmutation of elements."

"I see. So there's even different kinds of alchemists."

"Not kinds, but factions. We are considered somewhat heretics. Among the three main branches of the Magi Associations, Atlas is considered somewhat of a tumor."

"Ah, that word again. Is Atlas a place?"

"A place? Yes. There is an association based on an academy located in the Atlas mountains...... The magi of London call it The Pit. Well, it is surrounded only by desert, so it may not be too inaccurate."

"Desert......? Then, where are you from?"

"It is said to be a land where much magic originates. But simply, it is a place with a lot of history."

We speak of these mysterious and complicated things as we patrol.

She isn't wordy, but she isn't close−mouthed, either. In fact, she answers most of my questions and asks me some in turn.

She doesn't start any unnecessary conversation, but if it is necessary, she goes really deep in detail.

"...... (I think this girl just loves to talk)......"

"Do you have any other questions?"

"Oh, uh...... I was just wondering what kind of studying your alchemy involves."

"Human research. You could say it is more science than alchemy."

"Human research? You mean, not magic or sorcery?"

"Yes. The alchemists of Atlas were originally a gathering of those with little magical ability due to having a small number of Magic Circuits. They decided for themselves to take a completely natural approach and proceed forward as humans to achieve their goals. The result of that is the present Atlas Academy. We use above all else our own intellect to make a blueprint for the future."

"Make───the future?"

"It goes without saying that the future is not something that occurs, but is something that is made. With the ingredients of the present day, we make the future for better or worse. We analyze these ingredients to measure the future. We dramatically shift probability to make a perfect model from the ingredients. Magic Circuits are paths connecting to the 'root' called 'The One'. Magi use these to bring their ideal future closer. However, those of us with meager Magic Circuits must rely only upon our own intellect to make that ideal future."

"To make an ideal future......? That means those of the past, they......"

"They failed. At some point, the alchemists of Atlas stopped predicting the future and devoted themselves to excel at making various things. Another view has it that at some point, an Academy Director constructed a weapon to deny and resist the 'answer' that was discovered. But as a student, it is not something that I know of."

"Wh−what......? You mean, you all..."

"Now we craft weapons. But our foundation is a fusion of rituals and science. You could say the alchemists of Atlas specialize in those techniques."

"Oh... like that Etherlite you have?"

"The Etherlite is a technique handed down in the Eltnam family. The foundation techniques of Atlas are Thought Acceleration and Thought Partition. After that, acceleration and conversion alchemy is acquired."

"??? Thought Acceleration just means thinking really fast... but Thought Partition is......"

"As the name implies. The alchemists of Atlas are able to partition their thoughts to form multiple thought processes. Think of it this way. Normal people have only one 'room' in their brain, so they can focus on only one thought. Thought Partitioning adds partitions inside the one room to create multiple rooms. Alchemists of Atlas must be able to partition their thoughts into three rooms, and five is on the level of genius. It is said there was an Academy Director in the past who was able to achieve eight."

"...... Hmmm? So, it's like having two or three calculators in your head?"

"That is meaningless. There may be multiple thought processes, but only one goal. While the multiple thought processes work on differing problem sets, they work together to generate one overall solution. If it was simply calculation, would not current machines be on the same level? Rather, it is for problem solving, so nothing else even compares."

"Wow, then you're incredibly smart. ...... That's right, I remember thinking no matter what I did, you were reading my moves───"

"I already simulated all of your patterns, so it was only logical that you were defeated. Any situation can change within a second. It is like a wire diagram showing all possibilities. From this sea of possibilities, we calculate the most likely outcome of events and act according to that outcome. Consequently, events occur in that same manner. ...... We do not see the future in combat, but are simply one−step ahead. The possibility for defeat still lay everywhere in our previous fight. Incorrectly choosing a branch of possibility would render everything useless. If you acted completely outside of predictive behavior, out of whim like you normally do, it would not have been surprising if I lost. But, that is the nature of using Thought Acceleration and Thought Partitioning."

"Wow, that's pretty amazing. It did feel that way."

"If there is no predicted 'future with victory', the alchemists of Atlas will not fight. ...... Between you and I, you are undoubtedly superior at fighting. Therefore, I have to use alternative methods to obtain victory. For us, fighting is assembling the proper ingredients ahead of time. However, that only makes us equal. Neither strong physically nor in magic, we predict the future to steer it away from the worst outcome. We invest everything in guiding events towards the single opportunity where the future can be reversed. We fight not the enemy, but our own minds. We can trust only ourselves and wager our lives on a moment of thought───that is the way of the alchemists of Atlas."

"Wow. All this talk of calculation and prediction makes it almost sound like gambling."

"That is not mistaken. That is very close to what we do. Those who gamble must wager calmly while still being very passionate."

"(I see. That's how it is.)"

While we talk, we pass by the most prominent part of town.

It's been two hours since we started walking. The whole time, the town was very quiet and we passed by no one.

There is none of the frying heat from during the day. The night town is quite cool and suitable for walking.

"There is no one in the police box. They may be on patrol, but we have not come across them."

"Eh───Ah, that's right, now that you mention it. Patrols are meaningless if you do not meet anyone.... Well, maybe that is a good thing."

"? A good thing? What do you mean?"

"Well, if someone saw us, we'd make a strange pair. Don't we stand out a lot?"

"...... Stand out......? We do?"

"We? Dressed strangely like that, if some policeman saw you, he would start to ask questions."

"...... Ask questions......?"

She starts to look at her clothes strangely with her head tilted to the side.

...... I knew it. She really does think that her appearance is normal.

"Perhaps I look strange?"

"Yeah, you really stand out."

".................."

Ah, she seems a little dissatisfied.

"We will deal with that when the time comes. If I am asked questions, I will just have to lie."

"Okay. So, if asked, I'll say you are my friend, so make sure you match that story."

"───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────"

We seem to have made our way back. Our feet have returned us to the tall skyscraper.

And,

"Shiki."

Behind me, she suddenly calls my name.

"Eh────"

"Um, please call me Sion. If−if we are friends, we must match the way we call each other."

She───Sion says that and just stands in the road.

"────────"

"────────"

"────────"

"────────"

"...... Alright. Well then, Sion, shall we head back?"

"Yes, I was thinking the same thing."

───My patrol with Sion ends uneventfully.

Without saying why, Sion says we will patrol once more tomorrow.

"Tomorrow at the same time, here."

Saying just that, Sion left.

Until she removes this weird Etherlite, I have no choice but to stay with her.

...... Well, in the first place, even if she didn't coerce me I'd probably go patrolling with her, so it isn't like I'm doing anything different.



That night, the air was maddeningly hot.

It happened in a mountain village. In that small village that seemed frozen in time, it happened. It started with a legend. There was an old story about a woman from another town who had triplets. It was an unfortunate story, as there were two stillbirths. Certainly, the baby drank the blood of its brothers, became a vampire, and brought evil to the town. An eternal curse. The unwritten law permeated the village without notice. In the words of this country, tatari. In any case, the legend became real. The child grew up and became a vampire.

Of course, fearing the curse, the villagers executed the child before that could happen.

Three days later. The town was annihilated by the vampire. The dispatched Knights of The Church were also annihilated. I run, and run, and run.

I run out along the mountain path. I run until dawn. But there is no way out. The curse rebounded on itself. I curse myself, I cannot escape from myself.

And, before my eyes,

"Something" appears, black as night.

Dawn is too far away. The vampire who could exist for only one night drank the town dry.

The legend became real. The curse proved itself real by bringing complete destruction to those who brought it into being───



...... Hot. It is unnaturally hot and there is no wind. Even though I am used to the desert, I cannot bear the heat of this country.

My throat is incredibly dry. Is it because I slept outside? My skin has become very dry, almost like a shell.

"Water───I want, water."

My mouth runs without thought as my mind starts to awaken.

"...... Right. At this time, of course it would be at its worst."

It is noon. Last night, I parted with Shiki and slept here. I have been asleep for around eight hours.

"I overslept. It is dulling my mind."

Rubbing my pained temples, I take a deep breath.

"...... Amazing. Even though I said intellect is our only weapon, Shiki still does not understand."

In the first place, I doubt how much he listened to our conversation last night.

"...... Well, there certainly is no need for him to understand, but......"

To explain it, first explain it to yourself. Even if I have no more ties to Atlas, I will still be an alchemist my entire life.

───Thought Acceleration is our magic. Fast thinking is only a prerequisite. Thought Acceleration itself is applying that ability to multi−expansion diagrams.

And furthermore, superior alchemists must have multiple sectors in their brains.

If Thought Acceleration is proof of an alchemist, then the number of sectors is proof of their facilities.

Through Thought Partition, a superior alchemist can create between three and five rooms.

I gave the example of dividing one 'thought' into rooms to Shiki, but that would be the limit of a strictly average alchemist.

Superior alchemists may perform first−order tetrations of their 'thought' into rooms.

These 'rooms' are synergistic. Four Thought Partitions allow 256 thought processes. But, that does not simply mean 256 alchemist calculations can be achieved.

The 256 accelerated intelligences do not work independently, but constantly cycle towards the same goal.

The pinnacle of alchemy is creating a miracle. That is the magic of alchemy.

We are weak. Our bodies are hereditarily frail and our Magic Circuits are below average.

The source of alchemy as derived by our ancestors is different from what we practice.

Seeking to avoid the final end, we created various weapons. However, the truth is, all we do now is make weapons to protect ourselves.

Not for results; just to make weapons.

Consequently, our Academy has only one rule. "Nothing is forbidden except the release of creation secrets."

Do not associate with Atlas. That was the line from the Central Association. Before we knew it, we were treated as a tolerated cancer.

We do nothing. We are the magi who descend into the pit solely to create phenomenal weapons.

Our exposure would be nothing less than tearing open the seal on every weapon we created and unleashing their destructive force on an unsuspecting world.

That is why we were given our name. ───The alchemists of Atlas. The name of the giant who silently supported the heavens.

"...... A fitting name for the clueless, secluded alchemists at the Atlas Academy."

───It is not very surprising to feel this way. I am still young, so I still have dreams. As years pass, I will no longer be able to see them.

"...... There is still time before nightfall. Perhaps I should gather some information."

Shiki is helping me reach my goal, so I should also help him find the vampires. After all, he is───

"My partner."

Furthermore, he is the same age as I. It is strange, but I was never able to envision those of the same age as I until I left.

In other words, I never knew what it was to be with someone my own age. With him being the opposite gender, it makes it even farther beyond my understanding.

"...... Hm. I have gathered enough data on Shiki. There is nothing I do not understand."

Therefore I can trust that he is helping me.

The command to 'betray' is not even present in his operating logic, so even without a contract, he could not betray me.

"───That is why I have to match his efforts, at least just a little bit."

I stand up as I speak this excuse.

...... And then it occurs to me. Is this not the first time I ever had to give an excuse?────



The appearance of the town has not changed. The streets are still empty. The heat radiates off them like smoke.

Even though people pass me by, if I look behind me, no one is there... only a strange emptiness.

"────────"

Hot. The clear sunlight melting everything white. I quickly enter a large building to draw information from the minds gathered there.

My two names are Spirit Hacker and Sion Eltnam. That is why I have this monofilament, Etherlite, to allow forceful intervention in the nervous system.

Because the intent is not to destroy the mind, you cannot call it cracking.

...... No, that is not right. That is not even necessary. I am only gathering information about the vampire which has returned.

That is something I can find quickly.

"............ Ah."

This tiredness will not go away. My throat is painfully dry, and my tired body creaks and groans in protest.

"Ah────ahhh"

I expel the air from my lungs. It is like breathing fire.

"Can't...... breathe."

I feel slightly dizzy. If I do not rest, if I do not sleep properly, I will be defeated. I have two or three days left.

"But, I can still take action."

If I can move, I'm still alive.

I'm still injured from last night's battle, but it won't slow me down. If I return to my hastily prepared bed, it will soon be night.



Information collection ended easily enough. It does seem that most of the citizens have heard of the second coming of the "vampire."

But it is only thin rumor, not too different from the information that Shiki knows.

"...... All the same, no one denies the rumor. Even if the credibility is nonexistent, it is a rumor accepted naturally."

Everyone seems to feel something bad is going to happen. The emptiness of the town has crept into their hearts.

The town will bake in the heat today, and probably tomorrow as well.

The stage is set, a town under attack by fierce heat of record high temperatures. The spawning of strange paradoxes of unknown origin.

Terrible ideas, ill omens, visits to the temple portend bad luck.

Dreadful thoughts, feelings of misfortune, ill omens. Coincidence? The dark night where "uneasiness" fed by anxiety becomes reality.

Even though not one murder has occurred, everyone says it "happened", and the vampire has returned.

And. During the deep night in the empty town, a lurking shadow which wanders the streets.

"...... Soon the moon will form a perfect circle in the sweltering night, which seems itself to be in agony. Until then, I..."

I must guide this loose 'rumor' into a definite shape.



Sion arrives according to schedule.

"You are right on time, Shiki."

"Yeah, I managed to sneak out of the mansion. Akiha was acting strange and pacing back and forth in the lobby...... Maybe she found out about me leaving at night."

"I do not think so. According to the data I took from you, Tohno Akiha does not seem to be one to have such devious surveillance."

"...... Hey. That's exactly how it is."

"That is entirely your affair, it does not relate to me. More importantly, how are matters with the True Ancestor?"

"Ah, about that, I couldn't catch her. I left her a note in her room, so something may happen tomorrow."

"Because she is chasing the vampire out of worry for you, she may not come near you until everything is settled."

"There is a possibility we should consider. What if the rumored vampire is not the one from last year, but is one who has been in this town since then?"

"───Sion, you..."

"In the first place, the True Ancestor is the strongest of the vampire race. It is stranger for her to live in a human town for a year without anything happening."

"That's wrong. Arcueid doesn't drink human blood, you just don't know that. Arcueid───"

"Is not a vampire? You may say that, but that is what a True Ancestor is."

"Would it not be strange for a vampire to return to this town while the True Ancestor lived here? There must be a model for all these rumors."

"A model......? Isn't that the incident from last year?"

"That is not the model, but the origin. For this rumor to emerge, there had to have been an eye witness. Putting aside what is true or false, does there not have to be some 'shadowy figure wandering the night' on which to base these rumors?"

"......?"

Sion is a little hard to understand.

"Whether a rumor is true or not, the model for it has to have existed. The True Ancestor is probably searching for that model now. It is good even if we just find the model. I can meet Arcueid, and you can meet the rumored vampire. I think it is very simple."

"...... I see. Now that you say it, it does make sense."

"Doesn't it? Then let us begin patrolling. I collected information earlier today, so we can search the areas where the origin of the rumors is most likely to be."



"Next is the alley? That's a pretty bad place to be."

"It is better to say that the conditions are ripe for it to be the place. It is a dead space in town, so it is ideal for────"

"Sion? What's wrong, did something happen?"

"The smell of blood."

"Eh......?"

...... Sion brings a hand to her face which is clearly resisting nausea. She may think it smells very thick, but I don't feel it at all.

It may be because I am somewhat desensitized to the smell......

"You are simply able to distinguish between what is fake and what is real. This is the scent of artificial blood, somewhat fitting for this town────"

"Where are you going, Sion!?"

I chase after Sion. She enters the alley.

"It really does smell like blood───"

There is nothing different in the alley. Maybe it's because of the rumors about this place.

But the image of the blood−stained alley floats in my────

"────!?"

"Who is there!?"

"!?"

Something quick. Whatever was hiding in the shadows runs from the alley without a sound.

In that instant, I see long hair fluttering in the air. It reaches far down to the back. Long, long red hair.

Without a doubt, that is───

"Shiki, follow!"

"Y────yeah, got it!"

The town is silent. Only our footsteps echo in the air as we chase it.

"Ni, Nii−san......!?"

"Akiha──what are you doing here?"

"That, that is my line! Lights out has long since passed, so what are you doing outside of the mansion!?"

...... Akiha shakes visibly. Does she have something to hide? Her normal calm and cool manner is nowhere to be seen.

"...... What am I doing? I'm searching for the rumored vampire. I'm not doing anything bad, so that should suffice for explanation."

"Eh...... yes, that is...... certainly an easily understood explanation."

"Alright, your turn...... What are you doing out this late? I know it was a misunderstanding earlier, but what was that all about?"

"Ah───no, I have...... have nothing to hide, so, nothing, um......"

"Um?"

"It is hard to explain, so I do not wish to......"

Akiha fidgets with her fingers. ...... I don't know if that really was her in the alley, but it is clear she is hiding something.

"Hey. If you're that suspicious, then I know something's going on. It's okay, so just say it."

"────"

"Shiki, we are wasting time. She does not seem inclined to tell us. And if she is possessed, she may not have any memory of it, so she may not be able to answer."

"Sion......? What do you mean by possessed?"

"...... Wait. Who is that woman, Nii−san?"

"Who? Well────"

As I answer, a chill runs through me.

"────────"

I don't know what happened to her disarray from earlier, but Akiha stares at me harder than usual.

"A−Akiha, she's────"

"Yes, I understand, Nii−san."

Liar! You don't understand at all!

"Of course I trust you, Nii−san. But what to do now? Walking around late at night with a girl, you can't complain even if you are misunderstood, can you!?"

"..............."

The Lady Akiha chooses a rather roundabout way of saying, "I will not hear any excuses." This is pure intimidation.

"No, you have it wrong! There's a reason for this────"

"Shiki, that is your sister, right?"

"Yes, but please be quiet for a bit. I'm a little busy."

"That can wait until later. I wish to examine her, so please catch her. If she resists, you can use force."

"Whaaa────!"

"────"

"Wha, what are you saying, Sion! Akiha isn't joking around, so please don't say such ridiculous things!"

"Shiki. You know you have no right to refuse me."

"Yeah, I know, but I can't! Even if you fry my brain, I can't do that to her!"

And what Akiha will do to me will be far, far worse......!

"...... It cannot be helped. Well, certainly I must show you how things stand at least once."

Sion twitches her finger. And then, my body starts to move on its own......?

"Eh────Ehhh!?"

"Did I not say the Etherlite is connected to your nerves? This is its original purpose."

"Uwaaa, stupid, stoooooopppp! This, this is a breach of human rights, this is heartless, do you enjoy doing this to others? Don't think this is over you idiiiiooooot!!!!!"

"...... Wonderful. Thanks to your insults, I do not feel guilty. Thank you for your help, Shiki."

"Waaahh────! No way, no way! Give me another chance!"

"I decline. If you insult me like this again, I do not think I could be calm enough to continue."

Sion's fingers move again. Totally controlled, Tohno Shiki grabs his knife.

"Gyaaaa────! Don't make me do this!"

I scream. Akiha───

"────"

...... With her red hair swirling, she smiles fearlessly.

...... That is anger. Unbelievable anger.

It is a great offense to the Lady Akiha for me to not refuse Sion's order to capture her.

"...... Oh? I do not quite know all the details, but..."

...... Oh, please just let me explain everything.

"It seems you are in dire need of a rough awakening, Nii−san."

Akiha cracks her knuckles. This, this isn't an awakening, it's a punishment〜〜〜!

IF SHIKI BEATS AKIHA GOTO 06

IF AKIHA BEATS SHIKI GOTO 05B

04
"Tch!"

"That is enough. This battle is ours, agent."

"...... I see. Your abilities have certainly improved. Fighting you now would be a bad idea. Furthermore, since he is helping you, it would be best to let sleeping dogs lie."

"Sion Eltnam Atlasia, I entrust your monitoring to him now. Your involvement in this is disturbing, but it is foolish for me to be distracted from my main task."

"That's a strange thing to say. Shiki and I are partners. He doesn't mind my involvement."

"Yes, you may be right, you may be right. He is nice to everyone, so I will not get in the way. But no matter what, you will not be able to do anything bad when you are with him. You'd best keep that in mind."

"?"

"────Tohno−kun."

"Y−yes! ...... What is it, Senpai?"

"You don't have to be so apprehensive. Since you chose to associate with her, you will have to supervise her until the very end. You can't leave her alone half−way through."

"Me, supervise Sion?"

"Yes. Since she is investigating vampires, she will need your protection. I will not be able to help you until I have killed the Dead Apostle, so you have to protect her until then."

"Until you kill the Dead Apostle...... wait, are you looking for the vampire from the rumors, too?"

"Of course. I am on formal orders from The Church and a powerful Dead Apostle is hiding somewhere in town. So I ask you to not do anything foolish, Tohno−kun."

"...... If The Church is involved...... then, that──must have already begun......"

"Just as you say, Sion Eltnam. I understand you feelings, but hunting Dead Apostles is the business of The Church. You should stay out of it."

"...... And as for apprehending you, that is the duty of the Magi Association. For me, everything else is secondary to the hunt for Dead Apostles."

"I am... being overlooked?"

"Of course not. Because as soon as the Dead Apostle hiding in this town is disposed of, you will definitely be of top priority."

"You are saying I should leave Japan then, agent? ...... I'm surprised you would be so soft. I heard from the Knights that the Burial Agency was one of the most bloodthirsty groups of killers around. Was that information wrong?"

"No, they were right. I just don't feel good tonight."

"Even if I am part of the Burial Agency, I am still human. ...... Um, It seems there is at least one person trying to play innocent."

"After everything is over you can tell me all about it, Tohno−kun."



"............"

"Thank goodness. The fact that she found us is a big minus, but the fact that she can be pushed back is an unexpected development. I expected that if I encountered her, I would be forced either to flee or to be destroyed. It seems that an external factor tipped the scales in my favor − you, Shiki."

".................."

"She certainly is cautious when it comes to you. An agent of the Burial Agency saying, 'Stay out of trouble, don't get in the way of my duties.' I never would have thought it."

".................."

"Still, this could help remove the biggest obstacle to our plan. If this─── Shiki, are you even listening to me?"

"Huh? I'm sorry, Sion, what is it?"

"Not, 'what is it?' Didn't we just turn back an agent of The Church? Is this not traditionally the part where the victors celebrate?"

"Yeah, something like that, I guess......" (...... All we did was simply push back dealing with the problem until later in the future. And Sion... we really did just make Senpai really angry......)

"Hm, let's not think about the unpleasant future right now. More importantly, what was that thing Senpai was saying earlier?"

"Thing? What do you mean, 'thing'?"

"The thing about the order to arrest you! And then protective custody and...... well, maybe that's not so bad, but the 'capture by any means' part is a little much, isn't it? You told me you were a Magi from Atlas, but you never said you were on some wanted list."

"Of course not. I felt no need to speak of it."

"Y−you felt no need? You don't just hide something like that!"

"Shiki, please stop yelling so much. You are drawing attention."

"But, it certainly was a mistake on my part. I did not think even The Church was searching for me. It seems the Magi Association is really intent on returning me."

"...... Alright, I can accept that. But what in the world did you do? For Senpai to really attack someone like that is rare──"

"──Um, I mean it doesn't happen often. Are you sure you didn't do something to make her angry, Sion? If so, it would be troublesome if you didn't tell me, you know."

"Troublesome......? Shiki, why?"

"If we're going to work together, we have to have an understanding between us. ...... We've got to be able to rely on each other. There can't be any more secrets."

"Is that... part of being a partner?"

"Yeah. That's really important between partners."

"───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────"

"Sion?"

"...... Shiki. Atlas is hunting me because I turned my back on their doctrine. Objectively, I have not done anything wrong. You are not an accomplice, so there is no need to worry."

"Eh? Uh, no, I wasn't asking if you did something wrong. I was just wondering why Senpai was after you?"

"Please believe me. I didn't do anything for you to despise me."

"Yeah, I believe you."

"... Thank you. I appreciate that."

"Let me explain the rest. The Magi Association I come from is the Atlas Academy. There is one overall Magi Association, but different places have different academies."

"I know. The largest Magi Association is in London. Senpai said that earlier."

"That is the 'Clock Tower', hidden within the very famous British Museum. They are one of the most respected associations. Many magi try to imitate their stances."

"But I am from a place far away from there, an alchemist of Atlas in Egypt. Other academies encourage learning and experimentation in a wide variety of disciplines. In Atlas, there is only one path, and those who venture off it are severely punished."

"Severely punished... Sion, don't tell me−"

"Yes. I broke their one commandment. Atlas strictly forbids the dissemination of knowledge, but I traveled to other academies and exchanged information with their researchers."

"You mean, you traded away secrets from this place Atlas?"

"No. I would never reveal Atlas's own secrets. The information I traded was the fruits of my own personal research."

"Well, they shouldn't have gotten angry about it if it was just your own work."

"Atlas does not see it that way. They believe that the results of one's own work should be revealed only to oneself. That is their absolute law, and consequently, they view my actions as a serious transgression."

"Perhaps it is very unbecoming for an alchemist. But getting answers to my questions was more important to me than Atlas's restrictions."

"Answers to your questions about a cure for vampirism?"

"...... Yes, exactly. Questions about the Dead Apostles, the thought process of those humans who sought immortality, the underlying fate of those humans avoiding such a contradiction... what drives them...... why I carry such doubt within me... those are my chains."

"? Um, sorry, but could you be a little more clear? Your explanation is a little (extremely) hard to follow."

"......! Well excuse me, your inability to comprehend things is really something! Just dumbing down my words to meet your vocabulary takes forever, now you want me to somehow match everything to your limited intelligence!? No, in the first place, my explanation was not lacking. The only thing lacking here is your ability to understand anything!"

"─────"

"A−anyway, the point of my crimes was to find a cure for vampirism! Don't you want that, too!?"

"Well sure, that would be great. But Sion, you..."

"What, what is it Shiki?"

"It's not a question of your motives. Didn't Senpai say you had a connection to this vampire mess?"

"Of course, I am entrusted to gathering information for you."

"....................."
 * Stares*

"I−I don't know. I don't have any connection to it! Why is it so hard to believe that I don't have any connection to this trivial, inconsequential vampire affair in such a Far East country like this!?"

"Wow. 'Trivial' is pretty harsh, isn't it?"

"Ah, no, that isn't what I meant. I mean at its current stage it is trivial! These rumors have not been verified, nor have there been any victims, right? In other words, it will be serious once real victims turn up."

"Hm, uh−huh. Just some rumors, it really is pretty trivial. Haha, maybe I was a little stupid to investigate it just because it seemed interesting─"

"You've got it all wrong! 'Trivial' isn't the right word. We will be lucky to end this before victims do appear." Look, Shiki, you can't just ignore the rumors that a vampire has reappeared in town──"

"Don't ignore the rumors, Sion? I thought you came here to see Arcueid, not because of those rumors."

"......! D−didn't I say that before? I−I came to this town to meet with the True Ancestor. And then a totally unrelated Dead Apostle just started to appear here!"

"..................................................Well, whatever."

"What do you mean by 'whatever', Shiki?"

"You have your secrets, but I can see you're not really a bad person."

"...... You can't understand anything at all. As a matter of fact, you really get on my nerves. Shiki, I really do want to explain it all to you, but─"

"No, it's alright. I think I understand your situation better now, so we can just end it here."

"More importantly, it's almost sunrise. The sun will be up soon. The vampire only comes out at night, you know."

"Shiki, your family will be up soon, right? It would be meaningless to continue our search any longer."

"...... Hey, Sion. How do you know that much about me?"

"Because your thoughts are very strong. 'I don't want Akiha to find out about my night patrols,' is your highest priority."

"Akiha is very important to you, but you're a little scared of her, aren't you? You seem to think about her a lot. If you think about her so much, I wonder what kind of person she is?"

"Um, let's just stop here." (Please, stop)

"At any rate, let's go our separate ways for now. We can meet again tomorrow night at the same place. We might be able to catch Arcueid next time."

"────Eh?"

"And it would be better if you hid yourself in daytime. Despite what Senpai said, she may just come looking for you if you are alone."

"────I was, going to do that, um..."

"See you later then! Meet you at the usual place tomorrow night!"

"──────── ...... Troubling. How can he just trust me so completely like that?"



...... I'm dreaming. For me it is a waste of time... Even if sleep is necessary for resting the brain, to have to see these pointless thoughts... Probably because my body is weakening. I can't control it. ...... Isn't this a contradiction? If I am so exhausted, I should be too tired for dreams. All the same, why is it that I bring up these meaningless thoughts?

The name Eltnam. Something of a scar on the face of Atlas. Awe. Loathing. Avoidance. Criminal. No one said that, but that's how I was viewed. A family known for their long devotion to alchemy. Once considered distinguished nobility, respected figures who commanded great influence. When did that all change?

I shared information. My father did the same. And his father, and his father before him. That is how we increase our knowledge. Those of Eltnam do not take their knowledge from books, but from other humans.

That is the result of a rational pursuit of knowledge. If you want to know something, you don't necessarily have to study just that one thing. It is more efficient to copy the knowledge of someone who has studied it and more. Then you will have the whole of his knowledge, not just one piece of it. So thought our ancestors, who created the means by which we can read data directly from the human mind. Using the Etherlite, the artificial nervous system constructed of ether, hacking into the soul is possible.

When the Etherlite touches another human being, it merges with their nervous system and links their mind with that of the user. You might say it takes over that person's hardware. Thought directs the body; and ordinarily, the brain is its only control center.

The Etherlite hacks into this process and becomes a second control center, sabotaging the original. It hacks orders to the body, which believes they came from its own brain. The Etherlite penetrates to the deepest level. From the brain, it takes information. It creates a blueprint of the soul from which thought processes are derived.

Of course, to completely seize someone requires the breach of reason, instinct...... thousands of barriers. It truly is a talent. With this ability to invade the information of others, the House of Eltnam can overcome any obstacle with ease. The target has no choice but to yield their knowledge. Other powerful methods of collecting a person's knowledge; drugs, the hypnotic gaze of a vampire... those methods can damage the information so that perfect playback is impossible. Certainly, they damage the target itself.

But our method is different. Our way does not leave a scar in the mind. Thoughts are invaded, downloaded, and even rewritten without the person being aware. Even morally bankrupt alchemists consider this heresy. So Eltnam kept its great power a close secret.

...... But even close secrets inevitably become open ones.

By the time I was born, the Eltnam name was no longer a distinguished one. Three generations ago our secret was discovered, and we were estranged from Atlas for violating its rules. I suspect the other alchemists were also afraid of our methods.

In that way, people distanced themselves from the Eltnam. But that is not necessarily a bad thing. My grandfather, my father, and I did not receive the kind of persecution that might otherwise have been expected. Our methods are rational ones, no matter how feared and disliked they may be right now. No alchemist could deny our accomplishments or our power, nor could they surpass us. So instead they attempted to ignore us. We could not be penalized. So we were treated as if we did not exist. In the pit that was the Atlas Academy. The House of Eltnam resided in the deepest darkness.

But even that was not a problem. Others may view us as fallen, but the pride of Eltnam never wavered. I worked hard as a proud daughter of Eltnam. Truly. I was superior. Despite my past, I would soon return and demonstrate my abilities.

...... No, not a problem at all. All those who could not oppose me, could only ignore me. And I, who possessed abilities worthy of the name Eltnam. There were no doubts about my future. None at all. No reason for doubt anywhere.

But... I was a slave to my doubts. What kind of doubts? What was I looking for? I do not even know the answers to that myself. The gap between me and everyone else increased moment by moment. And I didn't notice how heavy my burden had become.



...... It is time. The sun has set and the town silently turned to night.

"...... Not good...... already this late?"

I can barely speak through my painfully dry throat. ...... I knew sleeping in a proper room would have been better. The heat of the day dried my skin so much it crackles as I move.

"Shiki... already coming. ...... But he's ten minutes early...... Right, I have to keep up so I can warn him."

My connection with Shiki through the Etherlite gives me the occasional glimpse into his thoughts.

It seems he kept busy, spending all day searching for the True Ancestor and for the rumored killer.

"Is that just part of his personality, I wonder? He really is honest...... Completely different from the genius act which I play."

...... I don't get it. For some reason I'm not very good at making conversation with Shiki. It is not painful or unpleasant, but I'm just not very good at it.

"But now that I think about it... Actually, I've never spoken to someone my age who was of the opposite sex."

So, this is the first time for me. Well, back then in Atlas, it was unthinkable. No, that isn't it, I simply did not think about it────

"Ah......!"

I feel sick. Everything before me turns red and I feel like I might collapse.

"───Stop it. Don't think about your circumstances."

Eliminate all thoughts. Excess thoughts are dangerous. There is but one thing I need to do.

Negotiate with the True Ancestor and restrain her. Then, separate her from Tatari, and this time the vampire will───



This time I arrived ahead of our agreed meeting time by ten minutes. But just as before, Sion was already there waiting.

"Good evening, Shiki."

"Hey. Just like I thought, you're right on time, Sion."

"Of course. ...... I didn't expect you to be..."

"Eh? What was that, Sion?"

"Nothing. I don't normally talk to myself, so let's just continue with our patrol."

...... Hmph. For some reason, her face seems pale. Is she in a bad mood? She seems kind of run down.

"Sion, are you okay? You look like you've overdone it..."

"No need to worry. Management of one's own body is a basic skill for alchemists. More importantly, how about the True Ancestor, Shiki?"

"Ah, about that. I couldn't catch her today, either. I think she may be deliberately avoiding me."

"You may be right. Maybe she is trying to act like some kind of a perfect honor student, just like that agent yesterday."

"Heh. No way, that's not Arcueid at all. She is probably just concerned about me."

"...... Indeed. The workings of the heart are truly foolish, aren't they?"

"Just as well. So no results today, either."

"Well, I wouldn't go that far. I did leave a note in her room. 'I have something important to tell you. You know what I've been doing, so come to the park after midnight. If you don't come, I won't make breakfast for you anymore!'"

"...... Shiki. Do you really think the True Ancestor will take that seriously?"

"Oh, she will. A while ago she and Akiha got in a big fight. However it looked, Arcueid was the one at fault and I told her to apologize."

"Of course Arcueid said there was no reason to, but as soon as I threatened to stop cooking her breakfast, she apologized to Akiha properly. That is the best bargaining tactic with her."

I puff my chest out confidently.

Sion stares at me in amazement.

"I see. I must modify my assumptions about the True Ancestor."

She nods to herself.

"Shall we go to the park? Maybe we'll meet her this time, Sion."



The moment we reach the park, I feel something wrong already. The smell of blood is overpowering.

We run into the depths of the park, fighting our way through the thick night air, to find────

"Wh..."

"────────"

"────"

Under the pale moon. Above the countless corpses, above the ground dyed with blood, Arcueid stands before us.

"...... Hm. Despite being a failure, this could almost pass as the real thing."

Glancing at the moon overhead, Arcueid laughs amusedly.

There's something strange in the air. Without a doubt, that is Arcueid. But there's something slightly different, something not quite right with her.

"At last, you're here. Shiki, you call someone and you don't even meet them on time. Not to mention when you finally arrive, you're with some other woman. Now I'm starting to get ticked off."

She giggles. The pressure builds in the air around us, the abnormality almost overwhelming.

I start to lose my self−control, just like Akiha does when she is drunk.

"Wait... Are you real?"

"Oh? If you have to ask that, then I have to wonder about you."

"Well, we'll find out soon enough───you there, magus. You have some business with me?"

"Yes. My name is Sion Eltnam Atlasia. As an alchemist, I seek your cooperation for a great undertaking, Princess of the True Ancestors."

"Cooperate with me? How rare for someone outside The Church to say that. ...... Fine, let's hear it. I'll listen if you don't bore me."

"...... Yes. I am researching the process of vampirism. Those who had their blood drank by True Ancestors and became Dead Apostles. Against this one−way process I−"

"Hmm? Then, you mean..."

"Yes, nothing short of curing vampirism. There is some abnormality in your kind's blood that causes humans to change. If so, then there has to be something which could cause them to turn back. For that, I need the blood of an original True Ancestor────"

"Oh, that? No, no way. That's boring, so we'll just stop here."

"......! You can't just dismiss that as boring. When you get down to it, isn't it just a disease you are all spreading? You can't just ignore the Dead Apostles like that......!"

"Oh, I didn't say the Dead Apostles were boring. I'm saying that you're boring."

"────What... do you mean by that?"

"I mean, that is impossible. Once humans become vampires, they can never go back. You can't turn back time, Sion Eltnam Atlasia."

"And isn't your purpose different? Curing vampirism? That's a lie. You know yourself that is impossible."

"────"

"Isn't that right? Because you've already long since───"

"Quiet────!"

"It was foolish of me to ask for your help. Humans and True Ancestors can never work together willingly. I will force you to cooperate!"

Sion dips slightly. In an instant, her gun is out, and she charges at Arcueid.

"Wha───Sion, wait......!"

My voice of reason doesn't make it on time. Sion rushes to attack the composedly lounging Arcueid.

IF SION BEATS ARCUEID GOTO 07A

IF ARCUEID BEATS SION GOTO 07B

05A
"Ah............!"

"────!"

"You certainly gave me a good fight, but this is the end of the line."

"Sion Eltnam. You are under arrest by order of The Church. Any further resistance will be dangerous to your health."

"Kk........."

"No, please wait, Senpai! Sion is just trying to find a cure for vampirism. I don't know everything that is going on, but it would be wrong to take her away forcefully......!"

"You are the one who is wrong. The charge against Sion Eltnam is no small matter."

"───Sion. You don't want to get innocent civilians mixed up in this. Return to Atlas quietly."

"...... I cannot do that. Disappearing quietly is your style, agent."

"Foolishness. You mean to continue your useless resistance?"

"Yes. If you come near me again, I can't guarantee Shiki's safety."

"Huh?"

"What?"

"W... what?"

"...... What do you mean by that?"

"Just what I said. Ciel, if you do not leave at once, I will burn up Shiki's brain."

"The artificial nervous system implanted in Shiki, my Etherlite, is connected to me through my bracelet. I can destroy his brain at any time if you do not agree to leave me alone."

"Etherlite...... I've heard of that before. I thought it sounded familiar, but the name Eltnam is related to that man... typical of Atlas. I'll accept this temporarily."

"You should not speak of knowledge gained from Roa. I am different from that man you speak of."

"But, we are getting ahead of ourselves. This Etherlite is connected to Shiki's brain. Before you could stop me, his brain would be fried."

"Sion, you......"

"...... I see. So you enlisted him for purposes of using him as a hostage all along."

"Of course. He's my bargaining chip with the forces in this town."

"───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────"

"...... *sigh* If you are willing to go that far, then it cannot be helped. Sorry, Tohno−kun. Please try and make the best of a bad situation."

"────!"

"Eh────Um, Senpai?"

"You agreed to cooperate with Sion Eltnam, so you brought this on yourself. Well, it is probably good policy to stay in the good graces of the one who could fry your brain, Tohno−kun."

"Uwaaa, Senpai, you've really said it now!"

"............"

"───It would be easy if it was this simple, though. Unfortunately, I cannot believe all of that, Sion Eltnam."

"Certainly you would turn him into a vegetable if I tried anything. No matter what I did, I could not stop you."

"However, it would not be anything that could not be healed. After I brought you down, I could simply heal him."

"...... But, your control over him is different. I cannot win as long as Tohno−kun is restrained. In the worst case, I could not even escape."

"─────"

"It's not impossible for us to start over here. Certainly I received an order to arrest Sion Eltnam, but it is just one of many orders. My priority mission is to deal with the Dead Apostle that is hiding somewhere in this town. I can deal with your case after that mission is over."

"The Dead Apostle hiding in this town...... Senpai, so you are looking into the rumored vampire after all!?"

"The Church has decided to investigate, and the job of eliminating it has fallen to me. That mission takes precedence over her arrest. However, do not think there will be a second time... I will not let you off next time."

"Okay? By then, please cut your ties with her. ...... Really, Tohno−Kun, even though you already have so many loose ends, you voluntarily stick your neck out for even more......"

"Senpai───seems to have let us go."

"A wise move. If she tried to force the issue, the cost in terms of time and effort would be greatly damaging to efficiency."

"────"

"What is it, Shiki? You seem like you wish to say something."

"Sion. Was what you said really true? You're connected to my head?"

"It is not exactly like that. The Etherlite, the artificial nervous system, is simply linked with your nervous system. It will not cause any problems with your brain."

"That's not what I meant. Why did you do that?"

"I did it so I could locate you when I needed you. And to get information from you."

"And what about your threat? Could you really burn out my brain?"

"Yes. It would take some work, but the chances of success are very high."

"...... That pisses me off. This isn't exactly what you call a cooperative relationship."

"...... You are right. I understand how you feel. But that is why I decided not to tell you."

"You deliberately hid this?"

"Yes. I thought you might refuse to cooperate if you knew, and I didn't want to lose a valuable partner. I decided it was best to conceal it."

"...... I see. You just certainly know everything about what I would do."

"Of course. But it is a last resort. If I did use it, there would be no going back."

"───────────"

"I understand if you want to part ways here. You are free to return if you wish."

"───────────"

"............ Shiki. If you have something to say, just say it────"

"───────────"

"────────"

"────Sion. You knew I would be angry, but that's because you knew it was something wrong."

"Not at all. It is the best course of action, so I do not think it is wrong."

"(STARE────────)"

"────────"

"(STARE────────)"

"───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────"

"(...... *sigh* It's not that she's good at lying, she simply cannot tell them.)"

"That's okay. Let's just drop it."

"Eh?"

"Let's just forget about what happened earlier. ...... Well, it was a pretty good plan after all."

"Huh?"

"I'm saying, you were right, it might really have been the best course of action after all. With your bluff, you were able to drive Senpai away."

"────────"

"...... Wrong, it was not a threat. I was not lying earlier, I really was───kyaa!?"

"Stupid, at times like this, you should just go with it. You should just say 'yes' like you normally do, Sion."

"Y...... yes, if you say so, Shiki───"

"Alright, then that's how we'll look at it. But I have a few things to ask you, and I don't want you leaving out the details."

"......................................................................................."

"Alright. Senpai said you were a wanted criminal. What's that about? Aren't you just researching a cure for vampirism?"

"As you say, I am just researching a cure for vampirism. But, that went against the doctrine of Atlas."

"The Magi Association I belong to makes no exceptions for breaking its precepts. In my research, I had to do just that. That is why they are after me."

"Breaking its precepts... Sion, did you kill someone in your experiments?"

"Of course not. The Atlas Academy only has one precept. The results of one's research are not to be shared with anyone other than the researcher. ...... But I could not complete my research with just Atlas's resources alone. I needed the help of other associations. I traveled to them, and traded my research for theirs. To Atlas, that is an unforgivable sin. I knew they were chasing me, but it is surprising they even went so far as to reach an agreement with The Church. Then again, I have been out of touch for half a year."

"...... Hm. What you're saying is, your school doesn't permit you to study abroad?"

"...... Yes. You could put it that way. By doing so, I have been branded a traitor."

"A traitor, isn't that a little...... much? Senpai was pretty serious, I couldn't imagine why. ...... But your explanation about breaking the rules makes sense. Still, why did you have to go so far if you knew what kind of trouble you'd get into?"

"...... There was no other way. If I stayed in Atlas, I couldn't finish my research on vampires. Staying would have been a mistake. I must find a cure for vampirism, by any means necessary───!"

"Well, then, I guess it can't be helped. (Sion's really not the type to back down.)"

"Alright. Well, let's get started finding Arcueid then."

"Eh?"

"Well, Sion, you said you need Arcueid's help to complete your research, right? So we have to hurry up and talk to her. I promised you that I'd see this through to the end."

"...... You mean, maybe I cannot say it directly...... that you still plan on helping me?"

"Yeah."

"But I used you as a shield. And if I decide it is the best course of action again, there's no way you can stop me from doing it! Even knowing that────um."

"It's alright. It would be tough for me to find the rumored vampire without you, Sion."

"───────────────────────────────────────────"

"Yes. I understand, Shiki."

"Well, our partnership is renewed...... Ah, that's right."

"Partners usually shake hands to mark the occasion, but we kind of skipped that part."

"Here."

"?"

"Yeah, a handshake. Maybe we should do that, Sion."

"............ (open, close)"

"? Sion, you're just opening and closing your hand. Maybe... you think my hand is dirty or something?"

"............... (Open, close. Open, close.)"

"???"

"(Stops)────Shiki."

"Uh, eh? Wha, what is it? D−did I do something wrong!?"

"...... There's no need for you to touch me excessively. I may be on the run from Atlas, but I am still the successor of the House of Eltnam. In the future, please bear that in mind."

"Ah───yeah, got it."

"The operation will commence at once. In the daytime I can gather information on my own, but at night, we are better off patrolling the town together. I will not be able to do anything if I find the True Ancestor alone, and it would be dangerous for you if you encountered the rumored vampire alone."

"Eh────slow down there, Sion! I need to rest a little from that fight!"



"...... Ah, still no results."

I returned to my bed. Three hours since Shiki and I patrolled the town. But we didn't get any results, and we promised to meet up again before we left.

Shiki's mission during the day is to find and speak to the True Ancestor. In his stead, I have to go around town and gather information.



────A dream.

I'm working with Shiki to find the vampire. The same goals, different goals. Shiki's circle, my circle. The centers are far from each other, but there are places where they overlap; our vague, mixed promise.

────That I am watching.

He said we were partners. Partner. Cohort. Someone the same age as I, someone whose goals are similar to my own. Does that make us friends?

The two of us are hunting the vampire together. Shiki is working with me. I also wish to help him.

Until now, I never dreamed of these kinds of things.

────That's why this is a dream.

All this is transient. The product of my sleeping imagination. When I awake, Shiki and I will be back to being strangers.

I wait for that time. That is my goal now, my final destination. But if... But if the dream continues until then, maybe it would be something good───?



The name Eltnam. Something of a scar on the face of Atlas.1 Awe. Loathing. Avoidance. Criminal. No one said that, but that's how I was viewed. A family known for their long devotion to alchemy. Once considered distinguished nobility, respected figures who commanded great influence. When did that all change?

...... But by the time I was born, the House of Eltnam was ruined; our distinguished family name was ignored.

The primary cause of this was that three generations ago, the House of Eltnam broke the rule of Atlas.

The secondary cause was that the other alchemists feared our methods.

I think there were many reasons. I simply continued to be the perfect student, to defend the pride of Eltnam. I didn't care how others viewed me. I took pride in my pride. I endeavored to become the best possible alchemist. I became a leader of the other students, I treated others fairly, I took on additional responsibilities, I excelled in all the literary and military arts taught at Atlas.

...... I hid my dark feelings deep inside, while I played the bright honor student.

The people around me could never tell. They treated me as the perfect student I wanted them to see. I caught the eye of the Academy president, and achieved the ultimate honor of being named the next Director. In the future of Sion Eltnam, there was no darkness. If I avoided trouble, and things went well for me, the stain on the house of Eltnam might well be erased with my generation.

────Despite that, I strayed from my path.

Even though there were no problems. They couldn't resist me, only ignore me. As a successor of Eltnam, there was no doubting my abilities. My future was not a problem. No reason at all. None that I could see.

But still, I was trapped by my own doubts. With most questions, I could calculate some kind of solution, but I couldn't solve the problem of myself. Moment by moment, the subtle gap between myself and others was increasing. Unnoticed, my burden had grown heavier────

────My disguise as the perfect student peeled away.



"...... Hot......"

I awoke to sunshine hot enough to burn my skin. ...... A little past noon. My body still needs sleep, and I haven't even fully recovered yet.

"Not good...... My mission during the day is to collect data."

I have to keep my promise. For the sake of my partner who just nodded like it was nothing after I did all that to him.

"...... This heat certainly is harsh......"

I touch my palm absently. ...... It is regretful, but I cannot reproduce the sensation of Shiki's hand.

All the same───the feeling from last night has not faded.

"Shiki's hand was so big compared to mine. I knew men's and women's body types were different, but I didn't realize just how different."

And having a conversation with someone my own age for the first time, like it was nothing. Ever since I came to this country, it's been nothing but the unexpected.

"──A promise, huh. I no longer need to gather information on Tatari, but since Shiki said he needed some, I have to gather some."

I pull my heavy body up and get back to work. I only need to do one thing. Go into town and research the rumors of the people.

"It would be nice if this ends up helping Shiki."

Well, I know he will be grateful no matter what the outcome is.

Tohno Shiki is an amazingly friendly person. His reactions are so fresh, they make me want to see him happy.

"Tch!"

I feel nauseous. Everything turns red and I may collapse if this keeps up.

"───Not good. Right now, I have to gather information."

In my current state, I can't even use Thought Partitioning. But I must complete my mission.

No signs of life on the road. I walk toward the town with the sun's rays beating down around me.

"────────"

My body is in pain, but not my mind. As much as I can, I have to gather information from this ghost town───



It is ten minutes before our promised meeting time. Like yesterday, Sion arrives punctually.

"Good evening, Shiki."

"Hey. I knew you'd be on time, Sion."

"Yes. We did agree on the meeting time, after all, so I would not be late."

...... Sion doesn't look so good. She didn't look too good yesterday, either, but her energy seems to be fading day by day.

"Sion, are you okay? You look like you're overdoing it."

"There is no need to worry. Management of one's own body is a basic skill for alchemists. More importantly, have you found anything out about the True Ancestor, Shiki?"

"Ah, about that. I couldn't catch her today, either. I think she may be deliberately avoiding me."

"───Hm, I expected as much."

"Huh? What do you mean by that, Sion?"

"I cannot say for sure, but the True Ancestor will not appear before you until these rumors about a vampire cease. ...... Perhaps it is better this way. What are you going to do, Shiki?"

"Ah, I tried to contact her. If she went back to her room at least once, she should be in the park."

"...... The park? That is where she has been witnessed the most, right?"

"? Witnessed by who?"

"The people of this town. I tried gathering information on the rumored vampire today, but what was on people's minds was actually the True Ancestor. They say that the one responsible for the Vampire Murders last year was a woman with golden hair. They say that the serial killer actually is a vampire. They say the one who has been attacking people recently lurks in the park."

"Wha...... what is that? If Arcueid is the source of these rumors, then they can't be believed, right?"

"Of course. They are just rumors after all. But, if rumors converge, then they become real. The True Ancestor seems to walking around town aimlessly. That is why the rumors about her are increasing...... There are also rumors about a girl with red hair searching for her prey."

"G−girl with red hair!?"

"...... That is just what was said. At any rate, the rumors indicate that the True Ancestor is the serial killer. Please act accordingly, Shiki."

"...... Got it. Anyway, let's go to the park for now, Sion. We can probably meet up with Arcueid."

"............ That is true. It might be better to have a painful experience at least once."

"Hm? Did you say something?"

"Yes, but I was merely thinking aloud. Let's go to the park, Shiki."



The moment we reach the park, I feel something wrong. The smell of blood is overpowering.

We run into the depths of the park, fighting our way through the thick night air, to find────

"Wh..."

"────────"

"────"

Under the pale moon. Above the countless corpses, above the ground dyed with blood, Arcueid stands before us.

"...... Hm. Despite being a failure, this could almost pass as the real thing."

Glancing at the moon overhead, Arcueid laughs amusedly.

There's something strange in the air. Without a doubt that is Arcueid. But there's something slightly different, something not quite right with her.

"At last you're here. Shiki, you call someone and you don't even meet them on time. Not to mention when you finally arrive you're with some other woman. Now I'm starting to get ticked off."

She giggles. The pressure builds in the air around us, the abnormality almost overwhelming.

I start to lose my self−control, just like Akiha does when she is drunk.

"A−Arcueid, this is────"

"What, this? Because you were so late, I wanted to have a little fun. So I trapped five or six people here and played around with them. But, you don't need to worry. I didn't drink their blood. I won't do anything that makes me lose control like drinking blood."

"────You..."

"What, you're upset? Then I'm sorry, but I did hold back, you know? But humans are so frail, and they just died after I petted them. Rather than being enjoyable, it stressed me out even more."

"────"

"...... No, Shiki. That is not the True Ancestor."

"...... Oh? It's you of all people, Sion."

"Eh───You two know each other!?"

"..........................."

"Hm? No, we just met. But this is the second time we've ran into each other, right, Sion Eltnam Atlasia?"

"Shiki. This is the vampire that has been stalking the town. Looking at her, in this situation, there is no other explanation."

"What...... No, that's wrong. That, has to be wrong. Because Arcueid would never────"

"This is not Arcueid Brunestud. Is that not right, Arcueid Brunestud?"

"Yeah, I'm really not Arcueid. I'm just an Arcueid, Shiki. ...... Ah, is this confusing you? Would it be easier to understand if I said I was a fake Arcueid?"

"A fake...... I can understand that, but you─"

"A fake is not exactly correct. Because it really is Arcueid Brunestud. In the first place, that Dead Apostle...... 'Tatari' cannot be described of in terms of real and fake. It is just the manifestation of rumors about a sinister vampire───"

"Hmph, after three years it's still the same old thing. But, I don't mind that about you. After all, you were probably antagonized by what happened. But I'm happy you're chasing after me though. Yes, it really was a good idea to let you live."

"If your intent is self−destruction, then you are correct. I came here to stop you, Tatari. I may not be able to make you disappear totally, but I can at least stand in your way───!"

"Ah...... agghh......!"

"Dummy. You think you can maintain your sanity with me as you did before?"

"Then, I'll make it easier on you. It really would have been okay to make you my next, but you do not compare to the body of this True Ancestor. ...... You really do have the worst timing."

"Ah...... Shi... ki......"

"───! ...... What are you doing, Shiki? Are you getting in my way?"

"...... Hey now. That's not it, you idiot."

"?"

"?"

"I'm not getting in your way. For saying something like that while looking like Arcueid, I'll just dismantle you."

"───Oh? For a human, you're pretty bloodthirsty...... I wonder if I should allow you to keep boasting so much."

"────────"

"Fine, I'll play with you. Since it's you, Shiki, it should be a lot of fun!"

IF SHIKI BEATS ARCUEID, GOTO 08A_1

IF ARCUEID BEATS SHIKI GOTO 09A

05B
"Ah, you got me."

Wham, thud, thud. After taking Akiha's (merciless) attack, Akiha's brother Tohno Shiki (that's me) rolls on the ground.

"Dang, I let my guard down......!"

...... I let out those words of regret. If I was truly serious, Akiha would probably escalate things as well.

Keeping it at this level means I'll have to be the one that holds back.

I manage to resist Sion's Etherlite enough to lose. Well, I am being the true model of an older brother.

You could call me the God of Older Brothers.

"Ah...... I can't, move......"

The God of Older Brothers acts defeated with all of his might. But,

"Shiki, you lost on purpose, didn't you───!?"

"Nii−san, you held back, didn't you......!"

They both yell at me at the same time. I never had much of a chance in the first place.

"Do you enjoy making a fool of me so much when you hold back!? I demand you stand up and start over, Nii−san!"

"D−don't say that! Maybe I was holding back, but you really did hit me hard, so I can't attack now! And if you knew I was holding back, you could've held back and listened to me!"

"Ah...... That, that is true."

"See? Geez, you're going to get in trouble one of these days, flying off the handle like that. Whenever you're like that it's bad unless you calm down."

"──────I understand now."

"Then, no matter what happened, you did not intend to fight her."

"Of course. No matter how hard you tell me to, I wouldn't do it."

"...... Very well. Then I will capture her. Please wait on the sides, Shiki."

"...... Hey now. It isn't just that I don't want to fight with Akiha, it's that I don't want Akiha to fight with anyone. If you are looking for a fight, I'll give you one, Sion."

"Can you fight me in your condition? Your chances of victory are extremely low."

"I'll fight anyway. And you probably couldn't beat her. Against someone she doesn't know, she has no mercy. Once she gets serious, she won't lose."

"...... I see, you have given me a few more details. Certainly, she is a strong opponent and not one to face without preparation."

"Then..."

"...... I understand. Our goal is to search for the vampire. I will just have to wait until later to obtain a sample from Tohno Akiha. First, we must find the vampire."

"───Thank goodness. You anger as easily as Akiha does."

"She does not have a short temper. It is only because you say the things you do. You can tell just by looking."

"Eh────?"

"Oh? Who gets angry easily, Nii−san?"

"! N,no, I was wrong... I just let it slip out, I just......"

"Hm. I will listen very carefully to everything you have to say when we get back. ...... And you over there, are you really looking for the vampire?"

"That is a fact. I am receiving help from Shiki for that purpose."

Sion answers without hesitation. ...... Well, that is a fact, but she really hasn't said the most important part, has she?

"In that case, let us make a compromise. I do not know what your goal is, but if you will not fight me, I will not fight you either. ...... I suppose our goals are the same, so would it not be better to talk things over?"

"? Goals are the same......?"

"────"

"Normally I would finish a fight, but I will stop here. ...... To be honest, I am interested in your abilities."

Akiha starts to laugh suspiciously.

"That is true. Having more people would help."

Amazingly, Sion agrees right away.

"Good, you seem to understand things well. Lately, I have dealt only with someone who will not listen, so I think we will get along well."

"I agree. It would be best if we all got along."

Two girls making eye contact and being in agreement.

"...... Uwaa, I have a bad feeling about this......"

A chill runs through me.



Explaining things was rather quick.

About how Sion was wanting to cure vampirism an how we needed to negotiate with Arcueid.

And how I was looking for the rumored vampire.

And how our goals overlapped so we patrolled the town.

"I understand. Certainly, you do seem to need Nii−san's help."

"If there is any fault here, it is only with Nii−san for doing things on his own. I must also scold Hisui for allowing this behavior."

"Hisui has nothing to do with this. I snuck out from under her watch to go outside."

"That may be true, but she does check up on your room periodically, right? She had to have realized you were not there."

"...... Uh, that's because I masterfully crafted a fake Shiki−kun doll and wrapped cardboard around it to help camouflage it..."

"There are no servants in our house who would be fooled by such a teddy bear. In the first place, how did you ever get such a thing, Nii−san?"

"Uh, it was Miyako−chan's birthday present, but for some reason I ended up getting it."

It happened a little bit ago. I heard from Keiko−san that Miyako−chan wanted some elegant glasses, but Miyako−chan didn't say anything.

And when it was time to go, Miyako−chan suddenly appeared carrying the large bear, saying "just take it, okay?"

That is how my room ended up with a half−dead teddy bear looking like it was on the receiving end of a Hachimon Kaida.

"Is that so? Even though she is not too bright, sometimes she is quick on the uptake."

"It's because the Arimas did take care of me. ...... Well, it was Keiko−san who told me to come over because it was Miyako−chan's birthday though."

"That is true. You do not appear to be one who would remember a girl's birthday."

"Uh───well, I do remember, but..."

It usually ends up being the day after.

"Are the two of you finished?"

"Eh!? Ah, uh, yeah, whenever is good."

"Yes, forgive me. We were carried away in our conversation."

"Then we will return to the main topic. Tohno Akiha, why are you wandering the streets at night?"

"The same reason as Nii−san. I wanted to confirm the rumor of the vampire in town."

"I thought so, but why? Since it's you, um..."

"You think I would use others? Yes, normally I would not do this myself, but because of what happened last year, it is something I must do myself."

"What's that about?"

"Wh−'what's that about?' That's────"

"It deals with the dark side of the Tohno family. The events of last year dealt with the concealment of Tohno SHIKI's existence. The managing of this region's darkness falls upon the Tohno family; if they were seen as incapable, it would destroy the equilibrium of the area."

"...... As you say. Such investigation is normally delegated to branch families. But if it deals with Tohno SHIKI, it cannot be given to them to handle. After all, Tohno SHIKI was my brother. If it was known he was not punished for succumbing to the Tohno blood───"

"There would be no standing for the founding Tohno family or for the eldest son Shiki. Is that why the Tohno family stood aside during the abnormal incident last year? Which is why it has no choice to act itself if this vampire is an extension of the events last year."

"Yes, but the only people to be trusted are Hisui and Kohaku. We cannot have them encounter a vampire, correct? That is why I have to face this problem myself."

"...... Oh, is that it? I understand perfectly well."

"But Akiha, aren't you being a little rash? If you knew it was a vampire from the beginning, isn't it dangerous by yourself? I'll deal with the vampire, so you should go bac to the mansion."

"That is unacceptable. It is the duty of the Tohno family to deal with non−humans in this town. ...... We lost the initiative last year, but we must settle this before any victims appear."

"Of course, so let me and Sion handle it. It's okay if you just watch things at the mansion."

"Nii−san, if you are worried about me, then I will be angry. This is my duty as the head of the Tohno family, not some cheap sense of justice. I am just−"

"Could you leave the argument at that? Shiki, I think Tohno Akiha's actions are correct."

"...... I know that. But she is by herself. If anything happened, I−"

"Both of you are by yourselves, correct? So you should work together."

"How is this? Since our goals are the same, we should all work together. Frankly, her abilities in combat are easier to understand than yours, Shiki. You are a wild card, but your strength is not reliable. Tohno Akiha is a queen when it comes to getting results."

"....................."

"Tohno Akiha. Your opinion of this is?"

"It goes without saying, right? I find no flaws in your plan."

Akiha smiles and extends her hand.

"────"

After freezing for a moment, Sion returns Akiha's handshake with some difficulty.

"...... Man. More than anything else, I wanted to avoid getting you all involved."

Akiha, Hisui, and Kohaku−san are my symbols of peaceful living. So I didn't want them to be involved in this bloody affair.

"Oh well. But that's enough for tonight. It'll soon be dawn, so the vampire won't be around."

"That is true. ...... Yes, let's end here for now."

And then, Akiha whispers something in Sion's ear.

"...... By the way. It seems you did something to Nii−san. What was it?"

"...... The Etherlite? It......"

They start to talk between themselves. It's hard to hear them, but it appears she is explaining how she persuaded (coerced) me to help her.

"...... Yes, yes, I see......"

The Lady Akiha seems to be eagerly paying attention.

"Then, that means────"

"You cannot take away their free will, but you can restrain and oversee their actions."

"────That is absolutely wonderful!"

A resounding shout. Akiha−san tightens her fists as she says "wonderful".

"Sion, do you have a place to stay!?"

"No, I do not have a fixed location."

"Then it's decided. From now on, please feel free to use our mansion. We can talk as much as we please there!"

Akiha pulls and tugs at Sion insistently.

"............ *Sigh*"

I guess it can't be helped. Sighing, I follow the two of them back.



And it's night again. The three of us go looking around town. It seems Sion and Akiha have hit it off, because...

"So you're saying the rumors in town are centered in three areas, Sion?"

"Yes. There are three models for the 'Return of Last Year's Serial Killer'. There is one rumor which involves a blonde, female vampire."

"Hmph, that is not a rumor, but reality. Rumors happen because she willfully walks around town."

"However, you cannot speak of others. The long, black−haired killer must be based upon you. Even though you have not appeared before as many people as Shiki or the True Ancestor, your actions have carried a lot of weight."

"Ah...... certainly, I must be cautious. I will take care from now on, so let us leave that aside."

Their conversation seems very harmonious.

Speaking of harmonious, Sion has removed her Etherlite from me.

Sion nodded in understanding after Akiha said, "he is my Nii−san, so..."

"Hey you two, let's go. The back alley and the main street seem pretty empty, so next will be the park."

"Yes, if we cannot find anything out of the ordinary, we should try something else."



The town is just as usual. After baking during the day, heat still rises from the streets at night.

There is no wind; there are neither cars nor people on the street. The only things to be seen are the solitary lights of various vending machines.

Come to think of it, it's almost like a picture someone drew. Just like a photograph.

The sunshine and the insubstantial rumors these past few days. Thanks to that, the silent town riddled with fiction barely seems real────

"I do not detect anything out of place here. ...... It seems to have ran away. Perhaps the rumored vampire does not want to hunt people like us."

"...... Akiha. There is some merit to using someone as a decoy, but you are not suited for it. It would have to be someone who does not possess such solid air of unearthliness about them."

"Oh my, that's a little rude, Sion. Could you not say I have an air of wisdom instead? Furthermore, you are not one to speak so of others. You may have a point, but the way I see it────"

"────! Look out, Sion!"

"!?"

"Who────"

"That is my line. Why are you with her?"

"────"

"────"

"Se−Senpai......!?"

"...... And Akiha−san, too? That means this cannot be the worst possible situation───unless of course if this Tohno Akiha is a fake, then it will be even worse. Are you the real Akiha−san?"

"? Real? Why are you asking for something so obvious? No, more importantly, why did you throw your Black Keys all of a sudden!?"

"...... Sion. Nii−san bursting in is a little troublesome. Could you please silence him a little?"

"...... (nod)"

"────!, ────, ────!"

"Very well done. ───Now then, shall we talk things over, Senpai?"

"...... (It seems Tohno−kun is just wrapped up in this......)"

"Very well. It seems only Tohno−kun doesn't know what is going on. Do you have anything to add, Akiha−san?"

"It goes without saying. I am none other than Tohno Akiha. And what of you, are you the real Senpai? I always knew you were a little wild, but I never pictured you to be a rogue that would attack people for no reason."

"...... I see. Then you are simply protecting Tohno−kun. Then I will leave you alone. You two, please do not interfere with this."

"────(Clench)"

"Now then, Sion Eltnam Atlasia. An order has been issued by The Church to take you into protective custody, or failing that, to capture you by any means necessary. A similar request has been issued by the Atlas Association. Do you have anything to say in your defense?"

"──I have nothing to say. But I will not let you capture me. If you try, you will be destroyed."

"You will not comply with The Church's orders? ...... Very well──As an agent of The Church, I am placing you under arrest. I have no intention of currying favor with the Magi Association, but you are an existence which must be punished."

"────"

"Is that all? You made a big speech, but that's all you want to do? I have to remember that you have not progressed at all. In the end, you are just a dog of The Church."

"───What does that mean, Akiha−san?"

"Is it not true? You all view things only in black and white. If someone is 'black', no matter how good they are, you ignore it and kill them. Really, just what century are you all from? All the same, I thought you were different. After all, were you not 'black' once?"

"───Are you grouping me with yourself, Tohno Akiha?"

"Yes. No matter what the present, you cannot change the past."

"...... Very well, this makes matters more expedient. I will take time to cross−examine you about what you have been doing these past few days."

"────Oh? And what does that mean, Senpai?"

"Is it not obvious? All rumors have some grain of truth. In the rumors about vampires, a girl with long black hair appears. As an agent of The Church, it is my duty to investigate the truth of this matter."

"Yes. I am completely innocent, but please feel free to investigate all you want, Senpai. ───However, If you so much as try and come near me, it will cost you."

"I look forward to it. Between my cost and your humiliation, I will make yours the greater───!"

"She's coming, Sion. Be careful!"

"I understand. Shiki, I have released you, so please fight!"

"───Oh, I can move...... Wait, what is this!? You're all just making a big fuss, do you want to fight so badly──!?"

Who will fight──── Shiki Sion Akiha

IF SHIKI/SION/AKIHA BEAT CIEL GOTO 08B

IF CIEL BEATS SHIKI/SION/AKIHA GOTO 09B