Melty Blood Scenes 10-12

10_1
"Crap, I just────!"

Because the two of them were so strong (we're talking double digits stronger than I thought), I wasn't able to hold back......!

"Sorry, you two, I'll────"

Give you first aid...... huh?

"Uu...... Shiki−sama, how mean......"

"Goodness. You are a boy so you should be gentle with girls, Shiki−san."

"......... You're fine?"

Even after receiving attacks which would give Nrvnqsr or Ciel−senpai pause, these two are still very lively. Just what are they!?

"Um...... Are you two unhurt?"

"...... Yes. Fortunately, I only seem to have some bruising."

"What are you saying, Hisui−chan!? A bruise is a serious wound for a girl! If you have a bruise, then we have to make Shiki take responsibility!"

...... Hisui has some bruises. Kohaku−san is miraculously unhurt.

"............ This is weird. This is just weird."

"...... It certainly is abnormal. Why am I in this place?"

"Why are you──Sion, didn't you say to come here?"

"......... Forgive me. As you say, I had a lapse in judgment. Since we have no business here, we should quickly return to town. If we stay here too long, Tatari will truly be determined."

"......? Well, it is helpful you see things that way. I don't feel good leaving these two alone, but it's best if we do so."

Alright. The two of us head towards the door.

"Huhuhu. That will just not do, Shiki−san. You must take responsibility for hurting Hisui−chan."

"Eh?"

"And that guest over there said she wanted to meet Akiha−sama, so now that we are here we may as well guide you. Yes, everything is my joke〜〜〜〜"

"Huhhh?"

The instant I didn't feel any danger from her was the instant I lost.

The sound of something opening at my feet.

"A trap, a trap door, Shiki!"

"Uwaa, You planned this, didn't you, Kohaku−sanーーーー!"

* * *

To involve even Onii−chan in her evil plans, this Kohaku must be truly a bad person.

"...... But, even if she is an enemy, she is quite good."

It seems like Kohaku and Hisui are plotting something. ...... I wonder what they are saying......

"...... Nee−san, this is going too far. Not even generous Akiha−sama or Shiki−sama will allow us to get away with this......"

"Oh my, you are quite weak−willed, Hisui−chan. Once begun we have to see it to the finish, right? We finally have our chance."

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

"If you are like that, Akiha−sama will monopolize Shiki−san. I want you to be set up with Shiki−san and for Akiha−sama to be envious of you two. I enjoy watching the three of you. Come on, our goals are the same so sisters have to stick together."

"...... That is true...... but, I think something is wrong, Nee−san."

"Nothing is wrong. You have to seize what you want with all your power! Do I not always tell you that if you wish strong enough, what you want will come true?"

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

"Now that we have decided, we must hurry. Shiki−san and Akiha−sama are most likely escaping from the basement, so we have to rely on our door guard. Hisui−chan, are you ready?"

"............ Yes. If it is that person, then there will soon be a fight."

"Huhu, huhuhuhuhu......! You can't use your usual method to fight your next opponent, Shiki−san......!"

* * *

"────"

Amazing. Kohaku is amazing.

'You have to seize what you want with all your power!' This is the first time I heard anyone say that with so much passion.

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

I thought I would defeat Kohaku and then meet Onii−chan, but that can wait.

I want to watch Kohaku a little more.

* * *

────And, When I come to, I'm in an earthen hell......

I'm at the bottom of some subterranean cave, some greedy person's forced labor camp......!!!!!

"Yeah...... But I do need the money......!!"

...... But, this isn't the time to be saying stupid things.

"...... Crap. Just what is Kohaku−san thinking? There's a limit to playing pranks."

"I think there is something wrong with you if you take this as just some prank."

"That is true. It is because Nii−san is like this that Kohaku and Hisui think they can do such things."

"...... What do you mean? Kohaku−san is always mischievous. It doesn't have anything to do with me, Akiha──── Wait. Whatーーー!? Why are you here, Akiha!?"

"Is it not obvious? I was also made to fall down here by Kohaku. There is no other reason to be here."

"Oh, I see. But for you to fall down here means Kohaku is being pretty indiscriminate."

It may be her revenge on Akiha. Or maybe, she really is raising the flag of rebellion.

...... No, let's not think of such scary things.

"How come Kohaku made you fall down here? I was told I was put here under your orders."

"Don't be stupid. I was told it was because they were protecting you."

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

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

"In other words, this girl named Kohaku plotted to remove the both of you."

"......... Ah, it really is that, then?"

"You have no problem saying difficult things, do you?"

"Because it is the truth. It is my assessment that she has also changed dramatically rather recently."

"Hmm? Kohaku is always strange... do you know anything special about all this?"

My little sister jumps to the heart of the matter.

"Yes. She is acting as if possessed by the vampire Tatari. ...... No, it is more accurate to say she is benefiting from Tatari."

"Vampire... the rumored vampire!?"

"Energy without a vessel that can become a vampire. Tatari is something which resides in the 'form of people's anxiety', and may sometimes reside in those humans who share the same wavelength. In those cases, the ones possessed exhibit no outward change, but everything proceeds along according to their thoughts. ...... Although this is only an extension of their abilities."

"............ Uh, what does that mean, exactly?"

"For tonight, the one known as Kohaku will be an expert at mostly everything she does. You saw how she fought earlier, right? That is also the backing of Tatari."

"Wha───so, if Kohaku−san wanted to snare Akiha, then───"

Actually, she already did.

"Then she can?"

"...... This will not do. I have been treated poorly by Kohaku. I only told them I did not need their opinion on this affair, and that they were not useful and should just be quiet... And that if they disagreed, they were free to quit... but if they did quit, I wouldn't introduce them to another mansion for work. ...... I only said that because I was worried about them. I do not think Kohaku should be holding a grudge."

"────────"

No, she holds one. She definitely holds one.

"I do not know what she is thinking, but there is approximately one hour before she completely becomes Tatari. At midnight, Tatari will appear and will not end until morning."

"...... Akiha. Don't we have to do something about Kohaku? If she becomes Tatari, the Tohno family will be in deep trouble."

"Yes, it would mean certain doom for Misaki Town. I will question you later about this woman here, but for now, let us work together to stop Kohaku."

Her hair flashes red and Akiha becomes full of fury. It is exactly what we need, but the problem is who she will direct that fury against.

...... Yeah. I have to make sure it's not against me for being with Sion.

"That is correct. ...... It has become the worst−case scenario, so I will also help."

* * *

"Oh, I can see above ground now. What's this? That was pretty easy."

"Look out, Nii−san!"

"These are ...... Black Keys?"

"Show yourself, Curry!"

"Tohno−kun, return to jail."

"Senpai!? ...... Although you seem a little different. Hey."

"Tohno−kun, return to jail. I repeat. Tohno−kun, return to jail."

"It seems you are being manipulated. It appears to be Hisui's work...... but it is still pretty surprising. Even though you talk so big, you seemed to be easily used, Curry−senpai."

"Tohno−kun, return to jail. I repeat. Tohno−kun, return to jail. I need to speak with you, Akiha−san. Tohno−kun, return to jail. I repeat. I need to speak with you, Akiha−san."

"───Oh? It seems you are brainwashed to use any means against anyone except for Nii−san. Very well, shall we settle this once and for all!?"

"S−stop! Shouldn't we be more worried about Kohaku−san instead of Senpai!?"

"It is useless, Shiki. Until we defeat that agent, we cannot move forward. Leave it to me and her. Please go on ahead, Shiki!"

Who will fight──── Sion Akiha

IF SION/AKIHA BEAT CIEL GOTO 10_1_

IF CIEL BEATS SION/AKIHA GOTO 10_2

10_1_G
"Stop your futile resistance. Stop your futile resistance. Stop your futile resistance. Do not use a bat while cleaning, Nee−san. Stop your futile resistance."

"────As expected, a diamond in a dunghill is still a diamond. The brainwashing seems to have refined her endurance────"

"Hmph...... It isn't anything like that. ...... Normally, she is overweight, but to be this flabby────"

"Stop your futile resistance. Stop your futile resistance. Stop your futile resistance. Akiha−san is unparalleled in scrawniness. Stop your futile resistance."

"! Y−you really aren't brainwashed, are you, Senpai!?"

"Heh...... There are times when I am given a break from my official duties as a reward, Akiha−san."

"I knew it...... Ah, run away, Nii−san (dies)."

"...... Hm. In any case, this is as far as it will go. It seems Tatari will not do anything major this time. Well, Shiki may experience quite the calamity though."

"I suppose this is one midsummer night's dream."

GAME OVER

10_2_G
"Uwaaa, crap......! Ko, Kohaku−san, please tell me this isn't muscle relaxant!"

"Huhuhu, this should be enough to calm you down. Now then, please go to sleep."

"C'mon ****HISUI−chan. Please carry Shiki−san to a safe place."

"Private conversation during transportation will be punished by death."

...... And then, mysterious steel wings appear from the darkness.

"Wha────eh, ehhh, eehーーーーー!?"

"Private conversation. Executing."

A flash of light. Then everything goes dark, I see a vision of Misaki Town being subjugated by a mysterious magical girl.

...... Please, let that not become real.

GAME OVER

10_3
"Got you. Kohaku−san, I know you're desperate, but I don't think you can win against me all by yourself."

"Oh...... Shiki−san, it is not like you to not hold back......"

"It all depends on the circumstances. You might not realize it, but you've been possessed by something dangerous.

So even if it takes getting rough, you have to be calm tonight.

"...... That is too bad...... If you joined with me we could have destroyed this world that Akiha−sama controls together...... boo hoo."

"Uh───that certainly is a fascinating offer, but......" (It's best to avoid fights you have no chance of winning, you know......)

"The fight is over, Kohaku. It is not like you to directly try and dispose of us, but this is fate. Give up."

"Well? Since you are so smart, you have to know what punishment awaits for traitors."

"(That Akiha, she's serious...... I even feel sorry for Kohaku−san......)"

"(Here's my chance!)"

"Ow......!"

"Huhu, inattention is your enemy, Shiki−san! And Akiha−sama, the fight has not yet begun!"

"You still insist on resisting? I understand that Nii−san did not hold back since you were possessed by a vampire. You must understand that I will be even harder on you. You and Hisui cannot win against us."

"Mayyybe〜. But I completed the ultimate weapon just in case this happened〜!"

"Hey, she escaped."

"Go after her, Nii−san! This is our chance to thoroughly beat it into her just who is the master around here!"

"...... Akiha, you should hold back at least a little......"

"...... Strange...... when did things become like this......?"

* * *

"Huhuhu, you have come far, Shiki−san, Akiha−sama and somebody I do not know!"

"────Who, huh?"

"But, you are a little too late. While you were walking around clueless, I completed the ultimate weapon for the Tohno House Subjugation Plan!!"

"Wha──? 'Ultimate weapon'......!? Kohaku, don't tell me you have biochem weapons......!?"

"Huhuhu, I will not use those kinds of methods. 'Medicine is for helping people.' Please remember that unwritten law of mine〜"

"Heh. Enough, hurry up and use your ultimate weapon or whatever. It's probably some muscle enhancer, so even if you become slightly stronger, you cannot────"

"──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────Firing Laser."

"Uwaaa, look out! That was a laser, a laser!"

"You look like you are having fun, Shiki."

"But it's a laser! There's no guy out there not excited by cameras or fighters or optical weapons!"

"Enjoy it all you want, but you should take a look at that."

"That? ────────Tha────whaaaaaaaaaaaat!?"

"Three targets, confirmed. Initiating attack program."

"Hi, Hihihi, Hisuiiiiiiii!?"

"Wrong! This is the Latent City Subjugation Weapon, Pleasant Type, developed in secret from Akiha−sama by the Tohno Group Weapons Division. It is also known as Mech−HISUI−chan! Hey, Mech−HISUI−chan."

"Discard your weapons."

"Kyaaaa, lovelyーーーーー!!!!! Okay, okay. All systems go! Please inflict an amount of pain that will not be fatal!"

"Executing."

Who will fight──── Shiki Akiha (serious) Sion

IF SHIKI/VAKIHA/SION BEAT MECH-HISUI GOTO 15_1 IF MECH-HISUI BEATS SHIKI/VAKIHA/SION GOTO 10_3_G

10_3_G
"Gah......!"

"Ah......!"

"This can't......!"

"Lo, lovelyーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーー!!!!!!"

"I can do it! I can see it now! Increasing the mass production line could result in cornering the world black market!"

"Da───What is this? At this rate───"

The world would be controlled by Maid−san's......!!!

"...... Ah. Well, that's that."

It's not really a big deal, and I can't really move right now. I'll let the rest take care of itself, and maybe being just a spectator isn't that bad────

GAME OVER

11_1
"Gah......!"

"Not bad. As to be expected from Number 10. It exceeds even my former potential."

"But───in these circumstances, it will not be enough────"

"What's going on? ...... He's, fading......?"

"──Too early. After all, you are the only one for whom Nrvnqsr Chaos is a strongly held fear. There is not enough strength of rumor for full conceptualization. In that state, anyone could kill Tatari───"

"An opening............!"

"Ah─"

"────"

"I am to be killed by you a second time?"

"I see. Myself or even our Ancestors are but frail beings before an exception like you. Perhaps an irregularity like you can even summon the Princess and bestow upon me that form."

"Very well. Being one of the 27 Dead Apostle Ancestors has lost its flavor. ───Being an original would be much more appropriate for my final form."

"───I can't believe it."

Even if it is pointless, that statement escapes my lips. The eyes of Tohno Shiki see Death.

Not the death of substance, but the death of meaning, of existence itself.

I knew that from reading his data. But I didn't understand it.

He truly is a God of Death.

"...... Tatari's incomplete form is information. To be able to attack and eliminate it like a tangible object is──"

What a wild card. For him───he can probably kill concepts beyond human comprehension.

"Gone...... did I defeat it?"

Shiki says this in half−disbelief. ...... It isn't because it was simple compared to the long−gone Dead Apostle.

In the first place, if Tatari is composed only of information, he cannot be a challenge.

Shiki, being well−tuned to the life and death of an opponent he defeated before, is simply able to perceive the passing once more.

"Sion, just now..."

"...... Yes, it is finished. You have destroyed the vampire you were looking for, Shiki."

"──For real?"

"Yes. Well done, Shiki. You destroyed Tatari before there were any victims."

"────────"

...... I lied. With such an obvious lie, he might be able to tell. But, he really has no way of denying it.

I am his only source of information regarding Tatari. If I say "it is finished", then all he can do is nod.

"I see. Got it."

"Well then, what are you going to do, Sion? That Dead Apostle Tatari... he's gone now."

"As the True Ancestor will not cooperate with me, I have no need for this town, or for you. I will soon be leaving."

"? Is it really okay? About Arcueid?"

"Yes. In the first place, I knew my chances of gaining her cooperation were low. Our negotiations failed, so there is no second time. Rather than waste time negotiating, it would be better for me to return to my research. That has always been my goal."

"Oh. That's fine, but in that case,"

It would be better to just go back, he says in a perfectly natural tone as he stops.

"────────"

His words, they are correct. For me, it is meaningless to search for Tatari tonight.

I understood it was meaningless for me to try to use Tatari in the negotiations with the True Ancestor.

So, that is why I agreed to search for the vampire with Shiki, even though it promised only a small chance of success.

"Sion? What's wrong? You don't look too well again."

"No, there is no need to worry."

In other words, even if it was just briefly, I worked with Shiki unselfishly. The reason is so simple, it almost does not come to mind.

────What is this? Does this mean... I have a liking for him?

"────────"

"Wha−what is it, Sion? Suddenly staring at my face like that..."

"────────"

Shiki is flustered. Probably because my behavior is different than usual.

Yeah, I feel the same way.

Until now, I never really spoke with someone of the opposite gender close to my own age. Until now, I never held a strong interest in that.

I never knew it was this easy for people to start liking one another.

It is troubling. My chest starts to get tighter, and my face starts to get hotter. It is a failure of the fundamental control all alchemists learn.

But, just as well. It does not appear to be a negative sensation.

Perhaps a dog running on the ground that suddenly became able to fly would feel this same exaltation.

Thinking that, I suddenly feel a strange happiness.

"Sst............!!!!!"

───I'm suddenly overwhelmed by nausea.

"Sion? You've been acting a little strange for a while now. Isn't it better to just rest after all?"

"...... I am feeling poorly, so I will return. Because the vampire causing disturbances in this town is now gone, our cooperative relationship is now finished."

"Yeah, that's true."

"Then, we will part here. Farewell, Shiki."

...... I withdraw my Etherlite from Shiki. The thread connecting us is now broken. The contract between us also reaches its end.

I turn away from him. My nausea vanishes, as does my feeling of exaltation.

──With that, the type of miracle occurring until now becomes elucidated.

Because I never liked anyone, I could only feel unhappy about myself.

So, I endured it. I endured it by my dry, empty, and meaningless actions.

What moved me was emotions that I never truly felt before. These emotions... No, the emotion of liking something was barely a part of my life.

So these past three years, I just endured it.

But, even that is at an end. Whether I like someone or not, this body has reached its limit.

This body has reached a level where I can no longer maintain it without drinking blood.

...... But, maybe there is a plus side.

A human before it transforms into a vampire.

Being bitten by a vampire, a human that can only become a vampire is brought down by one thing.

"Wanting someone else." Just that simple emotion. I know that now.

* * *

...... Hot. My throat is parched. How long has it been since my thirst has been quenched?

My body is harmed by the rising sun. In exchange, these abilities far surpass my previous ones. That is only natural. If your momentum increases, you must increase your intake of nutrients. Regular food will not suffice. It will not satisfy. This thirst will not leave me.

Red, blood, screaming from anguish. This body which can only be healed by corruption.

Always. For these past three years, I have always resisted the temptation.

───That night. Ever since that summer when I was bitten by Tatari.

...... Hot. Hot. Hot.

The walls of my throat stick together, as if to block off my head from the rest of my body. My head floats above my body, as if not even attached. There is only one way to bring everything together. There are no nerves connecting the limbs of a vampire. What connects a vampire is just red, red blood. Moreover, the blood of others. Vampires cannot survive without stealing the blood of others. ...... I won't do it. I will never do it. I never want to be the same as that one. Because, an existence like mine that cannot survive without stealing from others is a mistake.

...... But at the same time, I know. It is only natural to require a greater intake of energy in order to maintain such a desired existence, an existence where such a supreme level of life force exists. The race of vampires is an existence far beyond that of humans. So a human diet could not compare to that of a vampire's.

In other words... red. Blood. Anguish. Despair.

Of course, you cannot say that is normal. But, the energy it provides is immense.

I know that. I understand. As an alchemist, what makes sense is justified. So, does that make the race of vampires justified? For them, as living organisms, they are not doing anything wrong.

Drinking blood is a totally natural phenomenon, without any shame.

...... But, I continue my refusal to do it. I don't understand. Why do I keep clinging to my "humanity"?

...... It does not add up. Some numerical value must be incorrect. Otherwise, I would not still have these doubts.

I can think of this all calmly.

But just where, when, and what is mistaken?───

* * *

"...... What is mistaken?"

...... Mumbling that, I awaken.

"...... Night. It is finally a full moon."

That is the time limit. All the ripening rumors will become Tatari tonight.

My true goal. Bringing vengeance to the one who initiated me into the race of vampires. Attacking the enemy of Eltnam.

"It will end here. No matter what, by tomorrow..."

I think I am finished. ...... These past three years. Never returning to Atlas, continuing my flight from The Church, and my relentless pursuit.

All in these past three years.

During that time, all I have gained is just an understanding that my vampiric impulse may cause me to develop a liking for others?

"...... In the end, I didn't even discover what was wrong."

Not that I wanted an answer. All I wanted to know was where I, Sion Eltnam, went wrong.

I didn't need an answer. Because, that was...

"───After all, Even if I found an answer, the dullness of my existence would not change."

...... It isn't that what is wrong is right. Just, I only wanted to know what was wrong.

...... All the same, I couldn't even fulfill that simple desire.

"───Time to go. Tonight, will be the last night."

I emerge from the back alley. There is only one place to go. That shrine where the whole town can be seen. Where he and I first met───

The tall, partially constructed skyscraper. This place, by some strange twist of fate called "Shrine", will be my final stop tonight.

I knew from the very beginning where Tatari would converge. I didn't come to this city because I could sense his presence like an agent or a hunter.

I reached my conclusions through my calculations. They projected a location, and this city matched it.

"Almost time? This time, I will..."

Even if I am alone, I will defeat Tatari.

"────────"

My entire body freezes. Just thinking that I am unable to combat that monster causes my thoughts to halt.

That is only natural. Not knowing what shape it will take, I do not know if I can hold my own against it.

An enemy who has not taken form cannot be analyzed for data. Alchemists are those who fight using information. Yet, I do not even have that to draw on.

"────I must go. It is almost midnight."

With shaking legs, I advance forward with my mind still encased in ice.

And then,

"Ah, you finally came."

In the entrance to the building,

"Hey. You're an hour late, Sion."

He's there, raising his hand in easy greeting.

"...................................... Shiki?"

"Yeah...... but what's with that expression? You look like you've seen a ghost.

"Because────you, why?"

"Why not? Didn't we promise? Until we both met our objectives, that we would cooperate? So, it's not quite over yet. You haven't found what you were looking for, Sion."

"────" ...... I see. In short, he saw through everything and was playing dumb.

I am a little surprised.

My Etherlite is detached, so I don't know what he is thinking. But I truly know just how good of a person he is.

Because he knew he didn't destroy the vampire, and that I was hiding something from him. Yet he still waited for Sion Eltnam just like before.

"...... Certainly, there still remains one of my objectives, but that is my problem. Your objective was met last night, so I do not think there is any reason for you to wait for me."

"Oh, yeah. Sorry, but please don't worry about it. After all, I couldn't quite rest easy unless it was completely confirmed. If the vampire was still here, it would be bad."

"I'm not finished yet so there's no reason for me to go back. ...... Well, since our goals are pretty similar, can't we just team up like before? So, let's stay together a little longer."

"I do not mind, but I cannot bear responsibility for what happens. It will get deadly, and I will look out for myself more than for you. Are you still okay with that?"

"Sure. I do the same thing, so I won't mind one bit."

"Hm, I wonder."

"Hm? Did you say something, Sion?"

"I cannot believe what you just said, but I do not mind."

"Because, I can believe in you, Shiki."

"────"

And, the two of us enter the building. My legs which were trembling so hard earlier calm down as if it never happened.

Probably because I am happy. To not fool myself and say it bluntly, I am overjoyed.

...... I am less embarrassed than I thought I would be. Moreover, I feel splendid.

───Now, time to switch off my emotions.

I have to try as hard as I can to hide my feelings from Shiki and act like the way I was before──

* * *

The elevator rises. There isn't any electricity, but after a little fiddling by Sion, it began to rise and the both of us began our trip to the rooftop.

"Hey, Sion. Yesterday, we defeated the Tatari that became Nrvnqsr. Yet he's still here. ...... Does that mean we have to defeat the true Tatari?"

"No. When it comes to Tatari, there is no such thing as 'true Tatari' or 'fake Tatari'. ...... Yes, not even you can completely kill Tatari. It is special among all the 27 Ancestors of the Dead Apostles."

"Huh?"

"Tatari can exist forever through others. The same as Roa, the Infinite Reincarnator."

"Wait, wait a minute, Sion......! What did you say just now......!?"

"Hm? Ah, about Roa. You were connected to him, weren't you?"

"Yeah, I was...... wait, that's not it! What you said before! Um, what did you say exactly about Tatari!?"

"Tatari is one of the 27 Ancestors of the Dead Apostles. ...... Hm, come to think of it, I never did tell you."

"No, you didn't!───Those 27 Ancestors of the Dead Apostles are the strongest, aren't they!? I never knew he was one of those!"

"That was an omission on my part. I will explain everything, so please do not be angry."

"Simply put, Tatari is an unprecedented vampire. The Dead Apostles are only humans who became vampires. They are second generation vampires who are their own breed of vampires apart from the True Ancestors. The highest among these are called the 27 Ancestors."

"Among these 27, there are those whose true form is unknown. Even other Dead Apostles do not know of them, and not even The Church pursues them. Because they are Ancestors, the others of the 27 do not face them either. Their existence is strange even among vampires. Enigmas which stray from the norms of the 27. That is Tatari───Number 13. The vampire called 'The Night of Walachia'."

"The Night of Walachia? ...... I've heard something about that from Senpai. The Church knows where the lairs of the 27 Ancestors are, with the exception of one of them......"

"Yes. Tatari──No, 'The Night of Walachia' does not have a lair. In the first place, it is something that does not even exist in this world."

"...... Something that doesn't even exist in this world......? You mean, he's dead?"

"No. There are those among the Ancestors that exist even though their bodies have been destroyed. Simply, you cannot destroy the 27 Ancestors by destroying just their bodies. But that is not what I meant. 'The Night of Walachia' truly does not exist. A Dead Apostle that cannot exist unless certain conditions are met. But as long as they are met, it is a Dead Apostle that can live forever. That is the form of the immortality possessed by 'The Night of Walachia'."

"Immortality? ...... Not even Dead Apostles last forever, yet they still yearn for eternity...... right?"

"Those are the words of the Infinite Reincarnator Roa. Yes, 'The Night of Walachia' resembles him terribly. It does not independently exist eternally, only by others."

"Dead Apostles are immortal, but not eternal. An immortality which requires them to drink the blood of others means they will not age, but does not mean they will not die. Most Ancestors work to perfect that incomplete immortality, but they all fall short. Among them, there are those who seek eternity not from themselves, but from others. One was Michael Roa Valdamjong. A Dead Apostle who reincarnated into those with ability. Another is 'The Night of Walachia', Zepia Eltnam Oberon. He took another approach from Roa, but still obtains eternity through others."

"Zepia Eltnam Oberon...... Wait, his name is the same as......!"

"The Night of Walachia's original, the vampire Zepia, is my ancestor. More precisely, the admired and unparalleled head of the Eltnam House three generations ago."

"───Then, you wanting to defeat Tatari...... uh, The Night of Walachia is, um..."

"Certainly Zepia dirtied the name of Eltnam. He violated the precepts of Atlas by conducting research in the outside world and becoming a vampire. As a result, the Eltnams lost all influence within Atlas. You can say that sin is a permanent scar on the name of Eltnam."

"...... Then, you wanting to defeat The Night of Walachia is a matter of erasing that sin?"

"No. It is simply a matter of self−preservation to do so. ...... Three years ago, The Night of Walachia occurred in a remote, country village in Italy. Of course, even The Church that normally lets The Night of Walachia run free wouldn't want a slaughter happening in their backyard. As a countermeasure, they requested the help of the Atlas Academy. The Night of Walachia was originally an alchemist. They thought those from the Atlas Academy would be helpful."

"I volunteered to provide that aid. It wasn't that I had any interest in The Night of Walachia. I merely wanted to gain data from the outside world. ...... And that is how both I and The Night of Walachia...... Tatari encountered one another. The detachment of Knights sent to the mountain village to combat Tatari was entirely destroyed. The people of the village were drained of their blood and died. Even I───"

"...... Sorry. You don't have to tell me any more. I feel bad for forcing you to tell me so much."

"No, if you are to fight The Night of Walachia, you must hear everything. I was bitten by The Night of Walachia. ...... Half of the body of Sion Eltnam became that of a vampire. Yet The Night of Walachia's existence as a vampire is imperfect. It can only appear as a vampire for one night and only after a number of years. Thanks to that, I did not fully transform into a vampire. These past three years, I did not receive any influence from The Night of Walachia, my parent vampire."

"...... I see. Humans bit by a Dead Apostle must obey the orders of their parent vampire and drink blood, gradually gaining independence. Since you haven't received any of the vampiric impulse from The Night of Walachia, you don't have to drink any blood."

"...... No, I do have the vampiric impulse inside me. Little by little, I am turning into a vampire. As a result, I need blood. And if I did drink blood, the transformation process would accelerate greatly."

"...... So before I become a vampire, I have to find a cure for vampirism. At the same time, I have to defeat The Night of Walachia, before he can command me. ...... If I do not, I will be unable to resist his urge to drink blood. ───Shiki. That is the reason I pursue Tatari. I am one who was bitten by The Night of Walachia. I am sure you know what that means."

"───In the worst case, you would have to do everything Walachia tells you to?"

"Yes, if that happens, I ask you to please kill me without delay. It probably really is possible for you to kill The Night of Walachia. It would be better for you to remain than I."

"...... I just have one question. Sion, you don't intend to lose, do you?"

"───Of course not. If that was the case, I would not even be here. For an alchemist of Atlas, fighting is only done when victory is the outcome. I do not fight battles I am sure to lose."

"Alright, understood. If you ever seem to be succumbing to him, I will finish you right away."

"...... Yes. If that ever happens, please do."

* * *

"We're here at the rooftop."

"───Let's go, Shiki. At midnight, The Night of Walachia will begin.

Whatever form it takes, The Night of Walachia can only be defeated when it becomes Tatari. So──"

"This is our first and last chance, right? I got it...... After all, I don't feel like meeting up with someone who has such sick tastes any more than I have to."

Sion pushes the control panel. The not−quite finished elevator groans as the door opens.

* * *

Ruins devoid of human life. The darkness pools here, with only the moon andstars for illumination.

"! Sion, that's────"

"...... The Night of Walachia. It seems it could not wait to become Tatari───"

───Thump. The sound of a heartbeat. It feels like my veins are bursting.

Saying, "die".

Kill your reason. Does stealing blood from people bring so much pleasure? It seems to appeal not to my mind, but to my body.

"────Ah."

"Look lively now, Sion. Your enemy is right in front of us."

...... I can hear Shiki's reprimand. A warning truly a mix between a light remark and an angry one. Probably because of that...

"...... I understand. Against this, I can..."

I can hold onto myself against Walachia.

"How long do you plan on being quiet, Walachia? If you are almost close to taking form, then you should be aware. Because it's your last time, I'll listen to your last words."

"────────How tasteless."

A voice like dark magic echoing from nowhere.

"────────"

Shiki quietly removes his glasses. To prevent Walachia from advancing further, I point my gun at him.

"Coming backstage before a performance... You haven't grown at all since that one night, have you, Eltnam? It seems after hundreds of years the members of Atlas have yet to gain any refinement."

"A────ah............!"

The pulsing inside me increases. With the sound of that voice, it throbs stronger, threatening to overwhelm────

"Sion, it is dangerous for you to face him. If you plan on defeating him, you must not hesitate."

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

His point of view is reasonable. As Walachia's "child", trying to merely confront him would result in him taking control.

Then it is only logical that I have to defeat Walachia before that happens.

"────"

"Sion! If you can't fight, then I───"

"Another thing lacking in taste. Do you not understand, guest? This girl has something she must ask of me. Is that not so, Sion Eltnam Atlasia?"

"...... As you say, Walachia. I have something to ask you."

"Very well, I will listen. No matter what you say, you are my offspring. As your patron god, it is my duty to dispel your earthly desires."

"────Three years ago, Walachia. You annihilated us three years ago as Tatari. That is fine. As one who could not explain you to The Church, and as the ones who could not understand you, we bear responsibility. But───you were illogical. Why? Back then, why did you────"

"Let you go? Carrying that with you all this time as the reason for your seeking vengeance is a little..."

"Quiet......! Back then, you had no need to let me go. As one who can only exist for one night, you don't need anything. For The Night of Walachia, there was no reason at all to let Sion Eltnam escape. You bastard, you still......!"

"Hmph. Your memory of that night three years ago should suffice for your answer. ...... Hah. I gave you your answer. 'Why, because I felt sympathy for my own kind'."

"That isn't a reason. You are The Night of Walachia. You cut all ties with the name Eltnam. You, a vampire, let me go because I am a descendant? For one who dragged the name Eltnam to the lowest depths to cite such a reason is────!"

"────────────────────Ha. Haha, hahaha, hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha! How thrilling! You mean to say that you find it so unbearable that I, the one who dirtied the name of Eltnam, let you go because you were an Eltnam!? How hard it is to throw away your pride in your family. To follow me so far, to go through so much pain because of your mistaken humiliation!"

"────Mistaken humiliation?"

"Goodness. Letting you go because you were an Eltnam? You should reconsider that, Sion. Did you really believe that was why I let you go?"

"Wha────"

"You turned away from the truth so you would not realize it. Even though you knew it long ago, you appear before me oblivious? In the first place, why did you leave Atlas? It was not for the reason that you asked me. Do you still not understand it yet? Your mistake, it is what your doubts truly are!"

"My, mistake......?"

───That is. In the end, my doubts that I could not grasp.

"Exactly. That which you gained... knowledge, laws, ideas, thoughts. None of them were created by you. They were only things borrowed from others."

"────────"

What is this? I don't need to hear it from that bastard───

"Atlas logically never accused Eltnam of a crime. But, Sion Eltnam. You were clever to read the knowledge of other people. Tapping into the information center of others is the same as immersing oneself in the collective common sense of other people. Therefore, the more you develop 'your world', your intelligence and wisdom, the harder it is to tap into other people. A fully matured sense of self would rip completely through another's ideas!"

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

That's right. That's why I was always so neutral. Casting off all intent of my own, I was just gathering information from others───

"What you absorbed from the minds of others was common sense. In order to protect the name of Eltnam, the girl named Sion Eltnam only specialized in the Eltnam technique. Therefore, your actions were not surprising. Without causing any resistance or feeling of inconsistency, you drew information from others."

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

But, there was a sense of inconsistency. I didn't know what it was. No matter how many calculations I made, I could not understand.

So if I went outside───if I could read the data of others, I may be able to shed some light on my questions.

"You surely have realized it by now, daughter. Recognition of that contradiction would bring the destruction of the one named Sion Eltnam. As long as you are human, those doubts and questions will remain. Immorality, masochism, good intentions, benevolence. Humans are just monkeys who became attached to these functions. And so───I gave you blood, and turned you into a vampire. I did not want one of my own kind to lose any more capability."

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

Same kind. Same kind. Same kind. Same kind. That is...

"Now, I will ask a question. You use the body of a vampire, yet you actually resist your vampirification. So why is it? Does the search for truth require a human body? Is it not natural to replace a lesser component with a better one? Daughter of Eltnam, You logically obtained information from others. Then───is it not logical to become a vampire? What reason do you have to refuse a better component? Why do you──── Go so far to remain human?"

The reason I resist becoming a vampire.

The reason I will not drink blood.

It is rather obvious. I just... I just don't want to have a body where I must steal from others.

But, that's just...

"Yes. There is a contradiction, is there not, Eltnam? You do not feel guilt about stealing information from others, but you are repelled by the idea of stealing blood from others. A ludicrous tale. Even though you detest vampires, you have been doing the same thing since the moment you were born───!"

So, Even when I realized it was wrong,

"There's no other choice."

No matter how much I regret it, No matter how much I hate it, I cannot change the way I live.

So───even if I realized my way of living was flawed, because I am such a trivial person────

"............ Stop... it..."

"Yes. You finally realized your mistake, Sion Eltnam? You could not even understand that simple emotion. But, that is something to boast of. Not even understanding your guilt. Only understanding the thoughts of others. Even though Sion Eltnam existed, you ignored yourself and simply became a transparent body accumulating the knowledge of others. ───I do not need to say anything more, do I? I am manifested from the thoughts of others, and you cannot exist without absorbing the thoughts of others. That is why you and I are of the same kind. Together, we are life forms that cannot exist without information───Is that not delightful? Where else can you find two things so alike......!?"

The darkness is howling. My throat is parched. Blood. I want blood. Right by me, the heart of Shiki is beating ever so sweetly────

"Don't be ridiculous......! Don't listen to him, Sion! There's no need to listen to his lies......!"

────I know. But, that voice is right. I cannot help but listen to the truth.

"............... Ah, Ahhhhh."

My throat hurts, I can't see anything. I───something, anything, nothing seems to matter anymore───────────for the first time in my life, I think that.

"───That is acceptable. Why, from the beginning you only received your morals from the people around you anyway. If you simply cease that kind of thinking, I will give you a far superior manner of acting as a vampire."

"Sion......! Hang in there, Sion!"

"Now, you can no longer resist. Satisfy your three−year−long thirst with this human who tempts you!"

"Sion......! Are you okay with this!?"

─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────.

"Haha, hahaha, hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!!!!!!"

IF SHIKI BEATS VSION GOTO 11_2 IF VSION BEATS SHIKI GOTO 11_1_G

11_1_G
...... My senses disconnect. Sion, having become a vampire, deals me a blow I can't handle.

"Well done, Sion. As your prize, you can slake your three−year−long thirst!"

...... Wild breathing draws closer to me.

The sound of pierced flesh. Her fangs sink into my neck and easily rip it to────

GAME OVER

11_2
...... Heavy. Even though my body is many times superior than before, it feels so many times heavier. Just moving my arms and lifting my head hurts this much. Like a machine. I look like a machine trying to move around without any power.

Actually, I look more like a corpse drained of blood.

"────────!"

My bloodless ears hear something. Even though I am unable to hear the wind or the distant trees, I am able to hear the voice of the one in front of me.

"...... Sion, hang in there......!"

By listening carefully little by little, like gathering grains of sand one−by−one, I am finally able to understand his voice.

"What is wrong, human? Have you not won? You should hurry and end her misery. Whatever the outcome, she will meet her end. No matter how long you may try and stave it off, it will not change the inevitable destruction that awaits."

Black noise.

"────────Shut up."

A cold voice.

With his breathing even wilder than mine, he seems to be in a predicament.

...... I see.

I couldn't feel my limbs because they were so heavy, but I must have torn into him with my claws after all.

"You still have sympathy? If you leave it alone, it will soon heal and attack you. When that happens, you will die. In your state, you cannot defend yourself."

Warped noise. Laughing. It definitely is very amused. Amused at my uselessness and his ridiculousness.

...... He even told me that he understood.

He promised to kill me if I became like this.

"Look, she is starting to recover. ...... Excellent. The nerves you cut were unable to be repaired, so she immediately replaced them with her Etherlite. They were originally intended as false nerves for use by surgeons. She can easily heal if all you cut is her circuits. You may wish to defeat me, the one who stole her freedom, but she will not stop. If you want to fight me, you must first kill her completely."

Jarring, grating noise. But, that noise is correct. He is mistaken.

At this rate, I───

"You are quite deluded. Do you think that by calming her down you can return her to the way she was? Such lovable optimism is useless. Boy, if you think anything of her at all, you have no other recourse than to kill her, do you not?"

...... Noise. Like a sandstorm.

An unpleasant sound, leaking into my head, into my thoughts.

────But,

"You, you──────just shut up!! You've been doing nothing but running your mouth you annoying bastard......!!"

But, That sharp voice cuts through the noise and makes it disappear like magic.

"Well, Sion? Are you okay with being like that?"

His strong voice. It is enough to make me stop hearing that bothersome noise.

"I know you can't be. You probably want to go on a rampage a little more, don't you? You look like you want to go crazy because you've wanted to drink blood so much. Fine, I'll roll with you until you're fully satisfied. However────"

The darkness covering my vision lifts. Blood returns to my dead body. In my mind which tried to escape by stopping, light starts to idly shine forth.

"However, I'm going to knock you around. Until you give up, until you realize how much you despise your weakness, I'll keep beating you up."

He says this with his body covered in wounds. But you cannot win a fight with spirit alone. If he fights again, he will lose. If I beat him, I can quench my thirst.

"I see, certainly she is weak. That is why she gave in to me─── but she may also have a weakness to you. Her being weak to me means that she is weak to the vampiric impulse. And you are also weak to the vampire Sion Eltnam."

The noise sneers at him. He ignores the noise, acting like he can't hear it.

The noise is now barely audible. ...... Smile. Just now, Walachia released his hold over me.

"──────What is mistaken, is──"

My weakness was just against myself. I wanted to run away from myself. I didn't want to realize that I depended on the information I obtained from others, just like Walachia.

Because even once I realized my mistake, I would not be able to change it.

That is how I was born, how I was raised, how I lived. I felt I couldn't change the way I lived. If I realized my mistake, I would have to acknowledge it and continue moving forward.

So, I ran. From Atlas, from myself, from Walachia.

That was my weakness. Because the path Walachia offered me was easy, I fled onto it.

But, he is wrong. His words are exceedingly difficult. If I fight, I will be utterly defeated. Because───it is his strong words that are difficult. They are what I cannot beat.

"──────But, I will take that challenge."

Walachia is wrong. Even though it was just noise, it was correct, so it made me empty. But, incorrect noise is really just noise. I am not so weak as to be controlled by that.

─────Right, I am not weak.

I understand my doubts. I don't need his help. I've known I was weak for a long, long time. However, all the same...

"───I do not need help, Shiki. I will not lose to anything outside of my self."

I am strong. I fight to tear away from my weak self. Of course, my opponent is not Walachia. My opponent is that man. Telling me to walk a difficult path... That's just fighting so you can rub it in your irresponsible partner's face────

* * *

"I do not need help, Shiki. I will not lose to anything outside of my self."

"Wha────t?"

"Sion......! You've returned to sanity!?"

"Please correct yourself, Shiki. I have always been sane. Even if I was being controlled by the vampiric impulse, I never lost my sanity."

"Oh, I see. Yeah, since it's you, that's probably right."

"...... I do not know why you are so happy...... Well, I will not ask right now. There are more important matters to attend to."

"───(Gulp)"

"It is already past midnight, Night of Walachia. Instead of staying in that useless state, how about taking form as Tatari?"

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

"As you are now, you cannot do anything. I will not stop you if you decide to disappear without becoming Tatari tonight."

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

"How long do you plan on staying like that, Walachia!? Tonight is the appointed time. You have no time to do anything but become Tatari. So────"

"───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────Cut!"

"!?"

"!?"

"Cut, Cut, Cut, Cut, Cut, Cut, Cut, Cut, Cut, Cut, Cut, Cut, Cut, Cut, Cut, Cut, Cut, Cut, Cut, Cut,Cut, Cut, Cut, Cut──────!!!!"

"It is entertaining no longer. I spent this time trying to get my daughter to submit, but for it to end up meaningless is just......! Ah, how truly boring. All that's left is to destroy everything with my own hands. It is a mess that I have to clean up as fast as possible! Until dawn, I will feed off the people of this town and seek out The Sixth once more. Now where can I amuse myself!?"

"Wha−this is Arcueid's......!?"

"Yeah. This is my world. The place where the one connected to you, Arcueid Brunestud, can use her powers without any constraint."

"Arcueid───No, you───"

"Exactly, Shiki. Walachia took the shape of the True Ancestor. While not the real True Ancestor, it does not make much difference in terms of existence. It is a fake, but do not take it lightly."

"────────"

"How unexpected, Sion. It's not a matter of taking anything lightly. Between you and me, you can't even call it a fight."

"────"

"What is going to happen is the extermination of pests. You can't fight me, you'll be crushed like a bunch of bugs. Thanks to the power of this fake moon────!"

Who will fight──── Shiki Sion

IF SHIKI/SION BEAT WARC GOTO 11_3 IF WARC BEATS SHIKI/SION GOTO 11_2_G

11_2_G
I am blown away. My body slides on the ground for over a thousand meters.

"Huhu, Ahahahahaha! How interesting! You two friends can just die together......!"

...... Rolling on the ground. Normally, I would run into something, but I keep going.

How many hundreds of meters have I rolled so far? My arms and legs are gone, and my body clings to the road like a slug. Soon, only my head remains.

The instant my eyes are sheared off by the ground, I am no longer able to────

GAME OVER

11_3
"───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────"

"It is over, Walachia. It is not so easy to tie down Arcueid Brunestud...... The Princess of the True Ancestors using 'Tatari'. For you, using her body is impossible."

"...... I agree. After becoming Arcueid Brunestud, I finally understand. This body is limitless. I probably only drew upon thirty percent of her potential. For you to defeat me, it must be my failure."

"But, this is only tonight's sideshow. As regrettable as it is, I will have to use it during my next opportunity."

"!? Once a form of Tatari is defeated, it disappears......! How────"

"Simple. Are you not the ones who call me The Night of Walachia? Once Tatari occurs, it exists for the entire night. Even if its form is defeated, Tatari will not pass away. The only time Tatari has disappeared before morning was when there was no one left to drink from. The only way for Tatari to leave is for everyone to be drained of blood."

"────"

"Oh, then all we have to do is defeat you!"

"It is useless. No longer Tatari, I am just a phenomenon. Even if you perceive death, you cannot defeat what doesn't exist. The only thing which can force me to exit the stage is dawn. That is in quite a long time. Now, let the night of drinking blood begin!"

"Damn────Sion, what do we do......!?"

"───Nothing. If The Night of Walachia is not formed as Tatari, then we cannot destroy it.

Without form, Walachia does not exist. That is why The Church has been unable to even catch him these past centuries────"

"Correct, Sion Eltnam. Normally, 'fighters' like you are best left till the end, but that goes against my whole existence. No matter who, I will not allow anyone who dirties my stage to survive."

"...............!"

"I will drink every last drop you have. Hurry and fall into the abyss below my stage and forever behold my curse───!"

"No. Your curse will end tonight."

"Who are you────!?"

"The arbiter of this game. Shall I use the name Crimson Moon?"

"......! What!? What is this, my thoughts────"

"Gg, ghaaa────!?"

"...... That is...... Zepia Eltnam Oberon...... Is this, really happening......?"

"Eh──? Th−then, that is the Dead Apostle before he became Walachia?"

"────This cannot be. To return this body, to return me to myself────? Such an irrational thing cannot occur. Even if you are a member of the True Ancestor royal family, to return a phenomenon like myself back to existence────!"

"This is ridiculous? Wake up from your dream already, Dead Apostle. You can never gain the miracle you desire. No matter how many thousands of years you try, you will never become The Sixth. Feel free to think you can obtain The Sixth after spending an infinite amount of time. Go ahead and grasp onto that small hope. But, know what happens at the fulfillment of that miracle. Know its shape will be the end of you."

"───What did you do?"

"You don't get it yet, you piece of dirt? Then look up at the Crimson Moon shining overhead────!"

"────Red, moon. This is───the same as the night I became The Night of Walachia────"

"Do you remember now? The power you received from the red moon that made you a phenomenon───It expires when the red moon appears, doesn't it?"

"Indeed. However, the red moon should be in the distant future. My cycle's equation is measured in millennia. The conclusion of my predetermined cycle is after a thousand years. Until then, I should remain as Tatari────"

"But once the cycle ends, you return to your normal self. After the end of your thousand−year long equation, if you cannot obtain even once the answer───The Night of Walachia may as well return to the Dead Apostle called Zepia. Was that not the contract you made with Altrouge?"

"────Wait. Then this is──"

"Yes, the end of your pointless journey, Walachia. Aren't you happy? I made into reality right here and now your fruitless efforts over a thousand years."

"I can't believe it────With her Marble Phantasm she created the moon from a thousand years in the future...... !?"

"Impossible......! Time travel is on the order of sorcery, and to bring the moon from a thousand years in the future is just────!"

"This is my world. Although it can only exist for one night like yours, there is no world I cannot make. To put it in your terms, you and I are both rulers of lies that can last only for one night. It's only obvious that an inferior imagination will fall into delusion when faced with a superior one, isn't it?"

"────────Then, my wish──"

"Will never come true. The end of your equation's cycle is the end of humanity. You may rule over a desolate land devoid of anyone, but knowing that result already must be painful. I no longer intend to use my power for your absurdity, and more than anything else, your play is rather annoying. Just end your life and existence here, Walachia. You are nothing more than the rumors of people, anyway. If the world is less a few rumors, it's no loss at all, is it?"

"...... (Hey, Sion. What is Arcueid saying?)"

"──(She is not the True Ancestor that we know, but I understand her words. She is essentially telling Walachia to die.)"

"...... (...... Pretty up front, isn't she......... so, are we able to kill him now!?)"

"──(Without a doubt. He is Tatari, but not Walachia. He is the vampire named Zepia before he became a phenomenon. If we defeat him now, the Dead Apostle Tatari will cease to exist───)"

"............!"

"────────Ha."

"Haha, hahaha, hahahahahahahahaha! I see, it is impossible. Are you saying that even if I am Tatari for thousands of years, I won't be able to reach you, Crimson Moon!?"

"────"

"But, I will not vanish. I am The Night of Walachia, a phenomenon immune to destruction......! If you say this night is my end, then that lie will disappear if I kill you here and now. If I can't attain my goal using this method, then this midsummer night's dream is already over. I will drain you here and think of the next step......!"

"...... He's coming......! But, he────"

"...... It appears he is not one we can face...... The True Ancestor is our only hope then......"

"Oh, me? Hmmm. Sorry, but I'm using all of my power to maintain this place. So, I'm counting on you to take Walachia out, Shiki."

"C−counting on me!? What happened to your tough talk!? You made him serious, so stop being so easy−going around and take responsibility!"

"Oh look, look. He's coming. We don't have time to chit−chat, Shiki."

"Uwaaa! You're unbelievable!"

"I agree, but the only way is to fight with everything we have......!"

Who will fight──── Shiki Sion

IF SHIKI/SION BEAT WARAKIA GOTO 11_4 IF WARAKIA BEATS SHIKI/SION GOTO 11_3_G

11_3_G
"───The Night of Walachia is indestructible. It is time for you to leave the stage."

My breathing stops. Not knowing the fate of the others, my mind sinks into darkness────

GAME OVER

11_4
The time has come to lower the curtain.

"Ki────"

Like a silver stake, Shiki's knife drives into Walachia's chest. Walachia simply stares down at the knife, puzzled.

"Kiki, kikiki, ki."

Splat. He spits forth the blood he gathered over these hundreds of years.

"Kiki, kikiki, kikikikikikikikikikikikikikikikikikikikikikikikikikikikikikikikikikikikikikikikikikikikikikikikikikikikikikikikikikikikikikikikikikikikikikikikikikikikikikikikikikikikikikikikikikiki!!!!!!!!!!!"

Brimming forth. With the waves of life so obstinately, so blindly, so uselessly gathered until now.

"I see, it was a waste, it was ALL a waste────!! After all, eVEn iF A beAst weaRS shOes, IT WilL STilL bE CasT ASidE aND TramPLED TORN Apart LiKE a BAD Piece of sir foRTuNE by THosE SeEkINg thE EtERNal PRiZe. CRy Out YOu FLiES, FOr ThE WorLD wilL EluDe YoU MagGoTS! Ki, MiSSing, LOSs, VaGuE, iGnoraNt aS exPeCTEd, alreADY ChaNGed, ALReaDy low, AlrEady DeAD! Ki, kiki, kikiki, kikikikikikikiki! Oh! WhaT−wHAt−whAT WAs I sEeKiNg!!?"

Blood pours forth from the sunken caves of the eyes on Walachia's mask−like face.

Soon, it will no longer even have a human shape. Just a mask smiling tearfully as an endless pillar of blood flows out.

"Blood. Gushing gushing. Blood. Pouring pouring. Blood. Oozing oozing. Blood. Pumping pumping. Blood. Blood? Blood! BLOODーーーーーーーーーー!"

With sickeningly wet sounds, Walachia becomes smaller and smaller. All that's left is a mask. Soon the pillar of blood subsides as well.

"...... The smell of blood is really strong. Shiki, let's go. Walachia's already gone, and there's nothing more to do here, right?"

"────Ah, but before that."

Shiki looks at me. All I can do is look at Walachia disappear.

"......... Walachia. Why did..."

Those vague, unnecessary words leave my mouth.

"... you become a vampire?"

I couldn't ask why he left Atlas.

"────?"

Like a small animal, it turns almost lovingly towards me.

"...... How foolish of me. To expect Walachia to answer me in that state────"

"───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── ───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────Well, Sion, that's because I saw my answer."

From the tearfully smiling mask, comes that exceedingly kind voice.

"Eh────"

"I saw my answer, Sion. I saw my answer. You will probably find it someday as well."

"Any highly−skilled alchemist can find the path to it after hard work. We have none of the qualms a sorcerer would. Anyone could find the answer after knowing everything about this world and making precise calculations. That unchangeable end. Atlas is a warehouse of madmen. Even knowing that there is an inescapable end, they come up with ways to try and resist it. But the more they come up with these ways, the worse the future destruction becomes. There is no salvation. Working to achieve a world of equality, we try to read the future and manage it. But from the very beginning, there was nothing but destruction waiting. I thought. And thought. And thought. And thought. And thought. And thought. And thought. And thought. And thought. And thought. And thought. And thought......!! Yes, I simulated all the different ways! But no matter what method is used, the future is steered only towards a more grotesque fate! I went mad. All alchemists who foresee the impending destruction go mad. Defying the future as if crazed. That is truly going crazy. ───Ah, since you bear the name Atlasia, you will eventually fall into that pit. Successor Atlasia, you will go crazy while falling into hell and calculating new destruction! I───challenged that. Making the impossible possible is what it means to be Atlasia. I became a vampire to increase my own abilities to obtain that miracle."

The tearfully smiling mask says all that.

...... Yes, it truly is crying while smiling. Even that face has been warped.

Is it because it realized the meaninglessness of our reading the future?

Frantically denying our powerlessness and rushing forward, and going crazy in the end───

"...... Walachia, you......"

"Ki...... kiki, kikikikiki! Eat EAT EAT EAT EAT, EAT TILL even the BONES are Gone! There IS no SALVation there IS no PLEAsuRe HumAns are Trivial, tRiVIAl TRiviAL! TRIVial TriViAl StruGGLing IN A figHT to THe DeAtH! AnD BriNginG SelF DestRUCtion Self DetruCTION trIVIal TRIvial self DestruCTION! Ki, kiki, kikiki, kikikikikikikikikikikiKikikikiki───kikiki, ki, ki. Hee. Heeheeheee, ahahahahahah! Yes, I, I, Yes───I just, wanted an incalculable future────"

"How foolish. You were born, so you have an end. Our terminal stop is always destruction. If you cannot accept that, then just accept your self−destruction."

The True Ancestor's words are correct. I also agree.

"...... Yeah. But, he knew. Even though that future existed, there is a way to avoid it. But, he didn't want to admit it. As long as you are looking at your escape route, you can keep testing that route as long as it lasts."

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

"Isn't it hard to always look forward? I don't really sympathize with him, but───maybe the beginning of The Night of Walachia wasn't started with bad intentions."

"Shiki, you are naive. No matter how it started, it killed countless people. No amount of punishment can change that."

"I know that. But don't you feel the same way? He even called you Sion at the very end."

"───Hmph. But that doesn't excuse all the people he killed. Zepia, no, The Night of Walachia was a mass murderer. There's no room for any sentimentality."

That is the certain truth. Shiki's words are just sentimentalism. ............ But, to be completely honest,

I would like to believe he could have been saved by that one word.

* * *

Returning back to ground level, the sun is starting to rise. As usual, there is no wind and the air is stiflingly hot.

───However, When I left the building and started walking on the ground, I began to see the world in a different light. "Then, this is as far as we will go. I really am grateful for your help, Shiki."

"That makes me really happy. I'm glad I could be of help to you even if it was just me being there."

"Yes. If you were not there, I could not have finished this journey."

And, I look around me. The place where I first fought with him. And the place where we must part.

Come to think of it, back then───because I lost to Shiki, I am able to stand here like this.

That fight back then was simply the result of him being superior.

I did have greater prospects of victory, but thanks to chance, I was able to pair up with Shiki.

"............ Chance really isn't a bad thing..."

"? Did you say something, Sion?"

"Yes, I said even losing is okay. Looking at the situation now, I was able to be with you because I wanted to find an opportunity to gloat since you defeated me."

"Huh? Gloat? I wasn't rubbing it in though."

"Yes, you never did look down on me. But I was really offended many times."

"Uhh───but it was all a misunderstanding. Weren't you hiding things to keep me ignorant?"

"Then, a word of advice. Ignorance can be a sword, but never a shield. Please pay more attention to that in the future."

"Ah────yeah. I'll do that."

He nods seriously. That is another one of his good points. He listens so well to people. ...... Well, that may also be a shortcoming.

"────────"

"? Did you recall some good memory, Sion?"

"No. I never had anything good to remember until now. I will have to make some good memories after we part, Shiki."

"??? ...... Uh, I don't really get it, but whatever. Moving on, Sion, are you okay with your conversation with Arcueid? I think she'd be willing to listen to you right now."

The True Ancestor...... Arcueid is waiting about 20 meters away.

Shiki told her he wished to speak to me and walked away from her.

...... From twenty meters away she can probably still hear us, but that doesn't really matter. Really, I don't have anything to hide.

"No, that matter is settled. With Walachia's demise, the vampire in me is no longer getting stronger. My body is still part vampire, but I can resist the vampiric impulse well enough. It should not prevent me from living normally. I will go back to Atlas and research a cure for vampirism. Not alone like before, but by teaming up with the members of Atlas."

"──────"

Shiki seems really happy that I said I would team up with others. ...... I feel like maybe I have changed a little since working with him.

But, all the same, I can't change the fact that I steal information from others.

"Shiki. A lot happened, but I gained so much. I have made a lot of mistakes, but that's because I wasn't looking for an answer. ...... Yes, knowing my mistakes, I will continue to search. Humans are full of contradictions. Please do not forget the example you just witnessed."

"What's that all about? Treating people like study cases still? Sion, you really haven't changed at all."

"────Thank you, that makes me feel a little more confident."

I reach out my right hand.

"Shiki, before we go, shall we, ah, shake hands?"

I still haven't expressed my gratitude and friendship. All I can rely on is my confidence in my memories.

But, doing this, by making this contact, I want to remember absolutely everything.

"Yeah. Thanks for everything, Sion. I really am grateful."

Shiki takes my hand and shakes it. I return his handshake, squeezing his hand hard.

"───You are a true friend. So, I want to make an unrealistic promise. If you ever need me, I will come to help. Can you allow that?"

"What do you mean? It's not a matter of allowing or not. And whenever you're in trouble, Sion, just call me. I'll come and help you."

"────Thank goodness. Then, this is goodbye, Shiki."

"Yeah, take care, Sion."

"I hope you have the best of luck, Shiki."

Shiki runs lightly over to the True Ancestor. She complains a little to him and he takes it all in stride as they both make their exits.

After watching them until they disappear, I also start walking.

"────Thank goodness. Then, this is goodbye, Shiki."

I repeat those words of farewell to myself.

Yes, it really was a good thing. Because our promise still lasts.

Thanks to that, neither of us will stray. As long as that promise lasts, I will always feel this moment. My first friend, my first partner.

And, my first────

"Well then, first I have to return to Atlas and offer repentance to the president there. After that, I will probably have to persuade the faculty as well."

There is a lot to do. I cannot let myself be carried away by these emotions forever.

───With skillful planning so as not to lose to him, I leave this place.

What I leave behind is the hot summer, and the completely fictitious night made by that alchemist.

Turning away from the night that I will never have to experience again, I start walking towards a brand new future────

FIN

12_1
"Gah......!"

"Not bad. As to be expected from Number 10. It exceeds even my former potential."

"But───in these circumstances, it will not be enough────"

"What's going on? ...... He's, fading......?"

"──Too early. After all, you are the only one for whom Nrvnqsr Chaos is a strongly held fear. There is not enough strength of rumor for full conceptualization. In that state, anyone could kill Tatari───"

"An opening............!"

"Ah─"

"────"

"I am to be killed by you a second time?"

"I see. Myself or even our Ancestors are but frail beings before an exception like you. Perhaps an irregularity like you can even summon the Princess and bestow upon me that form."

"Very well. Being one of the 27 Dead Apostle Ancestors has lost its flavor. ───Being an original would be much more appropriate for my final form."

* * *

"───I can't believe it."

Even if it is pointless, that statement escapes my lips. The eyes of Tohno Shiki see Death.

Not the death of substance, but the death of meaning, of existence itself.

I knew that from reading his data. But I didn't understand it.

He truly is a God of Death.

"...... Tatari's incomplete form is information. To be able to attack and eliminate it like a tangible object is──"

What a wild card. For him───he can probably kill concepts beyond human comprehension.

"Gone...... did I defeat it?"

Shiki says this in half−disbelief. ...... It isn't because it was simple compared to the long−gone Dead Apostle.

In the first place, if Tatari is composed only of information, he cannot be a challenge.

Shiki, being well−tuned to the life and death of an opponent he defeated before, is simply able to perceive the passing once more.

"Sion, just now..."

"...... Yes, it is finished. You have destroyed the vampire you were looking for, Shiki."

"──For real?"

"Yes. Well done, Shiki. You destroyed Tatari before there were any victims."

"────────"

...... I lied. With such an obvious lie, he might be able to tell. But, he really has no way of denying it.

I am his only source of information regarding Tatari. If I say "it is finished", then all he can do is nod.

"I see. Got it."

"Well then, what are you going to do, Sion? That Dead Apostle Tatari... he's gone now."

"As the True Ancestor will not cooperate with me, I have no need for this town, or for you. I will soon be leaving."

"? Is it really okay? About Arcueid?"

"Yes. In the first place, I knew my chances of gaining her cooperation were low. Our negotiations failed, so there is no second time. Rather than waste time negotiating, it would be better for me to return to my research. That has always been my goal."

"Oh. That's fine, but in that case,"

It would be better to just go back, he says in a perfectly natural tone as he stops.

"────────"

His words, they are correct. For me, it is meaningless to search for Tatari tonight.

I understood it was meaningless for me to try to use Tatari in the negotiations with the True Ancestor.

So, that is why I agreed to search for the vampire with Shiki, even though it promised only a small chance of success.

"Sion? What's wrong? You don't look too well again."

"No, there is no need to worry."

In other words, even if it was just briefly, I worked with Shiki unselfishly. The reason is so simple, it almost does not come to mind.

────What is this? Does this mean... I have a liking for him?

"────────"

"Wha−what is it, Sion? Suddenly staring at my face like that..."

"────────"

Shiki is flustered. Probably because my behavior is different than usual.

Yeah, I feel the same way.

Until now, I never really spoke with someone of the opposite gender close to my own age. Until now, I never held a strong interest in that.

I never knew it was this easy for people to start liking one another.

It is troubling. My chest starts to get tighter, and my face starts to get hotter. It is a failure of the fundamental control all alchemists learn.

But, just as well. It does not appear to be a negative sensation.

Perhaps a dog running on the ground that suddenly became able to fly would feel this same exaltation.

Thinking that, I suddenly feel a strange happiness.

"Sst............!!!!!"

───I'm suddenly overwhelmed by nausea.

"Sion? You've been acting a little strange for a while now. Isn't it better to just rest after all?"

"...... I am feeling poorly, so I will return. Because the vampire causing disturbances in this town is now gone, our cooperative relationship is now finished."

"Yeah, that's true."

"Then, we will part here. Farewell, Shiki."

...... I withdraw my Etherlite from Shiki. The thread connecting us is now broken. The contract between us also reaches its end.

I turn away from him. My nausea vanishes, as does my feeling of exaltation.

──With that, the type of miracle occurring until now becomes elucidated.

Because I never liked anyone, I could only feel unhappy about myself.

So, I endured it. I endured it by my dry, empty, and meaningless actions.

What moved me was emotions that I never truly felt before. These emotions... No, the emotion of liking something was barely a part of my life.

So these past three years, I just endured it.

But, even that is at an end. Whether I like someone or not, this body has reached its limit.

This body has reached a level where I can no longer maintain it without drinking blood.

...... But, maybe there is a plus side.

A human before it transforms into a vampire.

Being bitten by a vampire, a human that can only become a vampire is brought down by one thing.

"Wanting someone else." Just that simple emotion. I know that now.

* * *

...... Hot. My throat is parched. How long has it been since my thirst has been quenched?

My body is harmed by the rising sun. In exchange, these abilities far surpass my previous ones. That is only natural. If your momentum increases, you must increase your intake of nutrients. Regular food will not suffice. It will not satisfy. This thirst will not leave me.

Red, blood, screaming from anguish. This body which can only be healed by corruption.

Always. For these past three years, I have always resisted the temptation.

───That night. Ever since that summer when I was bitten by Tatari.

...... Hot. Hot. Hot.

The walls of my throat stick together, as if to block off my head from the rest of my body. My head floats above my body, as if not even attached. There is only one way to bring everything together. There are no nerves connecting the limbs of a vampire. What connects a vampire is just red, red blood. Moreover, the blood of others. Vampires cannot survive without stealing the blood of others. ...... I won't do it. I will never do it. I never want to be the same as that one. Because, an existence like mine that cannot survive without stealing from others is a mistake.

...... But at the same time, I know.

It is only natural to require a greater intake of energy in order to maintain such a desired existence, an existence where such a supreme level of life force exists. The race of vampires is an existence far beyond that of humans. So a human diet could not compare to that of a vampire's.

In other words... red. Blood. Anguish. Despair.

Of course, you cannot say that is normal. But, the energy it provides is immense.

I know that. I understand. As an alchemist, what makes sense is justified. So, does that make the race of vampires justified? For them, as living organisms, they are not doing anything wrong.

Drinking blood is a totally natural phenomenon, without any shame.

...... But, I continue my refusal to do it. I don't understand. Why do I keep clinging to my "humanity"?

...... It does not add up. Some numerical value must be incorrect. Otherwise, I would not still have these doubts.

I can think of this all calmly. But just where, when, and what is mistaken?───

* * *

"...... What is mistaken?"

...... Mumbling that, I awaken.

"...... Night. It is finally a full moon."

That is the time limit. All the ripening rumors will become Tatari tonight.

My true goal. Bringing vengeance to the one who initiated me into the race of vampires. Attacking the enemy of Eltnam.

"It will end here. No matter what, by tomorrow..."

I think I am finished. ...... These past three years. Never returning to Atlas, continuing my flight from The Church, and my relentless pursuit.

All in these past three years.

During that time, all I have gained is just an understanding that my vampiric impulse may cause me to develop a liking for others?

"...... In the end, I didn't even discover what was wrong."

Not that I wanted an answer. All I wanted to know was where I, Sion Eltnam, went wrong.

I didn't need an answer. Because, that was...

"───After all, Even if I found an answer, the dullness of my existence would not change."

...... It isn't that what is wrong is right. Just, I only wanted to know what was wrong.

...... All the same, I couldn't even fulfill that simple desire.

"───Time to go. Tonight, will be the last night."

I emerge from the back alley. There is only one place to go. That shrine where the whole town can be seen. Where he and I first met───

* * *

The tall, partially constructed skyscraper. This place, by some strange twist of fate called "Shrine", will be my final stop tonight.

I knew from the very beginning where Tatari would converge. I didn't come to this city because I could sense his presence like an agent or a hunter.

I reached my conclusions through my calculations. They projected a location, and this city matched it.

"Almost time? This time, I will..."

Even if I am alone, I will defeat Tatari.

"────────"

My entire body freezes. Just thinking that I am unable to combat that monster causes my thoughts to halt.

That is only natural. Not knowing what shape it will take, I do not know if I can hold my own against it.

An enemy who has not taken form cannot be analyzed for data. Alchemists are those who fight using information. Yet, I do not even have that to draw on.

"────I must go. It is almost midnight."

With shaking legs, I advance forward with my mind still encased in ice.

And then,

"Ah, you finally came."

In the entrance to the building,

"Hey. You're an hour late, Sion."

He's there, raising his hand in easy greeting.

"...................................... Shiki?"

"Yeah...... but what's with that expression? You look like you've seen a ghost.

"Because────you, why?"

"Why not? Didn't we promise? Until we both met our objectives, that we would cooperate? So, it's not quite over yet. You haven't found what you were looking for, Sion."

"────"

...... I see. In short, he saw through everything and was playing dumb.

I am a little surprised.

My Etherlite is detached, so I don't know what he is thinking. But I truly know just how good of a person he is.

Because he knew he didn't destroy the vampire, and that I was hiding something from him. Yet he still waited for Sion Eltnam just like before.

"...... Certainly, there still remains one of my objectives, but that is my problem. Your objective was met last night, so I do not think there is any reason for you to wait for me."

"Oh, yeah. Sorry, but please don't worry about it. After all, I couldn't quite rest easy unless it was completely confirmed. If the vampire was still here, it would be bad."

"I'm not finished yet so there's no reason for me to go back. ...... Well, since our goals are pretty similar, can't we just team up like before? So, let's stay together a little longer."

"I do not mind, but I cannot bear responsibility for what happens. It will get deadly, and I will look out for myself more than for you. Are you still okay with that?"

"Sure. I do the same thing, so I won't mind one bit."

"Hm, I wonder."

"Hm? Did you say something, Sion?"

"I cannot believe what you just said, but I do not mind."

"Because, I can believe in you, Shiki."

"────"

And, the two of us enter the building. My legs which were shaking so hard earlier slip into an easy gait as if my trembling from before never happened.

Probably because I am happy. To not fool myself and say it bluntly, I am overjoyed.

...... I am less embarrassed than I thought I would be. Moreover, I feel splendid.

───Now, time to switch off my emotions.

I have to try as hard as I can to hide my feelings from Shiki and act like the way I was before──

* * *

The elevator rises. There wasn't any electricity, but after a little fiddling by Sion, our trip to the rooftop began.

"Hey, Sion. Yesterday, we defeated the Tatari that became Nrvnqsr. Yet he's still here. ...... Does that mean we have to defeat the true Tatari?"

"No. When it comes to Tatari, there is no such thing as 'true Tatari' or 'fake Tatari'. ...... Yes, not even you can completely kill Tatari. It is special among all the 27 Ancestors of th Dead Apostles."

"Huh?"

"Tatari can exist forever through others. The same as Roa, the Infinite Reincarnator."

"Wait, wait a minute, Sion......! What did you say just now......!?"

"Hm? Ah, about Roa. You were connected to him, weren't you?"

"Yeah, I was...... wait, that's not it! What you said before! Um, what did you say exactly about Tatari!?"

"Tatari is one of the 27 Ancestors of the Dead Apostles. ...... Hm, come to think of it, I never did tell you."

"No, you didn't!───Those 27 Ancestors of the Dead Apostles are the strongest, aren't they!? I never knew he was one of those!"

"That was an omission on my part. I will explain everything, so please do not be angry."

"Simply put, Tatari is an unprecedented vampire. The Dead Apostles are only humans who became vampires. They are second generation vampires who are their own breed of vampires apart from the True Ancestors. The highest among these are called the 2 Ancestors."

"Among these 27, there are those whose true form is unknown. Even other Dead Apostles do not know of them, and not even The Church pursues them. Because they are Ancestors, the others of the 27 do not face them either. Their existence is strange even among vampires. Enigmas which stray from the norms of the 27. That is Tatari───Number 13. The vampire called 'The Night of Walachia'."

"The Night of Walachia? ...... I've heard something about that from Senpai. The Church knows where the lairs of the 27 Ancestors are, with the exception of one of them......"

"Yes. Tatari──No, 'The Night of Walachia' does not have a lair. In the first place, it is something that does not even exist in this world."

"...... Something that doesn't even exist in this world......? You mean, he's dead?"

"No. There are those among the Ancestors that exist even though their bodies have been destroyed. Simply, you cannot destroy the 27 Ancestors by destroying just their bodies. But that is not what I meant. 'The Night of Walachia' truly does not exist. A Dead Apostle that cannot exist unless certain conditions are met. But as long as they are met, it is a Dead Apostle that can live forever. That is the form of the immortality possessed by 'The Night of Walachia'."

"Immortality? ...... Not even Dead Apostles last forever, yet they still yearn for eternity...... right?"

"Those are the words of the Infinite Reincarnator Roa. Yes, 'The Night of Walachia' resembles him terribly. It does not independently exist eternally, only by others."

"Dead Apostles are immortal, but not eternal. An immortality which requires them to drink the blood of others means they will not age, but does not mean they will not die. Most Ancestors work to perfect that incomplete immortality, but they all fall short. Among them, there are those who seek eternity not from themselves, but from others. One was Michael Roa Valdamjong. A Dead Apostle who reincarnated into those with ability. Another is 'The Night of Walachia', Zepia Eltnam Oberon. He took another approach from Roa, but still obtains eternity through others."

"Zepia Eltnam Oberon...... Wait, his name is the same as......!"

"Quiet. The details of his name have nothing to do with this explanation. It would take too long to explain that."

"────"

"He had his eye on using others to obtain eternity. No, you must say a circumstantial eternity. His life does not reach eternity, but his 'phenomenon' does."

"No matter how strong a life form is, it can only know defeat against a life form which exceeds it. If its life is destroyed... if it dies, it will disappear. But, if its origin is a 'phenomenon' that occurs after a certain set of circumstances, then it cannot truly die. Because as soon as those conditions are met, it will occur once again."

"Zepia chose his occurrence conditions to be based on human conceptions. ...... Yes, to carry this analogy to the extremes, he is like a typhoon. A typhoon stems from low pressure, and is a continual menace, occurring over and over as long as conditions are met. But even if you could destroy the phenomenon of a typhoon, it will still reoccur within this world. That is what Tatari is like. ───A societal phenomenon, a rumor relying on information, which will continue as long as the human world continues. What is born from that is Tatari, the vampire called 'The Night of Walachia'."

"──Sorry, Sion. Could you explain it in terms a little easier to understand?"

"There truly is no such orientation, but please think of it as a kind of energy that gives things orientation. The Dead Apostle Zepia failed in his attempts to gain the arcane secret called The Sixth. ...... But as expected from a Dead Apostle, he did not fail completely. He was unable to rewrite The System, but he was able to remain inside. After failing to gain The Sixth, Zepia's body was dispersed. But, it was dispersed according to his wishes. The diffusion of his strong spiritual elements caused them to remain in this world. Normally, the separation of these spiritual elements...... the soul's seperation from the body causes it to fall into nothing. Whether it happens quickly or slowly, it is all the same. A natural process one cannot resist. Released from the prison of the flesh, the spiritual elements with no intent of their own or salvation to orient them, perhaps fall into nothingness until they are once again transformed. ...... But before that happened to Zepia, he mastered the 'Tatari' equation. As long as the certain conditions are met, his dispersed spiritual elements converge upon 'rumors' and are born anew in this world. In the span it takes for a human to disappear, the alchemist Zepia calculated the place where Tatari would occur. All that was left was to chart his journey over a thousand year cycle and send his body along such a route. Of course, that route is an endless, one−way trip. Zepia placed himself into that cyclical route so that even after the intent called Zepia ceased to exist, his scattered parts would continue alon that program. The Dead Apostle named Zepia no longer exists. So the 13th slot has no name. The Dead Apostle called Tatari isn't actually a Dead Apostle, but is nothing more than a phenomenon."

"Nothing more than a phenomenon......? But, a phenomenon that just enters reality from unpleasant rumors is just..."

"Yes. The dispersed Dead Apostle does not have anything left of its former self. No, in the first place, there is no way for such a thing to come back. Where the Dead Apostle called 'The Night of Walachia' went is simple. It has to do with mastering the system of authenticating rumors and realizing them in his own body. When a community of people imagines one thing at the same time, there emerges a consensus of the village, a legend. When such a legend becomes universally established, The Night of Walachia becomes that legend, and disappears in the same manner. ...... And it appears that the first appearance was in Romania───occurring in Walachia."

"...... Occurring in Walachia?"

"...... Yes. The Walachia region of Romania was once home to the feudal lord Vlad Tepes. It is said that while he was lenient to his people, Vlad was incredibly brutal towards his enemies, the invading Turks. Doing the unthinkable to other people. Not only killing the enemy, but going even farther by using their flowing blood in his strategy. Despite going so far to protect his own people, rumors began to say he was a vampire. Of course, those were just rumors. Yet in a civilization blanketed in darkness, vampires did exist. And people feared that Vlad Tepes was a vampire. It had nothing to do with reality."

"And after Vlad Tepes died, the town still circulated the rumor. ──If the lord is a vampire, then during the full moon he will return to drink our blood, won't he?── Vlad, rumored to be a vampire even while he was alive, was still feared for being a vampire after he died. The rumor of a vampire in such an isolated place was very useful to Zepia. He chose Walachia, the place of the death of Vlad Tepes, as his best sample case to begin from. ...... On the night of the full moon. He transformed into the rumored 'Vlad the vampire' and began massacring the people. After the Knights of The Church arrived, there was not a single body with any liquid left. From street to street, human skins were spread all over the ground. Vlad, the vampire rumored to 'drink until there is nothing left' drank not only their blood, but all the water within their bodies. Every one of the Knights must have thought it was a true nightmare. That event, that massacre was so terrible, The Church could only call it one thing. ───The ultimate nightmare, the gathering of all terror, Just, 'The Night of Walachia'."

"The Night of Walachia? ...... And? What happened to him after that?"

"He disappeared. With the death of all those who feared his curse, his curse could no longer spread. After The Night of Walachia kills all those who made him, he vanishes. Well, he was only able to appear for one night, so it is possible for people to survive."

"I don't get it. That Night of Walachia materializes curses, right? So if he left the people alone that first spawned him, wouldn't he be able to last forever?"

"...... No. Tatari receives the form of a curse. Unless he acts according to that conceptualization, he will not be able to exist. After crystallizing into the object of the people's dreaded wishes, he kills them all an then vanishes according to those wishes. Appearing as a curse, Tatari must be above all else, a curse."

"──I guess I understand a little. Then, it was humans who made The Night of Walachia into a curse, so────"

Tatari could be made into something bad or something good.

Kind of like that story about the monkey's paw, where it granted your wishes in all too simple of a manner.

So───If humans thought of something good, then it wouldn't turn into a vampire, right?

* * *

"We have arrived at the rooftop, Shiki."

"...... Then, right here is where, um..."

"Yes. At midnight, The Night of Walachia will begin. ───You cannot die, Shiki, so please discard any useless thoughts right now."

Sion pushes the control panel. The not−quite finished elevator groans as the door opens.

"The rooftop is still being constructed......"

"It seems no one is around...... hmm...... There probably has not been anyone around these past few days."

"? Sion, what are you doing? Spinning around like that... is that ballet?"

"No! I am using my Etherlite to draw information from the surroundings. Joking around at a time like this, you really are────"

"────!"

"────!"

"It has begun. ...... That is, Tatari......"

"This isn't good───I can't really see them."

"Of course. Right now, you cannot see any lines of death there. Even you cannot kill words. Inside there, it is still nothing but words. You cannot kill that which has yet to exist. At this stage, the only thing which can kill it is something like Arcueid Brunestud."

"Arcueid......? You mean, only something that is so recklessly strong can break it?"

"───You really are quite direct. ...... I have been wondering for quite a while, but how come you are only so direct when it comes to the True Ancestor?"

"No, that's not it. She won't understand unless you really spell it out for her."

"────(Click). ............ I see. That is how Akiha feels. It may be wishful thinking, but I may get along with her."

"Um...... What are you saying over there, Sion?"

"Can you not tell? I am just thinking aloud to myself."

"Let us move on, Shiki. ...... It seems Tatari is taking shape."

"────!"

"────────────────"

"I knew it───You chose to take the strongest form by drawing upon the thoughts of the person who knew of vampires in this town."

"But of course. The Night of Walachia's goal has nothing to do with being a curse. Zepia's goal was to become a True Ancestor. Zepia never knew things would turn out like this, but in this town the method to become a True Ancestor, the answer he was seeking, has emerged. As a backup plan, Zepia investigated places where the Princess of the True Ancestors would appear, which is why I am now here. ───There's been a lot of ups and downs, but Zepia's goal is within my grasp. Tonight, the name The Night of Walachia will end."

"──────"

Without even thinking, I hold my breath. This is Tatari...... The Night of Walachia not only took her appearance, but took Arcueid's personality and mannerisms.

"Oh, you're here too, Shiki?"

"Wow───I thought you would have come by yourself, so I'm pretty surprised Shiki is with you, Sion. You've gotten a little softer over these past three years. Yeah, Reeze Baife was the one to protect you back then."

"Bastard......! Don't speak so lightly about her......!"

Sion's whole body is shaking. Arcueid────No, The Night of Walachia seems to enjoy seeing her like that.

"Wait, Sion. Can I try and talk for a little bit?"

"Shiki......!? It's dangerous. That may look like the True Ancestor, but is totally different on the inside! Trying to hold a conversation, that's just being────"

"I know. But there's something I want to ask. ...... The Night of Walachia, right? If you're the vampire who truly takes the form of others, then answer me. You───have you even once not had the will to drink someone's blood?"

"────"

"I see now. Shiki, even though it's me, you're really concerned about that."

"...... I'm just asking you a question. You can take the form of people's wishes, right? Then, maybe... Maybe once, you can actually become something good."

"Huhu...... Ahaha, Ahahahahahaha! Oh, you're so good. To ask me something so nice like that, it's wonderful! Wonderful!"

"Don't poke fun. If you're in that form, then I know you'll answer me. Well, then? Has that ever happened?"

"Yeah, it happened. Not once, but many times. When people wish for a bumper crop, or for arguing villagers to become friends, or for the god of a sacred tree, or to have a plague lifted. Of course, I grant each and every one of those. After all, I am the vampire who appeared according to everyone's wishes, right? Then I have to at least grant their wishes, don't I?"

"...... Then if you become something evil, it is because of people. You don't have any will of your own, so you can only do what people wish upon themselves, right?"

"Yeah, that's right. Even now, I am the result of your uneasiness, Shiki. I never thought once from my own will to harm other people, you know."

"────────"

"That is a lie. You, you have always killed people because you wanted to."

"...... Sion?"

"Oh? That's terrible, Sion. I even let you go, so that's news to me."

"Then I'll ask, Night of Walachia. You said there was a village that wanted a bumper crop. How did you make that happen?"

"Simple. Without the proper agricultural conditions, you cannot have a great harvest, right? So I provided plenty of fertilizer. The dead bodies of everyone in the village, of course."

"And for the quarrelling townspeople? How did you make them friends?"

"That was also simple. Everyone had a different opinion so that is why they were quarrelling, right? So I granted their wish. In the end, they all tried to escape from me together."

"...... And the village wanting their local god?"

"I became their god. And because their god demanded it, I took the heart of each and every one of them."

"And the town praying for release from the plague......!?"

"I helped them from the plague, too. The quickest way to end someone's suffering from the plague is for them to die, you know."

"────Why... you────"

"What are you so surprised about, Shiki? If you're that rude, I'll just kill you. Well, I'll kill you no matter what, actually. I am a vampire, and according to you all, I will drink the blood of everyone in this entire town."

"That is how things are, Shiki. The Night of Walachia grants nothing other than the sucking of blood. A vile demon that broadly interprets every desire of the people into 'killing everyone and sucking their blood'. The Night of Walachia...... No, the man named Zepia who made it, will always kill everyone because he enjoyed it......!"

"Of course. I wouldn't do it if it wasn't interesting. I appear according to everyone's desires, and then I leave in the manner that they wish. Huhu, the irony, the irony. Humans are so ironic! It's so wonderful that only humans are filled with this much irony, isn't it? A perfect, beautiful setting where everything goes right would be a boring play. What humans really enjoy is not a happy ending, but tragedy, right? What is beautiful is dirty, what is dirty is beautiful. If you cannot understand that, then you really can't take my place, Sion."

"Eh───What did, he just say?"

"Don't be ridiculous. I have nothing to do with you!"

"Is that so? But your body is already at its limit. I don't know why you keep resisting it, but you should just hurry up and dirty yourself. If you become the Night of Walachia, it's alright if Tatari never occurs again. Zepia may not have gained anything, but if it is you and The Night of Walachia, you may achieve everything. At least the rate of success will increase."

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

"What I introduced you to and the fact that you understand me will not change. I do not have to be the one in charge. As long as the Sixth is obtained, I will be satisfied. It isn't a bad thing, is it? With the two of us together, you could wield a veto over any orders from The Night of Walachia. After all, you would be The Night of Walachia. After that happens, all you would need to worry about is how you intake sustenance. If attacking humans is not to your liking, there are other ways. You could find a compromise between your dignity and The Night of Walachia."

"────I am amazed. You have created quite the useless formula, Walachia. After all these hundreds of years, you've just managed to gain a strong host. Your intelligence is being controlled by the intelligence of Arcueid Brunestud. ...... My. For one such as you, becoming a True Ancestor is impossible."

"───What!?"

"I do not even need to consider your proposal. I came here to destroy you by my own hand. It is entirely a matter of my own personal grudge. Attempting to do business with me by appealing to emotion rather than calculation is the height of folly."

"────"

"Now please disappear, Walachia. This night will not dance to the tune of your lies. Before they can permeate this town, I will destroy you now that you have taken shape."

"───Oh? As one of my kind, I thought you would have sympathized with me. But, I was mistaken."

"The feeling is mutual, and you have ruined all the fun, Sion. Challenging me to fight when your odds of success are so low..."

"This, this is Arcueid's castle......!?"

"Yes. I am Arcueid Brunestud, Princess of the True Ancestors. Materializing my world here is rather simple. Sion. For you, defeating me is impossible."

"Shiki, you're very unfortunate. There are no restrictions to bind me here. Even if you killed Arcueid once, you will meet nothing but despair."

"Well then, this town is much bigger than usual. Time is very precious, you know. Welcome, both of you. I will destroy everything without leaving a trace───!"

Who will fight─── Shiki Sion

IF SHIKI/SION BEAT WARC GOTO 12_2 IF WARC BEATS SHIKI/SION GOTO 12_1_G

12_1_G
I am blown away. My body slides on the ground for over a thousand meters.

"Huhu, Ahahahahaha! How interesting! You two friends can just die together......!"

...... Rolling on the ground. Normally, I would run into something, but I keep going.

How many hundreds of meters have I rolled so far? My arms and legs are gone, and my body clings to the road like a slug. Soon, only my head remains.

The instant my eyes are sheared off by the ground, I am no longer able to────

GAME OVER

12_2
"No way────This, cannot"

"────Now!"

"Ah────I'm dis, a, pearing, after finally obtaining the body of a True Ancestor, for me to disappear, is────!"

"More precisely, you are falling. Your calculations included only my numbers. Arcueid knew how Shiki was a wild card, but you did not. No, you truly could not comprehend. If you knew, you would never have attacked him directly."

"────────────"

"────────────"

"Heh────Are you, okay, with that, Sion Eltnam? If I disappear, you will────"

"All humans will die someday. That is all. But, Walachia..."

"I can still make it. I can still────"

"I will not accept you. As long as I live, I will not allow another Tatari."

",.────,,,,,────,"

"We...... did it?"

"Yes, Tatari has been defeated this time. The Night of Walachia will no longer occur within this town."

"This town...... Then he is still alive?"

"...... You cannot annihilate The Night of Walachia. The only way would be to return Zepia and kill him. However, that cycle will not occur for thousands of years."

"───Oh. Then, you will..."

"Nothing has changed from before. I am still researching the cure for vampirism, and if The Night of Walachia occurs again, I will defeat it."

"You mean, alone?"

"No. The success rate of two people is higher than just one. If I will not suffice, I will team up with someone else. And I know the world has an endless supply of people willing to help."

"So, worrying is needless. Please ignore Walachia's nonsense. I will not be defeated so easily."

"────Sion."

"I have to thank you, Shiki. You were my first partner, my first friend."

"So for now, we must part. Now that Tatari has vanished, the agent will come here to capture me."

"I see. I guess it can't be helped. ...... Yeah, in the end, I couldn't really do much."

"Of course, this is my story after all. You were just the audience wrapped up in my selfishness────"

───But at the same time, the one to lower the curtain.

"Did you say something, Sion?"

"No, it's nothing. Then I will go back now. Shiki, you should go back before dawn."

"...... Ah. Then, until next time. If anything happens, let me know. If I can help, I will."

"Yes, I will ask without holding back, so prepare yourself."

"Haha, that sounds weird, Sion. As always, your Japanese is a little off."

"Yes, but, I do not think I am mistaken."

After the two of us smile, we part.

"Yeah, that's right. I await the results of your research. If you gave up half−way through, I'd feel a little scornful of you, so you should also prepare yourself."

In the end, Shiki said that, as if he saw how I really felt. Then, he walked away. In the place where we first fought, I saw him off.

"───He got me good. If he tells me that, then I cannot do anything else."

I am an overachiever, so scorn isn't something I can tolerate. ...... Well, more than anything else,

I cannot break the promise I made with my first partner.

"───Shiki, I have to thank you again."

The way I have to be from now on, My connection to The Night of Walachia. He realized them both yet didn't say anything. I have to thank him for his kindness.

"Well then, I must be going."

Will Tatari occur next in Australia or Europe? If things happen quickly, it will be another ten years. Until then, I have to keep this body going. However, I can't succumb.

Ah───man, what a heavy promise to make.

"Drinking blood will accelerate the process of becoming a vampire. Even if the blood intake problem is solved, I have to find the way to resist vampirism."

In that case, what to do is simple. It has been five minutes and ten seconds since Shiki and I parted. Just like him, I walk away with a light gait.

Walachia is no longer in this country. As long as I live as myself, he will not occur here.

...... It was only once. I was only here for a few days. But still, I will never forget this country.

This is where I made a promise with my first friend. Even if we never meet again, I will never stop wanting to return here.

"If I were to make a wish, it would be to continue our honeymoon here as long as we could."

The sound of footsteps. All that remains is the hot, hot summer air, and a single, abiding memory────

END