Translator: Nox

Chapter: 9

Before arriving at the imperial capital, Shion had sat me down and explained the plan thoroughly.

“In the capital, vampires can’t use their powers. So once you arrive at the palace, shake off D immediately.”

I widened my eyes and looked at Shion. 
“Really? Vampires can’t use their powers in the capital?”

“Yes. That’s because the entire capital lies within the Emperor’s domain.”

“Domain?”

“It’s also called a ‘field.’ It’s an artificially created space that gives its master an advantage. Unless you’re stronger than the owner, you can’t use your power inside.”

I was familiar with the concept of a field. Vampires desperately tried to deploy one whenever the protagonist went on a rampage.

“Wait, the entire capital is the Emperor’s field?!”

The size of a field equaled the size of one’s power. If the entire capital was covered, then how powerful was the Emperor?

“The Emperor has never once lifted his field since his ascension. He’s a truly monstrous being.”

Shion smiled brightly as he said it, but I wasn’t in the mood to smile—I was planning to challenge that very monster.

“So, I prepared this.”

He placed a small pink stone in my palm. The transparent gem sparkled like a jewel.

“Keep it safe, and once you're inside the palace, break it.”

I touched the stone lightly. It was hard—it didn’t seem like it would break easily.

“What happens when I break it?”

“It will temporarily remove you from the Emperor’s field. Then we can execute our plan.”

* * *

“Aaahhh!”

A shrill scream jolted me from my memories. The drunkard stumbled back and collapsed, fainting on the spot.

“Did he really faint from shock?”

I sighed and slipped out from the trembling drunk’s arms.

By now, Gav had recovered his composure and was glaring at me coldly.

“How did a mongrel like you deflect my sword?”

“I don’t know. Maybe your sword just sucks.”

Though I had A+ stamina, I didn’t feel like telling him. Gav’s face turned bright red with rage.

“You little brat! I’ll kill you!”

“Sorry, but it’s my turn now.”

I threw the stone Shion had given me with all my strength.

Startled, Gav jumped backward.

But instead of shattering, the stone simply rolled over the soft dirt.

“You dare trick me?!”

The fool, deceived by his own assumptions, charged at me in a rage.

Panicked, I stomped down hard on the stone.

With a cracking sound, it shattered beneath my foot, and a strange sensation flowed out of me—as if something was being pulled from deep inside.

“...!”

Suddenly, a shadow burst forth beneath my feet and surged outward like a tidal wave, engulfing everything.

Swept away by it, I silently screamed.

‘Shion, what the hell did you give me?!’

* * *

High above the sky, Shion looked down on the imperial palace.

Strong winds blew at his robe, but he didn’t move. He was waiting for something.

And then, it began.

At first, it appeared like a tiny dot on a white canvas. It grew steadily until it became a massive wave that swallowed the palace in blackness.

The shadow, still unsatisfied, crept toward the outskirts of the palace.

At that moment, a transparent barrier shimmered into place, blocking the shadow from escaping.

“As expected… Even he can’t keep pretending to sleep when his front yard’s on fire.”

Shion chuckled, imagining the Emperor’s flustered face.

It was an evil smile—so wicked Ella would’ve fainted if she saw it.

Bzzzz!

Suddenly, a noise startled him. He pulled out a pocket watch from inside his coat.

When he opened its intricately inscribed lid, the hands began to spin wildly before settling. Then, a familiar voice spoke.

It was his senior mage from the Tower.

– Shion! What the hell is this?! It says the magic level is unmeasurable!

The screech was so loud, Shion moved the watch away from his ear.

After a while, the other person seemed to calm down.

– You knew this would happen, didn’t you? That’s why you asked me to erase the detection records! Isn’t that right?!

“Of course. I don’t do anything without a reason.”

– Shion, seriously… What are you doing there? Did you revive some ancient demon lord? No—at least that’d still be measurable!

Tired of listening to nonsense, Shion cut in firmly.

“Senior, just erase the observation records as I asked. Then nothing bad will happen.”

There was a moment of silence before the voice mumbled weakly:

– This is criminal. Hiding a disaster-class anomaly? If we get caught, we’ll both be executed!

“That won’t happen. I’ll take full responsibility.”

– Oh, Keeper of Balance, what have I done?!

Shion didn’t urge further and simply waited.

Soon, he sensed Ella’s record had been erased and smiled with satisfaction.

“Thank you. I’ll be in touch again.”

– Wait! Shion, I’m not done talki—

Shion shut the lid of the pocket watch without hesitation.

He tossed the buzzing watch into a corner of space and looked down again.

The shadow, previously spinning in frustration against the Emperor’s barrier, had now curled up, like it had given up.

It looked so much like a sulking Ella that Shion chuckled.

“A calamity? That’s rather rude. She's adorable.”

He whispered to himself and lit a lantern.

He was going to greet his little star.

The one he’d searched so long for and finally claimed—she was far more entertaining and fascinating than he’d imagined.

“Not bad.”

She was even starting to feel precious.

* * *

“Is anyone there?!”

I was stumbling through pitch-black darkness.

I couldn’t see or hear anything. Not even my outstretched hands touched anything—it felt like a nightmare.

“Spam, are you there?”

Clinging to hope, I called out to Spam.

No answer.

Realizing that, my heart began to pound.

“Spam! Answer me!”

I called out over and over, but nothing came back.

Finally, I dropped to the ground where I stood.

It felt like everything had gone back to the way it used to be.

That cold winter day, waiting to die alone in the attic.

Uncontrollable shivers took over my body.

At that moment, a light appeared—like a mirage.

It flickered closer, and soon it became the figure of Shion, holding a lantern.

“Am I too late?”

I stared at him blankly, afraid he’d vanish if I moved.

Noticing this, Shion extended his hand first.

His warm touch on my cheek made tears spring to my eyes.

“Sorry. My pet parrot acted up, so I was a bit late.”

“I-it’s fine.”

I quickly turned my head and wiped my tears.

I was embarrassed to have panicked just from being alone in the dark.

“Shall we go? Our destination is just ahead.”

I took Shion’s hand and stood.

After a few steps, I saw light up ahead. Despite all the wandering, we escaped the darkness in no time.

* * *

A massive door stood before us. It resembled the gate to the Full Moon Palace but was entirely black.

“The New Moon Palace. It belonged to Lilith, and now it will be your inheritance.”

That’s right. After learning from Shion that the Emperor was only pretending to sleep, I decided to change my plan.

It would’ve been nice to meet the Emperor early as a sacrifice, but if he kept pretending, I’d just die alone.

So I chose a new path—seizing power.

I’d invade the palace and claim Lilith’s residence as my own.

‘Let’s steal it shamelessly using my knowledge of the original plot!’

Buildings owned by vampires had built-in protections for their owners. If I took over first, no one could kick me out.

‘Whatever. It’s my inheritance—I’m just collecting it.’

In inheritance battles, guts were what mattered.

“But first, we must pass the trial Lilith left behind.”

“A trial?”

Startled by this unfamiliar term, I looked at Shion.

He pointed at a stone tablet in front of the door.

“It verifies whether you're worthy to inherit it.”

…Wait, this wasn’t in the original story!