Survival 56

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“…Hmm. What on earth happened…?”

Bathory clutched her throbbing head as she stood up. Then, a sweet taste brushed her tongue. Only then did she recall everything.

“Fr, Frost Mane! Are you alright?”

She hurried over to Hans, who had collapsed. 

The fragrant smell of blood, and the unpleasant odor of burnt flesh. 

These scents mixed and wafted from him.

“Frost Mane! Come to your senses! How could something like this happen…!”

His blood, still overflowing and dripping from his mouth, told the tale. It was her own doing that had driven him to this state. Moreover, this blood…!? How could she forget its taste.

-The donor thought they were donating blood, but they could never imagine it would be drawn to satisfy the hunger of a demon.

The blood he brought as a supposed reward. She had never imagined that it would be his own blood.

“I owe you a great debt. A very large one…”

Not only did a noble clan offer their blood for her recovery, but they also saved her. It was a grace that, as a noble, she absolutely had to repay. However, the very person was now slowly dying.

“Healing magic…!”

But Bathory soon realized. What use was healing magic to a vampire who could manipulate their own blood flow to heal wounds? Of course, she hadn’t learned it. Even though his blood in the blood bag was overflowing with magic power, she couldn’t revive him right before her eyes.

“What should I do?”

Powerless, utterly powerless. There was nothing she could do. …No. There was one way.

Vampiric bloodsucking has two purposes. One is obviously for feeding. The other is for creating progeny.

“Eternal youth and a life that defies death. With this method…!”

She could certainly revive his life.

“I’m sorry for not asking for your permission. But this is the only way.”

Naturally, as much as it grants the ability of immortality, there is also a price to pay. If the master loses their life, the life of their progeny also ends accordingly.

Bathory, although originally a noble vampire, had lost her power in Evildon and was now also at risk of execution here.

She was indeed in a precarious position, like a candle flickering in the wind, and he was joining her in that fate.

“…I thought I would never use this magic in my lifetime.”

Moreover, this was not only Hans’s weakness. The death of a progeny also leaves a fatal wound on the master. In the law of the survival of the fittest that governs Evildon, weaknesses lead to fatal injuries. She didn’t want to create her own weakness. Therefore, Bathory Erzsebet did not create any progeny for hundreds of years in the Evildon Empire.

‘But fate is also cruel. To make someone who is not even a vampire my progeny.’

She slowly raised her mana. The blood he had lent evaporated, inscribing a complex magic circle. It was the magic of the progeny contract.

“I, Bathory Erzsebet, swear to eternally care for Frost Mane as my progeny.”

-Ugh.

As if responding to her call, a stream of red magic surged and seeped into Frost Mane’s chest.

“Haah… This is somewhat difficult.”

The progeny contract is the highest form of magic a vampire possesses. Even for her, a noble, it was somewhat exhausting.

-Sigh…

At the same time, Frost Mane’s breathing became easier as his recent wounds healed, and he slept more peacefully.

“…Now we are together forever.”

Bathory mumbled blankly and inadvertently touched her lips.

“…Together.”

She hadn’t expected to fulfill her possessiveness in this manner. Yet, it wasn’t an unpleasant feeling.

‘Although, the revival together with you in the Evildon Empire seems distant now…’

Since they both live eternally, time was plentiful. Her lips, finely sculpted like a piece of art, curved smoothly.

‘This isn’t so bad.’

She sat next to him and quietly reached out her hand towards Hans.

That moment.

“Lucy, this way!”

“Where is it?! That unidentified demon…”

But things never go smoothly, do they? Familiar faces came into view. The descendant of the warrior who had defeated her. And the young mage with whom she had a secret relationship.

“Huh. I wondered where you had run off to, so it was you, the demon.”

The warrior’s descendant showed a furrow between her brows, not hiding her anger.

-Shring.

The blade, as cold as her icy gaze, was sharpened and pointed right in front of her neck.

“The capture is canceled. For someone who dared to threaten Hans’s life…”

“It’s an execution.” 

Before those words were even fully spoken, Bathory’s body had already moved. 

-Thud. 

The vampire noble’s knees buckle, sinking into the thick snow accumulated on the ground. 

Coldness spread up her legs and throughout her body. 

A humiliating posture she had never assumed before. 

A shame not even shown to the great warriors of ancient times. 

“Please spare my life.” 

Of course. 

Even up to the moment of kneeling. 

Bathory had hesitated. 

To kneel before mere humans. 

Her pride would never allow it, not even if death were imminent. 

The power overflowing within her was more than sufficient. 

If she wished, she could easily tear apart that woman, let alone escape. 

‘But, the life of Frost Mane is at stake.’ 

He’s still not in his right mind. 

The impact of close combat is unknown, and even if he could escape this situation, would that truly be what he wants? 

Bathory, having made her decision, quietly looked down. 

The pride of a vampire noble? 

Frost Mane had set aside even the king’s title and disregarded his own life to help her. 

‘Such petty pride, I would gladly throw away for my kin.’ 

However, saying Frost Mane saved her. 

That’s something she shouldn’t do for his sake. 

An eerie silence filled the snowy field. 

Feeling a strange anticipation, Bathory continued. 

“This person, is he not a servant you cherish?” 

“What does that matter?” 

“I’ve used a special magic, now… Hans and I are linked by life. If I die, he cannot escape death either.” 

It may seem like a threat using the servant’s life. 

Surely effective against the descendant of warrior… 

Bathory Erzsebet. 

Even in decline, as a noble, she possessed the military power to destroy a saint or a domain in a single night. 

‘This is not good.’ 

If she could be killed over a mere servant, anyone would do so. Thus, she lowered her head as much as possible. 

“I… do not wish to die. I will do anything. I will give you all the information you want. I could even guide you on the invasion of the Evildon Empire.” 

Bearing the humiliation for now. 

She desperately appealed to her usefulness. 

At the same time, she hid her overwhelming power, pretending to be in a pitiful state, barely surviving an injury, to continue her life by tying her fate with a human.

“Please, at least spare me the execution.” 

Luciana locked eyes with Bathory, who instantly tensed up. 

The coldness in those eyes seemed at first glance to be incapable of mercy. 

However, she soon relaxed her body, showing vulnerability. 

It was a gamble of her own, with the stakes being everything Bathory had. 

Just as Frost Mane had done for her, she too risked it all. 

“How unpleasant. To think you’d dare to use Hans’s life as leverage to threaten me. If your life is so precious, start by lifting the magic.” 

“That’s impossible. The moment the vassal contract is released, he’ll be on death’s door again. That’s why it’s offered as a negotiation. To save him, I must also be spared.” 

“Tch!” 

Was it frustration that made the sword tremble in the hands of the warrior’s descendant? 

“If you wish, and if this Hans does not want the place as a vassal, it’s not that there’s no way.” 

“…You’re speaking the truth?” 

“I am not so shameless as to lie to the victor. But first, I need to recover from my injuries and have a chance to escape.” 

-Click. 

The sword returned to its original position. 

“Soldiers! Arrest this vampire!” 

“What should we do with Hans?” 

Amid the smoothly flowing situation, suddenly, Bathory was terrified by the appearance of an armored knight. 

Having declared him a vassal, to this scruffy knight, Frost Mane was as good as a prospective demon. 

It was possible both might call for execution. 

“What do you mean, ‘deal with’? He has brought reinforcements from the Frontal Earldom. No more talk, escort him immediately.” 

“Understood.” 

Relief spread throughout her body, late but sincerely. 

Fortunately, as much as he showed interest in the descendant of the warrior, she seemed to quite cherish Frost Mane. 

“From the demon king you mentioned earlier to freeing Hans, you’ll have to confess everything.” 

The former was willing to talk. 

‘The enemy of my enemy is my ally. Although they are closer to enemies, to face the demon king…’ 

Normally, she would not consider an alliance with humans, but ‘Seeing my wish, Frost Mane, it seems I’ve softened as well.’

Bathory chuckled softly, skillfully manipulating the hearts of humans, naturally fostering a cooperative relationship with Frost Mane. 

She gained confidence, thinking there was nothing she couldn’t do. 

‘However, the latter would be meaningless to explain, wouldn’t it?’ 

Immortality, coveted by any living being. 

There was no reason for Frost Mane to refuse a promised position of power. 

‘It’s funny, compared to you, who are merely prey, my connection with Frost Mane is much deeper.’ 

Even as she was bound by the rough hands of inferior humans and stood up, the corners of Bathory’s mouth were slightly raised.

***

“Frost… Ahem! Hans, you’re awake!” 

The moment I opened my eyes. 

I doubted for a while if it was not a dream. 

The one who told me the whole story after I fainted was none other than Bathory. 

Yes, it was ‘Bathory’. 

“At first, I thought I had seen something that wasn’t there.” 

In the Speda Duke’s mansion, at the forefront of the war with the demons, the presence of a high demon was utterly astonishing. 

And there, the combination of black and white on a fluttering frilled skirt. 

A familiar attire, yet I had never associated it with a blonde vampire before.

“Is that why you’re wearing those clothes?” 

“Right. It’s something I negotiated with the lord of this place.” 

“What was the Duke thinking…”

At that moment, I sighed. 

Bathory, wearing the lowest status maid’s uniform in this Duke’s house, was completely out of place from her manner of speaking. 

After regaining a bit of rationality to assess the situation. 

The first thing I did was check Bathory’s hands and feet for any possible restraints, but… 

“Nothing?” 

To think that a high demon would be let loose so freely. 

Considering the risks, it was not a decision to be made lightly.

“What’s this negotiation about?” 

“That’s a secret. We’ve made a magical contract, so I cannot disclose it to you. Please understand.” 

Bathory put her finger to her lips with a troubled expression. 

I glared at her and then sighed.

“Well, it’s okay. It’s fortunate that I survived being captured by them.” 

Indeed. If she had been executed, I might have died as well.

[You have become the subject of a Vampire’s Familiar Contract.]

[Familiar Contract (Rank: S)]

[To those trustworthy enough for an arrogant vampire noble to rely on, a familiar relationship is formed.]

[The lifespan of the contract subject is shared. Should the vampire noble die, the player will also die.]

‘Now there are two lives tied to mine.’

And it’s ‘that’ Bathory.

I pressed my temples to ease the throbbing headache.

Fortunately, it wasn’t a skill with only penalties.

[You gain an immortal body.]

[Your proficiency in blood magic increases, and the cost of its use decreases.]

Without dealing with the disaster, the former was somewhat meaningless.

The latter was what mattered.

‘If it’s about cost, it means my blood. I guess I’ll be less likely to faint from anemia during a fight.’

Moreover, this was just a bonus thrown in by Bathory.

The real reward was something else.

[Exceeded target]

[Additional rewards will be calculated.]

[Part of the quest, ‘Path of Shadoweaver,’ has been fulfilled.]

[Skill, Emotion Absorption (Rank: S)]

[Skill, Ally Camouflage (Rank: B)]

‘The rewards are more generous than I imagined.’

Perhaps because I tackled a boss that should not be at my current level.

The first quest thought impossible.

I checked it first.

[You have killed the noble doppelgänger, The Deceiving Ground Spider.]

[The player who occupies most of the contribution in killing the noble will inherit their status.]

Inheritance, in words.

It was no different from plundering.

However, in the law of the survival of the strongest in the demon world, it was a natural rule.

[You can use doppelganger-specific skills beyond your race.]

‘Well, good is good.’

The given skills were also quite satisfying.

[Skill]

[S rank: Emotion Absorption]

[Doppelgänger exclusive skill]

[A secret technique passed down only among doppelgänger nobles.]

[It’s a privilege of the nobles to go beyond tasting someone’s emotions to glimpsing their memories and achieving perfection in disguise.]

[It is possible to vaguely detect someone’s emotions after being in contact for a certain period.]

[However, it may cause discomfort to beings of a certain level or higher.]

[In the case of glimpsing memories, it is limited to subdued subjects or those who have opened their hearts.]

This was a technique used by the Deceiving Ground Spider. 

“Isn’t it versatile?” 

It was exactly the ability I needed right now. 

Top-notch performance in negotiations and interrogations. 

Indeed, it was a skill worthy of a boss monster’s reward. 

[Ally Disguise (Rank: B)] 

[Doppelganger Exclusive Skill] 

[Grants a designated ally the doppelganger’s inherent characteristics, disguise, for a certain period of time.] 

[Changes physique, voice to that of another.] 

This could also be useful depending on the situation. 

I turned my head to stare intently at the ‘maid’ in front of me. 

“Hmm? Why are you staring at me so intently?” 

“No, I was just thinking that the clothes suit you well.” 

“I’m not sure if I should take your compliment at face value.” 

It means even the vampire’s red eyes and fangs could be hidden. 

Though her stunning beauty captures the gaze, if you look a bit closer- 

“Anyway, take some rest for the time being. I will take care of nursing you….” 

-Bang! 

My thoughts and Bathory’s words were abruptly cut off. 

“Demonkind. Why didn’t you report immediately that Hans had awakened?” 

“Well…” 

“That’s because! This person was thanking me! Saying he was able to survive a life-threatening crisis!” 

Although we avoided the unfortunate event of Bathory mentioning frostbite. 

“Make sure Hans stays alert. That demon might try some cheap tricks on you.” 

For some reason, Luciana’s cold demeanor didn’t improve at all. 

“Descendant of the warrior. I am simply following the orders of your father, the head of the house.” 

“And as a maid, start by fixing that arrogant attitude!” 

‘…Oh?’ 

A noble lady from a family that has been hostile towards demons for centuries. 

And the high demon who experienced the humiliation of defeat by her. 

They were bound to be incompatible, but ‘As long as they don’t drag me into it.’ 

I watched their exchange with my arms crossed, enjoying the spectacle. 

After all, watching a fire from across the river is always the most entertaining.

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