An excessively long life inevitably brings boredom, and for that reason, the weary Vampire Lords turned their backs on the world.
Lucinil advised that there must be at least one reason for the five ruling lords, who still cling to this undoubtedly tiresome life, to continue living.
Thus, their lives remained precious to them.
"Of course, even if you were to kill us, it would only be a minor annoyance, but if that were truly possible, Luruien and Gallarush might cooperate. After all, your lifetime is but a brief moment for us, and by helping you during that time, we avoid troublesome matters and clear a debt to the Darkland, which isn't such a bad deal."
The Demon World and the Council have a relationship where they watch each other closely, but the Council could help reconstruct Darkland in exchange for clearing their debt.
Furthermore, I, the Demon King possess Tiamata, so I can bother them whenever I please. In fact, three of the ruling lords have already promised to cooperate with me.
Luruien and Gallarush have become a minority faction. Lucinil narrows her brow as she looks at me.
"So, since I decided to cooperate with you, the situation should naturally work in your favor. Don't spout nonsense like you did earlier. Understood?"
"I'm not one to act without reason, so don't worry."
"No, you are one to act without reason. It's written all over your face."
…How did she know?
Is it because the traces of my words and actions so far remain visible on Eleri's face? And is it even appropriate for a vampire from Homunculus to discuss physiognomy?
Anyway, it seemed like Lucinil was going to be on my side from the beginning, thanks to Eleris, and Antirianus has also decided to join my side.
As for the other Vampire Lords… frankly, I still don't know much about them.
"How on earth did Eleris choose someone like you as her master… Sigh."
Why is she so kind?
Although she grumbles, she still explains everything to me and even offers advice. She's not just harmless but also likable.
Whether I'm disconcerted by her excessive kindness or not, Lucinil no longer seems to care, as she lies down on the sofa with his arms folded.
She said that the other Vampire Lords have reasons to keep living.
That means Lucinil has indirectly confessed that she has at least one reason to live as well.
"I don't know if I can ask this."
"If you're hesitating, it's polite not to ask, Archdemon."
"What's your reason for living, Lucinil?"
"You're going to ask anyway? You really have no tact."
Lucinil frowns and glares at me.
"Why? If I tell you, can you help me somehow?"
"Can't I at least share your burden?"
"You speak eloquently. You really do."
With her arms still folded, Lucinil gazes quietly at the high ceiling of the chamber. Lucinil then mumbled, as if it wasn't much of a secret.
"I want a soul."
At those vague words, I felt as if my breath was being choked off.
In that single phrase, I sensed the immeasurable sorrow of living as a Homunculus for an eternity, and the need to continue living as a vampire.
I want a soul.
What could that mean?
I don't want to be human, nor anything else; I just want a soul.
I don't know if only intelligent species possess souls, or if some life forms have them and others don't.
One thing is certain.
A created being like a Homunculus would not have a soul.
Lucinil wants what she lacks within herself. She turned her head towards me and smiled.
"Is it pathetic? A being of this level only dreams of having that?"
"…No, not really?"
I believe it's a desperate issue in its own way. Of course, I cannot fully empathize.
She wants a soul.
Lucinil never explained why she wanted it.
"It's just something like that. It's not like I can't live or die because of it."
Her attitude in saying that was nonchalant. She spoke as if it was a mere wish, without any great longing or desire.
However.
Lucinil must have lived an immeasurably long time with just that one desire.
——
While Valier conversed with Lucinil at the Star Palace, Eleris was talking with Antirianus.
"Antirianus."
"Yes, Eleris."
"What's your scheme?"
At that, the old sage smiled, seemingly at a loss for words.
"I have nothing to say if you ask me my scheme when I've simply offered to help because the Demon King needs it. Hehe."
"At the Great Demon War conference, you stated without hesitation that you had no intention of cooperating. But now, you're willing to cooperate, which naturally raises suspicion, doesn't it?"
It was natural for Luruien and Gallarush to react as they did.
That's why it was strange for Antirianus to decide to help without any hesitation.
"Well…"
The old sage still wore a soft, benevolent smile.
"The Great Demon War was not interesting, but this side seems to be fun."
"…Fun?"
"Yes, fun."
Antirianus, who had been smiling all along, cautiously opened his eyes.
The red eyes of the vampire gazed at Eleris.
"To endure such a terribly long time, don't we need this kind of entertainment once in a while?"
"Entertainment…you say?"
Although he had agreed to cooperate, Antirianus was approaching this as a way to kill time. And that was Eleris's disgust.
"You should… choose your words… more carefully… Antirianus."
"Ah, my apologies, Eleris. I had no intention of belittling or disrespecting you… But why get so angry? Whether I cooperate sincerely or consider it entertainment and cooperate."
-Tap tap
The old sage tapped the floor of the castle with the end of his staff and smiled.
"Isn't it true that I'm offering to help?"
The old sage left those words behind and brushed past Eleris. Eleris quietly stared at the retreating figure of Antirianus.
Gaining the Council's help would be as good as acquiring an army of ten thousand, but…
Would it really be right to join hands with that sinister vampire?
Eleris couldn't be certain.
——
There was time until the Council reached a conclusion, so I had to stay in the Epiaux fortress for at least a few days.
"Hey, Archdemon."
"…What?"
Just when I thought she lost interest, she appeared suddenly before me, walking down the corridor, and started following me around.
"Aren't you grateful that I'm helping you?"
"…I am, but why?"
Lucinil stared at me intently.
"I'm a bit curious about the taste of Archdemon blood. Can I just have a little taste?"
"What, what are you saying!"
I was on the verge of a fit due to her sudden remark.
Is that something you can say so casually, like asking for a glass of water?
"No, I won't turn you into a vampire. I just want a taste. Just a little bit. Oh, I'm really curious. Really. Can't you do that for me?"
"No way! What are you even talking about!"
"Just a little! Really, just a little! Huh? I'm just curious. Who said I'd devour you?"
Terrifying.
But before that, if she really tried to turn me into a vampire, would it actually happen?
Isn't that too scary?
Only then did I truly feel that I was face-to-face with some of the highest-ranking vampires.
I'm not going to get into trouble here, am I?
She seems kind, but is she really? She won't suddenly bite my neck and say, "Now you're my slave!" right?
But, on the other hand…
She seems like a child.
If she bites me, the whole thing about just taking a bit of blood seems like it would fit the picture.
Suddenly, I imagined myself being bitten in the neck by Gallarush.
Isn't that not just sucking, but being devoured…?
Did I make a mistake coming here?
"Ah! Are you really an Archdemon, acting so petty like this?"
"Stop saying such absurd things!"
I ran down the corridor of the fortress, and Lucinil followed me annoyingly with her short-range teleportation.
"Hey! Just give it to me! Give it!"
She clung to my waist, making strange noises.
In the end…
I went to find Eleris with Lucinil hanging on my waist.
"Lucinil…"
Eleris looked down at the small vampire with a cold expression, knowing that she wanted my blood.
"What can I do if I'm really curious!"
Lucinil threw a tantrum, arguing that there was no chance she would ever taste Archdemon blood.
"Your Highness… Instead of sucking blood directly, if you collect the blood in a container and she drinks from it… I can allow her to taste it, but… it's not a good idea if it harms your body."
Ah.
There was such a method, after all. Upon hearing it, Lucinil looked at me with an expression of surprise.
"Oh, that should work! Hey, just perfect."
"What, you want me to do what now?"
The vampire lord used a slightly different approach than I had experienced so far.
In the end, we bickered for quite some time, and ultimately, I was the one who gave in.
If I didn't, I had a feeling Lucinil would try to sink her teeth into my neck while I slept.
To be honest, I was scared, so I surrendered.
"I don't know why I have to do this, but since you're helping me, I'll do it."
"Mm-hmm."
Eventually, I cut my own flesh and bled into a bowl that Lucinil had brought. Eleris looked on anxiously, as if worried something might go wrong.
The strange thing was, by now, I didn't find this level of pain particularly bothersome.
"Ah, that's…the wound is… Uh! It's…too deep!"
I was fine, but Eleris couldn't help but be restless.
I let a few drops of my blood fall, and Lucinil licked the bowl clean before looking at me.
Her expression was somewhat bitter.
"Metallic."
That was her only comment on the taste.
I couldn't understand why I was getting angry at the remark that my blood tasted bad.
It was annoying for no reason.
——
Eleris helped me stop the bleeding from the wound on my arm. Tiamata's divine power couldn't be used in ordinary situations.
Lucinil, grumbling that the taste of Archdemon blood was metallic, left as if her task was finished.
We had no choice but to eat since we would be here for several days.
And I wasn't the only one who needed food.
Lydia Schmitt was here too.
We shared a meal with Lydia Schmitt using the preserved food Eleris had brought. Lydia froze upon seeing me but, upon hearing that we were here to eat, she kept quiet and ate while glancing around.
"A lot has happened since then, huh?"
I wondered if Lydia had chosen this place or not, but her room was quite spacious.
The crackling sound of the fireplace filled the room, and the warmth circulated around. There were items that hadn't been there before, such as a bed, sofa, and desk.
Eleris seemed to be trying to provide as many necessary items as possible for someone who would be living in isolation.
It was because the environment was so extreme.
Based on the size of the room and the living conditions, one could believe this was a royal residence.
In fact, this was a palace.
"Once the council concludes, you'll be able to move around freely. Bear with the inconvenience for now."
"…Yes."
As she glanced at Eleris, Lydia quietly nibbled on a piece of bread.