Through the scenic forest, a carriage train pulled by a single dark horse from the depths below the living trudges through the trail. Behind them, a large mountain’s peak was eaten up by the hills of the open fields they passed through. The large four metallic pillars that once housed something large disappearing through the wheat and the weeds growing perilously through the sinking cold and the amping heat.
Sitting on a front, a dehydrated man wearing a Peasant’s ensemble, a tan cotton tunic and baggy canvas pants with leather jackboots sits in front with a wonderfully attractive girl in her mid teenage years. Her sharp ears and the fangs on her upper jaw is prevalent as she tries to make the man smile. With an open mouth, her clean white teeth shone bright through the shade of the countless trees that perch over the dusty road there on.
“M’Lord, do not worry! Tonight-”
“HHHHAAAAH…” as if to gasp for air after hearing the word. It made the man's eyes open wide as he leaned away from her, but trapped by the cramped space of the seat and the toeboard below him. The front spokes of the wagon jeered to the left as the horse pulling the two carriages, one with a tall tarp and another, with a flat one that’s hitched to them took a turn to zig zag in the tight road.
“N-no! I mean, M’Lord. I will cook some very good beef burgundy with fine wine! A signature in my region!”
“Haaaa…. Phew.” Deflating upon hearing it. A tall floating woman in a dark gown appears next to him. She had her hands on her back as she waved to the Vampire sitting next to him. “Morning. Is Master still unable to talk?”
“Sadly, he is.”
“We really overdid it now. But since we’re already here. I’ll talk on behalf of Master.”
“Haaa.. ahh… ahhhh..aaa.”
“Master says that should be better enough to last all of us till we reach Gareth’s borders at least.”
“Do not worry, M’Lord! It will be enough till we reach the Fortress City, even!”
“Aaaaa… ahhh… haaaa…” rumbling like a zombie as his cheekbones were lit up by the piercing star rays, it was more pronounced and even though he was still bulky, the man was evidently lacking in much needed protein and even basic water.
Sitting behind by the tailgate of the wagon, watching the second carriage that’s hitched to their main one waggle along the trail was a blonde woman in her late twenties. She held just as much beauty as the two in the front, but; hers stood out. Each movement of her fingers through the now flatter and presentable black cape was elegant and solemn,
Her porcelain face up close to it as she bit the string with her fangs. Though in a raggedy peasant attire consisting of a white cotton blouse and a brown corset coupled with a long crimson skirt and heeled shoes, it only made her seem more attractive.
Like a woman who’d be hailed as the Village beauty by her presentation alone with each movement being calculated to be the maximum effect of her looks. She looks around and sees the open fields pass behind them and she just lifted her left leg up to focus more on the cape.
Her slender fingers being fast on its work as it rethreads the loose ones and she was ever so closer to fully finishing her Lord’s cape.
“My Lord! Worry not! Your cape should be finished even before we reach the border!”
“GRRRRR… Haaahhh… Aaaa!”
“Master said, Did you really have to push it to multiple days even though I told you I didn’t have any aphrodisiac or any performance enhancing potions on me?!... or something along those lines.”
“Haaaa… aaaa… I truly tried My Lord. But you saw it yourself, not even the company of the Countess or even the Goddess could satiate us and one another.”
“Oy, don’t bring me into this Bloodsucker. I was merely caught up by the moment in my Human form.”
“Even still, you did partake and join it didn’t you? I am not here to argue. But merely to defend my… tendencies. Personal love is the demise of us Vampires and even I am not perfect in controlling our nature.”
“Aaaaaa…. Haaahhhh!”
“Master said that if we do that again, no more sex forever.”
Alana who was just minding her own business sitting next to him reacted almost immediately alongside Elizabeth who crept up from the back to the front at such a speed that the man hadn’t even blinked and their faces were behind him. With the Queen prone on top of a bunch of crates that’s behind the front seat.
“M’LORD, IS THIS TRUE?! Please! Do not tease me like this! I will cook you as much meat as you wish! Hell to it, I’d even cook you steaks everyday if you wish!”
“My Lord…. I swear to my eternity that I will pay for this till my death. But do not do this to me! I’ll… I’ll even enchant your cape! Yes! I know of an ancient Vampire spell that will make it stronger against Blood Magic and Curses!”
Seeing the two pretty girls with such pale expressions on their pretty faces, the man sighs and leans down. Deflating, he puts a blank emotion.
“Haaaaa…”
“Master said just to watch yourselves.”
Both the Vampires phew and wipe her foreheads. Returning to their positions and breathing another long sigh of relief.
“Haaa…. Agghhh… grrrr… haaa..”
“Master also said that it might be a warning. But he seriously thought about it since the Court Martial wasn’t even finished and we were already… doing things…”
“M’Lord, this is just a one off thing. I shall never occur ever again.”
“Ahhhh… haaa.”
“It better be, Master says.”
In their range of vision, the trail soon enters a village and Jackson looks around and then turns to the Vampire sitting next to him. She immediately places her hands on her ears and it changes into a normal human shape.
“Haaa…”
“Ahhh, yes Master. I’ll go and stay in my Dragon form then.”
The black dragon then sat on his shoulder. On the outskirts of the small settlement, inside the treeline were buildings, overgrowth with vines and nature. In some areas, Jackson could even see a light post that’s inside a tree’s bark.
Shaped perfectly as a cross, the village didn’t have much to offer. With four farms on its quadrants and on its center were the Tavern and Inn. Right most of it is some sort of a parking bay for merchants that he could see upon exiting the thick forest.
Far on top of a hill just glance of the treetops is a gated brick Manor. Its glass windows caught his eyes as his view was blocked by the small buildings of the place. Ignoring the more modern wagons parked next to the road on the same way he’s coming from with English written on its tarp as broadcasting equipment is guarded by a bunch of players in chainmail and Wizard robes.
Upon the intersection, the Knight turned right and parked their wagons on the dirt alongside the others. The merchants could recognize the modern carriage, with proper suspension and better struts and supports mended into the cowboy era wooden sideboards and spokes.
They were mostly wearing green tunics with pointy shoes, selling their wares to the Village people who were already in the middle of their work on the farms. On one of the top right quadrants where the carriage area was. Jackson notices some of the wheat was not touching a certain area of it as he got down the front seat and helped Alana down her side.
“Haaa…”
“Master said he’ll be going north of town to check the stalls he saw there.”
“Of course. I’ll be here M’Lord. I think some of the people here are from your world. I’d like to see what they’d be selling to us.”
“Ha. Ahaaaa… haaaa.” Though the man groaned and gruntled like a zombie, making noises as if he was a reanimated ghoul, Bahamut who was comfy sitting on his shoulder kept nodding. Like she could translate every noise he’s making no matter its tone and level.
“Master says not to buy anything ridiculous.”
“Of course.”
Popping out of the back was Elizabeth tightening her corset more.
“My Lord, I’ll be South of the village. I saw some shops that interested me when we came in.”
“Mmhm. Mhm.”
“Master says be careful.”
“Of course. My Lord.”
He then walks his own way. Passing through the horses eating hay and leftovers as he screams of the Natives and Players selling their cargo barraged his left ear. “COME! BUY ONE TAKE ONE! POTION GUARANTEED TO HELP YOU WITH SLEEPLESS NIGHTS!” “FREE KNIFE IF YOU BUY OUR NEW RENTSOSS CURVE SWORD!” He then makes a right turn into the backs of the village’s main buildings that sat next to the road as he gunned it through the field and to the stalls that’s taken his attention.
The people there were all locals to the town, having their own separate area that’s far more clean and less noisy and crowded.
Down South, Elizabeth enters the settlement's sewing shop. There were already some women there when she entered and the blonde woman, as much as she tried not to stand out. Her pretty face just outmatched even the youngest and fairest of the village and she could already sense some stares and looks as some of the threads gained her attention.
The ones that got her were the red linen silk samples that’s enchanted.
“Ah, a fine eye, Lady. That’s enchanted for healers and those who pray to Humanus.”
“May I humbly ask for who made this?”
“I’ll get her. Yarrah!”
Coming out of the back was another young lady. She had an apron on and her head covered with a veil as she bowed.
“Yes, Mother?”
“This girl here, she seems to be a Noble trying to check around the region. We better look good and the village might get some more recognition.”
“Ah, the blonde lady there?”
Elizabeth then walks to the counter and drops a bunch of samples.
“I’d like to know how much a Minch of this cost.”
“Minch? We use Dirteks here. Yarrah, where is my thirty six dirtek ruler?”
“Did you leave it again somewhere, Mother?”
“Ah, I’m getting older and older already. Please wait, lady.” The middle aged woman gave her a fine smile as she rummaged around the shop. “Mother, don’t you have a parchment with all of the costs written on it? Don’t tell me it's also gone.” the lady in the white canvas blouse then starts throwing random things from her counter.
Elizabeth even had to dodge a pair of wooden eyeglasses and a needle case as she went around the back looking for it.
“Blast the Curates and may the Morning Star of Humanus shine down on us. I seem to have lost it or gotten it piled under here.”
One of the village girls walks to her and leans in. “Forgive Miss Tera. It's said that when she was still adventuring, she fought a huge Hobgoblin Master and its attack damaged her head and even hearing.” Elizabeth just nods and smiles as she patiently waits.
On the counter, she notices a circular smooth wooden box and opening it, it was full of fleece from sheep. Taking her time, she let her left hand touch it and the fluffiness she felt made the wait less of a hassle.
After a while, the Queen walks out the tailors workshop with a small sack on her hand as she takes a hike back to the carriage. Before she could make it to the intersection, a person wearing a Roman Toga holding a Reporters Microphone. Elizabeth being fast on her moves instantly dodges the man.
But the player just randomly appeared in front of her. Completely blocking the path to the intersection.
“Did you just dare use Shadow Magic to halt me?”
“Oh wow! Aren’t you just magnificently beautiful but also a holder of a keen eye! You aren’t any normal Native. Would you like to be part of my YouTube channel?”
“No.” Her sudden and quick cold answer even made the cameraman behind her giggle as he grew a pair of angelic wings and started floating to get a better angle of the scene.
“Ouch. But we have a prize to all those who participate. Including a rare armor set used in Tur!”
“An armor set?” Setting down her sack, Elizabeth puts her finger up her chin as she looks up. “What kind of set is this? My Lord would be interested in such a thing.”
“It’s a Mid to Late level armor set that’s only gotten in one Event with no foreseeable reruns!”
“Fine. I’ll bite. But do not make me for a fool. I will not hide my words in this interview.”
“Oh no! It’s not an interview at all!” the player with his bright yellow tunic and feathered hat goes to his pocket. “I am a YouTuber with over five million subscribers. One of the most famous in the Dark World Community. I am recording as much as I can to bring everything I could back to Earth! To be the first interdimensional content creator! Now!”
With a card out, he gave it to her and on it was a strange rectangular code of sorts with the words written “Scan this to be linked to my Youtube channel!” underneath it. His player name and real name were there, while in the back was mostly what the show was about.
Elizabeth quickly gains a grin on her face knowing something as the cameraman placed a tripod. The villagers were confused at what was happening and just chose to continue going on their way while the children were standing behind the two. Curiously watching as the player made sure his uniform was clean of any dirt.
“Welcome again to my fellow Worlders! Today, I am here in the Village of Sirn at the cluster of territories that was onced formerly known as the Nation of Carthegra, this territory we’re in is under the control of Lord Sirn himself, his estate seen even from this village. Now, ma’am, may I ask for your name?”
“Carmilla.”
“Wow, what a name! Then, what do you think of your partner?”
“He’s a good man. Very kind and lovable.”
“Then, do you doubt his loyalty to you then?”
“No. Not that it matters much to me.”
“Oh wow! Polygamy folks! And here I thought this stuff was reserved for the Nobles!”
“Look, maybe for Humans its best to have-”
“Humans? Aren’t you Human yourself lady? Or are you so beautiful you are some higher species of Man than us?”
“Forget what I said. Move on. I’d like to see this loyalty test on My Lord.”
With her arms crossed and her hips pointed to the right, away from the YouTuber. He quickly sets the knob into high gear.
“Then! Release the Succubus!”
North of the town, Bahamut and Paul were both busy buying random things from the stalls. Mostly fruits and vegetables that he has never seen before. He brings out a third plastic bag from his pocket as he checks some potions made by the villagers.
As he let Bahamut chat with the vendor, a busty lady with bat-like wings and a spiky tail hid in the shadows. Closely watching the man as the Dragon on his shoulder had a lively conversation with the man selling some vials. All he could do was let out ghoulish sounds while looking completely drained of most of his life essences.
“Oy oy oy, isn’t that Bahamut? Is Jeung serious about this?” with bat shaped horns, she waited for a perfect chance to strike.
“Yep. That’s the Lord's estate. It was built way before this village was even made. Its Elizabethan style is realy something isn’t it?”
“Elishabethan… aaaa?”
“Master said why is it called Elizabethan.”
“Ah! Because it was built in the Elizabethan Period of the continent. You’d think that freeing ourselves from the High Elf was not enough and the Gods would later curse us with an invasion of the Vampires. It was foretold that she was a very demanding woman. Her looks might be enough to make even Demons fall, but her personality was as rancid as the Lords that onced ruled the Nation here.”
“Ohhh… aaaaa…. Haaa…”
“How demanding?”
“Oh, though my head is weary from the stories passed down in the village. But it was said that the Estate there became that ridiculously romantic because she didn’t want a random city to be governed by a Vampire Lord in a shanty. If you see or encounter a Manor or Estate like that, with bricks and concrete with decorations in every inch of its exterior, it's pretty much Elizabethan.”
“Ha. Aaaaaa… ahaaa…?”
“This used to be a city?”
“Mhm! But that was before the Lasting Peace Era. In the times of the Third End Time Period to the Elizabethan Period. This was a sprawling city of Carthegra’s innards. A merchant hub too. It only stopped when the Kingdom of Gareth rose to fight the Vampire Lords that ruled over us way back then… They torched the city alongside the millions that lived here.”
“Ohhhhhh… thaaa… nk… you..”
He then takes one of the vials meant for sore throats and pays the man. “But before you go!” He lifts up the large polished stick that was resting on his stall and chants something under his lips. Jackson and Bahamut both light up and they feel refreshed. “O-Ohhhh…” he then bows multiple times with a big smile on his face and the Vendor couldn’t be happier with his expression of gratitude. Wishing him a good trip as they both left.
Walking to the intersection, Bahamut immediately comes to life and turns around. “Huh?” appearing before him was a succubus in the most ridiculously revealing outfit he had seen so far. Mere latex strings hiding her privates as she floated around him.
With straight shiny long purple hair, golden bracelets, long sharp ears, and killer hips, she blew him a kiss and the man didn’t react at all. Bahamut just laughs at the useless attempt of the player.
“Oh wow, you're more resistant than I expected. Just what level are you?”
“Heh.”
“Master would’ve reacted the way you wanted if you were a few days early, Chosen One.”
“Hm?” The man then continued walking, ignoring the Succubus that kept floating around him. Observing the man closely as some of the town guards came to the scene. She quickly blew them flying kisses and they all fell down completely drowning in lust. Unable to move anywhere. “But your body is reacting to me. Is it numb?”
“Begone Chosen One. Master is in a bad mood today, you wouldn’t want him to be violent. He knows you will just reincarnate somewhere.”
“Ehhhhh… It seems that I already lost before I knew it.”
She then poofs away as Jackson turns to the left and to the direction of the carriages. Meanwhile behind one of the alleyways, the Succubus poofs into the hidden camera crew and Elizabeth.
“So. The prize?”
“B-B-But… huh?! How?! Yue is a max level Succubus! No one has ever even resisted her charms before!”
“You belittle me, the Countess, and the Dragons' skills. After that we did nonstop for a few days, I would be surprised if he could still react.”
The YouTuber just turns to her with his eyes flinching. Now knowing why she was grinning in the beginning.
Walking back to the Wagons, he presents her the prize. “This is Lord Harkarth’s Vampire Armor Set. It's Level Sixty to Ninety appropriate.” Elizabeth was totally smitten by its looks. The dark chest armor coupled with the big and wide Vampire cloak with the red inside and shiny leather on the outside was perfect for her taste. “It’s a light plate armor, meant mostly for Vampire players since they need to move around alot. Enjoy.”
The Player then returns to his crew and they walk away as Elizabeth inspects the armor set a bit more.
After a while, she has one hand that’s holding a sack and another that’s holding the entire armor stand as she could see that Jackson was being interviewed by the players. Alana was behind him, holding a bunch of potion bottles as one of the merchants held a banner up and high. “Lord Nguyen’s Magical Potions Emporium! 20% Discount for this month only!” The others, being natives, are curious as to why he is doing this as the well formed peasant with a Dragon on his shoulder is questioned.
"Do you consider yourself powerful?"
"Mmhm. Ahhhh... haa..."
"Master said that the UN lets him do as he pleases. So there’s that."
"Ah! Haaaaa... aaaa..haa."
"Or more like they're afraid of him and the three other people with him."
"Ahhhh... aaa... haaa."
"But what they don't know is that the two Vampires with me are absolutely fantastic companions if you know what you're doing and I am, as always, an awesome and very cool Dragon."
Jackson then turns his face to look at Bahamut. Giving her a squinted stare. “What? I just modified it a bit, Master, to make it more accurate.”
"Then why won't you use these powerful Vampires to end hunger or stuff like that?"
"Hmmm... haaa... aaa... haa.."
"Because they perceive things differently. Maybe with me directing them, I can get results the Human way. But there's been many times where they have access to... men?"
"Haa."
"Ah, Armies. Master said armies. When they have access to many options, their recommendations start going crazy. If I followed their advice, an entire city would've been completely flattened and the Eternal Kingdom in Schon would be in turmoil. Same with hunger, even with the very powerful and spectacular Bahamut would need to do some drastic changes for that to happen."
“Like what?”
“Hmmm… haaaa… aaaaa… Bahamuu..t?”
“I mean, I could do it Master. But it will just happen again after some small conflicts and wars. The mortal species are all inefficient in their own ways, so there will always be hunger, war and pain all of that stuff. If I were to use my powers, I would just be taping a small hole on an already sunken ship. All of those are also a part of Nature, I cannot truly control all of Nature unless I were to be an Evil God.”
Jackson just peered his eyes over to Bahamut and the YouTuber, who's in a complete state of confusion to what the Dragon just said just glosses over to the next question.
"You said Eternal Kingdom? You mean the Kingdom of Rose? Threa's Vampire Nation?"
"Ahhh... haa... aaaa..."
"Master says yes. I wouldn't have done my job there without them, but at the same time. The things they recommended to me, I simply cannot do without facing immense personal and political fallouts. I would've had to walk through a million needles and a single mistake or me not doing exactly as they wish, my head would be rolling if I did what they planned out."
"Then you can say that Vampires are inherently bad people then?"
"Mmm? Ahhhh... haaa..."
"They aren't people to begin with. They’re an entirely different set of Humanoids that work on a level we most cannot comprehend. It's my Human touch that prevents them from letting out this nature that might be destructive to us, but not to them.” He then raises his finger and lets out more groans. “Following Bahamut for example is like kicking reason to the curb and just following what you want at the moment. Hey, wait a second... "
"Interesting, interesting. You seem to be an expert in the subject matter of Vampires and Dragons. Impressive and explains why Yue’s succubus magic didn’t fully affect you. Tell me sir, what is your name?"
"Jaaa…shhon."
"It's Jackson. Master's full name is Paul Jackson."
"Then, I hope you’ll enjoy the prize your wife has gotten for you.”
“Mhm. Thaa…nkkk.. Youuu..”
The two exchange handshakes and smiles as one of the players photograph him, Bahamut, and the YouTuber with Alana and the Merchant in the back. After the quick flash, the Natives hid behind their wagons just to see that nothing happened to them.
It soon clears out and Jackson returns to the Countess. Elizabeth on the other hand just bows to thank the YouTuber returning to their wagons south of the town as she crossed the street and showed the man what she bought.
“Ohhhhhhh!” Jackson was enthralled by the armor set she set down in front of him and he gave it a quick check. “Mhm! Mhm!”
“Master says good job!”
“Ahahahaha, do praise me more, My Lord.”
“Mhm! Ohhhhh…” he caressed the chestplate that’s styled over the abs of a curvy muscled man while Alana was checking the plastic bags he bought over and she nodded in approval. Bringing it into the second wagon as she returns to the man enjoying the new armor he got.
“Master won’t be able to wear it anyways. Old Vampire armor is meant for the Ancients and is expensive to alter, something a cheapskate like Master wouldn’t do.” Taking the chestplate, it wasn’t only bendy but also capable of being put on top of nearly any clothing you might have underneath and the scary looking cape was just his style. Though even getting the thigh plate on was a problem. Meant for the more tall, lanky and lean sexy bodies of Vampire men.
“Our Lord mentioned he keeps these, right?”
“Mhm. Oh! You’ve never been to Masters home. He has a basement where he has all the Armor sets he has collected on stands.”
“A fine collector, no wonder our Lord has such a fine eye.”
“Master sometimes overdoes it. We’re just lucky so far he has not found any special sets like that.”
Unlike Jackson's who's that of an average human for the most part. “Well, I guess that’s another set for you to put into the collection, Master,” he nods and takes the set apart from its stand and starts putting them in empty crates that he had on the second wagon.
This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.
All the while, Elizabeth was just smiling as she watched her happy Lord with a brand new set of armor for him to play with. Then someone catches the rim of her eyes, a young gray haired person behind one of the carriages. “Tsk.” She then starts walking towards the intersection and then behind one of the buildings.
A kick then suddenly falls on the young person who instantly hits the muddy ground below. He had a smile on his face even after getting caught. Raising his hands as the heels of the Queen dug into his thighs with her standing right on top of him, looking down on his very soul with a hand on her hip.
“Thou art has sniffed thee. How… exquisitely trained thine’s nose. Who hath thee dyed in the songs of control?”
“Geez lady, you sure know how to kick a man down.”
“Answer’eth or have thou’s head roll into the soil beloweth us.”
She then starts to stir the tip of her pointy shoes into his thigh, but this only made him laugh and smile more. Elizabeth curiously tilts her head at the youthful and presentable young man who looks to be a dependable person.
“Ahahahaha. I just have an eye for things that stick out.”
“Heeeeeeh…. And who is thou’weth allegiance?”
“No one. Just an innocent person helping my Mentor in the art of business.”
Staring at his gray eyes, the Queen lets go of his leg and scoffs. “I know’eth that someone must’ve sang something. Tell whomever this is that thine’s better off’eth at night wherein we slumber in peace.” swaying her long blonde hair, she exits out the alleyway, returning to the carriage where she hears a familiar voice cry out,
“OH MY! M’LORD!”
Running towards the merchant carriages, she sees Alana holding her hands up her face, her cheeks fully blushed underneath it as Elizabeth peeled them away. “Countess! What has happened?! I’ve never heard you scream like that before.” with her trembling hands, she points at where their carriage is parked and the Queen’s eyes dropped.
While holding a potion bottle, Her Lord has completely turned into a Vampire. “Oh wow! I can speak again!... and my voice! Woah, feels like I am inside the cab of a truck with how tall I’ve become. What do you think, Bahamut? Neat ehy?” wearing the Vampire armor set, complete with the cloak.
He has turned into a pale skinned six foot nine Vampire Lord. His hair, now a long bleached white ponytailed one with a clean cut with his face, solemn and triangular. His usually normal sized eyebrows were now thin and well trimmed as his eyes shone a crimson red.
“Wow. What level were you, sir? You turned into a Vampire Duke.”
“Level Two Hundred. Guess the potion also takes that into account huh?”
His voice was also different, though still deep, it was more oratorical. As if from birth, he has been trained in the art of speech and how to control his vowels and tone, perfectly creating a voice that could woo any person.
“Oh! Hey Carmilla! Look! I can talk again! Finally! Ugh.” Even though he had such a serious and intimidating look, his posture and facial expressions were unlike the body he has taken up. Lively, full of emotion, and very open. In stark contrast to the more mysterious and saddening look of his Vampire form.
Without talking, Elizabeth walks up to him. Now having to look up to meet his eyes and the man immediately knew what her expression meant.
“OHHHH NO. NO.”
The Queen was completely flushed with lust like Alana who had taken up to herself to hide and prevent herself from doing anything against his wishes. But Elizabeth, with trembling hands and fingers slowly reached her slender hand out, her small wrist resting on her Lord's now more pointy chin. “My-My Lord… awwww… I never knew you’d look like this.”
All the while, Bahamut’s just confused at what’s happening as even the Village women standing far away have stopped dead in their position and seem to be fully smitten by him.
Turning into her Human form, Bahamut then nods. “Ahhhhh… interesting. I can also feel it now. Wow, you Bloodsuckers are truly something. Not only is having a sexy face and body not enough, but also a Passive Aphrodisiac effect?" All the while, the Knight had to hold both of Elizabeth’s wrist as he prevented her from fully caressing his body. “Oh wow, this isn’t as hard as it seems.” he then turns to the merchant who is writing down what he is seeing.
“Uhhhh… Mister Nguyen, exactly when will the potion wear off?”
“About five minutes. You only took a drop so it shouldn’t last too long. What potion do you want to try next?”
“Do you have anything for… skeletor transformation?”
“Ah, those are actually some of my most sold. Wanna save up on using Mana huh?”
“Yup.” As the two conversed, Elizabeth’s lanky fingers were constantly trying to touch his face while Bahamut had to turn back into her Dragon form to not feel the effects of his Vampiric self.
After four minutes, he returns back into his normal Human form and the Queen completely overpowers him. “TIME! TIME! TIME! I’M BACK IN MY HUMAN FORM!” putting his hands up to a cross. But Elizabeth didn’t care. “My Lord, I prefer you in your Human self anyways. Seeing you in that form might be good, but the original is better!” She then starts to lean down.
But before she could completely go down on him, Bahamut in a bit larger form grabs her and drags her in the carriage where she then turns into a Human. “Don’t worry Master. I’ll hold her down.”
“And the other one?”
“Other one?” Bahamut’s eyes then open wide as realizes her mistake. Alana appears out of cover, the player merchant now feeling as if he was in worse danger than before. “Uhhh… should I leave?”
“Do you want me to buy stuff from you or not?”
“D-D-do not worry, M’Lord. I am in complete control of myself.” The Countess said this even though her body was trembling and her right hand was holding her upper left arm as she was looking to the left, hiding her face completely.
“I should’ve joined the Hygiene business instead.”
“Ahahahaha… ahhh, sorry about those two. Uhm, is the Hygiene business booming?”
Alana then stood right behind him. Just staying silent as Bahamut was too busy holding down Elizabeth inside their main wagon.
“Don’t you think you have bigger problems than to ask me about how business is doing?”
“Oh they know what will happen if they even try.” He said this with such a straight face that the merchant just shrugged and sighed.
“Hygiene trading is pretty big right now since the UN has no embargo on any modern cleaning products. Thing is, it's just not my thing.”
“Ohhhh, so people are really buying it huh?”
“Yup. The Nobles are the ones buying the cosmetic stuff since it now doesn’t involve using magic or products with dangerous chemicals on it while Peasants and Commoners mostly buy Shampoo, Deodorants, Floor and Table products, and the cheaper Colognes.”
“Huh. Alright, alright. Well, I’ll buy three of these Vampire potions, three with the ones that turns me into skeletons and uhhh… maybe one for High Elf.”
“What duration you want these? They can last from a few hours to an entire week.”
He then rubs his chin. Looking at Elizabeth and then to himself and then to the estate far away in the back.
“Vampire, I want it to last a week. Skeleton, as long as possible, and the Elf one to be a few days.”
“Alrighty. I’ll go write it up and see how much it totals. Thanks.”
“Of course.”
Tipping his feathered hat, the player then goes back to his wagon and starts sliding through the cabinets inside it while writing stuff on a piece of paper.
“Girls, later we’ll go and check the Inn and see if we can make any money here. Sad that a good contact of mine isn’t here. He would’ve been frolicking at the idea of this single event Vampire Set.”
“Master, are you talking about that weird man with the top hat?”
“Exactly him. He is powerful, you know?”
“Ehhhhh…. I don’t know. His personality doesn't give out that sort of-” Elizabeth tries to kick her away but the Dragon just leaned in more to keep her underwraps. “Feeling, Master. I sense that he's a Vampire but he is unlike most of the others we usually meet.”
“That’s because his entire shtick is keeping a low profile. Why do you think no one has found him or his Castle? The guy is pretty chill and wants to live a quiet life.”
After paying and removing the Vampire armor set back to the wagon storage. He then goes to the Inn with the entire party. Though the Vampires were still a bit flushed, Bahamut was completely calm and kept an eye on them as she sat on his shoulders.
Walking inside the Inn, it was mostly empty with only a few of the townsfolk there drinking from a mug. The cold wind from the outside blows in as the limited menu had very few selections for him to take.
The questboard was also the same, limited and ranged from protecting the farm at night and hunting down foxes, wolves, and goblins. “Master, what about that?” The Dragon glides to a parchment on the top of the board. “It's about the soil quality and the need of a Mage who is an expert in Nature Magic.”
“And the reward?”
“A Flame Grimoire.”
“Hmmm… a Grimoire though, that’d be the first I’d have from this planet.”
“M’Lord, I have Grimoires too, and lots of them in my Manor.” Suddenly in full control of herself, the Countess takes the paper and observes it. “I don’t know, M’Lord. Our time is better spent on something more dire.”
“Take it as an appetizer. How about that?”
Walking to the upper right quadrant of the village, the farmland just above the carriage parking area. Jackson sees the section of the wheat field that’s completely dead. The ones next to it were completely brown but as he kneels down to take a good look. It's completely gray and upon touching it, it felt weightless even.
“That’s… odd. This seems familiar.”
“Master, that’s soil cursed by the underworld.”
“Ah finally! Adventurers!” a farmer holding a plate full of bacon, sausages and eggs walks up to them. “It’s bad isn’t it? It's been like that since the start of the village.” With a straw hat and a towel over his shoulders, he squatted over the border of the bad and good soil quality. Shrugging.
“Late breakfast?”
“Ah no. This is Mid-morning meal.”
“Mid-morning?”
“Mm! Breakfast, Mid-Morning, Lunch, Mid Supper, and Supper. Working in the fields takes a lot of food so it's better to eat as much as you can when you have free time.”
“Interesting, that's a lotta meals for a single day.” He then turns to the wheat field and how large it is even with the section that’s completely dead. “Yeah… I get that. Well, can I see Grimoire at least?”
“Mhm!” He wipes his mouth and stands up. “Let me call Tenus.” while Bahamut observed the large field. Turning into her Human form and watching the plants that tried to grow now fully withered away and dead.
A minute later, an old farmer walks up to them with the younger man. Even at his age, he was able to move with the big scythe without much effort. “Sorry for the wait Gentlemen and Lasses. Winter is just getting over now, so the spinach needs some harvesting. Would you like some meat? We have some extra ones stored over for the winter and we still have so much.”
“Can I?!”
“Bahamut.”
“Awwww…”
“Now, the Grimoire.” He then reaches for his bag and shows them a dusty red book. In an unknown language to him. Flipping it open, not only did it have a table of contents, but also drawn illustrations on how to position your hands and fingers to even techniques. Like using your index finger to direct the Flame in a thinner area but gives it more range.
“M’Lord, I have those books first to the eleventh volume all in my Manor.”
“But Alana, this is some pretty cool stuff though. I’ll keep it.”
“Masters a bit of a hoarder. Just let him be.”
“Alright then. But M’Lord, if you ever need one, just tell me.”
“Sure sure, wow.” He then continues to flip through the book while Elizabeth was still trying to control herself in the back while Bahamut lifted her hands and a magic ring appears from thin air, floating above the dead soil and a blinding golden beam hits it and after a few seconds, even the dead plant that tried to grow is fully vitalized and the two farmers clap their hands in amazement.
“Oh my! Look at how brown it is! Oh God Humanus! I thank you for blessing us with this opportunity! May you guide these Heroes in their journey!” The old man dropped to his knees, his hands digging the perfect soil relentlessly as he cried tears of joy. “What happened there anyways?”
“It was said that’s the place where the Vampire Lord of the Region died. His body was hit with a thousand curses and it completely destroyed the soil.”
“The damages of the past, hunting the present. Thanks for the Flame Grimoire. I’ll be sure to take good care of it.”
Exiting the village with smiles and waves, the party rode till Star down and they parked over the forest. Alana cooked them a sweet Beef burgundy and before long, they were all asleep from the long day.
Lingering through the bushes, a lean woman could see the flames of the campfire that seemingly never loses its strength. She could see three bedrolls, with one having a Dragon sleeping on top of it. All balled up and soundly snoring.
With leather pants and a corset, she didn’t make a single sound nor rustled any of the leaves. She was so silent not even Bahamut was awakened by her as she did her best to avoid getting any close to the sleeping Dragon.
Problem was, it was sleeping on top of the bedroll nearest to the second wagon where she could even see the shimmer of the Vampire Armor Set on an opened crate.
Entering the premises of the small camp, she first observes the area closely. Seeing the magic barrier was nearly nonexistent and no traps were set at all. The woman starts walking on the grass and with her hands behind her back, nonchalantly trudged around the place. Seeing the collected plates that’s been cleaned and drying.
Next to the clothes they used for the day that’s on its own rack getting properly aired before being returned back to their wardrobes. The food was also clean off, nothing was left and everything was put back into their respective containers and jars inside the first wagon with the large tarp over it.
The big dark horse soundfully sleeps on a pile of hay as it snores alongside the Dragon and the blonde woman.
Performing handstands, she carefully navigates to the middle of the camp. The firepit burning oh so clearly that her silhouette could be seen perfectly on the second wagon towering over the Dragon and the man that’s having a nice comfy rest in the cold night in the forest.
She then walks towards the man. Just for a hand from the bedroll near her to trip the woman. Undoing her bunned up hair and exposing its strands to the blanket of the Countess who instantly awakens from the singular fall of hair.
Shivers run up her spine as she slowly turns her head around to see the black haired woman with her golden eyes looking straight at her.
Disappearing, Elizabeth smiles as she could hear Alana wake up from her slumber.
“Mmmhm? What’s happening Bloodsucker?”
“Do not disturb our Lord. Let him sleep. I’ll take care of this.”
“Haaaaah… sure whatever.” The Dragon then returns to sleeping as Elizabeth just rolls to the otherside of her bed. Facing the deathly dark forest, her hands lay on the soil and a magic ring appears around them. “Blood Barrier.” a red circle appears on the perimeter as she returns to her sleep. Soundly snoring once again as Alana, in her pale white sleeping gown jumped to the top of the trees and started chasing the infiltrator.
Running as fast as she could, the woman readied her belt. On it were two flintlock pistols and five vials on each side while on the back of her belt was a bunch of blood packs. With two shortswords, she came through the bushes at such a speed it’d cut through branches and leave gaping marks on the barks and stumps.
Looking at her back, it was nothing but the void of the lightless trees and the inescapable jaw of nature. She kept looking and looking, not having to turn her face forward as she instinctively moved from left to right to avoid obstacles. Her crimson eyes piercing every movement she’d see as the territory changes into a blooming flower field.
As the Moon and its little friend hovers over the wide open area, the thousands and thousands of blue flowers open and sprout, giving light to the stage as they glow a bright light at the dead of night.
She kept looking around her, again and again and again. Sensing something but finding none.
“Over here.”
Locking her eyes beneath one of the tree branches. Alana had her bat wings out. It covered her body as it wrapped around her. The large bat wings she had are taller than her, enough to insulate her body even in the cold night.
But the wrapping of her wings didn’t hide her pretty face, the white skin of the young woman glowing ever more beautiful as the blooming glow flowers right in front of the tree she’s attached to gave her an ethereal look.
“Red eyes. Hmph. Of course. Only your kind would be stupid enough to try to infiltrate a camp with not one, but two Vampire Nobles.”
“Tsk. What bad luck. I just wanted that set. That moron only told me of two powerful Vampires guarding it alongside a Human and a Dragon. I never knew he meant Purebred powerful and fucking Bahamut herself.”
“Oh yes, and as a matter of fact. My lineage is quite known for its theatrics. So I shall make a show out of you for making me lose on good sleep. Be happy I am letting you off on this. Awakening M’Lord could’ve had more dire consequences.”
She then dropped down from the tree branch and stood straight up. Her wings opened and disappeared into her back as she walked into the fully lit flower field. It lit up her thin nightgown, revealing the thin and curvy naked body she had underneath it. Not a pint of hair or scars, nor even a miniscule blemish as her feet start trampling on the beautiful glowing plants.
Raising her right hand, she gestures for the woman and she obliges. Her two shortswords were drawn from the back of her belt and sliced through the teenage woman without care.
It completely cut her arms off, painting the blue with red as the Countess started to dance, with her limbs all back intact.
“What the…”
She looks down on her iridescent sword, the blade clean as if the blood instantly disappeared. Trying again, Alana dodges her attack and kicks her in the back as she tries to come after her neck. She continued to dance along the field with little care, tip-toeing around the soil as she continually gestured for the infiltrator to come at her again.
“Tsk. So even my enchanted swords can’t do that huh.”
Returning one of the blades to her back, she then takes the flintlock pistol and fires a shot followed by her left hand, armed with the short sword coming at her to slice the Countess down to mincemeat.
The shot of the pistol was enough to blow away a cone shaped area of flowers and tore the woman in half as she quickly started to regenerate her lost limbs and parts. Her nightgown also returned to its previous state.
Before she could be completely healed back, the Intruder jumped high to the height of the tree tops and opened one of the vials she had. Throwing it, it stopped the healing of Alana’s arm. “Oh, nice trick.” This made her more active, disappearing and only leaving Roses in her wake as she appears at a higher altitude right above her.
Kicking the top of her head in an insane force, she crash lands down but manages to soften it with her own bat wings. Making her steady enough to throw another vial at her. Though the Countess completely dodges it, the Infiltrator uses magic to move the liquid to chase her around.
Looking back, the woman then starts disappearing and reappearing at different points till suddenly coming in arms length of the leather glad Vampire. Cutting her arms off completely as she grabs her head and pushes her feet into her back.
With the sound of gore and muscle ripping, the Countess brutally pulls the head of the Intruder with the spine out of her body. As she was about to drop it, the Vampire smiles at her and Alana realizes the liquid from the vial.
She drops the head on the floor as the mangled body of the sexy woman grabs her dismembered head and reattaches it to her neck with Alana having to constantly move and not try to get the liquid on her.
Blood Roses then sprout on her cut arm and regrow it completely as another vial is thrown at her. She then tries to kick it away, but this one explodes upon contact. Tearing her body apart.
“Damn! Aren’t you hard to kill! I’m running out of rare potions to use against you.”
“You play a good game, Intruder. But whatever you're after, you’ll only get it on your grave.”
“I just wanted to track down Dracula and find a way to get home.”
“Ehhhh… and does this Dracula person have any connection to anyone here?” even though her body was completely destroyed and Blood Roses were growing on it, making her body slowly reform. Alana’s voice was as crystal clear as ever. “That Armor set, it's not just something to be given out as a prize. That has history and has been through numerous Vampire Guilds. I need it.”
“I apologize, but the moment you tried to be smart and steal it from us. You have basically nullified any chance of you to even lay a finger on it.”
“Yeah, I got a bit too excited.”
She then removes her cowl, revealing her brown hair and red lipstick. With thick mascara and makeup, she couldn’t have looked any older than twenty. Her fangs baring out of her mouth as her crimson red eyes glowed at night.
Opening the blood packs on the back of her belt, she drank two whole worth of them as Alana’s body fully reforms and immediately comes at her.
Her hands are swift and fast, dancing and prancing at her enemy. The Countess took her time against the Intruder as she returned the blows with her own combination of attacks. Clawing up and down, targeting the nerves and the blood veins within her reach.
Letting the brown haired woman do her thing, Alana then suddenly changes her dodge and attack, this time teleporting and kicking which the Vampire Player blocks with her crossed wrists. But it sent her back a few meters, just enough for the Countess to make space and bloom Blood Roses around them.
The floating plants would actively blind the player, wherever she’d try to look, she’d only have a tiny view of the Countess dancing around her as she relentlessly started to stab and claw the Intruder from all manners of directions and angles.
Her healing was still fast, the blows of Alana unable to fully damage her as she takes another vial and shakes it. Throwing it right above her and exploding the area and the Blood Roses, scattered throughout the bluish field of glowing flowers.
With the sudden explosion, Alana then sees the Intruder has disappeared and she turns around just to get stabbed by a sword going straight in between her eyes and exiting in the back of her head.
She just smiles and grabs the pommel, forcing it more into her till the Player loses her balance completely, causing Alana to perform a devastating knee blow right in her small stomach. Completely wrecking her innards and making her puke blood.
The player kept her cool even with such pain, slicing Alana’s neck to make her also bleed profusely. The Countess had to lift her left hand to close it and had to close space.
Before they knew it, a section of the flower field was full of blood stains and damaged plantlife. Ruining the once soothing view of the Moon as the two women fought head to head once again trying to out claw one another. With the Native Vampire evidently smiling and having a bit of fun while the Player was busy trying to find anything she could do.
“Come on! What are you planning? We can’t out bleed one another, you are prepared and so am I. We can continue this for days if you wish!”
“I’ll figure something out! I always do!”
The two then once again go at it, with the Vampire player now focusing on her sword. She whispers something under her nose and it lights up a blue flame as she takes her second pistol and attacks Alana with the new combo. The flurry of flying flaming blades and shrapnel of shiny round balls damaged the Countess a bit, with her healing slowing down.
“Gotcha!” She then takes one of her vials and shakes it violently and puts it right behind her neck and it explodes, sending her head down to the woman. Using wind magic, she manages to redirect it down to her neck.
The move even caught Alana off her guard as the Player’s body no longer regenerated and only her head stayed intact as her fangs dug down the Countess' exposed neck.
“What?! You insolent fool! How dareth thee drink the blood of the Minuits!”
“Don’t underestimate us Players! Just because we didn’t come from this planet doesn’t mean we can’t put up a fight! Ahahahaha!”
She then bites down deeper and starts to drink Alana’s blood. “NAY! Thinest blood is of purity! One’s lowly fangs cannot be allowed to toucheth’ this essence!” A Blood Rose then started growing from the dismembered neck of the Intruder. The player's eyes opened wide as she exploded into a thousand smaller roses. Not even having the time to scream as she completely gets killed.
“Tsk! I got a bit too confident there.” Looking around, Alana could see the body of the player disappearing into golden dust, flying away with the wind.
Victorious, the Countess just scoffs and proceeds to return back to their camp where she then went to the first Wagon and took the Chalice. Drinking her Lord's blood for the rest of the night.
Awakening, Jackson could see Alana had completely drowned herself in the Chalice alongside five bottles of wine. He then proceeds to return to sleep as Bahamut starts to lick his face profusely, forcing him to wake up.
“Uhhhh… what happened?”
“Later. I’ll tell you, M’Lord.”
After prepping breakfast with Bahamut, Jackson serves them some food and Alana starts to tell her story. With the Knight even having to go to the scene where it happened, the glowing flowers all closed and in the wake of it all was a ruined field with dried blood.
Taking one of the vials that was thrown, he inspects it closely and later finds the cork that kept it closed and nods.
“Did you just nonchalantly fight a Level Ninety Vampire Player and won?”
“So that's what it was, M’Lord?”
“Yeah, this is from that stupid Guild me and Bahamut once chased down. Remember when one of them stole my sword? This is it. Wow, you pulled it off on the first try? Nice.”
“Ehhhhh… Well, it's done, M’Lord. She’s been dispatched.”
“Good. They're not the type to return after knowing they’ve been defeated. Elizabeth, you know that Greatsword I gave you?”
“Yes My Lord. I guess that’s what they exactly stole from you?”
“Yup. The Dracula player she’s looking for is in love with big swords, dark and scary ones most of all. I won’t say that we’ve actually talked but we did meet once. Cool guy, pretty chill for being on the top of the Vampire Leaderboard, but let’s just say he found it to be the perfect weapon to use against creatures of the night and the underworld.”
“I do see that very much, My Lord. Though I am surprised she’d go for an Armor set I won.”
“Yeah well Dracula is a hoarder. The guy’s Castle is full of useless crap even I wouldn’t take. That Armor set, he would’ve particularly loved that one.”
“But M’Lord, why would they want to take it? To lay a trap of sorts?”
“Maybe.” Jackson then stands up, observing the wide open field as the morning sun rises. He makes a deep breath. “The community reveres him just as they revere the Gold King and Elizadeath. They must think whatever special perks and skills the Developers gave him could save them.”
“My Lord, do they have something against the UN?”
“Don’t know. They probably just have their own idea of getting back home. After all, we aren’t the only Guild and Alliance. We’re just the biggest and loudest of them all.”
Taking one of the plants, Bahamut just sighs. “What? It looks cool.” he then walks back into the treeline, with Alana carefully squinting at the horizon as Elizabeth sneaks up behind her.
“Pretty interesting, aren’t they?”
“What do you mean, Your Majesty?”
“The Outworlders Version of Vampires. Creative little cretins, aren’t they?”
“Hm. I see this was all part of your ploy, Your Majesty.”
“I just gave you an idea what it was like. Good thing you came out on top, I was ready to come and help you if needed.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty. But please, do try not to test me like this.”
“What’s the point of a test if you have time to prepare and ready yourself? You must always be on your toes. More if it's against them.”
“I see what you mean, Your Majesty. I also do find it quite interesting how they're all creative in their own ways. From our Lord to even the Vampire I fought.”
“See? Now, let us return to our journey.”
Riding back on his carriage, Jackson is enjoying the open forest once again with the company of his companions. Elizabeth sat in the back staring down the large Wolves trailing while trying to get his cape fully fixed while Alana was hard at work preparing their dinner. Bahamut on the other hand was in her Dragon form and is all snuggled up on her small bed meant for her original body.
“Back then… Did Geraldia ever have a normal part of its history? Like, we’re in the Lasting Peace Period, right? So did this Continent ever have that back then?”
Alana lowers her book and nonchalantly walks up to the wall of the carriage and climbs to the front seat next to him as Elizabeth snarls at the Wolves, prompting them to run away.
“It did, M’Lord. Before the Man came to this continent, the Elves had a golden era. They were united, together, and their society was rarely in disputes.”
“Rarely in disputes? They got along that much together?”
“Maybe. Records that lived to this day do say that in a year, a city would only have one dispute and its over petty things that could be resolved under the Court.”
“What about each other? Looking at this place, for a Continent that is vast in its diversity, the Elven Species must’ve at least warred with each other, right?”
“There were. But it didn’t last. Emperor Daresh the First, the first Emperor of the Curates was known for his ability to speak with reason and logic. Unmatched that it is said that he defeated Mors Letum, the Goddess of Death in the Underworld by using nothing but his words and returned back to life to rule for another five hundred years before he was killed once again.”
“Sheesh. This place just keeps getting crazier and crazier. And Elizabeth, so that’s how you managed to take over humanity without firing a single arrow. You were there when they first created their Kingdoms and beforehand, you had something up in the sleeves weren’t you?”
“Hah, My Lord. You give me far too much credit. I did indeed have a plan and executed fairly well even in the state of mind I was in at the time. But as you can see, it still ended with my defeat.”
“I see. Alana, compared to the society of the Curates, how good is the High Elf Empire to it? I’d love to keep one of their fancy composite armor sets. Sad that I was too busy freeing the Ogres at the time to actually pull it off.”
“I’ve only visited them thrice and compared it to the books I’ve read… I might say it's there. But not the entirety of it. A mere shadow you can say and M’Lord, when did you develop this habit of hoarding things, anyways?”
“Oh man, that's a long story. Started all the way back when games were still in need of consoles. I’d decorate my House with all the cool sets of armor I’ve gotten and weapons on their special shelf. Guess even when I got older and games were not fancier, that part of me never left.”
“I’d love to see your house, M’Lord. Bahamut has told me you have quite a selection in your basement.”
“Do I! Oh man! I have the Armor set of Saint Judas, the Devil’s original Bone Armor… Oh! I even have Dragon armor too!” in the back as Elizabeth was putting the finishing touches on one edge of his tattered cape, she couldn’t help but giggle a bit as Jackson went on to list every armor and cool sword he has. With Alana so evidently listening with all her attention on the man’s words.
Elizabeth then stood up from the back of the carriage, walking forward to the front. The blonde woman then slowly put her right hand on top of his chest, her left hand then over his left shoulder as she pointed down ahead.
“And… and Ohhh, the best sword I’ve had. The Zweihander of Herr Max- Wha-what's with the road?”
“My Lord, may I remind you that near Janishaire is where the Sword of Man, Gram is located. We may visit it if you want.”
“Oh hell yeah…! But wait, wasn’t Prince Charming already using it?”
Her hand then stopped caressing his chest as she retreated back into the tarped carriage.
“And in the night, they’d strap bright crystalline on the Men that dare rebel against them. Even back then, the Man of Threa never left their desire to not be ruled over and those that stood, they’d used for entertainment. For sport, for hunting. The Lords and Sovereign would use their long range magic or practice with their bows on your flesh and body but the Sword of Mankind served to remind them of the unwillingness of Man to be ruled over.”
Jackson would turn around to look at her and she could see the woman in her corset and long crimson skirt sitting elegantly on the back, looking up to the blue skies of the planet, letting the bright rays of light kiss her angelic skin.
“Soon after I ruled the lands, I sent my Knights of the Blood Moon to collect it and have it displayed in my Kingdom as the proof that we have successfully tarnished Mankind and its spirit.” She then scoffs and laughs at herself as she then sighs. “Only for it to be used against me when the Hero of Man in that Era came to my Throne and slain me.”
Her emerald coloured eyes then quickly turned to him, piercing him with the history of the land, boiled through brutality and countless worthless deaths steeped atop many Empires and Countries. He could see it, the pure raw emotions of those that met their end before her Lords and Servants.
“Would… I be deserving of a Sword like that? I mean, if I took it. It’ll probably just collect dust in my basement.”
“That is up to you, My Lord. But that sword, I believe it will find its way to its owner anyways. When the Curates ruled the land, they tried very hard to destroy it. But the God of Man would always reconstruct it till he found a way to make it completely invincible.”
“Huh? Alana, how old is the Curate Empire?”
“Old enough M’Lord to withstand two of the End Times.”
“What… huh? They were THAT strong?”
Elizabeth then stood up and got close to the front as she once again looked up to the skies.
“My Lord, their cities were fortified with grand golden walls, with giant cannons that could fire killing light that is the size of skyscrapers. When we were there, they demonstrated their technology. It could put your modern and complex methods of killing to shame for how much devastation it could bring with so little energy and little means.”
Riding through the quaint forests of Geraldia, the deeper they drove to the heart of the continent, the colder the climate became and the beasts became more and more apparent. Stalking the carriage in the bush, waiting for the right chance for even one of the inhabitants riding on it to let their guard down.
On the top of a mountain, a reflection strikes them. Looking above, it was a Castle of sharp fangs and spikes. Covered with religious iconography, from its fences and the symbols on top of its towers, it was a fortification out of time, and out of place. One that would be better in a darker place, where thunder would strike behind it.
“Hm? M’Lord, is that…?”
“Oh crap. Let’s steer clear of that.”
“It's from your world, correct, M’Lord?”
“Yup. You know the Vampires of Dark World are different, well that’s their base. Those old scary looking Castles are a staple to their subcommunity and from the players that had invaded those... They're just horror stories. Sometimes it's a fancy Victorian Mansion. At least we know where that attacker came from.”
“It's impressive though. I wonder how long it took them to build and design it, M’Lord.”
“They have their own Architects and Engineers. Vampire lovers come in all types and sizes… including professionals… ugh. You have seen it right? How prevalent your species are in my world's media.”
“Uhm… yes I have M’Lord. It's… pretty enlightening to say the least… to see how another world depicts us.”
Passing through its sides, with a ravine dividing them from the Castle sitting atop a mountain, the carriage soon passed an intersection and kept going straight through it. They even encountered a patrol from the local Lord. Mostly grunts in chainmail with tabards and one mage in the rear with two donkeys carrying packs of food and extra armor and materials.
The grunts merely gave them a short stare and continued on their patrol route. Letting the carriage be and not giving any of them a hard time.
“Well that was surprising. Guess they have their sights on that Vampire Manor than us. Good.”
“I hope they get that cretin. She dared drink the blood of a Minuit. If I could only reach her now, I'd have her sent to the Court and punished by my Father.”
“Just let it be. Even if she grew stronger with that, there’s literally more stronger Vampires than her. Level One Hundred ones…”
After a while, they run into another village. With most of its structures made out of wood, with the only one having a proper concrete foundation with stone bricks being the local outpost tucked away in the outskirts behind the treeline with only one small path lined with candles. “At least this one is a bit bigger than the last.” He then straps his scabbard onto his belt and Jackson steps onto the frozen dirt below him and victoriously puts his hands on his hips and stretches his arms. “Ahhhhh… it's cold as shit here. To the local Inn!”
Elizabeth then takes Junior by the reins and leads the black horse to the stables. Many of the people of the village had short swords on their belts and pitchforks on their backs as they carried hay around. “Trebet! How many seeds were stolen?” while others were busy looking at their stocks, carrying something around in small pouches. “Ugh, winter is about to be over. We need to get back at farming soon. But the seeds…”
Outside its doors of the Inn was a human with a High Elf. The man was of a more muscular build, being only a centimeter taller than Jackson and in a lighter civilian wear, while the sharp eared woman with him, wearing the iconic gold tinted composite armor of the Knights of Empire and stood taller than Bahamut. The two were blocking the entrance, making Jackson stop in his tracks as the Vampires behind him peeked around the corner to see the commotion and the Dragon just waking up and yawning. “Haaaaa… Master, what’s with the noise?”
“Jeesa, you do not have to come with me everywhere I go.”
“As if! I am not gonna let a human that had bested my instructor just go willy nilly! And it's Jeasa! Do not use your disgusting human language on my beautiful name! That incoherent language that dares to change names and words that even surpass the age of your species… with those words for the ranging emotions of love and lust…”
“Okay, you need to calm down. I just defeated your Mentor because he was being overbearing. Nothing more. Calm.”
“What?! I am absolutely calm! I just hate you humans and the weakness of your flesh but yet you strive to continue onwards even after the horrendous world that awaits you… Those strong and wide shoulders, unlike the men of the Acuritus, with their more lanky straw like bodies… and those abs… strong abs that could lift me up even with my height…”
The human just performed a long tired sigh as he looked up to see Jackson behind Jeesa, just awkwardly standing around and avoiding eye contact while behind him, Elizabeth had her left eyebrow up with a confused face at the Elven woman while Alana was just standing with her arms crossed and Bahamut, picking up the random leaves on the ground and taste testing them.
“Uhm… are you okay?”
“I’m peachy.”
“You must be an Outlander. Welcome.”
As the Elven woman talked to herself, the human with a claymore in a scabbard tucked his belt to his back and went around the armored woman and patted Jackson’s shoulder.
“Thank you. Are there any jobs inside the Inn?”
“Ah, me and Jeesa just came back from a Hobgoblin hunt. They’ve been very mischievous lately. There might still be requests for that.”
“I see… and what’s up with her?”
Jackson then stared at the tall skinny woman. Her composite armor accentuated her sexy curvy body, with the chestplate having the shape of her pompous breasts. The helmet she wore was an open face one, with the design on the sides of avian wings.
She had quite an attractive stature, with her lips supple and thick black sharp eyebrows, she seemed like she was ready to attend a ball. Even beating the Vampires who were more inclined to only wear light make up and let there more natural beauty to show.
“Don’t mind her. I think she just likes me.”
“Yeah… sure… she was throwing some pretty mean words just now.”
“That’s just how it is with the High Elves.”
“ITS ACURATES YOU HEATHEN!”
“Ahem. High Elves have been taught since they were young about how they are objectively superior to anyone else. Which is true, but they tend to forget Humans can be just as good if we try hard enough.”
“And is it okay for them to date humans?”
“Absolutely not. Jeesa is also from a famous family, so she is more confused than ever before on how to handle her feelings.”
“ABSOLUTELY NOT AND ITS JEASA!”
“Ahem. If you want, you should take the job request for the Hobgoblins. We don’t have any of the larger and scarier ones. Just the small mischievous brown ones that would mostly just annoy you.”
“I see. What’s the request for specifically?”
“Mostly hunting for their cave or treehouse. Many of the farmers and hunters here have been having problems with their stuff going missing and even themselves being assaulted.”
“Hmmmm… the problem with Hobgoblins is that they are way more smarter than your usual Goblin. Going for their base would involve even more elaborate traps.”
“You seem to be more experienced than you let out to be. May I ask for your name?”
“Jackson, Paul Jackson.”
“Of?”
“Of Eldwood.”
“Garber, Garber Rethan of Zirhin. I am originally from the city, but I’ve long left my titles and names there to live here in quietness. Seeing the road you came from, I guess you came from Sirn?”
“Explains why you manage to attract such a woman. But yeah, we did. Also saw the big scary Vampire Mansion as we entered this territory.”
Garber turns to face Jeesa who had her arms also crossed like Alana, and was staring at him with a scary piercing look.
“I kinda wish I would’ve attracted a more calmer and less talkative woman, but I am not complaining. Just one more step to living a quiet life as a farmer.”
“Ahahahahah. Don’t worry, at least she’s not a Dragon.”
Paul then turns to Bahamut, who was busy sniffing around the place.
“It also seems you have friends, very pretty ones.”
“Ah, hm. Carmilla and Alana.”
“Welcome to Zirhin. It’s not much but it provides.”
“Pleased to meet you Sir Rethan. I am Alana. Representative of Minuit Winery.”
“Oh! I know of that wine! My Lord and Mentor used to drink those on extremely rare occasions. Mostly in great victories in wars and great battles. What are you here? I never knew the Minuits employed Humans. They always kept to their buildings.”
“Adventuring, Romance, Lust of Battle, and all the sorts that’d make a woman like me go with a man. This has been more fun than I expected.”
“Beautiful. And you, ma’am?”
“Call me by my moniker, Carmilla. I may look nobility, but bare it no mind and call me by my name.”
“Carmilla. I can sense your beauty also has a slight natural aphrodisiac effect to it. More than hers. What makes you here?”
“Hmmmm… I’ve done my adventuring, seen the world numerous times, fought many beasts from weaklings to near Demigods. I guess it's because a certain fool told me he doesn’t care about my past and regardless of my sins, I deserve to be happy no matter what.”
“Sir Jackson, some group you have here. And her?”
Bahamut just looks up, about to taste test a brown leaf.
“What?”
“... That one is the Dragon….”
“That’s it?”
“Yes. A Dragon. Small one, but she can get big if you fight her,”
“And?”
“And she likes to eat… and sleep… and fly… and fight.”
“Seems like the perfect woman for me.”
“HAH. Oh man, you have no idea what you're getting into. Dragons are on a whole other level compared to Vampires. If I were you, just stick with the Elf.”
“Vampires? You’ve been with Vampires before?” He then eyes the two women with him. The Knight immediately got in front of his view of them. “Erm, yeah! Good people in bed, but damn do they not know when to stop! Hah-Ahahaha!”
“Ahahahah, spoken like someone with experience. I’ll take that to heart. Jeesa, let’s step on the side and let our tourists in.”
“Don’t order me around human! You and that kind and warm smile of you stupid lesser cretins! And for the last time! ITS JEASA!”
“Please, go in.”
“Don’t just ignore me!”
Even though she was protesting with her arms flailing about, the Elven woman was already on the sides and Garber just opened the door for them. Going inside, they met with mostly commoners and some adventurers wearing a mishmash of leather, chainmail and iron. Next to the entrance was the request board and without much of a surprise. Most of the requests were about the Hobgoblin problem and the entire group just stared at the various differing versions of the same job.
To kill or forcibly remove the Hobgoblins from the area and prevent them from continuing to harass the small quiet village. Many of the items listed to be stolen were seeds and fur clothing. While others also put up requests for any builders to help repair fences on their farms and locks on their wooden window covers.
The rewards were all varying from “Sword my Father used to have” to “30 Punds of Meat”.
“Well… M’Lord… The rewards are uhhh…”
“Just take the one for the cave. We’ll do it.”
“Of course, M’Lord.”
She takes the largest parchment on the board and places it on the counter. The man behind the Inn just looks at the pretty face up and down and shrugs. “I’ll get the Elder.”
Now with the Quest secured, Jackson steps outside and the cold wind is still blowing through the village. He sighs as his body trembles at the low temperatures.
Bahamut turns into her Human form and stands right next to him, radiating heat from her body and the man smiling as he leaned forward, enjoying the warm embrace of the Dragons fire.
Coming out of the door, Alana and Elizabeth both get pushed to the sides as a bunch of kids race out. Chasing one another.
One of the kids, having a straw hat and wearing a linen fur coat, then sees the Dragon wearing such a short skirt and the man next to her having a lazy expression on his face as he takes in all the heat.
“WHEY!” The little man then lifts the Dragons skirt. “Woah!” Exposing her alluring black lace panties, this prompted her to blush as she held her skirt down and turned around. Her pale face completely beet red. “GRRRRR… WANT ME TO EAT YOU?” The kid then just laughs and runs away.
“Huh. I didn’t know you felt humiliation, Bahamut.”
“SHUSH IT BLOODSUCKER.”
All the while, Jackson started jumping as the heat became far too much. “BAHAMUT! CALM! CALM!” all the while, Garber and Jeasa stood giggling at one another as the man started hopping from the insane amount of heat the fully flushed Dragon was emanating from her body.