A traveler leading a packhorse bearing a massive wooden crate approached Seth Town via the back road. Wrapped tightly in a black robe, not a single inch of his skin was exposed.
“Hey, mate, bit of an incident in the town. Outsiders are barred from entering. I just got kicked out myself, so I’m stopping others from heading in.”
Hearing the voice nearby, the traveler pulled on the reins and turned his head.
It was a young man, strikingly handsome, wearing a black bowler hat, a tattered red scarf around his neck, and an old leather coat with a mantle. His appearance was utterly ordinary—there wasn’t the slightest hint of strangeness about him.
“That’s unfortunate. The next town’s quite a distance away.”
The traveler’s tone was light, almost cheerful, as he turned his horse toward the shaded stranger.
“Seems like neither of us are getting inside. How about a drink instead?”
The traveler dismounted, opened the wooden crate, and took out two finely crafted bone cups. From within he also drew a bottle, pouring a faintly crimson liquor into both cups before handing one to the stranger.
The Foreigner accepted the bone cup, swirling it lightly and sniffing the aroma. A pleased expression crossed his face as he downed it in one gulp.
“Rum—now that’s nostalgic. Old boy, you used to make your living at sea?”
The traveler raised his overly pale hand, sipping at the precious rum.
“Bottled life. The flavor isn’t what it used to be, not fresh, but at least the effect’s the same.”
“Yes, I lived at sea for a time. But I’ve no reason to sail anymore—so now I’m broadening my horizons on land.”
His voice was refined, cultured, like a well-read scholar.
The Foreigner eyed that pallid hand and grinned broadly. “Interesting. Aren’t you afraid of the Radiant Church’s believers giving you trouble, looking like that?”
Before the Foreigner’s astonished gaze, the traveler pushed back his hood, revealing a pale, bloodless yet handsome face to the sunlight. But that alone wasn’t enough to surprise a well-traveled man… The traveler’s hand glowed with radiant holy light—its purity rivaling the brightest the Foreigner could recall.
“I am a believer of the Radiant Lord. Is there a problem with that?”
His smile showed sharp teeth, elegant and composed. The reactions were always amusing—that was why he so often cloaked himself in suspicious black robes, awaiting inspection. Yes, he was indeed of the vampire kind. But this holy light could not be faked, his Church registry was valid, and the token proving his faith beyond reproach. He was, in every respect, a true adherent of the Radiant Lord.
Still smiling, he refilled the Foreigner’s cup, watching the man he had toyed with, then gestured toward Seth Town, wrapped in thick, clinging mist.
Time to get to business.
“I’ve seen many curious powers in my travels. But this foul corruption… you’re just standing guard here?”
The Foreigner, chewing on a blade of grass plucked from the ground, let out a helpless sigh across his rugged face.
“A cold lady hired me to watch for exactly one hour. No more, no less.”
“Sounds like a decent job. Need a hand, friend?”
“Spare me~~ after that drink, I owe you. But I can’t afford to hire help!”
So he’s confident he can handle it alone, then?
The traveler was a little surprised at the Foreigner’s strength, but as someone also searching for his own path, he had no wish to press further.
Since there was a Foreigner already stationed here, he had no reason to linger either. The traveler inhaled deeply—the faint fragrance was intoxicating. Amidst the stench of corruption, that pure, high-born sweetness was still calling to him.
A young vampire, pure-blooded, highly alluring. His body screamed for him to feast on that sweet, fresh blood… He shook his head, bidding farewell instead.
If one cannot control desire, then what separates one from a beast?, he had not drunk a single drop of blood. Today would be no exception.
“Foreigner, may you find your path. The age of hiding is nearly over.”
The traveler mounted his packhorse and rode into the distance.
The Foreigner watched the strange vampire depart, then resumed counting the passing minutes.
“Almost an hour now…”
Miss Maria should be able to handle everything.
“…Don’t you think so?”
Turning his head, the Foreigner glanced at someone unconscious in the shadows of another tree. Her eyelids trembled violently—she was about to awaken at any moment.
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