The Study at Midnight, Part Two
Author: Unicoon
Raw: https://ncode.syosetu.com/n8138gc/37/
Translator: Lilia v4
Editor: Yuriko AYA
Late at night.
The hour even vampires are sound asleep.
A soft light burned in King Zenon’s study.
Sitting on the sofas were King Zenon and Rudolf.
They conversed quietly, knocking back drink.
“Even so, I was surprised by Charlotte’s growth.”
“Yes. That precarious air from a little while ago has vanished. She’s a fine royal now.”
“It’s thanks to meeting Ulrika. I can’t thank that little Demon King enough.”
Clink, went the glass.
“By the way, Rudolf…”
“Yes, what is it?”
“Do you remember Ulrika’s words?”
King Zenon asked as he tipped his glass.
Rudolf, asked, tilted his head and thought.
“Ulrika’s words… she’s all bombshell remarks. I can’t remember them all…”
At Rudolf’s answer, King Zenon let a “kukuku” smile slip.
“When we caught the vampire lurking above the ceiling. I asked about vampires in the castle, didn’t I?”
“That time. Ulrika said they ‘weren’t there,’ as I recall.”
King Zenon drained his drink in one go.
Then he turned a serious gaze on Rudolf.
“To be precise, she said they ‘aren’t there now’…”
Rudolf covered his mouth with a hand and thought hard.
In the quiet study, only the clock’s ticking could be heard.
“Indeed… she did say ‘now’… I see. So that’s it…”
“As expected. You’re quick.”
“In other words, Your Majesty is interpreting it as: they aren’t there now, but ordinarily there are more, is that it.”
“That’s right.”
A taut air flowed through the study.
“The vampire Charlotte and the others defeated apparently said ‘that person’ during the fight.”
“That person… who would that be?”
“Who knows… at the very least, an enemy to us humans.”
“The crisis has not passed, then…”
“Yes. We can’t let our guard down…”
He poured drink; ice rattled.
Then King Zenon let out a deep “haa…”
“Your Majesty?”
Rudolf tilted his head at King Zenon’s manner.
The tension of a moment ago had gone somewhere; the air had suddenly gone slack.
“Ah… there are all sorts of problems… but first…”
“First?”
“We have to get Ulrika’s first day of school through safely.”
“Ah… yes. That’s true…”
Rudolf’s exasperated voice filled the study.
And so the night at Romulus Castle wore on.
