25. When I Learned the Truth, I…

Author: Kiki
Raw: https://novel18.syosetu.com/n2498fn/27/
Translator: Lilia v4
Editor: Yuriko AYA

Holding Reese in my arms, I walked through the castle.
I had been chronically short of sleep of late.
Even after waking, my mind showed no sign of clearing. I had set out for a walk in the hope that a change of pace might help, but—

“Man, even I’m finally getting bored. Guess it doesn’t matter how many girls you have—sooner or later, you get tired of them.”
“That’s because you overdo it all day long, Saiji.”
“You’re hardly any different, Taka. What about you, Oya? Starting to get bored yet?”
“…Not particularly.”
“Oh, right. Your situation was unusual, wasn’t it? Maybe I’ll go get myself someone new. If Ms. Mikage were here, I’d have gone after her.”
“…What about Sakuna?”
“I got tired of her ages ago. I’d rather choose one of the girls here.”
“Can’t argue with Saiji there.”

They passed me with coarse, braying laughter.
They were some of the six people I had summoned—or seven, if Chigusa was included.
The especially vulgar man who appeared to be their leader, with not a trace of intelligence in his expression, was Saiji Kataoka.
The slimmer but equally vulgar man perpetually at his side was Taka Kagan.
And the pale man who alone affected an air of cool detachment, though he was little different from the others, was Oya Chizaki.
Those were the only three men who had been summoned.
The two others still in the castle were girls named Sakuna Akizora and Toka Sato.
Sakuna had apparently once been in a relationship with Saiji. Perhaps it was a case of like attracting like, for her manner and conduct somewhat resembled his.
Toka was part of Sakuna’s entourage.
She was plain and quiet, which seemed to be precisely why Sakuna valued having her nearby as someone who made Sakuna herself stand out.
Toka, for her part, was comfortable in that position.
…Disgusting.
The humans I had summoned certainly possessed powerful magic, but—with the exception of Miyako—they were so base that I could hardly bear to breathe the same air.
Chigusa was no different.
She had sold her soul to a vampire, and she must surely be plotting to bring about another tragedy like the one that befell my village. Continue reading →

24. Believing We Will Meet Again Someday, I Will Keep Calling Your Name

Author: Kiki
Raw: https://novel18.syosetu.com/n2498fn/26/
Translator: Lilia v4
Editor: Yuriko AYA

Can human desire truly be so ugly?
Even though the world I came from had shown me that ugliness in vivid detail—and forced me to experience it firsthand—I could not help but frown when Ai told me what she had learned.

“An establishment beneath the city holds an event known as a slave auction. It is exactly what the name suggests: nobles bid as little as they can for slaves abducted from various places. A thoroughly vile form of entertainment.”

As a member of House Lindforg—and therefore a noble herself—Ai had apparently received invitations of that kind many times.

“I declined every invitation. Such things are not to my taste.”

For that reason, she had never attended one herself.
According to Ai, however, nobles who kept slaves were hardly uncommon. Like the people of the Discard District, slaves had no recognized rights and were subjected to appalling treatment.
Most of those put up for sale were very young girls. Boys were reportedly offered on occasion as well, depending on the buyers being catered to.
That distinction was beside the point. Once I had learned that human beings were being bought and sold, leaving matters alone would have been intolerable.
And so, on the night of the event, I dressed in a suitably aristocratic gown borrowed from Ai and made my way to the establishment.
The sun had long since set. It was dark outside—a most pleasant night.

 

Continue reading →

23. Hatred and Love Are Equivalent

Author: Kiki
Raw: https://novel18.syosetu.com/n2498fn/25/
Translator: Lilia v4
Editor: Yuriko AYA

“Hmm …”
“What is it, Chii-chan?”

I lay with my head on Mya-nee’s lap, resting my index finger against my chin as I thought.
We were relaxing on a sofa in one of the rooms at the back of the church.
The matter before my internal council was simple: our growing number of companions had made the church rather cramped.

“I was thinking that it may be time for us to consider moving.”
“We have gained a lot of people. We’re all usually crowded together anyway, so it hasn’t been a problem yet.”
“… Speaking of which, you spent last night with Ellis, did you not? How was it?”
“How was it …? I can only say it was wonderful. Nunnally, Rellie, Miri, Ai, and Chelsea—everyone made me feel welcome.”
“I am glad to hear it.”

I exhaled in relief.
It seemed Mya-nee had completely adapted to life here as a Demi-Vamp.
… But enough of that digression.

“Returning to the matter of moving—”
“Oh, right. What should we do? Borrow Ai’s manor?”
“About that. Our family will only continue to grow, so I wondered whether we might as well seize somewhere truly grand.”
“Truly grand …?”

Mya-nee tilted her head. I looked her directly in the eyes and smiled fearlessly.

“The royal castle. If we mean to change the country—and the world—then taking over its greatest symbol would be the quickest way.”
“Do you mean to deal with the students who were transported here with us at the same time?”
“I do want to determine what should be done about them. More importantly—some seeds have already been sown.”

I closed my eyes.
The image that came to mind was the girl who had faced me on the night Ellis acted so recklessly.
That pitiable girl could speak to other people only through a doll named after her closest friend.
Come to think of it, Lina—the name behind that black-cat doll—sounded rather like Lilina. Yet Lilina’s heart was far stronger.
Leia’s heart was a fragile castle built on sand, ready to collapse at the slightest disturbance.
Even tonight, she was surely recalling what happened and suffering between the supernatural compulsion I had left in her and her bitter remorse.

Continue reading →

22. Blood and Flesh Make the Best Birthday Gift

Author: Kiki
Raw: https://novel18.syosetu.com/n2498fn/24/
Translator: Lilia v4
Editor: Yuriko AYA

Even after her father, Merrick, came home, Lilina showed no desire to leave Liza’s side.

She clung to her mother from behind as Liza stood in the kitchen, wearing a dreamlike expression.

“What’s gotten into you, Lilina? You’ve been awfully attached to Mama since yesterday.”

Knowing nothing, Merrick smiled as he spoke to his daughter. Lilina, however, no longer had the slightest interest in her father and gave no sign of answering.

Sensing the awkwardness, Liza tried to smooth things over with her husband.

“She says she had a frightening dream.”

“A dream, huh? Come to think of it, I haven’t had one in ages.”

“That just means you’re sleeping soundly. It’s a good thing.”

“Ha ha, perhaps so. A soldier’s body is his livelihood. I’m no use to anyone if I can’t sleep properly.”

Merrick drank his evening liquor and picked at the food served with it. He did not notice how his wife had changed since his return. Nor did he notice her trembling as she stood in the kitchen.

Out of his sight, Lilina was covertly exploiting the Mark on Liza’s swollen belly. It was the heart with demonic wings—the proof that Liza’s body had finished preparing to abandon its humanity.

Liza struggled to conceal the Mark’s overwhelming supernatural effect from her husband. Even a glance would have shown that something was wrong, but the pleasantly tipsy Merrick noticed nothing.

Even if he had, it was already too late. Lilina had long since ceased to be human, and Liza was completely in her thrall.

“Mama, who do you love more—Papa or Lilina?”

Lilina whispered so Merrick could not hear. Liza answered at once.

“Lilina. Of course it’s Lilina.”

“Who makes you happier—Papa or Lilina?”

“Compared with you, he doesn’t even—”

“Then we don’t need Papa anymore.”

“No … we don’t. As long as I have you, Lilina, I don’t need him.”

Lilina nodded in satisfaction, certain that her mother now belonged entirely to her.

Just then, Merrick abruptly stood. Liza stiffened at the thought of him seeing her expression, while Lilina looked almost as though she would not mind being discovered. If that happened, so be it. Merrick might have honed himself as a soldier, but Lilina was a Demi-Vamp and could kill him with ease.

“Off to the toilet …”

Instead, he left the room without so much as looking at them.

“Hee hee. Good thing he didn’t notice, Mama.”

“Lilina …”

The moment Merrick was gone, the strength left Liza’s body. She paused her cooking, gently removed Lilina’s arms from around her, and turned to face her.

“My, Mama. The instant Papa leaves, you can’t wait any longer.”

Laughing, Lilina accepted her mother’s corrupted affection. In the kitchen, the two crossed another forbidden boundary until Merrick was about to return. Liza understood how grotesquely the charm had distorted their family, yet she surrendered to it all the same. Continue reading →

21. Let Us Fall in Love as Though Returning to the Womb

Author: Kiki
Raw: https://novel18.syosetu.com/n2498fn/23/
Translator: Lilia v4
Editor: Yuriko AYA

The Lenglands were the very picture of an ideal family.

Lilina’s father, Merrick Lengland, always devoted his days off to his wife and child, and routinely helped with the housework as well.
He kept the city safe as a soldier, and because he was employed by the kingdom, his pay was respectable.
Indeed, he was prosperous enough to build a home in the royal capital—where land prices continued to rise—at the age of thirty-two.

Lilina’s mother, Liza Lengland, was twenty-eight, four years younger than Merrick.
She was currently eight months pregnant.
Like Lilina, she wore her blond hair cut to her shoulders. She was a kindhearted woman who offered the same warm smile to everyone she met.
She kept the household in good order, and her cooking had improved greatly since her marriage. By now, Merrick looked forward to coming home every day.

Lilina loved both of her parents dearly.

At least, she had until the day she was changed into something inhuman.

After Chigusa saw her off, Lilina left the church and made her unsteady way home. Her body still carried the aftereffects of what had happened there.
In truth, she wanted to remain at the church—or even spend the rest of her life there, receiving Chigusa’s attention.
But she still had a task to complete.

Her mother was waiting at home, and Lilina loved her just as much as she loved her new companions.

“Mama should come over to this side too…”

She had to drag her in.

It was what Lilina wanted, and it was also Chigusa’s instruction.
There was therefore no reason not to see it through.
Her steps quickening, Lilina hurried home.

 

◇◇◇

Continue reading →

20. Happy Family Plan

Author: Kiki
Raw: https://novel18.syosetu.com/n2498fn/22/
Translator: Lilia v4
Editor: Yuriko AYA

The following day, during another abusive encounter, the Mark appeared on a concealed part of Lilina’s body.
I deliberately pretended not to notice it and prolonged her conditioning for another three days, amused by the conflict between her remaining judgment and the supernatural influence imposed upon her.

On the third morning, a school holiday, Lilina came to the church as usual and threw herself into my arms.

“That means I can spend the whole day with you, Lilina.”

No one else had arrived. Taking advantage of our isolation, I prompted her to repeat the secret behavior I had taught her.
What followed is omitted. It was another calculated act of abuse intended to erase her boundaries and equate obedience with love.

When it ended, Lilina was disoriented but still desperate for my approval.
Her response showed how completely the charm and my conditioning had undermined her ability to recognize wrongdoing.

“Lilina loves you too. Hee-hee.”

The innocence that remained only strengthened my resolve to overwrite her humanity completely.
I had delayed long enough. It was time to transform her.

“Shall we go to my room?”
“Yes! Stay close to me all day, Big Sister!”

I took her eagerly offered hand and led her to the bedroom.

 

◇◇◇

Continue reading →

19. Let Us Drizzle Honey over Unripe Fruit

Author: Kiki
Raw: https://novel18.syosetu.com/n2498fn/21/
Translator: Lilia v4
Editor: Yuriko AYA

By its nature, a church receives visitors of every age and gender.
That had not changed even now that Demi-Vamps had taken it over. People continued to arrive, knowing nothing.
Lilina Lengland.
This innocent girl, far younger than I was and still of school age, was one of them.
In her case, however, she had only recently begun coming to the church.
For reasons I did not understand, she had grown remarkably attached to me and seemed to visit solely to see me.
She was a tremendously energetic child who begged, “Play with me, play with me!” whenever she came. I did not mind, so we often played together.
I would sit her on my lap while we read, chase her until she caught me in a hug, or hold her hand—all perfectly innocent.

“Big Sister, let’s play!”

And so, as on every other day, Lilina came to the church.
I welcomed her with a smile from the bottom of my heart.

 

◇◇◇ Continue reading →

18. I Will Keep Calling It a Happy Ending

Author: Kiki
Raw: https://novel18.syosetu.com/n2498fn/20/
Translator: Lilia v4
Editor: Yuriko AYA

The next morning, after I woke, I received the news: a soldier’s body had been found outside the castle, and Leia had been discovered collapsed within it.
I had lain awake for a long time last night, lost in thought, and my body still felt heavy. But this was no time to complain.
I hurried to the room where Leia was resting and was relieved to find her looking better than I had expected.

“Thank goodness you’re safe, Leia.”
“Miyako …”

Her complexion was good, and she had no visible injuries.
Yet there was little strength in her expression, and her unsteady eyes watched me anxiously.
More importantly—

“Wait, Leia … you’re talking!?”

At my remark, Leia shyly covered her mouth with the blanket.
This might have been the first time I had ever heard her real voice.
I wondered whether someone had attacked her and destroyed Reese—but the black cat doll was sitting on the room’s table.
What had brought about this change of heart?

“I met Chigusa Hinata …”
“What …? Then was Ms. Hinata the one who attacked you? But why!?”
“Just as I told you yesterday, Miyako … had been affected by a charm. I think that vampire was … Chigusa.”

I had already guessed that Ms. Hinata was a vampire when Leia explained charm to me yesterday.
But that did not explain why she had entered the castle.

“There was another one with her. A vampire named Ellis. I think she was … after your life, Miyako. When I tried to stop her, Chigusa appeared.”
“She came to save her companion?”

Ellis was the girl who had called Ms. Hinata “Sister.”
If she had targeted me, then perhaps it was jealousy.
Ms. Hinata had called her merely a friend, but their closeness had not seemed like friendship alone to me.
Perhaps that was why she had come all the way into the castle to save her.

“Yes … probably. In the end, I was no match for her at all. Chigusa was so strong—nothing like the other vampires. If she had wanted to, she could have done something to you too, Miyako … But you were unharmed, so she did not come only to save Ellis.”

Leia hesitated to say the conclusion aloud.
But I understood well enough.
Chigusa had come to stop Ellis from killing me.

“Chigusa also … asked me to give you a message.”
“A message for me?”

Leia nodded without speaking.
It must have been humiliating for her.
Leia hated vampires deeply.
Vampires had destroyed her hometown, along with her family and closest friend.
Even so, because these were words that had to reach me, she took a long pause, wrestled with herself, and then clearly delivered Ms. Hinata’s message.

“I’m sorry. Thank you for everything, Mya-nee.”

The instant I heard those words, nostalgic feelings flooded my chest like overflowing snowmelt.
Feelings I had forgotten—feelings I had sealed away with my guilt—came rushing back all at once.

“Chigusa said it was goodbye. So … Miyako, you do not have to see her again.” Continue reading →

17. Where There Is Light, There Is Shadow; Where There Is No Light, There Is Only Shadow

Author: Kiki
Raw: https://novel18.syosetu.com/n2498fn/19/
Translator: Lilia v4
Editor: Yuriko AYA

Ellis slashed apart the orb of light with her claws.
Unable to maintain its spherical shape, the mass of magical power suffered a spell collapse. It warped, exploded, released a shock wave, and vanished.

“Ghh!”

She shielded her eyes with an arm against the flash that filled her vision and braced her feet against the blast that threatened to fling her away.
Perhaps because she was exposed to the light, her skin prickled as though it were burning, though it was not quite painful.
Once the shock wave had eased somewhat, she sprang sideways to evade another orb that had already closed in from the front, then fixed her eyes on Leia.
It was the human who was casting the magic. Reese, the doll, was no more than a means of communication.
Ellis did wonder why Leia did not speak with her own voice—but she immediately discarded the thought.
There was no need to think about someone who was going to die anyway.

“Haaah!”

Ellis leapt at Leia.
She appeared to mean to take her head in a single swipe of her claws.
Though she saw Ellis coming, Leia did not even try to evade.
Was fear keeping her body from moving—or did she have some other means of defense?
Suspicious, Ellis nevertheless kept enough room in her thoughts to react at once if some spell intercepted her.

“So predictable. I suppose that is all you inhuman things ever are.”

The doll spoke.
Reese raised its cloth fist and stepped in front of Leia.

“You think a stuffed toy can stop me?!”
“I protect Leia. Otherwise, there is no point in my being Reese.”

Reese jumped and caught the claws descending toward Leia.
With a clang, as if metal had struck metal.
It was not ordinary cloth; magic had likely reinforced it.
Ellis retreated from the doll for the moment.
But Reese would not let her get away. The black-cat doll scurried toward Ellis on two legs, leapt, and threw punches in rapid succession at her face, stomach, and legs.

“Give it up. Dodging will not give you a chance!”

Ellis continued to evade Reese’s attacks by the narrowest margins.
But she knew there was no end to this if it continued.
Reese was not her only enemy. Leia had already created another orb of light and was about to send it at her.

“You are in my way!” Continue reading →