Episode 5 Chapter 4: A Thorned Rose

...This feels rather strange.

...

It's not like you to be so quiet.

Abigail.

Yes?

...Will you be staying here?

What about you, Sister?

Do you plan to settle down here? With those people?

No.

I see.

W-Wait, that's not what I mean! What I meant to say was...they'll be leaving soon.

...

And I'll be staying at this manor from now on. It might look like this now, but once upon a time...

It was a place where our family spent happy days together. And if you stay here with me...

I wouldn't mind if the others stayed with us.

They would bring a liveliness to the atmosphere. It would be just like old times.

But, Abigail...

Haste and Pyllis are only visiting. They'll only be with me until they join their friends again.

...Do you mean the people who were with you aboard that ship?

Yes, that's right.

Hmm... I can't say I really understand. That boy Haste, I mean.

He's a Vampire, isn't he? Like us.

You are, aren't you?

Huh?

You're a Vampire by birth.

You weren't born a Human then changed like me or Melissa. You felt a thirst for blood since the moment you were born.

...Not anymore. The thirst doesn't get so bad even when I don't have any blood for a long time.

That's not important.

We all carry desire deep within our hearts. But we carry on, suppressing them in our own way.

I don't know about that...

Stay still for a moment.

Uh...

I can feel there's something special about you.

What is it?

How interesting... It's still weak, but it's just like what I felt from Lord Kane...

Stop.

Pyllis...?

*giggling* I believe there was a misunderstanding. I meant no harm to Mr. Haste.

I was only trying to get to know him a little better.

I don't recall asking you to do something like that.

You're okay, right, Haste?

Yeah. It was no big deal.

I understand you're worried about your friend, but don't you think you're being a little rude?

I'm only trying to show you due courtesy befitting guests of the Bloodrose family.

Due courtesy? From what I recall, when we were on that ship that day...

Give it a rest, Pyllis.

My sister's done nothing to you besides treat you with hospitality.

Melissa...

Then tell your sister this, Melissa. Tell her to stay away from Haste.

Wouldn't it be better for Haste to tell her himself?

Is everyone fighting because of me? *sighing*

You know this already, Melissa, but I'm part of Dagger Sicar. But if you and Abigail want to be friends with me, umm...

I'll come back and visit even after I go back to Ritania. That works, right?

Haste...

Wait, is Ritania too far for that? I'm not sure if I'm a fan of long boat rides...

Can I have a word, Captain Veronica?

Yes. In fact, I was about to ask you the same.

I see...

What did you want to say?

You go first, Leader Eligos. You're the one who came to me.

Of course. It would only be fair.

So...about the Beast of Anguish. I kept myself from asking before, but why is it that you didn't go after...

Oh, I almost forgot. Thank you. If it weren't for you, our soldiers could have been seriously hurt.

It looks like there was a grain of truth to those rumors about Ritanian mercenaries.

I'll be happy to receive your thanks in the form of increased compensation.

I'll think about it.

So why didn't you go after it? It was a good opportunity.

...

Was it because you wanted to stay faithful to the original mission?

I don't think that's any of your concern.

I see.

That was my question. What was yours?

I heard from Claudia that your mercenaries knew about a Vampire Lord's weakness.

Ah, that's...

I find it strange that you have the same level of information that we do, despite coming from a land uninhabited by Vampires.

There have been a few in our area lately that came over from Erasia. There was also research that was conducted by our government...

Wait, maybe I shouldn't have said that.

...Also, I'd like to know why you carry around bags of blood in your luggage.

...!

It's in case you need to administer transfusions when a friend gets injured, right?

...You looked through our belongings.

Anything that comes into the fortress is subject to inspection. The same goes for anything that leaves.

Hmph. Was this while she was showing us around the fortress...? Not bad.

In any case, here's what I wanted to ask. What is your connection to Vampires?

Eligos.

Well...

I don't think you need to be concerned with our past.

We've left it all behind in Ritania.

I see.

So, we've confirmed we each have at least one thing that we're hiding from one another.

We've also confirmed that we need each other's help.

Veronica.

Everyone's awake. Good.

Hmph! We always get up early.

At least, we do when there's a mission.

We Slayers will be setting out soon. We've wasted too much time here.

Also, Eligos.

Yes?

What you said yesterday is true. We need to help each other, for our own sakes.

Of course.

Hey, Captain! Are you done talking?

Yes, let's go.

Claudia! Claudia!

Yes?

Look at this! A bloodstain... It's a massive bloodstain!

Huh? This is...

...I see. So, it just had to come through this way, did it?

Is there something you have in mind?

Of course.

In order to have spilled this much blood, whatever spilled it had to have been enormous. It was a giant, wounded beast!

You get it now, right?

Yes? W-Whatever do you mean...?

*sigh*... It's good that you have such keen eyes, but it looks like the same can't be said for your powers of deduction.

Think about what we fought yesterday. It was really big, and...

What's going on?

Captain Veronica!

It looks like the Beast of Anguish came through here.

See that bloodstain? That big one you couldn't miss even if you tried.

Is it just me, or are you excited, Claudia?

What? No way. I'm just hard at work at my job.

Good to see you're working hard.

It can't have gone far! So let's track it do...

Don't get distracted and carry on with the march.

*sigh*...

...Are we really doing this?

I told you yesterday to focus on campaign objectives.

Yeah, I get that, but...

Hold on.

Captain! We've received word from our scouts that they've discovered a potential threat.

Understood. I'll be right there.

You know it too.

We can't be out here too long. We're short on both time and supplies.

*sigh*... I know.

But could you at least listen to me for a minute? You pigheaded...

We will not be going after the Beast of Anguish.

And I will not be taking any further comments on this issue. So return to your post and tend to your duties, Claudia.

...

What took you so long? You're five minutes late to your shift!

I got held up because of Boss. I was pretending to be asleep so he wouldn't notice we were standing watch.

*gasp* Is Mr. Eligos still not sleeping?

He is now, probably.

But how long do we have to keep this up?

For the foreseeable future. We need to keep an eye out.

We don't know when that Veronica is going to go through our stuff again!

Yeah, and I guess it's better to be a little tired than anxious all the time.

Head on in and get some rest. And make sure to come out for your shift on time.

I'm always on time. You're the one who's always late!

I told you, I had a good reason tonight.

Yeah, I get it, so make sure not to doze off and keep your eyes peeled. Got it?

Ahhh... So tired. What a way to make a living...

But still, Coli's right. I can't just hit the hay and expect the Slayers to play nice.

But if you want to stand watch properly, you've got to know where the intruders like to hide. But that's hard to know unless you've tried it yourself.

Wouldn't you agree?

Hmm?

Since when did you know, cutie?

Uh... Cutie? That's a first...

I knew since a while ago. I like to hide in those kinds of places too.

*chuckling* You're not like those Slayers numbskulls, are you?

You should have had plenty of chances to attack. Why didn't you? Was I not your target?

...Now that I think of it, I don't exactly have much reason to be a target.

I didn't come here to hurt anyone.

I only came here to find out what kinds of people you are, quietly and peacefully.

Peacefully...? Who was the one who tore apart our ship the other day again?

Sometimes you just have to do things violently.

Haha, what a coincidence. I think so too. Sometimes you need to swing your axe to chop a tree, and sometimes you need to swing your axe...

To chop a person...!

Thanks for understanding! I think we really get each other.

Tch, she noticed.

Then let's call it here for today.

See you again, cutie.

...

Hey, Coli, watcha doing there?

Shh, be quiet.

Wait, don't tell me...

I said be quiet!

...You're eavesdropping on Boss and Veronica...

Oh for crying out loud!

Hm... Hmmpf...

I told you to be quiet, you idiot...

Hmf...

Claudia left?

Yes, along with a small number of troopers she often works with. She probably wanted to put together as light of a team as possible.

She must have left before sunrise.

Yes, probably.

But why are you telling me all this?

Do you think I'm the one responsible?

You're the only person other than Claudia that spoke to me yesterday about the Beast of Anguish.

And you think I goaded her on...?

If you didn't, then you can just say so.

I've never spoken about this to Claudia. I don't know if either Cidd or Coli met with her, but this isn't the kind of thing they would do.

I see. I wasn't exactly suspicious of you. I know full well that Claudia isn't one to be led around by the nose like this.

I only wanted to find out when she would get back, in case she told you before she left.

Hmm...

I'm only making a guess, but she'll probably be back soon.

At the end of the day, isn't she only hunting the Beast for your sake, Veronica?

...

Given that, she'll most likely return before you need to worry too much, regardless of the result.

Do you think so...?

Ha, that's funny. It's as if you know Claudia better than I do. It's almost as if you're...old friends.

Old friends...

Ha, that may very well be. Perhaps I thought I understood her because I've been through something similar before.

Eligos.

Did I overstep my bounds?

You're right. Claudia is trying to take down the Beast because of me.

That's how she's always been. She thinks protecting me comes before even her own safety.

...Is the Beast of Anguish targeting you specifically?

I will speak no more on this topic.

As you wish.

We'll slow down our advance. We'll give Claudia a chance to catch up with us, as per your prediction.

Veronica.

Yes?

To tell you the truth... I've met a Vampire in Ritania.

There were complicated circumstances involved, but in any case, he claimed to be a Vampire Lord.

...You won't tell me any more than that, will you?

No. Of course not.

It shouldn't be hard to spot them. A large army on the move is sure to draw attention.

Yeah... And it's not like we ever had problems tracking people down even under worse conditions.

But doesn't the real problem come after that?

Until Eligos finds us and gives us an opening, we need to be careful not to let the Slayers notice us following them.

Things became a mess because of me, didn't they?

I told you not to say things like that, Haste.

If you keep this up, I'm going to go back to being my old gloomy self again.

...I'll stop.

We're family. That means we stick together. You know that, right?

Yeah.

I think we can keep going this way.

Will these tracks really lead us to the Slayers?

Melissa said the Shadow Elves pretty much never show up here.

They have no interest in ruins like these anymore.

That should make things easy for you. The only ones milling about this place in large packs are going to be the Slayers.

Thank you for the information, Melissa.

Hey, um...

Why don't you come with us, Melissa?

Come with you where? This is my home!

For goodness' sake. You're just like your father, saying silly things like that.

Okay. Tell Abigail I said thanks for packing us snacks.

I'll come visit again next time.

Do whatever you want.

Melissa...looked happy.

Yeah. It's probably because she found her family again.

They'll get along, right? This is just a hunch, but somehow I get the feeling that Abigail might...

Might cause trouble? Like you used to do?

When did I ever do that?

Right. Bygones will be bygones... Once they've gone by, that is.

I hope it'll be like that for them, too.

I'm back!

They left without so much as a backward glance. Was this place really so bad? I suppose it is a bit dirty. It's been a while since it's been properly cleaned...

Oh, that's right! Haste wanted me to tell you he said thanks.

He says he'll come visit, but I'm sure he was just saying that, you know how kids can be. So try not to pay it too much mind...

Abigail?

...

...You'll come back, to how we were before.

You will, won't you...?

For the power to overcome life and death...

For the sake of pure and noble desire...

...There was no effect, was there?

No.

Phew... How much longer do we have to keep doing this?

Are you tired?

There's no telling when he'll wake up again. And it's no easy task providing him with blood.

I can't even remember how many times this makes it.

This makes it the thirty third.

Seventeen from me, and sixteen from you.

...Why am I short one compared to you?

You skipped out on one occasion saying you didn't drink enough blood.

Did I? Oh...

It was the day after the one where you disappeared for an entire day without so much as a word.

Oh, that day.

It's none of my concern what you do out there, but the least you could do is pull your own weight.

At least, that's what I think.

...What did you just say?

What do you think gives you the right to...

Why? Did I say something wrong?

Okay, that's it. I've just about had enough of you! Today's the day I'm going to teach you some...

Wait!

Oh, so now you want me to wait?

Lord Kane's coffin...

I saw it too. It definitely moved.

Claudia! When did you get back?

Just now.

Ooh... So Mr. Eligos was right, as expected.

...What did he say?

He said you'd be unsuccessful and be back before long.

Or, wait, that's not it... I think what he said was you'd be back before long, regardless of whether you were successful or not.

I see...

How's Captain Veronica? Did she look like she was angry?

Why are you asking me?

That's...because you look like you always keep an eye on people.

...Is that a compliment?

I can't say. Your captain doesn't really seem to be the type to show emotion.

But considering she ran here to consult Mr. Eligos about it...I'd guess maybe she was rather distressed?

Dammit...

Don't go any closer, Haste.

I know. They'd spot us otherwise, unless they were idiots.

We need to maintain this distance.

But we need to let Eligos know we're following him...

Any ideas?

We'll have to wait until there's an opportunity.

Pyllis, it looks like the Slayers are on the move again.

We should get going too.

Aren't you the one who told me not to get too close...?

Oops. Was that too close?

Kind of. But...

Won't it be fine? They might not notice us if we approach them carefully.

Right you are, Swifty! Your opponent won't notice you if you approach them with care.

Ahh! You scared me!

Cidd!

I came to check because I had a feeling we were being followed... Turns out it's you guys. Heheh.

I got that feeling too. Someone's been following us.

Uwaah!

Looks like you know each other.

Could you explain to me why you were following us in secret?

T-That's...

T-They're our friends who got separated in the shipwreck! They were having trouble coming up to us because you Slayers looked so scary, so I...

Didn't you notice you were being followed, Cidd? I'm disappointed...

Shut it, man! Now's not the time!

That boy...

...Is this the secret Eligos was trying to hide?

Ahaha! He's our friend too, you know? Despite how he looks, he really knows how to get things done! You can trust me on this one!

There's something I need to see.

Here, take this...

What is it?

And give it to that boy. It's a bullet imbued with the power of the new moon.

And it's lethal to any Vampire that has ever drunk blood.

Ugh...

Haste!

You just need to hold it in your hand for a moment. A simple task for anyone that's not a Vampire.

Ahh... It looks like we have a problem.

What are you doing? Cidd, get rid of it!

Just as I thought.

Slayers! Our hunt begins!

Stop! Everyone, stop!

You're finally here.

Eligos, is that Vampire boy really your friend?

Yes, he's one of us.

And that's how you knew so much about Vampires. Is that right?

Just listen to me for a minute! I'll explain everything.

Slayers! Surround the boy!

H-He's gone, Captain! The Vampire boy is gone!

He disappeared while we were fighting the rest of them!

I said get out of the way, you mercenary dogs!

Heheh, how do you plan on fighting us when you're so darn slow?

I won't let you take a single step beyond this line!

Just why...

Phew... Let's take a break here.

There's no one following us, is there?

No.

It looks like your friends managed to stop them. Thankfully.

Dagger Sicar knows how to get things done.

Oh, please. Spare me.

You would have been in serious trouble had I not shown up when I did. Do you even know what happens when you get hit by that bullet?

I'd die, probably.

So you do know.

But Pyllis would have blocked it. Eligos came for me, and Cidd was there, too, so we could have...

Fought against the entire Slayer army! How exciting.

...

Anyway, thanks.

Don't worry about it.

By the way, Melissa. Were you following us this whole time?

W-Well...

I couldn't help but feel a little worried after you left. I just wanted to make sure you met up safely with Eligos.

...You were worried about me?

I have no idea either why I keep putting myself through this...

Maybe it's because of that old jerk.

You mean Father?

Yes. Looking at you reminds me of Conwell.

I'm sure he'd be sad if anything were to ever happen to you. Even in the afterlife.

Why do I remind you of my father? I thought I didn't look anything like him.

But you certainly act like him.

...I don't get it.

You don't have to... Just make sure you keep up with me.

We need to get to someplace where the Slayers can't follow us.

Melissa, wait.

There's something coming our way ahead of us. By the sound of its footsteps, it doesn't sound like it's a wild animal.

The Slayers wouldn't have already overtaken us, would they?

Get down so they don't spot us.

Okay.

We need to attack first.

...

They're right in front of us. Now's our chance.

We need to make sure to... Huh?!

Sister...

Abigail!

Abigail! Wake up!

...Mmmn.

Are you okay?

My word... What are all these injuries?

I-I didn't hit her. I swear.

...I know, Haste... Your scythe didn't even budge...

What in the world happened?

I... I told him...

Who is he? Who did this to you? How dare he...

I told him I wanted to leave...because I wanted to live with you, Sister.

That's what I told Lord Kane when he woke up... *cough*

Here, have a drink of my blood.

The wounds aren't deep. They should heal in a couple of days.

Lord Kane gave me permission... But Lady Elvira...

Told me I must pay a price...and stood in my way...

Elvira?

Aha! She's that wretch who was standing next to you on that ship, isn't she?

Just you wait. I'll pay her back for this many times over!

Coli! Are you...

Shh.

Ha, it looks like you've found yourself a new hobby.

Keep it down.

We'll get caught if you make too much noise. Veronica isn't the most perceptive person out there, but things are a little more touchy when it comes to your leader.

*gasp* You too, Claudia?

Touchy? Do people call him touchy?! I'll have you know Mr. Eligos isn't touchy. He's just sensitive.

I'm not saying people call him that. I just have an intuition for this kind of stuff...

...Didn't you say we needed to keep it down?

Shh!

Shh!

I understand what you're saying, but...I heard from Cidd.

You gave the command to attack.

I gave the command to slay a Vampire.

But your subordinate Cidd stood in our way.

Cidd was only trying to protect his friend.

His Vampire friend?

*sigh*... And now we're back full circle. How many times do I have to go over this?

Haste is...

You don't have to explain anymore how you met the Vampire boy or what you've been through together.

What matters is that you mercenaries pointed your swords at me.

You've essentially attacked your own client.

Don't misunderstand what I'm about to say.

Had Dagger Sicar really meant to attack you, you would not have gotten off so easily.

Is that a threat, Leader Eligos?

Hardly, Captain Veronica.

Dagger Sicar does not make threats.

...

I'm...just asking you to trust us.

Trust...

Do you really believe there is trust left between us?

We've been doing well so far. We'll finish the job that's been asked of us.

As long as you don't try to harm Haste, that is.

That is not an option.

We put our lives on the line to fight against Vampires. We fight for the survival of our species in Erasia.

So you have to make a choice, Eligos.

...A choice?

Choose to keep your promise with me, your client, and demonstrate that professionalism that you seem to be so proud of, or...

...

Haste, was it? Choose that Vampire boy that you seem to be so fond of.

But, in exchange...

I know.

I'll lose all credibility in this line of work.

So, what I'm asking is...

Don't you think you've pushed Eligos too far?

I didn't push him.

Well, you certainly pushed an ultimatum on him. I told you this before, but your problem has always been...

That's strange.

How do you know what I said to him?

...A-Ahahaha!

Claudia, don't tell me...

No, I didn't! I was, just, you know... trying to catch you out!

I tried to catch you out and you fell for it. Hahaha!

...Hmm.

What's the meaning of this, Claudia? Did Eligos ask you for a favor?

What? No! No favors involved.

It's just that... I do think they're trying to hide something, but I also think they're still decent people.

You've met up with Eligos a few times. Weren't you able to get a sense of what he's like?

I do agree with you, to an extent. Eligos...

He's dangerous, but he's not a bad person.

Right?

But that has no bearing on the problem we have in front of us.

They at least had a choice. We don't even get to have that.

...You're right, Captain Veronica.

Our plan has too many risks involved. We can't afford to add another headache on top.

Now that we've learned that they're friends with a Vampire, we can't carry on as if there's nothing the matter.

And I'm sure you know this better than I do, Claudia.

...I do, but...

No, bringing that up won't make a difference. More importantly, I have something to report about Kane's coffin...

Kane's coffin?

Have you located its whereabouts?

We received a report from some vagrants roaming about the ruins of the Bloodrose Estate. They said they saw a small girl dragging around something heavy.

Must have been Abigail.

And this other one...

There's another one?

It's west of us. You could even say it's on our way. We got the information from some travelers we met earlier.

They said they saw a young woman pacing around outside an abandoned house by the roadside. They said it looked like she was guarding something.

And they gave us a description of this young woman...

Elvira!

They're working separately...? But why?

Well, they're probably trying to split up any pursuers. It seems obvious enough.

So? What will you do? Does the plan still come first?

Of course we go after Kane first. If we succeed, our plan will become that much easier.

Also...we have to make sure we finish this. For your sake.

...

Here to say goodbye?

To be honest, you never really struck me as the type. Or did you have something else in mind?

I came to offer you a chance at retaining your honor and integrity.

You're wasting your time.

I'm sure I told you the matter of Haste is non-negotiable.

This has nothing to do with the Vampire boy.

Hmm... A change in our contract? Typically, this would mean we'd have to balance outstanding fees before we continue, but given the exceptional circumstances...

You seem to be mistaken, Eligos.

Your breach of contract has made it null and void. Nothing will change that. If you were, however, to do me a small favor...

I'd be willing to consider it an apology and keep this matter a secret between the two of us.

Was that supposed to be a threat?

*sigh*... I'm not cut out for this stuff after all.

...Color me unimpressed.

Look, I'm...here to ask you a favor. For Claudia's sake.

You and I weren't on the best of terms, but things weren't so bad with Claudia, were they?

Ahahahaha!

Is that why you guys followed me?

We weren't just following you!

She asked us to escort you to your destination. She was concerned Kane's followers might have prepared an ambush.

Yeah, I doubt that.

Her concern seemed genuine.

What's there to worry about? His followers have all been scattered. Elvira and Abigail are pretty much all that's left of them.

Or what, do you think I'm a such pushover that I'd be done in by the likes of them? Hm?

Won't it still be better to have more people on your side?

I said I'm fine! Besides, they're much more likely to be where Captain Veronica's headed than where I am.

It's not like we're going to find anything there anyway, so what's the point in dragging along an entire entourage?

Does that mean you're going there just to double check?

Yeah, just to double check. It's better to go there and come back empty-handed than to regret having never looked into it.

I'm going to run over there, take a quick look, then report back to the main force as soon as I can. There's no need for you guys to tag along.

Ha. Like stubborn peas in a pod, the lot of you.

First it was Veronica, and now it's you...

Hey! Don't talk about her like that!

For me, at least, that's just how I've always been. But Captain Veronica's different! She has her reasons!

You have no idea what kind of weight she carries on her shoulders.

And that's why she has no choice. That's why she can't help but to be stubborn, that Veronica...

Captain! Over here!

All of the grass here is withered around this spot!

Evidence of Kane's coffin.

And it's been at least a day or two since.

What should we do?

According to our information, Elvira is guarding the coffin in an abandoned house at the end of this road.

We need to get her before she escapes!

This time... This time for sure, I won't let her get away.

We've turned this place inside out, but we've found nothing.

But how...?

And there aren't even any marks that would indicate there having been something heavy like a coffin...

Then what about Elvira?

There are no traces of anyone having broken in recently, either.

So she's never even been here. She never went west from her last location.

Someone's fed us false information... But why?

Captain.

Could it be...?

Should we wait here for Claudia's party to return?

No. We're turning back immediately.

We need to reach Claudia at the ruins of the Bloodrose Estate as soon as we can.

Hurry!

So... About Haste, that little Vampire.

You mean our Swifty?

Huh...? What's a Swifty?

Ugh, Cidd! You don't have to butt in every time.

I want you to be honest with me.

Is he really alright? Are you sure?

I guarantee it. You can trust him without a doubt.

Haste is fully capable of withholding himself from drinking blood. And if for whatever reason he does need blood, we make use of blood transfusion bags.

But he doesn't exactly drink much of that either.

He probably sucks less blood than a mosq...

Okay, okay, I got it.

There's nothing I hate more than being bogged down by an escort. So you guys go out there and look for your friend.

...

Will that really be alright?

Don't worry about it. I can be a bit impatient, but that doesn't mean I'm reckless.

But in exchange, you have to promise me that your little Vampire friend won't ever cause trouble in this land.

I promise.

Then let's part ways here. See you next time, mercenary friends!

Thank you, Claudia.

I'll make sure to repay your kindness when the time comes.

Mr. Eligos...?

...Hm?

Were you thinking about Claudia?

Well...

To be honest, Boss, I'm a bit worried too.

She'll be fine, right?

She should be. She's a veteran with plenty of combat experience.

For now, finding Haste takes priority. We can think about the rest later.

Understood.

Hm...?

Whoa... What was that sound?

There's someone coming this way.

They're alone. Are they the one that made that sound?

Boss... This looks a bit dangerous. And they don't exactly look like your average traveler either.

Agreed.

Coli, enter stealth and stick close to me.

Yes, Mr. Eligos.

Cidd, Pyllis, wait here. I'll try talking to them first.

We don't have much time to spare, so let's not make this any more difficult than it needs to be.

Please, come in, Mr. Haste.

It might look like this now, but it was a wonderful place, back in the day.

Is this your house too? And you said all that stuff we passed by was part of your estate...

I didn't know your family was so rich, Melissa.

Your father was much wealthier than we were.

...Though he lost it all before he died.

Do you remember, Melissa? The day we first came here?

Of course I do.

We tried to sneak past Mother to play at the pond in front of the villa, but you tripped and fell over the doorframe and started to cry...

Why do you have to remember that, of all things...?

You have memories of going on holiday with people special to you, too, don't you, Mr. Haste?

Well...

There's that one time we went to Tirel Castle in Ezera. They were holding a year's end festival, and all of Dagger Sicar went together.

There was this thing where people wrote their wishes inside these little notes, but Eligos wouldn't tell me what he wrote in his.

Oh, so it must be Dagger Sicar, then? The people special to you, that is.

Melissa would come here quite often, too, with another, different special someone.

Was it Father?

Conwell was rather fond of this villa. Though it was likely only because it was always empty in the winter.

We would come here and spend so much time together...

Did you bring me with you? I don't remember any of it.

You weren't even born back then.

To tell you the truth...it made me rather sad.

I always wished I could be the one making memories here with you, Sister.

Did you sleep well last night, Mr. Haste?

Yep, I slept like a baby. What about you, Abigail?

I slept well too. I feel at home here, it's a familiar place for me.

I've been using this place as my hideout for a while now.

You've been staying in this giant house by yourself this whole time?

More or less.

Humans rarely come here because they think it's haunted, and it happens to be filled with many of my fondest memories.

Haunted...? Are there ghosts here?

Who knows? I've never seen one.

I guess not, then.

Oh! I almost forgot. There's a reason why I came looking for you so early in the morning.

There's something I'd like to show you. Please, follow me.

So what did you want to show me? Is Melissa awake yet?

Melissa went outside saying she wanted to take a look around. I'm sure she'll be back soon.

What I'd like to show you is a diary. It appears to have been written by Duke Conwell Lenox during his stay here.

Father's diary...

I thought it would be rude to look in someone else's diary, so I haven't dared to open it.

So would you mind taking a look for me yourself, Mr. Haste?

Wait!

...S-Sister?

Is this what you're up to? Is this why you tried to lock me in my room?

Where are you taking Haste?!

We're on our way to see my father's diary.

Your father kept no such thing. What he did write on occasion never had anything to do with his personal life.

...!

It's not too late, so please return to your room.

I ask that you don't let my consideration for you end up in vain.

What are you planning? Tell me that first.

Yet again, I'm not the one special to you.

Answer me!

I'm disappointed, dear Sister.

Stop! Both of you, stop!

You're family!

...Step back, Abigail. I don't want to hurt you.

...

*chuckling* It looks like the little boy is the most sensible one here. Sisters ought to get along with each other, don't you think?

You're that old lady who attacked us. What are you doing here?

Oh, my, don't you worry, my adorable little lord.

The lady of the house invited us herself!

Us? Who else is here besides you...?

He's the one who gifted me new life.

He's the one who gave me the power to inflict pain on those I wish to hurt.

Good work, Abigail.

...The last of the house Lenox, born of the blood of a Vampire Lord.

Thanks to you, we meet at last.