The Death

Life has dealt me hard blows. Very hard.

I have reflected properly on my actions, and I realise something very simple. I am not a good person.

How did I find this out?

Simple. I was rubbish with everyone.

I was not able to convince Satome to take my side. Nor was I able to deny or accept her feelings and only used her in a sentimental way.

That was something that hurt me until before I died.

On the other hand, I don't think I was a good friend to Maria. I shot her mercilessly just to fulfil my senseless revenge. She will surely never be able to forgive me for doing that to her.

In a way... I understand that it was my fate to be left alone. I didn't deserve anyone's sympathy.

And despite having sworn to kill anyone who would hurt me, I couldn't keep that oath for more than half a day the moment I met Olivia Cross.

I almost killed her, I was about to stain my hands with someone else's blood... but I realised it was the wrong way.

I'm not that smart. I make mistakes. And I often change my mind quickly if the situation doesn't improve in my favour.

However, I know that there are times when I act without benevolence or maleficence. But out of simple selflessness I put aside my values and just help those who need me.

That's being hypocritical. And I'm fine with that.

My aunt didn't raise me to put aside someone who needs my help. It makes no difference to me whether that person hurt me before or not.

But what about other entities, how do I make this argument for other monsters with the ability to think?

It is simple. I did it just to survive.

I regret killing the hydra... we could have had a dialogue and perhaps become allies.

I was blinded... by a very murky bloodlust which I let control me completely.

...

And then the orcs happened.

That's when I couldn't take it anymore. And I broke down with nothing else I could do, which made me selfish against the last entity I should have been selfish with.

I am Nishimiya Saeko. And I will always be Nishimiya Saeko.

Meanwhile, she was born Elise. And she will remain Elise forever.

I value you very much, Elise... you have supported me despite the failure I have become. You even cried in my place when you met my aunt.

From your position, everything is too simple, Elise. I feel nothing. I don't think about anything. I only know that I exist.

You've become a better Nishimiya Saeko than I have... of that I'm sure.

Despite being a vampire, I can tell that you are far more human than most individuals in this world.

Could this be why God gave me a second chance?

Ahh, I don't know.

I would have loved to see my parents... I miss them very much.

I hope I can rest soon. And leave everything in Elise's hands, even if she doesn't understand the meaning of why I'm still here, taking up space in her subconscious. Although I'm sure she doesn't mind.

[PRESENT]

I went down to [34th Floor].

I didn't stop my gait during the long spiral staircase that led me down here. It was a long walk.

I must admit that I'm nervous about what might happen since no one had told me before that there were still vampires besides me.

I wonder why they are so secluded from everyone else. As if they are somehow isolated from the rest of the dungeon.

Even Liselotte didn't mention about them, and I rather doubt that she forgets things.

Are they hiding everything from me?

I really don't want to think too much about why. Since I have arrived at my destination.

And what greets me on my first steps is a field of roses under a totally dark sky. So dark that it seems to return my gaze because of its almost infinite depth.

-There is no way this is possible... these roses should be dead, but they look as if they have just bloomed...

It's logical as they shouldn't have achieved photosynthesis, so how they managed to grow in this environment is beyond me.

The colour of these roses is a pure crimson red. They almost seem to be glowing despite the darkness around us.

I continue walking slowly, seeing that this field of roses extends further than my sight can reach. The size of this flat is disproportionately huge.

Liselotte mentioned this, that there were some floors so large that they looked like entire worlds. This must be one of them.

I am brushing my left hand against the rose bushes... and they move with the small force I put on their branches.

Suddenly, however...

-Who are you? -. It was almost instantaneous to be asked this question, putting a blade on my chest.

-!

I wanted to pull back, but a thud stopped me in my tracks, I was stabbed in the back. Very close to the spine.

I endured the pain, and understood that I must no longer retreat or the person behind me will continue to hurt me.

-My name... is Evelynn... -. I had to say a false name, because I have no idea if I can trust the person in front of me who decided to point her blade at my chest.

She is a woman. Her face is covered by a hood, she hasn't even looked up to glance at me.

I can't say for sure if either of these two is a vampire or not...

-Evelynn... What brings you to this floor? Don't you know that Lady Sitri is forbidden entry to anyone without exception?

-I am an acquaintance of hers... and I avoided asking her permission to enter because I was told that there were still vampires on this floor.

-...and why would Evelynn want to see the vampires? They could kill you before you even knew it, you couldn't even anticipate this raid.

Her voice took on a slightly annoyed intonation. As if she wanted to plunge her knife into my chest with all her might.

I really don't know if I have this weakness, the [System] said I just can't die, but I have no idea what would happen if they pierced my heart.

I used to have the armour so this wouldn't happen, but now I have a bare ribcage in defensive terms.

-Because... I am a [Pure Vampire]... and I want to know if they know who I am here.

I firmly pushed away the hand of the woman in front of me declaring this. And I stepped forward to pull out the knife stuck in my back.

That wound healed immediately.

The woman in front of me looked up to look me straight in the eye and....

-Ah! -. A gasp suddenly came from her throat.

-? -. I stared at her silently wondering the reason for her reaction.

But she suddenly dropped to her knees, ducking her head completely in my direction.

-You're a stupid, cheap copy. -. A new voice originated behind me.

Along with a very oppressive sensation that nails my feet to the ground.

It's different from when I first saw Liselotte. It's much more intimidating... much more dangerous...

-I'm glad this field of roses is still the same... but I'm more annoyed that they've hidden everything I built myself from the ground up.

A snap of fingers was heard after that, and it was as if reality suddenly fragmented, giving way to the appearance of a huge city around us.

In pure Victorian style, with... the skull of a gigantic dragon in the middle.

It didn't undo this screen... with just a snap it was able to generate enough force to destroy it. A power so great but at the same time so delicate, for it was applied in such a way that it did not destroy anything that the screen concealed.

-That's what was left of [Queen of Dragons] in case you were wondering... it was difficult to leave Lottie as soon as I got the warning that someone had come down here.

Lottie... Who are you talking about?

She put a hand on my shoulder and walked ahead of me. That's when I saw her...

Hair as black as this darkness of night, and crimson eyes that go with her like the red lights around us.

-I'm sorry we had to meet like this. I used to be called Vivian Ifgraine, but my current name is Enigma. Enigma, Consort of Redhart.

There is a brutal ferocity in her words. That look... it's as if he's going to tear me apart with the slightest movement.

Enigma. The name of the living weapon that once belonged to Redhart, the primordial being of this entire universe. That person in who stands before me.

The level of threat imposed here is... different from the one Liselotte emanated.

Liselotte... even she, a Lich, could die here...

-I'm afraid I'm going to have to cancel my date with Lottie. Face me, you cheap copy.

From this woman's shadow, a black sword emerges. A blade so dark it absorbed all the light around it.

In this field of roses. I'm going to die.