The Truth About Her

Raphael still had a sour face, he tapped his shoes repeatedly on the stone floor in agitation. He waited outside the bathroom. This was an unpleasant surprise. He just hoped to refresh his brain by taking a walk. He didn't expect to see a naked young girl soaking in the bath at all! After all, that girl was his own subordinate and disciple – Valor Dubois.

The door creaked open. Valerie came out with half-hesitating steps. Her hair was still wet, she had not yet put on her heavy leather vest. She wore an oversized tunic that reached down to her thighs. She also wore leather pants that were tight enough to show off her slender legs.

She came out carrying the jar of human blood she had harvested in her arms and placed it near her commander. Then she lowered her head, ready to be scolded.

"You said you wanted to explain," Raphael said furiously.

"So—my father sent me here..I don't know the reason. But I seriously wanted to continue my duty as a knight. I hope you won't force me to go back home," Valerie spoke half-heartedly.

Raphael wasn't too focused on her explanation. He studied Valerie's appearance and began to remember now. Valerie's face was familiar. He had met Lady Valerie at an event a few years ago.

At this moment, Valerie ruffled her proud silver shiny hair. Her body was slender and looked fragile. She was a girl with a medium height with an attractive appearance. When she was disguised as Valor she used a pentagram necklace to hide the smell of her blood so she wouldn't be detected as a girl. She also wears iron woven clothes that make her body fuller while hiding her curves.

"Sir?" Valerie called out hesitantly.

Raphael gasped, he was lost in his own thoughts. No wonder Valor had a small body and a face like a woman. Because she was indeed a woman! For a moment he forgot to be a gentleman. Looking at a virgin girl from up and down like he did was impolite.

"So you're Valerie Dubois? Duke Arthur Dubois' second child?" Raphael confirmed her identity. Valerie nodded. She was still worried about Raphael's next move.

Will she be forced to go home? Report her to the generals? Or moved her to the female knight barracks?

Not that Valerie didn't want to. Maybe she's more comfortable around girls. But she could not play a strategic role there. She must be at the forefront. She had to ensure Raphael's victory.

"I think reporting you is pointless. The generals would have known..dubois must have planned it along with the other military higher-ups," Raphael shook his head.

"So-"

"The war is about to start, I don't have time for this. So you continue to do your job as usual, Valor," Raphael said again. Then he started to walk away, Valerie following him from behind.

"So you're not going to report me?"

Raphael stopped walking and looked at him again.

"I recruited you, because you were useful in my mission. I was also your teacher who taught you to use cursed weapons..to me nothing is more important than completing a mission. As long as you disguise yourself well—I'll treat you the same as before. Don't expect me to go easy on you, Valor," said Raphael coldly.

But he knew things would be a little different from now on. He probably wouldn't have the heart to punch Valerie in the face like he used to. Only, Raphael wouldn't show it to Valerie. Valerie was the wielder of a cursed weapon, Raphael wants her to be stronger. He didn't want to go easy on her.

"I-I see, sir! Thanks for the opportunity! I won't let you down!" Valerie saluted her commander.

"Now put on your uniform, Valor! Your comrades are waiting for their dinner," Raphael ordered.

***

For the umpteenth time, members of the Jaguar squad gathered while rotating jars filled with human blood that was harvested by Valerie. One by one they drank it, Raphael watched when it was Valerie's turn — she pressed her lips to the mouth of the jar for a moment then passed it to another knight.

"You can't drink it can you?" He whispered, close to her ear. Valerie gasped, Raphael's breath was too close and it made her awkward.

"I'm sorry, sir," Valerie answered quietly, bowing her head.

"That means you disobeyed my orders, Valor,"

"I'm a man now. It's a little difficult for me to find a donor," Valerie looked apologetic.

"I'll give you until tomorrow, if you still can't drink human blood - I'll think you're a rebel," Raphael reminded.

"All right, sir," Valerie nodded.

"Now, about what you discussed with me in the bathroom earlier—"

"Oh yes sir I wear a magic necklace to hide the smell of my blood—"

"Not that one, I don't really care if you're a girl. Explain to me why you said I had to conquer Ithadurna?"

"Oh, that one—"

"What are you two talking about?" Damian looked interested and hugged Valor friendly from behind.

Valerie felt uncomfortable but she just laughed awkwardly. Such interactions were common among knights. They didn't even know she was a girl so it wasn't disrespectful or even rude.

Raphael looked at the interaction for a moment before deciding to ignore it. He was determined to think of Valerie as a man, so none of that should bother him. Valerie herself insisted on staying undercover and fighting alongside the men.

"Valor has seen the future again,"

"Oh really? Like he did when he discovered Avalon's secret lab?" Damian became excited.

"Yes," Valerie smiled nervously.

"Maybe I'm a little late asking this. How did you do it? I didn't know that the ability to do prophecy could be possessed by someone," Damian looked thoughtful.

"Eh, that's because-"

Valerie felt it best to hide the fact that she came back to life after a tragic death. If she did reveal it—she may also have had to tell them about Raphael sucking her blood out in his past life. That's embarrassing! Sucking the blood of fellow vampires was only done by partners and it was very intimate for vampires.

Valerie glanced at her commander. Raphael D'Artagnan had a height of over 185cm and charming shiny black hair. He rarely smiled, but when he did, Valerie felt a throb. Valerie still vividly remembers the day he drank Valerie's blood when she was dying. It makes it a little difficult to see Raphael professionally.

But the Raphael before her right now was her teacher, her commander, someone she had to respect. Valerie wouldn't expect anything. Let alone seeing Raphael's reaction—who remained professional even though he already knew she was a girl.

"I think it has something to do with Apollon," Valerie began to explain.

"It means?"

"I have a cursed weapon called Apollon, you know it's named after the god of prophecy Apollo. Maybe that's why I have the ability to predict the future," Valerie explained.

"But when you told us, you didn't have Apollon yet," Damian narrowed his eyes doubtfully.

"Eh, that's because—maybe because I've previously been magically bonded to Apollon. It's a weapon forged by demons so there's no need to talk logic here," Valerie evaded.

"Then what do you mean by me who will conquered Ithadurna?" Raphael whispered.

"What? That's crazy! How can that be?" Damian denied.

"Let's hear what Valor has to say. You know, we used to have our doubts about the Rutherford Lab. I have a good feeling about this," Raphael nodded.

"I don't know how, sir," Valerie shook her head.

"What?"

"I only know that sir Raphael and his army killed Duke Radcliffe, ruler of Ithadurna and took possession of his castle," added Valerie.

"That's all? How can it help us!" Damian criticized.

"Wait, I think I can see that it's not impossible," Raphael looks excited.

"Are you saying that you have formulated a war strategy with just a brief information from Valor?"

"I think so,"

"But I still have to finalize that plan. Right now we should rest in the barracks. We should conserve our energy and focus on tomorrow night's battle..when the war trumpet sounds - we will kill as many Avalon as we can. When morning comes, when we gather to share blood from the same cup—may we still be alive to discuss my plans," said Raphael again.