The Demise Knight transcends humans.
　Purification with the Blessing is a fatal weakness for the undead, who are superior to humans in every area, but even without that, the Demise Knight, who contains an inordinate amount of the Blessing, which is life energy itself, is much more powerful than a mere human.

　So what about vampire hunters?

　Unlike the demise knight, the vampire hunter has no unusual powers.
　Most vampire hunters are ordinary compared to demise knights because if they had the talent to control blessings, they would have definitely become demise knights.
　But that doesn't mean that they can't fight against humans.

　The driving force behind vampire hunting is obsession. It takes madness to kill a monster while it is still human, and it takes constant training and luck to survive.

　For the Knights of the End, humans are an object to be protected. But for the vampire hunters, humans were simply easier to deal with than the monsters they were always fighting.

We vampire hunters are the agents of vengeance for our poor, weak victims. Of course, there's a bit of hobby and business involved.

　A room in City Hall. Cainusi says, stepping over the comatose guards. In spite of his happy tone, his eyes were cloudy.

　The mayor of [Descend], who was sitting on the floor, slid back as the eyes that reminded him of the abyss looked at him.

　He was an old, well-dressed man. He's an old man, and his looks are not necessarily proportional to his abilities, but he doesn't look very sharp, as his partner in the bar said.

　His skill as a guard protecting the mayor was also not noteworthy.
　If the collaborator's information was true, then the mayor definitely knew something. But we're being too cautious.
　Nevira, who had been watching the situation closely, admonished Cainusi with just a few words.

Cainusi, I told you we would go peacefully.

"You're right, Sir Knight of the End. I have no grudge against this man.

　The mayor's eyebrows twitched. The mayor's eyebrows twitched, and Cainusi crouched down to meet his gaze.
　Cainusi is a tall, thin man. Even when he crouched down, he would have to look upward at the short mayor.

　The mayor shivered, looked up into the quiet eyes, and shouted.

What the hell?

So this isn't about my own feelings. It's just that my clients, who have a vendetta against vampires to the point that their souls are burning, want me to do so. Don't hate me.

　The cane in his right hand falls to the floor. The bony, leather-gloved fingers gripped his neck.
　With his neck still in his grip, Kainushi stood up. His trachea is compressed, and the mayor lets out a croak like a squashed frog.

　It was a tremendous force. It was inhuman to see a grown man being lifted by a single hand by a skinny man.

　Lefley gasped and the beastly girl watched on.

I'm not sure what my clients want," he said. It's not about getting justice. It's not about justice, it's about taking as much time as possible and making it as painful as possible!　Kill the vampires and those who work for them!　That's what I'm paid for!

"Kainushi!

　Lefley grabs his arm. Cainusi's voice trailed off a little. But the light in his eyes remains unchanged.

But I haven't always done enough of that. Unlike the Knights of the End, I'm human, and if I give them even a moment's head start, they'll kill me. So you see, Mayor. When I'm dealing with humans, I'm trying to balance the ...... books.

　The mayor scratched the hand that gripped his neck, but the hand, which was filled with force like a vise, did not move a muscle. The mayor's eyes widen as he hears Kainushi's voice whispering in his ear.




"Vomit as slowly as you can. If you want, you can die in pain. I'm very sorry, but ...... yes. I'm sure my dear clients will be very satisfied.




§






You've gone too far, Cainusi.

"Yuck. ...... Is that so?　I thought you guys were the seniors in hunting down the undead by any means necessary. ......

　I'm not sure what to make of that. But what lies behind those seemingly calm eyes is real madness.

　Kainushi was serious all the way through. He had come to talk to him, but he was willing to kill him. He knew the mayor was a potential victim, but he didn't let up.

　The madness that makes a vampire hunt a vampire hunt. There was a man who became a monster to hunt monsters.

　If necessary, the man in front of him would attack without hesitation, even if the opponent was a Knight of the End.

　Nevilla's brow furrowed, and he spat at her.

Don't do this with me!　The only time we'll use any means is if the opponent isn't human.

　The Knights of the End do not abandon humans unless there is a good reason.

　There are cunning vampires and high-ranking undead who hide their true identities and use humans as pawns.
　They will not hesitate to kill those who stand in their way, but they will save those who can be saved. The Knights of the End do not kill humans for the sake of killing them.

　Cainusi frowned at Nevilla's words and nodded plausibly.

It's ............ obvious. If the Knights of the End turn out to be like us--it'll be good business.



".............

We got what we came for. Mr. Mayor, we're alive. What's the problem?

　Nevilla clicked her tongue, and Alba, who had been silent until then, spoke up coldly.
　His voice was mature for his age, but like Cainusi's, it held a hint of emotion.

　He looked at the city hall that he had just come out of.

　Perhaps Cainusi's words were too frightening, or perhaps he was competent enough to sense the seriousness in his voice, but the mayor easily gave up the information before he could be tortured.

　Ruminating on the scene of the interrogation, Lefley sighs.

The basement of the castle, or ...... an old Knights of the End mistake.

　It has been known since the beginning of time that the King of the Dead has a secret hand.

　The reason why they didn't destroy the castle was probably to make better use of the building, but also because the Knights of the End didn't have the resources to devote to it at the time.
　In the past, there were many necromancers, and I heard that the Demise Knights were not as dominant as they are now.

　During the interrogation, Lefley and the others only watched from behind, but the mayor's expression did not indicate that he was lying.

　But they didn't get all the information out of him.

　We know there are night crystals in the basement. But there was something inexplicably wrong with the way things were going.

　For example, when I asked him why he didn't call the Knights of the End, he didn't give me a completely satisfactory reason. Not all humans are logical thinkers, but hiring mercenaries to make a quick stop was foolish no matter how you look at it.

　And Cainusi, who had taken such a strong stand, did not question him on that point.

　Cainusi was looking into the air with a dazed look in his eyes, and then he turned to Lefley and asked.

What do we do now?

　Cainusi was the hired hand this time. The vampire hunters basically don't work unless they are asked to.
　It's a kind of stopper for them, who use their hatred of vampires and insanity as weapons.

"I'll call for reinforcements.

　Cainusi's brow twisted as the young demise knight made a quick decision.

It's not a bad move. Not a bad move." "Cowardly wind.

You can either praise or demean me!　I'm not going to die, but if I die before I can get this information to headquarters, it'll be the end of everything.

　I'll destroy it at all costs. I'm not sure what to make of that.
　The Knights of the End have been gradually refining their tactics over the years. Each member is a one-hit wonder, but that alone is no match for the lifeless undead.

　This is the castle of a former king of the dead. No doubt the castle's basement is a deathtrap. Then we should go into battle ready to clear the land like we did when we destroyed the Demon Lord.

Or do you have a better idea for a vampire hunt?

I'll follow ...... clients to ............. As long as I get paid for it.

　Kainushi gives a small shrug in response to Lefley's straightforward question.

And ...... I've given the mayor all this time. You have to dance.



　--And then Alba looked up at him.


　He looked in one direction with a look that reminded me of a beast.
　In the strong sunlight. The man in front of her gaze was a man who looked like a peddler.
　He wore a long travel turban and a cloak on his head. However, if you observe him for a moment, you can see that his eyes are too sharp to be called a mere merchant.

　Lefley narrows his eyes. The man lets out a ragged breath and lets out a shaky voice.

"That's funny. We're in a lot of trouble because of you and your ilk.

"What ............ are you ...... talking about?

　The man does not answer Lefley's question.

　Instead of words, the man's body shuddered.
　His flesh swelled from the inside and the strong fabric of his traveling gear tore. His skeletal structure changes, bristles grow on his skin, and his mouth splits open to his cheeks.
　Their limbs swell, ears appear, and flaming tongues lick their fangs.


　By this time, Lufley and the others were in a fighting stance, and Kainushi had fallen back.


A werewolf ...... in a town like this?


　A werewolf. A werewolf is a servant of the vampire, and sometimes more powerful than the vampire itself.
　They are not undead, so they are difficult to detect, and they have no fatal weaknesses and can move freely in the morning - but they have been gradually diminishing since the death of the ancestor who had the ability to create them, the King of Beasts (Lycos).

　People on the street screamed when they noticed the monster's appearance.
　The werewolf said to Lefley and the others, who were holding their swords and maces, without attacking them.

I'm sure you'll be able to figure it out.

"On ......?

　The werewolf kicked the ground as hard as he could. The werewolf kicked the ground as hard as he could, not to attack Lefley and the others, but to escape.
　I'm not sure if you've heard of it or not, but I have. He hurriedly chased after the werewolf that was showing its back, but it was difficult even for a second-class knight to kill a werewolf that was trying to run away without prior preparation.

　The wolf disappeared from sight in the blink of an eye without even looking at the many prey. Staring in that direction, Nevilla let out a shudder.



I'm not sure what to make of that.