Chapter 86

---

"Ughhhhhh!!"

I managed to update on time todayyyyyyyyyy!!

But if I write that, it might just make people check the date and think, "Huh? Didn't he almost miss it?"

This is what we call the "Boy Who Cried Wolf" syndrome.

---

I sprint through the twilight streets.

"Damn it! Why now of all times?!"

No matter how much I curse, nothing changes.

Driven by the lingering sound of the bell in my head, I stomp on the cobblestones as if kicking them away.

(Calm down, calm down!)

I try to reassure myself.

The old woman's words are evidence that the "Era Division" has moved to Phase II and that the vampire event flag has been set.

However, just because the flag is set doesn't mean the event will start immediately.

Even if I run here, it's more likely to be a wasted effort.

But no matter how many times I tell myself that, my feet won't slow down.

--- Flashing in my mind is Rosé's smile as we parted ways.

I had thought about cutting my losses.

I had considered accepting her sacrifice to resolve everything smoothly.

But I'm not strong enough to calmly discard her, nor am I that heartless.

As the townspeople look at me curiously as I run through the night streets, I reach for my sword, determined to reach the mansion as quickly as possible.

"Hey, old man! Slow down a bit, will you?!"

I involuntarily slow down at the sudden voice of a boy from behind.

"Radd!?"

Turning around, I see the red-haired boy desperately trying to catch up.

No, it's not just him.

Resilia and Prana are running a bit ahead of Radd, and Nue and Mana are following slightly behind.

"What are you guys...?"

"Of course! What else?"

Before I can ask why, Radd answers.

"If you're in such a hurry, something must be wrong, right? We can fight too. So, you know... let us repay you a little."

"Radd..."

I'm so surprised by his words that I can't respond.

Resilia, who has naturally slowed down to match my pace, sighs and says from beside me.

"Excuse me, sir. If we're heading this way, it must be related to Rosé, right? What did you plan to do without me?"

She looks at me with a mix of exasperation and a glare.

"That... you're right. I'm sorry."

It seems I was really lacking in composure.

I take in the sight of Prana, Nue, and Mana, who have caught up, and address them briefly.

"Follow me. ...I need your help."

"Hehehe... Sure thing!"

Encouraged by Radd's supportive words, I kick off the ground without a care this time.

---

We caught sight of her just as we reached the front courtyard of the mansion.

"---Rosé!!"

I shout, and she turns around, surprised, holding the Fire Rod as if it were precious.

"Eh, Lord Rex? And everyone else too..."

It seems we barely caught up to her as she was about to leave after parting ways with Elina and heading home.

Her expression, still in the clothes she wore when we parted, is filled with pure surprise.

There's no sign of anything unusual.

(...Was I just overreacting?)

I must have jumped to conclusions because of the timing.

I let out a sigh and release the tension in my shoulders.

This is reality, not a game.

It's not like I, who am not the protagonist, would arrive just in time for a critical moment.

(I need to apologize to Radd and the others for rushing here.)

Just as I was about to turn to them, Prana's sharp voice brings my attention back to the front.

"Rex!"

"What!?"

As Rosé turns to look at us, something black gathers behind her.

"Kou, Mori...?"

The same pitch-black bats we encountered in the mansion's basement.

They gather in a flash, forming a single shape.

In less than a second, the black that was once bats transforms into a tuxedo and a cloak. By the time Rosé turns around, a man in his forties, dressed in a pitch-black tuxedo, stands there.

"Sir...?"

In response to her surprised voice, the beautiful yet terrifying creature bows dramatically and then smiles gracefully.

"---The time has come. I've come to take you, Rosé."

---

"Sir? What do you mean by 'take you'...?"

Standing beside the confused Rosé, I gently place my hand on her to hold her back.

"Sorry, but I can't let her go."

"Lord Rex!?"

As I glare at the vampire in front of me, he lets out an interested "Hm."

"You don't know, but she and I are bound by the strongest of bonds, a 'family.' I'm sorry, but those who are not involved..."

"I know everything."

I interrupt the vampire's words and pull out a book from my inventory, holding it out in front of me.

"That's...?"

"It's the diary I found in the basement study. It details the motives and goals of the incident. This is yours, right? Isn't it, 'Vampire Lord' Walter!"

My words finally break the man's composure.

At the same time, Rosé's expression is filled with shock.

"Vampire Lord? Sir, what...?"

But Walter doesn't answer Rosé's question.

"You...!"

He glares at me with eyes that could kill.

But I'm not so easily intimidated.

"You intend to curse Rosé to revive the 'Demon King,' right? I can't let you do that."

In response to my further accusations, Walter remains silent.

"A curse? A curse, huh. ...Haha, hahaha, hahahahahaha!!"

He suddenly covers his face with his right hand and bursts into laughter, as if admitting defeat.

"---Don't get too full of yourself, you mere human."

When he raises his face again, it's filled with rage.

"Sir..."

An ugly and terrifying expression, one he has probably never shown in front of Rosé.

His right hand, raised in anger, reveals claws that extend and gleam menacingly in the moonlight.

"Stay back, Rosé."

"But... but..."

I step forward to protect the bewildered Rosé and quietly draw my sword.

"---From here on, it's monster hunting. The job of an adventurer."

I wanted to summarize a bit more, but it felt like a perfect cliffhanger, so I'll stop here for now.

The next update will be tomorrow at 9 PM!