NAPE - 116

Side Story 27

“I like biting humans with scabs. They’re really crispy.”

“Oh, we have opposite tastes. I like biting humans with blisters. They’re soft.”

“But to hold a Court of Interrogation just for the execution of a common vampire. This issue must be quite serious, then?”

One of the vampires, hiding behind a pillar and chatting, whispered to those gathered, glancing at the Elder Council members.

“They say he leaked the secret of the silver bullet. It’s not just an execution; shouldn’t they dig up all those involved and punish them all at once?”

“Ah, so that’s why they held the Court of Interrogation. Isn’t it suspicious that such news comes right after the Enforcer returns?”

“Actually, I find them more suspicious.”

“Them?”

“I mean them. The Tudor family. Haven’t they attended today...?”

The vampire, who had been focused on the chatter, looked around with a slightly nervous expression, then relaxed upon confirming that the person he feared was not present.

“No matter how serious the matter, the Grim Reaper of the purebloods wouldn’t grace the execution of a common vampire. I heard he sent a silver blade with his seal. The Court of Interrogation chairman will handle it with that instead. More importantly, that... individual who inherited the Executioner’s position is said to be commanding the Volpithon these days.”

“You mean Henry Tudor, right? Ugh, just thinking about it is awful. Nothing is left in the wake of that war dog. The scent of corpses always lingers where that family is involved.”

The vampires who recalled the Volpithon and the Executioner’s family shuddered. The ongoing conversation ceased as someone slowly walked into the moonlight-drenched area. Scattered gazes converged on one spot. A man with blond hair reaching his waist surveyed the assembly with sharp eyes.

“I am Albi of the Deimos family. I am the chief of the Vampire Economic Alliance and have been appointed to preside over today’s Court of Interrogation for apprehending the criminal. Approximately a month ago, I was selected as an investigator for the death of the pureblood vampire, Roel Jack, by order of the Elder Council. I heard information about a silver bullet manufacturing factory in the Golden Triangle and rushed to the scene. There, I coincidentally discovered and apprehended a vampire fleeing near the Queens Romane Casino. Upon identity verification, he turned out to be a familiar of the Excold family. I have secured evidence that he leaked the secret regarding the silver bullet manufacturing method. Therefore, I intend to reveal the truth here. I ask all of you to join us in realizing true justice in our society.”

No sooner had Albi finished speaking than Lord Schauer was dragged in, his chains rattling. His face was solemn yet fearful, like a priest offered to a giant monster.

“Schauer Varten, you have carelessly exposed the secret of the silver bullet possessed by the Excold family. This is a grave crime that could cause a fatal crisis in our society. Do you admit it?”

Albi asked in a solemn voice, like a judge. Lord Schauer, looking around the assembly, nodded and answered in a strained voice.

“...I admit it.”

“Though your crime is grave and warrants immediate execution, considering your past efforts and the existence of the Enforcer, we will grant you one last chance to make a final plea. The decision will then be put to a vote.”

Bibi, who had been watching the situation, covered by her hooded cloak, flinched when she was mentioned. She looked at Lord Schauer with worried eyes. He shook his head with a detached demeanor.

“...I will not.”

“Are you saying you forfeit your plea?”

The Elder Council chairman asked suspiciously.

“That is correct.”

“The vampires gathered here are lenient. If you plead well, you might save your life. If you were instigated by someone... for instance, if you were deceived by someone equivalent to a master, we would consider it.”

The Elder Council chairman gave Lord Schauer another chance. Someone equivalent to a master... Lord Schauer realized that this was referring to Bibi. Was he being told to sell out his master to survive? He struggled to discern why they wanted to provoke the new Enforcer and what their intentions were.

But Lord Schauer was not adept at politics. He merely briefly grasped their intention to drag his master down. There was nothing good to be gained by prolonging it.

“...I will not plead. I admit my guilt. This has no connection to my Master whatsoever. I handed over the silver bullet information to an unknown third party to save my own life.”

Lord Schauer admitted his wrongdoing with an unwavering demeanor. Albi, beyond his initial disappointment, couldn’t hide his deflated expression.

“...So he says. In that case, we will proceed with the execution. Are there any objections?”

The vampires whispered, expressing their agreement. Someone mumbled that the rumor of the Enforcer’s return must be false, while another asserted it was clearly a cut-off. Albi arrogantly gestured towards the exit.

A vampire guard in medieval armor approached, grabbed Lord Schauer’s shoulder, forced him to his knees, and made him bow his head. It was a good position for decapitation. Just then, half of the moonlight, obscured by clouds, passed through the ceiling, illuminating his nape like a mark.

The vampires watching from behind the pillars were now enveloped in deeper shadows. Piercing eyes glowed in the darkness.

“He could have lived if he had just pleaded. Your master abandoned you.”

Albi scanned Lord Schauer with eyes that couldn’t comprehend him. He gestured to his familiar’s servant. The servant brought a large, velvet-wrapped scabbard. As he gripped the handle, intricately carved with rose patterns, and drew it, a blade as cold and bright as moonlight appeared.

It was well-sharpened enough to cut a falling sheet of paper. In an era without guns, this was the weapon used to execute vampires.

“Schauer Varten, familiar of Excold. Into the coffin forever...”

The blade was just about to cut Lord Schauer’s neck. The time had come. Bibi instantly approached Albi, grabbed his wrist, and stopped the execution. Albi turned back with a displeased face.

“You are...?”

“Bibi Excold.”

“...Excold?”

Bibi nodded and cut her finger on the tip of the blade. Red blood flowed out, dropped to the floor, and formed a small dot. Some vampires gasped at the smell of blood. Ancient vampires extended their hands as if paying respects with assured expressions. Even the masked Elder Council vampires were startled and clutched their chests.

“The Enforcer has returned.”

“Unbelievable.”

“So the rumors were true.”

Confusion spread. Gazes, hot with intensity, poured onto Bibi. Bibi withdrew her hand from the blade and confirmed that the wound had healed. Lord Schauer looked at her with a blank expression.

“Quiet, quiet!”

Albi calmed the commotion. He seethed, glaring at Bibi.

“You are Excold... The vampire who convened the Elder Council last time, correct?”

Even after confirming the Enforcer, Albi asked with an unacknowledging tone. Bibi decided not to waste energy on trivial matters. To be precise, she intended to focus all her attention on her purpose for being there today. Without answering Albi’s question, she helped Lord Schauer to his feet.

“He is a criminal who has caused great disturbance in vampire society. No matter who the Enforcer is, this cannot be overlooked.”

Albi said coldly. Only then did Bibi turn her blood-red eyes and look directly at him. When their eyes met squarely, the opponent flinched in surprise. But then, he offered a cunning smile, extending his palm as if welcoming her.

“I understand your desire to protect your familiar. If you wish to stop the execution, then relinquish part of your authority. Rules apply to everyone, and roles should not be privileges.”

“No. I won’t save him. He committed a crime, so I will execute him.”

At Bibi’s answer, he knitted his brows, as if unable to comprehend.

“Are you saying... you have no objection to proceeding with the execution?”

“Yes. But before that, we must follow protocol.”

“What do you mean?”

Without answering, Bibi slowly looked around. Approximately sixty vampires watched her with intrigued expressions. Though not as many as during a blood ritual, it seemed a sufficient number had gathered. Bibi took a deep breath. Now was the time to clearly show them the Enforcer’s re-emergence.

“1952, Young family, spy involvement in the CIA’s Operation Paper, interference in human politics.”

“Hm?”

“1960, Deutsch family, sabotage of Laotian intelligence operations, also political interference.”

“W-what?”

As she began to recite dates, names, and charges without any context, the vampires looked bewildered, exchanging glances among themselves. They were asking each other what was happening. Bibi continued undeterred.

Confusion soon turned to dismay. The more names she called out and actions she detailed, the more the vampires realized their secrets were being exposed. They stood dumbfounded, unable to flee, and daring not to silence Bibi.

“2003, Lutherville family, extensive media coverage supporting the US invasion of Iraq, indirect involvement in war.”

“What? What happened? You, we agreed to pull out together.”

“You said you weren’t involved!”

Those who had been leisurely observing the Court of Interrogation turned pale.