Tilea's Worries

Phew, my plan has failed once again.

By the order of Lady Tilea, I had to assign a guard to Ortidiot as well. Indeed, Ortidiot possessed the funds of the Evil God Army. It is humiliating to have our funds stolen by mere humans.

I added an order to Darf and the others via telepathy to also guard Ortidiot.

Then, we continued walking down the main street. At the bottom of the southern stairs, my steps came to a halt.

There was movement from the gaze that had been following us. Bowzen attacked us with a group of mercenaries.

Foolish creatures.

I lured them into a deserted alleyway with Lady Tilea. Bowzen wore a triumphant grin.

Now, how should I deal with them?

These small fries aren’t worth troubling Lady Tilea. I’ll kill them myself.

I began to release my magic and move in swiftly. However, Lady Tilea was in the middle of a verbal duel with Bowzen. I must not interfere.

And then, after a while...

Lady Tilea concluded her argument with,

"Edim, how long will it take you to defeat these guys?"

She commanded me to dispose of the scum.

A smile spread across my face at Lady Tilea’s extermination order. These inferior humans had dared to behave arrogantly. I will make them taste fear as I wreak havoc!

I declared to Lady Tilea that I would finish them off within a minute.

Enraged by my words, the humans attacked.

This marked the start of the battle.

I leaped forward.

"Hah, too slow. Far too slow!"

I grabbed and tore apart the attacking humans, scattering their lives.

The humans were stunned. They trembled, cornered and terrified.

It’s too late to regret now. Did you fools even realize who you were pointing your blades at?

As promised, I wiped out all the small fries except for Bowzen within a minute.

Now, only their leader, Bowzen, remained. His disrespect was too much. I can’t kill him quickly. Lady Tilea would likely want him tortured.

As I contemplated how to deal with Bowzen, he pulled out a crystal from his pocket and smashed it on the ground.

Could it be...?

I learned about it at the Magic Academy. It’s an item that contains teleportation magic. Breaking the crystal summons previously contracted mercenaries.

Bowzen had quite an interesting tool. If it was genuine, reinforcements would teleport here.

As expected, a teleportation array appeared, and a new group of mercenaries emerged.

Hmm, they seem to be of better quality than the last batch.

The humans I killed earlier had magic power between two thousand and three thousand. The ones appearing now had magic power around five thousand to six thousand.

Generally, in the human world, surpassing five thousand magic power categorizes one as an advanced practitioner. Judging by this standard, that crystal was his ace in the hole. All the summoned individuals had over five thousand magic power.

But to me, they’re still small fries.

Did Bowzen think he could win by summoning these kinds of people?

Absolutely ridiculous, don’t you think, Lady Tilea—why are you looking at me like that!

Lady Tilea looked at me with concern. She seemed to think I might lose to these small fries.

As expected, Lady Tilea asked,

"Edim, from what I hear, these enemies seem strong. Are you okay?"

I felt honored and unworthy that Lady Tilea was concerned about me. However, does she truly see my strength that low?

Sigh, the failure to defeat the demon is still haunting me. That incident has somehow shaken everyone’s trust. To be defeated by mere humans was a bitter experience. But, that was eight parts, no, nine parts, no, ten parts entirely Ortidiot’s fault.

"Lady Tilea, are you worried because I failed to defeat the demon?"

"Well, yes, I suppose."

"Lady Tilea, I have so much, so much to say about that incident. In short, it was all Ortidiot-sama’s fault. But I don’t want to make excuses, so please let my future efforts redeem my honor."

Because of Ortidiot, Lady Tilea doubts my strength. I must regain her trust. I will instantly crush these humans to demonstrate my power to Lady Tilea.

I quickly assessed the situation and saw that we were surrounded by nearly thirty individuals. Their weapons included axes, bows, and knives—a mix of adventurers turned assassins.

Their movements and magic power were indeed of a professional level.

But they were light, very light.

I won’t let my guard down, but if I were to fall to this level of enemies, I wouldn't be fit to lead the Vampire Corps.

Once everyone had emerged from the teleportation array, I would charge and cut them down. I tensed my limbs and leaned forward.

As I was gauging the timing to attack, another person appeared from the teleportation array.

A swordsman, carrying a sword on his back.

The swordsman stood silently, his face obscured by backlight. His build suggested he was a slightly large human.

Hmm? This one has no openings.

He was clearly a strong opponent, distinct from the previous small fries.

His magic power was eight thousand—no, it was restrained. I can tell because I often suppress my own magic power. His true strength exceeds ten thousand.

Interesting. Let’s fight—Myuhen-sama!!

The last person to teleport with a nonchalant look was the first division commander of the Evil God Army, Myuhen-sama.

Lady Tilea was also surprised by Myuhen-sama’s sudden appearance.

Ah, I see. Myuhen-sama had infiltrated the guild. Considering his strength, it wasn’t surprising for him to have made such a contract.

Hmm, in that case, if I rampage here, it might ruin Myuhen-sama’s infiltration.

What will Lady Tilea decide?

Will she continue the act and treat Myuhen-sama as an enemy, or will she abandon the guild infiltration and withdraw?

Ultimately, Lady Tilea called Myuhen-sama over to us. It seemed she decided to abandon the guild infiltration. Naturally, Myuhen-sama approached Lady Tilea. This made continuing the guild infiltration impossible since Myuhen-sama’s actions were a clear breach of guild contracts.

Well, even so, fulfilling his mission would mean turning his blade against Lady Tilea, even if it was an act. Myuhen-sama understood this and chose to break the contract, accepting the guild’s punishment.

Good. Now I don’t have to fight Myuhen-sama, even as part of an act. The enemy is just these small fries, and I can fully display my power.

Just as I thought, Myuhen-sama started cutting down the humans one after another.

As expected, Myuhen-sama is incredible. The humans didn’t even have time to scream before being killed in an instant.

However, Myuhen-sama’s prowess robbed me of my opportunity to fight...

Ugh, I wanted to participate in the battle too. But intervening now would clearly seem like I was trying to steal Myuhen-sama’s credit.

Well, there will be another chance to redeem my honor.

Besides, I still had the task of killing the scum who dared to disrespect Lady Tilea.

I moved to take Bowzen’s head, but he began another verbal battle with Lady Tilea. Lady Tilea countered fiercely. She aimed for complete victory with both words and combat. I’ll wait until Lady Tilea’s verbal assault is finished.

During their exchange, Bowzen called Lady Tilea "Ortidiot’s lover" and accused her of being stingy for not paying me or Myuhen-sama.

How outrageous!

This is an act of defiance against even the gods, no, against the Evil God itself. His brazen attitude left me dumbfounded.

Lady Tilea’s face turned red with anger. Her wrath might precede my execution of Bowzen.

As I pondered this, Bowzen had the audacity to try and bribe me. And with a mere five million gold.

Five million...

Is this guy an idiot? As the leader of the Vampire Corps, I manage a certain amount of funds. If I wanted, I could move billions freely. Five million is less than Jeje’s pocket money.

Moreover, I no longer care about money. Even if I were offered billions, trillions, or the entire world’s wealth, my loyalty wouldn’t waver.

I have dedicated my body and soul to Lady Camilla.

And he tried to bribe me with an amount less than Jeje’s allowance.

How foolish. What an insult!

For the honor of Lady Tilea and Lady Camilla, I must deliver punishment!

I was about to tear Bowzen apart when Lady Tilea stopped me.

Bowzen thought my refusal to agree was due to the insufficient amount of money. So, he continued to raise the price.

"Then how about seven million? You are a student, right? You must need money, so I’ve increased the amount."

Seven million...

Ugh, this is beyond insulting. And raising it by mere increments of two million gold is miserly.

"Edim, don't be fooled! He's just saying whatever he can to get out of this situation."

Huh?

Lady Tilea, what do you mean? I don't think Bowzen is lying.

And why are you looking at me like that...?

No way! You can't be serious!

Lady Tilea, do you truly believe I would be bribed!!

No, that's impossible!

There’s no way I would betray Lady Camilla and Lady Tilea for that scum.

Lady Tilea looked at me with concern.

Indeed, Lady Tilea must be sensitive to betrayal and treachery. Her past life's experiences with betrayal from her subordinates have cast a shadow over her. Every member of the Evil God Army knows this story. History has shown that rulers are inherently suspicious. Emperors like Nero and Han dynasty figures were notorious for purging those suspected of treason. It was believed to be a necessary action for ruling a nation. As the Supreme Commander of the Evil God Army, it's only natural for Lady Tilea to be even more vigilant.

Ugh, this is bad.

I thought I had finally cleared Lady Tilea's misunderstandings and built a good relationship.

If this scum Bowzen causes her to harbor new suspicions, it would be intolerable.

I immediately sought permission from Lady Tilea to eliminate Bowzen. However, Lady Tilea did not grant it yet.

"Phew, quite the businesswoman, aren’t you? How about eight million? I'll even pay it monthly depending on your performance. Not even royal officials get such a generous offer."

This guy still thinks I'm trying to negotiate for a higher price!

I’ll kill him!

"That's a lie. There's no way he'd hand over such a large sum so easily..."

Lady Tilea, please don’t be deceived. There's no way this bribe would work. Please believe me!

As I emitted waves of rejection towards Bowzen, he seemed to think it wasn’t working and shifted his target to Myuhen-sama.

This made even the usually calm Myuhen-sama visibly furious, with veins popping on his forehead.

Frustrated by our reactions, Bowzen resorted to threats.

But his threats were pathetically weak.

Guild status?

Hired thugs?

Hah? These are nothing compared to the hierarchy and punishments in the Evil God Army.

To think he could threaten Myuhen-sama and me with such trivial matters...

My patience is running out. I need Lady Tilea’s permission soon.

"Then how about one billion gold? I'll pay one billion in cash if you kill that girl."

Ugh, I was about to kill him without waiting for Lady Tilea’s permission when,

"If you defeat him, I’ll...let's see...yes! I'll give you a handmade pendant!"

What!? What did Lady Tilea just say?

Did I hear correctly that she would give a pendant as a reward...?

"Hoho, a handmade pendant? Foolish! My precious—"

"Silence!"

I unintentionally shouted. But I couldn’t help it.

We don’t have time for such ridiculous nonsense. I couldn’t care less about the trinkets that this scum owns.

Could it be that Lady Tilea...?

"Lady Tilea, do you mean the pendant you gave to Lady Camilla?"

"Yes, I thought I'd make one matching Timu’s... Sorry, you didn’t want it, right?"

"No, no, absolutely not! I want it. I need it. I must have it!"

Yes, indeed!

I want it, I absolutely want it!

Lady Camilla cherishes the pendant greatly. She never parts with it.

Naturally. It’s a pendant handcrafted by Lady Tilea, made from the highest quality Evil God Gold. Its effects are known to be...

All stats increased.

Immunity to all status ailments.

Ninety percent damage reduction.

Ninety percent MP consumption reduction.

...

...

...

Its value is beyond comprehension. It’s priceless.

Even a single gem from it surpasses the legendary treasures of nations. Lady Tilea’s handmade pendant is worth more than two or three countries.

And above all, it matches Lady Camilla’s pendant.

I want it. I want to have it always and share that connection with her.

I want it. I want it so badly I would kill all the people in the world for it.

"Lady Tilea, would I receive the pendant if I slay this man?"

"No, if Myuhen defeats him, I planned to make a sword instead..."

"Hohoho. I have many legendary swords better than any trashy one—"

"Silence!"

"Eek!"

While I was dreaming about the pendant, Lady Tilea mentioned making a sword for Myuhen-sama. Hearing this, Myuhen-sama was visibly agitated.

Of course. A sword crafted by Lady Tilea... Unimaginable. How sharp would it be?

A sword made from the incredibly hard and valuable Evil God Gold, more valuable than the three greatest treasures of the world. It might split the earth in two with a single strike.

"Edim, that’s an order. Step back!"

"I'm sorry, but I can’t yield this time. I must have it no matter what."

"Yes, a pendant made by Lady Tilea. It's understandable. But Edim, I won’t back down either."

"I understand, Myuhen-sama. Even as a non-swordsman, I am moved by the thought of a sword made by Lady Tilea."

The reward for taking Bowzen's head. Normally, it would be proper to yield to Myuhen-sama, an executive.

But I can't give up.

I absolutely must have that pendant.

"No hard feelings, Edim."

"Understood."

Myuhen-sama crouched, preparing for a draw.

That unique form!?

"It’s completed?"

"Not quite. About eighty percent."

Myuhen-sama’s new ultimate technique, the fastest iai move, Soaring Dragon Flash. It’s an iai technique elevated to “ultra-divine speed.” Even as a vampire, I can barely see the flash. By the time you notice, you’ve already been cut.

Indeed. How could I have not realized?

When Myuhen-sama was hunting the humans earlier, he used Dragon Flash.

Dragon Flash is a technique to kill over nine small fries simultaneously in an instant.

The technique he devised to surpass that speed and slaughter small fries faster is Soaring Dragon Flash.

It’s not surprising for Myuhen-sama, who mastered Dragon Flash, to have also mastered Soaring Dragon Flash.

What should I do?

Myuhen-sama’s sword technique surpasses me in power, skill, and speed.

I can’t win in a straightforward fight.

"What... What is—"

"Freeze! The target shouldn’t move."

"Whoa!"

I shouted at Bowzen to freeze when he tried to move.

That’s it!

This position, this is my only advantage.

Yes, the fact that Bowzen and I are in a straight line. The distance is also close. I luckily have the best position. I need to use this advantage.

From my position, I only need to release my attack. I don’t need to aim. I just need to launch the blood splash forward.

Minimizing power and maximizing speed, I will unleash my ultimate technique, Bloody Mary.

And I observed the activation key for Soaring Dragon Flash during Lady Tilea's event.

The key to that technique is the left foot stepping forward. If I focus on that, I can sense the timing of Myuhen-sama’s attack.

The moment Myuhen-sama lifts his left foot is the moment to strike!

While Myuhen-sama performs the two actions of “drawing” and “aiming,” I will unleash my ultimate technique, Bloody Mary.

Finally, it was a race between Myuhen-sama’s “slash” and my Bloody Mary to see who would behead Bowzen first.

With the plan set, all that was left was to wait for the right moment.

I took a deep breath to relax and clear my mind, confident that I had a chance to win.

After a brief pause, Myuhen-sama lifted his left foot.

This is it!

I circulated the blood within me and unleashed it in a powerful spray.

Here it comes! Secret Technique, Bloody Mary—"For Jeje!"

Oh no, wait! What are you doing here!

Jeje’s sudden appearance threw off my timing, and I stumbled.

"Edim-sama, even if you hate me, I don’t mind. My body and soul are pledged to you."

"Ugh, get out of the way! Hurry up—ahhh!"

"Heh, tough luck, Edim."

While I fumbled, Myuhen-sama’s sword swiftly decapitated Bowzen.

Now, the reward from Lady Tilea goes to Myuhen-sama...

I dropped to my knees in disappointment.

"E-Edim, don’t be so down. I’ll still make a handmade pendant for you too."

"R-Really?"

"Yes, even though I said it would be a reward for defeating Bowzen, you’ve worked hard too."

"Oh, thank you so mu—"

"How dare you offer such a trivial pendant as a reward! Edim-sama deserves a suitable rank. Why not make her the Supreme Commander?"

"Damn you, Jeje!"

I swung at Jeje in fury, knocking him unconscious with my punch.

How dare you keep interfering with me!

I straddled the unconscious Jeje and raised my right arm to deliver a final blow.

"Stop it!"

Just as I was about to finish Jeje, Kikka stepped in between us.

Damn, this woman is still alive!

Something felt off since Jeje’s appearance. I had inflicted fatal wounds on both of them. They shouldn’t have been able to move.

"How are you two even standing?"

"We used the blood of a familiar to heal."

Tch, so there was still a familiar left...

I thought Jeje and Kikka were the only ones.

"I see. So there was another familiar. I’ll kill you both along with it."

"Edim-sama, my loyalty to you ends here. I won’t allow any more harm to Jeje-sama!"

"Hah! Know your place. You, a mere third-tier familiar, dare speak to your master!"

"Even a third-tier familiar has something to say. Do you know how much Jeje-sama has done for you?"

"I don’t care! Tools should die when their use is over!"

"I was wrong to think I should be loyal to you just because Jeje-sama respects you. But your behavior is unfit for a master!"

"You insolent... I’ll shred you to pieces!"

I was about to strike Kikka when,

"Stop, both of you!"

Lady Tilea stepped in to mediate between us.

"But I must kill this woman to set an example as the leader!"

"Tilea-sama, I have a request."

"What is it, Kikka?"

"How dare you, a third-tier familiar, address the Supreme Commander so casually! That’s incredibly disrespectful!"

"No, it’s fine."

"But, the hierarchy—"

"Edim, please."

"Y-Yes."

This is bad. Lady Tilea is about to intervene in her usual way. Once she does, my arguments won’t get through—or worse, her responses might be completely unpredictable.

"Tilea-sama, please save Jeje-sama. Edim...I mean, Edim is a terrible master who mistreats loyal subjects."

"You... You dare call your master by name, you third-tier familiar! I’ll crush you!"

"Edim, stop!"

"Y-Yes."

"Edim, I can’t believe you’ve been acting so tyrannically."

"But, you see—"

"Edim, I understand it’s hard to manage your familiars. But you can’t rule by violence and fear alone."

"Y-Yes, but if I’m not strict with tools that overstep their bounds—"

"Sigh, you don’t get it. No reward for you until you understand loyalty and respect."

"N-No way..."

How could this happen? I thought I would receive a reward, but now I’m being reprimanded.

It’s all because of that insolent familiar, Kikka.

I glared at Kikka with hatred.

"Tilea-sama."

"Yes, Kikka?"

"At this rate, Jeje-sama will be purged by Edim when you’re not around."

"Come on, Edim wouldn’t be so underhanded, right?"

"Y-Yes."

Damn, she’s clever. I intended to kill Jeje and Kikka later when the coast was clear.

"Tilea-sama, I’m worried."

Cunning woman. Using Lady Tilea’s authority against me. I’ll have to make my own request to Lady Tilea.

"Tilea-sama, I also have a request. It’s outrageous for subjects to defy their master. Please allow me to deal with Jeje and Kikka."

"Sigh, Edim, you should leave the Vampire Corps for a while."

"Huh?"

"No, your way of thinking is completely off. I understand leading a group isn’t easy, but you can’t resort to unjust violence like a military tyrant!"

"But—"

"Look at the Second Division. Despite Ortissio being a fool, the members respect him. Don’t you feel anything from that?"

"Well, Ortissio-sama is stupid and—"

"Sigh~"

"T-Tilea-sama?"

I have a bad feeling about this...

"Edim, your attitude is a big problem."

"But Ortissio-sama is undeniably a fool—"

"Enough. You don’t understand anything. That’s why Kikka is so distressed."

"Tilea-sama, please ignore the ramblings of a third-tier familiar. I’ll create more obedient familiars."

"Do you remember I told you not to create more familiars?"

"Of course. I’ve followed your orders."

"Then why would you say that!"

"I-I’m sorry."

"It seems your heart is swayed by immense power."

Huh? Immense power? Swayed?

"Um—"

"Edim, your stormy heart is because you’re in the Vampire Corps, a group formed by blood and violence. This isn’t your usual behavior."

"What do you mean—?"

"So, don’t worry. Edim, you’ll join Ortissio’s division for a while. Forget about the Vampire Corps and learn about team bonds. That way, you’ll return to your usual self."

"So, I’ll be under the Second Division..."

"Yes, I’ll inform Ortissio. Learn something valuable from this."

Ugh—this is the biggest shock today!

Me, transferred to the Second Division? Directly under that idiot?

Ah, today really must be my unlucky day.