For Duanmu Huai and the others, the journey was anything but quiet.
In a way, Bambi was very much like Anne—innocent, lively, and carefree. She was also just as fascinated by Guleya—especially by that big, fluffy tail of hers.
Incidentally, though Bambi's personality was cheerful and playful, she wasn't completely ignorant of combat. In fact, whenever enemies appeared along the way, Bambi would fight too. According to Duanmu Huai's observations, she usually attacked by channeling magic and commanding bats.
Hmm… that at least carried a faint hint of "vampire."
From her, Duanmu Huai also learned a good deal about vampires of her era.
Bambi said that back then, vampires lived in a kingdom called "Medbegia." It was isolated on a remote island and rarely interacted with the outside world. Its inhabitants were vampires like her—unafraid of sunlight, able to eat normal food, and bearing bat-like wings on their heads.
Honestly, Duanmu Huai couldn't understand why this vampire race's wings grew from their heads. Shouldn't vampire wings sprout from the back, so they could fly? Wings on the head—what was that supposed to be?
Worse, the "wings" were useless. Barely larger than ears, they looked more like fancy ornaments.
Though vampires then could share blood and turn others, it was very different from today's infectious curse. According to Bambi, when a vampire gave blood to a mortal, that mortal became a thrall—sharing their master's powers and lifespan, bound as one.
But each vampire could only create one thrall. Unless that thrall died, they could not make another.
And since their lives were tied, the death of a thrall also caused immense harm to the vampire.
Relations between humans and vampires back then weren't good, but vampires didn't prey on humans. In fact, it was humans who caused trouble—desperate for immortality, they deceived vampires into turning them. Vampires came to resent humans, to the point their kingdom forbade citizens from freely leaving.
From Bambi's description, vampires then were hardly dangerous to humans. If anything, humans were a bigger threat to vampires.
But… what had happened? Why had vampires become what they were now?
Bambi had no idea. All she remembered was attending the Queen's banquet, playing until she grew tired, then falling asleep. The next time she woke up… was when Duanmu Huai and his companions opened the pillar.
As for the Elder Scroll on her back, she had no recollection. From what she said, the Queen must have given it to her before sealing her in the pillar. Clearly, something momentous had happened for the Queen to take such measures.
This princess really could sleep though—five hundred years without waking…
And now the answer lay before them.
"Look, that's Brunbania Castle!"
Bambi pointed proudly at the massive fortress on a small island. It truly was huge, at least ten stories tall, with Gothic spires at each corner. With thunder, lightning, and storm clouds overhead, it looked every inch a vampire's stronghold.
"But… why does it look so desolate now?"
Standing on the shore, staring at the castle, Bambi's face filled with confusion.
"Is there a problem?"
Duanmu Huai stepped ashore, scanning the surroundings. It was bleak—only rocks, dead twisted trees, and barren land.
If anything, it looked exactly like a vampire castle should.
"Eh? There used to be a huge garden here. So beautiful. Bambi's favorite thing was to nap in the grass under the sun."
But Bambi insisted otherwise, waving her hands to demonstrate.
The Vigilant beside Duanmu Huai nearly choked.
"A vampire castle… with a garden?"
"In any case, we'll find out inside."
Duanmu Huai gripped his warhammer, watching the looming fortress. By Bambi's account, it should not be dangerous. But her memories were five hundred years old. Back then, vampires hadn't fed on humans like cattle. So…
"Bambi, Guleya, stay behind me and watch the surroundings."
He strode forward. Guleya and Bambi followed closely, while the Vigilant unsheathed his weapon, ready for anything.
Crossing the desolate ground, they reached the stone bridge leading to the main gate. A wave of blood, cold, and death hit them like a wall. Even Bambi felt the threat, clutching Duanmu Huai's cloak.
"Th-thrall, be careful. It might be dangerous."
"I know."
Duanmu Huai wasn't stupid. This castle practically screamed "final boss battle arena." Only a fool would think otherwise.
As they crossed the bridge, the iron portcullis rattled upward. Then, with a deep groan, the heavy stone gates creaked open, revealing a dark corridor beyond.
"…"
The group fell silent. Duanmu Huai rubbed his chin, then glanced at them.
"What do you think—if we turned back now, would it be too rude?"
"Ahahaha…"
Guleya gave a helpless smile. The Vigilant's face was pale, sweat beading on his brow as he clutched his weapon. He clearly wasn't in the mood for jokes.
"Fine, let's go."
With no one agreeing, Duanmu Huai shrugged. Honestly, he'd have liked to do just that. In games, players had no choice but to push forward. But here?
What if we just camped outside roasting fish while the boss waited inside? Wouldn't that drive him mad?
"Hey, should we set up a fire and grill fish right here?"
"Sir Knight!!"
"All right, all right, I get it…"
Seeing Guleya clench her fists in protest, Duanmu Huai sighed. If Ann were here, she'd be cheering and already lighting the fire… But Guleya was too earnest for that.
So the party entered the castle. As expected, the gates slammed shut behind them, sealing them in darkness.
Then, firelight flared, illuminating the space.
They stood in the entrance hall. Above them, on the balconies, stood dozens of men and women in elegant clothes, masked as though attending a masquerade ball. Each gazed down silently at the intruders.
At the front stood a man in a black suit, dressed like a butler.
"…Who are they?"
Clutching Duanmu Huai's cloak, Bambi whispered, just as bewildered. To her, this was like coming home only to find her house full of strangers.
"Please come in. The master is waiting."
The butler bowed respectfully, then led them onward. The group followed him through the door, which he pushed open—
And froze at the sight inside.
It was a magnificent dining hall. Three long tables were arranged in a U-shape. More nobles sat behind them in fine clothes.
The problem was the food on the tables.
They were humans.
Bodies laid out, veins cut open, limbs severed and placed in bowls. The coppery stench of blood hung thick in the air.
Guleya turned deathly pale. The Vigilant ground his teeth, white-knuckled on his weapon. They had fought vampires before—but never seen them dine on humans like a feast.
"What… is this…"
Even Bambi was dumbstruck, staring in shock.
Then a voice rang out.
"Welcome home, Princess of the Night!"
The group looked up. A middle-aged man in a black suit and cloak rose from his seat, every inch a stereotypical vampire.
"This banquet was prepared for your return. How is it, Your Highness? Are you pleased?"
"D-don't talk nonsense!!"
Bambi stamped her foot, shouting furiously.
"What is this disgusting thing?! Who are you people? Why are you in this castle? Where is Her Majesty the Queen? How dare you do such horrible things here!"
"Ah… Your Highness…"
The man's expression turned almost ecstatic. Bambi's sweet voice was beautiful even when she was angry, and he looked utterly intoxicated by it.
"Forgive me. As you see, Her Majesty the Queen has vanished. But do not fear. With us, the vampire kingdom will rise again! Vampires shall rule this world!"
"What are you saying? Who are you really?!"
Bambi's unease grew. She grabbed Duanmu Huai's cloak and glared at the man's crazed, obsessed face.
"Bambi doesn't know you! Bambi doesn't know any of you! Who are you? Where is Her Majesty? Where are the people of Brunbania Castle?!"
"They're all here, Princess."
He smiled proudly, laying a hand over his stomach.
"They're all here inside me. But alas, you will never see them again…"
(End of Chapter)