"You look as magnificent as ever, my lord," Marie says to me as I walk outside.
"Thanks for the compliment, but I am not taking you with me."
"But my lord, who will take care of you? Your meals and daily needs cannot be affected."
She pleads with puppy dog eyes on the verge of spilling tears.
It's really hard to refuse her. Marie was the first vampire I ever created. She has been with me the longest and knows better than anyone. If not for her age, she could very well be my mother with how much she fusses over me.
But she is also very talented and currently the strongest subordinate I have. She needs to be here to look over the Sanctuary that I have been creating.
"Thank you, Marie, for looking after me, but Sebas is coming with me. He will take care of my daily needs." I try my best not look at her eyes.
She tries a few more times, but I remain firm. Seeing that I will not agree, she pouts and stops saying anything further.
It's honestly very hard for me, and I was on the verge of agreeing, but thankfully, Sebas comes to save me.
"Everything is ready, my lord. We can depart anytime," he says with a bow.
But suddenly, he shivers and senses the magical energy unique to vampires pressing him heavily.
Marie is staring daggers at Sebas. Her eyes shone bright red and were full of envy.
Hahaha... ha ha
I chuckle nervously and thank Sebas in my heart for saving me.
After a few hours, we finally arrived at the location, where my universe said he was opening the passage.
I have already been notified of the destination by it.
In front of me, space collapses around a small region, and a vortex of black energy forms a portal.
"Take care, my lord. I will work diligently to complete the tasks you have given me. Sebas, make sure everything is perfect. Lord likes sweets when he is thinking. Keep them always available. Also, remember use the spell I have given...."
After a long list of embarrassing instructions, we finally leave behind the teary-eyed Marie and enter the portal.
As I step inside, everything is dark with a dark green ring flowing in front of me.
I notice a small point on the ring sparkling white, and extend my hand to touch it. As I come in contact with it, both Sebas and I get sucked in towards the white point.
---
??? POV
I am Kamdo Tanjiro. My family lives at the top of Mount Kumotori and sells charcoal. Since no one lives at such heights, we always have to travel downhills to sell charcoal to villagers living there.
My father died recently. His medicines were expensive, and selling charcoal does not make a lot of money. As the eldest, I always try my best to help take care of my siblings and also help my mother with her chores.
I have been going down the mountain to sell charcoal since my father was ill. I have many brothers and sisters, and I do everything to keep them happy.
After our father died, they were very lonely. So I have decided to sell extra charcoal so we can have a great New Year's feast.
Life hasn't been easy, but we are happy.
Today, selling charcoal took a lot of time, and it is already evening. The villagers are kind. They buy from me even if there is no need for charcoal. I also try to repay their kindness by lending a hand to everyone.
I have a sharp nose. I can sense emotions and can tell whether someone is lying.
But today was different. I smelled a very unique and pleasant scent. When I focused, I could tell this person was very pure.
Curiosity overtook me as to who could be so pure and kind. I turned my head and was surprised.
It was a very handsome boy around my age, but he was taller than I was. He had golden-coloured hair which shone in the evening light. He had blue eyes and was wearing strange clothes, but they looked expensive.
He definitely did not belong here, so I went over to him to check if he lost his way.
---
Nior
After getting sucked through space and a not-so-enjoyable journey, we found ourselves in a village at the foot of the hills. I could already guess where we.
I sent Sebas to buy me a mansion in Tokyo and to gather information about a female doctor procuring human blood.
He bowed and disappeared with mist. It was the inherent vampire ability: Mist Transformation.
Not all vampires can manipulate it like me, but they can surely transform into mist for easier travel.
After sending off Sebas, I started exploring the place. I had taken only a few steps when a boy with dark maroon hair, wearing a green haori and a blue scarf, approached me.
He had soot all over his face and hands, showing his humble origins. Another thing to notice was a scar on the left side of his forehead.
Of course, I recognised him instantly.
The protagonist of Demon Slayer.
Kamado Tanjiro!
'The hell is he walking towards me? Is he looking for a fight?' I couldn't help but think.
But the next moment. 'No, that's not it. Tanjiro is supposed to be a kind kid.'
"Umm... excuse me, I couldn't help but notice that you are new here. Are you lost?" He bowed a little and asked.
"Thanks for asking. I am Nior Valentine. Yes, I am new here. I guess I am kind of at the wrong place," I reply with a smile.
'Truly, what a kind kid. Worrying about strangers. Odin likes to reward mortals who are kind to strangers. Maybe I should reward him too.'
"I am Kamado Tanjiro. If you don't mind, please come with me, Valentine-san. It's already evening, and the nearby resting place is far. My home is just up the mountains where I live with my mother and siblings."
"Haha... you are too kind. Just call me Nior. I will take up your offer." I said and offered my hand. He hesitated a little but took it after wiping his dirty hands.
Now that I think about it, Marie would have killed all 'inferior lifeforms' who came near me. It was a correct decision not to bring her here.
This time, I couldn't help myself and laughed heartily at his invitation. This kid really knows how to win hearts.
Inviting a vampire to your home? Really daring!
On the way back to his home, we spoke a lot. I told him that I came from a different country to explore the world. I also told him about other countries. I shared with him about the climate outside, different lifestyles, and several entertainments that are popular these days.
He was overjoyed and asked me some questions. We quickly became friends. It was too easy. He was a teenage boy tied to the responsibility of his family. My stories were practically heaven for him.
On the way back, some no-name neighbour asked us to stay the night and started telling stories about demons.
Which made me realise something. This lonely man stopped Tanjiro at his place on the night Tanjiro's family was killed by Kibutsuji Muzan.
Damn, that guy is here!
I spread my senses quickly.
"Tanjiro! Quick, your family is in danger. Come with me!"
I picked him up over my shoulder, ignored the shouting of the man behind, and ran towards his home, breaking the speed of sound.
We arrived outside his house within seconds.
It was a horrible scene even for a vampire like me.
The bastard was killing the children one by one while asking about the Blue Spider Lily.
Only Kie was alive, whom he was holding by her throat, while Nezuko was unconscious.
I quickly put down Tanjiro and summoned my Sword of Night, Eilaxnir. A shining red sword with black edges materialised in my hand.
I ran forward and cut Muzan's extended hand into pieces.
"You surely like to torture innocents, Muzan," I stand in front of Kie protectively and look Muzan straight in the eyes.
My eyes start glowing dark red, and I speak in a distorted voice filled with magical energy.
"What do you take life for?"
He shivered and backed off after feeling the invisible pressure.
In Muzan's eyes, I seem to resemble that person.
I raised my sword and sent a slash infused with magic that cut permanently two of his hearts and tore his body to pieces. Those hearts can never be regenerated again, no matter how much he heals himself.
Knowing that he will try to flee, I lose my interest and turn back.
Tanjiro was crying, kneeling beside his sibling's bodies while Kie was holding the unconscious Nezuko.
Snap!
With a snap of my finger, Kie's wounds heal instantly with a warm and soothing golden light.
She finally notices me.
When she lifts her head, her eyes widen, and she presses her head to the floor.
"Please, oh God! Please bring my children back. I will do anything you want. Please..." She keeps repeating like a broken player.
'How does she know... No, she is deluding herself into believing me. At this rate, she will break down sooner or later'
If I want, technically, I can bring the dead back to life. I can also reincarnate them as vampires.
It was a good opportunity to try out my new powers. When I attempt to bring them back to life, I feel a resistance.
It was a fixed event in this world. These events are the basis of future occurrences, so normal means cannot reverse these events.
Well, I can still forcibly resurrect them, but the world will sense a foreign presence.
I can't have that.
"Your children are gone. They will not come back. You must compose yourself and stay strong for the children you still have." I say softly as I put a hand on her head and forcibly calm her mind with Charm.
I go down on one knee and hug her to comfort her. She is still sobbing, but noticeably calmer.
"I am sorry for your loss. I should have come sooner," I said in a low voice filled with regret.
She stops crying and looks me in the eyes, shaking her head.
"No, thank you. You saved my Nezuko and me. Thank you really," Kie bows her head and said seriously.
I didn't know how to respond to her gratitude, so I just patted her head.
After a few minutes, we have already cleaned up the place and are preparing to bury the dead.
I pull out my sword and slash four times to create four deep pits underground.
After burial and prayer, we sit in the now somewhat fixed house to treat Nezuko.
To lighten the grim atmosphere, I talk with Kie and Tanjiro and share more of my stories. Being over a hundred years old naturally gives you thousands of stories to tell.