The Spearmaster and the Black Cat

Chapter 148: First Come, First Served – Part 2

Chapter 148: First Come, First Served – Part 2

It’s already late at night.

I produce a light ball without putting the recovered ring back on.

I walk while lighting up the way.

Since I just remembered it, let me try asking about it.

“I was just reminded, how did you sneak into the Great Knight’s mansion, Viine and Rollo?” (Shuuya)

“Rollo-sama and I independently chased after you, Master. But, on the way Rollo-sama told me to get on her back and forced me to mount her… Before I even realized it, we were on the mansion’s roof.” (Viine)

Haha, it looks like Rollo gets things done.

She probably ran the whole way at a speed that caused Viine to be frightened.

“I pulled myself together and infiltrated the mansion through a roof window while using <Hide>. After that, I tried to look for you, Master, but Rollo-sama was able to pinpoint your location. She guided me with her tentacles as if telling me to follow her. The rest was me following Rollo-sama, us defeating the prison guards and then finding you easily.” (Viine)

“Nya.”

Rollo purrs as if saying “That’s right nya.”

She taps my shoulder with her tail.

“As expected of you, Rollo. Viine you also did well to come for me.” (Shuuya)

I caress her small cat head, I reach out to her ears and massage them.

Rollo immediately releases a throaty purr.

“Yes…” (Viine)

She sends a respectful, somewhat passionate gaze at Rollo.

Now finished, we walk back to the inn while Viine and I talk about various things as if we are continuing our after-dinner conversation.

Once we return to our room, we enter the bath while I admire her beautiful nudity.

In the middle of the bath, Viine clad her body with mana in an instant and whispers something under her breath with her face dyed bright red

Since her eyes and expression are kind of scary, I step out of the bath first.

Viine watches me as I get out while looking disappointed, then leaves the bath, wiped her body, and begins to put on her clothes.

Then she dries her wet silver hair with a wind spell of Life Magic while sitting down on her bed, arranges it, lies down, and falls asleep.

As expected, she was probably tired. She dozed off right away.

Well, various things kept happening one after the other, after all.

There’s no way that she can keep going at my pace.

Even Rollo curled up at Viine’s feet and fell asleep.

Since I’m free, I leave the room and walk down to the first floor.

There’s no one in the dining room.

Well, I guess it makes only sense for no one to be here right now.

Just when I was about to peek inside the counter with a light-hearted feeling of “How nice would it be if there was some booze,”

“Wait a sec, Shuuya-san!” (Mel)

“Huh? You told me that he was taken, but isn’t he right there?” (Veronika)

Mel and Veronika appeared at the inn’s entrance.

“Ah, Mel and Veronika. I just got back a little while ago.” (Shuuya)

“I got back…don’t give me that! I was worried when they took you, you know? I somehow managed to call Veronika back in a hurry, she was protecting our new turf.” (Mel)

Mel gets angry as she makes a gesture similar to a crab with both her hands.

“Ah, sorry…” (Shuuya)

I had no intention to make her worry, but…

I didn’t speak up since I felt bad for Mel who worried about me.

“Geeze, I hurried too much, didn’t I? …Veronika, as you see, it seems he was alright. Although I made you come with me…sorry, okay?” (Mel)

Mel apologizes to Veronika.

“Don’t worry~ Bene-ane is standing in for me. Besides, it will probably be fine since I have the horned skeletons protect the turf together with the troops over there. If strong opponents such as Mad Knight or the Massacre Sisters came attacking, even they might be broken though.” (Veronika)

It looks like I ended up causing them trouble while they were busy with something.

But, they got here just at the right time.

There’s something I want to ask Veronika.

Before that, I will apologize for getting in the way of her work.

“Veronika, sorry in various ways.” (Shuuya)

“It’s okay. I wanted to meet with you anyway, Shuuya.” (Veronika)

She gives a bright smile.

“Oh, I see, actually—” (Shuuya)

“—So, what did happen with ?Nine White Great KnightsWhite Nine?? Why were you released without any wounds?” (Mel)

Drowning out my words, Mel begins a barrage of questions.

There are many things I can’t talk about, so let’s dodge the issue here.

“…You know, even I’ve got connections.” (Shuuya)

“Bah, sarcasm again?” (Mel)

Mel was fed-up. While revealing her displeasure, she folds her arms above her chest.

Her bulging tits compress due to the pressure of her arms…how erotic.

“…There are probably things you’re better of not knowing. That’s how it is. Rather than that, there’s something I want to ask Veronika…” (Shuuya)

“What’s the matter?” (Veronika)

Veronika swiftly draws her small face near.

As if she’s pestering me for a kiss.

“I’d like Veronika to return to the ?Flavor Block? right away though…” (Mel)

“Eeeh — even though I’m able to smell Shuuya’s scent after quite a while; isn’t it fine for a little bit?” (Veronika)

It’s the words of Mel as leader of the dark guild ?Remains of the Moon?, but Veronika grabs my arm and throws a tantrum in a manner of “I won’t let go.”

“…Geeze, only a bit, okay?” (Mel)

“Yaaay. I love you, Mel. —So, Shuuya.” (Veronika)

Uhh, she brings her face close again…

I’m happy since it’s a cute face, but her nostrils flared as she began to breathe in the air around her excitedly.

“I got it, so give me some space!” (Shuuya)

I pry Veronika off the arm she is hugging.

“—Uguu, that hurts. What’s up! I want to keep sniffing your scent!” (Veronika)

I will be cold-hearted since she’s so tenacious.

“Well, then it’s enough already. Mel, you can take her with you.” (Shuuya)

“Uhh, I got it. I won’t hug you anymore, okay? You have something to talk about, don’t you?” (Veronika)

Veronika has a cramped expression, similar to “shit, oh no!” She suddenly becomes docile, tilts her face and asks me that to curry favor with me.

If she acts like this, I can’t regard her as anything but a normal, spoilt little girl though.

“…Yes. I want to ask you about <Bloodkin>.” (Shuuya)

“<Bloodkin>, eh? Do you have some favorites on your mind?” (Veronika)

Veronika showed a huffy expression.

Is she jealous? Well, let’s put it in slightly jokingly words then.

“Yeah, there’s plenty.” (Shuuya)

At that moment, Veronika’s eyes became bloodshot and the blood vessels next to the outer canthus pop up. Her nails grow like blades.

Scary.

“…Well, apart from that joke, there’s actually one person I want to turn into my <Bloodkin>, I guess?” (Shuuya)

Veronika speaks while licking her upper lip with her tongue.

“What, so it was a joke? It’s great that I didn’t have to kill a lot—” (Veronika)

And yet she’s saying something frightening so nonchalantly…

“…Please answer my question.” (Shuuya)

“…Ufu, eyes that give me the chills!?” (Veronika)

“If you can’t give him an answer—” (Mel)

Mel tried to get into the conversation.

“I got it, I got it…I will talk. Even for the Valmask family, one of the 12 founding clans, it’s usually just one bloodkin. But the top of the Valmask family, who are direct descendants of the originators extending to the empress, are different. The originals can make three <Bloodkin>. And even the direct <Bloodkin> can, of course, make three new <Bloodkins> as well. But, since they will lose a great amount of mana and mental force, they rarely make <Bloodkins>. Besides, since the original’s power declines with each new generation, you can likewise say that it doesn’t happen much for new <Bloodkins> to be made. Though their power grows with the passage of time. As a consequence, there’s a rule among them, so…” (Veronika)

A shadow befalls Veronika’s face.

“I see. Paulsen mentioned that it’s just one <Bloodkin> for him.” (Shuuya)

“Yeah. Contrary to me, Paulsen belongs to a branch family of normal vampires which you might call a branch of the Valmask family.” (Veronika)

“Mmh? You previously said that you are from a branch family as well, didn’t you?” (Shuuya)

“C-Correct. It’s even being called a sect, a branch family that’s hostile to that sort of main family…” (Veronika)

Veronika’s good mood becomes dampened and she reveals a somewhat flustered expression.

She mentioned before that she’s the offspring of a branch family that’s much older than the Paulsen’s, but that’s a lie, huh?

She told me that she’s equal with the founder, to keep that a secret, and that I have the same smell as her father…

Extrapolating from those facts, she might be a member of the founding originals.

Probably she doesn’t want to be confused with the guys from the Valmask family that killed her father. Does she want to sever any connections to them? That might be the reason why her mood took such a hit.

Well, if she feels like talking, she will do so.

Anyway, three <Bloodkins> for direct descendants of the founders.

And just as Paulsen said, it’s usually one <Bloodkin> per vampire, eh?

I’m a true ancestor, so I can have three <Bloodkins> just like the founder?

“…I see. And do you think that they will also inherit the light attribute in my case, seeing as they will inherit my blood?” (Shuuya)

“I wonder about that. Since you aren’t a normal vampire, I can’t make any prediction what might happen. But, being able to become Shuuya’s follower, that child is enviable…” (Veronika)

Veronika says while looking sad.

“Sorry.” (Shuuya)

“No, well, it can’t be helped. I’m sad, but I…am a genuine vampire after all. But, I have my position as your senpai, so I will be okay!” (Veronika)

She pretends to be tough.

“Aye, my cute senpai-san, I was able to ask about everything I wanted to know. Thanks.” (Shuuya)

“It’s been my pleasure. So, anything else? Want to spend some time in bed together?” (Veronika)

“How did it come to this…there’s nothing else. Mel is waiting, so go and do your best at your work.” (Shuuya)

“He’s right. Veronika, right now is an important period of time, okay?” (Mel)

Mel shows a smile while tilting her face at the end of her words.

“—It’s a joke. Mel, I know that.” (Veronika)

Veronika smiled and separated from me, obviously shaking weakly.

“Shuuya, see you again~” (Veronika)

Blood dances around Veronika and just when it amassed into something like a blood sword, she quickly dashes away.

“Fast!” (Shuuya)

“There’s currently no one here. So she probably used a skill to move.” (Mel)

Mel added.

Is it a unique spell using blood magic?

“Well then, since I also have stuff to do, I will excuse myself at this point. Good night.” (Mel)

“Ah, yes.”

Mel opens the door leading to the basement and leaves the dining hall.

I’m bored. What should I do?

Guess I will get up to the rooftop and train the basics until Viine wakes up.

?Helme, we are going to train.? (Shuuya)

?Yes, I will keep you company.? (Helme)

?Got it. We are moving to the roof.? (Shuuya)

?Okay.? (Helme)

I return to the second floor and invoke <Hide> to not wake the sleeping Viine. I sneak outside through the bay window.

I walk atop the dark roof, midnight has already passed.

Same as the last time, I commenced my training at a place with bad footing as it’s a slanted triangle close to the top of the roof.

?Helme, you can come out of my eye.? (Shuuya)

?Yes, Your Excellency!? (Helme)

Helme appears from my left eye in a slippery, smooth manner.

She materialized into a woman shape right after being released.

Her bluish and bluish-black skin flutters as if rustling.

She doesn’t even quiver as she stands on one leg.

She stood still with a great balance.

“First I will do some clone training.” (Shuuya)

“Okay.” (Helme)

I recall the time when I trained on the ?Training Path? with its bad footing. 1 I invoke Sage Arts.

A large cloud of fog covers the vicinity.

“…Fufu, that feels nice. It’s a wonderful fog.” (Helme)

Helme begins to dance within the fog as if it is a rhythmic gymnastics contest.

Her face was enraptured.

Next, I create the ring’s mist mirage, producing a clone.

“So, this is your clone. Its appearance is just like yours, but as expected, it’s impossible to reproduce the mana of your main body, Your Excellency.” (Helme)

Ah, I see.

As it resembles me quite closely, I didn’t pay too much attention to the details.

If the hostile party is an owner of Magic Observation or has a high-level observation, it will be immediately exposed, huh?

In situations where I use this clone, I have to suppress my mana in advance by containing it with mana manipulation, otherwise, it will be no good.

If I can keep down the mana of the main body to the same level of the clone, it will turn into a perfect clone.

“…Helme, thank you. I failed to notice something so obvious.” (Shuuya)

“Yes! I’m glad that I could be of help to you, Your Excellency.” (Helme)

“Well then, let’s have little mock battle while including the clone? Being too flashy is not allowed. Make sure to not wake those below, okay? It’s a training with space limited to this narrow foothold — Come.” (Shuuya)

“Yes—” (Helme)

After speaking, Helme transforms her left hand into an ice sword and her right hand into a black rapier, and then assaults me.

That’s something new. She transformed the tips of her arms into swords.

Helme’s ice sword closes in on the top of my right shoulder, trying to cut into it.

Once I dodged it by twisting my body, she extends her darkness rapier, trying to stab my right pec.

I use that extended rapier against her.

Drawing an arc with my Magic Halberd, I entangle the rapier with spear tip while closing in on her and sweeping her legs.

“Kyaa!” (Helme)

I deeply scythe down with the red ax to gouge out Helme’s chest now that her footing was thrown in disorder.

Helme liquefies with a with a hiss.

She immediately returns to her female form.

“—As expected of you, Your Excellency. Even though it’s such a close distance, you parried me so easily.” (Helme)

“That’s spear kumite, after all. Now then, come and give it another go.” (Shuuya)

“Yes!” (Helme)

After that, I use the Magic Halberd to mix in the clone as a fake.

In the end, the bad footing only affects me.

Helme started to fight while floating so as to not make any sounds.

I won’t call it unfair though.

Helme’s magic sword arms are cool.

In the middle of the training — in order to imitate her — I cast the elementary water spell ?Ice Blade? and used it at short range to fire it like an arrow while imagining a lightsaber.

—Helme and I continued to train like this until the morning sun rose.

I guess it’s about time to stop.

“Helme, let’s wrap it up.” (Shuuya)

“…Y-Yes!” (Helme)

“You can return into my eye.” (Shuuya)

“I will go back right away—” (Helme)

Helme looks at me with an exhausted face and transforms.

She leaps into my eye.

Helme settles into my eye without even appearing in my field of vision.

It looks like she’s taking a rest.

?Helme, what’s wrong?? (Shuuya)

?Your Excellency!? (Helme)

Appearing in my visual field, is a dead tired Helme whose resting her butt on the ground.

?I used too much mana…I consumed an extreme amount of mana to take you on, Your Excellency.? (Helme)

?Sorry. I thought that it would be alright since your body regenerated right away.? (Shuuya)

?It’s fine if it’s a few times, but since I was gouged out each and every time during hundreds of bouts…? (Helme)

Saying so, Helme lowers her face as if crying while assuming a maiden’s sitting posture.

Ugu, I did something pathetic, didn’t I?

I pour mana into her as a reward.

Helme disappears, but,

?Auu—an!? (Helme)

?Did you recover from this?? (Shuuya)

?Aaaan…yesh. It’s plenty. Thank you very much…? (Helme)

She releases a seductive voice, but, well, I guess I can allow that once in a while.

Alright, after turning around the Magic Halberd once with such a force that the wind booms, I make it disappear.

Afterward, I look up to the bright sky.

It looks like we will have fine weather today.

There wasn’t a single cloud in the sky; a clear blue is spreading down to the horizon.

How nice~ Shading my eyes, I hum while recalling the elf’s singing.

Now then, I suppose I will stop humming and clean off the sweat from training.

Let’s take a light bath in hot water as well.

I return to my room through the bay window, take off the leather clothes and prepare a leather cloth.

After I threw the clothes on top of my bed, I placed the leather cloth close to the bucket and entered while completely naked.

I make hot water sprinkle down from over my head with life magic.

As I was pouring hot water on myself as if it’s a shower, Viine and Rollo woke up.

“Master, good morning.” (Viine)

“Aye. Mornin’.” (Shuuya)

“Nyanyaa—”

Rollo, who had just woken up, jumps up and tries to play around with the water pouring down out of thin air.

“If you do something like that, you’ll be covered with hot water.” (Shuuya)

“Nyaon.”

Once Rollo purred something like “Sure, that’s fine,” while looking cheerful, she jumps into the bucket where a bit of hot water had gathered.

For her to enter willingly.

“Very well. Isn’t this a great time to wash you—” (Shuuya)

While laughing, I grab Rollo’s nape, who was splashing in the hot water below her feet, and lift her up.

With her neck as a focal point, Rollo-san flails her limbs, swinging them back and forth.

From there, I carefully wash her, making sure that no hot water enters her ears.

“Nnn.”

The washed Rollo releases a throaty voice without saying anything in particular.

Looking like she’s feeling good, she shut her eyes with her strength drained.

“Rollo, recently you have gotten really used to water and hot water, haven’t you? Does the massage feel so good?” (Shuuya)

“Nn, nyaaa.”

Her answer feels like ?It feels great nya?.

“Fufu.” (Viine)

Looking on from the side, Viine smiles.

“Was there anything funny about it, Viine?” (Shuuya)

“Yes. No matter how often I see it, it’s always a pleasant sight.” (Viine)

“Hahaha, well, I guess you’re right. Viine, you want to come in as well?” (Shuuya)

“No, it’s fine—” (Viine)

At that moment her stomach rumbled.

“Oh…haha.” (Shuuya)

Viine’s bluish-white face becomes bright red and she pins down her belly.

It looks like she’s hungry.

I suppose it’s time to have breakfast soon.

“I’m also hungry. Shall we go to the dining hall?” (Shuuya)

“Yes. I’m sorry.” (Viine)

Once I finish the relaxing shower time, we all head to the dining hall.

I sit down at a table with Viine and order breakfast from the inn’s waitress.

It appears that Mel isn’t present.

The served breakfast was stereotypical.

It’s only rolled eggs, sausage bread, and milk.

I eat it together with Viine.

I also had plenty of sausages served for Rollo.

If there’s the technique to process pork intestines, something like hamburg steak should be possible as well, shouldn’t it?

The taste of the sausages is okay due to the spices and herbs but not great. The meat quality is fine though.

I feel like they have a strong aroma, but it works out somehow.

Once we finish breakfast, we return to our room and put on our adventurer outfits.

Viine also put her silver mask back on and got her silver hair in order by combing it.

I explain today’s schedule to the beautiful Viine.