Appetizer

-----Kaede's POV

It's been another day of travel and we're already stumbling into monsters. Growing up, I remembered goblins and wolves fighting one another as I always figured monsters would stick with their own race. So it came as a shock to see some kobolds working alongside these other kinds of monsters. I don't know the name, but they do look similar to the kobolds, only having green scales instead of red. However they do have a sleeker build with no horns on their snout unlike the kobolds. Regardless, we dealt with them without breaking a sweat, but when it came to me collecting their blood in the bottles, I got suspicious looks from the Leris soldiers. Not that I give a damn what they think anyways.

I do however take a moment to taste test this new monster I found. I only take a small sample of it, but I can already tell that this tastes like shit. If I can describe it, it tastes similar to kobold blood, but far more fishier, almost pungent in a way. Almost makes me want to just pour out all of whatever this monster's blood is and only collect the kobolds blood, but maybe Mell, Fleur and Faye might like this taste.

Masked Captain: "There doesn't seem to be any left, but we must hurry now. There's no telling whether the demon king is now aware of our presence."

With that brief order, we pick up the pace and continue our march towards the capital. But surprisingly, after two more hours, we didn't come across any other monster. I'm a bit confused as I would've thought the closer we got to the capital, the more monsters there would be. Hmm.

Neri: "Scouts."

Kaede: "Eh?"

Neri: "Those monsters we killed before. They were probably scouts."

Neri's words only brings me more confusion, but I do admit that it makes sense. But why would the monsters be scouting these parts?

Kaede: "What would be the point of scouting? They've already taken over the capital."

Neri: "You'd be right. It is strange. But if the demon king knew that we were coming, then sending out some scouts would prove to be quite useful, wouldn't you agree?"

Wait, so we fucked up just then? Maybe we shouldn't have killed those scouts?

Kaede: "Wait, but we killed them all, right? There shouldn't have been any stragglers to retreat and report our presence."

Neri: "...Let us hope."

Hope... Yeah I'm not liking how things are going now. If the demon king already knows about us, then wouldn't our plan be useless? I haven't seen the masked soldiers in action before, but surely their stealth mission would prove to be near impossible if every monster is already on guard.

Neri: "Don't worry. Just stick to the plan. I'll support you as much as I can."

Kaede: "Thank you, Neri."

Neri: "Hehe. No pro- wait..."

Fuck! I really did just let that slip just now! My mind was so fixated on whether our plan would work or not that I completely forgot to hide the fact that I know of her name.

Neri: "I don't think I remember giving you that name."

Kaede: "..."

Do I just come clean? We're already going into battle together so it's not like this will affect it. But I still feel bad.

Kaede: "...I've known ever since you guys stopped us before we entered Yarene."

Neri: "What?"

Kaede: "Sorry! But don't worry! I've been keeping it a secret this whole time. I don't think anyone else knows."

Neri: "Hah~"

Yeah, she's definitely not happy about being found out right now. But at least my head is still on my shoulders, so maybe there's hope.

Neri: "It's fine. I was going to tell you after the battle."

Kaede: "Oh. I thought you were going to mention your connection to Leris?"

Neri: "You'll find out soon. Remember to survive, okay?"

Kaede: "Got it!"

I'm glad that me spilling her name didn't cause our conversation to turn awkward. Bbut I guess this does make it easier to grab her attention. We'll be partners for this battle, so I feel like knowing eachother's names is important.

...

We end up passing though a couple towns after several more hours, but just like before, there's no sign of any monsters. Something definitely is off with all of this... Those scouts were so far back now that it would be absurd to not have some sort of force to retreat to. So then where are the monsters? I won't necessarily complain as it's making our job of getting to the capital a lot easier, but I can't help but worry.

Masked Captain: "We'll stop here for a break. Everyone, prepare yourselves."

We end up stopping at Maemont as once again, not a single monster is in sight. Even using mana-search, I cannot pick up any monsters is our area. This whole situation is making me all the more anxious...

Neri: "Kaede-"

Neri brings me to behind one of the houses as she takes off her black glove once more before moving her wrist up to me. I can't say I'm all that hungry, but if we're going into battle, then-

Kaede: "Thank you."

I hold onto her wrist as I gently pierce into her wrist with my fangs as that same distinct taste fills my mouth. Yeah, without a doubt, Neri as some connection to Oboris, but I stop thinking about it as I feel like Neri will tell me all of that later. So instead, I focus on drinking her blood, making sure not to spill any, and once I feel replenished, I heal her wrist quickly.

Neri: "Let's make this mission a success."

Kaede: "Mhmm. I'll be in your care."

Neri: "Likewise."

-----Ilfa's POV

The humans are moving faster than I expected. Those lizards I sent out were already dealt with, leaving none alive. The humans probably think they were scouts, but really I just used them as an alarm. I casted a harmless illusion magic which allows me to see what they see, clairvoyance. But what I didn't expect to see was the appearance of that vampire.

Ilfa: "This changes things..."

Tarifa: "I can send our army to meet them if you-"

Ilfa: "No. Bring everyone back to the capital."

Tarifa: "What?"

Ilfa: "Do it. There's no point losing people stupidly like that. Have everyone behind the cities walls. And do not engage the enemy until they reach us."

That vampire is different... The way I saw her deal with those lizards sure was something. It was like they were but ants to her, not to mention those black soldiers. At first when I found out about the humans coming, I didn't think it would be too much of a problem. But now after seeing the vampire and those black soldiers, I'm starting to get a little nervous.

Wait... But isn't that why I have Fabian? I foresaw something like this happening, so I can just take him with me and... Right when I thought that, the same stabbing pain my chest assaults me. Only this time, I know what caused it. I don't want to use Fabian like that... It's funny after everything that I've done, but I really don't want to harm Fabian. It's stupid and I shouldn't be risking everyone's lives because of something silly such as that, but just the thought of threatening Fabian makes my chest hurt even more... Yeah... He can stay back. I don't want to get him involved in this war. I'd deal with this myself. But maybe I can do something for him...

.....

...

Standing outside the door, I find myself frozen in place. This is the first time in a while that I'll be seeing Fabian. I just walked out on him last time, but I know I can't run away any longer. I need to do this in order to make sure he's safe. So with a deep breath, I open the door.

My eyes meet Fabian who's sitting at the table with Rina. That same pain assaults my chest, but I push through and walk up beside them.

Fabian: "Ilfa?"

Thank god. He still calls me by my name. Just hearing him say that soothes my body.

Ilfa: "I'm sorry for running off like that, but this is important."

I walk up to him as I was about to place my hand against his cheek, but instead, my hand freezes just before I make contact with him. Normally I'd do this without saying anything, but I feel like that'd be rude now.

Fabian: "What are you doing?"

Ilfa: "...Fabian. I'll be casting something on you. It'll help to protect you, so... Do you, accept?"

Fabian: "Is this about the war?"

Ilfa: "Yes. I don't know what will happen, so I'd like to do this to make sure you're safe. Please."

What is wrong with me? My heart is beating so hard trying to get Fabian to accept this. Am I that paranoid that he won't accept it? I know I've altered his sense of touch in the past and I still feel bad about that in hindsight. Which is why I'm making sure to not repeat that same mistake.

Rina: "What kind of magic?"

Ilfa: "I can't say."

If Fabian is aware of the type of magic, then it'll break. I feel bad hiding what I'm doing, and I understand if Fabian no longer trusts me, but even still-

Ilfa: "Please, Fabian."

Fabian: "S-sure. But are you okay? You look as though you're in pain..."

Ilfa: "I-"

I still have no idea what is going on with me so I can't give him a proper answer right now. All I can say is-

Ilfa: "I'm not sure... But I just want to protect you. I can't stand having you get hurt from this war."

Fabian: "O-oh? But weren't you planning on using me as a hostage?"

Ilfa: "I don't care about that anymore!"

Fabian/Rina: "..."

I...I shouldn't have raised my voice like that.

Ilfa: "S-sorry. So... can I?"

Fabian: "M-mm."

With his permission, I place my hand on his cheek as his warmth soon spreads all over my palm. A light blue glow grows between my hand and his cheek before slowly subsiding. I was originally going to just cast clairvoyance on him, but sight alone won't be enough to sooth my worries. I need to hear if something's wrong as well, and feel when he's in danger. I'm sorry Fabian, but I won't feel happy unless I do this.

Fabian: "It's... hot."

Ilfa: "Hot?"

Fabian: "N-nevermind! Thank you, Ilfa."

Ilfa: "Y-yes! Thank you for letting me do this. I need to quickly take care of a few more things. Sorry again for barging in here."

Fabian: "Don't be. I was worried about you, so I'm glad to see you're doing okay."

Ah~ Fabian! You're too sweet for a human. I want to hold him right now, but- Just when I looked at Rina, my chest hurts once more... I guess I'll save the hug for another time.

Ilfa: "I-I'll be back!"

I quickly make my retreat just like last time, but at least now I've connected Fabian's senses to my own. And just that alone has relaxed my body by quite a lot. I've made progress!