30 Clash of Faiths (4)

Chapter 30: Clash of Faiths (4)

As the dawn's rosy hues began to dissipate, the Gothic charm of Graz started to reawaken. Cobblestone paths weaved around colorful buildings, their shutters slowly peeling open, and a gentle breeze carried the scent of fresh-brewed coffee. The Clock Tower's bells chimed, their sound reverberating around the quaint neighborhood.

The night before, amidst the backdrop of the city's charms, Carl and Jeanne shared yet another unforgettable evening. Their passionate embrace still kept them hand in hand while exiting the hotel. 

Emerging from the elegant lobby of the Parkhotel, hand in hand. Carl handed on the key card to the reception, held a short conversation with the receptionist, who in the couple's departure murmured under his breath how lucky some guys are to nail 'Hot woman'. 

Carl could hear even his murmurs, but instead of being 'offended' he wrapped his arm around Jeanne's luscious waist, as if to add more wood to a burning fire.

Jeanne gave the vampire a tender smile, her affection for him evident in the gentle squeeze of her intertwined fingers.

"What are your plans for today?" Carl said, brushing a stray lock of golden hair from Jeanne's face.

Jeanne tilted her head, considering for a moment before replying, "I'll meet with some of my friends since I took a day off from work. I thought about exploring some clothing boutiques and artisanal shops. Maybe spend some time with you later tonight?"

Carl listened to Jeanne's plans with his usual calm demeanor, his expression betraying little emotion. He acknowledged her words with a subtle nod, his mind already drifting to his own agenda for the day.

'Not that I care much what she does in her spare time, since my Blood Spider is still with her. I'll know if she's in danger of getting confronted by some of those Vatican assholes.'

'Besides, now that I got my Blood Energy recovered, I am in almost top-shape. I should focus on my training besides tapping some pussy.'

'Let's keep the facade.'

"That sounds like a pleasant way to spend your day off," he remarked, his voice cool and collected. "As for me, I have some errands to attend to and some personal matters to take care of."

There was a hint of mystery in his tone. He made no promises about meeting up with Jeanne later, leaving the possibility open but not committing to it.

Jeanne's smile faltered slightly at his response, a flicker of disappointment crossing her features before she masked it with a polite nod.

"Of course, Carl. I understand," she said, though a hint of sadness laced her words.

Carl tightened his grip on her waist, his touch possessive yet reassuring. "Don't worry, my dear. We'll have plenty of time together," he assured her, though his words lacked the warmth one might expect.

With that, they parted ways, Carl heading off to pursue his own agenda while Jeanne set off to meet her friends. His gaze lingered on her curvaceous silhouette as she sauntered away down the cobbled street, feeling a certain affection for the woman who had captured his interest.

"Perhaps I should send her a message later to check up on her. Is not as if I want to appear to give the impression of a narcissist only interested in his own benefit." Carl mumbled to himself, as he strolled leisurely through the Old Town. 

Even as his senses sharpened on the energy fields pulsing across the nearby buildings, the divine power of the Holy Ward of the Cathedral was a constant reminder of the pressure he had to shoulder as a creature of the night.

In his passing, returning to his apartment, strolling through the quaint streets of the Old Town, while his mind was preoccupied with his own thoughts, he was interrupted by the sudden appearance of a striking figure.

His keen senses immediately detected the subtle aura of demonic power emanating from her, confirming his suspicions. It was Tsufaame Leviathan, the Devil Princess who had taken possession of a human host.

'Whoaa, I've seen quite a handful of those Gothic sluts, and for certain they have their allure. However, you shouldn't mess around with nuts gals. Just a one-time hookup thing.'

'Ahh, this Satanist bitch for sure is hot.'

[That crazy woman did something unnecessary… She used her Demonic Power to possess that human woman, and as we speak she leaks out this demonic power that could attract unwanted attention from the Vatican Watchers.]

'I get you, Nosferatu. I kind of have regrets about releasing her.'

[At least you understand why I didn't bother much with her in the Domain. The more attention she gets the crazier she turns.]

'Well, she might be nuts and all, but let's give it to her. She teaches Devil Magic better than you. I already have some of the Basics for the Unique Leviathan Magic done. Once she consumes her usefulness, I might kill her and imprison her in the Domain again.'

'I'll let her keep you company, mister.'

[Fuck off. I'd rather have my traitorous boyars as company in misery.]

As Tsufaame stepped into view, Carl couldn't help but notice the captivating allure of her new human vessel. Clad in a form-fitting ensemble that accentuated her curves, she exuded an air of dark elegance that drew the eye.

Her curvaceous frame was adorned with an array of intricate piercings, each one catching the light in a mesmerizing display. From delicate studs lining the curve of her ears to more daring adornments adorning her lips and nose.

Her skin, smooth and flawless, seemed to glow with an otherworldly radiance, hinting at the supernatural power coursing through her veins. Long, dark locks cascaded down her back in a waterfall of ebony silk, framing a face that was both beautiful and haunting.

But it was her eyes that held Carl's attention the most. Deep pools of darkness, they seemed to hold the secrets of the Underworld within their depths. Gleaming with an otherworldly light, they bore into his soul with an intensity that could send a shiver down a human's spine.

Despite her alluring appearance, Carl continued on to keep on an indifferent persona, while a slight thought of how it would be to take Tsufaame in bed while she was controlling this goth slut surfaced his mind. 

There she was, asking him about his last night, her voice was like honey and venom, a seductive tone laced with underlying malice. "How was your night out with one of your Blood Bugs, Carl?" inquired Tsufaame, while her lips curled into a sly smirk.

Carl's expression remained impassive, his eyes narrowing slightly as he regarded her with a cool detachment. He had little patience for Tsufaame's games, especially when he had more pressing matters to attend to.

"Better than possessing the body of a crazy bitch," he retorted, his tone clipped and devoid of emotion.

Tsufaame's smirk faltered for a moment, a hint of annoyance flashing across her features before she composed herself once more. "Oh my, that's hurtful," she replied, her voice dripping with faux innocence. "Instead of congratulating me for being bound to flesh once more, you're dismissing me? What if I offer my neck to you, would you change your mind?"

Carl's expression remained stoic, his gaze unwavering as he regarded her with a cold detachment. "What do you want Tsufaame?" he asked, his voice betraying none of the irritation he felt at her intrusion. "I didn't grant you such freedom to pester me. I'm busy."

Tsufaame's eyes glittered with amusement, a wicked gleam dancing in their depths as she regarded him with a mixture of fascination and disdain. "Always so serious, Carl," she remarked, her tone teasing yet tinged with an undercurrent of danger. "But very well, I'll leave you to your business. For now."

With a flick of her fingers, she vanished into the shadows, leaving Carl alone once more with his thoughts. 

'Tsk. I also want to learn that Spell…'

[She's not far, she just went into hiding. Probably she feels flustered that you didn't give her any validation. She'll return to you soon enough.]

'Oh, I see. That makes sense if my assumption on the Devil's emotions hold substance.'

After returning to his apartment Carl wasted no time in changing into his jogging attire. He shed his elegant clothes, exchanging them for a simple yet comfortable ensemble suitable for his morning run.

As he slipped into a pair of sleek black running shorts and a fitted moisture-wicking shirt, his movements were swift. The fabric clung to his sculpted physique which showed great improvement since being almost fully nourished, accentuating the powerful muscles beneath his smooth skin. 

With each movement, he exuded an air of confidence and strength, his demeanor calm and collected. 'It was great that I went again to that Mall and had the ladies pick up clothes for me.'

'There's no need for me to stress on how my appearance looks as long as I engage with those experienced gals who would work for me in a heartbeat.'

'My funds are always hit by those expenses, but hey… it's not as if I've worked hard to earn money.'

Once dressed, Carl stepped out into the crisp morning air, his breath forming a cloud of mist in front of him. 

The streets of Old Town Graz were just beginning to stir, the cobblestone paths bathed in the soft glow of the rising sun. Despite the early hour, Carl's senses were keenly attuned to his surroundings, every sound and scent registering with crystal clarity.

As he set off on his morning run, his pace was steady and unhurried, his footsteps echoing against the cobblestones. Along the shadows of the buildings he passed, Tsufaame watched with keen interest, her eyes alight with curiosity at the young Vampire who gave the impression he was an ordinary human since he moved at a normal pace in his jog.

Despite her attempts to remain hidden, her emotions were an open book to him, Carl could feel her presence since she was possessing a human, and as a Vampire, his senses were attuned on picking on his prey. He couldn't help but smirk inwardly at the presence of Tsufaame trailing him from the shadows. 

Though he remained outwardly composed, inwardly Carl found amusement in the situation. Even as a Devil, Tsufaame was still a woman, and her emotions were as transparent to him as if she were baring her soul. He could sense her intrigue at his actions, her eagerness to see what he would do next.

'She acts like a spoiled kid wanting daddy's attention. What do you say, mister, should I force her to join my jogging?'

[Let's refrain from that. She's annoying.]

'Heh, I'll give her that. Heh, to think that an Ultimate Devil would act like this. Have you done some mental torture on her, or something?'

[Not needed. Treating Devil women was always an easy job. Silence and indifference works as a charm on them.]

As he rounded a corner, Carl's smirk widened imperceptibly. Despite the darkness that lingered within her, Tsufaame was still no match for his own cunning. And as long as he remained one step ahead of her, he had nothing to fear from the Devil Princess who dared to challenge him.

Meanwhile, Tsufaame who was getting accustomed to the human vessel that submitted to her Devil Powers, continued to use her 'Abyssal Cloak' Spell that made it easier to traverse the urban terrain and keep up with Carl's pace.

The expander of her Demonic Power could be a problem in the long run, but since Carl was passively feeding her his mana based on their Devil Contract, she was at ease with this expenditure.

From the outside, it appeared as though Tsufaame was stalking Carl, and in hindsight that was the simple truth. Despite her royal arrogance and disdain for the lower beings which included most beings that she encountered in her life, there was something undeniably captivating about the vampire.

 'What secrets do you hide, vampire? Your strength, your resilience... they intrigue me. What depths of power do you possess that I have yet to discover?' she murmured silently, her voice laced with a hint of fascination

Then thinking about how Carl was treating her like a worthless being whose worth surmounted only to her teaching him her Devil Magic and nothing more, stirred up her bruised ego.

'You may dismiss me now, but I refuse to be ignored. I'll find a way to make you acknowledge my presence, to recognize my royal grace. Perhaps a subtle display of power, or a clever scheme, will catch your attention.'

Her mind was chaotic just like her nature, and in a moment she was intrigued by the Vampire, while in another moment she would think about all sorts of schemes on how she could break off the Devil Contract even if it wouldn't be in her interest. 

All in all, she acted like a woman who got interested in the opposite gender and was on a hunt to get what she wanted.

'There's something about you, something captivating. I can't shake this feeling reaching my soul. I'm drawn to the thrill of the chase.'

In the end, as she shadowed Carl through the sun-drenched street, something unexpected hit her when a group of guys hanging around noticed her, and saw an opportunity at getting a hookup with.