31 Clash of Faiths (5)
Chapter 31: Clash of Faiths (5)
Two guys approached Tsufaame in her human vessel, their expressions eager and their words brimming with confidence, and yet she almost turned her head like a possessed human doing a 180°, only to stop considering she would get in trouble if someone saw her do such jump scare tactics.
'Should I just suck them dry of their essence? No… The Vatican would notice me, and this will trouble, Charlie.'
She regarded them with a cool, calculating gaze. They seemed oblivious to her true nature, blinded by their own desires and the allure of her physical appearance.
"Hey there, beautiful," one of them said, flashing a charming smile. "You look like you could use some company. How about you and me grab a drink and see where the night takes us?"
Tsufaame's response was a nonchalant raise of her eyebrow, her demeanor aloof and distant. "I highly doubt your company would be worth my time," she replied, her voice tinged with disdain. "I have more important matters to attend to."
The second guy chimed in, undeterred by her dismissive tone. "Come on, don't be like that. We're just looking for some fun, and you seem like you could use a little excitement in your life."
Tsufaame's lips curled into a condescending smirk as she glanced over them, her eyes betraying her boredom. "Excitement is hardly something you could offer me," she retorted, her tone dripping with sarcasm. "I suggest you find someone more suited to your... capabilities."
'Ohh, come on get the message already, you lowly pigs. Don't make me kill you.'
'The connection with Carl… he's getting far.'
Despite her outward display of disinterest, inwardly Tsufaame seethed with frustration. Carl was getting further away, his Domain slipping beyond her reach, and she couldn't afford to lose sight of him.
Yet here she was, forced to entertain the advances of these insignificant mortals who couldn't begin to comprehend her true nature.
Tsufaame continued to rebuff their advances with disdain, the two guys' expressions shifted from confidence to frustration, then to anger. Their egos bruised by her rejection, they lashed out with insults in a desperate attempt to salvage their wounded pride.
"Who do you think you are, you emo slut?" one of them spat, his voice tinged with venom. "You're not even worth a dick!"
The other guy chimed in, his face twisted with resentment. "Yeah, what makes you think you're so special, huh? You're just some freak in weird clothes, thinking you're too good for us. Well, newsflash, princess, you're not!"
Their words were like arrows aimed at Tsufaame's devil pride, but she remained outwardly composed, refusing to let their petty insults ruffle her feathers. Instead, she met their verbal assault with a cool, disdainful gaze, her eyes flashing with silent contempt.
"You two are hardly worth my time," she replied, her voice dripping with disdain. "I suggest you take your fragile egos elsewhere before you embarrass yourselves further."
With that, while darkness began to surround herself and the two guys picking on her, with a guttural sigh, she turned on her heel and walked away, starting to run a bit while chasing Carl, thus, leaving the two guys sputtering with rage and humiliation in her wake.
They watched her go, their faces flushed with anger and embarrassment, their failed attempt at seduction leaving a bitter taste in their mouths.
Meanwhile, Tsufaame's thoughts were focused solely on Carl, her irritation at being delayed by such insignificant mortals driving her to catch up to him as quickly as possible.
Carl, who had a great time jogging at the pace he used to have while being human in his first life, noticed the exchange between the goth gal and the other two douches, and didn't think much about it, except one thought.
'Hopefully, she'll not kill those fucks, or it will stir up the Polizei and next it would be Vatican up my ass.'
'... Heh. For a Devil woman she's not easy to please? Of course, they also have 'standards'.'
With his keen vampiric senses, he picked on all of the back and forth, a smirk formed on his face as he slowed his pace.
He turned his head in her direction, his crimson eyes lingering on her for a moment, almost as if to acknowledge her handling of the situation with the two guys.
Inwardly, Tsufaame seethed with frustration at the unwanted delay caused by the mortals' advances, yet her irritation chased when she felt his cold gaze shift on her body.
It felt tingling, and for some strange reason, her body heated up a little bit. Was it because this vessel wasn't used to running?
'See, I'm not a nuisance as you thought. I can also restrain myself from killing those lowly scum.'
'Just wait, I'll for sure remove that smirking expression from your face. You might not like this temporary vessel, but once I get in contact with Hell, I'll have the alchemists of the Leviathan House construct a Homunculus body for me to match my true appearance.'
Despite her outward display of indifference, inwardly she relished the acknowledgment from the vampire, no matter how fleeting it may have been.
In that brief moment, as their eyes met, Tsufaame felt a surge of validation wash over her. It was as if Carl's gaze had bestowed upon her a small measure of the recognition she craved, a subtle affirmation of her presence amidst the chaos of the mortal world.
Though she would never admit it aloud, Tsufaame couldn't deny the thrill that raced through her veins at the prospect of capturing Carl's attention, and later on dominating him like the lowly vampire that he was.
With a silent smirk of satisfaction, Tsufaame turned her attention back to the task at hand, and that was stalking her prey like a professional private investigator. Unfortunately for her, Carl felt like a Chess Grandmaster controlling the moves, he would give her attention whenever she acted like a 'Good girl'.
Nonetheless, this moment of serenity for Carl didn't last long, especially once he got closer to the limits of the Holy Ward that restrained his movements, that's when a nasty aura was perceived by him which made his handsome face contort with a murderous frown.
That type of aura and nasty scent, he wouldn't be able to forget not even in his third life if 'God' would allow him such a benefit.
"Vampires," he muttered through clenched teeth, the word heavy with disdain and contempt. "They have the audacity to come here, now?"
Despite his outward calm demeanor, inwardly Carl seethed with a potent mixture of rage and determination. The presence of these intruders threatened to disrupt the fragile peace he had worked to establish since escaping from the Karnstein Castle, and he refused to allow them to go unchecked.
'I can't tell their exact number, but it seems to be a scouting party in dozens?'
Even Tsufaame, in her current state of possession, could sense the shift in Carl's mood. Though her devilish senses were suppressed by her mortal vessel, the influx of demonic powers within the Holy Ward did not escape her notice.
Carl's thoughts swirled with plans to confront the approaching vampires, he sensed Tsufaame's presence drawing near. Though he remained outwardly composed, inwardly he braced himself for whatever bullcrap this woman was on, that could potentially complicate matters.
'Honestly, I think I'm far stronger than most Vampires, but a part of me doubts this reality. Probably not on par with a Vampire Lord right now, but Final Bosses don't just pop out of nowhere. They have to keep on appearances and not fight a Lesser Villain like me, Krassius.'
'I should hunt those blood suckers, and dry them to increase my powers.'
From the shadows, Tsufaame emerged with a predatory grace, her human vessel exuding an air of sensuality and power. Her jet-black hair cascaded around her shoulders, framing features that bore an otherworldly allure, while dark almost shaped eyes gleamed with curiosity.
"That's unexpected to see such raw emotions from you. Are they your enemies? The reason you got so weak that even one of my kisses could blow you to pieces?"
Tsufaame's voice, smooth as silk with an underlying tone of danger, cut through the tense air. Her words carried a hint of mockery, tinged with genuine curiosity. As she stepped closer, her gaze locked onto Carl, assessing him with an intensity that bordered on invasive.
Carl met her gaze with a cold stare, his expression unreadable as he regarded her. Despite the tension crackling in the air, he was still composed, while being in the process of making up his mind on the plan of hunting down his new Guests.
He remained silent, his expression unreadable as he absorbed her words. The mention of his enemies stirred a flicker of anger in his eyes, but he quickly masked it behind a mask of indifference. After a moment of contemplative silence, he finally spoke, his voice cold and measured. "They're nothing that concerns you, Tsufaame."
Controlling his desire to go on a hunt in broad daylight and hunt down the Vampires, he later on decided to pick on the higher ground which could allow him a more assertive control over the situation, as such, the made his way to Graz Clock Tower which he climbed without any tourist noticing him.
Perched atop the towering structure of the Graz Clock Tower, Carl gazed out over the Old Town spread below him like a sprawling tapestry. Yet amidst the picturesque charm of the Old Town, Carl's attention was drawn to one particular structure that loomed large in the distance, the Cathedral.
"Should I also kill the Bishop while I am on a hunt?" he murmured to himself, his voice barely audible above the city's bustling sounds below.
However, as quickly as the idea surfaced, Carl dismissed it. "No," he said aloud, his voice firm and resolute. "That would only bring further suffering to the innocent people of this city. I won't stoop to their level."
With a heavy sigh, he turned his attention back to the task at hand, searching for the presence of the Vampires who stepped inside the Old Town.
'Instead of being passive and miss on the opportunity of committing Diablerie and boost my strength. In case a Vampire Lord comes along to subjugate me, I'll have no chance but to go crazy and destroy both the Cathedral and wipe out the population of the Old Town to boost myself.'1
While he was having all sorts of dark thoughts about the current news, similarly the Churchmen got stirred up by the appearance of the night creatures daring to enter their territory in broad daylight.
From inside the Cathedral, the two Elite Exorcists were summoned by Bishop Reinhardt who informed them about the news of demonic beings stepping inside the Holy Ward.
Inside the grand halls of the Cathedral, Bishop Reinhardt sat in his ornate chair, his brow furrowed with concern as he addressed Irina and Xenovia, the two Elite Exorcists of the Vatican and also wielders of Excalibur.
"Girls, I bring troubling news," Bishop Reinhardt began, his voice grave. "It seems that creatures of darkness have breached the Holy Ward and entered our sacred territory. From the aura registered, it's clearly related to the Vampires inside Austria."
"This is a matter of grave concern. My advisors tell me that it should be related to the High-Class level threat creature that triggered the activation of the Holy Ward. I'm not vested with inside information into the Vampire Clans, but if they dare to step inside the territory of the Vatican, it's clearly something big."
Irina's violet eyes widened a bit at the news revealed by Bishop Reinhardt, without them getting any progression in finding the Main Target, an additional headache came disturbing their search. Still, she responded to the old Bishop with unwavering confidence, putting him at ease, as her golden hair began catching the dim light of the Cathedral.
"Fear not, Bishop," she said, her voice ringing with conviction. "Xenovia and I are prepared to confront these unholy creatures who have sinned all their lives. They will be judged for their sins and vanquished from this world! Amen!"
Xenovia nodded in agreement, her expression resolute. "Indeed, Bishop," she affirmed, her voice steady. "We will not rest until Graz is purged of these vile creatures and the Cathedral is secure once more."
Bishop Reinhardt felt a surge of reassurance at the unwavering resolve of his young protegees. Despite the gravity of the situation, Irina and Xenovia displayed a determination that filled him with pride.
"Your bravery is commendable, girls, but you be careful out there, or I will not be able to face Chief Strada." the Bishop said, his tone softening slightly as he addressed them. "I have every confidence in your abilities to confront these dark forces and protect our sacred sanctuary. May the grace of God be with you on your mission."
With a nod of gratitude, Irina and Xenovia turned to leave, their steps echoing in the grand halls of the Cathedral as they prepared to face the threat that loomed over the city. As they departed, Bishop Reinhardt offered a silent prayer for their safety.
He bowed his head in solemn reverence, his weathered hands clasped together in prayer. In the hushed sanctuary of the Cathedral, illuminated by the soft glow of candlelight, he uttered a silent invocation for the protection of Irina and Xenovia.
"Lord, watch over your faithful servants," he murmured, his voice a whisper in the sacred space. "Grant them strength and courage as they face the forces of darkness that threaten our sanctity. Guide their steps and shield them from harm, that they may emerge victorious in their righteous crusade."
Receiving the prayers from the Bishop, Irina and Xenovia embarked on their patrol through the streets of Graz, while their senses keenly attuned to any sign of the unholy presence.
