Volume 10 Chapter 24 The Vampire Princess’s Weakness
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
”Yo, yo, big guy. We meet again. Third time’s the charm, huh? Don’t you think it’s about time we settle this?”
Her long golden hair whipped in the wind, and the Vampire Princess looked down with a smug expression. Klock rolled his neck with a crack, greeting her like it was just another day.
”You sure show up fast when the Hero’s not around,” he said, smirking. “You one of those girls who can’t stop chasing the guys you like?”
He raised both hands and gestured rudely. Viola responded by turning both thumbs down with a theatrical grin.
”Come on, you’re starting to look tired. Don’t you think it’s time to give up? You can’t beat VioVio without your Lady Hero. So just come quietly, yeah?”
Her tone was cheerful, almost playfully cruel. It didn’t feel like malice from an adult—it felt like a kid demanding surrender in a game she already knew she’d win. Up close, she looked no older than her mid to late teens, though that was just the result of a Vampire’s slow growth and slower aging.
”Sorry, sweetheart,” Klock said, still smiling. “That’s a tough deal. I don’t follow other women around. My girl’s got a jealous streak a mile wide—she once chopped off the head of a Succubus who tried flirting with me.”
He wasn’t exaggerating. Alice was still alive, somehow.
”…Wait, seriously?”
”Dead serious. Took the poor girl’s head clean off.”
”Wow…”
Klock mimed a thumbs-up, then traced a line across his neck. Pretending to spray blood, he made Viola press her palms to her cheeks and shudder in mock horror—a convincing, childish reaction.
”Anyway,” he said, his grin fading, “you keeping up with the world these days?”
”Huh? The world?” She frowned, thrown off by the sudden shift.
”The Saint has found your Demon Lord. The Hero is already moving to kill him under the Saint’s command.”
”…!!”
Viola stiffened. Though she belonged to the United Kingdoms, she was still a Vampire—never fully tied to the Majin. Their bond was more like servitude than alliance. If the Demon Lord fell, what would she do?
”Too bad about the Saint’s kidnapping, right? Demon Lord Dainheorl’s days are numbered. The Saint’s visions show him dead. Your side’s doomed.”
”…Huh.”
Even that didn’t shake her. Either she didn’t care, or she didn’t believe a word of it. She looked like an airhead, but she wasn’t easy to rattle.
”So what, that’s your way of begging for mercy?”
”What?”
”In the end, keeping you alive gives me more options. You might be useful later. So there’s no reason not to take you, right?”
She clasped her hands behind her back, bouncing lightly along the curtain wall with each cheerful step.
The same hostage trick again. She’s desperate, even if it’s a weak plan.
If she goes through with this, Cianie will surely turn against her. If the Hero remains hostile, things will worsen.
Still, explaining how bad the idea is won’t change her mind.
He needed another approach.
”Alright, how about something a little more constructive?” he said. “I wanted to negotiate.”
”Negotiate? Really?”
She stopped right in front of him, crouching on the stone railing with her cloak fluttering behind her. Beneath it, she wore a black crop top and loose black pants—like she’d stepped straight out of a dance club. She grinned, curious but wary.
”Leave the Vampire faction and join us.”
”…The hell?”
He ignored her tone. This was the real conversation he’d wanted all along—the pitch to make her defect.
”Captain…?” came a voice from behind.
”Stay back,” Klock ordered.
”But she’s from the Demon Lord’s Army—”
A Brigante soldier ran up, spear in hand, looking confused. Tonight’s enemy was supposed to be monsters, but this woman seemed too human. Yet, her sudden appearance marked her as no ally.
”I said stay back,” Klock barked. “Leave this one to me.”
The soldiers hesitated, then retreated. They wouldn’t stand a chance anyway. Against Viola’s speed and Cursed Eye, even Meina or Primlena would struggle. No one here could fight her directly.
”You sure about that?” Viola teased. “Not calling for help? You really think you can beat VioVio alone?”
”I told you—I want to talk. Having them around just gets in the way.”
”Hmmm.” She sat down cross-legged on the wall, tilting her head. “Sorry, but I’m a Vampire. I’m not about to turn on my own kind for you. Be real, that’s not happening.”
Why would you even ask that? Are you stupid?
Her answer was obvious—and fair. Most would say the same.
”Are they really your own kind, though?” Klock asked quietly.
””What?””
”You’re from Sand Village, right?”
”…How the hell do you know that?”
Her face changed instantly—surprise, tension, and a darker flash.
”You’re a Dhampir. You’re not one of them,” he said. “Nobles are nobles. Slaves are slaves. True-bloods treat Dhampirs like dirt.”
Viola’s eyes narrowed, lips tightening. The teasing brat was gone; in her place was someone cautious, listening for real now.
Finally, she was taking him seriously.
”My name’s Klock Livorno.”
”I know that already.”
”I was born in the Livorno Domain, north of the Kingdom. Neighbor to Sand, back when both still stood. Your lord—Croce—was supposed to marry Sylvia from my side.”
””What?””
If the dream he’d seen was right, Viola never had much to do with Croce in reality. But she’d at least remember the name of her old lord.
”Both Croce and Livorno are gone now,” Klock said softly. “Only me and Sylvia are still alive.”
Viola frowned, her expression caught somewhere between confusion and unease. He’d mentioned Sylvia as if she were still alive—but it didn’t stir much reaction.
He remembered Sand Village burning red against Crimson Spire’s sky—a vision of what could have been, not what was. A world that never existed.
Her face made it clear: Viola had never met Sylvia in this world. Using Sylvia to win her over was hopeless.
”So that’s it, huh? You’re from the neighboring country, knew about what happened in Sand Village, and now you’re hoping VioVio might still switch sides?” she said, smirking.
Klock narrowed his eyes. That kind of reply already told him everything he needed to know.
”Sorry, but that ship’s long gone. You’re talking about something from how many years ago now? Sure, I don’t love those stuck-up Nobles, but I’m doing fine at the Moon Court. You should’ve made that offer ten years earlier.”
She claimed to be doing fine—whether she believed it or not. Either way, she wouldn’t agree without a fight. This wouldn’t be easy.
”Why ten years?” he asked.
”Because that’s how long it’s been since I became a Dhampir,” she answered, like it was nothing.
”Ten? It’s been fifteen since you were taken. Damn, even your sense of time slows down when you’re a Vampire.”
”No, no, that’s not it.” She waved him off, half annoyed, half amused. “They didn’t turn me right away. I didn’t have my first drink of blood until about ten—maybe eleven—years ago.”
She spoke casually, but Klock’s brows tightened.
In Cianie’s dream, Viola was bitten and transformed instantly.
But here, in reality, she must have been locked away for years before that happened.
He recalled: she was eleven during the raid.
Now, she looked older. If turned then, she’d still be a little girl. She lived as a captive—human, powerless—for years.
”You…”
”What? Got something else to say?” she asked with a teasing tilt of her head.
Four years. Maybe more.
She’d been locked up among Vampires, just a helpless village girl trapped in their den.
He didn’t want to imagine her suffering.
No one so bright and lively should carry such a past.
”Negotiations over,” she said suddenly. “We’re done talking.”
The voice came from right behind him.
Before he could react, an arm clamped around him, forcing him back. Klock tensed, realizing too late he was pinned by unnatural strength.
””Been waiting for you! You took forever!””
””You sent a clone—how was I supposed to catch that?!””
He twisted his neck, seeing ripples in the shadows. Someone emerged from the darkness—a new enemy.
Damn it. She stalled, pretending to listen while waiting for backup.
He thought he’d caught her interest.
But now she grinned widely, lips curling in a smug, wicked arc that screamed ‘gotcha.’
So she hadn’t come alone. Klock clicked his tongue. Smart move. Maybe she’d learned something—Hero or not, she wasn’t taking chances.
””Huh? You’re—Rugandia?!””
””What?! How do you know my name?!””
He turned sharply. Black hair. A face he didn’t know—but the resemblance hit like a punch.
The Rugandia he remembered looked just like her.
The name slipped out before he could stop it—and her startled reaction confirmed it.
Wait. Shadow Walking?
So she could use it too?
No… no, this wasn’t coincidence.
This was the one Athena had warned him about.
He remembered: when Alice was with Brigante, Athena’s fortune-telling triggered unexpectedly.
She warned of a Shadow Walker infiltrating their ranks.
They met Stormhorn, assuming he was the culprit.
But Athena’s ability only worked on humans, not Phantasmal Beasts.
The spy was her.
”So you even know about RugRug, huh?” Viola said with a tilt of her head.
””It’s been ages. I don’t recall meeting anyone from Livorno. How do you know me?””
He didn’t, really. He’d only seen her in Cianie’s dream—that was his only memory.
”””Captain!!”””
”Don’t come any closer!!” Klock roared.
Nearby soldiers saw his trouble and moved toward him, but it was pointless.
Even if they fought, they’d be cut down instantly.
He appreciated their courage but needed them out of the way.
”Doesn’t look like we can chat here,” Viola said sweetly. “Guess we’ll finish this back at my castle.”
”Yeah,” Rugandia added, “there’s a lot I want to ask, too.”
She leaned close, studying his face, then sank into her shadow.
His body began to follow.
Shit—this power could pull others in. That’s why Viola brought her.
If dragged into the void, it was over.
”””Nya!!”””
A sudden wind slashed past him. Rugandia ducked; Klock was yanked free.
Meina launched from above, claws flashing like an angry cat.
Her nails cut the air, followed by a precise kick from her slender leg.
But Rugandia slipped into darkness like smoke.
The kick missed by a hair.
”Damn, that was close!” Rugandia’s voice echoed from below. “Guess we were both buying time. Too bad, kitty—you almost had me.”
”””Ugh, shut up!”””
Meina landed, scowling sharply—more frustrated than usual.
She waited for the perfect strike, but Rugandia dodged, keeping Klock out of reach.
He wished to ruffle her hair and praise her, but she was too far.
Klock dangled midair, still in Viola’s grip.
”So, you noticed Meina,” he muttered.
”Not really,” Viola said. “”I didn’t know where she hid, but I figured she’d show. She’s strongest after the Hero, right?””
”””Mmrrrrr—!”””
Viola grinned, teeth sharp. Below, Meina bit her lip, frustration burning.
No way.
She dodged Meina’s surprise attack.
Proof remained: a dagger buried in the tower behind them.
Meina tried to hit Viola with a throw and kick Rugandia simultaneously.
Both missed, and Viola, faster than expected, snatched Klock away.
Viola faced Meina across Barreith’s wall. Her power was known—no wonder Meina was prepared.
The Vampire Princess clutched Klock and leapt skyward. Below, Meina puffed her cheeks, baring fangs as Viola whistled.
Meina crept forward silently, graceful and lethal, but stopped before closing in. She could hit Viola from here, but Viola’s flight speed was insane—not even Meina’s legs could match it; maybe only Cianie could. With both sides aware, even Meina’s Catwalk would struggle.
”RugRug, you good?” Viola called.
”I’m fine,” came the calm reply.
Rugandia rose from shadows, appearing on a tower. She dived into one shadow and emerged from another—practically teleportation. Ridiculous ability.
”That was close,” Rugandia said, half her body still submerged in darkness. “If you hadn’t noticed, I’d be toast.”
Watching her dodge Meina’s ambush showed: this wasn’t just her Unique Skill. Rugandia was skilled. Two such opponents—this would be hell. Viola alone was strong, and her allies were no joke. Maybe Vampires were just like that.
Then a sharp, steady voice spoke:
”””Spada.”””
A metallic clang came from Rugandia’s shadow. Everyone froze. A strange sword embedded beside her before anyone could react.
”””Apertura.”””
An eye opened in the blade.
”””Occhi Gialli.”””
The eye glowed gold. Roots or tendrils sprouted from the hilt, twisting and growing, cracking the air.
”””What the—?!”””
Rugandia tried to dive into shadow but was too late. Roots lashed around her, holding fast.
”The hell is this?!” Viola shouted, slashing at the vines with her claws. But they only multiplied, spreading faster than she could destroy them. In seconds, Rugandia was bound tight.
”Lightning Style—Catwalk!!” Meina cried.
”—Tch!!”
Her body sparked faintly as she kicked at impossible speed. Viola barely dodged, pulling back fast—but she still refused to release Klock, who swung like a rag doll in her grip.
”Scary Bind. You can’t escape that,” a calm, unfamiliar voice said.
”…Who’s there?” Viola demanded, eyes narrowing.
It was her first time hearing that voice, but Klock knew it. He smirked. Nice one.
He’d kept Flavia—the Forestkin Princess—hidden for this moment. Her role was backup. If the fortress fell, she’d clear the way. If something slipped in, she’d handle it.
”””Mmmph—! Mff?! MGOHHH!!”””
”RugRug?!” Viola shouted.
The sword’s hilt pulsed, roots spreading, coiling around Rugandia like living vines. She squirmed, unable to move or breathe. Shadows rippled helplessly beneath her.
Flavia’s magic was incredible.
Magic layered like traps within traps. Humans couldn’t craft such spells. Forestkin magic evolved differently—sharper, smarter, older than Merfolk’s wave-calling songs.
”What the hell is this?!” Viola snarled. “Don’t screw with me!”
”Too bad, Viola,” Klock said with a grin. “Looks like you’re the one who’s out of luck this time.”
Rugandia’s muffled groans filled the air. Wrapped tight in roots, she couldn’t speak. The sight panicked Viola.
They’d been friends once—he could tell. The way she clenched her teeth, muttering “grr” like an angry kid, said it all. She’d regret wasting time talking instead of just hauling him straight to the Moon Court.
”Let RugRug go,” she hissed finally, her voice dropping cold. “Refuse, and this man dies.”
Her claw pressed Klock’s neck. The world froze.
Meina looked alarmed, frozen. Flavia, hooded, stayed calm, watching quietly.
”Viola,” Klock said, grinning despite the claws at his throat. “That threat won’t work. You’re already checkmated.”
”…What?”
Dangling helplessly in her grasp, he still managed to sound cocky. He did have a way to deal with her—but it wasn’t a good one. He hesitated for a moment, glanced at the soldiers watching, and smirked again. Maybe this could work after all.
””You’re strong. Stupid strong. We’ve prepared for this. When the Hero left, we knew you’d come. Dangerous people face countermeasures.””
”Countermeasures?” Viola repeated, frowning.
””Yeah. Just in case… I brought something.””
””What.””
”Onions,” he said proudly. “I’ve got onions in my pocket.”
””What the actual hell?”” Viola blinked.
Onions? Did he mean garlic? He realized too late, but it was too dumb to take back now.
””Don’t you know your weakness? Everyone knows onions work on Vampires!””
”Oh my god. That’s garlic, you idiot,” she shot back, exasperated. “And yeah, onions sting your eyes when you cut them, but—what are you even saying?!”
”Exactly!” Klock said with fake authority. “Your weakness is getting onions in your eyes!”
””Who wouldn’t take damage from that?! And it’s garlic, dumbass!!””
Their absurd argument nearly broke the tension. Viola yelled, genuinely pissed; Klock smirked, pretending smugness.
Below, Meina blinked, confused. Flavia tilted her head.
Of course, Klock had no onions.
Even if he did, what would it change?
They were all probably wondering what the hell this idiot was doing—cracking jokes in the middle of a fight.
No one noticed the faint pulse of magic stirring inside him.
”Quit talking crap and let RugRug go already!” Viola snapped, eyes blazing. “If you’re bluffing, at least make it smart! Garlic, onions, whatever—it doesn’t matter, dumbass!”
”Oh yeah? Not bad. For the record, onions don’t bother me either,” Klock said easily.
”…Didn’t think so,” she muttered.
He crossed his arms while still dangling from her grip, his collar tight in her hand. Out of the corner of his eye, he caught movement—someone hiding farther back. Primlena. She must’ve noticed the commotion and was waiting for her chance to act.
Looking around, he realized most of the Brigante soldiers were watching, tense and frozen. Even Rachel and Kaitney were among them, faces pale and shocked, like they were watching someone’s death play out.
He grinned anyway. “You gonna let go or what? If you don’t, the onion’s, uh—enzyme thing’s gonna melt you from the inside out.”
”…Are you seriously this stupid, or are you just stalling?” Viola asked, her patience slipping fast.
She was getting antsy now. Flavia and Meina hesitated, uncertain whether to move. They had no idea what Klock was doing—but they trusted him enough not to interrupt.
”The stupid one’s you,” he said quietly. “The second you touched me, your loss was sealed. So maybe say sorry before you evaporate.”
”For god’s sake!! Nobody dies from onions, you idiot! What is wrong with you?!”
He smirked. Don’t get mad.
Then he whispered, “Skill activate—Bandit.”
”…Huh? Wha—wait—?”
His body slipped free from her grasp, falling like a dead weight. He landed cleanly—he’d planned for that. Meina darted forward to catch him, leaping like a blur, and ended up cradled awkwardly in his arms like a startled cat.
”Wha—wait, what just—”
Before Viola could even process it, he looked up at her, waved casually, and grinned.
A heartbeat later, her body began to crumble. She fell from the wall, collapsing in a splash of red. The blood that had formed her body gushed across the stone, pooling and spreading until nothing human was left.
Guess the idiot wasn’t me after all.
She’d relied too much on her copy.
He’d known she was a projection—a blood-made servant. So he’d used Bandit to steal the magic core that sustained it. Like stealing the heart from a golem. One shot, one kill.
Still, he sighed inwardly. Damn, now they’ll suspect I’ve got a Unique Skill. If people thought he had some mysterious anti-magic technique, that was fine—it might even help. But from now on, he’d have to be more careful.
Bandit only worked once per day, and only if he could touch the target.
For a guy like him—with no fancy combat skills and barely any mana—trickery was the only path to victory.
Used right, it could turn a fight around.
Used twice, or too openly—and it would stop working forever.
Rumors spread fast, and once your trick was known, you were dead.
Every use had to end with misdirection. Always.
”Milord, are you hurt?” Flavia called out.
”Sir Klock, that was amazing! How’d you beat her?!” Meina’s eyes sparkled like a kid’s. She wasn’t trying to analyze it—she just wanted to understand. That was exactly why he liked her.
He ruffled her wavy hair until it was a mess. “Just a bit of mana interference. Didn’t think it’d work, but hey—good thing I prepped for it.”
”Ahh, I see,” Flavia said with a knowing nod.
”You canceled her spell? That’s incredible!” Meina gasped.
His “mana interference” explanation was pure nonsense, but it didn’t matter. The truth wasn’t something he could share anyway.
He sighed and looked around. “Alright, you lot! Quit gawking and get back to your posts. This ain’t a damn circus—move it!”
The soldiers scattered, still buzzing with disbelief. They’d probably been holding their breath through the whole thing.
”Captain, are you sure? That woman—”
”Stop worrying,” Klock interrupted, grinning. “I’m a Brave Knight, remember? The fight’s not over yet. Back to your stations—the monsters’ll charge any second.”
Above them, the red sky had faded. Viola’s retreat must’ve reached the Majin commanding the monster horde. The next wave was coming soon.
At least his troops got a breather out of it.
”Milord,” Flavia asked, “what should we do with the Vampire? Shall I dispose of her?”
”No. Keep her restrained,” Klock said.
They hadn’t just survived Viola’s attack—they’d captured her ally as well.
But now wasn’t the time to celebrate. The monster army was still out there, waiting.
Klock and his people reset their defenses, ready for the next assault.
Night deepened. The enemy shapes blurred in the distance, but their presence lingered, heavy and close. A hundred and twenty defenders held the wall through the dark hours.
The monsters never came. They just stood there. Watching.
Klock took short naps between rotations, Primlena standing guard over him. When he woke, he resumed command, eyes fixed on the unmoving horde.
Finally, light began to spill across the horizon.
Morning broke—and still, the monsters didn’t move.
Wait… what?
In the Moon Court’s castle, Viola sat frozen, staring at nothing.
No way… seriously?
Did VioVio actually vanish just from touching an onion?
Cat vs cucumber… Vampire vs onion? Are you kidding me?!
The Vampire Princess buried her face in her hands, mortified beyond reason.
Her ultra-elite skill—Blood Servant, the mirror-born clone—had been taken down by an onion.
No, no, no, that can’t be right. That’s bullshit… right?!
She rolled on her bed in pure agony, groaning until she slipped off and hit the floor. On all fours, she clenched her teeth, fury and embarrassment burning in her chest.
”Wait—no, screw that! RugRug’s still in trouble!!”
No time for despair.
She burst out of her room barefoot, slamming the door open so hard it rebounded off the wall. Normally someone would scold her for running through the halls without shoes—but not today.
Because the one who always nagged her about that wasn’t here anymore.
Notes:
• Alice – Rabbitkin adventurer; appears at the same Barreith gathering, playful and mischievous, interacts with Klock, part of recruited volunteers
• Dainheorl – He is the conqueror of the Demon Continent, appeared as the council leader, known for his godlike strength and four horns.
• Cianie – A noble girl with a fluffy white and light blue dress, indicating her high status. She has a hesitant and flustered personality but is kind and courteous. Her relationship with Klock begins as an accidental encounter and develops into a romantic interest. She has a fiancé but expresses feelings for Klock, complicating their relationship.
• Meina – She is a golden-haired catgirl employee of the beastman (Larana the cat woman) Inn, appeared performing fellatio, desperate and tear-streaked, with an inexperienced yet earnest approach to her work.
• Primlena – Orange-haired merfolk priestess, fierce yet elegant | First v8c3 | Sister of Sea General Primjune, subordinate to Primrity | Once captured and violated by Klock, now obsessed with reclaiming honor | Commands Obsidian Riders on giant fish, fights with trident | Seeks to drag Klock to Seabed Temple for marriage trial or execution | Unique note: revenge-driven siren bride who masks fury under ritual grace
• Sylvia – The hero who accuses Klock of abandoning her in her past life. She was reborn as Anna after dying in a fire and holds a grudge against Klock.
• Rugandia – Human maid from Sand Village appearing before Croce Estate’s fire, assigned by Sylvia’s father as her loyal, diligent servant.
• Athena – Harpies adventurer; appears alongside Alice at Barreith gathering, flirtatious, joins Klock and volunteers for upcoming battles
• Flavia – Younger Forestkin princess (132). Gentle yet resolute. Sent by Queen Isabella as marriage pledge to Klock, the Chain Binder, symbolizing the Void’s loyalty to the Goddess Teekua.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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