After the two had literally pounced on Celidonia, I had to stop them by physically removing them from her. Since they've become a vampire, they're much stronger than before so it took quite an effort to do so.

Well, in the end, it actually wasn't necessary since Celidonia was completely fine with it and she didn't seem to be in distress. And after doing that, the two became very apologetic as they've been hitting their heads on the ground as if they're trying to break their own skulls.

I had them stop that of course. And after that, I let them continue their feeding on Celidonia while I observe on the side.

It puzzled me how they're so relieved and exhilarated when they're having their blood sucked. Wouldn't you not want that to happen to you? You could die from that, you know?

Then again, I never experienced it myself so I never knew why and how. Maybe I could get either Sun and Night to suck my blood. Just to see how that feels. Or maybe it's weird to drink other vampires blood? And how would that feel as well?

Also, on the note on being sucked by two vampires, it wouldn't be odd that you'll lose enough blood that it's fatal. And Sun and Night here aren't even holding back. Should I stop them again?

The thought kept coming to me as I stared at them. But in the end, I never did since Celidonia looked lively like before the feeding so I assumed that she's alright.

Well, after the session, her body seemed to have lost all energy and fell on the bed, like a collapsing tree. Or how a human's body fall on the ground when you cut off their head instantaneously.

She was breathless but her expression wasn't something that you should make when being preyed upon by two vampires. Sun and Night themselves looked satisfied after the whole ordeal.

I went and poked Celidonia's cheeks, to see if she's still conscious and it looks like she is when I saw her eyes opened halfway.

"Are you okay?"

"… I… ha… I'm fineee… please let me rest… for a bit…"

After saying that, she closed her eyes once more.

I did the rubbing-the-head thing on her which made her giggle a little bit before going back to her heavy breathing.

I sniffed her and I saw, or smelled, that her blood is half of what it usually is. It's also the same level where I found Sun and Night had when I went berserk.

I panicked when I realized that. Should I give her some of my blood? It's dangerously low after all. She might even die suddenly because of how low her blood levels are right now…

But she looked to be fine so that confuses me. So I decided to poke her cheeks again to wake her up.

"Are you sure you're fine?"

"Hm? I… am?"

Seeing her so sleepy, I poked her cheeks again.

"You're not going to die?"

"Ah… no, won't… don't worry…"

Well, it sure doesn't seem like that to me but I'll take her word for it and let her be.

There's also the fact that I just recently noticed. It's the fact that her blood level is slowly rising in small increments. That was definitely strange but I doubt she and the two know why that is.

"Mmm… this child is delicious, Snow. We should have her come with us."

"Come with? To where?"

"To where? We're leaving of course."

Oh right, they mentioned it before didn't they?

"It's getting dangerous here, Snow. Who knows what will happen when night hits. So it's better if we just leave."

Certainly. What Sun said is true but I just don't feel right about doing it…

I looked at Celidonia again and it looks like she's sleeping soundly right now. I wonder what she will say when I tell her that we're leaving and that I wanted her to come with us?

•••

To us leaving, I'm not against it. But I'm not saying that it doesn't leave a bad taste.

More specifically, I still feel uneasy about Trish's situation. How is she doing? Is she eating well? Is she taking a bath there? When will we get to play dress-up again? Is she even still alive?

I'd like to confirm all of that if possible and maybe I can leave this village without feeling uncomfortable about it.

But I guess to those questions, I'll leave it to the rest of the subjugation group to find the answers to. I'm sure Chris and Leo will appreciate that.

As for what we're doing now, we're going to be looking for the village chief and tell him that we're going to leave. After that, we're going to see Chris and Leo and tell them the same thing.

And as for who I'm with in doing this, it's Sun. Night said that she'll prepare everything as we do this and that she'll take care of Celidonia as well and tell her our plans when she wakes up.

But I had a feeling that in the off chance that Celidonia refused, she's going to do some underhanded form of convincing...

Also, it looks like Sun and Night is immune to sunlight, just like me. It had worried me a little when Sun just left the house with no care. I thought she was going to burn up in flames but thankfully she didn't. I guess I already knew that but it was just their hand that was exposed to sunlight. Who knows if the whole body is actually immune or not.

After a couple of minutes walking, we arrived at where we thought the village chief would be. The front of the village where they're laying the defenses and such for the incoming goblin raid.

And it looks like he is there among the other humans, looking at something.

Hm… they're circling on something and they're pretty chatty about it. It's like when the subjugation group had first arrived in the village but rather than cheers and whatnot, their expressions are rather difficult.

And when one noticed us coming, he informed the others until all of them looked at us with clear hostility.

Sorry, what happened?

"Seize that child!"

Before I could even form possible reasons as for why they became angry at us all of the sudden, what I could only guess to be the village chief, shouted on the top of his lung the order to capture me.

Obviously, I tried to escape. My own safety first before thinking up of any reason for this but when I tried to, I felt that there was something stopping me.

It wasn't enough to completely stop me but even with everything I got, it still felt like I was walking through an incredibly thick liquid, severely slowing me down. Sun is like that too but it looks like it affected her more than me.

What is this? And who's doing this to me?

When I looked back to see who did it, I saw something completely unordinary.

What I saw when I looked back is a rabid flock of villagers chasing us down and farther than them, the village chief. His look towards us was that of great disappointment and anger.

But he wasn't the reason why. The reason was next to him.

That Rus was next to him, wearing a large smile on his face. But it wasn't only that. Just for a brief moment, I saw two protruding objects on him.

And from just that brief glance, I immediately identified what those objects are.

They're horns.

Why did he show me this? Surely he would have nothing to gain for showing me something that would indicate in him being a non-human.

But I wasn't able to entertain that thought much further.

Or rather, I couldn't entertain that thought further because I mentally can't.

Suddenly, I felt a sickening sensation inside of me. It's so bad that I think that my blood might actually go out of my body through my mouth in the next few seconds. To add to that, my mind begins to feel cloudy as I can't think straight anymore.

Soon enough, I lost consciousness.

•••

Demons are beings that are believed to be unholy and are associated with devils. They also go with varied forms and shapes. Meaning, they can take the form of like a dog, a bear, and even a human.

Anyway, it's not only limited to their shape but their skin color as well. That also varies between demons.

But why am I thinking about this? It's because Snow's family might actually be one.

"Oh, awake already? I have to say, your blood tastes like that sweet wine I had the pleasure of drinking. Those times were joyous but now that master is gone, I'm afraid those times will never come back again."

"Um… what are you talking about?"

"Sorry. Just talking to myself. So, how are you feeling?"

"I feel… refreshed."

"I see... That's good. It wouldn't be good if something were to happen to you when Snow has already taken interest in your life."

The woman named Roosevelt told me that before resuming… her packing?

Are they going to leave?

Well, it is the right thing to do considering what they are.

Right. She mentioned that they're 'vampires'. And these 'vampires' drink blood apparently.

And they drank mine just a moment ago as well...

I went and felt the area where I was bitten and I don't feel any form of a wound on them when I'm pretty sure they've dug their fangs into me quite deeply. But that alone isn't the strangest thing. It's the fact that I don't find it revolting or scary when they actually do it.

And being bitten, having my blood drank… it was quite an experience. I don't think I could achieve that feeling by myself, or with a beloved. It's on a whole other level.

And yes, it did feel good when those two came at me at once. They sucked out so much blood from me that I got lethargic due to anemia.

But that little girl... That girl that these two are worshiping like an idol. She was the first one that did me. And it felt like I was sent to heaven. It was a miracle that I didn't pass out but I got close to it. Just thinking about how her fangs digging into my skin and draining me of my blood… oh god.

And like those two had said, that I'll eventually become like them. Fully devoting my life to her and providing her with sustenance until I die. At least that's how it came across to me.

And I'm pretty sure that that almost happen to me then. I almost made an oath like that. Like what they're telling me to do. But fortunately, something inside me came out and said no to that. Because of that, I still kept my pride as a priestess.

But like I said, I'll eventually become like 'that'. And that thought… doesn't scare me at all.

Why…? Oh god why….? Please, Lord Belenus, lead me to the light to which I find peace and tranquility, the light that would lead me away from this rabbit hole that I'm falling into…

I closed my eyes and prayed dearly. To find the light that would set me back to the straight path. And by God's merciful act towards me, I could see the light. I could see it clearly. Yet, why am I not desperately trying to reach out to it? Why am I staying here, waiting for them to prey on me with an expectant expression, like a cattle?

Why do I not hate this…? Why am I happy about this...? It's evident that they're going to treat me like this so why?

Oh god… don't tell me that, everything I fought for in my whole life, the desire to be a priestess, to serve God, Lord Belenus, would crumble apart just because of this…

Please, me! Cry about it! Pray to God and ask for the strength to overcome this, like I usually do…

Yet I have no desire to do such things…

And it's all their fault… that child, Snow, I wouldn't have let her bite me, drink from me if she didn't captivate me. And when that didn't happen, then I wouldn't be in this mess.

That's right, they're demons…

"You demons… you unholy filth that plagues the surface of Rolte… to turn me into your cattle..."

"What are you muttering about? Have you turned crazy."

Maybe I have? I mean, the very fact that I'm not even crying about this clearly abnormal and depressing situation I am in is enough evidence that signifies that I am, indeed, had gone crazy.

Just then, I heard some object falling on the ground with a thud. The noise was dampened due to something like a cloth maybe. I could easily look to confirm it, but I decided not to. I simply kept my hands where they are. Covering my eyes so it wouldn't be able to see anything corrupt anymore.

But that's not only the reason. It's that there's a demon there. If I look at her, I would certainly feel the urge. That urge to be preyed upon. To be used like a water container, a cattle, a bottled wine, a playthi—

"Hey miss, are you sure you're fine?"

The demon grabbed my chin and forced me to face her. The hands that I used to cover my eyes, for some reason, removed themselves off of my face. As if I wanted to gaze at her, to gaze directly on those captivating blood red eyes…

Suddenly, she smirked. Did she read my mind? Oh my, how embarrassing~! Truly it couldn't be helped~.

"Oh, I know how you feel. I've gone through that myself after all. I'm sorry but you'll have to do it with me. Snow isn't here at the moment, you see. But since Snow is constantly hungry, I'm sure she'll want to drink from you again. Until then, you have me. Shall I relieve you then?"

I nodded at her offer. It would be stupid to say no after all. And my body is itching all over, wanting her fangs to pierce my skin so I couldn't possibly wait for Snow in my situation.

As she plunged her fangs into me, I felt my blood leaving my body to the area where she bit me. It's such a grotesque feeling but even more than that, it feels good… it feels way too good~!

Ah~! I love this! I love this more than God! Yes! Please take more! Drain me like a wet rug! Drink all of my blood until there's nothing left! Ah…! I'm so sinful… To be swayed by carnal desires…

"Ha… ha…."

Roosevelt finally removed her fangs off of me. The bite mark as well seemed to disappear completely as soon as she removed her fangs.

To cut it short like that is… Just mean.

I took deep breaths. I shook my hands and head to get rid of this tingling sensation I'm feeling. Then something dawned upon me.

Reason. Something I really needed right now.

Oh my, I think I've thought of something incredibly blasphemous… Lord Belenus wouldn't forgive me so easily for this…

And so it starts again. The 48 days of prayer for forgiveness.

Oh god... I can't lose my mind like that again... Right. If I just stop thinking about it, maybe that'll prevent me from going bonkers.

After mentally slapping myself on the cheek, I then faced Roosevely whom is still peering into my eyes like I'm some prey of her.

And her fangs are showing as well... Wait! stop it! Don't think about it Celi!

I shook my head to rid of those thoughts to which Roosevelt chuckled at before speaking.

"Seems like you're alright now. I'm quite impressed that you recovered quickly from that."

"Oh, ah... Thank you for that. We went into training so we wouldn't get tempted by devils so..."

"But you know…"

"Hm?"

"Don't think I've forgotten about you calling me a demon. The fact that you did so would mean calling not just me but my current race as well, a demon. The same race as Snow. That means you've called Snow a demon as well. I find that very offensive... But, I'm sure you wouldn't do it again, right?"

"Y-yes…! I'm sorry, never again!"

"Good~. Now that you've calmed down now. Help me with this."

And I completely and utterly ingrained that in my mind. They don't even resemble a demon since they have no horns. What am I thinking?

She got off the bed and picked up a grey cloth that is used to wrap a bunch of items which I assume from the sound that it made to be something metallic.

"Your packing?"

"Yes. We're leaving. And right, you're coming with—wait…"

She paused suddenly for some reason, letting go of the packed metallic items that she's grabbing onto with her hand.

Then, her face twisted in horror. Did something happen just now? Just seeing her expression made me break out in cold sweat as well.

"Snow's in trouble.…"

Saying only that, she runs off outside with a speed I could only call as superhuman. Or maybe she used magic to boost her speed.

But that can't be because it didn't seem to be that she's capable of using mana.

So maybe it's something a vampire can just do then? Well whatever it is, the fact that she did so with urgency is the most alarming part.

And Snow's in trouble? What's this about? And why do I feel so concerned about it?