Although we did not receive any significant wounds fighting the first Vampire, we were now quite spent in terms of energy and likely in no way ready to face a second one. We had to do something. Buy time maybe, but buy time for what?

“Honestly, you all don't need to look that scared, all I want is for you to give Candriella to me and we can all get out of this situation happy and satisfied.”

Arlendir, who had taken the dagger out of the first Vampire let out a sigh and stood up, facing this second Vampire.

“Well, considering we are in no position to fight you, that seems like too good an offer. How do I know that after we hand this thing over, you won't kill all of us? I have a feeling that you have than enough power for that.”

I could see the second Vampire wince for a moment when hearing the first one referred to as a thing, but despite that, he did not attack anyone.

“I'd like to think that I was able to preserve my honesty somewhat, even through my transformation, so let me be frank with the three of you. I'd really love to tear you all limb from limb due to what you've done to Candriella, but here I am, holding myself back, because I'd really rather you didn't kill her. Of course, the moment you kill her, you're all dead, however. Even if you hand her over to me, your safety is guaranteed, not just because I am a man of my word, but also because it would not be a good idea to fight the three of you while carrying her around. Does that make sense to you?”

Arlendir considered things for a moment before grinning. Meanwhile, I realized that Kardenon's armor beside me was cracking, as if it was transforming into sand.

“I see that you value this thing's life very much. Then, I suppose you won't mind staying there while we create some distance from you by walking away carrying it, right? Don't worry, we wouldn't think of killing a precious hostage. Also, I have also realized that you Vampires are quite... durable. Surely she won't die unless she is wounded several more times, correct?”

I heard a loud grunt coming from the second Vampire, but he did not move.

“That's quite abusive of you... But, fine, I'd rather not put Candriella's life more at risk than it is now.” He then turned to me. “As for you, I am quite sure that your main objective is for us to stop feeding on the people of this town, correct?”

I was slightly startled by his attention, but I saw no reason to needlessly antagonize something that could probably kill us easily. It occurred to me that Lord Ravenscall had just asked for us to investigate the cause of the disappearances, but he shouldn't be dissatisfied with the problem being taken care of, right?

“Yes, that would be quite desirable, actually.”

I could only grind my teeth as I said that. I'm sure that my father is disappointed in me right now, pitifully negotiating with a monster, but what else could I do? I am not strong enough to fight it and win. So the best I can do is take a result were I walk away with my life.

“Fine, we will leave. Honestly, I was starting to get bored with this place, so might as well do it just a bit earlier than planned.”

The three of us then started slowly moving away, but the second Vampire said nothing. I realized something. I gesture towards the woman who had been made a minion by the Vampire. She was still on her knees on the ground, her eyes looking unfocused and lost.

“What about her? What's going to happen to her now?”

The second Vampire looks at her with contempt in his eyes.

“Hmm, Candriella's toy? She did seem to like her quite a lot... Since Candriella is in this state, their connection should have been severed.” It seemed to sense my small flame of hope and smiled as it spoke next. “Of course, she will never be the same person she was before being taken by Candriella. Now that she doesn't have a connection, she might actually be quite directionless and pliable. Something of a pretty good servant or slave really.”

I suppressed an urge to attack that thing. How could it be so callous? Somewhere inside, I resolved to refine myself and become strong enough that the next time such a situation happened, I will be able to destroy these two monsters.

“Come with us.”

Just as the second Vampire said, she started silently following us. Is there really no way for her to be saved? I tried my best to think of something as the four of us walked back to the town, but I had no idea of what could be done to help her. Before I realized, Kardenon was completely out of his armor and carefully following me. Oh, he probably couldn't see very well in the dark anymore. Eventually, we reached the outskirts of the town.

“Hmm, the result wasn't that great, but we did manage to somewhat take down one of the Vampires, and it's all thanks to you, Arlendir.”

Kardenon offered a handshake to the elf, who hesitated but eventually took it.

“Uh, I am not very accustomed to being thanked, but I suppose I should just accept it. And at least, now I know something about them. Probably, next time I will be able to kill at least one of them.”

There was something to how he spoke it. An intense sense of antagonism.

“Are you intending to pursue them after this? You saw how that other one looked at you. The next time it sees you, it will kill you.”

To be honest, if possible, even if I want to be strong enough to defeat them... I don't want to deal with these Vampires ever again. And yet, Arlendir looked like he wanted nothing other than to destroy them, even if it put his life at great risk.

“How shall I say it... I feel like there's some kind of responsibility to it. Well, I will say farewell to the two of you now. Who knows when that other thing will grow impatient and come here looking for us? It would be terrible if it changed its mind and decided to try and murder us. I will remember your names. Alexius and Kardenon. You are good people, you shouldn't be with filth like me.”

Before I could say any rebuttal to his last phrase, he had left the first Vampire on the ground and disappeared in the darkness. Me and Kardenon entered the town with the former Vampire minion following us.