248 Vampire Nature

I cannot hide my confusion at the Vampire Child’s rapid transformation.

Huh... what the hell is going on?

Sure, there were hints of defiance during the journey, but nothing like this.

It wasn’t as if the Vampire Child was naturally inclined toward such behavior.

I could accept gradual emergence of vampire traits, but this sudden shift is extreme.

What worries me most is that the Vampire Child seems unaware of its own change.

Something could have influenced it without its knowledge.

I can’t deny it outright—there’s precedent.

That one possesses the Jealousy skill, after all.

But jealousy alone can’t explain every action the Vampire Child takes.

Irritability and defiance are consistent with that, but not all.

Therefore, the best course is to consult another vampire.

Launch a frontal assault on the Fourth Army and secure Melia.

"Um, it's a bit difficult to handle you appearing like this all of a sudden."

Fine, fine.

Whatever you were doing just now was paperwork.

That can wait.

This is the Lady's major concern—so you should prioritize that.

Drag the reluctant Melia along.

For now, let's observe the daily routine of the Vampire Child.

"How do you feel?"

"Yes. I do believe it was worthwhile to set aside work and see this."

Melia replies with a solemn expression.

Silently urging her to continue.

"First, the Lady's actions are not improper from a vampire's perspective. I myself experience similar impulses."

Hm.

"Using magic to seduce the opposite sex—this serves two purposes: securing sustenance and selecting potential new followers. The preference for the opposite sex is, of course, a matter of personal inclination."

You too, Melia.

I feel as though I’m being looked down upon, but this is the proper form for a vampire. Besides, I haven’t acted on it like a lady would. I merely have the desire to do so.

Defensive. And then a revelation of preference.

What a man.

"Please, stop looking at me like I’m trash."

"Just kidding."

Yes, just kidding. Just kidding.

I don’t see Melia as an enemy of women. Or a scum among men.

"Anyway, returning to the matter—your actions appear to be a direct manifestation of your desires. Without hesitation. Without guilt."

Yes.

That’s precisely the issue.

"If you don’t mind, may I offer my opinion?"

Please do.

Likely, the young lady’s human understanding was overwritten entirely by vampire instincts during her growth. Otherwise, she would exhibit the same hesitation I once felt as a fledgling vampire—human consciousness interfering, causing even the slightest torment. Yet none of that is present. Human norms have been completely stripped away, or supplanted by vampire cognition. That is the state she is in.

I see.

Similar to my own assessment.

“Cause?”

“I do not know. In my case, human thought remains. I have never experienced such a complete assimilation into vampire instinct—so thoroughly consumed.”

Hmm.

If we knew the cause, we could devise a countermeasure.

If the cause remains unknown, there is no way to counter it.

"There are several possible factors, but I cannot determine which one is responsible, or whether the current state of the young lady is the result of their combination."

Hmm.

I should at least hear it out.

"First, the influence of the jealousy skill mentioned in the account is a primary consideration. That knowledge is more thoroughly understood by Shiro than by me."

Indeed.

Several instances in the Vampire Child's behavior appear to be influenced by jealousy.

"Next, the young mistress is a vampire by birth. Unlike me, she is a true vampire from the moment of her creation. No matter how she was raised by human hands, her nature remains entirely that of a vampire. Perhaps her previous behavior—acting as a human—was the aberration. The cause behind this shift in manifestation remains unclear."

Ah.

That's right.

The Vampire Child possesses the reincarnation bonus skill granted by D, born as a vampire from the outset.

The period of human existence does not exist in this life—only the previous life.

Considering that, does the logic align?

Her prior human consciousness likely stemmed from lingering memories of her former life. As she matured, her vampire consciousness strengthened.

Possible.

And, the young lady appears quite deprived. Perhaps that is why she has become this way—accumulating tension.

Hm?

Unfulfilled desire?

Why?

Ah, my apologies. My words were incomplete. By 'unfulfilled desire,' I mean the craving for battle. Vampires are a combat species—they derive pleasure from fighting.

Eh, is that so?

Vampires were always just brute force?

Ugh.

This doesn't align with my image of a vampire.

I thought so, but recalling that certain lordly figure made it all make sense.

So that’s how it is.

Vampires were fighters, then.

It was something unknown.

Indeed, the Vampire Child has not been engaged in combat recently.

Defeating monsters recklessly raises your level.

The level-up was restricted until the Steup skill set was complete.

The consequence had led to the Vampire Child’s pent-up desires.

And the accumulated stress had accelerated the awakening of their vampire nature.

The logic holds.

Though they still retain fragments of their past life memories, they are not fully immersed in their vampire essence from within. Yet if they act purely on instinct to forget the stress, rationality would be no barrier.

Honestly, I’m sorry.

Half of this situation is my responsibility.

Very well, then. Let them rampage freely.

Perfect timing—the opponent has arrived nearby.

The opponent also possesses the same dominant skill.

Moreover, their level is higher.

A demon forged through repeated combat and slaughter.

In contrast, the Vampire Child is level one, yet their stats should be elevated due to elite training.

Skills honed to the extreme.

Yet they lack practical combat experience.

Yes.

A promising match appears to be unfolding.