253 OSHIOKI (GACHI)

The explanation to the Black and the Demon King was complete.

What happens next depends entirely on them.

Well, if you're dangling something this tempting without showing your hidden card, it's predictable they'd bite.

The Black might hesitate slightly, but the Demon King will definitely take the bait.

There's no other option.

Even if he doesn't bite, it doesn't matter.

All that's needed is to reveal the hidden card.

In the end, the Demon King will absolutely join my side.

And willingly transfer the authority of gluttony to me.

Once that happens, only a small portion remains.

I turn my back on the Black and the Demon King, then teleport.

They still need a little more time to think.

Let them come to me in tears if they choose.

In the extradimensional space I arrive at, the Vampire Child stands with a sullen expression, arms crossed in a warrior's stance.

Seemed to have noticed without realizing it, somehow.

Who... is that?

That... perhaps refers to black.

As if thinking that Oni-kun's match was disrupted.

That's right, isn't it? This.

"Black. My kind."

"Master and his kind."

The Vampire Child, nodding with a look of agreement at the words “one of my kind.”

Yet the fierce light in those eyes did not wane.

"Bring her before me."

What would you do upon meeting her? That goes without saying.

This one will definitely bite.

Not a metaphor—she’s ready to bite.

You should’ve known you couldn’t win the moment you realized I’m one of your kind— you damn battle junkie.

No obligation to introduce them, either.

"Impossible."

Why?

Why should I be the one arranging something like that?

She knew perfectly well that trouble would arise regardless.

Think your wishes can be granted without limit?

A bit much, isn’t it? Overreaching the blueprint.

A little reminder of her position is in order.

"That man ruined everything just when it was picking up. He has to take responsibility."

"Doesn't matter."

"It matters! Let me see him now!"

"Shut up."

A sharp tone, eyes opening.

The Vampire Child flinches violently, shrinking back.

Yes.

She understands the imbalance of power.

Yet still attacks—fueled by vampire combat instinct gone unchecked.

Well, that’s part of the lesson.

"Used jealousy, didn’t you?"

"What are you talking about?"

The Vampire Child pretends ignorance, but eyes are wide, swimming.

Lies don’t work. Lies won’t help.

"Yeeek!"

Grabs the cheek hard and pulls.

Used it, didn’t you?

Lies won’t work.

I saw you, didn’t I?

Pulls the cheek up, down, left, right.

The Vampire Child struggles to pull free from my grip, but my strength outweighs theirs—futile effort.

Even before divinity, my strength—my attack power—far surpassed that of the Vampire Child. Now, upgraded, there is no reason I should lose.

Do you truly believe such slender arms can overcome my slender ones?

Ah, actually, whose arms are finer?

No matter. The matter of slender arms is irrelevant.

“Sorry! Sorry!”

The Vampire Child, eyes brimming with tears, apologizes—but I am not yet forgiving.

Though, I have nothing further to do.

I release the Vampire Child’s cheek.

At the same time, I open a spatial link and summon a figure into the space.

“Miss.”

The Vampire Child turns their gaze toward Mel, who has entered the alternate space, seeking help.

"Miss, enchantment does not work on me."

Mel slowly shakes her head, slapping the Vampire Child's cheek.

"Wha? Wha?"

The Vampire Child blinks rapidly, unable to process the situation.

"Miss, can you truly look your parents in the eye and say you are proud of who you are right now?"

"Such a thing… what? Wait…?"

The Vampire Child instinctively tries to protest Mel's words.

The protest fades into a questioning tone.

"Miss, indulging in the instincts of a vampire, doing as you please with no one opposing—was that truly satisfying? No one dares resist. No one can resist. After all, you are the one who orchestrated it. Was it a dream? Or did you believe it was a dream? Did you think it was just a fantasy? A dreamlike illusion?"

The dream of a butterfly.

The Vampire Child now may be consumed by the desires of a vampire, blurring the line between reality and dream.

Or perhaps the consciousness of a vampire has grown so strong that the human consciousness has entirely vanished.

"Miss, I ask again. Is the current Miss living a life worthy of her parents' pride?"

The Vampire Child does not answer.

Cannot answer.

Struck by the servant she trusted most, the one she believed would never betray her—awakened from the dream.

Her expression, dazed, gradually turns pale.

"Miss, I cannot serve you as my master. For my master is your parents."

The mention of her parents stirs the human consciousness within the Vampire Child.

"Therefore, even if your parents were the Vampire Child’s true lineage, this heart cannot be rewritten."

It sounded like rejection.

To the Vampire Child, Mela was significant.

A presence who had been by their side since childhood, offering support and stability.

What happens when such a figure rejects them?

The Vampire Child silently shakes their head side to side.

Their eyes flicker with a momentary, unnatural glow.

Yet the response is another open-handed strike.

"This heart has already been offered to your parents. I no longer waver. I am no longer confused."

The Vampire Child bows their head, defeated.

Their shoulders tremble slightly.

"Your parents entrusted me with one thing only. 'Rely on you, my lady.' That is all."

Mela slowly, gently, embraces the Vampire Child’s body.

"I was entrusted with one thing. 'Rely on you, my lady.' That is all." Mela slowly, gently, embraces the Vampire Child’s body.

"Requested. I will watch over my lady until death. Never abandon her. Correct her if she errs. Raise this hand again and again until she returns to the right path. But if possible, do not make me use it."

Ultimately, the harshest punishment is a guardian's reprimand. The Vampire Child’s current state stems largely from the absence of its guardian, Mela, at its side.

The Demon Lord claims that keeping these two together fosters dependency.

But I do not mind.

Being able to depend on someone—perhaps that, too, is happiness.

Something I could never do myself.

What happens next depends entirely on them.

Still, I intend to keep them together as much as possible going forward.

I will discuss this with the Demon Lord later.

I gently lowered the two of them from the alternate space into Melah's private chambers.

Now, though it came last, I shall go to meet the remaining reincarnated individual.