303 Early Rising Vampire and Breakfast

The treehouse I was led to was similar to the one I had woken up in.

The Demon Army brought tents for camping, but still, a proper roofed building is more comfortable.

Some areas are unusable, but the vast Elven village still has many homes that can be used.

No residents remain. There is no reason not to use them.

"Ah? Good morning."

Inside the treehouse, the Vampire Child was elegantly eating breakfast.

The dishes on wooden plates—whether from this house or not, it was unclear.

Breakfast, so the portion was modest, but the variety was rich. Watching was not dull.

Bread, salad, fruit, bite-sized meat steak, scrambled eggs.

The Vampire Child eats a lavish breakfast—unlike anything expected on the first day after battle—with refined grace, using knife and fork.

Noble-born?

Ah, she was born a noble, without question.

"Prepare two more portions."

Melah gives the order to a subordinate stationed in the back.

Apparently, this space functions as a dining area reserved for officers.

The subordinate disappears immediately into the interior.

Likely the kitchen lies beyond that partition.

Then again, "two portions" means Melah will eat with her.

It feels unusual to see the Vampire Child and Melah sharing a table together.

Melah is, after all, the Vampire Child’s attendant.

It feels strange for a servant to dine with her master.

They ate together during the journey from Salyera to the Demon Lands—so it’s not entirely new—but still, it’s been a long time.

Well, officially, Melra is higher rank than me, isn’t she?

Huh?

Then doesn’t that make the Vampire Child eating here out of place?

Me and Melra both hold proper titles—Regiment Commander—while the Vampire Child has no rank at all.

How do the other members of the Demon Army feel about that, not knowing the full situation?

Hmm, well, they’re treating her openly like an officer, and the common soldiers probably already figured it out.

While thinking about such trivial matters, Melra pulls out a chair for me and guides me to sit.

Huh!? I was already seated!

What kind of escorting skill is that!

Is this the power of a man who can do such things?

After I sit, Melra takes her own seat.

Upon closer inspection, fatigue is visible on Melra’s face.

She fought the Elves, then spent the entire night handling post-combat procedures—no wonder she’s exhausted.

And she probably didn’t eat much either.

She wouldn’t eat with me or the Vampire Child unless it was necessary.

Probably hesitating, planning to eat alone later.

No one else is eating here—must be working or too tired to eat.

Two vampires enjoying breakfast gracefully at dawn feels deeply unnatural.

“Ariel is asleep. Kyoya is on guard duty. I don’t know where Fernina is.”

The Vampire Child spoke, as if reading my thoughts—listing what the others were doing.

But Fernina? You don’t know?

Fernina is probably busy working, as always. Still as invisible as ever.

Then again, Fernina is my subordinate. I should be aware of her actions.

It’s fine. No problem.

Certainly. Probably. Maybe.

"Ah, also, Sogama-kun is over with the other reincarnated ones. They’re probably having breakfast together by now."

Sogama-kun. Ah, right, he was there.

Sogama-kun, the Pope’s unmarked ninja.

Why Sogama-kun has a unique skill like ninja is probably just because his given name is "Ninja"—a straightforward reason.

Only someone like D would pull that off.

But then again.

From Sogama-kun’s perspective, it’s a reunion with long-lost classmates.

Feels more like a class reunion, doesn’t it?

I don’t particularly feel the need to go rekindle old friendships, given my nature. But how about the Vampire Child and Oni-kun? What’s their take on this?

"What?"

The Vampire Child doesn’t seem to have understood my question—displeasure seeps into her voice.

Ah, right.

Come to think of it, the Vampire Child didn’t have a good impression of her previous life, did she?

One could infer as much just by the fact that we’re eating here.

Still, attendance at the post-reincarnation briefing is mandatory.

And Oni-kun as well.

I’ll ask Mel to serve as Guard during that time.

The Demon King is significantly weakened right now.

We must assign protection to someone trustworthy.

Mel, already exhausted from a sleepless night, will be burdened with additional work—but this task cannot be entrusted to anyone else.

Ah, speaking of which.

Recalling the reincarnated, what about Yamada-kun?

Has he awakened yet?

Does the Vampire Child know?

“Yamada-kun.”

“Huh? …Ah, right. I think he’s still asleep. I haven’t heard anything about him waking up.”

After years of familiarity, the Vampire Child has grown quite adept at reading my intentions—but even so, she occasionally pauses in thought.

She hesitated, as if unable to grasp the meaning of my brief question in an instant.

Comprehension remains insufficient.

Learn from Oni-kun.

“Actually, the one who’s more problematic now might be Hasebe-san. The way she was acting—seemed quite delirious.”

Ah.

That’s right.

Among the reincarnated souls brainwashed by Natsume, Oshima-kun managed to break free on his own. But Hasebe-san had remained under the influence the entire time.

What happens now that the brainwashing has been lifted—after Natsume’s death?

Ah.

Should probably provide aftercare—memory erasure, perhaps.

“Apparently she’s being kept asleep by force. If you’re concerned, you can go see her later.”

I’ll do that.

But first—food!

Enjoying the meal brought to me.

Hmm.

Luxury, even right after the war.

Elite perk, isn't it.

Not having to work through the night, yet still enjoying this meal—quite the favorable position.

Forget about Melia over there, or Fermina, still laboring somewhere now, or Oni-kun, the Demon Lord’s Guard, who hasn’t slept a wink while on duty.

Everyone keep working hard—now, then.