313 The princess is selfish.

This is the second entry today.

Post within reasonable limits (no promise of no consecutive posts).

Returning to the treehouse, we found Kagami and Ogihara bound there.

Standard facing each other, bound in a clinging embrace.

I think only Ogihara was kneeling when we left, but why are they bound together again now?

...Yeah.

I'll skip that.

I'll skip the vampire child walking ahead too.

The vampire child walks to the front of the chair where we had been sitting earlier.

He does not sit. Instead, he crosses his arms and stands.

Yet he silently gestures for me to sit. So I sit.

"Yes yes. Then let's resume. Anyone missing? Present? If so, someone go fetch them."

The Vampire Child claps their hands loudly, voice rising so all in the room can hear.

Despite the volume, an unexpected elegance remains undiminished.

Huh?

Did this one used to be this imposing?

The Transmigrants fall silent, responding to the Vampire Child’s voice.

At the same time, Kotoku rises and ascends the stairs.

Yamada-kun hasn’t returned yet—seems they’re being called for.

The Vampire Child watches until the motion concludes, then crosses their arms again, resuming a posture of quiet observation.

Oni-kun stares at them with clear suspicion.

Yeah.

Oni-kun’s hesitation is understandable.

The Vampire Child rarely takes the lead in such situations.

And when they do, it’s usually a prelude to something unwholesome unfolding.

Oni-kun keeps glancing at me with a sidelong, probing look.

There is nothing I can say to you!

After a short wait, Kodai-san returned with Yamada-kun and the others.

Each takes their seat from earlier.

Then let's resume.

The Vampire Child had taken on the role of guide. A different kind of tension now filled the air.

The tension before had carried the weight of unseen anxiety and fear toward an incomprehensible figure. Now, the tension was simply a response to the overwhelming presence of the Vampire Child.

...What?

Isn't the tension from me worse?

Unfathomable.

First off, understand this— you’re in a position where we’re the ones who saved you, and the power to decide your life or death lies in our hands.

Blast!?

Something suddenly detonated.

"Wait a moment!"

"Silence. Be still."

Yamada-kun attempted to protest as he rose, but the Vampire Child silenced him.

Physically.

“Gah!?”

Perhaps only I and Oni-kun understood what had occurred here.

Even a reincarnated warrior capable of combat, such as Oshima or Tanikawa, should not have been able to track the movements of a Vampire Child with their eyes.

The Vampire Child did nothing more than approach Yamada-kun and sweep his legs out from under him.

Only that the speed and force behind the kick were not ordinary.

Yamada-kun collapses, sending the chair flying.

Yamada-kun's legs showed no sign of being broken—perhaps some restraint had been applied.

Had it not been for restraint, Yamada-kun's lower body might have been blown clean off.

This is out of kindness, or rather, obligation. You understand? Ah, g—te—ru—no.

To Yamada-kun, writhing in pain, the Vampire Child spoke as one might lecture a child.

“We only helped you because we happened to be destroying the elves. So we could have abandoned you without explanation. But out of kindness—rather, obligation—we’re explaining this to you. Isn’t that kind?”

A kind person wouldn’t suddenly knock someone’s legs out from under them.

Besides, you don’t say words like “life and death are in my hands” when you’re threatening someone.

“Wait.”

“Quiet, Oni-kun. You’re the one who caused the derailment. Don’t make things worse.”

The Vampire Child silenced Oni-kun, who had been about to speak.

You’re the one currently causing chaos—don’t act like you’re the moral authority.

"You have no right to ask. There’s no such thing. Your current status is akin to prisoners. Moreover, refugees without a homeland. Whether you live or die depends solely on our mood. Understood?"

While the Vampire Child smiled pleasantly, the expressions of the reincarnated individuals darkened instantly.

The atmosphere, which moments ago had been like an extended class meeting, now felt charged with ominous words—kill, spare—forcing them to realize their situation was far worse than they had imagined.

Yes.

The method of conveying that truth is overly forceful.

What do we do about this frozen silence?

"Such a way of speaking—"

"Then shut up already."

The Vampire Child kicked Yamada-kun hard in the face, cutting off his next words.

"Stop it!"

"Then be quiet!"

The Vampire Child struck Oshima-kun across the face, sending him sprawling onto the floor.

What kind of thing is that to do to a girl’s face!

Whether or not Yamada-kun qualifies as a girl is, well, irrelevant.

“If you have an objection, leave. We have no obligation to explain anything. If you don’t wish to listen, then don’t listen. If you wish to listen, then be silent. Your time speaking is wasted.”

The room falls utterly still.

Yamada-kun quietly moves beside Oshima-kun, applying a healing spell to the struck area. No other movement occurs.

Even breathing seems to pause.

“Very well. Then listen in silence. No questions during the explanation. I will accept questions only at the end. Until then, listen in silence. Understood?”

No one dares to challenge the Vampire Child.

This is pure terror-based governance.

Perhaps it’s effective for hearing the story, but afterward, the aftermath is terrible. No way.

What do we do about this?

I don’t care anymore.