Vampires—common supernatural beings found in folk legends around the world in reality, though they can generally be summarized as monsters born from people's awe of the unknown. Since science began to progress, the mysterious veil of vampires has also been lifted. Although some still firmly believe vampires exist, more people are willing to believe vampires are fictional creatures.
Since they're fictional, they qualify as inspiration for artists. Novels, movies, and games about vampires have followed one after another, and even the word "vampire" itself was a creation of later novelists.
Early vampire imagery was all ugly monsters, but to bring them to the screen, they gradually evolved into the gentlemanly image of elegant, pale-skinned figures. The most successful derivative work was probably a vampire game from the late twentieth century—settings like vampire clans all came from that game, even becoming so successful that many people mistakenly believed Cain really was the progenitor of vampires.
...But honestly, the clan settings were indeed useful.
For example, [Embrace]—a special method for powerful vampires to develop their bloodline.
"The vampire's special skill 'Embrace'... I heard it involves introducing vampire blood into a living being's body, and when the vampire blood reaches a certain proportion, it begins the transformation into their spawn..."
Setting aside the forms of Embrace in other games, in The Eternal Pacificus, the method vampires use to develop spawn is similar to blood transfusion—transmitting their own blood through their fangs into a creature's blood vessels and letting it proliferate. The vampire blood merges with the original blood and begins to corrode it, until finally the creature that received vampire blood develops a craving for fresh blood and falls into becoming a vampire.
Common treatment methods include only divine magic and high-level medical care, but those are truly rare and hard to come by.
"The principle should be like that. We have no way to play as undead species, so we can't confirm the details of their skills. But the Vampire King's Embrace doesn't require such a long time—in an extremely short period, it can turn a living person into spawn that follows its every command. Duke Borgia's second son was being trained as the new heir after the eldest son's death, having access to almost the best resources Duke Borgia could provide. Put it this way—at that time, the only one with the ability to quickly kill Duke Borgia's second son was Duke Borgia himself."
"Meow..."
Without doubt, Duke Borgia's second son falling to become a vampire would pose an even more serious threat. Becoming a vampire basically doesn't diminish one's combat abilities.
"—Duke Borgia acted. To prevent more casualties, he personally eliminated his own son. I witnessed that scene with my own eyes."
The title of Hero of the Kingdom of Michel was one Duke Borgia already possessed before the expedition. Having actively fought against the undead multiple times, Duke Borgia was viewed by commoners as a model among nobles.
There were sufficient reasons for his reputation that could mobilize citizens within his territory to serve.
"Afterward, at the cost of sacrificing one arm and nearly half his face being melted away, Duke Borgia defeated the Vampire King. Killing one's own kin is a grave sin in the Abrahamic Faith. Considering the special circumstances, His Holiness the Pope specifically pardoned Duke Borgia's sin. Even so, the cruel reality that all three of Duke Borgia's children had died young was something no one could change. After returning to the ducal territory, even his wife died of illness during this period from excessive grief. Duke Borgia therefore shut himself away, and everyone thought the blow he received was too heavy—that he might never recover from it."
Carol Cat beside me might not understand much about events in the Kingdom of Michel, and at this moment was speechless with her mouth agape.
I knew these facts, but hearing them told from another's mouth was ultimately a different experience.
"However, one month later, Duke Borgia began activities again. He personally granted titles to knights and adventurers who had distinguished themselves in the expedition, including my Baron Hurst title. At the same time, he stated he was unable to campaign against the undead anymore. Everyone expressed understanding for Duke Borgia, but Duke Borgia didn't retire to the sidelines—he began actively rescuing orphans, which was originally the Church's responsibility. Even if he could no longer take the front lines, he was still a hero of the Kingdom of Michel."
Trafalgar decisively presented his conclusion.
"I absolutely do not believe such a person would hunt down a little girl for no reason. There must be some hidden circumstances here."
"..."
"The same quest can have multiple solutions depending on the choices adventurers make. Although it's not explicitly stated, I don't think only the two methods described in the quest are the correct answers."
"So Baron Trafalgar's position is to trust Duke Borgia while questioning the quest's completion conditions?"
"You could say that."
Most players get hot-headed when they see quest rewards and charge ahead regardless, but some players pay attention to other things besides quest rewards. Are they called story enthusiasts? Having previously interacted with Duke Borgia, Trafalgar, who understood Duke Borgia's character, immediately noticed something suspicious about the quest.
As a hero of the Kingdom of Michel, Duke Borgia had no reason to spare no expense to eliminate a little girl. Duke Borgia wasn't a stingy lord, but the rewards were suspiciously generous.
"Anastasia, you said you were willing to make compensation for your moon elf companion's offense, right?"
"Yes."
"Then tell me... what exactly happened between Amaryllis and Duke Borgia? We'll call our debt even."