Chapter 527 - A Vampire Doll
Diana has asked Arthur about his past life, but he always that there was not a lot to say about it. However, the world he came from was full of technology, something that did not require magic, and there was also magic technology that made the world a better place.
As she listened to him describe concepts that blew her mind away, Diana realized that visiting his world with him would be fun. He can hold her hand and introduce her to his mother, which he said to be non-awakened, and his brother, who Arthur praised his cuteness.
Diana did not have any siblings, and not many people her age could touch her as a kid. Her fiancé once tried when they first met, but even a descendant of the white dragons could not handle her abnormal body.
"...who?" asked a giant as he looked came from behind a building. "An enemy..."
"Move away, dimwit!" shouted Peter as he tugged on the chains. "I captured these trying to infiltrate the palace. So, I'm handing them to the overlord."
The giant was almost as tall as the building, with empty holes in his head representing eyes. As the monster heard Peter's words, it paused before resuming its wandering.
Diana sighed with relief as the vampire walked away. It amazed her that some of the vampires recognized each other, but Kar was bound to realize that Peter was fake based on his ability.
Peter might have replicated the appearance of a vampire, even including the blood scythes, but his body still lacked the same traits. That was to say that even if he devoured a demihuman, Peter would not obtain their attributes, only their appearance.
That was a shapeshifter.
There were those with similar abilities, but a simple hit from a different being would undo the shapeshifting because it was simply an illusion. However, Peter could still replicate physical characteristics, which made his ability genuinely fearsome.
As the chains dragged them through the capital, the group had different encounters with vampires, and they got increasingly frequent as they got close. Finally, as they were about to pass one of the bridges taking them to, a short girl stood in their path.
"...what are you doing here? This is not your area," said the girl with a frown. Diana stared at her with apprehension because even though the girl looked like a doll, with her deep red dress and blond curly hair, she gave out monstrous vibes.
"I have captives," replied Peter, and Diana secretly praised him for being relaxed meeting this monster, who was like a demon staring into their soul.
There was a flash of red, and Diana saw it before it happened, as the dress turned to blood that attacked Peter. She was about to freeze the blood, but Peter gave her a sign behind his back, making her stop.
Blood sprayed as Peter fell to the ground, his legs still standing in place. However, they were no longer attached to his body, and the boy gave no louder than a grunt as two of his limbs were amputated.
"You forgot to kneel, ant," said the girl as she looked down on him. "I would have destroyed the rest of your body if not for his orders. Stand up."
"I... apologize," breathed out Peter with a bowing head. "I dare not show such an ugly sight in your presence. But, please, take these prisoners to Overlord Kar," his head touched the ground while his legs bled.
Ark gasped with terror as he took a step back, realizing the events that had ensued. Courage held him tightly, not letting go of him. The vampire glanced their way before shifting her eyes back to Peter and smiling.
"That is right, stay there like a dog. Untie them."
This was Diana's cue to melt the chains, and the blood fell from their arms. As she rubbed her hands, the girl looked straight at her, looking into her eyes.
"You have pretty eyes," said the doll gestured with her finger. "Come over here."
Diana paused before moving toward the monster slowly, and the two of them were of the same height. The girl reached out to her face and caressed it before her thumb wiped her lower eyelids.
"You are going to be mine from now on. I don't care about the rest. Take them into the palace, ant. I will be having some fun of my own. As for you," she said to Diana, "follow me."
The doll then turned around and walked into the palace, and Diana did not hesitate to follow after her. Even though this separates her from the rest, it was better than Kar noticing them before they get close enough to reclaim the saint.
The doll moved silently and with elegance, not looking back to see if Diana was following, as if sure that no one dared to disobey her. The princess followed after her, all the way into the palace, which did not have any knights.
Vampires were standing around, but they froze when they saw the doll and cared not about Diana following her. Finally, at long last, they reached a chamber on the second floor of the palace, which was big enough to be a floor.
Diana froze the moment she walked into the room. It was full of red and black items, stuffed animals, and skulls. The combination was sickening, and the doll did not stop walking until she reached a table.
"Have a seat," she proposed for Diana, pointing at a chair. The table had a tea set on it with a jar of what seemed like human eyes floating inside. "I hope this does not make you lose appetite," she said while licking her lips.
"I was never invited to tea parties, so I have no expectations."
"...you are adorable," said the doll as a sweet smile appeared on her lips. "I will pour you some tea."
Diana wondered if this was the right to attack her, but she felt like this doll was hiding something. It shouldn't take too much time to find what thing is, but she was in a hurry.
"There is no need to fight. I am a pacifist, despite what I did earlier," the doll read her mind before picking up the teapot and pouring it into the cups. "I am just interested in you."
"...you know that I am not a captive," Diana squinted her eyes.
"I would never dare assume such a thing with your powers," said the doll with a smile. "You seem unaware that you are letting them leak."
Diana frowned before she looked down and then backward. There were a pair of flames on her back that she was not aware of, and seeing them was the proof that she was slowly losing control.
This was not the time to be worried about her body, and Diana focused on the fact that this vampire knowingly brought her inside and let the rest of her comrades go. This compelled her to walk toward the table and take a seat.
"Thank you, princess," said the doll before she took the seat opposite to hers. "I wish the tea would be to your liking. But, unfortunately, I am not that experienced, and it's a bit cold."
"Allow me," said Diana as she waved her finger, and a blue flame made a circle and touched their teacups, heating the liquid in an instant.
"Marvelous control," said the vampire as she took a sip. "It tastes better than before," she smiled. Diana did not say anything but did not drink. "Please, it is not poisoned."
"I doubt there is a poison that works on me," said Diana as she smiled. "However, I know that you have a certain poison that works on anything. Therefore, I have to refuse this tea."
"The princess of Ice and Fire is so cautious," the vampire placed down her cup and held her arms before she shivered. "I am not like the rest of the vampires. I was here for a long time, aiding Kar, and I have seen you on many occasions before."
"That must be the reason you found out the truth."
"A few things gave you away, but I'm sure you are confident about taking down all of us. However, you shouldn't be. No one can defeat Lorius."
"I don't need to defeat him; I am not here for that."
"Ah, you must be here for the saint," smiled the vampire. "I also took a liking of her, but so did Kar himself. He told me that he loves her."
"That must be a joke," Diana was baffled. "However, this does not matter. I want to know what you want from me," asked the princess and the vampire had a look of nostalgia.
"Kar created me ten years ago, and he asked me to roam the world and devour whoever I desired because doing so here would draw attention.. I embarked on a journey and met a lot of people, including your mom and you."