The Great Vampire General is a Girl! - Chapter 107

When Valerie entered the dungeon, a fishy smell immediately assaulted her nostrils. She was a vampire, so she was used to the smell of blood. Yet all she smelled right now was the scent of rotting flesh and blood. In fact, along the passage she passed, there were no human corpses piled up.

The vampires of Avalon also understand the importance of cleanliness. They never allow the human body whose blood has been drained to sit for a long time. Every few houses there was a cremation site. The bodies will be burned and the ashes scattered in the sea.

Valerie covered her nose, unable to stand the smell. Ivanka, being a princess, should probably have fainted from being fed up with all the stench and remains of corpses in that place. Even Valerie, who was a knight and usually wields a weapon, wants to quickly escape from that hell. But, she seemed to have gotten used to it. Maybe she had visited Yuri many times, so all the smells and dirt had no effect on her.

“I’ve asked the maid to put the piano near Yuri’s room. You will play there,”

“Here?” Valerie gulped, showing her doubts.

“I’m sorry, Lady Celia..this place is disgusting but I promise tomorrow the maids will clean it up. But just for today, please, be patient with this stench,” Ivanka pleaded with her while holding Valerie’s hand.

Valerie wasn’t sure, the basement wasn’t really a place to be cleaned. Had she not been on her spy mission, she would have resigned right now.

“I understand, Your Majesty,” as Valerie continued on her way, she felt the hem of her dress might be brushing the dirty floor. her neck felt numb. Valerie swore when this was over she would rub herself multiple times in the bathroom.

Now they both came to a room with a silver door. There was a slit that had been put up with a trellis there to peek into it. In every noble’s castle there was usually a dungeon where they held captives. Prince Yuri, being held here.

A faint growl was heard as Valerie approached the place. There were several Avalon knights standing guard there. The stench was getting stronger. Apparently the palace maids weren’t lazy. But they were too afraid to approach the cell and clean its contents.

“Be careful, as long as the door doesn’t open you’ll be fine. But, just in case, don’t get too close. My younger brother Prince Yuri was in that room. He was in pain and had forgotten his identity. No treatment was given for him. The king said I can try to cure him, but he won’t let me use military facilities. I was alone trying to help him,” Ivanka explained in a sad tone.

So, Ivanka faced it all alone? Valerie knew that the two of them were on different sides. However, that didn’t stop her from feeling sympathy for her. At least in Jasper’s case, Veronica’s mother was still being helped by her father.

Valerie peeked into the room. There she saw a human-like figure. But its body size is probably twice as big. The teeth were pointed and grew evenly. Saliva dripped from the corner of his lips. A gray hue was created in some parts of his skin. His nails are also black and pointy. His neck as well as his legs and arms were bound by thick silver chains. His eyes looked blank.

Visible human bodies scattered around him. Seeing his condition that he couldn’t move freely, it was only natural that his prey was brutally sucked in blood. Seen the human neck was broken. Some also seemed to be trying to run which made Yuri bite their hands and feet off. The maids didn’t dare enter the room often to clean up the leftovers. That’s why the dungeons of this palace smelled so bad.

Valerie saw a piano there. She sighed and sat down on the chair provided. This may not be the best place to play the piano. She’s also not sure if she could play well. But, she had no choice.

Valerie hit a few early notes. Then a growl was heard. Yuri looks upset knowing something unusual was happening outside his cell.

“Continue,” Ivanka ordered. But her tone was more like pleading. She wished Celia Durant could give her a miracle.

Valerie also played her symphony. It was one of the few songs that Florentians believe could relieve the symptoms of a demonic DNA transformation. This was the latest find, had Florentia found it sooner, perhaps Jasper wouldn’t have to go to Avalon’s side. Valerie imagined Jasper as she played it. As if Yuri was his own brother. Each note carries a strong emotion.

Then she heard the voice of prince yuri raging in his cell. He tried to break free. Valerie was feeling anxious right now. Didn’t music always have a similar reaction for all carriers of the devil’s DNA? Because the longer Valerie played it, Yuri’s tantrum became more intense. The thick silver chain also rattled as if it was about to break. His skin was burning from the silver but he couldn’t seem to feel the pain.

“Yuri, calm down,” Ivanka pleaded as she held onto the trellis of her poor brother’s room.

Valerie remained focused on playing her piano notes. The twelfth symphony was soothing music like early spring. Valerie imagined a garden where the grass was still half frozen but was starting to grow from underground. There were rolling white clouds that provided shade and warmth.

“Yuri!” Ivanka covered her mouth trembling in front of the bedroom door. Valerie after a while ended her piano playing and got up from her seat. Only silence was heard. Ivanka was seen crying while glued to the front of the room.

When Valerie once again peeked into it. She saw prince Yuri, with an almost normal body. The chain that bound him was loose so he could let go of his right hand and rub his head.

“Ivanka?” He said weakly with sad eyes. Even though he seemed to have regained consciousness— there was still a remnant of the demonic DNA awakening in him. His nails were still black, fangs still lined his mouth. But this time he was able to communicate.

“Guard! Open the door!” Ivanka shouted.

“But, the king has ordered—” a knight looked reluctant.

“Look, he’s getting better right? The king said if I could cure him, he would let Yuri out of his prison. I will take care of him after this. Bring in the other knights with a new chain. I’ll lock him in another room away from this rotten dungeon,” Ivanka argued, the knights looking unable to argue.

Ivanka entered Yuri’s room after the knight opened it. Ivanka approached him but was still far away from him. Ivanka was wary enough not to be in the range of his attacks. She had seen the way Yuri preyed on humans. He seemed to be able to extend his arms even though he was being shackled with silver chains.

“Ivanka, how long has our father been punishing me?” Yuri said sadly.

“It’s been almost half a year, but I know that you won’t give up. Because I won’t give up on you either Yuri,” Ivanka said with emotion.

Ivanka then took something out from under her clothes. It was like grass with sharp black leaves. Looks like the plant has been dried.

“Eat this, Yuri,”

“I’m a vampire, I can’t possibly eat it,”

“This is medicine for you, Yuri. It won’t kill you. I’ve tried burning it but the smoke isn’t enough to treat you..this is devil grass, a plant that is said to grow in hell. He can be eaten by Vampires. Because I’ve tried it myself,” Ivanka said confidently.

“How could you put yourself in danger?” Yuri looked sad. He was a gentle and loving young man. Valerie felt sorry to see the young prince tormented in his own palace. What big mistake did he make to get this treatment? Let him torment as a monster? Though the king Dimitri had all the facilities to cure him. Maybe giving him the death penalty was a better course of action. How could a father do this to his own child?

Yuri opened her mouth, and let Ivanka tuck a few blades of grass into his jaw. He had never chewed anything in his life, so Yuri did it awkwardly. However, his complexion became brighter.

Devil Grass she said. Maybe Valerie would find it, so his family could take care of Jasper in Lapella themselves. Valerie didn’t want Jasper to hang out with the vampire Avalon for too long.

“I feel better,” Yuri said, smiling at his sister.

This time, Ivanka ventured to touch his cheek and touched it lovingly.

“Promise me Yuri, leave that rebel group. Father will forgive you. After all, you are the heir to the throne of Avalon,” Ivanka told him.

Valerie stood not far from them and listened to their conversation. Yuri is part of the rebels. But he is also the crown prince, who will be the next leader of Avalon. Ivanka felt her heart beat faster now. Because the mission this time, is not just looking for the weakness of the king of Avalon.

He didn’t allow anyone to be his weakness. Evidently, he even had the heart to hurt his own family.. But the status of his son who turned out to join the rebels might be a weakness for the king of Avalon.