The Great Vampire General is a Girl! - Chapter 54

The morning hasn’t really come yet, but early morning activities for vampires were common things. They didn’t really need sleep, even though Duke Arthur Dubois usually had a daily sleep schedule like humans. This time he was in his study which had a long wooden table and carved chairs.

The governor and the Florentine military officers serving in Lapella—asked to meet. Just now in the next town, in the never-deserted Kirogar district—there was an incident involving Shadows.

Arthur must have been so focused on work that he just found out about it. Shadows in the center of the peaceful state of Lapella? Arthur had never expected that before.

Shadows only move on Avalon’s orders. However, Avalon military officials had given official confirmation that the incident was not their doing. Even so, they didn’t deny that they had a secret dungeon where they kept dozens of Shadows of a different type than what Florentians usually met.

But they also emphasized that the existence of the dungeon was long before the ceasefire. They didn’t want Florentia to demand back let alone end the truce. They promised to investigate the incident. But Florentia certainly cannot easily believe the results of their investigation.

Therefore currently sitting in Duke Dubois’ study, the governor and several Florentia generals.

“We might face something different. Even Avalon themself can’t control them,” said one of the generals.

“Have you investigated their bodies?”

“Already, they’re definitely different from the Shadows we’re used to seeing. They are more lethal, attack Faster and they also have amazingly fast regeneration abilities. They can even grow severed arms and legs..What worries us the most is their high level of intelligence.”

Duke Dubois looked at the faces in his room at the moment. His cousin Theodore Dubois who held the rank of commander was also seen there. Besides that there were several generals involved with his past attempts to hide Valerie.

“There was another one that attacked my daughter, just now. And he’s dead,” said Duke Dubois indignantly. Sometimes he didn’t know that Shadows had barged into the mansion. Moreover he was after his daughter.

“Ah yes, we also sent someone to examine the body. But, is there anything unusual about the Shadows?” asked a general.

“Killian! Come here!” The duke summoned one of his knights. Before long, a knight with the Dubois family crest on his clothes entered the room. He bowed for a moment and waited for orders.

“Can you explain what happened earlier? How did the Shadows get into my daughter’s room?”

“The Shadows are interested in Lady Valerie sir, I heard from some of the maids that Shadows, who calls himself Lust, is trying to kidnap her,” Killian said.

“A Shadow monster trying to make an emotional bond with a Vampire?”

“I didn’t know they could do that,”

Then, the duke again heard a knock on the door.

“Raphael Chastain has come to report, sir,” Raphael showed his knight gesture and saluted the Duke before he sat down on the empty seat.

“Lord Chastain, please explain what happened in Kirogar a few hours ago,” the Governor asked.

“Were you involved in the incident?”

“I killed one, there was an Avalon knight named Petrovsky who also killed one. I’m almost certain that the Avalons really don’t know about this..those Shadows are controlled, but not by Avalon.” Raphael made a conclusion.

“One of them is still alive and came to my house to kidnap my daughter, you know?”

Raphael showed his disappointment in himself. He had neglected. He didn’t confirm Lust’s whereabouts. Valerie could really have been kidnapped by now. She wasn’t strong enough to face Shadows of that type yet.

“I’m sorry, Your Grace. But I suspect that the Shadows are interested in Lady Valerie because she is one of the wielders of the cursed weapon..it’s a common thing, we cursed weapons users have always been the main target of the Shadows.”

“That means, in the future Valerie will experience the same thing?”

“As long as she still has that cursed weapon—she’ll run into a similar incident . Florentia’s research says that Shadows can indeed find the owner of the cursed weapon. Avalon designed them that way, they will prioritize taking out stronger enemies,” Raphael explained.

“OK. .and besides. That means, Shadows as strong as they might be occasionally encountered where civilians are? No longer just in human settlements?” Arthur confirmed.

“That’s right, your Grace,”

“Then what’s your suggestion?”

“Lapella needs more knights, besides that we have to explore every dungeon and water tunnel in Lapella. We’re worried that Avalon doesn’t have only one secret location in this state. They themselves promised to cooperate,”

“So we’re teaming up with the Avalons?”

“Only for this case, your Grace. Besides, this is still a truce period. We must know our new enemy well so that a similar incident doesn’t happen again,” said one of the generals.

“Your Grace, I also want to talk about Lady Valerie,” Raphael spoke up.

“Say,”

“When she was in the military, I was her commander. I understand your decision to ban her from returning to Florentia, but you need to know this..lady Valerie is a valuable asset to Florentia. She is the holder of a cursed weapon besides that she has the ability to predict the future,” explained Raphael.

“Divination, you say? Is this a joke?”

“No, your Grace..she killed an Avalon general some time ago, she was also the one who discovered Avalon’s secret dungeon during the Taverin war. She contributed greatly and has the potential to achieve even better in the future. Because of that-”

“Are you Florentians trying to persuade me to let my daughter return to the military? Don’t you know that she almost died once? I don’t really care if she killed the general or not..taking her to the military was a mistake and I don’t want to repeat it,” Arthur Dubois shook his head in concern.

“Think of Lady Dubois’ safety, she is the wielder of a cursed weapon. Danger will always be after her. A cursed weapon wielder can’t just stay at home..lady Valerie must become stronger because only she can protect herself,” Raphael asserted.

“Your Grace, consider it. Right now, returning her to the military is the best option for her,” another general spoke.

Duke Arthur Dubois leaned back looking thoughtful.

“Regarding Lapella’s security, I’ll leave that to Florentia. I’ll give you extra budget to add to the security. I’m waiting for your report. Now I will speak alone with Sir Raphael.” He said seriously.

***

Raphael felt a little awkward, he was now alone with the duke who looked at him intently. He might not be a strong vampire, but Duke Dubois had great charisma and it was impossible for anyone to underestimate him.

He had silver hair similar to Valerie and Jasper, but there were a few faint wrinkles at the corners of his eyes. He also wears glasses as accessories.

Duke Dubois then reached into his coat pocket and held out a piece of parchment in front of the commander.

“Do you know about this? A few months ago the Chastains proposed to Valerie for you,” Arthur said.

Raphael read it for a moment. The letter was already folded because the Duke had it in his pocket. But he recognized that it was his father’s handwriting and that there was the official stamp of the Chastains on it.

“I didn’t know lady Dubois before the war, your Grace, nor did I know about this,” Raphael nodded.

“Parents are used to matchmaking like this now. I have not answered or rejected this letter. So, what kind of answer do you want?” Arthur asked.

“Sorry, what do you mean?’

“Aren’t you dating her? Are you guys dating with the intention of getting married or just playing around? Valerie has never looked interested in a boy before, so to be honest knowing she’s dating is hard for me to believe..besides, you’re the commander but knowingly dating Valerie?”

“You Grace, I told you yesterday that I wanted to marry her,” Raphael said firmly.

“Then what’s the benefit for Valerie if she marries you? Not with another noble?”

“Because I am strong enough to protect her, I can also help her to be stronger in using her cursed weapon. I will respect her and respect her feelings. Valerie will be safer with me,”

“So, when you get married, will you allow her to return to the military?”

“Yes, your Grace,” said Raphael honestly. He was a little restless.

“I don’t know if this will be a decision I regret later. But I did have to marry Valerie to a powerful vampire from the Florentia faction. Your family has already made an official proposal and you have spoken to me directly..Besides, I’m not sure that Jasper and I can continue to protect Valerie from the enemy. You guys are dating too so I think you’re my best choice.. We’ll talk about the wedding date now,” the Duke decided.