I reincarnated as a vampire, what’s the plan? Act II

[Part 1]

Liselotte returned to [The Codex] by teleportation, taking Morrigan and Enigma with her. All the chaos of [The Heaven's War] was over, and it was time to return home.

-Thank you for helping me so much, Liselotte. But it's time to be on my way. There are still many things I must learn about myself, and I want to discover them as I descend this dungeon. I am sure we will meet again in the future. Love, Elise.

Enigma finishes reading the letter, which was written in neat handwriting, as if it had been written by someone who calculated his movements to perfection.

All the animosity that Liselotte had brought with her returned to her. The emotions that had arisen from the risk she had taken to save the blonde girl's life, simply....

----------They were simply extinguished.

And Liselotte Sitri went back to locking herself up in [The Codex], at least until something or someone could break her out of her seclusion.

After all, a hermit sorcerer will always be a hermit sorcerer.

[Part 2]

[Floor 33]

It has been some time since I have felt empowered to narrate anything. I've been so focused on learning in [The Codex] that I've lost this habit I've adopted.

I guess it's time to get back into it, though. Since I just found myself descending the dungeon again.

It's me again, Elise!

There's not much new, other than that I've learned something about the cultures of this dungeon. There are generational families of monsters here who have passed down their ways through the generations.

[Floor 33] is inhabited by a species of elves, on this floor there is only forest. When I arrived, I told them about my contacts on the lower floors and they welcomed me without any problems.

I'm staying at the house of the floor leader, a rather old but very wise elf called Vana. And they also allowed me to prepare dinner for them. That's where I am now.

-Oh? Miss Elise, you are very skilled at chopping vegetables.

Vana's daughter, Týr, she tells me with a tone of admiration.

She is an elf with light blue hair, and purple eyes. She wears a white dress adorned with floral designs, and there is a garland of flowers surrounding her head, making her appearance stand out even more.

When I saw her I was struck by how beautiful she is... although that's a separate detail.

-Well, I've had some practice. I've had my fair share of dangerous fights so far.

-That's what I've heard, you fought Lord Drïmur with a bare fist and came out on top. That is a remarkable achievement, even for my kind.

It turns out that these elves are not a fighting race, as they have a low birth rate and a very high longevity, preferring to stay away from the inner conflicts of the dungeon. Everyone respects that.

-He has been my second strongest opponent so far. Although even Ophelia wasn't that much of a problem, the truth is there is someone I want to beat....

- "Second strongest"? Oh, you mentioned that you've also met Miss Sitri, is she the one you mean by the "Strongest Opponent"?

-? Liselotte...? Mm, no. I don't even want to face her, I am aware that she is the "absolute limit", the one I am referring to is Olivia Cross. If there's anyone capable of breaking the "absolute limit", we're talking about Olivia.

-Cross...? I've heard stories about that family, they're the "Heroes", right?

-That's right. -Olivia Cross is someone who adapts very quickly to any enemy. I can't do it as fast as her, I've barely been able to keep up with her.

-I understand, Miss Elise. I'd be happy to hear a little more of your stories.

Well, I'm basically a celebrity here. Even though I'm a vampire, it seems the thinking monsters are realising that I'm no threat to them as long as they don't provoke me.

...

I've already abandoned that conflict, though. Since I have already made my resolution.

I was born a monster, and I will live as one.

I don't care what happens away from that. If I must sweep away every entity that stands in my way to survive, then I will.

I know Saeko wouldn't want this... she's not like that.

But it was this world. Its inhabitants. They were what caused me to emerge.

I still can't find a solution to the hatred that's been born in me...

...

Dinner time came, Vana, Týr and I sat at the same table. I cut a small piece of the steak I cooked, put some of the mashed potatoes Týr made on it and without waiting for it to cool I put it in my mouth.

Damn, this tastes amazing!

It was worth the damn watching Gordon Ramsey videos, Saeko. This stuff is so good.

I'm glad I get to feel these pleasures of life~.

-I must praise your food, Miss Elise. We've never seen that kind of cooking technique before, I can tell you're very skilled at it. -. Vana mentions with a smile.

Oh, that cheers me up a bit. I'm happy to hear it.

-It's nothing. Rather, thank you for your hospitality. Not everyone is willing to lend a room in their home to a stranger here in the dungeon. Especially you, who don't have much of a relationship with monsters.

I am being modest. Though the truth is, I want to gloat over that compliment, haha.

Vana replies:

-"The truth is, it's no bother at all to have outsiders here. We do tend to avoid any conflict, but in general we are very hospitable.

-Oh. I understand that. But anyway, thank you for letting me stay here, even though I'm just passing through.

-We'll be happy to welcome you the next time you're in the area. And tell me, Miss Elise, where do you plan to go after this?

Mmm?

Well...

-Well, I'm looking to go down the floors one by one, I know I'm close to leaving the intermediate levels with cities of intelligent monsters.

-Oh... Are you planning to go through [34th Floor] then? Have you heard of the inhabitants of that floor?

?

-They are... Some kind of threat? -. I ask, with a little nervousness in my voice.

-To no one but themselves, as far as we know. Miss Sitri has warned us not to associate with them, for... everyone there is a direct descendant of [The Calamity] like yourself.

!

-Wait a moment, there are more vampires in this dungeon?

-Impure, as a matter of fact. They are half human, half vampire. I advise you not to go through that floor, and if you do, to do so as quickly as possible.

-... why...?

-They're basically a cult. That whole floor has spent their whole lives waiting for Elise Redhart to show up again and get them out of the dungeon. And thus sow chaos in every corner of this world.

...

That could be a problem.

But if you tell me that, my curiosity won't stop consuming me, Vana...

A shiver runs down my spine.

Oh.

Liselotte wouldn't want me to cross them. The safety not only of the dungeon, but of the whole world... could be at stake...

----Thud. Thud. Thud. Thud.

I hear my heart beating.

Steady. Quiet. Rhythmic.

They could tell me more about me. More about... the person that I am in this world...

The necklace with a crimson gem hanging around my neck, I still haven't found the answer to who gave it to me in the first place.

Who was 'me' before Saeko took over this body? What was the purpose of me being alive after everything that has happened?

Why does everything revolve around me? Is it just a coincidence or... is there something that wants things to happen this way?

There are people in this world who can give me that answer.

----Thud.Thud.Thud.Thud.Thud.

My heart rate is rising. Excitement is taking over my thoughts right now.

I want those answers. No. I need them.

I won't be able to acquire an identity until I answer these unknowns that are stored in my mind.

But if I do... and if things get out of hand, many will die... I don't think I can bear the weight of the death of so many people...

If it stops being an internal problem, that even Liselotte can't get a handle on... that means we'll be lost no matter what I try.

I feel... that I'm at a turning point...

----Thudthudthudthudthudthudthudthudthudthudthudthud.

My heart is pounding as if it's going to burst out of my chest.

I'm...

(Do it.)

The selfishness inside my heart has spoken. What I've been longing for... is finally within my grasp...

Saeko... forgive me, but this is the only way... only in this way will I be able to solve the unknowns surrounding us. In this way, I may be able to bring you back!

I want you back, Saeko!

I get up from the table with a thud, my breathing entirely erratic...

-Hah... hah... hah... take me... hah...

-What...?

-I said take me...! I don't care what Liselotte warned, I want to go to [Floor 34]!

-Miss Elise... I suppose that's what young people are like these days, disobeying the orders of their superiors. All right, Miss Elise. I'll take you.

[Part 3]

The next morning...

-It was very short, but thank you for everything, Vana and Týr. I'm sorry I had to leave so soon.

-No, no. Thank you for visiting this flat, Miss Elise. -. Týr replies, keeping a friendly attitude.

I smile at that, and turn to Vana now?

-If Liselotte shows up to ask you why you let me go to [Floor 34], tell her that I threatened your life to get you to take me down.

-I don't think she'll believe what I tell her... ahh, I can't believe I disobeyed Miss Sitri either. It's the first time in my whole life...

-Haha, sorry about that. If she hasn't killed you by then, I'll buy you something to eat, okay?

-I'll gladly accept your compensation, Miss Elise. Take this, as a gift from me, a second elven dagger to pair with the one you already have. It's a treasure I've been keeping for decades and I thought I'd give it to the next person who visits our flat.

Vana offers me the elven dagger in two hands. I can tell it is made in the same shape as mine.

I accept the gift, and handle the dagger in its sheath a little. As I swing it around I notice that it is significantly lighter in weight than mine. Oh, so this is the elven version, not the shop version.

I like it, it can work well as a throwing blade. If I replicated it, it wouldn't take me long to rain these daggers down on some target.

-Thank you very much, again. I promise I will return all your kindnesses. 

With that said, I turn my back. And I walk towards the spiral staircase I must descend to reach the next floor.

Have I made the right decision?

Is this the best I can do?

Should I withdraw...?

Yes. Yes. And no.

There's no way I'm backing out. Not here. Not now.

Whatever's in store for me from now on, I'm not running away. I'll take responsibility for everything that happens. That's the way my aunt would want it to be. So, I'm going to go through with it.

[Extra Part]

-Father, we just sent her to her death.

Once Elise is gone, Týr says that to his father, Vana.

Vana brings a hand to his beard, stroking his beautiful long, grizzled facial hair as he meditates for a few brief moments.

He looks sideways at his daughter; and says to her:

-You know how we old people are, we want the dreams of our ancestors to come true. And I can see why the whole dungeon has been in an uproar about her.

-What are you trying to say, father?

-What I'm trying to say is that she may be [Ulykkens Arving]. She may be the one who will lead all our peoples to the surface and finally grant us a decent place to live other than this dungeon.

-[Ulykkens Arving]... What if she is not, father? There's also a chance that she's a fiasco.

-If she is a dud, the Half-Bloods will determine that and take it upon themselves to eliminate her. You are too young to notice the signs, Týr.

-I certainly don't understand what you're talking about... I hope you return safely, Miss Elise.

Both elves turn their backs to the stairs, and along with them, the entrance to the stairs closes with a spinning rock.

It is time for all decisions so far to be unified. The future Vana speaks of... a world where the dungeon monsters are free... then that would be a worthy world to dwell in.

Be that as it may. The cards are on the table.

From this point on there is no turning back. The tipping point is nearing its climax.