"Aaaah!!"
"Grandma?!"
"Grandma! Come to your senses!!"
That was the beginning of this damn life.
It was just that Dan happened to get a fortune telling from an old woman who was a shaman. He didn't do anything, but he was so surprised when his grandmother screamed and fell from him.
And coincidentally, after that day, his grandmother became senile. It was also the beginning of misfortune.
Dan still remembered what she said.
'Did you say he would be a strong supporter or servant of the disaster?'
How could he forget? After that, the villagers just whispered those words and avoided him.
The rumor spread quickly in that small town. The village people hated Dan, and it did not go away easily even though the grandmother's granddaughter, Ran, tried to stop her. Rather, the negative emotions only grew and 'reluctance' turned into 'rejection'.
Dan was dumbfounded. He couldn't adapt at all.
Clearly, he couldn't accept the fact that the people he had laughed with and talked to until recently were rejecting him.
But the moment when no one spoke to him all day.
The moment when he had to stay up all night alone during the village festival.
At some point, various types of waste started to appear in front of the house.
Dan had no choice but to admit it.
'Just because of one prophecy.'
How barbaric is this?
A hollow laugh burst out. However, unlike his smile, his eyes were red and bloodshot, as if blood vessels were about to burst.
What was he suppressing right now: tears or anger?
What had he done with them so far?
It is natural for the life of an ostracized person in a small town to become difficult.
It wouldn't be a bad idea to leave this neglected village and head to the city, as he was already old enough, but Dan held on.
'They said they saw the disaster in me.'
She said he would be involved with him in the future.
So, if he just stayed there, wouldn't that 'disaster' come that way?
Of course, since their fates were intertwined, they would be able to meet each other even if he went to the city. But wasn't there a high possibility that he wouldn't notice the 'disaster'?
Let's wait here.
Even if she became senile, her skills will not go anywhere, so his grandmother would recognize the 'disaster' right away.
Looking at her current personality, she will probably try to reject them.
If he stood on the side of disaster then, he would easily gain favor and trust.
The reason Dan wanted to stand on the side of disaster when it was not enough to try not to get involved with it was simple.
'I'm confident that I'll be on the side of disaster, so I have to live up to that expectation.'
Dan was not a pushover who stood still after suffering.
Especially if it wasn't his fault.
Wasn't it so unfair that he was being ostracized even though he hadn't done anything yet?
So he held on and held on, but the moment he saw the face of 'disaster', he stopped laughing.
'Was it you?'
What is fate?
White hair and red eyes. No matter how much time passed, there was no way he could easily forget his impressive appearance.
"It's ridiculous that you suddenly asked him to take you with him. Someone as suspicious as you..."
"Stop."
The man who interrupted the wary escort slowly approached. Bright red eyes looked up and down with strange interest.
Dan swallowed dryly and adjusted his posture as the atmosphere was completely different from before. Even though he was very nervous, he never avoided the eyes that seemed to be looking at him.
Even though Dan had only lived in a mountain village, he knew at least the identity of the man in front of him. There was no way he didn't know.
Deon Hardt, a name that quickly became famous 10 years ago when the Eight Year War broke out.
'During the war, he was famous as a 'leader of a blood-crazed vanguard' and 'master of a murderous unit.''
After the war, he was famous as the last comrade of the last hero and became a hero of the Empire.
Dan, who thought of his many titles, thought of the most impressive title among them.
'The Vampire Count.'
Yes, the Vampire Count.
It was a title worthy of a disaster.
Dan, who had thought that far, grinned.
A strange look appeared in Deon's eyes when he saw him.
He slowly opened his mouth.
***
After walking frantically, I eventually arrived at the mansion.
I raised my head and checked the sky where the sun was setting.
I think it was roughly around 5 PM. Nothing good would come from procrastinating, so it would be better to get the work done today.
...However.
'Why did you follow me?'
Why was it that the man who was spying on me from afar just a moment ago had naturally joined the group?
"Sir Lien. That man..."
"Are you talking about Dan? I still don't trust him, but... the Count himself said he would take him with, so continuing to oppose would be disloyal as well. I will teach him."
Did you just say it out loud?! No, when did I say that?
Listening to what Lien said, it seems like I decided to bring him along... but I don't remember at all. I thought deeply about this and decided to think optimistically rather than complaining.
Even if I didn't, I was already stressed because there were so many things to worry about. If something more was added here, it would be a headache.
'There must have been a reason!'
At the very least, I probably brought him because he was useful somewhere.
For example, whether he is good at fighting or knows a lot...
"Because he lacks learning, he knows little, and his fighting skills are not at a level that would satisfy the Master, who is a hero."
"..."
Why on earth did I bring him here? Why did he follow me so quickly? And what is the title 'master'?
I had a lot to say, but nothing I could say out loud. I looked at Dan with a complex expression and then turned my attention to the shaman.
It was absolutely not a departure from reality. I was just putting it off because I had more important things to do.
"I'm planning to leave right away after completing the preparations. Is that okay?"
"There is no problem. Can I just point out one thing?"
"Just say it first."
"Do you intend to take the lives of not only the leaders but also innocent people? Those who are simply bewitched by the masterminds."
I was about to answer without thinking, but I felt something off and paused for a moment.
'Did I tell you that I was going to the Salvation Church...?'
There was no need to prove anything separately. This person was definitely a shaman. She couldn't know otherwise. Ugh, I got goosebumps all over my body.
I nodded, wiping away my wrinkled arms. I didn't want to lie to someone like this, and even if I did, I'd be found out quickly.
I plan to kill all the ordinary believers of the Salvation Church.
'Can we really say that those who are possessed by the wrong religion are innocent people?'
A shaman might think so, but I don't.
People who are crazy about religion literally don't care about what's going on. Was it for no reason that they are called fanatics?
If the religion they believe in collapses, they will probably go crazy in various directions.
They may try to kill those who destroyed the religion, or they may create a second Salvation Church. Taking one's own life out of frustration would result in reactions that could be considered tame in comparison.
So, it would be better to just kill them all without risking any unpleasant consequences.
Shaman Ran's expression hardened.
"There's no need to shed a lot of blood already."
The tone was subtle.
I thought she would stop me by saying that innocent citizens of the Empire should not be harmed, that life is precious, or that shamans often mention karma, but she said there is no need to shed a lot of blood 'already'.
Doesn't this imply that more blood will be shed in the future?
"...Do you know something?"
"I cannot answer. But this is also for your benefit. Please weed out those who are simply possessed. If you refuse, I will not provide any help to you."
Judging by the expression on her face, it seemed like she wouldn't do it even if a knife was put to her throat.
This way I had no choice.
In the end, I nodded with a deep sigh.
"We need to increase the number of people we can take."
"Thank you for accepting my unreasonable request."
"No, well... By the way, about that..."
As soon as my gaze reached him, a man answered in an extremely polite tone.
"Please feel free to call me Dan."
"Yes, Dan..."
"Can I go with you too?"
"No."
The guy's face fell gloomily. I was dumbfounded again.
Why would you follow me? They say you can't fight. Didn't you hear that I was going to kill people?
"For now... just wait at the mansion. I'll tell Remember, so there shouldn't be any problem."
If a guy who can't fight followed along, it would just a burden.
Of course, it's not for me to say, but... our status is different, right? I have an escort, but he doesn't. Even if I give orders to protect this guy, it is natural that there will be limits.
For example, when me and this guy are in danger at the same time.
No matter what reason I brought this guy, I have no intention of letting him go in vain like that.
So, no.
"It's because I'm a burden."
"..."
I understand.
I closed my mouth. The guy who read the affirmation there lowered his eyes and thought deeply about something.
Then, as if he had decided on something, he raised his head and faced me directly.
"Can you teach me how to use a sword?"
"...Me?"
"I don't dare bother you directly, Master. Just assign someone to teach me basic sword techniques and I will never disappoint you."
He's not asking me to teach him some family's swordsmanship – I don't have any family swordsmanship in the first place – so it's not an unreasonable request.
Do you want to follow me that far?
I'll let him go this time, but I could feel his determination to catch up next time, so I slightly averted my gaze and nodded.
I couldn't refuse him because I can even see his eyes burning passionately.
I feel like I've got a huge stalker, but it's probably just my imagination.
'...However.'
Suddenly, I rolled my eyes at the rising doubt and looked at him again.
One thing that I cannot understand.
Why was I so obediently trusting this guy?
Why, this guy who was so suspicious no matter where you look?
'We should at least have a one-on-one consultation soon.'
I need to find out for sure what his purpose is.
I was busy right now, so we could talk as soon as I got back from work.
With that in mind, I briefly introduced Dan to Remember, who was already there to meet me, and said, "He will be staying here from now on, so please give him a suitable room."
"Alright."
"And aren't there a lot of knights hanging out in the mansion right now?"
"There are so many."
"Good. Tell the appropriate person among them to teach Dan swordsmanship."
"Alright."
This was roughly enough.
"And Sir Lien."
"Yes, my lord."
"How long will it take to recruit at least 10 normal knights from among the idle knights?"
"It won't take that long. If you enjoy a cup of tea and wait, I will finish it within that time."
"Then I will wait."
***
Clink.
I looked down with nervous eyes at the teacup in front of me.
It was that tea again. The one who made me have a hard time going to the bathroom every time I drank it. Damn it. How much was left?
How much did the crown prince send? I wanted to burn it all down, but I couldn't treat what the prince gave me carelessly.
What I was more worried about was Dan.
I just told Lien to post an appropriate teacher, but it was hard.
The only knights hanging out in this mansion were rabid dogs.
'I'd be lucky if they didn't recommend medicine...'
...No, wait a minute. Did I really think they wouldn't recommend it?
Those guys would do it. I jumped up with a thoughtful look on my face.
"Count?"
"...Go right now and tell Remember. When the knights teach Dan, they should only teach swordsmanship."
Don't let them teach useless things.
For example, medicine, drugs, etc..
Those were the kinds of people around me. It was inevitable that there will be more crazy people.
'There are enough crazy people already.'