Reincarnated As a Vampire [English Version]

Volume 2 Chapter 17

The New Darkness of Zeldead

After Ryuka’s death, the kingdom of Zeldead lost its leader. The empty throne didn’t just shake the palace—it brought chaos to the entire land. Elsewhere, Ryugo—Ryuka’s older brother—was traveling far beyond the kingdom’s borders when he heard the news of his brother’s death. Without delay, he returned home.

Amid the ruins and the gray fog that blanketed the sky, a tall man appeared. He wore pitch-black armor, his silver hair flowing in the wind, and a massive demon sword strapped to his back.

“Tch… What the hell happened here?” he growled, his voice full of fury.

Ryugo’s eyes swept across his homeland, now drenched in acidic rain and darkened by a haze of dust. The endless disaster mirrored the kingdom’s collapse from within. Upon arriving at the palace, Ryuka’s former followers greeted him with mourning faces and told him everything.

Ryugo’s eyes flared with rage.

“I will not let this end like this...!” he roared, his voice echoing through the grand hall.

He stepped into the center of the room and declared boldly:

“Listen well! I, Ryugo, will reclaim the Demon King’s throne. From this day forward, I am your King! And I swear... I will avenge my brother’s death with my own hands!”

The soldiers erupted in cheers.

“Long live Lord Ryugo!!”

A woman in a black uniform stepped forward before the new King, bowing deeply.

“Lord Ryugo... I, Zera, have a plan.”

“Speak quickly!” Ryugo snapped.

Zera smirked, her eyes glowing with deceit.

“Very well... Listen closely.”

---

Scene transition.

This morning, I visited the dungeon in my castle, where two important prisoners were being held—Alden and Zen.

“You’re awake?” I asked as I peered through the bars.

Alden glared at me in anger. “Let me out, Avrora! Coward! If you're going to torture me, just kill me already!”

“Yeah! Just kill us!” Zen added with equal intensity.

I sighed and shot them a cold look. “If I wanted to, you’d both have been dead a long time ago.”

They fell silent, and I continued.

“You’re both fools. Ryuka used you. If I hadn’t destroyed the magic crystals planted in your bodies, you’d have become nothing more than soulless puppets.”

I fixed my gaze on Alden.

“Is it because I killed your brother, Alden? Is that why you hate me?”

Alden looked down, his expression clouded.

I went on.

“I’m sorry... But I had no choice. Your noble family was the root of suffering for monsters and my kingdom. If I let them live, they would’ve given rise to more rebels—more bloodshed. I only ended the cycle.”

Alden clenched his jaw. “But why... Why were you so cruel?”

I paused, then replied in a quiet yet sharp tone.

“I wasn’t cruel. You were the ones who abandoned me. When I was captured, you stayed silent. When my mother was dying, you did nothing. You claimed to stand for justice, Alden... So where was your justice then?”

There was no reply.

“You don’t understand the truth of this world. Humans and monsters should be able to coexist. But all you’ve done is conquer and destroy. I’m just protecting the southern lands—and the only way is by breaking the chains of hatred.”

Alden and Zen both hung their heads.

“I’m leaving. Think about what I said. I’ll come back tomorrow. And one more thing... Don’t think I haven’t suffered. I’m human too... and it hurts having to fight my own friends.”

I turned and walked away.

Moments after I left, the two young men began to reflect.

“…She’s right,” Alden murmured. “I wasn’t a good friend. I was a fool.”

Zen stared at the cell ceiling with a bitter smile. “Me too... I even liked Avrora, and yet I betrayed her. I deserve her hatred.”

---

The next day, I returned.

“You’re free now,” I said as I opened the cell door. “If you still want to kill me, go ahead. I won’t run.”

Alden looked at me, but this time his eyes had changed.

“I’m sorry, Avrora... My heart was filled with vengeance. But now I understand... I want us to be friends again, like we used to be.”

Zen bowed deeply.

“I’m sorry too... I was too stupid to realize what truly mattered.”

I smiled, unable to hold back my tears.

“You look cute when you cry,” Zen teased.

“Gross!” I snapped.

“Pfft! He’s right, hahaha!” Alden laughed along.

For the first time in ages... the three of us laughed together like old times.

But that happiness didn’t last long. My guard, Valac, suddenly burst into the room, breathing heavily.

“Lady Avrora! A message from the Kingdom of Zeldead!”

I quickly opened the scroll he brought.

> "I, Ryugo, the new Demon King of Zeldead, do not accept the death of my brother, Ryuka, and I demand retribution. Tomorrow, come to my kingdom... or your friend, Liza, will die. She is already our prisoner."

My fists clenched.

“Bastard... How dare they…”

Alden looked at me, confused. “What’s going on?”

I turned to them, eyes blazing.

“Liza… They’re holding Liza hostage.”

“What?!” Zen gasped. “That’s unforgivable!”

“We have to save her!” Alden shouted.

I nodded firmly. “We will save her. I’m holding a strategy meeting tonight to plan the attack.”

To be continued...