Burning Embers Part I: Origins [Arc 1-5]

Arc 5 Chapter 5

"So, you sure you have a plan?"

"A plan?"

"I mean, you've been going out for three days in a row now. I assume it was to meet the vampire-hunter so you could discuss a plan."

"Oh heavens no. I was just presenting evidence to him to convince him."

"Convince him?"

"Vampire-hunters are very careful before proceeding. We get a lot of fake cases, so we require evidence before we can act." Vikalex chimed into Zero and Alelund's conversation.

"Oi Nat, let's abort the mission," Andrea mused.

"Roger that."

"Wait just a moment! Have you not been paid for this?!" Alelund was suddenly very flustered.

"Were we? I'm sure it was payment on completion~" Andrea helpfully reminded.

"Besides, the job was to investigate, not to fight." Nat didn't shy away from expressing the truth either.

They had yet to leave the warehouse, though it seemed that Alelund and Vikalex were both ready to go. Despite a vampire's powers being greater at night, they did not want to wait till the day when they'd be more easily spotted. Fighting a vampire though? All jokes aside, Nat wasn't so sure about it.

Vampires had superhuman strength, speed, endurance and most importantly, constantly regenerated. Physical weapons could slow but not kill them permanently. In other words, without Luuk with them, the entire guild would probably be defeated by a single vampire. Except Finrod; he could probably just freeze it forever.

Apparently it was part of Alelund's plan to lure them here and recruit them for this mission. He seemed rather keen for someone about to commit patricide. That said, both patricide and fratricide were common among nobility, though less so in the earlier ages. Terrasia truly followed "the strong rule" policy, willing to overlook such blatant crimes as long as the administration remained strong.

Right now, of course, Alelund had just cause. His father was a vampire and a traitor, either of which would mean he was an enemy of the state. Not only would he succeed him successfully, he would also be celebrated as a hero. Is that what he's after? Nat couldn't really believe a guy like him could have actual noble intentions.

"So, is there a plan or not?" Zero inquired again.

"Oi, wait a minute! We haven't agreed to this!" Andrea protested.

Zero grunted, signalling the two to follow him. "Excuse us, but we have some deliberation to do."

The moment they were out of earshot, Andrea immediately continued from where she left off, "Why're you agreeing so easily? We can't possibly risk our necks for that guy can we?"

"I agree with her. A vampire is well beyond all of us combined." Nat spoke with unusual confidence.

"You both make good points, but it really is insignificant right now. Our job wasn't just to investigate. It was to investigate, and if possible, to subdue."

"Subdue?" 

"Subdue. And now we have an opportunity; we have a vampire hunter and all three of us are decent fighters at the least."

Nat squirmed as Zero put extra emphasis on 'least'.

"We will likely not have to fight the vampire himself. We probably just have to keep Vikalex' cover as he purifies the guy," Zero explained.

Andrea scratched her chin, deep in thought. "I still feel uneasy about helping an El Navia."

"What do you have against them anyway?"