"She truly was a kind-hearted Vampire Ancestor."
After listening quietly, Akane's brows slightly furrowed, and a gentle pity appeared on her face.
"Yes, Lady Elisabeth was an incredibly gentle vampire."
"From the moment she was born, she never harmed a single human."
"She even lived in peace and harmony with humans in that land, ultimately breaking even her blood-drinking habit."
Mary's eyes held a soft light, her face filled with a reminiscent expression, as if recalling the days she served her master.
"Back then, seeing her struggle daily to suppress her intense blood-drinking urges, and as her subordinate, being unable to do anything about it—that feeling was truly unbearable."
"But Elisabeth knew that since she had made this decision, and the other vampire clans had succeeded in this transformation, she persevered."
"However, this reality was shattered by that ambitious bastard among Lady Elisabeth's subordinates—Crimson!"
At this point, a look of hatred flashed in Mary's eyes, her face filled with disgust and anger.
"It was he who mixed human blood into Elisabeth's food, causing her to go berserk!"
"After Lady Elisabeth sealed herself away, that bastard stole her!"
"It's all my fault—I was useless. I vowed to guard Lady Elisabeth forever, yet in the end, I could only watch that usurper take her!"
By the end, Mary's eyes were filled with regret and resentment.
She looked utterly dejected, having lost the heroic, spirited demeanor she had while hunting vampires.
"Aish..."
After hearing the story, Akane looked at Mary with deep sympathy.
This tale of witnessing one's master being framed, breaking a vow, and then having the master stolen by an enemy—it was undeniably a tragic story.
She gradually understood why Mary, though also a vampire, had joined the ranks of Vampire Hunters.
[Dongfang Huaizhu]: Miss Mary is so pitiful.
[Athena]: This vampire's loyalty to her Master is praiseworthy. Pity her strength is a bit lacking.
[Seitenshi]: That other subordinate of the Vampire Ancestor is truly despicable! To frame his own Master!
[Raiden Ei]: Mary seems like a decent person. And her Master was good too; willing to bear all burdens alone for the peaceful coexistence of two races. What a shame there was a traitor among them.
After hearing the story, the chat group members expressed their opinions.
"That Crimson guy is truly despicable!"
Akane felt indignant on Mary's behalf, clenching her fists with an angry expression.
"So, the vampires in this Lawless City are actually under this Crimson's command?"
Akane then thought about the current situation in the Lawless City. Combining the frequent vampire attacks on humans here, she quickly connected the dots.
Hearing this, Mary gave a slight nod.
"That's likely the case."
"As for the specifics... it's hard for me to gather detailed information."
"After all, the tower they occupy... my strength is insufficient. I can't break in at all."
Mary's tone was somewhat dejected, clearly frustrated by her own perceived weakness.
"But one thing is certain: they want to resurrect Lady Elisabeth."
"Resurrect? Didn't you say your Master sealed herself? Why would she need resurrecting?"
Hearing Mary's words, a look of confusion appeared on Akane's face.
Mary's expression darkened as she explained:
"Actually, 'sealing' means placing Lady Elisabeth in a state of suspended animation."
"After she plunged that specially crafted dagger into her heart, her vital signs ceased."
"Over time, her body, having lost its power, would corrode and turn to dust, leaving only her heart behind."
After hearing Mary's explanation, Akane understood that this so-called "sealing" actually meant the body would eventually be destroyed.
So, to be precise, what those vampires who betrayed the Vampire Ancestor stole from Mary was the Vampire Ancestor's Heart.
"So, what's your answer?"
At this point, seeing that Akane had grasped the situation, Yuki spoke up and asked Mary.
Seeing Yuki didn't seem to be joking, Mary also calmed herself, thinking seriously.
With her strength alone, there was no way she could snatch her master back from those vampires.
So, finding an ally naturally became Mary's best option.
Undoubtedly, Yuki's proposal was very appealing to Mary.
However, having lived for so long, she didn't believe Yuki would help her for free.
There's no such thing as a free lunch—a principle she understood well.
"To be honest, Mr. Yuki, your proposal is very tempting."
"But I don't think you're offering to help me out of pure goodwill, are you?"
"So, what's the condition?"
Sitting up straight, Mary asked Yuki with a serious, solemn expression.
Seeing this, the corners of Yuki's mouth lifted slightly in a light smile.
"While my purpose in coming to this Lawless City was indeed for you and your Master,"
"The conditions I propose are ones you absolutely won't refuse."
Yuki looked at Mary with an air of complete confidence.
Seeing Yuki so assured, Mary couldn't help but feel a slight tremor in her heart.
"My condition is simple: both you and your Master, Elisabeth, will work under me."
Yuki then stated his condition.
Upon hearing it, Mary's expression showed a trace of surprise.
She hadn't expected Yuki to propose such a condition.
But after calming down to think, she genuinely couldn't imagine what they could possibly do working under Yuki.
After all, with Yuki's immense strength, what kind of assistance could they possibly provide?
And leaving herself aside, she personally didn't mind, but Yuki's condition included her Master!
She really couldn't be sure if her Master would agree to such a condition.
If they rescued her, but her Master was unwilling afterward, what then?
Mary's mind raced with these questions.
For the moment, she couldn't give Yuki a definite answer.
Meanwhile, hearing Yuki's words, Akane finally realized the purpose of Yuki's visit to the Lawless City.
"Ah? So Yuki-kun came here mainly for Mary and the others?!"
Akane exclaimed in surprise.
Hearing this, Yuki chuckled and said:
"What else? Akane, you didn't think I came here for fun, did you?"
Yuki looked at Akane teasingly.
Under his gaze, Akane felt intensely ashamed.
Clearly, she had overthought things earlier. Yuki had indeed come here for serious business.
Getting Mary and her Master to work under him was exactly the beginning of forming the Organization (Shadow Garden) in their plan!
At that moment, Akane realized how naive and foolish her earlier thoughts had been.
Seeing the thoroughly embarrassed Akane, Yuki smiled, then turned his attention back to Mary.
Seeing the woman still hesitating, Yuki decided to give her a confidence boost.