The Bloody Valkyrie

They cleaved through the narrow trail laden with sharp branches. Despite this, not a single scratch or blemish could be seen on either of their dresses. Even while wearing high heels, the two vampires moved with unreal speed.

The one in front was carefully carrying Shalltear, while the one bringing up the rear was dragging what seemed to be a shriveled, old log.

Their current location wasn’t that far from where they parted with Sebas. Although they had no way of measuring the distance to their destination, they knew they still had ways to go. Suddenly, a sharp, metallic noise broke out, and the vampire in the front came to a halt.

Because the trail was so narrow, the one following from behind had no choice but to stop as well.

“Why have you suddenly stopped?”

As she was about to answer the voice behind her, a chilling gaze from her mistress she was carrying in her arms washed over the vampire that caused her body to tremble.

The sense of danger crawling up her spine was because she knew her master was neither kind nor forgiving.

Her master, Shalltear, who was now cradled in her arms like a princess, shifted her feet in displeasure.

Sensing the cue, the vampire lowered her arms.

Shalltear jumped, like a bird flying out of its cage. After a brief respite in the air, a delicate pair of legs in high heels landed on the earth. Her dress followed suit and gently flowed over her legs, hiding them from view.

Shalltear brushed aside her long silvery hair in irritation, and tilted her head. Under her icy glare, the vampire couldn’t help but gulp in fear.

“What is the problem?”

The reason Shalltear didn’t run herself was simply because it was bothersome, and because she didn’t want to get her shoes dirty. There was another reason, but no one present would even think it, much less speak it out loud. Even in Nazarick, there was only a handful who would dare say it in her presence.

As her servant, the vampire was acting as her feet, and forbidden to stop unless instructed otherwise by Shalltear herself. Feet that didn’t listen to its owner were useless.

Depending on the reason, she might receive severe punishment.

No, it would be a relief if it only went that far. The vampire could detect killing intent in her master’s question.

Excluding those created directly by the Supreme Rulers of the Great Underground Tomb of Nazarick, the power over life and death over the other minions is held by the Floor Guardians and Area Guardians. To further incur Shalltear’s displeasure past this point would mean certain death.

Realizing that her next words might be her last, the vampire slowly opened her mouth to beg for forgiveness:

“Please forgive me. I stepped on a bear trap.”

Shalltear shifted her gaze to the vampire’s foot and saw that it was indeed caught by a reinforced steel trap.

Rather than humans, the trap was meant for wild animals like bears. If a human were to get caught in it, even if he was wearing greaves, the trap would have fractured the bone. However, a vampire was completely different from a normal human in every aspect.

Although the trap was snapped firmly around her ankles, rather than a fracture, the vampire didn’t even seem to be in pain. In fact, she didn’t even seem to consider it an injury.

A vampire’s natural defenses allowed them to brush off most conventional physical attacks. In order to get around this, one would need to use a magic weapon forged with silver or similar metals. Needless to say, an ordinary bear trap wouldn’t even be able to deal any damage to a vampire, much less leave an actual wound. As soon as the snare was ripped open, the holes in the skin left by its teeth would heal immediately.

However, even when the trap itself did no damage, it was showing its effectiveness as a tool to ensnare its victims. In the first place, the lack of poison made it obvious that the trap wasn’t meant to be fatal. Rather, its purpose was to create a casualty and hinder the opponent’s movements.

“Hurry and free yourself.”

“Yes! Understood!”

Having received Shalltear’s order, the vampire grabbed both sides of the trap with her slender hands and pulled. Unable to withstand the strength exceeding that of a bear, the trap opened its jaws and released its prey.

A beauty prying open a bear trap. For those who don’t know the strength of a vampire, it would have been a surreal scene.

“Seeing as how there’s a trap here, we may not be that far from the scheduled place. Just a bit farther, I believe.”

“Yes. Please give me a moment.”

The vampire in the back flung what she was carrying to the ground.

The object appeared to be a mummified corpse of a human, bled of all its moisture. But they would have never bothered to carry along a simple, ordinary corpse. Sure enough, the body that was sprawled on the ground showed signs of life and began to move.

At the tip of its hands were sharp claws. A red light, much like those belonging to a vampire, burned in its empty eye sockets. Razor sharp canines sprouted from between its slightly parted mouth.