Suddenly, the street darkened. The visibility hadn’t been great to begin with, but now, a thick fog rolled in, making it difficult to see even ten meters ahead.


    However, the people in the marketce continued about their daily routines as if nothing had changed. They were ustomed to this mist. They didn’t fear it, nor did they believe that anything lurking within it would bring them harm.


    And then, something emerged from the serene fog.


    Bringing the mist with him, dimir the Crimson Duke bowed his head slightly as he approached.


    “Progenitor, I beg your pardon.”


    “What is it, dimir?”


    I told you not to interfere while I was out with Hughes.


    Tyrkanzyaka’s tone held a trace of displeasure. But only for a moment.


    dimir extended a pouch brimming with coins and a red-tipped pen toward her.


    “Some things have changed while you were resting. I will exin in detailter, but for now, please use this instead of gold coins.”


    “What is this?”


    “This is the newly issued currency—Bloodbound Coins. A fusion of the Four Kingdoms’ alchemical coins and blood.”


    Even though the coins were still inside the pouch, Tyrkanzyaka instantly discerned their quantity andposition using her bloodcraft.


    She also instinctively grasped their value.


    A currency that could only be created and utilized by vampires.


    To a vampire proficient in bloodcraft, the traces of blood within the coins would feel like an extension of their own body.


    Tch. That meant I couldn’t even pickpocket a vampire around here.


    As I clicked my tongue at this annoying advancement in technology, dimir produced another item.


    “This is a Bloodink Pen, given only to those of high status. Should you grow thirsty or require anything, simply write with this. Whatever is written in its ink shall be fulfilled to the best of the recipient’s ability—be they human or vampire.”


    dimir seemed well aware of how out of touch Tyrkanzyaka was after her long slumber.


    His provisions were far too useful for her to turn down out of pride.


    Tyr epted both the coins and the pen, replying curtly.


    “You have done well.”


    “It is simply my duty. I hope you enjoy your rare outing.”


    With those final words, dimir melted into the darkness, vanishing instantly.


    Tyrkanzyaka watched the direction he disappeared with a hint of dissatisfaction.


    My control over blood has weakened—I didn’t even sense dimir’s approach. Having my heart restored is proving to be an inconvenience at times. Though I warned him firmly, dimir would not be watching me from the shadows…


    Before reiming her heart, Tyrkanzyaka’s dominion extended across the entire Abyss.


    Now, however, she could only sense the blood within close proximity.


    Even the fact that their currency contained blood—she had only realized it just now.


    She had regained control over her own body, but in doing so, she had lost her influence beyond it.


    One thing gained, another lost.


    Like any ordinary human, Tyrkanzyaka momentarilymented the power she had forfeited.@@novelbin@@


    But that wasn’t important right now.


    I took Tyr’s hand, and she flinched at the sudden contact.


    With our hands pressed together, I could feel the movement of her blood.


    And so could she.


    Tyr felt it even more vividly, cherishing its flow precisely because it was now limited.


    “Well, now that our pockets are full, shall we go? Time to indulge in some luxury—on someone else’s dime.”


    Tyrkanzyaka hesitated before responding.


    “…Am I ‘someone else’ to you?”


    “In this world, anyone who isn’t me is someone else. The type of ‘someone else’ is what matters.”


    “And what type am I?”


    Though she had lost some things, Tyr had also gained something far more precious.


    Emotion.


    A longing for genuine, uncontroble emotions—and now, little by little, that wish was being fulfilled.


    “The ‘someone else’ who shares my heart.”


    “…Indeed.”


    “Now, shall we go? Let’s teach that vendor an important lesson—never judge people based on their wealth.”


    “I am unsure if that qualifies as a lesson.”


    The fog had begun to clear, revealing the bustling street once more.


    Still holding Tyrkanzyaka’s hand, I led the way back to the food stall.


    The vendor was back to calling for customers,pletely unaware of what wasing.


    This time, I straightened my posture, casting aside any sign of meekness.


    As soon as the vendor spotted me, his expression darkened.


    “That beggar again? What, did you actually—Hhngh! That’s… Bloodbound Coins…!”


    How pathetic.


    The instant he saw money, his attitudepletely flipped.


    I leveled a cold gaze at him and spoke.


    “Enough talk. The food.”


    “O-Of course! How many servings would you like?”


    “Two.”


    “Ah, but wait! Your change—”


    “Keep it. Consider it a reminder to never look down on someone just because they seem poor.”


    As I tossed a Bloodbound Coin onto his stall, the vendor’s legs gave out, and he copsed onto his knees.


    I didn’t gloat or act arrogant—I simply retrieved the tes and turned away, leaving behind the coin.


    Somewhere in the distance, I swore I could hear the cry of an eagle soaring through the sky.


    I returned to Tyrkanzyaka, holding out one of the tes.


    “Here. Have some, Tyr.”


    “You may carry both. I have no need for food.”


    “No, hold it for me. I’m going to eat both, but I need one hand free.”


    I practically shoved the te into her hands, and she epted it with a slightly disgruntled look.


    Then, using my free hand, I began devouring my portion.


    The warm, juicy meat melted in my mouth, the sauce bursting with vor.


    I found myself caught in conflict—part of me wanted to savor the taste for as long as possible, while another part wanted to swallow it immediately, to make it a part of me as quickly as possible.


    I opted to chew thoroughly, considering my physical state.


    Humans were meant to consume flesh—and my body reveled in that primal truth.


    I could feel my wounds being patched with the same flesh I consumed.


    Even the salty sauce heightened my satisfaction.


    The sensation of absorbing the blood and flesh of another living being—there was no pleasure quite like it.


    The fact that this much meat was avable to everyone here…


    Maybe the Mist Duchy wasn’t such a bad ce after all?


    I had been too busy enjoying my food to speak, and Tyrkanzyaka, watching me, grumbled in discontent.


    “Maintain some dignity. Who eats so ravenously while walking through a market?”


    “Ordinary people do it all the time. If we’re traveling in disguise, I should act like them.”


    “Of all the behaviors to mimic, must you choose the least refined ones? How can I proudly call you my esteemed guest when you behave with such ack of decorum? Those who receive noble treatment should at least disy conduct befitting of it…”


    Tyrkanzyaka’s words grew increasingly drawn-out, her discontent clear.


    I had already finished my te and was about to toss it away, but something about discarding it just felt wrong.


    Instead, I turned it into a card and stuffed it into my pocket.


    Tyr, seeing this, scolded me again.


    “You put a dirty, food-stained object in your pocket? Your clothes will be soaked in grease when we return.”


    “I handled it fine. Where else was I supposed to throw it?”


    “You could have left it by the roadside. Someone would have cleaned it up.”


    Still grumbling, Tyrkanzyaka handed me the remaining te.


    But now that I had already eaten one serving, I found myself reluctant to start on another.


    Eating on an empty stomach had left a slight ache, making me hesitate.


    Damn. What should I do?


    If Azzy were here, I could have just given it to her…


    Ah. That would do.


    “Eating alone feels awkward. Tyr, want some?”


    “…Are you just pushing it on me because you can’t eat anymore?”


    “Come on, of course not. People share the truly delicious things, don’t they? I just wanted to share this joy with you.”


    “Joy or not, I cannot taste.”


    But… to share a meal is to sharepanionship. Even if my body does not require it, perhaps I should at least go through the motions.


    It wasmonly believed that vampires could not eat.


    That wasn’t entirely true.


    Vampires had teeth and throats, so they could mechanically chew and swallow food.


    However, food did not integrate with their bodies—it only tainted their blood.


    That was why vampires avoided eating unless necessary.


    Still, it wasn’t impossible.


    Tyrkanzyaka sighed.


    “They say even the taste of alcohol changes depending on who serves it. Let us see if what you offer is any different.”


    “Hold on. Giving it with my bare hands would be crude, so let me use a card—”


    “No need. Give it to me directly.”


    I hesitated for a moment, staring at her.


    Tyrkanzyaka quickly added a condition.


    “I shall require a safety measure. If it tastes unpleasant, I shall bite your finger instead and take your blood.”


    “You said my blood tastes bad.”


    “Better bad blood than whatever this may be.”


    I didn’t want to lose more blood.


    Fine.


    I’d make this worthwhile.


    Tyr opened her lips slightly, as if preserving her dignity even now.


    It was almostical how she insisted on keeping her poise.


    Obliging her request, I carefully rolled up a piece of meat and ced it against her lips.


    She could not taste.


    The only thing she would feel was the dull pressure on her tongue.


    A sensation—nothing more than the knowledge that something was there.


    That was all Tyrkanzyaka was permitted to experience.


    For now.


    “Alright. Be delicious. Be delicious.”


    “…?!”


    A thin thread of lightning coursed along my fingertips.


    Its strength was barely worth mentioning, insignificant in terms of power.


    But it was delicate, refined—just enough to tickle.


    So, I tickled her.


    I forced the long-dead nerves in her body to react, using the power of the devil I had encountered.


    “Ugh…!”


    T-Ticklish…? I can feel… ticklish? Me?


    It worked.


    I had already made her heart beat—this was simply taking it a step further.


    The lightning threads crawled through her dead nerves, too weak to cause any harm.


    Instead, they spread out like a web, then converged on a single point—her brain’s perception of taste.


    I forced it into her.


    Tyrkanzyaka tasted.


    For the first time in centuries, she regained a lost sense.


    “How does it taste? I imagine you should be able to feel it now.”


    “H-Hughes…!”


    Tyrkanzyaka squirmed, writhing at the ticklish sensation.


    A sense she had long abandoned—one she had barely used before throwing away—had returned, overwhelming her.


    It was only a brief moment, merely a spark, but that fleeting human sensation was enough to send her into turmoil.


    She could taste.


    Not as blood—but as vor.


    She couldn’t pull away.


    She felt like a child reliving a distant memory—one that was both embarrassing and precious, something she never wanted to lose again.


    Tyrkanzyaka’s instincts kicked in.


    She tried to chew, to fully embrace the vor.


    But I wasn’t about to let her sink her fangs into me.


    I pulled my fingers away quickly, severing the lightning thread that had been stimting her sense of taste.


    The vor faded instantly.


    Tyrkanzyaka’s eyes widened.


    She quickly covered her mouth, looking up at me in shock, her expression resembling that of someone who had just been kissed without warning.


    “Hughes… This…?”


    “A devil’s power. Something I picked up in udia. I didn’t expect it to work this well, though.”


    “You… are…”


    Tyrkanzyaka, still bewildered, btedly nced around.


    The passersby had stopped walking.


    Many were staring at us.


    Some were merely curious, but those with sharp eyes were eyeing her warily.


    Vampires, whether admired or feared, always carried an aura about them.


    And Tyrkanzyaka, being one of a kind, was even more noticeable.


    “…We must leave. Now.”


    “Huh? But I’m not done eating.”


    “You can finish it elsewhere—just move!”


    We weren’t exactly in danger, but Tyrkanzyaka panicked, wrapped herself in shadows, and dragged me along before I could protest.