Dean, already prepping the boat, called over to us.
"Alright, we should set sail now before the weather changes! The trip might take a while, but I'll handle things—so you two can rest up along the way!"
I nodded, stepping onto the boat.
This is it. The day I finally leave this town.
The day I chase the truth behind my past…
The day I begin stopping the future from repeating the same nightmare.
Whatever I've forgotten—whoever I used to be—I need to remember.
Because somewhere in those memories… is the key to saving the world.
────୨ৎ────
We arrived late at night. Nocturnis Veil was a dark, gloomy, and cold place. Scary at most.
Dean waved us goodbye and disappeared with his boat.
As we wandered through the shadowy town, a vampire woman in a robe suddenly stumbled right in front of us.
"A-ack…"
"Are you… okay?" I asked, reaching out a hand.
She took it—her touch cold but gentle—and nodded quickly, clearly flustered.
"Y-yes… I was supposed to make a good first impression…" she muttered under her breath.
"Pardon?"
"Ah—never mind! I'm Liandra. I'm a native here… Humans don't usually come to Nocturnis Veil, so I assume you're a visitor? Or perhaps… a traveler?"
"Yes, I am. Do you know anywhere we can stay?"
She hesitated, fidgeting with the sleeves of her robe. Then, in a soft voice, she said,
"You know this place isn't safe for humans… I'd suggest staying at my place. You can't really trust anyone here. Ah—though, I did notice your companion there is a vampire…"
Ciel was half-asleep, still nibbling the last corner of his chocolate. He didn't react.
I glanced at her, then at the empty, dim-lit street. She didn't seem dangerous… but something about this place made my skin crawl.
Still, I nodded.
"If it's not an inconvenience, we'd appreciate it."
She offered a shy smile, then turned to lead us through the foggy streets.
Liandra's house wasn't small, but it wasn't extravagant either — just enough space for someone living alone.
She showed us to a spare room, then quickly excused herself, saying she had some business to attend to.
I gently laid the sleeping Ciel onto the bed and let out a long breath.
"This is going well so far," I murmured.
"Though… I missed my chance to ask Liandra about the blond man. I'll try asking around tomorrow."
I glanced over at Ciel, his cheek smudged with melted chocolate. With a small sigh, I wiped it away.
'He really sleeps like a log…'
I leaned back in my seat and stared at the ceiling.
Nocturnis Veil. The place from my visions. The place where it all burned down.
If I'm going to stop that disaster from happening again, it starts here.
Even if the truth hurts—I'll find it.
—
While I was deep in my slumber, something started nibbling at my feet—followed by a panicked voice shouting:
"Get off Master!!" Ciel snapped, shoving Liandra's face away from me.
"Mmph! I can't!" she mumbled, trying to worm her way in deeper—until I reflexively kicked her off the bed.
"H-Hey!" I bolted upright, stunned.
—
Everything froze for a second. Then Liandra sat up on the floor, kneeling with a remorseful look.
"I'm so sorry," she muttered, eyes downcast. "I was… tempted…"
"Um… you can get up now—"
"No! She should stay there until she reflects on her actions!" Ciel barked, arms crossed.
Liandra's head drooped lower in shame.
"I swear I brought you both here with no ill intent," she said quickly.
"But your Master's blood—it smells different! How can you, a vampire, even sit next to him without going feral?!"
Ciel flinched. So did I.
"Maybe you're just pent up," Ciel grumbled. "But Master is not food!"
Liandra shook her head again and again.
"I'm serious! I've never had trouble holding back before!"
I sighed. Is it because I'm not fully human…?
"I'm not here to be someone's snack," I muttered. "But you can make it up to me by answering a few questions."
Her ears perked up, her eyes sparkling.
"Y-Yes! I'll do my best to help, white-hair's master!"
I'm not even his master by choice…
"The disaster that happened years ago—do you know who caused it?"
Liandra blinked. Tilted her head. So did Ciel.
"Disaster…?"
She thought about it for a while before shaking her head.
"I have no idea what you're talking about…"
I frowned in dissapointment.
"Ah… is that so…"
"Sorry! You should try asking the others around town…" She apologised, bowing her head slightly.
Ciel and I looked at eachother before heading out in the afternoon.