Our carriage rolled into Sagrea Town, the nearest town to my estate. Cobblestone streets hummed with life as vendors hawked their goods, children chased each other with laughter, and townsfolk bustled between shops with armfuls of wares.
From the window, I observed it all—magic shops lined with glittering trinkets, rows of armor displayed like trophies, swordsmiths sharpening blades by hand, and then—
An Adventurers' Guild?
That surprised me.
"Adventurers?" I murmured. "Tania, are there monsters in our territory?"
She turned slightly, hands folded on her lap as she answered, "No, my lady. There are no monsters here… only natural beasts."
"Natural beasts?" I tilted my head, intrigued.
"Yes," she clarified gently. "Creatures like bears, wolves, tigers, and sometimes wild boars. They appear near the forested areas and farmlands."
"So the adventurers hunt them?" I pressed further.
"Yes, depending on the quests they're given. Some help with pest control, others escort travelers or guard caravans."
I narrowed my eyes thoughtfully.
So, no dragons or goblins? No manticores or hydras lurking in the shadows? This world seemed oddly grounded—at least, aside from vampires and werewolves.
"How about vampires and werewolves?" I asked, lowering my voice slightly. "Who hunts them?"
"There are specialized warriors called Hunter Mages," Tania replied with a hint of tension. "They're trained to deal with supernatural threats… but they don't work for free. Villagers and townsfolk must hire them themselves."
Hunter Mages... So magic does exist here.
But then, a question hit me.
I frowned slightly. "Tania… I don't recall ever casting any magic. Does that mean I can't use any?"
She blinked at me. "My lady… did you forget?" she asked gently, tilting her head with concern. "Vampires don't have mana. That's common knowledge."
That answer struck me like a cold wind.
No mana?
"Don't worry," she added quickly, perhaps sensing the shift in my expression. "Even without magic, you could defeat ten Hunter Mages without breaking a sweat—maybe more."
That was reassuring, in a way. Vampires, especially Daywalkers like myself, were blessed with incredible speed, strength, and endurance. But Hunter Mages... clever and dangerous... were not to be underestimated. A magic user with the mind of a strategist could be fatal, even to me.
Best not to take chances.
I opened the carriage window and called out to one of my personal guards on horseback. "Tell the coachman to head for the weapon shop," I ordered.
Without hesitation, the guard nodded and rode ahead to inform the coachman.
---
Before long, the carriage pulled up in front of Garrick's Armory, one of the larger weapon shops in town. I stepped down gracefully, my heels clicking softly against the stone. Inside, the scent of oiled steel and ash lingered in the air.
I browsed through rows of broadswords, maces, halberds, and even curved sabers—but none of them felt right. I wasn't looking for brute force.
I wanted something elegant. Precise.
Something like a katana.
I approached the shopkeeper and requested a meeting with the blacksmith. By luck—or perhaps fate—he happened to be in the back workshop.
With paper and ink, I drew a rough diagram of a katana from memory, carefully explaining the forging method: curved blade, differential hardening, folded steel. The blacksmith, a stout man with burn-scarred arms and a thoughtful gaze, listened intently.
"It's unlike anything I've made before," he admitted, "but I'd love to try."
I paid him in advance and arranged for the blade to be delivered to my estate when finished.
---
Our next stop was a tailor's boutique specializing in women's clothing. There, I ordered a custom battle outfit—a blend of function and style, something durable yet elegant enough for a noble. The tailor was thrilled by the challenge.
After that, we visited a magic shop. I needed to confirm something for myself.
I purchased a basic spellbook and a small enchanted dagger imbued with wind magic—designed to slice through the air with unnatural speed once activated by mana.
I wasn't optimistic, but I had to be sure.
---
Later that evening, back at the estate, I stood in my private study and opened the spellbook. I attempted the simplest incantation—one meant to conjure a breeze.
Nothing.
I repeated it twice more. Still nothing.
I sighed, then picked up the enchanted dagger and whispered the activation phrase etched on its hilt.
Still nothing.
It required mana… something I would never have.
"Damn it," I muttered under my breath.
Well, so be it. I may not have magic, but I had speed, strength, agility, and—above all—knowledge. I had an entire lifetime's worth of modern understanding that no one in this world could possibly match.
I poured myself a glass of blood-wine and sat by the window, watching the sun melt into the horizon.
Then, a wild idea flickered through my mind.
What if I created a gun?
From Ella's inherited memories, I knew gunpowder existed in this world—though primitive, and used mostly in fireworks and mining.
A grin crept onto my face.
Would anyone here know how to stop a bullet?
Highly unlikely.
I chuckled to myself, unable to resist the excitement.
Tania entered, her brows furrowing at the sight of my grin. "Is something amusing, my lady?"
I waved her off playfully, still smiling. "Oh, nothing important. Just... inspiration."