Among them, one caught my attention.  

[Ability – Charm]  

“Are you trying to manipulate me with that ‘Charm’ as well?”  

“Hmm? So, you’re aware of my ability. Well, that’s natural for the leader of the Paladins…”  

What’s this ‘Paladin’ now?  

“Don’t worry. Even I don’t have the power to control someone as strong as you.”  

“….”  

“Since you’ve come here, neither you nor I can leave until one of us dies. So, let’s just talk for a bit – is that so hard to believe?”  

Is this just a delaying tactic?  

Come to think of it, this creature was under the impression that the soldiers outside were being hunted by vampires.  

‘But there’s a higher chance the opposite is true. Stalling for time would actually benefit me as well.’  

I sighed and sat down in a chair.  

This is the first communicative monster I’ve encountered.  

There was something I was curious about anyway.  

“What are you exactly?”  

“What do you mean? Are you curious about my species?”  

“You’re clearly not a being from Earth. Why have you invaded our world?”  

“Ah, that’s what you meant.”  

She shrugged her shoulders.  

“I don’t know.”  

A light, candid response.  

This gurl…  

“It was you who wanted to have a conversation.”  

“I’m being completely honest. I don’t know why I’m here either.”  

“…?”  

It doesn’t seem like she’s lying.  

She speaks with a rather serious expression.  

“If my memory serves me right, I was sealed in a coffin.”  

“Sealed…?”  

“It’s a vile ritual of the holy knights, condemning one to an eternal imprisonment in a coffin. An impossible-to-break curse, no less than a death sentence. The zealous methods of those who see death as a mercy, even for their enemies.”  

She frowned as she spoke.  

Seemingly unaware of the reason herself.  

“But at some point, I regained consciousness to find the seal gone. When I came to, I was in this cave, along with the coffin whose sealing power had vanished. And there’s some sort of strange command implanted in my mind.”  

“So, you didn’t invade intentionally?”  

“Invade? I didn’t even know this world existed. That’s a ridiculous notion.”  

I know the monsters come from another realm.  

But if they didn’t invade intentionally, then what?  

“Then why do you attack humans?”  

“Why, you ask…? That’s a strange question.”  

She responds with bewilderment, as if it’s obvious.  

“To survive.”  

“…?”  

“I suddenly found myself in an entirely unknown world, without any means to protect myself. Not knowing when I might die, and with this strange command in my head… I had no choice but to resist.”  

To survive, huh.  

That’s the same as us.  

“I am a night noble. The more blood I consume, the more servants I can command, and the stronger I become.”  

“….”  

“By gaining that strength, I won’t have to fear being hunted someday.”  

In a small voice, looking down at her own hands, the Queen speaks.  

“This vexing obsession will also…”  

While I’m taken aback by this unexpected reason,  

“I believe I’ve answered your question sufficiently. Now it’s my turn, isn’t it?”  

“No, about that ‘obsession’ you mentioned…”  

“Now, now. It’s my turn to ask.”  

I had more questions, but she has posed a question to me now.  

“Won’t you become one of my servants?”  

It’s not exactly a question but more of an offer.  

“It’s not as bad as you might think. Just look at my subordinates. They were once the weak, destined to be hunted by other monsters. But by becoming my servants, they have instead become the hunters.”  

“I doubt those people wanted that.”  

“You’re the first to inquire about their intentions. However, one thing is certain – if they hadn’t become my servants, most of them would be corpses by now.”  

She speaks with a sense of righteousness even crossing her arms.  

“I saved their lives, in other words. From your perspective, I’ve saved hundreds of lives.”  

“….”  

“You said you’re the finest warrior. If you became my servant, you could gain even greater power than you have now. I had a favorite servant before, but they’ve lost my trust.”  

Then the Queen gazes intently at my face.  

“You’re not bad-looking, and your skills are outstanding. I’ll give that spot to you.”  

Gesturing for me to take her hand.  

The Queen extends her hand to me.  

“Let’s build a kingdom for the night nobles in this land. I shall be the Queen, and you will be the grand duke of that kingdom. I swear it on my name.”  

Looking at her hand, I responded.  

‘A kingdom for the night nobles.’  

At those words,  

I looked around and asked,  

“Then, is this fortress the citadel of your kind?”  

“…Hm?”  

“Even with such a mighty fortress, you were sealed. Those holy knights must have been quite formidable.”  

It was a really simple, thoughtless question.  

I was just curious about the nature of this imposing fortress.  

“Fortress?”  

But,  

“What do you mean by ‘fortress’…?”  

The Queen, who had been exuding an air of nonchalance had her expression suddenly distorted at my single question.  

‘…Huh?’  

Wondering what could be the matter, I kept watching her.  

It’s as if she’s only now noticed the surroundings.  

“Wh-What is this? Since when…?”  

Her eyes widened greatly.  

“This scale… it surpasses even the stronghold of our progenitor. Why on earth is something like this here?!”  

With a disbelieving manner,  

The vampire Queen looked around.  

“You, explain this immediately!”  

“Explain what…?”  

“Don’t play dumb with me!”  

She points her finger at me, her gaze filled with shock.  

“What is this fortress?!”