“This fortress is… well, what is it really?”  

It was just a simple question, but the Queen’s reaction seemed strange.  

Looking at her reaction, I realized one thing.  

[Shadow Veil]  

[Freshness – Excellent]  

[A personal space that only the nobles of the night can freely traverse]    

[It is a world that exists within the realm of imagination, detached from reality]  

[As a space without a distinct physical form, it directly reflects the imaginations of its inhabitants.]  

This place is the [Shadow Veil] where only the Aristocrats of the Night can freely come and go.  

‘But it was said that this place is the embodiment of the imaginary world of its inhabitants.’  

There was nothing to specifically indicate it was the imaginary world of vampires.  

I’m not sure, but…  

‘This fortress…’  

Something is happening here that even the Queen herself cannot comprehend.  

In other words,  

‘This is not the Queen’s domain!’  

I had already given up on trying to survive, but realizing this,  

I suddenly felt a surge of energy.  

‘Normally, I would have no chance of surviving.’  

No matter how skilled of a chef I am, I’m no match for the seasoned warriors in our troop in direct combat.  

For a weakling like me to face off against a boss monster, let alone in an environment more familiar to the enemy, it’s simply unthinkable.  

At best, I could only try to buy time and hope the other soldiers come to rescue me,  

but even that possibility is slim.  

However, the situation has changed a bit now.  

‘A variable!’  

For some reason, this fortress is also an unknown space to her.  

‘If I can just utilize this properly, I might be able to survive after all.’  

While internally pondering how to best take advantage of the current situation,  

I asked as casually as possible:  

“Even so, wasn’t it you who invited me here? What’s the problem?”  

“Hah, are you going to play dumb!?”  

She must have been furious seeing the scenery of the fortress.  

Her hair levitated in the air.  

“The Shadow Veil is my imaginary world… Normally, this place should have been a sea of crimson waves.”  

However, the moment I arrived in this world, the first thing I saw was this fortress.  

She was describing a landscape entirely different from what I had witnessed.  

“The only thing that was familiar to me was my personal bed placed in the center of it all. That was the scenery up until just a moment ago!”  

“And then?”  

“The moment you mentioned this fortress, the landscape changed!”  

Ah, I see.  

When I described the scenery, I was seeing to her that’s when our visions aligned.  

“It’s obvious that you’re the one behind this. Don’t try to play dumb.”  

Step.  

The enraged Queen took a step forward.  

“I was even willing to grant you the privilege to join me. How dare you defile my world!”  

This attitude was completely different from her earlier attempts to persuade me to become a duke or a minister.  

It seems defiling her world is an unforgivable offense to her.  

Her fury appears to be genuine.  

‘Negotiations are hopeless now.’  

Judging from her demeanor, she has no intention of letting me leave peacefully.  

“You said you were the Queen, didn’t you?”  

Since it has come to this, I no longer need to be polite in our conversation.  

“If I submit to you, would you put me in a position like a duke?”  

“It’s too late now if you’re thinking of accepting my offer. I have no position to hand over to the one who has defiled my world.”  

“It’s not like I’m particularly eager for that kind of position.”  

If we’re going to exchange harsh words anyway, there’s one thing I’ve been wanting to point out.  

“To be honest, I’m not very familiar with your hierarchy, so…”  

I might as well address that issue.  

[Ingredient Identification (Enhanced)]  

“Queen? Offering me a duke’s position? Hah.”  

What Queen?  

“So, a mere Baroness can put me in a duke’s seat, is that it?”  

“Wha- what did you say!?”  

[Vampire Baroness]  

[Ariela von Carstein]  

‘She’s a baroness.’  

As far as I know,  

In the aristocratic hierarchy, it’s a rank buried far below.  

No, this is—  

There are limits to how far one can go in defying social order.  

“A baroness, not even a full baron, is a Queen?”  

Isn’t that a bit too far-fetched?  

How many ranks has she skip, exactly?  

“Are you saying a mere private could be promised a general’s position?”  

“How dare you!”  

The Queen’s face turned red with humiliation as she sat in her chair.  

Yes.  

Just as I intended.  

“If the enemy charges in an excited state, I might be able to land a blow.”  

For her, this sudden appearance of the fortress and my provocation had caused both confusion and excitement.  

In other words—  

She had lost her composure.  

If the enemy has lost their composure.  

No matter how powerful a monster she might be,  

There must be an opening!  

After drawing out the two knives Grandpa Park had made,  

I murmured to myself,  

“Using the Trait Enhancement Ticket.”  

Not long ago, I had obtained an Enhancement Ticket from successfully clearing a dungeon.  

It felt like a waste to use it here, but—  

I needed to survive first.  

[Intermediate Dagger Mastery (Enhanced)]  

Swoosh—  

“……You!”  

The Queen’s right arm—  

Flashed through the air.  

[Intermediate Dagger Mastery (Enhanced)]  

The effects of the enhancement were perceptible.  

Unlike Ingredient Appraisal, there were no dramatic changes,  

But the blade was now faster and sharper.  

Swoosh—  

The Queen’s right arm swung towards me.  

Her arm flew through the air, scattering blood.  

“……You. You won’t be leaving here alive.”  

It was a clear hit.  

However,  

The hit did not bring me any joy.  

“……I aimed for the heart.”  

To avoid this—  

The Queen was enraged by the fortress.  

The provocation had also worked to excite her further.  

The heart, a vampire’s weakness,  

The trajectory of the blade aimed at it was perfect.  

But just before the blade could pierce the heart,  

The chest area turned into crimson mist,  

And my blade passed through empty space.