Episode 27: The Vampire Princess, the Ring, and the Maid

“Can I ask you something?”

Under the moonlight, Celestina took Siegfried’s hand and posed her question.

“Why are you so strong? I’ve never lost to anyone, not once. So where does this power of yours, capable of overwhelming even someone like me, come from?”

“First and foremost, this body.”

Siegfried replied.

“This human body, Siegfried von Kreving, is top-notch. The more I train it, the more it surpasses its limits and grows stronger. And then there’s the knowledge of martial arts I possess.”

The hand-chopping techniques Siegfried frequently employed were rooted in martial arts like karate and kung fu, disciplines unknown to this world. Beyond that, he had mastered other combat techniques equally unfamiliar to this realm.

“There are other reasons as well… but I’ll hold off on revealing those for now.”

“Heh… is that another one of those ‘cryptic foreshadowing’ moments?”

“Exactly. You’re starting to get the hang of it, Celestina.”

“…Tina.”

“Hm?”

“You can call me Tina. It’s a name I’ve only ever allowed my closest friend to use. But since I’m going to be your subordinate, I’ll make a special exception for you.”

“I see. In that case, Tina, I have something to give you.”

Siegfried opened his palm. Resting there was a silver ring, gleaming softly. It was a simple ring, devoid of any ornamentation, yet it shimmered beautifully in the moonlight.

“This… for me…?”

“Yes. Let me put it on you. Hold out your hand.”

Celestina hesitated for a brief moment before quietly extending her left hand.

“W-Wait, you’re putting it on my ring finger…?”

“Is there a problem?”

“…Not really.”

A faint blush colored Celestina’s cheeks. And the moment Siegfried slid the ring onto her finger…

“…!”

Celestina’s body trembled slightly. It was as if her power had been bound by something.

“What… is this?”

“This ring seals your power. I crafted it by reforging that chain and infusing it with my own magic.”

He pointed to the chain that had once bound the coffin Celestina had been sealed in.

“Your abilities like aura detection and regeneration remain mostly intact, but your other powers have been significantly suppressed.”

“Why would you do something like that…?”

“First, to hide you from the Inquisition of the Holy Church. As one of the ‘Seven Calamities,’ your magical presence, if left unchecked, would eventually be detected by the Church. By sealing your power, we can deceive their watchful eyes.”

“The Holy Church… so it still exists in this era, huh? Well, I could easily crush them if it came to that, but… they’d probably exploit my weakened state, and fighting them would be a hassle. So, what’s the second reason?”

“That’ll be revealed in time.”

“Oh, of course, another ‘cryptic foreshadowing’ moment.”

Celestina let out a soft chuckle.

“However, you don’t have to keep the ring on if you don’t want to. If it’s unnecessary, discard it.”

“…I won’t throw it away.”

Celestina said, lifting her chin slightly with a hint of defiance.

“It’s something you gave me, after all.”

“Very well. Then let’s head to the mansion.”

With a calm, matter-of-fact tone, Siegfried began walking. Celestina gently touched the ring on her left ring finger before following after him.

◇

“It suits you wonderfully, Lady Celestina.”

At the Kreving family mansion, Fine, dressed in a maid outfit, offered a gentle smile. Beside her stood… Celestina, also clad in a maid outfit.

“Even if you say it suits me…”

Celestina studied her reflection in the mirror.

Her tall, graceful figure, silver hair shimmering like the stars in the night sky, and a beauty as radiant as the moon. Her eyes held a cold intensity, yet beneath it lay a hidden sorrow. Seeing someone like her in a maid outfit was, to say the least, an unusual sight.

“Do I really have to wear this…?”

“As I explained earlier,”

Siegfried responded.

“It would be suspicious for an unknown woman, unrelated to my family, to suddenly take up residence in the Kreving mansion. Merchants, visitors, or others might grow wary. Therefore, you’ll pose as a maid. Of course, I’m not forcing you to do this.”

“Fine, I’ll play the part of a maid. This outfit… honestly, I’ve kind of wanted to try something like this.”

Five hundred years ago, Celestina had been a princess of a nation. She had worn splendid dresses, but never anything as charmingly simple as a maid outfit. Yet, it wasn’t as though she had never harbored a quiet longing for such cute attire.

(To think I’d end up wearing something like ‘her’ outfit…)

Celestina’s thoughts drifted to five hundred years ago… to ‘her,’ the one who had stood by her side.

“Then follow Fine’s instructions and stay quietly in the mansion.”

Siegfried’s words snapped Celestina back to the present.

“Where are you going?”

“To the royal capital. I have an audience with the king.”

With that, Siegfried left the room. Between conquering the labyrinth dungeon, battling Celestina, and now meeting with the king, he moved without a moment’s rest. Watching his retreating figure, Celestina murmured,

“Is he… always like that?”

“Yes. He’s an incredibly busy person.”

Fine cast a glance of concern and trust toward Siegfried’s back before turning to Celestina with a warm smile.