Romania.
No matter how much time had passed, and it hadn't been long, since we had only flown from Japan to Romania, I was still under an incredibly strong impression and clung to Tie like a small child, resting my head on her soft belly. Even the thorough preparation for the trip that I had done could not ease my pain.
- "You've outdone yourself, Master," I heard Emiya's voice. "But I'm glad about your current situation."
- "Shut up, 'actually Satan'!" I shouted back. "You don't know what I've been through!"
- "And yet, your choice of transportation is simply outrageous," said Griselda. "Did you seriously choose THAT?"
What was she talking about?
When our extremely diverse group left the local airport, a bus was waiting for us right in front of the entrance. Spacious, comfortable, and beautifully equipped inside, but outside?
- "The bright pink color looks just awful among the half-empty roads, villages, and fields," Artoria grumbled from the driver's seat. "The contrast makes us look like clowns."
- "And what are those slogans?!" Mo-chan added indignantly. "'We carry love and joy in our hearts'? Are you serious?"
- "And why is there a Serafall banner running the length of the bus roof?" asked Runeas. "You really want all the supernatural creatures in Romania to flock to us, huh?"
- "And that huge two-meter arrow with 'Kissy-Kissy' written on it? It's awful..." Lancelot joined them. "I'm sure I'll burn with shame if anyone sees me... especially Sanada-san..."
- "I like it," Merlin said cheerfully. "It sets the right mood right away!"
- "Exactly," Medusa agreed. "We're on vacation, aren't we?"
- "Rider is right. It makes you feel the contrast between work and vacation," Enkidu said. "Besides, Gil also likes everything."
- "Hmph," he snorted. "I suppose I should praise the mutt for his efforts. The comfort of these seats is nowhere near what my figure deserves, but I can put up with it."
- "Arrrr!" Heracles growled relaxed, sprawled out in his seat, which was able to accommodate him completely.
- "Exactly," Medusa nodded.
- "Well, Kunou is delighted with the bus, so I'm happy," Yasaka agreed with them.
- "It's a little unusual, but Gabi and I like everything," Gabriel said.
- "Not bad," Morgan added briefly.
- "Very good," Sarra interjected.
- "Fou," agreed Fou, whom she was stroking in her arms.
Of course, there were no Assassins on the bus. They were moving outside, following us and observing the surroundings. Initially, I wanted to arrange seats for them too, but Grandpa, apparently reading my mind somehow, asked me not to.
Besides, Ophis wasn't with us, as it turned out she was in the care of the Great Red. According to Tia, this was her punishment for the loli dragon's carelessness.
On the one hand, it was the right thing to do, because that way Office would learn something. But on the other hand, it was surprising that Tia, who never punished children for anything, did something like that.
In any case, this trip was supposed to be a lot of fun for me, but, alas, Rizevim ruined all my plans. And instead of maliciously laughing at the residents of the house, I literally didn't want to open up to Tia, who was gently stroking my head at that moment. I didn't care about Rizevim's motives, which were more than obvious given the situation, and I definitely intend to take revenge. All that remained was to choose a method that...
- "Aaaa~" Tia sang, causing me to raise my head and look at her.
- "Well, I don't mind," I said, then glanced around at the others. "Hey, Tia is suggesting we go somewhere to eat. Anyone interested?"
I didn't get a verbal answer, although there was one. And that answer was a rumbling that came from the driver's seat.
- "I-I see a small restaurant by the road," said Artoria, stammering, embarrassed and blushing, as a few laughs rang out on the bus. "We can eat there."
- "That's great," I smiled, seemingly distracted from the recent incident. "Park somewhere. We'll eat and then continue on our way."
A couple of minutes later, we were getting off the bus, and I glanced around at the surroundings, which consisted of fields, a road, and a night sky studded with stars.
So, we still had a relatively long way to go, because I had booked a villa not in the city, but in the countryside, relatively close to Tepes Castle, the center of vampire power. That is where the main events of this arc will take place, and, in addition, a small adjustment to the further plot on my part.
Leaving the bus behind, we entered a two-story establishment, which was a fairly decent place with a long hall, a bar counter, and a bunch of seats. In essence, it looked like a typical roadside cafe in a loft style, even with some kind of decor.
Of course, although our group concealed features such as tails, horns, and so on, we immediately attracted the attention of the waiting staff and the very few visitors here. And, funnily enough, there were no ordinary people at all. And since that was the case, we could start a little earlier than planned.
When we sat down, I politely called over a girl, apparently the manager, who, like everyone else in this establishment, had pale skin and eyes close to scarlet.
- "Yes, sir," she said when we were given the menu.
- "We would like every item on the menu, please," I said, which surprised her, but she didn't argue and passed the order on to the waiters.
- "Anything else?"
- "Yes, please," I began, putting on an innocent, curious expression, as if I were a six-year-old child. "Why do you all look so alike?"
- "What do you mean, sir?" she asked politely.
- "Well, you know, those eyes and skin..." I continued, feigning embarrassment and fidgeting in my chair. "You look like you're out of a vampire movie..."
- "We often hear that," the manager said calmly. "It's a feature of our establishment, sir. Tourists usually come here because of the vampire legends, so the owner decided to use that. We even have themed dishes and drinks."
- "That's cool! I already like this place!" I smiled childishly, then put on a thoughtful expression. "I have one more question, if I may."
- "Yes, of course," she nodded.
- "Can I meet the owner? I would like to shake his hand personally and express my admiration for his ideas."
- "That would be... difficult," said the manager, showing true anger and hatred on her face for a moment. "Unfortunately, he's a very busy... person."
- "Really?" I feigned surprise and used magic to put Kunou and Gabi to sleep, which instantly changed Yasaka's and Gabriel's mood. "Could this have something to do with the small group of people who are currently locked in cages under the restaurant, hm?"
As soon as I finished, the room instantly fell silent, and every employee's gaze turned to me. At the same time, I heard Gil, Morgan, and Runeas smirk, clearly anticipating the show. And not without reason.
Literally a few seconds later, a woman appeared out of nowhere, who was definitely a vampire, and a pureblood at that. Without ceremony, she threw the manager aside, causing her to fall and break her face, and looked at me with interest. At the same time, several more female vampires appeared near the walls, looking at us with amusement, baring their fangs, and blocking every possible exit.
- "You're interesting, human. This is the first time I've seen such a foolish but brave man," the female vampire said mockingly.
- "Wh-what? I... I was just joking..." I asked in a trembling voice, feigning fear. "W-why do you talk like some kind of vampire?"
- "Because I am a vampire. A pureblood, not like this trash," she said proudly and kicked the manager, who groaned in pain.
- "N-no! T-that's not true!" I said fearfully, to which the vampire showed her fangs and wings. "S-spare my friends! I'll do anything you say! Just spare them!"
- "So you understand," she said contentedly. "And you're handsome. I think I could accept your offer."
With that, the vampire reached out her hand toward my face, apparently wanting to feel her prey. However...
A sharp sound of a heavy blow echoed through the hall. No one understood what had happened, except us, of course, and in the next second, the vampire's decapitated body lay at my feet, which then turned to ash, and a dark blue axe stuck in the wall.
- "Such an insect is not allowed to touch my man," said Morgana, and in the next moment, the vampires by the walls bared their claws and hissed, just like in old movies. "That deserves death, doesn't it?"
- "Okay," I said, changing my expression to normal and shrugging. "They're yours."
Griselda was the first to move, summoning the True Longinus to her hand and rushing into the attack, followed by the rest, except for Gil, Runeas, Morgan, Fou, Sarra, me, and Tia. The latter approached the manager and hugged her affectionately, while the rest of us just sat and watched the extremely fast and one-sided battle.
A few seconds later, only we and the dhampirs, who were the staff of the establishment, remained in the hall, and the Assassins appeared from the shadows.
- "Are you done with Asako?" I asked, receiving a short nod in response, and looked at the manager.
- "You... What are you..." she asked in a hoarse voice.
- "Consider us... volunteers," I smiled and healed her. "We have something to talk about, Miss Manager. But first..."
- "Yes?"
- "Can we get our order?"
Another moment of absolute silence, during which I received looks of surprise and incomprehension.
- "Excuse me?" the manager asked sincerely, while Archer facepalmed himself.
- "There's clearly something wrong with you, Master..."
-0-
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