Chapter 199: Shared Feelings
Nana's eyes, previously clouded with despair, now sparkled with a hint of hope at the vampire woman's words.
"Yes, if you take a naturally spawning creature from this world to another, and it has no contractual bindings, it can indeed be tracked," the vampire woman explained. "This is how we were able to find Erebos previously," she added, her voice trailing off as she hung her head, a shadow of sadness passing over her features.
She then straightened up, her expression resolute yet tinged with regret. "However, I cannot remain here any longer. My presence is a breach of the peace treaty among the realms. But I will seek guidance from the Vampire King on this exceptional case.
It might bring us closer to finding Erebos again, should he manage to escape his current predicament, which I fear he might, given the confidence he displayed before his departure."
The vampire woman's sense of duty was evident, as was her understanding of the delicate balance between the realms. Her promise to return carried weight, showing her commitment to the cause and to helping Nana.
"Is that skeleton man someone you care deeply about?" she asked Nana, her tone softening. Her question was more than just curiosity; it was an acknowledgment of the personal stakes involved for Nana in this quest.
The vampire woman's understanding of Nana's feelings for Ty added a personal dimension to their mission, highlighting the emotional bonds that drove their actions amidst the turmoil of inter-realm politics and conflicts.
Nana was taken aback by the unexpected hug from the tall vampire woman, a gesture of empathy and understanding that transcended their differences in stature and realm. "I know what it's like to have someone you love just out of reach," the vampire woman said softly, her words resonating with shared experience.
She then handed Nana a small blue marble, placing it in her palm and gently closing her fingers around it. "If you do meet him again, give him one of these," she instructed with a meaningful glance.
In addition to the marble, she handed Nana eight small glowing orbs. "Take these and give them to those of your allies that Erebos has injured," she said, her voice carrying a hint of sorrow for the pain caused by Erebos. "It's not much for the countless damage he has done, but it will heal the current wounds absorbed.
And I will return, hopefully within the next 24 hours, to give some assistance on where he could have gone."
Grateful for the gesture, Nana nodded and swallowed one of the green spheres, feeling a sense of relief and appreciation. "Thank you," she said, her voice filled with gratitude and determination. "I want nothing more than to ensure he is safe, wherever he is."
Lady Sanguina nodded, her expression softening with understanding. "Good, keep that desire in your heart and latch onto it, no matter what pain comes your way. Doing so will make you strong enough to protect anyone you desire," she advised, her words imbued with wisdom born from experience.
Nana, feeling a sense of kinship, asked, "By the way, what was your name? So when you return, I can address you as something other than 'Vampire Lady'," she said with a light chuckle.
Lady Sanguina smiled, "That is true. You can call me Lady Sanguina, or the Burning Red Sun if we ever want to be fancy." Her demeanor reflected a blend of nobility and approachability. "And what about yourself? I think I heard someone say your name was Nanako?"
As Nana felt her wounds healing slowly, the distant sound of horse hooves grew louder. She replied, "Yes, that's correct, but you can just call me Lady Nana for short," she said with a grin. "And if we want to be fancy in the future, you can call me the Queen of Popping Hearts."
Lady Sanguina'slaughter was a comforting sound amidst the tension of recent events. She gently patted Nana's head, affirming their newfound bond. "Sounds good. I will seek you out once I return, Lady Nanako," she promised.
Before Nana could delve into further questions, Lady Sanguina began to dissolve into an array of light, showcasing her unique ability. "I have a pretty unique teleportation ability. Maybe I'll teach you one day," she said, her voice fading with her form, leaving Nana with a sense of wonder and anticipation.
The sound of horse hooves grew louder, heralding the arrival of King Griswald. He approached with a worried expression, taking in the scene of destruction and chaos. "Lady Nanako! What happened here?" he asked, his eyes scanning the area and noticing Todd and the lightning user unconscious.
Nana, her wounds gradually healing, recounted the harrowing events. "It was Erebos. He showed up out of nowhere and attacked us. He defeated everyone before being taken away by some other vampires. And Ty... he was sent off to some unknown place," she explained, her voice heavy with the weight of the encounter.
King Griswald, deeply contemplative, knelt beside Nana, his expression reflecting the gravity of their situation. "I see, this is most troublesome," he murmured, his finger stroking his beard as he pondered their next move.
"I wonder if we should continue our expedition to take down that cave, or wait for a way to get Ty back." His dilemma was evident - balancing the urgency of their ongoing mission with the need to rescue Ty.
Nana, still recovering, provided him with additional information. "We will have some assistance in a day or two from Lady Sanguina. She's related to Erebos somehow, but her sole focus will be on helping to find Ty and Erebos," she explained.
Despite the uncertainty and the risks, she voiced her opinion on their course of action. "However, I think we should still focus on defeating and finishing what we started. It's important to continue our mission." Her words were firm, reflecting her determination to not let Erebos's actions derail their plans.
Nana's resolve shone through her words, her determination to grow stronger and stand beside Ty unwavering. "I know it may seem crazy to take on this Dragoon without Ty, but I want to grow strong enough to always protect him and stand by his side. This is a perfect opportunity. By the time he comes back, I can show off a bit," she said with a hint of pride and confidence.