The night was as dark as ink, the wind howling through the trees.
In the center of that forest clearing, the Hero lay atop a rough wooden stump, her black greatsword resting beside her as she breathed in a steady, gentle rhythm.
The silver-haired girl lying opposite her silently opened her eyes.
…Heh, heh…
Finally, the opportunity I’ve been waiting for.
Honestly, even out here in the wild—where monsters could attack at any moment—the Hero could still sleep so soundly.
Just how confident was she in her own strength?
Then again, someone capable of slaying the Demon King in a single strike had every right to be confident.
Knowing Emil’s feats, Cristoli moved with extreme caution, even the act of turning her body done carefully.
She climbed down from the stump and tiptoed away, inch by inch, putting distance between herself and the Hero.
There was no reaction from Emil’s face.
She had expected at least some level of awareness, but it turned out to be far easier than she imagined.
All those excuses she had prepared in case she was discovered now seemed unnecessary…
Just as she was about to leave the Hero’s line of sight, Cristoli turned back for one last glance at that unsuspecting sleeping face, a smug smile curling on her lips.
Thank you, you silly Hero.
To think you’d actually believe that a silver-haired girl living at the top of the Demon King’s castle could be just an ordinary human—you’re naïve in such an adorable way.
But I have no intention of playing along with your little “turning human” game anymore.
From here on, our paths diverge.
Farewell forever.
Cristoli took a deep breath, then suddenly unfurled the pair of black wings on her back.
With a powerful flap, she soared into the sky.
Everything below her began to shrink, and there was no sign of pursuit.
…Feeling the long-lost wind of freedom brushing against her, Cristoli gradually relaxed.
Her heart grew lighter, almost dancing.
This was the joy of being freed from a cage.
My blankets, my bed, my delicious meals—I’m coming back!
Though her guards had scattered and fled, as long as she still existed, she could gather them again sooner or later, and then—
“…thump.”
“…thump.”
“Thump, thump.”
“Thump, thump, thump…”
Something… wasn’t right.
For some reason, Cristoli’s heart felt as if it were being gripped by an invisible hand, beating wildly out of control.
…And her body was growing hot.
Her throat burned with thirst.
This craving did not come from her stomach—it came from the depths of her soul, like a traveler in the desert yearning desperately for water.
Her blood seemed to boil, her wings trembled uncontrollably, and sharp crimson blades flickered at her fingertips, only to shatter again as her magic spiraled out of control.
…Water—where is water?
No…
Not water.
What she needed was blood—fresh blood, gushing from a torn throat.
The moment her body revealed what it truly craved, even Cristoli herself was startled.
Why?
Though her title and appearance resembled those of a vampire, she had never once felt such base urges before!
And…
As the craving intensified, her vision was gradually swallowed by a sea of crimson.
Within that chaos, only one image flickered—the pale nape of the black-haired girl.
…E…mil.
It couldn’t be the blood of forest beasts.
Not that of passing monsters.
Not even that of ordinary humans.
—Only the rich, sweet blood flowing within Emil could satisfy this thirst.
The moment she imagined it, her mind cleared slightly.
…No, that’s impossible.
How could she dare drink the Hero’s blood?
That would be no different from courting death.
Besides, she was in the middle of escaping.
Turning back now would make her look completely insane.
【…Heh. Why have you stopped flying, my poor Cristoli?】
A sinister voice echoed in her mind, emanating from the red gem resting against her chest.
“Y-you…!”
Cristoli clutched at her chest, gasping in pain.
Cold sweat covered her forehead, and her pale skin flushed with an unnatural heat.
【Did you really think that escaping the Hero’s side would grant you true freedom?】
The Demon King’s voice carried a hint of mockery.
【That won’t do. While my contract magic may not work on the Hero, controlling you is more than easy enough.】
“C-contract…?”
She forced the words out, struggling to keep her wings steady.
【That’s right—this is the effect of the blood pact. From now on, if you try to leave the Hero’s side, your suppressed thirst will awaken.】
【Unless you consume Emil’s bodily fluids, the craving will never fade. It will only grow stronger… until the end of your life.】
【And this contract will persist alongside that craving—until either you or Emil dies.】
“You… despicable…!!”
Cristoli yanked at the necklace on her chest, her voice trembling with fury.
【You forced my hand, Cristoli.】
The red gemstone floated gently from her palm, hovering before her eyes.
【You are not my daughter by blood—you are my creation. If my body still lived, I could control you directly.】
“…!”
Seeing her clenched teeth and trembling form, the gem’s glow intensified.
【…Does it hurt? Do you wish to be free from it?】
【Cristoli, you have only two choices before you.】
【One: find a way to kill Emil yourself and break the contract.】
【Two: obediently gather the remaining six sacred relics, revive me, and let me kill Emil instead.】
The Demon King paused, his tone turning even more mocking.
【Ah, of course, there is a third option—endure the growing pain until your sanity collapses, and you become nothing more than a mad beast that bites at Emil.】
“You… madman!!”
To control her actions, he had gone so far as to impose such a contract—even though if she died, he would fall into Emil’s hands as well…
No…
It was getting worse.
Just as he said, the burning in her chest intensified further.
In the face of raw instinct, reason was fragile and meaningless.
Cristoli’s left wing faltered, while her right beat forcefully, twisting her body midair and sending her hurtling back in the direction she had come from.
…Emil.
Emil, Emil, Emil!!
Her neck.
Her blood.
Every part of her that could be torn and bitten—
This was a true curse from the Demon King, one that would churn endlessly within her chest until fulfilled.
In Cristoli’s vision, everything faded away, leaving only a single crimson target.
…How fortunate.
The one she sought was still resting upon that wooden stump in the clearing.
And her breathing…
Remained just as steady as before.
Okay, this is the third version of her name, please at least edit things a bit better.