Elise was sure that the part of her that resented the idea of killing was long buried. Or maybe that part had never existed to begin with?
It was one thing to dispatch people that held antithetical views to you. Killing people in the name of your own god was something that Elise was well aware of. It was another thing to take the life of someone for merely investigating you. So, what does that make me? Do I even care about the answer to that question?
She flipped the pendant of the Dawn Goddess out in front of her again. The more she looked at it, the more certain she became that this woman was someone she'd seen before.
Elise never paid attention to all of the players she walked past. Some of them would cause her to gaze a bit longer, yet she knew this one was among them. Those golden eyes and long locks of golden hair were recognizable, and the pointed ears and other facial features made her nod. Yes, I definitely remember this one.
Rela frowned as her queen looked over the pendant. "Is this goddess really something special, My Lady?"
"I don't really know. My intuition tells me that I met her before. I am curious what she'll do after we antagonized her a bit." Elise smiled and placed a hand on Rela's shoulder. "Don't worry about it. Even if she is someone that I know, I will still exercise caution. Besides, I believe she would be against us, given that she is light."
"Of course, My Lady."
She pushed open the front door to the inn, noting how much more full the lobby was this time. There were more nobles and merchants having their orders taken by waitresses who walked in outfits that hugged their bodies. I guess even in another world, they will try to sell sex appeal.
The receptionist at the back, who Elise still didn't learn her name, smiled and waved towards the two of them. She lifted her hand and beckoned them to her.
Elise let out a small breath and reached into her inventory, making sure once more that her recent soul remained there. Sure enough, there was a soul gem in there with a name: [Deacon Friede's Soul Gem]. She let that float back where it was with an idle thought and walked towards the awaiting woman.
"Lady Emerald, good evening, I am sorry to bother you when you must be so busy."
Elise waved her hand. "It is not a problem. I have a bit of time to spare, but please, skip the formalities."
"Right..." The woman took a deep breath and reached under the counter. "It's actually about the piano you mentioned before. My Lord, the owner of this establishment, has given a condition on the sale of the piano."
"Oh? What is it?"
The receptionist's eyes flickered around the room, and she lowered her voice, speaking quietly. "It's an invitation to the upcoming ball. The details are enclosed inside of the letter."
"Thank you, I shall have my maid relay the answer at the earliest convenience."
"That would be wonderful, Lady Emerald." The receptionist's face heated and she looked at Elise with a bit of a twinkle in her eyes. "Also, if it wouldn't bother you, could you show yourself in the lobby more during your stay? I would be happy to serve you."
Elise looked over towards Rela's shifting expression and shook her head, chuckling at the maid's reaction. "There is really no need for such accommodation. I am on a strict elven diet, no offense to your chefs. As good as their food may be, I cannot eat it."
"Oh right, I apologize...Then, I will see you around?"
"If fate makes such an arrangement." Elise gave a placating smile to the receptionist. "If you'll excuse us."
Elise breathed a sigh as she left the lobby, walking through the long ornate hallways, towards the stairs. You play a bit of piano one time, and then you get invited to a ball. Though, I had already wanted to attend anyway, so this is perfectly within reason. Besides, after overhearing those girls' conversation, it seems that things are going to get a bit more interesting.
A vampiric faction operating under Elise with sins to boot, a church faction, the faction of the kingdom, members of other kingdoms, and the merchants as well. A blood rose appeared in her hand as she walked up the steps, smelling it like a maiden in love. She held it tightly to her chest while heading up the long staircase, walking past men who gave second glances.
But, a rose in the hand and a slight blush in the cheeks stays their hands. For what person does she walk these halls looking like this? She wanted to laugh at herself and the absurdity of it. I am indeed love stricken. So many things are coming together with a slight pull of their strings. It is indeed like a show with actors.
Her eyes narrowed when she reached the 9th floor. Why had everything been so easy? Her subordinates had already made contact with the North. She'd been invited to a ball without having to sneak inside of it. Esmeralda never discovered the white puppet dangling onto her robes. Was it all really because her character was so strong? If that is the case, it doesn't answer the question of that man from the grocery store.
No. Nothing can be written off as happenstance. Sure, all of the people in this world may be weaklings, but what of the gods? Why are they not watching me? Where are their hands to pull on the strings? Surely this is all not being guided by the hand of one man?
Elise never believed that a single entity could rule the world. There were many such conspiracies in her past life. One person remaining hidden and pulling on the strings of all, but such an idea was ridiculous. For one thing, if Elise saw that man again, she was certain she could kill him, and the part of her that often showed when she asked herself the question agreed.
"Is something the matter, My Lady?"
The queen took another breath and straightened herself, pushing the door to her room open after pressing the key into the handle. The smell was the same as when they'd left. The feel of the air mimicked that which they departed, and the mana remnants of mana were hers.
"Nothing, it seems that no one had visited our room. I guess this place really does value our privacy. At least that is something that can be counted on."
"It is still nothing to your glorious castle, My Lady."
"While that may be true, this place does have its own charm. Let's see what this letter has asked of me."
She examined the red seal, but it was nothing special. It carried the logo of the same building she now resided in. A flick of her finger, and the seal released. She pulled out the parchment and unfurled it.
Dear Lady Emerald,
I hope this letter finds you well. Consider this a two-purpose item. The piano you asked about would normally not be for sale under any circumstances, but I heard you playing it. Others heard you playing as well. I kept your identity a secret, but if you will play for the upcoming ball, then you may purchase it.
That is why this is dual-purpose. This shall also serve as your invitation. Lady Emerald, and her party, are invited to Ambergrad's Fall Ball. The seal at the bottom shall serve as your rite. I pray you will join us.
Sincerely, Gerald Friede
Another surname she'd already heard and recently. Elise shrugged and looked down at the seal at the bottom. She pulled out her own piece of parchment and wrote her acceptance.
"Rela, please deliver this to the servant down below."
"As you wish, My Lady."
"Oh, and make yourself discreet. Act as any human maid would, not that I need to tell you that, right?"
"Of course not, My Lady. My diligence is only toppled by your own. I shall not make another mistake in your name."
The moment Rela left, Elise changed back into her true form. The dark robes of her own name fell around her, and the miasma drifted within this space.
She fell onto the bed that wasn't hers and took a deep breath while staring up at the curtains. "Now that I think about it, I haven't even taken a moment to sleep in my own room. Then again, I haven't really felt tired. Unlike Bisque, I feel as if I could go forever."
Elise had thought that her mind would lose a piece of its sharpness if she continued to stay up, but no such thing happened. There were no debuffs either, which also lined up with her character in the game.
The nature of this world still eluded her. It bore many resemblances to the game world, but she had no idea how much was the same. The country names were different, but how many player deeds were recorded? Was it possible that gods or old beasts knew of her, even if they weren't players?
It makes me feel sick to know that the only vampire kingdom I stumbled across is ruled by a regent. I hope that she gets back to me soon and the other one. Hopefully, she can quell her hunger and return to me.
A funny thought filled her head as she laid there. She wondered if Bisque would be the perfect plushie to fall asleep holding. Elise knew that if it was the sloth authority, she could likely sleep for a long time.
She summoned her own staff and stared up at it, coiling her own authority in her hands. Death had arrived, and she was ready to take her mantle. Her hands itched to do it. She wanted to create that paradise of woe inside of the valley. But each step needed to be tread with care.
It was like trying to move a car with worn down tires. If she pushed it to hard, the tire could explode. Esmeralda and that Oracle are my gateway into the divine realm. If they want a peaceful resolution, I will give them one, but I will not let anyone walk over me. If she is a god, she will kneel.
She chuckled to herself as she clutched her staff a bit tighter in her chest. "I always wondered what it would be like to make a goddess my pet. Maybe that was the missing ascended member."
The more she considered that idea, the more it appealed to her. A goddess of dawn bending the knee to a creature like her was amazing. It was the perfect amount of corruption to get her blood pumping through her body as she imagined stories from her last life.
Rela opened the door just as she was getting to the good parts. "My Lady, they have received your letter of acceptance."
Elise sat up in the bed and nodded. "My throat is a bit parched, if you don't mind."
Rela jumped at the opportunity, practically flying across the room to serve. A chalice of blood formed in her hand from black smoke. "I was wondering when you would ask, Lady Shadow. This one is perfect for a long day of work, a bit of blood from a demigod to ease your tension."
"A demigod, huh?" Elise stared down into the blood and swirled it with her hand for effect. The sweet scent created a tantalizing pull on her mind, making her fangs ache for a drink. "If you were to grade yourself next to a demigod, how would you scale it?"
Rela tilted her head, her face wrinkling slightly. "A demigod, mistress? That would be like a small puppy."
Elise chuckled and ruffled the maid's midnight hair. "You're right, I guess that was a silly question."