A Cynical Principle - Episode 2.1.2

It was not well known why or how he sank into the abyss. He never talked about it either, but it was not known whether he considered it as a tragedy. 

There was a passage that even recognized comedy. 

“So, what is the name of that Krusnik?” 

“I don’t know.”

“… well then, what exactly is that letter written about?”

“…”

After all, there was no doubt that he had no enemies.

◆　　◇　　◆

It was a glorious period when the glamorous court engagement unfolded, full of light and art.

Prayers and hymns echoing inside the church, gossip and whispers chirped from the street stalls, laughter and singing of cheerful women let loose in the square, and noble carriages crossed the streets.

The heart that governed it was the far-away Rome, and the Vatican Pope’s Office, which colonized it.

The struggle for supremacy in the secular world was made among nations on the basis of the Holy Roman Empire and the Kingdom of France, but the Vatican was the only one who could resist the darkness which shrouded the secular world.

To be precise, the Krusniks were kept by the Vatican in secret─ operated only by the vampire founder. 

When the great sun set on the horizon, and pitch-black dyed the world, people tightly shut the doors of their houses.

The night was ruled by the devil in place of glory. Whether God and man were enshrined or not, the invisible horror and the tumultuous deformity met each other.

And in the center of the darkness, paired with the Vatican, was the dark city of Vis Splandur. It was a magical city with a huge red moon named “Great and Evil.”

There was an entrance to a certain part of the black forest behind the town of Parter, south of the Kingdom of France, while the unseen city rested vast and luxurious.

And at the entrance of the quiet Black Forest, a mansion lay built. 

The House of Lord Univale.

The house of a vampire, a strange but terrifyingly strong vampire in the Dark City. 

Where lived a chief vampire, a humble maid, and a black feline.

“Hey, Lunar, do you like red or green?”

“Red of Passion”

“Then I’ll make it green.”

“…”

Partita, ignoring the huge black lump that threw a disgruntled look from behind, grabbed it.

Cabbage.

“… Partita, you have to honestly ask me if I like carrots or cabbage from the beginning.”

Hearing the words, Partita turned to Sole. 

Sole- commonly known as Lunar. Self-proclaimed prince of the late Kingdom.

Glossy black hair stretched to his waist, who stood slightly lower than Univale, but was tall enough to fit in the tall category. A strange face with a gaping appearance and a strange eyeliner drawn like a clown. In addition, the robe lightly draped to the ankle, and the lightly-dressed swordsman uniform worn inside was all black, black, and more black.

If it was arranged in black so far, it was rather dull. 

In addition, by the magic of all the Witches, the man was a man in the daytime, and at night, he was a black cat, and it was the same man who deceived from appearance to his very soul.

“Then, I’ll ask you, which do you like better, carrots or cabbages?”

“I hate both.”

“Well…”

“…”

Partita looked around the lined up stalls with Lunar, which stood in line with the sky as if they had been done.

The City of Patel was really gorgeous during the high sun. The smell of fragrant bread drifted from nowhere, and there were lots of birds and stewed vegetable soup sold here and there. Both children and adults were loud, forgetting about the night.

The last night’s darkness made his body shrink in minutes, hands and back stretched being protected from the sun, as he unconsciously moved.

Univale, the Lord, said, “Man learns ‘life and death’ under the moon, and forgets it under the sun.”

“But, Partita,” Lunar whispered, peeking into the basket.

“The ghost lady will make the food, right? Are you sure you can collect the ingredients on your own? This kind of thing…”

He picked out, with his right hand, a variety of “shellfish” in different sizes packed in the net. With his left hand, he also pulled out something that was a slightly black scarlet frog, carefully wrapped in a net.

“That’s fine.”

She went on, setting out for her unknown poisonous red fruit.

“Because I’m not making it.”

“… who’s going to eat frogs? Well, you’re such a woman who named me as ‘Lunar,’ though I’m not that much surprised.”

“You forgot your real name, didn’t you?”

“…”

Instead of answering, she heard a rustic sound. 

Lunar, who realized that the odds were against him, turned his back. 

But he quickly whispered in a pleasant voice, “Partita, have you done something wrong?”

“… especially anything. I think I’ve lived an exemplary life.”

“Is it true~?”

Whenever Lunar was thrilled, it was time for his mischief to come. 

Partita frowned at his gaze, “… is that why you’re not doing anything?”

“Nothing special.”

“Then, he has nothing to do with us?” 

“I think you’re looking at me as hard as you can?”

“I’ll take it for you.” She was sure, but the world didn’t allow it. It’s hard to know. 

“There they are! He’s the tall black man! … you, you! The one with the ugly makeup! Yes, you,” A loud and annoying voice echoed.

Lunar nodded in satisfaction, whether or not the man was pointing at himself, he would no longer be able to do so.