CH.155 To the Dhampir Village

CH.155 To the Dhampir Village

With Laura’s help, it wasn’t difficult to find the place. But I was a bit surprised by the location.

Lua’s mother’s house was in one of the ... better areas of the city. Sure, there were no outright slums, (well, there might be some outside the walls) but the city does have better and worse areas. At least based on what I learned from Saber Fang both on our way here from Alewatch and during the orc mission. And this place was quite good. Close to places like the adventurer’s guild. A perfect house for an adventuring team to own.

But the owner of this house should be Lua’s mother.

I got out of Overdrive and unsummoned it. I don’t want to leave it here for the passersby to ogle at.

(Lua, I’m outside the house. Could you come let me in?) I sent Lua a message with our system link.

(Brian, I’ll be right there.) Lua responded.

After a few seconds, the door opened.

“Good morning, Brian.” Lua greeted after she opened the door.

“Good morning. Were you waiting for me?” I asked.

“Well technically yes, but it's not like we were going to head out before the second bell anyway.” Lua answered. “Let’s get inside first. I’ll introduce you to my mother.”

Lua led me inside the house. It wasn’t that large, basically a standard single family home, but that in itself is good. Not everyone can afford a single family home.

Well, I probably shouldn’t assume that. In this world, houses might be more affordable.

At the kitchen table sat a single woman. Seemingly around 40, she had silvery hair with a hint of blue and brown eyes. And just like her daughter, she was beautiful. Why are MILFs everywhere in this world? Christina, Angelina and now her as well. Do females in this world age differently? They probably do. Some magic thing. Or perhaps it has something to do with having access to healing magic or magic potions. Either way.

“So this is him.” The lady said in a voice I recognized.

“Yes. Let me introduce you. Mother, this is Brian, Brian, this is my mother, Agatha.” Lua introduced us.

Agatha? Okay. I need to remember that. And her voice. It’s the same as Lua’s System Support I’m decently sure.

(Yes it is.) Laura confirmed for me.

(Just like Lady Laura said, I do use the voice of Lady Agatha.) I heard Lucia’s System Support say in my head. I hope I won’t confuse the two. Well, I guess one is just in my head when the other I hear with my ears.

Agatha got up from the table and walked over to me.

“It is a pleasure to meet you. I am so thankful for everything you have done for my daughter.” Agatha said as she offered me her left hand to shake. Why left? Because she doesn’t seem to have her right anymore. Her right sleeve is just empty.

“Yes. It is a pleasure to meet you as well. Your daughter has been a great help and she even saved my life.” I said as I used my left hand to shake hers.

But the handshake might have been a trap, because as I brought my left hand towards hers, she quickly moved hers and pulled up my sleeve, revealing my founder’s terminal.

“So, it is true. You are a founder.” Agatha said as she looked at the terminal.

“I could just be a master.” I said back.

“Mother! Don’t do that.” Lua said to her mother.

“I just wanted to make sure. This confirms that at least some of what you told me is true.” Agatha said.

Told her? I wonder what everything Lua told her mother?

“Now then. I must ask one thing. Is it true that you cured Lucia’s blood curse?” Agatha asked.

“No. That’s not true.” I said. “A monster I summoned did it.” I corrected her.

“But that is a part of your power, isn’t it? You can summon that monster again, can’t you?” Agatha asked.

“Yes, I can.” I answered. In fact, I just summoned Vampire Lord yesterday.

“I see. Then would it, if it wouldn’t trouble you too much, be possible, that you would come with us and cure everyone in the village?” Agatha asked.

“Hmm. I suppose that could do it.” Agatha said. “I wonder if Lucia could also get one.”

“Mother. I don’t really want to tell anyone about it, so don’t even joke around.” Lua interrupted.

“I’m just trying to look out for you.” Agatha said.

“I can take care of myself, thank you. Especially when it comes to things like that.” Lua said.

“Oh. What happened to my innocent little girl that always wanted my blood into her flask?” Agatha asked.

“You sent her away to study magic and she grew up.” Lua said.

I guess bantering like that proves that they do love each other. And honestly, the true sign of love between the two of them is Lua’s System Support. She did take on the voice of Lua’s mother and I think it is for a reason.

We had been driving at a decent speed for just under an hour when the first warning sign showed up. It said:

WARNINGDhampir Village AheadTurn Back NowWARNING

“Well, that’s not ominous at all.” I commented.

“Better to have a warning before being sucked dry.” Agatha said. “Here. Put this on.” She said as she took a necklace out of her bag.

As I was driving, Lua put it on me.

“And this is?” I asked. I would learn a bit about it as soon as I had Laura analyze it, but better to hear it directly from her.

“Something that makes dhampirs not like your scent. It is just a repellent, not guaranteed immunity.” Agatha said. “I would know. That’s how I lost my arm.”

“Oh. Would you tell me about it?” I asked.

“I suppose. It was my third time here. I was an adventurer guarding the blood shipment. I had been careful on the first two trips, but I got careless because nothing had happened. And there was a dhampir that I had the hots for. He ended up latching onto my arm. I used a tourniquet on it to prevent him from sucking me dry, but my arm was beyond saving.” Agatha told me.

“I see. I’m sorry.” I said.

“Well, it’s not all bad. I ended up gaining a skill from it and that skill is why I now have the job of taking blood here.” Agatha said. “I also was able to leverage the attack against the person I had feelings for and the result of that sits next to you.”

... wait a second. So Lua’s father tried to kill Lua’s mother? And after he failed, she forced him into a relationship. That’s ... hardcore. Don’t mess with Agatha. Or if you do, make sure she dies.

“No gate, no guard, barely a wall. Not exactly what I was expecting.” I commented as I saw the village. It was just a bit more developed than the orc settlement from yesterday. At least the houses look like houses.

“Well, most of them are built by the people living there and they don’t exactly have the skills for it.” Agatha said. “There have been a few times that the entire village has been cleared out so that a construction project can take place, but they are few and far between.”

“I guess most don’t want to risk a dhampir bite.” I said.

“Exactly.” Agatha commented.

“But what about monsters?” I asked.

“They do sometimes attack, but as long as a dhampir can draw blood, they will win.” Lua said.

“Oh yeah, blood magic.” I realized. “But what about injuries?”

“We heal faster than humans. Especially if we have fresh blood to drink.” Lua added. “But in return, healing magic has a reduced effect on us.”

“Well, at least it doesn’t harm you.” I commented, based on video game knowledge. Usually, undead monsters like vampires are harmed by healing magic.

“One of the advantages of being a dhampir instead of a vampire.” Lua said. “That and no weakness from the sun.”

“But in return you are cursed. I’m not sure that is a good deal.” I said.

“But a curse can be broken, right?” Lua asked.

“Yes. Yes it can.” I agreed.

Let’s just hope these dhampirs trust me enough. I really don’t want to use Swords of Revealing Light or something on them to force them to stay still while Vampire Lord cures them.