Dracula followed Kirie, being spirited away by her cheerful enthusiasm all the way to the gates of Castlevania's castle.
"Hold on a moment, Kirie. I forgot something," Dracula called out to her.
"Oh, then please be quick, my lord." Kirie turned around with a seemingly blank expression but an unmistakably eager voice. "I'll wait just one minute for you, Dracula-sama. With your speed, that's more than enough time, right?"
Dracula helplessly returned to the castle. With the power of The World, he reappeared by Kirie's side in the blink of an eye, carrying his "gear."
"What… are you bringing that for?" Kirie's mouth twitched as she looked at Dracula seated in a wheelchair.
Dracula sat smugly, proudly announcing, "This baby here is my personal ride."
He snapped his fingers. "The World!"
A platinum-evolved version of The World appeared behind him—and reluctantly began pushing the wheelchair. From Kirie's point of view, Dracula lounged comfortably in his chair, humming to himself as it rolled along, seemingly by magic.
But of course, Dracula didn't end up riding around like that for long—because if he did, Kirie wouldn't be able to hold onto his arm during their outing. So, in the end, he was dragged off by her into the city center of Fuyuki.
Being led by the arm down the street, Dracula looked helplessly at the girl beside him, who maintained a stoic expression yet radiated barely contained excitement. Perhaps it was because she hadn't seen the human world during the day since becoming a vampire—or perhaps it was because the foreign modern city of the 1990s sparked the curiosity of someone born in 1700s Paris. Either way, Kirie was absolutely fascinated by everything they passed.
"Oh, Dracula-sama, what's that? An iron-covered carriage? But it moves without horses… I see, it must be magic!"
"Hmm, that thing looks really tasty! Let's buy some and bring a bit back for Jeanne-sama too."
"Why are there people moving inside that box? Is this… one of those magical projection spells I've heard about?"
Dracula found it amusing to watch Kirie use scraps of outdated common sense to interpret the world 300 years into the future. This vampire girl, trying to keep up a stoic mask, was starting to look… oddly cute.
"Still just a kid," Dracula muttered with a sigh.
"What did you say, Dracula-sama?" Kirie asked curiously.
"Nothing. I was just wondering where we could find the materials on the shopping list," he replied with a shrug.
"Oh, that." Kirie tapped her lip with a finger. "I doubt either of us would know, right? After all, we've only just arrived—not just in this city, but in this whole world."
"No choice then." Dracula began looking around for street signs. "Let's check the signs and ask a passerby."
As they were scanning the surroundings, a ball came bouncing down the street. Two black-haired little girls came running after it in a panic.
"Sis… sis! The ball's about to fall!"
"Ahhh! Hurry up, Sakura! It's my fault—I kicked it too hard!"
Just as the ball was about to fall into a filthy puddle by the roadside, Dracula stepped forward quickly and scooped it up.
"Here." He handed it to the girl with twin tails who had been leading the chase.
"Thank you, mister," said the long-haired girl politely, bowing.
"Hmph. Even without you, this lady here could've caught it. But… I guess I'll reluctantly thank you," the twin-tailed girl added, pouting.
Pff. Dracula found the girls' personalities hilariously transparent. He could already picture how they'd turn out when they grew up.
He patted both of their heads. "Alright, now that you've got your ball back, you should hurry on home. That lady over there is your mother, right? She looks rather wary of me."
"Okay, mister," said the long-haired girl, looking up at him. "You seemed like you were lost earlier… do you need help finding your way?"
The twin-tailed one chimed in, hugging the ball earnestly. "Daddy says nobles must help those in need with grace and dignity. Let us guide you, mister!"
"Thanks. That would be a big help," Dracula replied warmly.
"Dracula-sama, what are you talking about with those children?" Kirie had walked over while the girls were giving directions. Naturally, she took his arm again, and Dracula didn't bother trying to shake her off.
The two girls noticed the gesture and turned around, whispering to each other. Then the long-haired one ran over to Kirie and looked up at her.
"You're really pretty, big sister! Are you that mister's wife?"
Kirie gave her a radiant smile and gently stroked the girl's cheek. "Oh my, what a sweet little thing. Yes, that's right—I am this mister's wife."
"But big sister, earlier you told me—" the girl continued innocently, "—that a young, beautiful lady like you becoming the wife of a gloomy old man must mean one of two things: either you married for money, or you're being kept as his mistress."
"Sakura! You betrayed me!!"
Kirie's warm smile instantly froze. Her hand, which had been stroking the girl's face, tightened ever so slightly. Her face leaned in close, expression now terrifying.
"Big sister. Did this. Willingly. Understand?"
The two girls nodded frantically, huddled together and trembling.
"Alright, Kirie, don't get all worked up over kids," Dracula said, smiling as he stepped over. He handed each of the girls a bracelet. "Here you go, two elegant and beautiful little ladies. A small reward…"
The twin-tailed girl shook her head. "Daddy told us not to accept gifts from strangers."
"It's just a token of appreciation—nothing expensive. Please accept it as thanks for your kindness," Dracula said, then addressed the green-haired woman behind them. "Right, madam?"
"Go on, take it," said the graceful woman with long green hair.
Only then did the two girls accept the bracelets and put them on. Dracula looked deeply at the two of them. He had already used his prophecy ability to divine their futures.
This was another power Dracula had acquired during his travels. It let him clearly foresee the future—but only of a specific target, and only within the week.
The twin-tailed girl would encounter a crisis soon, but nothing major. The real concern was the long-haired girl: tomorrow night, she would face a tragic event that could change her life forever.
"This is a mystical bracelet I obtained from a great western nation. It will protect you both. But listen—you mustn't take it off this month, or it won't work."