[Location: Dungeon—Vampire King's Castle]
Dead.
The word settled between us like frost over a grave.
"So it was true," the butler repeated, voice almost… nostalgic. "He is gone."
[Vampire King's Right Hand Man, Alexios Payne]
The name written in red letters floated above his head — the system's quiet confirmation of the monster standing before me.
Alexios Payne bowed slightly, like a courteous host greeting a guest who arrived late to their own funeral.
"His majesty waited and waited and… waited for the one who never returned."
The pause that hung after that final word was heavier than all the chains on the gate combined.
Alexios Payne straightened slowly, crimson eyes lifting once more to meet mine. There was no malice in them. Not yet. Only the weight of centuries that had grown tired of staring at the same unmoving horizon.
