Chương 36: Getting the vampire - 1

After getting permission from Artemis, Rio decided to go to prison and meet his shadow. But before that he needed some things which would convince him that he was making the right decision. After getting everything ready he started walking towards the prison.

He didn't see Myra anywhere, so she probably left for Narva city. It would take 2-3 days for her to come back if she's in a hurry and uses the teleportation gates. But if she doesn't want to leave any trail behind then it could take a week.

Why was Rio prepared to believe Esme, who could possibly be the one who cursed him. There are 2 reasons for it - One, cause after Rio thought about the plot carefully again he noticed, Esme plays an important role in the story till the middle sections, and even after getting so much screen time in the plot, there was no information about her ever using cursed mana to curse Rio. Maybe the plot missed it or it was something left out but Rio had decided to take a chance. He still wouldn't believe Esme that's why he looked for the 2nd reason, her sister - Megan Levette or Erza Scarlett.

Just like how Esme was sent to spy on the Blake family, Erza was sent to Duke Belmont's family.

Esme with her talent and power was soon appointed as my shadow, while Erza who lacked both talent and power was placed as a maid. But due to one mishap in the beginning she almost got caught and was punished by the Belmont family, to work as a slave. Her life had been ruined forever, she contacted her clan but the Scarlett clan decided to ignore her, thinking of her as a trash or failed resource.

Esme who learned about this tried to free her but her clan was against it, saying she should just focus on her mission unless she wants her sister killed to further avoid any risks. Esme seeing no choice left decided to continue her mission, hoping to one day free her sister. But fate pulled a joke on her as -

In the novel, Erza died 1 year before the plot officially started due to some ailments, and Esme started blaming everyone else for her death. Erza's death is what pushed Esme into betraying the Blake family and later joining the protagonist camp.

In the plot Esme confessed about her origins and promised to betray her own clan, if the Blake family decided to help her get revenge for her sister. But instead the Blake family did what any other logical sane person would do, they put her in prison, after all how could they trust a traitor and go to war against another Duke family for no reason or profit.

This development didn't sit well with Esme and when she found her chance she ran away. Later she started killing her own clan members who came after her for betraying the clan and when she learned of someone who was fighting against house Belmont, she joined hands with them.

This is how the shadow of the villain joined the protagonist. They made a deal where Leon helped her in getting her sister's revenge against the Belmont family & her own clan, while she helped him in destroying the Blake family. Of course protagonist halo also did its magic and she joined his ever increasing harem.

But as someone wise once said all traitors always end up dead. She too died with Rio's hands, further fueling the flame of the fight between the protagonist and the villain.

Now someone who was ready to betray everyone she ever knew and cared for, to just avenge her dead sister, what would she do if I had her sister with me. I have no plans to keep Esme with me forever, she betrayed us once she could do it again.

So Rio just decided to keep her sister hostage until he gets everything he needs done for. She will help him get all the chances which are helpful to him for his awakening and to kill that prophet. She was like a pawn or a minion to be used until he got a better subordinate.

'Awakening hurts like hell, I'm not the usual masochist protagonist happily going through pain for every level up. I mean I did go through hell in just one day after coming here but if I can avoid it, why not do it. Plus those heavenly chances are just waiting to be found by the protagonist, I'll just take them for myself. And that is what my shadow will do.'

'If you can't find someone you can trust, then look for someone you can control' - these were the words Nashi once said to him and it's exactly what he planned to do after waking up from his nightmare.

When Rio reached the prison Asher's team of Alphas was already standing guard there. They were all trained professionals and Artemis had already informed them. So Rio didn't have to waste his time going over everything again and went straight towards the light cell where Esme was put in.

[Every prison cell here was made of the toughest of metals and secured with the best of the arrays so no outside mana could enter there, an almost void zone.]

Esme's cell was filled with light , so much so that you couldn't find a single dark corner there. It wasn't the usual light from the sun or from a lamp, but pure dense light mana, which was spreading in every corner with the artifacts placed in every corner. For every vampire light mana is their biggest weakness. That and hunger.

Esme who's been trapped in this prison for the past 2 days had her whole body turned into red. The light mana had burned her everything. Rio stood there for a few seconds and watched as her body squirmed when a new wave of light mana hit her. She looked no different from a deep fried chicken hanging outside a mutton shop in his eyes. Obviously if you ignore the torn black dress and her human features.

Rio signaled the Alpha's and they turned off the light mana supply.

"Put her in the other room, I want to talk about something." - Rio said and turned around to walk in the other room, which at least had a chair to sit on.

'It's gonna be a long discussion, I can't just stand there all this time. Plus if we're both standing what's the difference' Rio thought to himself.

Soon Esme was released from her chains and moved into the other room.

Rio sits in silence, watching Esme as she's chained to the empty chair in front of him. She looks broken and battered, her clothes torn and her skin still raw from the burns.

Rio felt nauseous at the sight, in both his life he had seen a lot of stuff but torture was something he never did or saw. He believed in ending things faster due to his lazy personality. That is if you're not Nashi. That guy _ .

"We'll be outside, young master."

The guard's voice broke out Rio from his thoughts and he nodded his head. He then looked towards Esme and asked.

"Are you okay?"

Esme looks up at him, her eyes full of anger and pain. "What do you think? I have already _" Esme was saying something but stopped talking as she saw it wasn't any other guard or Artemis.

"Rio, what_ what're you doing here."

"I came to see you of course. Why did you do it Esme." He asked.

Esme looked down, not saying anything. What could she say, she had been following Rio every moment for the last 3 years, she could understand how hurt he must have felt after learning about her betrayal.

"Why did you want to kill me Esme. I thought you were my friend, my shadow." Rio asked, his voice hoarse as if he was disappointed and sad.

"I didn't, I had no idea who cursed you Rio. Believe me, it wasn't me." Esme replied hurriedly.

She already knew she would be killed, as chances of her getting out were nothing. She had worked in the Blake family for years, she knew Artemis would never allow her to leave. She just didn't want to die knowing that she failed the only 2 people whom she cared about. Her sister was already abandoned and now being trapped here, she had no chance of ever seeing her. That's why she wanted to apologize to Rio, the only other person whom she cared about. She had been working as his shadow for 3 years now, she watched his every moment, everyday. Even though she knew one day she would be caught and what she was doing was just betraying their trust, she liked her job. She had seen Rio enjoying the childhood she or her sister never had. They were trained from childhood and later sent out to work as a spy, they didn't have a single happy memory. So when she saw Rio or Amelia happily enjoying their lives she hated it. She felt jealous , but as time passed that jealousy turned into attention and then care. Their innocence and playfulness is what helped her, when she thought about her sister.

She even wanted to confess everything and maybe ask their help to free her sister, then they could all live together. But she knew it was just a fantasy, so she kept quiet, Kept watching from the sidelines, until 2 days ago when Rio suddenly fell unconscious and she was put in prison.

When she learned about the curse, she was heartbroken thinking that she failed to protect him too, just like she couldn't protect her sister.

It was only when Artemis came to ask her questions, did she learn that Rio was saved. So she happily told everything she could to Artemis, she even agreed to use the truth orb* just to make Artemis believe her, but she still didn't trust her.

[Truth orb - An artifact, which when used can detect if a person is lying or speaking the truth. Used during interrogation or torture process. Its limitations are - that it cannot be used without permission.]

(This was also a reason why Artemis agreed to free Esme when Rio asked for jt. As she knew Esme wasn't the one who cursed him, but if not for Rio she would kill her to avoid any future risks)

And why should I trust you now. You've been lying to us for years." Rio said.

Esme was glad that she got to see him one last time, as now she could apologize to him directly. But just like Artemis he didn't trust her too, so she just bowed her head, not knowing how to respond. It was then that Rio's next words surprised her.

"Myra went to get your sister." He said.

Esme looked up with disbelieving eyes, as she thought it was Artemis who believed her story and tried to help her.

"Did lady Artemis trust me." She asked hopefully.

"No, she was planning to kill you." Rio said.

"Then _ " Esme couldn't think of anyone who would help her or trust her at this time.

"I asked my mother to free you. And she agreed." Rio said and watched as Esme's mouth was open in shock but she couldn't think what to say, he watched as a smile came to her face and tears were sliding down her eyes, she felt happiness at the thought that maybe her dream would come true soon, but then Rio continued - "But you can't live with us. You have to leave."

A/N - part 2 is next just read it. and tell me how it was. I haven't edited it yet, as I didn't get time today.

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