The Vampiress, the Priestess... And the Daftness...

A view of the rainy night meadow looms as this odd trio walks from the sewers as a shortcut out of the Fărtănești citadel.

While the cleric, Vera, is guiding Ayato and Isolde to the exit without being noticed by their pursuers, using fire magic to improvise a torch, though the two maintain their own skeptical views.

While Ayato breaks the awkward silence, which had only been filled with ambient noise, occasionally glancing at the sewer water to avoid the appearance of newts or other aquatic enemies.

"And why are you helping us even though, well, I'm being chased with blessed objects?"

"I witnessed you being summoned in the Church in that city and escaping when you were attacked with blessed objects. Only you never noticed me because it was obvious you were legitimately confused and scared..."

Vera was sympathetic and soft-spoken, and given her fragile constitution, she had a hard time locating Ayato, as her soft gait couldn't compete with his agitated evasiveness.

"Also, a part of me tells me you're not that evil despite being summoned to represent the forces of darkness... And since you wanted to be the hero, I thought it was very brave of you to want to fight against predestiny..."

Ayato begins to assimilate Vera's words, remembering that there are installments of the Vampire Slayer saga in which there are protagonists with dark powers but who still fight for the good as long as they don't break them mentally or emotionally.

"The dichotomy that there is evil in goodness and vice versa...", Isolde was as dry as usual (after barely meeting her), while she still has her doubts about two things related to the cleric.

"Like, for example, that your energy isn't that of a typical priestess, but more like a witch."

"What's wrong with you, Isolde?!" Ayato said, reproaching his fellow vampire for not being derogatory, while Vera began to clarify the matter.

"She's not wrong. I mean, I'm a witch raised in a monastery..."

"How contradictory, that a witch, who is usually associated with black magic, was welcomed by nuns and raised as one..." he murmured to himself, now understanding better what he noticed more than anything that Vera is more like an innocent heroine, a complete cinnamon roll.

"And I didn't participate in the battle because I'm just learning how to use Anima Magic offensively, so I'd only be a hindrance against the Wyvern..."

"Heh, it helps when you don't get in the way~" Isolde gives a slight smile, recognizing Vera's pragmatism, aware that she's a glass cannon against a creature that prioritizes 'easy targets'.

Then the three of them reach the end of the sewer tunnel, watching the rain gradually cease as they look up at the cloudy night sky.

"And if the Count was defeated two years ago and there's no one on the throne... Why is the Demon Castle still there, refusing to disappear?"

Vera's words indicate a certain level of mystery in what Ayato, Isolde, and herself see on the horizon, in what the rays illuminate the Demon Castle, or what remains of it.

Even from a distance, the structure shows signs of deterioration, as if it were an abandoned building that they didn't bother to demolish or remodel under the guise of a 'historical zone.'

***

The three arrived at an abandoned church containing a blessed statue shaped like a goddess, which can ward off enemies who are more dangerous at night.

"Wow, finally a save point! And even more useful against enemies influenced by the night and day cycle..." Ayato said, speaking as if still immersed in video game logic.

"I just hope that statue doesn't represent a Useless Goddess...", were Ayato's inner thoughts as he tried not to come into contact with the statue, so as not to end up burned or with his body reacting negatively.

Then a growl is heard, something resembling a hungry monster.

Isolde prepares, drawing her sword and dagger, while Vera takes out her spellbooks and notices something fall to the ground.

"Grrr!"

It was Ayato lying on the ground, exhausted and hungry, given that it's been quite a while since he arrived in this world and he's only just now getting some rest.

"Poor thing, are you hungry?"

"He just wants attention..."

Vera and Isolde were talking about their partner's current condition, when Vera took out of her bag a series of edible items that she used as provisions and as offerings for the needy.

***

"I hope it didn't upset you, since I'm not good at cooking..."

"Don't worry, I've survived on instant soups and plenty of coffee... So anything's a delicacy..."

Thus went the exchange between Vera and Ayato, as their gaze shifted to Isolde, as she stared out the window.

"And as for you, if you get hungry one of these days..." Ayato said with a feeling of doubt, to avoid having a menu where he was the main course.

Vera scolded him for that comment, "Don't start being prejudiced!"

Isolde began to exchange words with Ayato in a sort of exposition.

"I can survive without consuming human blood for long periods of time..."

"And you're always getting straight to the point... And speaking of getting straight to the point, how is the Castle still there?!"

"It's because the Count's influence still remains even with his temporary absence... And even more so because his energy was assimilated by people brought to Luminovia through dark magic, like you..."

"Luminovia..." Ayato said softly, noticing the irony that this world equivalent to Transylvania was named so when creatures of darkness constantly appear from time to time, possibly because the inhabitants of this world are not exactly beings of light.

"Wait! There are more isekai summoned like me?!" His expression showed surprise at learning that there are more people like him summoned to this world, and possibly in other parts of the country.

"Besides, some of those other Dark Lord candidates have enough power to create Pseudo-Castles, with structures and armies molded to their liking... With the goal of killing each other, assimilating their powers, and claiming Dracula's throne..."

Isolde describes a scenario worthy of a battle royale, with the other Candidates possessing some sort of power superior to Ayato's that they can exploit as they please.

However, Vera interrupted the conversation after asking Ayato a question.

"And by the way, what's an isekai?", Ayato understands that she's asking out of legitimate curiosity, and he's going to explain it in his own way, even if it's not the best.

"You see, Vera, an isekai... It's... Some kind of journey to another world whose methods of transportation are: sudden death (like me), the appearance of interdimensional portals, or playing marathon RPGs until you die of hunger..." Vera diligently jotted down in a journal, displaying her "bookworm" attitude after hearing Ayato's clumsy explanation.

"Although now in my world, according to what I read on the internet, there are people who try to go to an Isekai by overdosing on addictive substances or psychotropic drugs..."

Sigh 

"Just because you know how to build a ship doesn't mean you're not very good at handling it..." Isolde's expressionless look indicates that it's going to be a long night with exchanges of knowledge that will leave more questions than answers.