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Translator: Kazumi
Editor: Silavin
Kousuke, accompanied by Shrein and Mitsuki, had gone to Vermilion Castle in the North Tower.
The purpose of their visit was to converse with vampires, and to investigate the Vermilinia Jewel.
Kousuke wanted to focus on the investigation of the Jewel, but he was dragged into the banquet because he had not visited there for a long time. In fact, even when he had kept silent about his visit, Zennet quickly set up a banquet when he found out that Kousuke had arrived.
Kousuke was a rare visitor to Vermilion Castle, as he was basically a recluse, always staying on the Administration Floor of Amamiya Tower.
Zennet showed great skill in setting up the banquet. He knew that if he missed this opportunity, he did not know when the next one would be.
Kousuke was confused by the random event. It led Shrein to look at him and ask.
“Even if you wanted to suddenly come here, you could have told me about it in advance, you know?”
Shrein was right. Kousuke could not say anything back because she had a point.
And thus, they went to the banquet hall of Vermilion Castle. Originally, it was a place to hold social gatherings, but nowadays, such events would not be not held here. Instead, it was now mostly used for banquets.
At the banquet hall, representatives of the Vampires and the Ygrite race were present.
Over the past decade, the number of Vampires and Ygrite has increased. Since the addition of the Prost clan, the vampires had been actively accepting vampires who wished to immigrate. Now, they were even reaching out to vampire groups who no longer could maintain a clan, those who had to work individually.
Due to the massive number of vampires who wanted to immigrate, far more than they had expected, the number of vampires on the Floor had reached close to 1,000.
“You know, I never expected the number of people here to increase by such an amount in just the past decade.”
Kousuke commented as Jeanette, who was standing next to him, poured him a drink.
“That’s right. This just shows how many people wanted to spend their lives in a stable place.”
“Well, they’re not being shunned as much as they used to be, right? Perception of the outside world has changed.”
“Yes. Some of those who already made a livelihood refuse to immigrate. Though, there is still a tendency for those who have interracial marriages to immigrate here.”
Vampires and other races, most often humans, who have entered into such interracial marriages were often disregarded. This was not limited to interracial marriages with vampires. It holds true for other races as well.
It was difficult for them to have children. This was especially true for the combination of long-lived and short-lived species.
In general, the reason was that long-lived races were already less likely to have children. Paired with a different race, they were less likely to have children.
“Is it still the fertility problem?”
“Yes. It appears that they are often looked at in a disparaging manner, especially by their parents and immediate family.”
Issues with having children was a major problem, especially for those of higher status. The survival of the family depended on the existence of descendants. The condition of having difficulty bearing children was a factor that made others around them shun them.
“That’s a difficult problem to deal with.”
Kousuke let out a deep sigh, as he had faced this problem himself.
“Yes. We can’t really ignore it because the issue involves families and households.”
“You’re not forcing them to join this place, right?”
“Of course not. At the very least, I have their consent.”
Kousuke noticed the subtle phrasing, but did not go into it any deeper. He guessed that in some cases, they might be bringing in people who they plan to elope with their partner.
The gate connecting the Vampires’ Floor to the outside was originally connected to Crown Headquarters, but now it has been connected to another part of the Central Continent.
The location of the gate was a remote area, far away from trade routes and adventurers’ activities.
The existence of the gate was known to vampires, but surprisingly, it had not leaked out to others yet.
Over the past decade, word had spread among the vampires that there was a place where they could gather and receive protection. However, because of the past, vampires who have heard of it were wary. They dared not speak of the existence of this place.
Still, the probability of this place getting exposed increased since they were helping people elope, in a way that seems forced from a third party’s point of view.
The position of the gate was made to disappear when such risks were involved. After all, the gate could be abandoned at any time.
The vampires living in the Tower understood that the gate was a lifeline that maintained their home. Therefore, when discussing immigration, they dared not tell people where the place was located until the last minute.
Naturally, they would not tell others that the place they were going to be relocated was inside a Tower.
This way, they avoided causing unnecessary trouble.
Kousuke did not intend to interfere as long as the vampires were fully aware of the dangers involved in running the town and the gate.
Kousuke, who had helped them at first, now considered it completely out of his hands.
Of course, he thought that there would be no problem as long as at least the people coming to the Tower agreed to it, and had not been forced.
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“Kousuke-sama, are you drinking properly?”
One of those from the Ygrite race spoke to Kousuke, who finished his conversation with Zennet. He had brought a bottle of sake that he was planning to pour for Kousuke.
“Oh, thank you very much. We’ve been having an interest in this drink recently.”
“You’re as formal as ever. You don’t have to be so formal when I’m the one pouring you a drink.”
The Ygrite, who speaks to Kousuke in a friendly manner, was one of the artisans who support the production of their crafts.
The products of the Ygrite race already had many loyal fans, but the producers were generally regarded as mysterious figures who never appeared in public.
It was already assumed that the Ygrite race were making the products, so the public had a general idea of how it was processed.
Since many of the famous crafts produced by Crown resembled the workmanship of the Ygrite race, it had been speculated that the Ygrite race was being sheltered in Amamiya Tower. Though, few would be foolish enough to venture into the Tower to try and find them.
Even if they were indeed in the Tower, Crown would turn away those who were interested in finding them.
“Hahaha. Well, it’s just in my nature to be polite, so please forgive me.”
Kousuke said in a dismissive manner, but it was no lie.
“You’re a living god, though. A God, and you’re getting along so well with the other Goddesses as well, right?”
Kousuke laughed at this. If he did not know that he was in a special position among the Gods, such nuance would be out of line.
“Thank you for your concern. However, since I am still a newcomer. A newcomer which they have not had in a long time. So, they are taking good care of me.”
“Well, that’s good to hear.”
“Speaking of which, how are the Ygrite’s activities these days? Are there any problems?”
“Don’t worry about us. We have recently received a lot of new material for research, and everyone is working hard on it.”
The Ygrite’s earnings were substantial, thanks to the large number of regular customers they have. With their surplus, Crown turned over new materials to the Ygrite whenever they found something new.
It was difficult to make something immediately, but some of their works hit the jackpot.
The delivery of new material from Crown was a sign of high expectations for the Ygrite people.
“I see. Please ask them to work hard but not to overdo it.”
“What are you talking about? It’s natural for us to work hard while we are still young. Otherwise, we won’t learn any skills.”
Kousuke laughed at these harsh words, as he was clearly dealing with a professional craftsman. Feeling the weight of the words of this great craftsman, who had undoubtedly gone through such experiences in the past, he could only reply, “I see”.
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