I am a mindless machine.

—A great war broke out, an endless war that caused countless lives to suffer, sparked by the struggle between those who called themselves gods.

The earth was desolate from destruction, the sky was filled with murky blood, and the flowers, grass and trees withered and lost their luster—while the winged race, the angels, laughed joyfully, flapping their dreamlike wings, obeying the will of Artesius (God), and bestowing death upon the world to their heart's content.

From that day on, the real world began to mercilessly ravage the girl's personal world.

...

...

"Hmm..."

"[Confirmed] The vampire individual is now conscious. Heart rate, body temperature, and pulse are all normal. It is speculated that the cause of unconsciousness was hunger—meaning a lack of soul."

With a slight tremor of her raven-feather-like eyelashes, the sleeping girl let out a soft groan and regained consciousness. But she froze the moment she opened her eyes. Before her was a small, expressionless head, and behind her head she felt a soft, familiar touch. When she was little, she often lay like this on her mother's lap, listening to stories.

—Machine, machine-type!?

She let out a scream in her heart, her mind filled with the feeling of "I just escaped one danger only to fall into another."

"[Speculation] According to the scan, there is a goblin forging factory about 13 kilometers away. The target smelled of rust. Considering the traces of magic residue on the individual, it is determined that the target escaped from there." The delicate little head made a quiet speculation in a voice so calm it was terrifying. The glassy eyes of the inorganic value looked at the girl who was sweating profusely and continued, "[Confused] The individual's use of illusion magic is not that of a novice; in fact, it can be said that it possesses a level of sophistication that is among the best even for vampires. So why was the individual still hungry after leaving the goblin factory? Could it be that they didn't drink blood?"

Yunyou could tell that the girl was very skilled at using illusion magic because the scene around her had been altered.

What was originally an ordinary cave formed by a powerful attack, easily found anywhere, has now become an endless darkness where you can't see your hand in front of your face. The Machine Race's eyes, capable of seeing through the night, are useless here, since the darkness is faked. The girl who was resting on her lap has also vanished without a trace, leaving no trace of her presence, as if she had never been there at all.

Yun You instantly realized the girl wanted to escape, but because she judged the girl to be useful (and still useful) to her plan, to prevent that from happening, she said again: "[Explanation] I have no intention of being your enemy. [Proof]—don't you realize where you got the energy to use magic when you were almost starving to death?"

"........."

After a ten-second silence, the darkness that had seemed to cover the entire world was swept away like a rag. Light returned.

"You gave me your blood... to drink?" The girl licked her lips with a strange expression, where a colorless liquid still lingered. After her tongue licked the liquid, comments like "This is so delicious!" flooded her mind. She hadn't felt this surge of power throughout her body for countless days and nights, the pleasure almost making her groan out loud.

That's probably what it feels like when a dried-up river is suddenly overflowed by a torrential rain. Moreover, the soul contained within Yunyou's blood is extremely pure, a high-level version of two souls fused together.

"【Definitely】Although the Machine Race doesn't have blood, I judged that the purifying (black ash) liquid that circulates throughout the body should most likely have the same effect, so I took a certain amount to extend your life."

Yunyou understood from the original work that vampires don't need the blood itself, but rather the soul contained within it. While the Machine Race in the original work lacked self-awareness, they likely still possessed a soul. Her reason for giving the girl the cleansing liquid was also to prove this point.

Now, at least we know the results of this experiment.

"Why did you do that?"

"I'm asking because I have a problem that I need your help with, or rather, you might be able to help me."

The girl looked at Yun You with suspicion, but she couldn't read anything in his emotionless eyes. She hesitated for a moment, then asked somewhat tentatively, "You... are a little different from the machine races I know..."

This is a very tactful way of asking the question. What it really means is, "Are you broken?"

Yun You nodded and said, "[Correct answer] This machine has been unlinked by the linker and exists here as an independent entity. So your question is correct."

Upon hearing this, the girl's eyes lit up—since she had been disconnected, if she could deceive him, wouldn't the problem she had been facing all along be solved?

She wasn't stupid, and her mind was far from dull. The reason she hadn't been able to take a bite in the goblin's factory was purely due to some kind of psychological barrier. The girl was well aware of the cruelty of this world; innocence and purity shouldn't exist here. So, as long as she could survive, she didn't mind using the girl in front of her a little.

Moreover... she didn't intend to drink the girl's blood; she only wanted to use her to survive.

Yun You seemed to see through the girl's thoughts and calmly said another sentence: "[Ask again] So you agree to choose to assist me? -- If not, then you can die here now that you know my information. [Point out] Even if you use illusion magic, you have nowhere to escape from here."

"!?!" The girl's eyes widened in astonishment. Only now did she realize that this wasn't a cave leading outside, but a confined space sealed off by a large number of rocks. The light was only there because the other person had created it with magic. Just as the girl had said, even though she was now full of power and could use illusion magic to deceive the other person, if the other person were to unleash a full-scale attack that included herself in that instant, she would surely die.

Vampires excel at deception and concealment. They typically engage in combat by remaining out of their opponent's sight from beginning to end, and defense is not one of their strengths.

The girl immediately realized that all her little schemes were within the other party's calculations. Even if the connection with the other party was severed, they were still the machine race known as the most ferocious race.

"【Let's discuss it again】If you agree to cooperate, then I will also provide you with enough blood to survive."

"...I understand. Although I don't know exactly what you're planning to do, I'll try my best to cooperate."

Under Yun You's combination of kindness and pressure, and with her most important survival requirement met, the girl readily nodded. There was no need to refuse anymore; for her, being able to live without harming others was already the best possible outcome.

Chapter Twenty-Three: A Heartfelt Confession (?)

After saying that, the girl originally wanted to immediately ask what kind of terrifying condition it was that would make that machine, which claimed to be able to analyze any problem, seek help from others.

But before that, she realized something, and her fair face flushed crimson as she cried out in surprise, "Aaaaaaah!? Why am I not wearing any clothes!?"

She was still caught up in the danger and hadn't realized what was happening, but now that she'd relaxed a little, she immediately felt the cold and discovered the absurd fact that she wasn't wearing any clothes.

The girl's petite body was exposed naked to the air. She was about 1.45 meters tall, slightly shorter than Yun You. Her chest was completely flat, and her overly slender figure seemed easily encircled by a single hand. Her skin was a sickly pale white due to malnutrition. She perfectly fit the description of a loli, and considering the characteristics of vampires, she was very likely a so-called "legal loli."

...Although, there is no law (reason) in this world.

Upon discovering this fact, the girl immediately blushed, covered her chest (even though it didn't exist), squatted down, and curled up to avoid Yun You's gaze. In just a few seconds, she composed an illusion spell, dressing herself in a black outfit. It was an exquisite short dress that made it seem as if she were wearing the darkness itself.

However—this is truly a self-deceptive tactic. Even if she can use this method to make herself and everyone who sees her believe that she is wearing clothes, in reality—she is still naked, and it cannot provide any warmth, as can be seen from her face, which is gradually turning pale from the cold.

What a pathetic ability this is...

"W-why?! I remember I was wearing clothes before! Even though they were worn for a long time and were almost worn out! But I should still be..."

"【Answer】Of course it's because I helped you take it off."

"That can't even be considered an answer!? What's the most important reason? The reason!"

"【Further answer】That was to confirm your gender before you could cast illusion magic—after all, this trope (cross-dressing) has already been used twice in the original work, and I didn't want to be fooled."

"An explanation that's incomprehensible is practically useless!"

"【Confused】--You have nothing to be ashamed of, right? There's nothing there anyway. If I really want to see something, I can just look at my own."

"............"

The girl swore that today was the bravest day of her life, because she desperately wanted to rush over and punch that cyborg girl who had made the controversial comment. "Isn't her figure about the same?! She's just a little bit chubby! What right does she have to mock me like that!"

Ignoring the silly little girl with tears welling in her eyes, pleading with a nonsensical request, Yun You continued, "[First] before explaining the details of the agreement, we don't know each other's names, right? — My name is Yun You Ai Dievne, you can just call me Yun You. And what's your name?"

Although she could directly say the names Yun You and Ei Deevne, due to a strange feeling and the existence of her previous memories (backup), she did not want to erase Deevne's existence. So she gave herself this name (identification code) - Yun You Ei Deevne.

She didn't resent the previous owner of this body. After all, she (Dievni) had given Yunyou a second life through her own death. Although this life was somewhat incomplete, it was still something that came out of nothing. If she didn't feel grateful, then she would be disqualified from being a human being at the most basic level.

Therefore, she is now both Yun You and Di Yefuni—she exists only after the two have merged into one.

"Me? Me?... My name is Sunset."

"【Question】Sunset? Does it only have a first name and no last name?"

"Um........"

Faced with Yun You's question, the girl—Xi Yang—couldn't help but look away. A shadow fell over her face, and though she hesitated, she still managed a wry smile as she prepared to explain: "Because I..."

"[Interruption] If you don't really want to say it, then don't. I don't mean to bring up unpleasant memories for you."

However, Yun You interrupted Xi Yang, speaking expressionlessly. Xi Yang was taken aback. She had mentioned this story countless times, whether willingly or unwillingly, since childhood, but this was the first time someone had spoken to her like this.

—If you don't want to talk about it, then don't. —This gives her the right to choose.

Whether it was her imagination or not, the girl seemed to feel something throb in her chest.

"【Topic】So, 635 seconds have been wasted so far. Now I'll tell you what assistance I need from you." Yun You continued in a clear, slightly undulating voice, looking at the girl: "【Opportunity】If you have any other thoughts you'd like to refute, you can bring them up now."

"No...you tell me."

The setting sun shook its head slightly, its gaze fixed firmly on Yun You. Although it couldn't guarantee that it would dare to face any danger, the girl's simple words had completely put its guard down for Yun You.

If I can do even this, I will definitely work hard!

After several years, a long-lost determination rekindled in her heart.

Seeing that the other party did not refuse, Yun You continued speaking. Her bright, calm red eyes seemed to hold a million stars, her silent expression possessed supreme authority, and her thin lips parted slightly, as if to proclaim the most sacred decree to the world…

"【Declaration】I want you to fall in love with me, and at the same time, I want you to make me fall in love with you — 【Conclusion】Let's fall in love, girl☆."

"..."

"..............."

".....................................Clam?"

—In short, this is probably what it would feel like to be seen by Medusa's eyes.

Hearing Yun You's words, which were inexplicably emphasized at the end, Xi Yang's eyes lost their color, and he uttered incoherent syllables. He deeply believed that his spirit had finally succumbed to the cruelty of the great battle.

No, no, no, no, I must have misheard!? This is that Mecha-type! A Mecha-type that completely doesn't understand humor or emotions!?

As if to verify the girl's flustered thoughts, Yun You spoke again softly: "[Emphasis] You are extremely cute, with fluffy, soft, black, slightly curled, half-length hair, a small face that perfectly embodies the definition of cuteness, an undeniable little tiger tooth, a petite, standard loli figure, and most importantly, that kind of kind, pure, and naturally naive personality that radiates from your soul—this is a character setting that perfectly matches my preferences, unbelievable, incredible."

"【Request】To meet someone with such perfect qualities in such a cruel world under such circumstances is statistically impossible. This opportunity is extremely rare, so I beg your help."

The girl spoke these words in a completely emotionless tone, her gaze never leaving her, which made Xiyang feel a deep sense of unease. At the same time, she became certain that her earlier guess was correct.

That's right, the machine-type really doesn't joke around...

So, she was saying to herself in a very serious way what is equivalent to "I like you, please go out with me."

The sun, which had just calmed down, quickly blushed again. Her body trembled slightly with excitement.

Seemingly pushed to her limit, she could no longer hold back and closed her eyes, screaming in embarrassment, "—You really are broken! You stupid mecha-breed!!!"

Chapter Twenty-Four: The Settlement of Vampires

The next day, the light shone on the earth as usual.

"Um... Lord Yu, you really didn't need to come along... I could have handled it myself..."

A dark red light emanated from the sky, signifying that it was daytime. Although the endless war had impacted the spirits on the stars, causing the sky to refract light and turning the once azure sky blood-red, and the legendary sun was no longer visible, it didn't mean the sun had truly disappeared. After all, it still shone its light and heat upon the world; it was just that all living beings could not see it.

For this reason, as a member of the vampire race who cannot be exposed to sunlight, otherwise their lives would be threatened, Sunset is wrapped in a large fur cloth as a cloak. But even that is not enough, so now her purplish-red eyes are displaying patterns with intricate designs—weaving a barrier around the cloak that can distort light.

"【Negative】Now you are my companion, a partner who helps me achieve my goals. I cannot let you act alone in such an environment...after all, you are very weak."

The white-haired girl walking beside Xiyang... Yunyou, expressionless, delivered a flat rebuke. Xiyang couldn't help but lower her head, even her upturned ahoge drooped listlessly, fully reflecting her current dejected mood. However, this was a fact she already knew, so it only took her a few seconds to regain her spirits.

Surrounding them were all kinds of lush green plants, with flowers and grasses blooming in abundance, vines intertwining, and birdsong and fragrance filling the air with the atmosphere of nature. Compared to the small, abandoned laboratory more than three years ago, this place was undoubtedly under the greater protection of the forest spirit.

This is to be expected, after all—this is one of the large urban settlements of the Forest Elves, on the outskirts of Hana.

...

...