I am a mindless machine.

Okay, before explaining why they appeared here, let's talk about what happened next in that cave. Regarding Yun You's emotionless confession—Xi Yang naturally said, "I refuse."

These were truly words uttered in a moment of confusion, perhaps influenced by the fairy tales she often heard as a child. Even in this environment, she still hoped that one day a prince charming would descend upon her—a fantasy inherent in a young girl's nature. As for Yun You... indeed, in terms of appearance, she was undoubtedly top-tier, and she truly made a sudden and forceful intrusion into the girl's life—a dreamlike arrival.

But... but... however! There's a crucial problem here! That is—they're both girls!?

How can people of the same gender date?!

In short, overwhelmed with a mix of complex emotions, Xi Yang inadvertently blurted out a rejection of Yun You's invitation. But as soon as she realized what she had said, cold sweat broke out all over the back of her head. "Oh my god, oh my god, oh my god, oh my god, oh my god, what did I just say?!" Then, pale-faced, she tried to explain that she hadn't meant it that way.

However, Yun You did not show any dissatisfaction and nodded in agreement with Xi Yang's explanation.

Even the girl who said those words didn't quite understand what she was saying. To be honest, if her emotions hadn't been almost completely erased after becoming a machine, she, a seasoned otaku, would probably be speechless even if a beautiful girl who perfectly matched her taste appeared next to her.

Moreover, Yun You was prepared for rejection from the very beginning, after all, love cannot be forced. Her choice of the young girl for the mission was purely because the girl was an ideal candidate for the experiment; as for whether the experiment would succeed... who knows?

If even an uncertain future could be calculated, would she need to go through all this trouble?

However, she hadn't expected Xiyang to be so direct. According to her calculations, given the threat to her life, Xiyang's best option should have been to pretend to agree to the request, but she resolutely refused without knowing whether it would anger her. Moreover, judging from her current state, where her pulse was almost stopping from excitement, she didn't seem foolish enough to be unaware of the consequences.

...That's really natural to a certain extent.

Thinking this through, Yun You uttered the words she had already prepared: "[Concession] Then, I'll lower my demands. From now on, I will supply you with food (blood), and you must stay by my side forever."

"...Is that all? Are there any other restrictions?"

"【Definitely】This is an experiment where the conditions for its occurrence, the methods of its advancement, and the reaction process are unknown—we only know that the outcome (gaining affection) must be achieved. It is unreasonable to expect you to achieve this in a short period of time."

"Is that so? I understand." Sunset nodded, adopting a confident demeanor of complete understanding—yes, she fully comprehended that she was incapable of completing the task.

—There's no way around it. It's impossible for someone like her to complete such a vague and abstract task that even the task's creator doesn't understand. Unless a miracle occurs, it's probably impossible.

However, Yunyou was indeed his savior, and she had even promised to provide him with food. Such a great favor deserved repayment... Therefore...

"From this day forward, I will do my best to fulfill all your requests before you abandon me and discard me, and exist as your most loyal follower—Lord Yu."

The setting sun lowered its gaze, bowed its head slightly, and spoke softly to Yun You, as if a devout nun were making an unwavering vow to God. She felt an innate fondness for Yun You, the person who had accepted her, but she was also acutely aware of the vast difference between them. Therefore, even though the other girl had agreed to let the girl call her Yun You, the setting sun decided to add the respectful title of an adult.

Even she herself didn't understand why—it was an instinctive self-preservation measure.

"But... before that, may I make a small request?"

...

...

"(【Question】Her reaction was indeed strange. Why would someone with such abilities develop such an insecure personality?)"

Watching the girl regain her spirits and begin cautiously checking her surroundings for any danger, Yunyou felt somewhat confused.

—She lied just now. In truth, Sunset isn't weak at all. On the contrary, by vampire standards, her talent in illusion magic is unbelievably strong. While it's true her actual direct combat ability is weak, with her strength—she wouldn't have been detected by the enemy in the first place.

Yunyou used the observation ability of the Machine-type to observe Xiyang's current state, or more accurately, to observe the magical fluctuations emanating from her. The result was that her ceaseless use of the illusion magic surrounding her cloak to distort sunlight was almost in a miraculous state of zero consumption (zero use of spirit).

She doesn't use energy to bewitch in a single instance, but rather uses it in a chain, so economical it's almost heartbreaking, way to bewitch the elves—a unique illusion magic that causes the elves to become confused and produce the same result (distorting sunlight).

Considering the precarious state she was in before sunset, it's quite normal that she would create this method of use—what's abnormal is that she was actually able to create it. This far exceeds the average talent level of vampires; it wouldn't be an exaggeration to call her a genius.

But this genius also possessed an inferiority complex...

Although the information available at the moment is insufficient to fully understand the situation, Yunyou deduced from various clues that this matter was likely related to a past that Xiyang had previously been reluctant to discuss.

For some reason, Yun You felt a surge of curiosity about Xi Yang's past. Under what circumstances could such a strange person have been created?

"Ah, Lord Yu—we've arrived at our destination!"

Just as Yun You was pondering to herself, the girl walking in front of her spoke cheerfully in a raised voice. She pointed ahead—but to Yun You, there was nothing there, and even her sensors couldn't detect anything unusual; there were only the flowers, plants, and trees that were everywhere in the forest.

There is no abnormality in itself, because that is harmony that is too perfect.

That was their destination—an unnamed settlement of vampires located next to the city of forest elves.

It is also the hometown where the setting sun grew up.

"Thank you again for taking the time to come back to this place with me... As I said before, I'll leave as soon as I get my mother's belongings."

[Question] Don't you have anything else to take, or someone you plan to say goodbye to in person?

As the sun set, a complex expression appeared on his face. Then he gently shook his head and said, "No... that kind of thing is long gone."

Chapter Twenty-Five Unexpected Situation

The pitch-black night sky enveloped the entire firmament, with a few ethereal figures shimmering like starlight, adorning the heavens and making it appear magnificent and dreamlike. According to Xiyang, this was a grand illusionary magic used by several vampire nobles to deceive the world, allowing the vampires to travel freely regardless of time. Here, day and night had become synonymous, indistinguishable from one another.

This is the main city of the vampires, the eternal night kingdom where no daylight ever falls—Yelenocini (the City of No Day).

The streets are lined with low-rise houses built in a medieval urban style, with streetlights emitting a dreamlike glow that seems to illuminate the world as if it were daytime. Adult vampires gather outside wooden taverns, elegantly sipping their blood and chatting about the races they hunted that day. Some even wager their blood vials. Graceful vampire girls, adorned with beautiful costumes, weave elaborate spells using the talents of forest elves they have plundered, dancing gracefully on a stage, enjoying the admiring gazes of the crowd.

Of course, not all of these numerous and exquisite decorations are real; most are merely illusions and serve no practical purpose. However, if the goal is simply to enhance the atmosphere, then it's a perfectly suitable approach.

This is a dreamlike city that can only be described as magnificent. As a race most skilled in concealment and illusion, even though they cannot gain the upper hand in this great war due to the overwhelming number of monsters, if their primary objective is self-preservation, then they are one of the most difficult races to kill.

So they can go out hunting during the night in the normal world, and retreat to their towns during the day to enjoy life to the fullest, just like they do now.

"Before we came here, Sunset, didn't you say this was just a small settlement? Now it seems this place is comparable to the capitals of various races!" Walking along the bustling streets, Yunyou asked Sunset, who seemed a bit timid, with some confusion. "Besides, if it only expanded tenfold, that would be one thing, but even if the woodland we just entered expanded a hundredfold, it wouldn't be much different, right? According to the database, illusion magic's cost increases exponentially with the expansion of its range... Could this be incorrect information?"

The two of them were now walking home in the sunset. Originally, at the entrance, Xi Yang really wanted Yun You to wait nearby, not because she was afraid Yun You would know her country's secrets, but because she was afraid that once Yun You entered as a machine-type, she wouldn't be able to leave. This place was guarded by more than a dozen vampire nobles year-round, and if Yun You's current disconnected state were discovered, she would only face certain death.

However, Yunyou dispelled Xiyang's worries with her actions. After a semi-forceful analysis of Xiyang's various physical data, her current appearance was that of a vampire larva that no one could tell was wrong. Small bat wings, cute white tiger teeth, and a disguised demon tail all appeared on her body, and even her way of speaking had changed.

While such methods might eventually be exposed, they're fine for the short term. After all, generally no one will pay special attention to her true identity; as long as she goes and returns quickly, it's a sure thing.

"Ah...no, that's not wrong, that's definitely right. But..." Sunset shook her head, thinking for a moment, organizing her thoughts, trying to find the right words to express her meaning accurately, "In fact, the town you're seeing now, Lord Yu, isn't the real town, it's just a part of the whole Yerenochini."

She began to explain the principles of the city to Yunyou in detail.

The truth of Yelenochini is that it is actually composed of many interconnected settlements (districts), not just the one next to the Elf city, but also entrances to other races' cities. The city is the result of connecting these countless spaces. This safety measure allows the illusionary magic used to sever the connection to any entrance discovered by the enemy, preventing the entire city from being destroyed.

As they talked, the two finally arrived at their destination...

That's how it should have been.

"Huh...?"

As Xiyang stared in astonishment at the old mansion where several men were going in and out. She looked bewildered as these complete strangers moved about in her home. Forgetting all about talking to Yunyou, she rushed forward, glaring angrily at the men who were carrying her belongings out of her house, demanding, "What are you doing in my house? This is my house! Who gave you permission to come in?!"

Although she rarely returns home now, it's a place where she and her mother once lived together, holding immense significance for her. And now these people are wantonly destroying this place filled with memories, infuriating even someone as gentle as Xiyang. Her eyes gleamed with an eerie light, as if she were about to unleash a carefully crafted spell.

"You are...?" Suddenly blocked by a petite figure darting out from the roadside, the man set aside the enormous sofa he was carrying, which he had concealed its weight, and looked over with some confusion. But after recognizing the person, a clear sneer appeared on his face: "Oh~ I thought it was someone else, but it's our genius young lady? We thought you had starved to death outside after losing Lord Cataron's charity, hahahahaha. I really didn't expect that."

Noticing the commotion, the other men carrying furniture also turned their attention to the scene. Upon spotting the setting sun, they too burst into mocking laughter, as if they were watching a clown appear.

"...You still have to answer me, who exactly allowed you to enter my house?" Upon hearing Lord Catron's name, Sunset seemed to recall something unpleasant, and a gloomy look quickly settled over her face, but she still asked in a deep voice.

"Heh heh, you still dare to be so arrogant after Lord Cataron's protection is gone? If you kneel down and beg me now, then I'll say no..." The man clearly still didn't take Xiyang seriously and was about to humiliate him a few more times, but his voice suddenly stopped halfway through. Then the furniture in his hands fell to the ground, and he knelt down on the floor, his face pale and his expression extremely painful. He coughed loudly as if he had choked.

The setting sun, standing before him, revealed for the first time a chilling, icy expression, looking down at the man kneeling before her. Complex patterns appeared in her crimson eyes, layers upon layers, shimmering with an unfathomable brilliance. Even a clay idol has a temper, and a dragon has its scales—those that, if touched, are fatal. And coincidentally—this home, filled with beautiful memories, was precisely the place in the young girl's heart that she would never allow to be trampled upon!

Although the girl had made up her mind to leave the past behind before returning, it didn't mean she would let these strangers ruin her memories.

"How dare you...!" The man finally realized that the illusion of sinking into the deep sea and being unable to breathe he had just experienced was caused by the girl in front of him. His eyes also flashed, and he glared fiercely at the girl, gritting his teeth and preparing to retaliate—

"I asked you to answer my question, is it that hard?... Ah, sorry, it seems you can't answer my question."

However, this angry retort was easily thwarted by the girl's even more sophisticated editing skills. In a duel between two vampires, whoever could deceive the other's mind more effectively would be the victor. This time, the man collapsed heavily to the ground as if struck by a heavy object, limbs outstretched, foaming at the mouth, and unconscious.

"So... is anyone going to take his place and answer my question next?"

After delivering her intimidating gesture, Xiyang gently raised her head, the eerie light in her eyes showing no sign of fading, and swept her gaze from left to right over the men who had just been mocking her. Now, the smiles on their faces froze completely, rapidly transforming into terror, making them look utterly ridiculous.

Now, they've become the clowns who deserve to be ridiculed.

Chapter Twenty-Six: Recounting the Past (Part 1)

"You...how do you possess the energy to use illusion magic!? Given your current situation, no one should be giving you blood anymore...Could it be...could it be that you really drank blood this time? No, no, no, how could that be!?" Seeing the sinister-faced girl, one of the blue-haired men seemed to have discovered something unbelievable. He staggered back a step, his eyes wide, and stammered in horror, "If you really have this kind of awareness, then why did you...in that incident ten years ago..."

Upon hearing this, Xi Yang visibly trembled, just as she had when she heard the name "Cataron." As if a sore spot had been touched, her already terrifyingly gloomy expression turned even more sinister. She coldly glanced at the blue-haired man and said in a chilling voice, "Shut up, don't change the subject. Answer my question now."

But since those men had initially looked down on the girl, they certainly weren't going to obey now. They exchanged a glance, nodded in unison, and then simultaneously turned to flee.

"Well!?"

The surroundings had fallen silent. The street, which should have been bustling with pedestrians, had melted away like snow under the morning sun, leaving only a bottomless darkness. Faced with this unknown situation, no one dared to approach. Even they, as vampires, understood that this was a mental illusion—but even an illusion, if realistic enough, could still kill.

Just like the famous blood-dripping experiment on death row, even though there was only a light cut on the wrist, the subject believed it to be real after hearing the dripping water from the faucet next to him was his own blood. Because he couldn't see it and couldn't verify it, he actually died after a period of time.

An overly strong perception can easily become reality.

"—Should I repeat my question?"

Just as the men were struggling to break the barrier with reverse illusion magic, Xiyang warned again. With that, a row of sharp spikes appeared in the bottomless darkness, encircling the entire space. The dense, white spikes gleamed with a sharp light proving their formidable sharpness, and slowly approached the men.

Faced with such a horrific scene and the obvious disparity in strength between the two sides, the men's carefully maintained pride finally shattered. The blue-haired man who had been leading them immediately broke down, shouting, "I'll talk! I'll talk! Stop it!! Don't let these spikes get any closer!"

The setting sun raised a finger, and with a gentle wave, like a conductor in a symphony orchestra. Instantly, all the spikes in the space stopped in unison, maintaining their position to surround the space and prevent the men from escaping.

"Tell me, why are you all doing this...?"

"Lord Godorn! Lord Godorn ordered us to come! He ordered us to destroy this house!" The blue-haired man seemed terrified, blurting everything out before Xiyang could finish speaking. "Seeing you hadn't returned for so long, he assumed you were dead outside, so he ordered us to destroy this abandoned house, probably because it was in his way. The reason we were moving things out was simply to take everything that could be sold before destroying the house and make some money..."

--Varied......?

The blue-haired man's next words were no longer audible to Xiyang; she stood frozen in place, as if struck by lightning. The oppressive feeling that had enveloped the entire space vanished completely. The illusion she had created around her naturally could no longer be maintained. The noisy sounds of the crowd returned to the space once more.

The men, realizing they had finally escaped the illusion, dared not linger any longer and quickly disappeared into the crowd like chickens and ducks being chased.

"It was that person...? How could he...? Why would he do this...?" The sunset was completely oblivious, simply hanging her head and muttering to herself as if in a daze. Then, as if remembering something, she rushed frantically into the old mansion before her, where even the windows had been removed. Using a spell that could deceive the air, she leaped into a room on the second floor with a simple step.

Yun You, who had been quietly watching the situation unfold from behind her, also followed the girl without saying a word.

"As expected... as expected, she's gone! Mom's belongings... that man must have come and taken them..."

When Yun You reached the second floor, she saw a figure silently contemplating a worn but exquisitely crafted wooden desk drawer in the setting sun. Tears welled in the girl's beautiful eyes with disappointment. Hearing Yun You's footsteps as she climbed the stairs, she quickly wiped the tears from her face and turned to Yun You, forcing a smile, saying, "I'm so sorry, Lady Yun, I'm sorry you had to see that. Something unexpected happened. Please don't worry about it! Let's go now! I've made all the preparations..."

"Who is this Godorn they were just talking about?"

Yun You, expressionless, silenced Xi Yang. Hearing this, a bitter look flashed across the girl's face, and she said in a low, almost pleading voice, "Lord Yun You, you really don't need to concern yourself with this. You said before that if I didn't want to talk about it, I wouldn't, right? So this time... could you please not ask again...? Please. This really... really can't be helped..."

As she spoke, the thought of never seeing the object that represented her last memory with her mother again filled the girl with unbearable pain, and a single, crystal-clear tear slid down her fair face, staining the wooden floor.

"Fine, let it be. Let's just leave it at that. If that's the case, then I'll finally wake up from that dreamlike past, right?" The girl thought silently, a bitter taste rising in her mouth, as if trying to hypnotize herself. "Lord Yu probably won't press the matter any further. After all, for a Machine Race, such meaningless matters are hardly a waste of time..."