My Horny Stepmom Turns Me into Her Vampire Slave-Chapter 64: So different, yet so similar

Manhattan, 11:30 a.m.

"Commander Kendrow — all primordial vampires in Manhattan have been eliminated. Awaiting confirmation to proceed with clearing the other districts."

"Permission granted," John Kendrow replies.

He then ends the call on a device that runs on HESPARC satellite signals — the only ones over New York that haven’t been temporarily disabled.

He’s going through Manhattan’s skyscrapers one by one, making sure there are no survivors — neither among the primordial vampires nor the civilians.

He’s completely covered in blood, but not a single drop is his. After more than three hours of relentless fighting, he’s walked away with just a couple of superficial scratches.

"I’m sure this whole mess is because of Princess Mia," he grumbles. "The real blame falls on those idiots running the U.S. division — especially that naive fool Alexia. I still can’t figure out how an incompetent like my sister became vice director. I’ve been telling her for years that giving political asylum to loose cannons like Mia Valakis is bullshit — and this is what we get. I just hope Frank Pyton keeps his promises and finds a way to make me director... otherwise I swear I’ll kill him."

After John Kendrow finishes sweeping the last floor of the skyscraper, he moves up to the roof.

There, he finds Officer Tomson, curled up in a fetal position, trembling with fear.

"T-That uniform... y-you... you must be one of the ones who took down those monsters? It’s all over, right...?" Henry Tomson stammers.

John studies him carefully.

"And you must be with the NYPD. Shame we’ll have to do without you during the reconstruction."

"Do without me? What the hell does that mean—?"

SLASH!

Before Henry can even finish the sentence, John’s blade of light pierces his chest.

"Thank you for your service to the community. But you’ve seen too much. Nothing personal."

John pulls the weapon back, and it dissolves into particles of light.

As he descends the skyscraper’s long stairwell, he grabs the communication device again.

"All agents, priority is the elimination of primordial vampires and civilians outside the air-raid shelters. Anyone who refuses will be charged with treason. Over and out."

◇◇◇

"G-Good job, brat..." Levreeshka rasps.

She’s still in bad shape, even after nearly an hour since her brutal clash with Isabelle. Some of her lighter wounds have already healed, while the more serious ones — along with her bones — are still mending.

Alexander Azuralis supports her as they move through the long sewer tunnels of New York.

He’s the one who, at the signal of three knocks on the manhole, raised those rock barriers and sealed the passage. One of the five escape plans in case things didn’t go as expected.

The stench of shit and rot is unbearable, but Levreeshka breathes it in as if it were clean air.

During her training to become a general, she was pushed to endure any environment so she could fight anywhere. From scorching deserts to glaciers on the highest peaks, to swamps that make this sewer seem like a field of flowers.

But it’s a different story for Alexander — his face is green with nausea, like he’s about to throw up at any moment.

"T-Thank you, Lady Dulcar... I’m glad I could help, even if it was all thanks to your brilliant plans. Now we just have to hope the Platinum Death doesn’t find us."

"S-She won’t come after us, don’t worry. She’d never leave Princess Mia alone knowing I might still be nearby."

"I hope so... so what do we do now?"

"First, I’m getting as far away from here as possible. Then I’ll figure something out. I can’t go back to Mildelar empty-handed, otherwise..."

Levreeshka suddenly stops. Alexander has no idea what her reputation is in the kingdom, and she has no intention of letting him find out. She’s been telling him nothing but how much her soldiers praise her for her brilliant plans, and that the vampire king chose her because she’s the only one capable of recovering the Tear of Azkarith.

"...otherwise?"

"Nothing, forget it. And don’t talk like there’s an ’us.’ There isn’t. You’ll help me get out of here, then we go our separate ways."

"Why...?"

"What kind of question is that? I’m not your mother, and I’m not babysitting you for the rest of your life!"

"But... you said you can’t go back empty-handed. And I don’t have anywhere to go either... I’ve been useful so far, and I can keep being useful. Please, don’t leave me alone..."

"If I wanted to deal with a brat, I’d have had a kid — one that wouldn’t be this whiny. But you’re right about one thing — you’ve been useful, and your elemental magic is interesting."

Levreeshka falls silent for a brief moment.

"Mmh... deal. But don’t expect me to treat you as my equal. I command, you obey. Have I made myself clear?"

"Y-Yes, Lady Dulcar. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! I’ll give it my all, I promise! You won’t regret it!" Alexander exclaims, overwhelmed with joy and gratitude.

"Keep your fucking voice down — do you want them to find us? There’s no need to shout — I’m not deaf!"

"S-Sorry, Lady Dulcar."

And yet, she can’t help but let a faint smile slip through, a mix of pity and tenderness.

Damn, this brat is really trying hard to impress me. He obeys without hesitation and keeps showering me with compliments.

If only my troops were like this...

Wait... is this how my soldiers and the other generals see me when I try so hard to impress them? Like a brat desperate for approval? I never realized it looked this pathetic from the outside. How embarrassing...

As soon as I get back to Mildelar, there’s no fucking way I’ll keep being kind and gentle like I’ve been!

...who am I kidding?

I can’t go back empty-handed — not even the lowest recruit would respect me anymore...

What a shitty situation...

"I-I was thinking..." Alexander mutters, his gaze lost in the dark. "...the first time I met you, running from those primordial vampires, you scared me to death. Seriously, I don’t think I’ve ever been that scared in my life. But now, after getting to know you these past few days... you’re not as bad as you make yourself seem. In fact, I’m sure there’s a big heart behind that armor of coldness and authority — even if it’s been torn apart by suffering..."

"I-I remind you you’re talking to a general of the Scarlet Army, not your best friend — I didn’t give you permission to get this familiar. Where the hell is all this nonsense coming from? My heart is perfectly fine," Levreeshka mutters, blushing slightly.

"I know, and I’m sorry for speaking to you so directly. But when I look into your eyes... I can’t help but see my own. The eyes of someone who knows they’re not valued the way they deserve by the people around them..."

"B-Brat, you don’t know anything about me, so stop spouting bullshit!"

"I left my family and chose not to return to N’Raeth because I couldn’t stand being seen as the third wheel — the weak link. I was never particularly strong, and when it comes to courage... I don’t even compare to my cousin Rudeor or my sister Elisabeth. Everyone only ever looked at them — all the praise went to them, while I lived in their shadow. The weak cousin. The weak brother. If I’d been encouraged more, pushed to do my best instead of constantly being put down... maybe by now..."

Alexander’s eyes fill with tears, and quiet sobs keep him from speaking.

"I-I told you, if I wanted a whiny brat by my side, I’d have had a kid," Levreeshka mutters, forcing herself not to be moved by his story. But the parallels with what she’s been through are so strong that it’s hard to hold back a tear.

"D-Don’t you dare think I’m crying because your pathetic story moved me! It’s just... this disgusting stench — it’s so strong it’s making my eyes water!"

"I know, Lady Dulcar. Don’t worry. But keeping everything inside leaves wounds not even a vampire’s regeneration can heal. If you ever want to open up to someone... you can count on me."

Alexander says it with a gentle smile, still wet with tears.

"Thank you from the bottom of my heart."

Those are the words about to leave Levreeshka’s lips. But she stops just before saying them, replacing them with a cold, detached "Do as you wish."

They take a right turn along the main tunnel when Levreeshka suddenly stops.

"D-Did something happen...?" Alexander asks, confused.

Deep in the tunnel, five figures block their path in the darkness. Alexander can’t see them yet, but Levreeshka can, thanks to her night vision.

She grits her teeth as the five figures move closer. Soon, they’re close enough for Alexander to see them too, thanks to the faint light filtering down from the manholes above.

And the moment he sees them, a visceral terror grips Alexander.

"It’s been a long time since we last saw each other, Levreeshka Dulcar," Frank Pyton says, a lit cigar clenched between his teeth in a sinister grin.