The Case Study of Vanitas (ヴァニタスの手記)

A trespasser?

Forget about trespassers.

Find the Beast now!

We shall slay the fiend and present its corpse before His Majesty!

What the devil's this?

We saw the Beast slaughter them yesterday!

What the hell's happening?!

I think I understand.

It's a time loop.

And I know the malnomen.

This is a closed world created by a curse-bearer.

Chloé.

Wow! I didn't know that thing could do that!

Vanitas?!

All right, let's head straight for the castle!

Don't be a fool.

Get off!

I'm going to slay the Beast!

I know. And I'm going to save the curse-bearer.

I repaid my debt to you. If you persist in—

Are you sure?

This is what you wish?

I am a bourreau.

I must not cause any further trouble for Master Luca and Maître Ruthven!

Now then, where could that fool be?

"Don't get complacent"

Or maybe, "don't fall apart"

This world's future is torn toward conflict

Amidst a headwind it'll all come to a bloom

The eyes, the voice, they're quivering

What is right?

The days scream out in a blur

Even still, my accumulating feelings come to mind

I'll listen close for signs of hope

It must be more than desire

It must be more than a vow

I wonder what it truly means to love and be in love

I'm sure if I could just manage to put it into words even once

That might just be that and it'd all work out

My story

The Case Study of Vanitas

The Case Study of Vanitas

Wh-What was that shaking?

It's finally starting to work.

You put something in my food?

Jean-Jacques?

I'll likely try to kill you if you keep getting in Chloé's way.

So sleep it off here until the coast is clear.

Chloé told me.

You're not just a vampire. You can also read memories via blood.

When I heard that, I had a thought.

A wish, if you will.

I wish for someone to remember us.

Even one person will do.

No.

Please, wait.

I'm sorry.

Hmph!

Bring me my booze!

Is this one of Jean's memories?

Enough!

Who are you?

Oh, um...

My name's Jean.

Jean-Jacques Chastel.

A-Are you... the Silver Witch?

My grandma and grandpa told me stories about you,

the little silver-haired witch who appears in the forest.

I was wondering...

Eyes of red.

Are you a vampire?

N-No, I'm...

Are you... just like me?

Another victim?

How horrible.

How many dozens of deaths does that make so far?

Someone claims to have seen a huge beast.

Rumor has it that Marquis d'Apchier has long been meddling in uncanny research.

I heard his research is what created the Silver Witch who haunts the forest.

They say the Beast is her familiar!

No!

The Beast of Gévaudan is none other than the witch herself!

No! It's not Chloé!

She's trying to protect you all by discovering the Beast's true identity!

The Beast slew the marquis and his son.

Then the marquis's wife took her own life.

They're all dead because of me.

The d'Apchiers are gone because they sheltered a vampire.

I was told...

that I'm a monster.

You need not worry, Chloé.

You've done nothing wrong.

I'll stay by your side forever.

If only I were more powerful...

Did you hear? A chasseur and the Senate's bourreau are here to hunt down the Beast.

The Beast has seen its final day!

Kill!

Kill the witch!

Kill the Beast of Gévaudan!

Chloé was the only one who would protect me.

The only one who needed me.

It is for her sake...

I must...

I must become far more powerful!

I must!

Jean-Jacques.

He's the Beast of Gévaudan.

Jean-Jacques, do you loathe this world?

I do.

I loathe the humans who scorn Chloé and the vampires who abandoned her.

I'll devour them all.

This I vow.

What could that be?

It's Jean-Jacques.

He's such a kind boy, isn't he?

He gave me his pristine true name in order to protect you.

After all, the only way to prove that you're not the Beast is for someone else to take its form.

You must flee, Chloé.

The Senate's bourreau...

The Hellfire Witch is after you.

The Senate?

August?

Jeanne.

So you're... the Hellfire Witch?

I'm so glad.

You finally returned for me.

Go on, quickly now.

There isn't much time.

Use your fangs, your talons, your flames...

Well?

Come on.

Quickly now!

I'll look forward to the day when I can see how you've grown, Jeanne.

No. W-Wait!

Chloé!

I can make peace with this. I can.

Forgive me, Jean-Jacques.

Are you sure about this?

Poor little Chloé.

You've done nothing wrong.

Yet the vampires and humans have cast you away like rubbish.

Aren't you sad?

Aren't you bitter?

You don't wish to take vengeance upon Gévaudan?

Yes, I'm bitter.

I will never ever forgive them.

I will have my vengeance!

Commence calculation.

Chloé, do you know what I think?

Perhaps the Beast isn't even real.

Everyone is just terrified for no good reason.

The hunt won't end until the Beast is dead.

So I shall assume the form you hunters seek!

Now, try to slay me if you can!

Slay me before I devour every last one of you!

Father?

You were trouble enough when you were a vampire.

And now I find you're the Beast.

But I can claim a fine reward if I kill you.

You've proven yourself useful for something in the end, Jean-Jacques!

It hurts.

Such terrible pain.

Help...

Somebody, please...

Light.

I see light.