The Case Study of Vanitas (ヴァニタスの手記)

Maître, this is amazing.

We are now in Castle Carbunculus.

Her Majesty The Queen is somewhere within these walls!

I call this my office, but it's rather like my hobby room.

Make yourselves at home.

Is something the matter?

No, forgive me.

This morning, Domi couldn't believe I knew nothing about you.

Oh, you need not worry about that.

It makes sense, considering you are the Shapeless One's child.

And truth be told,

your mentor genuinely loathes me.

He even disliked my name passing his lips.

I have no doubt he'd eradicate all traces of my name to keep it from your eyes.

That...

sounds like something he might do.

Yes, it does, doesn't it?

That machine interests you?

It's a difference engine given to me by Marquis Machina.

And that is a lamp powered by astermite.

Over there—

Lord Ruthven.

Sorry to interrupt the fun,

but can we cut to the chase?

The Case Study of Vanitas

The Case Study of Vanitas

You always ponder the simple stuff like emotions and love

I hope one day you'll come to understand them

Torn apart and patched back together so many times leaves you a miserable sight

You don't even know what it means to be alive

You needn't put into words that you want us alone together

I have a feeling we can accept one another, and that's fine for now

I love this world, and I love the light that only you can bring me

Even with my fractured eyes it makes this world

Appear ever so radiant

There's nothing certain in life

But I'm sure you can see me

When the sky and void meet, turn back from dreams of the future

Noé, Vanitas.

First, I would like to thank you for your heroic actions.

Lucius has told me everything.

Thanks to you, our brethren's casualties at the ball were kept to a minimum.

What are your thoughts on the attack that day?

It was Charlatan.

I'd thought they were hallucinations that only curse-bearers could see.

But now, I believe that attack was an attempt on Lucius's life.

I agree.

The chaos caused by the curse-bearers was likely an attempt to distract the Queen's Fangs.

If that black shadow, Naenia, is the one that steals true names,

it's no surprise there were a number of curse-bearers there.

Um, by Lucius, you mean Luca?

Why would they try to kill him?

What? You still don't get it?

The boy has rank and power second only to the queen.

No doubt, there are countless nobles who feel he's in their way.

Isn't that right, Luca?

Or should I say, Lucius, Grand Duke Oriflamme.

Grand duke?

Really?!

The grand duke is Her Majesty's close advisor.

That's right.

That is amazing!

I would not call it amazing.

Lord Uncle, who is also my guardian, handles all of my duties as grand duke.

In any case, my succession to the office hasn't been made official.

My blood ran cold when I heard you ventured into the mortal world without leave.

You must be more conscious of your own position.

Yes, Lord Uncle.

Come to think of it, Luca, weren't you seeking The Book of Vanitas to save your brother?

My big brother suffers dearly from the Vampire of the Blue Moon's curse!

Where is he now?

Let us forget about that.

Huh?

I'm telling you not to mention the boy's brother ever again.

Salvation takes many forms.

Freeing him from the curse is not necessarily in his best interest.

But enough about that.

You're here to ask me about curse-bearers, aren't you?

I, too, have many questions I would ask you of the Blue Moon Clan.

Questions about the Vampire of the Blue Moon, The Book of Vanitas, and...

about you yourself.

You're right.

We should devote this time to more fruitful discussions.

Which is why I'd like to start with my request.

What is it? Speak.

I thought you'd never ask.

Take me to your queen.

What?

Did you not hear me?

I'm telling you to take me to your queen.

To what purpose?

My purpose?

It's simple.

I believe it is the queen that gives rise to curse-bearers.

Don't spout such nonsense, human!

What's the big deal?

Just let me see her.

I merely wish to examine every nook and cranny of Her Majesty's body.

Insolent fool!

Well, Ruthven? What say you?

It should be easy with the grand duke's prerogative.

How long has it been since the queen was seen in public?

Why has she become a hermit?

Vanitas.

I ask you...

Uncle?

Does your queen yet live?

Lord Uncle?

Please, stop.

Lord Uncle!

Leave this place at once, human.

Every word you have spoken maligns the good name of our queen!

I forbid you from ever setting foot in this castle again!

So they booted us back across the barrier.

It's been about a week since we got back to the human world.

Every bone in my body aches, so I've been sleeping it off.

They sent Murr back later.

That's all we have to report!

Blasted fools!

You dare show such insolence toward the queen?!

Master!

Please calm yourself!

Wanna fight?

I'll rip you to shreds!

Think you can take me?

It worked out fine.

I got the information that I most wanted.

He played us for fools.

That human wasn't interested in me.

It was you, Lucius.

Most vampires fly into a blind rage when Her Majesty is insulted.

You should have too.

But you...

You showed a moment of dismay.

That was the same as confirming his words.

Your Majesty...

What am I to do?

So, until the dust settles, I will keep curing curse-bearers as I've been doing.

But I need information—

Impudent, human!

Master Orlok has no time for you!

Another incident?

"Vampires disappear."

"Three in one week."

That's a lot.

Hands off the files!

Get the hell out!

Hey, quack.

Oh, Dante, perfect timing.

Wait. What happened?

Leave it!

I've got some new info on curse-bearers.

I'll do you a solid and sell it to you!

It was yesterday that we finally located this curse-bearer who slipped into Paris not long ago.

That's when...

She was abducted right before our eyes.

But like an idiot, Riche tried to stop it.

I got dragged in and beat up too.

I never asked you to save me.

What did you say, hag?!

Shut it, fatty!

Hag!

Fatty!

All right, children, no need to fight.

Butt out!

Fatty!

Johann, you got pretty beat up too!

What is your problem?!

When I was all alone, I was mistaken for a vampire and nearly abducted.

But they fled the moment they realized I was a dham.

That was so rude.

A dham?

Mixed race.

You know, half-vampire, half-human?

All three of us are.

You've never seen a dhampir before?

No.

Hey, quack.

A little trophy I tore off the abductor's coat.

A sword and six wings?

Vani—

I know who abducted the vampires and who old-man Orlok's after.

It's the church's anti-vampire unit, the chasseurs.

Captain, have you heard?

It's about that human.

Of course, I have.

Vanitas, was it?