The Case Study of Vanitas (ヴァニタスの手記)

Mon Chaton.

Listen to me well.

You must never let anyone take your true name.

It is the formula that gives shape to who you are.

That is to say...

it is your very life.

I want you to give me your true name.

Non!

What are you doing, Noé?

Did you twist your ankle dancing?

Who are you?

So, you're from Charlatan?

There's blood on your neck.

Are you hurt?

I don't kiss and tell.

Stay away from Master Luca!

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

You said you're from Charlatan.

What is it you want?

Was this pandemonium your doing?

How delightful.

How very delightful!

Enough, Naenia.

We've already been here too long.

The Queen's Fangs will soon get wind of this.

Tsk, how disappointing.

That voice is the same as before.

Noé.

I've taken a liking to you.

When next we meet, I want you to give me your true name.

Wait! What do you want?!

Why are you creating curse-bearers?!

And Louis! Why did you—

Bye-bye, Noé.

Get back here!

After them!

Yes, Master Luca!

Wait for me!

Noé!

I'm so glad I found you!

It's bedlam in the great hall.

Are you all right?

Domi.

Noé?

Get a hold of yourself!

There are curse-bearers in the great hall!

They all appeared at once!

And those who blacked out are being driven mad by the curse-bearers' voices.

That is the malnomen Dissonance, "the beastly orchestra."

This rare malnomen occurs when those afflicted with maladies gather together.

The voice they make creates a dissonance that drives all around them mad.

And you are the one who can save them, human?

I'll see what I can do.

Very well.

Then I will protect you.

Curse-bearer heads will roll if we don't act now.

Quickly!

That's right.

Things are different now.

The power Vanitas wields—

it can save them!

There!

Your first patient!

Who the devil are they?

The Clan of the Blue Moon!

Was it you who turned them into curse-bearers?

Kill him.

Kill him.

Kill him!

Kill that human!

Vanitas, I must thank you.

What's with you?

Nothing. It's just...

I wished to say that.

Noé, you're a bit clueless.

This is bad. Get out of here!

Domi!

From what I saw, I'd say there's one curse-bearer left.

But—

Now, go!

If you don't...

Domi, my dear!

Whatever are you doing with that mortal?

You're looking well, Sister Veronica.

Me, clueless?

About what?

And you are the one who can save them, human?

I'll see what I can do.

Vanitas...

Catherine, stop.

She's...

It's too late for this one.

There's no going back once the flesh is as corrupted as this.

Please... kill... me.

Kill me before I murder my little sister too.

Vanitas.

Please, wait. Vanitas!

Stay out of the way, Noé.

I see.

No.

So that's your true name.

Don't!

It suits you well.

No!

Why?!

Huh? What's got your knickers in a knot?

I've said it from the start, haven't I?

It matters not what you people want.

I will save the vampires.

I will do as I please.

I will use the methods I choose.

It matters not what you people want!

I will save the vampires.

Is this...

salvation?

Kill... me.

Kill me.

Kill me, Noé.

I don't understand.

Vanitas.

What is salvation?!

As if I'd know.

Make of it what you will.

I found you!

Marquis Machina! Hurry!

Stop my sister before it's too late!

Oh, the stench, the stench, the stench!

It reeks of man. The stink of humans!

There is truly nothing worse.

That mask is obstructing her sight, yet she can still rewrite formulas like this?!

Those are some incredible eyes you have,

Veronica de Sade, the Queen's Fangs.

Mine is not a name that ought to roll off your tongue so lightly, mortal.

Yikes.

First, I shall freeze you.

And after that? Let me think.

Vanitas!

Curses! That single attack has rendered my body...

Now, before the eyes of dear little Domi, who tried to stop me,

I shall smash you into tiny icy bits.

That's enough, Veronica.

The Queen's Fangs, of all people, should not make such an unbecoming display of power.

Lord Ruthven.

Ruthven?

Where have I heard that name before?

You have arrived quite late.

Indeed.