The Case Study of Vanitas (ヴァニタスの手記)

What a cruel thing to do to a child such as this.

Well, what will you do?

Will you, too, come with me?

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

Doctor Moreau!

It's an honor to see you again!

I figured you'd be here if you were in Paris.

Yes, yes!

I'm impressed you remembered the way here, Number 69!

Who might these folks be?

They have weapons in hand.

Friends of yours?

They're your supporters, Doctor!

Huh?!

On the way here, I told them of your sublime experiments.

Your ideas truly resonated with them, so they vowed that they would assist you.

As you can see, they are chasseurs.

They shall prove useful as both assistants and guards!

How very...

splendid!

I applaud you! I applaud you!

What a relief.

If you turned out to be evil-doers bent on capturing me, I would've had to kill you.

Come, come, everyone! Hurry now!

We must prepare to entertain our guests!

Vanitas, he is...

With enough flattery, he'll get so excited that he'll blurt out things we haven't even asked.

What became of the abducted vampires?

Is he the only one behind the abductions?

We'll wring every bit of information we can out of him.

After that, we'll let the chasseurs have at him,

or I will slay him myself.

Thank you very much.

Are these the enhanced humans Vanitas spoke of?

Now, allow me to introduce myself once more!

My name is Moreau!

Number 69, no doubt, already told you, but I research vampires here!

Question!

Yes?!

Doctor, Doctor!

Yes?

Why are you researching vampires?

What?

He means such vital information should be obtained from the source!

I see!

Well, that is a most commendable attitude!

The truth is I wish to become a vampire someday!

When the church first approached me, I assisted in their research on vampires simply out of intellectual curiosity.

But the more I learned about vampires, the more I couldn't stop thinking about one thing!

And that is vampires are a new human species, the very apex of evolution!

That's why I want to cross over to that side now, now, now!

Hell's bells!

Those fools in the church treated me like a lunatic!

Hell's bells!

Because of them, so much of my time and effort was wasted!

Curse them!

Curse them all!

You have no idea how truly difficult it's been!

After the Vampire of the Blue Moon attacked my laboratory that day and stole you children from me...

There was more than one?

...my creations and my place of research were destroyed.

That ruckus brought my secret research to the church's attention, and I was nearly killed!

It was the worst day ever!

My goodness.

I'm so sorry about that.

No, no, forgive me! I'm not at all angry at you.

Number 69, you were an outstanding specimen.

You gladly cooperated with each and every experiment!

You were sliced and diced to the brink of death, yet you never complained or cried!

That's why I'm so delighted that you've returned to me!

You came back to assist with my work, didn't you?

Of course, I did, Doctor.

The moment I heard of the string of vampire disappearances in Paris,

I had a feeling it must be you, fighting to complete your work here.

But, Doctor, this is the den of chasseurs, the very ones who drove you out.

Has being alone not put you at a disadvantage?

That has not been a problem.

After all, I now have that exalted personage on my side.

Exalted personage?

That's right! A fabulous kindred spirit who understands my work and supports me!

Thanks to my savior, I was able to return to my good old laboratory!

Who exactly is this person you speak of?

Wrong question.

It's the one thing I must not speak of, even to you.

Forget that. Look at this!

Freshly harvested vampire eyeballs!

Before they died and turned to dust, I carved off the parts I need for my experiments.

What's this?!

Number 69?

Have your eyes not changed color?

Yes, they have!

Where once they were deep blue, they're now light in color, like copper sulfate.

Is this related to the power possessed by the Vampire of the Blue Moon?

Well, Number 69?!

How intriguing.

How intriguing!

How very intriguing!

Number 69! I need but one!

Do you mind if I gouge out just one to study?!

Number 69!

What do you think you're doing?

Don't do this.

Sorry, but I must.

Doctor Moreau, there is much I'd like to say to you, but that incessant 69, 69...

Stop referring to people as numbers!

Your eyes are red.

You're a vampire?!

I must thank you, Noé.

I was about to murder that man if you hadn't made a move!

Drat!

Noé, keep a firm grip on him!

Oh, um, sure!

Doctor Moreau, who is that "exalted personage" you spoke of?!

Number 69, 69! Who is this vampire?!

Where did he come from?!

May I dissect him?!

Yowch! No! I can't believe this! Stop!

You're...

Monsieur Spider! Thank you for saving me!

That does it, Doctor.

I'm destroying your laboratory.

No!

What the devil?!

Charlatan and Naenia,

the masked man, and Doctor Moreau are all connected?

Oh dear, it seems my little friend woke up.

Is that the curse-bearer Dante and company were after?!

It manifested already?!

Not so fast!

Oh, before I forget, 69,

how is Number 71 doing?

You know, the one that was so attached to you?

The Vampire of the Blue Moon took my 71 from me along with you!

Is he not here with you?

Big Brother.

Why do you hate Father so?

Father is a good person. He rescued us from Moreau's lab, remember?

Give him back. Give him back.

Give my father back to me!

Vanitas!

What is it?

Are you all right?!

Get a grip!

What is... that?

Stand back if you won't help.

What?!

You stand back, you fool!

At least tell me what the devil that thing is!

It is the malnomen Prédateur, "the shadow."

It ravenously devours all life in its path.