Ch. I: Departure ― Episode 1: Prologue

―An Immortal Sets Out on a Journey―
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Deep within the remote highlands of Eastern Europe―beyond human settlements, beyond even the paths of travelers—an ancient castle stood atop an unforgiving cliff of stone.

Behind it stretched a dark forest, dense and silent.

And then, quite suddenly, the world seemed to end.

A wall of sheer rock rose high toward the sky, as if to declare:

"This is as far as living beings may go."

Tonight, a full moon hung in the sky.

The night sky glowed brighter than usual, yet the mystery of the darkness only deepened.

The landscape was steeped in a density of shadow so profound that it threatened to deny the very outlines of reality itself.

Bathed in moonlight, the gray castle resembled the figurehead of a ship forever denied departure―its prow fixed in place, stranded in time.

It even seemed to give shape to a frustration―
as though the castle itself had been frozen within the flow of centuries.

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“Frustration… that should have vanished ages ago.”

The voice belonged to a man standing alone in one of the castle’s chambers.

He gazed at his hand, rimmed in pale moonlight.

Those bloodless fingers had remained unchanged for centuries.

He had never imagined that living among things that never changed could be so profoundly tedious.

―or could this even be called 'living'?

A faint, self-mocking laugh escaped him.

With an elegant motion, he withdrew a pocket watch from his jacket’s the breast pocket.

He stared at its unmoving hands with the same look as those who carefully turn yellowing diary pages, as if verifying their own memories again and again.

In his cold, ice-blue eyes, fragments of immeasurable years flickered like phantoms.

Dreams and ideals of youth.

The bitterness of love that once pierced his heart.

Days spent lamenting in search of salvation for the soul.

None of it stirred him now.

“And yet… why does my heart feel so restless tonight?”

His expression remained stern, but the corner of his mouth loosened slightly as he now cast the words deliberately into empty space.

Between his pale lips, sharp canine teeth showed for an instant.

His profile looked like a sculpture carved by the darkness seeping from within him—restrained only by a cool, ironic smile.

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“Would you like to know the reason?”

A calm yet resonant voice spoke from behind him.

The man closed his eyes.

He shook his head slightly.

Then he turned.

Floating before him was an Eastern man, seated cross-legged in midair, wrapped in a gentle golden aura.

“You again, Buddha,” he muttered.

“Could you not do something about these sudden appearances?”

“Even vampires,” he added dryly,

“have the decency to ask permission before entering someone’s home.”

Buddha ignored the complaint, maintaining his serene smile.

“Victor, don’t you think it’s about time you went on a journey?”

“A journey?
That’s impossible for someone like me.”

“Why do you believe that?”

—Why, you ask?

The vampire began listing the obvious constraints imposed upon him.

“I am still the lord of this land.”

“…In name only,” Buddha replied.

“You’ve long since lost real authority.”

“I speak of lineage,” Victor said.

“I have a duty to protect my family’s bloodline.”

“Is there anyone left of that family?”

“……”

“Even so,” Victor continued,

"a vampire cannot leave the soil of his homeland.”

“Why not?”

“The moment I do, my strength leaves me."

“Then carry your homeland’s soil with you.”

“……”

“Is there any other reason?”

―No.
Annoying as it was, theretrulywasn’t.

Victor pinched the bridge of his nose with long fingers.

He exhaled.

Then, quietly:

“Then… where should I go?”

“Wherever you please.”

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And so, the vampire―

who had withdrawn into his castle for centuries―

set out on a journey.

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© 2026 Kaori Yumesaki. All rights reserved.
The Japanese version is published separately.
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Next Episode: Chapter I ―

→Episode 2 : Setting Out

The next day, Victor hauled the coffin out of the cellar and, muttering to himself, began preparing for the journey.