I Planned a Su*cide Mission and Got Kicked Out of the Party

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As Arthur Harker led a slightly insufficient troop to Harriet’s Territory, Jeongjae hurriedly ran outside the border to stop the Count’s procession.

No matter how much Harker Count Territory is essentially the suzerainty of Harriet’s Territory, it was not a trivial matter for a hundred-strong army to approach right outside our borders. The gentry suddenly fell into panic, and the guards were tensed, bracing themselves for any surprises.

The general atmosphere was that Harker wasn’t going to invade this land, but this was an era where unimaginable events occurred without a care. Even if it were said that Harker had launched a campaign to subjugate the small noble fiefs around due to his discontent with the loose governance over the nearby territories, the common folk, unaware of the Empire’s political situation, wouldn’t think it was something impossible.

At least those who knew the imperial laws and were informed about the political situation, like Village Chief Huck and Guard Captain Philip, were concluding confidently that Harker didn’t bring troops for hostile reasons.

If this continued, it seemed the gentry would once again take up arms and storm the streets. Jeongjae, thinking to formally and personally express his complaints to Harker, dashed out wearing a battle robe, but the moment he saw the expression of Count Harker stepping down from the carriage, his thoughts of protest vanished.

Count Harker’s face looked unwell. He bore the marks of fatigue as if he hadn’t slept properly for days, and his gaunt appearance suggested he hadn’t even had a decent meal.

His unshaved beard seemed to have grown out as if to hide his facial expression, and his eyes, still sharp, looked all the more dangerous in contrast to his pallid complexion.

Jeongjae was startled and approached Harker, taking off his robe. It felt uncomfortable to be wearing a battle robe in front of someone who looked pained. The Count hurriedly opened his arms and approached Jeongjae.

“Let me in, Baron. That bastard has stolen everything! That filthy son of a dog has taken everything essential for me to win.”

“What did he take? And who are you talking about?”

“Dracula! That crazy bastard has taken everything! Please understand my hurry. Even if you cannot understand, forgive me. But I had to meet Zanel first. And there’s something I need to confess. What I’ve been most afraid to reveal, I can no longer keep hidden.”

Without a word, Jeongjae grabbed Count Harker and examined his face closely.

Silently, Jeongjae draped his robe around the Count. Gently patting Arthur Harker’s shoulder, he spoke in a courteous tone.

“Please shield yourself from the sunlight. I lack talent in the healing arts compared to other fields, but if you know the brewing methods, I might be able to assist you.”

At Jeongjae’s words, Harker flinched. Still, the Count accepted the robe, trembling, and asked.

“When did you realize?”

“Just now. To be honest, I considered it as one possibility, but now I’m certain.”

“Is it okay if I come in?”

“What can we do? Count, you’ve used your magical power. Such a thing is impossible without some rationale. I’ve had enough nonsense to endure. I am not the type to turn hostile for no reason.”

“Thank you. I know what I need. I would really appreciate your help.”

“Please pretend to have chills. It would be best if people don’t suspect the reason I’ve covered you with my robe.”

Nodding to Jeongjae’s advice, Harker shivered and accepted Jeongjae’s support. The soldiers escorting the Count stopped outside the border, standing still in place.

Jeongjae, feeling uneasy about leaving the soldiers who had marched a long way in their current state, asked.

“Even though our village has seen a significant decrease in population, accommodating that many soldiers is still difficult. Would it be okay to leave them outside the territory?”

“That’s fine. Just allow me to establish a camp nearby. I’ve brought all necessary materials for that.”

Jeongjae grabbed one of the guards and instructed him to let Harker’s soldiers know they could set up camp outside the territory’s border. The guard obeyed, standing at attention and then rushing off to inform Harker’s soldiers.

The gentry, who had been nervously out in the streets, seemed to realize that Harker’s soldiers were starting to unpack near the territory, and as the Count, trembling, walked in with Jeongjae’s assistance, it appeared he was not here for hostile reasons.

However, this sight was enough to raise suspicions about Count Harker, one of the nation’s dignitaries, suffering from severe health issues. Whispers of serious concern began to surface among the gentry.

Harker leaned in and whispered in Jeongjae’s ear.

“It seems that good news will be hard to come by.”

“What kind of ‘good news’ are you referring to? Are you talking about rumors that might aid in negotiations with Jeffrey?”

“That’s not the important issue right now. It’s significant, but not the most crucial.”

“Isn’t that good? The appearance of illness can be recovered later with health. However, if something truly goes wrong, it could lead to irrevocable consequences. What I’m curious about is…”

Jeongjae swallowed the question he was about to ask. It was a highly sensitive topic, and he felt it would be appropriate to ask once they were safely indoors.

“Where should I guide you?”

“Lead me to where the Moriarty Machine is located. I have the key to open the door. Or don’t you know where that is?”

Having heard the term “Moriarty Machine” for the first time, Jeongjae naturally looked perplexed, but after a moment, he nodded, as if understanding Harker’s words.

“Ah, it must be the basement door in the armory. Understood.”

“Then you’ve already opened that door. Jenis had the other pair of keys, you see. How did you find it?”

“I happened to come across some related information and searched the entire estate thoroughly. I’ll take you right there.”

Before long, the two reached the gates of Harriet Castle, opened the doors, and entered. After Jeongjae removed the robe from Harker’s body, he stopped supporting the Count. Harker also ceased his act of shivering and let out a sigh of relief.

“I’m asking just in case, but I suppose my guess was right?”

Jeongjae checked to see that sunlight was not leaking into the castle and whispered softly. The Count shrugged his shoulders with a pale expression.

“You speak it clearly. To articulate my situation from my own mouth has always been a troublesome and fearful matter.”

“You are a vampire. There’s no other explanation.”

Arthur Harker neither confirmed nor denied Jeongjae’s statement. Jeongjae instantly realized that the Count’s reaction was an absolute affirmation. Trying hard to suppress a shiver running through him, Jeongjae spoke.

“Then it follows that your hesitation to reveal my status was… I see. Anyway, to explain how you’ve survived for over a century, you cannot avoid discussing the illness you are afflicted with…”

“That’s enough, Baron.”

Count Harker made a bitter expression. It was a stern warning that every supposition Jeongjae had made was correct, and there was no need to speak them aloud. Realizing that he had casually probed into someone else’s critical complex, Jeongjae bowed his head sincerely to apologize.

“I’m sorry, Count. I have been rude.”

“No, it’s fine. I’m the one who was overly sensitive. You have every right to ask. In fact, it would be troublesome if you didn’t. If I don’t share all my secrets, it’ll make me the suspicious one.”

“Actually, I was planning to slowly glean information in any case. However, there is something I must absolutely learn about right now.”

“I have a feeling I know what you mean, but go ahead and ask.”

“Did Jenis inherit that bloodline?”

As soon as Jeongjae guessed Count Harker’s identity, he blurted out the question that had come to his mind. The Count widened his eyes for a moment, then silently nodded, making Jeongjae’s heart sink heavily as he trembled and posed the next question.

“Does Jenis know about it?”

“Dracula probably does. That child is unaware. The necklace. The Holmes key I had them carry on her in order to prove her identity is restraining her inherent nature. Furthermore, the bright mana I forcibly taught her, which flows through her, is preventing her psyche from being eroded by the wicked cravings of her blood. I’ve provided her the highest treatment that I, having received it long ago, should have had, eliminating any reason for such suffering.”

“But that’s a time bomb, Count.”

“That girl has passed her coming of age. What happens from now on is entirely on her. She has grown well, and she has learned well. I believe her willpower will not be destroyed by her wicked nature.”

Although Count Harker spoke with a voice filled with confidence, Jeongjae felt that the statement was more to reassure himself. Nevertheless, wanting to believe the Count’s words, Jeongjae continued to guide him toward the armory without disputing him.

Unable to hide a trembling voice, Jeongjae asked again.

“What about the bloodline through her mother?”

“She is the greatest sorceress. Though she bears some wicked blood, even that has a clear light and dark.”

The ambiguous expression did not ease Jeongjae’s anxiety, and he bit down on his lip. Suddenly, the thought of Jenis being elsewhere left him feeling anxious, even though he also felt fortunate she was not in this territory.

In any case, if they could just reach the Magic Tower safely, there should be no problem. Or rather, given it was the Magic Tower, one might expect unimaginable events to unfold.

As Jeongjae pointed to the wall where the entrance to the basement leading from the armory was located, Count Harker rummaged in his pocket and took out a cross to bring to the wall. However, as he extended his hand, he hesitated, trembling while looking back at Jeongjae holding the cross.

“Sorry, could you do this for me?”

“Is your magical energy overburdening you?”

“If it was a large quantity, it would probably purify my body, which has been eroded. But with the power this necklace can handle, it would only cause my flesh to burn and bring suffering. Normally, it helps me live as a human, but now that I’ve stopped taking the medicine, I can’t help but suffer.”

“Please give me the necklace.”

Jeongjae took the cross necklace from Count Harker and pressed it against the wall. The moment the cross emitted a bright white light, a part of the wall spun around to reveal the portrait of Sherlock Holmes, who had a bored expression on his face.

Seeing the face of the past hero, Count Harker appeared nostalgic.

“Contrary to the rumors, he wasn’t that hard to get along with.”

“Is that so? That’s unexpected. It’s Sherlock Holmes, after all. He was quite a famous person even up to my era for his strange character.”

With a smirk, Jeongjae handed the cross necklace back to Count Harker. The Count had a somewhat puzzled expression and tilted his head.

“Your birthplace must have been quite distant from the British Empire.”

“During my birth era, Sherlock Holmes’ name was known in all nations and places without regard to east, west, north, or south. The number of his fervent followers has never diminished when compared to your era, Count. However, I can’t help but be more curious about something else.”

Jeongjae lightly pushed aside the portrait of Holmes and spoke. Count Harker nodded slightly, indicating it was fine to ask.

“It feels like you are deeply entangled in a bitter relationship with Dracula. However, among the ‘Harkers’ I know, someone related to Dracula is known by a different name. The most representative name would be Jonathan Harker.”

At the mention of the name Jonathan Harker, Arthur Harker flinched. Noticing this reaction, Jeongjae continued calmly speaking.

“If Sherlock Holmes has used the alias Simon Harriet, then there must be some reason for it. The Count, active around the same time, must also have chosen a pseudonym for some reason. May I hear your real name?”

“It was not surprising that Holmes’ name was so widely remembered. But hearing Jonathan Harker’s name was something I never anticipated. After hearing that, I thought perhaps you might know my name as well.”

The portrait of Holmes slowly moved aside to reveal the most secretive door of Harriet Castle.

The Count looked at Jeongjae and solemnly said, “Van Helsing. My name is Abraham Van Helsing.”

“I have heard that name.”

Jeongjae replied.