Shadows of London: 3-20 Enemy of Monsters

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Shadows of London

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She once knew nothing about Edward Grey the vampire hunter. But things are different now.

Info

Style: No dress-up component Event Logs: Power, Charles Kingsley, Poor Law Amendment Act, Poor Law Board Rewards: 3,000 , 600 , 1 , 1 , 1

Transcript

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• Silver is deadly to vampires.
• Even the mightiest vampire would tremble when confronted with a silver weapon, especially one in the form of a firearm.
• William Akerman: Ha...

• However, this vampire, under the guise of a pastor, remains calm and unfazed even as a vampire hunter has a silver revolver pointed right at him.
• He's confident that Doctor Grey won't shoot.
• Because he's played his trump card.
• You: J-Jesse...

• Jesse Lindvall: ...

• It's hard to describe, but he is astonishingly thin. His once radiant golden hair has lost its luster, and his skin is now as pale as limestone.
• He looks down, deliberately avoiding our gaze. His long eyelashes cast mottled shadows on his face, making it harder to make out his expression.
• You: Jesse!

• Edward grabs my arm, squeezing it tightly, not only to restrain me but also as a way to calm himself down.
• Edward Grey: Don't lose your composure, Caroline.

• His finger on the trigger does not tremble, but turns white from stiffness.
• Jesse keeps his head down, standing in front of the pastor like a shield. No matter where Edward shoots from, the bullets will strike him first.
• Edward Grey: You've exposed yourself. Ordinary vampires can't enter this place.

• Edward Grey: You're just pretending to be William Akerman. Who are you really?

• William Akerman: As I said, I am William Akerman.

• William Akerman: I designed the defenses here, so of course I know how to get past them.

• Edward Grey: Nonsense! I clearly—

• William Akerman: Of course, I'm proud, Edward. You've made some impressive modifications.

• William Akerman: I must admit... it took me a while to overcome the traps you altered.

• William Akerman: But luckily, I didn't have to do it alone.

• He smiles cruelly and glances casually at Jesse. It then dawns on us.
• Edward Grey: ...Vampires don't die naturally. All they need to do is consume a significant amount of fresh blood to heal from severe injuries...

• You: You monster!

• Now I know why Jesse looks as miserable as he does... he was used as a meat shield against the traps.
• I can't even imagine how much Jesse, who was once so pampered, suffered.
• You: How could you treat Jesse like this... How could you make him... you put him under a blood bond, didn't you?!

• In a fit of rage, all the clues immediately come together to reveal the most logical conclusion.
• My thoughts are racing so fast that even my rationality can't keep up, and before I know it, the words slip out of my mouth.
• You: You're... Irad the Elder!

• William Akerman: ...

• The vampire under the guise of a pastor instantly trembles at the sound of his name.
• He presses his forehead tightly, as if trying to push something that is about to burst out of his body back in.
• William Akerman: No, I'm not Irad. I'm... William Akerman.

• He lowers his hand and looks at me, his crimson gaze overflowing with admiration and desire.
• William Akerman: However, I do possess his power.

• William Akerman: Very good, little Caroline. You, like Edward, are a precious treasure that escaped from the palm of my hand.

• William Akerman: I am so pleased to see how much you've grown.

• You: So, it was you... who kidnapped me and took me to your church when I was younger...

• William Akerman: It wasn't "kidnapping," child. You saw your mother in my church, did you not?

• William Akerman: My ally would not have wanted the daughter of Lavinia and a human to be kept alive.

• William Akerman: I protected you, Caroline. You should at least be grateful for that.

• You: I don't remember. Don't bother trying to make me feel indebted to you.

• William Akerman: Of course you did. Lavinia made you forget about this incident.

• William Akerman: You've chosen to remain in London despite the dangers it's in... and I can only assume it's because of your eagerness to uncover the truth.

• I refuse to grant him the pleasure of a retort. I don't believe anything I say will convince this cunning man.
• Jesse still stands before William Akerman like a puppet, shielding him.
• You: (No... we must find a way to get Jesse out of this!)

• You: So are you going to tell me the truth now, Pastor William?

• William Akerman: Oh?

• William Akerman's eyes flicker uncertainly, scanning me, Edward, and Jesse, as a cold smile curls at the corner of his mouth.
• William Akerman: That is a very, very long story...

• Young Edward: Father, what is this?

• William Akerman: You know how to read, don't you? Read the title out loud, Edward.

• Young Edward: On the Origin of Species.

• Young Edward: ...Father, you are a holy man. Don't let anyone see you reading this and accuse you of being a heretic.

• William Akerman: What a narrow perspective you have. You should take a look at the world outside more often.

• William Akerman: Read the newspaper and see things from Charles Kingsley and Frederick Temple's point of view.

• William Akerman: Only by constantly doubting can one maintain the loyalty of faith.

• Young Edward: But I don't understand. Why did you give me this book?

• William Akerman: Because I have high expectations for you, my child.

• William Akerman: This book will make you into something extraordinary.

• Young Edward: Father, is Mr. Malthus' argument true?

• William Akerman: Oh? You've already finished reading "An Essay on the Principle of Population"? Faster than I expected.

• Young Edward: I just skimmed it.

• William Akerman: What do you think?

• Young Edward: ...It's terrifying.

• Young Edward: If what he said is true, then survival is not something that can be taken for granted...

• Young Edward: People must constantly compete to ensure their survival. It's a terrifying thought.

• William Akerman: And why does that terrify you?

• Young Edward: What do you mean, Father?

• William Akerman: This kind of competition never stops. Epidemics, famines, or wars... every disaster ensures that only the strongest survive.

• William Akerman: It's been this way for thousands of years.

• Young Edward: But how do we define the strongest who will survive? Doesn't that mean everyone, good or bad, honest or deceitful, are all equal?

• Young Edward: If that's true, does it mean that the social civilization built over thousands of years has no meaning at all?

• William Akerman: That's natural selection, Edward.

• Young Edward: ...Natural selection...

• William Akerman: Remember "On the Origin of Species"? Those who can survive will live, and those who cannot will die.

• William Akerman: In the struggle for survival, everyone is on an equal footing.

• William Akerman: Robert complained to me. He told me you've been stealing bread from the kitchen to help the poor.

• William Akerman: Edward, I need an explanation.

• Young Edward: I don't understand what needs explaining, father. I haven't done anything wrong.

• William Akerman: My intention is not to scold you. But the Poor Law Amendment Act is weighing on us.

• William Akerman: Tell me what you're thinking. That way, I can at least figure out a way to shut Robert up.

• Young Edward: ...

• Young Edward: I'm conducting an experiment.

• William Akerman: What kind of experiment?

• Young Edward: I know that the enactment of the Poor Law Amendment Act is based on Malthus' viewpoint: poverty is one of the means by which the population regulates itself.

• Young Edward: But I think such passiveness is inappropriate. We should intervene before the struggle for survival gets too brutal.

• Young Edward: Ever since humans came into existence, we have learned morals and become civilized. And all this has survived natural selection.

• Young Edward: Thus, such factors should not be excluded from natural selection.

• William Akerman: So, what you're saying is that you want to try to interfere with the process of natural selection.

• Young Edward: Yes, Father.

• William Akerman: Let me guess: you chose poor folks who were worthy of living and gave them more bread.

• Young Edward: Yes.

• William Akerman: Have you ever realized that this means that you are also depriving another group of people of their chances of survival?

• Young Edward: Yes, Father. I have.

• William Akerman: ...Haha, you surprise me, Edward. How old are you this year?

• Young Edward: Thirteen.

• William Akerman: Are you really? Come to my office tonight, son. I want to show you something.

• Young Edward: What are we doing here, Father?... Ah!

• William Akerman: Don't worry, Edward. It's locked up.

• ???: ...

• Young Edward: But what is this thing?! Is it human? Or is it—

• William Akerman: What does it look like to you?

• Young Edward: It looks like a human, but it acts like a wild beast. It's pale... and is that blood in the corner of its mouth?

• Young Edward: It... looks... like a vampire!

• William Akerman: A vampire, you say? But don't you think it looks familiar?

• Young Edward: Huh?

• Young Edward: ...!

• Young Edward: Robert...!

• Young Edward: Father! What's going on? What happened to Robert?

• William Akerman: I told him I would shut him up, didn't I?

• William Akerman: When you were conducting your "experiment," did you not consider the possibility of Robert reporting us to the Poor Law Board?

• William Akerman: If that happens, the poverty relief funds we receive may be reduced, and if luck isn't on our side, we might even be held accountable.

• Young Edward: Robert... He was turned into this for this reason? Father!

• William Akerman: You can't accept this? I thought you'd already figured it out.

• William Akerman: Have you ever realized that this means that you are also depriving another group of people of their chances of survival?

• Young Edward: !

• Young Edward: No... no... this is not what I envisioned.

• William Akerman: What's the difference between someone starving or dying from illness and this Robert before us?

• Young Edward: At least they won't turn into a monster!

• William Akerman: So arrogant.

• Young Edward: What?

• William Akerman: You're arrogant, Edward. Claiming that death is better than becoming a monster.

• William Akerman: Those poor souls on the brink of death probably wouldn't think the same.

• Young Edward: ...

• William Akerman: But you're still young, child. In fact, you're exceptional for your age.

• William Akerman: I think it's time to start your training...

• William Akerman: Edward? What are you doing here so late?

• Young Edward: I was waiting for you. Where did you go, Father? Did you meet someone?

• William Akerman: Get straight to the point, child. I'm busy.

• Young Edward: ...Robert's dead.

• William Akerman: Oh?

• Young Edward: His gums were swollen and black, his skin was full of ulcers, his eyes were bloodshot, and there were signs of decay on his limbs.

• Young Edward: The people collecting his body wondered if it was the Black Death...

• William Akerman: Don't worry. The Black Death left England in the 17th century.

• William Akerman: Just throw him into a grave.

• Young Edward: Father! What happened to Robert? Why are you so sure that it isn't the Black Death? Tell me!

• William Akerman: I'm sorry, son, but your medical knowledge is still too shallow for me to explain this in a way you can understand.

• William Akerman: Study as hard as you can. Perhaps one day...

• Young Edward: One day?

• William Akerman: Perhaps one day, humanity will be lucky enough to glimpse "eternal life".

• Young Edward: Father!

• William Akerman: ...you scared me. What happened now?

• Young Edward: What medication did you give Dennis behind my back? Why didn't you tell me?

• William Akerman: Oh, it's just some supplements. Dennis is too weak...

• Young Edward: Tell me the truth!

• Young Edward: He's running a high fever. His gums and eyeballs are swelling with blood, and there are signs of ulcers on his neck...

• Young Edward: He's having the same symptoms as Robert!

• William Akerman: Is that so? When did these symptoms appear?

• Young Edward: Last night... wait! What do you mean?

• William Akerman: Four days ahead of Robert, I see. Is it because children have weaker bodies... or is it a matter of purity...

• Young Edward: Father!

• William Akerman: I suppose I should conduct experiments with a control group. Hmm...

• Young Edward: ...!

• Young Edward: Ugh!

• William Akerman: I know you're worried about Dennis. Don't worry, the two of you will not be separated.

• William Akerman: Study hard, Edward.

• William Akerman: Are you still awake, Edward?

• Young Edward: ...What are you doing here?

• William Akerman: You are my sons. I came because I was worried about you two. Look at this!

• Young Edward: !

• William Akerman: It's undying blood that's been fermented and diluted... Ah, I must admit, I'm a little reluctant to give it to you.

• Young Edward: What... are you saying...? What undying blood?

• William Akerman: Ah, I forgot, you haven't officially started studying medicine yet. Anyway, this is the medication that can cure you two.

• William Akerman: But there's only enough for one person. And, I can't guarantee its effectiveness either.

• Young Edward: ... you... William Akerman!

• William Akerman: Why are you looking at me with such hatred in your eyes? Don't you want it?

• Young Edward: Who would want to drink such a thing and turn into a monster?

• William Akerman: Haha, a monster, huh? You're right.

• William Akerman: So you would rather die? Like poor Robert who died as his skin rotted away and his limbs turned black?

• Young Edward: ...

• William Akerman: Do you remember, Edward? A year ago, you confidently told me that starving to death is better than becoming a monster.

• William Akerman: Of course, when death befalls someone else, I'm sure you genuinely feel that way.

• William Akerman: So, now...

• Young Edward: ...

• William Akerman: Tell me, Edward.

• William Akerman: Do you still think that dying in such agony is better than becoming a monster?

• William Akerman: What's going on?!

• William Akerman: Curses! Who started this fire? I'll—

• William Akerman: —Ugh!!

• ???: ...

• William Akerman: Ah... H-help...

• William Akerman: W-who's... there...

• ???: It's me, Father.

• William Akerman: ...E-edward? Edward...you—

• ???: These poor people did not want to become monsters. Monsters are not part of natural selection. I still believe this now.

• ???: Giving them death is the best choice.

• William Akerman: ...you little...

• ???: Thank you for your teachings, Father.

• ...
• Are you going to die?
• ...
• Have you also been betrayed?
• ...
• Do you also feel such overwhelming anger and bitterness... strong enough to destroy all reason?
• Shut up.
• We are the same, my ally.
• What do you want, Irad?
• Give me your body.
• Why do you, an immortal, need the body of a human? Don't tell me... have you been betrayed too? Has your body been destroyed?
• Hold your tongue.
• Thou needst only answer, yes or no.
• ...
• A person on the verge of death has no other options.

• Come, my ally.
• This body is where we shall both stay.
• And we will take our revenge.

• All is eerily quiet.
• Jesse, who had been intentionally avoiding eye contact with us, lifts his head for the first time and gazes at Edward in shock.
• His once amethyst eyes have taken on a crimson hue, yet the anguish and sorrow within them remain familiar.
• That's the Jesse Lindvall I remember.
• You: (Has Edward noticed?)

• I look at Edward with anticipation. But he, lost in memories, avoids Jesse's gaze.
• Edward Grey: So, you sold your soul to a vampire to survive, Father.

• Edward Grey: I'm not surprised. You would do anything to achieve your goals.

• William Akerman: So would you, Edward.

• Edward Grey: ...

• William Akerman: Now, how much of this "epidemic" in London is your doing?

• You: Edward! You—

• Edward keeps his eyes fixed on William Akerman, but his gaze feels empty.
• William Akerman: When you were thirteen, you gave bread to those you believed were more deserving of living.

• William Akerman: And now, you used the medicine I left behind and injected it into those you believe are not worthy of living.

• William Akerman: Such arrogance, my dear son. You're no worse than me.

• Jesse Lindvall: Edward!

• Jesse, who had been silent all along, can no longer contain himself and exclaims in surprise.
• Although I had vague suspicions, I can't stop myself from trembling as this truth is revealed.
• You: But why? You've been working so hard to treat patients—

• William Akerman: He did it to lure me out. More precisely, he did it to lure out the vampires lurking in London.

• William Akerman: What a poor imitation. He actually used the same tactics I used back then against me!

• William Akerman: Intentionally spreading an epidemic, causing panic, turning London into a city of fear, and forcing vampires to act for their survival.

• William Akerman: That foolish Baroness fell into the trap you set and made a grand appearance in front of everyone, only to meet her demise...

• William Akerman: But I'm curious. Why did you kill the Baroness if you really wanted to wipe out all the vampires in London?

• William Akerman: Wouldn't it be better to stalk her to find the others? What happened that night that made you lose your composure, Edward?

• You: !

• You: (Edward... he did it to save me...)

• Edward Grey: There's nothing that can make me lose my composure.

• His indifferent tone interrupts my speculations.
• Edward Grey: Vampires are evil creatures, and such monsters cannot be allowed to exist.

• Edward Grey: I just feel a strong urge to kill whenever I see a vampire.

• William Akerman: ... Hahaha.

• William Akerman laughs contemptuously after a moment of silence. He shakes his head, as if completely giving up on communication, and shifts his gaze towards me.
• William Akerman: Oh my. How did I ever become attached to such a stubborn child like him, Caroline?

• William Akerman: You're just as obstinate as he is, aren't you?

• I hide behind Edward but Akerman persists.
• William Akerman: Make a deal with me.

• You: I refuse!

• William Akerman: You should at least hear what the deal is. Your lack of manners is quite unbecoming of a lady.

• I close my mouth and fall into complete silence. William Akerman clicks his tongue, looking remorseful.
• William Akerman: What a pity. I thought you'd be smarter.

• William Akerman: At the very least, one should be wise enough to understand that refusing certain individuals comes with a cost.

• Suddenly, a horrifying howl pierces the night sky, causing the entire workhouse to erupt in commotion.
• But that's only the prelude. It's soon followed by countless inhuman roars, along with the patients' screams, as if the Grim Reaper has just appeared with his scythe.
• You: What's going on?

• William Akerman: Like I said before, it took me a while to overcome Edward's traps.

• William Akerman sneers and shoves Jesse, forcing him to stumble closer to us.
• He's getting closer to Edward's revolver.
• William Akerman: Did you really think that I only disabled the traps at the front door?