Vampire Hunter D, Vol. 23: Iriya the Berserker by Hideyuki Kikuchi

Author:Hideyuki Kikuchi
Language: eng
Format: epub, pdf
ISBN: 9781616557065
Publisher: Dark Horse
Published: 2005-07-15T00:00:00+00:00

III

“We know your fate far better than you yourself,” Viscount Albidozen laughed. But despite his laughter, doubt was unfurling its black wings in his voice. “Because that is the fate we bestowed on you. You, however, did not accept it. Why? That is what we would learn. Come.”

The viscount beckoned to her.

As if strung with invisible wires, Iriya climbed down from the saddle. Then she paused, closing her eyes and shaking her head.

“Come.”

Once more he beckoned, and Iriya’s resistance broke. This time she approached the viscount with smooth steps, pressing right up against his chest. A cry of surprise rang out. Iriya backed away. Within his cape, a dagger was buried to the hilt in the viscount’s chest. The cry had come from Iriya. The resistance the dagger had met had told her this wasn’t the body of a Noble.

The viscount smiled without a sound. “I considered myself well versed in the ways of humans, but your stupidity truly leaves me at a loss for words. I have seen through your act, your ploy. D, though that is a remarkable disguise, it is all for naught. No matter how you might cover yourself with makeup, you shall fool no one—as you are too beautiful.”

“D!”

Iriya extended her left hand. The instant she caught the sword tossed by the man who wore Rin’s face, her blade whizzed from its sheath in a silver flash, sank into the viscount at the nape of his neck, and exited through his right side.

“Though you display remarkable skill in putting a spell on yourself to resist my control, for the past three millennia it has been my general policy not to appear in public. Particularly when dealing with humans; merely breathing the same air as them makes me feel dirty. Child, you said your goal is to have vengeance and to search for your siblings, did you not? I did, in point of fact, take in one of your brothers. And out of admiration for your skill and bravery in piercing the heart of the great Albidozen, proxy or not, I give you fair warning: It would be best that you not meet. For your elder brother, and for you.”

“Where is he? Where’s my brother Yan?”

“You have been warned. If you still desire to see him, remain here. He shall be along presently.”

As the viscount said that, the upper half of his body slid off along the diagonal cut and dropped to the ground. The lower half, with its firmly planted feet, soon buckled at the knees and fell. Iriya bent over and touched it.

“It’s a doll made of organic cells!” she exclaimed. “I’ve heard busy Nobles used them as stand-ins at party or government meetings.”

Iriya’s blade flashed out in an arc again, and then the gorgeous carriage collapsed, too.

“Both copies—cheap, but effective,” said the hoarse voice in aleisurely tone.

Its words were overlaid by a voice of iron.

“Mount up. We’re going,” D told the girl. “We’re the ones Those Who Wait are waiting for. Hurry up.”

Iriya bounded into the saddle, and the two steeds started to gallop off.

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