EnCoffin Me Chapter 5
Translated by Q the Panda (ko-fi)
Chapter 5
“Do you… recognize me?” Alexio gazed at Pupil. “I certainly have never seen an alchemical lifeform like you.”
Yes, Alexio thought Pupil was an exceptionally large alchemical lifeform. In his time, there had already been sporadic instances of such lifeforms, but none had ever been as grand in scale as Pupil currently suspended in front of him.
Pupil simply gazed at him gently.
【But I have seen you.】
“Wh-what…”
Before Alexio could fully process his confusion, the milky orb gradually dimmed. Since Pupil had no eyelids, this dimming signaled it was entering a temporary rest. As if completely satisfied after seeing Alexio, Pupil slowly faded. At the same time, the livestream began a one-minute countdown to end.
【Aaaahhh no no no wait a little longer!!!】
【Daddy! Daddy Pupil! You're my dad!】
【I'm not leaving!!! (clinging to the ground)】
The stream was fully controlled by Pupil. No matter how much the viewers struggled, once the countdown ended, the poor audience was mercilessly kicked out by Daddy Pupil. Since Alexio had just awakened, he hadn't yet signed the image rights contract, leaving the audience with no way to rewatch replays or edited clips. The viewers could only flood the forums in despair, piling up thread after thread, only to have the moderators delete all but one for ‘duplicate threads.’
【Wahhh—I'm crying—】
【Nothing at all! No reruns! Not even a single thread!】
【Simps' doomsday, huhuhu!】
【Hurry up, Conservation Center! Sign the contract soon! My hands are itching to produce content!】
Alexio still stared at Pupil in bafflement, unsure what was going on. He double-checked his memory. There was no way he could have no recollection of such a massive alchemical lifeform.
Could it be… that it had changed its appearance?
That made it hard to guess.
Now that Pupil had entered standby mode, maybe he could ask again sometime later. Alexio didn't dwell on it too much. He sensed no hostility from Pupil, only a deep warmth, as if it had known him for a very long time.
With the task of meeting Pupil completed, Augustus had already left. According to Andrei, the three of them represented different positions within the Federation when welcoming the revived Alexio. Andrei admitted he leaned toward the Federation's upper echelon, Augustus served as part of Pupil's security personnel, and as for Ellie, she belonged to the Conservation Center.
“Actually, if you didn't possess the ability to live independently after your resurrection, Ellie would have served as your direct caretaker,” Andrei said with a smile. “But since you've demonstrated sound logical reasoning and strong opinion, we won't interfere excessively with any of your choices.”
As long as a dark creature lived healthily, it contributed to the balance between light and darkness in the world. For this reason, the entire Federation spared no effort to provide them with the best conditions. Those unable to live independently were housed by the conservation center, while those with autonomy could enjoy citizenship and certain privileges.
Of course, enjoying these privileges came with certain obligations, all of which Alexio could see laid out in the contract before him.
They had moved to a conference room in the conservation center. After confirming Alexio had no trouble reading the simplified text, Andrei selected several important contracts for him.
“For other contracts, I suggest you sign them after you become more familiar with this world. As for these few, they include choosing your guardian and rights regarding image usage. These require your careful consideration first.”
Alexio examined the contracts. He didn't care much about the image rights since it felt abstract to him. The remaining contract, regarding the guardian…
As the name ‘Dark Creatures Preservation and Nurturing Center’ implied, each dark creature had two direct supervisors. One was a caretaker like Ellie, someone trained strictly by the center, knowledgeable about dark creatures, and dedicated to their cause. They oversee daily necessities like food, clothing, and shelter. Since Alexio could live independently, his need for a caretaker was minimal, but having Ellie as a personal assistant was still beneficial.
Alexio had no objections to the this young human, so he signed the caretaker contract without hesitation.
Incidentally, magical contracts were probably obsolete now. The one he signed held only legal validity within the Federation.
Alexio: …Doesn't really mean much.
The other direct supervisor carried much heavier responsibility. This one had to be a sentient light creature with considerable social standing. This guardian used their social influence to protect the dark creature, and if any serious incidents arose, this guardian would be the one held accountable.
It was like finding himself a father… Alexio didn't want to sign that contract.
So he only handed over the image rights to Pupil and its affiliated platforms, pushing the guardian contract back untouched.
“I don't need one,” he said lightly. “If, as this contract states, the Conservation Center funds my living expenses, then a guardian isn't so necessary.
“Plus, with the so-called… livestream revenue, I should be able to achieve… relative financial freedom, right? Then I wouldn't even need funding from the Conservation Center.”
Ellie signed her own contract quietly, reflecting on the huge amount of tips the audience had showered on Alexio during the recent livestream. The phrase ‘relative financial freedom’ really was an extreme understatement.
In the end, the contracts that needed further consideration piled up. Alexio only signed the two mentioned earlier plus a few simple ones. He glanced at the black tea on the table, lifted the cup, and took a sip. His sharp senses and a vampire's terrifying healing ability meant he wasn't afraid of poison. He could block toxins at some point in his body and then remove that part of his flesh… of course, only as a last resort.
The tea was still very tasty.
As Alexio neared the bottom of the cup, he noticed Andrei still holding the guardian contract.
“Is there a problem? I really don't need a guardian.”
The white-haired unicorn looked somewhat dejected.
“I think I'm well qualified to protect you.”
Oh, that terrifyingly long name actually belonged to Andrei. Alexio didn't associate it with the white-haired unicorn beside him.
Even if he had made the connection, he would still refuse. In his eyes, the light faction was a symbol of trouble — especially that lunatic.
The image of the saint flashed through Alexio's mind. He set down the cup and planned to check where the coffin had been placed. According to the conservation center's request, he was to stay here for about a week for physical examinations. Of course, Alexio had the right to refuse certain detailed tests, particularly those involving special abilities. The checks existed solely to ensure his well-being.
Later, the center would recommend properties to him. At first, his residence would likely be a benefit provided by the center, but eventually, he could buy it outright.
This way, he at least had a short-term goal to focus on, keeping him from falling into a boring slumber.
All this came from Alexio, who didn't yet realize that a single one of his livestreams was enough to buy a house.
Before he could stand up, there was a light but urgent knock on the door. A staff member in a conservation center uniform entered, looking both puzzled and excited.
“Sorry to interrupt, Prince Alexio, Mr. Andrei, about the coffin…”
Alexio's eyes snapped up. What about the coffin?
“We finally detected another person inside the coffin. He's awake. He's a famous human, but…” The staff seemed at a loss for words before he continued, “He's already on his way here, escorted by a colleague.”
That lunatic was finally awake!
Alexio was bursting with anger. He stood up abruptly, ready to confront that lunatic, to demand why he revealed the apocalyptic prophecy knowing full well it would kill him. Then, he'd beat him up for dragging him into the coffin!
If he liked coffins so much, he could have gone in alone! Alexio could even help cover it with dirt!
He was completely insane!
The white-robed saint walked down an unfamiliar corridor.
His outer cloak was engraved with ornate magical patterns, resembling intertwined thorns. A corner of his uniform occasionally flickered into view as he moved. Although his eyes held the dreamy hue of a sky-blue horizon, there was no trace of romance in their depths, only restraint and icy solemnity.
No one could read any emotion on the saint's face. Years of training in the Holy Temple had carved calm and caution deep into his bones.
At a corner, he encountered a manticore chasing a bat, which was darting up and down with agility. Shadow formed its body, but its core was a button that had once been on the vampire. The manticore chased the bat, howling excitedly, until suddenly its fur stood on end and its golden pupils shifted toward the saint.
The manticore's eyes widened. The bat was still flying, but it no longer elicited joyful howls from the manticore.
The manticore began to retreat, trembling, whimpering. Its proud scorpion tail drooped between its legs. It couldn't describe the feeling well, only that boundless terror swept over it like a tide, submerging it completely.
With a startled scream, the manticore turned and fled. The saint did not give chase.
“Mr. Lucius, please slow down! We need to take the elevator ahead!”
A staff member caught up, panting. Meeting the saint's cold gaze made him shiver, and his voice grew quieter.
“Please turn left.”
The saint's eyes shifted toward the elevator on the left, then back to the staff member.
“Is it to see Alexio?”
“…Y-yes.”
With a flick of his cloak, the saint walked toward the elevator without hesitation.
The intercepted bat had already transformed into a ruby button, resting quietly between his slender fingers. The saint gently traced the rose engraved on the button, which still carried the vampire's scent.
Carrying the scent of the vampire for whom he was born.
Alexio.
As the elevator descended, dappled light and shadow flickered across the saint's eyes through the glass.
“We've arrived. Please be careful.”
The white cloak billowed once more as the saint strode forward, finally stopping at the door marked “Conference Room.”
Although the text had been simplified, it rarely affected readability.
He stood still, waiting for the staff to swipe him in. As the door opened, a furious vampire nearly collided with him but quickly stepped back with agile reflexes.
He caught sight of the vampire's fangs, bared in anger—
“Lucius!!!”