Hello.
What's your name?
I'm Mikhail, but you can call me Misha!
Your name isn't Mikhail anymore.
It's Number 71!
We're nothing more than Moreau's guinea pigs!
Ow!
"The Case Study of Vanitas"
--No!
--Doctor. The test subject is too young. --No!
He won't survive much more.
Well, we can bring in the next child in that case.
I'm so close to creating what I want.
Humans that can serve as a link!
Help me, big brother!
Help!
Big brother!
Doctor!
I will do it.
Use me instead of that little brat!
Doctor, let me help you achieve your noble purpose!
How marvelous!
Has there ever been a single child like you
who's willingly cooperated in my experiments?!
No, there hasn't!
But of course, Number 69! What a marvelous idea!
Together we shall draw one step closer
to the great wisdom of the vampires and the world!
Thank you, big brother.
I was wondering if I could sleep with you tonight.
You're so warm.
Ta-da!
My experiment has entered its final phase!
I'll use this to link you two to The Books of Vanitas.
The Books of Vanitas?
Yes, that's an excellent question, Number 69!
These books were created by the Vampire of the Blue Moon!
But they're even more legendary than that legendary vampire!
They're powered by a special form of astermite.
They pack sorcery, alchemy, and many other technologies into miniature machines.
They're analytical engines in book form!
Supposedly, one can use these books
to easily alter the World Formula!
Supposedly?
That's right! They won't open, no matter how I try!
From what I've heard, only members of the Blue Moon Clan can do that!
Isn't that awful?!
Isn't it so unfair!
And so...
I decided to transform you two into quasi members of the Blue Moon Clan!
What?
I wish to make human switches,
their only purpose being to open the books!
You know that blue fluid I often inject you with?
Do you know what it is?
Tick.
Sorry, time's up! You lose!
Prepare to be amazed!
It's none other than
the Vampire of the Blue Moon's blood!
Oh, dear, what's wrong?
You're so startled, you've been rendered speechless?!
I know how you feel!
Big brother?
To prevent a fatal rejection response,
I injected you ever so gradually with the vampire's blood
along with special medicine.
Big brother!
Didn't you notice your wounds have been healing faster than before?
You've been elevated one step beyond human bounds!
You are now a very special kind of being!
I am going to kill you.
I have the two Books of Vanitas and the two of you!
Perfect, don't you think?
No!
That hurts!
Stop it!
I'm going to kill you!
I swear I'll murder every last one of you!
How dare you do this to me?!
Oh, right, I forgot to mention one thing.
Once I activate this machine,
the shock of linking to the books may turn you both into vegetables.
So let me express my gratitude while I can.
Thank you, Numbers 69 and 71.
I will never forget you!
What's happening?!
What the blazes?!
Big brother!
Dear me.
Some humans come up with the most ludicrous ideas.
Now then, I think I've done quite enough damage.
I must go before the Chasseurs arrive.
No, don't go!
Take us with you!
Take us, too.
Oh, my.
Well, this wouldn't have happened if not for me.
How could he be so cruel?
They are but children.
Mikhail.
Well, what will you do?
Will you, too...
...come with me?
Big brother.
We've gone far enough. We should be safe for now.
We're still not that far from town.
The Chasseurs will be here before you--
No, they won't.
That researcher... Moreau, was it?
He was engaged in acts banned by Church teachings.
When the Chasseur's come running and find what he's done,
they will scramble to control the damage rather than pursue us.
And most of the researchers that were there have likely been slain.
Now that we're safe and sound, I'd like for us to introduce ourselves.
--My name is Mikhail! But you can call me Misha!
--Wait, Mikhail! --My name is Mikhail! But you can call me Misha!
Misha?
Yes?!
I regret to say I have no name with which to introduce myself.
Or perhaps it would be best to say
I have yet no name with which I'm satisfied.
I am the Vampire of the Blue Moon.
There are some who call me Vanitas.
You're beautiful.
The Vampire... of the Blue Moon?
Big brother?!
You went straight for my eyes.
I take it you were among the children the Chasseurs were training.
Have you taken us away to devour us?!
Blue blood?
You're mistaken.
Then what?!
Have you come to reclaim your blood that they injected into us?
I took you
because you asked for my help.
N-No. I never...
...asked...
Big brother!
Dear me.
My big brother's awake!
You need not worry.
This is the home of a human with whom I've been long acquainted.
Don't be absurd.
Why would a vampire be acquainted with a human?
It's not unheard of.
Those who come from a long line of alchemists or sorcerers
have always had an affinity for vampires rather than the Church.
Your exhaustion took a toll once you let your guard down.
Were you not always braced to defend Misha at a moment's notice?
But now, all you need do is rest.
I will sing you a lullaby so you may better sleep.
I want to sing, too.
Very well.
What sorts of songs did your mother sing to you?
What?
Hm? Oh...
You called out "Mother" many times in your delirium.
That's a lie.
No, it's not.
Yes, it is.
There's no way I said that. After all...
My mother died when I was born.
I would never call for her. I would never...
Big brother...
So then...
...you lived alone with your father?
It wasn't just the two of us.
There were others.
Others?
My father was born to a good family, and he became a doctor.
But he abandoned them after meeting my mother,
who was part of a traveling show that came to town.
A bold move.
What's a traveling show?
It's like a circus.
It wasn't as respectable as that.
I got the feeling my father didn't care for them too much.
We went to all sorts of places with the show.
You don't say?
They told me I looked a lot like my mother.
I see. Then she was a beauty.
I think so, too!
But she died because of me.
My father should have hated me for that, but...
When the vampires attacked,
Father died protecting me!
Why?
I want to ask him that, but I can't.
I'll never know the answer.
Do you hate vampires?
Of course I do!
I want to wipe them from the face of the earth!
I want to make this world clean again!
That's why I vowed to live my life as a Chasseur!
I...
They often experimented on vampires they brought to Moreau's lab.
At first, I felt they were getting their just deserts.
But gradually,
I came to realize humans are the most terrifying monsters of all.
Would it have not been easy for one like you to escape from such a place?
So why did you stay?
Moreau led the Chasseurs to believe that I had died in battle.
He killed a stranger and passed his body off as mine.
And he told me he would simply obtain another child if I left.
So I felt I had no choice but to remain there.
I didn't want to think about any of it.
I didn't understand.
And I still don't.
What am I to do now?
I have learned something.
You are a truly kind child.
No, I'm not.
Yes, you are.
No, I'm not at all like that. I'm...
Big brother?
Forget what I said!
Forget every last word I said yesterday. Wipe it clean from your brain!
Yesterday? From when to when?
From the moment we left the lab?
Or from the time you feverishly yelled, "No, no, no!" while you cried?
Just forget it, already!
Oh, you're awake? Good timing.
I just finished making breakfast.
Breakfast? I'm starving!
Now, eat up! You need all the nutrients you can get.
You really are trying to kill us, aren't you?
Why would you say that?
What is this sludge-like toxic waste?!
It's called soup.
I added lots of medicinal herbs so it would be good for you.
And I just freshly drew this milk.
Why is it all black and disgusting?!
And this room is filthy! It's full of spider webs and rats!
I didn't notice yesterday.
But if you're staying in someone's home, keep it clean! Unbelievable!
Fine. Do everything yourself.
Stop sulking, you big baby!
How's that?!
Yummy!
Oh my, I am utterly defeated.
You're a most magnificent child.
More, please!
There is no point hiding it.
You both will likely die before too long.
It may be in a month, six months,
or even five years from now. Who can say?
But that day will come.
Moreau's experiments have forced your bodies beyond what is human.
You are now getting closer to the race of vampires.
But your bodies waver precariously on a razor's edge.
At any moment, the balance may tip, and your current state
will be in unbearable conflict with the natural order.
It is then that your bodies will begin to break down.
Come with me if you have nowhere else to turn.
Together we shall seek a way to save you.
Father, am I going to die?
There is one way to save you that I have yet to mention.
I could make you members of my clan.
But that...
It's not something I wanted to resort to.
I want to join your clan, Father.
After all, it means the three of us can be together forever, doesn't it?
I don't ever want to be a member of your clan,
even if it meant dying tomorrow.
I want to continue being human until the end.
You finally made it,
big brother!
What have you done to him?
"Blue Night"
"Tears like Rain"