Guest from Afar Story

Prologue
Characters	Drunk Guy Fat Merchant Black Pudding Miss Porsche Bloody Mary

Gloriville – Night
A raucous bar. The appearance of a young maiden brings a brief silence over the room, erstwhile filled with various foul language and arguing. The bar quickly returned to normal. Just a few unaccompanied men tried to strike up a conversation with the maiden.
Drunk Guy	Hey, you there... Nurse Lady, you alone?
Fat Merchant	Nurse Lady, no need for needles here. Come have a drink with me.
Black Pudding	My friend is here. I’m looking for someone.
Fat Merchant	Tsk, so you’re with a friend, eh? And where is this friend?
Black Pudding	Um, that person there.
Black Pudding pointed to a corner of the bar, at a man chatting with a young woman.
Fat Merchant	Ah? That pretty boy over there? Nurse Lady, don’t be fooled by pretty boys like that. They only know a few sweet words to make a young lady let her guard down.
Black Pudding	Pretty boy? Heh, if that’s what you really think, then that’s your loss.
Without paying any more mind to the men around her, the maiden walked through the crowd towards her target.
Miss Porsche	Dr. Mary, is what you just said true? A medicine that can make you forget all pain and be happy...
Bloody Mary	Of course it’s true, but we have to leave here if you want to see it.
The young woman bashfully scooted closer to the man and spoke in a low voice, afraid other people might notice.
Miss Porsche	Then shall we––
Black Pudding	Sorry to interrupt~
Miss Porsche	Hey!
Bloody Mary	Huh?
The courage the young woman had worked up was deflated by the sudden appearance of Black Pudding, and with a hand over her face, she parted with Bloody Mary.
Black Pudding	Sorry, Miss. I have business with the doctor here. You two will have to reschedule.
Black Pudding pushed the young woman away and sat in her spot which still carried her scent. The young woman looked helplessly at Bloody Mary, and he gave her a frown. He also didn’t extend a hand to Black Pudding, but rather he stood up and tried to comfort the young woman. The young woman left, and Bloody Mary looked coldly at Black Pudding.
Bloody Mary	Who are you?
Black Pudding	Naturally, I’m someone who sincerely wants to partner with you.
Bloody Mary	Oh? And what is it you want to partner up on, beautiful Nurse Lady?
Black Pudding	I need someone killed... Well, to be precise, it’s a Food Soul from the Hold See.
Main • 1-2 →

1-2
Characters	Messenger Pretzel

Nevras - Morning
Early morning in an inn. There's a light knock at Pretzel's room door.
Messenger	Holy Father, a letter for you.
Pretzel	Thank you.
Pretzel took the letter. His brow creased as he saw the seal of the Holy See upon the envelope. Pretzel returned to his room and took out a letter opener. He opened it and started to read.
Pretzel: Rumors from Nevras have come regarding a ''Vampire'', and there have been several victims. We hope you'll investigate immediately. No matter who the perpetrator is, don't act impulsively. Await the arrival of Muenchner Weisswurst and work together.
Pretzel	(Vampire...)
The first thing that popped in Pretzel's head was an image of a man. He had escaped several times from Pretzel's clutches and was spreading rumors of vampires to cover up his misdeeds. But all the symptoms presented by the bloodthirst disease patients are extremely consistent with the vampire in the rumors. If one didn't know any better, one would definitely connect this disease with the vampire rumors. And the Holy See to this day was on the hunt for the person responsible for this heinous bloodthirst disease -- Black Pudding. Meanwhile, they were bringing all bloodthirst disease patients within the control of Holy See forces to avoid them being taken.
What will you do now? 1. Set out right away. (Black Pudding +15) 2. Write back to Croissant. (Black Pudding +5) 3. Go prepare necessary supplies. (Bloody Mary +15)
Pretzel	(No church set up there...the forces of the Holy See have a limit after all, and the Good Word can't be spread to every corner of the land. But I hope the conditions there aren't too terrible.)
← Prologue • Main • 1-4 →

1-4
Characters	Pretzel Newsboy

Nevras – Distant Town
It was a time of blue skies, but the town in the northeast of Nevras was still in the midst of fierce snows. The townspeople hurrying on their way were all very bundled up.
Pretzel	(It’s... so cold here. Bloody Mary probably wouldn’t come here.)
What will you do next? 1. Ask around with the locals about this "vampire" situation. (Bloody Mary +15) 2. (Go to the hospital and ask if there are any victims.) (Black Pudding +15) 3. (Get the lay of the land of this town) (Bloody Mary +5)
Pretzel	(That’s what I’ll do.)
Pretzel donned in priest’s robes, walked down the street. The people he passed would stare at him curiously, but no one stopped on his account. Just then, a newsboy waving a paper in his hand walked past.
Newsboy	Newspaper! Get your newspaper! All the town news right in your hand!
Pretzel	I’ll take one.
Newsboy	Very well. One gold coin. Here’s your paper.
Pretzel	Many thanks.
Newsboy	No, thank you, sir~ Quite strange! This town rarely has any outsiders, but in the past two months, there’s been no shortage.
Pretzel	(Past two months?) ––Just a moment!
Having sold his paper, the newsboy was about to walk off when Pretzel stopped him.
Pretzel	Before me, other outsiders have come to the town?
Newsboy	Hmm? Outsiders? Well...
The newsboy cocked his head and thought for a moment, then held up 3 fingers.
Newsboy	Before you, there have been 3. One was a traveling merchant, but that one is long gone. The other two were a private doctor and nurse invited here by Mr. Fisher, but aside from Mr. Fisher’s house, you see them sometimes going to the hospital to buy medicine.
Pretzel	Do you know much about these two people?
Newsboy	I haven’t had much to do with them. I just heard people at the hospital say they are easy to get along with, and quite charming. Mister, if you want to know more about them, I can take you to the hospital.
Pretzel	Yes, I would appreciate that.
← 1-2 • Main • 1-6 →

1-6
Characters	Black Pudding Bloody Mary

In a gloomy room, amidst cries for help, Black Pudding pulled the curtains closed and walked over to the sickbed to inject the patient with a sedative. The patient on the bed slowly quieted down, and Black Pudding pulled up the blanket and walked over to another man wearing a doctor's coat.
Black Pudding	Pretzel's finally come~ Bloody Mary, are you all ready?
Bloody Mary	He sure took his time, keeping me in this freezing place for so long.
Black Pudding	You've enjoyed quite a few humans in those two months. Still not warm enough for you?
Bloody Mary	No, of course not enough. These people's blood is only enough to give me a brief warmth.
Black Pudding	If we're able to take down Pretzel this time, you can see if his power will warm you up or not~
Bloody Mary	Hah, a sanctimonious, cold-blooded killer like him wouldn't be able to warm me. Judging people willy-nilly in the name of the divine! No matter what the person's intentions, they all must be "judged". Really he's just a killer, that's all. Sigh Only Steak's warmth would be enough to warm me--
What were you saying? 1. --I get it. Only Steak could ever satisfy you. (Bloody Mary +15) 2. Hmph, can't you think of anything else to say? (Black Pudding +15) 3. ... (Him again?!) (Bloody Mary +5)
Seeing that Bloody Mary was about to talk about Steak again, Black Pudding cut him off right away.
Black Pudding	Your persistence about Steak is really admirable, Bloody Mary. So, are you going to draw Pretzel here yourself?
Bloody Mary	After all the hard work you did setting things up, you really want me getting involved? There's no telling if that would deviate from your plan. And moreover, it's so cold here, so unless absolutely necessary I'm not leaving this warm room.
Black Pudding watched as Bloody Mary nestled into the sofa chair and covered him with a soft wool blanket, bu she couldn't help chiding him a bit.
Black Pudding	How come you're not complaining about the cold when you got to the hospital to lure humans? And it was me by myself who handled all those humans that you enjoyed.
Bloody Mary	I embrace them, you spread the rumors, and then we use them to take care of Pretzel. That's all part of your plan, right?
Black Pudding	Yes~ When you put it that away, you're not wrong~ Then you just get everything ready here. I need to find the right moment to appear before him~
← 1-4 • Main • 2-2 →

2-2
Characters	Newsboy Pretzel Doctor

Newsboy	We’re here. This is where we part ways.
Pretzel	Thank you.
Pretzel took out a gold coin and placed it in the newsboy’s hand. The boy became excited and leaped off the step of the hospital entrance.
Newsboy	I don’t know what your purpose is coming to this town Mister, but I wish you luck!
The newsboy waved a hand at Pretzel and ran off, still shouting the same thing he did every day, “Get your newspaper”. Pretzel looked down at the paper in his hand. It was all just normal, everyday events in the town, but there was one item that got his attention.
Pretzel	(...Blood bank robbed? If blood’s involved... then it must be related to the “vampire”.) (But finding out just which “vampire” will require some more investigating.)

Pretzel entered the hospital, but his inquires didn’t go as he’d wished. The hospital hadn’t admitted anyone with “bloodthirst disease” symptoms.
Doctor	I’m sorry, but we haven’t had any of the kind of patients you’re describing. Although...
Pretzel	Although what?
Doctor	This matter shouldn’t be disclosed to outsiders but seeing as you’re a priest sent by the Holy See... I think it should be okay to tell you. In recent times, the hospital has had a few patients with strange symptoms. They were all mostly cured and ready to be discharged, but then starting one day, they suddenly began fearing sunlight... a lot like the “bloodthirst disease” you spoke of! But there were obvious bite marks on their necks!
Pretzel	Bite marks? (Could this be…)
What's this? 1. (Bloody Mary?) (Bloody Mary +15) 2. (Could it be a red herring?) (Black Pudding +15) 3. ("Vampire"?) (Bloody Mary +5)
Doctor	Even stranger, after these incidents occurred, the hospital’s blood bank was robber, and we still haven’t caught whoever did it...
Pretzel	(Sudden symptoms in patients, bite marks, blood bank robber…what’s the connection here...)
Doctor	Father? Excuse me, Father?
His train of thought having been interrupted by the doctor, Pretzel frowned.
Pretzel	And the patients? I’d like to go see their symptoms.
Doctor	Oh, they’ve been taken to Mr. Fisher’s house. The Fisher girl too sick, and Mr. Fisher engaged a private doctor and nurse to cure her. Dr. Mary, the doctor engaged by Mr. Fisher, said that the hospital’s patients had similar conditions to the Fisher girl. He had experience curing it and could cure them together.
Pretzel	(...Dr. Mary!) Why didn’t the Fisher girl come to the hospital for treatment? And why take other people to Mr. Fisher’s house?
Doctor	Because Dr. Mary said that the requirements for cuing this disease were fairly stringent, and Mr. Fisher’s house was more amenable than the hospital. Mr. Fisher is also a kind person and doesn’t mind turning his house into a temporary clinic.
Pretzel	Did any hospital staff go along?
Doctor	Father, look at our little hospital. Where would the extra staff to go help them come from? Although, since then, we haven’t seen the Fisher Girl or the other patients again. Just occasionally Dr. Mary and his nurse will come here to buy medicine and let us know the progress of the treatment.
Pretzel	Have there been improvements?
Doctor	They... um... I went to look in on them one day and found they were all sleeping. Dr. Mary said their conditions were now under control, but there would be some side effects that put them into an extended sleep. But I think it’s not that simple. Their face were pale, and their teeth had grown sharp, just like...
Pretzel	Like what?
Doctor	This is just between you and me, Father. I think, maybe they’re becoming vampires...
Pretzel	... What makes you think this?
Doctor	The bite marks, of course! Don’t all the stories about vampires say that?!
Pretzel	Vampires don’t really exist. They only live in stories.
Doctor	Oh, really? ...That’s kind of disappointing.
Pretzel	Don’t let your imagination run wild. What time do they usually come here?
Doctor	Um... it varies. But usually it’s around dusk.
Pretzel	Many thanks. (It seems this really is Bloody Mary’s doing, but why is he stopping at just these few people?) (I’ll go check out this Mr. Fisher’s house.)
← 1-6 • Main • 2-4 →

2-4
Characters	Black Pudding Pretzel Doctor

Pretzel said goodbye to the doctor and turned to leave. He never expected he'd run into a familiar old face.
Black Pudding	Well! If it isn't Father Pretzel~
Pretzel	Black Pudding!
What should I say? 1. You dare just show up before me like this?! (Black Pudding +5) 2. What are you doing here? (Black Pudding +15) 3. Only you alone? (Bloody Mary +15)
Black Pudding	Before asking someone a question, you should first greet them, okay, Father Pretzel?~
Doctor	Oh, Miss Black Pudding? Father, you two know each other?
A bunch of pure white flowers in hand, Black Pudding stood in the corridor. Next to her red nurse's uniform, the flowers looked even more saintly and pure. The moment Pretzel saw Black Pudding, he connected all the dots. But just as he decided to act, the doctor spoke up behind him. Pretzel loosed his tight fist and took a half-step to the side, subtly blocking the doctor's path to Black Pudding. Seeing Pretzel's intention, Black Pudding just smiled and greeted the doctor to shift the topic.
Black Pudding	Dr. Houseman, good afternoon~ How are Kate and the others doing? I remember last time they said she would be recovered and leaving soon. I picked these flowers on my way here for her.
Doctor	Miss Kate will be discharged day after tomorrow, assuming everything goes smoothly...um, but let's not mention that. Dr. Mary didn't come with you today? Miss Kate has been going on about him for days.
Black Pudding	Oh, him...
With an imperceptible smile, Black Pudding gave Pretzel a wink, then turned her gaze back to Dr. Houseman.
Black Pudding	It's too cold today, and he doesn't want to go outside, so he sent me to visit her instead.
Doctor	Dr. Mary is still so sensitive to the cold! But it really has been hard on him. It'll be at least another month before it starts warming up here.
Black Pudding	Dr. Houseman, do you and this priest have matters to discuss? I'll get out of your way and go look in on Kate.
Doctor	The Father was just leaving. I'll go with you and see whether she took today's medicine on time.
Black Pudding	No need, I'll go myself. You still need to make rounds, don't you, Dr. Houseman? You're not being lazy on the job, are you~
As Black Pudding spoke, she put her flowers behind her and walked backwards to the stairs on the other end of the hall. In a voice only a Food Soul could hear, she said:
Black Pudding	If you're not faster, you'll be too late to save everyone-- Puh-ret-zel~
Pretzel	What did you say?
Just as Pretzel was mulling over the meaning of Black Pudding's words, Black Pudding had already turned the corner. The suspicion in Pretzel's heart rose up, but when he turned the corner, Black Pudding had already disappeared.
Pretzel	.....! (So this time it's those two after all. One versus two, and no back-up. And they've probably already made all kinds of preparations...) (No way. I can't wait for Weisswurst to get here. If Black Pudding was telling the truth, then I need to find Bloody Mary right now!)
← 2-2 • Main • 2-6 →

2-6
Characters	Pretzel Bloody Mary Black Pudding

The sky grew dark, and there were fewer and fewer people on the streets. Pretzel stood alone at the door of Mr. Fisher’s house All the curtains in the windows in the two-story homes were drawn tight. Weeds had sprouted up in the courtyard garden, and the flowers drooped.
Pretzel	Bloody Mary, I know you’re in there. I will cast judgement upon your evil-doing here.
As if in answer to him, the shut door suddenly opened, and a fell air gust out upon Pretzel.
Pretzel	(That reeks of blood... oh no!)
Pretzel rushed into the foyer, and the door slammed shut behind him. That familiar old darkness again.
Pretzel	(This trick again.)
Darkness cannot hold back the light of the faithful, much less a Food Soul. The smell of blood grew stronger, and Pretzel continued on until he got to the source on the second floor.

In the empty, quiet hallway, the only sound was of Pretzel’s hurried footsteps. There were many rooms along the second floor hallway, but only the last door was closed shut, and the smell of blood was coming strongest from behind that door.
... 1. Push the door open forcefully (Bloody Mary +15) 2. Look all around, then open the door (Black Pudding +15) 3. Carefully open the door (Black Pudding +5)

The instant the door opened, Pretzel sidestepped a bloody spike that came flying at him from the dark.
Pretzel	Bloody Mary!
Bloody Mary	You finally found the place, Pretzel.
A dim light lit up by the window, illuminating Bloody Mary’s pale yet enchanting visage. Two ethereal blue butterflies flew in from somewhere and landed on Bloody Mary’s arm resting beside the lamp.
Pretzel	Dr. Mary is you after all, Bloody Mary.
Bloody Mary	Correct! Have a round of applause~
Bloody Mary lightly clapped his hands.
Pretzel	What are you doing teaming up with Black Pudding?
Bloody Mary	Her terms were too enticing. I couldn’t refuse.
Pretzel	What terms?
Bloody Mary	Hefty payment, warm blood, and also–– you.
As soon as he said that, from the front and back, two hidden weapons flew at Pretzel. He dodged the blood spike in front of him, but he didn’t expect that its actual target was a bag of plasma flying up behind him. As the bag burst open, it covered.
Pretzel	This is...!
Black Pudding	The last bag of blood from the blood bank. They’ve been... hungry for many days now.
Pretzel suddenly realized that there were quite a few beds set up in this room. The patients transferred here from the hospital, drawn by the smell of the blood, got up from their beds and surrounded Pretzel. Meanwhile, Bloody Mary and Black Pudding launched attacks on Pretzel. Pretzel was already up against his limits against these two power Food Souls, but her also had to take care that his own attacks didn’t hurt the humans surrounding him.
Bloody Mary	Seize him! Seize him, and you can get fresh blood.
Pretzel	Sure enough, they’ve already been transformed. The bloodthirst disease...
Black Pudding	But they’re still alive! You and your Holy See would never abandon any living being, would you? Or are you actually going to attack them?
Bloody Mary	No matter what choice you make, you won’t get the chance, Puh-ret-zel!
← 2-4 • Main		• Black Pudding Chest →
← 2-4 • Main		• Bloody Mary Chest →

Black Pudding Chest
Characters	Pretzel Black Pudding Muenchner Weisswurst

Behind the cover of the humans, Bloody Mary and Black Pudding closed in. Pretzel’s injuries started mounting up, and their attacks came stronger and stronger. Pretzel blocked a sharp needle and leaned against the wall. This battle in the dark had spent too much of his stamina. His vision was getting blurry. The whole time, Pretzel never harmed any of the humans. They weren’t evil after all, they had just been chosen by evil.
Pretzel	...You two, your sins are too many. God will not forgive you.
Black Pudding	God? You people have already taken my god. And you’re still talking about forgiveness. You and your Holy See are and always have been hypocrites. Say goodbye to this life, Pretzel!
Pretzel’s consciousness was fading. Black Pudding raised a syringe, about to deliver a lethal blow to Pretzel. Just in the nick of time, a group of scalpels came flying in through the door, preventing Black Pudding’s attack.
Black Pudding	Who is it?!
Muenchner Weisswurst	Black Pudding... your revenge shouldn’t be taken out on Pretzel.
Black Pudding	Well, well, Teacher~ Here I thought you wouldn’t get here in time to prevent me from realizing my wish~
Muenchner Weisswurst	To sow confusion, you had Surströmming and the others spread rumors, drawing me here. But you also shouldn’t underestimate the intelligence network of the Holy See.
Black Pudding	Oh my! From the sound of it, I really did blunder. But with Pretzel so heavily injured, if you try and take us on by yourself, you’ll end up the same way, Teacher. Teacher, you stick around too...
Before Pretzel lost consciousness, the last thing he heard was Black Pudding’s invitation to die.

When Pretzel awoke again, it was the following day.
Pretzel	...This is, the hospital.
Muenchner Weisswurst	Pretzel, you’re awake.
Pretzel	Weisswurst, you’re alright?
Muenchner Weisswurst	You just woke up and already you’re already worrying about others. I guess you’re in okay shape. We can go back to the Holy See.
Pretzel	What about Bloody Mary and Black Pudding?
Muenchner Weisswurst	They’ve fled. Last night I gave them the impression that besides me, there was more outside help sent by the Holy See arriving any moment–– Although, that’s pretty much the truth. The others are getting here today to deal with the problem those two left behind.
Pretzel	...Thank you.
Muenchner Weisswurst	No need to thank me. You made the right decision yesterday. Those people... perhaps can still be saved.
Pretzel	You’ve developed an antidote to the bloodthirst disease?
Muenchner Weisswurst	Not yet, but we’ve reduced their symptoms, so at least they live like normal people as long as they’re in the dark.
Pretzel	This is a miracle.
Muenchner Weisswurst	Perhaps...
Pretzel	Are you still thinking of Black Pudding?
Muenchner Weisswurst	I was thinking, when will we be able to catch up with them and stop them before they do another act of evil.
Pretzel	The Lord will guide us, to rid this world of wickedness. After we return, we’ll keep expanding the Holy See’s intelligence network. That way we’ll be able to turn up any strange goings-on sooner.
Muenchner Weisswurst	You’re right. Let’s go back and talk this matter over with Croissant again.
Pretzel	Right.
← 2-6 • Main

Bloody Mary Chest
Characters	Pretzel Bloody Mary Black Pudding Muenchner Weisswurst

Behind the cover of the humans, Bloody Mary and Black Pudding closed in. Pretzel’s injuries started mounting up, and their attacks came stronger and stronger. Pretzel blocked an iron maiden attack and leaned against the wall. This battle in the dark had spent too much of his stamina. His vision was getting blurry.
Pretzel	...You two, your sins are too many. God will not forgive you.
Bloody Mary	God? Hahaha! If there is still a god in this world, then let him come and stop me! I only need... this elemental warmth.
Pretzel	...
Bloody Mary lifted Pretzel’s face, his thumb wiping the blood running from Pretzel’s lip. He rubbed his fingertips.
Bloody Mary	Tsk, already cold. If it was Steak’s blood, it would still be warm I bet. You can’t stop me now Pretzel. Let me end your life right here!
Pretzel’s consciousness was fading. Bloody Mary plunged a blood spike into Pretzel’s body, and just as he was about to pull it out, a scalpel flew past his cheek, and a red wound appeared on his pale white face.
Bloody Mary	Who’s there?!
Muenchner Weisswurst	Sorry, but I’m gonna have to ask you to step away from him.
Black Pudding	Well, well, Teacher~ You’ve come just in time...
Before Black Pudding had finished talking, Pretzel had gone unconscious.

When Pretzel awoke again, it was evening of the following day.
Pretzel	...This is, the hospital.
Muenchner Weisswurst	Pretzel, you’re awake.
Pretzel	Weisswurst, you’re alright?
Muenchner Weisswurst	You just woke up and already you’re already worrying about others. I guess you’re in okay shape. We can go back to the Holy See.
Pretzel	What about Bloody Mary and Black Pudding?
Muenchner Weisswurst	They’ve fled. Last night I gave them the impression that besides me, there was more outside help sent by the Holy See arriving any moment–– Although, that’s pretty much the truth. The others are getting here today to deal with the problem those two left behind.
Pretzel	...Thank you.
Muenchner Weisswurst	No need to thank me. I should have gotten here earlier and acted with you.
Pretzel	I wasn’t just thanking you for saving me. There’s more.
Muenchner Weisswurst	Huh?
After a brief silence, Pretzel continued:
Pretzel	Bloody Mary and Black Pudding don’t travel in the same circles, and they would never run away together. With the failure of this partnership, their relationship is done.
Muenchner Weisswurst	You want to go after him?
Pretzel	This sin needs to be atoned for as soon as possible.
Muenchner Weisswurst	Ah, I see. The other reason you’re thanking me is that when we go back, you want me to help make the case to Croissant. I wish that you would trust in the power of the Holy See more, but this score you need to settle with him makes this more than just a mission for you. When your power has fully recovered, you can go back after him, but you must take more care.
Pretzel	Right.
← 2-6 • Main

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