Lamia Bathory

It is recommended to first watch the [Far Side of the Moon] event before reading this Vassal Journal.

'Perhaps a caged bird should never yearn for the starry sky.'

A Bloodborn maiden shaped beneath the moon's gaze, she was nurtured by darkness and now stands as second heir to the Bathory family. Aloof, she keeps her distance from all, and her gleaming fangs and bitter words piercing any soul that dare approach. Yet, her demeanor may well be a disguise, masking the sorrow and uncertainty plaguing her inside.

I discovered that the 'Moonfall Games' was merely a 'Vessel Selection Ritual' disguised in beautiful trappings by the Hall of the Elders. These girls advanced over the corpses of their companions, with absolute strength being the only means of survival through round after round of these 'games.' At first, Lamia too hesitated, but when Girl No. 66 disappeared under the crimson moonlight, she clutched the scythe of fate with trembling hands. The Lamia of today is unrecognizable from her former self—she has become more like a predator, her mere presence a silent warning to all.

I learned that the family's ultimate dream was to 'return home to the moon,' yet few girls held this vision close to heart, as the brutal bloodshed left most with only the desire for survival. In that round of games, the one who held most firmly to this belief was No. 66, and surprisingly, the other was No. 79—now known as Lamia.

The others either succumbed to despair and abandoned their lives, or rushed to their deaths in reckless, unplanned attempts to escape. Only these two maintained their vigilance, waiting for the right moment. Even knowing the moonlight before them was but an illusion, they stubbornly believed—as long as life persisted, they would witness the rise of the true moon.

I discovered that the rivalry between Lamia and Empousa permeated every aspect of their lives: from childhood disputes over dolls to the struggle for inheritance that would determine the family's future. I had mistakenly believed Lamia was always at a disadvantage, attributing her strong competitive drive to compensation psychology.

Only recently did I realize that the competition between these sisters maintained a subtle balance. Gradually, I came to understand that this was not mere conflict, but rather the girl's unique way of drawing courage.

A hand-drawn map of Minexus was quietly slipped under the door to Lamia's room. In the bottom right corner was a small note:

'Congratulations, you're one step closer to me. I'll be waiting for you somewhere further ahead. —A'

Did the young lady understand? Sometimes freedom is right at our doorstep, requiring only the courage to step beyond the city gates. Sometimes puzzles aren't as complex as they seem; one need only think outside their confines.