The Brides of Dracula is the fifty-third chapter of the Black Lagoon spinoff series Dismemberment Galore! The Gore Gore Girl. It was originally released on January 19, 2024.
Plot[]
While on the road, Martin the Nosferatu looks outside his passenger window as he is driven in a black car. In the backseat, he looks at The Undertaker No. 2, whom he has tied up. He apologizes for being rough with her and clarifies that he is in the mood for her blood. Showing his teeth, he says he will taste a sample of her blood, but they are interrupted when the car begins to swerve and crashes into a tree. Still conscious, Martin asks his driver Renfield what happened, to which the latter answers that there was a cat on the road he had to avoid hitting. As the former admits that it is an okay reason for swerving the car, he notices that the coffin has slid out of the car's back and that No. 2 has escaped. In the nearby forest, No. 2, still not free of her restraints, begins crawling away and soon looks up to see Lotton standing in front of her. The freelancer confesses that he got lost, asking for her help. Noticing that she is tied up, he then asks if she needs help, to which she nods. Immediately, Lotton removes her limb restraints and she removes the gag from her mouth. Thanking him, No. 2 hugs him and suggests that they leave because she is being chased.
Coming by to the scene, Martin comments that the woman must have escaped since she her restraints were left behind. Declaring that they cannot let her escape, he orders Renfield to help him search for her. In Roanapur, Martin walks around and deduces that Lotton must be somewhere nearby and spots him sitting at an outdoor dining table. He nonchalantly compliments Lotton as "cool," a comment which the latter reciprocates. Martin introduces himself by his nickname, and Lotton the Wizard does the same. Taking a seat, the Nosferatu claims that he has found Lotton, but the Wizard rebuffs the notion and calmly responds that he is the one who should be worried. Renfield tries to politely interrupt their conversation, but his master tells him to be quiet because he needs to talk with the stranger. Hearing Martin apologize and state that he has been busy, Lotton asks what is wrong and learns that the supposed vampire is looking for a woman. As the two men talk, No. 2 hides under the table and is worried to see a cat paying attention to her. Martin informs Lotton that he initially caught the woman like she was any other prey but began to have feelings for her as time went by, causing Lotton to assess that he is in love.
When Martin wonders if it is strange for an assassin to want a lover, the cat meows underneath the table, grabbing their attention. Seeing her captor look under the table, the scared No. 2 backs up as Martin says that he will not hurt her and only wants a little of her blood each day. Standing up, she yells no and Lotton blocks his path, making the vampire sternly ask what he is doing. Although he recalls he was going to help him, Lotton reasons that he must defend No. 2 since without her help guiding him out of the forest, he would have certainly been late for his meeting and faced the wrath of his coworker. Replying that he understands, Martin nonetheless exclaims that he is now his enemy, and the two freelancers pull their pistols on each other. As they stand off, the two men are surprised by each other's choices and tensely compliment each other's weapons. Martin opines that his Mauser M712 is a good choice and Lotton likewise admires his M93R machine pistols. When the former mentions that his weapon can do three-round bursts, the awed Lotton asks if he can have it. Grinning, Martin responds that he can have it if he wins the fight.
Speaking about his own pistols, Lotton states that his right gun is named Elegy. When the curious Martin asks what his left gun is named, the frustrated No. 2 yells that she does not care whether she is saved or kidnapped. Martin moves toward her, prompting her to throw the cat at his face, shocking him. Confused, Lotton tries to console No. 2, but she mutters that she knew men are nothing but "worthless losers." Hearing her insult, Martin gets up and warns her not to underestimate him, but someone kicks him in the back of the head, knocking him down. To No. 2 and Lotton's surprise, Sawyer the Cleaner crosses her arms and glares at the latter, who realizes that he forgot to attend the meeting. Furious with him, Sawyer kicks him in the back of the head as well, making him crouch in pain next to the sitting cat. Speaking up, No. 2 thanks Sawyer for saving her and compliments her coolness.
Notes[]
- The chapter title is a reference to the 1960 British horror film The Brides of Dracula.
- Lotton talking about the names of his pistols is a reference to the second light novel.