The Vampire's Twenty-Fifth Tale

The Vampire's twenty-fifth story was about a father who married a princess, while his son who married the princess's mother, the queen. In time, the father and the princess had a baby boy, while the son and the queen welcomed a baby girl. The Vampire's question was: What is the relationship between these two children?

Vikram was stumped by this question and remained silent. Since he didn't know the answer, the Vampire did not split his head open; and since he did not speak, the Vampire did not return to the tree either. Instead, the Vampire allowed himself to be taken to Shanta-Shil.

On the way, the Vampire said, "Shanta-Shil plans to sacrifice you and your son to Goddess Durga. Remember the giant's parting words: it is okay to kill someone who is plotting to kill you. I am the oilman's son; Shanta-Shil slew me lest I interfere with his plans to take over the world. He hung me head downward on the mimosa tree as a trap for you. He will take you to a temple of Durga and tell you to bow before her idol. When you bow, he will kill you."

The Vampire whispered something in Vikram's ear. He then bade farewell to Vikram and Dharma Dhwaj and left the body of the oilman's son, upon which Vikram's bundle became much lighter.

Vikram and Dharma Dhwaj finally reached the first cremation ground, in the middle of which Shanta-Shil was chanting mantras in devotion to Goddess Durga. He approached Shanta-Shil and opened the bundle, exposing the corpse of a young man.

"Thank you for doing me this favor, King Vikram," said Shanta-Shil. "You are indeed braver than any king who has ever lived."