Strike the Blood - Volume 18 - Chapter 4

CHAPTER FOUR 

A NIGHT IN VERTERACE 

1 

Gentle afternoon sunrays shone upon the beautiful stained-glass terrace. 

It was a courtyard in Verterace Palace, the nucleus of the kingdom of Aldegia. Kojou and the others were seated in chairs at the edge of a large, elliptical table. 

“Oh-ho-ho-ho-ho.” 

With the table separating them, a woman dressed in a refined suit on the other side made a sophisticated laugh as her shoulders shook with each giggle. She had beautiful silver hair that greatly resembled La Folia’s. They’d heard she was finally reaching forty, but she looked much younger. Her innocent, childlike smiling face no doubt accounted for that. 

Sitting beside the laughing woman was a hulking man with a sullen expression on his face. 

His periodic sniffling was apparently an aftereffect of having been put on ice. This was Lucas Rihavein, King of Aldegia, and his wife, Queen Polyphonia Rihavein. 

“Ahh, so amusing. So that is how you ended up hurt like that, yes? Oh-ho-ho-ho.” 

After hearing the facts of the matter from the king’s own mouth, his wife the queen had continued laughing in vivid amusement. She had a soft, charming smiling face that brought feelings of happiness to all who beheld it. The gentle, fluttery atmosphere around her made Kojou feel she had that in common with Kanon. In one sense, that was only natural. The two were sisters, after all. 

“There is nothing amusing about this.” 

Lucas sullenly rested his cheek against a palm as he spoke. A white poultice was attached to his chin. This was treatment for the wound inflicted by Yukina’s kick. The blow should have been enough to shatter the jaw of any normal person, but the fact that a single poultice was sufficient meant he was no normal human, indeed. 

Kojou bowed his head deeply to the king. Yukina did likewise in reverent fashion. 

“I really am sorry. I was sure you were some terrorist targeting La Folia or something—” 

Lucas interrupted Kojou’s words of apology. “Do not speak the given name of another man’s daughter!!” 

“Uhh…?!” 

That’s what you’re upset about? thought a bewildered Kojou as he looked back at the king. 

“There is no reason to apologize, Kojou. That was legitimate self-defense to anyone’s eyes.” 

Sitting beside Lucas, La Folia spoke those words and shifted a chilly gaze her father’s way. 

“Hmph,” went Lucas, averting his face from the princess like a rebellious child. “No law can restrain a father trying to protect his own daughter!” 

“No man who attempts to attack his daughter’s fiancé from behind deserves to call himself a father.” 

The words with which La Folia easily cut him down made Lucas grunt, his voice caught in his throat. 

Listening to the conversation between father and daughter, Nagisa gaped in surprise and looked at Kojou. 

“Fiancé?! Kojou and the princess are engaged?!” 

“Er, of course we—” 

Aren’t, Kojou tried to say, but his voice was erased by Lucas’s angry cry. 

“No! I absolutely will not accept this marriage!” 

“That’s not really the issue—” 

“La-la-laaa! I cannot hear you! I have no ears for your excuses!” 

Covering his ears with both hands as he exclaimed, Lucas ignored Kojou’s utterance. He resembled less a troublesome father and more a child unwilling to listen to anyone. Kojou didn’t think it was very regal at all. 

On the other hand, the queen had never stopped smiling, her composure in place as she nodded. 

“Oh my, is that not quite fine, I wonder? Isn’t it, Trine?” 

“Yes. Among the senate, those planning to make Her Highness the Princess the bride of an influential high-blooded noble are not few. However, if the Fourth Primogenitor becomes Her Highness’s fiancé, they will surely have no choice but to back down.” 

Answering the queen’s words was a young female official standing behind the queen. She was a secretary whose glasses were a good match for her very serious demeanor. Trine’s statement rubbed Lucas the wrong way; Kojou could tell from how his voice trembled. 

“But this knave is a Demon! Do you think the citizens will forgive the mixing of the bloodline of the great and proud Royal Family of Aldegia with demonic blood…?!” 

“Huh?! What the heck?!” Asagi yelled, rising to her feet and violently knocking back her chair. 

Lucas had earned Asagi’s ire. To Asagi, proud to have been raised in a Demon Sanctuary, the king of Aldegia’s discriminatory statement surely was not something she could approve of. 

“Calm down, Asagi! Why do you have to get ticked off over it?!” 

“Well, excuse me, but I’m pissed off! I don’t know about royal bloodlines, but I’m amazed that some clown calling himself a king can look down on other people for a shitty reason in a so-called magically advanced country.” 

La Folia smiled in agreement with the indignant Asagi. The silver-haired princess then turned to her father, Lucas, as a glacial smile came over her. 

“Royal bloodline? If you are to speak of that, Your Majesty, were you not born as a commoner of another nation?” 

“Gnnh…?!” 

The harsh words tossed at Lucas by his daughter left his face flushed. However, the next instant, La Folia grinned respectfully up at Lucas. 

“That said, I cherish that my father has more pride than any other. That surely goes for the people of our country as well.” 

“Hmm, hmmm.” 

Buffeted by the princess’s conversational skills, insulted one moment and uplifted the next, Lucas could find nothing further to say. 

“The circumstances of one’s birth have nothing to do with calling oneself king of Aldegia. The individual accepted as the partner of a royal princess with the blessing of the Spirits—it is he alone who is permitted to call himself king.” 

“Y-yeah,” Kojou said, able only to nod vaguely. 

“For your reference,” Trine said, pulling out a tablet device, “approximately twenty percent of Aldegia’s populace is composed of immigrants from the Warlord’s Empire, and even beyond them, another tenth or so are said to be people born of mixed descent from demons. Your Majesty, I believe it would be best to swiftly amend your discriminatory statement.” Her chiding of Lucas took on a businesslike tone. 

The king’s lips twisted as he nodded gravely before glaring at Kojou with a resentful expression. “I understand that! What I do not like is not demons, but the knave himself!” 

“However, much of the populace would not seem to agree.” 

“What?” 

Trine’s swift retort shocked Lucas. Still gazing at her tablet device, she gave her glasses a quick adjustment. 

“In our country, the Fourth Primogenitor boasts exceedingly high popularity. In man-on-the-street questionnaires, the total between values of highly favorable, favorable, and slightly favorable is seventy-four percent. The percentage believing in the existence of the Fourth Primogenitor exceeds ninety percent.” 

“Eh? Why’s that?” 

It was Kojou who was thrown off by the palace secretary’s report. He had no idea whatsoever why he’d be that popular among the people of a country he’d never visited in his life. 

La Folia answered, grinning. “Because you defeated Dimitrie Vattler, Kojou. To our Aldegia, that man was a fierce foe against whom we have engaged in bitter conflict for centuries.” 

Her words belatedly reminded Kojou that Aldegia had been on the front line of the conflict between humanity and the Warlord’s Empire. 

Wars that had continued for centuries had taken the lives of many of Aldegia’s people. Doubtlessly, people slain by Vattler were among them. Even with the war over and a peace treaty formed, people had not forgotten their resentments. 

That was why the peace commemoration ceremony mattered so much to both nations and why factions were attempting to obstruct it. 

During the war of the primogenitors, Kojou had unwittingly stepped into their affairs. The commemoration ceremony two days hence was not an event that had nothing to do with Kojou. 

“Hmph. That is none of their concern. I had intended to someday lop off the head of that would-be battle addict by my own hands.” 

Lucas spoke those words with a minor click of his tongue. The sore-loser talk got his wife’s attention; Queen Polyphonia stared at the side of his face and strained a smile. 

“Oh my. You say that, and yet during Mr. Aradahl’s duel, did you not cheer on Kojou as much as you possibly could?” 

“Tha—You are mistaken! That knave’s way of fighting was so unpolished that I could not bear to watch, that was all…! I absolutely was not cheering you on, understand?!” 

Lucas’s face was bright red as he angrily yelled at Kojou. “Well, um, thanks,” Kojou murmured as he scratched his head. 

Kojou didn’t know who had been there in person or who’d watched with a video feed, but apparently, the king had witnessed Kojou’s duel with Aradahl. They called it a duel, but the act was so unlike him that he felt embarrassed for even participating in it at all. The fact that new acquaintances had seen him there only made Kojou feel even more uncomfortable. 

“I could add to this that the Fourth Primogenitor rescued Her Highness the Princess from the evil designs of Magus Craft Incorporated,” Trine continued in a businesslike fashion, “clearing away the regrets of the knights slain by the same, both extensively reported throughout our nation.” She paid no heed to Kojou’s turmoil. 

“Her Highness the Princess, rescued at the time, would later support the Fourth Primogenitor in his battle against the Duke of Ardeal during the war of the primogenitors, saving the world from peril. It is said that they appeared almost as if they were the legendary king and queen who founded the kingdom of Aldegia.” 

“Well, when you put it that way, it does sound like an incredibly attractive offer,” Yaze said, forcing a smile. 

Asagi furrowed her brow as she glared at La Folia. “Princess… Don’t tell me you calculated this from the very beginning…?” 

“Calculated? Of what do you speak? I was merely rendering assistance to a friend.” 

La Folia smiled like a saint as she spoke those words. 

Asagi’s shoulders sank. Whatever the princess’s aims, the fact remained that the people of Aldegia held favorable feelings for the Fourth Primogenitor. It was no easy matter for even Lucas, king of the nation, to undermine that. In other words, he could not publicly block La Folia’s engagement. 

“The royal succession?! What do you intend to do about your royal succession rights?!” 

Backed into a corner, Lucas looked desperate as he cross-examined his own daughter. 

La Folia held the top position in the Royal Family of Aldegia’s line of succession. If she was to wed Kojou of Itogami Island, the seat of the next national leader would rest vacant. This would inevitably lead to an unnecessary war of succession that would whittle down the royal family’s influence. Surely La Folia desired no such thing. 

“You have Londe and Pascalia, do you not?” came La Folia’s instant reply, her expression unchanged. She’d surely had the answer on hand from the start. 

“Who?” Kojou asked without thinking. 

“Princess La Folia’s younger sisters,” whispered Yukina into his ear. 

“Little sisters? She has sisters…?” 

“Yes. However, both should still be in elementary school.” 

Kojou gave an understanding nod. Since they weren’t at an age suitable for coming onto the international stage as of yet, their names were not widely known as their older sister’s. That meant if La Folia relinquished her royal succession rights, one of those two would automatically inherit the spot. 

Unexpectedly, it was Queen Polyphonia who objected to La Folia. 

“Oh my, we cannot have that.” 

The instant rebuttal elicited a silent glare from La Folia. Then, with a smile still on her face, the queen gazed at Kojou. 

“Historically speaking,” Polyphonia said, “it is not particularly rare for a single king to rule over two or more states at once? Since it is you, Mr. Kojou, you can do this much, at least?” 

“Eh? Err, that’s—” 

When Kojou hesitated, La Folia took over and made a crisp declaration. “But of course. Kojou promised me he would fulfill my wish, whatever it might be.” 

Kojou was aghast at the princess’s arbitrary assertion. 

Lucas let out a loud, incoherent voice. “Kojou, you…” 

“Senpai…” 

“Kojou Akatsukiiiii…!” 

Asagi, Yukina, and even Sayaka trained disdainful looks toward Kojou. They were apparently amazed at the irresponsibility of Kojou’s alleged statement. 

In contrast, Nagisa and Kanon had surprisingly favorable reactions. The two had reddened cheeks as they put hands over their mouths, letting up little cheers. All Yaze did was shoot Kojou a leering grin, a pitying expression hovering on his face. 

Then, finally snapping back to his senses, Kojou shook his head. “I did not! I didn’t say I’d grant any wish!” 

“Impermissible! Absolutely impermissible! If you truly wish to be engaged to La Folia, you must first defeat me!” 

Lucas rose to his feet in a rage, taking the sword on his hip into his hand. 

Queen Polyphonia held the nation’s king in check with a smiling face, questioningly tilting her head ever so slightly. 

“My oh my, have you not already fought Mr. Kojou and lost?” 

“Th-that bout does not count! I merely slipped when the girl from earlier and La Folia joined the Fourth Primogenitor’s side. I did not lose!” 

“Do you intend to make such unsightly excuses even if you lose on a genuine battlefield?” 

“Gnh…?!” 

The blunt question voiced by the queen made Lucas stiffen, virtually frozen. 

Polyphonia had no intention of blaming her spouse; she was merely asking the question that honestly came to her mind. That was simply how deeply her words bored into Lucas’s heart. One might say the fact she wasn’t a schemer like the queen mother and La Folia made her words sting even worse. 

That very queen still had a grin hovering over her as she turned tranquil eyes toward the king. 

“In the first place, have you forgotten whom you have to thank for using the Völundr System to begin with? Or would you rather say it is my power’s inability to measure up to that of the girl over there that was the cause of your defeat?” 

“N-not at all.” 

Thick, cold sweat coursed over the king of Aldegia as he backed down of his own volition. 

Seeing that her spouse was now completely silent, the queen looked at Kojou with satisfaction. 

“Now, then. I am quite pleased at this marvelous marriage proposal.” 

“Wait a… Wait a minute. Please wait.” 

Though overwhelmed by the queen’s mysterious coercive force, Kojou interrupted her words. His expression tightened, feeling guilt over how the queen’s eyes were filled with expectation. 

“It was hard to get the words out before now, but I don’t have any intention of getting engaged to La Folia—” 

“Why, you!! Are you implying you’re dissatisfied with our daughter?! Try saying that out loud!” 

Before Kojou could even finish his words, Lucas slammed the table and got back up. Though not intending to let his daughter marry, he apparently couldn’t accept his daughter being dumped, either. 

“Aw geez, this old man’s really a pain…” Kojou let out an irritated sigh. Queen Polyphonia giggled with apparent delight as she gazed at Kojou’s reaction. 

“I understand. Our daughter set this all up to check the senate’s plot for a political marriage, I imagine?” 

“…Eh?” 

“I am truly sorry that this resulted in you being used in the process. Rest at ease. I have no intention of forcing you to marry.” 

“Ah, sure,” Kojou acquiesced, nodding with a stupefied look. 

When he abruptly shifted his gaze toward La Folia, the sight of the princess with her cheeks puffed up in a pout entered his eyes. She was apparently dismayed that the queen had seen right through her plans. 

“That is Mother for you. You knew everything from the beginning, did you not?” 

“But of course. I am your mother.” 

When La Folia posed the question with tapered lips, Polyphonia giggled and proudly puffed up her chest. 

Listening to their conversation, Nagisa and Kanon seemed to finally grasp the circumstances. Complex expressions with a mix of dejection and relief came over them. Yaze made a strained smile with a twinge of relief, and Asagi and Sayaka lowered their guard ever so slightly. 

As if taking advantage in the momentary softening of the tense atmosphere, Polyphonia gave a light clap of her hands. 

“Also, if you are going to have children, you should do it as soon as possible. Mr. Kojou, which do you wish for? A boy? Or a girl? Any child between you and La Folia will be adorable, I’m sure.” With an innocent smile over her, the queen sought agreement from Kojou. “Such fun, yes?” 

La Folia blushed—almost on purpose—as she touched a hand to her cheek. Lucas was so shaken that he was at a loss for words, his mouth merely opening and closing as if he was a goldfish. 

“You don’t get it at aaaaaall!!!” 

The queen’s willingness to create “established fact,” exceeding even La Folia’s, left Kojou yelling at the top of his lungs. 

Yukina, expressionless as she looked between Kojou and the queen, let out a sigh. 

2 

On the third day of their stay in the kingdom of Aldegia, Kojou and company took the evening to visit the royal palace in Verterace once more. The queen had personally invited them to a celebration on the eve of the peace commemoration ceremony. 

Kojou and Yaze were wearing the same rented tuxedos as two nights before, but the girls all wore brand-new cocktail dresses, ordered from a shop used by the ruling family that La Folia had introduced them to. 

Yaze was accustomed to corporate events as the current head of a conglomerate. Asagi, daughter of a politician, and Kanon, off in her own world, wore their usual expressions. In contrast, Nagisa clearly could not conceal her tension. She was not used to high heels or to an open-back dress, things that apparently weighed on her mind a fair bit. 

However— 

“I…incredible. There’s so many people attending, it’s like a summit! Kings and presidents of one country or another, ministers and CEOs of major corporations…!” 

Nagisa looked around the area, eyes glimmering with excitement at the guests throughout the hall. It was only natural for a party held at the royal palace, but the invitees were all famous around the world. Though he lacked any interest in international politics, even Kojou recognized faces here and there. 

“Never thought I’d be invited to a party at the royal palace. Couldn’t feel more out of place,” Yaze complained. 

“Tonight’s party is supposedly only for people the royal family knows personally, so isn’t it fine? We barely know anyone here personally, so if we behave, there shouldn’t be a problem,” Asagi replied bluntly. 

As a matter of fact, the prevailing atmosphere at the hall was laid-back, completely disconnected from the weighty atmosphere of a formal ceremony or any strained sense of tension. The faces of the participants were all relaxed and showed enjoyment. This was no doubt a reflection of the lack of pretension by the man holding the party—Lucas Rihavein, king of Aldegia. 

Asagi drew her face close to Yaze’s and asked in a tiny voice, “So what do you think?” 

Yaze glanced at a detection device embedded in the cuff of his jacket and gave a slight shrug. 

“Figures for the royal palace of a magic-savvy place like Aldegia. Incredible magical barrier. I think it completely blocks eavesdropping and covert photography, and trespassing from the outside is pretty much impossible.” 

Asagi agreed with a nod. “Their hacking countermeasures are really something, too. The defenses burned even my hands a bunch of times. For the time being, I got in Mogwai to gather data on the military and the knights, but it doesn’t look like the talk of the Fourth Primogenitor’s popularity among the Aldegian people is any lie or exaggeration. The loyalty to the royal family is solid, too.” 

“No worries about assassination or terrorism for the moment, it seems.” 

Yaze let out a deflated breath. He and Asagi had more or less forced themselves onto the trip all the way to Aldegia to guard against Kojou getting wrapped up in a terror attack. 

To both of them, Kojou was a precious friend, but he was also the greatest fighting strength Itogami city-state had, the very cornerstone of their autonomy. They absolutely could not afford to lose Kojou or for him to get tied up in an incident in Aldegia. Asagi and Yaze had gone out of their way to accompany him to Aldegia solely to support him. 

Of course, if no trouble arose, that was best, but it did leave the pair with a lot of time on their hands. 

“I suppose we should get something to eat for now.” 

“Yeah. The maids are all hotties, so I might as well get a little closer to ’em.” 

“You are the worst.” 

When Asagi shifted a chilly gaze to Yaze, he justified himself with minor irritation. “Why?! It’s intel-gathering basics, right?!” 

“Pardon me.” 

Suddenly, an individual addressed Yaze. He was a well-built middle-aged Black man. 

“Would you be the new head of the Yaze family?” 

“President Teixeira? The investment banker from Neustria…” Yaze straightened his posture. 

Nuno Teixeira was a well-known businessman in the field of international finance. His main area of operation was centered on Europe, Aldegia included, but he’d recently made inroads into businesses on Itogami Island and other parts of Asia. His links to the Yaze conglomerate ran deep. 

“So you do remember me. It’s good that large-scale spirit reactor incident was settled nicely. So actually, some new information has reached my ears—” 

“R-right…” 

A twitching, amiable smile came over Yaze as he went along with Teixeira’s business talk. Judging that the conversation was going to run a good while, Asagi left Yaze behind and headed for a table with food placed on it. 

As expected of a party held at a royal palace, the food was frighteningly extravagant. Not only were the ingredients high quality, but the cooking was also done by skilled hands. Asagi was mulling what to lay her hands upon first in earnest seriousness when a familiar face appeared right before her eyes. It was a tall foreigner with swarthy skin. 

“The Priestess of Cain, is it?” The man raised an eyebrow in surprise. 

Asagi grimaced slightly at the individual’s unexpected appearance. She’d never expected to bump into a person aware of her true nature in a place like this. 

“Good evening, Chairman Velesh Aradahl,” she greeted. “This isn’t a coincidence, is it? Your Warlord’s Empire is the other main party in this peace commemoration ceremony, after all. I suppose it figures that the chairman of the Imperial Assembly would make a personal appearance.” 

The vampire with long black hair spoke in a dead-serious tone of voice. “It is as you surmise. Your presence, on the other hand, is unexpected, Priestess of Cain.” 

Velesh Aradahl, Chairman of the Imperial Assembly of the Warlord’s Empire—it was said even Dimitrie Vattler had held him in high esteem. There was no more suitable individual to attend the next day’s commemoration ceremony in the stead of the First Primogenitor, the Lost Warlord. 

This same Aradahl glared at Asagi with a grave expression. 

“I can understand that the Royal Family of Aldegia would invite the Fourth Primogenitor. Subordinates of the Second and Third Primogenitors shall no doubt arrive in this country tomorrow, but you coming here is excessively rash.” 

Asagi did not flinch whatsoever as she asked back in a casual tone, “What do you mean by that?” 

She had no idea why, but Aradahl seemed genuinely concerned for her well-being. That didn’t mean she felt good being suddenly lectured by someone she barely knew. 

“I am saying that you should be a little more aware of the fact that it is you who props up the Empire of the Dawn, territory of the Fourth Primogenitor. The Fourth Primogenitor’s combat strength is certainly menacing, but Kojou Akatsuki has limits to what he can accomplish alone. He does not have any vampiric vassals, after all.” 

Aradahl made a gloomy sigh as he spoke. 

“That various nations, the government of Japan included, do not lay a hand on Itogami Island, the Legacy of Cain, is because you wield the power of The Cleansing. As a matter of fact, while you are on Itogami Island, the menace you pose rivals that of the Fourth Primogenitor. This is because that artificial isle is itself a magical device that manipulates various coincidences, turning them into inevitabilities to protect you.” 

“So you’re surprised I’d just leave the island like this without a care?” She smiled impetuously as she looked up at him. 

The black-haired vampire nodded with a sour expression. “I would call it rash rather than unexpected. I even pondered whether I should seize the opportunity to kill you and cut off future evils at the root.” 

“Wanna try and see if you can?” she asked provocatively, adding a haughty laugh at the end. 

Bewilderment hovered in Aradahl’s eyes. “What?” 

“Inside and outside are surprisingly vague concepts. It’s not as if the real world has hard boundaries like you see drawn on a map. Even outside the country, they treat the grounds of embassies and stuff the same as the home nation’s territory, right?” 

“Certainly, that is the case.” 

Grudgingly conceding the point, Aradahl watched Asagi closely. Asagi grinned broadly as she boldly received the gaze of a monster counted among the top five of the Warlord’s Empire. 

After a silence where neither seemed to breathe, it was Aradahl who averted his gaze first. 

“I see. It seems you did not leave without a plan. My earlier statement was rude. I apologize.” 

“No, thank you for worrying.” 

The black-haired vampire had erred, but Asagi accepted the apology. 

A pained, self-deprecating smile came over Aradahl. 

“I am not worried about you. I am merely attempting to avert unnecessary chaos. Thanks to Vattler’s absence, the interior of the Warlord’s Empire has become somewhat astir. The militants’ movements have become quite active. In one sense, that battle maniac served a useful purpose as a check against them.” 

“You’re saying it’s possible the commemoration ceremony will be attacked?” she asked to confirm. 

“Yes.” He nodded slightly. “Unfortunately, I cannot completely deny the possibility. Albeit, the strict security at the ceremony site should make the odds of a successful terror attack close to zero, but—” 

“I see. I’ll take that into account.” Asagi returned a nod in understanding. 

It was the next moment that Aradahl sharply narrowed his eyes as if he’d noticed something. 

There was a sound of glass breaking somewhere in the hall. 

The hall’s elegant lighting suddenly went dark. A number of screams began. 

3 

Kojou and Yukina were standing at the edge of the royal palace’s hall as they gazed absentmindedly at the party scenery. Kojou, unable to satisfactorily speak in English, let alone Aldegia’s official language, was unable to chitchat with the unfamiliar participants, leaving him with time on his hands as a consequence. 

No doubt the situation would turn on a dime if Kojou announced himself as the Fourth Primogenitor. He had no intention of horribly standing out like that, though. He’d take boredom alone in a corner of the hall instead. 

Meanwhile, Nagisa and Kanon were having fun with two young girls not far off from Kojou and Yukina. Even though one side spoke Aldegian and the other Japanese, their thoughts got across surprisingly well despite the language barrier. 

The two Aldegian girls were silver-haired twins with young faces. They were Londe Rihavein and Pascalia Rihavein, the younger sisters of La Folia of whom Kojou had heard. 

“…I am super uncomfortable. It’s like I feel some weird gaze on me,” Kojou murmured after a slow exhale. 

Nagisa must have mentioned she was Kojou’s sister. The silver-haired twins looked like they were biting back laughter as they sent little glances his way. He got the feeling he was the target of sympathy, amiability, envy, and pity. It wasn’t that they were exactly mocking him, though he couldn’t tell from their faces precisely how they felt. Their expressions also seemed mixed with an odd degree of respect for Yukina. 

The hell are they talking about? A vague sense of anxiety wracked Kojou. He wasn’t bothered by the innocent gazes from the girls; the wariness and suspicious stares drifting about the hall were what rubbed Kojou the wrong way. 

“It’s because some guy who’s a few cards short of a full deck is hanging around the royal family, I’m sure.” 

It was Sayaka, pushing a cart with food on top, who spoke to the grimacing Kojou. She was not wearing a dress, but rather the uniform worn by the housemaids at the royal palace. The long skirt reaching down to the ankles and the puffy sleeves suited the tall Sayaka very well. 

“Who are you calling an idiot?! Anyway, Kirasaka, why are you working as a waitress?” 

Sayaka pointed to the cart and sulked. “If it wasn’t for this, I could never bring Lustrous Scale into the hall. I’m really glad Yukina is here.” 

The silver long sword that was her personal divine armament was fastened to the underside of the silver cart’s top. She’d forced it to stay put with metal needles, but at a glance, it looked like nothing more than a fixed ornament. 

Besides Kojou and company, several VIPs dispatched by the Japanese government were in the party hall. Sayaka had disguised herself as a housemaid so that she could keep watch inside the hall to protect them. 

“I apologize for the oversight,” Yukina said, directing her attention to the cello case at her feet. “I only prepared a disguise musical instrument for myself.” 

The party participants included more than politicians and entrepreneurs: famous actors and musicians were present as well. There was even a band for live performances inside the hall. Thanks to that, Yukina blended right in. 

“It’s fine, Yukina. I mean, that dress is adorable on you!” Sayaka asserted, completely serious. 

“That is irrelevant,” replied Yukina, conflicted over Sayaka’s typical behavior. 

Yet, there was no doubting the fact that Yukina was absent of suspicion also because of how well her elegant, monochrome cocktail dress suited her. No one would dispute that such a lovely Asian girl was a commoner, a musician unrelated to the royal family. 

“What do you mean by a disguise musical instrument? It’s not just Snowdrift Wolf inside the case?” Kojou asked. 

Yukina nodded. “Snowdrift Wolf is concealed within the cello so that I may pass a body check. The instrument is playable, as well.” 

“Huh… Wait, Himeragi, you can play the cello?” 

“No, er, I have practiced only a tiny bit, but the rest is managed with an autoplay function,” Yukina said, bashfully lowering her eyes. 

“Autoplay… Wow, the Lion King Agency is really something else…” 

Kojou admired the excessive dedication of the staff more than the power of their technology. 

“But if you’ve practiced, that means you can play a little, right? I’d love to listen another time,” he said. 

“Eh?! I—I cannot. I really am not good at it at all…” Yukina blushed and hastily shook her head. It was a rare reaction from the girl who seemed to do everything so well. Kojou smiled, amused by her reaction. 

“B-but it really is embarrassing…,” she insisted. 

“Just a little. A short part. I’ll keep it a secret from Nagisa and Kanon, so…” 

“Wh…why are you being so pushy about it…? Goodness…” Yukina bit her lip, glaring at Kojou with upturned eyes. 

Kojou brought both hands together before her. “Please. Later, when it’s just the two of us.” 

“If you keep it a secret from everyone…and it really will be only a tiny bit…!” 

“Hold on a minute! The cello?! You two really are talking about playing the cello, right?!” 

Perhaps imagining something indecent, Sayaka hastily interrupted Kojou and Yukina’s conversation. Kojou’s and Yukina’s eyes widened as they tilted their heads, unaware of the reason behind Sayaka’s nervousness. 

Suddenly, from the corners of their eyes, their fields of vision seemed to brighten. A burst of extravagance made the air sway. 

La Folia, wearing a bewitching cocktail dress, waved her hand as she approached. “Tee-hee. Are you enjoying the party?” 

The princess nestled against Kojou with a bright expression. The swell of her breasts pressing against his upper arm made his entire body stiffen. Sharp glares from the men at the party became jealous daggers stabbing through him. 

“Are you sure about this, La Folia? We’re really standing out.” Despite the attention on him, Kojou asked more out of concern for La Folia’s standing than for his own self-protection. Perhaps it was not to the extent of Sayaka’s earlier line, but he was worried her being seen so intimate with some strange boy from parts unknown would harm her reputation. 

However, La Folia giggled—with a wicked glint in her eyes. 

“Pay it no mind. Thanks to this, the senate should behave itself for a good couple of years. Thanks to you, Kojou.” 

“Only a couple, huh?” 

Kojou grimaced at the princess. 

Even with her many schemes to impede pressure on her for a political marriage, she would still only have a reprieve for two brief years. That fact hit Kojou hard. 

However, La Folia grinned confidently. “All will be well if you genuinely become my fiancé within two years, Kojou, which is not such a poor gamble at all. One can even have a pair of children in two years. Let us do our utmost.” 

“Seriously, cut that stuff out. It’s in bad taste even as a joke,” Kojou protested weakly. 

Mystified, La Folia stared at Kojou. I did not intend it as a joke, said the look on her face. 

Sayaka wearily exhaled a bit as she listened to the exchange between Kojou and the princess. That she was not shaken as much as he expected must have been because she’d finally become well accustomed to La Folia’s personality. 

“Ch-children…” 

It was Yukina who was shaken in a different sense. Perhaps she was remembering the girl who greatly resembled her that she encountered only three weeks ago. Her cheeks were red as she looked up at the side of Kojou’s face. Surely this will not happen, she seemed to say to herself as she shook her head. And then— 

“Senpai!” 

Yukina suddenly looked up like she’d been slapped. Virtually simultaneously, wary expressions came over La Folia and Sayaka as well. They’d noticed something odd was happening in the party hall. 

“What’s this creepy feeling…?!” 

Kojou wobbled, dizzy from the shimmer in the air. It resembled the aftereffect from Natsuki Minamiya’s teleportation, but the surge felt far rawer and more unpleasant than that. 

“A spatial manipulation spell…! Something is being sent here!” Yukina shouted as she noticed the glows of magical energy occurring throughout the hall. She was about to open her cello case for her spear, but La Folia gently stopped her. 

“Wait, Yukina. You must not move now.” 

“B-but…” 

Yukina looked back at La Folia in surprise, but the silver-haired princess merely shook her head in silence. 

During that time, a number of gates were forcibly opened throughout the hall in the royal palace. Enormous monsters stepped through. 

These were strange creatures, reaching seven to eight meters in total length and standing on four stout limbs. They were protected by thick hides with intimidating spiked carapaces covering their backs. Their heads resembled those of ancient carnivorous dinosaurs, filled with sharp, sharklike rows of fangs. At the risk of understatement, their appearances were terrifying and vile. 

“These are…demon beasts…?!” Kojou exclaimed. 

These were mysterious beings that had diverged from the normal path of evolution, living creatures that manipulated demonic energy nonetheless, and there were many of them here. Their power was astounding, rivaling IX-4 and the World’s Mightiest Demon Beast, Leviathan. 

“Tarrasques. They’re demon beasts that inhabit the center of Western Europe. They are said to be Grade Six, able to sink enormous ships and even destroy cities—monsters on par with a vampire’s Beast Vassals,” La Folia explained. However, she sounded oddly composed given the situation. 

“Demon beasts? Why’d stuff like that appear from teleports?” Kojou exclaimed in shock. 

“Tarrasques are violent demon beasts, but they’re quite intelligent. It is possible these were tamed when they were young and trained to follow commands. There are rumors about countries that raise them as living weapons even today, although the use of demon beasts for military purposes is banned and a violation of the Holy Ground Treaty.” 

“So sending these living weapons in means there’s enemies here…!” 

Kojou’s lips twisted as he finally grasped the situation. When he thought more, it was fairly obvious that a horde of rare demon beasts inhabiting far-off lands had not appeared in Aldegia’s royal palace by chance. Someone had sent them through deliberately. Their objective had to be interference of the peace commemoration ceremony the next day. 

It wasn’t just Aldegian royals gathered in the hall; VIPs from every nation planning to attend the ceremony were present. If there were casualties among them, holding the ceremony would become difficult. That alone would accomplish the terrorists’ objective. 

“Sayaka, return to your station and stay on guard. You need not be concerned for Kanon and Nagisa. The Knights of the Second Coming shall protect them.” 

“Y-yes!” 

Drawing her sword from the cart, Sayaka obeyed La Folia’s command and broke out in a run. She was heading to protect the government VIPs. 

Sayaka wasn’t the only guard undercover in the party hall. 

The Knights of Aldegia poured into the hall like an avalanche and drew off the tarrasques. Meanwhile, Attack Mages from every nation emerged seemingly out of thin air to lead their own nations’ important people to safety. Their responses were quick in spite of the abruptness of the demon beasts’ teleportation. The Royal Family of Aldegia had anticipated that the party hall would be attacked. That was probably why La Folia could maintain her composure. 

“Yukina, stay as you are and keep watch over the area. The tarrasque assault is likely a diversion to create chaos in the hall. The true objective of whoever arranged this disturbance surely lies elsewhere. The culprit must be kept from learning your identity.” 

“…You believe the tarrasques are a decoy…?” Yukina’s expression hardened as she examined their surroundings. 

Including bodyguards and servants, over a thousand people were assembled in the royal palace’s vast hall. If the terrorists were sprinkled among them, she could not see a way to spot them immediately. 

That was why La Folia had told Yukina not to make a move. That kept Yukina’s martial prowess on hand as a countermeasure against enemy surprise attacks. 

Fortunately, the palace knights had already evacuated Nagisa, Kanon, and La Folia’s younger sisters. Yukina didn’t need to protect them. 

With Yukina on standby, Kojou asked, “What should I do?” 

La Folia’s eyes narrowed in a hint of a grin. She’d invited Kojou to Aldegia for this very circumstance. 

“Please dispose of the tarrasques. Your abilities are not suited to protection.” 

“You’re sure?” 

The silver-haired princess smiled and nodded. 

The power of the Beast Vassals of the Fourth Primogenitor was mighty indeed. If he released their power inside a building, it would affect the surrounding area, too. 

“We shall overlook moderate damage. The safety of the people comes first.” 

“Roger that! Don’t forget you asked me to do this!” 

With that reminder to the princess, Kojou raced toward the center of the hall. There were eight tarrasques present. The garrisoning knights resolutely continued to fight, but there were simply too many creatures. They could only manage to slow them down. 

However, the chaos inside the hall was surprisingly muted. The guests were all first-rate big shots from around the world. Virtually none let up an unsightly shriek or lost their composure. Even as they calmly observed the ferociously raging tarrasques, they silently obeyed the instructions from their bodyguards and evacuated. 

Swapping places with those guests, Kojou stepped in front of the tarrasques, tauntingly glaring up at the enormous monsters. As the creatures whirled about, he thrust his right hand forward, unleashing the demonic power he kept suppressed. 

“C’mon over, Al-Nasl Minium!” 

With a roar, the demonic energy gushing out from Kojou’s entire body created swirling winds. These gusts distorted the air and became the form of a scarlet summoned beast. This was the ninth Beast Vassal of the Fourth Primogenitor—a bicorn governing super-oscillation and raging winds. 

Its huge crimson body, well outstripping those of the tarrasques, made a sound resembling a fighter jet in flight as it let out an earsplitting war cry. This roar transformed into a cannonball of shock waves that collided with the tarrasques head-on. 

Though each tarrasque weighed over ten metric tons, two of them were blown away outright. 

However, the destruction wrought by Kojou’s Beast Vassal did not end there. The shock wave cannonball punched straight through the royal palace’s outer wall, carving an enormous crater into the courtyard. Fragments of shattered carapaces scattered about like shotgun pellets, assailing the knights engaged in combat with other tarrasques from behind. Trailing explosive winds shattered every piece of glass in the hall, and several stonework pillars tumbled over as well. The spectacle made it difficult to determine who the real terrorist was. 

“Wh-what are you doing, Kojou Akatsuki?! Are you trying to kill us, too?!” Sayaka, caught up in Kojou’s attack, waved her sword around in protest. 

“This is me holding back as much as I can!” 

Kojou struggled to control the rampaging Beast Vassal. The Beast Vassals of the Fourth Primogenitor were extremely strong, specializing in indiscriminate mass destruction; trying to restrain their firepower was beyond difficult. The slightest bit of carelessness on Kojou’s part would allow them to run amok in an instant. 

He somehow managed to pacify the bicorn even so and succeeded in neutralizing a third tarrasque. One direct hit to the rampaging creature from the bicorn’s super-oscillating hooves kicked it away, causing it to faint in agony. Compared to the initial attack, the damage to the surrounding area was minimal. All it did was cause a cave-in of the royal palace’s floor about ten meters in diameter. 

“Do not get carried away because you defeated two or three demon beasts, brat! I haven’t acknowledged you yet!” 

Lucas Rihavein, commanding the knights during their battle with the tarrasques, stomped his foot in an angry tantrum over having his prey snatched from him. The king looked mortified. 

“Is this really the time?!” Kojou yelled. He noticed another demon beast approaching the king from behind. 

Lucas whirled around, great sword raised. However, the demon beast was simply too huge. Even with the blessing of a pseudo–Holy Sword, it was not an opponent one could fight head-on. 

In spite of this, Lucas did not retreat. He smiled impetuously, glaring at the oncoming demon beast. 

The demon beast suddenly came to a halt, as if Lucas had unnerved it. Kojou gawked. The king had cowed the creature solely with his fighting spirit. 

“Dance, Ghoula!” a voice cried. 

As Kojou watched in a daze, the tarrasque’s huge body gushed fresh blood. Before Kojou realized it, a swarm of daggers appearing from thin air had poured down onto the tarrasque like hail. A certain vampire with long black hair controlled those dark weapons. 

“Aradahl?!” 

“If I may be so presumptuous, I shall lend a hand for a short while. You are fine with this, King of Aldegia?” Aradahl asked Lucas, completely ignoring Kojou. 

The Aldegian king lowered his great sword and nodded gravely. “Mm. I thank you for your manly words, Duke of Severin.” 

“Why does he get to help without you getting angry at him?!” Kojou frowned with half-lidded eyes at Lucas. Rather than favoritism, this was probably the king’s normal response. It was his enmity-filled behavior toward Kojou that was out of character. 

“Shut up! You will not have my daughter! If you don’t like it, then defeat me!” 

“I said this ain’t the time or place for that stuff!!” 

“Kojou! Behind you!” 

While the pair pointlessly argued, a new monster suddenly appeared. A ninth tarrasque had arrived by way of teleportation. 

But when Kojou turned due to the voice’s warning, a vermilion bullet shot past him, turning the tarrasque into a collapsing mountain of salt. 

“Asagi?! That power… How…?!” 

Kojou gaped at Asagi’s attack. 

Asagi had employed The Cleansing—the forbidden spell that rewrote the world itself, and she had done so on Aldegian soil. Supposedly, this could only be performed on Itogami Island. 

“I see,” Aradahl said, ready to explain Asagi’s process for Kojou. “So you utilized data left upon the networks to adjust local server rules to your liking, allowing you to draw upon the power of the Itogami Island sorcerous device.” 

The black-haired vampire was observing the smartphone Asagi gripped in her right hand. An AI avatar designed after a badly sewn teddy bear was displayed in the middle of the tiny screen. Its grin was downright sarcastic. 

“Correct. Nothing gets past you, Mr. Aradahl. Though, the power I can use through just a smartphone is only enough for self-defense at best,” Asagi said as she casually waved around the smartphone. 

In other words, Asagi was using a bug in the rules of magic to reproduce The Cleansing even outside of Itogami Island. 

“Admirable, Priestess of Cain. I see… Small wonder you could deal with Vattler on equal terms.” Aradahl’s praise came from a place of amazement. 

“I suppose so. I can understand why my little La Folia recognizes her as a romantic rival. She’s cute, clever…did I mention cute?” 

It was Queen Polyphonia who had spoken. She approached the group with a casual gait. She had apparently remained in the hall-turned-battlefield to supply the knights with the spiritual energy they required to activate the Völundr System. 

“Eh, no, I’m not really a…romantic rival, uh…” 

The queen shot the blushing Asagi a grin as she casually activated her own magic. “Tee-hee, I cannot allow myself to be shown up, now can I? Please, O Spirits—” 

It was the same freezing spell La Folia had employed back in the public park. But its might was off the charts. Four surviving tarrasques were frozen white, making their motions grow sluggish. 

“So, this is the power of the Royal Family of Aldegia…” 

With the tarrasques’ movements dulled, they were no match for the knights, supported by both their king and queen. The knights’ valiant work to neutralize the tarrasques all at once made Kojou covertly twist his tongue. 

Even with assistance from Kojou and Aradahl, it hadn’t taken five minutes to defeat nine tarrasques. Rather than make people lose trust in the Aldegian royals, morale had further improved. 

“Was that it? No way,” said Kojou. 

Just when everyone in the hall was beginning to believe the terrorist attack had failed, only La Folia kept her guard up as she surveyed the hall’s interior. 

Suddenly, a teleportation gate opened from her single blind spot—beneath La Folia’s own feet. 

“I see. So I was the target all along—” 

The silver-haired princess was calm to the very end. 

Normally, it wasn’t difficult to detect the precursors of large-scale magic like teleportation. La Folia was not one to fall for such a simple snare. 

However, sending in nine large demon beasts back-to-back had disturbed the air around them. On top of that, Kojou and Aradahl, and even Asagi and Polyphonia had scattered around large amounts of magical power; the hall was overflowing with magic. That meant not even La Folia could sense the presence of the trap. The assault by the nine tarrasques had been a distraction to ensnare La Folia alone. 

Kojou immediately sensed something was wrong. “La Folia!” 

It was too late. The princess’s body had already completely sunken into the gate. 

“Ngh!” Yukina grunted. 

“Yukina?!” Sayaka shrieked. 

Before the gate that swallowed La Folia could close, Yukina had already leaped into it. Her form shimmered like a mirage before seemingly melting into thin air. 

“Himeragi! La Folia!” 

Kojou desperately raced over when the gate vanished before his eyes without a sound. Even the ripple-like shimmer in the air disappeared immediately. 

Standing stiffly in the place Yukina had vanished, Kojou and Sayaka murmured helplessly. 

“Himeragi and La Folia have been…kidnapped…” 

“No… How…?” 

No one replied to their voices. All that filled the ravaged hall was a terrifying silence. 

4 

Kojou and the others returned to Tenotia House shortly before midnight. 

The Aldegian military and police were already mobilized to search for the abducted La Folia and Yukina. Even if Kojou and the others had stayed in the royal palace, they’d only have been in the way. 

They understood that, but they still found it hard to stomach as they arrived, dragging their fatigued bodies into their rooms. If anything, the unsociable demeanor of the housekeeper who greeted them was a saving grace. 

Video of the royal palace just after the attack was playing on a loop on a satellite-broadcast news channel. Kojou unwittingly grimaced as he recognized the hall on display. “It’s on the news already?” 

“Leaking video proof to the media as you claim responsibility is kind of Terrorism 101,” Yaze said nonchalantly. 

As a matter of fact, a public claim of responsibility from a criminal group for the royal palace attack had been unveiled on a video site. The video on TV of the tarrasques emerging was uploaded by the culprits, as well. 

“They succeeded in attacking the royal palace and abducting the crown princess after all,” Asagi said while she tapped on her smartphone. “Pretty big stuff for criminals. No reason not to announce it.” Her plainly foul mood was no doubt due to the terrorists having gotten away cleanly despite her being right there. 

Kojou felt the same regret. 

La Folia had warned Kojou beforehand that the tarrasque attack was a decoy and the culprit had some other objective, and yet he had been unable to protect her. That La Folia herself had not been able to decipher the enemy’s plan…would merely be an excuse. The fact remained that Kojou had momentarily let his guard slip right after the tarrasques had been wiped out. 

Kanon put both her hands together in front of her, murmuring as if speaking a prayer. “Yukina…” 

Nagisa drew close to Kojou with an earnest expression as she fired off questions. “It’s going to be okay, right, Kojou? Yukina’s not going to be killed or go through something horrible?” 

“Well…” 

Kojou had no assurance to give her. He didn’t even know the names of the criminals behind the abduction. He could say nothing as to whatever they might intend for Yukina and the princess. 

“For Himeragi, well, no need to worry, I figure,” Yaze said, keeping things lighthearted, hoping to put Nagisa at ease. “If this bunch really is that smart, there’s no way they’d go out of their way to make an enemy of the World’s Mightiest Vampire by harming his loved—Err, his associates.” 

It was optimistic speculation bordering on consolation, but that didn’t mean his hypothesis was without any basis. 

Kojou and the others were outsiders without any direct connection to the country. Even if the criminal group harbored enmity for the Royal Family of Aldegia, surely they did not want to antagonize Kojou on top of them. 

“Meaning Himeragi becomes a hostage to keep the Fourth Primogenitor from intervening,” Asagi speculated. 

Yaze nodded. “After all, the portal spell Himeragi got caught up in was aimed at the princess in the first place.” 

From the assailants’ perspective, Yukina being caught up in the gate meant to abduct La Folia was unplanned, confronting them with the risk of making an enemy of the World’s Mightiest Vampire as a result. 

This being the case, the best choice for them was to use Yukina as a shield and demand the Fourth Primogenitor sit on the sidelines. In other words, Yukina had value as a hostage. Extreme circumstances notwithstanding, it was only natural to think they would treat her with courtesy. 

“The problem’s La Folia, huh?” 

Kojou clenched his hands together as they shook with irritation. 

The assailants were confronting the Royal Family of Aldegia from the start. There was no way they were afraid of a grudge at this late hour. Even if La Folia became a bargaining chip, this only required her being alive. There was no guarantee she wouldn’t go through a terrible ordeal while held prisoner. 

Asagi was reading from a list of demands from the criminals being shown on the TV screen. “Looks like the criminal side demanded that the peace commemoration ceremony be canceled and some forty-three sorcerous criminals in penal service be freed.” 

Yaze exhaled with visible exasperation. 

“No way in hell those demands get accepted. If they did that, the Aldegian government would completely lose face. It’d prove the country not only can’t protect one crown princess, it’s a country that’ll do whatever terrorists tell it. Plus, there’s no proof they’ll release the princess even if they do as demanded.” 

“But what will happen to La Folia then?” Nagisa asked, dejected. 

This time, even Yaze could not reply with anything but a weighty silence. 

Kojou spoke up instead. “It’s all right. La Folia’s dad and other people are talking about it right now.” From his tone, he was speaking to himself as much as to her. Kojou’s feckless words made Nagisa pipe down and nod. 

It was right after that they heard the sound of overly serious knocking. A tall girl shown in by the housekeeper entered the room. It was Sayaka, dressed not in the servant’s outfit but in her usual school uniform instead. 

Kojou shot to his feet. “Kirasaka? The meeting’s over already?” 

Sayaka nodded with a hard expression. “Yes. The government press secretary will hold a news conference at one AM.” 

“They’ve decided how to respond to the terrorists’ demands?” Yaze asked as he furrowed his brow. 

Sayaka tossed a bag on top of an unoccupied sofa, then flopped onto the sofa herself. The long conference had apparently been quite exhausting. 

“They will acknowledge that the royal palace was attacked, but they will say it is not true that Princess La Folia has been abducted, therefore there will be no compliance with their demands—that’s the royal family’s policy.” 

“Not true… Wait, it sure as hell is true! She really was abducted!” Kojou exclaimed. 

However, Yaze muttered an “Ohh” with a scrutinizing gaze. “They’re hiding the fact that the princess was abducted while planning to negotiate with the perps under the table. Pretty slick.” 

“So they’ll put up a public front that they won’t negotiate with terrorists while making a backroom deal? Maybe there’s no other way to maintain national honor while trying to save the princess, but…” Asagi seemed a bit surprised as she glanced between Yaze and Sayaka. 

“It’d be nice if they’re dealing with people who’ll strike a bargain…” Yaze smiled weakly as he drew in his chin. The bunch that had abducted La Folia weren’t kidnappers in it for profit. There was no guarantee a deal could be made. 

“It has the effect of prolonging the negotiation time, at the very least. Use the bargaining to buy time during which to save the princess… Seems they concluded that was the most realistic and effective method.” 

Sayaka sounded like she was suppressing her own dismay as she spoke. Most likely, she didn’t care for the conference’s consensus herself. However, Sayaka was nothing more than an agent of the Japanese government. She had no standing to alter the result of the conference. 

Kojou looked at Sayaka with a reproachful gaze. “Rescuing La Folia… Can you really do that?” 

Sayaka’s eyes were moist as she glared at Kojou. “Whether we can or not, we have to! If not, the princess and Yukina will…” 

Kojou shook his head left and right, smiling, in an effort to calm down Sayaka. “Sorry. That came out wrong. I wanted to ask if…we need to lend a hand.” 

Asagi twirled her smartphone around in the palm of her hand as she said bluntly, “Well, even if you say no, we’re going to anyway.” 

“Pretty much. Wasn’t only the princess who got abducted and all.” Yaze leisurely stretched his back and let out an elderly sounding exhale of “there we go.” 

“What, do you intend to do?” Sayaka prompted back, eyes wide. 

Asagi coolly shrugged her shoulders. “We can’t do anything unless we figure out La Folia’s location by any means necessary. We’ll do our thing and look for her our own way.” 

“That’s why I’m asking what you intend to do…?!” 

“Ain’t like we’re gonna get in the Aldegian police’s and knights’ way. Or do you guys have a better idea?” Yaze directed a leering smile at Sayaka, whose words caught in her throat. 

“We…were dispatched only to guard the commemoration ceremony, so…” 

“The commemoration ceremony, huh?” Kojou rested both elbows on his lap as he sank into thought. 

The original reason for dispatching Sayaka was to protect important members of the Japanese government. Yukina and La Folia being abducted didn’t mean they’d let her wander off and search for them as she pleased. Guarding the commemoration ceremony came before saving the pair. 

However, that was only if the commemoration ceremony was actually held. As a matter of fact, the criminal group had demanded the ceremony be canceled, and the two were bargaining chips to that end. 

“Hold on. La Folia’s expected to attend the ceremony, too, right?” 

“Yes,” came Sayaka’s immediate reply. 

As the crown princess, La Folia would naturally attend the ceremony to represent the Aldegian side. Indeed, more than a few citizens were likely participating just to get a chance to see her. 

“So what happens if La Folia can’t be rescued before the start of the commemoration ceremony?” 

“…Then it would really mean a complete loss of trust in the Royal Family of Aldegia, I suppose,” Sayaka replied in a subdued manner, finding the words difficult to speak. 

Kojou lowered his eyes, twisting his lips in silent contemplation. “In other words, the start of the ceremony is the time limit for rescuing La Folia?” 

“The terrorists understand that, too,” Asagi murmured, turning her eyes to outside the window. “Negotiations won’t be easy.” 

The reply to her came from an unexpected direction. 

“I imagine you are correct. However, I have an idea for how to turn this situation around.” 

Kojou and the others looked toward the voice in unison. Standing in the entrance to the room was a middle-aged woman—Queen Mother Musette, La Folia’s grandmother. 

“The queen mother…?” 

Asagi looked up at her in surprise. Musette slowly regarded Kojou and the others in turn. 

“However, this plan cannot be put into effect without your assistance. I know I have no right to ask this of you, Kanon—” 

The queen mother went down on one knee before Kanon. Then, she deeply bowed her head to the girl. 

“Wouldst thou lend us thy strength to save Aldegia—no, save La Folia?” 

The unimaginable scene left Kojou and the others at a loss for words. 

The very proud queen mother of Aldegia was bowing her head to Kanon, a royal, albeit with no standing whatsoever. That spoke to the strength of the resolve, and the sacrifice, Musette sought from Kanon. 

Amid that tense, frigid atmosphere, Nagisa meekly called out to her friend. “Kano…” 

Even if it was to save Aldegia, Kanon had no reason to sacrifice herself in the process whatsoever. Nagisa was doing all she could to convey that no matter what Kanon might choose, Nagisa would be her ally to the very end. 

Kanon kindly smiled back at Nagisa. She stepped forward. 

She crouched before the kneeling Musette, taking her hand into her own. 

Kanon spoke crisply and without hesitation. 

“Absolutely.” 

5 

At one AM in the dead of night, an unfamiliar man was being shown on the TV screen. He was middle-aged with an honest, intellectual air about him. This was the government of Aldegia press secretary. 

Lighting from a flurry of camera flashes dyed the screen white for a moment. The official government press conference concerning the previous night’s royal palace attack incident had commenced. 

“So it’s starting,” Yaze murmured as he listened to the press secretary give an explanation in English. 

As Kanon, Nagisa—stuck to Kanon like glue—and the queen mother had departed together, that left only four people in the room: Asagi, Yaze, Kojou, and Sayaka. 

“The commemoration ceremony starts at noon today. That means there’s just under eleven hours left.” Asagi plugged away at the keyboard of her favorite laptop as she made a sigh. 

“So we have to find La Folia before then,” Kojou confirmed again. 

“Yeah.” Asagi sipped some coffee, which took the place of her nighttime snack. “We’ll have to rely on the queen mother’s scheme if it comes to that, but the effect will be half wasted if we can’t pinpoint the princess’s location before the start of the ceremony. Have to do what we can before then.” 

Sayaka peered over Asagi’s shoulder to see her screen. “Um, Asagi Aiba? What have you been doing for a while now?” 

Displayed upon her computer screen were countless dots hovering over a map of the royal capital, Verterace. In tiny pop-up windows from the dots, grainy black-and-white images were being played one after another at high speed. 

“I’ve taken over the security cameras all over Verterace. That’s a magically advanced nation for you. The fact that it comes with real network infrastructure is a huge help.” 

Asagi spoke rather nonchalantly while she wrote an original facial recognition program. 

The special processing she was conducting on her personal computer meant she’d be able to instantly locate Yukina or La Folia if even a portion of their bodies was caught on camera. She’d also put together an algorithm to prioritize the search according to possible kidnapper escape routes and safe houses suggested by artificial intelligence. On top of that, she’d given it military and police communications interception functionality so that it could steal the data it required. That was how she was making up for not having home field advantage. 

“Taken over… Wait, isn’t that normally a crime…?!” 

Sayaka’s expression stiffened. Exasperated, Asagi glanced up at Sayaka. 

“Himeragi’s life is in danger, so we don’t have time to worry about little things like that.” 

“W-well that may be true, but…!” 

Sayaka pursed her lips, swallowing the words she was about to speak. Silently watching for a while as Asagi continued to tweak the program, she seemed to harden her resolve as she belatedly inquired, “Why are you going this far for Yukina’s and the princess’s sakes?” 

Asagi didn’t even look back as she replied, “Would Himeragi abandon me if our positions were reversed?” 

Sayaka silently shook her head. 

“Then I can’t let myself do any less. Besides, a chance to put that girl and a royal princess in my debt comes once in a blue moon, right?” Asagi grinned as if she was joking. 

“That’s a lovely personality you have there, Asagi Aiba…” 

Sayaka made a weary-sounding sigh. Truthfully, she was inwardly surprised by Asagi’s attitude. 

No doubt if it had been Asagi kidnapped, Yukina would try to rescue her even at the risk of her own life. That’s because Yukina was an Attack Mage. Protecting people from the menace of demons—that’s what she was raised to do. 

However, Asagi did not have that kind of background. Though she had a fair bit more talent than most people, Asagi was merely a student. It wasn’t her duty to rescue Yukina and La Folia at all. 

Indeed, it was to Asagi’s advantage for Yukina and La Folia to stay kidnapped. Yukina was Kojou’s Blood Bride, and the princess had asserted that Kojou was her fiancé. To Asagi, who perhaps cared more for Kojou than she wanted to let on, their presence wasn’t to her advantage. 

And yet, Asagi had not hesitated whatsoever to try to save Yukina and La Folia, even engaging in dangerous criminal activity to do so. Sayaka admired the sight. At the same time, it faintly terrified her. 

She remembered Queen Polyphonia’s words. La Folia acknowledged Asagi as her rival in love. 

Proudly seeing things through by any means necessary—certainly Asagi and La Folia were cut from the same cloth. Just as La Folia was a princess of Aldegia, Asagi Aiba was the Priestess of Cain—the priestess of Itogami city-state, the Fourth Primogenitor’s domain. 

If Asagi were to become the Fourth Primogenitor’s Blood Bride, would Kojou Akatsuki not become a fearsome existence beyond anyone’s reach? Sayaka was suddenly captive to that concern. 

Asagi’s comments pulled Sayaka from pondering ominous notions. “I’ve finished setting the traps for now. If the princess and Himeragi are caught on camera for even an instant, I’ll be able to instantly pinpoint their location. They should still be here in Verterace somewhere, after all. Right?” 

Sayaka hastily smoothed over her expression as she replied rapidly, “Y-yes. All of the roads leading outside the royal capital have been sealed off under strict watch, and barring exceptions like the Witch of the Void, no one should be able to teleport for long distances…” 

Asagi tapered her lips in frustration. “The problem is if they’re in underground canals or forested areas without security cameras installed…” 

Even with full access to Aldegia’s digital networks, she still couldn’t get footage from places without security cameras. Unlike Itogami Island, where the entire isle was an artificial construct, it wasn’t as if the entirety of Aldegia was run by computers. 

“I’ll figure something out. The broad range makes it a little rough, but if it’s just determining whether people are there, I’ll manage,” Yaze said. He sounded annoyed. 

Sayaka turned to him quizzically. “What do you mean? You have a means to search a wide area?” 

“Sorry, that’s a trade secret. Well, just don’t expect much, ’kay?” he answered dismissively. 

Sayaka sourly pursed her lips. 

She could use detection ritual spells to search using shikigami, but she couldn’t exactly search the entirety of Verterace that way. Within the Lion King Agency, it was likely only the Three Saints who could manage such a feat. That Yaze could easily claim to be capable of doing so dented Sayaka’s pride as a specialist in ritual spells. She felt like her own helplessness was being rubbed in her face. 

“What should Kirasaka and I do?” Kojou asked frailly. His question relieved Sayaka somewhat. 

Asagi’s reply to Kojou’s question was simple and brief. 

“Sleep.” 

“Huh?” 

Kojou’s eyes snapped wide as he looked at Asagi. Sayaka’s cheeks flushed red as she inadvertently looked into Kojou’s eyes. 

“Wh-why would I…s-sleep with Kojou Akatsuki…?!” 

Asagi yelled in response to Sayaka’s wide-off-the-mark protest. “I’m telling you to get some sleep and save your strength! Better rest now while you can. It’ll be you two moving your butts once we find those girls, you know.” 

“Ohhh.” Kojou gave a nod of understanding. Sayaka was too embarrassed to even raise her voice. “Got it. If that’s how it is, I’ll head back to my room. Wake me up right away if anything happens, all right?” 

Kojou got up and headed for the bedroom for the boys. Sayaka hastily followed him out. 

The news conference was still on TV. The reporters continued mercilessly questioning the press secretary as he asserted that the crown princess was safe. 

“Kojou Akatsuki!” 

Sayaka chased Kojou into the bedroom before he could close the door. Kojou grimaced, recalling the embarrassing misunderstanding from just earlier as he looked back at her. 

“What?” 

“Um… Yukina’s safe, isn’t she?” 

“Yeah.” 

How should I know that anyway? Kojou pondered as he sat down on the sofa right beside him. Quirks aside, it was still a villa, so the bedroom’s interior was fairly spacious. After all, it had not just beds but sofas and a table, and it came fully furnished with a toilet and bath. 

All that said, Kojou naturally still felt a little tense at being alone in a room with a girl. 

For her part, Sayaka sat down gingerly upon a corner of a bed with its side facing Kojou. Given the conversation that had just ended, her behavior could make someone think she was inviting Kojou over. She sure let down her guard a lot for someone who hated being around men. That said, Kojou couldn’t exactly point that out to her, sighing wearily instead. 

“Well, you probably don’t need to worry about Himeragi. She’s with La Folia and all. Kirasaka, you should know pretty well by now that princess is a smooth talker.” 

“Well, that’s true, but…” 

Sayaka seemed to lack confidence as she cast her gaze downward. Kojou knew well just how precious Yukina was to her. Really, she had to want to rush off and save Yukina that very moment. 

Kojou understood her feelings well. He didn’t have it in him to be hard on Sayaka. 

“Anyway, let’s leave it to Asagi and Yaze for now. Aldegia’s army and police have to be looking for her with everything they’ve got. It’s all right. We’ll find them soon.” 

“Yeah.” 

Sayaka nodded a little as she grasped the hem of her skirt. 

As a matter of fact, there was nothing either of them could do that moment no matter how nervous they got. It was better to save their strength just like Asagi had told them to. Sayaka surely understood that, too. 

“By the way, why’d you come to my and Yaze’s room? The girls’ room is over there.” 

“I—I did not come because I wanted to, but now that Yukina is unable to continue observing you, I need to take over her mission for her…” 

Kojou dismissed her excuses. “That doesn’t mean you have to sleep in the same bedroom! That’s just weird! If you’re gonna sleep, go to your own bed—” 

He abruptly swallowed his words. He’d just remembered a small detail. 

“Oh, right. Kirasaka, can you use ritual spells to make people sleep better?” 

“Eh?” 

An expression of blatant distrust came over Sayaka. 

“What do you intend to do after forcing someone else into sleep…?!” 

“Not that. I’m asking you to make me sleep. Figures that with Himeragi and La Folia on my mind, I don’t feel sleepy at all.” 

“Ahh.” 

Sayaka seemed accepting, as she nodded. Kojou being a vampire made him quite a night owl by default, and even if the fight with the tarrasques had tired him, he didn’t think he’d fall asleep any time soon. 

“Guess I have to. I can cooperate with you if it is something like that.” 

Sayaka plucked a strand of hair from her own ponytail. Kojou watched in admiration. A strand of hair seemed like something you’d use in all kinds of ritual spells. 

From there, Sayaka fished out a hard, metallic coin from her pocket. She tied her hair to it, dangling it before Kojou’s eyes. 

The five-yen coin was swinging back and forth on the end of the lock of pretty, chestnut-colored hair. Kojou was dumbfounded as he gazed at it. 

“A five-yen coin. Isn’t that for hypnosis?!” 

“There’s no other way! Vampire resistance is too strong for magic and ritual spells to work on you!” 

“…But this will ’cause it’s hypnotism?” 

Kojou thought Sayaka’s explanation sounded plausible, but he still didn’t fully believe it could be true. Nonetheless, Sayaka nodded with a serious look on her face. 

“The point being, hypnotic suggestion is using your own subconscious to control your body, so resistance against magic doesn’t make a difference, no matter how strong it is. Even if it wasn’t a five-yen coin, a pendulum or a candle flame, the sound of a bell, or even an aroma could induce someone into a trance state.” 

“Huh… When you put it that way, I feel like it might just work.” 

“If you get it, then focus on the movement of the coin.” 

“Okay.” 

Kojou watched the suspended five-yen coin. At first, he’d felt it was ridiculous, but he certainly felt more relaxed as he watched the regular, pendulum-like swinging of the coin. It was also a little amusing to watch Sayaka’s oddly earnest expression on the other side of the coin. 

Within Kojou’s field of vision, the body of that very Sayaka abruptly fell onto its side. 

“Wait, you fell asleep?!” 

Even as Kojou watched in shock, Sayaka had flopped onto the bed as she began making pleasant-sounding sleeping noises. He didn’t know if the hypnosis had any effect on her, but she was solidly asleep. 

“Well, I get that you’re tired, but you’ll catch cold like that.” 

Weakly shaking his head, Kojou took off Sayaka’s shoes. He picked up Sayaka’s body, light given how tall she was, and properly put her in bed. 

His impression of Sayaka was of perpetual anger, but she was just plain cute when she was asleep. She had long eyelashes and refined features. Her glossy lips were a light pink. Even with her clothes on, the bulge of her ample breasts was very distinct. Her graceful thighs were poking out from the hem of her disheveled skirt. 

“Guess I’ll go take a shower.” 

Feeling an intense dryness in his throat, Kojou hastily put a blanket over Sayaka. His canine teeth were throbbing—a precursor of vampiric urges. For the time being, Kojou pretty much fled toward the bathroom to cool off his head. Given the situation, he didn’t think Sayaka had any right to complain if anything happened, but Kojou didn’t intend to be corrupt enough to pounce on a moron falling for her own hypnosis. 

“Haaah…” 

His vampiric urges vanished over the course of a cold shower. As he regained his calm, he became worried about Yukina and La Folia’s abduction all over again. 

The terrorists had timed their attack to coincide with the start of the nighttime party at the royal palace, porting a horde of tarrasques into the hall. With that simple diversion, they’d accomplished their true objective of kidnapping La Folia via teleportation. Using the captured princess as a hostage, they’d pushed the peace commemoration ceremony to the brink of cancellation while demanding the release of incarcerated sorcerous criminals. It had been a simple but effective plan. 

Whether the demands were complied with or not, the Royal Family of Aldegia’s authority would plummet, accomplishing the objective of the war-seeking terrorists. There was nothing strange about that part. 

But Kojou felt a faint misgiving about how overly neatly everything was flowing together. He felt like he was missing something. Perhaps one of the reasons he felt that way was because he was one of Natsuki Minamiya’s pupils. The woman also known as the Witch of the Void was able to freely manipulate teleportation magic as easily as she breathed. 

But the culprit isn’t Natsuki! 

“That’s right… Calculating the coordinates… How the hell did the culprit know La Folia’s exact location?” 

Kojou upped the temperature of the shower as he sank into thought. 

Using high-level spellcraft like spatial manipulation required a great deal of skill and accurate measurements. 

Relative distance. Relative speed. Changes in elevation relative to sea level and the curve of the Earth’s crust. Changes in the tides caused by the moon. Furthermore, there was slippage in absolute coordinates due to the rotation of the Earth and its orbit around the sun. 

Thanks to her pact with a devil, Natsuki Minamiya possessed power literally beyond human comprehension, enabling her to instantly compute the answers to these complex calculations. However, it was not possible for mere sorcerers to copy Natsuki. 

Yet, the terrorists had sent nine tarrasques into the royal palace and had opened a gate precisely under La Folia’s feet. Short of checking out coordinates within the palace beforehand and sticking a transmitter or something on La Folia herself, that should not have been possible. 

“Don’t tell me the culprit was already inside the royal palace…?” 

Kojou listened to the sound of the shower as he murmured to himself. 

A human being with access to the royal palace could both do a thorough check of the coordinates required for teleportation and stick a tracking device on the princess’s outfit. He didn’t know why such a thorough criminal would resort to the crude means of attacking a party, though. If it was just a matter of kidnapping La Folia, there had to be any number of simpler opportunities. 

If La Folia’s abduction was itself a diversion for a larger plan— 

“Master Kojou.” 

“Whoa?!” 

Just when Kojou’s thoughts were coalescing, the voice he suddenly heard caused them to dissipate. Even the World’s Mightiest Vampire could not remain calm when hearing a voice from behind while in the shower, particularly when it was that of a woman. 

“I am sorry for the rudeness, Master Kojou. Am I interrupting?” 

“Ah, er, interrupting?” 

Well, I’m in the shower. Kojou looked back, still nude. Standing on the other side of the bathroom’s glass divider was a woman wearing a housemaid’s outfit. He remembered her face. 

“You were there with the king, weren’t you—?” 

“Yes. I am Trine Halden, secretary for the royal family. Please call me Trine.” 

The woman spoke calmly, unmoved at seeing Kojou’s bare physique. Her showing up in the bath must have meant she’d come in through the adjoining bedroom. He resented Sayaka slightly for being so sound asleep on the bed that she hadn’t even noticed the intrusion. 

“So, Miss Trine, why are you here?” 

Kojou wrapped a bath towel over his hips as he finally regained a minimal level of composure. 

It was late, and the princess had been abducted; a secretary for the royal family had to be unimaginably busy. So why do you have the spare time to come to a place like this? Kojou pondered. 

Taking off her steam-fogged glasses, Trine took on a serious, weighty tone of voice. “I have come with a message from the crown princess.” 

“A message from La Folia?” 

“Correct. She said to convey it to the Fourth Primogenitor should anything happen to her.” 

“Got it. I’ll put clothes on right away, so wait outside, ’kay?” 

Kojou was surprised. If she had come to deliver the message personally, it had to be fairly urgent. If it really is important, I guess it makes sense for her to barge into the bathroom, Kojou accepted. 

“No, that is not necessary. I shall join you.” 

“Huh…?!” 

Seeing Trine suddenly begin to undress, Kojou’s mind was completely thrown into chaos. 

In front of the stiffened Kojou’s eyes, Trine stripped off her old-fashioned corset. Next, she pulled her skirt down and put her hands upon her stockings. 

“Wait, wait! Why do you have to strip, too?!” Kojou shouted as he finally came to his senses. Trine tilted her head a little, finding his reaction odd. 

“One does not enter the bath with clothes on.” 

“Well, I said to wait until I came out, didn’t I?!” 

“What is there to be shy about at this stage? You have so many lovers by your side, after all.” 

With a giggle and a smile on her glossy lips, Trine stepped into the bathroom interior. 

Taking off her trim, white shirt, she exposed her skin. Now all she had hiding her naked body was her lascivious black lace underwear. 

Trine was fairly small of stature for an Aldegian woman. Even so, her mature physique gave her an adult sensuality that Yukina and others lacked. The swell of her breasts was ample, and her waist was tight. Her perfume had a seductive aroma. 

“Would you like to sample my body as well, Fourth Primogenitor?” 

Pursuing the naked Kojou to the wall, Trine pressed the soft bulge of her breasts against him. Kojou gulped—loud enough that Trine could hear. 

“What are you trying to pull? What happened to that message from La Folia—?” 

“That was just an excuse to get close to you, of course. More importantly, let’s have some fun.” 

Trine wrapped both her arms around Kojou’s neck. She slid her tongue across his skin and proceeded to nibble on his ear. That instant, Kojou was assailed by dizziness. 

It was not an unpleasant feeling. Rather, his body felt dominated by an intoxicating sensation, going numb to its very core. 

“Miss Trine…you’re…the…” 

Back still against the bathroom wall, Kojou’s body sank down bit by bit. Trine mounted Kojou’s hips, moistening her red lips with her tongue. 

“Yes. Just close your eyes and leave everything to me.” 

Once she stripped off her underwear, Trine’s entire body was covered in soft fur. White fangs were poking out of her smiling lips. The eyes with which she looked down at Kojou were slender and gold like those of a cat. 

“I shall grant you the ultimate pleasure, Fourth Primogenitor. For eternity—” 

Kojou’s vision was hazy as he looked up at the bestialized Trine. 

All that hovered in the bathroom was white steam and the sensual scent she scattered around her.