Strike the Blood - Volume 2 - Chapter 2

CHAPTER TWO 

REVELATION OF THE TERROR 

1 

It was a room in an apartment building overlooking the sea. Bathed by the rays of the morning sun leaking in from the window, Kojou Akatsuki awoke. 

“Kojou! C’mon, Kojou!” 

The voice that had awakened him was Nagisa’s, ringing in his ears with 50 percent more shrillness than usual. 

Having long changed into her school uniform, she wrenched open the curtains of Kojou’s room, stripping away the towel blanket under which he tried to escape from direct sunlight. 

“It’s morning. Wake up. You’re gonna be late. What’ll you do about breakfast? Aaah, you turned off your alarm clock again, didn’t you?! Did you get your textbooks in order? Your homework? And your clothes are all over the pla—Wait, what’s this?! Why is this tuxedo all burnt?!” 

“Sorry, Nagisa…can you lemme sleep thirty more seconds?” 

Kojou made a vague moan in a broken voice as he buried his face into his pillow. 

By the time Kojou and Yukina had finished their meeting with Dimitrie Vattler and gotten home, it was past three in the morning. Of course, he was short on sleep. The charred tuxedo was naturally the fault of Vattler’s attack; that had only added to his fatigue. 

“You said that just earlier, Kojou! Geez, it’s not my fault if you really are late!” 

He felt Nagisa leave the room, sighing in apparent resignation. 

Covering his face with the towel blanket he’d recovered, Kojou made a sigh of relief. As he heard his little sister’s footsteps grow more distant, Kojou’s sleepy head recalled the details of their conversation with Vattler the night before. 

“…That aura just now, Regulus Aurum, eh…? How unexpected. It seems coming to confirm the rumors of an ordinary human having consumed the Fourth Primogenitor was very much worth my time.” 

So spoke the aristocrat from the Warlord’s Empire, completely lacking any concern despite having suddenly attacked Kojou. 

The upper deck of the cruise ship Oceanus Grave was huge. As the night breeze made the edges of his coat flap around, a look of pleasure came over his face. 

“…You know about Regulus Aurum…?” 

With a bewildered look, Kojou glared at Vattler’s innocently smiling face. 

Though he looked like a young man in his twenties, he was an Old Guard vampire through and through, a monster who had lived many times longer than he appeared to be. Of course, he possessed a far greater amount of memories than Kojou. Vattler had to know a great deal of things Kojou did not. And it was likely that knowledge concerning the Fourth Primogenitor, in other words, Kojou himself, was no exception. 

“It’s the fifth Beast Vassal of Avrora Florestina, the Kaleid Blood, yes? I’d heard it is quite wild and difficult to control, but you’ve tamed it rather nicely. The spirit medium’s blood must have been very nice, indeed.” 

Kojou wordlessly scowled his face at Vattler’s casually delivered words. “Kaleid Blood,” Avrora Florestina…the ring of those words unsettled Kojou’s psyche, bringing a headache that was difficult to endure. 

Though he must have met her sometime in the past, Kojou could not recall even a shred of it. Kojou’s memory had been stolen, as if sealed by a powerful curse. 

“What relation did you…have with Avrora?” Kojou asked while he endured the fierce headache with no apparent cause. 

Behaving like an actor onstage, Vattler put his palm to his own chest, a yearning in his narrowed eyes. 

“Did I not say that at the start? I love her. I swore my eternal love to her.” 

“Swore love…? Aren’t you part of the First Primogenitor’s clan?” 

“Well, yes. But our primogenitor is not the sort who cares much about that kind of thing, you see.” 

As Vattler spoke, his grin exposed his white canine teeth. 

“If the ‘blood’ is strong, it’s all good. Strong blood families survive, regardless of who their ancestors were. Is that not how it is with vampires? So, shall we speak fondly of love, Kojou Akatsuki?” 

“Wait, wait, wait, why is it like that?!” 

Kojou hurried to fend off the approaching Vattler. 

“Mm?” 

“Isn’t Avrora the one you swore your love to?!” 

“But she no longer exists. You consumed her, did you not?” 

Kojou swallowed his breath with an “urk” at Vattler’s casually tossed words. 

Kojou had no memory of that night. He couldn’t remember what happened. But Kojou, who had been a normal human being until but a few short months prior, had gained the power of the vampire known as the Fourth Primogenitor right around then. 

The only thinkable possibility was that Kojou had consumed the primogenitor, merging with and consuming the preceding Fourth Primogenitor, seizing her abilities and very being. 

For Kojou, a supposed mere human, to consume a vampire…he imagined it must have made an abominable sight. 

However, there was nothing in Vattler’s tone of voice that suggested he was scolding Kojou. 

Indeed, his smiling face seemed to be praising Kojou when he licked the corner of his upturned lips. 

“…However, I dedicate my love for her to you, the inheritor of her ‘blood.’ Having sworn my eternal love to her, my conduct is very natural, is it not?” 

“I’m tellin’ you that logic’s all messed up! So, what, anything goes if it’s the same bloodline?!” 

“But of course. That you inherited the power of the Fourth Primogenitor means that she accepted you. Compared to that, the two of us being men is but a small, trifling thing.” 

“It is not trifling. It’s a big problem! And would you stop using your tongue like that?!” 

Kojou yelled at the young aristocrat’s provocatively flicking his tongue. 

Then, pushing the thin-tempered Kojou back, Yukina stepped in front of him, instrument case in hand. 

“Duke Ardeal…there is something I must ask you.” 

A mystified look came over Vattler at the unexpected and unbidden intrusion. It seemed he had not taken more note of Yukina’s existence than that of a pebble until now. 

“And you are?” 

“I am called Yukina Himeragi, Sword Shaman of the Lion King Agency. I have come tonight as watcher of the Fourth Primogenitor.” 

“Hmm…I see. Miss Sayaka’s colleague, then?” 

Vattler looked down at Yukina, murmuring at her formally identifying herself. 

“Incidentally, Kojou’s body carries the same scent as your blood… Were you the spirit medium for Regulus Aurum by any chance?” 

“…?!” 

Yukina’s entire body awkwardly stiffened at Vattler unexpectedly hitting the mark. 

Kojou’s expression froze solid as well. Kojou had inherited twelve Beast Vassals from the previous Fourth Primogenitor. However, they had not recognized Kojou as their master, making them uncontrollable, a dangerous situation that continued even now. 

Among them, Regulus Aurum was the only one he had managed to tame. At the end of many twists and turns, Kojou had finally managed to bring one Beast Vassal under his control through sucking Yukina’s blood. 

Of course, they had not been so careless as to speak of the fact he’d sucked on the blood of the girl watching over him to others, but… 

“You mean…you can tell even that from the smell of blood…?!” 

Kojou was heavily taken aback as he responded with his question. He felt a penetrating gaze from behind. He knew the source without even bothering to look back. It was Sayaka Kirasaka, glaring at Kojou with hate-filled eyes. 

A chill ran up Kojou’s spine at the pure bloodlust levied at him. Sayaka had called herself a specialist in curses and assassination. Certainly, that level of bloodlust was more than sufficient to put a killing curse on a person or two. 

“No, I lied. I just wanted to say it.” 

Vattler’s smiling face looked quite satisfied, as if he was quite pleased at rocking Kojou and Yukina onto their heels. 

“But well, you see, if you are indeed a candidate for being Kojou’s ‘blood companion,’ that makes you my rival in love. As a show of respect, I shall make an exception and answer your question. What do you wish to ask?” 

“There’s a lot wrong with that preamble. She’s no candidate or your love rival!” 

Though Kojou refuted him in earnest, Vattler let the words slide past him as if not listening whatsoever. 

Yukina made a heavy exhale, a sharp look on her face as she gazed directly at Vattler. 

“Please share with us your reason for visiting Itogami Island. Or is it your objective to establish an unseemly relationship with the Fourth Primogenitor?” 

Even Yukina’s provocative manner of speech did not cause Vattler’s smiling facade to crumble. Indeed, his brows rose in apparent pleasure. 

“Of course, that is very much my objective. Ah, but I am remiss, there was another matter as well.” 

“So you did come for that!” Kojou muttered in annoyance. Yukina, shrouded in a hostile aura, glared at Vattler as if trying to intimidate him. 

“And this other matter is…?” 

“I had to make somewhat proper arrangements. I thought, if this Demon Sanctuary is indeed the territory of the Fourth Primogenitor, I must first make a proper greeting. After all, this might be somewhat troublesome for you.” 

As Vattler spoke, he gracefully snapped his fingers. On that signal, a horde of servants emerged from the ship interior one after the other. The food wagon they hauled in was filled to the brim with various dishes. There had been food brought into the assembly hall for the party, but it felt shabby compared to the exquisite cuisine here. 

“…What do you mean by ‘troublesome’?” Yukina asked without even glancing at the food that had been brought out. 

Vattler, engaging in bad manners by picking up a slice of raw ham with his fingers, made a smile. 

“Do you know of the name Kristof Gardos, Kojou?” 

“No, who’s that?” 

As Kojou shook his head, a man who seemed like Vattler’s butler handed a wineglass over to him. Since Kojou was underage, he began to refuse, but gave in upon seeing the man’s face. Though his demeanor was calm and intellectual, he was an aging man with a stern face that bore an incredibly overpowering aura. There was a large, old scar on one cheek, making one think he’d lived a rough life. 

Vattler similarly accepted a glass from the butler, raising it to Kojou as he declared a toast. Kojou had to reluctantly admit it was picture-perfect. 

“He is a former soldier native to the Warlord’s Empire, his name known briefly in Europe as a terrorist. As a leader of a group of radicals known as the Black Death Emperor Front, he was responsible for the takeover of the National Assembly in Prague some ten years ago, resulting in over four hundred deaths.” 

“I’ve heard of the Black Death Emperor Front. But weren’t they wiped out years ago? I’m sure their leader was assassinated…,” Kojou murmured as he vaguely recalled an old news story. Kojou remembered it from back in his primary school days, so it had to have been a pretty big incident. 

“Yes. I killed him. Though he was an elderly beast man with a somewhat troublesome special ability.” 

As Vattler tilted his wineglass, he answered with a casual smile. Kojou silently stared at the young aristocrat before his eyes. In spite of his current frivolous behavior, he felt keenly that this was an important figure in the world at large. 

“Gardos is a survivor of the Black Death Emperor Front. Or, to be more accurate, Gardos serves as the new leader for the remnants of the Black Death Emperor Front. He has an illustrious career as a terrorist, after all.” 

“Wait a sec. You mean your reason for coming to Itogami Island is related to this Gardos guy?” Kojou asked as he suddenly felt a bad premonition. Vattler made what seemed like a nod of admiration. 

“Your quick wits make this easy, Kojou. Precisely. It has been reported to me that Gardos, and his Black Death Emperor Front subordinates along with him, have infiltrated this island.” 

“…What would European radicals come all the way to this island for?” 

“Who knows…? They surely have something in mind.” 

Kojou grated his teeth at the young aristocrat’s feigning ignorance. Having silently watched until now, Sayaka suddenly spoke to Kojou in a businesslike tone. 

“The Black Death Emperor Front is a beast man–supremacist group. Their objectives are the complete rupture of the Holy Ground Treaty and striking down the First Primogenitor who rules the Warlord’s Empire…” 

Without thinking, Kojou made a peevish look at Sayaka’s cold attitude, which seemed to be saying, You didn’t even know that? 

“That’s got even less to do with this island.” 

“No, senpai. That is incorrect.” Yukina rebuked Kojou in a small voice. 

“Quite so,” said Vattler, making a mischievous wink.“Itogami Island is a Demon Sanctuary…a city established according to the Holy Ground Treaty. To them, that is cause enough to create an incident here. The Black Death Emperor Front does pride itself on its symbolism.” 

“Wha… What kind of one-sided logic is that?” Kojou said with a low groan. 

“Having said that, Japan is not the only nation with a Demon Sanctuary. It’s natural to presume that they have some other reason to come to Itogami Island in particular.” 

“Some other reason…like what?” 

“That I do not know.” 

Vattler made a careless shake of his head. His voice was oddly buoyant. 

“If I was to venture a guess, hmm, they might be searching for a way to defeat a primogenitor, as killing the First Primogenitor is their final objective.” 

“…And what, you’re fine with that?” 

Kojou made a sigh with a dumbfounded look. 

Primogenitors were the oldest, most powerful of all vampires. If the Black Death Emperor Front obtained the power to defeat that primogenitor, it meant they posed a threat to the existence of all other vampires as well. Vattler should have been in as much danger as anyone. But… 

“I don’t really mind… Well, that’s what the old man would say. In light of various circumstances that concern me, I can say no differently.” 

Opening his arms wide as if it was someone else’s problem, Vattler let out a laugh rich in meaning. 

Yukina glared at the mysterious, young aristocrat with a very serious look on her face. 

“Do you intend to assassinate Kristof Gardos?” 

“Not at all. I intend nothing that is so troublesome. In the first place, my Beast Vassals are not oriented toward such delicate work. Their specialty is more along the lines of burning cities to the ground.” 

Vattler slipped away from Yukina’s cross-examination like an eel. “Proud of it, huh?” Kojou muttered with a quiet sigh. However, it was the blunt truth that vampire Beast Vassals weren’t oriented toward precision attacks. If Vattler wasn’t minded to do battle with the terrorists, that was a relief…but the moment Kojou allowed himself a sense of relief… 

“But you know, if Gardos’s side should come to try and kill me, I will be forced to engage them. I would be exercising self-defense. Isn’t that so?” 

As if sneering at Kojou for lowering his guard, Vattler spoke, seeking his agreement. That was when Kojou, too, finally realized what he was up to. 

Vattler, who had slain the leader of the group of radicals known as the Black Death Emperor Front, was a target for their revenge, so to speak. Surely the remnants of the Black Death Emperor Front were awaiting their opportunity to take revenge upon him even now. 

If Gardos did truly obtain the power to slay a primogenitor, he’d go straight for Vattler. Vattler, too, sought this. 

“So you came to Itogami Island to taunt the terrorists to draw them out, huh? Coming aboard this ridiculously conspicious ship too…” 

“No, no…my primary objective was to meet you, my beloved.” As Vattler spoke those words, he turned an insistent look upon Kojou. 

Kojou’s voice grew ragged. “Like this is the time to kid around. If you wanna wage war, do it in your own country. Don’t bring trouble to other people’s cities!” 

“Of course, I wish such trouble may be avoided. Should the Counter-Demon Agents of this city capture Gardos, I have no complaint. It would be nice if I was saved the trouble. That, of course, is if they can catch him.” 

With a small shake of his head and a shrug of his shoulders, Vattler made an exaggerated sigh. 

Then, he turned a handsome, smiling face toward Kojou that made him shiver. 

“But the nine Beast Vassals that obey me… Should danger befall me, their master, who knows what they might do? Sinking this island is no great concern to them. That is why I thought I should apologize to you…in advance.” 

“Wha…?!” 

This time, it was Kojou who exclaimed. 

Vattler had just made clear he was fine with sinking Itogami Island. Should mere dozens of terrorists come after his life, he’d destroy the island and everyone on it. 

And he made this declaration right in front of Kojou. This doubled as his declaration that Kojou could do nothing to stop him. If Kojou got in his way, he’d take Kojou down, too… 

These, hidden behind his frivolous, superficial words, were the true feelings of Dimitrie Vattler. 

It wasn’t that it didn’t piss him off. But in truth, Kojou didn’t have any way to stop Vattler. 

For even should Kojou attempt to stop Vattler by force, the resulting fight between them would do immense damage to Itogami Island by itself. 

So long as Vattler claimed legitimate self-defense, neither Yukina, nor Sayaka, nor the Lion King Agency could raise a hand to stop him. The mere fact that terrorists were after the life of Vattler, an official foreign emissary, was insufficient cause to expel him from Itogami Island. 

With the situation providing no escape hatch, Kojou began to sink into despair when… 

“If I may say so, you need not be so concerned, Duke Ardeal.” 

It was Yukina who offered her opinion in a clear, chilly voice. 

“H-Himeragi?” 

“…What could you mean, I wonder? Surely you do not suggest Kojou might take care of Gardos in my place? I think even my Beast Vassals are better behaved than the Fourth Primogenitor’s…” 

Both Kojou and Vattler had surprised looks as they asked their questions in reply. 

A look of quiet determination came over Yukina’s graceful features as she nodded. 

“I suppose so. Therefore, I will apprehend the Black Death Emperor Front remnants in the Fourth Primogenitor’s place.” 

“…Yukina?!” Sayaka shrieked. As talented as she was, when Yukina was concerned, her reserve seemed to fly out the window. But Kojou understood why she was nervous all too well. 

“Why does it have to be like that?! Taking on this Gardos guy in my place or whatever…” 

“Please be quiet, both of you. As a watcher, it is the obvious conclusion. I cannot permit the Fourth Primogenitor to come in contact with terrorists, after all, particularly since they seek to kill primogenitors.” 

Yukina spoke in a hard, flat voice. To an impartial observer, she would appear levelheaded, but this was the look she always gave off when digging in her heels. Having such a serious personality, she was quite obstinate once she set her mind on something. 

Also, Vattler looked over Yukina as if somehow wary of her. 

“Hmm…I see. Interesting…perhaps I should say, as expected by my rival in love?” 

“Eh? No, it’s nothing like that at…” 

Yukina’s stiff expression softened as she let out a perplexed-sounding voice. 

But the young aristocrat seemed to take pleasure in it as he made what somehow seemed to be a cruel laugh as he made his declaration. 

“Very well, let us first see the might of the Sword Shaman of the Lion King Agency. Show me whether you are worthy of being Kojou’s companion.” 

“That ain’t for you to decide dammit,” muttered Kojou, but Yukina and Vattler completely ignored him as they glared at each other. 

Glancing to the side, he saw Sayaka was in a light daze, still frozen in shock. Apparently Yukina telling her to be quiet had delivered quite a shock to her. 

Yukina made a quiet nod toward the young aristocrat making a taunting smile at her. 

Those were the circumstances of that night’s rendezvous with Vattler. Upon that note ended Kojou and Yukina’s late-night meeting with the envoy from the First Primogenitor. 

And then… 

“Kojou! Oh, Kojou!” 

Suddenly hearing a voice right at his ear, Kojou’s eyes twitched in surprise. 

It was certainly not a disagreeable voice. Indeed, it had an intimate ring to his ear. But he still had a very bad feeling about this. Why was he hearing her voice here…? 

“How long are you gonna sleep for? Hey, if you don’t wake up soon, you’re gonna be late.” 

With his body violently shaken, Kojou slowly opened his eyelids. 

Perhaps his mind still being foggy was because he’d had a long dream. It didn’t really register that there was a girl in his field of vision. Her hair was nicely done up; her eyelashes were very shapely. She had a surprisingly nicely made-up and elegant face. It was the warmth of her soft body and the scent of soap that made Kojou wake with a start. 

“A-Asagi?” 

“Good morning, Kojou. You’re late.” 

It was morning in the Akatsuki residence in his own very familiar room. Looking down upon the freshly woken Kojou, Asagi Aiba smiled. 

2 

It was said that a surprise came from the degree of difference between an unexpected event and normalcy, but when the difference was too great, one was all the calmer because the situation was simply too absurd. 

As surprises went, having a girl from his class show up on top of his own bed was far more shocking to him than any meeting with a larger-than-life aristocrat from the Warlord’s Empire. 

Mounted atop the thoroughly dumbfounded Kojou, Asagi flicked the tip of Kojou’s nose. 

“Why, Kojou, you… If you keep sleeping like that, I’m gonna play pranks on you!” 

“…What are you doing? Did you eat something weird…?” Kojou moaned out as her all-too-cute conduct felt all the more ominous for it. 

Based on facial looks alone, Asagi could only be classified as a straight-up beauty, but she wasn’t the type to be courteous to boys, whether by accident or design. She was moody, paid no attention to the opposite sex, and demanded no special concern in return. If Kojou had to describe her, he’d have to categorize her as closest to “one of the guys.” Though it’d be awkward to say it out loud, Kojou considered that one of her selling points. Having someone like that suddenly act all cute toward him only made him wary. 

Asagi herself seemed to realize that it was indeed hopeless, returning to her usual cynical tone of voice. 

“I did not. Guys like this kind of thing… Er…that’s what they say on the Net and stuff.” 

“I’m not really sure, but I think there’s probably a few flaws in that info.” 

“Ah…you think so, too? It seemed a little odd to me.” 

“Geez,” Asagi went, looking at the ceiling, sighing as if finding it all troublesome. 

Looking at her behavior, Kojou was now sure of it. Asagi had invaded Kojou’s bed with some other objective in mind. No doubt that objective was nothing good… 

“By the way, could you move already? You’re heavy.” 

“You sure don’t mind saying rude things loud and clear, do you? I was moving whether you said it or… Er, what’s this, it’s hard…?” 

With a small sound of effort, Asagi, sitting astride Kojou, who was lying faceup, moved to get off the bed when she inclined her head as she casually touched something unfamiliar near Kojou’s lower abdomen. Asagi’s slender hand had gripped with ease a part of his flesh that became lively as a normal physiological reaction in the morning. 

“K-K-K-K-Kojou!” 

Realizing the true nature of what she was touching, Asagi let out a yell mixed with a shriek. 

Asagi, who had sisters but no brothers, had an unwitting fear of that. Kojou felt slighted as she leaped off the bed. 

“What’re you getting mad at me for?! You’re the one who decided to crawl all over me!” 

“Oh God…how could you make me touch it. That hard fleshy feeling…ughh, gross!” 

“Well, don’t blame me!!” 

Hurt by Asagi’s reaction, Kojou objected as well. As he tried to calm the worked-up girl down, they both ended up flopping onto the bed together. 

“…Asagi, sorry for pushing this on you. I have to go to cheerleading club, but did you manage to wake up Kojou?” 

At that moment, Nagisa roughly opened the door, barging in with a rapid patter. Her smiling face froze stiff when she saw Kojou and Asagi entwined on top of the bed. 

Kojou and Asagi, too, froze in their current entangled position. A stifling silence came over the middle of the room. 

“…What are you two doing?” 

It was Nagisa’s dignified question that broke the silence. 

“N-Nagisa?! I see, you’re the one who let Asagi into the house on your own…!” 

Kojou somehow or other grasped the situation. Taking a moment to think, of course that was it. 

Even Asagi wouldn’t be audacious enough to enter Kojou’s private room on her own. Not unless there was someone who’d invited her into the house. 

But her coconspirator, Nagisa, had surely not imagined that Kojou and Asagi would engage in behavior quite like this. 

“I don’t remember asking her to get in bed with you, though. What part did Asagi grab, Kojou…!” 

“What, this is my fault…?!” 

Taking the blame for a clear act of God, Kojou felt like crying. And, as if to kick him while he was down, from behind Nagisa’s ferocious visage, a small silhouette unexpectedly poked its face in. 

“…Senpai? What are you doing?” 

“Ah, don’t! If you look at these impure people, it’ll stain you, too, Yukina!” 

“…Eh?” 

The moment Yukina peered into the room, eyes blinking with a puzzled look, her eyes instantly lost all emotion. Both of their faces, side by side, had doll-like, expressionless eyes, instilling all the more terror for it. 

“Wait a minute! Why’s Himeragi in the house, too…!” 

“It’s because you were bad for sleeping so long! I couldn’t make her wait in the heat outside so I thought I’d let her in so she could be cooler!” 

Kojou was silent as she made her rapid-fire rant. 

So that was it. It wasn’t that Nagisa was trying to ensnare Kojou out of malice, apparently. 

But what was the atmosphere enveloping Kojou’s room, then, that made him want to flee? 

Asagi, who remained in what looked like a partially pinned-down position, put the ready-to-run Kojou in a headlock, as she shot Yukina a defiant look. In contrast, Yukina’s expression was unreadable. 

“I’m sorry, Yukina… Are you…upset?” 

“No, not particularly.” 

The Lion King Agency’s Sword Shaman replied to Nagisa’s nervous, concerned-sounding question with a gentle shake of her head. 

Then, Yukina nodded to Kojou and Asagi as if nothing at all had happened. 

“I believe I will wait outside after all. Senpais, please take your time.” 

She slowly departed the room, leaving those words behind her. Her attitude was absolutely cool and ordinary. 

But about thirty seconds after Kojou sensed the entryway door being closed… 

He heard a thunderclap-like thud sound that made the entire building tremble. 

It was like the impact of a karate master slamming his foot into the wall before him out of pique. Kojou trembled from the nonsensical chilly sensation he felt run down his spine. 

Asagi looked between Kojou’s reaction and the direction Yukina had departed in with deep interest. 

“I wonder if that’s jealousy talking?” 

“Not likely. It’s not like we’re dating or anything.” Kojou replied without any particularly deep thought. For some reason, Asagi’s eyes were wide as she looked at Kojou. 

“…Right. It’s not like you’re dating or anything.” 

After that murmur, seemingly storing the thought in her memory, Asagi pointed in the direction Yukina had left in as she asked. “What kind of girl is she, anyway?” 

“What kind? She’s what she looks like. She’s not a bad person. She can be trouble sometimes, though.” 

Kojou made a light sigh as memories concerning his being watched passed before his eyes. 

“Kojou, does that girl have something on you?” 

“S-something on me?” 

“Yeah, a secret you can’t tell anyone else.” 

Asagi crept closer to Kojou’s face as she asked. 

“N-no…i-it’s nothing like…that.” 

Kojou subconsciously averted his eyes from Asagi as sweat dampened his back. 

Now that she mentioned it, way too much came to mind: His being the vampire called the Fourth Primogenitor, those abilities scorching the city but a short time ago, the millions of yen worth of damage caused, the fact he’d sucked her blood—he had the feeling Yukina held any number of secrets that could completely mess up his life. 

“Hmmm. I see…even Motoki’s on the money sometimes.” 

Watching Kojou’s suspicious behavior, Asagi made a satisfied nod. 

“Yaze? He said something to you?” 

Kojou bounced the question back to her with fierce unease. Apparently that guy had put Asagi up to all her eccentric behavior that morning. But regardless… 

“Sorry, but I really do have to go.” 

Asagi, speaking with a strangely bright smile on her face, trampled over Kojou and hopped off the bed. 

“Make sure you get to school on time, too. Nagisa, let’s go to school together!” 

“H-hey, Asagi?” 

As Asagi warmly embraced the still somewhat astonished Nagisa’s shoulder, she went “See ya!” and waved to Kojou. Kojou scratched his disheveled hair as he watched the two leave the room. 

“What’d you really come for, anyway…?” 

Seemingly talking to himself out loud, Asagi turned back for a single moment and answered. “Mm…I wonder. A declaration of war…perhaps?” 

Suddenly left by his lonesome, Kojou went, “What was that all about?” as he tilted his head. 

By the window, a single bird had stopped, watching Kojou. 

The bird, its dark gray feathers seemingly constructed out of metal, stared at Kojou amid the dazzling rays of the morning sun. 

Meanwhile… 

A lone teenage girl stood atop a building in Island South—Itogami Island’s southern district. 

She was a teenage girl with long hair. There was a large black instrument case lying at the girl’s feet. 

The girl’s gaze was aimed at the ninth floor of an apartment building standing on the opposite shore, with a street interposed between them. 

A single bird was stopped near the window of the room. The girl was borrowing the bird’s eyes to look at what was happening within the building. 

“How…how indecent…” 

A low murmur escaped the girl’s lips. The girl’s white cheeks were tinged with a hint of red—perhaps out of anger she could not be hidden, perhaps from embarrassment. 

“It seems that man indeed requires a suitable punishment…” 

Her lightly chestnut-pigmented hair danced and fluttered in the strong breeze blowing in from the sea. 

Leaning down, she retrived from her instrument case a single sword… 

It was a two-handed, silver-colored sword with a smooth, curved metallic surface. 

3 

“Hey, Himeragi.” Kojou called out to Yukina inside the monorail they used to commute to school. 

Yukina, holding onto a metallic-colored handrail, slowly turned to look at Kojou. Her eyes, like deep lakes, had the cold light floating in them he’d seen when they’d first met. 

“What is it, Akatsuki-senpai, who made me wait outside while with a female classmate?” Yukina casually replied in a robotic voice. Kojou audibly cleared his throat. 

“I can clearly hear the ill will in that clinical tone of voice, you know.” 

“I am sorry. Excuse me, Akatsuki-senpai, who gets along very well with female classmates in his bed in the morning.” 

“Gaaah! That’s all Asagi deciding to climb into my bed while I was asleep! She’s always playing pranks. It’s probably ’cause she got annoyed yesterday,” Kojou clamored as he clutched his own head with both hands. In his opinion, it was a very convincing theory. Holding a small grudge for skipping out on sports festival practice to be with Yukina was very plausible where Asagi was concerned. 

“So Aiba did that all on her own…did she?” 

Yukina let out an exhale that sounded like a sigh. 

“I thought as much. Though I am not so sure it was a ‘prank.’” 

“Wha—You mean it wasn’t just a misunderstanding?” 

Kojou watched Yukina while breathing a sigh of relief now that she’d returned to her usual tone of voice. As he did so, she glared at him with narrowed eyes. 

“No matter how indecent you might be, senpai, I at least trust that you are not a person who would immerse himself in unseemly conduct with Nagisa close by.” 

“So you’re saying I’m indecent, anyway?” 

Kojou curled his lips in dissatisfaction. But based on what he’d been told so far, even he was not too dense to pick it up: Yukina really wasn’t angry with Kojou out of petty jealousy. 

“So, if you know all that, why are you so angry?” 

“Though I trust that Aiba’s lewd behavior was not out of any purposeful behavior of yours, senpai, I do not think that means you could have resisted her seductions.” 

“Seductions?” 

“What would you have done if you’d been assaulted by vampiric urges?” 

Kojou’s breath instantly caught at Yukina’s serene question. 

Yukina was firmly gripping the handle of the guitar case on her back as she silently stared at Kojou. 

It was the abominable characteristic possessed by the vampire species. Rooted in the deepest recesses of their instincts rested a craving for blood, easily robbing a vampire of his reason and turning him into a violent monster. 

It was a powerful urge even primogenitors could not control. And lust was what called it forth. 

If, in that place, he’d been assaulted by vampiric urges, Kojou might well have assaulted Asagi. And then Nagisa would have seen his fangs sunk into Asagi’s neck. In a single moment, he might have hurt and lost his precious friend and his only little sister. 

“…Suppose you’re right. Sorry,” Kojou murmured in a hushed voice. It burned him that he’d been so careless that Yukina had to point it out to him. One way or another, Yukina had been worried for Kojou. Of course she was angry. 

“Please reflect so that you do not befall such a dangerous situation again.” 

Yukina spoke in a tone like what one used to scold a puppy. 

“Well, yeah, but,” said Kojou, his lips tapering in what seemed a bit of displeasure. “Er, but I think this morning really was an act of God…” 

“No, I think it is best you be more resolute, senpai. Please consider this.” 

“Er, but what should I do if someone decides on her own to come into my room while I’m asleep…?” 

“I believe it is best you always remain on your guard so that does not occur. Please reflect.” 

“Ah, come to think of it, if that’s why you were angry, why’d you leave, Himeragi? Wouldn’t it have been better to stay there, so you could stop me if…” 

“Uunh…” 

“…I’ll be careful in the future.” 

As Yukina began making a low sound, Kojou bowed his head deeply. 

“Goodness,” Yukina said, making an exhale that seemed full of exasperation. 

“At any rate, if you suck on anyone’s blood beside mine, I will be truly angry, then.” 

“R-right.” 

It was like she was saying she was fine if it was her blood he was sucking on. As Kojou thought of that, he was deeply grateful for Yukina’s concern. By rights, Yukina was just a watcher: a Counter-Demon Attack Mage granted the authority to eliminate Kojou. Even so, she was looking out for him like this. Even if her lectures were ever so slightly irrational, that was no cause for him to complain. 

“Anyway, Himeragi, what do you intend to do now?” Kojou asked, his expression turning rather serious. 

“You mean searching for the Black Death Emperor Front?” 

Perceptively, Yukina immediately bounced the question back. “Yeah,” said Kojou with a nod. 

“It’s a different situation from before with that old man Eustach. Not really able to find terrorists without any leads, are you?” 

“I suppose not. However, I meant to go speak to someone first, someone who should have information.” 

“…What, you know an info broker?” 

Sounds like somethin’ out of a police drama, Kojou thought, oddly interested. 

But Yukina went, “Not at all,” shaking her head with a chiding look. 

“However, Duke Ardeal said Itogami Island’s Counter-Demon Agents are trying to catch the Black Death Emperor Front, did he not?” 

“Counter-Demon Agents?” 

“Yes. Counter-Demon Agents.” 

Yukina nodded as Kojou watched her. Kojou thought a little, murmured “ohh,” and clapped his hands together as if just remembering something. 

4 

Sakai Academy, high school building, staff section… 

For some reason, Natsuki Minamiya’s office, located on the top floor—even higher up than the principal’s office—had an extravagant, commanding view. 

The thick carpet was velvet. The furniture was all antiques. It had a bed with a canopy. The room had an elegance around it that made one want to ask what palace she’d robbed blind. 

“Sorry, Natsuki. There’s a little something I hoped you could help us with…” 

Kojou opened the thick, wooden door and brusquely entered the room. And the next moment… 

“Guoo?!” 

Kojou’s skull sustained a sudden impact, rolling him onto his back. 

“S-senpai?!” 

Yukina, entering immediately after Kojou, rushed to pull Kojou up as he groaned in pain. 

From the center of the room, Natsuki Minamiya, wearing a black dress, stared coldly at both of them. 

She was a small, baby-faced woman who looked like a little girl, but she was actually an English teacher who claimed to be twenty-six. She was also an actively serving National Counter-Demon Attack Mage. A set number of Counter-Demon Agents were tasked with the safety of the students in Itogami Island’s educational facilities. 

Natsuki was one of them. 

Sitting very deeply in an expensive antique chair, she opened a folding fan with black frills. 

“I told you to not call me Natsuki. Learn already, Kojou Akatsuki.” 

As she spoke, she shifted her glare to Yukina. 

“Oh, you’re here, too, middle school transfer student. So, what is your question? Did you want to ask how to make babies?” 

“E-excuse me?” 

For a moment, Yukina was in mild shock, unable to comprehend the words spoken to her, after which Yukina quickly shook her head. Kojou, pressing a hand to his forehead, leaped up with great vigor. 

“Like hell it is! What are you talkin’ about, out of the blue like that?!” 

“…Ah, it’s not? What do you want then?” 

Natsuki made a bored-seeming exhale. Wonder how much she really wanted to talk about how to make babies, Kojou thought as his shocked face turned serious. 

“We’re looking for a man called Kristof Gardos. We’d like you to share any leads you have with us.” 

That moment, Natsuki’s aura completely changed. Her small body, not even 150 centimeters in height, exuded an air of oppressiveness so thick, it was hard to breathe. 

“Where did you hear that name?” 

Natsuki asked, narrowing her eyes like a beautiful Western doll. 

So she does know about him, thought Kojou. Regardless of her day job, Natsuki was apparently one of the top five Counter-Demon Agents on Itogami Island. Kojou and Yukina had expected that she’d be fully informed about the appearance of a big-time criminal of Gardos’s level. 

“From Dimitrie Vattler. I’m sure you know him? Owns a big cruise ship docked at Itogami Island? He said he came from the Warlord’s Empire to wipe Gardos out.” 

“Tch.” As Natsuki listened to Kojou’s explanation, she clicked her tongue in annoyance. 

“I see…I should have expected that frivolous Master of Serpents might call you over. Really sticking his nose where it’s not wanted…” 

Natsuki spoke ill of Vattler like she knew him personally. The “serpents” she mentioned were no doubt Vattler’s Beast Vassals. Though only for an instant, Kojou had seen that Beast Vassal enveloped in an incandescent light himself. 

“So it’s true that terrorists from the Warlord’s Empire came to Itogami Island, huh?” 

“If Vattler said it, it must be so.” 

Natsuki spoke in a careless tone. She’d judged it to be something she couldn’t hide. 

“And if I tell you where Gardos is, what then?” 

“I will catch him before he makes contact with Duke Ardeal.” 

Yukina instantly replied to Natsuki’s question. With that one statement, Natsuki apparently had a grasp of the broad circumstances. If he entered combat with the Black Death Emperor Front remnants, Vattler would happily release his own Beast Vassals. There was no mistaking that enormous damage to Itogami Island would result. Yukina was saying she’d put a stop to it. 

But Natsuki’s reply was quite blunt. 

“Pointless. Give it up. Ah, Astarte…you don’t need to serve these two; it’s a waste of tea. Do bring me that new black tea, however.” 

“…Accept.” 

Natsuki rudely ordered around the girl wearing a maid outfit bringing in barley tea. Surprised at the somehow familiar echo of her voice, Kojou and Yukina both lifted their faces in shock. 

Carrying a silver-colored tray, an indigo-haired girl stood before them. 

Her facial features were artificially symmetrical, with expressionless, pale blue eyes. There was a highly exposing apron dress wrapped around her slender, immature body. 

“You’re the Beast Vassal host who was with old man Eustach…!” 

“Astarte…?!” 

“Ahh yes, come to think of it, she’s a familiar face to you both.” 

Natsuki spoke without any change in her expression. 

Kojou approached her while speaking in a small voice. “Why’s this girl here at school? Er, more than that, what’s with that outfit?!” 

“Artificial Life-Form Astarte has been given three years’ probation for complicity in the raid on Keystone Gate.” 

Finding the matter bothersome, Natsuki brushed Kojou off as she explained. “Being a national Counter-Demon Agent as well as a teacher, I am the logical choice to take custody of her. Besides, I was in the market for a loyal maid.” 

“No doubt the reason you threw in at the end is the real one… Well, if she’s happy with it that’s great,” Kojou murmured as if he was telling that to himself. 

The maid-clothed Astarte began preparing black tea just as Natsuki had commanded. The expression on her fairylike features did not change, but somehow, she looked like she felt it was well worth the effort. 

Certainly, compared to when she’d been made to hunt demons in nothing but a cape coat, she might be quite a bit happier now. 

“…Ms. Minamiya. What do you mean, saying it is pointless to capture Gardos?” 

Yukina, finally recovered from surprise, appeared to finally remember to return to her topic. 

“I did not say capturing him is pointless. I’m saying there’s no need for the two of you to do so.” 

“Eh?” 

“The Black Death Emperor Front can’t do anything regardless; at the very least, not against Vattler. Appearances aside, he’s the monster known as ‘the being closest to a primogenitor.’” 

“But,” continued Yukina, clinging to her serious tone of voice. “I have heard the Black Death Emperor Front’s desire is to slay the First Primogenitor. Perhaps they have come to Itogami Island in search of the means to make that a reality.” 

If the Black Death Emperor Front did obtain the power to kill the First Primogenitor, they would be able to kill Vattler—“the being closest to a primogenitor”—as well. But though she understood that, Natsuki made a tedious tilt of her head. 

“I suppose. That’s why it’s pointless. Gardos is after the Nalakuvera.” 

“Nalakuvera…?” 

Yukina raised her eyebrows at the unfamiliar word. Apparently the word wasn’t in even her vocabulary. 

“A prehistoric artifact excavated from the Mehelgal Number Nine ruin in Southern Asia. It’s said to be a weapon of the gods that destroyed countless cities and cultures that once existed,” Natsuki explained in a perfunctory, teacher-like tone of voice. Kojou had a very bad feeling about all this. 

“Weapon of the gods… Isn’t that a pretty dangerous thing? You’re not sayin’ there’s one of these on Itogami Island, are you?” 

“Though of course this hasn’t been publicly disclosed, a company called Kano Alchemical apparently smuggled one sample from the ruins in past customs. Of course, the terrorists seized it a little while ago.” 

“There is one?! And it’s been stolen?!” 

“It’s a curio made over nine thousand years ago. What are you so nervous about?” Seeing Kojou all flustered, Natsuki spoke with apparent scorn. “I told you, what they stole was excavated from a ruin. It’s a piece of junk long past its expiry date. Even if they did get it to move, how would they control it?” 

“…Perhaps the Black Death Emperor Front set eyes upon that ancient weapon because they knew of some way to control it?” 

Yukina calmly pointed out one possibility. The corners of Natsuki’s mouth rose in mild pleasure. 

“Hmph, you do have good instincts, transfer student. Certainly, a stone tablet with what appears to be a control spell for the Nalakuvera carved into it has been discovered recently.” 

“If that’s so, then it really is possible they could use this weapon?” 

“It’s a tough nut to crack that’s defeated linguistic experts and sorcerous agencies all over the world. A bunch of terrorists taking a crack at it won’t lead to very much.” 

As Kojou tapered his lips in concern, Natsuki blithely dismissed him. 

“We arrested a lab assistant who was helping with deciphering the stone tablet. It’s only a matter of time before the Black Death Emperor Front remnants are found. There’s not many places that internationally wanted infiltrators can hide with a stupidly large curio, after all. The Island Guard expects to round up Gardos any day now.” 

“Round up…? Are you helping them out, too, Natsuki?” 

Kojou’s face grimaced as he spoke. Having already captured a Gardos coconspirator, no doubt Natsuki was already deeply involved in the current incident. He didn’t think she was trying to warn Yukina off because she didn’t want her prey stolen from her, but… 

“Don’t call me Natsuki! Anyway, whatever the Master of Serpents said, it’s not your turn onstage. If you must say anything, tell him to watch out for beast-men suicide bombers as the noose tightens.” 

“Suicide bombers…!” 

Kojou’s face paled at Natsuki’s casual warning. Certainly, it was one of the ways terrorists few in number might be able to inflict damage upon Vattler. The odds of residents of Itogami Island being caught in the blast were certainly not poor. 

“I will give one other warning. Kojou Akatsuki, be wary of Dimitrie Vattler.” Natsuki murmured on the side as her black tea was brought to her. “To date, he has defeated two ‘Wisemen’ above his rank descended from the Second Primogenitor…and consumed them.” 

“…He’s…consumed…fellow vampires?” Kojou exclaimed as he thought back to the young, sociable aristocrat. Unsurprisingly, shock came over Yukina as well. 

“That’s the reason he’s called ‘the being closest to a primogenitor.’ At the very least, see that he does not consume you.” 

Natsuki made an impetuous smile as she spoke. In spite of her nonchalant tone, it was a realistic possibility. Kojou could only nod in silence. 

5 

“I wonder if what Ms. Minamiya said is true?” 

Having left Natsuki’s room, Kojou and Yukina headed to their own classroom, their footsteps heavy. Along the way, Yukina stopped and asked her question. 

“Her personality might be warped in a few places, but I don’t think she’s a liar by nature.” Rubbing his head, which still hurt a little, Kojou voiced his thoughts out loud. 

“Somehow I see what you mean,” Yukina said, a strained smile coming over her. 

The Lion King Agency that Yukina was part of got along with Natsuki and other national Counter-Demon Agents quite poorly. Naturally, Yukina had considered the possibility Natsuki had provided Yukina with false intelligence, but those familiar with Natsuki’s personality wouldn’t think she’d do something that troublesome. 

Fundamentally, lying was something done by the weak as a survival mechanism. Someone as powerful as Natsuki had no use for such a thing. If anyone pulled a fast one on her, she’d take her pound of flesh in retribution; if anyone opposed her, she’d pound them into dust whether friend or foe. That was Natsuki’s modus operandi, the source of her charisma. Though a mere human, she was a creature far closer to a primogenitor than someone like Kojou. 

That was why her words could be trusted, even if the details were off the wall. That included the word that Vattler had consumed his brethren. 

“You told me a Wiseman is a second-generation vampire, right?” Kojou checked with Yukina in an unsure tone of voice. 

“Yes,” indicated Yukina, nodding with a firm look on her face. 

“They are those chosen to receive the blood of the primogenitors. They are not limited to the biological sons and daughters of the primogenitors, however.” 

“…So apostles and successors and stuff, huh?” 

“They probably stole the idea from the apostles around that guy they called the Son of God back in the day,” Kojou muttered. The primogenitors directly received blood from what constituted “the oldest generation” of vampires. Of course, their abilities had to be far in excess of those of normal vampires. 

“So by that definition, Vattler’s not actually directly connected to the First Primogenitor?” 

“I suppose not. They call him a pureblood noble, but in the end he’s only a distant descendant of the Wisemen.” As Yukina spoke, her expression became clouded. “However, if the Duke of Ardeal truly has consumed more than one Wiseman, he might well possess some kind of special ability. A special ability that can overturn an advantage in thickness of the blood…” 

“Thickness of the blood…huh?” murmured Kojou, looking at his own palm. 

To unaging vampires, blood was the source of their magical strength. It was their medium for summoning Beast Vassals as well as the foundation of their very existence. By sucking on the blood of many beings, long-lived vampires amassed even greater magical power within that blood. Old Guard vampires possessed greater power than younger generations for that very reason. That went double for the Wisemen. 

But that didn’t mean a younger vampire was unable to obtain great power sooner rather than later. He just had to rob magical power directly from the blood of more powerful vampires. 

For vampires to consume the blood of other vampires, their very existence…it was, in a sense, cannibalism. 

But it was said that one normally could not consume a vampire more powerful than oneself. Even if he sucked the other person’s blood dry, it would take control of his own flesh and mind from within. The one attempting to consume would instead be consumed himself. That was the danger of cannibalism, and the primary reason younger generation vampires did not defeat their betters. 

That was to say, normally, Vattler defeating a Wiseman simply wouldn’t be possible. 

“Oh yeah, he was pretty hung up on blood, wasn’t he?” 

Kojou spoke as he recalled Vattler’s statement the night before. Yukina prefaced her reply with, “It is not the Duke of Ardeal alone who is obsessed with bloodlines, but the vampire species as a whole.” 

“Though certainly, he is somewhat unusually attached to you, senpai.” 

“It ain’t me he’s attached to. It’s the Fourth Primogenitor’s blood he’s hung up on.” 

Kojou looked like he was eating sand as he corrected her. Though he said he’d sworn his love to Avrora, he’d easily switched that over to Kojou upon learning he had inherited her blood. 

Even for frivolous attitudes it was frivolous, but he was really saying just how much he was attached to the blood of the Fourth Primogenitor. 

“If so, Ms. Minamiya’s advice to be careful you are not consumed by him might well be on the mark…” 

Yukina looked up straight at Kojou as she spoke. Vattler had already consumed two Wisemen above his rank. Consequently, the possibility of him preying on even a primogenitor bearing far greater magical power could not be lightly dismissed. 

“Suppose so,” Kojou said in a timid voice. “As I am now, I probably wouldn’t win if he seriously tried to kill me… It’d be a different story if I could control at least a few more Beast Vassals, though.” 

“Beast Vassals, is it…?” 

For some reason, there was a brooding look over Yukina’s face as she murmured. 

Kojou only had one Beast Vassal he could manage to control. Though Regulus Aurum was a world-class Beast Vassal summoned with the Fourth Primogenitor’s magical power, it was still just one. 

While using Regulus Aurum to attack, Kojou himself was helpless. There was no guarantee Regulus Aurum would win if facing Vattler’s nine Beast Vassals at the same time. 

“…Senpai.” 

“Eh?” 

“Are you thinking that you want to do…that again?” 

Yukina’s unblinking eyes reflected Kojou’s face back at him. Her very serious look made Kojou straighten his back without thinking. However, he couldn’t quite grasp the meaning of her question. 

“What do you mean…that? Again?” 

“That. You know…like…sucking on…my…” 

Yukina suddenly averted her eyes, skipping over a part, like she was a little angry and a little embarrassed. 

As the slender line from her nape to her collarbone drew in his gaze, Kojou finally understood the true meaning behind Yukina’s statement. 

Kojou had been able to tame Regulus Aurum because he’d drunk Yukina’s blood. That being the case, drinking her blood once again might allow him to take control over another Beast Vassal—that’s what Yukina was saying. 

However, actually carrying it out also meant Kojou’s sexual arousal being directed toward Yukina… 

“Er, no! I didn’t mean it that way when I was talking just now! It’s not like I think your blood’s tasty, Himeragi, not even a little!” 

Kojou desperately denied it. Although the previous emergency situation, with Itogami Island facing destruction, may have made it unavoidable in one sense, this situation was completely different. He thought it was wrong to act that assertively toward Yukina, who was hardly his lover. 

“…No interest in my blood, is it? Not even a little…?” 

But for some reason, the tone in Yukina’s voice suddenly turned frosty. The expressionless eyes that looked up at Kojou resembled the edge of a frigid knife somehow. 

“Anyway, I think I might be able to scrape by on that. I just get the feeling that Vattler isn’t thinking of consuming me right away. If he isn’t careful and backs me into a corner, my Beast Vassal might run wild like it did before.” 

Feeling guilty for some reason he couldn’t place, Kojou worked hard to speak in an optimistic voice. 

It wasn’t something they could depend on at all, but Kojou had a basis for his words. The things immortal vampires hated most were isolation and boredom. To Vattler, the existence of the Fourth Primogenitor was like a long-lost friend or perhaps a foolproof ward against boredom. Kojou vaguely felt both from his attitude. 

Besides, Vattler himself had spoken of Beast Vassals running amok if they sensed their host was in danger. 

“You may be right.” Yukina continued coldly looking up at Kojou as she agreed. “If your uncontrolled Beast Vassals run amok again, the amount you owe will go up by another several tens of billions of yen. Not that the likes of me can do anything about it.” 

“Er, yeah. Well…mm.” 

All Kojou could do was mumble awkwardly. 

“Also, the Duke of Ardeal’s attitude toward you was not one toward one’s prey, but rather that of one earnestly seeking a physical relationship, was it not?” 

“Please don’t say scary things like that. You’re really creeping me out here.” 

“Sorry. My fault, I had a bad premonition. Though there’s nothing the likes of me can do about it at any rate.” 

“Now, er, Himeragi. Might you be, ah, upset at something?” 

“No, not at all. Not even a little.” 

With Yukina’s attitude leaving him shipwrecked without an island, Kojou was finally unable to endure more and averted his eyes. 

“…Well, I think we should set the Vattler stuff aside and focus on the terrorist problem. I know Natsuki said not to worry about it, but…” 

“At this juncture we have so little information, so it’s hard to make a decision, isn’t it?” 

“Info, huh…?” 

Kojou crossed his arms and sunk into thought. Certainly being short on info was a serious problem. He didn’t think Natsuki would lie to him, but taking her words at face value and doing nothing would only worry him more. At the very least, they needed other information with which to see what was behind Natsuki’s words. 

“Come to think of it, she said there was some company that smuggled the Nalakuvera into Itogami City, right?” 

Kojou suddenly remembered Natsuki saying something about that. 

“Kano Alchemical Industries Corporation, wasn’t it? They’re a supplier of alchemical components, I think.” 

“If that’s the case, we might be able to look into it on our end. Sorry, but could you head back to the middle school, Himeragi? I’ll be in touch later.” 

“I have a vague idea of what you might be thinking, senpai, but…” 

Yukina’s expression seemed sulky somehow, as if there was something she wanted to say. For some reason, she paused her words, slowly looking around the area. 

As Yukina fell silent, sharpening her senses, Kojou called out to her, confused. 

“…Himeragi? Is something wrong?” 

“No…” Finally, Himeragi made a quiet exhale, shaking her head as if it was nothing. “I felt like someone was watching me, but it must have been my imagination.” 

6 

When Kojou arrived at the classroom, he was right on the verge of being late, just a moment after the first bell before lessons began. Most of his classmates were already in the classroom. Of course, Asagi was among them. 

“—Asagi!” 

“Ahh, Kojou. Good morning.” 

Noticing Kojou quickly approaching her, Asagi made a nonchalant wave. It was as if the tumult in Kojou’s room that morning had never happened; her attitude was exactly the same as usual. 

“So you got to school after all. There you go. So it was worth the effort to wake you up.” 

“Woke him up? Whaddaya mean?” 

Yaze, whom Asagi was teaching sample problems to, picked up her words with his sharp ears. Rin Tsukishima, also nearby, murmured “heh”…as she gave Kojou a look rich in meaning. 

“That is not something I can just let pass by.” 

“Please do. She slapped me awake and that’s it, really.” 

As Kojou dealt with them appropriately, he leaned right beside Asagi. He moved his face close to her ear. 

“Anyway, Asagi, you have a minute?” 

“Eh? What’s this, out of the blue? Class is about to start.” 

Even as her mouth voiced complaints, Kojou insistently grabbed Asagi’s arm; Asagi did not shake him off. Their classmates watched with deep interest as Kojou led Asagi out of the classroom by her hand. But as clumsy excuses would have the opposite of their intended effect, he didn’t say a word. At any rate, without bumping into any teachers, Kojou brought Asagi to the emergency stairs where there was no sign of life. 

“Sorry. There’s something I just have to ask of you.” 

“What’s that? I have a bad feeling about this but…” 

Asagi glared at Kojou with a suspicious look on her face. As expected of someone who’d known Kojou for so long, she seemed able to read him very well. 

“I want you to look into the Kano Alchemical Somethin’ Corporation—especially branch companies and research labs here in Itogami City.” 

“Huh? Why do I have to skip class to do something like that?” 

Kojou earnestly bowed his head in response to Asagi’s natural question. 

“I’ll treat you to dinner or dessert after, so please!” 

“I don’t wanna. That Himeragi girl probably put you up to it, anyway. I do not wanna help with something like that.” 

Asagi bared her teeth in irritation as she spoke. 

Kojou had vaguely noticed previously, but Asagi and Himeragi didn’t seem to get along very well. He didn’t know the reason why, but their relationship was a rocky one. 

“Set that aside, then. At least look into this Nalakuvera thing they’re importing.” 

“…Nalakuvera?” 

For some reason, Asagi responded to the unexpected word. She grabbed Kojou by the chest and pulled him close. 

“What is that? Do you know?” 

“Nah. It’s some kind of ancient relic excavated from a tomb somewhere, but…” Kojou explained in a strained voice. It was the information Natsuki had given to him only a bit earlier. 

“Ancient relic…huh? And this is related to Kano Alchemical?” 

“Yeah. Probably.” 

Glaring at the nodding Kojou, Asagi went “hmm” and exhaled. She shifted her gaze toward an empty space as if pondering it a little. 

“Fine. I’m just a little interested so I’ll play along.” 

Asagi grinned broadly as she spoke. 

“Th-that so. Huge help. What should we do?” 

“Well, first we need a computer connected to the Internet. At this hour, the student council room maybe?” 

“Student council room?” 

Come to think of it, Kojou recalled, there were a bunch of terminals used for school website administration and office work. 

“But it’s locked, isn’t it? Needs one of those smart cards the security company uses.” 

“It’s all right. Leave it to me.” 

As Asagi spoke reassuring words, she grabbed him as she practically leaped forward, walking toward the student council room. 

Classes were just about to start, but that didn’t seem to bother her especially. If anything, she seemed to be having fun with the situation with Kojou, but as he was used to her whimsical ways, he didn’t think that was particularly odd. 

“I was cracking encryption of this level in kindergarten…see?” 

Asagi took out her cell phone, tapped it against the student council room door, and with impressive force, a cascade of numbers flowed across the screen; he didn’t think it was even five seconds when the lock opened. She’d apparently used the phone’s internal digital cash terminal to hack into the security company’s digital lock. Of course, Kojou had not the slightest idea how she could do that. 

“…You really are incredible. Now, anyway.” 

“Th-this isn’t anything to get worked up about. Cut it out, you’re embarrassing me.” 

Asagi’s face reddened as she spoke in a seemingly angry tone. And twisting her tongue in apparent displeasure, she glared at Kojou. 

“And aren’t there other things about me you should be complimenting?” 

“Eh?” 

“What’s with that shocked look?!” 

“Ah, now that you mention it, your forelocks are shorter than they usually are I—” 

“Well, excuse me for cutting them too short! Just pretend you don’t see it!” 

Asagi’s eyebrows stood up as she delivered a left hook to Kojou’s rib cage. Kojou let out an anguished breath. He didn’t really get it, but he had the sense he was getting extremely irrational treatment from her. 

“So why do you wanna know about the Kano Alchemical stuff?” Asagi asked while booting up a computer located in the middle of the room. 

“I wanna know about the Nalakuvera thing they’re secretly importing. Apparently it’s been taken by leftovers of a terrorist group called the Black Death Emperor Front.” 

“Nalakuvera…huh? I think this is probably what you’re talking about, Kojou.” 

Asagi, typing on a computer showing nothing but numbers on the screen, finally displayed some kind of file on a large monitor. What the monitor displayed was a stocky, egg-shaped mass of stone. It was a round body all curled up, like that of an insect. Or perhaps it was a war machine with thick armor cladding its sturdy frame… 

“An artifact unearthed in a dormant state in the late twentieth century…so a type of inorganic life-form. A living weapon, huh.” 

“Living weapon?” 

“In modern terms, it’s something like an unmanned fighter plane. It says, since they think it was based on the Pushpaka Vimana in Indian mythology and the Prince Nezha worshipped by Taoists, it probably has several weapon systems and flight capabilities.” 

“I didn’t really get all that, but I gather that it’s dangerous.” 

Kojou spoke with a very weighty mood. He didn’t understand what it was in concrete terms, but if this was a weapon on a mythological level, there was no doubt it contained exceptional power. The words Natsuki had used, “weapon of the gods,” might well have been no empty boast. 

“Yeah, you could fight even the First Primogenitor with this…so that’s why the Dead Black Emperor Front wants it.” 

“First Primogenitor? You’ve been talking nonsense since earlier, you know?” 

Asagi narrowed her eyes as she looked at Kojou with suspicion. Unable to come up with a natural-sounding excuse right away, Kojou went, “Er, that’s…,” as he became flustered. Then… 

“…!” 

A moment later, Asagi fiercely wrapped both arms around Kojou’s neck, pulling him down onto the floor. Kojou, now glued tight to Asagi in a deep embrace, was very confused. 

“A-Asagi?!” 

“Shh! Be quiet!” 

As Asagi spoke in a quiet voice, she forced Kojou’s body down with her own under the computer desk. 

She was staring at the door at the entrance to the student council room. Though Kojou was sure it had been locked from the inside, he felt someone coming in. 

“Who is it?” 

“Matsui-sensei maybe. Student council advisor. He takes his job unusually seriously.” 

Asagi mumbled a “muu” as she made a clawing motion with her fingers. 

A middle-aged male teacher came into the student council room, sat on a metal pipe chair, and began putting papers in order. Any way one sliced it, leaving the student council room without him noticing was virtually impossible. 

The quick-thinking Asagi had turned off the computer screen, but if Matsui came close, the hiding Kojou and Asagi would be quickly exposed. 

“This isn’t the time for admiration! What’ll we do?!” 

“I said, be quiet! Wh…where do you think you’re touching?!” 

“It’s not on purpose! It’s ’cause you’re pushing on me!” 

“I-it’s a tight space so I can’t help it!” 

In a quiet voice, Asagi made a meager sigh, but it blew right into Kojou’s ear. 

That wasn’t the only place they were close together; one of Kojou’s arms was touching Asagi’s ample breasts, and at some point Kojou’s wrist had come to rest right between Asagi’s thighs. 

Asagi couldn’t help being sensitive to every little movement Kojou’s body made. 

However, as neither could pull back from the other, both of them stayed down and kept their breathing in check. 

Asagi may not have been as slim as Nagisa or Yukina, but the volume of her chest felt much different. He could not help but notice the perfume, shampoo, and other feminine scents drifting in the air. 

Realizing his heart was beating faster and his throat was feeling parched, Kojou unwittingly made a sound through clenched teeth. These were ill omens, the precursors of vampiric urges. 

At this rate, it wasn’t beyond the realm of possibility Kojou might lose his senses and attack the completely unsuspecting Asagi, just as Yukina had worried might happen. 

“Asagi…those earrings, are those…” 

They were small gold stud earrings. Kojou had bought them for Asagi’s birthday…or more precisely, she’d forced him to buy them for her. Today was the first day he’d seen Asagi wearing them. Kojou wondered what kind of change in her mental state this indicated. 

“You sure took your time noticing, stupid Kojou.” 

Asagi made a broad, charming smile, her eyes a little teary as she looked up at Kojou. Kojou slipped and thought she was very pretty. 

Right around that time, Kojou felt Matsui the teacher leaving the room. His sense of tension dropped like a rock. Then… 

“K-Kojou?! Are you all right?!” 

The next moment, Asagi’s eyes bulged as she saw the large amount of blood spurting from Kojou’s bleeding nose. 

“Eh? Whoa?!” 

Flustered, Kojou covered his nose with both hands. His vampiric urges, having risen all the way to dangerous levels, fell apart with ease and vanished. Yes. Sexual arousal was the source of vampiric urges, but the mouth did not actually care whose blood it was—even if the blood was his. 

“Well, what can I say…? I was an idiot to expect something from you with the mood like that.” 

Asagi made a meager sigh as she stuffed pocket tissues she’d taken out from somewhere into Kojou’s nostrils. Kojou, having won the battle against the vampiric urges, sniffed with a tired look on his face. 

7 

“Have you calmed down a little?” Asagi asked with a languid look as she looked at Kojou, tissues still packed into his nose. 

Having slipped out of the student council room, Kojou and Asagi were heading to the rooftop garden. On the cramped-feeling Saikai Academy grounds, flower beds and benches had been placed on the rooftops, open to students as a substitute for a courtyard. 

That said, the sunlight was indeed fierce, so not many students used it. It was a particularly harsh environment for a vampire like Kojou. But few people making use of it meant that there was little chance of being seen by anyone else, so it was a convenient place for avoiding the prying eyes of students. 

“Sorry it ended up with you skipping class.” 

“Yeah, it did. Well, I’m all right, but…my grades are good, and I have a surplus of attendance days.” 

“Ugh…my attendance days should be just barely enough with the extra lessons on summer break…” 

Kojou made a forlorn groan, as if trying to avert his eyes from reality. 

Taking an unexcused break from classes was pretty much guaranteed to get him a scolding from Natsuki the next day. While he’d gotten some results in return, the answer was bizarre. The true nature of the Nalakuvera and its location remained unknown. Gardos and his people probably had it right there with them. 

Of course, as Natsuki had said, so long as the command method remained undeciphered, the sample they possessed had quite a crippling flaw. That was the gist of it, anyway. 

“Hey…Kojou.” 

Watching Kojou’s deep-in-thought face from the side, Asagi suddenly posed a question. 

“That Nalakuvera thing from earlier, it was smuggled in along with a stone tablet, right?” 

“Yeah. That’s about all I remember, though.” 

“That formula written on it, it’s…bad if that gets deciphered, isn’t it?” 

“Pretty much. If it had someone sane looking after it that’s one thing…but why is that part bothering you that much?” 

“Eh?! No way, it’s not bothering me at all.” 

Asagi averted her eyes in an unnatural way as she spoke. The heck’s that about, Kojou wanted to ask her, but before he could, Kojou’s stomach made a large rumble. Asagi could barely contain herself. 

“Kojou, did you have breakfast?” 

“Like I could eat anything in that situation.” 

Kojou glared at Asagi with a resentful look. The mastermind behind the spoiling of the Akatsuki residence’s peaceful morning patted Kojou’s back with an unapologetic smile on her face. 

“I suppose not. It can’t be helped…Asagi the Kind Sister will grant you half of her bento box.” 

“You’re just hungry, I’m sure. Not that I’m complaining about gettin’ half, mind you.” 

“You should be more thankful. It isn’t often I split my food up with someone else.” 

“I have this feeling I’m always treating you to meals, though.” 

Asagi fished her bento box out of the pouch she’d brought with her from class. It was an unexpectedly small lunchbox for a girl who could eat such a surprisingly large amount. 

Noticing that there was only one pair of chopsticks, Asagi seemed to hesitate a bit, but in the end, she apparently didn’t mind. After plucking up the plump fried egg, taking a bite as if sampling it, Kojou opened his mouth to say, “What, you eating that?” to which Asagi announced, “You’re wide open!” stuffing the rest into Kojou’s mouth. 

“This is delicious.” 

“Yeah. I have to admit, that woman knows how to cook.” 

Asagi spoke about her mother as if they were unrelated. Her parents had only remarried two years before; she wasn’t connected by blood to her current mother. It wasn’t that they didn’t get along, but she felt enough distance with her to avoid calling her “Mom.” 

As it was somehow a different subject to comment on, Kojou bit into his fried egg while changing the subject. 

“To think our school has a place like this.” 

“Apparently that girlfriend of Motoki’s told him about it. It’s the first time I’ve been here myself, since I heard that only couples came here during summer break to eat lunch togeth…” 

Having said that much, Asagi suddenly went silent. 

She seemed to suddenly realize the situation both of them were in. Here they were, skipping class and sharing the same bento. Furthermore, she’d used her own chopsticks to bring food to Kojou’s mouth… 

An impartial observer could not believe they were anything but a couple on very good terms. 

“I-I’m going to get something to drink. You can have the rest of it!” 

“R-right.” 

After pushing the bento box onto Kojou, Asagi ran off with incredible vigor. Kojou didn’t understand the reason why she’d blush like that now, but without thinking deeply, he figured, Guess she has moods like that some days. 

At any rate, he gratefully ate up the meal handed to him and began to think about how he’d get the information about the Nalakuvera to Yukina. 

It was the next moment when the concrete bench Kojou was sitting on shattered with a great roar. 

“…Th-the heck?!” 

A moment later, Kojou’s body was sent flying by the blast. 

The impact toyed with Kojou like a rag doll, making him roll onto the roof’s surface along with the rubble. 

He wondered if the bench had exploded, but of course that was impossible. There was a one-meter diameter crater gouging the spot where the bench had been a moment before. 

The damage was as if someone had tossed a hand grenade, but he did not detect any scent of explosives. In its place was the vestige of ritual energy. It was a release of internal power resembling Yukina’s special skills—a physical attack incorporating ritual arts. 

“—You’re really quite something, Kojou Akatsuki, skipping class to go on a secret rendezvous with a classmate.” 

Kojou, lying faceup, heard a scornful voice coming from above his head. 

Immediately looking up, Kojou saw a tall, slender teenage girl. 

She was wearing a short, pleated skirt and a summer vest. That much fit a normal schoolgirl, but the giant sword in her left hand decidedly did not. 

It made him think of an airplane wing. It was a long, elegant sword. The blade was about 120 centimeters long. The sword blade was thick, seemingly fused along a pattern of straight lines that ran across its surface. It had a silvery glow as it reflected the rays of the sun, greatly resembling Yukina’s Snowdrift Wolf. 

“You’re…the girl from yesterday…” 

Kojou knew this girl’s name. She wore her long chestnut-colored hair bunched up in a ponytail. Like a cherry blossom in bloom, she had neat, charming, beautiful looks. And she was gazing at Kojou with a menacing look… 

This was Sayaka Kirasaka, War Dancer of the Lion King Agency. 

“What the heck are you doing here? Aren’t you keeping Vattler under surveillance?” Kojou asked as he got on one knee and then rose, glaring right back at Sayaka. Sayaka’s expression did not even twitch. 

“Right now, the Oceanus Grave is anchored outside of Japanese territorial jurisdiction. Dimitrie Vattler is currently retired to bed. My observation mission has been temporarily suspended.” 

“Oh, really. So what does that have to do with blowing up the bench I was sitting on?” 

“…I have been observing your actions until now, Kojou Akatsuki.” 

Sayaka pointed the tip of her sword at Kojou as she spoke. Kojou gripped his head in frustration. 

“You’ve been ‘observing’ me, too?! Is that all people from the Lion King Agency do?!” 

“Silence, criminal!” 

“C-criminal?!” Kojou’s mouth was agape at Sayaka’s unexpected rebuke. 

Seeing Kojou’s reaction, the corners of Sayaka’s eyes rose farther. 

“Don’t play dumb with me, Fourth Primogenitor. You’ve sucked Yukina’s blood, haven’t you?” 

“Uhh…” Kojou faltered as his greatest debt to Yukina was pointed out. “That couldn’t be helped! It was the only way to deal with the emergency situation at the time—” 

“I understand that. Of course I do. If not, my little angel Yukina would never have tamely let a stupid fool of a worthless, filthy man like you suck her blood.” 

“Do you have to put it that way?!” 

Naturally Kojou lost his temper and protested. However lowly he felt on the inside, he didn’t want to hear all that from a girl he only just met. 

However, Sayaka gripped her sword with both hands as she shook with anger. 

“You are the man called the Fourth Primogenitor. If you had been a man worthy of that title, wrapped in a noble, dignified personality worthy of Yukina, with an income of over ten million yen yearly, and castrated yourself as proof of your eternal love and absolute submission to her, I thought I’d spare your life alone, but…” 

“That’s crazy talk! Aren’t those insanely high standards?!” 

“And yet when I came and saw you, you were flirting with other girls…” 

“Wait a sec, what are you talking about?” 

“Playing dumb will get you nowhere. Since morning, you brought a classmate into your own bed, slipped a secret rendezvous in the student council room past Yukina’s eyes, and on top of that had a fun time on a secluded rooftop, eating food, sharing the same chopsticks, I saw all of it. How indecent!” 

Sayaka became furious all by her lonesome as she laid out the charges before Kojou. 

Seeing the glow of her raised sword, Kojou’s cheeks went pale. 

“W-wait! Asagi and I didn’t actually do anything to apologize for…” 

“That’s what all unfaithful men say! ‘Lustrous Scale’!” 

“—Wait, what are you trying to do with that sword?!” 

“Yukina came to this island to watch over the Fourth Primogenitor. If you die, there’ll be no reason for her to stay here, and no actions of yours that can make that girl cry…!” 

“Why does it have to be like this?!” 

Kojou raised an unrestrained yell at Sayaka’s exceedingly overbearing, wildly leaping logic. 

However, Sayaka was beyond reasoning with, swinging her sword down without mercy. 

It was a sword attack so swift that even Kojou’s vampire-boosted kinetic vision couldn’t completely follow it. Kojou rolled, relying mostly on intuition, just barely avoiding a direct hit. 

“Why did you dodge that?!” 

“If I didn’t dodge it, I’d die!!” 

“So die like a man already, Enemy of Woman! How dare you humiliate my Yukina!” 

Sayaka continued to swing her sword as she continued pressing her irrational claims. All Kojou did was run for his life. 

In pure combat proficiency, Sayaka’s swordsmanship was as good as Yukina’s or better. However, thanks to her anger, she was putting in an excessive amount of force, dulling her normal skill in the process. Thanks to that, Kojou was somehow able to evade her attacks. 

“Running your lips across her neck, breathing on it, nibbling on it, she doesn’t even let me do that often! Unforgivable!!” 

“You mean this is just jealousy?!” 

“If it wasn’t for you, she wouldn’t have to face such danger. She has no reason to fight the Lotharingian Armed Apostle and the Black Death Emperor Front remnants at all!” 

“Uhh.” 

Though Sayaka had lost herself to her anger, her words accurately struck the parts of Kojou he least wanted touched. Yukina having to devote most of her daily life to watching Kojou and her being involved in dangerous combat were both attributable to Kojou’s existence. So long as Kojou continued to be watched by Yukina, Yukina would be bound to Kojou’s existence. No matter how stubborn she was, no matter what noisy lectures he might endure, that was why Kojou could not bring himself to hate her. 

“You don’t have just that Aiba girl. You have a little sister, two parents, and lots of friends at school, don’t you?! And you want to take Yukina from me?! My only friend in the whole world…?!” 

Thanks to Sayaka’s yelling robbing him of the ability to concentrate, Kojou was just a moment too late reacting to her attack. 

Sayaka thrust her sword forward with such a force that it was like bloodlust given physical form. As he realized he couldn’t evade it, Kojou girded himself for the impending pai— 

“Oh, crap…!” 

That instant, every hair on Kojou’s body stood up as he realized something was shifting inside him. He sensed the awakening of great demonic power; he had the sense his blood was boiling throughout his body. Responding to Kojou’s instincts for self-defense, one of his sleeping Beast Vassals was waking up: a new Beast Vassal he could not yet control… 

“Eh?!” 

Sayaka’s expression froze as her sword, which should have thrust through him, was deflected. 

Her attack had bounced off an invisible wall that had sprung up with Kojou at its center. 

The invisible wall was really a shock wave. The vibration, rumbling like an earthquake, made cracks run along the concrete rooftop, while Kojou was enveloped in a swell in the air that had become a whirlwind. The Beast Vassal gave rise to this level of calamity even before awakening, using only a small fraction of its magical power. Then… 

“Kojou?!” 

Unable to do anything but stand still, Kojou’s ears heard the shout of a girl. It was Asagi, carrying a plastic bottle, who had shouted. She’d bought her drink and returned. 

Noticing Sayaka confronting Kojou, Asagi came running. Asagi’s willfulness had come out at the worst possible time. Nor could Sayaka, standing still in the face of the unexpected situation, do anything to deal with it. 

“Dammit! Asagi, stay back!!” 

Kojou screamed, not caring how he looked. It was taking all Kojou’s strength to stop the Beast Vassal from running amok; he had nothing left for controlling the leakage of demonic energy. 

“Eh?! Ow…ah…aaaah!” 

The indiscriminately released atmospheric tremor assaulted Asagi as a destructive, supersonic boom. 

Asagi covered both of her ears in anguish and collapsed then and there. She’d lost consciousness, unable to withstand the violent change in atmospheric pressure. 

“Kojou Akatsuki! Stop this…!” Sayaka shouted while brandishing her sword. That sword’s protection was no doubt why she was fine despite the same supersonic boom as had hit Asagi crashing over her as well. However, unlike Yukina’s Snowdrift Wolf, it apparently couldn’t completely negate Kojou’s magical energy. 

The destruction of the rooftop, unable to withstand the release of such enormous demonic power, accelerated. 

“Asagi!” 

Kojou raised his voice in anguish as he realized Asagi’s body, lying on the rooftop, would be caught up in the destruction. 

That instant, he heard a shrill ting sound, like two pieces of metal meeting each other, and a small shadow danced above Kojou and Sayaka’s heads. 

“—I, Maiden of the Lion, Sword Shaman of the High God, beseech thee!” 

Her school uniform’s skirt and her black hair fluttering as she landed, a schoolgirl poised a long, silver-colored spear. As if dancing, she waved the spear about, thrusting the tip into the rooftop, which itself was on the verge of shattering. 

“Oh, divine wolf of the snowdrift, let the echoes of thy thousand howls become a shield and repel this calamity!” 

As if responding to her solemn incantation, the silver-colored spear emitted light. 

This was the glow of the Schneewaltzer, the Lion King Agency’s secret weapon, able to rend any barrier and to nullify the demonic energy of a primogenitor. 

As if cowed by its radiance, Kojou’s release of magical energy ceased as well. The ground tremors and atmospheric sounds made by the Beast Vassal on the verge of awakening vanished as well; Kojou’s sense that his own blood was on fire also eased. Though he had not succeeded in controlling the Beast Vassal, the danger of it running wild seemed to have passed for the moment. Though the rooftop looked like a ruin, with cracks everywhere, Asagi was safe, if not by much. 

Kojou and Sayaka, their strength exhausted, simultaneously sank down where they had stood. 

They were still like that as Yukina slowly approached. 

“What are the two of you doing in a place like this?” 

Speaking very curtly, she thrust the end of Snowdrift Wolf into the ground right before their eyes. 

No doubt she’d sensed Kojou and Sayaka fighting and had rushed out of class. Yukina’s slender shoulders seemed to make little bounces up and down as she breathed. 

“Er, that’s… Miss Jealousy here launched an unprovoked attack…” 

“Th-that’s not true. This pervert was engaging in indecent behavior behind your back…” 

Like puppies being scolded, Kojou and Sayaka pointed at each other as they spoke. 

Yukina put a hand on her hip, speaking as if she was a sister several years older. 

“I can largely guess what happened here, but…Sayaka.” 

“Y-yes?” 

“Watching the Fourth Primogenitor is my mission. Do you wish to interfere with that, Sayaka? Do you trust me so little?” 

Sayaka’s back shook like a scared little girl as she vigorously shook her head. 

Yukina exhaled rather deeply. 

“And senpai…of course, you understand what would happen if a Beast Vassal went berserk in a place like this. How would you take responsibility if something happened to all the students here?” 

“…Sorry. I’ll do better. Sorry.” 

Kojou felt like vanishing as he bent his back forward. 

If Yukina hadn’t come when she did, Asagi would definitely have been hurt from Kojou’s magical energy running wild. When he pictured that, his body was gripped by a great deal of fear. 

Compared to his fear of losing Asagi, Yukina’s bitter scolding felt like the gentle reproach of an affectionate mother. 

But Kojou’s relief lasted no longer than that. 

“Yukina! You ran out so fast and hard, are you all right?!” 

Kojou heard agitated footsteps when a schoolgirl in a middle school uniform poked her face out. It was Nagisa’s familiar voice. In surprise, Nagisa looked over at Asagi, lying on the half-destroyed rooftop, and Kojou and Sayaka in the middle of reflecting on their sins. 

“What happened? Wow, what is this? Why’s the rooftop all messed up?! And, Asagi?! Is she hurt?! What’ll we do?!” 

“…Both of you, please reflect on what you’ve done for a while. Nagisa and I will bring Asagi-senpai to the clinic room, so please go. Take care of Snowdrift Wolf for me.” 

Yukina, speaking in a quiet voice, handed the spear over to Kojou in its neatly folded carrying form. 

Certainly they couldn’t just leave Asagi lying down like that; but having said that, she couldn’t waltz into the clinic room with her spear in hand. As she would also have to administer first aid to the unconscious Asagi, Yukina and Nagisa would bring Asagi together with them to the clinic room. As Yukina’s plan was quite logical, Kojou had no special objections. 

With one exception. 

“Eh? By reflecting together…you can’t mean, me and Miss Jealousy here?!” 

“Wh-wh-why do I have to be with this indecent man?!” 

Kojou and Sayaka hurled insults at one another as they fiercely objected. 

Yukina looked down at both of them, her eyes as frigid as a glacier. 

“Is there a problem with that?” 

Kojou and Sayaka silently shook their heads, both kneeling formally then and there to display their willingness to consider their mistakes. 

8 

There was no sign of the special needs teacher in the clinic room; there, substituting for her in her absence, was Astarte. 

Astarte was normally quite close to the clinic room; apparently Natsuki had picked up on the girl’s usefulness, dragging the girl home as her own personal maid. 

Currently, the homunculus girl was clad in a somewhat perverse maid outfit, complete with a white apron, leaning over the side of the bed as Asagi slept. 

Originally, she was a homunculus designed by a pharmaceutical producer for drug experiments. She had the knowledge required to function in a medical setting burned into her flash ROM as part of her basic setup. It was said she had a high degree of medical knowledge equal to a freshly certified doctor. 

“—Medical check completed.” 

Having completed a simple check, Astarte raised her expressionless voice. 

“I deduce light shock caused by a shock wave and a sudden change in air pressure. There need be no concern about aftereffects. However, I recommend rest and quiet for the remainder of the day.” 

“Understood. Thank you very much.” 

Yukina exhaled in relief, thanking Astarte now that her diagnosis was complete. 

Even Yukina’s hardened cheeks regained just a bit of their softness. That Asagi had not been seriously injured was good news. If Kojou learned Asagi was not all right, he would surely be hurt deeply. 

And half hiding behind the relieved Yukina’s back, Nagisa was fidgeting about. 

“Y-Yukina, it’s a maid. I’ve never seen a real maid before. Why is there a maid in the clinic room? Or is that a new style of white gown? Some kind of freebie for the students? Yukina, do you know her?” 

“Er…” 

Yukina was a bit at a loss for Nagisa’s rapid-fire questions. They were all questions to which Yukina was uncertain what response to make. So, in place of the distressed Yukina… 

“Astarte is a maid in my employ, Nagisa Akatsuki.” 

Natsuki, suddenly entering the clinic room, tossed her statement out without compunction. 

Nagisa glanced over, her eyes widening in shock. 

“Ah, Ms. Minamiya. Thank you for always taking care of my brother. Those clothes are very pretty.” 

“A very polite girl, I see, quite unlike your brother.” 

Natsuki returned Nagisa’s polite bow of her head with a brazen, haughty smile. Even the ever-vainglorious Natsuki was happy when complimented for her clothes. 

Then Natsuki glanced back at the still-sleeping Asagi. 

“And this is the result of your lack of rigor as a watcher, transfer student.” 

“Yes. I’m sorry.” 

Yukina made no excuses and lowered her head. “Hmph,” Natsuki snorted, seeming annoyed. “Then I’ll leave cleaning up this mess to you. I’d really like to go pay that fool Kojou Akatsuki a visit right now, but I have an urgent matter to attend to.” 

“…You know where the Black Death Emperor Front is hiding?” Yukina furrowed her eyebrows as she asked. 

“The sub-float currently under construction. It’s a straight-up hideout. I understand how you feel, but do not stick your nose into this. Handling these terrorists is our job.” 

As Yukina nodded in acknowledgment, Natsuki made a composed smile. 

“I’ll leave Astarte here. If you’re short on nurses, use her.” 

Natsuki left her comment behind as she immediately left the room. 

In the meantime, Nagisa had begun treating the sleeping Asagi. 

Treatment didn’t mean anything special; while adjusting her blankets and checking the position of her pillow, she looked jealously upon Asagi’s long eyelashes, making a sigh of lament, and sniffed her perfume just a little. 

Yukina couldn’t help but make a strained smile at how Nagisa’s form made her muse upon Nagisa’s blood ties to Kojou… 

…The next moment, Asagi suddenly opened her eyes. 

“Er…where is this? The clinic room?” 

Asagi winced in pain as she put a hand to her head, slowly getting up. 

In front of her, Nagisa leaned over with great vigor. 

“Asagi, you’re awake? You know who I am? How many fingers do you see? Does it hurt anywhere? Did Kojou do something to you?” 

Asagi was taken aback for a while at Nagisa’s forceful inquisition. 

“It’s hard getting grilled like that just after waking up. Mm, what happened, anyway?” 

“Errr, seems like one of the roof’s pipes ruptured. That’s when you fainted from shock.” 

“Pipe? Rupture? Ahh, come to mention it I think I heard this high-pitched sound.” 

Asagi furled her eyebrows as if recalling the unpleasant experience. 

“Mm, but I thought Kojou was being chased around by some weird chick with a sword… Where’s Kojou?” 

“I’m sorry, Aiba. She’s a friend of mine. Akatsuki-senpai is safe as well.” 

Yukina timidly stepped out in front of Asagi as she spoke. 

As if perplexed, Asagi’s eyes batted at Yukina’s sudden confession. Asagi didn’t seem to understand what Yukina was doing here in the first place. 

“…Err, you’re Himeragi, aren’t you? What was your friend doing attacking Kojou?” 

Yukina became a bit incoherent at Asagi’s highly legitimate question. 

“That’s, I think…jealousy directed at Akatsuki-senpai, perhaps?” 

“Jealousy? What, because I was together with Kojou?” 

“I suppose so. That is one cause, I think.” 

Sayaka’s jealousy was directed against Kojou for stealing Yukina from her, but of course Asagi knew no such thing. More simply, Sayaka was jealous because she and Kojou were getting along—Asagi understood that to mean, in other words, Sayaka was fond of Kojou. 

That moment was when Asagi internally pegged Sayaka as “foe.” 

And of course, Nagisa, who had the same misunderstanding, drew close to Yukina, seeming quite full of interest. 

“What’s the meaning of this? She’s not a Saikai Academy student. She’s very pretty, but since when did Kojou know her, anyway? Was it good to leave Kojou together with her? There’s not going to be some weird chemistry between them…?” 

“Eh? R-right. I think Akatsuki-senpai and Sayaka will be all right now but…” 

The tail end of Yukina’s words petered out, no doubt because she couldn’t reject the possibility that both would resume their dispute. However, her halfhearted answer only annoyed Asagi further. 

“How can you just dismiss it like that?” 

“…Asagi?” 

Nagisa raised her voice in surprise at Asagi’s tone of voice, which had become very sharp. 

Asagi shrugged her shoulders a little. 

“This has been bothering me for a while. What kind of relationship do you have with Kojou? Kojou’s always sneaking around with you, but what do you know about Kojou?” 

“That’s… I’m sorry, I cannot answer that.” 

Yukina firmly shook her head. Asagi glared at Yukina further, making a sound of displeasure. 

“The heck is that. Fine, I’ll just have to ask Kojou myse—” 

“No, er, Asagi-senpai…!” 

Yukina nervously moved to stop Asagi as she pulled off her blanket and rose up. 

Astarte, having so far not said a word, took that moment to wedge herself into the girls’ conversation. 

“—Warning. I have detected the presence of intruders within the school.” 

“Intruders?” 

Asagi, of course, froze in shock at the completely unexpected words, but Yukina did as well. 

“Two intruders in total. Based on their movement speed and endurance, I deduce that they are unregistered demons.” 

Astarte steadily continued her warning. Yukina’s eyes immediately rose to the rooftop. 

“Demons?! They couldn’t be after Akatsuki-senpai?” 

“Negative. I anticipate that this location, the Saikai Academy Clinic Room, is their intended target.” 

“Eh?” 

For a moment, Yukina could not comprehend the meaning of what Astarte’s words conveyed. 

As she stood there, someone suddenly clung to her back. 

“No way…,” Nagisa murmured as her entire body shook violently. Hearing her voice put Yukina in shock. 

She was muttering weakly, as if a completely different person than her usual lively self. 

Nagisa’s terrified face was completely pale; her fingertips were cold, as if they’d lost all blood flow. This was clearly no ordinary condition. 

“Nagisa?” 

“What’ll we do, Yukina…? I’m…scared…” 

Yukina was bewildered, embracing Nagisa, who continued to shudder like a newborn chick, with one hand. 

She had heard that the residents of Itogami Island, a Demon Sanctuary, made them accustomed to the existence of demons. In fact, even when the people on the island saw demons with their demon IDs in the city, it gathered little attention. Middle school girls wearing short skirts were subject to far more intense gazes. 

The crime rate among registered demons was well below average; if demons committed a crime, the well-armed Island Guard came out in force to restore order. The ordinary residents of the island had no reason to fear demons. 

But that did not explain why Nagisa was so frightened. 

“I don’t really get this, but let’s run for it. It’s better than staying here!” 

Perhaps because she saw Nagisa shaking like that, Asagi spoke those words while heading for the clinic room exit. 

But before she arrived, the door opened violently. 

Seeing the silhouette barging in, Asagi let out a short yelp. 

A large man wearing a gray military uniform appeared as if to block Asagi’s path. His face was covered with silver bestial hair, with sharp fangs poking out from his tapered lips. 

“…Beast man?” 

Hearing Asagi’s murmur, Nagisa made a sound of fright. Strength surged into the arm Yukina was embracing her with. Yukina was confident she could defeat a single beast man in unarmed combat. 

But that was if Yukina was alone. It was far more difficult if she had to cover Asagi and Nagisa, even if she had the element of surprise; all the more so with Nagisa in this state of despair. 

Leaving her spear behind had been a complete blunder on Yukina’s part. Even on school grounds, she should never have let Snowdrift Wolf go. 

“You found her, Grigore?” 

Another beast man wearing a military uniform entered after the first. This one was still in human form, but the middle-aged man possessed an incredibly oppressive aura. 

“It’s one of these three, Lieutenant Colonel. Comparing their scents one by one, we’ll know soon enough.” 

Speaking in a grating, hard-to-understand voice, the beast man tossed the small shoe in his hand onto the floor. 

Upon seeing this, Yukina inhaled sharply. They’d come all the way to the clinic room following the scent of that shoe. In other words, the owner of the shoe was who they were after. 

“I can’t tell these Japanese faces apart… Fine, then. Bring them all. They’ll serve as bargaining chips, I’m sure. As hostages.” 

“…” 

Asagi slowly backed away while glaring at the approaching beast man. 

A moment later, an antiseptic, unaccented voice echoed throughout the room as the girl in a white gown stepped forward. 

“—Homunculus Guardianship Regulations, Special Exception Number Two, Basic Self-Defense, Invoked. Execute, Rhododac—” 

But she never completed issuing her command to her man-made Beast Vassal. 

With a speed that even Yukina could not react to, the man in the military uniform, who’d been called Lieutenant Colonel, drew his pistol and shot her. 

In an instant, six shots struck Astarte, sending her body suddenly flying right against the wall. Asagi and the others were in shock at the ghastly scene unfolding right before their eyes. 

“…Lieutenant Colonel?” 

The beast man’s face questioned if his superior’s attack was overkill against a little girl, even if she was a homunculus. 

“I sensed a strange demonic energy flowing from this doll—some kind of self-defense system, perhaps.” 

The lieutenant colonel spoke casually as he put his gun away. He spoke with no special self-reflection or regret. 

But Yukina, watching his savage attitude, knew that he had made the correct decision as a soldier. 

An artificial Beast Vassal with overwhelming combat capability dwelled within Astarte’s body. Without any prior warning, he’d detected its presence and had rendered the host incapable of combat before she could summon the Beast Vassal—not a decision a normal military man could make. This man was an absurdly skilled, first-rate soldier. There was no way Yukina could defeat him without Snowdrift Wolf in her hands. No, she wasn’t sure she could win, even with Snowdrift Wolf… 

“Ahh, sorry for scaring you. Relax. If you obey our instructions, we don’t intend to cause you any harm.” 

The lieutenant colonel spoke in fluent Japanese as if to ease the terrified girls’ concerns. 

“One among you is Asagi Aiba, yes? We have a little job we’d like you to do. I promise that once it’s finished, we’ll release the three of you unharmed.” 

“…Who are you people?” 

As if to shield Yukina and the others, Asagi stepped forward, questioning the men back. She had to be just as scared as the rest of them, but her voice did not tremble at all. 

The lieutenant colonel looked over Asagi’s valiant display with an expression of praise. Precisely because he was a soldier of such valor, he displayed respect for courage in others. Perhaps it was simply their fashion. 

“I apologize for our rudeness. I am a crude man who knows nothing but battlefield tactics and must apologize for not introducing myself to a lady.” 

The man who had been called Lieutenant Colonel removed his hat as he spoke with a gentlemanly demeanor. 

“My name is Kristof Gardos—a former soldier of the Warlord’s Empire, currently a revolutionary activist. Some would call me a terrorist.” 

As he named himself Gardos, Yukina watched him, sucked in her breath. 

He had a great forehead and a sharp, hooked nose. He had an elderly face boasting both intelligence and a stern, oppressive feeling. 

On his cheek was a scar that stood out. A large, old scar…