Tepes Royal City, a secret underground laboratory—
"Damn Red Dragon Emperor! Damn Red Dragon Emperor!"
"How dare he!!!"
Marius Tepes roared continuously, his expression twisted with resentment.
That damned Red Dragon Emperor had openly challenged the dignity of their vampires, snatched away his Holy Grail, and even allowed those two evil dragons to wreak havoc in their territory.
Damn it! Damn it all!
"Calm down a bit, Lord Marius. Don't howl and shout like a defeated dog; it's quite annoying." Sitting on a high seat, Rizevim said while digging his ear.
"I'm a defeated dog, and what about you? You thought those two Evil Dragons of yours were so powerful, but in the end, they lost and barely escaped with half a head!"
"Lost the Holy Grail, and our dreams are shattered— all of it is gone!" Marius yelled with a furious and crazy expression on his face.
"Tsk tsk, calling yourself a Holy Grail researcher, Marius, didn't you notice that the Holy Grail in that vampire girl's body exists in plural?"
"Exists in plural?!"
"Yes, there are a total of three. This one here was taken out in advance." Watching Marius's shocked expression, Rizevim wore a mocking smile.
"Why didn't you tell me about this!" Finally regaining composure, Marius couldn't help but express his anger.
"I just told you, Marius, don't you want revenge on the Red Dragon Emperor? Let me help you!"
"Help me? How will you help me?"
"Why say more? Let me use the Holy Grail to transform your body, bestow upon you power."
"My body has already been transformed; it no longer has the weaknesses of a vampire."
"No, no, no. This time, it's not a simple transformation but a more profound one."
"Come on, Marius, let me help you!"
Rizevim urged with an excited and expectant glint in his eyes. However, Marius instinctively felt a chilling vigilance.
Although Rizevim seemed to provide him with a lot of selfless help, Marius was well aware that he was not to be trusted. They had been using each other all along. Letting Rizevim modify him— who knew what kind of monster he would turn Marius into?
"No need. I won't accept any more modifications. I'll find my own way for revenge." Sensing a hint of danger, Marius calmed down and promptly refused Rizevim's proposal, planning to leave this place quickly.
"Refusing such a kind offer, Marius, you're not cute at all." Wearing a disappointed expression, Rizevim simultaneously had Euclid block Marius's path.
"Rizevim, what are you planning?"
"Guards! Guards!"
With a gloomy expression, Marius shouted loudly, and then a large group of heavily armed Vampire Pawns rushed in.
"Euclid, it's up to you." Casually lifting a glass of red wine, Rizevim, faced with Marius and the incoming horde of Vampire Pawns, watched as Euclid revealed a cruel smile—
"Aaaaaaaaahhhhhhhh!!!"
Screams echoed continuously. In just a few minutes, Marius and all the Vampire Pawns lay in a pool of blood, and Euclid, like a small mountain, stacked them together.
"Disobedient children will receive punishment, Lord Marius. Stop struggling and accept the transformation; let me bestow power upon you!"
Stepping down from his seat, Rizevim wore a malicious smile.
Magic power surged as a magic array unfolded on the ground, and simultaneously, the Holy Grail flew out of Rizevim's hands, hovering above Marius and the others. Although Marius couldn't comprehend Rizevim's intentions, he instinctively felt an endless danger.
"Stop... Stop..."
"Ah!!!"
...
In the embassy building's hall, Tenraku, Valerie, and the three women, Raynare, were sipping tea. Three days had passed since Valerie's rescue, and after the initial chaos, Tepes' royal city had returned to normal.
Rizevim, Marius, and others had not reappeared. Besides the noisy vampires causing trouble outside, no one else bothered Tenraku and his group. The eerie calmness prevailing on Tepes' side gave a sense of abnormal tranquility.
Regardless of the vampires' antics, Tenraku remained in the city because of the Rizevim and Holy Grail situation. In these days, Yubelluna and the women had been gathering intelligence, and even Gasper eagerly volunteered to help.
"Valerie, staying inside all the time must be getting boring. How about going out for a walk?" Looking at Valerie, Tenraku smiled.
"Go out? Uh... maybe not..." Though a glimmer of longing flashed in Valerie's eyes, after a moment's thought, she shook her head.
"All right, it's decided. You don't have any other clothes, right? Wearing the same outfit all the time won't do. We'll go out, and I'll buy you some new clothes."
Knowing Valerie was a bit fearful, Tenraku didn't want her to stay confined. She was free now, and it was crucial to reintegrate her into the world. With an unquestionable tone, Tenraku made the decision.
"Well... okay..."
Not daring to defy Lord Tenraku's decision, Valerie reluctantly agreed.
After the girls prepared, Tenraku led Valerie, Raynare, Mittelt, and Kalawarner out of the embassy building.
"Red Dragon Emperor!!!" Several vampires lurking outside saw Tenraku coming out, their eyes turned red, and with anger and hatred, they charged towards Tenraku.
"Ah!"
Valerie was startled, but Raynare swiftly stepped in front of Tenraku, blocking the attacks from the enraged vampires.
These were just ordinary vampire civilians, causing a ruckus outside the embassy's barrier every day. They were presumed to be formidable, but in reality, they were weak. Raynare and the others easily immobilized them using light spears.
"Die!"
With bloodlust in her eyes, Raynare ignited dark flames in her hand, ready to burn the vampires alive. However, Tenraku intervened with his words.
"Enough, leave them be."
Tenraku wasn't concerned about the fate of those vampires; he simply didn't want Valerie to witness a bloody scene. Her courage was already fragile, and if she saw vampires being burned alive in front of her, she might have nightmares for nights to come.
Tutting, Raynare noticed that Valerie had been frightened, and although a bit annoyed, she ultimately extinguished her flames.
"It's fine now; let's go."
"Yes, Lord Tenraku."
Comforting the shaken Valerie, Tenraku led the group away from the embassy building.
To be continued...
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