-1119- The first clash

"Sayaka? Is it really you, Sayaka?"

Being hugged tightly by Kirasaka Sayaka, feeling her familiar warmth and scent, Yukina finally realized, showing a surprised and joyful expression.

"It's really me! It's really me, Yukina!"

If Yukina was surprised, Kirasaka Sayaka was moved and excited. It seemed like this girl really liked Yukina. Not only did she tightly hug Yukina, but her face also showed a happy expression. She rubbed Yukina's cheek while her hands roamed around Yukina's body, causing Yukina's surprise to turn into exclamations.

"U-Um... Sayaka...? This is a bit embarrassing, can you please let go of me first?"

Yukina started to struggle a bit.

But Kirasaka Sayaka not only didn't loosen her grip but held Yukina tighter.

"No, no, no! I won't let go of Yukina! Only Yukina can comfort my wounded soul!"

Kirasaka Sayaka said with extreme grievance.

"You don't know, but for you, I was hurt by that perv..."

Kirasaka Sayaka pointed in Rozen's direction, about to make some accusation or statement, but was stopped by a glance from Rozen.

"Is there something wrong with me, Miss Kirasaka?"

Rozen looked at Kirasaka Sayaka with a smile, but his gaze turned somewhat dangerous.

"Ugh...!"

Seeing Rozen's dangerously sharp gaze, Kirasaka Sayaka shivered as if recalling something from earlier in the day. Her face turned pale, and she couldn't say a word.

"Sayaka?"

Yukina, who was being hugged by Kirasaka Sayaka, still looked puzzled, feeling surprised by Kirasaka Sayaka's trembling appearance.

"It seems like something interesting is happening."

Only La Folia, as if sensing something intriguing was unfolding, looked eagerly.

At this moment, Rozen's gaze met Vatler's.

---

The surrounding area suddenly quieted down.

Everyone watched as Rozen and Vatler stared at each other, holding their breaths.

Although Rozen remained composed, and Vatler maintained an elegant smile throughout, the atmosphere between them became tense, like drawn swords.

It was natural.

Because, in that instant, both felt the threat from each other.

Rozen could sense from Vatler's body a terrifying power akin to an abyssal swamp, seemingly bottomless and vast, surging.

Although not as overwhelming as the power of the original, but could almost rival some excellent spirit veins and ley lines, surpassing most.

Only Original and Solomon were known to surpass him in this regard. Apart from them, no one could match him.

At the same time, the beast vassals dwelling within Rozen's blood became somewhat excited, constantly transmitting the will to come out and cause havoc.

It seemed that these beast vassals, who had previously interacted with Vatler, acknowledged the vampire noble before them as someone worth challenging, thus their excitement.

Rozen felt this, and Vatler's sensation grew stronger.

From Rozen's body, Vatler didn't sense a particularly powerful magic, nor did he feel any terrifying power. He didn't even sense any uniqueness, as if the person standing before him was just an ordinary human, very ordinary.

However, standing before Rozen, Vatler's instincts kept sending warnings, even howling, as if the person in front of him was so terrifying, or harbored extremely frightening monsters within, causing Vatler's blood to boil.

At the same time, the beast vassals residing in Vatler's blood reacted.

However, unlike Rozen's beast vassals, which were excited and eager to cause chaos, Vatler's beast vassals turned cold, bloodthirsty, and hostile.

Like Rozen, Vatler had nine beast vassals dwelling within his blood.

Vampires capable of controlling double-digit beast vassals were rare among all vampires, only three of the oldest and most powerful primogenitors.

In other words, being able to possess nine beast vassals already places one at the pinnacle below the primogenitors.

However, the power of the beast vassals is not equal; some are strong, some are weak, some are comparable to advanced tanks and armed helicopters, while others are akin to natural disasters. Their strengths and weaknesses are evident at a glance.

Although the Fourth Primogenitor's beast vassals number only twelve, he is hailed as the strongest vampire because his twelve beast vassals stand at the pinnacle among all beast vassals, making them the strongest twelve.

Therefore, although both individuals have nine beast vassals, Rozen's beast vassals show excitement worthy of a battle, while Vatler's beast vassals exhibit cautiousness akin to facing a formidable enemy, making the comparison clear.

Of course, Rozen is not currently unsealing curses or releasing secret spells, not even using the Crimson Wing Formation, and his magic power is insufficient for his nine beast vassals to unleash calamitous-level strength, at best, his strength is at a tactical level.

Because of this, although Vatler feels threatened, he does not feel terror, and he is not even aware that Rozen's blood harbors the Fourth Primogenitor's beast vassals, only knowing that his own blood's beast vassals are wary of the individual before them.

This makes Vatler smile.

He smiles very happily.

"I see."

Vatler gazes directly at Rozen, speaking joyfully.

"It seems that sealing the Fourth Primogenitor within you was not mere chance but indeed based on real strength."

Vatler finally confirms this point.

Even though he heard rumors, and even though his subordinates backed down at a glance from Rozen, Vatler ultimately confirmed Rozen's abilities with his own eyes.

"I told you, Nichiyo won't let you down, Lord Ardeal."

La Folia interjects with a smile.

"I'm sorry, but I just wanted to confirm it with my own eyes."

Vatler shrugs, but his gaze remains fixed on Rozen, his smile growing increasingly pleased.

However, the happier Vatler smiles, the more a sense of danger emanates from him.

This makes Yukina want to step forward uncontrollably, but she is held back by Sayaka, who shakes her head, indicating to wait and see for now.

Rozen lifts his gaze and looks towards Vatler.

"I've heard of your reputation as well, Lord Ardeal," Rozen smiles and says, "In the past, my elder sister was once entrusted by you to go to the Demon Sanctuary in Gozo and clear out the remnants of the Black Death Emperor Front, right?"

"Oh? That time?" Vatler's smile doesn't falter as he nods and admits, "Indeed, thanks to the Witch of the Void's help back then. After all, I had no interest in weak remnants. After killing the Black Death Emperor, I wasn't obsessed with the Black Death Emperor Front anymore, so it was convenient to entrust it to that demon killer."

Before Rozen could respond to this, La Folia interjects.

"Is that so?" La Folia smiles coldly, "But from what I know, the Black Death Emperor Front seems to still have remnants. They even elected a new beast man as their leader, preparing to do something on Itogami Island. And it seems you've had contact with them?"

La Folia actually said such words.

But Vatler doesn't seem to care.

"Ah, you mean that?" Vatler nods in agreement, "Indeed, I did have contact with the Black Death Emperor Front before coming to Itogami Island."

But...

"In the end, I killed them all."

Vatler says this with an extremely casual tone, causing the air around to instantly become colder.