-1043- How should I address you?

In the central square of the Keystone Gate, resembling a jewel castle, flames soared upward, illuminating the night while scorching the atmosphere, releasing intense heat.

Rozen stood before the pillar of fire that rose from the explosion, his black coat fluttering rapidly, yet his figure remained steadfast, bathed in the blast and flames, his expression unchanged.

In the entire square, besides Rozen, the only entities undisturbed by the blast were the twelve coffins arranged in a fan shape. The girls inside them still slept, undisturbed by the gusts of wind.

This situation lasted for an unknown duration before finally subsiding.

The pillar of fire slowly descended and vanished.

The blast gradually calmed, dissipating into the air.

By the time everything settled, the immense and incomparable magical power in the square had vanished, almost wiping out even those who had obtained this power through deceitful means.

Under the grand explosion, what remained in place was no longer Balthazar Zaharias's ostentatious merchant demeanor but a ragged figure, with not only limbs but even most of the body missing.

"Gu... ah..."

Balthazar Zaharias, the arms dealer, lay on the ground, clutching his mutilated body, uttering agonizing groans that couldn't even form in his throat.

The integration of numerous Nosferata tribes, the sale of weapons for living, the ultimate defeat of the Caruana domain, the acquisition of territory in the Warlord Dominion, becoming the speaker of the Nelapsi Provisional Autonomous Government, and wreaking havoc with the Kaleid Blood obtained from various sources—all of these achievements marked Balthazar Zaharias's journey.

And this was his end.

"H-how... could... this... happen..."

Balthazar Zaharias writhed in agony, his maimed body contorting as he squeezed out an inaudible moan.

"I... I obtained nine matrices... even those of the three great night empires couldn't achieve this... and I gained control over so many Primogenitors' Beast Vassals... gained eternal life and immense power... why... why..."

Balthazar Zaharias continued to cry out.

Indeed, for a mere arms dealer to become a domain lord, defeat the nobles and royals of the Warlord Dominion and the Dynasty of Destruction, and collect a total of nine Matrices, even promoting the awakening of the Fourth Primogenitor, was undeniably splendid in terms of achievements.

In this Blazing Banquet, this individual was the most ordinary and lowly in status, even compared to Rozen, who at least bore the title of a divine child and witch's brother, widely known within the circle.

While Rozen possessed a humble background, Balthazar Zaharias's ascent from an arms dealer to this position was truly remarkable.

However...

"The wages of sin is death. You've fully exemplified this saying," Rozen spoke with a compassionate gaze as he looked at Balthazar Zaharias, lying on the charred ground, clutching his mangled remains.

"Since you've prepared to kindle the flames of war, you should be prepared to face its consequences. As an arms dealer seeking wealth through warfare, this is the fate you deserve."

Rozen raised his hand without hesitation, extending it toward Balthazar Zaharias.

Balthazar Zaharias trembled in fear.

Only now, at this moment, did he feel death looming over him.

Although Balthazar Zaharias was a Blood Servant of the Fourth primogenitor, blessed with eternal life, and even after suffering such severe injuries, he hadn't died yet, as long as some time passed, such serious wounds would also heal. But this didn't mean he wouldn't die.

Generally, if the heart or brain, the organs controlling blood, were shattered, even a vampire would perish.

However, the higher the rank of a vampire, the closer they were to the Primogenitors, and the stronger their curse of immortality became. If they were Primogenitors, even if their heart was pierced or their brain crushed, they could still survive.

Unless pierced by a weapon like the Holy Lance, capable of slaying even a Primogenitor, through the heart's vital point.

Otherwise, no matter how severe the injuries, a Primogenitor could recover after some time.

As a Blood Servant of the Fourth Primogenitor, Balthazar Zaharias also possessed such immortality.

However, if his entire being were to be obliterated, then Balthazar Zaharias would undoubtedly perish.

After all, the abilities granted to Balthazar Zaharias were the ribs within his body. Once his entire being was eradicated, the ribs would also disappear, and Balthazar Zaharias could not regenerate.

Rozen understood this point, so he prepared to deliver the fatal blow.

Evidence lay in Rozen's outstretched hand, where surging magic converged.

"W-wait...! You can't kill me...! I... I have crucial information...! You'll regret killing me...!" 

These words became Balthazar Zaharias's final words in his life.

"Boom!"

A magical projectile formed by extraordinary magic tore through space, blasting onto Balthazar Zaharias. With a deafening explosion, Balthazar Zaharias didn't even have time to scream in agony before being annihilated by the magical projectile, his entire body disintegrated, vanishing into the surging magic.

Rozen then lowered his raised hand.

"In this banquet, you are the only one who cannot be forgiven, Balthazar Zaharias," Rozen sighed silently, murmuring softly.

"Moreover, your so-called information, I have long guessed most of it."

With that, instead of relaxing his vigilance after the end of the battle, Rozen turned as if welcoming the onset of a truly vicious battle, looking toward the entrance of the central square.

"What do you think?" Rozen asked lightly.

In the direction he was addressing, a petite figure slowly approached.

"Tap... tap... tap... tap..."

The footsteps were faint yet distinct on the ground.

"..."

A gentle breeze passed, lifting the black hair that was usually tied into a ponytail but now hung loose, cascading over the shoulders.

The petite girl entered the battlefield at a leisurely pace.

Observing her, Rozen narrowed his eyes.

"How should I address you?" Rozen's expressionless face inquired, "I suppose I can no longer call you Nagisa, can I?"

The intruder on the battlefield was indeed Nagisa.

Nagisa was clad in adorable pajamas, her hair disheveled, giving her a somewhat lazy appearance, exuding a charm different from her usual cheerful and lively demeanor.

However, the Nagisa before them had no trace of emotion in her eyes, only a terrifying aura remained on her face.

"I see."

The girl formerly known as Nagisa chuckled arrogantly.

"So, you've already known everything, haven't you? Detestable divine child!"

That tone couldn't possibly belong to Nagisa.

At this moment, an astonishing magical power was suppressed within Nagisa, awaiting the moment of eruption.