Published: July 5, 2025
Ryo chanted.
“[icicle lance shower 'pierce']”
A multitude of fine ice needles flew toward a single point, Zoltan's forehead.
Hundreds, thousands, tens of thousands...
Crack.
The first barrier shattered.
Crack.
The second barrier shattered.
Crack.
The third barrier shattered.
"This is astounding! Ice needles? Is there a water magic user of this caliber in this generation?"
Zoltan's eyes widened in surprise, enjoying the spectacle.
However, he shook his head lightly.
“Even 'New's blessing', as a grand duke of vampires, you can still be affected in your physical form. I would prefer to fight in a location with no influence. Yes, that sounds good; let's do that."
Having made a decision, Zoltan seemed unconcerned as the fourth barrier shattered.
"Warriors, I am in the southern dark continent. If you wish to return this man, come and fight. Defeat me, and I will return him. Come at me all at once."
As Zoltan spoke, for just a moment, Baron Hagen Benda's entire body shimmered with a faint light... and the two vanished.
“…Teleportation?”
Abel murmured.
"What a blunder!"
Oscar spat out harshly.
"Harg-san..."
Ryo knelt on the ground, his voice weakened.
"A hostile grand duke... how do we fight?"
Among those present, it was likely Graham who began to think the most calmly and logically.
This was due to his knowledge of what a grand duke of vampires was.
It was also because he had no personal friendship with Baron Hagen Benda.
"Is there a need to fight...?"
Graham's whisper was so quiet that only Stefania nearby could hear.
Had the words reached other parties involved... Oscar, Fiona, or Ryo, there would have been a fierce backlash.
Differences in position create entirely different actions and words.
The next to move was Fiona from Naitorei Kingdom.
“Oscar, let’s go to the southern dark continent.”
“F-Fiona?”
Oscar was flustered by Fiona's quick decision.
Of course, he understood there was no other choice.
However, he also realized it wouldn’t be that simple.
“I will ask for permission from my father using 'that tool'. Due to the tool's specifications, we won’t get a reply for twenty-four hours, but we need not wait. Let's start preparing in advance.”
“Ah, y-yeah, that’s right.”
“The issue is the ship. Simply borrowing one won’t suffice. If we are to go to the southern dark continent and not just the northern shore, a normal ship would be insufficient. In the worst-case scenario, we might have to go to the northern shore of the dark continent and find another ship or travel overland to continue by sea. Considering that, it would be better to limit the number of people we take…”
Fiona kept laying out plans one after another.
Oscar could only nod in agreement with the plans that kept coming.
Next to act was King Abel of the Naitorei Kingdom.
He approached the first duke, who was kneeling and seemed in a daze.
Yet, unsure whether to call out, he spoke to his companions.
“Nils, Eto, Amon, welcome back.”
“Ha ha!”
Called out, the three from Room 10 hurriedly knelt to show their respect.
Then, Abel moved to Ryo.
“Ryo.”
“Abel... the one who was captured earlier was... Harg-san, right?”
“Harg? According to the report I received, it was Baron Hagen Benda of the Empire.”
“Ah... yes, that’s right... the name used when I was assigned as a page in this delegation was Harg... yes, Baron Hagen Benda... that’s the name.”
Ryo shook his head softly, multiple times.
“Did you know Baron Hagen Benda?”
“Yes, we’re cake buddies.”
“Hmm? I see…”
Ryo said it as if it were obvious, and though Abel didn’t fully understand, he accepted it for the time being.
Right now, the definition of words didn’t matter.
Just as Abel was contemplating how to continue the conversation, Ryo suddenly stood up.
“That’s right, I need to inform Ignis-san as well.”
“Ryo-san.”
As Ryo spoke, a voice came from behind.
“Ah, Ignis-san… Harg-san…”
“Yes, I saw it, just the final scene though.”
Ryo spoke with a tearful expression, and Ignis nodded.