Volume 8
Chapter 14
Victor and Mena, in a
carriage.
While facing each
other in the rattling carriage, the two were exchanging opinions about the
political enemy who had just appeared.
"My lord, he's
about Nozomu-sama..."
"It's safe to
assume he has a general grasp of the information."
Regarding Nozomu
Bountis, and the secret pact with the Wajiart family of the Dizard Empire,
Victor believed that Egurodo had a certain amount of information.
Originally, this had
been hinted at to some extent by Madam Parline.
"Of course, he
probably doesn't know that the brat is a dragonslayer. Since that white dragon
old man is also involved in the concealment of this fact."
Therefore, Victor was
not agitated.
The limited
establishment of diplomatic relations with the Dizard Empire had been approved
by the king of his own country, and for Egurodo, who was originally opposed to
Arcazam, this land was as good as enemy territory. It would probably be
difficult to easily obtain collaborators.
As for Nozomu, he had
the white dragon old man behind him.
Furthermore, since Madam
Parline also seemed to have a high opinion of Nozomu, Victor's thought was that
no matter how much of a fuss Egurodo made, he couldn't do much.
"However, the
fact that Egurodo has moved on his own means that we should assume that he has
some kind of countermeasure against us."
"I know. He also
has a right-hand man who can't be underestimated."
As he said that,
Victor remembered the alluring woman who was Egurodo's adjutant.
As a political enemy's
adjutant, Victor had also gathered information on Mekuria, but all of it had
ended in a complete failure.
As the person behind
the recent restoration of the Fabran family, Mekuria was a headache for Victor.
"Egurodo's
ultimate goal is to eliminate this Solminati Academy, or to sever the
relationship between the country of Forsina and Arcazam. Because this academy
and this city are putting a considerable burden on our country to maintain
them."
The swift response
during the great invasion, and the construction of this Arcazam. For both of
these, the country of Forsina had been the first to raise its voice and take
the lead.
On the other hand, the
burden it had paid for that was by no means light.
Even if the country
had not been directly damaged by the great invasion, the current situation was
that it was quite strained economically.
"However, thanks
to that, the country of Forsina's voice is unparalleled. The next largest voice
is the Cremazzone Empire, but since that one is backed by military force, there
is also a great deal of opposition."
The Cremazzone Empire
was a great power that bordered the south side of the country of Forsina, and
its military power alone surpassed that of the country of Forsina.
Since it was a threat
both militarily and economically, this empire was a headache for the country of
Foschia, along with the Dizard Empire.
The Cremazzone Empire
had a strong militaristic tendency and a high desire for aggression, due to the
circumstances of its founding by the military might of dragonslayers.
Although that military
power had been a great force during the great invasion, it was still being
watched with caution by the surrounding countries.
Therefore, Victor,
from the idea of making friends with those far away and attacking those nearby,
had used the environment of Arcazam, where envoys from various countries could
gather, and had built friendly relations with the country that was adjacent to
the Cremazzone Empire, and had sealed this empire.
In fact, this land of
Arcazam was not only for human resource development and technological
development, but for the current country of Forsina, it was a land that was
indispensable for security.
"What are your
thoughts, my lord?"
"I have some
ideas, but none of them are enough to overturn the king's decision. Nor to
change the security system of the country of Forsina. But..."
Something was stuck in
the back of his mind.
While feeling a
discomfort as if something were stuck between his teeth, Victor's consciousness
sank into a sea of thought.
"I still have
things to do. Let's go to the academy. I have something to talk to Jihad-dono
about."
"Yes, my
lord."
However, Victor's
prediction at this time would be betrayed.
Because Egurodo had
already grasped that Nozomu was a dragonslayer.
***
Around the time Victor
got into his carriage, Egurodo was standing alone in the empty hallway of the
council chamber.
"Mekuria..."
When Egurodo muttered,
an alluring woman appeared from the shadow of a pillar and bowed deeply. It was
Egurodo's trusted subordinate, Mekuria.
Egurodo did not turn
his eyes to his bowing subordinate and stated his business in a nonchalant
tone.
"Regarding Abyss
Grief, was what that researcher said true?"
"Yes. According
to the newly summoned crow, it was not false information."
"One more thing.
What happened to that matter?"
"The letter has
arrived without any problems. Considering the other party's temperament, it is
almost certain that they will come to this city in time for the opening
festival..."
"I see. Then
let's have them stir things up as much as they want."
When Egurodo glanced
out the window, he could see the chalk-white school building of Solminati Academy.
Frowning as if he had
seen something detestable, Egurodo turned on his heel and began to walk down
the hallway of the council chamber.
***
In the dark of night,
a huge castle stood in the midst of a raging snowstorm.
A luxurious room set
at its very top. In that room, where the master of the castle lived, was that
woman.
A beautiful woman as
beautiful as a goddess, and clad in an atmosphere as cold as a shinigami.
She was not wearing a
single piece of clothing and was lying on a soft canopy bed.
Her skin was whiter
than fresh snow, and her smooth, long silver hair was spread out on the silky
sheets, which looked pleasant to the touch.
But what was most
characteristic were her crimson eyes, which were reminiscent of blood. Combined
with her cold, expressionless face, which was like an icicle, she was full of a
beauty that could freeze one's spine.
"Hmm..."
The beautiful woman,
without moving her sharp beauty a single millimeter, took the glass that had
been placed on the side table.
The glass was filled
with a crimson liquid, but it seemed to be a little more viscous than what
would be called wine.
She brought it to her
lips without hesitation and, after savoring it with her tongue for a while, she
swallowed it with a gulp.
"...Not very good
blood."
From her displeased,
distorted lips, sharp canines peeked out.
Yes, she was a
vampire. The current head of the Wajiart family, one of the seven great houses
that supported the Dizard Empire.
Her name was Vitora
Luthalark Dat Wajiart.
While slightly distorting
her sharp eyebrows, which were reminiscent of an ice sculpture, she returned
the glass she was holding to the side table.
"My lady, excuse
me."
Suddenly, a knock on
the door echoed.
"Enter."
Prompted by the
freezing reply, the one who entered the room was an old gentleman with a
monocle.
His crimson eyes
showed that he, too, was a vampire.
"Rugato? What is
it?"
"Something like
this has arrived."
The old gentleman was
someone who had fought a life-and-death battle with Nozomu and the others
before. When he came before his master, he bowed deeply and offered the letter
he was holding in his hand.
"Francilt? I
believe..."
"He is an
influential figure in the country of Forsina, which I visited about half a year
ago."
"Ah, the matter
where you unusually failed to fulfill a contract. So, what does it say?"
A tone that was far
too indifferent for a high-ranking official of a country.
However, Rugato, who
was bowing before her, did not seem to mind at all. It was not as if this was
the first time his master had been so rude.
An absolute
powerhouse.
Her power, which was
categorized as SS rank, was such that it could only be described as a disaster.
The storm that was
enveloping this castle was also because her power was unconsciously affecting
the outside world.
Just as an elephant
would not notice an ant at its feet, she, who was a holder of immense power,
also showed no interest in mundane matters such as politics. Because politics
was a survival strategy that the weak had acquired to maintain the groups they
relied on.
"It is regarding
the matter of the secret pact. It seems they wish to hold a meeting as soon as
possible. The time and place also seem to have been prepared."
"I am not
interested. This secret pact was originally made by my predecessor.
The Emperor's approval
has already been given regarding the establishment of diplomatic relations. I
will leave this matter to you, so do as you please."
"As you
wish."
Vitora threw away the
received official letter with just a glance.
She really did not
seem to be interested in the Francilt family.
In fact, the one who
had made the secret pact with the Francilt family was her predecessor.
And after the
existence of the secret pact was revealed, Rugato had handled almost all of its
settlement.
Also, even after the
contract that had formed the secret pact had been lost in the battle with
Nozomu and the others, the negotiations with the Francilt family had been
centered on Rugato.
Regarding the
establishment of diplomatic relations with the country of Forsina, the only
thing Vitora had done was to say, "It's fine," and to make a formal
report and suggestion to the Emperor of the Dizard Empire.
And from that Emperor,
an approval had been given, saying that as long as it was limited to the
territory of the Wajiart family, it was fine.
It might be thought
whether such a casual politics was okay, but in this country, the power and
autonomy of each house were completely independent, and as long as the
Emperor's approval was given, they were free to do whatever they wanted within
their territory.
Even that Emperor did
not usually give any clear orders. Conversely, it could also be said that the
country would not run smoothly otherwise.
Of course, if they
were to fight a clear external enemy, each house would also show a certain
degree of cooperation.
However, since each
race had a history of frequently clashing with other races, their sense of
independence was strong, and if one were to forcibly try to unify the will of
each house, that could become a discord and result in a civil war.
"By the way, what
was the name of the one who repelled you?"
"I believe he was
a young man by the name of Nozomu Bountis. He seems to be quite the talk of that
academy now. Even that Jihad Draundel is keeping an eye on him... I believe I
have spoken of him once before?"
"Ah, was that so?
I was being challenged by a warrior from the Geryunus family at that time, so I
don't remember."
The Geryunus family
was one of the great houses that ruled the same empire as the Wajiart family
and was composed of incubi.
Although the incubi's
direct combat ability was not that high, both men and women were beautiful,
were skilled in hypnosis magic, and could directly "drain the life
force" of their opponents with their unique ability.
The way an incubus
drains life force is by touching the opponent's skin, and the touched opponent,
in exchange for the life force that is being drained, obtains an intense
pleasure.
However, there are
also many cases where people die from having their life force completely
drained, and they are also a race that has been detested by humans and other
demi-humans since long ago.
Therefore, in the
past, they had enslaved other races they had charmed, and conversely, had been
enslaved by other races, and they had repeated a conflict in which both sides
were at fault.
Incidentally, the
efficiency of an incubus's draining of life force is determined by how
intimately they can physically connect with the target, and the challenge from
that house was a challenge whose content would be hesitated to be stated in a
public place.
Specifically, it was
that thing that is done on a bed.
"As for me, I
believe that for a challenge to a noble princess, it is somewhat lacking in
etiquette..."
"It is fine, I
will accept any kind of challenge. And I will show them that I will crush them
all head-on."
What had been bet in
that match was herself.
Her existence, which
possessed immense power, would become an absolute shinigami if it became an enemy, but it would also become a goddess
who would promise a certain victory if it were to be brought to one's side.
To try and win over
such a her, the Geryunus family had challenged her to a match on a bed, which
was what they were best at.
"I am at a loss
as to whether I should be impressed or exasperated. Still, for my lady, it was
nothing more than a game..."
And she, as her words
said, had crushed the Geryunus family's challenge head-on, showing them an
overwhelming "difference in class" literally.
Perhaps remembering
that time, Vitora's atmosphere began to be tinged with a slight heat.
"At first, he was
as erect as a giant, but after I stroked him a little, he quickly became as
docile as a kitten.
Although it was a bit
of a letdown, that was also cute in its own way."
While slightly
relaxing her well-featured lips, Vitora began to talk about the event at that
time.
A stuffy, alluring
scent began to fill the room.
She by no means
disliked the act of lovemaking on a bed. Rather, she was of the type who
preferred it.
If it was a strong
person she had taken a liking to, her creed was that it did not matter if they
were a man, a woman, or even a demonic beast, to share a bed with them.
"However, in the
end, he had dried up like a dried fish. He is not worthy of receiving my
affection."
Still, the challenger
from the Geryunus family could not attract her eyes until the end.
That was purely
because that warrior had "lost" to her.
A battle that makes
the blood boil and the flesh dance is the height of ecstasy. And, no matter
what means are used, victory is absolute.
Precisely because that
was her belief, she would not continue to be interested in a loser.
The princess who was
loved by victory along with death. That was the Death Demon Princess, Vitora
Luthalark Dat Wajiart.
"I will leave the
negotiations with the Francilt family to you. If necessary, you may go directly
and sit at the negotiating table yourself."
"As you wish.
Then, with this, I shall..."
Rugato bowed
respectfully and left his master's room.
Vitora glanced at the
departing Rugato and took the glass that had been placed on the side table
again.
The blood that
remained slightly in the glass was dully reflecting the light of the candle.
"I have no
interest in the human city. However, I am interested in those who repelled Rugato.
At the very least, it is better than curing my sloth with this blood..."
The glass slipped from
Vitora's fingers, hit the floor, and shattered with a clatter.
The shattered glass
and scattered blood spread across the high-class floor.
However, Vitora,
without a care for the contents of the scattered glass, was still looking
beyond the window where a storm was still raging.
At that moment, a
knocking sound on the window glass echoed.
When Vitora turned her
gaze to the window from which the sound had come, a crimson-eyed crow was
staring at her in the midst of the snowstorm.
A clearly suspicious
crow that had come in the midst of a fierce snowstorm.
A slight smile appeared
on her lips, which had been closed in a straight line.
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