Chapter 446: [444] Terms
In the waters surrounding Itogami Island, a luxurious ocean liner slowly sailed into its domain.
The vessel, named Oceanus Grave II, was over 400 feet long—a massive, opulent yacht built for transoceanic travel. Every detail of the ship exuded extravagance, befitting its enigmatic owner: Dimitrie Vatler, the vampire noble and duke of the Warlord's Empire.
Standing at the bow of the ship, Vatler cut a striking figure in a pristine white suit, a glass of red wine delicately held in his hand.
"At last, Itogami Island. Fourth Primogenitor, we are about to meet again," he murmured with a smile.
In that moment, a ripple of energy passed through the air, and a figure materialized on the deck. Koyomi Shizuka, one of the revered leaders of the Lion King Organization, had arrived.
Vatler, far from surprised, greeted her with an amused expression, his ever-present smile playing at the corners of his lips.
"Ah, Koyomi Shizuka, the distinguished head of the Three Saints. What an unexpected honor," he said, tilting his glass in a mock toast.
"Vatler. It's been a while," Koyomi replied, her tone steady and composed.
"Indeed. The last time was during the Blazing Banquet, wasn't it?"
"That's correct," she said curtly.
"So, to what do I owe this pleasure?"
Koyomi reached into her coat and produced a sealed document, handing it to Vatler.
He accepted it without hesitation, though he made no effort to open it, as if already aware of its contents.
"Effective from midnight tonight, you are officially permitted access to Itogami Island. Under the terms of the Sanctuary Treaty, you will serve as the Warlord's Dominion's diplomatic envoy," Koyomi stated calmly.
"A diplomatic envoy, is it? How convenient. It will save me from unnecessary hassles," Vatler mused, swirling the wine in his glass.
"However, there's one condition," Koyomi continued.
"A condition? Let's hear it."
"You are to perform a task for us."
"A task? My, my. What could the mighty Lion King Organization possibly need from me?"
"The one who calls himself the Demon King—a certain mysterious individual—will attend your banquet tonight. We need you to engage him in battle."
"Ah, I see. You wish to test his strength using my power?" Vatler asked, his smile deepening.
"Precisely. Itogami Island already has a Fourth Primogenitor. There cannot be room for a second 'king.'"
"How audacious," Vatler said, his tone dripping with mockery. "You humans have gone so far as to dictate the future of Primogenitors? That's quite a dangerous gamble."
His words carried an undertone of amusement, but there was a clear edge to them. Attempting to manipulate the affairs of beings as powerful as the true ancestors was a perilous path. If the other three Primogenitors caught wind of such schemes, their wrath could easily obliterate the Lion King Organization in a heartbeat.
After all, no matter how inexperienced or incomplete, a Primogenitor was still a Primogenitor. Such entities were beyond question, beyond reproach.
But this was Dimitrie Vatler, not one of the old and rigid vampires of the past.
"So, Dimitrie Vatler, do you accept the terms?" Koyomi asked, her tone steady despite the underlying tension.
"Of course," Vatler replied, his grin widening. "In truth, I'm quite curious about this individual who has managed to defeat my beloved Fourth Primogenitor. Even without your request, I would have sought him out."
"That's all we needed to hear," Koyomi said, nodding. She harbored no doubt that Vatler would fulfill his role.
After all, he was precisely the kind of person who would leap at the chance to test his strength against a worthy opponent. The thrill of battle was among the few pleasures he had left in his long, drawn-out existence.
As for the prospect of defeat—or even death—it did not bother him in the slightest. For an ancient vampire like Vatler, who had lived for centuries, such things were no longer fears but, perhaps, welcome possibilities.
A long life is not always a blessing. When one's existence stretches across centuries, and all dreams and ambitions are eventually fulfilled, what remains is often emptiness and aimlessness.
This was the reality for many of the ancient vampires in the world today. Having lived for far too long, they had lost the joy of life itself.
With no clear purpose left to pursue, death became a form of release.
Koyomi Shizuka, after delivering her message, didn't linger. She turned on her heel and departed, leaving Dimitrie Vatler alone on the deck of Oceanus Grave II.
There he stood, gazing at the vast expanse of water, lost in thoughts known only to himself.
...
Since the banquet was approaching, proper attire was, of course, a necessity. For someone like Kanon, who had never attended an event of this kind, finding an elegant evening gown was imperative.
For Natsuki, however, such preparations were unnecessary. Her wardrobe was never lacking in suitable outfits. As for Yukina Himeragi and Sayaka Kirasaka, the Lion King Organization had already sent over their dresses early in the morning.
In the heart of Itogami Island's bustling shopping district, the group had gathered at a high-end boutique. Inside, the women were all busy browsing through the racks of dresses.
Even if some of them already had their outfits, the allure of trying on something new was irresistible.
August, standing awkwardly amidst the flurry of activity, couldn't quite understand it. Whether in his previous life or after arriving in this world, he had noticed one universal truth: women seemed to have an unexplainable affinity for shopping.
No matter how physically unfit some might claim to be, they could shop for hours without tiring. It was a phenomenon that left him baffled.
"August-nii, how do I look?"
At that moment, Kanon emerged wearing a silver-white evening gown.
Her hands were adorned with delicate white lace gloves, and she wore a pair of sparkling high heels. She looked like a princess who had stepped straight out of a fairy tale.
"You look beautiful," August said with a warm smile. "Right now, Kanon, you're every bit a princess."
"Really? That's wonderful!"
Kanon beamed with joy. She twirled in place, her dress flowing gracefully around her, before rushing off to the counter to purchase it.
The reason was simple: August was pleased with the dress. He had called her a princess, and for her, that was enough. After all, women dress for those they care about.
"What do you think?"
The voice drew August's attention as Sayaka Kirasaka walked over, pulling Yukina Himeragi along with her.
August looked up—and was momentarily stunned.
Sayaka was wearing a fiery red kimono that highlighted her perfect figure, from her long legs to her elegant curves. Yukina, on the other hand, had chosen a simple yet graceful evening gown that, while understated, suited her perfectly.
Sayaka appeared slightly nervous as she waited for August's response, though she couldn't quite understand why she felt that way.
Yukina, despite her newfound confidence from merging with her familiar's powers, still carried her usual stoic demeanor. Having grown up wearing only the uniforms issued by the Lion King Organization, this was her first time wearing something so elegant.
"You both look stunning," August said, his gaze lingering for a moment before giving a genuine thumbs-up. "Especially you, Sayaka. Your figure is absolutely perfect."
His words were straightforward, but they carried a note of admiration.
Sayaka's tall, slender frame, her fair, flawless skin, and her delicate, flower-like features made her a sight to behold. She looked like a cherry blossom in full bloom.
And with the addition of the kimono, she was breathtaking.
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