Late at night in Kuoh Academy's old schoolhouse.
I was in the Occult Research Club's clubroom, here for a meeting with a vampire, planned in advance.
Gathered were the entire club, Alice, Sona, her Vice-President Shinra, Azazel-sensei, and a single nun from Heaven—
A nun in a deep veil, a beautiful woman with Nordic features, around her late twenties, exuding a gentle, kind aura.
She greeted everyone warmly. "Good evening, everyone. I'm Griselda Quarta, overseeing Heaven's staff in this region. Pleased to meet you."
"She's my boss!" Irina added.
Azazel shook Griselda's hand. "Heard of you. Gabriel's Queen. Sister Griselda, one of the top five female exorcists. Heaven's generous, sending you here."
Top five female exorcists!? That's impressive! And Gabriel's Queen, one of the four Seraphs!
"I'm honored my reputation reaches the former Fallen Angel Governor," Griselda said, bowing politely.
"People call her the Queen of Hearts," Irina chimed in.
Cool nickname.
Griselda apologized deeply. "I should've greeted you sooner, but circumstances delayed me. My apologies."
Talk about refined manners.
Now, about Griselda-san…
"My, Xenovia, you look pale," Irina said slyly.
Yeah, Xenovia's been off since we got here. Usually bold in every way, she's fidgety today.
"Don't tease me, Irina," Xenovia muttered, her face stiff, trying to hide behind me.
But Griselda grabbed Xenovia's face with both hands! "Xenovia? Is meeting me that unpleasant?"
"N-No, it's not…" Xenovia stammered.
Griselda's gentle, but… scary!
Why's she targeting Xenovia?
Irina explained, "Sister Griselda's like Xenovia's big sister. They're from the same facility, and Xenovia could never stand up to her."
"Wow, Xenovia's got someone like that?" I said. "Didn't Griselda-san take it hard when Xenovia became a devil?"
If they're from the same church, hearing a comrade turned into an "enemy" devil must've been a shock, especially since Xenovia's so close to her.
Asia answered, "When Xenovia-san and Irina-san took me to their church branch, Sister Griselda was surprised Xenovia became a devil, but she was more hurt that Xenovia didn't contact her."
Makes sense. Xenovia's probably like a little sister to Griselda.
Beside me, Xenovia—her face squished into a comical mess—squeaked, "J-Just…"
"Just?" Griselda pressed.
"…Sorry for not answering your calls."
Calls? Oh, right, Xenovia was dodging her phone for a while. That was Griselda?
Griselda released her. "Good girl. We exchanged numbers, so call me back. We can at least grab a meal, right?"
"…You'll just lecture me," Xenovia mumbled.
"Of course. We're in the same district again, so I'm bound to worry."
Total big sister, strict but caring.
I grinned at Xenovia. "She's a great sister. Why not hang out with her sometime?"
"Good idea," Griselda said. "Xenovia, tell me your free days."
"Y-Yes…" Xenovia muttered, shooting me a "Why'd you say that!?" look.
She doesn't hate Griselda, though.
Man, seeing bold Xenovia act so cute is a new one. Refreshing.
As the night deepened, the outside fell silent.
Multiple presences approached from the old schoolhouse's entrance.
We all sensed it, exchanging glances.
Rias stood. "They're here. Vampires' auras are as chillingly quiet as ever."
She nodded to Kiba, who bowed and left to greet the vampires.
The negotiation team: me, Rias, Sona, Griselda, and Azazel. Last time, at the Three Factions meeting, I was just Rias's Pawn and stayed quiet. Now, as a King with my own retinue, I'm stepping up.
My retainers—Miu and Alice—plus Irina and Reyna stood by us. Akeno, as our server, waited by a tea cart.
Feels weird having Alice, a former royal, and Miu, a princess, just standing there. If Audelia's bigwigs or demon clans saw this, they'd flip.
A knock at the door.
"Your guests are here," Kiba said, opening it with gentlemanly grace.
A girl entered, dressed like a medieval princess, beautiful as a doll—eerily perfect, with no human warmth. Her long, wavy blonde hair screamed "gorgeous," but her skin was deathly pale, her eyes a deeper red than Gasper's.
No shadow at her feet.
I recalled vampire lore: weak to crosses, holy water, running water, and garlic; no reflection in mirrors, no shadows; can't enter uninvited places; need their coffins to recover.
Gasper, a half-vampire, is different. He has a shadow, reflects in mirrors, can cross rivers, and is getting over his garlic issue. He doesn't need a coffin—heck, he sleeps in my room or a cardboard box.
So, pureblood vampires differ from half-breeds.
Two suited vampires—male and female, likely bodyguards—followed, also shadowless, with no vital energy.
The girl greeted us politely. "Good evening, Three Factions. It's an honor to meet the Demon Kings' sisters and the former Fallen Angel Governor."
At Rias's prompting, she sat across from her, introducing herself. "I am Elmenhilde Karnstein. Call me Elme."
"…Karnstein," Azazel mused, stroking his chin. "Camilla faction, one of the top vampire houses. It's been a while since I met a high-ranking pureblood."
Vampires, ancient denizens of darkness, have a noble hierarchy like devils. They've coexisted with devils, feeding on humans without crossing territories. Both see Heaven as an enemy but never allied, keeping their distance.
After the Three Factions' peace treaty, their conflicts eased, but vampires still avoid peace talks, clashing with Heaven's warriors.
Vampire society split centuries ago over their True Ancestors' ideologies: the male-revering Tepes faction versus the female-revering Camilla faction, locked in rivalry.
Elmenhilde's from the Camilla faction, per Azazel.
As Akeno served tea, Rias cut to the chase. "Elmenhilde, forgive my bluntness. Why, after avoiding contact, is Camilla suddenly meeting with Gremory, Sitri, and the former Governor?"
Elmenhilde closed her eyes, nodded once, and opened them calmly. "We need Gasper Vladi's power."
What!?
Her answer stunned us. Gasper, least expecting it, trembled. None of us saw that coming.
Gasper's awakened power… that's the only reason I could think of.
Azazel leaned in. "Straight answer for a straight question. Explain step-by-step. What's happening in the vampire world?"
"You may know," Elmenhilde said, "but a Longinus wielder emerged from Tepes's half-breeds."
"Got it," Azazel said. "What Longinus?"
The Longinus—thirteen god-killing Sacred Gears.
Devils have two: my Boosted Gear and Sairaorg's Pawn Regulus's Regulus Nemea.
Heaven has the Joker's Zenith Tempest, a high-tier Longinus.
Fallen Angels have Canis Lykaon with the Blade Blacksmith.
The Magician Association, Mephisto's group, has Absolute Demise.
Stray magicians hold Incinerate Anthem.
Vali's Divine Dividing, and the Khaos Brigade's Hero Faction had True Longinus, Annihilation Maker, and Dimension Lost—their wielders' whereabouts unknown.
Known wielders cover those. The unaccounted ones are Sephiroth Graal, Innovate Clear, and Telos Karma. Ajuka knows about Innovate Clear, but details are scarce.
That leaves Sephiroth Graal or Telos Karma for the vampires.
Elmenhilde answered, "The Sephiroth Graal."
Azazel's face hardened. "Of all things, the Holy Grail, a sacred relic. That thing can overturn life itself. What do immortal vampires want with it?"
"An indestructible body," she said. "Immune to stakes, crosses, lack of coffins, even sunlight. Well, nearly indestructible."
"Sounds like the Grail's power is still unstable," Azazel noted.
She nodded. "They seek to become flawless beings, abandoning vampire pride. Worse, they've attacked us, causing casualties."
"Can't overlook that, huh, Camilla?" Azazel said.
"Exactly. Our goal is to use Gasper Vladi's power to stop Tepes's rampage."
Her gaze locked on Gasper.
…They want Gasper in a vampire civil war?
Rias, voice steady, asked, "Is this because Gasper's from the Vladi family, part of Tepes?"
She's furious inside. Her precious retainer, dragged into a vampire conflict by a faction that's dodged talks? Rias, who loves her family, is pissed but staying calm to learn about Gasper.
Elmenhilde smiled cryptically. "Partly. But we truly want Gasper Vladi's awakened power. We've heard it's surfaced."
"What's that power?" Rias pressed. "Do you know what it is?"
"Rarely, some vampires possess abilities beyond our norms, often among half-breeds in this era," Elmenhilde said. "Gasper Vladi is one. Camilla can't investigate fully, but Tepes, his family, might have clues."
Even vampires see Gasper's power as abnormal. And we'd need to ask the Vladi family directly…
She continued, "The Grail's wielder is a half-breed, Valerie Tepes, born of the Tepes family."
Gasper reacted, visibly shaken. "…No… Valerie? That's a lie! She wasn't born with a Sacred Gear!"
The moment Valerie's name dropped, Gasper changed, like she's someone vital to him.
"Calm down, Gasper," I said. "Sacred Gears can awaken later. I'm proof of that."
My case is unique, awakening in Asta Ade, not at birth. Azazel says awakening ages vary.
"Correct," Elmenhilde said. "She likely awakened her Gear recently."
Azazel narrowed his eyes. "They hid it before we could identify it. Vampires, who hate holy power, keeping the Grail instead of handing it over? Unbelievable."
"I agree," Elmenhilde said.
"Gasper Vladi," she continued, "don't you resent the family that exiled you? With your power, couldn't you fight back?"
"…I'm happy here," Gasper said. "With Buchou and everyone, that's enough—"
"—Mongrel," Elmenhilde cut in.
Gasper's face darkened.
She pressed on, "Mixed-blood, abomination, fake—how did the Vladi call you? Only Valerie shared your feelings, right? In that castle where Tepes locked away half-breeds, you two supported each other. Don't you want to stop her?"
Griselda spoke up, her voice soft but laced with anger. "You despise half-breeds, yet you vampires kidnap humans, toy with them, and create these children. The church has dealt with the fallout, protecting people from your predation. I'd prefer you avoid humans altogether."
Her words dripped with venom despite her calm demeanor.
Elmenhilde smiled, hand to her mouth. "My apologies. But hunting humans is our nature, as vampires. Isn't it the same for devils and angels? We 'monsters' survive on humans, weak as we are."
…That's their mindset.
Purebloods versus non-purebloods. Half-breeds are "abominations," "mongrels." Humans are just "prey."
That attitude's gonna backfire someday. Thinking you're supreme leads to downfall. Will vampires ever get that?
Elmenhilde summoned a bodyguard, who handed her documents from a bag. "We didn't come empty-handed. Here."
She passed them to Azazel, who sighed. "…Camilla's peace treaty proposal. So, this is diplomacy, and you're the envoy?"
She smiled. "Yes. Our Queen Camilla, weary of our long conflict, proposes a truce."
Azazel frowned. "Backwards approach, miss. Normally, peace terms come first. This feels like, 'Help us, or no peace.'"
Griselda added, "We've offered peace to all factions. If we refuse, it weakens our credibility elsewhere—'picking and choosing who to reconcile with.' And it's a truce, not peace. You're exploiting our position."
Clever. Using peace as leverage for Gasper.
Rias trembled with rage, her hand shaking. I squeezed it, signaling her to stay calm.
Elmenhilde's smile widened. "Rest assured, our conflict stays among vampires. Lend us Gasper Vladi, and we need nothing else. We'll ensure peace talks and bridge you to the Vladi family."
The momentum was shifting her way.
But then—
"You've got some nerve," a voice cut through the silence.
No one expected that in this tense atmosphere.
All eyes turned to Alice.
"Who are you?" Elmenhilde asked.
"I'm Alice Audelia, High-Ranking Devil and Red Dragon Emperor Issei Hyoudou's Queen," Alice declared.
Elmenhilde's eyes dripped with disdain. "So, the Red Dragon Emperor's servant. What right does a mere lackey have to speak to me?"
Her words oozed contempt.
Big mistake.
"—Huh?" Alice snapped.
Oh, she's pissed. And when Alice gets mad, it's terrifying. I'm getting chills down my spine.
But—
"Fine, I'll give her that right," I said. "That work for you?"
"Red Dragon Emperor, you—" Elmenhilde started.
I cut her off. "Sorry, Elmenhilde. When she's pissed, I'll hear about it later. Humor me and listen to her, yeah? Plus, you requested this meeting. A little leeway's fair, don't you think?"
I flashed a grin, playing it cool.
Honestly, this kind of stunt in formal diplomacy could spiral, but they came to us. We're doing them a favor by listening.
A little pushback's fine.
"If the Underworld's hero, the Red Dragon Emperor, requests it, I can't refuse," Elmenhilde said, clearly annoyed but agreeing. "Speak, Red Dragon Emperor's Queen."
I winked a "thanks" and nodded to Alice.
"Let's clarify," Alice said. "You're saying we sacrifice one of Gremory's retainers for a vampire truce with the Three Factions?"
"No one said sacrifice," Elmenhilde replied smoothly. "If it's resolved quickly, all the better."
"So, there's no guarantee Gasper-kun returns safely," Alice pressed. "That's what you're saying?"
Elmenhilde closed her eyes, silent.
Not answering unfavorable questions, huh? That's as good as admitting it.
"Next," Alice continued. "What about our involvement? You need Gasper-kun because you lack strength, right? Then why not let us mediate or assist?"
Elmenhilde shook her head. "As I said, we settle our disputes ourselves. Advisors, perhaps, but nothing more."
"Pretty selfish," Alice said. "You need our friend but refuse our help. Is that pureblood vampire logic?"
"He's a half-breed, but still a vampire," Elmenhilde countered. "What's wrong with using his power?"
Even if he's from the rival faction, they'll use a half-breed they've persecuted. Hypocritical and unfair.
Rias seethed beside me, her eyes blazing. I placed my hand over hers, signaling "calm down."
Alice sighed, hand to her forehead. "Griselda-san, you said refusing peace weakens our credibility with other factions, right?"
"Yes," Griselda replied. "We've offered peace to all factions equally."
That's why we're at a disadvantage here. Selective peace could cost us trust.
But—
"I think we should skip peace talks with these vampires," Alice said.
"What!?" everyone gasped.
No way! A Three Factions member saying that? That's a diplomatic bombshell!
"Alice-san!?" Sona exclaimed, shocked.
I was floored, too. What's she thinking!?
But… would Alice say that without a plan?
"Normally, refusing peace would hurt our credibility," Alice said calmly. "But with an untrustworthy partner, it's different, isn't it?"
Bam. There it is.
"It's hard to fully trust any faction," she continued. "But the Three Factions' peace works because there's some trust. Even with the Greeks—Hades is untrustworthy, but Zeus and Poseidon are decent."
"Exactly," Azazel said. "No one's fully trustworthy, but there's enough to work with. Hades? No way. Zeus and Poseidon? Manageable."
Elmenhilde, voice sharp, asked, "What's untrustworthy about us?"
"Everything," Alice shot back. "You want Gasper-kun but can't guarantee his safety. You reject our help. You use peace as a bargaining chip. And it's a truce, implying it's temporary, ready to break. You seriously expect us to sign that?"
"Peace benefits both sides and protects people," Elmenhilde argued.
"Sure," Alice said. "But we're full of distrust. You could break the truce once your conflict's done. A fleeting peace like that's worse than none—it'd deepen grudges, making reconciliation impossible."
"We'd never break our vampire pride!" Elmenhilde insisted.
"Really?" Alice scoffed. "I doubt that pride. You call half-breeds 'abominations' and 'mongrels,' yet need their power to win. Why not solve it with purebloods alone? Your pride's pretty cheap."
Crack.
The teacup in front of Elmenhilde splintered under the killing intent radiating from her and her guards.
Guess insulting pureblood pride hits a nerve.
"That's enough," I said. "Keep going, and we'll end up fighting. Alice, take your seat."
Alice smiled. "My apologies. A mere servant spoke out of turn."
She bowed exaggeratedly to Elmenhilde, dripping with sarcasm, and sat. Classic Alice—saying what a princess couldn't.
She spoke what we couldn't, and she looks satisfied.
Time for cleanup.
I bowed to Elmenhilde. "Sorry, my Queen has a sharp tongue and was a bit rude. My bad, Elmenhilde."
My wry smile eased the tension, and their killing intent faded.
"But," I continued, "after this, I can't trust you either. We can't agree to your terms as is. I won't say no to peace, though."
"…What do you propose?" she asked.
"Simple. We want to see your situation ourselves, so grant us access to your territory. And when Gasper goes, we need minimal intervention rights. That's it."
I'm not meddling in vampire politics. Like Elmenhilde said, Camilla and Tepes should settle it. We'd just advise.
But I'll protect Gasper. He's my precious junior.
One more thing.
I turned to Gasper. "Gasper, what do you want? Forget being Rias's retainer or a vampire. What's your choice?"
His will matters most. What does he want with Valerie, at the heart of this?
Gasper took a deep breath, his voice trembling. "I-I'll go. I don't want to return to the vampire world—my place is here. But I want to save Valerie! She's my benefactor! I'm here because of her! So…"
Solid answer. Cardboard vampire's got a man's resolve.
Look at Gasper, being cool!
"His decision's clear," I said. "Your move."
Elmenhilde met Gasper's eyes, then sighed. "Understood. I'll consult Queen Camilla. We'll contact you with our decision, including Gasper Vladi."
"Works for me," I said. "Rias, Sensei?"
"I'm fine with that," Rias said.
"Reasonable," Azazel said, scribbling on a paper and handing it to her. "Contact me here."
Probably his direct line.
Elmenhilde stood, taking the note. "Then, I'll take my leave. It was a pleasure to meet you. Above all, thank you for your generosity in inviting vampires into your stronghold, Rias Gremory."
With that, the devil-vampire meeting ended, and the creatures of the night left the old schoolhouse.
--+--
T/N: Although I'm an inexperienced Editor, I do have a Patreon account! Although it seems like I don't have many supporters right now, my webnovel will be released in full every day, and the advanced chapters will be uploaded to Patreon.
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