Riselia and Veira arrived at the Excalibur Academy training grounds. There weren’t other students around, since they reserved the place for their use ahead of time. Riselia did some stretching and then faced Veira.
“—I’m asking one more time,” Veira said, her hands on her waist. “Do you really want to get stronger?”
“Y-yes… Ah, dragon!”
“You can stop with that now.”
Veira shrugged, and bit on her thumb with her sharp canines. Blood dripped to the ground, evaporating and leaving a puff of smoke.
“This time, we’re not playing around. If you’re not ready for this, I recommend stopping here.”
“…!”
Riselia shuddered. Veira’s overwhelming presence made her freeze up.
…This is Veira when she’s serious!
The rigorous training she put Riselia through yesterday really was just playing around. The blood spreading through the ground sizzled like magma, catching fire.
“The Dragon Blood contains the strongest flames. If you can’t control them, they’ll burn through your body. And even an immortal vampire won’t get away unscathed from being burned by a dragon’s flames.”
Veira’s golden yes glared straight at Riselia.
“I’ll be honest—I like you quite a bit. So I’d rather not kill you here if I can help it.”
The flames flared up violently, taking the form of a dragon. The surrounding air’s temperature instantly spiked, and Riselia felt her skin prickle from the heat…
“So I’m asking you again: Do you really want to get stronger?”
“—Yes,” Riselia said without a second thought. “There’s someone I have to save. And this time, I’ll do it…”
“—Good. In that case, there’s no need to talk this over anymore.” Veira smiled. “Let’s get started, then…”
The next moment, the dragon formed by the crimson flames swooped down on Riselia.
“Holy Sword, Activate!”
Riselia manifested the Bloody Sword, and at the same time, deployed the True Ancestor’s Dress in Queen Minerva form.
“…Kuh, haaaaaa!”
The Holy Sword created countless sanguine blades that clashed with the Dragon Blood. The two streams of solid blood danced and raced upward in a spiral shape.
…No…good… Veira’s blood is too strong! Riselia grit her teeth, gripping her Holy Sword tightly. The way the battle was going, the overwhelming surge of power would completely deplete her mana.
“If you’re strong enough to control the Dragon Lord’s blood, show me you can do it!” Riselia heard Veira call out on the other side of the raging flames. “And if you can’t, that’s just as far as you go. Vampires who went out of control and became consumed by blood are common enough!”
“Kuh… ugh… Aah, aaaaaaah!”
Riselia’s silver hair glowed bight, brimming with mana.
…I want power. Power to…save Miss Finé…!
The raging Dragon Blood let out a roar that shook the heavens.
✦ ✦ ✦
Using the Shadow Corridors, Leonis appeared in the Dark Lord’s Castle, in the great underground cavern connected to the Seventh Assault Garden through a gate. Donning his skull mask, he took on the mantle of the Dark Lord Zol Vadis.
“Shary.”
“Yes, by your side—”
Shary silently appeared from the shadow.
“How goes the list?”
“I have it right here.” Shary presented him with a scroll reverently.
“Mm.” Leonis spread it out.
“Like you specified, I excluded only those skilled at information gathering.”
This was the list for the Demon Wolf Pack members they would relinquish to Gazoth, the Lord of Beasts. Skimming over the list, Leonis nodded.
“Yes, very well. Gazoth should be satisfied with this.”
“Understood. I will make the arrangements, then.”
“Yes. But wait.”
Leonis stopped her before she left.
“Yes?”
“Summon Alexios here.”
“Alexios? U-um…”
“…The Emperor’s younger brother.”
“Oh! That human, yes! Understood.”
Shary replied at once and sank into the shadow.