Chapter 436 – Calling Out Your Name
The commercial freighter Amagosa.
It belonged to Magus Industries, originally used to export factory-made work machinery overseas. But now, its original purpose had been abandoned—loaned out instead to serve as Kensei Kanase's research facility.
In other words, this freighter was Kensei Kanase's laboratory.
At the moment, the ship had already docked. One by one, the people on board disembarked, stepping onto the pier.
Standing opposite them, La Folia crossed her arms, expression utterly impassive—radiating the icy dignity of a true Valkyrie. At some point, Kaiser had also appeared at her side, standing shoulder to shoulder with her.
"It's been a while, Your Highness."
With those words, Kensei Kanase pressed his right hand over his left chest and gave La Folia a formal courtly bow.
"It's been seven years since we last met. You've grown into quite the fine lady."
As the former royal court magus-technician of the Aldegyr Kingdom, Kensei still carried himself with respect toward La Folia as a member of the royal family—so much so that you'd never guess he had once set his sights on using both La Folia and Kanon Kanase as experimental subjects.
The man and woman standing beside him, however, looked at La Folia the way one might regard a lab rat, their lips twisted in mocking smiles. They were the ones who truly carried the attitude of people who saw the Aldegyr princess as nothing more than material for experiments.
The silver-haired imitation angel—Kanon Kanase—stood quietly behind Kensei, looking for all the world like a mechanical doll.
Seeing her like this, La Folia spoke coldly to Kensei.
"You've changed from the man I once knew, Kensei," she said lightly. "Back then I was still young, but if my memory serves… in those days, even as you buried yourself in alchemy and magic, striving to create miracles with your own hands and reform the world, you were never this… deranged."
"…At that time, I was young too—blind to this world's darkness, unable to see the road ahead. All I could do was press forward… and in the end, I never even saw a signpost." Kensei fell silent for a moment, then said, "Now, it's different. I know exactly what I must do—and how to do it."
"So that's your reason for using my relatives as ritual sacrifices?" La Folia's voice turned even colder. "Do you think I'd understand?"
"Kanon is my family too," Kensei replied without expression. "Fifteen years ago, my little sister came to the Aldegyr royal palace to visit me, since I was serving your kingdom at the time. There, she met your grandfather—the king back then—and fell into a hopeless love affair."
"And when she gave birth to Kanon, where was the royal family of Aldegyr then?"
"His Majesty the former king abandoned her in a convent on Itogami Island and never cared for her again. For over ten years, Kanon grew up lonely and neglected. What right do you have to call yourselves her family?"
La Folia's icy expression wavered, her eyes growing complicated.
"So all of this is revenge against us?" she asked, her voice less steady. "If that's the case, then I can overlook your attack on me."
"But what about Kanon? She's innocent, isn't she?"
"And the knights on my airship—they had no reason to die by your hands."
Kensei shook his head.
"No, Your Highness, you misunderstand. I didn't target you over some petty personal grudge, and I certainly didn't sacrifice Kanon for such a thing." His voice was utterly certain, without the slightest doubt. "I turned Kanon into a imitation angel so she could evolve beyond humanity, be summoned into God's presence, and never be harmed by anyone again."
"For that, I borrowed the strength of Magus Industries—becoming one of their researchers, gaining sponsorship, securing the funds, laboratory, and facilities I needed."
"The decision to attack you… was theirs."
At those words, La Folia glanced at the man and woman beside him.
She had already guessed: these two weren't Kensei's companions so much as his overseers—Magus Industries' watchdogs.
"Sorry, Princess," the woman with the crimson spear said with a predator's grin, baring her teeth like a carnivore. "But that's the way it is. Our company's business has run into trouble—selling outdated junk like mechanical dolls just isn't keeping us afloat anymore."
"So we need a new product—something we can sell internationally for a fortune."
That "product," of course, was none other than the imitation angel Kensei intended to create… or rather, the counterfeit angel. After all, nothing sells better than weapons—especially powerful ones.
"Aldegyr's supposed to be a kingdom of cutting-edge magic technology, isn't it? I've heard the royal family's very bodies hide things that could fetch a killing on the market," the man said with a twisted grin. "I don't know much about mediums or whatever, but if you're top-grade experimental material, plenty of people would want you. We could drag you back, chop you to pieces, clone you a dozen times over… our company would be rolling in cash."
If Kensei seemed like a single-minded seeker of truth, these two were without question villains—crude, greedy, and malicious enough that La Folia's expression finally showed open disgust.
"Such revolting desires. The thought that my knights died because of people like you is beyond insulting."
Her open contempt made the pair raise their brows.
"You've got a big mouth."
The ill-tempered woman strode forward, the spear in her hands itching to carve La Folia into pieces.
"Wait." Kensei stopped her. "Don't take another step. It's dangerous."
"Hah?" the woman sneered. "Are you joking? You think I'd lose to that little girl?"
A princess of Aldegyr might not be helpless, but the woman clearly didn't believe a mere human could defeat her.
After all, she was a vampire—one of the blood of the Third Primogenitor, a so-called "Type-T." Even without being pureblood or old blood, the overwhelming power of her Beast Vassal made her a match few human combat mages could best.
The crimson spear in her hands was her own Beast Vassal—an ability unique to vampires of the Third Primogenitor's line, allowing them to manifest their vassals as living weapons.
"Then let me," the man said. "I don't like her face either."
He wasn't a vampire, but a beastman. In beast form, his physical strength was among the highest in all demihumans. Without factoring in Beast Vassals, not even vampires could surpass him in raw power. To him, taking down one "frail" woman would be trivial.
Unfortunately for them, Kensei looked at the two with only pity.
"Never mind whether you can overcome Aldegyr's proud Silver Princess—can't you see the situation in front of you?" Kensei said flatly. "The man standing beside Her Highness has been watching you this whole time… and releasing a killing intent that makes your skin crawl."
Only then did the two turn their attention to Kaiser, who stood silently beside La Folia.
As Kensei had said, Kaiser was watching them—expressionless, his eyes devoid of obvious emotion. And yet, there was something in that calm that hinted at an unspeakable terror, sending a delayed wave of fear through anyone who noticed him.
It wasn't just a demihuman's instinct—it was the instinct of life itself reacting violently, making their bodies tremble without conscious thought.
Ignoring the pair frozen in place, Kensei turned to Kaiser.
"You must be the so-called Beast King, then?"
With the same courtly respect he had shown La Folia, Kensei bowed to him.
"Do me a favor and don't use that tacky codename," Kaiser replied coolly, unmoved. "I thought you didn't even know me."
"It's no small feat to so easily destroy a counterfeit angel I worked so hard to create. On Itogami Island, there are only two people capable of such a thing." Kensei pushed up his glasses. "One is the world's strongest vampire—the Fourth Primogenitor, the Kaleid Blood."
"The other… is the Beast King, who only recently fought Duke Ardeal and effortlessly crushed him."
Kaiser's eyes narrowed.
His defeat of Vattler wasn't something just anyone could know. To the public, Vattler was the hero who had repelled a host of mythic beasts. No one knew there was someone on the island who could command them.
The fact that Kensei knew proved his reach was considerable.
Only—
"It seems my daughter was in your care, too," Kensei said, almost to himself.
"Before she was completely remade—before she lost herself—she kept calling out your name."
Kaiser's narrowed eyes finally turned cold.
The killing intent enveloped Kensei in an instant.
Chapter 437 – Something That Really Pisses Me Off
—
On the deserted island's shore, where the commercial freighter lay beached, a suffocating, storm-like killing intent spread across the sand. Everyone within its reach felt their expressions change in an instant.
Kaiser's gaze toward Kensei Kanase was no longer void of feeling—it was as if it held the absolute chill of absolute zero, cold enough to kill.
"Are you trying to provoke me on purpose?"
His voice wasn't loud, but it carried a terror that seemed to crawl straight into the heart.
In that moment, whether it was Kensei, La Folia, or the man and woman from Magus Industries, they all felt the same sensation—that what stood before them wasn't a human, but a god from the ancient world, something to be feared on a primal level.
"…So this is the presence even Duke Ardeal couldn't handle," Kensei murmured, pushing up his glasses. His voice remained steady, but his trembling hand and the unconscious steps he took backward betrayed the unrest in his heart.
"I just have one request," Kensei said. "Would you be willing to withdraw from here, just for now?"
"Kanon hasn't yet consumed six Spiritual Cores. Without the minimum number needed for Spirit-Rank Evolution, she can't advance. Give me three days—no, two—and I can complete the ritual, make her the most perfect imitation angel."
"Then you can either have the most flawless Kanon Kanase back… or gain the strongest opponent you've ever faced."
He clearly thought this would move Kaiser. In his mind, someone like Kaiser would surely be interested in a legendary angel.
After all, in Kensei's experience—Vattler included—every truly powerful person shared the same flaw: the desire for a strong opponent. If Kanon were to evolve into a true angel, she would be a threat even to the Primogenitors.
And surely, if the other man's interest lay in Kanon herself, he wouldn't interfere with her becoming stronger—becoming perfect.
That was the reasoning behind what Kensei saw as an enticing offer… and what Kaiser considered utter garbage.
"…So you really don't get it."
Kaiser's expression suddenly eased. His gaze on Kensei was no longer cold, just… dismissive. Like looking at trash.
"Figures. If you understood what real happiness meant for Kanase—no, for Kanon—you wouldn't have done this in the first place."
"If you knew what kind of love a daughter should be given, you wouldn't still be single to this day."
"A man like you has no right to be her uncle, and even less to call yourself her guardian."
Stepping past La Folia, Kaiser began walking slowly toward Kensei and the others.
"I've decided. You're all going to be put down."
The uneasy dread already gnawing at them spiked to its peak. The shadow of death itself seemed to fall over them, making it all too clear what it meant to provoke someone you should never have touched.
"Quit… posturing!"
The woman with the crimson spear all but screamed, as if anger could drive out her fear.
"A brat like you, I'll—"
She never finished.
Bang!
Kaiser was suddenly right in front of her, a still-beating heart in his hand—crushed to pulp before her eyes.
"Ghh—!"
She spat a mouthful of blood, staring at her chest in disbelief.
A hole gaped there, empty—her heart gone.
"…Impossible…"
Still coughing blood, eyes wide with shock, she toppled to the sand. Even for a vampire, without pureblood or old blood heritage, losing both brain or heart meant certain death. Her body would never recover.
She was dead.
"BB!"
The man roared, his thin frame swelling, muscles bulging. In seconds, he became a fur-covered beastman, black hair bristling across his body.
"You bastard—!"
With a furious howl, he lunged at Kaiser, blindingly fast.
Beastmen—Type-L—were said to be descendants of demon wolves born from devouring a giant's heart. They possessed transformation and superhuman physical prowess. In human form they looked no different from anyone else, but in beast form their senses multiplied hundreds of times over, their regenerative power was monstrous, and in raw physical strength they ranked among the very top of all demonkind.
At close range, a beastman's attack was a blur even seasoned combat mages could barely follow—mere afterimages to human eyes.
But he'd chosen the wrong opponent.
ROAR!
A black-flamed, three-headed hound erupted from Kaiser's shadow, meeting the beastman head-on—and swallowed him whole.
Crunch!
The hound's massive jaws slammed shut, blood dripping from its fangs.
"Aaaaaaahhhh—!"
The beastman's scream rang inside its maw, only to vanish moments later.
The hellhound withdrew into Kaiser's shadow, gone as quickly as it appeared.
But Kensei, watching from only meters away, was drenched in cold sweat.
"That… was a beast from the mythic age…"
He could still feel the searing heat of its black flames in the water-heavy air, still smell the fetid stench of its breath. His knees trembled.
"You didn't expect your imitation angel ritual to meet resistance like this, did you?" La Folia's voice reached him, tinged with pity. "That's your greatest misfortune, Kensei."
"For all your genius, you could never imagine someone willing to come here for Kanon Kanase."
"And that person is enough to make you despair."
Her pitying words made Kensei grit his teeth.
"…Damn it!"
He whipped out the same device he'd used earlier to control Kanon and began operating it rapidly.
"Urgh…"
Behind him, Kanon—who had stood like a lifeless doll until now—began to tremble, as though wracked by pain. Even through the mask, her face seemed twisted.
"Take me away! XDA-7!"
The words had barely left his mouth before a fist slammed into his face.
Thud!
The blow hurled him through the air, crashing into the sand in a spray of grit before skidding to a stop. He lay still.
"A man like you doesn't deserve to call Kanon by name," Kaiser said coldly, lowering his fist.
"But using some lab code like she's an experiment… that's what really pisses me off."
Even holding back most of his strength, the punch had likely shattered Kensei's facial bones.
"Aaaaaaahhhhh—!"
Kanon's scream rang out, full of pain. She lunged at Kaiser, seemingly beyond reason.
Bam!
Her body slammed into him, driving them both off the beach and into the ocean. Sand burst upward, waves exploded outward, the crash echoing across the shore.
"Kaiser-kun! Kanon!"
La Folia's voice held a rare hint of panic, but she could only watch from the shoreline.
Underwater, Kaiser and Kanon clashed fiercely.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Currents raged, the sea churned, and shoals of fish scattered in terror.
Kanon beat her wings, cutting through the crushing pressure, stirring massive whirlpools with each stroke. Her hooked claws slashed at Kaiser in a relentless assault that turned the seabed into chaos.
"Kanon!"
Kaiser moved through the water like it was his natural element. The sea didn't slow him—it seemed to empower him. He didn't even need Shunpo or Sonic Step; the currents obeyed him, carrying him faster than he moved on land.
The trident within him glowed faintly. Drawing on its power, Kaiser held command over the ocean itself, moving like a true sea god. No matter how fierce Kanon's attacks, he avoided them with ease.
Drifting backward with the current, he let her chase him like a torpedo—but she never closed the gap.
"…So you really can't hear me at all anymore?"
His eyes flickered.
"…Then I'll have to fight."
He stopped, arm lifting as though to seize the entire sea.
Boom!
A violent current surged upward from below, smashing into Kanon and hurling her toward the surface.
Kaiser followed instantly, the waters behind him rising in his wake.
BOOM!
A towering waterspout burst skyward.
"…Kaiser-kun… Kanon…"
On the island, La Folia whispered the names, like a prayer.
Chapter 438 – The Body's Self-Collapse
Rumble—
Far out over the uninhabited sea, the waters suddenly grew wild, as if a great storm was about to descend. Waves heaved and churned in chaotic fury, rolling endlessly and crashing in booming succession.
Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!…
One after another, massive surges erupted from the depths like volcanic blasts, swelling into towering walls of water. They roared forward in relentless sequence, as though driven by some unseen hand, all converging toward a single point.
There, Kanon Kanase's entire form shimmered like a mirage as she weaved through the oncoming torrents, closing in on Kaiser.
In the next instant, countless flashes burst forth, turning into a rain of light that poured down over him.
The light slammed into a massive curtain of water that had risen in front of Kaiser, exploding across it like artillery against a towering tsunami and casting up geysers of spray.
"Bakudō #73 – Tozanshō!"
With his pure-white wings spread wide, Kaiser clapped his hands together. Spiritual power surged from within, manifesting over the ocean's surface as an inverted tetrahedral barrier, trapping Kanon inside.
Kanon instantly unleashed blades of divine aura, shattering the tetrahedron in a heartbeat. Shards of the barrier scattered like glass, vanishing into the air.
"As expected… kidō won't work on an angel."
Beating his wings, Kaiser flickered backward hundreds of meters in an instant, evading her lunging claws.
"Divine aura from a higher dimension—above both reiryoku and mana in rank. It's inherently anti-magic. Even using spiritual power instead of mana for my techniques won't make much difference."
He analyzed the situation coolly even as they darted and clashed at blistering speed beneath the waves.
He had intended to do as before—use the Ame-no-Murakumo's power to strip away her extradimensional membrane, then dismantle the imitation angel and Spirit-Rank Evolution formulas to restore her. But every time he tried, Kanon seemed to sense it and instinctively avoided him.
Using Shunpo or Sonído for a fast, decisive strike proved just as fruitless. Whenever he closed in, something strange would happen—he'd be forcibly displaced, or phenomena of earth, water, wind, and fire would suddenly manifest to block him.
"…The imitation angel formula's doing this?"
Kaiser wasn't unfamiliar with magic theory. He'd studied all manner of spells systematically, even crafting artificial Sacred Gears himself. So he quickly understood.
"Divine aura from higher dimensions is continuously flowing into her through the imitation angel formula. Even if she doesn't yet have the spiritual capacity to meet evolution's requirements, she's still changing."
"For most people, the changes wouldn't be obvious—they can't truly accept divine aura, so the formula forcibly remodels them to do so."
"But Kanon is different. As a princess of Aldegyr, she was born with an exceptionally potent medium's constitution—enough to accept that power fully, and unconsciously wield it. She's projecting the landscape of her own heart into reality, dismantling and reconstructing phenomena at will."
It was akin to Nagisa Akatsuki's divine possession—Nagisa let spirits inhabit her to affect the physical world. Kanon was letting higher-dimensional phenomena inhabit her, letting her mind directly alter reality.
This should have been possible only for a completed imitation angel. Yet here she was, still incomplete, already doing it—proof that her qualities as a medium were on par with, or perhaps even greater than, Nagisa's.
If this continued, Kaiser suspected she might ascend without devouring any other imitation angels' Spiritual Cores.
But without the necessary spiritual reserves to sustain it, her body might collapse during ascension.
That was why he'd been holding back—fearing that pressing her too hard would drive her survival instinct to pull in more divine aura uncontrollably, triggering self-destruction.
He couldn't risk a killing blow.
"…Troublesome." Kaiser's brow furrowed.
"Kyriiiiiiiiiiiiiii—!"
The sound she made was already far from human. She was showing clear signs of going berserk, divine aura surging to many times its earlier strength.
The storm of light blades became a downpour, hammering the towering walls of water until they burst apart, torn open by the relentless rain.
Shff! Shff! Shff!…
Kaiser's wings beat as his feet danced through Shunpo, his body flickering away from the storm of light.
Crack…
The mask on Kanon's face fractured, then shattered completely, revealing her pure, saintly features—now vacant, with flickers of distortion in her expression.
That mask had been a Thought Restraint Device, a control tool for imitation angels. Artificial lifeforms like them, once born, lost their will. They wouldn't obey like docile machines unless forcibly restrained.
But as her power swelled and higher-dimensional aura poured into her, the device was useless now. She was already teetering on the brink of total loss of control.
Kaiser could even see cracks spreading across her skin, strange lines writhing like living things, recklessly linking her to the higher dimension and pulling in divine aura without regard for her body's limits.
He doubted even Kensei Kanase had foreseen this.
And yet, one truth was clear.
"…I can't drag this out any longer."
He made his decision.
"Sorry, Kanon."
Spiritual power burst from within him in a gale.
"Kyriiiiiiiiiiiiiii—!"
Sensing the danger, Kanon instinctively drew in even more divine aura, screaming shrilly as her flesh began to dissolve. Ignoring her own collapse, she unleashed a massive barrage of light blades, expanding the storm severalfold, vaporizing the air and ocean around them.
"Half Dimension—White Dragon Emperor's Domain!"
Kaiser's pure-white wings flared wide, releasing the Dragon's aura. All the incoming blades of light shrank rapidly until they vanished entirely.
In his hand appeared a long spear radiating a holiness and brilliance even greater than the divine aura spilling from Kanon—the True Longinus.
"Balance Breaker!"
Without hesitation, he invoked its forbidden state.
But this time, the spear neither turned into the crimson God-Slaying Spear nor awakened the divine will within it. Instead, it released its power silently, summoning several black orbs that floated behind him—solemn and sacred, like the legendary Wheel-Turning Saint King.
If Cao Cao were here to see it, he would have been stunned.
This wasn't Kaiser's unique Balance Breaker, the [Spear of Divine and Demonic Judgement]. This was the Balance Breaker of the True Longinus itself—[Polar Night Longinus Chakravartin].
In the original work, this was an alternate Balance Breaker Cao Cao had developed for his own purposes. Kaiser had created his own variant, but given his absolute mastery over his weapon and the reference of the original, reproducing it was simple.
And now, he was using one of its Seven Treasures.
"Itthiratana—'Female Treasure'!"
The [Polar Night Longinus Chakravartin] had seven distinct powers:
Wheel Treasure: Destroys the strongest weapon on the field and pierces the wielder.
Female Treasure: Seals a female target inside an orb for a set time, prioritizing the strongest on the field, inescapable.
Horse Treasure: Moves an enemy—or oneself—to any location.
Jewel Treasure: Absorbs an attack and returns it at any point.
Elephant Treasure: Grants flight to self or others.
Householder Treasure: Creates clones.
General Treasure: Massive destructive force and impact.
Now, Kaiser activated the Female Treasure.
Vmmm—
One of the seven black spheres behind him shot forward at blinding speed, appearing behind Kanon.
It flared with dazzling light, engulfing her completely.
"—!"
Kanon reacted instantly, thrusting out her hand to attack with divine aura—only to find nothing happened.
Her power… was sealed.
Chapter 439 – I'll Remember This
The Female Treasure could only target women with supernatural abilities.
In other words, it had no effect on ordinary women.
But as long as the target was a woman with powers, she could not evade the Woman Treasure's seal. The orb would trap her inside and completely suppress her abilities for a set period, leaving her no stronger than an ordinary, defenseless woman.
And so, Kanon Kanase's power was sealed. No matter how strong the imitation angel's abilities, unless she surpassed Kaiser himself, she could do nothing but submit.
"Elephant Treasure! Horse Treasure!"
Seeing her sealed, Kaiser wasted no time, immediately hurling two more black orbs.
With the Elephant Treasure, he gained the ability to fly, allowing him to dismiss the white wings of the White Dragon Emperor.
With the Horse Treasure, he tore through space, switching positions to appear directly in front of Kanon.
"It's over."
In one hand was his spear; in the other—no one could say when—was the black-bladed Ame-no-Murakumo. In a flash, he slashed, the blade's edge sweeping across Kanon's body.
—
The imitation angel and Spirit-Rank Evolution formulas carved into her flesh dimmed all at once.
"…Mm…"
For an instant, the emptiness in Kanon's eyes cleared, a spark of light returning.
"…Senpai…"
The dreamlike murmur left her lips before her consciousness slipped away again, and she collapsed into unconsciousness.
With that, she was finally freed from the imitation angel's curse. The wings on her back fell away, and the strange, eye-like markings across her body spiraled out of control, exploding into a burst of divine aura that flared with a blinding golden radiance.
"General Treasure!"
One of the black orbs behind Kaiser shot forward and slammed into the raging divine aura.
BOOM!
With a deep, earth-shaking impact, the orb smashed through the out-of-control energy like a meteor strike, scattering it completely.
Only then did the higher-dimensional power cease flowing into the present world. Kanon's clothes disintegrated under the backlash, pale skin bared to the air.
Kaiser reached out, gathering the frail, boneless girl into his arms. His eyes held trace of pity.
Her skin was fissured all over, blood seeping from the cracks. Even with the collapse halted, the self-destruction triggered by her loss of control had left her with grievous wounds.
"…Good. Badly hurt, but not beyond healing."
Sheathing Ame-no-Murakumo, Kaiser took out the Jewel Branch of Hōrai.
A sacred branch gleaming like gold and jade, hung with luminous beads—one of the Five Treasures of Taketori. It symbolized eternal youth and paradise, able to extend life and heal any wound.
He laid the branch gently over Kanon's body, placing it in her hands so she held it like a bouquet to her chest.
Chime…
The beads glowed one by one, scattering a million golden motes like a swarm of fireflies, circling around her and bathing her in soft light.
Under that glow, her nearly dissolved flesh began to regenerate before his eyes.
Kaiser poured vast amounts of spiritual power into the branch, coaxing it to its full healing potential.
After two or three minutes, the torn flesh finished knitting, leaving her whole and unblemished again. As she slept, her face was serene—almost like a saint.
Kaiser shrugged off his coat and draped it over her, then recalled both the True Longinus and the Jewel Branch. Harnessing the gravity-control of the Gravisheath, he rose into the air, heading back toward the deserted island.
—
"Phew…"
On the shore, La Folia watched him approach with Kanon cradled in his arms. She exhaled in relief, then smiled.
…
"That should do it, right?"
On the same beach where Kaiser had first landed, five young women now lay in a neat row, the scene oddly striking.
"Let them rest like this for now."
Still smiling, La Folia held Kanon in her arms. "You've erased the imitation angel and Spirit-Rank Evolution formulas, and even neutralized the rebound from forcibly canceling them. But since they've all undergone bodily modification, we should get them to a hospital for a full check-up."
"Fine by me. With you handling that, I can take it easy." Kaiser dusted off his hands. "So what, I'm supposed to fly all of you back to Itogami Island now?"
It wasn't exactly difficult—he could carry them all with gravity manipulation—but it would be slower than with the Divine Dividing wings.
"I'd say 'let the capable one do the work'… but you've already helped me so much, I won't trouble you with this." La Folia pointed toward the Magus Industries freighter. "I searched it earlier, found communications gear, and called for help from the Island Guard. I also reached my people, so a ship should be here soon."
Her first contact had, of course, been the Aldegyr royal family. Upon hearing she was safe, they'd breathed a heavy sigh of relief, then officially requested rescue from the Island Guard.
Itogami Island had responded immediately, contacting her to confirm the details. They'd also told her something else—the Holy Ring Knights escorting her hadn't all perished; some had survived and were under treatment.
That news eased her heart even more. With the incident resolved and her long-lost kin found, her mood was light.
"Oh, and they asked me to tell you—the Lion King Agency knows of your role in this case, and the mission is officially considered a complete success." She smiled. "Well done, Kaiser-kun."
"Let's be clear—I didn't come here for you," Kaiser said flatly, eyeing her like she was plotting something. "I came to bring Kanon back."
"I know." She didn't deny it, though her gaze carried a trace of reproach. "Still, that way of putting it is a little hurtful."
"I doubt words like that would bother you. You are the Silver Princess."
"That depends on who's saying them." She tilted her head. "If it's someone I don't care about, I can laugh it off. But if it's someone I do care about, that's different."
"…Don't make it sound so ambiguous. You trying to toy with a pure-hearted young man's feelings?" He looked at her blankly. "We've known each other less than a day. Only a few hours."
"Yes, it's strange when you think about it." Her tone was almost wistful. "Before this, I'd never have believed I could lose my purity to a man I'd known for mere hours in a foreign land. But… life is full of surprises, isn't it?"
"…Stop making it sound ambiguous." Kaiser's mouth twitched. "I only accidentally saw you bathing. That was an accident."
"My grandfather said much the same thing after Kanon's existence was revealed, so I understand." She nodded solemnly, though her smile was full of unspoken meaning. "Anyway, I've already reported the full incident to the Aldegyr royal family."
"So please… explain it all again later to my father and mother."
…Wait, seriously?
Because of one accidental peek, he'd have to face the king and queen of a magically advanced nation and survive their royal grilling?
"…I'm tempted to leave you here, Princess."
"Just call me La Folia." The Silver Princess only smiled, radiant as ever.
"What about him?" Kaiser asked, jerking a thumb toward Kensei Kanase lying in the sand.
"I'd like to take him back to Aldegyr for trial, but since his crimes were committed within Itogami jurisdiction, he'll likely be handed over to the Island Guard," she said coolly. "As for those two Magus Industries demons—by rights they'd be tried under demon district law, but since you killed them, I'm sure the Lion King Agency is already preparing your defense. If needed, I'll help."
Kaiser only nodded, clearly indifferent. He honestly didn't care. No one in their right mind would push charges against him for killing two demons—not with his status. Too many people would rather avoid provoking him.
"…Thanks."
"I'm the one who should thank you." Her smile softened into something unreadable.
"This debt—I'll remember it, Kaiser-kun."
And with that vow, the shadow of a rescue ship appeared far out on the horizon.
It was time to go back to Itogami Island.
Chapter 440 – What Are You Even Embarrassed About?
"Looks like you've been enjoying yourself, transfer student."
When the rescue boat pulled up to the deserted island and grounded on the sand, the first voice Kaiser heard wasn't from the Special Zone Security Corps piling off the deck, but from a small, all-too-familiar voice.
"Natsuki-chan?"
He stared at the little girl standing smugly under a parasol on the rescue boat and froze.
Swish!
A second later, something cut through the air with a sharp crack—a lace fan, flying like a bullet. Kaiser caught it without missing a beat.
"How many times do I have to tell you? Stop adding '-chan' to your teacher's name!"
Natsuki Minamiya looked ready to swat him over the head, somehow having already stepped off the rescue boat and materialized in front of him.
"Oh my."
La Folia's eyes lit up in faint surprise and admiration. "To use space transfer magic so casually in the blink of an eye… you must be the Witch of the Void, Natsuki Minamiya?"
"Princess of Aldegyr, I presume?" Natsuki gave her a sidelong glance, not altering her tone in the slightest for royalty. "You've certainly given us a lot of trouble."
"Is that so?" La Folia tilted her head with an innocent smile. "I was attacked by criminals from a company based on Itogami Island—hardly my fault. If anything, perhaps my side should be holding the island responsible?"
"My apologies, then," Natsuki said blandly. "But I'd say a member of the Aldegyr royal family who comes here without presenting a formal request for visitation has only herself to blame for ending up in such a situation."
"And how do you figure that?" La Folia feigned curiosity. "Didn't we already express our intention to visit Itogami through proper channels to the Japanese government?"
"'Intention' is not confirmation," Natsuki replied, narrowing her eyes. "None of the formal procedures were complete. Your armored airship didn't even stop in Japan before heading straight for Itogami. That's not an official state visit."
"If this had been an official visit, the Lion King Agency's monitors and bodyguards would have been assigned to you long before now. But as you can see—they didn't make it in time."
In other words, La Folia's trip was technically unofficial. Procedurally flawed. And that meant her getting into trouble wasn't something that could be pinned on either the island or the mainland.
"Well, it seems we were a bit slow to act this time." La Folia didn't look bothered, smiling sweetly. "Next time, we'll make sure to submit a formal request, complete all the procedures, and visit under proper conditions."
"I'd prefer you never came at all," Natsuki said with a cold snort. "Your presence only brings more trouble to this island."
She turned her gaze sharply toward Kaiser.
"…What are you glaring at me for?" Kaiser asked flatly. "This one's not on me."
"Heh." Natsuki gave a short, humorless laugh. "And yet, somehow, all these troublesome people keep turning their eyes toward Itogami because of you."
"Yeah, I wonder whose fault that is," Kaiser said, nodding as if in agreement. "I mean, I wouldn't even be on this sweltering man-made island if not for certain people. The environment in High God Forest is so much better—everyone there speaks so nicely, and they're all cute girls. If I could, I'd have stayed there forever."
That shut Natsuki up.
She knew full well Kaiser's presence on the island was the Lion King Agency's doing—likely with tacit approval from higher up in the government. If blame was to be assigned, it belonged with those scheming at the top, not him.
"…Which is exactly why I hate those people."
Natsuki's displeasure was plain.
La Folia, on the other hand, perked up.
"In that case, why not come to Aldegyr instead?" She hooked an arm around Kaiser's, smiling like a cat with cream. "Our kingdom's environment is just as nice, and there are cute girls everywhere—especially in the royal family. Everyone would welcome you."
"Better yet, I could introduce you to my younger sisters. They're adorable—and twins! Only thing is, they're a bit young—eleven years old this year…"
"But that's fine. You've got me."
Kaiser's mouth twitched. Did she really just say that?
Your poor sisters. Having you for a big sister is… a blessing?
"I'm not looking to earn myself a set of silver bracelets," he said flatly. "And I have no desire to end up with your doting, daughter-obsessed father coming after me with an axe."
He wrenched his arm out of her grasp.
"Ahhn…"
La Folia let out a soft little sound, her cheeks faintly pink.
Kaiser stared. If he wasn't mistaken, when he pulled his arm free… he'd brushed against something faintly firm.
"…Wait. You're not wearing anything under there?"
This woman.
"That situation back then…" La Folia looked away shyly, as if hinting at something unspeakable.
What situation? Oh, right—the one where Magus Industries' mechanical dolls attacked them. Kaiser had wiped them out, and the completely naked princess had run into the forest to dress.
And apparently, in the rush, some article of clothing had gone missing—probably lost in the chaos.
Watching her act all bashful now, Kaiser felt a mix of exasperation and certainty—this was deliberate.
You weren't shy when you were running around buck naked. So what's with the act now? Drama queen.
And of course, Natsuki had to make it worse.
"If you're going to start mating, do it somewhere else. Don't put on a show in front of me." She shot Kaiser a sharp look. "Consider yourself warned, transfer student—at Saikai Academy, impure relationships are strictly forbidden. Try anything under my nose and I'll go full-time on my main job."
By "main job," she meant teaching. Being a national attack mage and security instructor was, in her view, side work—less important than being a teacher.
Kaiser, a student in her class, clearly didn't take the "threat" seriously.
"Do us all a favor and talk less. I've got a headache just listening to you two." He rubbed his temples. "And speaking of which—how'd you get here?"
A blatant subject change.
"Cleaning up your mess." Natsuki snorted. "I was the one who shoved this case onto you. Now that it's over, the least I can do is tie off the loose ends."
She glanced at the two mangled Magus Industries demons, then at the five unconscious girls and Kensei Kanase.
"I'll handle arranging treatment for the girls. The criminals will be escorted back to Itogami personally."
From anyone else, it would sound like they were trying to steal credit. From Natsuki, it was just her way of covering for him.
"And as for her…"
Natsuki's eyes shifted to Kanon Kanase in La Folia's arms.
"She'll be transferred to a hospital under Aldegyr's jurisdiction, with specialists from the royal family to treat her," La Folia said without hesitation.
The air turned heavy.
Natsuki looked between the princess and the girl—so alike they could have been carved from the same mold—before finally giving a terse, "…Do as you like."
She turned away, apparently done talking, and began directing the Security Corps to load everyone onto the boat.
"Looks like my connection to Kanon's going to be public now," La Folia murmured.
"You think you were hiding it?" Kaiser rolled his eyes. "One look at you two and no one's going to believe you're not related."
True, Kanon was actually La Folia's aunt—her mother's sister—but as a royal heir of Aldegyr, her silver hair, blue eyes, and goddess-like beauty made the connection obvious.
Up until now, she'd simply been beneath most people's notice. After today, anyone of importance would know that Aldegyr had a royal daughter lost on Itogami.
"Itogami was already under the spotlight. Now it's going to shine even brighter," La Folia said cheerfully. "Maybe I should just stay here as ambassador."
Before Kaiser could retort, another voice cut in.
"How delightful, to hear our Silver Princess is so taken with this island."
It drifted out of a golden mist that had appeared without warning, swirling before them until it coalesced into human form.
"…Who?!"
Security officers reacted instantly, raising their rifles and surrounding the figure.
"Stand down!" Natsuki barked. "Those toys are useless against that bastard, and you'll only provoke him. Don't shoot!"
"Well, well." La Folia narrowed her eyes, smiling. "If it isn't Duke Ardeal."
Dimitrie Vattler.
"It's been a while, Your Highness." He bowed with elegant courtesy, like a perfect gentleman. "You're as beautiful as ever—truly a delight."
"And you seem in good health," La Folia replied, lifting her skirts in a graceful curtsy. "I heard you were badly injured and confined to the island. It seems your recovery is going well."
"I'd rather prolong my convalescence a bit," Vattler said, ignoring her jab, his gaze burning into Kaiser. "That battle was unforgettable. I'd like to savor the pain it left behind, wouldn't you agree… my great King of Beasts?"
Feeling the weight of his fighting spirit, Kaiser smiled—calm and even.
"Your skin itching again, Snake Handler?"
Only Kaiser would talk like that to one of the most dangerous vampires alive—a noble ranked among the strongest in the Warlord's Dominion.
"Haha… merely speaking the truth." Vattler let the heat in his eyes fade, shoving his hands in his pockets and smiling with closed eyes. "Relax. I'm not yet bored enough to challenge you again—not until I like my odds."
"This time, I just came because I sensed something interesting happening. Now that I see you're all fine, I can be at ease."
"Itogami is far too entertaining for me to leave so soon."
He bowed once more—and as he did, his body dissolved back into mist.
"Well then, I'll take my leave. Until we meet again on Itogami."
The golden fog dispersed, and he was gone.
"Tch…" Natsuki finally lowered her guard, clicking her tongue. "Still as obnoxious as ever."
"And still as troublesome," La Folia agreed, smiling faintly. "Call it fate, I suppose."
As Aldegyr's borders touched the Ardeal Principality, the two nations had been in a constant state of conflict. For La Folia, Vattler was, in every sense, an enemy monarch.
And yet, only the man beside her seemed entirely unconcerned.
"That bored lunatic? Not my problem." Kaiser brushed it off. "Come on—let's get back to Itogami."
(End of Chapter)
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