Chapter 355: Death Penalty, Death Penalty for All!
The sun set in the west.
Its light shimmered across the surface of the sea.
On the horizon, an ocean liner approximately four hundred feet in length—commonly known as a megayacht—was slowly approaching Itogami Island from afar.
Its massive hull, comparable to a military destroyer, was adorned with magnificent decorations, surpassing even luxury cruise ships in beauty, its majestic appearance worthy of being called a palace on the sea.
But what was even more captivating was the ominous name inscribed on this ocean liner—
"Oceanus Grave"
And the figure standing by the deck railing.
A young man dressed in a pure white shirt, a blond, blue-eyed vampire noble, exuding an aura of nobility and defiance.
"That Demon Sanctuary, Itogami Island, is quite a sight, isn't it!"
The young noble gazed at the artificial island in its entirety, letting out a mocking laugh.
However, the young girl accompanying him did not respond; only the ceaseless sound of the waves answered him.
Soon after, the Oceanus Grave slowly entered Itogami Island's port and docked at the pier.
The young man disembarked, stood on the pier, and slowly spread his arms, taking a deep breath.
"Hmm~ The air isn't all that pleasant either."
"Heh, of course not. After all, this is nothing but a false land made from scrap metal and magic, a pile of junk."
Someone picked up the conversation—a boy who appeared to be around twelve or thirteen years old.
He wore a loose coat, adorned lavishly with golden accessories.
Black hair, brown skin, and golden eyes that seemed capable of piercing through darkness.
Though his features still retained a childish air, his demeanor carried an overwhelming majesty reminiscent of a young lion.
"But it's a pile of junk on an astonishingly large scale. That's precisely why humans are interesting!" the young noble laughed.
"Dimitrie Vatler of the Warlord's Empire, I never expected to run into you here after so long."
The boy turned to look at the young noble who wore an exaggerated smile, narrowing his golden eyes fiercely.
"It is an honor to behold your esteemed presence. Prince Iblisveil Aziz. To think that you, the Ninth Prince of the Extinction Dynasty, would deign to visit this remote Demon Sanctuary in the Far East—to be honest, I find it somewhat surprising!"
Vatler placed his hand over his chest and bowed politely.
Yet, the atmosphere fell into a brief silence. The two stared at each other for a moment, both fully aware of why the other had come here.
On one hand, naturally, it was to participate in the Flame Light Banquet.
On the other hand, they also wanted to see what kind of existence stood behind those who had dared to snatch the Beast from their grasp.
For this reason, after a moment of staring at each other, the two burst into laughter.
"An amusement after several decades—I must also fulfill the appropriate etiquette. Leaving it all to lowly people while pretending to know nothing would be far too inelegant, wouldn't it?"
Iblisveil revealed sharp fangs from his lips, curling them into a pleased arc.
Standing beside the tall Vatler, his figure appeared even more childlike.
Yet, the domineering pressure emanating from that small frame was no weaker than that of the slightly taller Vatler.
Vatler had no intention of continuing the conversation, for their welcoming party had arrived.
A slender, graceful figure suddenly entered their field of vision.
She appeared to be around sixteen years old, wearing glasses and holding a book in both hands.
Dressed in loose white garments, she exuded an aura of serene composure.
She bowed respectfully to the two.
"Welcome to Itogami Island, Duke Dimitrie Vatler of the Warlord's Empire, and His Highness Prince Iblisveil Aziz of the Dynasty of Destruction."
"Oh? I never expected that one of the Three Saints of the Lion King Organization, Shizuka Koyomi, would be the overseer monitoring this gluttonous feast!" Vatler was somewhat surprised, yet a pleased smile spread across his face.
If that matchmaking agency had dispatched one of their top combatants, then this Flame Light Banquet promised to be far more interesting than anticipated!
"You flatter me, Duke Vatler. I am merely responsible for ensuring the smooth progression of the Fourth Primogenitor's Flame Light Banquet. I hold no authority to oversee it, especially since that one has already descended upon Itogami Island."
"That one?"
Just as Iblisveil was about to ask who, he seemed to sense something and suddenly looked up, his pupils contracting.
Not only him, but even Vatler now widened his eyes in astonishment.
"Extraordinary, truly extraordinary. I never imagined you would personally grace us with your presence."
A fervent, yearning gleam flickered in Vatler's eyes as he, along with Iblisveil, respectfully bowed toward the distance.
"Your Majesty."
Their attitude, though deferential, carried no hint of servility—a demeanor that felt quite comfortable.
The one addressed as "Your Majesty" seemed to share this sentiment, offering a soft hum of acknowledgment.
"Raise your heads. You are not my subjects; there is no need for such rigid formality."
As the words fell, a delicate foot suddenly landed on the ground before the two vampires, followed by a cascade of flowing, pale green hair.
Her speed was so swift that her movements were impossible to track, as if she had teleported.
But the newcomer was even more astonishing.
She was a girl with emerald-green eyes resembling deep lakes—an exceptionally beautiful girl who rivaled the Vessel accompanying her in appearance.
Yet she possessed a wilder aura, her lovely face reminiscent of a fierce wild leopardess, both charming and resolute.
Vatler obeyed the girl's words and raised his head, but then shook it gently.
"No, to have the honor of witnessing the true visage of the ruler of the Central American Dominion, the Chaos Zone—the formless Third Progenitor who commands twenty-seven Beast Vassals and possesses countless avatars for transformation—the Chaos Bride—is the greatest privilege of my life."
"Hmph, silence, you cannibalistic vampire. Save your hollow flattery."
The girl spoke indifferently, casting a sidelong glance at Vatler before smiling mischievously.
"Still, both of you are quite impressive. As expected of the child of the Pupil King and the trusted aide of the Warlord. I truly wish my bloodline (daughters) could strive to emulate you."
"You honor us."
Iblisveil bowed respectfully once more.
In front of Vatler, he could freely display his arrogance, but before this one, he could only tuck his tail and offer sincere reverence.
However, such an attitude was not to the liking of Giada, the Third Progenitor.
She preferred children with wildness and ambition, like Vattler.
"If my family's old man knew you were here, he would surely feel regretful. I never expected you to personally take action!"
Though Vattler spoke with respectful words, a towering battle spirit surged within him. When his peripheral vision caught a glimpse of the Third Progenitor's snow-white neck, greed and covetousness sprouted in his heart.
Vattler was eager to know just how much of a gap existed between himself and a Progenitor, and he was filled with an intense craving for the blood of a Progenitor!
Because he was a vampire of Mutual Devouring—a vampire who fed on the blood of his own kind.
Although only a noble, he had once devoured two vampire Elders. His strength had long surpassed the noble class, far exceeding that of the Elder rank, and was approaching that of a Progenitor!
But he was no fool. If he revealed even a hint of desire in his expression, the girl before him—who had lived for who knows how many years, essentially the same age as his family's old man—would likely crush him to death in an instant.
Little did he know that all the petty schemes in Vattler's heart were seen through by Giada. However, Giada chose to ignore them and instead turned her gaze to Shizuka Koyomi, one of the Three Saints of the Lion King Organization and the overseer of this Flame Light Banquet.
"You are one of the Three Saints of the Lion King Organization in this era? How young you are!" The Chaos Bride stared at the girl and snorted.
"You flatter me."
Shizuka Koyomi responded calmly.
Facing the Third Progenitor, a D-Type Duke, and the Ninth Prince of the Extinction Dynasty—three terrifyingly powerful vampires—the girl remained composed and unperturbed, unaffected by honor or disgrace.
This made Giada take an extra glance, though only a glance.
"Speak, Three Saint of the Lion King Organization. Since you are here, does that mean the Flame Light Banquet has begun?"
As she asked, Giada raised both hands and stretched, as if warming up and preparing to take action at any moment.
"Yes, Your Majesty Giada. Due to the early awakening of the Twelfth Progenitor, the Flame Light Banquet has already begun the moment one sets foot on Itogami Island." Shizuka Koyomi answered the Chaos Bride's question in a calm tone.
"What?! The Night of Blazing Light of the Twelfth, which has been sealed all this time... Avrora Florestina has awakened? Interesting!"
Yibulisibeier narrowed his eyes in surprise, his boiling magical energy causing the air around them to stir restlessly.
Vattler murmured to himself, "Could it be that MAR broke the seal? That is quite unexpected!"
The news of the MAR group excavating the Twelfth Progenitor Vessel from Gozo Island had already spread worldwide, but after that, the Twelfth had been missing.
It was originally thought to have disappeared or fallen into someone's hands, but no one expected MAR to have broken the seal of the Fairy's Coffin!
Could it be that the Caruana Family handed over the key to unsealing it?
Unfortunately, no one answered Vattler's question. Instead, Shizuka Koyomi brought up another matter.
"Currently, among the participants of the Flame Light Banquet, one has already been eliminated."
"Who?"
Vattler and Yibulisibeier both looked over.
Even Giada felt a flicker of interest. If she remembered correctly, the announcement of the Flame Light Banquet had only been made today, and yet, before nightfall, someone had already been eliminated?
"It's the provisional autonomous government of Nerlapusi—Chairman Balthazar Zaharias."
Upon hearing this, Yibulisibeier immediately showed a look of disdain.
"Hmph, how fortunate. If that shameless man had dared to appear before me, I would have smashed his head in right then and there. Damned upstart!"
No one present paid any attention to Yibulisibeier's scornful remarks, instead focusing on the death of that filthy arms dealer.
"Who did it? Was it that man?" Giada asked curiously.
The very reason she had come to participate in this Flame Light Banquet was because of that man. His subordinates had once barged into her territory to snatch someone away, and she even remembered that skilled beastman.
Without undergoing divine beast transformation, he had managed to hold his own against her for quite some time.
That was why she had come to this artificial island.
Shizuka Koyomi nodded, confirming the Chaos Bride's speculation.
"Indeed, it was done by Yotsuba Mahiro, the possessor of the Twelfth Progenitor. He directly crushed the First and Fifth Beast Vassals…"
Koyomi recounted the events.
However, upon hearing about the destruction of the "Mesarthim-Adamas," Giada's expression turned serious for a moment before growing even more intrigued.
Others might not know, but she was well aware that the Fourth Primogenitor was the ultimate god-slaying weapon created by the three Progenitors and the Celestial Tribe, serving as the overseer of the Sinful God Cain.
But the original Fourth Primogenitor had been split into twelve Vessels to store the Beast Vassals after rebelling against the Celestial Tribe.
Among the twelve calamity-embodying Beast Vassals, the "Mesarthim-Adamas" represented absolute defense. Even the three Progenitors could not be certain they could break through its diamond-like protection.
Watari and Yibulisibeier were both stunned.
What had they just heard?
Directly confronting a Progenitor-level Beast Vassal?!
Now this was something they couldn't ignore!
Especially Watari, who, upon learning that the other party was still human, immediately developed a great interest in this Yotsuba Mahiro whom he had never met—particularly in his blood!
But in the next moment, their expressions changed instantly.
Because the wind had shifted.
To be precise, the direction of the wind had changed.
The sea breeze, which had been blowing toward the interior of the artificial island, now howled outward.
It was a storm formed by immense magical power, altering the flow of the air.
Looking once more toward the road leading to the pier, they saw that a group of black-clad figures had appeared there at some point.
By rough estimate, there were fewer than twenty of them.
At the forefront were four individuals.
On the far left was a young woman dressed in a pitch-black kimono resembling a starry night, holding an ancient book in her hands.
Then, on the far right, was a beautiful woman with flowing, gilded long hair… No, the pointed ears revealed amidst her swaying locks indicated that she, too, was a demon—and a rare elf at that!
Not only that, but most of those following behind were also elves, with two beastmen among them!
One of them was very familiar to Giada—it was the very beastman who had sparred with her months ago!
Like enemies meeting, the moment their eyes met, intense sparks flew between their gazes!
Apart from that, the two walking in the center could be said to be the most ordinary.
A silver-haired girl in black tights was being led by a boy beside her.
The boy looked very young, probably around eighteen years old, wearing a black trench coat. The hard black soles of his shoes tapped rhythmically against the ground as he walked.
Though young and with near-perfect features, his presence was overshadowed by those around him.
However, the confident smile on his face made him impossible to ignore.
"How lively."
Mahiro led the members of Shadow Garden to a stop, looking at the crowd gathered at the pier as he spoke.
"This is not the stage for the banquet. Please withdraw, Lord Yotsuba Mahiro."
Shizuka Koyomi stepped forward and said softly.
As the overseer of this Flame Light Banquet, she naturally had the authority to define the stage for the competition. The problem was, who among those present would heed her words?
The Chaos Bride remained silent, the Ninth Prince of the Extinction Dynasty paid no attention, and Yotsuba Mahiro was even less likely to listen.
Instead, it was Vatler who stepped forward first, offering a gentlemanly bow to the crowd.
"A pleasure to meet you all. My name is Dimitrie Vatler, granted the title of Duke of Ardeal by our Progenitor, the Lost Warlord. You must be Lord Yotsuba Mahiro, I presume? I have long heard of your esteemed name and yearned to meet you. It is an honor to finally do so today."
It must be said that this introduction was far too perfect, immediately placing himself in a subordinate position.
Even Yotsuba Mahiro was momentarily at a loss for how to respond. However, what he found most unbearable was the look in the other's eyes as they gazed at him.
Crimson pupils brimming with unbridled desire!
Having spent a long time in this world, he had a deep understanding of vampires, so he knew exactly what the look in Vatler's eyes meant.
It was the urge to drink blood!
An urge that only arose toward the opposite sex!
"...?"
For a moment, Mahiro couldn't hold back, instinctively taking a step back.
Vatler smiled again, a grin that was both amiable and cunningly mischievous.
"I do not deny it, Lord Yotsuba Mahiro. So, may I have the opportunity to pursue you?"
As soon as these words were spoken, the entire scene fell into silence.
Even Giada, who had lived for countless years, couldn't help but feel goosebumps rise on her skin.
What kind of confidant had the Lost Warlord raised?
But she also understood well that the reason for this attraction to Yotsuba Mahiro was naturally due to his power, which could rival that of a Progenitor's Beast Vassal!
The desire for the strength in that blood!
It was just that the approach was utterly unacceptable.
"How disgusting..."
Eta furrowed her cute brows, her face full of disgust as she muttered.
The expressions of the others were the same, as if they had seen a ghost. Even Aya's face had darkened as she opened her Grimoire.
How dare someone try to steal her man right in front of her!
Unforgivable!
Mahiro took a deep breath and tightened his grip on Est's small hand.
Est immediately understood his intention, transforming into a streak of light that coalesced in his hand.
[As you wish.]
What materialized was not the Demon King Killing Sacred Sword, but a silver-steel-colored baton!
"A Beast Vassal?" Giada and the Ninth Prince hesitated for a moment.
It wasn't entirely unheard of for a human to command a Beast Vassal, but one capable of contending with a Progenitor-level Beast Vassal was unprecedented.
However, Mahiro paid no heed to their confusion. Instead, he raised the Demon-Slaying Sacred Rod in his hand and pointed it at them, declaring:
"Allow me to introduce myself. I am Yotsuba Mahiro, a Demon Hunter tasked with protecting Itogami Island. In my capacity as a Demon Hunter, I hereby pronounce judgment: the three of you have landed on the island as unregistered demons and have desecrated public officials, severely violating the Holy Ground Treaty. Therefore, I sentence you to death.
Execution to be carried out immediately!"