The moon hung bright and high, a curtain of night draped across the sky.
A slightly cool night breeze swept through the darkness, carrying away faint, wretched screams like scattered leaves.
A serpentine familiar, dozens of meters long, coiled through the seawater.
Over a dozen beastmen managed only the softest cries before vanishing from this world.
Their proud, robust bodies were nothing before the colossal snake-like familiar, as fragile as paper.
"Dammit! Dammit! Dammit! We were so close!"
A man with a leopard-like face frantically thrashed his arms in the water, trying to evade the familiar's assault. But his panicked, chaotic movements didn't create distance; instead, they only slowed his swimming further.
"Damn that Dimitrie Vatler," he spat hoarsely, slapping the water in frustration. "Why does he have to meddle in Itogami Island's affairs?"
Similar to Vatler, the leopard-faced man hailed from the "Warring States of Europe," the Warlord's Empire. He held no personal grudge against the people of Itogami Island.
Yet, he had his reasons to destroy this city. Toppling this "Dominion" would announce the existence of his "Black Death Emperor Front" to the world and ignite the flames of rebellion.
But their plans had hit a snag before they even began.
The security forces of the Fifth Primogenitor acted as if they had x-ray vision, using just mobile phones to pinpoint and arrest members of the Black Death Emperor Front at various ports with uncanny accuracy.
Losing a few comrades was nothing; chances for revenge were always around the corner. Planting a bomb somewhere in the city district would do the trick. But losing the Major's trust over this?
That would be a devastating blow.
Even as he flailed wildly, his powerful physique still propelled him closer to the brightly lit city district.
Heh heh heh!
The man's lips, stretched nearly to his ears, curled into a grin.
Once he regrouped, he'd make sure Dimitrie Vatler tasted defeat. He gripped the rocky shoreline, preparing to haul himself up onto land—just one moment before a flash of light pierced the darkness, engulfing his form.
Not far out in the sea, the eyes of the emerald serpent, scores of meters long, glinted with power.
"I was a bit late, delivering an invitation," Vatler's voice came, as he appeared gracefully on the shore, offering a slight bow.
"My apologies for letting you linger a while longer."
"You..." The leopard-faced man's lips moved soundlessly before his body went limp, sinking beneath the waves.
"Farewell."
Vatler gave a casual wave, his expression turning somewhat bored. So weak, yet so audacious.
He brushed a speck of dust from his sleeve and strolled leisurely toward the city.
Next time, he'd fetch the ship himself. Letting vermin slip aboard just to avoid missing some fun wouldn't do.
Getting kicked off Itogami Island by the "Moon Princess" over that would be a real pain.
A faint smile playing on his lips, Vatler spotted a ponytailed girl ahead, carrying an instrument case. Itogami Island was far too interesting; he had no intention of leaving.
--+--
"Keep a good eye on Avrora later, make sure she doesn't drink," Arcueid said earnestly, patting Yukina Himeragi's shoulder with the gravity of a parent seeing their child off to their first day of school.
"I understand," Yukina replied with a firm nod. Her formal gown shimmered as moonlight filtered through the sheer fabric of its back, highlighting the elegant curve of her spine.
Beneath the ornate lace miniskirt, her pale thighs tensed slightly as she stood straight beside Avrora.
"What exactly constitutes 'keeping a good eye' on her?"
"...Good question." Arcueid crossed her arms, tilting her head thoughtfully.
Her delicate profile was etched against the silvery glow, a flicker of confusion in her crimson eyes. How does one 'keep a good eye' on someone...
Suddenly, a figure approaching caught her eye.
"Just chase off anyone who seems to have ill intentions," she said, not bothering to lower her voice as she pointed at Vatler, who was now walking up to them.
"I see, understood." Yukina shot a glance at the stiffly smiling blond man and nodded in comprehension.
So that type was the 'ill-intentioned' sort.
But with so many people around, what if some hid their true motives well?
Her fingers lightly tapped the hard-shell instrument case in her hand as she nodded silently to herself.
She had an idea.
Her gaze swept over the guests boarding the ship before settling firmly on Avrora. She'd just chase off anyone who got too close.
That way, absolutely no one with ill intentions could approach Avrora. With that thought, her eyes suddenly gleamed with intensity as she looked back at Vatler.
What was this Sword Shaman planning?
Vatler gave her a puzzled sidelong glance before turning his attention forward, offering a respectful bow to Arcueid.
"Honored 'Moon Princess,' 'Witch of the Void,' and... 'Kaleid Blood.'" His overly formal demeanor made the ponytailed girl behind him tilt her head in confusion.
"Your presence here tonight is a great honor."
"Get to the point, Snake Man," Natsuki Minamiya cut in coolly, equally unimpressed with Vatler's act. "Have you found traces of Christoph Gardos?"
This guy hadn't personally sailed the Oceanus Grave to Itogami Island. Instead, he'd boarded as it approached to clean out a batch of Black Death Emperor Front members. So he must have some leads on their whereabouts.
"You two go on ahead and enjoy yourselves," Arcueid said, giving a pat to Avrora, who was putting on an exaggeratedly serious face beside her.
The latter immediately shot off like a husky unleashed from its leash, dragging Yukina toward the buffet tables.
"Yukina, what do you want to eat? I've spotted several..." Avrora's gleeful figure swiftly disappeared into the crowd.
The ponytailed girl blinked, offered a quick bow in their direction, and hurried after her.
"You're not going?" Natsuki Minamiya lightly tapped Arcueid's arm, her blue eyes reflecting the other woman's face.
"I'm the responsible adult here," Arcueid declared matter-of-factly, arms still crossed.
"Gotta take care of business first." She glanced around. Nothing looked appetizing anyway. She'd grab a burger later.
"Out with it," Arcueid said, making a shooing motion toward Vatler.
"Christoph Gardos appears to already be on his way to Itogami Island," Vatler said, accepting a wine glass from a passing server with a leisurely smile.
"Presumably to retaliate for me killing their previous leader, and also over that business with the Fairy's Coffin."
Even with terrorists gunning for him, his smile remained playful. To him, the Black Death Emperor Front was just a bunch of weak playthings.
"Even so, that alone shouldn't be enough to pique your interest, right?" Natsuki remarked drily. This battle maniac had no time for weaklings.
"Of course," Vatler nodded gently, his smile widening. "Christoph Gardos has gotten his hands on something." He raised his glass toward the distant darkness, eyes sparkling with excitement.
"Have you heard of... Nalakuvera?"
--+--
T/N: I have a Patreon! While it may seem empty as of now, webnovel will get 2 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
[email protected]/AspenTL
If you guys wanna check it out.