Ryuu Kusari no Ori -Kokoro no Uchi no 'Kokoro'-

Chapter 8.14

Victor and Mena in a carriage.

While facing each other in the rickety carriage, the two were exchanging their opinions about the political enemy who had just appeared.

"Master, he knows about Nozomu-sama..."

"'I think we can assume that he has a rough grasp of information."

Victor believed that Egrod had some information about Nozomu Bountis and the secret agreement with the Waziart Household of the Dizzard Empire.

This information had originally been hinted at to some extent by Madam Parline.

"But he was not aware that the boy was a dragonslayer. Because that White Dragon Chief was also involved in the concealment of this fact."

Therefore, Victor was not perturbed.

He already received approval from his King for the establishment of conditional diplomatic relations with the Dizzard Empire, and for Egrod, who was originally a member of Arcazam rejectionist faction, this Dizzard Empire was as good as hostile territory. It would be difficult to get a collaborator easily.

As for Nozomu, he was backed by the White Dragon Chief.

Furthermore, Madam Parline also showed a certain amount of respect for Nozomu, so Victor thought that no matter how much Egrode wanted to make a fuss, he could not do much.

"But the fact that Egrod has moved on his own should mean that he has some kind of countermeasure against us."

"I know. We should also be careful about his right-hand man."

While saying so, Victor remembered the bewitching woman who was Egrod's right-hand man.

Being the second in command of a political enemy, Victor has also been gathering information about Mekria, but all of his investigations ended up empty.

As the person behind the revival of the Fabran family in the last few years, Mekria had been a headache for Victor.

"Egrod's ultimate goal is to abolish Solminati Academy, or at least to sever the relationship between Forsina and Arcazam. Because we are placing no small burden on our country to maintain this academy and city."

A swift response to the Great Invasion. And the construction of Ardazam. All of them were led by the Forsina Kingdom, which was the first to speak out and lead the way.

At the same time, the burden they have paid for it was by no means light.

Even though the country did not suffer any damage from the great invasion, it was fair to say that the country was in a very tight economic situation.

"However, thanks to this, the Kingdom of Forsina's voice is second to none. The next most influential nation is the Cremazone Empire, but it is also the most oppositional because it is backed by military power."

The Cremazone Empire is a large country bordering the southern part of the Forsina Kingdom, and its military power alone exceeds that of the Forsina Kingdom.

As a threat both militarily and economically, this empire has been a headache for the Forsina Kingdom, along with the Dizzard Empire.

The Cremazone Empire was founded by a dragon slayer, and because of this, it has a high military orientation and desire to invade.

Although its military power was a great help during the great invasion, it is still feared by the neighboring countries.

For this reason, Victor made use of the environment of Arcazam, where emissaries from various countries could gather, to build friendly relations with the Cremazone Empire and neighboring countries, in order to keep the empire at bay.

In fact, Arcazam had become an indispensable place not only for human resource development and technological development, but also for the current national security of Forsina Kingdom.

"What are your thoughts on this, Master?"

"I can think of a few possibilities, but none of them would overturn the king's decision. Nor would they change the national security system of Forsina. But ......."

Something was stuck in the depths of his head.

Victor's consciousness sank into a sea of thoughts, feeling uncomfortable as if something were stuck between his teeth.

"I still have something to do. I'm going to the academy. I have a few things to tell Jihad-dono."

"Yes, Sir"

But Victor's prediction at this time was to be proven wrong.

For Egrod had already figured out that Nozomu was a Dragon Slayer.

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By the time Victor got on the carriage, Egrod was standing alone in the hallway of the empty Parliament building.

"Mekria..."

As Egrode murmured so, a bewitching woman appeared from behind a pillar and bowed deeply. It was Mekria, Egrod's trusted confidant.

He stated his concerns in a matter-of-fact tone of voice,

"Is what that researcher said about the Abyss Grief true?

"Yes. According to Raven, it was not false information."

"One more thing. What about the other thing?"

"The letter has been received without any problems. Considering their temperament, I am almost certain that they will come to this city in time for the opening festival..."

"I see. Then let them stir things up as best they can."

Egrod glanced out the window and saw the white building of the Solminati Academy in the distance.

Frowning as if he had seen an appalling sight, Egeod turned on his heel and began to walk down the hallway of the Parliament building.

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A huge castle stood in the dark night in the blowing snow.

A luxurious room was located at the top of the castle. In the room where the owner of the castle resided, there was a woman.

She was as beautiful as a Goddess and as cold-hearted as the God of Death.

She was wearing no clothes, and her limbs were lying on a soft canopy bed.

Her skin was whiter than fresh snow, and her long, lustrous silver hair was spread over the silk sheets.

But what was most noticeable were her blood-red eyes. Combined with her expressionless face as cold as an ice, they were filled with a beauty that sent chills down one's spine.

"Fumu……"

Without moving a muscle of her beautiful face, she picked up a glass from the side table.

The glass was filled with a deep red liquid, but it seemed too sticky to be called wine.

She took it into her mouth without hesitation, tasted it on her tongue for a while, and then swallowed it down with a gulp.

"... Not a very good blood."

Her sharp canine teeth were peeping out of her mouth, which was distorted in a dissatisfied manner.

Yes, she is a vampire. She is the current head of the Waziart household, one of the seven major families that support the Dizzard empire.

Her name is Vitora Rutarak Daat Waziart.

With her sharp eyebrows slightly contorted in a manner reminiscent of an ice sculpture, she returned the glass in her hand to the side table.

"Excuse me, Mistress."

Suddenly, a knocking sound on the door echoed.

"Come in."

Prompted by her frigid response, an old gentleman with a monocle entered the room.

His crimson eyes indicated that he, too, was a vampire.

"Rugato, is it? Is something wrong?"

"I have received something like this."

The old gentleman who had previously engaged Nozomu and the others in combat to the death. When he came up to his Mistress, he bent down and held out a letter in his hand.

"Francilt? If I recall correctly, it's ......."

"I was there about six months ago, and he is a very prominent figure in the Kingdom of Forsina."

"Ah, that one where you failed to fulfill the contract. What does he have to say about it?"

Her tone of voice was too indifferent toward the leading figure of a country.

However, Rugato, who bent down in front of her, didn't seem to be particularly bothered by it. Because this was not the first time his Mistress had been this impolite.

An absolute powerhouse.

Her power, categorized as SS in rank, was such that it could no longer be described as a mere natural disaster.

The storm that covered this castle was also due to her power subconsciously influencing the outside world.

Like an elephant that is unaware of the ants under its feet, she, too, is a powerful woman who is not interested in politics or other mundane matters. Politics is a survival strategy that the weak have learned to use in order to maintain the group on which they depend.

"Regarding the secret agreement. They want to have a meeting with you as soon as possible. He has arranged a meeting time and place."

"I am not interested. Originally, this secret agreement itself was made by the predecessor. The Emperor's approval for the establishment of diplomatic relations has already been given. I leave this matter to you, so do as you please."

"Understood."

Vitora took a glance at the letter she received and tossed it aside.

She really did not seem to have any interest in the Francilt household.

Indeed, it was her predecessor who made the secret agreement with the Francilt household.

After the existence of the secret agreement was discovered, Rugato was in charge of almost all of the negotiations.

Even after the loss of the contract that concluded the secret agreement during the battle with Nozomu and the others, Rugato had been playing a central role in negotiations with the Francilt household.

With regard to the establishment of diplomatic relations with Forsina, all Vitora did was to give a single word of approval and to make only a formal report and proposal to the Emperor of the Dizzard Empire.

The emperor also gave his approval, saying that as long as it was only within the territory of the Waziart household, it would be fine.

Although one might wonder if such a system of government would be acceptable, in this country, the power and autonomy of each household is completely independent, and they are free to do whatever they wish within their own territory, as long as it is approved by the Emperor.

Even the Emperor rarely issues specific decrees. Conversely, it could be said that the country would not function well otherwise.

Of course, when it comes to fighting an apparent foreign enemy, each household will show a certain degree of cooperation.

However, since each household has a history of frequent conflicts with other households, each has a strong sense of independence, and forcing a unification of the households' intentions could lead to dissonance that could result in the outbreak of civil war.

"Speaking of which, what was the name of the one who ousted you?"

"He was a young man named Nozomu Bountis, as I recall. He seems to be getting a lot of attention at school. I hear that even Jihad Draundel has taken a liking to him. We have talked about this once before, haven't we?"

"Oh, did we? I didn't remember because at that time the warriors of the Geryunus household were challenging me."

The Geryunus household is one of the major households that govern the Empire, like the Waziart household, and is made up of incubus.

Although they lack direct combat ability, both male and female incubus are good-looking, skilled in seduction magic, and capable of directly "sucking" the life force of their opponents through their unusual powers.

Their method of sucking the life force is to touch the skin of the victim, and in exchange for the life force that is sucked out of the victim, the victim is able to experience intense pleasure.

However, in many cases, it results in death, and this race has long been despised by humans and other demi-humans.

Therefore, in the past, they have been repeatedly involved in conflicts that could be said to be on either side, such as enslaving other races or conversely being enslaved by other races.

For the record, an incubus' sucking efficiency is determined by how deeply one can touch the other's skin. So, if a challenge were to come from that household, it would be something that would be daring to declare in a public forum. To be more specific, the challenge was to make love on the bed.

"As far as I am concerned, that challenge was somewhat inappropriate for a noble princess."

"It's fine, no matter what the odds are, I'll accept them. I will accept whatever the challenge is, and I will show them that I can smash everything head-on."

The one who was put on the line in this challenge was herself.

Her existence, with its immense power, would make her an absolute goddess of death if she became an enemy, but if she could be brought into their ranks, she would also be a goddess who promised them a sure victory.

In an attempt to ensnare her, the Geryunus household challenged her to a contest in bed, which is their forte.

"I don't know whether to be impressed or appalled. Still, to the Mistress, it was a mere game..."

And just as she said, she crushed the Geryunus household's challenge head-on. She literally showed an overwhelming "difference" in status.

Perhaps remembering that moment, Vitora's atmosphere became slightly excited.

"At first, he was as fierce as a giant, but after a little petting, he was as docile as a kitten in no time. It was a bit of a letdown, but it was cute in its own way."

With a slight smile on her beautiful face, Vitora began to tell the story of what had happened.

The room began to be filled with a lewd atmosphere.

She was not averse to having sexual intercourse on the bed, either. In fact, it was one of her favorite things to do.

She was willing to spend the night with a man, a woman, or even a demon beast, as long as it was a strong person whom she liked.

"Though, in the end, he dried up like a dried-up fish. That was not worthy of my affection."

Nevertheless, the challenger failed to impress her until the very end.

It was because the warrior had been "defeated" by her. And no matter what means she uses, victory is absolute. That is what she believes in, which is why she never has a lasting interest in the losers.

A princess who was loved by victory as well as death. That was the Princess of Death, Vitora Rutarak Daat Waziart.

"I'll leave the negotiations with the Francilt household to you. You can meet them directly and participate in negotiations if you deem it necessary."

"Understood. I will now take my leave..."

Rugato bowed reverently and left his Mistress' room.

Vitora glanced at Rugato as he left the room and picked up the glass again from the side table.

The small amount of blood remaining in the glass glints dully in the candlelight.

"I have no interest in human civilizations. But I do have an interest in those who have repelled Rugato. At least, more than this blood..."

The glass slipped from Vitora's fingers, hit the floor, and cracked with a crashing sound. The shattered glass and splattered blood spread on the luxurious floor.

Vitora, however, did not seem to care about it and looked out the window where the storm was still raging.

At that moment, there came a knocking sound on the windowpane.

Vitora looked at the window where the sound came from and saw a red-eyed raven staring at her through the blizzard.

A clearly suspicious crow that had come to visit in the midst of a blizzard.

A slight smile appeared on her mouth.