Inside Ren's shop, Veldiana looked at the crowd and forced a bitter smile.
She originally thought helping at the shop would be easy. She never expected it to be this exhausting.
She looked at the magical crystal in her hand, licked it lightly, and it dissolved instantly.
Feeling the rising magic within her, Veldiana's eyes turned complicated.
She never imagined someone would casually sell something capable of increasing magic power. It was unbelievable.
Had the island's Gigafloat Management Corporation not come for him?
No… probably Natsuki stopped them. Anyone not stupid would know that someone who could produce such items was not someone you could afford to provoke. That must be why no trouble had come so far.
Instinctively, Veldiana glanced at Ophis—who looked completely uninterested—then stepped forward.
"Lady Ophis, are you bored and wanting to go out? I can watch the shop."
"No need. I promised Ren I'd watch the shop. Also, I'm not bored."
Ophis spoke faintly, her eyes fixed on the demons.
Then her cruel-sounding words came out calmly.
"Veldiana can't watch the shop properly."
"W-what… I'm not as weak as you say."
"If they try to steal things, Veldiana can't stop them."
"…Fine. I'm a useless vampire. How is a daughter of the Caruana family this weak…"
She had no confidence at all after meeting so many people stronger than her.
Especially after seeing Remilia and Flandre defeat her without even using familiars.
No—after learning they didn't even have familiars.
Seeing her so depressed, Ophis tilted her head. Then—
A wriggling mass of energy gathered in her hand, forming a snake-like black shape.
She handed the black snake to Veldiana and asked simply:
"Want a snake?"
To the infinite Ophis, she didn't consider her snakes important.
Her power was infinite. Even if she used a portion, it would instantly regenerate. The cycle of depletion and restoration was perfectly closed.
So giving away a snake meant nothing to her.
Since Veldiana watched the shop with her, talked to her, and even suggested Ophis go out to play, Ophis was happy to give her power.
Although her snake was a one-time power boost, it was still far better than the crystals Ren sold.
Veldiana stared at the snake, wanting to ask many questions, but ultimately accepted it silently.
Natsuki had told her—if she built a good relationship with Ophis, she might reap great rewards at the Blazing Banquet.
Perhaps this was one of those rewards…
Suddenly, Ophis's expression shifted. She jumped down from her chair and positioned herself in front of Veldiana protectively, staring toward the entrance.
The demons near the door began vanishing as if pulled away by space itself. Then came a girl's laughter.
"Seems I'm late. I didn't get to see those two otherworldly vampires nor that mysterious human…"
Space cracked open before them, and a green-haired girl stepped out.
Her jade-colored eyes examined Ophis curiously.
Ophis tilted her head, her expression full of curiosity.
Veldiana trembled. The murderous aura from the girl immobilized her.
"Are you a guest? Or an enemy?"
Ophis asked first, magic rising like pressure crashing forward.
Feeling the heavy force pressing down on her, the girl's expression changed.
But rather than fear, she laughed joyfully—followed by helplessness.
"What a joke of an existence… My blood and my familiars are screaming, refusing to face you…"
"You're not my opponent."
"…Hah. It's been a long time since anyone said something so arrogant."
"Arrogant? Ophis is arrogant?"
Because of Ophis's flat tone, her words sounded even more arrogant to others. Both Lucemon and now this girl found her unbelievable.
But Ophis was simply stating facts.
Seeing the girl call her arrogant, Ophis looked at Veldiana in confusion.
Veldiana silently cried inside.
Lady Ophis, don't look at me! I can't say anything right now!
Seeing Veldiana shake her head, Ophis looked back at the girl.
"What's your name? Otherworlder?"
"Ophis…"
"My name is Giada. You may call me that."
"So, are you a guest? Or an enemy?"
Ophis repeated her first question and slowly raised her right hand.
With merely that, Giada felt massive pressure trying to crush her.
Feeling her body groan, she raised both hands helplessly.
"I'm just here to look around. I heard interesting beings appeared for this year's Blazing Banquet, so I came to see. You don't reject guests here… right?"
Instantly, all pressure vanished.
As the pressure vanished, two more figures appeared within the space.
Ren and Natsuki.
The one who had asked the earlier question was none other than Natsuki.
"May I ask, Third Primogenitor, where exactly did you hear such things?"
As she stared at Giada before her, Natsuki couldn't help frowning. Could this have come from that Paper Noise bastard?
But Giada's gaze was not on Natsuki at all. Instead, she was staring at Ren, who had appeared beside her.
Under Giada's strange stare, Ren walked straight up to her holding a syringe.
"I'll give you something good later. Can you let me draw a vial of your blood?"
Giada: "…"
She wasn't sure if it was her imagination, but she felt Ren was looking at her like an ordinary person seeing a gold mine.
As if he wanted to squeeze out every last drop of value…