"This is really… a mess."
The cross faded. Looking at the ravaged scene before him, Natsuki's heart sank.
Buildings were shattered. The ground cracked. It looked like a catastrophic natural disaster had hit.
He could even feel the island trembling and the surrounding sea surging.
It was practically the end of Itogami Island.
But what shocked Natsuki the most… was Remilia's achievement.
"She actually overwhelmed two of the Fourth Primogenitor's familiars with pure magic and defeated them."
In Natsuki's estimation, fighting one familiar to a draw would already be her limit.
But she had taken down two in one go.
Back then, if she had this power, why didn't she break my chains…
Natsuki had never realized that when Remilia fought the out-of-control Flandre back then, she couldn't bring herself to use full strength.
After all, the one attacking her was her own sister.
When Flandre lost control and attacked even her, Remilia had already accepted dying with her. She had no intention of resisting. If Ren hadn't helped—
But now, it was different. Against worthy enemies, Remilia naturally fought seriously.
Also…
"In Gensokyo, I never had the chance to fight at full power."
Gensokyo's battles were governed by spell card rules—more like games than real combat.
Because full-power battles between great yokai would overturn Gensokyo. Even the sage Yukari once stated that destroying and rebuilding Gensokyo would be easy for her.
Without spell card rules, Gensokyo might disappear anytime due to yokai conflicts.
Remilia's Scarlet Mist Incident was carried out precisely to establish those rules.
So this fight was her rare chance for a true all-out battle since leaving Gensokyo.
"This is what vampires from another world are like? How interesting…"
Watching the scene, Giada commented.
No familiars, and even their vampiric nature differed from this world's vampires. Their physical strength was far superior—probably because without familiars, their evolution took a different path.
Giada was satisfied with this power.
Not as terrifying as Ophis or Ren, but enough to draw attention.
If she became the Fourth Primogenitor, she would be more entertaining than the original…
She had no idea the original was already dead.
Turning her eyes, Giada looked at Flandre and Avrora.
"So that is No. 12, Avrora Florestina, the Bewitching Princess of Azure Ice(Alrescha-Glacies)? Interesting. But compared to her, the vampire beside her seems even more intriguing. A sister of that one…? And…"
She paused. Her gaze lingered on Flandre's eyes.
For some reason, even she felt a hint of danger.
Her blood was warning her. Within those eyes… something was there.
No—perhaps not the eyes, but… she could sense something interesting.
Thinking that, her gaze turned to Ren.
That man seemed to understand that vampire quite well.
"The vampire beside Avrora can see something interesting… yes?"
Her question surprised Ren slightly, but only a little.
After all, even Natsuki sensed the danger in Flandre's gaze.
Giada merely noticed it without Flandre actively releasing power—not strange at all.
Ren didn't answer directly, only smiled.
"If you're curious, why not try fighting Flandre yourself?"
"Oh? How sly."
Trying to make her suffer a loss? Truly a tricky man…
But she didn't argue.
If he said so, she might as well test it.
If the elder sister is only this strong, the younger one shouldn't be much stronger.
Of course, Giada couldn't imagine that in some ways, the younger sister might be far stronger.
"Ha… ha… ha…"
Remilia panted. Heat radiated around her. That last move had nearly emptied her magic reserves.
She had used almost all her magic to defeat the two familiars.
No. 2 and No. 9 vessels were already half-collapsed on the ground. That terrifying large-scale attack just now had nearly swallowed them along with their familiars. Unlike their familiars, their own bodies were nowhere near strong enough to tank such force, so blocking it consumed a huge chunk of their power.
The final result was exactly what lay before them now: one-for-two.
Of course, if they wanted to continue fighting, they could still summon their familiars again.
But…
To Zaharias, there was no need to let these nearly burnt-out vessels summon anything again.
"Come—First Familiar: Mesarthim-Adamas!"
Earth-shaking magical power erupted in front of Remilia once more, and the corner of Remilia's mouth twitched at the sight: a brand-new familiar appeared.
It was a massive ram with crystal horns, its entire diamond-like body gleaming with a holy radiance.
Seeing this, even Remilia let out a helpless laugh.
There's actually a third one?
A single glance was enough for her to understand the situation.
Blood Servants—the pseudo-vampires created when a vampire grants a part of their own flesh. She had heard of them.
After living in this world for a while, she had naturally learned a good amount of local vampire lore.
Blood Servants did resemble the familiars Remilia created by biting people and granting them power, but Remilia's victims would become true vampires who also needed to drink blood. Blood Servants were different.
Blood Servants inherited the curse of the vampire whose flesh they received, becoming immortal beings who obeyed their master absolutely, and gaining a measure of power. But they did not need to drink blood themselves, so they were only pseudo-vampires.
It was said that among the possible organs used to create a Blood Servant, ribs were the highest-tier material. If someone obtained a Primogenitor's rib, they would become the strongest Blood Servant—capable of wielding even the familiars of their master.
Which meant…
There is another vessel with a rib?
Feeling the nearly-depleted magic inside her, Remilia shook her head.
"I didn't expect you to defeat two familiars. Truly impressive. But unfortunately, after doing so, your power must be nearly exhausted, isn't it? Then this is the end."
Zaharias spread his arms with a theatrical smile.
"Destroy her, First Familiar!"
The giant ram lowered its head. From its crystal eyes burst a deep red glow.
Crystalline gems materialized all around its body, shining brilliantly. With blinding flashes, countless shards shot toward Remilia.
Remilia lowered her head helplessly, as though she had completely given up.
And then—something that made Zaharias' face freeze occurred.
All the gems exploded mid-air, right in front of the ram.
Because a small figure now stood in front of Remilia.
"Is that… another brat?!"
Flandre stood proudly, hands on her hips, a smug grin spreading across her face.
She patted the speechless Remilia on the shoulder, sighing in exaggerated disappointment.
"Sigh… Big sister is really hopeless. Good thing Flandre is here to save the day!"
Remilia: …
I can't believe… I actually got looked down on by my own little sister…