Chapter 342: Such a Weak Vampire
In the room, the frost had melted away, and all the chaos caused by the magical disturbance had been restored to its original state.
At that moment, Natsuki Minamiya was seated in the main position.
Mahiro sat on one side of the sofa with Est and the awakened Avrora, while on the other side sat Tokoyogi Aya, poised and upright.
The commotion caused by the awakening of the twelfth vessel was significant, and as the Witch of the Book, Aya naturally detected the location immediately and came over to join the excitement.
After all, opportunities to see Natsuki Minamiya in an awkward situation were rare.
"Did you awaken that little girl just to participate in the Feast of the Blazing Glory?"
Natsuki Minamiya crossed her arms, her tone stern as she questioned.
Her gaze shifted back and forth between Mahiro and Avrora, who was now fully dressed and appeared timid.
The clothes Avrora was wearing belonged to little Yuuma. Although their figures were quite similar, she didn't want anyone else touching her belongings.
Not long before, Mahiro had explained everything to her, including what he intended to do.
Without any hesitation, he nodded.
"That's right, that's the idea."
But this answer left Natsuki Minamiya deeply unsatisfied.
"So you were scheming against me, including the matter of boarding the Demon Sanctuary Island."
"It's not really scheming, more like mutual benefit."
Mahiro spread his hands and said frankly, "After all, the Feast of the Blazing Glory will also take place on the Demon Sanctuary Island. This is the decision of the three Progenitors. Even if you are the keeper of the Prison Barrier, the renowned Witch of the Void, they probably wouldn't give you any face. After all, the few lowlifes locked up in the prison aren't considered a threat in the eyes of those three big shots.
And even without you as my guide, I would have boarded this artificial island sooner or later.
As for mutual benefit, you serve as my guide, and I can provide protection for this artificial island, helping you guard the Demon Sanctuary Island."
"Good, very good! You've done very well!"
She clenched the folding fan in her hand slightly, gritting her silver teeth.
But the next moment, she seemed like a deflated balloon, slumping slightly in the main seat.
Because she had no way to deal with this scoundrel. Even though he had schemed against her, she couldn't retaliate at all.
Tie him up with the Laeding?
He had a weapon in his hand that could sever her chains.
Throw him directly into the Prison Barrier?
It was useless. That prison couldn't hold this troublemaker at all. He could come and go as he pleased.
Especially when she saw him using spatial control magic identical to her own, she became even more certain of this.
Helplessly, she could only let out a faint sigh.
"Fine, you're right. I really can't stop the Feast of the Blazing Glory, and I can agree to your request... but! During the Feast of the Blazing Glory, you must keep your promise to help me guard this artificial island. And no matter the outcome of the Feast of the Blazing Glory, you must remain under my supervision!"
"Of course, no problem." Mahiro smiled and agreed immediately.
If anything, he was more than happy to stay on this island.
It was true that he wanted to participate in the Feast of the Blazing Glory, but more than that, he wanted to get closer to Natsuki Minamiya.
Otherwise, why would he go through all the trouble of bringing both Tokoyogi Aya and Meiga Itogami out of prison together?
Was he just bored and looking for something to do?
"Alright, let's move past that matter. Next question: why can you use spatial control magic?"
This was what Natsuki Minamiya was most curious about.
In the entire world, she should be the only one skilled in this type of spatial magic.
So why could this man, who appeared out of nowhere with no traceable past, use it—and with such proficiency?
"What if I told you I learned it from you? Would you believe me?"
"Don't push the joke too far..."
Natsuki Minamiya abruptly raised her head to meet his gaze, only to be met with a pair of crimson eyes, within which shimmered a star-shaped magic circle outlined in some ancient script.
What was that?
It was something she had never seen before, something that didn't even appear in any records...
"My eyes are called Copy Eyes. They can replicate any magic, sorcery, or even supernatural abilities, and can analyze everything. Does that explanation help you understand, Natsuki-chan?" Mahiro explained quite patiently.
As they say, sincerity is the ultimate weapon. Although these eyes were his trump card, there was no need to hide them.
After all, he planned to use these eyes for much more in the future.
"Don't call me Natsuki-chan!"
Instinctively, Natsuki Minamiya used spatial control magic to give Mahiro a light tap on the head from a distance.
However, doubt and astonishment had already begun to rise within her.
"Oh? There exists such a miraculous pair of eyes in this world?"
Tokoyogi Aya asked with great interest.
While in prison, she had noticed that Mahiro's eyes were different from ordinary people's. At first, she thought it was just some simple ability, but she never expected it to be this powerful.
But Mahiro only smiled in response and didn't answer.
If this were the world of Densetsu no Yūsha, he wouldn't dare claim to be the only one, but in other worlds, his eyes were absolutely unique.
As for Natsuki Minamiya, she couldn't immediately determine whether it was true or false, so she didn't dwell on the matter too much.
"Then there's one last question: are you really human?"
"Of course. According to biological taxonomy, I am indeed a pure-blooded human, although my method of birth is somewhat similar to artificial cultivation."
After all, he wasn't raised in amniotic fluid but grew up immersed in a formaldehyde-like nutrient solution, alongside Maya's self-contribution.
"Really?"
"Truer than real gold."
"Then what about that little girl beside you?"
Natsuki Minamiya's gaze fell on the silver-haired girl standing next to him.
Summoning a blade out of thin air earlier was one thing—after all, he himself admitted to being an artificial lifeform, so hosting a Beast Vassal wasn't particularly strange.
But now he had summoned a girl out of nowhere.
Although Beast Vassals were usually intelligent beasts or various strange weapons, given their myriad forms, a humanoid one wouldn't be too surprising.
However, the most crucial point was that an artificial lifeform simply couldn't host two Beast Vassals simultaneously—that would exceed the load capacity of a human life.
She couldn't help but think of a certain "Chaos Bride," who loved changing her appearance and appearing all over the world.
The problem is, the person before me is a man, so he couldn't possibly be the [Chaos Bride].
And those methods don't match up either.
"Oh, you mean her? Actually, she's..."
"Est."
Before Mahiro could finish speaking, Est stood up on her own and spoke: "Terminus Est, that is my name, and I am Mahiro's sword."
Though her expression was blank and her voice devoid of emotion, her meaning was clear—she was not called "little girl" and had her own name.
In a way, Est was also a very serious existence.
"Sword? What do you mean?"
"Literally, I am Mahiro's sword, the Demon King Killing Sacred Sword," Est insisted stubbornly in a calm tone.
At the same time, a faint yet palpable pressure emanated from her, as if Natsuki Minamiya's questioning had displeased her.
This aura frightened Avrora, who let out a pitiful cry and instinctively curled up in the corner of the sofa, hugging her legs—completely lacking the demeanor befitting the Fourth Primogenitor.
It was quite embarrassing.
Natsuki Minamiya could clearly sense just how sharp this aura was, even feeling a hint of threat from this seemingly fragile little girl!
This was a sensation she had never experienced before.
"Enough."
Mahiro suddenly spoke, breaking the tense atmosphere between the two. He reached out and patted Est's small head.
Est immediately let out a whimper, and the imposing aura she had just exuded vanished entirely.
Like a little girl, she turned to look at him with shimmering eyes.
In them, he actually saw a hint of grievance!
However, Natsuki Minamiya breathed a sigh of relief, though her gaze remained serious.
"Fine, though I don't understand what your relationship is or what your words just now meant, since you can remain manifested for an extended period, you should go and register as a demon later, then enroll in school together with Yuuma Tokoyogi."
This was the best solution Natsuki Minamiya could think of at the moment.
If she couldn't stop them, she would bring them all under her surveillance!
"Oh, and that vampire too," Natsuki Minamiya added.
She was naturally referring to Avrora.
But the mentioned Avrora only grew more timid.
"Wah... please don't bully me."
Mahiro: "..."
Natsuki Minamiya: "..."
Tokoyogi Aya: "..."
The three of them stared at Avrora in unison, all thinking the same thing.
Is this really the vessel possessing the Fourth Primogenitor's twelfth Beast Vassal?
Did Akatsuki Kojou dig up something strange?
Afterward, Mahiro took Est and the reluctant Avrora and left the office to find the "foolish dog" Sasasaki Misaki, as Natsuki Minamiya had called her, to register as demons.
After the three left, the office fell into brief silence before a light chuckle broke the stillness.
It was Tokoyogi Aya's voice.
"Hehe, Natsuki, it's rare to see you at such a disadvantage."
Natsuki Minamiya gritted her teeth and said:
"Aya, are you looking for a fight?!"
...
Early the next morning.
After leisurely finishing his morning routine and changing into slightly more formal attire to report to the private Saikai Academy, he unexpectedly received "work" assigned by Natsuki Minamiya.
"I say, Natsu—"
"Don't call me Natsuki-chan!!"
"Alright, alright. Didn't you say I should report to school today?"
"Not anymore. There's a more urgent situation now—a vampire riot. Demon Hunters are needed to handle it!"
"Uh... what level?"
"Old-era vampires!"
"Just old-era... I thought it might be a Progenitor. Natsuki-chan, are you sure you need me to step in?"
To be honest, he really couldn't be bothered with old-era trash like this.
If it were Elders or nobles, he might have been more interested.
"Hmph, less talking. Go handle it now, and don't forget our agreement! And stop calling me Natsu-chan!"
With that, Natsuki Minamiya hung up the call.
Well, since the young lady had spoken, a little activity wouldn't hurt.
Following the address sent by Natsuki Minamiya, he set off.
Sengoku Island, located in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, floating about 230 kilometers south of Tokyo, was an artificial island built from carbon fiber, resin, metal, and magic.
With a total area of approximately 180 square kilometers and a population of around 560,000, it wasn't a large population, but for a small island, it was far from insignificant.
When Mahiro arrived at the scene according to the address, he saw a Beast Vassal wreaking havoc in the center of a street warehouse.
"Hahahaha—devour them, Flame Lion!"
A man, or more accurately, a vampire, was recklessly unleashing his magical power, commanding a Beast Vassal constructed from magic to destroy everything around him.
It was a mass of flames, resembling blood in appearance but not blood—a flickering, mirage-like black flame.
Soon, the black flames took the form of a distorted lion.
Its fierce roar was enough to shake the atmosphere, while the asphalt road engulfed in flames was scorched black.
With just a swipe of its tail or a charge, the splashing flames could swallow the guards, instantly reducing them to ashes and even melting steel.
For a moment, the street was filled with screams.
"Hah... as expected, there's nothing to look forward to."
Mahiro sighed softly.
With just one glance, he had assessed the opponent's background.
This was a D-Type old-era vampire.
Among vampires divided into various bloodlines, the so-called D-Type specifically referred to those who revered the "Lost Warlord" as their Progenitor, a group particularly common in Europe.
They were also the bloodline closest to the vampires in people's general impressions.
But that was irrelevant.
"Hey."
Mahiro called out, immediately catching the other's attention, and then he beckoned with his finger.
The meaning was clear: come and play.
Already enraged, the vampire, provoked by such a challenge, immediately ordered his Beast Vassal to attack without another word.
Roar—!!!
With the roar, the atmosphere trembled faintly.
Its scorching steps left a trail of burning marks on the ground.
A wave of heat rushed forward; the high temperature brought by the Beast Vassal could be clearly felt even from dozens of meters away.
But Mahiro merely shook his head, not even bothering to blink. Psionic Light began to shimmer around him.
"Antimatter Barrier."
Boom!
That was the sound of the Beast Vassal crashing headfirst into a barrier.
The unruly Beast Vassal was now trapped within a transparent, spherical barrier.
No matter how hard it struggled, it couldn't break free, and even the scorching heat was completely sealed off.
"It..."
The man was stunned. No matter how he urged it or poured out his magic, the Beast Vassal remained imprisoned within the sphere.
Then, Mahiro activated his magic once more.
"Cloud Dispersion."
The Beast Vassal inside the sphere immediately stopped struggling and crashing, standing still like a sculpture.
The next second, an intensely dazzling light erupted from the surface of the Beast Vassal.
Boom!!!
With a deafening roar, an explosion occurred inside the sphere.
The Beast Vassal, originally formed from pure magical energy, now returned to its source, dissolving into the purest form of magic.
As easily as blowing out a candle flame, the Beast Vassal vanished completely, leaving behind only scorched asphalt.
"How could this be... My Flame Lion, my Beast Vassal... just destroyed like that?!"
The man couldn't believe it.
Fear of losing his familiar made him retreat a few steps in cowardice.
But the next moment, a mocking voice sounded beside his ear.
"Don't leave yet. Let's keep playing. It's not over."
"..."
The man was grabbed by the neck and, in full view of everyone, slammed violently into the ground.
Boom!
The ground trembled slightly, and a massive crater was smashed into the previously smooth asphalt.
The guards who had been preparing to continue their support all halted in place, not daring to approach.
They had previously received a communication from Natsuki Minamiya, informing them that a new Demon Hunter was coming to assist. But they never expected this new Demon Hunter to be so brutal!
Not only did he effortlessly trap a Beast Vassal they couldn't handle and destroy it with a single strike, but now he was also easily pinning a vampire into the ground!
After all, vampires not only had long lifespans and immense magical power, but their physical bodies were on an entirely different level compared to humans!
"Huh, still alive?"
Mahiro released his grip, only to find that his attack hadn't taken the bastard's life. Although he had broken the vampire's neck, it was visibly healing at a rapid pace.
"Cough!"
The man coughed up a mouthful of clotted blood and gritted his teeth angrily.
"...You brat, I admit you're strong, but do you know who I am?!"
"None of my damn business. Didn't your parents tell you who you are when you left home? Oh wait, do vampires even have parents? Probably not?"
His rhetorical question thoroughly enraged the other.
"Damn bastard! I am a blood relative of Dimitrie Vatler, a noble of the Warring King's Domain!"
Terrifying magical energy surged from the man once again, gathering as if to summon another Beast Vassal.
"Oh, none of my damn business. I don't know him."
Mahiro replied matter-of-factly, simultaneously raising his foot and aiming it at the man's chest.
"That, uh... transforming into a demon in public and using your Beast Vassal in a residential area—you've violated the Sanctuary Treaty, so I hereby sentence you to death."
Boom!
Without the slightest hesitation, and before the terrified gaze of his opponent could even plead for mercy, he stomped down and crushed the vampire's heart.
Vampires in this world weren't without weaknesses. Just like in the legends, most vampires had a weak point in their heart.
Except for Progenitors.
As for the earlier speech, it was naturally taught by Natsuki Minamiya, while the death sentence part was something Mahiro casually tacked on.
Arresting someone was too much trouble.
However, everything that happened here was currently under Natsuki Minamiya's surveillance.
"Destroying an old-era Beast Vassal in one strike, and shattering a vampire's heart with pure physical strength... Is this man really that powerful?"
Her murmur faded away with the sea breeze.