Gazing out from the carriage on the way to the castle, the town showed no signs of destruction.

The residents weren't in a panic either, just walking through the streets as usual.

It felt like an ordinary, peaceful town.

"It's quiet," I said.

"Yeah," the teacher replied. "The coup was likely executed with minimal action to keep the residents unaware."

"Then the ones behind it must have deeply infiltrated the government," Alice added.

The teacher nodded. "They might've used the Holy Grail to sway the higher-ups."

Probably a good number of them sided with the rebels. Otherwise, a coup wouldn't have gone so smoothly.

The only thing worth praising is that they didn't involve the town's ordinary vampires. Avoiding unnecessary bloodshed is always better.

I sincerely hope it stays that way.

As we passed through the town, Tepes Castle loomed closer. The massive gate rose, allowing our carriage to enter.

The castle rivaled Gremory Castle in scale, with an ancient, stone-crafted charm.

We disembarked and were led inside to an ornate door, its surface carved with intricate beast reliefs.

"Wait here a moment," the butler said before leaving.

Miu murmured, "Is the throne room next?"

"Probably," I replied.

Armored soldiers, dressed like old knights, stood guard on either side of the door—classic.

After a few minutes, a voice called out, "Issei! Everyone!"

It was Rias, accompanied by a maid, with Kiba behind her.

I approached, relieved. "Rias, Kiba. Glad you're both safe."

Rias smiled and nodded, then grabbed my hand, exhaling softly. "I can't help it. Being away from you, even briefly… I need a little Issei boost."

Issei boost? That's a new one.

Well, I missed her too.

After soaking up her so-called "Issei boost," Rias turned to the teacher. "You've figured out the coup, haven't you?"

"I had a hunch something was up, so I summoned these guys and brought them here. No complaints, right?"

"None. I was trying to call everyone myself, but I've been confined here, unable to move. Despite being 'invited' by the king, I hadn't even been granted an audience until they said, 'Guests have arrived, come along.'"

I chuckled. "So, you two had a pretty peaceful time during the coup, huh?"

Kiba shrugged. "Disappointingly so. They were too busy fighting internally to bother with us… at least until now."

He glanced at the soldiers by the door.

So, they waited for all the players to gather before the meeting. They probably anticipated our arrival.

A soldier spoke, "Now, an audience with the new king—"

They opened the massive double doors.

The teacher led the way, and we followed into a vast room. A blood-red carpet stretched across the floor, embroidered with beast designs matching the door's reliefs.

At the far end, elevated, sat a throne.

On it was a young woman, a young man at her side. A few soldiers and nobles in fine clothing stood nearby.

Those nobles must be the vampire higher-ups… deeply involved, no doubt, with the Khaos Brigade's help.

My gaze returned to the throne. The woman had sandy-blonde hair tied in a single braid, about my age. Her simple dress and gentle smile didn't scream "vampire royalty." Unlike Elmenhilde's doll-like aura, she felt human—likely not pureblood.

But her eyes were empty.

She greeted us. "Good day, everyone. I'm Valerie Tepes, the current head of the Tepes family… and, well, the king. Pleased to meet you."

Her voice carried the same gentleness as her smile.

But those eyes didn't see us. They looked through us, focused on something else—

Then she locked onto someone familiar. "Gaspar, it's been a while. You've grown."

"Valerie…" Gaspar's voice trembled. "I missed you."

"I missed you too. Come closer."

Valerie beckoned, and Gaspar approached. The surrounding vampires didn't intervene.

She hugged him, whispering, "I'm glad you're okay."

"Yeah… I became a devil, but I'm doing fine."

"I heard. You've been well taken care of there, haven't you?"

Gaspar glanced at us, and Valerie followed his gaze, smiling. "Oh, Gaspar's friends…"

Suddenly, she turned to an empty space. "———."

She spoke in a language I'd never heard.

As a devil, I can understand all languages, but this? Nothing. The others looked just as confused.

A language even devils can't comprehend?

Her expression brightened. "Yes, yes… But, is that—really?"

She kept talking to the void, leaving Gaspar visibly shaken.

The teacher muttered, "Don't look at her directly. The Holy Grail will pull at your soul. Asia, Xenovia, Irina—avert your eyes."

The three immediately looked down.

"What's that…?" Reina asked.

"That's what happens when the Holy Grail consumes you. You see things you shouldn't. We'll talk later."

A clap echoed through the room.

The young vampire beside Valerie spoke. "Valerie, it's rude to focus only on 'them.' You must act like a king."

Valerie nodded, her empty eyes paired with a smile. "Hehe, sorry. But as long as I'm king, I can build a peaceful vampire society. Gaspar can live here too. No one will ever hurt you or me."

Her words were hollow, manipulated.

Empty eyes, empty words.

The Holy Grail's influence…

"Valerie…" Gaspar's tears fell.

The teacher glared at the young man. "You've orchestrated this well. Parading her like this? Bad taste. What's your goal, using this girl? You're the mastermind, aren't you?"

The man's handsome face twisted into an ugly smirk. "Mastermind? Perhaps. I'm Marius Tepes, fifth in line to the throne, acting prime minister and chief advisor on sacred gear research. The latter's my true calling, but my uncle asked me to step in as prime minister temporarily. I'm Valerie's brother, watching over my sister, the new king."

Brother? His words dripped with lies. Watching over her? More like exploiting her.

The teacher pressed, "You know we're in contact with Carmilla. Still invited us here?"

"The new government seeks friendly negotiations with other factions. Politics isn't my thing—that's for my comrades. But Valerie wanted to meet you, and I was curious. I've heard about you from our allies."

"Allies, huh? Why the coup? His plan?"

"I just wanted a playground for the Holy Grail. It's a fascinating God-Slaying Tool, endlessly intriguing. The old king—my father—and my brothers were in the way, so I had them removed. Your 'him' isn't behind this. It was us."

What a scumbag.

Valerie, still smiling, didn't react.

Her heart's completely under his control…

The nobles stirred. "Prince Marius! This isn't the time!"

"This is the audience chamber! Even as acting prime minister, show restraint!"

"They're from Grigori and the Gremory heir!"

Marius just smirked, untouchable. No one dared stop him.

"It's cruel…" Asia wept.

"Can't Valerie be freed?" Rias asked.

"Of course not," Marius replied.

"Talking's pointless, Rias," Xenovia said, her voice ice-cold, hand on Durandal. "Let's end this guy and go."

She drew Durandal, pointing it at Marius.

"Hey, Issei," Alice said, grinning but radiating killing intent, sparks crackling around her. "Can I burn them to ashes? Please?"

Terrifying. That smile!

I get their anger. I'm boiling too, itching to punch this creep.

"Stop, Xenovia!" Rias cautioned. "He's the prime minister."

Killing him would be easy.

But Marius just smirked, unfazed. "Scary. Let me introduce my bodyguard—why I can afford to be bold."

He snapped his fingers.

A crushing pressure hit us. My skin prickled, a chill racing through me.

A tall man in a black coat appeared, his gold-and-black hair framing odd eyes—one gold, one black.

His aura was calm but dense.

He was staring… at me.

A dragon.

Ddraig's voice echoed in my mind. (That's Crescent Circle Dragon, Crow Cruach, the strongest evil dragon.)

Seriously? The strongest evil dragon, right off the bat?

(He's too much for you alone, partner.)

No kidding. His aura alone screams danger.

I exhaled and faced Marius. "With a bodyguard like that, no wonder you're cocky."

"Indeed," he grinned.

But…

I glanced at my team and briefly summoned Ignis. A flash of red light filled the room—no harm, no damage, just turning the place into a sweltering sauna.

Marius and the nobles gasped. Crow Cruach watched with interest.

I smirked. "A thank-you for letting us through. It's winter out there—warm up a bit."

Pureblood vampires are immune to cold, though.

Miu's barrier shielded our team and Valerie from the heat. Valerie looked clueless about what I'd done.

Ignis could defeat Rossweisse. Even Crow Cruach couldn't withstand it.

As the temperature cooled, I spoke. "Our team got carried away. I'll discipline them later. We good for now?"

Marius, regaining composure, said, "Yes, let's end here. I'd rather not be roasted. Rooms are prepared—stay a while. The Vlad family head is here too; you should meet them."

The audience ended, and we left the throne room.

As we exited, I glimpsed the nobles frantically opening windows. Must've been hot.

Crow Cruach, huh? That's one hell of a threat.

-----------------------------

Love my work? You can support me on Patreon! 💫

Get early access, bonus content, and special updates.

👉 patreon.com/Greyhounds