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Gozo Island — The Fourth Primogenitor's Underground Tomb
A rough, chilling voice echoed throughout the crypt. Combined with the stifling heat, a sudden wave of cold dread washed over Kojou Akatsuki.
Beastmen?
Gulp..
He swallowed hard, Adam's apple bobbing as his eyes widened, staring in disbelief at the figures approaching from the tunnel.
Tall. Muscular. Clad in greenish-blue military uniforms.
But Kojou's eyes were fixed on one thing—their heads.
They weren't human.
Thick brown fur, beast-like features!!
Wolves? Bears?
Kojou instinctively stepped in front of Nagisa, shielding her with his body. His gaze was grim.
Endou, watching the beastmen approach, smirked slightly.
"Well, this place sure got busy…"
"Didn't think even the Black Death Emperor Faction's executive would show up. What's wrong? Beastmen interested in the Fourth Primogenitor now too?"
"Black Death Emperor Faction's executive?"
That got a reaction. Both Gajou and Liana flinched in shock.
So he wasn't just some random guy either!
"Tch."
Liana scowled.
What the hell was going on? She'd spent a ton of effort and money to get results here—and now everyone was just showing up to steal the prize?
First, it was the Lion King Organization, now the beastmen.
If another faction suddenly dropped in, Liana wouldn't even be surprised at this point.
But, did everyone seriously think she was just some glorified excavation tool for digging up the Fourth Primogenitor?
Yeah. She was pissed.
...
Meanwhile…
Now that his identity had been exposed, the Death Emperor's executive, Golan Hazaroff, crossed his arms and coldly glanced at Endou.
"Looks like you're not so simple yourself."
Golan kept a poker face, but inside, he was surprised.
Wasn't this supposed to just be some down-on-her-luck vampire noble?
"Lion King Organization," Endou said lazily, casually dropping her affiliation.
"…The Lion King Organization."
Golan narrowed his eyes.
Even among demons, that name carried weight.
But, right now, it didn't matter if it was the Lion King Organization or even the Warlord himself—there was no way he was backing down.
Especially not when they were a terrorist organization, after all.
And a terrorist organization had to act like one.
Golan grinned savagely, his fur-covered face twisted with wild glee.
"Lion, tiger, whatever—you can forget it. The Fourth Primogenitor is mine!"
Endou paused, giving him an odd look.
This guy was a textbook definition of "all muscle, no brains."
You want to claim the Fourth Primogenitor?
Never mind the fact that Lynn had his eye on it too—
Even just talking about the power of the Fourth Primogenitor… You think some random beastman could actually control that?
"Enough talk."
Suddenly, Liana stepped forward and snapped:
"If you want the Fourth Primogenitor, you'll have to go through me first!"
She might have had her doubts facing Yukina's demon-slaying Schneewalzer.
But a beastman? He didn't have the power to truly kill a vampire.
Liana's emerald eyes gleamed as she raised her arm. With a wave, two massive wolves—one crimson, one blue—appeared beside her.
"RRAAHHH!!"
The twin wolves roared and, without hesitation, charged straight at the beastman, Golan!
"ROOOAAAAR!!"
An answering bellow shook the entire tomb.
Golan's troops let out a terrifying war cry that made the walls tremble!
The sheer force of it whipped through the chamber, tossing hair and cloaks in every direction.
Kojou clutched his ears as the roar echoed in his skull.
Holy crap!!
He was completely stunned.
Seriously…
Why was this happening during what was supposed to be a relaxing summer break with Nagisa?!
This sucks!!
Kojou looked like he was about to cry.
...
On the other side—
Liana's wolves weren't the least bit fazed.
Golan's expression didn't change—but his magical power exploded outward.
BOOM!!
A terrifying wave of power ripped through the air.
RIP—
His body surged in size. His uniform shredded instantly.
"ROAAAARRR—!!"
His monstrous form now filled the entire tomb, fur bristling with raw power!
CRASH!!
With a swipe of his enormous claw, the twin wolves were sent flying, slamming into the icy floor with a bone-rattling THUD!
Liana's eyes went wide. "Sköll! Hati!"
She stared in disbelief as her wolves whimpered on the ground, twitching.
What the hell…?
This guy was that strong?!
Kujou's father, Gajou Akatsuki, took one look at the battlefield, then cast a serious glance toward Kojou and Nagisa.
Way too many unpredictable things were happening.
The Lion King Organization was one thing… But the Black Death Emperor Faction?
They weren't exactly the type you could negotiate with.
Gajou was starting to regret ever dragging Kojou and Nagisa into this mess.
And yet, he'd been so careful about keeping this whole Fourth Primogenitor dig under wraps.
So how?
Not just the Lion King Organization—even terrorist groups had caught wind of it?
'Someone must've leaked it.'
That was Gajou's first thought.
But now wasn't the time to play detective.
He stepped over to Liana, his expression grim.
"This… just got serious," he said under his breath.
If it were just him, he wouldn't be worried—he had certain tricks up his sleeve.
But the problem was Kojou and Nagisa.
Liana snapped back to herself at Gajou's voice. She glanced at him, surprised.
In all the time she'd known him, this was the first time she'd seen that kind of expression on his usually flippant face.
Was it because…?
She glanced at Kojou and Nagisa.
Taking a breath, Liana's gaze hardened.
"Don't worry. I'll keep them safe."
This had started because of her. If those two got caught up in it, she'd take full responsibility.
Even if it meant putting her life on the line—she'd protect them.
Whew!
She exhaled slowly, eyes full of resolve.
---
Elsewhere—
Himeragi Yukina pulled the Snowdrift Wolf Schneewalzer from her back again, gripping it tightly.
From what she'd just witnessed, this beastman Golan was probably far beyond her level.
In fact, he might even be on par with Dimitrie Vatler.
And if that was the case, then this would probably go just like last time.
Back then, all she could do was stall him.
Vatler had only died because Lynn stepped in personally.
Still—Whether she was a Sword Shaman of the Lion King Organization or a retainer of Lynn, Yukina had no intention of backing down.
Her amber eyes filled with determination as she raised Schneewalzer and pointed it at the beastman's massive form.
Golan Hazaroff: "…Huh?"
.
.
.