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Under the watchful eyes of Queen Carmilla and Yubelluna's retinue, Tenra rose into the air, his figure silhouetted against the fog-draped city below.
From this height, the entire royal capital lay open before him. Tenra reached out with his senses, gauging the boundaries of the land—and then activated his Longinus, [Dimension Lost].
Mist poured from his body, swirling upward in thick, ghostly waves. At Tenra's command, the vapor climbed higher, merging seamlessly with the perpetual fog that blanketed the vampire stronghold.
Vampires were creatures of the night, their powers sapped by sunlight. To survive, their territory was always veiled in a dense fog barrier, shielding them from the sun and hiding their existence from prying eyes. For centuries, enemy factions had searched for their lair and found only mist.
But Tenra saw the flaws. The barrier was primitive—if discovered, it offered little true protection. So he wielded [Dimension Lost] to envelop the entire territory, folding it into an alternate dimension.
Now, even if someone managed to find them, they'd face a wall no force could breach.
This was the power of a legendary Longinus.
With enough energy, [Dimension Lost] could relocate the entire planet—but that would require a monstrous reserve of spiritual power, far beyond even Tenra's reach.
Still, moving the vampire domain was within his grasp.
Within moments, the new mist fused with the old, blanketing every corner of the land. The vampires below felt nothing—but in that instant, their world vanished from the map.
Tenra descended, pale and breathless.
"Lord Tenra…"
Yubelluna was at his side in an instant, steadying him.
She could sense the toll. Sharing in [Dimension Lost]'s power, Yubelluna knew how much energy her master had just spent.
"I'm fine," Tenra assured her, forcing a smile.
He conjured a talisman, pressing it into Queen Carmilla's palm.
"Your Majesty, your entire territory now exists in a separate dimension. This talisman is the key—keep it safe."
Queen Carmilla's smile was radiant.
"Red Dragon Emperor, we owe you everything."
All around, the vampires gazed at Tenra with gratitude. The Tepes traitors were gone, but Carmilla's own house had suffered. If the Church or any other enemy discovered them now, the entire race could be wiped out. But with their home hidden in a pocket world, those fears vanished.
Tenra kept his own counsel.
He'd gone to such lengths partly for their protection—they were his property now. But there was another reason:
To keep them here, to domesticate an entire race.
From this day forward, the vampires would live and die within these walls. The only way out was through Queen Carmilla's permission and the opening of the gate.
But when would she ever allow it?
Never, unless the need was dire.
Generations would be born and buried here, never knowing another world existed. Absolute isolation. And Carmilla would mold this hidden kingdom into a nation of pure faith—faith in Tenra.
"Lady Akasha."
Lamia approached, Elmenhilde trailing after her.
Already gifted to Tenra by decree, Elmenhilde had packed her things, ready to leave with his group.
"Elmenhilde, from now on you will serve the Red Dragon Emperor. You are forbidden to defy his orders."
Carmilla's tone was iron. She knew Tenra wanted Elmenhilde close—he'd train her himself.
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Elmenhilde bowed deeply to the Queen, her mother, and the elders, then turned to Tenra.
"M…Master."
She struggled with the word. By royal command, she belonged to Tenra now. He held absolute authority over her fate. The idea was still foreign—embarrassing, even—but Elmenhilde forced herself to speak.
"No need for 'master.' Call me Lord Tenra, like the others. And I'll call you Elmenhilde."
Tenra brushed her forehead gently, smiling.
"Yes, Lord Tenra."
Relief softened her features; for the first time, she smiled.
She was still uncertain, but maybe following Tenra was the right choice after all.
"Your Majesty, we'll take our leave."
"Our doors are always open to you, Red Dragon Emperor."
"I'll be back, I promise."
Beneath the shade of ancient trees, a lonely grave stood, half-swallowed by weeds—the resting place of Issei Hyoudou, once known as Isaiah.
Years ago, Tenra had found Isaiah here, fleeing from the Church. Poison had already claimed him; there was nothing left to do but offer comfort.
In his final moments, Isaiah traded his Sacred Gear, [Sword Birth], for vengeance against his enemies. Tenra kept his promise, then buried Isaiah in this quiet forest.
Not long after, Tenra and Gasper rescued Tosca from the Church. She came here too, to mourn Isaiah—setting a stone for him, carving the names of his lost companions beside his own.
Now, Tenra, Gasper, and Yubelluna's group waited in silence as Tosca carefully cleared the grave, pulling weeds and arranging offerings. She knelt, hands pressed to her heart, whispering prayers for the friends she'd lost.
No one disturbed her. They waited until, at last, Tosca rose, eyes red and shining with tears.
"Lord Tenra…"
Tenra wiped the tears from her cheeks, his touch gentle.
"It hurts, I know. But these memories—they're your bonds. Live well, Tosca. Live for them, too."
"Lord Tenra… sniff…"
She collapsed into his arms, sobbing. Her grief echoed through the forest, raw and honest.
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