Inside the chain ice cream parlor Lulu's, seven golden-haired girls were gathered around a table.
Within the Wall Maria constructed from seven-scoop ice creams, a sudden collapsed gap was particularly eye-catching.
That was the only three-scoop ice cream present.
Avrora shot an unwilling glance at the others' seven-scoop creations before slowly starting in on her own three scoops.
This was her punishment; she wasn't allowed to order more ice cream.
"If you study hard, there will be rewards, you know," Arcueid said, tapping the girl's small head.
"Exams..." she started, but then, watching Avrora happily eating her ice cream, Arcueid silently changed the requirement. "Just finish your homework normally, and I'll guarantee your daily ice cream ration."
For some reason, the blonde vampire girl suddenly hunched her shoulders like a frightened little animal.
Just like a student terrified of homework, she stared nervously at Arcueid... or rather, at the space behind her.
In her line of sight, a gaunt middle-aged man in a suit was slowly approaching.
Beside him was a petite figure.
She wore plain, unadorned reinforced fiber protective clothing, similar to a motorcycle rider's suit.
The stiff Roman numeral 'IX' printed on the surface gave the impression of a prototype weapon.
The girl had golden hair, and her eyes shone with a flame-like blue-white radiance.
Her identity was revealed by an ethereal, fairy-like beauty reminiscent of Avrora's.
Aside from the trace of ice cream lingering at the corner of her mouth, she looked nearly identical.
The gaunt man stopped beside Arcueid and bowed as if performing in an opera. "Greetings, esteemed retainer of the 'Moon Princess'."
"I am Balthasar Zaharias, Chairman of the Autonomous Region of the Hunghi."
He slowly raised his head, revealing a polite smile.
So this is the arms dealer collecting the Kaleid Bloods.
Arcueid swept a calm gaze over him, her eyes radiating boundless authority.
The immense pressure in those crimson eyes nearly forced Zaharias to his knees right then and there.
"State your business directly."
Truly, a retainer of the Fifth Primogenitor.
Zaharias bowed his head respectfully. "I have come this time regarding the Kaleid Bloods."
"I trust you are aware of how dangerous the Kaleid Bloods are, given that the Fourth Primogenitor possesses power equal to or greater than the other three Primogenitors."
Zaharias trembled as if genuinely fearful, but then he laughed.
"However, rest assured. My primary business is in trade, specializing in arms dealing. When it comes to handling weaponry, I am confident no one can compare."
As he said this, he glanced at the Kaleid Bloods seated around the table.
"Naturally, I also have an interest in fostering good relations with the Mystic Eye Collection Train. I am prepared to offer you a very favorable price for the Kaleid Bloods."
Hah.
Arcueid slowly stood up, looking down calmly at the man before her. "Take any matters concerning the Mystic Eye Collection Train to the 'Moon Princess'. It has nothing to do with me."
"And besides..." A scornful smile touched her lips, as if amused. "Money?"
"Yes. I am willing to offer twenty billion per Kaleid Blood for the transaction."
Though slightly taken aback by her dismissive attitude toward the 'Moon Princess,' Zaharias proposed the deal without letting it show.
How tedious.
For Arcueid, the one thing she lacked least right now was money.
The Mystic Eyes possessed only by the Mystic Eye Collection Train were highly sought-after commodities in this world, even by the three great Empires of the Night.
Money was just a string of numbers.
Arcueid gave him a frosty glance.
The moment he met those crimson eyes, it was as if he had been petrified by the legendary Medusa. Zaharias froze solid on the spot.
A... mystic eye?
But why attack me...?
"Sir...?"
The Kaleid Blood beside Zaharias seemed to sense something was wrong, but the moment she tried to step forward, her body was similarly fixed in place.
"For what purpose are you collecting the Kaleid Bloods?"
Zaharias struggled to breathe, his words coming in fragments. "A battle... broke out in my homeland over a Kaleid Blood... The shrine maiden protecting her, my younger sister... died in that conflict... I wish to resurrect..."
"Was your sister truly killed by others?"
Arcueid's icy voice came from above him.
Does she know...?
Just as Zaharias tried to shift his eyes in suspicion, his thoughts sank into a muddy chaos.
Amidst the turbid thoughts, only one command shone faintly.
Submit.
Unconsciously, he began speaking anew. "For eternal life, I used my sister and my homeland as the price to become the Blood Servant of the First Kaleid Blood. I also placed a soul-capturing ritual upon my sister's corpse, to facilitate seizing the Fourth Primogenitor's power."
What a farcical charade.
Arcueid asked her final question in a tone even colder than her expression. "Where are the Kaleid Bloods you brought?"
"...Stored in the Old Southeast District of Itogami Island." As if anticipating what was to come, Zaharias's pupils filled with panic.
A pristine silhouette drifted lightly to his side.
Swish—
As if tearing through fragile paper, Arcueid gently swept her claws.
A trail of magenta magical energy, shaped like claw marks, pierced through the man's body. The swift attack created an instant vacuum.
Without a single sound, the man's figure vanished completely under this claw strike.
The restaurant fell silent. After a moment, the soft sound of a certain foolish vampire licking her ice cream quietly broke the stillness.
"Is it really that good?" Arcueid smiled faintly.
"The fla... flavor is like the fruit of Eden," Avrora replied, nodding vigorously like a puppy wagging its tail.
Patting Avrora's head, Arcueid placed the immobilized Number IX in her own seat and turned to leave. "Take your time eating. I'm going to look for your sisters. I'll be back soon."
--+--
The Old Southeast District of Itogami Island.
As the name implied, it was a floating artificial island block southeast of Itogami Island, already designated as a condemned zone slated for demolition within a few years.
A decaying artificial island was indeed a suitable venue for hosting the 'Banquet.'
The hem of her skirt fluttered, and the breeze gently ruffled her short golden hair.
Walking along the road, Arcueid raised a hand to block the somewhat glaring sunlight.
Now that I think about it, this makes all twelve Kaleid Bloods accounted for.
"Gather the twelve Kaleid Bloods, summon 'Root.'"
As if amused by her own words, Arcueid, with a smile, bounded lightly toward the southeast, like a rabbit hopping across the lunar surface.
"Just wonder if Natsuki-chan's house is big enough for everyone."
--+--
T/N: While I am an inexperienced Translator, I have a Patreon! While it may seem empty as of now, webnovel will get 2 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
[email protected]/AspenTL
If you guys wanna check it out.