"Alright, it seems now we can have a chat."
Youyu stood before the Vampire Fraulein, whose face was deathly pale as she knelt on the ground, her flat chest heaving from intense panting.
She lowered her head, her silver hair cascading down, looking obedient and defeated, as if waiting to be ordered around, making Youyu feel like one of those unforgivable villains for a moment.
The fools behind him clearly felt a sense of déjà vu. They chattered away, thinking this scene bore resemblance to certain not-so-wholesome anime from the island nation - the kingdom is conquered, and the noble princess sacrifices herself for the safety of the citizens...
Fools, they watch all sorts of messy stuff and love to let their imaginations run wild.
"I know saying this right now might be hard to believe... but we really bear no ill will towards your country." Youyu said helplessly, "We're really just passing through."
The Vampire Fraulein raised her head, her eyes sparkling like rubies.
"You... want to go to the Supreme King Castle, don't you?"
"Yes." Youyu nodded, "We just need to use your Teleportation Gate."
The Vampire Fraulein was silent for a moment before she said, "I cannot allow unauthorized people through that gate. It is my duty - and also our country's duty."
"You've done your best to fulfill your duty." Youyu said, "So let's be straightforward now, where is the gate?"
The Vampire Fraulein didn't answer. Her beautiful eyes dimmed, she gazed absentmindedly at the dark sky beyond the castle.
"Actually, I've become tired of all this." She whispered, "Endless battles, countless deaths... I just want it all to stop."
"Is this why you want the Supreme King to return?" Youyu asked.
"Yes." The Fraulein gently lowered her head, "Because it is... the only way to stop the war. Only that man can make everyone willingly submit, all dimensions will heed his command, all worlds will restore peace.
I just... don't want to keep fighting any longer..."
Youyu watched the Fraulein slowly bow her head and couldn't help but chuckle.
"Miss, you seem to have some misunderstandings."
"Huh?" The Fraulein lifted her head.
"We never said that we were going to overthrow that man at the Supreme King Castle." Youyu said with a smile, "We're just going to have a sensible chat with him.
We all hope the Supreme King can remain in his position, I merely hope he can become better than he is now... and possibly even stronger.
But regardless, your wish will still come true. The Twelfth Dimension will remain united under the absolute power of the Supreme King, there will be no more wars, and no one will die over land disputes."
The Vampire Fraulein was full of doubt, her pale little face clearly conveying -
— I haven't read many books, don't fool me, is it really that simple?
You want to reason with the Supreme King? Do you think he looks like someone who would listen to reason?
But just as the Vampire Fraulein was deeply skeptical, a figure - or more accurately not even a human shadow - materialized beside Youyu.
"Yubel?" The Fraulein showed a surprised expression, "Are you with them?"
"Things are a bit complicated." Yubel crossed her arms, "Among past colleagues, I've always had a good impression of you, young lady.
You should know, in this regard, you can trust me.
Do you really think I would betray that man?"
The Vampire Fraulein: "..."
Indeed. Although she didn't fully understand the story between the Supreme King and Yubel, she was aware of their extraordinary past.
Yubel's loyalty, the Supreme King's regard for her, all of this was evident to everyone for a long time.
If there's anyone in the Supreme King Castle least likely to betray, it would definitely be Yubel.
The Vampire Fraulein was silent for a moment, seemingly caught in a dilemma.
A moment later, she asked again, "Are you really not here to resist the Supreme King's rule?"
"Of course." Yubel smiled, "You know I am forever loyal to that man, but the situation is a bit special now.
You know, the current Supreme King is no longer completely who he used to be. I am merely using these people's strength to try and make the man on the throne better."
"..."
Seeing the Fraulein still indecisive, Youyu continued, "Moreover, let me remind you. While your loyalty to the King is admirable, you actually don't have many choices.
You lost to me, remember?
A match, a price. Your price, you haven't paid it yet, have you?"
The Vampire Fraulein sighed lightly.
She gently raised her pale, slender hand, pointing in the direction beyond the city wall.
"From here, go out and follow the main road." She said, "All the way to the city's center, the gate you are looking for is there."
After a pause, she added, "However, you should know, even if you pass through there, it's not a direct path to the Supreme King Castle.
Our dimension is not the final line of defense. To reach the Supreme King Castle, there's still one more dimension to pass through, the closest and final line of defense to the Supreme King Castle."
"Dark Dimension." Yubel nodded, "Thanks for the reminder, but I haven't forgotten."
"Dark Dimension?" Youyu raised an eyebrow.
"Correct." Yubel said, "The Dark Dimension is the closest dimension to the Supreme King Castle, completely controlled by fallen Dark Dimension creatures.
It's a world eternally enveloped in darkness, where demons enslave and rule over the humans living in that plane, a dimension where despair reigns, never breaking dawn."
"But that dimension simultaneously contains the final gate leading to the Supreme King Castle."
The Vampire Fraulein wobbled as she stood up, took a deep breath, and displayed a serious expression.
"I want to go with you." She said.
Yubel was slightly surprised, "But your country...?"
"I let you pass through this gate, I must witness with my own eyes if what you say is true."
The Vampire Fraulein paused, once again looked out the window, at a country she once dedicated everything to, yet was betrayed by,
"Moreover, I'm already tired." She whispered, "If what you say is true, and from now on there will be no war, then perhaps it's time for me to leave this position.
It's time to entrust all this to others."
Then she chuckled lightly, half-jokingly looking at Youyu.
"Besides, haven't you said, I still owe you a price unpaid." She said with a smile, "If I don't follow by your side, there's no way to pay it, right?"
"Alright then." Youyu shrugged, "But you'd better be mentally prepared, it won't be as easy as a picnic."
...
Youyu's group left the castle, heading towards the city's center to the Teleportation Gate leading to the next dimension, a dark figure stood in the shadows nearby, squinting his eyes as he watched that direction.
He slowly moved forward, ready to follow.
But a lazy voice sounded behind him, "You really are as persistent as a haunting spirit."
The dark figure stopped, looked at the person who had silently appeared and was leaning against the wall, and couldn't help but frown.
"That should be my line... Duel King."