The next morning, August awoke from his slumber.
Seeing Kanon in his arms, a flicker of pity and affection passed through his eyes.
Even though it was her first time, the little girl had still tried her hardest to please him.
If not for her divine body's resilience, she might not have lasted the night. She'd pushed herself too far.
Careful not to disturb her, August slipped into his pajamas, tucked her in, and quietly left the room for the living room.
Several people were already there.
Natsuki Minamiya, Aya Tokoyogi, and Giada Kukulcan—all three present.
As for Esdeath and Crimson Queen, they were out expanding August's territory.
Since he'd decided to build a Night Empire, August wasn't just talk. Esdeath had taken on the task of conquest—war was her favorite pastime.
Najenda, meanwhile, oversaw Itogami Island's Artificial Management Corporation. The capable handled more, after all.
For her safety, August had assigned Fenrir to her side. With Fenrir, even a progenitor wouldn't pose a threat.
"Well, well, our groom's up. Took another little concubine last night—how's it feel?"
Giada Kukulcan piped up the moment she saw August.
August could only sigh at her antics. This woman was after his body—his blood. Since he wouldn't give it, she kept stirring trouble.
"I haven't settled the score with you yet. Kanon's so young, and you egged her on to come to me? She's still a kid."
"And you didn't let her off."
"I—"
August faltered. It was true—he hadn't spared Kanon Kanase.
Natsuki and Aya, meanwhile, stayed out of it, eyes down, silent as statues.
After a few days of recovery—without fresh blood—Giada's strength had partially returned. She'd forged contracts with a few new familiars.
Though they paled compared to her old ones, they were decent. Given time, she could regain most of her power. Returning to her peak, however, would take longer.
Progenitor-tier familiars weren't easy to come by. Otherwise, creating the Fourth Progenitor wouldn't have required the rare Heavenly Division's sacrificial curse.
"When are you heading back?"
"What, tired of me already? Trying to kick me out?"
"Yep."
Hearing August agree—and nod—Giada Kukulcan nearly swore.
She, the grand Third Progenitor, a stunning beauty, threw herself at him, and he didn't care? He even wanted her gone? Was he even a man?
"I'm not leaving. I've already contacted my subordinates. The Chaos Zone's yours now."
"Hm? What's that supposed to mean?"
"What's what supposed to mean?"
"I never said I wanted your Chaos Zone, and I didn't agree to anything."
"Ha! What am I supposed to do then—go back? My strength's not even a fifth of what it was, and you killed all my familiars. If I return and someone notices, nine times out of ten, my own underlings will devour me."
"Uh, that bad?"
"What do you think? Vampire hierarchy is brutal. If there's a chance to devour a superior, no one passes it up—especially a progenitor like me."
August nodded. Take Vatler, for instance—he'd consumed two elder-tier vampires to reach his level.
And he'd always coveted Kojou Akatsuki, the Fourth Progenitor. A progenitor's power was too tempting.
"So, you're just handing me your territory?"
"I can't control it anymore. Might as well do you a favor."
"You're generous."
"What's there to cling to? Night Empires mean little to progenitors—just a bunch of lackeys bowing to us."
"True enough."
In this world, progenitors embodied absolute power and authority.
Even doing nothing, countless would flock to serve them. Submission to a progenitor was an honor.
"So, you're planning to stay here?"
"Yep. I've got nothing left—power, influence, gone. You won't take me in?"
Looking at the pitiful Giada Kukulcan, August said nothing, tacitly agreeing.
She didn't get mad. She had her own motives.
A progenitor who'd lived millennia didn't care about love or feelings—those had faded long ago. She'd seen through everything.
Her sole reason for staying was August's strength.
She valued his unmatched power—nothing to do with emotions.
"Natsuki-chan, later, let Najenda know about the Chaos Zone handover. Tell her the Third Progenitor's joined us."
"Got it."
Natsuki nodded. She held a post at the Artificial Management Corporation and often went there.
She respected Najenda's leadership. Though not strong, Najenda excelled in governance.
She'd managed a crumbling empire—rife with corruption—commendably. Itogami Island, while larger, was less chaotic than that empire. She handled it with ease.
August glanced at Giada Kukulcan. For now, he had no plans for her.
She was too enigmatic. Though he'd defeated her, a progenitor who'd lived for tens of thousands of years had more experience than he could fathom.
Beep! Beep!
Natsuki's phone rang.
Without hesitation, she answered.
"This is Natsuki Minamiya. What's up?"
Her face soon grew grave.
After a dozen seconds, she hung up and turned to August.
"What's wrong?"
"There's something you need to know."
"Go ahead. It's fine—the sky won't fall."
"The First and Second Progenitors are less than ten kilometers from Itogami Island."
"Hm? The First and Second Progenitors are here?"
"Yep. Your defeat of the Third Progenitor, plus Esdeath's conquests, stirred up quite a ruckus."
"I see."
August grinned. Perfect—the First and Second Progenitors had come to him. Mission completion was in sight.
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