Oceanus Grave.
Kojou climbed aboard the magnificent, stately ship—more like a floating palace than an ordinary vessel—accompanied by his retinue of Blood Servants and Kensei. The ship's vastness and elegance, gleaming beneath the moonlight, were breathtaking, as if a legendary painting had risen from the heart of the ocean.
"Kojou-kun!!"
The moment his feet touched the deck, a familiar shadow rushed forward and hugged him fiercely, as if afraid he might be a mirage and vanish.
"Nagisa... why are you here, aboard Vatler's ship?"
Kojou asked, deeply puzzled, but he did not refuse his younger sister's embrace; instead he wrapped his arms around her in silence, trying to calm her slight trembling.
"I brought her—she seemed terribly worried," came a sarcastic voice as Vatler appeared from a golden mist beside Kojou. "Hmm, it seems you were enjoying your power on that abandoned island."
His last remark carried equal parts mockery and amusement, his sharp eyes fixed on La Folia and the others standing behind Kojou. Thanks to Vatler's terrifying demonic senses, he had easily picked up Kojou's scent lingering on the girls' bodies—and vice versa. Their scents were stamped deep into Kojou, a clear seal of the intimate closeness they shared, which only widened Vatler's smile as he enjoyed the faint embarrassment beginning to appear on the young man's face.
"I won't deny it," Kojou nodded; he was not the type to be ashamed of his actions, especially when the other party already knew. "But... I think it's better if you show me to the bathing chamber, provide some proper clothes, and a place to rest. I want you to do me a favor."
As he spoke, Kojou had no reservations toward Vatler; after all, the latter was his servant, and though his loyalty was questionable, he could not be disobeyed.
"A favor for you?" Vatler raised an eyebrow, tilting his head slightly as a faint silver gleam flashed in his eyes. "It's rare to hear you ask like that, Kojou-kun. Usually you act as if the whole world owes you its allegiance."
Kojou gave a weary little smile that nonetheless echoed the power still flowing through his body despite his exhaustion. His steps were calm as he walked toward the edge of the deck, where the dark sea stretched endlessly, the moonlight glittering on its waves.
"Let's just say…" he said, reaching out to touch the salty wind, "I need some time... before everything starts again."
A short silence fell, broken only by the sound of the waves. Even La Folia, who usually replied with a teasing or provocative remark, watched him in silence, her eyes shining with a mix of caution and concern.
Vatler chuckled softly—a gentle laugh that concealed something not easily described.
"I see now... you want to bathe, put on new clothes, rest a little... and then ask me for a favor, right?"
Kojou nodded quietly. "Exactly."
"Very well~" Vatler waved his hand lightly, and a gilded door opened at the end of the corridor leading inside. "I ordered the royal suite to be prepared for you in advance. Your bath is filled with purified seawater mixed with Purebloods' blood, and your table awaits you there. As for your request..." he drew closer until his voice was a whisper near Kojou's ear, "I'm eager to know what the Fourth Primogenitor might ask of his thirsty servant."
Kojou closed his eyes for a moment, then spoke while gesturing toward Beatrice standing behind him.
"She is another of my servants, just like you, and I want her to take control of Magus Craft for me. So I want you to help her. But don't misunderstand—she is more than capable of controlling Magus Craft. I need you to help her cover up the suspicious dealings and Magus Craft's involvement in creating Automatons, the construction of an Angel Faux, and other things. That includes the old man over there; I need him as well, so make sure he isn't arrested by the island guards or any other organization."
Magus Craft already had a well-known name across the world, so bringing it under his control wouldn't be a bad move. As for the idea that it was merely a company that made cleaning robots, that wasn't a real problem—through influence and power he could easily change its main manufacturing direction. With the old man Kensei present, there was little to worry about; the man was highly skilled in magical engineering and other rites—despite his appearance he had been the chief sorcerer at the royal palace of the Aldegia Kingdom.
Vatler laughed softly after hearing Kojou's words, interlacing his fingers before his face in that familiar sly manner.
"Hah... taking over Magus Craft? That sounds more interesting than I expected from you, Kojou-kun. I didn't think you cared about companies or industry. Are you planning to build your own army this time?"
"Maybe." Kojou replied without hesitation; his tone was cold and utterly realistic. "The next era won't be like the last, and uncontrollable powers are on the rise. What I want is a self-sustaining production system... that can respond to my commands even without my direct intervention."
"Hahaha~" Vatler laughed clearly, the sound echoing off the gilded walls of the ship. "Your ambition is finally becoming clear, Fourth Primogenitor... an army of automatons mixed with blood and forbidden rites, controlled by your new servant? What a project worthy of interest!"
At that moment, Beatrice stepped forward with calm steps and a small smile on her cold face.
"I will carry out the mission as ordered, my lord. Magus Craft will be entirely yours within a week. As for covering things up, I will leave the details to Mr. Vatler so long as he enjoys playing in the shadows."
Vatler raised his hand slightly in a mock bow.
"With pleasure, Miss Beatrice. Manipulating spirits, laws, and political filth has been my specialty for centuries. If Kojou-kun wants that pathetic company turned into a fortress of blood secrets, I will ensure no one discovers anything."
"I'll leave it to you, then, as I need to bathe and rest," Kojou said, taking Nagisa's hand and heading toward the bathing chamber, followed by La Folia and the others. Along the way they found Asagi and Sayaka, and everyone went together to enjoy a warm bath aboard the Oceanus Grave.
If any other man saw Kojou bathing with so many beauties—Kanon, La Folia, Touka, Sayaka, Asagi, and Nagisa—he would die of jealousy; it was impossible that such a gathering would end as nothing more than a simple bath with that number of beautiful girls.
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