'That's the reaction I was hoping for.'
Bandi knew Ozrik's personality like the back of his hand—hot-headed, arrogant, and always trying to act tough.
He could also see the surprise on Rodeo's face. Clearly, even he hadn't expected Bandi to drag Ronovan back.
"Thank this woman right here," Bandi said, gesturing toward Alira. The woman's face turned slightly red, clearly caught off guard by the compliment.
"You brought humans?" Rodeo asked, exactly as Bandi had predicted. Both he and Ozrik began to pinch their noses, looking visibly disturbed by the stench. I knew they'd notice quickly.
"Let me introduce them—this is Lumino, Kael, and Alira," Bandi said. Ozrik sat back down immediately, clearly unwilling to stay near Lumino any longer. The heavy scent of Lady Seraphine clung to the white-haired man like an invisible cloud—it was nauseating, especially to vampires. But given time, you could get used to it.
'I've started getting used to it myself,' Bandi thought.
Rodeo, though reluctant, still offered a curt handshake to each of them. Lumino, however, looked tense—he had clearly noticed the subtle but pointed gesture of them all covering their noses.
Then Alisa and Terwy arrived—two other werewolves likely summoned by Rodeo. Just like the others, they immediately covered their noses as soon as they stepped in. Their expressions turned sour. They gently lifted Ronovan's limp body from Bandi's back and laid it onto a nearby mattress.
'That old man really looks like he's already dead.'
After that, Alisa and Terwy vanished, their footsteps fading into silence, likely under Ozrik's command to summon the last four vampire elders.
Ronovan might have been the public face, but twelve vampires truly ruled. Five, now with Clementine, their auras a cold presence. Five more with Ozrik, a palpable tension in the air. Terasvari, ancient and reclusive, had chosen neutrality, retreating from the conflicts.
That left only four: Derelia, Oscar, Tivulin, and Orcha.
"Please, have a seat," Bandi said to Kael, Lumino, and Alira. The trio hesitated, perhaps finally realizing the significance of Bandi's position among the werewolves.
Lumino looked especially uncomfortable. He seemed like he wanted to leave—especially since even the newly arrived vampires winced and covered their noses as they passed by him.
Kael, however, quickly reached out and pulled him to sit beside him. Lumino finally relented.
At least Kael had a way of grounding him—of easing Lumino's constantly heightened anxiety.
"Can we get to the point? Why did you call us here?" Oscar asked flatly.
On one side of the room sat Rodeo, Alisa, Terwy, and Bandi. Across from them sat Ozrik and his vampire allies. On the left side of the hall, Kael, Alira, and Lumino took their seats. Ronovan lay silently on a mattress just beside Bandi.
"What's with the humans? You brought us a snack, maybe?" Tivulin asked, her voice sultry. She licked her lips.
"In that case, I'll take the black-haired one," Derelia smirked. "He's cute—my type."
"Anyone but the pale one," Orcha muttered.
"Why not? He smells like sin," Ozrik laughed darkly.
'Ugh... can you all just shut up and let me talk?' Bandi frowned.
Kael's expression sharpened at their mocking words, and the atmosphere grew tense.
"They are the ones who killed Caroline," Bandi said abruptly.
Silence.
Even Rodeo blinked in shock.
"You're joking,"
"No wonder I haven't felt the cursed witch's presence anymore."
"Three humans? That's impossible."
"Even Ronovan fell trying to fight her,"
Ozrik slammed his fist onto the table. 'Now that's a reasonable reaction,' Bandi thought.
Honestly, he wasn't sure himself. He only knew what Clementine had told him when he'd posed as a prisoner.
'Considering Lumino was Lady Seraphine's favorite, could he have been the one to end Caroline life?' That was just speculation, of course.
Ozrik stood and approached the trio, looking down on them as if trying to size up weaklings.
"These three? These fragile little humans are the ones who killed that cursed bitch?"
Kael's jaw clenched, and he lifted his chin to meet Ozrik's gaze—a fire smoldering in his eyes, ready to burn.
"What are you looking at, human?"
Even Bandi knew better than to provoke Kael like that.
"Is it true?" Rodeo whispered to him.
"That's what I heard from Clementine."
"Unbelievable... That should be impossible."
"I'm not so sure," Bandi said. "The white-haired one destroyed Agusta without breaking a sweat. Shattered her will to fight."
"Agusta? That Agusta?" Rodeo looked shocked. "Then that explains the intensity of his scent. Is it possible he's—"
'Don't finish that sentence, Rodeo.'
At that point in time, a scene of complete and utter chaos suddenly erupted.
"You want to fight me, you bastard?" Ozrik shouted.
"Apologize to Lumino!" Kael growled, unsheathing his sword.
'Damn it, it's because Ozrik called him—what was it again?'
"Lady Seraphine's whore."
Yeah. That.
'Nice going, Ozrik. You've pissed off Bro Kael.'
Bandi exhaled deeply, stepping in between them with both arms out.
"What the hell are you doing—"
"Stop it, Ozrik. Are you really going to fight him here?" Bandi said firmly.
"Why not?! He's the one who drew his weapon!"
"Because you insulted his friend."
"And you're blaming me for that? What part of what I said was wrong?!"
'All of it, you jackass.'
"I said apologize, Ozrik. I'm telling you, for your own good."
"Tch—damn it!"
All eyes turned to Ozrik, who scoffed and stormed out of the room, stomping his feet as he left.
Even so, the room was still thick with tension.
"I apologize on his behalf," Bandi turned to Kael.
"Bastard," Kael snapped, grabbing Bandi by the collar.
"Why does everyone keep saying he stinks? You, him, and that bastard Ozrik. He doesn't smell like anything! He's not like that Red witch!"
'Kael's crashing out.'
Even Rodeo and the others stood, ready to intervene if needed.
Bandi could see it now—Kael was no cool-headed adult. He was just someone who cared too deeply.
"Calm down, Kael. You don't want to turn the whole werewolf den against you," Bandi said cautiously.
"Shut your mouth. Why did you even bring us here? To use us as your war tools? No thanks, bastard. I won't tolerate another insult aimed at Lumino."
'What are you, his dad?'
"Kael, that's enough," Lumino said quietly.
He'd stood now, gently reaching out to Kael's hand.
"Let go of his collar," he said softly.
As Lumino's fingers touched Kael's wrist, Bandi's eyes caught something unusual—
A faint red thread of light flickered, connecting the two of them at their wrists.
'What… was that?'
It was subtle, but unmistakable. Only Bandi, standing this close, could've noticed it.
Suddenly, a memory returned to him—Terasvari's words:
"There exists an artifact of absolute power. Only three remain in existence. One of them, I'm certain, is in her possession."
'Orb Eternum.'
--
"What's happening!?" Alira screamed inwardly.
She had known from the start that going to the werewolf nest was a mistake, and now—Kael, you'd better stop gripping Bandi's collar like that.
"Did you forget he's the leader of the werewolves?"
Alira could feel the hostile aura radiating from the three werewolves nearby, their eyes flickering with a primal glow—one wrong move, and they'd shift into their full forms and tear Kael apart.
She took a deep breath, steadying herself. Then her gaze shifted to Lumino, who was trying to calm Kael down. After a tense second, Kael finally released Bandi from his grasp, lowering him back to the ground.
The threatening aura dissipated. One of the werewolves—his ash-gray hair wild and unkempt—hurried over to check on Bandi.
Is the situation defused now? Alira wondered.
Bandi coughed a few times, rubbing his throat, then slowly straightened up. The tension in the room began to fade.
"For what it's worth, I won't bring it up again," Bandi said hoarsely. "Once again, I apologize for making you all uncomfortable."
"It's alright, Bandi," Lumino replied gently. "Kael's just a little sensitive. I should be the one apologizing—I still don't know how to control the scent."
At that, Kael's expression hardened again.
"You don't smell bad," he said firmly.
Eh?
"You actually smell better than most people I've met," he added with a serious face.
Several people in the room turned their gaze toward the two.
Hey, you two—knock it off. You're embarrassing me just watching this.
"Um… okay. Thanks, Kael," Lumino replied, clearly flustered.
"So, what's your plan now?" Bandi asked, his voice a little softer. "I understand if we've made you feel unwelcome. You're free to leave."
"Of course not. We're not going anywhere," Lumino said without hesitation. "Besides, it's better for us to stay here for now."
"Bro Lumino, you really are too kind." Bandi opened his arms dramatically and hugged Lumino tight.
He's a little corny…
"Can you not," Kael said coldly.
That single phrase was enough to make Bandi quickly let go.
"Ehem… so, what are your plans regarding Ronovan?"
Time for me to ask some questions too.
Alira's sudden question silenced the room.
"It would be best… if we could heal him," Bandi muttered.
"Is that even possible?" asked the gray-haired man—Rodeo, apparently.
"I don't know, Rodeo," Bandi said wearily.
I know even less. If only I could decipher the rune in this spell book…
"I might be able to help—"
Hah?!
The voice came from Lumino.
"I have Divine Power," he said simply.
Damn it, that's right. Why did I forget that in the first place?
--
Lumino didn't expect everyone to react with such shock at his words. Why did Alira look that stunned too? He thought at the very least, Kael and Alira knew he could do this kind of thing.
"Are you sure you can?" Kael asked, brows furrowed. "Ronovan's condition is... beyond saving."
"At the very least, I want to try," Lumino replied quietly.
The four vampires seated nearby exchanged glances, their expressions painted with disbelief and doubt.
"Bro Lumino, mind explaining what you meant by that?" Bandi asked cautiously.
"I can heal people," Lumino said. "Though I've never tried curing someone under a curse, I've studied enough to—"
Lumino turned to Kael and instructed, "Take off your gloves and coat."
Lumino knew Kael's hand had rotted during the fight with Caroline; however, Kael hadn't mentioned a word, enduring the pain silently, as he always did. After a moment of awkwardness, Kael reluctantly removed his coat and peeled off his gloves. The sight of his hand underneath caused several vampires to recoil.
It was blackened, marred by dark, pulsing veins. "It hasn't hurt since the day you died," Kael stated calmly, like a whisper.
"That doesn't matter. You should've told me," Lumino retorted, his voice sharper than he'd intended. "Don't act like you didn't notice."
Kael looked down in silence, guilt creeping into his usually unreadable face. The others stared at his hand—Bandi looked especially disturbed.
"That looks... bad," Bandi muttered.
"I'm starting," Lumino declared, placing a hand over Kael's.
A white light flickered from Lumino's palm, humming with a soft resonance.
"With this, let the Creator heal."
In seconds, Kael's hand regenerated—healthy, smooth, as if nothing had ever happened to it.
"Lumino, you—" Kael began, astonished.
But Lumino didn't hear the rest. Instead of admiration, the others looked worried. Deeply worried.
"Your nose—"
Warm liquid dripped down his lip. He touched it and realized blood was flowing freely from his nose. A sharp pain bloomed in his head, followed by a familiar, sinister whisper.
"Don't do this, Lumino... You don't have to force yourself."
'What the hell is happening?' Lumino gritted his teeth.
This never happened before. Divine power never drained him like this.
"Perhaps your purity is rejecting you now," the voice sneered.
'Shut up... Shut up!'
It had to be Seraphine's doing. That woman—what was she planning? Was she trying to break him the way she did to Caroline?
"Wrong, my dear. I never wanted you to become like her. That's why I blocked your divine power in the first place..."
'I knew it... it was you.'
"Don't dig deeper, Lumino. Not yet. You're not ready."
'Give it back! Give me my power!'
"..."
'Damn you, Seraphine...'
The voices faded. Lumino snapped out of his trance to see Kael staring at him, deeply worried. The others too—even the vampires and werewolves in the room had covered their noses tightly.
'That scent again... it must be leaking out.'
Before he could respond, someone violently tore apart the heavy curtain at the edge of the hall. A middle-aged woman stormed in, she have grey hair and red vampire eyes. her presence wild and unhinged, fury radiating from her as she locked eyes with the room.
Bandi turned pale instantly.
"Damn you, Seraphine! I knew that foul scent came from here—it reeked all the way outside!" the woman snarled.
Bandi could only whisper, almost frozen, "...Terasvari."