Right when Ren was posing like a child kidnapper, the shop door suddenly opened, making Ren instinctively hide the crystal.
Even Natsuki looked toward the entrance, raising an eyebrow.
She had just jokingly shouted "police," and they appeared the next second? So fast?
Fortunately, the first to enter was Giada, wearing a satisfied smile.
Seeing the subtle expressions on Ren and Natsuki's faces, Giada paused, puzzled.
"Hm? Human and witch, what's with you two?"
"Ahem… Nothing. Why are you back alone? Where's Remilia?"
Ren coughed awkwardly and asked.
Giada's expression turned odd. She didn't explain—she simply pointed at her other hand.
Then—
Giada dragged in Remilia's completely exhausted body.
Remilia was being dragged upside down by one leg, her cheek scraping along the floor as they entered.
Immediately, Ren and Natsuki understood everything.
Remilia must have challenged Giada. Already drained from earlier, she definitely got beaten miserably.
And being dragged home like this…
The damage wasn't high, but the humiliation was massive.
If Shameimaru Aya from Gensokyo were here, she'd already be drafting a scandalous newspaper article:
(Shocking! The Scarlet Devil Mansion's Mistress Was Publicly Dragged by a Primogenitor!)
Classic clickbait.
"She got beaten badly…"
Natsuki said with a complicated expression. She wanted to ask if the two fought again on Itogami Island, but seeing Giada like this, she couldn't bring herself to ask.
Despite acting easygoing now, Giada was still the ruler of one of the world's three great Empires, one of the only three Primogenitors alive.
Well, soon to be four…
"But it was quite enjoyable. Even without using familiars, I got to savor a real physical fight! This vampire's martial arts are impressive. Ignoring bloodline and magic, purely in technique, she may not lose to me."
Giada seemed to be giving Remilia praise… or perhaps a soft kill.
But Ren understood she was being sincere. The problem was…
Bloodline and magic completely determined a vampire's overall power. Ignoring them changed nothing.
"So you're planning to help Remilia become the Fourth Primogenitor?"
Ren glanced at the upside-down Remilia and smoothly took out his phone.
Seeing this, Natsuki silently turned her head away.
That painful level of fluency… How many pictures had he taken of Remilia by now?
Giada noticed and even cooperated by lifting Remilia up like she was showing off a tuna she'd caught.
Natsuki peeked at Ren's gallery, trembling as she swallowed.
Rows upon rows of Remilia in embarrassing situations…
If those leaked, Remilia would socially die on the spot.
After silently feeling pity for Remilia, Natsuki made up her mind—she must never show a shameful moment in front of Ren, ever.
"Of course. This little vampire becoming a Primogenitor sounds far more interesting than the original one. Flandre is also an option, but based on your intentions, you plan to help this one, right?"
"Naturally. You're standing on the land Remilia has already reserved as her future Empire."
Ren said calmly. After putting away his phone, he took out another crystal.
"In that case, Chaos Zone will fully support her. I'll have No. 6 and No. 10 delivered soon."
"Much appreciated. I'd rather not waste time collecting them… Speaking of which, Zaharias should have two more bodies, right?"
Besides the first familiar, Ren remembered there was still the eighth vassal.
The second and ninth had already been recovered. The third to fifth were in Vatler's hands. The remaining ones were with the Second Primogenitor's son.
Those two were easy to handle. Ren initially wanted to squeeze them like Cao Cao, but since they came to him first, it would be a waste not to rob them completely.
"Rest assured. I'll help the little vampire handle No. 8."
Giada understood Ren's meaning. She had lost interest in the Blazing Banquet. After meeting someone interesting, she doubted the rest of the event could entertain her.
Just as she planned to continue, Ren suddenly took out a crystal, instantly catching Giada's attention.
Her blood stirred, urging her to take it.
This crystal could push her long-stagnant strength another step further.
Even Remilia—who had been unconscious—twitched her nose. Her eyes snapped open.
Feeling a surge of excitement, Remilia instantly shook off Giada's grip, stood up, and stared at the crystal in Ren's hand with overwhelming hunger.
Seeing her reaction, Ren amusedly swung the crystal.
Left—her gaze followed.
Right—her gaze followed.
He tossed it up—her eyes moved upward.
Then—
"Catch! Remilia!"
Ren threw the crystal far away, shouting.
"Waaah—!"
Under Natsuki and Giada's strange stares, Remilia excitedly dove toward the crystal.
She grabbed it and immediately bit into it.
Crunch!
Ren and the others were almost certain they heard her teeth crack.
"Uuuuuuhhh… my teeth…"
Remilia held her mouth, tears in her eyes, staring at Ren and the others.
Then, realizing others were present, she froze.
Slowly, her cheeks turned red. Steam practically rose from her head.
"Uwaah… Big sister is sleep-dizzy again… So embarrassing."
With Flandre's comment as the final blow, Remilia broke completely.
"Uwaaaaaaaaah!"
Screaming, she grabbed the crystal and ran out of the shop—
Completely forgetting that outside was blazing sunlight.
Today, Remilia had another wonderfully embarrassing day.