Ferid returned to Sanguinem.
He returned alone.
When Ferid discovered that the subordinates he had recruited were all dead, his mood was utterly devastated.
Krul already ruled Sanguinem with an iron fist, and there were very few Upper-ranking Vampires who supported him in secret.
Losing three this time was a severe blow to Ferid.
Of course, a few Vampires had escaped being killed by the human forces and rebel Vampires because they were active in the outskirts.
Ferid left these Vampires behind, telling them to stay in Shinjuku for the time being, as a large force would soon arrive to take over.
At the time, those Vampires had very strange expressions and looked at each other, but Ferid was in such a foul mood that he didn't pay it any mind.
Krul looked at Ferid, who had returned alone to report, feeling irritated.
"So, you're saying all five Upper-ranking Vampires are dead?"
Ferid didn't have the heart to maintain his usual playful smirk; this outcome was indeed beyond his expectations.
Although those humans didn't know he was collaborating with Guren and thus didn't hold back...
...three Upper-ranking Vampires facing humans should have at least ensured the Upper-ranking Vampires themselves wouldn't come to harm.
Ferid had originally only intended to eliminate Kyle and Lest, using the other Lower-ranking Vampires who weren't loyal to him as cannon fodder.
Who would have thought only he and the cannon fodder would survive?
He didn't argue in his defense; no matter what, he had to take responsibility for the deaths of five Upper-ranking Vampires.
Krul rubbed her temples.
"Get out. The blood supply for your faction of Vampires will be halved this year."
After performing a mock bow, Ferid remained silent and returned to his quarters.
He knew that once this punishment was issued, the sense of loyalty from his faction of Vampires would drop significantly.
For a Vampire, blood is everything.
Suddenly, Krul's voice rang out again.
"By the way, stay inside. I don't want to see your hypocritical face."
Ferid didn't turn back to banter as he usually did, remaining silent.
Ferid figured that Krul would soon send someone to take over Shinjuku; the leaders would have to be at least three Upper-ranking Vampires, given they were taking over a whole city.
When the main human forces encountered Krul's subordinates, it would serve to weaken Krul's power.
In this operation, he had lost three Upper-ranking Vampires, while Krul had lost two.
Rounding it off, he had only lost one.
After Ferid left, Krul's worried expression returned to normal.
"Come out."
Several Lower-ranking Vampires emerged from the shadows, kneeling on one knee before Krul and speaking in unison.
"Lady Krul!"
Krul glanced at them.
"Tell me, what happened?"
They looked at each other, and one representative stepped forward, stating they were only on the outskirts and didn't know the specifics.
"We only found out our other companions were dead after Lord Ferid found us. Then, Lord Ferid ordered us to stay behind and wait for someone to take over."
Krul asked curiously.
"In that case, why did you return in secret?"
Upon hearing this, the Lower-ranking Vampires all looked at Krul in bewilderment.
Krul felt uncomfortable under their gaze.
"What is it?"
"Wasn't it you, Lady Krul, who told us to return in secret?"
Krul was instantly confused and frowned.
"When did I say that?"
The Vampire was also confused and continued to reply.
"Didn't you have Lord Kyle bring word that no matter what Lord Ferid arranged, we were to return quietly to Sanguinem and ignore who controlled Shinjuku?"
Krul was becoming increasingly confused by the situation.
"When did Kyle tell you that? I didn't give such an order."
"About an hour before Lord Ferid found us. We haven't seen Lord Kyle since. Lord Kyle must have been killed by those despicable humans along with our other companions!"
Krul's frown deepened, her crimson eyes staring so intensely that the Vampires below dared not lift their heads.
After a long while.
"I see. You may leave. Shinjuku's ownership isn't that important anyway. Go back and stay inside for a week before coming out again."
"Yes!"
As the Vampires withdrew, Krul weighed the credibility of both accounts.
After all, the time of Kyle's "death" given by Ferid was different from the time provided by these Lower-ranking Vampires.
Ferid had claimed that Kyle was the first Upper-ranking Vampire to die.
"You certainly have a lot on your mind, Ferid Bathory."
...Ferid returned to his palace.
He vented by drinking three cups of blood, but he still couldn't suppress the frustration in his heart.
He thought of that blonde human child.
"Mika..."
A Lower-ranking Vampire left Ferid's palace and headed toward the human residential area.
Before long, Mika arrived at Ferid's palace, hiding it from Yuichiro and Byakuya Akane.
Mika's smile was incredibly bright.
"Lord Ferid!"
Looking at the angel-like boy, Ferid's irritation subsided by more than half.
"Aha~ Mika~ what would you like to eat today?"
Mika had come specifically for this and said excitedly.
"Curry! Yuu hasn't had a proper meal in a long time."
Ferid laughed.
"What a considerate child. Whenever you need something, just come to me. Of course, in ex~change~ for~ your~ blood~"
Mika nodded; for the sake of his family, he was prepared to sacrifice himself.
Ten minutes later, Mika's face was considerably paler. He carried a bag of food out of Ferid's palace, his face full of joy.
"Yuu and the others will definitely love this!"
With unsteady steps, Mika walked toward "home" one step at a time.
Ferid watched Mika leave, and only after Mika's figure had completely vanished from sight did he lick his lips, still craving more.
"Truly delicious."
Ferid felt his mood had mostly recovered and turned to go back into his palace.
Krul had told him to stay inside more, and to avoid giving her any reason to find fault, he felt he really should stay in his own territory for a while... "Curry's ready!"
Byakuya Akane brought out two bowls from the kitchen.
"Sister Akane, I'll help!"
"Me too!"
The children scrambled to help carry the bowls.
"Quiet down! Go sit in your seats and don't get in the way."
A black-haired, green-eyed boy said helplessly.
"Blegh, we're not listening to big dummy Yuu."
The children joked around.
The cramped little room was filled with laughter and joy.
Mika smiled blankly, watching the heartwarming scenes before him; he felt his sacrifice was well worth it.
"It's so nice..."
"Mika, what did you say?"
Yuichiro sat down next to Mika, carrying two bowls.
Mika smiled as he took his bowl and shook his head.
"It's nothing."
Yuichiro didn't dwell on it.
"Anyway, you really gave me a surprise!"
"What?"
"You actually managed to get curry! How did you do it?"
"It's a secret~"
"Hmph, fine, keep your secrets then."
Mika didn't want to say, and Yuichiro didn't press him; he didn't want to make things difficult for Mika.
Everyone sat down.
"Let's eat!"
You will get 90 chapter ahead for this fanfiction.
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