The group ascended to the rooftop terrace, with Natsuki Minamiya and the others in tow.
"Crimson Queen—"
"Got it."
With a nod, Crimson Queen leaped into the air. A burst of crimson light flashed mid-flight.
Then, to the group's astonishment, the mature beauty transformed into an enormous red dragon.
Covered in crimson scales with massive wings, she was one of the Two Heavenly Dragons—the Red Dragon Emperor—reborn in this foreign world.
Under Crimson Queen's draconic aura, everyone felt an oppressive weight.
Sayaka Kirasaka, the weakest among them as a mere war dancer, had no resistance against Crimson Queen's presence.
This was with Crimson Queen restraining her aura. If unleashed, it could crush Sayaka outright.
August leaped onto Crimson Queen's dragon head, while Fenrir jumped onto her back.
"Natsuki, bring Koyomi back. Contact Beatrice. Until I return, anyone who dares trespass here—kill them without mercy."
"Understood."
Natsuki knew August was truly enraged now.
A living dragon—this woman was a giant, breathing dragon. Coupled with that mysterious demonic wolf, August might only have one familiar, but with these two monstrosities, even a progenitor wouldn't escape unscathed.
"Crimson Queen, let's go."
August had already shared the details of this world with Crimson Queen and Fenrir through a mental link.
After learning about this place, Crimson Queen found it fascinating—a world where vampires stood at the top.
Boom!
Crimson Queen spread her wings and shot into the sky, speeding toward Kojou Akatsuki's location.
Back on the rooftop, Natsuki sighed. Using spatial magic, she vanished in an instant, heading to Saikai Academy to fetch Koyomi Shizuka. As for Beatrice, she'd already sent the message.
---
At Saikai Academy, one of the Three Saints, Koyomi Shizuka, observed everything through her shikigami.
When she saw Crimson Queen transform into a crimson dragon, she knew things had spiraled out of control.
She'd never dreamed Aya Tokoyogi would be defeated by Kojou Akatsuki, the Fourth Progenitor, and return injured. Now August, a monster of unfathomable strength, was furious. This wouldn't end well.
As August had suspected, Kojou's recent actions were indeed orchestrated by the Lion King Organization.
It was Koyomi who had ordered Yuiri Haba and Shio Hikawa back to Kojou's side. She'd also tipped off Vatler, prompting him to send his maid troupe to Kojou.
Her plan was to boost Kojou's strength while probing August's true power.
As the strongest vampire, the Fourth Progenitor's might was undeniable. She needed to confirm whether August's power surpassed even that potential.
After all, a controllable progenitor was something neither the Lion King Organization nor the higher-ups in Japan were willing to relinquish.
Those in power always wanted a puppet who wouldn't threaten their interests—not a king lording over them.
Meanwhile, at MAR's research lab, Kojou Akatsuki sensed a powerful surge of magic.
He shot to his feet and looked out the window, his face grim.
"Kojou, what's wrong?"
Mimori Akatsuki, puzzled by her son's sudden shift, asked.
"Something's coming."
"What's coming?"
"A powerful magic. It's strange—I've never felt anything like it."
"An unfamiliar, potent magic? Could another progenitor have come to Itogami Island?"
"No, it's not like a vampire's magic. This feels like a roaring flame—completely opposite to vampire."
Vampires, as cursed demons, wielded magic tinged with negativity. This couldn't be one of them.
Roar!
A deafening dragon's cry echoed across countless streets and buildings, resounding throughout Itogami Island.
With no attempt to conceal it, and in broad daylight, countless people along the way caught sight of Crimson Queen's form.
"It's here—"
Kojou's gaze sharpened, his expression turning deadly serious.
Boom!
Cleaving through the sky and clouds, a crimson figure descended.
In that instant, every cell in Kojou's body trembled, his familiars roiling within him.
A dragon—even in a world filled with demons, dragons remained mythical beasts of legend. And now, a crimson dragon loomed directly overhead.
"We meet again, Kojou Akatsuki."
"That voice—it's you."
Kojou's face twisted in dismay. Atop the dragon's head stood the figure he least wanted to see—the one who'd humiliated him time and again.
Beside Kojou, Mimori Akatsuki stared at August with equal gravity. So this was the mysterious figure who'd repeatedly tormented her son.
Rumble!
At August's signal, Crimson Queen landed, her massive frame causing the ground to quake.
Fenrir leaped down in an instant, its body swelling into a giant demonic wolf—only slightly smaller than Crimson Queen's dragon form.
"There's a demonic wolf too?"
Kojou's expression grew even grimmer. The dragon alone was trouble enough—now there was a wolf too.
August stood atop Crimson Queen's head, locking eyes with Kojou, his gaze icy.
"August, what are you doing here?"
"What else? Revenge. Kojou Akatsuki, you injured one of my people. Did you think you'd get away with it?"
"That's unreasonable! That woman tried to kill Yuma. Was I supposed to just sit there and watch her die?"
"That's your problem, not mine. All I know is you hurt my subordinate. Now, I'm here to make you pay. I don't care about the why."
"You bastard—"
Kojou seethed with anger. This was outright irrational.
But he'd forgotten that acting without restraint was the privilege of the strong. Power existed for that very reason.
August regarded Kojou with a frigid stare.
Aya Tokoyogi's incident had cemented his resolve—Kojou Akatsuki no longer deserved to live.
His existence now served only to obstruct August. If that was the case, it was time to eliminate him for good.
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