“-and that’s the gist of the plan.”

  “I see.”

  Arsène S. Tanael elegantly drank the expensive beverage in a bar. Across the table, there was a pale-skinned woman so beautiful that lesser men would be charmed even without an Arte.

  “Oh, congratulations, by the way, for your promotion, again. So soon after your last, Blood Vicar Izabella.”

  “Thank you.”

  In a Blood Church’s hidden base, one of their largest on the continent, Izabella and Tanael entered a bar and had a chat.

  “I must say, that’s a pretty high position, yes? Yet the people around us don't seem to know your rank. Desire-filled look aplenty but no reverence.”

  “I don't go out much and I rarely visit the Cathedrals. It’s no wonder they don't know me. If the raid was not so important and warranted extensive preparations, I wouldn't be here,” Izabella sipped a thimble of her drink. The red color of the drink made Tanael curious.

  “How very Hermit-like, eh? I wonder. Now that you’re a vampire and all, can you only drink blood? Do you even eat normal food anymore? Are you afraid of water you can't even bathe? Or that the bath must be sanguine in nature too?”

  Izabella sighed. The slight change of her body language made quite a few people who were trying their damndest to sneak a peek but not being creepy about it, lick their lips.

  Ah, that guy just got smacked on the head by his girlfriend. Oh, she now dragged him out by the ear. Some things just never change, do they? Fufufu.

  Looking was one thing, but the sound of their voices was hidden from eavesdroppers. The conversation was too sensitive. However, even if it wasn't, Viers and his other self always made a habit of deploying the cone of silence for convos in public spaces.

  “I’m no base vampire, Tanael. Enough said.”

  “Mere curiosity is all,” Tanael sipped again. The drink was delicious, expensive, and Izabella was buying. So-

  “Bartender, give me the next drink on the menu.”

  Iz twitched, perhaps hearing the cry of her wallet. It pained Tanael but it was a necessary evil. His Horizon won't rise on its own.

  From others’ point of view, Izabella should be the superior of the two. Blood Vicar was among the highest status of the Blood Church's hierarchy, only below the rare Level 5s. However, for the two on the table, the boss-subordinate relationship was unchanged since the incident.

  “...It’s finally happening, huh? Your wish. It has been, what, five years?” Tanael shook the fresh glass with a bubbly purple liquid.

  “Aye.” Izabella looked pensive. “I hope she’s alright.”

  Ursula was Izabella’s non-blood related sister figure who was captured and held in the Tower of Remorse. She was the fire that spurred Izabella's actions. Tanael hoped it wasn't too late. Out of consideration for Iz, he didn’t say it out loud that Ursula might already be dead.

  The Tower of Remorse was where the Silver Legion put the worst criminals they had caught. Cultists with the devil god worship and demon-summoning were among their prime targets because such acts usually cause severe damage to the world and populace.

  “I have new information that merited your attention. I found out about the big names under the Level 5 leaders from the other factions,” Izabella said.

  “Lay it on me.”

  “From the Gardeners of Perfection, there’s a guy called Rotpriest.”

  “Sounds like a pleasant fella.”

  “People stay away from him because of the stench. Next is Olivia the Rimeheart from the Black Ice Apostates.”

  “Black Ice Apostates... It is the cult that only accepts women, isn't it?”

  “Yes. They are also the most reclusive out of the seven great cults. Their participation in anything is a rarity. Then again, the raid on the Tower of Remorse is an event of the century.”

  Tanael smiled. Ah, the sect of only jade-skinned beauties and ice-aligned. A staple in xianxia. If I’m the harem MC kind, fate decreed that I’ll bang this Olivia girl sooner or later. Hah, how hilarious.

  “The Warbringers sent Whiskey Dog.”

  “Excuse me?”

  “The branch of war maniacs that will participate with us is called the whiskey branch. Whiskey Dog is a rising name there. There are other alcohol named branches too, like tequila and brandy.”

  “Huh.” Tanael just accepted the information. “So they are drinkers then, and only whiskey?”

  “Apparently, drinking other kinds of alcohol is punishable by death. Weird rules, I know. The more drunk they are, the better they are at killing, or so I've heard. The whiskey branch’s leader is called the Whiskey Lord by the way.”

  “I hope they are at least funny critical drinkers,” Tanael smiled.

  “What was that?”

  “Nothing. What’s next?”

  “Well, frankly, I thought they would send the rumored madman that I've been hearing, Red Eyes. But no. The guy’s busy up north. Moving on, then... The Death Society sent the fewest people. Norgard is the only name you need to take note of.”

  “They are the cults of necromancers and undead creatures, right? Perhaps they are the only ones that I haven't directly encountered in some manner or form.”

  “Mhm,” Iz nodded. “From the Bone Ravens, someone with the title Dark Prince.”

  “Ho. Tall words.”

  “I did some digging, apparently he’s a Latias royalty.”

  Oh, is it Vadym? Croix’s half-brother from the Grand Prix? Wow. He went full on the evil route, hm? Kind of shocking, kind of not. While his other siblings are dealing with the Harkelan invasion, Vadym goes jailbreaking. A bold strategy. What is he after?

  If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

  “Still have a Latias royalty somewhere in your cloister?” Tanael smiled.

  “In a breeding pen, more accurately. The sixth is Yuri from the Wicked Tempters. The info on him or his exploits is barren to none. I only know he uses mind Arte, possibly soul too, since their cult is famous for those two affinities.”

  Izabella added in a whisper.

  “There are sparse rumors that he’s a descendant of the cult’s Grandmaster. The current crown prince of the cult.”

  Dumuzin’s cult...

  The Avel identity that his other self in Latias used right now was compromised after Georgi, the cult Grandmaster had soul-searched him in the Valkut arc. And yet, to Viers’ confusion, there had been no interference from the cult.

  Considering they were the ones who messed with me first, why the passivity? Was what Dumuzin spoke of when he possessed Farley the truth? That he would leave me alone? I don't believe the damned demon, and yet...

  “Your poker face is broken. Your ties with the Wicked Tempters might be deeper than I thought.”

  “An old story. Let’s see if they still want to mess with me. It's their funeral.”

  “Well, I’ll stay away from the stray Artes when that happens. Lastly, from the Blood Church, me.”

  “Ooh, tooting your own horn?” Tanael teased.

  “I am a Vampire Progenitor,” Izabella said matter-of-factly. “The first one in a thousand years and who wields one of the three legendary Blood Artes. I am one of the brightest stars of this generation... And in front of me is someone whose power frightens me still and holds my soul in the palm of his hand. How’s that for tooting your own horn?”

  “I know. I'm awesome,” Tanael straightened up his collar.

  Izabella lightly scoffed. “Well, it pleases me, Your Awesomeness, that we’re on the same side. That is, as long as I can still bring you benefits.”

  “My dear Hermit. You are so very wise. I like smart people. Here, some top-up for your card.”

  A small soul energy the size of a marble flew towards Izabella and entered her body. The soul power inside the arcana card rose slightly. Even as a Level 4 Vampire Progenitor, the power from the Arcanum Club was so potent and versatile that it did not become obsolete after her transformation.

  “...Thank you,” Izabella didn't like it but was grateful nonetheless. She would need every inch of power for the battle ahead.

  “As your boss, it is only natural for me to look after my employees.”

  “So those names from earlier, it didn't exactly mean they are the second strongest of their faction for the operation. Simply the notable ones. Most are from our generation, some are higher in age or lower, give or take a few years. They are all pretty troublesome in a fight, mind. And there might be more, some unknowns that I missed.”

  “Right. Your side’s preparations are complete, I take it? You bring other heavy hitters?” Tanael asked.

  “I made three children. First-generation Vampire Nobles. All three are Level 4. They’ll be a force to reckon with.”

  “Brutal... The Level 5s have their own agendas. So do we, but will the Tower hold while they are tearing the fabric of reality?”

  “I’m confident. The doves worshipping Estelle made that place to last. There have been attacks on the prison in history but never on this scale. Because we found a weakness in the dimensional barrier. Or made it, more accurately. The stars also align in such a way that their wards thinned. This is the moment. No better opportunity than this. We have Level 5s on our own for the assault while the Silver Legion is spread thin fighting fires throughout the continent. This will work. It has to!”

  Izabella said as if convincing herself as much as Tanael.

  The Azkaban Tower is located in a pocket dimension not unlike a Biome. Extremely hidden and guarded. Usually, no Level 5s can enter, except for the gaol’s own security. If that rule is no longer valid, then we have a good chance. The Silver Legion will have its own trump cards for sure. Still, my Impel Down arc will rock the world just like in One Piece!

  Tanael emptied the eighth glass and ordered the ninth, each a different drink.

  Two days before the raid and we’re setting out tomorrow... My other self will be assaulting Grandia Castle at the time. I have to do this on my own. You can do it, me! The worst is simply death and for me, it’s not even permanent. Viva respawn! With lives like this, what reason is there not to treat this transient life like a game? It’s more fun that way!

  “Well then, Miss Izabella. To our inevitable success,” Tanael raised his glass.

  “To objectives met and homecoming,” Izabella mirrored the gesture.

  “Oi! You’re in my seat.”

  Before the glass rim touched his lips, a bunch of thug-like cultists interrupted him.

  “Fellas, are you talking to me?” Tanael asked.

  “Aye, you. Get off your ass from there and fuck off. The lady deserves better company than you.”

  Ah, so that’s what this is.

  “How rude. I-” Iz tried to stand up, but one of the thugs pressed her shoulder back down.

  “What’s the rush, pretty? Let us give you a good time. You won't regret it.”

  Tanael was currently in a tavern in a stronghold of evil cultists. The term bad neighborhood didn't do it justice, ironically. He was surrounded by people who believed might made right and that they were on the ‘might’ side for Tanael and Izabella were strangers here and because they hid their Level, some people thought they were easy prey.

  “Gentlemen, there’s no need for-”

  Tanael got hit by a backhand.

  “You dim or something? I’ll simplify this for you. Walk out from here, or we’ll break your legs and throw you out. Is that clear, hm?”

  The thugs laughed. Izabella already prepared a barrier Arte to prevent gore and blood from falling on her. They had no idea who they were messing with. Even she could massacre these Level 4 idiots on her own, let alone the sleeping dragon in front of her.

  To Izabella’s surprise, Tanael stood up and silently walked away to the door.

  “Yeah, that’s right. Run along, smart buster. So, beautiful. What’s your-”

  “Manners-”

  Tanael locked the door.

  “Maketh-”

  Tanael locked the other door.

  “Man.”

  Tanael covered the door with a barrier.

  “Do you know what that means?” Tanael said with his back towards them.

  The thugs cracked their necks and fists.

  “Then let me teach you a lesson.”

  Tanael looked at a bottle nearby and it flew to hit one of the thugs in the head, breaking satisfyingly.

  “Kill him!”

  The leader of the thugs charged at Tanael. His underlings followed suit. While the bar fight was ongoing, the tavern jukebox suddenly went on with high-beat music.

  Izabella watched in her seat as Tanael wiped the floor with the thugs with a big smile on his face. The rest of the customers joined in the brawl too. Perhaps they knew the thugs. This was their home turf, after all. Iz and Tanael were the foreign faces. Tables were broken, bottles were flying. Izabella twisted her head to avoid a flying plate.

  She didn't worry about Tanael. Her mind was occupied by how she would explain this to the higher-ups if they asked.

  It didn't take long until it was over. Amidst thirty people groaning painfully on the floor, Tanael walked back to her table.

  “At least you didn't kill any of them. That’s awfully restrained of you.”

  “That’s because I’m in a good mood, my dear. This is a good omen.”

  Izabella came to a realization. “You wanted this to happen. That's why you told me to hide our power before we entered.”

  “I love it when a plan comes together,” Tanael raised the untouched ninth glass. “May the events keep unfolding to our advantage.”

  Izabella raised her own glass and drank to that.

  Before they left the tavern, Izabella took the thugs’ money to pay for the damage and their tab.

  ...Maybe he’s right. Maybe this is a good omen.

  ***

  On a stone platform, a flash of light lit up and five people arrived by teleportation.

  “Silver Legionary Freya Marianus and her team reporting in,” a young woman wearing black-rimmed glasses performed a salute.

  “I’m Warden Myers,” a Level 5 man returned her salute. “Welcome to my Tower of Remorse.”