At this moment, an invisible pressure permeated the entire world, making it difficult to breathe.
Although this artificial island seemed calm on the surface, an unprecedented vampire resurrection ritual was secretly taking place, turning the entire Itogami Island into a magical maze, where one could sense the hidden currents at play.
At least, that's what Kojou thought.
"This is really beyond me..."
Kojou muttered involuntarily.
There was no way around it.
Essentially, Kojou was just an ordinary junior high school student who had recently agonized over whether to leave the school club. Now that the club matter had finally been concluded, abandoning basketball, the issue at hand had unexpectedly shifted from a basketball game to the resurrection ritual of the world's most powerful vampire Primogenitor.
No matter how you looked at it, this leap was just too much.
What's more, this matter might not be entirely unrelated to Kojou.
Kojou looked towards his sister, Akatsuki Nagisa
Although he was an ordinary person, his sister was a rare hybrid ability user with outstanding shrine maiden qualifications.
Currently, her body was also possessed by a spirit seemingly related to the Fourth Primogenitor. The hope to completely exorcise it had recently emerged, but now they were faced with this so-called "Blazing Banquet" ritual. The impact it might have on her was still unknown.
If his sister were to encounter any danger due to this ritual...
"Damn it...!"
Kojou couldn't help but curse under his breath.
On the contrary, Nagisa...
"Um, I have a question."
Hesitant, Nagisa raised her hand as if unsure, asking this question in front of everyone present.
"Isn't the Lion King Organization supposed to be a special agency responsible for dealing with large-scale artificial magical disasters? Like agents and spies you see on TV? They sound like they're not bad people, right? Why would they become 'Arbiters' to host this ritual?"
Nagisa's words, lacking in tension and formality, seemed like she hadn't fully understood what was happening. However, the content hit the nail on the head.
Just as Nagisa said, if the Lion King Organization is indeed a special agency dealing with human-induced magical disasters, there is no reason for them to host a ritual that could resurrect the vampire Primogenitor.
If anything, the Lion King Organization should be doing its utmost to prevent this ritual. Otherwise, once the Fourth Primogenitor awakens, the potential damage to humanity is unknown. Even if it doesn't actively harm humans, if it follows the path of the other three Primogenitors, establishing its own Night Empire, it will undoubtedly change the world's situation and cause various influences.
In light of this, the Lion King Organization has no reason, morally or logically, to become the 'Arbiters' of the "Blazing Banquet."
This should be the thought of everyone who knows the situation.
However...
"This may also be a helpless move."
Without waiting for Veldiana's response, Rozen preemptively answered Nagisa's question.
"As Shizuka Koyomi mentioned, the Lion King Organization is doing its best to minimize losses, proving that they have reasons they cannot stop the ritual."
And since they cannot stop the ritual, it's better to let it take place where they can see it and under conditions they can control. This way, the disaster won't escalate.
Like earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanic eruptions, and other natural disasters, when they occur, the strategies humans can implement are not about preventing them but reducing the damage caused by the disaster.
The Lion King Organization is currently engaged in such an effort.
"Shizuka Koyomi also wants to reclaim the Holy Spear that can break the seal on No. 12, with various considerations in mind."
Rozen listed out his considerations one by one.
"Perhaps the Lion King Organization wants to prevent the unsealing of No. 12, so even if the Fourth Primogenitor awakens, its threat is reduced by one twelfth."
"Maybe the Lion King Organization wants to manipulate things with No. 12, causing the Fourth Primogenitor, who reclaimed No. 12, to suffer losses and be at their mercy."
"Or perhaps, the Lion King Organization aims to use the Holy Spear capable of slaying even Primogenitors to deal with some of the 'Kaleid Blood' during this ritual, weakening the Fourth Primogenitor, and maybe even using it to kill the Fourth Primogenitor."
"Even more likely, the Lion King Organization wants to achieve some goal during this ritual, regardless of the awakening of the Fourth Primogenitor."
Rozen sneered.
"This is the so-called nature of organizations and institutions—always considering gains, losses, and risks, pursuing the ultimate result, while everything else is just a calculation to achieve their goals."
That's how reality is.
"Compared to humans, those 'Nosferata' trying to hold the 'Blazing Banquet' are much more straightforward."
Rozen shrugged.
The 'Nosperata' from Nelapsi are a type of demon residing in the Warlord Dominion.
They are essentially vampires but belong to the lower class of vampires incapable of summoning Beast Vassals, which makes them despised by regular vampires.
Regular vampires consider them a disgrace to the vampire race and categorize them as demons outside the bloodline, refusing to acknowledge them as part of their group. These despised 'Nosferata,' facing rejection from orthodox vampires, have resorted to violent means to plunder everything from vampires, including territories, wealth, and power.
They have engaged in a war with the neighboring Caruana family for centuries, which ultimately led to the demise of Veldiana's father in a battle against them, resulting in the defeat of the Caruana family.
Now, the 'Nosferata' have occupied the Caruana family's territory and, after obtaining No. 9, have developed even greater ambitions. They now want to conduct the 'Blazing Banquet' ritual, become the 'Emperor Candidate,' awaken the Fourth Primogenitor, and establish it as their king, creating the Fourth Night Empire to claim dominance over the world.
Basically, those who become 'Candidate' have various reasons for wanting the Fourth Primogenitor to awaken.
So, this banquet is like a vortex of chaos, destined to plunge Itogami Island into turmoil.
The Caruana sisters are likely to be vehemently opposed to this situation, which is why they escaped with the 'Key' and are being pursued.
And probably, the ones pursuing them are the 'Nosferata.'
"Is it true?" Kojou almost instinctively said, "Aren't 'Nosferata' unable to use Beast Vassals, vampires' strongest reliance? Without Beast Vassals, can those vampires chase you all over the place after you've escaped? Isn't that strange?"
Several consecutive questions hit the most crucial point.
As Kojou said, vampires without Beast Vassals are not worthy of being called the strongest demons, let alone hunting down pureblood vampire nobles. Faced with other demons, 'Nosferata' are only mediocre or even inferior beings, not worth worrying about.
However...
"Those despicable 'Nosferata,' how could they be our opponents without resorting to underhanded means...!?" Veldiana's expression twisted slightly.
Rozen also understood Veldiana's thoughts.
"Although 'Nosferata' can't summon Beast Vassals, they are genuine vampires with a much greater magical capacity than other demons. Coupled with their near-immortal vitality, 'Nosferata' embed various magical tools into their bodies to enhance their combat capabilities, replacing the innate power they can't use—Beast Vassals."
Rozen explained to Kojou.
"Such 'Nosferata' can fight against vampires relying on overwhelming weapons, not the power of Beast Vassals."
Saying this, Rozen suddenly smiled.
"Look, just like that."
Rozen pointed to the balcony of the apartment.
There, standing in a black robe covering the entire body, was a person who appeared out of nowhere, extending one hand toward the living room.
In the palm of their hand, a barrel protruded.
"Hum..."
Magical power gathered inside the barrel.
"What...!?"
Kojou's expression changed drastically.
"No way..."
Nagisa trembled, biting her lip.
"'Nosferata'!"
Veldiana exclaimed in fear.
As for Rozen, he simply extended one hand toward the opponent.
"Boom————!"
The next moment, an explosion echoed from the balcony on the seventh floor of the apartment, shattering glass with shockwaves and pressure, spreading in all directions.