After leaving Yuyuko Saigyouji's residence, Izumi found Yukari Yakumo already waiting there.
The gap youkai wore an oddly complicated expression the moment she saw him.
"My, my."
"I honestly thought you'd stay with Yuuka for a while longer and properly satisfy her."
"I didn't expect you to come running over here so soon."
Although her voice sounded casual, the irritation behind it was impossible to miss.
She was clearly unhappy about what had happened between Izumi and Yuuka Kazami.
Of all people, why did he have to spend time with that woman?
The moment Izumi heard her complaint, he rolled his eyes.
"Oh, stop acting."
"You watched the whole thing from beginning to end."
"And now you're pretending you don't know anything?"
"How hypocritical."
His words struck true.
Yukari's face immediately flushed red.
"Tch!"
Clicking her tongue in annoyance, she turned away.
Just as Izumi had said, she had witnessed everything.
If he hadn't granted Yuuka that Nature Spirit and strengthened her senses, there was no way Yuuka would have discovered Yukari's spying.
As a result, the two ancient youkai had nearly come to blows.
After spending some time with Yuyuko and teasing Yukari a little longer, Izumi eventually left.
His next destination was the Scarlet Devil Mansion.
...
Naturally, the gatekeeper noticed absolutely nothing.
Hong Meiling remained at her post while Izumi casually walked right past her.
Without even slowing down, he pushed open the mansion doors and entered.
Inside, he immediately spotted Remilia Scarlet, who was enjoying an elegant afternoon tea.
The vampire mistress frowned when she heard someone enter unannounced.
Beside her, Sakuya Izayoi also narrowed her eyes.
Someone had dared to walk into the Scarlet Devil Mansion without permission?
Were they looking for death?
But the moment both of them saw who it was, they froze.
Remilia's face instantly changed.
It was as though she had just seen her natural enemy.
Her entire body stiffened.
Then, trembling slightly, she hurried behind Sakuya for cover.
Meanwhile, Sakuya somehow managed to keep her composure despite nearly losing her dignified expression.
She bowed politely.
"Welcome, Mr. Izumi."
"May I ask what brings you here today?"
The Scarlet Devil Mansion knew Izumi very well.
Or more specifically—
Remilia knew him very well.
Ever since Avrora Florestina had become recognized as the Vampire King, Remilia had challenged her countless times.
And every single time...
She had been utterly defeated.
The repeated losses had left a deep psychological scar.
To Remilia:
Izumi = Avrora's ally.
Avrora = her greatest rival.
Therefore—
Izumi = terrifying final boss.
"Y-Y-You...!"
"What are you doing here?!"
Remilia pointed at him with a shaking finger.
Then realization struck her.
"I knew it!"
"It must be Avrora!"
"She sent you, didn't she?!"
"Damn it!"
"I already acknowledged her title as Vampire King!"
"Is she still not willing to let me go?!"
"What a bully!"
"Just you wait!"
"One day I'll drag her off that throne myself!"
Izumi stared at her for a moment.
Then he burst out laughing.
"Remilia..."
"What exactly is going on inside your head?"
"Are you really this scared of me?"
"How depressing."
"I like you so much, yet this is how you treat me."
Without the slightest concern, he sat down in the seat Remilia had occupied moments ago.
Then he snapped his fingers.
"Sakuya."
"A cup of black tea."
"And leave out the Type-B blood."
"Understood, Izumi-sama."
Sakuya nodded gracefully.
In the blink of an eye she vanished.
A moment later she returned carrying a fresh tea set.
With flawless maid etiquette, she poured a steaming cup of black tea and placed it before him.
Remilia frowned.
But she eventually forced herself to sit opposite him.
"What are you doing here?"
She asked the question again.
To her, Izumi's sudden visit made no sense.
What business could someone like him possibly have with the Scarlet Devil Mansion?
After taking a sip of tea, Izumi smiled.
"Do I need a reason?"
"The entire world belongs to me."
"That includes this mansion."
"And you too, Remi-chan."
The moment those words left his mouth, black lines appeared across Remilia's forehead.
"Don't call me Remi!"
"I'm not Remi!"
"Can you speak properly?!"
She was furious.
Absolutely furious.
Unfortunately—
Izumi only smiled wider.
"Okay, Remi."
"No problem, Remi."
"I'll make sure to properly address you next time, Remi."
Remilia stared at him in despair.
Hopeless.
Completely hopeless.
Sure enough.
This man was just as terrible as Avrora.
"You really are as annoying as that woman..."
"Damn it..."
"Damn it, damn it, damn it!"
"No wonder you're together!"
"I don't want to play with you anymore!"
Her eyes grew moist.
Then she spun around and ran off toward her room.
Watching the vampire mistress flee in embarrassment, Izumi nearly laughed out loud.
Sakuya rubbed her forehead.
The eldest lady truly had it rough.
Being bullied like this every single time...
With a sigh, she hurried after Remilia.
As for Izumi?
He could take care of himself.
Sakuya knew him well enough by now.
Even if nobody entertained him, he would find something amusing to do on his own.
Compared to him, comforting Remilia was far more important.
So the silver-haired maid left without hesitation.
Watching the two disappear into the mansion, Izumi chuckled softly.
He set down his teacup.
Then, with his hands in his pockets, he leisurely began wandering through the Scarlet Devil Mansion on his own.