After burying Messina and Loggins and paying their final respects, Lisa Lisa and Ray Chu left Air Supplena Island for a safe house in Venice.
Joseph opened the door for them, his usual carefree demeanor replaced by grim seriousness.
"Teacher Lisa Lisa, Ray! You're both safe—I knew you'd make it."
He and Caesar had escaped earlier through a hidden passage beneath Air Supplena Island, battling fiercely with vampires on the river and finally defeating them before hiding in this secret residence.
They'd anxiously waited until evening, their tension finally easing upon seeing Lisa Lisa and Ray Chu arrive.
Yet, Joseph's relief vanished instantly when he saw Lisa Lisa's expression.
He forced a dry laugh, trying to sound optimistic. "Messina and Loggins said they'd meet up with us later. Did you see them?"
Joseph turned anxiously toward Ray Chu, who silently shook his head.
Though Joseph had sensed it coming, the harsh truth struck him like a thunderbolt, sending uncontrollable tremors through his body.
"Those bastards!" Caesar slammed his fist down, shattering the table before him.
During their intense training, Joseph and Caesar had built a deep friendship and respect for Messina and Loggins—mentors and companions both. Hearing of their sudden deaths, how could they not grieve?
Even the toughest of men cried bitter tears, streaming freely from their eyes, mourning comrades fallen in the fight against the vampires.
"We'll make the Nazis pay for what they did to Messina and Loggins," Joseph finally vowed, voice low and fierce.
Not long after, Speedwagon—far away in America—contacted them again. Upon learning the news, he urged them to immediately return to Washington.
Unlike the carefree voyage to Venice, the four companions boarded the departing ship burdened by a heavy sense of responsibility. With Nazi Germany openly allied with the vampires, this conflict was no longer limited to Hamon warriors alone. It was now a global struggle for humanity's very survival.
At his estate, Speedwagon greeted them gravely and delivered shocking news:
After conquering Denmark, Norway, Belgium, and the Netherlands, Germany had bypassed France's formidable Maginot Line this May, rapidly advancing into French territory. They'd successfully encircled the bulk of the British and French armies at Dunkirk.
Throughout these battles, a mysterious unit known as the "Führer's SS" had emerged prominently—assassinating key political figures, gathering intelligence, and sowing fear behind enemy lines. Panic spread among Allied troops, and they were steadily losing ground. Top brass now knew of Germany's near-unkillable legion of monsters.
Fortunately, this horrific unit could only operate fully at night. Daylight still severely limited their movements; otherwise, things would be far worse.
"It's the Nazis' vampire legion," Joseph explained grimly. "We ran into those monsters back in Venice. Grandpa Speedwagon, the Germans developed some kind of material that lets vampires walk freely in daylight. Ordinary weapons barely affect them anymore—only Hamon still works."
"Traitors to humanity," Caesar spat venomously.
"We're already painfully aware of this," Speedwagon replied solemnly. Germany's sudden trump card had caught Europe's military leadership completely unprepared, shattering the frontline in just days.
With sunlight and ultraviolet rays neutralized, the vampires transformed into shadowy specters of terror—cutting supply lines, assassinating commanders, and spreading fear throughout the Allied ranks.
The only reason the Allies hadn't entirely collapsed yet was that the top brass had strictly concealed the truth. Only a select few knew vampires truly existed.
Joseph and Caesar exchanged stunned looks. They'd only briefly trained in Venice, yet the world outside had descended into such chaos.
"What about American politicians?" Ray Chu, silent until now, suddenly asked. "Vampires aren't just Europe's problem. Their very existence threatens all humanity."
Speedwagon's brow furrowed deeply. He didn't hide the truth from his trusted guests. "Three days ago, President Roosevelt called for a declaration of war against Germany—but Congress rejected the proposal."
"What?!" Joseph and Caesar shouted in shock.
After spending time in America, they'd clearly grasped its immense potential—it was perhaps the strongest nation on Earth. Yet it now refused to enter the war.
Only Ray Chu and Lisa Lisa remained silent, as if they'd long expected this outcome.
For most humans, vampires and Pillar Men represented an existential threat—a war between species, leaving no room for compromise. Yet for the terminally ill, desperate for immortality, or ambitious opportunists craving power, eternal life was an irresistible temptation. Even if the cup was poisoned, some would willingly drink.
This wasn't unique to America; countless influential families across Europe undoubtedly harbored traitors quietly collaborating with the Nazis. To these people, personal gain outweighed any sense of patriotism.
Given these conditions, Europe's ability to resist until now could already be called a miracle.
Speedwagon produced another critical piece of intelligence.
"These photographs were captured by our agents at Dunkirk. We've identified these three figures as Pillar Men—ancient beings like Santana, excavated by the Germans from Roman catacombs after two thousand years of slumber."
"Obtaining their identities cost us dearly. They're named Kars, Wamuu, and Esidisi."
The images depicted three imposing beings, each towering, perfectly sculpted like ancient Greek statues, clad like Roman gladiators—yet each bearing unique, sinister horns.
Even through mere photographs, their gaze radiated chilling malice, alien superiority, and pure evil. They seemed born atop the food chain, staring down upon humanity like indifferent gods.
"So, these three are responsible for everything."
Fifty years earlier, Joseph and Caesar's grandfathers had been murdered due to the cursed Stone Mask—an evil artifact created by Kars, the greatest genius among the Pillar Men. Now, the Stone Mask was used to mass-produce vampires.
At the Nazi base in Mexico, the group had discovered that vampires—rich in high-calorie energy—were merely food for the Pillar Men. But after two thousand years, the true motive behind their awakening remained unknown.
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T/N: americaaaaa