Correction — that wasn't a greeting. She was just picking a fight.
And to make matters worse, I doubt she even realizes it herself.
Everyone else was probably silently annoyed too, but Elmenhilde began guiding us without comment.
"Well then, let's head to the vehicle. We'll be traveling to the territory of the Tepes faction."
As we stepped out from beneath the wall tower encircling the vampire city, the mountain air hit us with a bone-deep chill. The cold of the mountains is a completely different beast from the cold of the city.
I've got some resistance to cold, thanks to the absurd training I went through like things like winter swimming, for instance. But the cold is still cold. There's a big difference between "enduring it" and "being fine with it."
We boarded two vans that had been prepared for us and began the drive toward the Tepes faction's territory. The trip would take around two hours, and apparently Elmenhilde's role ended here — we were to proceed on our own after this. I had to wonder what the point of a guide even was at this point, but it turned out the road to the Tepes Faction territory was a solitary, winding path disconnected from the rest of the area.
During the ride, Azazel-sensei filled us in on the details. (In the other van, Rossweisse-san was driving, and we had voice comms synced up so everyone could hear.)
"What!? Valerie is the new head of the Tepes faction!?"
Gasper exclaimed, stunned, like he couldn't believe what he'd just heard.
"Yeah, it's a pretty messed up situation," Azazel replied. "Even if someone's trying to control her as a puppet because she holds the Holy Grail, putting a half-vampire like her in charge is just asking for internal conflict. Honestly, I think they're trying to provoke the purebloods, like Carmilla and her faction, into going to war. They're probably eager to test the power of their enhanced vampires."
Hearing Azazel's speculation, Gasper's face twisted in rare, visible anger.
"This is unforgivable! Using Valerie — and her Holy Grail — like some kind of tool!"
Clearly, the thought of his childhood friend being used as a weapon of war was unbearable. The aura of rage was practically leaking from his body.
Sitting next to him, Issei reached over and gently patted Gasper on the head.
"It's okay to get fired up, Gasper, but don't let it weigh you down. We've got your back."
"Y-yes. Thank you… Issei-senpai."
It seemed those words calmed Gasper a little.
Eventually, we reached the next leg of our journey — a gondola station deep in the mountains.
Apparently, this gondola had the special ability to pass through the barrier protecting the Tepes territory. Without it, we would've had to take a much longer and more complicated mountain route.
The gondola had enough space for all of us. After about thirty minutes of swaying through the cold mountain air, we finally arrived. A group of Tepes vampires was there to meet us. Thankfully, they weren't shouting, "They're the enemy! Kill them!"
They escorted us toward the main castle where Rias was supposed to be waiting. Partway there, Rugal and Bennia silently slipped away. Back in the gondola, they'd mentioned scouting the town and securing escape routes "just in case," so that's probably where they went.
When we reached the carriage, the vampire guide was flustered to find two people missing. Still, they received orders to continue escorting the rest of us to the castle.
I get the feeling that vampire's going to get chewed out later at work.
Eventually, we arrived at the grand doors to the throne room of the Tepes vampire castle. The guide instructed us to wait. Shortly after, Rias and Yuuto appeared from down the hall.
"Issei! Everyone! I'm so glad you made it!"
"Rias! Heh, of course. As your familiar and club member, it's only natural."
They hadn't seen each other in over a week, and their bubbly reunion energy was totally unrestrained — completely ignoring the fact that we were in a vampire stronghold.
"Alright, alright, you lovebirds, cool it," Azazel-sensei scolded.
Once the two had calmed down, our vampire escort stepped forward and placed a hand on the grand doors.
"The new ruler of the Tepes faction awaits you."
With that, the doors opened, and we entered.
Azazel-sensei led the way, followed by Rias and me, with everyone else behind us. I'd been told back during the meeting with Elmenhilde to act with the proper decorum expected of a public figure, so I figured this positioning was appropriate. No one said otherwise, so I guess I got it right.
Irina was also with us from the Heaven faction, though Griselda wasn't. Technically, Irina's standing is high, being Michael's ace, but her public recognition is still low — so for now, she's not included in the forefront.
The room had the look of a medieval noble's throne hall, complete with a red carpet and aristocratic vampires dressed accordingly.
Sitting on the throne at the far end was a woman who looked like a college student. She wore an elegant white dress — nothing flashy, but it radiated grace. Her blonde hair and her aura felt strangely familiar.
She had the same kind of presence as Gasper — a half-blood, no doubt.
Next to her stood a young-looking man, clearly higher ranked than most of the other vampires in the room.
"Welcome, everyone. I'm Valerie Tepes. As of now, I'm serving as the new head — the queen — of the Tepes faction."
Her greeting was light, almost casual, but her eyes were devoid of emotion.
That is, until she looked at Gasper. Only then did a faint flicker of feeling cross her face.
"It's been a while, Gasper. I heard you became a devil. I'm glad to see you're doing well."
"Y-yeah… It's been a while, Valerie. I've really missed you."
Valerie's slight reaction seemed to cheer him up, even if he was forcing the smile.
"I've missed you too, Gasper. Fufu… You're still wearing girls' clothes, huh? I remember when I used to dress you up like that for fun. Guess it stuck, didn't it? Such fond memories."
"H-hey! Don't bring that up out of nowhere, Valerie!"
That reaction was very real. I mean, having your crossdressing origin story dropped in public would rattle anyone.
"Sorry, I couldn't help it. You were so much smaller back then. Come closer, Gasper."
He approached the throne hesitantly, but none of the surrounding vampires made a move to stop him. They just watched silently.
When he reached her, Valerie gently embraced him.
"You've grown so much, Gasper."
"You're still taller than me though… And I'm pretty small for a guy."
"Well, I am older. But I'm happy with how you turned out. You're still fun to dress up."
"Yeah, I'm not that thrilled about that part. But I'll at least surpass your height someday."
"I'd love to see a tall, dashing Gasper too."
A tall Gasper… He'd be like a second coming of the handsome gentleman type. Although right now, he's more like a handsome guy who screams in panic at everything.
Then suddenly, Valerie's gaze drifted into the air.
"―――――――――.―――――.――――――――――."
She spoke in a language no one recognized — definitely not from any known country. I can translate most things using sage arts, but this was beyond even that. Judging from everyone else's confused expressions, I wasn't alone.
It must've been the voices of lost souls, a mixture of countless spirits. If so, maybe that was a language formed by compressing every kind of voice — human, animal, even insect.
Not even demonic translation magic could handle that.
Valerie had just been laughing and talking with Gasper, but now she was mumbling to the air like he didn't exist. Everyone was visibly unsettled.
That's when Azazel-sensei barked out a warning.
"Everyone — avert your eyes! That's the Holy Grail's influence. She's seeing things we shouldn't. Especially you three from the Church — Asia, Xenovia, Irina — stop looking now!"
The three named immediately dropped their eyes to the floor.
The vampire standing next to Valerie stepped forward.
"Valerie, it's improper to speak only with that group. As our queen, you must share our new direction with all our guests."
Her eyes returned to that vacant, hollow expression.
"Ah… You're right. I forgot. If I become queen, I can create a peaceful world for vampires… One where half-bloods like us don't have to suffer anymore…"
Her voice now sounded robotic, as if reciting a script she barely understood.
Azazel's voice was sharp.
"They really went all out brainwashing her, huh. And they're flaunting it to our faces. Disgusting. Just how much did you make her use the Grail? Being able to talk to the dead like that — she's practically a lost cause. What are you trying to achieve? You're the one behind all this, aren't you?"
The man beside her didn't even flinch.
"You're correct. Ah, allow me to introduce myself. I am Marius Tepes, fifth in line to the throne, and currently acting as the kingdom's chancellor and chief researcher of the Holy Grail. The latter is my true calling — I only took on the chancellor role until a replacement is found, at my uncles' request."
He gave a graceful bow, befitting nobility, though his expression oozed arrogance.
"As for your question — why? Because I wished to help my dear half-sister, who worries so much about our future. Or at least, that's the official story. In truth, I'm fascinated by the Holy Grail itself. Former Governor-General, surely you understand — such a marvel deserves in-depth research. My father and brothers opposed its use. But certain higher-ups on your side sought new power. Our interests aligned. And so, my family was… retired."
Despite the blatant admission of betrayal, Valerie just kept smiling.
Gasper could barely hold back his tears.
"M-Marius-sama! This is the throne room, and you're addressing the former Governor-General of the Fallen and the heiress of House Gremory! Your words will be taken as the official stance of our faction!"
Even if it's all lies, you're supposed to say, "Our cause is just!" before a war.
"Oh, pardon me. Politics never was my strong suit. Please, appoint someone else quickly — I'd gladly step down."
Rias, realizing further talk was meaningless, stepped forward with a sharp gaze.
"...So you won't give up Valerie?"
"Of course not. She's my prized research subject."
"I've heard enough," Xenovia said, stepping forward and drawing Ex-Durandal from subspace.
"Let's burn this bastard to ash, take the girl, and get out of here. He's the kind of scum that'll only cause trouble if left alive. We're better off ending it here and now."
...I kind of agree with her. Not that it's that simple.
Politically and physically.
"A holy sword, huh? I suppose devils wielding sacred weapons makes you not so different from us. Still, being on the receiving end of a holy blade is unnerving. Perhaps this is a good time to introduce our bodyguard."
Still wearing that condescending smirk, Marius gave the signal.
Suddenly, overwhelming pressure flooded the room.
Everyone turned to face the source.
A man leaned casually against a pillar, arms folded, cloaked in black. His hair was a wild mix of gold and black, and his eyes — one golden, one black — glowed with unnatural intensity.
"...He's on a whole other level," Yuuto murmured, cold sweat on his brow. "If this guy helped with the coup, it's no wonder they succeeded. Honestly, he alone could probably wipe out the entire vampire world — including Carmilla."
To that, Ddraig responded—