[Kiba Side]

Rewind a bit.

After negotiating with the Vlad patriarch, we returned to our room.

"Connecting the outside to here took time, but we managed," said Bennia, Sona's new 'Knight' from the Sitri clan.

I heard she split from Akeno and the others en route, but it seems they secured an escape route.

Then, "Greetings, everyone. Glad you're well," said Elmenhilde, who once visited our clubroom as Carmilla's envoy.

She teleported in with Bennia and Lougar, Sona's new 'Rook,' but landed on the ceiling and fell flat on her rear.

Rias asked, "You're infiltrating this country too?"

"Of course. I met Bennia in an alley while coordinating routes with agents. I have news," Elmenhilde said, her face serious. "Marius Tepes's faction is moving to the final phase with the Holy Grail."

We tensed.

"Final phase…?" Azazel muttered.

"They plan to extract the Grail from Valerie Tepes to fully control the country and transform all residents using its power," Elmenhilde explained.

Extract the Grail? Transform residents?

Azazel rubbed his chin. "The Grail was expected. Marius's 'release' comment meant this all along. But turning everyone into vampires without weaknesses? Are they even vampires anymore?"

Elmenhilde grimaced. "It's horrific. They'll use the Grail to make them other creatures with vampire traits. Carmilla's agents and the Tepes government are about to launch an assault against the rebels."

They're already moving to crush the coup. Both Carmilla and the government see this as serious.

Gaspar, trembling, asked, "If they take the Grail… what happens to Valerie?"

"She dies. That was their plan—extract it to use freely without loss," Azazel said bluntly.

Gaspar collapsed, tears streaming. "No… Marius said he'd free her… let her go to Japan… It was all a lie?"

Rias gently hugged him. "Such a vile man is rare. Utterly deplorable."

"We need to get Valerie out," Miu began, but a blinding light flooded the room.

Not morning light—this town's fog blocks such brightness.

We looked out the window—a massive light wall, a magic circle, enveloped the castle.

Azazel clicked his tongue. "They beat us to it! They likely sensed Carmilla's moves. They're starting the Grail extraction now! That's a unique ritual circle for removing a Longinus."

We had to hurry, or it'd be too late.

Elmenhilde stood in Bennia's magic circle. "I'll act with my allies outside. You escape."

Azazel sighed. "You think you can handle this alone? They're tied to terrorists. Evil dragons will show up."

"Vampire problems should be handled by vampires, but Queen Carmilla allows your aid. I won't interfere with your methods," Elmenhilde said, slightly displeased.

They clearly prefer working alone.

"Farewell. Please reconnect the circle," she told Bennia.

The circle activated, and she fell through with a scream. "Kyaaa!"

Bennia stuck out her tongue. "It's linked to another indoor ceiling."

Poor thing, probably landed on her rear again.

Gaspar pleaded, eyes fierce, "I want to save Valerie! Please, lend me your strength!"

He's changed—Issei's influence, no doubt. I've been shaped by him too.

Miu put a hand on his shoulder. "Of course! I'll help save Valerie for you."

Koneko gripped his hand. "A friend's friend is my friend. I'll help, Gya-kun."

"I'll assist too. Gaspar's my friend," Reivel said.

Xenovia hefted Durandal, smirking. "I'll lend my strength. You're my junior—rely on your senior for power."

I added, "I'll handle technique. As Gremory's Knight, I want to test myself against enhanced purebloods."

"Second-years help first-years! I'll smite bad vampires as Heaven's rep!" Irina said.

"Then I'll represent fallen angels. I'm your senior too!" Reina added.

"I'll try my best! If needed, I'll summon Fafnir!" Asia said.

Akeno hugged Gaspar. "I'll help too."

Rias declared, "Let's go, Gaspar. The Gremory clan and Occult Research Club never abandon a struggling member!"

Gaspar, teary but resolute, said, "Everyone… Yes! I'll do my best!"

Bennia and Lougar chimed in. "We're in too," Bennia said. "Right, Lougar?"

"Sona's orders must be fulfilled," Lougar replied.

As we rallied, Azazel and Rossweisse watched. "Youthful spirit, huh?" Azazel said.

"I'm young too. I'll unleash my magic," Rossweisse replied.

"Then I'll get serious. Miu, Reivel, where's your 'King' and 'Queen'?" Azazel asked, cracking his neck.

Issei went scouting with Xenovia's group but split off for "business." Alice chased after him.

Miu said, "I've been trying to contact him, but no response. He's probably somewhere signals don't reach."

"Or in a situation where he can't respond. I'm worried—he looked intense when he left," Reivel added.

Issei acting alone without telling us? If it was Khaos Brigade-related, he'd inform someone.

"Otherworld business," Rias muttered.

Azazel nodded. "Probably that 'kid' Rizevim mentioned. Knowing Issei, he'll return fine."

"He's okay," Miu said confidently. "He went alone because he judged it safe. With Alice, he's fine. Let's move and save Valerie. They'll catch up."

"Alright!" we shouted, fists raised.

"I set a barrier, so no outside intrusions or eavesdropping," Miu said.

"Good work. Carmilla and the government will attack, drawing most forces. Still, stay vigilant," Azazel said.

No signs of soldiers approaching. Miu's barrier could handle any who came.

Explosions and screams echoed outside—battle had begun. Some town buildings were already damaged.

Azazel spread a castle blueprint. "Swiped this. The castle's deep underground has four layers. The magic circle's centered here." He pointed to the lowest layer's ritual chamber. "They're extracting the Grail there."

"Khaos Brigade's there too," Xenovia said.

"The coup's leaders and guards are likely there. That's our target," Azazel confirmed.

"We need to inform Issei-kun. Where is he?" Reina asked, peering out.

The town's chaos would slow him, especially since he'd protect residents.

"What about it, Miu?" Azazel asked.

"No contact, but I can send our location periodically," Miu replied.

"That's enough. Issei can sense us across the town if he tries. Once we fight, he'll find us," Azazel said.

I marked the blueprint with red Xs. "I've mapped the soldiers' patrol routes over two days. We can reach the underground without encounters."

Though, in this emergency, patrols may have shifted. Still, our group could handle any soldiers easily.

The issue is the underground. "We'll face strong foes there," I said.

With the Grail extraction, Marius, key figures, soldiers, and evil dragons like Crow Cruach will be present. Grendel, who fought Issei's group in Kuoh, survived a near-fatal blow.

"No telling what'll happen, but Crow's here," I noted.

"We get into these messes a lot," Miu sighed.

Azazel patted her head. "That's why you've grown so much. You've all gained insane firepower and breakthrough ability."

I agree. Our battles and training against strong foes forged our growth.

Azazel addressed us. "The goal is to stop the Grail extraction. Harsh truth—if it's already done, we capture Marius. Spare other leaders if possible. No mercy for terrorists—I allow it. Evil dragons are tough, so if it gets rough, secure Valerie and the Grail and escape. Don't overdo it. Grendel's survivors know how resilient they are. Avoid unnecessary losses. Got it?"

"Yes!" we replied.

Securing Valerie and the Grail is our must-do mission.

"I'll take Valerie back!" Gaspar said, standing with resolve.

"Absolutely!" we responded, smiling.

We rushed out of the guest room.

Occult Research Club, deploy!

[Kiba Side Out]

[Issei's Group, Moments Earlier]

In an empty house in the castle town.

"Prep's done. Tia, teleport here," Issei said.

"Understood," Tiamat replied.

Issei and Alice set a magic circle for Tiamat. Explosions and screams echoed from the town—Carmilla and Tepes forces were quelling the coup.

"We need to regroup fast," Alice said.

"Yeah. Once Tia arrives, we head to the castle—"

A magic circle appeared on the ceiling.

"Kyaaaa!" A scream, then—

"What!?" Issei yelped as something crashed into his face.

Thud!

Dust flew as Issei hit the floor.

"What!? Issei!?" Alice called, waving away dust.

"Falling from the ceiling again… so inconsiderate…" a familiar voice groaned.

Alice pointed, shouting, "You! That annoying vampire!"

"What!? How rude! I'm Elmenhilde!" She paused, noticing Issei. "Why are you—huh!?"

A strange sensation hit Elmenhilde—something ticklish between her legs. She glanced down.

Issei was squirming beneath her. "Mmph… so tough… what!?"

She'd landed on his face, her underwear pressed against it.

Her pale vampire face turned beet red. "W-W-W-What!?"

Her doll-like features morphed into a mortified girl's.

"Pfft! What the—? Oh, a bear?" Issei mumbled.

"Iyaaaa!" Elmenhilde's scream echoed through the house.

Tiamat teleported in at that moment.

[Issei's Group, End]

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