It was in the early years of elementary school when Kaoru Okama met the girls. It's not that Kaoru was a fag at the time, but she had the makings of a faggot. Since kindergarten, she had always preferred to join the girls in playing housekeeping. I grew up watching my mother who was good at housework, and by the time I was in the first grade, I had mastered sewing and cooking to some extent by imitating her.
　Kaoru is not averse to physical activity, but he is still not ready to play soccer or tag in the mud in the schoolyard. One day he approached Sakuma Sachiko, who was quietly reading a book in the corner of the classroom, and Benii Asuka, who was standing next to her just staring out the window in a daze.

　I don't remember what the first topic we talked about was, but well, we've known each other since then.

　It wasn't something Kaoru could say, but Benii Asuka was a very different kid since then.
　Somehow, she never gave it her all in anything. I've never seen her do anything seriously and desperately. There were a lot of boys who were faster than Benii in terms of record, but next to them running at full speed with their teeth clenched, running a bit behind them with a cool face was a girl named Benii Asuka.

　Well, if that's her stance, that's fine too.

　Benii was an oddity, but Kaoru was also a very old boy, so he had never once tried to talk her into getting serious with him.
　However, when you are a child, it's not so easy to "hide your true feelings", so we had some trouble.

　I don't know when it happened, but there was a mixed-gender soccer match. It was when I was not yet in the upper grades. The difference in physical ability between men and women was not so noticeable at that time, and that's probably why it was a mixed game.
　That day, Sakuma Sachiko was sick and had to watch the game, but Sakuma, Benii, and Kaoru made a promise to each other: "I'll get three goals from the other team.

　I'll take three points from the other team.

　If they were at all familiar with football, they would have known how outrageous this promise was, but at the time, they didn't have the knowledge to do so.
　Immediately after the start of the game, Benii Asuka, who usually looked languid, suddenly moved with agility. Even so, her expression remained cool, so she must not have been in earnest. Her kicking was amateurish and her dribbling wasn't great, but she still managed to snatch the ball away from the boys in the local boys' soccer team and, without allowing anyone to chase her, she carried it to the front of the goal and smashed a shot into the air.

　That's one goal.

　While the other kids, even the teacher, were stunned, Benii Asuka, with no expression on her face, decided to buoy Sakuma and Kaoru.

　In exactly the same way, two more points. In the blink of an eye, Benii Asuka got the promised three points.

　It was only after that that problems arose.

　It was clear that Benii was starting to cut corners.
　He wasn't blatantly slacking off on the field. He would go for the ball and pass it around. However, his movements were clearly more sloppy than they were earlier. No, if you watched without any previous information, it might have looked like a smiling scene of a girl trying her best to play an unaccustomed game of soccer.
　However, once you see the godlike moves just now, you can't help but dismiss them as lazy.

　As a result, the team with Beni's team lost 5-3. Four of the opposing team's five goals were ripped off by the boys in the local youth soccer team.

　As I recall, it was during a physical education class, and after the class was over, there was one boy who approached Benii. He was that kid from the boys' soccer team who had been toying with her, tried to take a bite out of her, but still couldn't catch up, and then achieved a hat-trick of four goals by himself, starting in the second half when Benii began to cut corners.

　When the class ended, he ran up behind Benii, who was talking to Sakuma in a friendly manner, he tapped her on the shoulder, then turned around and slapped her cheek as hard as he could.

　The boys were immediately taken by the teacher and taken to the staff room, and it was only then that Benii learned that 'some people get angry at being cut out of the process'.
　That was about the biggest trouble. After that, after a number of small troubles, Benii Asuka's way of hiding her power was becoming more and more clever. After all, Kaoru had never seen Benii give his all until he reached this age.

'Well, since you're such an Asuka, I knew something was up, but I didn't expect you to be a vampire.

　The skies of the United Maritime State of Albadamba are clear today. The sun is high in the sky and the cool waves are lapping at the shore. You can't hear the chirping of the seabirds, but it's as if you're on vacation on a southern island. In reality, of course, it's not such a romantic one.

　Leaning back against the edge of the ship on the deck of the heavy duty branch, Kaoru Okuma said, "That's about it.

''That's about it. How do you like it?　Have you gotten rid of the boredom?
It was interesting.

　That said, it is the Pharaoh's Harao Maki who is proud to say so.

　Kaoru and Harao are currently entrusted with the protection of the heavy duty branch school. To be more precise, they are protecting Benii Asuka, who is resting in the school. Both Kaoru and Harao have taken it upon themselves to take on this role, but neither of them have built a close friendship with the other. When Harao asked Kaoru to tell him something interesting, Kaoru started talking about the old days with Benii.

''But........that Benii is now too weak......to be able to show any seriousness......''
I know. I've never seen Asuka like that before.

　Beni now suffers from "thirsty blood" caused by the inability to suck human blood. This is a case unique to vampires, in which spiritual impurities circulate in the blood, causing general ill health.
　It would be dangerous for Benii to be attacked by the vampires on the island. That's why Kaoru and Harao offered to escort her to the island.

'The red moon is hidden and its power is lost.... Is it a bad omen or a good omen........ I do not know........
You're still poetic, as usual.

　As she said it, Kaoru thought of Sakuma.
　Sakuma Shoko is now following Ryuzaki to visit a settlement on the island. To ask Mr. Welkano and Chief Bergel of the Maritime Caravan. In the end, she herself showed a positive attitude towards accompanying him, because if the conversation got complicated, Sakuma could use the 《Fascination》 as an insurance policy, but well, I think Sakuma would not have the personality to use the 《Fascination》 on a stranger.

　However, whether you can use a face you know is another matter. After all, it is an act of intervening impurities somewhere in your consciousness, so what you are doing is more like temporary brainwashing. If we're talking about human ethics, that's the kind of ability you shouldn't use on someone you know.

　In that respect, Sakuma should have come to some sort of agreement with himself, but in the end, if he continues like this, he's half a succubus....

''(Well, that's fine. Even if you're half-human as a succubus)

　It was Kaoru who half-jokingly started the whole thing, so I do feel some responsibility for that.
　However, after much thought, Sakuma is not in the nature to use "charm" on anyone. It seems to me that it would be better for her to forget about the prerequisite of being a succubus and join the battle as a magic attacker.
　It's a good thing that you've acquired the cooperation technique with Kyousuke, too.

"Okama........

　Harao called out to Kaoru, who had been absentmindedly thinking about such things.

What? It's fine, but you don't call me 'Kaoruko' after all.
There's bad blood in the air...
What...?
Be prepared. Be ready for the enemy.

　Before Harao's words could finish, an invisible force pushed Kaoru's body away.

　It wasn't the result of the "enemy" attack he had mentioned. It was Harao's own telekinetic power. A reddish-black bolt of lightning blurred the spot where Kaoru had been a moment ago. Harao held the Ankh in his right hand and, holding it up in the air, watched the figure floating in the air through his golden mask.

　That's right, a figure floating in the air.
　A demon dressed in black armor and with red wings.

"Akahane...!

　Kaoru said in a squeezing voice.

''Pharaoh and Incubus......... One cautionary monster, one cautionary monster, huh........

　The red winged demon, the Red Moon, or vampire. It is now floating in front of Harao and Kaoru, above the heavy duty branch school.
　That's, well, good. It's to be expected. We were here with the expectation that they might come, and we were here with the expectation that they might come.

　The only problem with that is.

"Five people...!　I'm not listening...

　Kaoru muttered with a slight drawl in his voice.

　That's right, there were five vampires in black armor with red wings, lined up with the heads of geese.
　According to some, those vampires with black armor and red wings are called "pawns", the lowest class of vampire soldiers. But in the past, they were so outmatched that Goubayasi was seriously wounded when he escaped.
　That's not all. He crushed Kyousuke's body once, and took Koganei away. Even if several battle personnel are in a bunch, a strong enemy that doesn't seem to be able to hold its own. That is a pawn. "Since they are soldiers (pawns), it's natural to have more than one of those numbers, but, but five of them....

I know it's futile, but I'm going to advise you just in case.

　One of the five vampires floating in the air raised his hand and declared solemnly.

'Cease your futile resistance and descend to our military gates. We won't do you any wrong.'

　So that's what I thought. They have not yet given up on seizing our custody.

　Harao, with his left arm behind his back and the ankh held in his right arm, is not trying to say anything. Kaoru glanced at Harao and then looked up at the five pawns with the best he could muster, with the best of intentions.

'Let me ask you first. What are you five geese doing in our branch school with all five of them?

　No matter how bullish they were, there was a limit to what they could do. To be attacked by so many pawns at the same time was not within the scope of expectations. Many of the students had left the branch school and could not be expected to have a decent fighting force.
　Nevertheless, Kaoru was still emphatic.

　One of the pawns huffed and replied: ''You want to know?

''If you want to know, I can answer that question for you. Our goal, and that is to get the Queen back into custody.
"Hmmm, yeah...

　I guess I was right. In this situation, it's not very pleasant.

If that's the case........I refuse!

　Kaoru activated the magic power that he had concentrated in his right hand with a shout.

''Evil Flame's Evil Claw (Evil Flare)!

　The black flames that were released, but the pawn easily drowned out the black flames with a simple wave of his right arm.
　But Kaoru's attack didn't end at that point. At the same time as he launched his magic, several imp imps lurking on the deck, also firing magic at the five pawns from all directions. Kaoru performed an even shorter chant, and then hit another attack magic in rapid succession.

　A crossfire from many directions with attack magic. But when the smoke cleared, the pawns were still standing there unharmed.

It's a good thing that this black armor is a good mood magic tool.

　One of the pawns said in a very good tone of voice, "It's made by Bishop Aqueno.

"You are indeed Bishop Aqueno's workhorse," said one of the pawns in a very good mood. A real class act, both offensively and defensively.
'But even without this armour, it doesn't take much to clear out the miscellaneous fish in front of me.

　The pawns, who are conversing so readily, show no signs of being wary of us. It's only natural. It's frustrating, but there's no need to be cautious. The difference in strength between them is overwhelming, and if the other side is even more outnumbered, there's nothing they can do about it.

　But.

What are you just standing there in a daze, Harao-kun? I'm coming.

　Gulping and clenching his fist, Kaoru glared at the pawns. I don't think it will work, but I'll try the 《Saturation》 first. I set my sights on one of the pawns, one that I happened to see, and brought out the maximum amount of my own charm and put it into its twin eyes. I let my own consciousness easily slip into my opponent's brain.
　But for a moment as the pawn smiled fearlessly, Kaoru felt a sensation of magic flowing back into his body, and he nearly burst out of his consciousness. He stumbled back and put his hand on the edge of the boat.

''Enchantment doesn't work.

　One of the pawns said proudly.

''The anti-magic and anti-curse power of the black armor is overwhelming. As long as we don't open up and accept them, the Enchantment won't work.''
Shh....

　If they are blocked to the tiger cub, there is finally no way to strike.
　However, with Beni behind him, he has no intention of giving up the road here. Kaoru once again let out a scolding message to his classmate, who stood still and did not move.

''Harao-kun!
For heaven's sake, hillbilly...

　With a slightly depressed voice, Harao said.

'I, too, am one who resists the armies of the evil blood........ The barrier of the square pyramid that the grace of the Nile builds........ Behold the power of the pyramid power........
Pyramid power...?

　Kaoru tilted his head, but at that moment, he noticed the existence of a barrier of sorts that Harao had put up around him.
　Unfolded in a pyramid shape, it's a transparent hue that seems to blend into the air, but it's certainly manifesting, and the five pawns didn't come down in the nick of time. They were unable to come down because they were struggling to attack Harao's wards.

''That's amazing........''
But I can't take it anymore.

　Harao's announcement and the cracks in the deployed pyramidal barrier began to appear at the same time.

''..........!

　With a snap, the barrier cracked open like a joke. Instantly, the pawns swooped down on us with great force.

''We're going to intercept them, Harao-kun!
It's this or that.
Heh...?

　Harao created an invisible force field with the ankh raised in his right hand, stopping the pawns' rapid descent for a moment. Immediately after that, Kaoru's body floated softly in the air and was thrown spontaneously into a golden coffin that came flying in from nowhere.

''Oh, wait........Harao-kun!　Hara......

　With a bang, the lid of the coffin closes. Even though Kaoru slammed the gun from the inside, it didn't freak out, as it should.

'The enemy is a threat..... I ordain thee to be my mouth and my ears. Tell them and come.

　It was at the same time that Harao fired the coffin that trapped Kaoru into the island, and the pawns that came swooping down came at Harao in unison. The vampires' sharp claws tore apart the ornaments and bandages that decorated Harao's entire body, one after another.
　The vampires continued to fly toward the cabin at once, but Harao raised his ankh and made an instantaneous movement to the door leading to the cabin. He intercepted the arm of one of the pawns that was thrust out of the room with a wall of telekinesis.

　One of the pawns clicked its tongue.

''What are you doing...?''
"Let no one disturb the sleep of my friends.

　The cabin where Benii was currently resting. Harao had completely sealed the doors leading to it with his telekinesis.

''Are you trying to die? ''If you don't interfere, I will let you live,''

　The pawn's voice was a little irritated as he muttered that.

　Five pawn-class vampires, five of them. Even though Harao Maki, who could draw on the Atari race's Atari abilities and use them at will, there were not enough of them to deal with them in a head-on collision. However, Harao had to fight this unwinnable battle by first locking Kaoru in a coffin to escape and then blocking the passage to at least buy some time for him to escape.
　The pawn's question, "Are you going to die?" is a plausible one. Such a blatant show of defiance in the face of such an overwhelming disparity in ability means that they can't complain if they get their heads chopped off.

　But Harao said proudly, "I am Harao.

'I am Harao. I am Harao, who at the rising of the moon enters the sleep of the soul, and at the rising of the sun is given a new life. Harao shall not die. Do not disturb the sleep of my friends, you lowly bloods!

　The five pawns had no knowledge of this, but Harao's "friend" here was not necessarily referring only to Benii.

　The person he is trying to protect is the owner of the Buddhist altar in the cafeteria. To him, the interior of the Jugurin Branch School is like the mausoleum of his late classmate Washio Ro Rohta, the promise of Hades' sleep. Harao Maki will never forgive the insolent people who try to step in there with their feet.
　Of course, I have no intention of experiencing the same sense of helplessness that I experienced when Washio died. Harao is willing to take a risk to protect both Beni's safety and the safety of Washio's soul.

'Come at me, lowly one. I am Harao. Harao's wrath, know it firsthand.
Great!

　One of the five pawns jumped at Harao, as if it had lost its nerve.




　Meanwhile, Kyousuke and the rest of the rescue team, along with Nekomiya and the rest of the rescue team, turned back to the front of the mansion where Hanazono and the others were waiting. Hanazono, Mushikasa, and Tentacleshara were all safe and waiting for Kyousuke and the others to return, hiding in their tentacles.

'No major movement,'

　Hanazono said, looking at the mansion. There was a languid tentacle wrapped around its entire body, but it didn't show any particular signs of dislike. Plants also have ivy and vines, so I wonder if they have a high affinity for them.

'I haven't seen anyone come out or go in, so far.
Well....

　There is no doubt that Inugami is being held in the basement of the mansion. It's not really a matter of whether she is safe or not, but it's pointless to discuss it now. Even if she is not safe, Kyousuke and his friends do not have the option of not going to rescue Inugami here.
　Nekomiya, the leader of the rescue team, is looking around. Being a petite Nekomiya, just 50 centimeters in length, he was covered by tall grass even when standing upright.

''By the way, Tentahara, what you're carrying right now looks like Inugami's clothes...''
Yeah, I picked it up.
''Hm. So that means Inugami is naked right now....

　The moment Nekomiya muttered that, all of the rescue team members twitched and stiffened their bodies.

''Seh, that's adolescence........''
It's called puberty, Saruwatari. It's called puberty.

　As Sarutoyo mutters with an indescribable expression, Kyousuke lightly prods him.

''Anyway, we're about to raid the mansion, so we can't take our clothes with us.
''Me and Rin will merge and rush in when we get into battle, so it's not quite...''

　There's no sign of people around here, and since she's that Inugami, maybe she doesn't care as much as expected, but it's still awkward to let her walk out naked after she's rescued her. It's awkward, and maybe Kyousuke doesn't have the confidence to look at it squarely.

'I don't have to look at it correctly, Kyousuke-kun.
That too, I suppose.

　A painful tweak came from Rin.

''It would be best to have them bring it to Hanazono after making sure Inugami is safe.

　Ei, who was floating wobbling right beside him, suggested with disinterest. Kagoi and Karasuma looked at him with eyes that seemed to see something unbelievable.

''Hino..... You are still a healthy youth...?
Yeah, but.... What the hell is wrong with you?
How can you make such a calm and uninteresting suggestion?

　Being Ei, who was a bit of a commie, he wasn't used to being crowded by two harmless students like this, which was unexpected. The shades of flames all over his body were changing dizzily. If it was a human, they would probably have fat sweat all over their faces.

''Well, that's about it.''

　Perhaps deciding that developing the conversation further would only be troublesome, the Nekomiya leader cuts him off at his feet.

''After infiltration, I'll call Utsurogi and the others when it comes to fighting vampires. Stand by in a combined state.
How do we give the signal?
I'll use shadow magic to sign off. I'll borrow the shadows of the Ursulines temporarily.
'I don't mind, but.... You can imitate pretty dexterous.

　Nekomiya's "shadow magic" is a special form of magic that consumes the shadows of consenting targets as resources. It was created by a witch in the past, and is said to have been passed down to the present day to some spirit beasts, including the Ket Shih. When Nekomiya was reincarnated as a Ket Shih race, she acquired this shadow magic as a monster skill.
　By the way, the target dies when the shadow is used up, so it's unthinkable to agree to it without thinking too much, but well, we can only trust Nekomiya's spoonful in that area.

''Well, let's start the raid now.

　Nekomiya solemnly declared in front of the three adolescents, who were still restless at the thought of Inugami's naked body.
　Kyousuke and the others would wait for her report while hiding behind tentacles in the jungle.

　Nekomiya gently approached the walls of the mansion with the raiding team in tow, and with the ability of the 《Shadow Crossing》, she entered the interior without a sound.