Most of the students are currently carrying their belongings to the trading floor.

　There are several reasons why most students have been sent here. The first is the need to make sure that the camouflage is secure in order to keep the conflicts with the vampires that are happening on this Delph Island secret from the islanders. For one thing, they may simply die a dog's death when the heavy duty branch school is attacked, as they have little fighting ability.
　Vampires are highly capable of fighting. Even with a single pawn, there are only a limited number of students who can compete with them. However, some combatants, including Kenzaki Megumi, voiced their dissatisfaction with this decision. In effect, it was like being given a notice of exclusion from the battlefield. It was only natural.

"Kenzaki-san, haven't you gotten your temper up yet?

　The headless publican, arms crossed on the trading floor, his face lips puckered as hard as he could on the wooden box.

''Of course. You're not going to be able to get your hands on any of them. Why is that........
Weakness, right?
Ggh.....

　The one who choked on Kenzaki's words was Kabeno Chihaya, who was reincarnated as Nurikabe. She is a girl. Before her reincarnation, she was extremely low in her class... even lower than Himemizu Rin, and she felt this was a complex, but now she has become a Nurikabe as a symbol of that inferiority complex. Sheesh. Although he has a body as robust as Ryuuzaki and Kagoi, he has the shortness of arms and legs, so he has the disadvantage of not being able to get up when he falls.
　There is not much work that can be done in this preparation room, but it is a shady spot for the students and merchants to take advantage of its huge size and serve as a resting place for them.

It's still training..... Training. I must become strong.....
You don't have to be so hard on yourself.
'I'm only good at fighting. And the fact that I haven't even made it to Phase 2 yet...

　Kenzaki carried the crate as it was and resumed the unpacking process.

　Incidentally, there are a few students who remained in the heavy duty group, by the way. However, they too are more like deployed to buy time and liaison rather than direct combat personnel. In fact, they can't win against pawns, even if they were to band together.

''Well, it's about time they all started feeling it.

　Holding his glasses with his middle finger, a centaur named Hanma Kentaro arrives. He was a bit of a studious man since his human days, but he's become a lot tougher since he came here. He sometimes acts like an intellectual, but when he's excited, he snorts like a horse and kicks away with his hind legs, so his abilities are valued solely as a fighting machine.

Currently, the burden is too concentrated on a few students. We are treated as a second force. Overall specs up. A breakthrough, or something innovative, is going to be essential to building a win-win relationship. I'm not trying to be self-developmental, or anything like that, but this is a self-developmental kind of place...

　Hanma began to make motions like spinning a spinning wheel with his hand as he talked in a doze, so Kenzaki and Kano decided to ignore him. Hanma isn't a bad guy either, but he has a tendency to use katakana words and want to have empty conversations, so he's a bit of a pain in the ass for the less-educated Kenzaki.
　But, well, looking at it again, I'm surprised that such a unique group of students have gathered together. A little farther away, classmates are laying out all sorts of illustrations drawn by Gahara and the carvings made by Goshigawara, among other things. Some of the merchandise the merchants had brought in was being washed by the mitarai azuki beans, which were noticeably dirty and damaged. Mitarai is a student who has been reincarnated as a Japanese youkai called azukashi or something like that. If you're not careful, you'll start to hear the sound of him washing something, which is a little scary.

　The merchants seem to have relaxed their guard a bit after this preparation. However, they don't come to talk to the horrible looking Kenzaki much. The only person who does come is Remy at most.

''Ah, Kenzaki-san, thank you for helping me unpack.
Mm, don't worry about it.

　With the list in hand, Remy begins to check the contents of the wooden box that Kenzaki opened.

''Speaking of which, are Kaoru-san, Utsurogi-san and the others gone?''
Yeah, yeah. Those guys are on a different matter...

　Kenzaki said, vaguely fumbling with his words.

　After all, he hadn't told these merchants about the vampires on the island either. It didn't seem very sincere, but the logic that they couldn't make a scene poorly was, well, understandable. It's a bit of a toothless story, though.

'd*mn, it's all in my power in the end, isn't it!

　Dang, Kenzaki couldn't help but shout while tapping the wooden box. However, it was the face placed some distance away from the shouting, so the merchants passing nearby were surprised as much as possible.
　Now, it is that time.
　The students had witnessed two objects flying straight towards this sandy beach from a little distance away.

''Hey Kenzaki-san, that...''

　After being told that by Kameno, Kenzaki also raised his face. The face he was about to give up fell off the wooden box with a rumble and fell to the sandy beach.

''Wapu.''
Don't be indebted to me, Kenzaki...
Oh, I'm sorry Hakuba.... Ow, ow, ow!　Hey!　Don't blow your hair out!
Hifuhuhuhuhuhuhuhuhuhuhuhuhuhuhuhuhuhuhuhuhuhuhuhuhuhuhuhuhuhuhuhuhuhuhuhuhuhuhuhuhuhuhuhuhuhuhuhuhuhuhuhuhuhuhuhuhuhuhuhuhuhuhuhuhuhuhuhuhuhuhuhuhuhuhuhuhuhuhuhuhuhuhuhuhuhuhuhuhuhuhuhuhuhuhuhuhuhuhuhu.

　With his ponytail tucked into the white horse, Kenzaki turned his gaze to the blue sky. By that time, the two objects approaching had already become quite large, one being a coffin and the other being a treasure box. Assuming that coffin with its dazzling golden decoration was Harao's, the treasure box........

Boxed in.
Yeah.
"Wop.

　The moment Hakuba opened his mouth, Kenzaki's face fell onto the beach again.

　The coffin landed vigorously from the sky to the sandy beach, rolling up the white sand, stopping just in front of Kenzaki's face. The same goes for the treasure chest that fell next. The coffin opens first and a familiar face pops out from inside.

''Buha...!　It was hot and bitter!
Kaoruko...!
Oh, Megumi, no, you can't do that, you know you'll lose your femininity if you put sand on your face.　A girl should always be in the spirit of We Are On Stage.

　Then, for some reason, Kaoru Hillama flew into Harao's coffin and picked up Kenzaki's face and carefully wiped the sand off his face.

　The treasure chest also landed with a roll of sand, coming to a stop in front of the students and merchants. I know about this treasure box. Hakoyiri Youko. She is a student who has been reincarnated as a mimic, a treasure box shaped monster. She's not as good as Harao, but she's a young lady born into a slightly rich family, and her class called her 'Hakoyiri Hakko', but due to her transfer to another world, she herself became a box.

'Oh, hey, Box-in, what happened to you?'

　When Harpy's Yuka Harui asked with trepidation, the top of the box case snapped open and a goblin quintuple came out from inside with his head in his hands.

''Ah, Goblin Gofungawara-kun!　I'm sorry!　I don't mean to be rude!　It didn't hurt!
'No, I don't mind.... Can you let go of my tongue for a minute?

　In the coffin that suddenly descended, Kaoru Okuma. And then there was Hakoiri and Gokubunawara. They all nodded their heads. The merchants also stopped their work and looked at us quizzically.

''Kaoruko, what's the meaning of this?''
I thought you guys were supposed to be guarding the school.

　When Kenzaki and Hakuba asked him verbally, Kaoru looked up with a huff.

''That's right!　Listen, I'm in trouble!　There were five pawns in the branch school!
Five?

　Hearing that, Kenzaki also really scowled.

　Pawn is the lowest-ranked warrior of the bloodline, but as mentioned earlier, he has a fighting ability that most of his classmates can't match. Only a few students, such as Goubayashi and Harao, are able to compete with him. However, until now, that pawn had never attacked the students of the second year and fourth class with multiple bodies.
　An unrest spreads among the students. And although they didn't know the meaning of the words, the anxiety had begun to spread to the other merchants.

''I was going to fight too, but Harao-kun stuffed me in a coffin........ Is it the same for Yoko and the others?
Yeah, same thing, man. I was waiting inside the ship and I was going to go help, and then all of a sudden I got teleported out...

　Instead of boxed in, Goshenhara replies with his head in his hands.

''I guess it's a reasonable decision, since we could have killed you hand and foot with us.
But then, all that's left of the branch school now is...!
Harao-kun and Ozaki-kun are the only ones left.
'You won't be able to find the Gozashiki unless you move on your own, so I guess Harao left it for him to check on the situation too.

　When they heard the story, their classmates were in a panic, and those who were a little farther away also gathered around, realizing what was going on. A total of 21 classmates here have different expressions on their faces. And the merchants who are watching them have also stopped working.
　I feel sorry for the merchants, but I don't have the time to respond to them now. We have our hands full thinking about what we should do now. We can see that we are going to be slowed down by the fact that we are heading towards them....

Let's go, white horse!
Whoa!

　Kenzaki snatched his own face from Kaoru's hand and straddled the white horse's saddle as it was.

'I'm going, hey Kenzaki. Are you serious?　Five pawns?
With your recovery magic, I can let you have it!
My magic doesn't work on the undead.
Yes it was.

　Then Kentaro Hanma comes forward with the mermaid Masuyo Uozumi on his back.

'Uozumi-san's recovery magic isn't as powerful as Hakuba-kun's, but it's effective against undead monsters as well. Let's try multiple plans in parallel to aim for a reliable result.

　My Uozumi sister nodded with a serious look on her face. Mermaid riding on the back of a centaur. It's quite a picture.

''Hey, hey.''

　Goshenbara muttered in a dumbfounded voice.

''Are you going to waste Harao's concern?''
I'm not going to die in vain, either.

　Kenzaki's face, held at his side, insisted clearly.

'But I can't see how it would be supreme to just sit back and let it happen.
I agree.

　The snow woman, Yukinoshita Ryouka, said, half melting.

'With five pawns, even Harao-kun isn't a match for us. In any case, Benii-san will be taken away.''
"Then you should report it to Ryuzaki and Goubayashi...
Oh, well, I'll take care of that...

　With a bang, the Thunderbird's divine bird wings spread out, and the Thunderbird's divine bird wings came forward. Her flight speed is outstanding in her class. It would be perfect for a liaison. Goshigawara sighed and scratched his head.

''Okumura, what are you going to do?''
"The answer's already out of the question, Pyle.

　When Okumura stepped forward, Zekou followed silently.

It's a good idea," he said. "Anyway, if there are five pawns, even if Ryuzaki, Goubayashi and Harao are all here, we can't avoid a hard fight, Fatty. The only way to fill in the gaps is for me and the rest of the 20 of us to assist you, fatty.
So that's what happens when you're done.

　Kaoru, sitting on the coffin, made a surprising face and said.

''Everyone has changed a lot since I left the base.
I guess you could say I've grown up...

　Raising his glasses with a queer smile, the half-horse said.

''Huh. According to the calculations my lucid brain has derived........''
That's okay.

　Kenzaki chided Hanma with one hand.

''For now, Kannari is going to call Ryuzaki and the others. What we need to do is to assist and buy time for the remaining Harao. Don't be reckless.

　The students nodded firmly.

''Ah, um, Kenzaki-san, and Kaoru-san........ I heard that the branch school is being attacked........
I'm sorry, Remy. I can't tell you the details, but I'm having a classmate crisis.

　Kenzaki said as he stared ahead.

'Maybe we're not going through as much of a shura as you guys are.... We don't want to lose any more of our classmates, if possible.''

　Whether those words really represented the consciousness of the entire class or not. Kenzaki can't say for sure.
　But for Kenzaki Megumi herself, it is the unmistakable truth of her heart. Koganei has not returned. Washio is not coming back. The pain and grief have been overcome, but the fact itself must not fade or be repeated.

　That's why I'm not going to die a dog's death, either.

　Remy was scowling when he heard Kenzaki's words. That would be true. The girls would have no idea what was going on.

''I'm sorry. I'll be back to help you as soon as I get my errands done. It's not like I'm slacking off, okay?

　Kaoru smiled and said.

'Alright then, let's go!'

　Kenzaki grabbed Hakuba's reins with one hand and pulled lightly. Hakuba was gone and instead said, 'Yes! He shouted and started to run briskly down the beach. The half-horse follows and the other students begin to run in unison. The speed of their feet is uneven, but within a short time, the students are gone from the hall.
　A click of air was heard, and then a fluttering, blue-white electric light covered wing came down from the sky. I looked up and saw the giant shadow of a Thunderbird flying towards the settlement.

　After they stormed off, one of the merchants, with his eyes rolled up, asked Remy: 'What did you mean by that?

'After all, what did you say?　They?
I don't know, sir.

　Remy muttered in dismay.

'I don't know. Maybe it's important,'




　After being hit by Asuka Beni's kick, Goubayashi's huge body was blown away lightly. I don't know where such power is hidden in that slender body, but Sakuma was convinced when he saw it. That was a part of the physical ability that Benii usually hid behind. Even the owner of a power that could be said to be practically the strongest in the class could be blown away lightly.

''Ugh...!

　Crashing into the wall, Goubayasi managed to stand up, holding his body. His cloak fluttered in the sea breeze.

''I see...''

　Beni, or to be more precise, the "something" in her form, said with a soft smile that was not at all like Beni.
　A soft, gentle smile. But when Sakuma saw it, he felt goosebumps rise. He didn't know why. A chill, as if his heart had been grabbed, hit his entire body. There's something dusky and swirling in the midst of such a gentle smile.

'Nice to meet you, I guess I should say. Asuka's friends. I am the "King" of my blood.

　"King." Sakuma instantly grasps the meaning of that word.

　Beni and the others, the "king" of the vampire clan. A complete superior who can wield absolute authority through the constraints of blood. A tyrant with complete control over their minds and bodies. In other words, a "king. And now, for some reason, he is here in the form of Asuka Benii.
　No, that body is probably Asuka Benii itself. The king is using her body to talk to her. To be more precise, she is making the king speak with Benii's mouth. I can feel my heart quickly go cold. Beni's body was now being controlled by the king's authority.

''There's no need to worry. I still haven't gotten everything from Asuka.''

　Then the "King" held up a finger.

"Thirty minutes at the most. Half an hour at the most, which is how long my rule will last. So in the meantime, I'd like to talk to you.
What do you mean...

　Sakuma was barely able to speak.

'Thing, sir?'

　As soon as she said the words, Sakuma Shoko understood that something like anger was bubbling up from deep inside her. At the same time, she also felt ashamed of her previous actions and feelings.

　Controlling the heart. That is exactly what is happening right in front of you right now. The expression of Asuka Benii, who was always cool, and yet gentle and nobler than anyone else, has been distorted. Her soul is being violated. This kind of thing cannot be allowed to be done without a fight. It's not just a matter of time before you get to the point where you'll be able to see the difference.
　The more I thought about it, the angrier I became. The only students currently on the deck, apart from Sakuma, are Goubayashi and Harao. Both of them are wounded, and Harao has wounds all over his body. No matter how angry Sakuma is, there is no way he can defeat the "king" who can use Benii's power at his disposal.

　Nevertheless, Sakuma became angry.

I meant what I said. I can't move," he said. This is the only way I can talk to you guys.
'Please give me back Asuka's body.
You'll get it back in half an hour. Of course, it's only temporary.

　"Immediately after the 'king' said that, a group of vampires clad in black armor came out of the ship's cabin. Sakuma let out a shiver once again there. Those vampires, who were probably pawns, were four of them. "If you include the king, there are five of them. It was a desperate difference in strength.

　Ignoring the astonished Sakuma, one of the pawns nodded at the "King."

"King, with all due respect, please give me your arm.
'Don't get cocky. I'm just controlling my hands and feet, and this body isn't me.

　Saying that, Beni, who was controlled by the "king," returned his expression to a vacant one and held out his right arm. The expression on his face just now must have been made intentionally, too. Probably, it's because he wanted to confront us with the situation of "controlling Benii" in a straightforward manner. Bad taste, bad taste.

'Of course, I can't bear to see my beloved Asuka's arm hurt. Do it in peace.
Ha....

　Saying that, the pawn took out a syringe and plunged it into Benii's proffered arm.

　What, I wondered, but Sakuma immediately understood.
　Blood, I'm going to take it with me.

''Don't!''

　Sakuma ran out.

　She had once explained to him that the reason why Beni was able to escape from the king's control was because she hadn't given her blood to the king. Aside from the detailed mechanism, her blood was essential for the king to control Beni's body from a distance.
　The reason Beni is being controlled this time is not because of her blood donation. I don't know what it is, but it's more of a different factor. That's why it only lasts half an hour.

　During that half hour, he will take the blood and go to offer it to the king. That's what the enemy wants.

'The Evil Flame's (Evil)---!
Get back!

　Just before he was about to release his magic, a pawn who ran out to intercept him struck Sakuma in the side.

''Ugh...!

　Sakuma's body rolled across the deck as the attack was interrupted.

　He raises his face. Bright red blood was drained from Benii's white arms and filled the syringe. Sakuma knew that human blood was a bit darker in color, but as it was extracted, Benii's blood was a glowing, vibrant color.

　The pawns applied gauze to the sting of the syringe. It was a surreal sight, but no one laughed at it.

'Well, pawns. You did a good job this time.

　"The King," he says, patting the pawns on the back.

'I will stay here and talk with them for a while. You shall return with your blood. There should be a ship arranged by the pawns of Albadamba on the southern cliffs.
What...!

　The pawns bowed their heads reverently and spread their wings in unison. No, Sakuma thought. If they get away here. "If they bring back the blood. Beni Asuka's blood will be dedicated to the king. Body and soul, she will be dominated. Sakuma gingerly clenched his fists and stood up.

''Don't wait!

　I followed the pawns as they spread their wings and took off into the sky. But.

You're the one who has to wait.

　Suddenly, such a voice was heard near his ear, and a dull shock struck from Sakuma's back.

''Guh........!

　Once again, the body was slammed to the deck. "The King, Beni's face, was right in front of me.

'I want to talk to you guys. I said so.

　Empty, hollow eyes, completely devoid of emotion. But the mouth only speaks in a gentle voice tone. Benii's fingertips, like white fish, gently catch Sakuma's chin. The other hand is stroking the neck area. Even though it is the fingertips of his best friend and favorite Benii, Sakuma's best friend, Benii's fingertips, nothing but disgust can grow in his heart.

　It was then.

''Ooohhhhhh!

　The spunk of the rift. It's Goubayashi's. Huh, he saw Benii look up. Sakuma also looks at him.

''Ho........''

　Right now, Goubayash is about to take off his cloak. The cloak is plunged into the deck with an unexpectedly massive sound from its appearance. As soon as you take off your clothes, the muscles of your body, the pride of Goubayasi, swelled even more, and the golden fighting spirit that rose from your body increased in momentum.

"I'm not going to let you get away with it!

　Goubayashi kicked up the deck as it was and jumped up into the air. The flying kicks released toward the heavens soared like a rocket. I'm not going to be the only one who can do that. I'm sure you'll find that the "king" laughs with a "huff".

　Wings sprout from Benii's back. I'm not sure if this is a good idea or not, but I'm sure it's a good idea to try to drag the gauvashi off before it reaches the pawns.

　But the moment you jump up, something like a ball that flew out of nowhere bounced off the "king's" cheek.
　It was probably not very powerful. Beni's body didn't even stagger. But it was too much for a surprise attack. At the slightest delay, Goubayashi's kick caught a single pawn from behind. Then, Goubayashi's body, which was supposed to fall intact, fixed his body in the air and continuously released a fist of his full strength at the second body.

''Eek!''

　Sakuma was startled, but he quickly understood.

　A short distance away, Harao, lying on his back on the deck, was holding up his right arm. On his right arm he held the missing ankh. Harao himself had wounds all over his body, but he was no match for the telekinetic power he could generate. Boosted by that power, Goubayash further knocked down a third body.

''You're pretty persistent...!

　The horrifying voice of the "King". Just as Goubayasi was about to strike the fourth pawn, the black lightning bolt from the King sent Ankh flying from Harao's hand. The fourth pawn disappeared into the azure sky.

''Goubayashi-kun!''

　Sakuma shouted his name, but he landed dangerously, but with a roar, on the deck. The hull of the heavy duty branch shook loudly.

'Is that the pawn that's running away with the blood?
Yes, sir.

　However, they couldn't shoot down the only person they wanted. In front of me, the king and Pong dodge such a conversation.

I'm sorry. I'm sorry, but if I hadn't been caught off guard, I could have protected you guys too.

　Saying that, the "King" turns his attention to the cabin.

''Ozaiki? There's that guy.

　Goubayashi mutters.

　This is Gowbayashi, the Zashiki Warashi. He is the ace striker of the soccer club, and his family runs a long-established inn, but he was a man who was rather overshadowed in his class. There are three pawns that were knocked down. There is no sign of them taking off. Rather, he seemed to be staring at us with a firm belief that he would never let the one that escaped with his blood follow him.

''Sorry, Sakuma.''

　Goubayashi muttered with a bitter face.

''At this rate, Beni........''

　He shouldn't have asked about the blood mechanism, but he still had some understanding of what the other party was up to. He seemed to have some idea of how much of a threat it would be to be able to escape with blood.

''It's not Goubayashi-kun's fault, but...''

　Sakuma also looks in front of him.
　The other pawns are two wounded ones, one in perfect condition, and the "King" who is controlling Benii's body. This is Harao and Goubayashi, who is wounded. The four of them are Sakuma and Mikashiki. The difference in strength is not just overwhelming. The other side is in a position to win if they can stall us and get rid of that pawn.

　The battle situation was practically the worst of all.