But the bones of a child. Not very pleasant to look at, is it?

　Nekomiya and his team are continuing their search for Toki's house. The main place of investigation is the underground cave, but they are also in the process of re-checking the documentary materials and other materials that were on the ground. I've been in the process of researching for a while now and found out that his name is Tokihara, which suggests that Tokihara probably had a close relationship with the islanders of Delph Island to some extent. At the same time, that he was deceiving the islanders and regularly taking victims.

　If we don't prove that he was an evil, treacherous vampire, we are in a worse position.

　Perhaps the "treacherous vampire" is just one aspect of his personality, and if you dig deep enough, he may have enjoyed interacting with the islanders in his heart. However, there is no reason to delve deeper into this aspect of his life. It's true that Inugami was in a bad way, and it's also true that he had a child on his hands.

''Inugami, you're okay?''
Oh, for heaven's sake...

　Tentahara is concerned for Inugami, who has his back limp against the wall. The Inugami is tired, but the five bodies are in place and there are no significant trauma. The only thing that is inexplicable is how she was gagged with a ring, but according to her, it was to "collect her saliva.
　It is said that the saliva of werewolves contains ingredients that weaken vampires, so perhaps the Tokiharas intended to use it as a secret weapon against Beni. It's not too hard to guess what's on Inugami's mind as he's collecting saliva without permission and using it without permission, but even with Nekomiya's glib vocabulary, there aren't many words he can call on there.

The only thing I'm worried about is Benii.
Five pawns.... That's a number I don't like to think about too much.

　Mushroom Umbrella, Kagoi, and others are having that conversation as well.

　Indeed, Beni is worried. It's not just Beni, but also Harao, Kaoruko, and others who are on the guard of the branch school. They have Kyousuke and Rin heading towards them, and they wouldn't lose against multiple pawns, but it's possible that they could reach Benii sooner than that.
　At times like these, one is acutely aware of the inconvenience of having no means of communication at all over long distances. It's not possible to exchange information as quickly as you did when you were in high school, using social networking and phone calls. If I could get in touch with Ryuzaki or Goubayash, I think I could make the most of the situation a little better.

　I'm not sure what to expect, but for now, we have to do what we can do here. I'm going to change my mind.

　Suddenly, Nekomiya began to wonder what was beyond this cave.
　This crypt was a natural cave on the island. Considering the strong scent of the tide, though, it probably leads to the ocean.

'Saruwatari, follow me to the back of the cave for a moment.
Oh, I'm on it. I'm gonna get tears in my eyes.
I'm worried about you being alone. Kagoi, please.
Oh.

　The low-mouthed gargoyle Kagoi (but the series of events surrounding Inugami proved to be muzzled) nodded quietly, and Sarutoyo's lips pouted bluntly in response.

'Nekomiya-san.... Be careful.

　Hanazono tells him with a worried look.

'Yeah, I'll be fine. I'll be right back if it looks like it's in danger. You guys need to look for a few more things that could be evidence of the Tokihara.''

　With that much said, Nekomiya stretched her key tail out horizontally on a pin and began to walk through the cave.

　He could also smell the scent of the tide, but that wasn't the only thing he could smell. Nekomiya's keen hearing also caught the sound of small waves coming from the back of the cave. Perhaps the hole leading to the outside was not in the sea. In other words, if flight was possible, the structure would allow one to enter this cave by going around from the ocean side. That was a little disturbing to Nekomiya.




'I was going to talk to you.

　Beni Asuka's body told her that, remaining as expressionless as ever.

''If that side is going to resort to violent means, then I'll comply.

　Sakuma bit his lip and glared back.

　How could he say that with Beni's mouth? I can only feel uncomfortable with the manner in which he is holding me down from above.
　If they did that in front of you, you would know that we would move to stop them. But even so, the fact that he or she does not try to break the attitude of leeway is a sign of the confidence he or she has in the face of the overwhelming difference in strength. That attitude makes us even more uncomfortable.

　One of the pawns is on the run with the blood of the Red Sea.

　This is only one island in an archipelago nation at sea. Even though vampires are tough and strong, how could they possibly spread their wings to cross the ocean? Earlier, the King said that he had arranged for a boat to the south of the island. If he could escape to the south of the island, the pawn would be able to sail alone. The south side of the island is where Toki's residence is supposed to be. If only we could get in touch with Kyousuke and the others, they would take care of it.
　They'll take care of it, but there's no way to tell them.
　It's frustrating that there's no way to tell them that.

　There are three pawns in front of you, and one Benii whose body has been taken over by the King with a time limit.

　Goubayashi stands in front of Sakuma, protecting him.
　He's mostly unharmed for now. Two of his opponent's pawns are wounded. If he joins forces with Harao, who has finally gotten up behind him, it might not be an unbreakable force. However, that was only the case if there were only "pawns". We don't know how much they can hold against Beni, whose fighting ability is unknown, and our condition of victory is not to win the battle here in the first place.

''By the way, what happened to that Zashiki Warashi?''
He's going to throw us off guard. They may try to take us by surprise again from somewhere...

　Before he knew it, Zashiki Warashi's Gozashiki had disappeared before he knew it. It's not an opponent that can be won by a head-on collision, so Sakuma was rather relieved about that, too.
　But the "king" just sniffed a little.

It's not a problem. You're going to have to deal with that pharaoh. I'll take care of the oga and succubus.
Ha!

　The three pawns said and aimed at Harao, who was standing behind us. The three pawns set their sights on Harao, who was already badly wounded, but he was no match for them. I'm going to try to break in, but the "king" is quick to come close to us.

"Asuka used to tell me stories about her human friends.
d*mn it...!

　I try to get rid of the arm that's grabbing me, but the arm, which is thinner than Sakuma's, gives me an unbelievable grip.

"You're the 'Sachi' one, I guess. From what I've heard, I thought you were a bit more of a feeble-minded kid.

　A sticky, skin-clinging voice that was very hard to believe was emanating from Benii's vocal cords. The discomfort would not only come from the intensity of the humidity. Benii's eyes are vacant as they are taken over, but there is something of a tint to the sound of his voice, as if he is trying to make an inventory.
　Goubayashi did not watch it in silence. It's not just a matter of time before you'll be able to get your hands on it. But the "king" even caught it with one hand with a slight knockback.

I told Asuka many times that she should call out to you quickly and drag you to our side, but she stubbornly refused to do so. I'm surprised. It was the first time that Asuka, who had been so obedient to me, had ever turned on me.

　Beni is, obedient.

　That seemed to be a mismatched adjective that didn't quite fit the image from Sakuma, who knew her well on a daily basis. Benii Asuka must have been a languid but noble-minded person who never thought it was good to be dominated by someone else. But when she was told by the "King" that she was "obedient," her sense of discomfort grew to unfathomable levels.

　"It's a good thing that you're able to get a good idea of what you're looking for.

'Still, since it was that Asuka's selfishness, I thought I kept listening to her. But Asuka went back on her promise. I'm going to ask her to pay a percentage of that punishment with her own body, but of course that's not enough. She's a strong girl. I need you to help me with that.

　Although the voice that was soothing and gentle was polite in its language, it was also an unspoken threat.
　No, he should be able to take Sakuma away with all his strength if he wanted to. With that in mind, it wasn't even a threat. It is a decision that is uttered by an absolute authority, a decision that leaves the appearance of concessions in the words alone. The king's words are namely that.

'I don't know.'
No.

　I said it loud and clear. This is not my own will. Even Beni would surely answer like that.
　Benii Asuka can't answer now. So she will answer by herself.

I see.

　"Wang," he responded briefly. Beni Asuka's empty expression did not change.

''Then,''

　"When the 'King' was about to say that, the body of the heavy duty branch ship shook greatly.

''Mmm........''

　They were all on deck, and they all lost their balance greatly. At that moment, Goubayashi barked.

''Ooohhhhhh!

　Both log-like legs kick up the deck in a dynamic flexing motion in the air. As he spins around, he launches his heavily bent knees into the air like a rocket-propelled grenade. The screw-type dropkick, which used every bit of spring in his body, tore down Benii's side as hard as he could.
　Immediately afterwards, the strength in Sakuma's grip on his arm loosens. Sakuma shook it off as hard as he could and tried to keep his distance. "The King" reached out to grab Sakuma again, but his hand was flipped off by a kickball that flew out of nowhere.

　As a result of the rotation, Goubayashi nearly fell to his slumped body and landed on the deck with both of his arms on the floor and bouncing again.

'Gosh, Goubayashi-kun, you look like a professional wrestler...'
The knight in question took me under his wing when he hid me.

　Apparently, knights in this world use dropkicks.

　Goubayashi flipped his body as it was and bravely struck out at the three pawns surrounding Harao. He struck the wounded, one-armed pawn from the side and stood ready to protect Harao. Sakuma saw the "king". He doesn't seem to be holding his head down or in pain. Of course, that was just a remote control of Benii's body.

　No, that's not right.

　If he was merely controlling the doll-formed Benii from a distance, he wouldn't be freaked out by Goubayashi's kick. Isn't that proof that Benai's body, even if only for a moment, has escaped the control of the "king" by being shocked from the outside?
　That's right. We must not forget that the one in front of us is the "King". The one in front of you is not the King, but Benii Asuka. It's the cool, kind, and always good friend that Sakuma is so proud of.

　Then your voice will be heard.

　I will definitely get her back. And I won't let the "King" take her blood away.

You shouldn't be too upset with me.

　"The king," he tells me quietly.

"It's,

　Sakuma looked into Benii's empty eyes and said firmly.

''I'm saying this because you, I don't want to be angry. I think it's not cool for you to be angry at me...''
Eloquence will destroy you.

　"It was almost at the same time that the strong anger in the word 'king' and the ramp of the branch school came down with great force. I didn't need to ask what it was, but the sound of hooves rushing up the ramp with a kick. Immediately afterwards, a ball-like object was thrown vigorously at the King. It's not the kicking ball of the throne room, but a man's head.

　It's a person's head.

"Sakumaaaaaaah!

　The head of the person who was struck screams and at the same time a headless knight on a unicorn raises his sword and slashes at the "king".

　It's Megumi Kenzaki, a member of the Public Safety Commission. But that's not all. She is straddling Hakuba Ikkaku, followed by Masuyo Uozumi, who is sitting on Kentaro Hanma, who is also rushing to the scene. These are the students who were on their way to set up the venue. Then, earlier, the body of the branch school's ship shook greatly........

''Are you okay, Sakuma!
Hakuba-kun. It's terrible, Asuka is in trouble...
Yeah, I know what's going on here.

　Hakuba turns his sharp eyes towards the 'king'.

''Beni's body has been taken over and manipulated........ So that's what it is.
As a publican, you can't let a man use all his strength to bend a woman's body to his will!

　Good comprehension. Helpful.

　The students stepped over the ramp and rode one by one into the heavy duty branch school. Many of the students were lulled into a fight by the pawns. Sister Uozumi heals Harao's wounds with her spirit magic, and a fully recovered Goubayashi and Harao completely split the three pawns apart. The situation gets down to one on one, with the most severely injured pawn, who has a large hole in his chest, facing off against the martial artists like Okumura and Zeku.

'Asuka's, classmates...'

　"The King," he replied in a calm but slightly irritated voice.

"Whoever you are, give it up.

　Hakuba sticks his horns straight at the king and says, "Beni," he says.

I'm not going to be the only one. I'm a valuable gal and a virgin nowadays. It's the world's loss to be treated by someone like you.
Don't look at Asuka like that...!

　Hakuba's agitation skills are also very high, but the situation has not improved much. Although the pawns are manageable, the "king" in front of me is able to use the full extent of Beni's power. Perhaps even the power that he unconsciously saves because of his thirst.
　The priority now is not to suppress the "King".
　In the few moments when the King's anger was directed at Hakuba, Sakuma shouted loudly, "Kaoru!

'Kaoru-chan!　Fishermen!　Sugiura-san!
Sachi, you wanted to see me?

　The first person to jump out of the way was my best friend Kaoru Okama. There's no time to spare. Quickly, he gives instructions.

'One of the pawns is trying to escape by boat from the south!　Go ahead and destroy the ship!
Okay!

　Perhaps it was Gilman's Uozumi Salmon Ichiro, Scylla's Sugiura Aya, and the Sahagin squadron that Kaoru has under his command that shook up the fleet. It is in the water that they show their potential. If they were moving along the ocean, they could move at a speed comparable to that of the Thunderbird, which probably has the highest flight speed in its class.

　As long as you move southward along the ocean, you will surely find the ship.

　As expected, for this moment, even the "King" could see the impatience in his heart.

"I won't let you go...!

　"The King" thrusts at Beni's body and tries to chase him. However.

'Asuka!

　A shadow plummeted vigorously from the air. "The King" tried to dispel the shadow, depressingly.
　It's Harpy's Harui Yuka. Harui shouted more just before his hand almost snatched his body.

''Don't be silly, don't be silly!　I'm Asuka's friend too!

　For a moment, Benii's arm stops on a dime.

"We haven't known each other as long as Sakuma, and I don't have the strength like Utsurogi, but still!

　Beni's arms moved. Harui moaned as it slammed down on him vigorously.

　Just a moment. It was only a moment before Harui was stranded. But in the meantime, Kaoru, Uozumi and the others left the branch school and slipped briskly out of the sea. "The King" clicked his tongue slightly and spread his blood-colored wings. With a gust of wind, it flies into the sky.

''Has it arrived...?''

　Sakuma muttered.

　In that moment, Harui's voice had indeed reached Beni. Just as Goubayashi's kick created a narrow opening. It only takes a moment for Benii's body to escape control. Still, if there was a moment to do so.

　We may be able to do something about it.

Harui!

　A little later, Snake Mound arrives. Yes, Beni's friends are not just himself in any way.

'Harui-san, Snakezuka-san.'

　Sakuma looked at Benii's back as he went after Kaoru and the others and said.

'Please, lend me your strength,'