The night ended with happy goodbyes as Yuuta and Ria parted ways with the new couple. Ria only made one comment about it before letting it go for the night at Yuuta's reminder that she has plenty of time to make fun of the two.

Yuuta and Ria made it to their hotel and quickly went to sleep ready for tomorrow to come. Ria of course was a ball of nerves not ready for how seeing her father again would go. It took every fiber of her being to not run into the castle and track him down in the middle of the night.

[break]

Yuuta found a voice calling to him in his sleep. It was low and sounded like sandpaper against concrete in his ears. "Yuuta" The voice called out to him harsher this time. His eyes opening to new surroundings. A dimly lit hallway made of Abyssal black walls and a midnight purple marble floor made up his surroundings. The voice calling to him to follow the new path in front of him. "It seems it time for me to finally introduce myself Yuuta."

Yuuta's Skin started crawling as the voice became clearer. If thousands of worms wiggling and rubbing their slimy and congealed flesh against each other could talk Yuuta was sure that what this mysterious figure voice would match closest to. "You have been making a lot of noise in the world my dear boy. Not to mention certain gifts that not even are most gifted have had. It seems someone with godly power has blessed you." The Figure mused to himself.

Yuuta made his way slowly to the end of the hall. Greeted by a giant rectangular room with the unknown man at the end of the room. Sitting alone in a giant Throne made of the darkest stone Yuuta had ever seen. The light practically being sucked in by the ominous and no doubt intimidating seat. The figure hooded and wearing a fine silk robe just as black as his throne. His body almost indistinguishable in the soul-sucking blackness.

"Un-like me and my brethren and cistern, you have no weakness. You're stronger than any before us!" His voice booming with power and authority made Yuuta sweat he was out of his league at the moment. He went to grab his sword which was no longer on his hip.

"Don't be scared, young man. You are amongst family here ill bring you no harm... though I doubt I could even if I wanted. You no doubt would tear my head off before I could move. The man chuckled as he slowly got up from his throne his body taking shape through the abyssal robes.

"My name is Ageni Astras and I am the leader of the last remaining colony of vampires." Yuuta's eyes bulged at his proclamation. His mind racing his body filling with tension as he tried to understand. His breath getting heavier.

"I was told I'm the last of my kind."He unconsciously let slip to his waiting host. Who listened on in intrigue." That I would be alone when I came here. I would be hunted and killed at the first notion of me being discovered." The man dropped his hood revealing his pale skin and sharp features his eyes like arrows his mouth stretched in a disturbing smile. His pure white Hair spiked unnaturally back.

"I can't comment on what you were told but he was not wrong nor did he lie. You are the last Pure breed vampire in Estellis. The vampire hunts wiped them clean from this land and we thought for good until you showed up." The man's face showed years of contempt at his words. "We have been watching you since you made it to Yuart. Though we've seen you stumble and make mistakes we're certain now you are a pure breed." The man's unnatural smile got even bigger. "We think you're ready to finally meet us the last true vampires in the world and eventually with time and training you will rule us and bring back the age of the nocturnal monsters stalking the night." Ageni bellowed in laughter at the mere thought of his plan.

Ageni noticed the unsure and overwhelmed face of Yuuta and decided to divert the conversation. 'Small steps Ageni no need to scare the boy out of ever coming to us.'

"I don't want to overwhelm you with too much tonight. But we are waiting for you at the foothills of the Ganderanin mountains my assistant Adreana is waiting for you there. She will wait till your ready. We have eyes everywhere and know that you're currently busy with your fiance. But once she is settled and you're free come to me alone. I'll show you what it means to really be a vampire. Before you leave I have a gift. It's time you learned what real hunger feels like." Yuuta immediately jumped to ask questions. He didn't have time as the world around him went black and he awoke in panic as he shot out of bed and bouncing on the floor gasping for breath. Ria jumping up almost immediately after him. Her grogginess leaving her almost instantly.

"Yuuta what's wrong!? Are you hurt?" Ria frantically looked him over rubbing her hands on his flawless smooth pale skin. "Yuuta Breathe your ok." Her calming voice and gentle grip made his mind calm enough to latch onto her.

He searched for calm but panic flashed again as he gripped on to her harder bringing her into a bone-crushing hug that she happily accepted. Yuuta's mind was whirling not sure what to say or even think. He focused on her touch her smell. God her smell was so good, like a drug. He needed more no had to have it like every cell in his body begging for it. He just didn't know what but it was something in her. His body flexed in an anxious desire. He tried to relax but his ears picked up on her heart its even beat even at this moment. Each beat carrying blood through her body. 'Through her neck' he thought unconsciously. He buried his head into her neck wanting to be closer. A neverending pit of emptiness filled his stomach as he felt each particle of blood in her body. He opened his mouth his fangs extending his mind only focused on his hunger.

"Yuuta?... Ria felt his body stiffen his hug becoming tighter his nose pressed into the crook of her neck. Something was wrong she just didn't know what. So she called to him like she always would. He answered with a growl that sounded unhuman animalistic at best. She gripped him tighter and said his name softly as she could. Yuuta.

"Sorry, just a bad dream I'm ok now." His excuse sounded flimsy at best and Ria saw through it immediately but decided to let it go for the moment as he pried her off of him and disappeared into the bathroom. She felt a pit starting to form in her stomach and she wasn't sure why.

...

The Castle walls looked extra daunting today even Yuuta was feeling a little nervous. He just wanted everything to go right for Ria's sake. One way or another they were leaving with Ria's father.

The group of four walked over the bridge into the castle Lara stopped them just short of the guard her face turning serious. "Yuuta I'll introduce you to the guards but after that, it's all up to you I'm sure being a lord has taught you proper decorum or whatever these pompous fucks call it." They certainly haven't but she didn't need to know that.

Lara stalked off to the two guards blocking the way into the castle. "Hey Jamie we have some business with the lord this here is Lord Yuuta Vermillion of Hartford. Jamie's eyes widened in surprise at hearing that Yuuta was a lord. The image he had of lords definitely didn't fit Yuutas description at all. From the leather trench coat that was obviously bought from a standard tailor not even remotely high-end. The only thing that gave away his prestige was the beautifully crafted sword on his hip. Even a low born guard could tell it was priceless.

"Of course, just need some proof of identification and I will alert Lord Grexis." Yuuta complied handing over his sigil of House Vermillion and the guard quietly walked into the castle to have it inspected by the resident magician. They waited tensely for him to come back Ria being unusually distant. She was still in arms reach of Yuuta but he noticed she made no move to get closer her hands gripped into fists her lips twitching nervously. Her ears slightly moving back and forth as if scanning for the slightest hint of her father.

Yuuta wanted to reach out and comfort her to tell her it was going to be ok. But the twenty minutes he spent in the bathroom white-knuckling his hunger into submission made him a little wary to get too close to her. He decided to keep his distance for now until he could find some bandits to snack on.

'Ageni that bastard' He sneered to himself as the guard came stomping back his loud metal boots clinking against the cobble bricks. Yuuta grimaced as he noticed the walking porcupine that was coming to greet him. His smug face already pissing him off. If this was for anybody else besides Ria he thought silently to himself.

"Welcome Lord Vermillion it seems you found your way to the castle all by yourself." His arrogant face twisted in satisfaction as his joke landed on the group. Yuuta's jaw tightened, gritting his teeth at what he was about to endure for the foreseeable future.

'I'm really going to have to kiss this lord's ass arent I' While Yuuta was pondering what his life was currently becoming he felt a small tug on his sleeve pulling his attention to Ria looking at him eagerly. He couldn't help but smile at his beautiful fiance. 'I guess if it's for her it's not so bad'

"Yes, I did... Hello, Verium it's good to see you." Yuuta stepped forward and gave his best all be it a terrible smile.

Verium bowed to Yuuta his quills stretching out of his back creating little wholes in his clothes. The quills slowly retreated back as he stood his warm earthy-toned attire seemingly repairing themselves instantly.

"Follow me, Lord Vermillion, I will escort you to Lord Grexis, he is waiting for you in his office. Your friends may wait in our honored guest lounge." motioning to the room on his right. Ash and Lara took the cue and walked in. Ria, however, looked like a lost dog. She frantically looked between Ash and Yuuta. Her mind told her she was supposed to wait that she shouldn't cause trouble for Yuuta. She felt selfish and ashamed for it but she couldn't make herself move into the lounge. Her legs were wobbly but steadfast in their decision to not move. Her heart felt like it was going to explode as she disobeyed someone well above her stature. She was a slave she had no right to argue or disregard a noble.

Yuuta watched on in pure admiration of his fiance. His once meek and unassuming love is now about to face off with a noble. He couldn't help but want to jump in and make it easier for her but instead he quelled his instinct and watched her as she built up the courage to ask to go with them. Her eyes looked watered and her lip quivered as her back shot straight, her ears straight up as her resolve hardened.

"Ex..excuse me but I would like to es...ess...essscoort my fiance to see the lord! Her voice slowly rising from a whisper to an almost normal talking voice. "consid..dering the subject it would be best if I accompanied my fiance." Ria looked up to Yuuta who was currently giving Verium a menacing look. His eyes relaying a simple message that his fiance's words were not up for debate.

"Very well Lady Vermillion..." Verium being ever the professional didn't let his disappointment show. The lack of manners these to have shown was appalling but he tried to keep in mind they weren't born nobles. It didn't make it any easier for him.

Verium led them through the extravagant Halls of the castle. Yuuta was unimpressed as usual. While Ria was a ball of nerves. Verium stopped in front of a double door that looked too ordinary to be a throne room a small breeze ran through the crack hitting them with the smell of mud. Using both his hands he pushed the door open. The open sun beating down on the courtyard giving them the first sight of Lord Grexis.

A man in very simple clothes holding an ornate saber was sparring with what looked like a knight if Yuuta had to guess. His attacks were smooth and held no hesitation as the knight did his best to parry and dodge the flurry of attacks giving the Knight no room to breathe. For a moment the man's eyes flashed to the two new visitors effortlessly blocking an attack without looking an almost unnoticeable smirk made its way to his lips.

As if to say they were done he dashed hard enough to leave an impact on the soft surface. The swing had more power and speed than his previous attacks catching the Knight off guard barely having time to bring his sword up to block. The knight let out a grunt as their blades crashed in a spark. Yuuta watched the knight lose the battle as he slid back his feet trying to gain purchase on the muddy ground. All he found was an uneven patch of ground catching his heel causing him to trip and roll backward into the castle wall.

The man's face turned into a gleeful smile as he started laughing so hard he was almost doubled over. He did a small jog over to the dazed knight reaching out his hand to help him up.

"Haha, sorry Arthur didn't think that was gonna happen." Even the Knight gave a chuckle.

"It's no trouble Lord Grexis. Great attack as always Sir." The Knight got up as quickly as his clunky armor would let him.

Ria and Yuuta watched on at the two men interacting. Ria felt a little relieved at seeing the man's personality for only a couple of seconds. For him to apologize to a knight gave the two an indication of the kind of person he was. Yuuta was more interested in the man's last attack. He was clearly strong and Yuuta was almost certain he was holding back. It gave him that itch he couldn't scratch in his warrior instinct.

Shaking his head at the idea...now wasn't the time to go picking fights with Lords. He was brought of his thoughts by Grexis moving towards them. Getting a closer look the man seemed a little tense. His Blondish brown hair was ruffled and unbrushed, His mud-covered clothes and skin making him look even more ragged after his spar.

He started to wonder if all Lords had a permanent crease on their foreheads as if to state just how much time they spent with furrowed brows looking at useless paperwork that had no real purpose other than placating the bureaucratic nonsense that is running a city.

He had seen plenty of days Vermillion didn't move from his desk for hours going through the paperwork of nobles requesting one thing or another. The difference between lords like Vermillion and Grexis and some more unsavory ones were their eyes. Yuuta picked up on it immediately whenever a Noble would first meet them their eyes couldn't hide their disgust it was subtle but easily noticeable if you were looking for it.

Grexis eyes moved from the pair and a smile formed on his face. He didn't show a hint of contempt Yuuta was all too familiar with.

"Well, my two honored guests have finally shown up." His voice boasted through the now empty courtyard.

"Lord Vermillion, and Lady Vermillion I assume?" Ria's eyes went wide at hearing her be called Lady. It was the first time she had been called that in such a formal setting. She just frantically nodded her head. Yuuta instantly gave the man a little more of his respect for that move.

"I assumed you would be waiting in the Meeting room...that is where I sent your father to meet your party." He said matter of factly.

Yuuta could practically feel Ria's heartbeat out of her chest as she just looked lost at what to do with that information. Yuuta couldn't help but smile giving her a little push. Before Turning to Verium which grabbed his attention.

"Take her back to the Meeting Hall." Verium only nodded.

Ria barely had time to register what just happened before he leaned down to whisper in her ear. "Go meet your dad I'll be there shortly with his freedom." Giving her a kiss on the cheek before sending her off into the hallway. She felt a hand meet the small of her back urging her forward making her stiffen at the unexpected contact.

"Verium, keep your hands to yourself." Verium jumped at his voice making him instantly retract his hand.

"Yes sorry, Lord Vermillion."

Ria ran back to Yuuta giving him a big hug this time taking the opportunity to whisper back. "Thank you for everything." Her grip tightened giving everything she had into that hug. "Dont let him talk you into anything too bad. I don't want you to do something dangerous."

He felt his heart nearly jump out of his chest. 'Dammit, Ria always caring too much...It's ok to be selfish sometimes.' He thought to himself as he returned her hug. "You know I'd do anything for you. Now go say hello to your dad for me. Maybe talk me up a little before I get there god knows I'm gonna need the help."

Ria giggled before kissing him on the cheek and taking off into the hallway almost skipping with joy. She still felt a little disappointed he wasn't going to be there.

He gave one last wave before turning around to face a smiling Grexis. Somehow he knew the smile was genuine which put him at ease but only a little. There was always an ask when it came to these kinds of people. No matter how kindhearted they seemed.

"So we finally meet Lord Vermillion." He reached out for a handshake which Yuuta accepted putting a little strength into it which didn't phase Grexis at all. Yuuta was getting more and more curious about this man.

"You can call me Yuuta...I find the formality annoying." He shrugged earning a hearty laugh.

"Very well Yuuta you may call me Grexis...like you said no need for formality between friends." He said pointedly.

An audible groan almost escaped from Yuutas body. "Very well I like to be direct with my friends so I hope that's ok."

Grexis laughed "It would be a welcome change from the norm."

Yuuta was getting annoyed at how much he was starting to like this guy. "I would rather skip the small talk and just get to what you want from me. I know you have an ask so just ask it and in return, you release Ria's father from your servitude." Yuuta felt no reason to beat around the bush it wouldn't help either one of them.

"Getting ahead of yourself arent you Yuuta." He said with a knowing smirk.

"I've been keeping up with your rise for some time you know. You have made quite the buzz even a country away. Yuuta the Dragonslayer!" He almost yelled holding his arms out as if speaking to the heavens.

"Yea that's not creepy at all...just tell me what you want so I can get Ria and her family out of here." 'Why do nobles always think they're smarter than everybody else...just tell me what you want already.' Apparently, Grexis picked up on his annoyed expression telling him he was running out of time to make his ask.

"You must have had some bad experiences with nobility huh? Very well follow me." He started heading into an opposite hallway with Yuuta following behind. A mix of turns down hallways to complex to remember they came to an open office door.

The office lent itself to a more tasteful decor than the rest of the castle filled with over extravagant decoration and unneeded lavishness. Grexis office was filled with warm colors a dark lacquered wooden desk sat towards the back with bookshelves lining the walls filled with small knickknacks, and obviously books lots of books.

Grexis didn't give him much time to look around very quickly motioning for him to sit as he did the same falling into his seat. Leaning back slightly in what looked like a practiced maneuver he opened a drawer pulling out a thick stack of papers. His face turned grim almost on a dime as he flipped through the thick stack of parchment. Like he had done thousands of times before. Finally, he plopped them down on Yuuta's side of the desk.

"Take a look at these god knows I've memorized every single one." His voice turned rough and lowered in his depression. Yuuta waved it off before taking a look.

Missing 8-Year-old girl

Missing 10-Year-old girl

Missing 7-Year-old girl

Missing 13-Year-old girl

Missing 9-Year-old girl

Missing 8-Year-old girl

Missing 11-Year-old girl

Missing 7-Year-old girl

Missing 5-Year-old girl

Missing 12-Year-old girl

Yuuta thumbed through the never ending pages he lost count after the hundredth one. All young girls. All non-human or half-human species. All from this city.

"How long?" Yuuta asked...now he was no detective but he knew enough to ask the simple questions.

"A little over two years..." Yuuta watched the man quite literally fell into an abyss of sorrow.

"What exactly do you want me to do about it? I'm not saying I dont want to help I'm just not sure how I can." Yuuta looked at the man a spark of hope barely reaching his eyes.

"These past two years I've spent trying to find a shred of evidence any clue that would lead to capturing this filth. We couldn't understand how so many girls were being kidnapped and transported outside of the city. As time went on it started becoming clear it was somebody with power and wealth obviously but also influence." There was a slight pause before Yuuta jumped in.

"That's for certain no way they could move this many people without having guards on their payroll at the least. I wouldn't even doubt a noble being involved." This sparked the man's attention it was an idea Grexis had been throwing around but kept to himself.

"I've been thinking that too... The problem is I cant investigate nobles like I can the civilian populace. They have more protection and regrettably more rights." Yuuta only nodded taking in what he was saying before it clicked.

"So you want me to?" Grexis couldn't help the smirk that was growing on his face.

"You're just as smart as I was told. No doubt if the great Yuuta Vermillion went poking around. An A soon-to-be S-class adventurer would have more luck than a man who can't leave his castle without 12 knights surrounding me, or guards and frankly inept adventurers who never dealt with anything close to something on this scale. Whoever is doing this has influence and power but is also most certainly strong." He picked up the stack of papers again flipping through them quickly before picking out one and handing it to Yuuta.

"A rather wealthy family's daughter went missing about a year after the disappearances started. Her name was April Arden. They almost went bankrupt paying for the A rank adventurer to track her down...It seems he got close but due to being a guild member and from the wishes of the family to keep it private he didn't share any information with me or my investigators."

Yuuta quit reading the file on the girl looking up to Grexis "Why would he keep information like this to himself? I mean it doesn't make sense."

Grexis let a rueful smile fall on his face. "I forgot you're new to being nobility... there are a number of reasons. Firstly, He had no obligation to share his findings as the request went through the adventure guild and had no affiliation to us. Usually, that wouldn't stop an adventurer from sharing but the family I mentioned. Let's just say they were on the cusp of being nobility themselves falling in a grey zone of sorts. Not enough influence to own land or have a place on the various councils that run this city. But enough for their daughter to marry into a family and as such boost their own status. Do you see what I'm getting at?" Yuuta for all his worth couldn't so he only shook his head.

"Well, when a noble girl especially one in the years of puberty is expected to stay pure for their husband. Now say that girl has gone missing, not sure where she went or who has taken her and more importantly for what purposes. When a family's fate relies on the single factor of their daughter marrying into an influential family. Something like her purity being taken can severely or more than likely completely destroy that chance." Yuuta felt a little dumb for not catching on sooner but know it made sense. An outdated ideal for well a place still in those dates he had to accept.

"Understood. In the report, it says the A-rank adventure was mortally wounded." Yuuta was more talking out loud than asking a question but Grexis followed up to his statement.

"Yes, he wasn't killed immediately. He made it just far enough from wherever he fought to make it to a street guard. His final words...April is Dead I'm sorry." Yuuta let that sink in. A true adventurer that man was to his core. One of the few who deserved to be remembered he thought.

"After that any adventurer we tried to hire refused and downright threatened to leave the city if asked again. Whoever these people were they scared the whole city into submission...The Kidnappings stopped for a while but after seeing the cities response they were back in full force not too long after. I begged the Arden family to help...for anything they could remember but they refused to speak to me and anybody I sent. Not that I blame them grief is a wicked thing." He looked over to his whiskey table before getting up and pouring two glasses.

"I'm just speaking out loud but feel free to add on if I miss something." Grexis nodded before handing over a glass which he accepted. He opted to lean up against his desk to listen instead of his chair.

"So what we know...The disappearances started around two years ago. They target young girls and even ones with some influence."

Grexis jumped in. "Yes but no girls of actual nobility I think they learned their lesson with April. Too much commotion made them shut down their operation last time even if it was temporary."

Yuuta nodded keeping that in mind. "So they're not stupid although we already knew that for the most part. To keep this kind of thing up for so long takes more than just influence." He took a sip of the whiskey deep in thought.

"They somehow are able to mass abduct girls and usher them from the city presumably with no notice. That leads me to believe there are two scenarios they are using to do this. First, they paid off the right people for this to happen and or have control over them. Second, Magic seems like the only way they could move that many people out of the city. Theirs no way even if they paid off the whole city that would go unnoticed. Somebody loyal to you would have noticed something like that." He took a moment his attention focused on his glass which he was slowly swirling.

"So here's my theory feel free to tell me if something doesn't make sense." He used the chair to stretch his back before drinking the last of his whiskey.

"A noble is funding this obviously...One with enough power to influence guards and enough wealth to hire a powerful magician. I think the Adventurer what was his name?" He asked wanting to show the respect he deserved.

"Abraham," Grexis said solemnly.

"Abraham one way or another got close to their operation and ultimately got caught in a situation he couldn't get out of. I would say trying to save April from being moved out of the city and being lost forever." Yuuta stretched again this time not taking his eyes off the ceiling.

"That would make sense for the most part. But how would a magician move the girls from the city?" Good question Yuuta thought to himself. If Gildi could be trusted with her knowledge which she was whole heartily. He was one of few who could actually use the teleportation spell and those who can only use it once a day at most without running into mana exhaustion and to keep it open long enough for multiple people would be nigh impossible for most magicians.

"Two possibilities first the more improbable one is teleportation magic. While very unlikely would be the most effective way to do this and would account for how an A-rank Adventurer was killed. Now the more probable, He could use some kind of camouflage to move them out. But that has its own problems that would be hard to cover. Either way, there's someone with their group strong enough to fight and kill an A-rank adventurer."

Grexis rubbed his eyes in stress thinking about the two possibilities and both seemed like good theories but that was the problem just theories."If what you're saying is true it would almost be impossible to detect when that was happening or where. Unless you have something else?"

Yuuta didn't respond immediately thinking of a solution. Grexis was right both would be almost impossible to detect. Good thing he had some good friends who knew a lot more about magic than him.

"I would recommend stationing trusted knights and at least one magician outside each exit to the city and checking every convoy or wagon leaving the city... If their using magic to camoflouge themselves a magician should be able to detect the illusion. In the meantime I'm going to do some research and consult some some close friends and hopefully get some help. I'm also gonna try talking to the Arden family. It may be the best lead we have and shouldn't go untapped." Yuuta groaned as he threw his body forward to stand up.

"I'll be honest Grexis this isn't what I thought I was gonna walk into. Now I see why Verium was so adamant about me coming here..." He felt a little ashamed at his childish behavior." Sorry, I avoided this...I want to help." Grexis fought back his watering eyes.

"Yuuta you have no idea how happy I am you came here. I apologize profusely for keeping your betrothed's father as a bargaining chip but I was desperate as you can see and of course, he is free, he can leave anytime he wants no one will stop you." Yuuta gave a half-hearted smile it just didn't seem right to be happy at the moment not with that stack of papers burning into his soul on the desk.

"Consider it forgiven but I do need one thing from you and you cant ask questions or admit it happened." Grexis gave him an odd look before nodding his head.

"I assume you have some criminals scheduled for execution I need you to hand over the worst of the worst to me. The ones who have done the evilest things." It was hard for Grexis to not ask any questions but in the end, he had no problem with losing a couple of criminals off the execution docket.

"I dont mind although I can't lie I am curious, but go ahead and do what you need. Do you need them now?" Yuuta nodded. That emptiness in his stomach still hadn't left him and an endless pit of hunger filled his core at the moment and the only solution? Blood.

"I'll have a guard take you to the dungeon take whoever you see fit." Yuuta gave a thankful nod.

"I'll keep you updated on my investigation as much as possible but after I collect your prisoners I'll be spending the day with my father-in-law and hopefully get in his good graces." Grexis couldn't help but laugh at the boy remembering what it was like the first time he met his wife's father. The shiver still ran down his back.

"Of course I wish you the best of luck in both endeavors." They shared a smile before Yuuta scraped the pile of papers off the desk and put them in his pocket dimension before following the guard for his midday snack.