(Continental Animosity Arc Starts)

"...An anomaly to the timeline, you say?"

The woman with knowledge of the future, a guardian of time, was sitting right in front of Kai in his home.

"Anomalies, not anomaly, this is a far greater threat than ever. The anomalies are scattered around all the continents, though I don't know what they are, my comrades have sensed them as well so there is no mistake. This continent doesn't have any, because of the Immortal's presence recently most likely but the rest of the continents all have this anomaly and we are powerless to stop it."

Kai sat there in silence for a minute before speaking.

"I need to solve the problems with all the continents before I make any further moves, is what you're saying?"

"Yes, I can provide support but only with information. You should head to Ethereal Moon as fast as possible because the anomaly there is becoming stronger- though I have no idea if it's a being or an item."

Hearing the name of that continent, Kai's fell into deep thought.

"...The Vampire Princess was born on that continent, wasn't she? I don't advise bringing her there but if you're going, then it's impossible for her not to follow, though you have to bring a lot of vampire slaying items."

"I'm more than aware of that, I personally slayed hundreds of vampires just for her after all."

"It still sounds as frightening as ever. Though I haven't actually seen it, my future self apparently had but hearing it from the person itself is still... disturbing?"

Of course, vampires stood at the peak of the world and they only had about a few thousands at most in numbers and definitely didn't exceed ten thousand so killing hundreds of vampires was basically trying to make the race extinct.

Kai shrugged his shoulders. As dense as he was, he knew how intimidating that sounded.

"My only problem is if I'll face any of the nobles. I can temporarily increase my power to SS-class but in the end, I still haven't reached that level of power. If I face any normal vampire, I have confidence in my victory but against those old monsters... Fate only underestimated me and to the very end, tried to put on a play which led to his demise. Honestly, he could've wiped me out in ten seconds after he powered up. It was all due to luck that I won, Amelia even secretly used Immortal Ki on one blade of my armor when it was scattered at the throne room."

The woman fell into deep contemplation before taking out her crystal ball. A few minutes pass by quickly after she peered into it and gave a thumbs up at Kai.

"I can get the nobles to ignore you until you fix the anomaly though right after it's removed, there will be problems with me and my comrades' magic so you'll immediately be revealed, be prepared to fight your way out."

"...Alright, I'll head out by next week, my contract with the Empire ends because their S-class would arrive by then."

The woman nodded in agreement.

"Please do hurry though, who knows how strong it'll become after a week."

The woman stood up and disappeared. Amelia quickly walked into the room immediately after she left.

"Kai, why was there an isolation barrier here? Also... this is the scent of a woman, the same as the one in the forest near that lake."

"Amelia, we're going to Ethereal Moon in a week or so, be prepared."

Just hearing that name made Amelia stop moving. All of her thoughts became disorganized and she froze. Kai walked near her and pulled her into his embrace.

"Don't worry, you won't be alone this time. I'm there, Erina and Angie too. Maybe even the entirety of Memento Mori will be there. It won't be like the past, I took responsibility for you and I've already decided to see it to the very end."

Although Amelia was still trembling, she began to calm down and peacefully stayed there. For awhile, the two of them stood in each other's embrace in complete silence.

Because of Amelia, the entire continent was still in a state of alarm but because of this, no more demons entered the continent in fear of the vampires. Accompanying a ship from Ethereal Moon was the Empire's S-class and with that, Kai's contract with the Empire ended but his alliance with Heliana would still last for a long time.

"Thank you, Sir Kai for your service to the Empire, the rest of the funds have already been transferred to this card."

Heliana extended her hand for a handshake but Lucent stopped her.

"Hel, don't touch him, you might get pregnant!"

"""..."""

Everyone in the room fell silent.

Lucent Hanford, a woman who became a knight captain with her own power but had the knowledge of a toddler when it came to relationships. Her parents had taught her that kissing was the most that two people can do while babies came from storks, this wouldn't have succeeded because she was raised alongside male knights but her personality was pure and she believed in her parents from the bottom of her heart therefore any attempt at explaining to her became fruitless.

Even Heliana, her most trusted friend wasn't trusted when she explained to Lucent the birds and the bees. This spread to everyone really fast and it was even more evident by how she acted when protecting Heliana from Kai.

"W-well, he's wearing gloves so it's fine."

"Hmm... I see. Alright, I'll allow it."

Wait, has she never shook hands with a male before...?

This thought flowed through everyone's heads. As the knight captain, is that really possible?

Kai still had his hand outstretched as he stared at Lucent.

Lucent Hanford, the captain who to the very end, fought against the demons and lost her life. Although I've never personally met her, Heliana always seemed saddened by her death and would always enter a melancholic mood everytime she was mentioned.

Kai assessed her as Heliana took his hand.

"Then, I'll take my leave now. Empress, Miss knight captain, and the nobles."

For his last farewell, Kai called Heliana by her title and bowed before leaving the throne room. Erina and Amelia had been waiting outside the door the entire time.

"Shall we depart?"

"Nn."

"That Soul Thief already fled the continent, I'm sure he's involved in this somehow. Let's go."

The three of them teleported to the port kingdom, Frauntz where Angie was waiting for them with a ship. That would be perfect but unfortunately, there was an added variable.

"Like I said, I've already reserved the seats for me and my friends."

"Miss, don't make it hard for us, it's better for you that way. Our young master is on an urgent trip and needs the ship closest to departing, just give us the seats and we'll compensate you."

The man's words would've been better if he hadn't said it in a tone which implied threats.

"I'm not having this conversation anymore."

"Perhaps you don't recognize our young master? He's the first son and heir to the Londe Conglomerate, every second of his time wasted is gold being poured down the drain, so just quickly hand over the seats!"

At first, the man acted humble but when he failed to convince Angie after five minutes, his temper soared and it quickly turned into threats. The young master waiting behind him was also growing impatient and would probably join the argument soon.

But it wasn't only their side that was beginning to grow irate, Angie had just about reached her limit. At first, she didn't mind them convincing her but once they resorted to threats, her veins started popping up but because of Kai's orders of keeping a low profile and not revealing their identities, she couldn't.

"Grr... You, captain!"

The captain had been hiding but he was found by the young master.

"Y-yes?"

"Sell us her seats now."

The captain was in an awkward position, he was quite well-known in this area for being loyal to customers and if he complied, then his reputation would plummet but if he denied the Londe Conglomerate, any of his businesses on this port town would be done for.

"S-sir, it is against the rules to-"

"I don't care! You either sell me her seats now or you won't ever get a single customer again!"

Now, the captain was trapped. He turned to Angie with a pitiful face.

"Miss, would you mind selling your tickets to-"

"No."

Now, he was left with only two options, deny the young master or take the tickets from Angie forcefully. Just as he was struggling, Kei appeared in normal clothes.

"Who's this?"

He walked up to Angie and asked.

"Some guy wanting to buy our seats, he's incredibly annoying."

"...And you can't take care of him because of Kai?"

"Nn..."

Kei's words were said in a whisper.

"Alright, I got this."

"Wait, don't!"

Before Angie could stop him, Kei already unsheathed his sword and pointed it at the young master.

"Either you walk away or I make you walk away, choose."

"Undisciplined kid!"

The servant who was the one buying tickets charged at Kei but how could a mere servant be on par with Kei, a talent trained by Kai?

A single sword swing was all it took for the servant's own sword to be sent flying, he then pointed it at the servan't's neck.

"Last chance."

The servant glared at Kei, the young master also narrowed his eyes.

"...Alright, I'll make you regret this soon!"

The young master ordered for the servant to retreat and they left to find another ship. Right after the young master of the Londe Conglomerate left, the captain gave a sigh of relief. Now, the animosity of the conglomerate would be directed at Kei and not at himself.

"Miss, I'm terribly sorry for not stopping that young master but I had little options in the matter."

The captain gave Angie an apology but the latter didn't care for his apology at all.

"I don't mind, just make sure it doesn't happen again."

Leaving those words, she turned away and walked towards a nearby stall. Kei followed her, the ship would still have some time before departing.