The Theater looked like an Evil-looking Gothic Museum, full to the brim with Vampires from all walks of life on the streets, watching their Nobility and Royals in full display, and outside its doors. A crimson carpet to its magnificent ornate wooden entrances with the High Ranking people of the country, all properly lined up to greet their King and Queen. Brandishing their beauty, luxury, and privilege to the lower classes as the people look in awe of the presentation and show of the country’s governing ranks.

Even two blocks away, Paul could feel the air of luxury and privilege oozing from it. He takes out a pamphlet given to him by the Joint Foreign Affairs Department Agent that was walking around reminding players on how to act. The piece of paper had all the reminders to guide him on where he is supposed to go. As the Highest Ranking member in the Diplomatic envoy, he is to be right in front and is to shake hands with the King and Queen, even the Princess if she was to be present.

“Uh…uh…uh…”

“M’Lord, don’t overthink now. We’re nearing the theater.”

“I know, I know. The pressure is just mounting up on me now and it's frickin’ cold! Also, how come you people are so tall?! Like, is a Vampire’s average height Six Foot Two or something?”

“I am still not accustomed to your foreign system of measurement but Vampires are naturally tall as the Vampire Power will turn your body into its peak self. I might have not mentioned it but this includes your height, so M’Lord, if you ever turn into a Vampire. You’d get an extra three to six inches if my usage of your metric is correct.”

“Dang, really? Oh wow, I should get some of that back home. A few extra inches to make me finally six foot tall would be ideal.”

All of the sudden, Elizabeth punches the wall of a building she’s next to and the snow that’s piled up on its roof falls on her. Burying her with it.

“WOAH! HEY!”

Bahamut, with her magic, quickly melts the snow. Now, Elizabeth seems to be a hot woman. With steam billowing from her dress.

“Wha-what was that for?!”

“I needed to hide my scent. I had so much fun with everyone that I seem to have forgotten to do so.”

“J-just give us a heads up next time. My head is swirling right now, realizing the potential punishment of my actions if I make a mistake.”

“Also, Bahamut. Would you kindly stand in front of me at the entrance ceremony? Since you are taller, I’d like you to block all possibilities of the King and Queen sensing or seeing me. Monkey might get flashbacks if he were to see a tall blonde woman with a certain air to her. I’m so beautiful after all.”

“Hm. Shall I go with a threatening aura as it engulfs my vicinity with my flames? I’m sure not even the King will be able to sniff you out.”

“NO, BAHAMUT. Just do something with your Divine aura. Do not threaten anyone or use any of those scary True Magic, please. Elizabeth, can’t you just go invisible or something?”

“Yes Master.”

“Now where would the fun be? I still wanna be there to see Monkey finally show his true glory in front of his ancient Queen. Charles did have a lot of faith in that man, though I never saw his worth other than a Monkey who dances to the tunes of those above him.”

They soon arrive at the theater with the Knight Legion of the House Charlemagne and the Kingdom’s grunts guarding the perimeter being absolutely suspicious of the group and stops them from entering the vicinity. But an Officer from the UN saw the General and immediately came, he vouched for the General, thus gaining entrance. “Geez, is something happening? That’s awfully strict of them.” Paul leads the group next to the staircase where the entire envoy was. Humans and Vampires, he then takes the lead and stops right before the carpet.

“Ah, General Jackson.”

A man with a rank of Colonel named W. Jawoki shakes his hand. “Oh my, Lady Minuit. It’s pleasant to see you with us.” Though Alana wanted to avoid contact, she put up a face and a big smile. “Marquise, such a surprise to see you with a human.'' The two then exchanged pleasantries as the General and the Colonel looked at each other with duty in their eyes.

“Is the perimeter secure? I literally got stopped at the perimeter fence.”

“Sir yes sir, the perimeter is secure. Though the one with direct contact is Captain Russell as he is the head of Security. He might have some new information that made them stricter.”

“I see, take good care then. I don’t like being stopped like that, freaking Vampires and their lowly stares… though she’s a looker. Long red hair and a tiara. Good taste.”

“Same could be said to you sir, the Purebred Countess of the Minuits, Victoria has always told me how cold she is to people, men especially. Who would’ve thought it took a General.”

Meanwhile beside the two, the two tall vampires shaked both of their hands.

“I see you have gotten yourself mixed up with a human Alana. Look at you, finally growing up. I always thought how strange it is you never had boy slaves with you when in University when all the others were doing it.”

“Same could be said with you Victoria. So how is living with mortals so far? I still remember you telling me you don’t see them as anything more than ants and wouldn’t let one touch you.”

“Things change Alana. And Captain is different from the normal humans, he sure is worth my time. More worthy than the so-called marriable men in our repertoire… and I can handle him.”

The two then get close with each other. “Have you tasted your human blood yet?”

“Nay, but M’Lord is up to something.”

“Hm. I hope we may put aside our family's troubles and unite for our men.”

“Indeed, I shall let it slide. But the Minuit’s will not forget the Amaldia’s successful method of stunting our operations.”

“Oh please Alana, you're already selling far too much wine. Should at least give us a discount per barrel.”

“Then I hope you are prepared to write one hundred pages of taxation and alternative routes that we may take and so that I could lessen the prices for you… or why not cry to the House Dreyfus?”

“Hah, the Amaldia Family has its pride. We’d rather do things on our own than ask for the Dreyfus’. We may be in their House, but we still have our own autonomy.”

The two players just looked at them intensely hugging it out as they talked. A deepening aura of anger growing between the two, as if their water and oil clashing endlessly at each other. Elizabeth in the back who put her hand up her mouth and giggled while Bahamut was just sniffing the air. Curiously looking and staring as the other Vampires sneaks some stares at the Goddess.

“You two done?”

“Y-Yes M’Lord.”

“Alright. Colonel, may we meet again. Keep sending me those reports alright? Big or little.”

“Of course sir.”

“Now, where is Russell?”

Raising his hand behind a cute vampire with curled hair that’s shaped into two buns. “Over ‘ere sir!”

“What’s with the accent?”

“He’s from Texas, sir.”

“What part of Texas? I’ve been to America before and their accent is not that thick.”

“Dunno sir.”

The two exchange salutes and he walks deeper into the crowd and sees a man wearing a uniform with a bronze nameplate that shows Captain C. Russell, proudly brandishing his Men of the Woods Midnight blue Dress suit, in stark contrast of Eldwood’s Black and Leather one. Alana on the other hand elegantly bows to the vampire woman with him.

“Sylvia….”

“Alana….”

The two smiled and hugged it out. “Goodness me, so the rumors are true. You are indeed with a human also. How long has it been? You haven’t accepted any of my invitations for parties or even Tea gatherings.”

“Indeed that is true, he defeated me in Dragovh. Shot me in the stomach with a revolver. Hence why I wasn’t able to accept your invitations. I truly apologize, but I’ll make up with you alright?”

“Mine saved me on an expedition to Angea. He was dashingly heroic, a man of God is how he calls himself and yet he rescued me. Humans, I truly love them. But I hope with this, I might be able to finally find the Beans I am looking for to upgrade our menu.”

“Heavens, are you still looking for those Cocoa Beans? You should just ask Mercenaries, Pirates, or Vikings, to do it.”

“I’d rather not. Maybe Mercenaries, but the Pirates and Vikings are absolutely abhorrent. As if I’ll taint the family name by associating with those types. But the Outworlders are perfect though, educated and mannered, the only thing they lack is wisdom and maturity but their fighting power more than makes up for it.”

“The Minuit’s always believed to use whatever tool is available. Wouldn’t be the first time, but how’s the family business? I heard your father has given you the Restaurants.”

“Hm, he has and I’ve always dreamt of upgrading our Coffee… to think even going the extra mile isn’t enough.”

“That’s just how it is, just don’t stop. One day, you will find it.”

The two then look at the humans with them, Captain Russell with his messy brown hair getting chewed by the General. “Captain, how do you expect to meet me like this?! You look like a fucking hobo! Do you know in what place you are right now and what you represent as a soldier?! You dare look like a shitstain in front of a high ranking officer?! Do these five silver stars on my epaulets mean nothing to you?!”

They just smiled as the General with a knife hand out lectures and chewed the Captain for his look. “Are you legitimately fucking with me huh Captain?! We might not be in the same Guild but the UN charter gave me full shitty control over your messy hairy ass! What’re you?! A fucking chimp?! You dare come here with a curvy busty ass vampire with curled hair who look ten times better than all of Earth’s Miss Universes’ combined and here you are with that raggedy ass hairdo?!” Elizabeth then puts her hand on his shoulder, calming the man down. The noise of the ground and the people covered the screams of the angry Five Star General.

“Oh goodness me, forgive M’Lord Sylvia. He is a bit… amped up tonight.” She then leans into Sylvia’s ear and whispers. “Just like his killer instinct, M’Lord has a habit of being over the top with his screamish attitude. From things that walk with more than two legs to stuff he finds annoying. Not even Bahamut is safe from his lectures.”

“It’s fine. I did warn Curt to dress properly. I heard the General is coming to think he looks that cute, he has that very manly look with a wide jawline, tall for a human male, and broad shoulders but I can’t think but see him as a teddy bear with how he screams.”

“Ha-ha-ha… don’t stare too much. That’s mine.”

“Pfft, to think you’ve always been the jealous type. I never thought you’d be like this when it comes to men. You never did attend any Parties back in University.”

“Hee hee, that’s back then. I’m serious now. Don’t even think about it. I already have two others to deal with.”

“Ohhhh, spicy. I’ve never seen this side of you before Alana. And what about those two behind him?”

“Oh, those? It’s not like I have a choice. At least they're both entertaining.”

“I do wonder though… I feel a sense of familiarity with the blonde one with the mask.”

“Don’t. Just don’t.”

“Eh, why? Did she do anything Taboo?”

“No, it’s just that… she’s beyond any of us. Better keep it that way. It’s for your own good too.”

“I see, you’ve been very active haven’t you?”

“Hehehehe, yes. Yes I have.”

The General then holsters his knife hand back to his pocket as he stares down the Captain.

“Tell me, how is the security right now?”

“Good sir! No reports of any sort and I have a direct line with all of the Sergeants as my Radioman is just a hundred meters away at all times. ”

“Mhm, and what’s the composition of the forces securing the Theater?”

“We have two squads guarding nearby alleyways while patrols guard every intersection and chokepoint.”

“The sewers?”

“Another two squads sir, skeletons again are guarding them. Routing the tunnel area within the Theaters square.”

“Good, and the magicians?”

“All set sir. If they try to even come near the Theater with a photo of the Sarcophagus. It will be burned as the Staffs are hidden around the building. Rooftop included, though we can’t get access to it and only have the King’s Royal Guards up there.”

“Foolproof. Keep up the good job then, but FIX THAT GODDAM HAIR SOLDIER! USE WATER AND FREEZE IT IF YOU HAVE TO!” The General was about to release his knife hand once again but Alana stopped him. Russell just breathes a sigh of relief as the man goes to the next one behind him.

“See… I told you.”

“But I look so good with messy hair. It’s not like I’m in battle right now. Tsk.”

“It’s fine Curt, Oh! Tomorrow, we should visit the restaurant we opened and help with the publicity. I’m sure the citizens will be able to see Outworlders in a different light with that.”

“Hm, good thing Vampire Culture is a big thing and many players picked it as their race. Should I make my hair proper? I feel like the General will pop out a vent or a sewer hatch and eat me.”

“Hmmm… naw. You look good enough.”

“Just be sure to stick with me. That man's eyes has some killer intent.”

Behind the Captain are two other envoys and their Vampire followers. The General did a quick up and down stare and his eyes calmed down, seemingly impressed. “Names?!”

“Colonel Tetsuo! Greater Japan Guild with Viscountess Lara Madeleine!”

The skinny player in a red dress uniform with an ornate Samurai sword is accompanied by the blonde blue eyed vampire which Alana kneels to. “Viscountess!”

“Countess!”

“Uhm… you two know each other too?”

“Lady Madeleine is the one that sponsored my Swordsmanship. I still do thank her for giving me the skilled trainer Sir Gideon from their family’s Knight Regiment.”

“It is but a must, a purebred vampire must know the way of the sword not only to defend but also to show her greatness in the front!”

“I see, well Colonel Tetsuo. Since you understand English just fine. Continue on, be an example to the others. You groom very well, look nice, smell nice, and your hair is also excellent! Look at that, nice pomade. Shiny and butter, body posture is stiff and firm, everything else falls and is spot on.”

“Arigatou Shogun Jackson!”

“Keep it up, and Viscount.”

“General.”

As the General continued onwards with Bahamut and Elizabeth, Alana stayed and continued to chat with the Viscount.

“Sad that Sir Gedeon’s training isn’t enough. To think you’ve been bested by a human Alana.”

“Haaah… I apologize. But have you saved the daughter of the Bartley family?”

“Hm, with the help of Colonel Tetsuo, not only was I saved by him and his Katana. But he also saved the daughter from the claws of the Werewolves.”

“Oh goodness, that is great.”

Elizabeth on the other hand looks back, hearing the name of her very own House.

“This should keep the Bartley’s at bay now. Heavens me, how come the Archaois Queen left the control of the Crimson Knights of the Blood Moon to them? She should’ve at least left it with whoever's in charge. It’s been up to House Charlemagnes and the families under it to do the grunt work.”

“I’m sure she has her reasons. It’s far in the past, a time when many of our lineages aren’t even born yet. It’s better to not think about it.”

“I just don’t get it. Even as a Viscount, I can’t even access their barracks. We’re talking about Vampires whose purity is above Fifty percent Alana. These Knights very presence changed the tides of battle and gave both Slaves and Vampires morale to fight to the death, even in the fall of the first Royals, not once were they defeated, nor did the Saint Hero manage to kill one of them.”

“I know Lady Madeleine. But it’s better for us to leave the Ancients be. M’Lord has taught a lot about time, and I think it's better for us to move on. The Knights of the Blood Moon are a relic now, though they might still be a potent Battalion. We might never see their Order again.”

“I just hope that when the Reset arrives, they can arise and save us. Such a powerful personal army shouldn’t be left rotting in some cellar inside their coffins, such Knights must wield their swords and shine their armor and stand for the country and King.”

“Maybe one day, we will. But I recommend you don’t dig deeper, Lady Madeleine. You might get stopped by something far above even the Royals.”

“Hmph, as if that’s enough to stop me. None of the fools here have even felled the Vampires greatest enemy. The Werewolves, but I have, hundreds of too and it just keeps mounting and mounting. I hope Sir Tetsuo will be able to help me further in this endeavors as his skill with the Katana is marvelous.”

“I thought it was the Vampire Hunters, as I was attacked and chased by them multiple times in Dragovh and Geraldia.”

“Pfft. As if those fools are of any worry to us. Angry Humans and Elves playing Predator are all who they are. They're just as squishy and fragile like the rest, it's the Werewolves that we must worry about. For now, they might be just Rogues. But I do not hold the breath that the King of Vitas will relinquish control over them and have them retreat to his borders in preparation of the Reset.”

After a few minutes of exchanging pleasantries and the General checking the lower ranking players who is also part of the envoys, going through how they look and act, waiting in the cold is finally over with the Royal Band playing its trumpets and arrives in an extremely fashionable golden carriage pulled by ten white horses adorned in sparkling armor.

“HEAR YE! HEAR YE! Here arrives King Harold Timothy the Sixth from House Dreyfus and our beloved Queen Marienette Laurent with their daughter, Princess Anna Timothy!”

The Royal family reveals themselves along with an entourage of Ministers and Dukes. King Harold was wearing the finest cloth Paul had ever seen in his life, it was so bright that even though only the Moon and its satellite was above. It was still more than enough not to make him look away. The man carried himself with an immense air of respect and authority, with the very essence of the Kingdom’s history oozing from him.

Two Knight Generals then came and gave the King his tall round Crown while the respectable and charming Queen, her magnificent silver and gold tiara with rubies and jewelry but a far cry from what Elizabeth wore in her rule. Paul just stares at her silky purple coloured hair and is not only enamored by the rare color, but also her petite busty figure that’s exacerbated by the royal gown she wears. The pretty and innocent looking Princess on the other hand stayed behind her parents, not mingling with anyone as they started shaking hands and talking to the Nobles out in the cold snow without any winter clothes.

Humans and Elves instantly stood out in the crowd, from the street to the stairs as only they were the ones present wearing thick clothing, with the General himself in a black leather trench coat as Bahamut kept near him and made sure he wasn’t far too hot or cold.

“M’Lord, prepare your happiest smile.”

“I’m trying Alana. But it's cold as heck and I can’t feel my balls.”

“Should I pump up the heat Master?”

“N-no Bahamut. Thank you though.”

Alana kicks him a bit to get him into shape. Making the General stand straight up with his hands together. Looking as stiff as a statue of stone. Soon, the Royal family arrives at the foot of the stairs and the part of the envoys, the extremely handsome King turns to face him. The man didn’t even look like someone who has lived alongside Queen Elizabeth, but what strikes most about his appearance was his deathly pale skin and well combed black hair.

“Ah! Knight General Paul Jackson. I am pleased to hear of your return. Such a mortal man! Surviving those dastard rogues and being saved by the Countess Daughter of the Minuit household. Do tell, have you fancied yourself with my Kingdom's rich culture?”

“I have not yet Your Majesty. I’ve only recently returned from… a certain mission and is trusted forward into the frey immediately.”

“Oh how sad! You must go and rest, humans need much of that right? Walk around the Capital and see things for yourself. A leader such as yourself, a General! Must be given a proper tour of the country.”

“Maybe later Your Majesty, with Lady Minuit and Bahamut.”

“Ah, Bahamut. Pleased to meet you Goddess. I have heard of your exploits and it's due to you that our country has finally opened its wings and the path to a potential Dragon Force might no longer be a pipe dream.” The King then bows his head, respecting the Dragon God. “May you continue to bless my Kingdom, Dragons are the only species of creature that walk amongst this land that is respected by all, I do heartily ask for your blessings and the survival of my Kingdom in the upcoming Rest.”

Bahamut sniffs him first and nods. “It’s no problem.” The quick and sudden reply made things awkward as the Dragon God started sniffing the air once again while the King just lay his head down, bowing.

“U-Uhm, so Your Majesty, I heard you were there when the first Vampire King was still active. How long ago that must be?”

“Oh goodness me, how long HAS it been? Hundred or two thousands of years possibly. Do sing to me General, what’re your biggest achievements as an Officer? Have you been in any large conflicts or battles? Have you led your army into greatness just as King Charlesmagnes did to the Knight Legions of this Kingdom?”

“Ahhhh well…” the General looks up, visibly recalling things as his finger starts twitching. “It wasn’t supposed to be a big battle. But it kinda just all fell into place.” The King raises his hand, silencing the crowd and the nobles. “My Unit, the Four Hundredth and Two Joint Mechanized Brigade was blitzing into Ankara from Kayseri… the thing was, NATO managed to meet us there which wasn’t supposed to happen.'' The King could see the man's eyes seemingly returning to the shock and horror of war with his fingers and eyes occasionally looking around the perimeter as his hand shapes itself like he is holding a rifle.

“Why wasn’t this organization called NATO supposed to reach you?”

“We fired about ten thousand cruise missiles into all of Europe and Turkey, coupled with thousands more of kamikaze drones that took off from Syria for a month or so straight nonstop. It was supposed to cripple everything, civilian and military. All of the infrastructure, but we underestimated the Europeans as we kept steam rolling their armies in the Middle East and Asia. When my Unit met the opposing army, these people looked like they'd been driving nonstop for days or even weeks and fought like zombies. Ankara was leveled in a span of a few hours.”

“So, you’ve been through a lot truly then. I can see it in your eyes, the mantle of a leader, a man who has proven himself in battle is a man who can prove himself to others. Did you win, General?”

“I did… no WE did. The enemy army was more than four hundred thousand strong and we were only a handful of a thousand men with some very modern tanks. If it weren’t from the Indonesians, Singaporeans, Vietnamese, Filipinos, Malaysians and Indians coming to rescue us which would have punched up our combined strength to two hundred thousand. Me and everyone else in the Joint Mechanized Brigade would’ve been completely annihilated. Our entrance was even sandwiched in between a Lake and River and only O Twenty-One highway to use…”

The King then places his hand on the General's shoulder. Patting the man as he looked down on the human with peering eyes. “I also participated in a battle of such magnitude. I was there, next to King Charlesmagnes and Queen Elizabeth Bartley.”

On top of a Hill overlooking open plains, a giant army of Knights and Grunts covered the horizon. The pale faces on the side of the vampires looked in awe of the massive army with countless flags hoisted up to represent their country. The Kingdom of Gareth and James with various other Lords and Nobles accompanying their main force. “Oh it was a bright sunny day, a day where I would’ve spent with my wings out and flying about. But instead Sir Wellington of Gareth with his Allied Army came after the Vampire Kingdom a second time.” King Charles in his golden royal armor points his red enchanted glass sword to the oncoming army.

A wave of grunts made up of Humans and Elves are thrown into the fray with proper vampire grunts behind them. With halberds and lancers out, they walked in formation against the Allied Armies, whose entire front is made up of Knights and Professionals, unlike the Vampires which is using lower quality troops against the shiny enemy army whose pride and power is in full display. Not even a minute in, they’re already taking staggering losses from the arrows and magical artillery.

“But King Charles never wavered, like the Noble Knight he was, he is educated and knows the ways of war. A tactician… a man who can see things amongst mortal primates. It is said that it's due to him teaching Queen Bartley that she was able to almost conquer the world.” The grunts then form separate formations as the Allied Armies open up their defenses.

Coming through the opposing Hills is a horde of Knight Calvary with differing colors and styles, even then, they all showed Mastery amongst each other and the coming attack felt completely organic as they formed Vee shapes and their Lances and Spears down to meet the grunts and cannon fodder of the Vampire King. King Charles then points his magnificent red glass sword to the sky and it shoots off a blue firework which prompts the grunts in Line formations to change to multiple smaller Squares that have all of its sides covered by Halberds and Lances.

“Duke!”

“Sh! I want to see this.”

The Knight’s Calvary immediately turns and goes around the Squares as the Grunts with Halberts start poking at the horses, and when one Knight would fall to the ground, a Vampire would jump from the inside of the Square formation and devour the armored man and take its Holy Sword. Not be used against them ever again.

“Impressive King Charles.”

“Duke!”

“I know Lord Anror. Do not worry, we hold the ancient Fortress in the East. Unless these decrepit bloodsuckers could cross the large river on our West with the Twelve Gods and Holy See’s Divine Magicians guarding it, they are locked here and choked. Call upon the Mages Regiment, I want more artillery fire on those formations! Break it apart and have the Second Wave ready!”

“Yes Milord!”

Back on the opposing Hill as the crashes of metal and flesh echo through the open plain, King Charlesmagnes places his hand on the Queen, the perfect and magnificent blonde woman that is Elizabeth Bartley. “My love, take the Fortress on the West. The scouts have fired a blue flare also, it can be done.” the otherworldly beautiful woman nods and pulls the reins on her armored horse, adorned with Roses and the Crest of the Voltaire House.

She leads with her a Legion of Vampire Knights as winged ones fly above her and straight down to the Fortress, forcing the ones on the gates to look behind as the powerful Knights fight one to ten. One by one, the Allied Armies Knights with their Holy blades turn the Noble vampires to ash. The soldiers down below of the Vampire Kingdom could see their Queen, wearing nothing but her frilly gown charging forward into the ancient Fortress that’s pinning down there flanking force.

“Men! Look! It’s Queen Bartley!”

“Heavens! She is magnificent! Beautiful!”

“Now that’s a sight to see! C’mon men! Even you! Humans and Elves! Look at our beautiful Queen! You shall know your deaths will be worth more than your feeble mortal lives! Now keep poking!”

Her show gave the men below an immense boost of morale while the Allied Armies could see a faint moving long golden blonde hair sparkling amongst the bloodshed happening on the opposing Hill. The men instantly felt curiosity and the need to see this beautiful creature but then the Holy Mages snapped them back into action as even Sir Wellington was shocked at the power of the woman's beauty from afar.

“Duke Timothy, carry on with your family name. No longer shall you dance to the tune of the Royals, prove yourself in combat and charge forward, break their lines and I’ll see to it that House Dreyfus shall be forever indebted to you.”

“R-Really My King?!”

“Hm, though my beloved Wife still sees you as Monkey. I hope you can prove her wrong. Go! Bring the crest of the Timothy family to new heights! It's One hundred thousand against Five hundred thousand! This battle shall be marked in history as the one that will make the humans never return to this land!”

Duke Harold Timothy in his blue vampire armor with protruding sharp peaks on the pauldrons looks behind him and the blue armored troops of the Timothy family. He unsheathes his sword and screams, opening his bat wings on the bright morning day. The sight gives his men the morale they need as he storms down the Hill with his troops, crashing down to the Knight Calvary down below. Like two opposing seas, the clash was brutal and magnificent at the same time with flesh and organs being torn apart, with the greenery of the soil splattered with pink and red.

Soon after, a green firework is fired on the Fortress to their East. “What?! Bishop Alexander, you told me the Queen wouldn’t be able to penetrate the Fortress!”

“Duke, there has been a feint on the river. A portion of them managed to sneak pass, we’re now surrounded on three sides.”

“Dammit! Call for a retreat now!”

“B-but sir! If we retreat, we’d have our backs against the ocean!”

“We’ll return, maybe not now. But we will be back!”

“Tsk! That damned blonde woman! Who dare she defy us! The Holy Order cannot be defiled by her Vamprish looks and prowess! My Magisters! My poor Magisters!”

“Bishop, I’ll deal with this later but I hope you are ready after this. That woman, as beautiful as she may be, is a danger to us all. Prepare yourself as this defeat will only embolden them even more.”

King Charlesmagnes removes his sparking golden helmet and grins. Revealing his amazingly handsome face, sharp jawline and nose with golden eyes and pointy ears. He puts his hand up and opens his palm, a section of his Defense on the Hill opens up and reveals heavily armored Knights adorned with Crimson Red armor. The vampires down below got shivers down their spines at the sight of the beastly Knights of the Vampire Kingdom.

“BROTHERS! THE BLOOD MOON ORDER HAS ARRIVED!”

“THE QUEEN’S UNDEFEATED PERSONAL ARMY IS HERE! HEAVENS BEFALL US! WE’RE SAVED! THE TIDES OF BATTLE SHALL TURN TO OUR SIDE EVEN MORE!”

On the other side, Duke Wellington squints his eyes as he looks at the patch of red men on horseback slowly coming out of the Vampire's Defenses. “Well well well, we might still have a chance here. Bishop, give me your most powerful spell and target that.” he points at the Crimson Knights of the Blood Moon, the sheer presence of the bulky Knights gave fear to the Knights even far away, making some make a few steps back.

“If it isn’t the undefeated Crimson Knights… Vampire Hunters! This is what you’ve been waiting for right?”

“Hah! As if we’ll go down to the grinder without proper armor!”

“Tsk, then why’re you here then?”

“To record, to see the weaknesses and strengths of the vampires. The Great Library will need this knowledge and maybe in the future, we’ll be able to finally take them out without the need of superior and overwhelming numbers.”

“Useless! Bishop!”

“Hm! Give me time! If I die, you better make sure the Church gets its recompense and give my Magisters a proper burial! None of them deserved a brutal death under the Vampire Queen’s claws!”

A gigantic divine magic circle appears over the battlefield, and the Crimson Knights start to rush forward into the midst of battle, heading straight to the Duke who is located in the middle of the defense of the Allied Army. On the top view, most of the Square Formations has stood the first wave as a second comes to meet the Elite Knights of the Vampires now a mixture of Grunts, Mercenaries, and Professional soldiers.

The sheer scale of the battle was so insane that even far away, the Wolfkin going amongst their day, picking berries on the nearby Mountain could see glints and reflections as the shiny armors and weapons of the two sides clash into each other without remorse miles away, the sheer sizes of the Allied armies span for kilometers while the Vampires only had a kilometer of soldiers behind them.

Red blood from the fallen down below rises to the top, and engulfs the entire magic circle. Canceling out the Bishop's powerful divine magic as from the East, a long gleaming golden hair could be seen stepping down from the burning Fortress and to the front of the Crimson Knights. Duke Wellington immediately puts his brass monoscope at the direction and even though it was love at first sight. He instantly knew it was trouble.

“The Queen has arrived.”

“Tsk, troublesome woman. I pray my Magisters have a safe journey to the otherside. They died as the Heroes they set out to be in that suicide mission.”

“Let’s go, we can’t do anything now. I promise to you and to the families here, everyone shall be paid for their losses. I’ll take full responsibility.”

The second wave meets the Crimson Knights and soon after, a bloody grind happens as the extremely fast hands of the fully armored Knights was so quick that it seemed like they were using super sharp chainsaws at the fleshy armored humans that was sent against them, the third wave is sent down the Hill as the rest of the army retreats behind them.

“We won that battle and I put my name in history. After that, I was branded as a War Hero and a worthy leader and to this day, is still attached to my name.”

Queen Elizabeth who is behind Bahamut looked up, seemingly to recall the story.

“Do well General, that day I saw the humans for what they truly are. Though I am not a Dragon, I understood why they chose the weakest of all the Species as their first and most ancient ally. Something about that ability to thrive in absolute madness makes me wonder just what Devil made you creatures spawn such a fighting spirit against beings that is far beyond your feeble existence… but that’s just me speaking. Ah, I do wonder about the look on her face, after thirty Kings and Queens, I finally became the leader of this ancient Kingdom. Now, I’ve taken enough of your time General.”

The King shakes the General with a big smile as he looks at the Countess. The King lifts his hand and Alana bows politely, lifting her dress’ skirt a bit while looking absolutely elegant. Perfect to the tee with her every movement while Paul still looked like a statue. Visibly reminiscing the days past as his eyes continued to wander, checking the corners and windows constantly like a robot on a program. The current Queen on the other hand takes interest in him, knowing the mortal man survives so much.

“Hello General Jackson.” the Queen lifts her hand up to his chin and he looks around confused. The beautiful mature woman with long purple hair seemed to be fixed at him only and just as he was about to pull out the pamphlet to read the instructions. Bahamut whispers to him “Kiss her knuckles gently while bowing and introduce yourself. Do not mess this up My Lord”. The confused Knight General, now under pressure and follows the instructions given to him to the tee.

“Good Evening Queen Laurent, I am Knight General Paul Jackson of Eldwood, commander of its Armored Mechanized Units and one of the few infrequent Death Knight of the Forest of Eldwood. Now bested by the United Nations with the rank of Five Stars and is given control of the entire Eastern Army Grouping.”

“Gods bespeak. A Death Knight and a General of an army, I can see why the Countess chose you. Do well, and earn your place in the Kingdom of eternity. I can sense greatness in your words, spoken of as a soldier and a Veteran. It seems that violence has plagued much of your life has it not? No normal human would stand in front of the Vampire Queen with such strength and pride. It's as if… you are used to this presence.”

“Of course your majesty. I thank you for the compliments and yes, my life has been plagued with war and since coming here, I don’t think I’ve gone through a month without encountering something that can kill me with one swipe.”

“Oh dear…. But this is what makes me see you humans in such a different light. Something about those eyes of your kind just sparks chaos and coarse. Not in a bad way, but in a way that makes your species have the strange ability to handle and face creatures above your own.”

“Thank you Your Majesty, being with Alana might’ve also helped in me getting used to your species' immense beauty and aura. Though I still have a lot to learn.”

“Do well human. Do well. Lady Minuit, take good care of him.”

“Of course Your Majesty.”

“And… Goddess?”

“Just so you know, I have bigger boobs.”

“GRRRRR.. BAHAMUT!”

“What? Master, you've been staring at her breasts since the beginning!”

“Oh God.” the man just facepalms alongside Elizabeth in the back while Alana stood frozen, knowing what Bahamut just did could make her head roll.

The Queen then takes interest in Bahamut. “Heavens! It's the Dragon Goddess that I’ve been hearing so much about! Please, come closer! I must thank you personally for helping the Kingdom gain Dragon carriers. A first in its eternal history.” while King Timothy finishes with Alana and walks right in front of Paul again, the two men staring at the current Queen and the Goddess having a chat. Though the King is inches taller than the man, the two are able to see each other eye to eye as they stared at their women having a conversation.

“Is… the Goddess usually like this?”

“Y-Yes, I truly apologize. She isn’t really… human technically…”

“Ah, all is fine. I take pride in my Wife’s bosom anyways. So it's not that I have a bone to pick for you staring. You are human after all, and Lady Minuit. You have a lot of catching up to do.”

Alana thinks a bit and smiles. “Oh… uhm. It’s of no worries. M’Lord stares at another part of my body.” a smack then comes to the back of Paul’s head. With the King laughing at the confession.

“Aren’t you a man of culture! To think a man like you has this much gall! Gahahahahaha! I’m sure you're providing good company to Lady Minuit! Such an interesting man you are!”

“T-Thank you your majesty.”

“So tell me, are you a man of the rear or a man of the bosom?”

“B-Both?”

“Gahahahahaha! Oh Gods, I haven't laughed this hard in such a long time! The show hasn’t even begun and I’m already having so much fun! My daughter! Please show yourself and greet the General of the foreign human army!”

The Vampire Princess reveals herself with a bluish aura coming from her pale skin as she politely bows, not making eye contact with the General. Her immense petite stature carried with it a concoction of innocence and perfection while the General just stared at her cute face. What stood out the most is her golden coloured eyes and stood out in the night sky. Making her seem like an innocent Angel that can do no wrong with pointy ears and a set if fangs.

“Princess Anna Timothy of House Dreyfus. Pleased to meet you, Knight General.”

“Th-thank you, wo-wow. Uhm, yeah. Knight General Paul Jackson of the Knights of Eldwood. Death Knight and Five Star General.” a seemingly ghostly figure is felt behind him and whispers to his ear. “Add Your Highness you dimwit Lord!” He then follows it up with “Y-Your Highness Timothy.” the General is still overwhelmed, and Princess’ soft spoken tone that’s nearing a whisper made him feel things instantly.

“A Death Knight? Then you have a relationship with Death then? As stories would say of your kin. Met with Death and chosen to be its Avatars in the physical realm.”

“Y-Yes, kinda. Though my specialty really is due to Death’s neutrality, I can use both Dark and Holy Magic but am a master of none. I can also wield weapons from both with effectiveness but not to their max potential… and I don’t know the lore of the Death Knights here sadly.”

“But Death is the same no?”

“Yes, Bahamut did tell me.”

“Then tell me Death Knight, do we Vampires have a natural end? Or are we truly damned to eternally walk this plane without rest?”

“Uhm-uhm no your maj- I mean Highness. Death comes to those it comes to. In the end, regardless of who you are and what you do, God or Godless. Strong or weak, Death comes and just like everything in this world, will put it to an end. Only those of true Divine from what I remember have immunity to such concepts. Like Bahamut for example… I think.”

“Ahem. Yes Master, as told by you. I am indeed immune to the concepts that plague those who walk the realm of the physical. Afterall, my true body and form is no longer in this realm but in the Abyss. A place above concept, logic, and time.”

The General then looks at the Dragon God, his eyes clearly saying “Nice save Bahamut!” in which she just sneaks a thumbs up with a satisfied grin.

“So Princess Anna, Vampires may be naturally immortal. But you aren’t immune to death. All it takes is one powerful weapon or blow, and your immortality is gone. Only those powerful enough who have received whom I called True Immortality may never truly die and will keep coming back.”

The Princess was struck by her words. Hearing such things from a Death Knight and a Goddess made her think for a second till he then looks back at Paul and shakes his hands. “Thank you Knight General. Please, enjoy the show. I look forward to hearing what the Outworlders will propose with the House of Lords, you might have my thanks. Father, may we continue?”

“Of course your Highness!”

“Hm, how was your first meeting with a human my daughter? Are they as you expected?”

The cute Princess looks back at Paul and his entourage and then to her father. “Their… interesting.”

“Gahahahaha! Yes! These are our oldest and mortal enemies next to the Werewolves, though not seen in the same light as those shapeshifters, the humans can be far more dangerous as they hunt not only Vampires but also the Wolves. Come then, let us enjoy the show. General, Lady Minuit, and Goddess. I thank you for your time once again.”

He then bows with everyone and the King and Queen enter the theater while the Princess stops and bows at Paul a second time. Seeing her waist length black hair and beautiful golden eyes made him skip a heartbeat once again with her cute face and red lipstick. Soon, everyone faces the theater and the Knight General could see some commotion on some of the windows on the third floor with what seems to be UN soldiers running after someone. But looking around and no one panicking with Captain Russell happily chatting, he shrugs it off and they head in.

Entering inside as everyone went into their designated locations. Bahamut suddenly lunges at him from behind, and hugs him with all fours.

“GAH! What the fuck Bahamut?!”

“What? I felt like hugging you Master.”

“N-not here! For Christsake!”

Bahamut then tightens her hug on the man and Alana just calls for an attendant while Elizabeth looks down, hiding her face as the other Nobles pass them, going inside the Theater and their designated locations. The envoys were the last to enter and each of them saluted to the General as he looked back with a tall woman in a gothic funeral gown attached to him like a backpack. He could die of embarrassment as the players just smiled at him, visibly wanting to laugh at the man.

One of the attendants then brings him to the Minuit House Special Balcony, located in the middle of the main auditorium. Even on the stairs, Bahamut did not let go and the General just treated her as a fragile backpack as she did not walk an inch and was carried by him to the balcony. Seeing the entire theater on the open parts of the second floor hallway, he is reminded of massive Opera theaters meant to cater to thousands of people and it smelled finely of perfume. They soon enter the Balcony and Alana instructs Paul to be seated in the middle, on the Patriarch’s seat while Alana was on his right, the Matriarch's seat and Bahamut on her own special one in his left and Elizabeth sat in the curtain behind Alana’s seat where she could still sneak peeks at the audience and the stage.

“Well, that was something.”

“You did good, M'Lord. As usual, you needed to be under duress to perform excellently.”

“That’s what being an Introvert does to you. Can’t do jack when I’m chilling, but when shit hits the fan. I’m all serious and into it.”

“Now, be sure to act accordingly. You are placed in the Patriarch's chair. Act with confidence when talking to me or Bahamut.”

“Tell that you Bahamut! She literally hugged me all the way up… though it's not like I didn’t like it but c’mon!”

“What? I suddenly felt like hugging you there Master. Your warmth is really nice to my body.”

“Haaaaaa…”

Already, an actor has come up the stage dressed in an old fashioned tunic and leather pants. Introducing the characters, history, and significance of the story of the Kingdom. “Greeting dear guests and the Royal family! I thank you all for attending our beloved show-!”

“Uh Bahamut, are you comfortable being seen by so many people? I can visibly see a lot of vampires sneaking looks at you.”

“It's fine Master. Elizabeth also said that I could boost people’s opinion of you if I were to be here. Next to you.”

“Ah yea. I can see that. So exactly how am I supposed to stay awake? I’m already bored. Like the acting is magnificent and all, but Elizabeth already told me this story and its first hand so this is kinda… meh.”

“Really M’Lord? They're not even acting yet… and the trick I do is that I usually look at the crowd and see whom they speak to. It’s a good way to gauge who is interested in who, and those who look at me and one hour in, an attendant would usually come. Take the spicy one to keep you awake.”

“An hour? Argh, alright and right now, what do you see then?”

“Seems that many of the Vampires of the Noble families are curious about the envoy.” Alana lifts up a fan and unfolds it. Using it to cover her mouth as she leans to speak to Paul. “It seems that the normal Outworlders had mingled with the daughters and sons of the Nobles. How amusing this is, even though many of them have a low opinion of mortals. The fact that their offspring is tied with you M’Lord seems to have neutered them a bit.”

The General then leans in carefully while Bahamut finishes looking for food and sits down without care. Making him look at her for a second, remembering the fact that the Dragon just sat down a few seconds ago and has already stood up and done something. Bahamut sitting down, crosses her legs and placing her hands on the chair’s arms as she lets her shiny black stockings exposed to the Vampires down below which is absolutely captivated by her truly ethereal beauty that’s beneath the dark garb she wears.

“I can see, and I’ve looked through the files of the envoy and some of the people here are daughters of Grand Dukes. I do not know how they even met with us Outworlders from locations so far from your Kingdom. Does this have to do with your schooling or training? You were outside of the Kingdom conducting operations far beyond your borders.”

“Mhm, you are correct in that assumption M’Lord. I’m sure they met Outworlders on their own adventures as they say in the University. A good Noble must be willing to seek discomfort to bring the people better lives, and your difference in power with the normal humans here seemed to have been all you needed to take advantage of our arrogance and defeat so many of us. I’m surprised even the Duchess is part of the envoy.”

“Funny thing is, some of these people aren’t even powerful. They shouldn’t have survived the first contact seeing how some of these Vampires have more than eighty percent of pure blood. I just realized it now, but does this mean that your family has managed to hold onto the primordial blood for so long or do your parents both have fifty percent purity?”

The two conversed along while the show was on its way, with many trained on the perfected acting skills of the Vampires. As they spoke each line with great emotion and coupled with expressive hand movements that could sway anyone’s eyes and Bahamut’s eyes just lingered around as she cleans her stockings. Elizabeth on the back stands up and taps her shoulders. Reminding her to be ladylike.

“It’s actually my Father that has the most purity in his blood. My mother came from a lowly Viscount family that had been fighting to preserve their bloodline. It just so happens that my father didn’t really care about the difference in their rankings and married her. To everyone’s surprise, their blood purity mended together and when I was born, I was a hundred percent.”

“Just how many Vampires here have a hundred percent?”

“There are still some, M’Lord, like the King and…” Alana’s eyes wander. Scanning the crowd. “And Duchess Morgana Voltaire alongside Magister Williams and many more.”

“Hm hm hm, and your parents? Why aren’t they here?”

“They’re extremely busy. But I invited them over a day ago, M'Lord. I wish they’d respond and attend my Tea party. I’d love for them to meet Bahamut as my father has always been interested in the Dragons.”

“Ugh, that means I have to continue looking good. The next few days are already going to be hectic. I can feel it.”

The Orchestra pit was going at it while the actors were giving it their all. Down below them in the galleries, the High Society Nobles were also engrossed with the acting. As if the story resonates with almost all of them.

“Oh why! Why must we be cursed with this! Eternity! The death of our humanity and the beginning of our new selves! My love, how shall we cope with this?! Shall we move far or shall we make those of our village and families understand?”

Paul was already dozing off. Not really invested in the story as this it mirrors one that he already knows while Bahamut was intently watching it. Impressed by the acting and the props, with her feet tapping to the musical scores of the Orchestra as she stares down on the food that’s being used as a Prop. One being a finely roasted chicken, she’d lick her lips under her veil which would make the Vampires below swallow their saliva.

“My Lord, you seem to have a visitor.”

“Colonel, Captain Aldrin Benedict. Commander of the First Guards Republic Mechanized Company, of the Four Hundred and Second Joint Mechanized Brigade, soldier number Four-Eight-Six-One-Nine, reporting for duty, sir.”

Elizabeth’s eyes open wide as Paul reaffirms his posture. Alana and Bahamut could feel the sudden tense of the atmosphere. Behind his seat was a man in woodland digital ACUs with rolled up sleeves and a black Mil-Tec Modular 8 pocket vest and a Silver Mask adorned with designs of long Asian Dragons and his head to shoulder covered by a dusty cloak.

“So that’s what the commotion was about. I swear I saw UN soldiers running up one of the Halls. Could that be you?”

“Still as sharp as ever sir.”

“Same goes for you. What do you want? I longer have ties with my past. I’m not a Colonel anymore Aldrin. I’m just another man now.”

“Are you sure about that sir? It seems to me that you're very well tied with it. Using the knowledge you learned to further your self interests and making your company the way it is now through exploiting the loopholes of the countries we invaded.”

“And? It’s called a loophole for a reason. I merely did what I thought was right and it's all technically legal… and why does this even matter? We’re far from Earth, we are in another dimension. No need to bring that useless information here.”

“As usual, your conviction is never ending. You're truly an extraordinary man sir. No wonder you're in this position now, with these beauties under you while living an extremely lavish life like the Generals that commanded us in the Third World War.”

“Don’t call me sir. I’ve since long left the army and now, just another businessman.”

“Hmph, yea. A businessman. Your PMC has actually been a problem for my employers, you know? From the Russian Mafia to the Japanese Yakuza, your tenacity knows no bounds sir. Even here, it still shows.”

“Talk to CEO Wilmer, the head of the PMC. Not me, I lead the Transport and Logistics Group, not the armed one and to think, you Captain in the criminal world? Jesus. So the rumors were true, you did in fact become a Hitman.”

“Not like you sir, I never had a place outside of the army. I tried to find a job, but it was all worthless for someone with a skillset like mine.”

“So you joined up with a Japanese Yakuza or Syndicate? Are you insane?”

“I might be insane, but at least I’m not a snake like you. I know how you got rich, that wealth you hold is not truly gained through honorable means as you make it seem. When I saw on TV that your company somehow expanded faster and faster with a booming stock, I connected two and two together and why you always asked for any document we found in captured US Embassies to go through you first.”

“I’ll admit one thing, you're near a goalpost. But not there yet, yes I looked through the CIA’s and FBI’s criminal connections and maybe… maybe not expanded my company through the loopholes I found. But I never broke any laws. A huge scandal would also break out if I were to let’s say… release those documents.”

“Heh, you truly are a businessman sir. A disgusting vile human being that I’ve used to respect. Look at you sir, sitting down all high and mighty on that Patriarch chair with your medals and five stars, surrounded by luxury and beauty, I still remember when we were in the desert. Eating canned foods with the heat of our tanks, making jokes and mocking about our High Command being in parties and drinking with pretty girls on live television while we died and bled on the battlefield.”

“Captain, I never lied about who I am and what I did. I left the army because I saw that there isn’t a future for me there. I didn’t even intend to last, after the war. I was already keen on leaving and starting anew. Compare me to our leaders all you want, but I am given a job and I will do it without remorse.”

“There you go again sir. You might not be telling a full lie, but there’s a lie in there with the truth. You might be a new man to these women, but to me, you're still the old man I used to know.”

“Well, haven’t you gotten smarter. Seems that you learned a thing or two from me and your time in the criminal world. I’m not perfect, Captain. I never was. I only managed to succeed because I used the tools that I was given. Even if it meant my death.”

Paul stood up, Bahamut wanted to come. But he places his hand on her shoulder and with a smile, pats her and he leaves the room with the man in full combat gear. Outside, there wasn’t really anyone as everyone was busy watching the show. The two men headed up the third floor and in a little spot next to an opened window, they stood next to each other. Not making eye contact at all.

“To think… out of all the women you can get sir, it’s the freakin’ Vampire Queen.”

Captain Aldrin opens a pouch, taking out a pack of military cigarettes. Still labeled by its manufacturer in Iron Mountain. He then offers one to Paul which he declines. “It’s not nicotine, there’s no nicotine in this world… yet. It’s actually a healing herb.” he opens it and Paul recognizes the plant, the same ones he saw on shops when he was still adventuring with Bahamut and Alana. With a sigh, he takes one and the Captain lights their cigarettes.

“I knew you’d take one.”

“And here I was telling myself I’d only smoke in the army.”

“So, what’s your relationship like with them?”

“Them? Tsk, like I’d know. I don’t even think you can label my relationship with Bahamut as just companions anymore. I can see now why she was afraid to show me her human form. This truly complicates things…” inhaling a bit, the Colonel puts his hand up his forehead, deep in thought. “My relationship… Well, it can’t be love that’s for sure. Is there a word that defines something that is above and beyond love? Because this is totally not normal love, that's for sure.”

“What? Super Love sir?”

“Something like that… No, it’s still missing something. This relationship I have with them, it's more than eternal. It goes through so many barriers no mortal man has yet crossed. I have no way to define it.”

“And you still plan to go home? To our old world? Where wars are happening, the population is in shambles and there is nothing to look forward to? Colonel, don’t you see? Here, your dreams came true. You have not one, but three women who are doting on you. Loving you for who you are. Isn’t that all you wished for? I remember that time when I first met you… you told me that you’d only leave the army if you accomplished your task, which was to find a loving wife.”

“Captain…”

“Sir, don’t you see? Here, we’re truly something. We can change things, leave a mark truly. Back in our world, how were we treated? We fought tooth and nail and reached Turkey, yes we never made it to Bulgaria. But we did the impossible, through that damned desert with the most diverse and united armed force the world has ever mustered and yet… look at what we came home to… a destroyed world that was plunged by a Third World War. No celebrations, no healthcare, no nothing. We were forgotten and thrown aside sir!”

Outside, a bunch of UN players with a company of mindless skeletons start running amok through the alleyways, in search of the intruder. Their powerful Maglites shine into the snowy spaces while the skeletons linger in full darkness, with only their bright red eyes to show their location.

“Captain. You should be happy that the Third World War stayed a conventional war, I’d rather have that than nuclear annihilation. We never wished for any of that to happen, but we believed in our country, in our government-”

“In our government that became the very thing they sought to destroy! They told us all this shit about how the Western world kept meddling with us when we were still a Third World country unless we get rid of the last Empire on Earth, they kept on yapping how we’ll free the world from the detached Globalists and yet look at what happened, they started meddling in the affairs of Western Governments, they even started proxy fucking wars. Can’t you see Colonel… we were all played with. Our world is stuck in a perpetual cycle of war and greed with no good or bad side. Here, we can truly be heroes!”

“No, no it's not Captain. Some parts of it, yes. But not everything, there’s a lot of good people in that world and I am not gonna forsake it. I was born there, raised there, educated there, and spilled my blood there. As if I’ll turn my back to the very thing that made me, me. That made YOU, YOU. Stay here if you want, but I’ll go back home…”

“Are you sure Colonel? Because, I’m only giving you this chance out of the last bit of respect I have for you. You led us to greatness, pushed us to become better people and multiple times did we perform the impossible. I don’t want you to return to a world that wouldn’t appreciate you and what you’ve done, like the others in the Brigade. How many have committed suicide? Do you know how many of your men are with me or I’ve met in the underworld while you sat cozy in a massive tower in Tokyo?”

“I don’t know. I don’t care, that’s in the past. I won’t let it hold me down anymore, as Bahamut said. I won’t let it shackle me any longer. I’ll walk to the future, if it means you becoming my enemy. Then so be it. I will admit, a part of me does want to stay here. Here, I get to have intimacy that I never knew I wished, power that no normal human in our world will ever achieve. But it's never enough to replace the ones I left back at home. My parents, my grandma and pa, my little brother and those two best friends of mine whom I built the company from the ground up. If I die and come back here. I’ll leave it to that, and I’ll openly accept living here. But you know me Captain, I don’t leave unfinished business and my life in our old world isn’t over yet.”

Behind them, an attendant carrying some food enters the Minuit balcony and Bahamut’s voice immediately rings out. Asking to eat them while Alana could be heard standing up to stop the Dragon.

“You? Intimate with the Vampires? Heh, I never would’ve believed it. Seeing the Vampire Queen myself, I can’t believe it. You, heh.”

The Captain inhales a lot, as if learning of the information was more shocking than anything else.

“What? She’s actually pretty good in bed. Taught me many things too.”

“I’m more surprised you survived a night with her. A woman like that, you need to be more than a man to tame a dame like that. Vampires most of all, they can go for seven days straight without rest sir.”

“I actually thought that myself too, but she’s actually pretty vanilla… well my first time, she was into the more rough stuff. But the more we did it, she seemed to be more than happy with just normal things. Heck, she even asks me to hold her hands and hug her.”

“Jesus, might be just me being used to Japanese girls. But the blonde ones from what I’ve heard have always been the craziest. Though who am I to say, you have Bahamut with you. Geez, even other Yakuza members playing Dark World VR are afraid of her.”

The door to the Minuit balcony soon opens and fire spits out of it with the attendant running afterwards, proceeding to tumble down the flight of stairs down. Elizabeth peeks out and sees the two men seemingly having a serious conversation. “Oopsie, Bahamut ate a spicy drink. Yes. Ate, she downed the liquid and glass itself. But no worries My Lord! We have it under control! Keep at it!” The Queen then closes the door as she waves at the two like a doting wife. The two men just stared at the black mark the flames left and then looked at each other again, continuing on like nothing happened.

“Ahahahahah, ahhhh… yea. To think we used to joke that we’d be drinking wine in Paris or Berlin, just for our offensive to get stalled at the border between Syria and Turkey while the Chinese, Iranians, Afghans, Iraqis, and Indians stormed Italy’s beaches with one of the largest Naval landings since World War Two… the time we lived in it was truly some batshit crazy stuff but the shit I’ve experienced here might actually give it a run for its money.”

“Hmph, our Heavy Mechanized Brigade did most of the heavy lifting though sir. To this day, I still found it amazing and I’m sure the others too as to how you managed to make it end with a ceasefire. Ankara I’m sure wasn’t happy a bit as they threw wave after wave at our armor and NATO’s Article Five in shambles as we fought back with troops in Exoskeletons.”

“I couldn’t have done it without your insanity. I’m actually quite surprised the Yakuza can keep you on a leash, even though I had a hard time doing that. For fucks sake Captain, out of everyone, your the only one who survived storming cities and trenches. No one can do that but you, I swear. High Command at one point thought you were a spy with how you kept on living even after the shit that’s being thrown at us. Why of all things did you go to the Yakuza?”

“Yakuza respected me, gave me a sword and a gun. Purpose that I longed for, not a purpose to endlessly serve customers in a convenience store. But one where I can be a warrior once again, with pride and honor and fight like a man.”

“I was never really into all that stuff. As long as it did the job, I was happy with it. Regardless if it meant some innocents might get in the way… heh. I think going here actually made me softer even though this place is literally worse than our world with all the scary species and races wanting to genocide each other on a Monday and then conquer their neighbors on Tuesday. But it seems more open and peaceful in some way.”

The Captain then snuffs out his cigarette. Standing up with his hands in his pocket.

“Hands out the pocket Captain. Unless you want to be on cleaning duty.”

“Fuck off respectfully Colonel. Well, I’m off. Still got a job to do.”

“What’re you planning?”

“We have photos here, the Vampire players pulled through and we have photos of the Queen’s sarcophagus all open and empty.”

“Ah I see, tell your boss he can suck a big fat dick for being an asshole. Whoever he is, whatever he does, he will die. Tell him that, and also… they don’t know what a photo is. I’m sure this shit won’t work and the UN already has the Spatial Magic ready to burn those within a vicinity.”

The Captain then stops before the flight of stairs heading down.

“Now, now Knight General, The League of Modern Guilds by all means, is the only asshole here, oh wait. United Nations yes. It really amazes me how we can bring our Geopolitics and bullshittery to a foreign dimension… just think sir, who has bases littered everywhere, without respecting the boundaries of the nations here? You aren’t on the good side sir.”

“We were never on the good side, do you seriously think that this is some story where there’s a Protagonist and an Antagonist? As it stands, nothing is in the way of us getting home. Not even you. Why do you think the UN modeled its foreign policy and logistics on the United States’ Global Military Transportation? Because we’re playing the same game as them. The sole superpower that has everyone’s balls gripped tightly.”

“Of course. I quite find it funny that even here, the masses of our world still eat up the shit you pull out from your asses. Afraid of the Demon King’s horde even though you have planes, tanks, guns, and trains. Yea right. No sleep till Vitas right? Or are you even following the war sir? Seems to be your not even caring anymore as you enjoy living the same lavish lifestyle as our Generals.”

“At least you know, good luck in your objective Captain Benedict. Till we meet again.”

“You too Colonel Jackson. Good to see you as a Nordic chad. Ahahahaha… you should at least try to replicate that body back on Earth, even when we were in Syria. Your body was still a bit chonky but I do admit you have muscles.”

“Grrr… so what if my avatar is a Caucasian man?! Hey, for your information I am exercising but we kept getting food from the stores! And people of my rank usually don’t follow the regulations anymore!”

“Yeah, yeah, yeah.”

“Hmph. Also Captain, last piece of advice. Don’t be near anything, return to your base as I will end this instantly.”

“Thank you sir, and there’s fifty of us here. Ten on the alleyway right there alone being chased by your boys.”

The two waved at each other like brothers and Paul headed back to the balcony, returning to watching the show as if nothing even happened.

“...M’Lord?”

“Later Alana, you to Elizabeth and Bahamut. I’ll debrief everyone on what happened later. It’s not good but I hope it doesn’t come to what I believe will happen. But for now…”

He sits down on the Patriarch's chair. Relaxing his body as he leaned into Bahamut’s side. “Bahamut, just a bit of a cheat today but I’ll allow you to open up a bit more of your power. Right now, there’s fifty intruders roaming about the city.” Bahamut then looks at him with a grin on her face and he nods ast her.

“I understand. Master, leave it to me.”

Closing her eyes, Bahamut listens in to the Rats, Birds, and Cockroaches that litter the city. She immediately spots half of them while the other gets spotted by a Bat that’s awoken by suppressed gunfire. The trained squads of Black Ops soldiers had no trouble killing the skeletons and UN players, using Next Generation Weapons Systems that the current equipment of those they were fighting can’t even access.

Bahamut back in her seat changes the cross of her legs and her eyes open with its golden color gone, with a purple iris and bright red spirals. Her strange eyes could be seen through the veil as a grin appeared in her place. On an alleyway, a UN soldier is firing back with his M4A1 at Black Ops Commandos wielding Quad Nods and decked out in gear. The Commando’s rifle is a Next Generation M5 caseless assault rifle that was chewing slowly at his hard cover.

“COMMAND! I’M REQUESTING HEAVIER UNITS TO COME! THEY ARE NEAR THE NOBLES HOTEL! WE CANNOT LET THEM EXPOSE THOSE PHOTOS! OUR MAGICIANS GOT SNIPED!”

Soon after his transmission, guts and body armor fell down to the top of his head and a free falling CheyTac Intervention M200 Anti Materiel Rifle nearly dislocated his shoulder from falling from the roof. He then hears more gory pops. Peering out of the cover, the Commandos have all but turned into red mist with parts of their body armor, helmet, and uniform plastered on the wet and snowy walls and floor. He stands up and another Commando pops out, but before the Operator could pull the trigger, he grabs his own neck, as if he is being choked by something underneath his balaclava. He soon pops like a balloon, making the UN soldier vomit.

Miles away in the sewer, a bunch of skeletons are getting run over by the Commandos. The mindless spawns are unable to stop the skilled Veteran players who are using equipment way better and more advanced than them. They soon reach a staircase which leads to the theater. Bahamut in her seat taps her finger and the Operators down below burst into red mists as UN players arrive to control the scene. Just to be met with gore and guts which made them close the door.

“Ohhhh, a feisty one.”

One of the Commando’s managed to kill five UN soldiers in full combat gear with nothing but his sidearm and a combat knife. He sprints to the nearby alleyway as a BTR-82A in UN colors rolls into the intersection where his cover was blown.

“Shadow One, Operation is bust. Losses seem to be over eighty percent.”

“Copy Gloom. Return to Base, we’ll recalculate and redjust our plans. No respawns too, whoever is doing this is something powerful. Watch out.”

“Roger on all Shadow.”

He lets go of the speak button and a strange figure in a black dress rises from the snow, he looks at the thing with extreme fear as he slides his boot at the snow below him just to be met with a paved stone path. Looking up, the figure is already right up to him. The immense aura of the feminine figure with the funeral gown and black veiled face and crown just stares him down and soon, he is gone. As if he wasn’t even there to begin with and only left a trail on the snow with his boots.

The BTR-82A rolls up on the dark alley with a confused gunner, spotting nothing. “Uhm… I think the void took that one. No signs, just trails that end. Driver, let’s get outta here. It’s giving me the creeps.”

Back in the seat, Bahamut looks at Paul. “It’s done. Fifty spotted, fifty gone Master.” he nods in approval and continues watching the show. Alana and Elizabeth relax as the situation is completely averted with the General’s thumbs up.