Radio static comes and a voice of a raspy British man comes through.

“Yeah, that bloody … is in command, we might have to move the Challengers far from here, those Black Eagles and Leopard Revolutions are messy business since they always have drones accompanying them!”

A French man who was cutting up replies with a strained voice.

“They also have Armata’s! Armata’s spotted! BN*^&*[email protected]#% OUCH! My arm! Get out of here immediately! He is &^&%VBgHG US!”

“Wait! Do not push! If you push, you're only weakening the sides for that … Dog!”

“Merde! The Hunter has had us! We got immobilized!”

An Asian man wearing an Exoskeleton and woodland ACUs inside a tank turns the dial on his captured Radio. Hearing the chaos as the autoloader of his tank slides another shell in.

“STINGRAY! DO YOU COPY?”

“Looks like… the Vietnamese and Indonesians actually did it. No air support for them.” he then switches to their own UHF radio and takes the mic. “Move up Third Brigade and have them flank them, I want those Leopards and T-Nineties raining shells on their sides. Go!”

A thunk then comes and the driver immediately rolls the tank backwards as a Mortar explodes to where it was before. He then awakens inside the Minuit carriage, returning from the Theater show, the ride is silent as the General just emptily stares at the outside. Shocked that he is remembering such times once again.

With his head resting on his palm and Bahamut’s head leaning into his right shoulder, the pale woman sleeps soundly and eases the tensed up man as she snored lightly. “Hm, at this angle. You look like a normal human. Not a Dragon or a God.” he then looked around and could see Elizabeth was sneaking stares at him. Seeing that he was staring at Bahamut, he immediately starts thinking to himself.

“That story of King Charles… uhm… wow.” the man sighs as he rearranges his posture. “Did the King's story actually happen?”

“Yes My Lord. That happened in the battle of Highland Reds near the former border of the Dark Elves’ Kingdom or what was left of it. It was a decisive battle that pivoted the Allied Kingdoms opinion on continuing a war against the vampires; even the Twelve Gods Diocese saw the painting on the wall and pulled their support and the Holy See backed out their priests and Bishops from the frontlines.”

“I can never become like that, after the battle of Ankara. I just felt a bit of glory but that wasn’t from the victory but from the fact that I survived and lived to tell the tale… after that, we never pushed again as we were all tired and High Command kept saying we’d be in Romania by December. But wow… to lead Knights in battle and win against overwhelming odds while your Queen boosted the morale of your men. Amazing.”

“My Lord, you're reverting back to your old self again. Let me remind you that you did just the same and even better, as you do not have the power of a primordial vampire but a fragile human.”

The man looks down, visibly thinking about the story he was told. Still unable to grasp such a battle and how it would’ve gone down in person.

“And that’s just one battle right? Man… I never felt that. Was it because I was fighting for a wrong cause? Or was it because-”

“Let me stop you right there My Lord. You did what you had to do right? Regardless of cause, you fought and are still fighting to this day. Don’t let those stories cloud the fact that you survived against me and the Countess, tamed Bahamut and became our Lord and Master. You ought to be more proud of your own achievements and be ostentatious with your history and background.”

Bahamut squirms and then hugs his right arm, cuddling up to it as close as she could. Her breasts engulfed his arm as she smiled underneath her veil. Sleeping like a dragon inside its cave.

“Hm. Thanks, I might… we’ll see. I just hope I can do something like that before I go. Something that cool and awesome and then to be remembered like a Leader who did amazing feats.”

Awakening from the two talking, Alana squirms a bit as she stretches her hands and legs while sitting down.

“M’Lord, who was that man that stormed my balcony anyways?”

“An old friend. A very very old friend, the one bastard that kept surviving the insane shit that was thrown at him. I’ll give you more info later. I wanna… I wanna think for a bit… This changes so much. There’s also the fact that one tanker is still missing, though the UN told me not to bother with it… I don’t know. I feel like something is cooking up underneath us all.”

“Like an army walking over a stone bridge… all it takes is one shot to make it all fall.”

“Exactly Elizabeth. I know the UN wants me to focus on this Diplomatic mission but I can’t help feeling that I’m being messed with. The fact that they didn’t even tell me the Commandos were already here before us. Something is definitely up.”

“Oh, indeed. I wonder where this will go. Fun times ahead I sense.”

“Your Majesty, could you give me some time tomorrow? I’d like to teach our Lord how to do the Vampire Waltz in the coming Year End Bal Masque.”

“Oh! Very good suggestion Countess! Yes, I shall. Do you have a Grand Piano inside the Manor by chance? I’d rather not move the one in the Garden.”

“I do, it's in the ballroom which I use to practice my ballet.”

“Splendid! I’ll serenade everyone with my piano.”

“Go easy on me alright? The best dance I could do is sway my body to the tune of some old rock song in my shower.”

“Do not worry M’Lord, it's as easy as One Two Three, Two Three Two, One.”

“Ugh.”

Soon after, even Elizabeth falls asleep from the soothing carriage ride through the snowy countryside. The coachman on the front toiled away as the snow seemed nothing to him. His eyes then opened wide, pulling the reins. Making the carriage slide on the snow and awakening everyone up including Bahamut who has saliva dripping from her mouth from how comfy she was in her position. The Dragon God nearly dropped her Crown from the sudden move.

Alana immediately opens the door and checks the commotion and could see the head of her Butler is gone. It regenerates as an ultra greatsword flies from the snowy mist and into her. She stops it with her hand but the blade continues through, slicing her hand and arm open which instantly regenerates and prompts her to fight back. Punching the man away, seeing the opportunity, the General pulls her in as he storms out with bloodlust in his eyes, to the snowy mist with his Death Knight armor already on and the impressive red glass sword of the ancient Vampire King in hand.

He sensed a swing and a shing as the massive sword flew at him at inhuman speeds, immediately parrying it as he gruntled from the blade’s momentum. “Tsk!” He could hear a grunt of a person in the mist right in front of him and kicked it. He felt someone wearing what could be heavy armor getting thrown. The stranger runs deeper into the blizzard forcing him to chase after their attacker and is soon plagued with tree after tree and snow coated bushes, the faint sound of snow breaking under the sabatons of someone wearing something hefty is getting closer and closer.

With the mist getting thicker and thicker, the General pushes on through with adrenaline and his killer instinct in full swing in his veins. Entering a patch of forest where there’s no mist. The strange area has a circle with no clouds and just the two of them, seeing eye to eye.

“Nice armor, those look like layered scales… Dragon Knight I’m guessing?”

“Hm. What about you? Looking like a Demon General.”

“Close… but no cigar. What’re you doing here, Knight? Do you want to die?”

The soft spoken and oldened tone’s man has his helmet automatically fold onto itself, revealing a balding and wrinkled guy who's way past his prime but is still able to wield the ultra greatsword like it's nothing even though the entire thing is twice his height. The man wasn’t even slouching and his arms and legs were as fixed as the younger and more muscled Paul.

“What’s your name, old gun? I’m Knight General Paul Jackson of the Knights of Eldwood.”

“Sir Loth… Sir Loth, The Dragon Slayer of Anror. I am the only human in history to befall a Great Wyvern. Author of the Dragon Compendium and a Doctor of Draconology.”

“Holy shit really? A Great Wyvern would need like fifty to a hundred max level players to even have a chance of taking it down… huh. Pretty impressive, so what’re you here for then? Are you aware you are walking on land that humans would instantly get gut and enslaved? Well, if you're telling the truth. Nothing could stop you, not even vampires.”

“You're a wise man. Not like the Lords and Nobles playing soldiers with their fancy armor and swords. The only proof you need is the scales that I am brandishing. My hair might be white and few, but my hands still hold true with a sword. I’ve felled many Dragons and I’ve come here to challenge one of the rarest of their kind.”

“... No… you can’t be THAT crazy. I understand wanting to kill and hunt Dragons, they might have burned down your village and eaten your family but not this one Sir Loth. Not this one. You're a Doctor aren’t you? You're better off just observing and writing it down than fighting it.”

“I’m not afraid. I’ve made up my mind ever since I smuggled myself here thanks to those men. I have an objective to do, to end this horror before the cycle gets to everyone. They already told me, this is my only chance as soon, the Outworlders will tighten their security.”

“Then find another way, the Dragon you're after. It’s no longer just some Dragon…. In all aspects. You are after a cosmic entity that no human should even mingle with. Whoever told you that… they're correct. I’m actually planning on heading back to the airport and raising a security concern and even maybe an emergency meeting. Hmph, seems like those fuckers are really out to annoy us.”

“A Dragon is still a Dragon, no matter if it has risen to Godhood or not, I shall defeat it and win. I have no qualms with you or your affiliation with the people that led me here. I just want my final objective before I go, fulfilled.”

“Good luck old man. You have some serious damage to try to challenge a God.”

“I’m not after you Knight. Move along, I could’ve easily killed you back there, but I am not a Human killer but a Dragon killer.”

“Sorry old guy, not today. I’m not even doing this not to protect her but to save you from what could be an experience no human or creature in this world should ever feel or see. I might know her inside and out, but her Godly side, that version of her is way beyond even me who she considers as a special human and has spent day and night with.”

“I’ve faced many opponents and collected and authored the Dragon Compendium. This will be just another day for me. If there is a corpse left, then I shall make it my last entry on it, for the following generations to use.”

“Geez dude, alright. But don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

“I hope Monard can rest after my death. I’ve taught you all I could kid. Now Outworlder, you speak good Dragonian. I wonder just what type you are. A Legend as they call it?”

“Well, I am Level Two Hundred.”

“I see, then let us fight. But I will not kill you for I am after the One.”

The Old man not wasting a sweat is already up the Generals face, his massive blade swung and a disastrous clang followed afterward as the Death Knight’s armor takes the brunt of the absolutely massive blade. Not letting him off easily, the General immediately stands up and tries to strike him with his glass sword, the two blades having contact with each other and the Old man having a nice view of his blade.

“Hm, a Vampire’s sword.”

“How did you know?”

“Only the Vampires are pompous enough to make a parade blade a functional weapon. From the looks of it, that sword you wield is far more ancient than my entire country’s history and origins.”

“Oh yea, she’s an old gal but still cuts as good.”

The glass sword then fills with blood and heats up with a red fire as in the back, Elizabeth and Alana appear from the mist. Prompting the Dragon Knight to disengage and parry the two instead, now the Old man is fighting against three people at once but he didn’t break a sweat. Even Elizabeth was smiling at how fast the man was reacting and was visibly enjoying the fight, every attempt she made to hit him from the back was useless as the man's cape was far too tough even for her claws while Alana’s sword couldn’t penetrate the durable Dragon armor the man wore.

With her sword not doing anything, Alana grips it differently and uses the blade to instead force the man down but even his legs didn’t give in. She then tried to go for the joints like her Lord, with the two going hand in hand together to check for any weak points while Elizabeth continually used her speed to perform quick attacks and disappear.

“AHAHAHAHA! HOW FUN! I CAN’T WAIT TO SEE YOU BLEED MORTAL MAN!”

The disembodied voice of Elizabeth rings out on the entire forest as she removes her mask and uses her magic to return her frilly purple gown. “Your Majesty! He’s using Dragon Scales! It’s far too strong!” The Queen then lands and kicks the Old man down, his massive enchanted sword cuts her in half instantly and is stopped by Paul’s blade. Preventing him from doing it again.

“Nay Countess! I’ll gut this fool myself!”

“Be Careful Elizabeth! That-” he then sees Elizabeth’s eyes, if he had been in killer mode from the carriage and to the present. She on the other hand wasn’t but instead just showed her other side. The woman's posture was slouched like a beast, her hands spreaded as if its claws as the Old man overpowered Paul’s arms and tried again and again to cut her to pieces but the regeneration of the woman was far beyond that of the purebred Countess. His attacks immediately being undone by a mere millisecond.

“Heavens! I haven’t fought a Vampire before! Such speed, I see now why the people of Geraldia are scared of your kind, but your speed and size is nothing compared to that of a Dragon!”

“Chant de l'éternel.” Elizabeth then materializes her own sword. The thin shiny glass sword with the hue of blue shone brightly on the snowy night. “Thou have a lot of courage, but does it befit of someone to defeat a Vampire of thou’s level? I shant be using La Nuit des Longs Couteaux for you. Thou need the execution sword for disturbing thine slumber.” The Old man folds his helmet in.

Alana and Paul just sat on the sides, knowing the woman was going full on against the aged guy. A loud clang is heard and to their shock. “Thou art of passing skill…” The Queen’s blade was stopped by his reflexes, his ultra greatsword meeting the glass blade of the ancient woman. She then kicks him to a tree and proceeds to crouch as Alana and Paul come blazing in for the kill just for him to already be done as they go through multiple trees and into the mist. He then unfolds his helmet, looking at the Dark Knight with the Countess returning to the ring in front of him.

“Jesus! Sir Loth, what the fuck are you made out off?”

“One thousand dead Dragons and One dead Great Wyvern.”

“Fuck me… and how did you get here and find your target? Who are these people you spoke of?”

“A strange Outworlder gave me all the tips I needed. That’s all I shall say as they are also curious about your friend.”

“I get a feeling what that group was after. So almost destabilizing the Vampire Kingdom wasn’t enough, they want to get a reading on my lifelong companion Bahamut. Tsk.”

Standing up, he once again tries with the two Vampires attacking in unison when all of the sudden, the entire scene stops moving and the trio are suspended in the air. Sir Loth just looks baffled at the sudden scene, he squints his eyes and could perfectly see the snowflakes all stopped in the air and his breath, gone. He closes his eyes and could sense that even the very molecules and microbes have all but stopped moving.

“I’ve seen enough.”

A tall dark figure of a woman with a black crown and veiled face appears from below the snow, appearing like an ethereal being from another plane. He curiously slides the snow below him and is met with nothing but frozen soil. He then looks up and to his surprise as he chuckles. The hair on his back rose and his spine tingled with the being looking down on him even far away.

“So human, you’ve come to challenge me?”

Sir Loth raises his Ultra greatsword at the tall gothic feminine figure who just somehow materialized from nothing underneath a blanket of snow and frozen soil. “Are you who I think you are?” He starts walking to the edge of the ring, where the woman stood with her hands together, silently watching the man approach her. Making her sound clearer. “I know who you are.” The voice was that of a soft spoken, mature, and motherly voice of a woman, one that even gave his heightened sense of calmness and peace.

He then notices the figure somehow disappeared right in front of him as he turns around and sees that it has moved to the same place as he was. In the middle of where Elizabeth, Alana, and General Paul were about to strike. The figure then opens its arms out, as if a maw was being prepared to swallow them both.

“Since you are such a fighter, I shall give your soul a privilege only a few have. You dare challenge me? Then I shall accept. Ready yourself.”

“No! I wanna challenge the REAL YOU! I know how you Dragons work, you’ll only see me as an equal if I manage to defeat the form that you truly hail from.”

“Hmph, but is this something you’d want? Master has already told you, he is fighting you to save you… from me… and I shall respect him and his wish. I warn you now, human. You are dealing with something not even the Demigods and Gods could fully comprehend.” Bahamut skims the blade of the ancient Vampire King, sliding her pale white finger through her Master’s weapon as she stops near his head. “He is right, you know. I might be a Dragon… but I am now able to access all of my power, making me something far from that… I am something that is Divine and Cosmic apart from Dragon, I can see and control the living and dead. I know things not even other Gods would know and can shape entire worlds without a thought.”

The Old man breathes a sigh, and inhales as he calms himself. “What a strong soul, you’re able to find peace while facing me. But I am restricted to the balance of life as it's a duty of a Divine creature to preserve and not be involved. So I shall take you to the Abyss, where I can fight you in my true form without any disturbance.” he then opens his eyes and his helmet packs itself. Shielding his entire head from any sort of damage. “Good, take me! This wish of mine must be granted, I didn’t come all the way here just to die. I have a mission to do, for all of Anror.” Bahamut opens her palm as she starts levitating, a ghostly blue flame appears from her right hand and it materializes an old cast iron Lantern with a strange bluish flame inside it that seems to be wailing skulls.

“Then, I shall allow you the privilege to fight me in my true form. A form not even my Master has seen, in a place he had never been to as it's hostile to the living and mortal, a place that does and doesn’t exist at the same time. Where Gods may truly die as the rules of life neither do nor does apply to it, same with logic and all the meaning that gives humans and the other sentient species their uniqueness. I hope your soul may not be crushed with its mere existence upon arrival.”

She then shakes the black Lantern once and all of the sudden, he is in a strange place where there’s no light and only darkness exists. He could hear gunfire and missiles firing as Bahamut appeared from his back, he didn’t jump from her sudden appearance and just stared silently at the floating woman in a funeral gown.

“Ahhhhhh… Home sweet home as the humans say.”

“What’s that sound?”

“Oh, don’t mind that. Just an annoying ball of anger that I told to rest before I fight it. Sheesh to think it’s this persistent. I should’ve just killed it the moment I was on the flight back. Follow me human, I shall take you to the place where we will battle.”

Five balls of bluish fire appeared around the two, constantly following them as Bahamut started floating in a direction. “Also… do not stray. The creatures of the Abyss are often beyond human comprehension… and so do the horrors they carry. If you see anything watching you, ignore it.” The Dragon God then scoffs at the eyes of the Old man, as it is just as strong as before and didn’t twitch or flinch which made her grin even at the presence of untold horrors that linger beyond the blue flames of the Dragon God.

Sir Loth then starts following Bahamut, his sabatons made out of Dragon scales touching the oily liquid that’s only an inch deep. Every step he took didn’t feel like anything was underneath, as if he could slip into the darkness at any moment but not. His senses are all shot and he could detect anger and danger from all sides, even inside the protective flames of the God. For forty minutes, the two didn’t stop going in one direction. With Sir Loth not even seeing anything but the curvy figure of the woman floating in front of him.

“Is this… where you live?”

“Yes, it may not seem much. But if you have my eyes, I can see through the darkness of the void, sense all of its creatures from the beyond and all of its damned souls.”

She then lifts her right hand, and points it to their left where a huge ball of fire is created, the light reveals a massive skull that’s the size of a Mega Stadium half buried in the Abyss. “Meet the God of War. It tried, but it died. The fool really thought he could control us.” his eyes couldn’t believe the size of the carcass and could only imagine how big the entire skeleton would be.

“It tried? What do you mean it tried?”

“The moron thought it could gain control of the Dragons by killing all of its Gods and taking their powers. After killing two Dragon Gods, I made sure to be prepared and after… two hundred thousand in human years, I defeated it and I took its power. The balance of life must be protected, any Gods that try to go against it must be killed to preserve the continuity of the cycles.”

“How many Gods have you fought and killed then?”

“Hmmmm… truth to be told…” Bahamut puts her hand up her chin and tries to recall the number. “I’ve forgotten! Because I am far too lazy to count, and counting the Demigods that tried to come after me, we’d be here all day… well all night… or both. Don’t know the human word for the weather in the Abyss.”

“You Dragons are truly something, I can understand now why the Holy See calls your kind the perfect species. To achieve something like this, impressive. The fools I called heretic for siding with the Dragons might’ve been a bit correct after all.”

“Regardless, here in the Abyss, you may scream and wail all you want. But it’ll echo into nothing. You can create all you want, but that would only be if you can create from nothing and only Gods can create from nothing.”

The huge ball of fire then flies to their left, revealing huge metallic black scales that just kept on going and going and going nonstop as gunfire could be heard faintly far away.

“We’re actually passing underneath my wing. Do stay close as I usually get a bit active when sleeping and something is near me.”

Sir Loth closed his eyes as he continued walking and could hear calmed breathing from where the wall of black metallic scales were. Far behind, he could also hear the shooting of weapons and explosions coupled with the noise of jet engines going left and right, up and down as if it's seemingly trying to comb for a weak spot on something massive.

“I’ve only heard stories of you really. From the Outworlders.”

“Hm, I’m guessing the Chosen Ones have told the magnificence of my black scales and all its fiery glory?”

“The Chosen Ones were all scared of you, but some said it wasn’t impossible to defeat you. Though it took hundreds of thousands of them to do so.”

“Technically speaking, they did not defeat me. They only forced me to retreat to the Abyss. You try fighting them in the thousands, they might not seem as much. But some of them are Demigods, I may fight a hundred or a thousand Demigods without a problem. But a few hundred thousand or so is a pain and I only came there to defend my mortal possessions.”

“Mortal possessions? Gold?”

“Not only Gold, but also weapons and jewelry. I like shiny things.”

“And the Chosen Ones had beat you in the mortal realm?”

“Don’t get any fancy ideas. Those humans are not to be played with, most of all the ones that are half naked… the one that first charged me was a half naked human wielding a colossal weapon and the one that sent me back here was one wearing a loincloth and wielding golden knuckles.”

“The Outworlders… right?”

“Yes, Outworlders as you call them. It's some sort of trend amongst their best Demigods, to be half naked in fights or something. I didn’t listen much to Master as he seemed very angry about them, I think he also fought one on my Shrine.”

“Ever since they’ve been here thirteen months ago, I’ve always seen them as unique. But I never figured them to be as insane and stupid like that. Even with my experience and years, I still do not take Dragons lightly.”

Soon, after an hour of walking. Sir Loth could feel the liquid below him rumble from the breathing of something gigantic to his left.

“How come the Chosen Ones call you God and Goddess? What’re you really?”

“Oh, that’s due to a mistranslation in my language. Draconem has no female word of God, hence I was titled as such… doesn’t help that Bahamut is a masculine name so the Dragon Lords and Elder Dragons had no problem associating that with me.”

“I-i see…”

“What?”

“Nothing.”

“If you ask if I am a female Dragon then that is yes, I am born as one. But with Godhood, it doesn’t really matter anymore. As if I could find a proper Patriarch at this point.”

“And your Master… how?”

“Oh him? He’s… special. Let’s leave it at that. You humans make me burn with hate but at the same time, tame with love. So let’s get this over with so that I could receive his attention. I am in need of it.”

“Pfft… I’ve never talked to a Dragon before but it seems the rumors are true of your… special personalities.”

“What? You don’t expect us beings of perfected killing machines to have normal human personalities. I often quite remember many of the creatures I meet calling me unreasonable. Now how would that be if they're trying to make a God bow and be defeated?”

“Then… what’re your demands?”

“Don’t know, you are the one who came all the way to Schon to disrupt my fun time with Master with your challenge. Speak now so that when we reach my chin, we’ll be able to have a quick fight. I’ll make it painless.”

“I want you to use your powers to bring an end to the war between Anror and the Dragon Kingdom.”

“Hm… a very human wish. To end a war.”

“What? Don't the Dragons know how bad war is?”

“Oh we do. We just accept it, War too is part of nature. Same as Brutality, Violence, and Evil. It’s all part of the cycle of life, and to remove it would be a detriment to the world.”

“As if anything gets done with war.”

“Maybe not for you humans and your feeble lives. If Ants can have wars and be productive with it then so are your wars, there’s always good to all that is bad. It’s just that humans don’t want to or need to understand such concepts. You live in your own bubble of existence, while we Gods live in our own.”

“Well, that’s my wish. Can you do it?”

“I can, I don’t even need to use True Magic. I’ll merely order the Dragon Kingdom to retreat. Not even that Dragon God Catherine has reached my level. I can also order her to do things with nothing but my authority as the Dragon God of the Abyss.”

With the noise of breathing finally becoming extremely noisy, the huge fireball moves up to the air, revealing Bahamut’s gigantic head. “Heavens…” Its eyes are closed and the only hint of movement is the nose where the Dragon breathes from. Bahamut then points for the Old man to walk a bit far as she stops floating, stopped right in front of the real body of the Dragon God.

“Now, if you die. I’ll steal that Heroic Soul of yours. Another rarity to add to my collection and maybe that sword you wield. I love enchanted swords, they shine so true.”

She puts up her Lantern and points at it. Taunting the man openly in the dark abyss.

“Hmph, then so be it.”

“Oh and those humans who gave you my location. They are fools, huge fools. To go here to even track me. Tsk, just what’s with these Chosen Ones.”

“You know something about them?”

“I do. But it’s not that clear yet, I took one of them and the quality of their souls is quite good but compared to yours… hmmm.”

“Seems that my soul will be used for your Evil ways huh.”

“Not Evil! I’m literally going around with a mortal human named Paul. As if I have anything Evil planned. Oh please, your Kingdom, Anror got razed because its stupid. Far too stupid to try to fight the Dragons without proper weapons.”

“Yeah yeah yeah, A Dragon God is the last I want to hear this from.”

He puts his Ultra greatsword up in front of him as he changes into a combat stance. Bahamut then starts giggling as she tilts her head 90 degrees on its side, resting it on her own shoulder. The abyss rumbles as her veil falls on its side, revealing a wide inhuman grin that reaches past her eyes and the human teeth of her body, replaced with the sharp fangs of a Dragon.

The Abyss rumbles even more and the wall of metallic scales behind her starts rising as two golden coloured eyes open, it then looks down on Sir Loth, who is like a deer looking at the headlights of an oncoming vehicle.

Bahamut’s human body that’s still has its head tilted in ninety degrees spreads out its arms and gets engulfed by darkness and shadows and soon, an incessant rain follows as more bluish balls of fire appears and forms a ring for them to fight and the Dragon’s head watches in silence as her body starts going around the Knight with a tower of darkness and shadows engulfing its legs and arms. “Come at me, beast! I’ll slay you like I slayed your lesser kins!”

“Geez, where did Bahamut go now?”

“I’m over here Master.”

“WO-WHAT?!”

“Yes?”

“B-But how?! And where did you take him?!”

“I did as he requested. I took him to my real body.”

“How much of a fight did he put up?”

“Let’s leave it as he tried, Master.”

“Oookayyy… I’ll ignore the fact that you might’ve just deleted a man right off the world. Elizabeth, Alana. Let’s go, how far is the Manor?”

“Should be a kilometer or two away M’Lord.”

“Alrighty, everyone. Let’s hop back into the carriage.”

The General then touches Bahamut, giving him the Mana to teleport his armor back on its stand inside the Manor. The trio soon reaches back to the Manor and the first to the Bath is the General while the two Vampires irk the Dragon God for what she did to the man. But the Dragon God merely just scoffed at them with a grin and carried on to her room.

She then smells something strange within it, as if someone waltzes into her territory for something specific as everything is in order. She starts opening drawers and dressing and finds things out of place, even the smaller ones are inches and centimeters off their original position from her memory. She then opens her wardrobe and opens a tan shoebox meant for Combat Boots and her hand trembles a bit at the sight. She then breathes in and out and walks out of the room. Looking around, she thinks for a bit and storms the hallway, finding Elizabeth’s room.

Inside, Elizabeth was already fully naked and was just fixing her hair at the mirror when the Dragon God came blazing in her peace.

“Heavens! What is it, Bahamut?”

“Where is this Anror place?”

“Hm? Why?”

“Someone who smelled of Dragon and Dragon Blood came into my room and stole something precious to me. I’ll sniff around, this person might’ve teleported as I sense a slight distortion in the spatial area here.”

“So that’s how you detect teleportation. If only I could do something like that. Shall I put on a dress first?”

“Yes, do it. I wanna get this done before tomorrow.”

“Ohhhh, then let us depart! Also, what is this Stone that you gave me?”

“Ah, it’s a Time Stone. Since you are like a Scientist or something I thought you’d better have it than me.”

“I see. Though my Lab is back at my personal house in the countryside… hmmmm… regardless, thank you. I’ll see what I can do with this then.”

“Hm, now hurry up! Chop chop! I wanna get this done before Master wakes up from his sleep!”

Inside an empty ballroom, Paul is looking around when the Vampire Queen appears out of nowhere. Soon, Alana and Bahamut follow and in a little circle, the Knight General fixes his classic black suit with a scarf inside the long coat.

“First, before I explain about Captain Aldrin, Bahamut did you go out tonight?”

“U-U-Uhm… what makes you say that Master?”

“You literally brushed past me in the hallway with Elizabeth.”

“Ah. Oh, uhm… me and the Bloodsucker just did something together.”

“Hmmmm…” he squinted at Bahamut who tried her best to look like her usual self. “Okay, you're back early anyways so let it be. Though you smell like a burnt tree though.”

“Oops.”

Bahamut and Elizabeth look at each other as they recall flying to South Geraldia in a matter of hours and burning down a Town that’s full of Dragon Hunters and one of their major fortifications without a thought. The combined force of the Dragon God and Primordial Vampire was like two catastrophes that merged together into a tornado of havoc and chaos.

“I see… well, I guess it's a bit of a story time then before my dance lessons.”

The General then walks to the wall of the ballroom and picks up four chairs and he places them all down in a circle with him sitting down with a slouched back and hands together.

“That man you all met, was Captain Benedict. He is… a good soldier and a good warrior. But nonetheless, I fought with that man. I’m kinda shocked that fate would make us meet in such a way.”

“My Lord, how dangerous is that man?”

“Very dangerous. Even though he is a man like me, that guy survived far more than I could. I was regulated to command duty while he actively commanded one of my forward companies and led them into battle after battle. Not once did he disappoint. Even the Americans called him a Force of Nature.”

“And his plan My Lord?”

“To expose you, Elizabeth. It seems that the people connected to Havannah were his group and they have photos of your Sarcophagus opened and without a corpse inside it. They plan to release this to the Nobles and I think, spark a large witch hunt.”

“Then so be it, I’ll take them all on.”

“No Elizabeth, let’s not do that… no. Heh, that’s very bad. No. Uhhhh, for now. Let’s enjoy Christmas. We’ll deal with him later, he is not the type you should go after immediately, that man is on a whole different level. He wasn’t named Mad Aldrin for nothing, that man is a vicious dog of war and whoever is commanding him knows we both have history.”

“And what were you called My Lord?”

“Me? Ah, geez. I think it was Armored Hunter, it's not a nickname I want, but it stuck. Better than being called a Grim Reaper like him.”

“Master, you were called Armored Hunter? Why?”

“Ah well, my tactic mostly consists of using armor and infantry. My main use for Main Battle Tanks is for them to be kilometers away and pick off whatever they see with their thermals as infantry would attack. We actually got that name after we intercepted a radio conversation between a Brit and a French man. My original callsign was Barnhouse, simple and sweet but Hunter? I guess it worked with my men enough and they started calling me that too.”

“Huh, so M’Lord. You were called Hunter huh, it kinda does fit you. You did hunt me down and the same could be said to Bahamut, yes?”

“Does it count? I kinda just hunted down her shrine. The title mostly came off because you wouldn’t even see my tanks and they’d be sniping you off far far away. I hope the soldiers that died there could have a good rest. They did their best and so did we.”

He then looks up while sitting down, deep in thought. After a few seconds he looks down again. Looking at Elizabeth.

“Hmmmm… Elizabeth, does this world have a concept of something like one that collects the souls of those who have passed?”

“No. Souls go straight to either Paradise, or the Underworld. Heaven or Hell in your world.”

Bahamut then perks up, grinning at the question her Master forwarded.

“Master, you might be onto something… as the introduction of the Death Knights like you who are meant to serve neither, aka the Abyss in between might be the incorporation of the concept of the Reaper in this world…”

“Heh, If anyone’s the Reaper, then it's Hassan. The dude is literally a walking personification of the saying; There's no evidence if everyone is dead.”

“It might be just a hunch, but I fear the arrival of us and the concepts we carry might’ve interfered with this worlds’. There is also the fact that I am with you Master, solidifying your eternal life as even after you die, I will follow you.”

“For now, let’s just leave it at that. I just wanted to alert all of you of him and our past, that man is a red flag if I’ve ever seen one. So if anything happens and he knows my tactics and how I move, you know why. I feel like his superiors will use him again in the case that I am to cross paths with their plans.”

“My Lord, Who are his leaders? Doesn’t this nameless organization seem so… quiet and then would seemingly spring into action?”

“No idea, we don’t even know their composition and order of battle. But whoever is leading them just tested us and Bahamut. Good thing Bahamut did that, no evidence whatsoever was left.”

“M’Lord, we might become very busy tonight.”

“Huh? You already have a plan?”

“Yes, it's rudimentary at best, but I think that we could just sleep over this.”

All of them looked at her with confusion, but then the Queen’s eyes lit up.

“You have a point, do we even have to try when we do not know how the Nobles will react? For all we know, they might just ignore this… and how many Nobles are afraid of me too?”

“Well… many are afraid of your return not because of your power, but of your vengeance. They did betray you and sided with the Saint Hero.”

“If only I could clear this up and tell them I do not care… but doing so would rile up such an international conflict that it might put the Kingdom in such a dire position… unless.”

Alana and Elizabeth looked at each other and nodded, and then turned their heads to Paul.

“Wha-what?”

“M’Lord, why don’t you put your Imperialist organization into work and have it vouch to protect the Vampire Kingdom? I’m sure with the United Nations influence and power, not even the Kingdoms of Humanity or the Elven Empire would dare touch us.”

“But before that, we have to make the King sign a treaty with us Outworlders and secure an open middle ground and a promise of non-inference with our operations.”

“But for now, let’s get this straight. Since we have vicinity magic on work anyways. Any attempts to bring those photos near any official should be effective enough to burn it before getting close.”

“And My Lord, we don’t even know what a photo is. Alana, since you’ve been here since the beginning. Have you ever seen a photo reach this Kingdom?”

“No. Most are those Mangas and Light Novels which I’ve really taken a liking to.”

“I wonder… who is the player mad enough to sell Japanese Comics and Novels to Vampires? And in the first months too, when I was still on ice.”

“A very kind man. A bit quirky M’Lord, but he knows what we want.”

“Then!” Elizabeth claps her hand with a warm smile. “For now, let us sleep over this. One problem at a time, c’mon now! My Lord, to the middle of the floor. Remove your jacket and hat.”

“Ah shit.”

“C’mon! Bahamut, move the chairs on the sides. Let us see if our Lord can dance.”

Alana then removes her shoes and changes them to ones suited for dancing. The day was prettier and the rays of the foreign Sun engulfed the floor through the large glass windows of the Manor’s dancefloor and the two’s shadows met as the Countess took the hands of the General. Smiling as she straightened her back and neck. Elizabeth then starts playing the Grand Piano a bit and checking if all is good.

“Right! Bahamut!”

“Hm?”

“If our Lord even dares to show a pint of laziness, lightning bolt him.”

“WA-WAIT WHAT?!”

“Ohhhh! I like that train of thought Bloodsucker. Master, what bolt would you want? A normal one or my special one?”

“NONE, I WANT NONE.”

“Then do well My Lord!”

Elizabeth then takes the Piano Chord book and turns the pages till she reaches “Waltz of the Eternal Night - Sonata B” cracking her fingers she starts playing and Alana bristfully takes the man for a ride as she seamlessly dances to the tune without mistake.

“Come M’Lord! I shall show you, it’s easy. Three steps and repeat it with a bit of twists in the middle. It's also interchangeable for when the music changes or shifts.”

“Wha-eh-Huh?” The man already looks super confused as he raises his hand a bit trying to reach for Alana’s hand which she takes. Stopping, the woman places her foot forward. “Follow my lead” the General slowly starts learning the steps, but continues to stumble onto himself and Alana. Making him apologize multiple times due to his missteps and the Countess just laughs at his face, trying to grasp the steps.

“See? You're slowly getting it, M'Lord.”

“And this is just the first two steps! What about when to interchange and switch?”

“We’ll deal with that later. Remember, the top thing you must look after is how you look. Even if you make a mistake, try your best to look good and do not let them judge you.”

“Arrgghhh… good thing you're a Vampire. I’m still sorry though, I’m not really sure if I should just go and remove my shoes.”

“It’s not slippery as it looks, M'Lord. Your socks will do.”

Behind them as Elizabeth just peacefully stares at the two, a Maid comes in and offers them food. Bahamut without question jumps to the Tea and Berries and the Queen had to control her before she’d spill everything. All the while, the General has removed his shoes and is now using his black socks. “See? It’s not that slippery. It might be shiny, but I made sure to buy tiles that can still absorb traction.” Paul slides a bit but soon catches his footing and nods. “Good M’Lord, now let us continue then.”

Before the two could go back to their session, Elizabeth snaps her fingers. Gaining their attention. “Oy you two, foods’ here! Come before the Dragon eats it all!” The two then smiled at each other warmly as they went to eat. With Paul nodding in approval of the chocolate muffins.

“Hm, I know this taste. Did you make this Alana?”

“Oh goodness. Your tastebuds must be so accustomed to my cooking.”

“Well, I was your taste tester when you were still learning in our adventures! Hahahahah! To think you’ve gotten this good! Bahamut! Since you're our resident glutton, what’s the score?”

“More!”

“Bwahahahahahaha!”

“Goodness Bahamut! Watch your tea cup! You wouldn’t want to spill that on our Lord now and the Countess!”

“Truth be told. I never knew I’d have a thing for this. I guess I’ll continue doing so as long as you all enjoy it.”

The three then smile and nod with Bahamut having her pale skin around her mouth covered with the brown color of the muffin which Elizabeth swipes off as Paul sneakily steals the last one.

“Oh My Lord, would you like me to draw you a visualization of the steps?”

“Really? You can?”

“Hm. Wouldn’t be hard. It seems that your problem is really just going it in one succession. You learned the steps pretty quickly but stumbled on the next steps. You're overthinking it.”

“Heh-heh… oops.”

“No worries. I have a plan for that. Countess, could you?”

“Hm, let me ring a servant and fetch you some paper and ink, Your Majesty.”

Soon after, the Ancient Queen draws two circles representing Paul’s feet and another set for Alana’s. She then shows a pattern of how their feet would be in steps and the General nods as he visualizes the entire thing. “Done! So what do you think My Lord?” he starts rubbing his chin as he puts up the chin sheet of paper up his face. “Alright, I get it now.” Alana then raises her hand, ready. “Now M’Lord, when taking a lady’s hand. You must be soft and proper. When you take me by the hand. Grasp it softly and put your left hand on your back and chin up.”

He followed her instruction as Bahamut sat on the side eating Muffins quietly. “Good, keep pace with me and do not let go of my hand and keep it raised.” Alana then stops which Paul suddenly follows. “Alright. Now M’Lord, when we reach a spot where we’ll dance. We need to turn to each other and look at one another's eyes. Make absolute eye contact, this is the essence of the Vampire Waltz. To appreciate the beauty of our eternity, and our eternal youth.” she then slowly turns which Paul does, looking straight at her gold coloured eyes.

“I just realized it now, but do only purebred vampires have gold coloured eyes?”

“Hm. Nice catch, M'Lord. That is true, only those of true purity can have these divine coloured eyes. Now, look at me only and feel the moves by each other. Do not panic, and we’ll do this slowly now that you have a general idea of the steps and what to do.”

“And we’ll be doing this with that tight outfit right?”

“Yes. So be sure to not expel too much energy and most of all, enjoy.”

Outside, a metallic black carriage with bronze colored designs and engravings pulled by four black horses rolls into the Minuit Manor. On its door is the seal of the Angelo family. It stops right in front of the steps to the Manor and immediately, the doors open and a shadowy person wearing a cloak and top hat exits out and starts knocking on the front door. A servant then opens it and he immediately bows.

“Is the Countess here?”

“Yes Lord Angelo. May I alert the Lady?”

“No need. We’ve known each other for almost a thousand years now. Just lead me to where she is… I can hear the tunes of the Vampire Waltz playing.”

“That is the Lady on the dancefloor. Please do follow me.”

The servant then opens his hand and the tall man gives him his cloak, revealing a jet black shiny hair that’s stylishly swept back. With a sharp jawline, green eyes coupled with a sparkly and youthful handsome face in a blue and black Knight Regency ensemble, he follows the aging human as he is led to the dance floor of the Manor.

“Wait wait wait Alana! It’s too fast!”

“Ahahahahaha! C’mon M’Lord! You're already having fun!”

“I still need to know the cues when the steps would change!”

“Just dance with me M’Lord! I love the look of your face and the soul you're putting to your steps!”

The servant opens the door and Lord Angelo gets a sight that makes him stay silent for a few seconds.

“I thought I was only hearing lies as I’ve never heard Alana laugh like that before. You’re you?”

In the mere second the Lord appears, Elizabeth is already gone from the Grand Piano and is in her bat form. Hiding inside Bahamut’s veil as she stopped eating her muffins to stare at the young lad with such a sparkly face having an annoyed expression. Alana just sighed as she turned her face to look at him.

“What is it now Donnatello?”

“Didn’t I tell you to call me Don?”

“Haaaaa… What is it Don? Can’t you see I am busy?”

“Busy? With a human? Have you gone insane? I thought it was all rumors when they say you’ve been bested by an Outworlder. But to think the stories are true, do you even know what this will do to your family's reputation?”

“What?” Alana stared knives at the man while the man stared back swords. “My family is far too powerful for these meager things to stop our rise. The entire country is dependent on our sale of expensive and luxurious wine.” Don then sighs as he removes his top hat and knight jacket.

“Continue, I’ll watch.”

“Hmmm? What is this?”

“Please Alana, I mean no harm. I merely want to see how you dance with him.”

“M’Lord, get used to this. If you're already being judged. Just imagine at the Bal Masque.”

“H-Hm… yes. But what’s with the pretty boy? Is that normal really?”

“Yes, sadly. He is an old… acquaintance.”

“Ouch, are we no longer friends Alana? From all the years we’ve spent together from when we were young till University?”

“We’ve no longer been friends since you proposed to me out in the open at the Ballet Concert.”

“What can I say? The way you danced, such a ballerina like you shouldn’t be wasted. A white swan should be in a beautiful pond. Not inside an office locked up and only going out to manage things.”

“Well your indecisiveness led to that not happening.”

“No. I was just merely late. Far too late, to see you in your shoes again. Gives me memories of that time. What a wonderful swan you were.”

“Haaaaa… I apologize, M'Lord.”

“N-Nno. It’s fine. I guess you were really famous back then huh? Not everyone got that pureblood going.”

“Indeed. If only you were there when I was in University. Maybe it would’ve been far more fun… now just like we practiced.”

“But Alana, it’s only been three and a half hours. Are you sure?”

“As I said M’Lord. It's the soul you put into your dance that matters and it has fluttered me enough. Now, let us be together! Both in movement and stares!”

The two then start there routine, with Alana having perfected the dance to the tee and the General, doing his best but is night and day compared to the Countess’ stride and softness, as if she was floating with the man who is visibly still in need of more practice but has the basics down.

“Good afternoon, I presume you are Goddess Bahamut, correct?”

“Hm? Yes I am, bloodsucker.”

“And that cave bat hiding inside your veil? I sense some familiarity in its presence.”

“A familiar.”

“I see.”

He was kind and respectful in his tone, he spoke with little eagerness and seemingly a low voice as either a sign of respect or just loneliness.

“May I ask why are you here?”

“That human you're curious about. He's my Master.”

“... … … Really?”

“Yes. He is my Master. MASTER!”

“YES?! Can’t you see I am dancing Bahamut?!”

“This man doesn’t believe you are my Master!”

“Then so what?!”

“Want me to call you Darling instead?!”

“... Okay! I don’t mind it but Master is something you’ve been calling me for years now!”

“M’Lord! Your steps!”

“Oops!”

To help him, Alana started humming the Waltz and immediately, the man got his barings once again and his eyes and feet, visibly able to visualize the movement. Don then looks at the two, slowly tilting his head as they dance along to the humming. Out of nowhere, he stands up and starts dancing also. Mimicking as if he has someone to dance with too. Slowly, he shadows them and gets closer and closer. The Countess sees this and moves them far, also helping Paul practice how to move when doing the steps.

Elizabeth, who is in her cave bat form, peeks underneath Bahamut’s veil and sees the full commotion happening as the Dragon goes back to eating her muffins in silence.

“What a pretty boy. Look at that lonesome but sparkly face.”

“I don’t like it. I prefer Masters. He looks very manly and hairy too. Not like that, too clean to be human and human males don’t wear makeup as they are always sweating and fighting.”

“Even then, you can’t see he isn’t pretty.”

“Hmmmm… I guess. Bloodsucker, are you sure he should be left? He’s getting closer and closer.”

“Let’s watch. Go My Lord. Teach that youngin’ some lessons in snaring women properly.”

As the two dance as Don approaches them, forcing the two to the corner and leaving Alana nowhere else to go. With his voice, he shifts the humming to the point of switch. “Eh? Wait? Was that a cue?” As soon as he said this, Paul was removed from Alana’s grasp and replaced by Don almost instantly. “Ah… eh?! Wait what!?” he looks behind and could see that Don has taken his place and Alana is staring at his soul. “I’m coming! Wait!” He then shadows the two and starts humming himself.

He waits as the two dance to the middle and in the right moment, he shifts his tone to a louder one, and hums the cue to switch. Don, having been doing this for years, had his body automatically change partners and the General took the chance and took Alana’s hand. He smirks at the pretty boy and scoffs his shoulders. Seeing the challenge, Sir Angelo continued to dance and waited for another chance.

This happened three more times to the point that Bahamut started dozing off and her head crushing Elizabeth who was still in her bat form. “MMMM! MMMMM!” was all the vampire could scream as the Dragon lady felt nice using her as a pillow. Soon, the Sun starts to set and Alana prepares for the ending of the dance with the General sweating as he was in his white shirt and black slacks while Sir Don was more than vigorous to continue but the Countess lets go of him and takes three steps back and the two bowed at each other.

“Now, how do you feel, M'Lord?”

“Is it really a requirement in the end to do that?”

“Yes, as Lord Angelo showed. You have to bow at the same time as me, you don’t need to be exactly on time but it will look more presentable.”

“I see… well… let me rest…”

“Oh my, but we still have paperwork to do.”

“Shit.”

Sir Don then walks up to Paul who has sat down on the floor sweating through his shirt and slacks even though the temperature was well below normal.

“You're good. I wonder if that’s the same with the blade.”

“You too? I already… haaaaah… I already defeated that Percival guy.”

“So that’s why his tune changed so much in such a short period of time. Are you aware of my family’s business?”

“I took a read and it's something about blood right?”

“Hm. Hence my close relationship with Alana. They themselves cannot supply enough blood for their Wine and other drinks. Thus my family, the Angelos, came in a long alliance with the Minuits. Most of all, we’re also in charge of the slavery and quality control of the humans and elves we take in.”

“I see… goodness I’m sweating.”

“Hm. Most humans would already be boiling with anger knowing they are facing someone who has been enslaving their kin for thousands of years and uses them as mere cattle to drink and eat.”

“Look man, I’m sent here to do a job. Whatever you do, that’s for the higher ups to deal with. Personally, I’ve been through so much to really give a fuck. I just hope you treat those people and Elves as good as Alana who has villages set up for them to live normal lives at least.”

“Of course. The Minuit’s have long perfected the art of making tasty sweet blood. Part of the deal was to share the method. No longer did we keep slaves in dungeons and basements though I think some lesser families still do. But to create good products, we must protect and nourish them.”

“Good, I can at least forgive you a bit. But still, pretty disgusting… even then. What does this make me? A high ranking General helping a Kingdom that enslaves humans. Geopolitics is such a circus.”

“Hey, I agreed to something with a human. Such an interesting day today.”

“Are you two boys done now? M’Lord. How long do you need to rest?”

“Three hours or more.”

“Knowing you, I’ll double it then.”

“Hahaha… hah… goodness I feel like I’m starting to have a headache.”

Lord Angelo then turns to face Alana. Smiling as he opens his arms for a hug.

“Don, can you leave now?”

“Ouch. Not even a hug?”

“No. You came bursting in a moment that I was having with M’Lord.”

“You know, even ladies of the Nobility would kill just for me to give them a kiss.”

“That’s them, I have my tastes and M’Lord… he doesn’t specifically fit them but he's good enough.”

“Okay, but I’ll be back. I’m not like that child Percival. I know how you work and what you want. Also, Sylvia will be having a tea party tomorrow. Will you come and attend?”

“Tomorrow? M’Lord, is there anything we’ll be doing tomorrow?”

“Ch-ri-s-t…mas… haaaaa….”

“There.”

“You don’t have to be early.”

“Sylvia’s Manor is three regions away, it’ll take me at least half a day or even a full day if the snow gets worse.”

“Then I’ll talk to her later at the Capital and move it.”

“Goodness me. Do whatever you want then, Don.”

“Alright, I look forward to seeing you again Alana. Goodbye.”

Alana picks up her Lord who is breathing heavily from dancing for hours straight and battling a Vampire. He limps alongside her as she takes Sir Angelo to the exit and the two exchange some final goodbyes and go on their way. “Want me to take you to bed M’Lord?” the General just looks at her and nods while sweating like an open faucet. She takes him up the stairs as he unbuttons his shirt, revealing his muscular chest. “I’d rather fight Vampires… then dance battle one.” She just giggles as she slips her hand into his shirt and feels his rock solid chest. Soaking her gloves with his sweat. “M’Lord, do you usually sweat this much?”

“I don’t know… I’m usually wearing armor which regulates heat and cold so I’ve never really tested it… it’s not like haaaah… Threa never gets really hot tropical summers, even when we were in Dragovh… the temperatures in the Summer was still pretty damn cold.”

She then opens the door to his room and plops him on the King sized bed. “Do you want me to undress you M’Lord?” he shrugs “I can do it… haaaah… this feels nice.” she smiles and exits out the door. “Don’t sleep now when you're full of sweat. I know human bodies needs to be all dry and it's cold too.” the General then just rolls into bed and dozes off.

The Countess scratches her head and goes to the bathroom and fetches some towels to wipe off the sweaty man. Returning back to the room, she’s met with an intense scent of her Lord and she doesn’t feel disgusted but instead curious about it. “Hmmm… could this be the man scent Her Majesty has told me about?” she then starts wiping off his body and removes his belt to make sure everything is spic and span. After finishing, she smiles and gives the towels to a servant that was cleaning the Hall.

She then went straight to her Personal Office to do paperwork for the night. Soon after, at the dead of night a yawn comes over as the door opens.

“Haaaaaaa… Sleep this through, yea right… you are something Alana. A true workaholic that’s even beyond me.”

The Countess’ eyes open wide at the sight of her Lord in his Pajamas. Still limping from the hours of dancing that he had to do and the dance battle against the vampire. She runs over to him and helps him maintain balance as he struggles to get to his seat.

“M’Lord, one must always remember to slow down and take a slower pace of things. I do understand that mindset, you were a soldier and a warrior. But do that push that body of ours, in the end, it's still human and needs all the rest it needs. Please slow down. The King and our affairs here can wait for the near future.”

“Kinda funny though how Elizabeth calls him a monkey even though when he talked to me, I felt like I was the monkey doing the dance for him. That aura and the history backing him up. That’s so hard to compete with.”

“He might have that, but M’Lord. Don’t forget, you also have your own history backing up. Weren’t you in the largest and most technological war of your world?”

“Hm, it's because of that we connected there. Both leaders proved themselves in battle I guess. Kinda surprising that it transcends even species.”

“Are you sure you do not want to sleep, M’Lord?”

“Gotta be out tomorrow, got lots of stuff to do before Christmas.”

“Oh, that celebration.”

“Yep, so I’ll go all out and finish this stuff and spend the entire day tomorrow getting stuff together.”

“Hm, if you need help. Feel free to ask.”

“Of course.”

“And M’Lord, can you send this file to your higher ups?”

Alana then hands the man a thin slab of paper that has an opening that is more of a proper business request than a report.

“What is this? Oh, it’s in English too.”

“Hm. I’d like to cross check if any players fit the description of some of our Heroes.”

“Ah, this is one of your theories right? Well, I wouldn’t be surprised if there’s more players that got teleported a few hundred or thousand years earlier. I’ll include this then.”

“Thank you.”

“Hm, and got any requests for tomorrow since I’m going back to the airfield? Any Mangas or Novels you’d want? I’m sure I can source some since UN bases here are open houses for players to rest in.”

“Hmmmm… I haven’t finished the ones I have right now so I’ll hold off.”

“Alrighty. Tomorrow is going to be an interesting day. The Sword Saint almost killing me has made things go slow in the Western front since Eldwood’s BTGs were the frontline canon fodder.”

“Might it be that she did that to specifically slow down an army?”

“I find it terrifying, M’Lord. As it must specifically be the Gods that gave her the image or even a hint of you being there.”

“But it looks like she wasn’t planning on killing me anyways. Moreso just slow me down and prevent me from reaching the Airbase immediately and start approval of the mobilization of more skeletons and hasten our advance on the West.”

“Then, for her to forget or even ignore the past must mean there’s something far above us M’Lord.”

“I know… her and the Heroes are the top dogs and to think she can just do that without care and then even check up on me and Bahamut. This shits insane, that’s for sure.”

“Hmmmm… though I hope your leaders will be able to read through my paper.”

“It came from one of their only five star generals that actually gives enough of a shit to go to this continent. I’ll also be using what little Internet we have to quickly photoscan them and send them to the higher ups as some of the Documents given to me are also very important. Things can finally go forward after so many delays.”

“Be Careful tomorrow M’Lord. Your body might still be stressed from all that dancing.”

“I know, who would’ve thought a cold looking hot guy would have a thing for your dance. Ahahahaha.”

“Dancing was my only hobby apart from learning the family businesses and how to run them. I poured everything in it alongside playing the Piano. Though I’d like to be able to buy a guitar or a bass and learn a new instrument once in a while.”

“Ohhhh, I see. If you want to, then feel free to tell me. I’ll definitely buy you one. I know some good shops in Woodstock.”

“Feeling beneficent today aren’t we?”

“Heh, if you remember it. Because I’m so sure I will forget it tomorrow with how much stuff I have to do and remember.”

“I will M’Lord. On the next modern city we visit.”

The next day, the snow was going down hard but Paul still pressed on and went out, bringing him with a suitcase full of finished paperwork and Alana’s request, leaving the women at the Manor. Bahamut was already pacing around the place while the Queen went ahead to the library and Alana, left to take care of the Dragon.

“Bahamut! What’re you doing?”

“Oh, I found this shiny thing-”

“No. Put it back.”

“Awwww…”

She then heads to the Library and could see the Queen has left a mess of books stacked on top of each other and notes littered around the place as she updated herself with the things she’s missed with the Kingdom. Alana picks up what she could with a Maid and in the middle of the library, she finds Elizabeth doing jabs and hooks. Practicing it while looking at the book for Mixed Martial Arts.

“Your Majesty, we have a room for that.”

“It’s too open for my taste, that time was far too close. My guard was down as I was having far too much fun. I must seclude myself from the prying eyes of others for now. Also, do you have any more updated books?”

Unable to protest, Alana goes into overdrive and cleans the place up with a pair of maids, then her Butler comes into the library. “Lady Minuit, Lady Bahamut has gotten herself some of your parents' Glass Roses.” hearing this makes Alana dash out of the room and to where Bahamut was. In a special room that holds a glass Bloodrose, it looked extremely shiny and expensive beyond human grasp. Bahamut was poking it with her nail, entranced by its looks.

Her stare was broken as its glass cover was returned gently by Alana and the Vampires hand landed on the Dragon Gods head. “No.” saddened, Bahamut stands up and already, the Countess knows she’s up to no good and follows her around the Manor. Even though it was owned by Alana, Bahamut walked around as if it was truly hers and owned the deed to the land. The Dragon God was ruthless in her search for something that interests her, checking every nook and cranny of the massive place for food and shiny objects now that her Master was gone and her attention is free to do what it wills.

In the end, the pair reached outside and into the stables where the Dragon God stopped and stared at their carriage, after a while she took a Longsword. Curious, Alana takes a spare one as the two head to the garden. Though the snow was enough to cover their heels, it didn’t stop the two from practicing their swordsmanship.

“Now Alana, I recommend you stand back a bit.”

“Eh? Weren’t you just going to practice?”

“Yes, but I was planning on practicing my more… aggressive moves.”

“WAIT, DON’T! NOT THE HEDGEHOGS!”

“Don’t worry, it's not going to be affected or cut. That Dragon Slayer reminded me that I cannot forget how to wield a sword with a human body.”

“Would you even need a sword seeing that you can make beings explode like Elizabeth?”

“Even then, it cannot work on far too powerful beings like that Dragon Slayer. I created that circle of mist to purposely do that. But Great Wyvern Scales are far too resistant for me to just erase him and pop the man like a balloon.”

“Our Lord did say it was an impressive feat that he killed a Great Wyvern. Personally, he just seemed to be an insane old man with a lot of strength.”

“Because it is. I’ve helped Master before in such affairs and even the full power of Eldwood wasn’t enough. Twelve Death Knights and thousands of skeletons and two Wyverns was already far too overwhelming. A Great Wyvern just littered them.”

“Humans really have a bad day in Tur don’t they?”

“Since when aren’t humans not having a bad day? Though at least Master hasn’t died yet and reincarnated… or has he?”

“Has he?”

“I think so, I remember a Demon General erasing him and his friend John in Vitas.”

“Oh! I remember that, didn’t you say he might’ve just gotten teleported?”

“That’s the question as teleportation is akin to reincarnation. It removes your molecules, physical and spiritual, into another location. But without the pain of dying… could it be the singular zap from the Demon General one-shotted him and his friend?”

“Better forget about it, Bahamut. Now, let us fight! I wanna see how long I could hold up against your kin. I’ve never fought a Dragon before in a sword duel.”

“Ohhhhh, then I shall show you. Prepare yourself, bloodsucker!”

Bahamut then started practicing, at first. It was simple thrusts and swings, but then she started combining moves with her magic, lifting herself up in the air and performing stunts and acrobatics. Even the Countess was unable to follow some of her moves from how fast and undeterminable her swings were and her swift reactions were far faster than a millisecond. At some point, she was performing a mixture of fire and lightning, melting the snow and exposing the beautifully crafted tiles of the garden.

The Countess then starts taking into account her stances, she was always leaning forward with one step ahead of each other. Never taking a breather. “I now understand why M’Lord was traumatized by you!” Bahamut then materializes an extra sword made out of violet fire, dual wielding two weapons. On the courtyard, a Humvee decorated in Christmas bells and a wreath on its grill arrives and a pair of UN soldiers carrying documents hears the commotion and heads to the back. Their eyes sank seeing the Global Boss practicing her moves while the Countess just looked in awe. “H-holy shit… that’s Bahamut…” The other soldier then starts running, encountering one of the human butlers, he gives him the documents and hops into the Humvee. “TELL THE GENERAL AN AGENT WILL COME TO HIM TONIGHT TO ASK HIM FURTHER!”

“WOAH! HEY WAIT FOR ME!” The other soldier politely hands the documents he was carrying to the Butler who was confused at the sudden intrusion and the Humvee drives off, coming out of the Manor’s front yard just as fast as it went in, kicking snow on the recently cleaned statues in the courtyard. The well dressed man just sighs at the sight and heads back in while Bahamut finally rests.

“Hmph, I still got it. You see that Countess? That’s prehistoric years worth of fighting experience.”

“Amazing show! Wow, you truly are something Bahamut. No wonder M’Lord thinks so highly of you.”

Blushing heavily, the Dragon God looks up. “Of course, a woman like me is undefeatable! Well… maybe except that one time in my labyrinth, but that’s beside the point!”

It was then Alana’s turn to make the first move, she took a deep breath and started doing upper and lower swings, which she then combined with her speed, making it seem as if she was teleporting while leaving a wake of snow and dust behind her. The Countess was more precise and quick with her movements, in stark contrast to Bahamut's more wider and AoE concentrated attacks with large bursts of damage. As if she was a ballet dancer, Alana was refined in her movements, taking advantage of her womanly flexibility and performing moves no creature could match.

But Bahamut didn’t waver being in the defense, she was only wielding her Lord’s Longsword as it got slowly battered by the Vampire’s nonstop rapid successive attacks that was slicing the top of the snow that was on the ground. The clinging of the sword surpassing the speed of sound kept repeating like a broken record but the Dragon God wasn’t breaking a sweat at all in her defense.

She then reveals her bat wings, spinning like a bullet and doing swings midair. She then spawns Bloodroses, it grows on the hedgehogs and the Countess becomes faster and faster. Though Bahamut kept track of her speed the entire time, she noted that Alana could strike her even though her moves were predictable due to her use of thrusts and swings with mixtures of combinations that was all practiced heavily. After a while, the two sat on a flight of stairs. Enjoying the light snow coming down on the beautifully maintained garden.

“Hm. That was interesting.”

“I have no words, Bahamut. I have no words.”

“Good. Now, I’m once again bored! Is the food for the afternoon ready?”

“Not yet. Instead, let us practice Sword Dancing!”

“Eh?”