Meanwhile, in the Holy Empire of Lubelius, at the Nocturnal Palace.
Bang!
Clang!
Boom!
Inside the palace, Shalltear and Laplace were constantly clashing, the massive sounds accompanied by trembling aftershocks spreading to the surroundings.
"Damn it, I must find a way to escape this place. If I wait until the Demon Lord returns, it'll be trouble!"
Laplace had already erupted with his hidden strength, and Shalltear on the opposite side had likewise donned her blood-red battle armor.
Behind her was a pair of pure white angel wings, and in her left hand was a Spruit Lance.
Compared to Laplace's frantic attacks, Shalltear's combat form was even more hysterical.
"Hehahaha..."
Shalltear suddenly began to laugh wantonly.
"This feeling... It's been so long since I've felt it. It's truly wonderful!"
She raised her lance high and stabbed fiercely at Laplace's abdomen, but it was blocked by Laplace's arms, producing the sound of metal clashing.
Although such attacks had no effect on Laplace, he felt as if something was gradually slipping away.
Is it life?
But I'm not injured, how is that possible?
On the contrary, through the life-stealing property of the Spruit Lance, Shalltear's own health hadn't decreased at all, but Laplace's health was being continuously consumed.
Before long, his life would reach its end.
Laplace was extremely anxious, but what else could he do besides fight for his life?
Just then, a mocking voice came through.
"Oho, it turns out there's only you. I thought Granbell would show up too."
Draco, dressed in a black mage robe, slowly appeared at the palace entrance.
"Master!"
Shalltear bowed respectfully with a smile on her face.
Seeing that the blood pool above her head was only half full, Draco was somewhat relieved.
Because as the blood in the blood pool increases, Shalltear's ability to think decreases.
The more she kills, the more excited her emotions become and the lower her IQ gets; upon reaching Blood Frenzy, she would reveal her true form as a 'Lamprey.'
Draco didn't mean he was disgusted by it, but it was better not to see that form if possible.
"Leave this place to me. You go guard the holy coffin."
"As you command!"
Shalltear bowed slightly, then turned and left.
Although the outside of the Nocturnal Palace was currently full of vampires, no one knew if Granbell had a backup plan. It's better to be safe than sorry.
In fact, Draco was overthinking it.
At this moment, Granbell was having a headache over the demon that had appeared before him; where would he have the mind to think about the holy coffin?
"Principality of Nazarick, Supreme Being Draco!"
"Why are you here?"
Laplace stared at Draco with uncertainty.
The corners of Draco's mouth curled up, and a dangerous light flashed in his eyes. "What? If you can come, why can't I?"
"Could it be..."
Laplace seemed to have thought of something, and his pupils contracted instantly.
"No wonder..."
He suddenly realized.
Yuuki and Lord Kazalim's tactics have all been seen through. There must be a mole; otherwise, such a secret plan couldn't have been leaked.
But who exactly is it?
Footman? Tia? Or Clayman?
Laplace was unwilling to believe that his companions would betray them.
Moreover, he had another guess; if that were the case, then things would be troublesome.
"Wonder Clown, Vice President of the Middle Clown Link, that's right, isn't it, Laplace?" Draco said calmly.
"You know quite a lot."
Laplace looked at Draco with a solemn expression.
Draco gave a light laugh. "Heh, I know far more than you can imagine."
"The President of the Middle Clown Link, Kazarim—no, she should be called Kagali now—and your true boss behind the scenes, the leader of the Freedom Association, Kagurazaka Yuuki."
Laplace's pupils shrank violently, his eyes filled with intense shock.
Draco's words were earth-shattering; this was something outsiders could never know, not even the 'Big Three' of the Eastern Empire.
"How do you know!!"
Laplace exclaimed.
"I not only know this, but I also know your true identity."
Draco shrugged his shoulders.
"My identity?"
Laplace had lost his memory after transforming into a Deathman; he had completely forgotten his past. Hearing Draco's words now, he was momentarily stunned.
My identity?
What other identity do I have?
Absurd!
"Aren't you curious why you possess such powerful strength?"
"Even Kazarim, who created you, is far from reaching half of your strength."
Laplace fell silent. He indeed had such questions, but considering the feelings of his companions and Kazarim, Laplace had intentionally hidden his true self.
No one but himself would know about this.
"Who on earth are you?"
"Me?"
Draco smiled. "I am the one who has come to lead you onto the right path!"
"In the entire Middle Clown Link, besides Clayman, I quite admire you all. But Kagurazaka Yuuki is not a good master for you; he is nothing more than a puppet being controlled by someone else."
"What did you say?!"
Laplace roared in anger, but he was cut off in the next second as Draco's figure appeared before him, grabbing him by the throat.
That speed transcended space and time; it was impossible to track or resist.
"You... cough, cough..."
Laplace gasped for breath with difficulty; this man's strength was simply not something he could withstand.
"Footman and Tia are already under my control. If you still want to see them, don't resist."
Hearing Draco's words, Laplace's heart instantly went cold.
"Don't... don't hurt them!"
Draco snorted coldly and released his grip. Laplace stumbled back a few steps and slumped onto the ground.
"In that case, follow me obediently."
*Snap!*
With a snap of his fingers, the surrounding barrier instantly dissipated, and a portal appeared behind Draco.
Laplace gritted his teeth and stood up. For his companions, he had no choice.
Draco stepped into the portal first, with Laplace following closely behind.
Shortly after they left, Roy returned from the site of the Walpurgis. The first thing he did upon returning was contact Veldora the Storm King to arrange the capture of Granbell, the head of the Seven Luminaries.
By the time the Three Vampire Dukes arrived at the Inner Sanctuary, not a single soul remained.
The Seven Elemental Pillars were completely empty.
Roy immediately reported the matter to Luminus.
(My Lady, the Radiance has disappeared. Do you need us to send people to Rozo's kingdom to capture him?)
(Hmph, Granbell isn't that simple. I'll make a decision when I return. For now, just guard the Nocturnal Palace; we'll worry about the rest later.)
(As you command!)
...In Nazarick's Glacial Prison, Laplace was successfully reunited with his companions.
The price, naturally, was his freedom.
Draco had Cocytus guard the fifth floor to prevent Laplace from causing trouble.
Meanwhile, he headed to the battlefield.
The ground is quite cold; it's time for the Captain to wake up.
Muda muda muda.
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