The driver's words echoed out as Ryuk felt the car moving off from the lane and branching to the side.
All he could see were gothic gates as the car moved deeper and deeper, slowly coming to a complete halt. One of the guards got down from the car and opened the door for them.
"Please come with me, Ryuk," Duke Thalion said as he got out of the car. Ryuk followed suit, stepping outside.
Vilora didn't seem to have any interest in getting out of the car. The guard shut the door again before standing behind Duke Thalion, but the Duke waved him off. The guard disappeared back into the car, which remained waiting there.
Immediately after Ryuk got out, his eyes snapped to the side, feeling a fierce energy radiating forth and expanding towards him.
His eyes flashed in shock as he nearly stumbled back from the suffocating power, but relief washed over him when Duke Thalion's body began emanating a red energy that spread around them.
Instantly, the oppressive energy vanished, stopping Ryuk from fully retreating in fear.
With the pressure gone, he could finally see the two figures that had arrived before them.
These two men were unlike anything Ryuk had ever seen.
He had thought Duke Thalion was tall at 1.9 meters, yet the two men before him stood a head taller still.
Their eyes were a mesmerizing glow of silver, shifting like whirling starlight. Their muscular frames bulged under regal-looking attire crafted from material that seemed to absorb the light around them.
What stood out most was the single wing extending from the back of each man. Half of the wing was pitch black, while the ends shimmered with light. Both shared the same midnight black hair, and glowing rune-like lines adorned their arms.
Their presence was overwhelming, a mix of reverence and fear, as if standing before an angel and a devil at the same time.
The very sight of them was enough to stir the instinct to both stay and run.
"What could a Duke of the Vampiro family be doing here, along with an initial-level Origin Plane human boy?" one of the men asked.
His tone was serious, devoid of even the slightest warmth.
At that moment, Ryuk felt it was his turn to step in.
"In fact, the purpose of this visit might be mine," Ryuk began, his voice steady. "I apologize if it seems like we have barged into your abode."
From his pocket, he brought out the Card. The motion instantly caught the attention of the two Fallen Angels.
Their eyes widened slightly as they sighted the card.
"Duke Thalion here was kind enough to accompany me all the way from Grade E, and drive me straight to your gate." Ryuk stated.
The guards narrowed their eyes at Duke Thalion but soon relaxed their expressions.
"You're the slum kid said to possess an Authority Card," one of the Fallen Angels suddenly remarked, causing Ryuk's eyes to flash.
'Just how did they know about the Authority Card and him so quickly!?' Ryuk thought, while Duke Thalion inwardly cursed.
'That bastard...' Duke Thalion thought to himself.
It was just as he suspected. That damned captain of the Apex Barracks had already informed the Fallen Angel family.
If he had killed Ryuk, they would have been aware, causing needless problems.
Thankfully, he had trusted his gut instinct and chosen a more intelligent approach.
"Only the boy is allowed entry," the Fallen Angel said, their intense, unwelcome gaze on Duke Thalion shifting to one of neutral indifference.
"Well, it seems this is as far as we travel together, Ryuk. Your presence has been quite pleasant," Duke Thalion said.
Ryuk turned to the man and gave a respectful bow. "I promise you, Duke Thalion. One day, I will find a way to repay your help."
The Duke nodded before turning back and entering the car. Slowly, it disappeared from sight, fading into the distance.
While Ryuk had no idea why Duke Thalion had helped him, one thing was certain—the man had indeed done him a great favor. It only felt right to find a way to repay him someday. He was weak now, but he promised himself he would find a way to fulfill that debt.
"This way, honored one," the two Fallen Angels said to Ryuk as they began moving.
Ryuk followed, disappearing into the large, gothic setting of the Eclipsed Citadel.
---
"Finally got rid of him," Vilora's voice rang out as she looked outside the glass.
"Hmmm, don't tell me you're already missing him, young mistress," Duke Thalion said with a taunting smile.
"Miss him, my ass," she snorted, crossing her arms.
The place regained its stillness, and Duke Thalion refocused on reading the book with a serious expression. Yet, at the back of his mind, his thoughts wandered.
'I got him to owe us one, and I earned a favorable impression from the Fallen family. All my aims have been achieved successfully.'
'Now, I only need to sit back and wait patiently for my fruits to ripen,' Duke Thalion thought, a small smile forming at the corner of his lips.
His expression did not go unnoticed by Vilora.
"Just what evil scheme are you plotting again, Duke Thalion?"
"Can't you guess, my mistress?" Duke Thalion replied.
Vilora snorted. "What else could it be if not something sadistic and evil?"
"You hurt my feelings and underestimate my goodwill, Mistress Vilora," Duke Thalion said with a sly grin.
"Not all a vampire is capable of is the vilest of evils, you know."