"Boom!"
Accompanied by a thunderous roar from the atmosphere, directly opposite the Thunder Lion, a Beast Vassal of equal might appeared.
It was a crystal ichthyodragon over ten meters long, covered entirely in silver, crystal-like scales. Its forelimbs were translucent wings, and on its head were spiral horns shaped like those of a goat, formed from glowing crystal pillars. The creature appeared extraordinarily beautiful.
The fierce presence exuded by this Crystal Ichthyodragon was not only equal to the Thunder Lion—it even shared a strikingly similar aura.
The ichthyodragon raised its head, and a strange light flickered in its eyes.
"—!"
At the very instant that light appeared in the ichthyodragon's eyes, the Thunder Lion's roar abruptly ceased.
No, it wasn't just that.
The Thunder Lion, which had transformed into lightning and was charging forward, preparing to vaporize Senga Takehito, suddenly halted, its expression twisting for a moment. Then, shockingly, it turned and fixed its gaze on Rozen.
In its eyes, a savage glint flashed.
"Roar!"
The next second, the Thunder Lion charged straight at Rozen.
Its momentum was just as overwhelming as before.
"What!?"
"Ah!"
Yukina and Avrora gasped in unison.
In contrast, Rozen remained eerily calm. He stretched out his hand and waved it forcefully. The Thunder Lion, just about to reach him, was immediately unsummoned and dissolved into lightning.
"As expected."
Rozen stared coldly at December.
Flame-like mana burned slowly from December's body, while the beautiful ichthyodragon stood behind her, exuding a strange presence.
Gazing at the Beast Vassal, Rozen spoke dispassionately.
"Dabih Kryastalos, the Beast Vassal that governs the power of enchantment. Its ability is mental domination—capable of hypnotizing, controlling, and beguiling any sentient lifeform, even Beast Vassals of vampires or of a Primogenitor."
Rozen recited December's Beast Vassal's abilities as if listing familiar facts.
"So, you've realized it already?"
December smiled mischievously.
"Of course." Rozen remained expressionless. "Because this Beast Vassal belongs to the Fourth Primogenitor. It is the Tenth Beast of Kaleid Blood."
—No. 10
This ichthyodragon was the Tenth Beast Vassal.
In other words, it was a portion of the power belonging to the world's strongest vampire. Aside from the ten beasts Rozen possessed and the one housed in Avrora, this was the final remaining Beast Vassal of the Fourth Primogenitor.
This Beast Vassal had long been sealed within the last of the Matrices, just like No. 6 once was. As property of the Third Primogenitor, it had not participated in the Blazing Banquet ceremony and had thus survived. Eventually, it was released by the Third Primogenitor alongside its Matrix and vanished.
Now, the final Matrix and the last Beast Vassal had finally appeared.
"You're No. 10—December."
Rozen at last exposed December's true identity.
"Yes." December acknowledged it without hesitation. "I am the Tenth. Once sealed away, one of Kaleid Blood's twelve Matrices. That one over there is my youngest sister, No. 12, and the ten Beast Vassals you command are also my kin."
Her words made Avrora lower her eyes, and caused Yukina's face to stiffen.
The appearance of the final Matrix didn't come as a surprise.
After all, with Rozen's prior clues, everyone had already more or less guessed this outcome.
December went on to explain.
"Unlike No. 12, I awoke in the distant past—even I can't remember exactly when. Around forty years ago, I learned of the existence of Tartarus Lapse and joined them. I helped destroy three Demon Sanctuaries."
If that's the case, then December's affiliation with Tartarus Lapse predates even Senga Takehito.
Natsuki had once said Senga Takehito was the founder of Tartarus Lapse, but that might be incorrect.
The organization may have formed far earlier—only going unnoticed until both Senga Takehito and December, a matrice of the Fourth Primogenitor, joined. From there, it evolved into a terrorist group powerful enough to annihilate Demon Sanctuaries.
Thus, December was the true leader, with Senga as merely a guide and strategist.
"Before the Blazing Banquet began, I was captured by the Third Primogenitor, originally to be traded for the awakening of the original. But when the original was sealed by you, I and No. 6 were no longer needed and were released. That allowed me to return to Tartarus Lapse and reunite with everyone."
December sighed softly.
"Originally, I thought I could lead Tartarus Lapse to survive this time… but fate is strange, bringing me before you."
Even as she said this, December smiled.
"Now, all of Kaleid Blood's Beast Vassals are gathered here."
Rozen hosted ten in his body.
Avrora hosted one.
And December hosted one.
The twelve calamity-class Beast Vassals wielded by the Fourth Primogenitor were, in this moment, all present.
This could only mean one thing:
"The final Blazing Banquet will be held here."
December glanced at Avrora, then turned to Rozen with a genuine smile.
"You who sealed the original… you who earned the recognition and submission of our kin—if you can defeat me and conquer me here, then do it."
"If you succeed, I will also recognize you as my master."
"I am the Tenth Matrix of Kaleid Blood and the Tenth Beast Vassal who governs vampire enchantment—Dabih Kryastalos."
December spread her arms wide.
"If you wish to stop Tartarus Lapse, then first, you must pass my trial!"
As her words fell, countless Beast Vassals suddenly descended from the sky, launching an attack.
These Beast Vassals came in all forms—some resembled bats, some were ferocious fish-like creatures, some were wild beasts, and others looked like demons. All howled as they wrapped themselves in mana and charged.
Normally, summoned Beast Vassals without masters would rampage indiscriminately, attacking everything and everyone.
But December's Beast Vassal—Dabih Kryastalos, the Tenth—governed the power of enchantment and mind control. It could dominate even unbound Beast Vassals, making them fight for her.
Earlier, the reason the Fifth Beast Vassal—Regulus Aurum—went berserk was because it had been controlled by Dabih Kryastalos.
This Beast Vassal lacked the sheer destructive power of others. Though its strength was undeniable, it wasn't enough to destroy Itogami Island. That's why December relied on Tartarus Rose to carry out the destruction of the Demon Sanctuaries. Otherwise, a true Primogenitor-level Beast Vassal could have wiped out the island in one strike—there would be no need for Tartarus Rose.
Still, though Dabih Kryastalos lacked destructive power, it could control all Beast Vassals in the world—even those belonging to the Fourth Primogenitor.
Unfortunately for her...
"Trying to overwhelm me with numbers? You're not even close!"
Rozen suddenly stepped forward.
"Buzz!"
A massive magic circle immediately expanded from beneath Rozen's feet.
Its scale was in no way inferior to the roses blooming in the sky.