-986- [ Blazing Banquet ]

In fact, Rozen had these speculations as early as two and a half years ago.

The Fourth Primogenitor, being the strongest vampire, didn't roam freely in this world like the other three Primogenitors, establishing his own empire.

Instead, he needed people like Gajou to dig him up from an underground tomb. This indicates that something went wrong. Either he was killed, in a deep slumber, or sealed away, becoming a legend.

Gajou mentioned that every time the Fourth Primogenitor awakens at historical turning points, leaving behind massacres, proves that before these events, the Fourth Primogenitor was either sleeping or sealed.

Since the Fourth Primogenitor is such a formidable entity, it makes sense for the sealer to divide and seal his power, sending it worldwide to prevent him from causing harm again. The No. 12 in Gozo's Demon Sanctuary represents a part of the Fourth Primogenitor that was divided.

These are the most basic speculations that Rozen easily deduces. As for the actions of the Caruana family, knowing their purpose allows one to easily guess.

However...

"I didn't expect even the Lion King Organization to emerge at this time, especially the leader of the Three Saints, the Paper Noise."

Despite Veldiana's shock, Rozen continues his calm reasoning.

"If she only came to recover the 'key,' that would be fine. It would only mean that the Lion King Organization values this matter and doesn't want to see No. 12's seal broken, and certainly doesn't want the Fourth Primogenitor to resurface, causing a disaster. However, Shizuka Koyomi left behind intriguing words, explicitly stating that a major disturbance is about to happen, and they are prepared to intervene to minimize further losses."

With this, Rozen has new questions.

"What is a 'Arbiter'?"

"What is an 'Candidate'?"

"What is the so-called 'Blazing Banquet'?"

"All of these are questions I'm currently pondering."

Rozen looks at Veldiana, smirking.

"Although I have some guesses, it would be faster if you answer directly. Do you want me to sink this thing into the ocean, ending it all?"

Rozen raises the metal rod in his hand, giving the final ultimatum.

Seeing this, Veldiana can't possibly have a second choice.

"...You're right."

Veldiana spoke with a somewhat resigned tone.

"The Fourth Primogenitor is indeed sealed, by his creator."

Finally, Veldiana revealed the information, shocking everyone present.

"Creator?"

Kojou was astonished.

"The creator of the Fourth Primogenitor? Huh? Creator? What does that mean?"

Nagisa became directly bewildered.

However, Veldiana's words are quite understandable.

"Different from the three Primogenitors born after being cursed by the gods, the Fourth Primogenitor is an artificially created weapon designed by the three Primogenitors and the Devas."

Veldiana calmly stated.

"You should know about the 'Devas,' right?"

――The Devas.

They were an ancient superhuman race that had become extinct. They possessed powers unmatched by modern humans and had both wisdom and technology beyond the reach of contemporary humans. In prehistory, they built an extremely advanced civilization, creating powerful weapons and magical tools.

Among them, some were already famous during the era of the gods and still exist today as myths and legends known to the world.

"The weapon designed and developed by the three Primogenitors and the Devas to slay gods, the world's strongest vampire, is ― the Fourth Primogenitor."

That's what Veldiana said.

"The so-called 'Kaleid Blood' is actually the project name for creating the Fourth Primogenitor. The name as a Primogenitor was added later."

In other words, the Fourth Primogenitor originally didn't exist. It was created because of the combined powers of the three Primogenitors and the Devas, intended as a weapon to slay gods.

Naturally, such a weapon's power was terrifying enough to make anyone fearful.

"After the fall of the gods and the end of the mythological era, due to the overwhelming power of the Fourth Primogenitor, the Devas sealed him. They divided him into twelve parts, along with the twelve beast vassals comparable to natural disasters that he controlled, sealing them in various locations around the world."

Veldiana's voice reached everyone's ears.

"The twelfth 'Kaleid Blood,' is a part of the Fourth Primogenitor, the incarnation of the twelfth beast vassal."

This is the truth about the girl inside the 'Fairy's Coffin,' a part of the weapon designed to slay gods.

"If you want to awaken her from the 'Fairy's Coffin,' you must break the seal left by the Devas and liberate her from the ice pavilion."

Veldiana gazes at the metal rod in Rozen's hand.

"Only the three remaining artifacts created by the Devas can achieve this: a sacred spear that can nullify magic, sever countless barriers, and even slay Primogenitors. If it's that, it can directly break the seal and release No. 12."

"So, it's called the 'Key.'"

As for the 'Banquet' mentioned by Shizuka Koyomi, it is, in fact, a ritual.

"Summoned by the person possessing all twelve 'Kaleid Blood,' it gathers the twelve 'Kaleid Blood,' ultimately awakening the true Fourth Primogenitor in the ritual called the 'Blazing Banquet.'"

Veldiana revealed the truth she knew.

"The one who possesses all twelve 'Kaleid Blood' is the 'Emperor Candidate,' holding the qualification to support the Fourth Primogenitor as an emperor and establish their own Night Empire."

"And the Lion King Organization is the host of this 'Blazing Banquet,' hence calling themselves the 'Arbiter.'"

"That's all I know."

Veldiana's explanation came to an end, casting the entire living room into silence.

"The ritual to awaken the Fourth Primogenitor..."

Kojou couldn't find the words.

"The 'Blazing Banquet'..."

Nagisa seemed somewhat dazed.

"Is that really how it is?"

Rozen murmured.

This is the so-called 'Emperor.'

This is the so-called 'Arbiter.'

This is the so-called 'Banquet.'

"In the past, our Caruana family possessed the ninth 'Kaleid Blood' and the Holy Spear as the 'Key,' but they were taken away by the Nosferata of Nelapsi. Only the 'Key' was taken out by me and my sister Liana, escaping the hands of those wretched Nelapsi."

Veldiana spoke with words filled with hatred and resentment.

"This 'Blazing Banquet' is also requested by the leader of Nelapsi."

Veldiana came to this Itogami Island to participate in this ritual, seeking No. 12 to become the Emperor candidate.

And then...

"Will the ritual take place on this Itogami Island?"

Rozen's eyes flickered.