-2332- Hope you won't regret

"Clang!"

Amidst the glow radiating from her entire body, December's form began to disintegrate into particles of light, gradually dissipating.

"Wait…!"

Seeing this, Avrora couldn't help but cry out, instinctively letting go of Rozen's clothes and moving closer to December.

At that moment, tears welled up in Avrora's eyes.

Yet whether that was due to grief over the loss of a fellow Matrix, or sadness from becoming the only remaining Matrix in the world, even she didn't know.

Perhaps, even Avrora herself didn't fully understand the feelings stirring in her heart.

December only looked upon Avrora with tender affection.

"Don't worry, our dearest little sister."

"I will always be by your side."

"Together with our future Master, I'll stay close and watch over you."

Saying so, December gently closed her eyes.

Her body then completely vanished, dissolving into countless particles of light that surged toward Rozen and enveloped him.

Then, the particles of light merged into Rozen's body and disappeared from this world.

Rozen could clearly feel a massive power and will flowing into his bloodstream with the influx of light particles.

The other Beast Vassals already within his blood seemed to welcome the newcomer, becoming lively in response.

The Tenth Beast Vassal — Dabih Kryastalos.

This Beast Vassal had now also merged into Rozen's body and become his possession.

Rozen placed a hand on his chest, clearly sensing the presence and will of this new Beast Vassal.

At this point, Rozen could summon the new Beast Vassal at any moment to fight for him.

Moreover, just as December had promised, this Beast Vassal had expressed its submission to him.

In other words, Rozen could now form an Absolute Contract with this new Beast Vassal.

"I just hope you won't regret choosing to follow me."

Muttering so, Rozen did not hesitate to establish the Absolute Contract, binding the new Beast Vassal to his soul as his familiar.

From that moment on, the Fourth Primogenitor had eleven Beast Vassals under his command—each one unique to Rozen alone.

Of the twelve legendary Beast Vassals belonging to the most powerful vampire, only one remained free in the outside world.

That one was the embodiment of Avrora herself and her sealed power—Alrescha Glacies, the Twelfth Beast Vassal.

Avrora, too, seemed to be thinking about this. Her gaze rested on Rozen, as if she could see the lively presence of her siblings within him. Her expression was filled with sorrow.

"All right." Rozen extended his hand, patting Avrora's head. "From now on, there will be no more Blazing Banquet. You can live here in peace."

"Mm…" Avrora nodded, though her spirits remained low.

"Cheer up a little." Rozen couldn't help but ruffle Avrora's hair with vigor, tangling her silver locks into a mess, finally making her cry out in protest. Her expression was at last no longer so gloomy.

At that moment, Yukina arrived.

"Senpai."

With the gravely wounded Senga Takehito in tow, Yukina appeared before Rozen.

Although she was slightly out of breath and bore signs of injury, she had succeeded in defeating Takehito and dragged his nearly unconscious form to Rozen.

Upon closer inspection, divine aura still lingered around Yukina. The shimmering signs of divine vibration waves were faintly visible, indicating how intense the earlier battle had been and just how much power Yukina had unleashed to win—enough that its traces still clung to her body.

To be honest, Yukina exuded a faint sense of divinity in that state, causing even Rozen to turn his head. Avrora shrank behind him, fearful of the divine vibration waves.

After all, that power could sever all manner of barriers and nullify magic—an innate counter to Demons. To an existence like Avrora, a vampire, divinity might as well be acid.

Yukina seemed unaware of this as she looked toward Rozen.

"What should we do with him, Senpai?"

She asked.

"Don't worry." Rozen nodded. "Someone will come to take him in."

And in the very next second, that someone arrived.

"Looks like you all stirred up quite a ruckus."

With an irritated voice, space rippled, and several figures appeared.

Naturally, the newcomers were Natsuki and Astarte.

However, beside them stood three youths—two girls and a boy—bound by Lawbinding Shackles.

No doubt, they were members of Tartarus Lapse.

"Is everything settled?"

Natsuki's eyes turned toward Senga Takehito.

He, too, noticed her arrival, opening his eyes as he clutched his blood-soaked chest, his face pale but smiling.

"Long time no see, Natsuki."

Takehito greeted her weakly.

That defeated look clearly showed he understood the situation was lost.

Tartarus Lapse had fallen.

There was no doubt about it.

"Long time no see, Takehito." Natsuki replied expressionlessly. "I had a feeling our next meeting would be like this."

"Yeah." Takehito said with bitter irony. "I was disappointed when you left, but I never expected you'd become the lapdog of a Demon Sanctuary."

"I never thought you'd stay so blind." Natsuki said coolly. "You always acted like a lone wolf, just because you had talents others didn't. Coveted by nations, deceived, betrayed, beaten—so you sought comrades like yourself, even taught kids how to kill just to feel connected to them. And after all these years, you're still the same."

"This is how I survive." Takehito muttered self-deprecatingly. "Maybe I was wrong—but I have no regrets."

"I know." Natsuki said coldly. "So spend the rest of your life inside my Prison Barrier and reflect on how you should have repented."

With that, Natsuki took Takehito away, along with Carly, Rogi, and Rahn.

For criminals who had wreaked havoc in multiple Demon Sanctuaries, normal punishment wouldn't suffice.

They would surely be imprisoned in Natsuki's prison barrier and never be released.

That was their sentence.

"Itogami Island is going to be busy from now on. You three—hurry home."

Leaving behind only those words, Natsuki turned and left, not bothering to say more.

Capturing Tartarus Lapse personally must have been a deeply emotional moment for her as well.

"Let's go home."

Rozen watched her leave, then turned to Yukina and Avrora.

"Okay, Senpai."

"Let's go home."

Yukina and Avrora quickly perked up and responded.

However…

"Ugh…"

For a moment, Yukina's body wobbled.

"What's wrong?"

Rozen noticed and asked.

"N-Nothing!" Yukina shook her head quickly and forced herself to stay strong. "Let's head back!"

Seeing that, Rozen said no more and nodded, leaving the scene with Yukina and Avrora.