In the end, August somehow decided to bring Giada Kukulcan back to Itogami Island.
Her strength was now less than a tenth of its former glory—barely a fraction remained. She was at her weakest and most vulnerable in history.
To August, a progenitor with no threat posed was nothing to worry about.
"Hey, let me have a sip of your blood."
"Not a chance."
"Don't be so stingy. The new Fourth Progenitor drank your blood twice and tamed all twelve familiars. Is your blood really that powerful?"
Giada Kukulcan eyed August with keen interest.
Blood was the lifeblood of a vampire's power. If August alone matched twelve top-tier mediums, how potent must his blood be?
In her weakened state, Giada latched onto August, craving a taste.
August shut her down flat. I'm not a blood bank for anyone to bite.
One reason he hadn't killed her and brought her back was that she'd delivered the final two familiar vessels Esdeath needed.
With the last two familiars in place, Esdeath now fully controlled all twelve.
All she needed was to amass enough magic and break into the ninth tier—progenitor level—to truly become the Fourth Progenitor.
During the nation's destruction, Esdeath had seized the memories of most of its people, amassing immense magic.
But reaching progenitor-tier required a catalyst. Once she crossed that threshold, she'd succeed.
"Come on, what'll it take for you to let me have some?"
"Forget it. My blood's only for my women."
"I could be your woman. You beat me—me becoming yours isn't out of the question."
"You?"
August turned to glance at Giada Kukulcan, smirking dismissively.
That look instantly infuriated her. What was that expression? She was the Third Progenitor! Countless people across the world would kill to climb into her bed.
"What's that look? Am I not beautiful?"
She spun in front of August. Despite her ancient age, there was no denying her beauty.
Her millennia as a ruler lent her a regal, queenly aura—distinct from Esdeath's. Giada was a true queen, proud and unyielding, bowing to no one but herself.
All these traits combined made her a dream woman for any man, in every way.
"Sorry, I've got a cleanliness obsession."
"Shut up! I've never been with a man. Don't lump me in with that Eye of Extinction creep."
"Oh? No men? A millennia-old virgin."
"..."
That single line turned Giada Kukulcan's face dark with rage. It struck her deepest nerve.
"You damned bastard! If I still had my familiars, I'd tear you apart!"
"Sorry, even at your peak, you weren't my match."
"You—!"
Facing this man who spared her no dignity, Giada Kukulcan was on the verge of losing it. Was this guy even a man? He was insufferable.
Yet, oddly, his bluntness—unlike the groveling men she'd known—stirred something unique in her toward August.
He was the first to defeat her, the first to nearly kill her.
And August gave her an odd feeling—one even Cain hadn't evoked. She didn't know how to handle it.
Bang!
The door swung open. Natsuki Minamiya entered, followed by Aya Tokoyogi.
The two had reconciled, thanks to August. Unable to keep feuding, they'd gradually mended their old friendship.
"Hm? August, Third Progenitor—what's going on here?"
Natsuki eyed the fuming Giada Kukulcan, sensing something off. How was this Third Progenitor more pitiful before August than she'd been?
Aya Tokoyogi shared the sentiment.
"Call me Giada. I just want a bit of this guy's blood, and he's stingy as hell."
"You're dreaming. Not happening."
"See?"
Giada pointed at August, as if accusing him of some crime.
Natsuki and Aya's lips twitched. Was this really the Third Progenitor? She looked like a sulky girlfriend scorned by her boyfriend.
"I'm not asking for free. I'll be your queen. I'll even throw in the Chaos Zone as my dowry."
That statement floored Natsuki and Aya.
Good grief—what a bombshell. One of the three Night Empires, the Chaos Zone, offered as a dowry? What was this world coming to?
And with August's woman Esdeath already the Fourth Progenitor, adding a Third Progenitor?
A man marrying two female progenitors—if word got out, it'd trigger a global uproar.
Of the world's four progenitors, two would be August's. With his strength surpassing theirs, the balance would shatter completely.
"Heh, woman, you just want my body. Shameless."
"I—"
Giada Kukulcan nearly exploded, her fury boiling over. This guy was too much.
Natsuki sighed inwardly. August's swagger was spot-on—rejecting a progenitor throwing herself at him? Legendary.
"I've already got the 'vampire queen' vibe covered. I don't need another."
"There's a vampire queen better than me?"
"Esdeath outshines you."
"She just devoured the Fourth Progenitor's power. She's not even a true progenitor yet."
"She will be."
"But right now, I'm superior."
Giada Kukulcan pressed on, her tone unwavering.
"Esdeath's got a better figure."
"I—"
"Esdeath's breast is bigger."
"She—"
"Esdeath's taller."
"You—"
Natsuki could hardly bear to watch. The Third Progenitor was getting demolished.
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