I was in the training room, running Cleave and Dismantle over and over.
Through a Binding Vow, I sacrificed some of the vampire powers I'd taken—blood absorption, turning into a bat, dark magic, stuff like that.
In exchange, Cleave and Dismantle got a massive boost.
The good parts stayed: regeneration and the undead body trait.
I keep the strengths, ditch the weaknesses, and let the abilities merge however they want.
Binding Vows sometimes work a little differently on me, but I still don't fully get why.
From behind me, Valerie's voice came—quiet, like she'd been wandering the house for days: "Mr. Cassien… why do you train so much?"
I didn't stop moving: "In this world, power might look like justice on the surface, but I think what really makes us worth anything is morality. So I kill the ones who lack it—the tyrants, the monsters—by my own judgment. In short… It's for my version of justice."
Valerie tilted her head slightly: "Is that why you saved me?"
"No. I'll admit there were selfish motives mixed in… but pity was part of it too."
She lowered her gaze.
Her face kept shifting—tiny flickers of emotion trying to break through.
It wasn't a completely shattered mind.
More like severe trauma layered over everything, leaving her emotionally numb.
A side effect of how they forced Sephiroth Graal on her.
I'd learned she was 18—the same age as me.
She handed me a towel without a word.
I wiped the sweat off my face: "As I said, I handle my own stuff. You don't have to do anything I didn't ask for."
"Consider it repayment for letting me stay here."
Hmm.
Three hours later.
I was going through evening case files in the study when Valerie brought me an energy drink.
These things are basically rocket fuel for me—sharper focus, faster thinking.
Then Sirzechs and Grayfia appeared out of nowhere.
"HAHAHAHAHAHA! You have no idea how hard I laughed! You put their king on trial! The new king is claiming the old bastard died of 'illness,' but I don't buy that for a second. How the hell did you even contact Marius?" Sirzechs was practically cackling.
"Sir…"
"Of course, you and your secrets. I didn't expect the Sephiroth Graal holder to be a female dhampir, though."
I raised an eyebrow: "Getting sexist now, Sirzechs?"
"That's not what I meant… Anyway, what's your name, young lady?"
Valerie introduced herself simply, voice flat.
Grayfia spoke from behind him: "Did you do something to the girl, Cassien?"
"What do you take me for? They forced Sephiroth Graal on her, and it left her emotionally numb. She's traumatized. I won't talk about it unless she brings it up—and I'd appreciate it if neither of you did either. She hasn't joined my peerage yet. Once she recovers, she can choose to stay or leave."
Sirzechs actually looked surprised: "Sometimes I really think you should've been born an angel instead of a devil, Cassien."
"Yeah… sometimes he's way too kind. Sometimes not at all," Grayfia added dryly.
I pointed at both of them: "I'm kind to the people who deserve it."
Sirzechs grinned: "What, I don't deserve it?"
"Probably caused a ton of war crimes. The same goes for Grayfia."
They both frowned in unison: "And there's the old Cassien again. Brutally honest… mercilessly blunt…"
"Hm. But you were thinking of marrying someone who committed war crimes? Doesn't that make you a hypocrite?" Grayfia shot back.
I crossed my arms: "Because you're my type. If you ever did another one, I'd kill you myself—even if I didn't have the power for it. Stupid decisions need to be stopped."
"…I'm… glad."
Yeah.
I could hear it in her voice.
She actually sounded pleased in a weird way.
Sirzechs cleared his throat awkwardly: "Anyway, about the marriage stuff— I already told the other clans your conditions. Most of the girls are already married off anyway, so it won't cause much drama."
"Good. I'm heading to Gremory territory soon. Are Venelana and Rias there?"
"Why aren't you asking about my father?"
"Probably busy screwing someone. That dude got over eighty official harem members, and who knows how many unofficial. If it wasn't for your mom, no one could control that man."
Sirzechs slapped a hand to his forehead: "True… which is exactly why you need to stop flirting with my mother! I don't like hearing her call you 'such a sweet boy'!"
"What can I say? Resisting my charm is hard."