The Admiralty residence stood atop a gently sloping hill on the western edge of Purple Rose Harbor. A castle estate encircled by stone walls.

The main keep housed the Admiral’s offices and private quarters. Legends said this estate spanned centuries, built by an ambitious feudal lord who dreamed of becoming emperor. Fate turned against him, his lineage faded into obscurity. Only the castle remained...

At six in the evening, the drawbridge lowered. Guards in copper armor stood watch, flintlock muskets fitted with bayonets gleaming under lamplight. Every soldier was a handsome young man trained in ceremonial etiquette.

"Welcome, Baron Zisong. May you have a splendid evening."

"Ah, Lady Lina! Radiant as ever. Wishing health upon your household."

The squad leader—a shrewd middle-aged man with a neat mustache and deceptively honest face—offered light greetings after verifying each noble’s identity. Every aristocrat smiled warmly, nodding back before stepping inside with cheerful spirits.

...Whose carriage was that? Marquis Ducal’s? Or Count Duncan’s? Perhaps another city’s Admiral?

A lavishly decorated carriage approached slowly. Its pullers were rare, high-grade demon beasts. The driver? A beautiful female warrior.

*High-ranking guest... Driver’s a beauty... Wait!* The squad leader’s mind raced. *Count Dracula Joe Shuya of Wallachia Kingdom!* He hurried forward, plastering on a smile to halt the carriage.

"Good evening. I’m the gate captain of the Admiralty residence. Is this the carriage of Count Dracula Joe Shuya?"

The beautiful driver nodded, handing him an invitation. She flashed a smile that made the captain blush as he accepted the envelope. The seal of the Admiralty and the Secretary’s personal mark were clearly stamped inside.

Just then, the carriage door opened. Dracula Joe Shuya’s icy gaze locked onto the captain, ensuring his face was unmistakable.

"My apologies, Your Grace. Merely performing my duty..."

"No matter. May we proceed?"

"Ah... since Your Grace isn’t local... regulations require I inspect your carriage. For concealed weapons or hazards. Your understanding is appreciated."

The door swung wider. Silver Lock hopped out, bouncing to the edge.

*Ahem...* The captain inwardly whistled. *What luck this count has.*

"No need... no inspection required..."

"Eh?"

Silver Lock’s crimson eyes shimmered with an uncanny light. The captain stared, transfixed.

"But I..."

"No issue... no inspection..."

"...No issue..."

"Absolutely no problem. Perfectly safe..."

"Yes... no inspection needed... perfectly safe... entirely fine... Master..."

"Hmm. Let us pass. Then get out of my sight."

"Yes, Master."

The distance from the gate bought Silver Lock mere seconds of hypnosis. Other guards assumed their captain was negotiating with difficult nobility. Soon he bowed deeply, signaling clearance. No one questioned his judgment—he was a sharp operator, rarely wrong. They sighed in relief as the carriage rolled through.

"Well done, Silver Lock."

"Merely fulfilling my duty." (Pride warmed her voice.)

The carriage glided past the gate, down an avenue of towering trees. It halted in the castle forecourt where dozens of carriages clustered. Lil V parked swiftly, then rushed to open the door. She dropped to her knees, offering her back as a stepping stool for Dracula.

*Ah.* Pipe—playing the count—understood this performance was necessary. He stepped smoothly onto Lil V’s back and descended.

"Welcome, Count Dracula Joe Shuya."

An attendant guided Pipe-as-Dracula toward the banquet venue: the Petite Salon.

A small garden centered around a sculpted fountain. Hedges formed living fences around pristine white gravel paths. Long banquet tables stood crosswise like a banquet crossroads.

To the right, a band played eclectic instruments—strings and percussion, yet subtly alien compared to Pipe’s former world. Soft music mingled with the fountain’s gentle splash, weaving serene tranquility. Guests clustered in elegant groups, voices hushed and refined. No shouting. No clamor. Only cultured murmurs drifted through the air.

Waiters glided between clusters, trays of cocktails balanced effortlessly. Guests plucked glasses mid-stride, sipping while exchanging polished compliments. Empty glasses vanished the moment they were set down—another waiter materialized with an empty tray, perfectly timed.

*Life Perception...*

Though Pipe possessed night vision as an Undead, the garden’s layered terrain demanded control. He activated his racial skill: Life Perception. Within range, living beings manifested as translucent silhouettes.

Creamy-white flames suddenly dotted his vision—souls rendered as fire. Terrain barriers dissolved. Life forces blazed clearly: robust flames for the strong, flickering embers for the frail.

*Hmph...*

Three crimson flames snagged his attention instantly—far brighter than any guest’s. Two snuffed out abruptly. *Extinguished. Killed.* The third flame, tinged with red, drifted away from the scene. *He eliminated them.*

"Interesting... Silver Lock, focus. Something fascinating unfolds here..."

"Understood, Master."

---

"Hey! What’s your name?"

"... ..."

"I’m talking to you! Never seen you before."

Two guards called after a passing waiter.

"Can I help you?"

"Your name? Don’t recognize you..."

"I arrived two days ago. My apologies."

"Two days? Any new servants admitted then?"

The guard’s question died as the waiter dropped low. Legs coiled—then *sprang*.

"Watch out!"

"Spears thrust at the airborne figure.

*Shadow Dance...*

The waiter’s form blurred. He sidestepped the spears like a ghost shifting sideways. His palm struck the guard’s left chest—

*Thud.*

A blade erupted from the guard’s torso, anchoring the waiter mid-air.

*...Shadow Dance.*

The figure blurred again. The blade swept horizontally, splitting the guard’s chest. He repositioned instantly, replicating the lethal lunge.

*Shadow Dance...*

"Traitor! Assas—*urk*..."

Five seconds. Three Shadow Dances. Two corpses dragged into the bushes. Lamplight would reveal not a drop of blood on the waiter’s uniform.

---

Back at the carriage park, noble vehicles kept arriving. The lot filled steadily. Drivers, knowing their masters wouldn’t emerge for hours, drifted toward the servants’ lounge through a side gate—gossiping over drinks or gambling with cards.

Lil V remained at her post. She watched drivers leave, noting no new carriages approached the main gate. The guest list seemed complete.

Three young armored drivers sauntered over.

"Hey there."

Lil V sized them up: early twenties, the leader handsome and confident, his friends grinning.

"Hello~ What can I do for you?" She beamed warmly.

"Well... we’d like to buy you a drink. Maybe some food?"

"Drinks and food? ..."

"Yeah. Fellow servants, right? Get to know each other... Besides," he grinned, "rare to see a lovely lady driving carriages."

"Oh? I’m Lil V. And you?"

"Swins. He’s Rais... this is Gar."

"Swins, Rais, Gar. Drinks sound nice. Right here?"

Swins waved dismissively, bracing for rejection. Gar shot Rais a meaningful glance.

"No—there’s a tavern nearby. Still open. Quick drink, then back."

"You want more than drinks, don’t you?"

"Eh?!"

"Ah?"

"Oh?"

"I know *exactly* what you’re thinking... hehe."

"No! Miss, we—"

Lil V’s smile disarmed them. All three flushed, waving denial.

"I’d love to go... but I can’t leave. My master ordered me to stay. Punishment if I’m gone."

She pouted thoughtfully. Swins froze. Gar yanked him back, stepping forward.

"What do you mean, beauty...?"

"You three look delicious... I’d love to go, but my master told me to stay here..."

"De...delicious? ... Oh... hehe... I never expected you to be..."

"Gar, you’re an idiot too!"

Rice, the tallest and strongest of the three, stepped forward and tucked away the powder he’d prepared.

"Beauty, I’ve got an idea... How about right here? In your master’s carriage... sound good?"

"But there’s no wine..."

*(With us here, why drink? Could she have a drunk-and-wild kink?)* "No worries—we’ve got some. If getting tipsy makes it better for you."

"Perfect!"

Lil V hopped down from the driver’s seat, opened the carriage door, and slipped inside...

The trio gulped, hesitating.

"What’re you waiting for out there? Coming in? I can’t wait to devour you..."

Her words plucked that dark, twisted string in their hearts.

They entered, marveling at the noble carriage’s grandeur.

"Shut the door. I don’t want anyone hearing us."

Lil V slowly peeled off her clothes and armor, back turned. Her long red hair draped over half her back, flowing down to the alluring cleft of her hips. That perfect, fiery silhouette left them dumbstruck.

"Actually... you could keep the armor on... *(looks even hotter that way)*"

"I don’t wanna stain my clothes~"

"Gotcha, gotcha. Haha."

"Hehe, sure thing~"

"This... is way easier than expected..."

They lunged to pounce—but froze at Lil V’s question.

"Where’s your wine?"

"Drinking now...?"

"Here... got it!"

Swins shook the wineskin.

"Strip down... then pour the wine over yourselves. No rough, unpleasant friction that way..."

"Huh? Oh! Using wine as lube... genius! Haha!"

"Huh? Oh... right."

Once they’d drenched their naked bodies, Lil V turned slowly, arms open for an embrace. Greenish glints sparked in her eyes. Her flawless form stood tall in the creamy carriage. Their lust surged uncontrollably...

"Let’s begin. Thanks for the feast..."

"Oh~ haha~ we should thank *you*... here we come~"

They rushed to pin her down—but Lil V yanked them into a crushing hug.

"Let’s ascend joyfully, haha... Wait... your arm—why’s it stretching?!"

"Oh, this is my *real* arm length... Don’t worry, gentlemen. You’ll ascend happily~ Ha~"

A sickening *crack-crackle* of tearing flesh echoed... Lil V’s mouth split open... from cheek to neck, stretching to her shoulders. Her tiny lips became a gaping maw lined with jagged, crisscrossing fangs.

"Ugh! Mon... monster!"

Trapped in her grip, they saw her slender arms had morphed into thick, green-scaled limbs—clamping their waists like iron vices.

"Thanks for the meal... I’ll dig in..."

"Eeek~~~!!! No~ ahhh~~~~"

But the soundproofed carriage hid the horror within from the outside world.