Phyllis's Revenge Arc

**Result** | Death of Cain by Valkyria's arrow shot. Hiroto barely survives his assassination from 50 Phyllian Assassins. In turn, vampires goes to Babylos and drops the assassin's heads as warning to Phyllis
* Vampires terrorizes Babylos via intimidation as warning to Phyllis, leading Eash and Abrahim panically summoning both Metis and Gardel to strategize to
* Rujad is demoted from his governor position and he is replaced by
* Hiroto is promoted as Margrave as Moldias's apology for his wrong judgment via Sobrinus's advice.
* Raquel begins to view Hiroto as the great man Hortius's Assassination by Babylos Guards enrages elves from both kingdoms

Vampires stops the Phyllis-North Phyllis War
* Both Joachim and Felkina are under house arrest under Moldias's decree.

**Phyllis's Revenge Arc** is the seventh story arc of Kou 1 Desu Ga Isekai De Joushu Hajimemashita series, as well as the third and last story arc of Phyllis Saga.

The aftermath of the Battle of Terminus River that resulted Phyllis Army's first and horrendous defeat by the vampires makes Hiroto as the kingdom's worst enemy, leading to it's revenge against the Dilfrant when people like Abrahim the prime minister trying to get rid of him via assassination plot onto him. Back in Hybride, Emperia is facing a dilemma onto what to do with Hiroto because everyone except Sobrinus are against Hiroto's promotion as the Margrave despite he saving the kingdom from it's neighbor's invasion attempt onto Salabria, of which enabling Abrahim to manipulating their insecurities against Hiroto for Phyllis's favor. At the same time, North Phyllis Remnants seize this as their best chance to revive their lost homeland by visiting Hiroto.

This arc marks the rise of Hiroto as a prominent figure in Hybride due to his involvement a feud between Phyllis and North Phyllis-one will going to change his life forever.

## Prologue (Part 1)

### **Princess's Reaction About Salabria and Phyllis's Assassination Attempt onto Hiroto**

Somewhere at one of Emperia's villa, Raquel, a former princess of her fallen homeland North Phyllis is swimming at a pool until a female officer reports to her in regards of Galsh's invitation to visit Salabria. Instead of accepting the invitation, however, Raquel rejects it because she views Salabria as a home for "demons" and have her brother to go there on her her behest but the officer worries that will endanger his life, to which Raquel persists that she is not going there and orders the knight to relay her message back to Galsh. Meanwhile, at Phyllis's capital Babylos, after having his fun with his concubine at his bedroom, Eash is informed by Abrahim that his general Cain complained about Phyllis's previous defeat and sought retribution by waging a war against Hybride in order to restore the kingdom's retribution, causing the king to lament his first yet horrific defeat by the vampires at Terminus River one month ago. Suddenly, Abrahim suggests an assassination attempt onto Hiroto by taking advantage on the Hybridian nobles' antipathy against the Dilfrant whom he viewed as "awl to a pants"-indicating him as an extraordinary person among Hybride ministers.

## Plot (Part 1)

### **A Visit of Phylliian Merchant**

#### Part 5

During their departure from Secondaria, Sykes and his underling are discussing about Hiroto whose smartness make him not asy to be deceived, to the point talking about Hiroto's feat and his bonds with Other Species that will make him a core figure in Salabria and they need to report to Abrahim about it.

### **Three Province Joint-of-Defense**

#### Part 2

Meanwhile, at Marcel, a visitor from Solum demonstrates to a crowd of people about both vampires and mummy by allowing the former to suck his blood from his waist, and then have the latter to warp a bandage onto his wound. Galsh, who is watching the demonstration alongside Marcel Lord, thinking an idea of using a vampire to aid him and fellow North Phyllis Remnant to assassinate Eash. Unfortunately for him, however, he receives a letter from Raquel and becoming upset to learn that she is not going to visit Salabria, leaving him to wonder if the princess truly want to revive a now fallen kingdom.

#### Part 2.1

Inferia then leaves Hagar afterwards and heading towards Salabria next, with her thought about Rujad's arrogance and haughtiness that make anyone angry and begin to wonder how will Hiroto responds to the governor's letter.

#### Part 2.3

While that is going on, 10 Phyllis spies enters into Emperia's tavern as "visitors from Salabria" and "praising" Hiroto as the "future King of Hybride" .

#### Part 2.4

Unbeknownst to Cain and his army, a vampire scout is noticing their movement during one of his patrol across Hagar and Ansul and he immediately flies back to Salabria

#### Part 2.4

According to the letter, Rujad only agrees to join the 3 Province Joint Boarder defense if Hiroto complies to the following conditions,

* The meeting will be take place at Hagar.
* No vampires are allowed to enter Hagar.

The letter infuriates everyone , especially Valkyria who condemns Rujad for treating vampires like animals while others like Sōichirō, Excelis and Alvy dem him a fool for his attempt to take command of the three-province joint defense. When Inferia demands Hiroto for a response, Hiroto shocks everyone by tearing the letter in half and declares a formal protest against Rujad in order to protect the vampires' honor and states that governors shouldn't fight for the lead of the boarder defense. Infilia remains unfazed by Hiroto's explanation, however, as she persists that he shouldn't tear the letter and planning to report the incident to Emperia about him and Rujad for "complicit" in the failure of the joint-border defense of the three province; moreover, even Hiroto warns her that Salabria's 2 Elven Elder Council will be not tolerate Rujad should they read the torn letter, Inferia scoffs at him by saying that he will take responsibility for his "idiocy" only to be infuriated by Hiroto's answer that he doubts that he will, so much so she almost calls him an "insolent brat" for thinking that a veteran governor like Rujad will kowtow to newcomer like him-something Hiroto provokes that it may be possible-before she is cut by a vampire scout who hastily reports to Hiroto about the 2,000 strong Phyllis Army that is marching Hagar in less than 2 hours,

Needless to say, everyone is shocked to hear this news especially Inferia who pressures the vampire scout for confirmation, much to the latter's annoyance. Anyways, Alvy rushes to meet Elven Elder Council immediately whereas Hiroto tries to persuade Valkyria to aid Hagar but to no avail as she refuses to do so, and her decision stands even after Hiroto tempts her that they will beat Rujad as her reward for helping Hagar and hugs her. While everyone especially Inferia and Sōichirō worry that Valkyria's tantrum due to Rujad's disrespect may have severe ramifications for Salabria, they are also stunned to see Hiroto gives in and declares that he will not aid Hagar and then heading to the his bedroom after dismissing the meeting, all the while ignoring Inferia who calls him out for abandoning a fellow governor-something troubling both Sōichirō and Curele as they don't know what to do next.

#### Part 4

Valkyria, who is also confused by Hiroto's decision of not aiding Hagar, follows him to the bathroom where he is taking his bath and despite he tells her that he is fine during their confrontation, she sees through his lies as she calims that his decision will lands him into trouble. So, Hiroto suggests that both he and Valkyria to beat Hagar by having telling her that he will send Rujad's torn letter to Manellis and Astelis and let them know about her anger while she go to Hagar nonetheless. Even with his words that the Elven Elder Councils from both Salabria and Hagar will defend her will However despite being tempted by Hiroto word's that the Elven Elder Council Secondaria, Primaria and Hagar will defend her, Valkyria still refuses to go only to be moved by Hiroto's words about proving everyone that the girl (Valkyria) he is dating as beautiful and amazing, prompts her to asks him if they are dating which Hiroto replies that they are both of them kiss.

#### Part 5

At Hagar, Rujad is so appalled and confused to hear a knight's report about Phyllis Army's march towards his territory instead of Salabria that he throws his glass out of rage for Phyllis' deceit; furthermore, with his steward informs him that the Phyllis Army is already crossing the Terminus River, Rujad begrudgingly rushes to the destination to stop the invaders. At the other side of Terminus River, Cain is informed about Hagar Army's retaliation while his army is crossing the river but he smirks as he claims that it is too late because he expects his raid onto Hagar will avenge Phyllis Army's first defeat. Unfortunately for Cain and his army, they see flock of 20 vampires that is led by Valkyria and Curele instead and one of their soldiers is shot down; additionally, Curele's appearance traumatized Cain Army so much that many soldiers are feeling despite Cain orders them to fight. This causes Cain to fight the vampires alone as he trying to shoot Valkyria down but she dodges and kills him instead with her arrow to her throat, further demoralizing the surviving soldiers so much that they flee back to Phyllis. Rujad, who arrive to the Terminus River not long afterwards, is stunned to witness the aftermath of the battle which causes him to think that he has "owed" Hiroto for rescuing Hagar.

#### Part 4

The following aftermath is affecting Salabria and its neighboring provinces: Astelis and Manellis are so furious to read Rujad's torn letter that the latter views it as unforgivable, to the point inform Hagar's own Elven Elder Council about his disrespectful behavior towards the vampires and declares that the Elven Elder Association will cut their trade with Hagar if Hagar doesn't apologies to Hiroto. Jibril, fearing that his province is next after learning that Phyllis' target is

#### Part 5

At Primaria's local tavern, Valkyria gloats to eveyrone about her victory over Phyllis Army and everyone is cheering her for it. Inferia, who is witness the entire thing, is so stunned to witness Phyllis Army's latest defeat by the vampires even with huge numbers that she feels that everything despite its numbers and after witnessing the town celebration for the prompt her to think Salabria is abnormal, to the point thinking that Hiroto is too dangerous to be manipulated by Panopticus.

### **Rujad's Humiliation and Phyllis's "Gifts"**

#### Part 1

Back at Hagar, Rujad receives complains letters from Salabria's Elven Association about his disrespectful but in spite of this, he refuses to apologize Hiroto because he pride. Unfortunately for him, Hagar Elf Council Elder barges into his room and not only he chastise the governor for his ungratefulness to the vampires, but he also threatens him that the Elven Elder con. Panicked by the ultimatum given by an elf elder, Rujad hastily complies with Hagar forever, much to Rujad's panic. To rectify Hagar mistake, Lujud's butler apologizes to the angry elf on his lord's behalf and manages to appease him by taking Lujud's family treasures as compensation to Salabria.

#### Part 6

As for Inferia, she leaves Salabria on the next day and on her way back, she can't help but to remark Hiroto's incredible prowess that prevented enemies due to his foresight and some luck, which prompted she considers Salabria as Hiroto's "kingdom" and planning to report that to Moldias and Panopticus immediately.

### **Abrahim's Next Phase**

#### Part 1

At Babylos, Abrahim hears the tragic news about Cain's death and his army's defeat but rather than of mourning for the late warrior, he views this as a tailwind to the opposite direction instead because he receives Sykes's report about both Zoch and Rujad's hostility against Hiroto

#### Part 2

Later, Abrahim gives Setz, a disgraced former North Phyllian vassal, a mission to fan the mistunderstands

#### Part 2

Like clockwork, both Zoch and Rujad receive their respective "gifts" from Phyllis merchants, with the Glinka Lord having fun with the Phyllian women whereas the Hagar Governor

### **The Song of Hiroto**

#### Part 1

Eventually, Hiroto's another victory over Phyllis Army reaches Emeperia and its causes an uproar within the capital where spies "praises" Hiroto's glory so much that they claim that Hiroto "should be the king" to Hybride and even sing a song to "pay their tributes" to him,

*Hiroto is the protector of our land*
Hiroto is our shield
Cheers to Hiroto
Cheers to the Hybride Kingdom

#### Part 2

Since that day, the song has been sung for four days and it garners other people's attention: Raquel is so shocked to hear from maid's news about Phyllis Army's another defeat by Hiroto that she gradually wonders if she can meet her. Univestel and Finas, on the other hand, aren't too keen to listen this song but it doesn't stop them from plotting to ruin Hiroto's career by let

#### Part 2

Unfortunately for Moldias, there numbers of the people who sings the Song of Hiroto is tripled than the ones from 3 days ago but despite his ongrowing annoyance about the song, he is forced to bear it after recalling Univestel's "advice". Sobrinus, the one of few who isn't impressed to hear the song itself, opts to drop his suggestion of having Hiroto as Margrave as he worries that song will make the king even more upset.

#### Part 3

This causes Finnath to accuseHiroto as as Eash's "spy" and uses his friendship with the vampires to "steal" the glory for himself, though Sobrinus rebukes it as impossible.

#### Part 4

The argument is suddenly being interrupted by an imperial guard who reports the arrival of Setz the peace ambassador for a peace treaty between both Hybride and Phyllis. Seeing Setz bringing women and jewelry prompts Moldias to assume that these are Phyllis' "apology" for attacking Hagar until Setz says that these "gifts" are for Hiroto that both angers and irritates the king so much that he demands both Setz and the women to be executed immediately, followed by Setz's further provocation via a "warning" that his death will spark a war between the 2 kingdoms. Suddenly, Panopticus volunteers himself to execute Setz and when Moldias asks why, the Prime Minister just says that he "shares" his anger with Phyllis's trickery and under Moldias's permission, he leads Setz and others out from the throne room because he doesn't want their death taint the room. Sobrinus, who was unable to calm Moldias, is so mortified by the king's temper as the result of Setz's terrible act that he immediately deduces it as Phyllis's desperation to eradicate Hiroto but worries that Moldias will unlikely to listen to reason especially now. However, Univestel fans the flames even more by reporting

#### Part 2

Still in rage, Moldias stops the two minsters' argument but alas, he ends up ignoring Sobrinus's warning about Phyllis's trap and replaces Hiroto with Rujad to be in charge of the border defense as Univestel's suggestion; furthermore, to make matters worse, he also accepts Finnath's suggestion to force Hiroto into severe servitude with a threat of arrest of treason if he refuses. With the king's decision is firm, all Sobrinus can do now is lamenting the king's dreadful mistake.

#### Part 3

Meanwhile, Setz and the Phyllis women are going to be executed which causing the former to lament that he will not going to see his family again. That is, until Panopticus orders everyone to scream and lie down and then informs the two Phyllian tall men to take these "corpses" to leave and never come back, much to Setz's gratefulness as he realizes that the enemy Prime Minister has saved him in secret. Panopticus then orders the guards to not tell anyone including Moldias about this incident and when the confused guards asks whey, he explains that killing the wrong people is counterproductive, implying that an execution of a Phyllian ambassador like Setz ends up elevating the vampires' influence instead as it would lead a state of war against Phyllis. Later, he returns to his room and remarks about Moldias and others' (sans Sobrinus) folly for falling into Phyllis's deceit  , so he tasks both Inferia and Delegelis to investigate the who sung their praises about Hiroto in order to expose Phyllis's scheme.

#### Part 6

After the fallout, Moldias, now being left alone at the throne room, feeling regret for his rash decision due to his outburst and worries about his reputation. Meanwhile, at Hagar, an Rujad is delighted to hear Emperia's decree about him instead of Hiroto to take charge of the three-provinces joint boarder defense that he laughs as he finally avenges his humilliation and wants Hiroto to suffer his regret and humilliation like he did; furthermore, he is also visited by Schut the Phyllis ambassador who request to " by the name Schut to "borrow" his men to pay Dominus Castle "a visit" and he is rewarded with more women for it, all the while oblivious to Schut's the governor obliges. Meanwhile, Zoch receives more gifts (such as gold and women) from Sykes and agrees to help the merchant 's request to meet Hagar Knights and visit Dominus Castle. .Unbeknownst to all three of them, at Abrahim smirks that his plans is almost reaches his fruition even with an unexpected change of events due to Setz's return to Babylos alive, to the point mocking Moldius a foolish king for playing right into his scheme accordingly; with Hiroto's is now "tarnished" because of his defamation, he leaves the assassination mission to Schut who is now visiting Rujad.

#### Part 7

At Salabria, Hiroto is appalled to be informed by an Emperia messenger about Moldias's decree regarding Rujad taking charge of the three-province joint boarder defense instead of him, along with a threat that he will be arrested if he refuses to accept the decree. Everyone is so outraged by this decree that they protest against the king's decision but the messenger only say that he just relayed messages on the king's behalf and warn them about their arrest as well

#### part 16

This news gradually reaches across Salabria and it causes panic among all the castle lords (sans Zoch) and Excelis best efforts to ensures everyone that the vampires will still "save" them, of which was a lie and she herself curses Moldias for his terrible decision that will endanger Salabria. Later that night, Hiroto is still bothered by Moldias's decree that he is unable to sleep and begins to recalls his father's advice during his childhood. When Mimia and Valkyria are comforting him, Hiroto asks them if he should go to Emperia to confront Moldias but Valkyria claims the Diferente as a better king than Moldius, further steepen his self-doubt.

### **Raquel's Visit and Phyllis's Attack onto Dominus Castle**

The next morning, Abrahim receives Schut's letter about the assassins' arrival at Salabria and prays for their success in their mission. Elsewhere, Raquel and her bodyguards are heading towards Primaria and seeing the vampires flying in the skies prompts her to deduce that Salabria is a "strange" place, especially when Galsh informs her about Salabria's air-mail service. Suddenly, her carriage stops by a young mummy who is lying on the road but his condition is so bad that Raquel orders to take him with them against Galsh's protest. At Glinka, Zoch greets both Schut and "Hagar Knights", the latter of whom are actually Phyllis assassins in disguise whose appearance spooks Zoch at the first sight, and informs them that they will depart soon when Schut pressues him to hasten their trip to Primaria. At Dominus Castle, Hiroto, still rattled by yesterday's events to the point unable to recall his father's words, persists on meeting then upcoming guests even when Excelis asks him if he wants to rearrange their appointments. During breakfast, Sōichirō and Excelis are discussing about both Galsh and Zoch and the former cheers Hiroto up by tells him to eat his food. At noon, Raquel's grouparrive at Dominus Castle first and enters with a young mummy they picked up, followed by Zoch's group where they are on their way to Dominus Castle despite Zoch begins to become anxious when he senses dangerous aura from the "Hagar Knights".

At Hiroto's office, Galsh acts excessively vigilant even before the meeting by checking his wine  and requests Hiroto to bring only a trusted few into this meeting, to which Hiroto replies that he cannot afford to lower the guards' numbers or leaving Sōichirō out from it. Nonetheless, the meeting officially begins with Galsh introduces Raquel, who takes off her helmet as instructed, to everyone and asks Hiroto to introduce the vampires to the princess after informing him about her mission to revive North Phyllis. Hiroto begrudgingly complies and summonsboth Valkyria and Curele into his office, but the meeting turns sour when Valkyria acts rudely towards the North Phyllian visitors including Raquel despite their shock to meet them in person-especially Curele for her feat in defeating Phyllis Army, to which Galsh reprimands her for being disrespectful only to stop by Excelis who reminds him that his current attitude will not get any help from the vampires.

Anyways, the meeting proceeds with Raquel asking Hiroto if he can help her but Hiroto replies that such task is beyond his authority. Galsh suddenly cuts in and suggests to have Curele assasinate Eash and claims that North Phyllians will be "eternally grateful" to the vampires for it. Both Valkyria and Sōichirō are so angry to hear it that they berate Galsh for forcing Curele to become an assassin, to which Galsh argues that a kingdom will be easily perished without it's leader. Hiroto eventually disapproves Galsh's plan by saying that assassinating Eash now will have severe ramifications to both Hybride and ironically North Phyllis due to 3 factors: Hybride's own safety, Phyllis's tenacity to eradicate North Phyllis's remnants  and the vampires' cautiousness of helping strangers. Galsh is so upset by Hiroto rejection that he calls the Diferente out for his "rudeness" by rejecting Raquel without considering the trouble she went through to reach him, to which Hiroto retorts that it is because of her that he refuses to consent to a plan that may end up losing more of her people-something moves Raquel so much that she seemly understands what he said and stop Galsh from pressuring Hiroto anymore and orders everyone to leave, further tells her guard that she will never listen to his requests again.

Just as Raquel and her bodyguards are about to leave, Hiroto and others are informed by guards about the arrival of his next guests: Zoch and 50 "Hagar Knights". Zoch's anxiety increases during his escort of Schut and the "Hagar Knights" to Hiroto's office due to the latter's increasingly hostile aura, to the point even wondering if this is part of Rujad's "linkage". Just as the group reach the office, Schut and the assassins kill a guard and storm into Hiroto's office for a kill but Raquel's presence also attracts the assassins' attention and they also going after her as well, and the fight immediately breaks out when Alvy fights against the invading enemies along with Carabella, Galsh and other knights while urging Hiroto and others to retreat to the bedchambers. With little choice, Hiroto rushes to his bedchambers with everyone and barricade themselves. With Excelis deduces that these "Hagar Knights" were actually Phyllian assassins in disguise, Hiroto tells the vampires sisters to seek help but just as the latter begrudgingly leaves room, the assassins are resorting to ram the door that forcing Hiroto to bring everyone, including Raquel who is so scared about this mess that she assumes that she will be killed or worse than death.

Valkyria returns with 4 Vampires and Air Basket and Hiroto sends Raquel first, but the princess hesitates out of fear of heights until one impatient vampire grabs her and put her into the Air Basket. The intense flight causes Raquel to scream in panic while riding an air basket but Hiroto calms her down by ensuring her that her enemies will not pursue after them from that range. Soon, the air basket lands on Primaria Castle when both Hiroto and Raquel are greeted by Primaria guards who report to them about incoming reinforcements, Hiroto explains the situation to the guards and order them to protect Raquel and forbid anyone but the elves from entering the castle, prompting Raquel to look at Hiroto while feel grateful that she lives again.

Back at Dominus Castle, only Alvy (and Carabella who escaped via a ladder) survives the skirmish until he confronts 3 Phyllis Knights along with Schut and Zoch, the latter of whom Alvy suspects as the culprit behind this attack, and he is blown away to the window by the 3 knights in his (supposed) last stand that sends him crashing to the office's window and falls midair, only to be rescued by two vampires named Bed and Radar and heading to Primaria. Elsewhere, Curele desperately flying towards Dominus Castle while hoping that Sōichirō is safe, whereas Astelis musters every available archers execpt the old ones after hearing Valkyria's report about what happened at Dominus Castles and vows to protect Hiroto at all cost. Meanwhile, Mimia and Sorceire are escorted by an injured Carabella and they are next to rendezvous with Excelis and Sōichiro but Sōichiro urges the women to escape first. Unfortunately, by the time Sōichirō is about to leave with Valkyria, 10 enemy soldiers finally breach into the bathroom but Valkyria herself is forced to flee out of Sōichiro's request due to the enemies' overwhelming numbers.As the result, Dominus Castle is overtaken and both Sōichiro and Zoch are captured as prisoners. At the same time, however, the Phyllis Assassins are also trapped inside the castle due to the roaming vampires from the skies.

At Primaria Castle, others are relieved to see Hiroto's safety but becoming sad as Valkyria sorrowfully informs everyone about Sōichiro's capture by the enemies: Hiroto cries for his (apparent) lost of his best friend, Valkyria and Excelis blame themselves for Sōichiro's capture and Curele is especially upset and desperately want to save Sōichiro, only to be stopped by Zeldis as he says that there is nothing they can do about it. Meanwhile, at Dominus Castle, Schut is so frustrated by his failure to assasinate Hiroto due to Raquel's presence that he reprimands all the assassins for their not focusing their mission, to which the one assassin replies that . Nevertheless, Schut change the plan as he about hostage exchange Sōichiro with Hiroto.

Back at Primaria Castle where Mimia is comforting Hiroto, a messenger send the letter and according to the letter, Sōichiro is alive but Phyllis Assassins gave them an ultimatum to everyone: hand over Hiroto to them before sunrise or they will kill Sōichiro for their refusal to comply. Hearing the news not only worries both Astilis and Alvy, it also tempts Zeldis to kill the assassins only to be stopped by Excelis as she fears that it may got Hiroto killed instead. To save his friend, Hiroto volunteers himself for the exchange but everyone stops him because they don't want either Hiroto or Sōichiro to die. Thinking about his father's teaching, Hiroto finally thinks a risky idea and bet his life on it despite not knowing if it works.

At Dominus Castle's executive office, Zoch, now being tied up to a chair, is so traumatized after witnessing a pile of dead bodies that includes Galsh and others that he tearfully realizes that he has been manipulated by Phyllis and laments his end. When Schut enters the room, Zoch pleas him to pick him for the hostage exchange and even going so far as to tell him that he will to do anything to repay his deed, even going so far as planning to aid Phyllis into killing Hiroto . Schut isn't buying Zoch's plea, however, as he is so disgusted by Zoch's cowardice that not only he reveals the truth about Skyes, h swiftly executes him via decapitation and calls him as a despicable pawn. Meanwhile, Sōichiro overhears Zoch's execution from his the room but hoping Hiroto never agree to Phyllis's ludicrous deal, only for him to hear that somebody informs Schut that Hiroto had agree with the exchange.

Outside, everyone is preparing for the hostage exchange while Raquel seeing Zeldis and Excelis's sorrowful expression due to Hiroto's bold plan-leaving her to wonder what plan does Hiroto had in mind to save his friend. As Mimia and Sorceire are helping him to making his preparations, Hiroto begins to recall Excelis' own protest against his ploy and being to wonder if his latest plan going to work. Mimia tells Hiroto that heavens will be at his side, much to Hiroto's relief as if he regains his usual self.

At dawn, both sides arrive at Dominus Castle's Square where Hiroto orders his allies not to come near him, whereas the Phyllian assassins brings out Sōichiro who argues with his friend for his senseless sacrifice despite his vital role to everyone in Salabria. The exchange being interrupted by an arrow that shoots at Hiroto's back, however, much tto Sōichirō's horror. Initially confused by such scene, Schut and the Phyllis assassins are appalled to see Salabria Army charging towards them and have them surrounded, and they are all slaughtered by the vampires who are under Zeldis's command to take revenge for trying to "kill" Hiroto. As for Sōichirō, he is so shocked to see his friend's apparent "death" that he laments and scolds him for his self-sacrifice to save him, only to hear his friend's wimping voice and other allies' arrival, especially Curele who immediately hugs him after the rescue. It is later revealed that Hiroto's "death" was staged by Alvy who is inside the carriage hidden away from the crowd in order to let the enemy's guard down, After hearing Hiroto's explanation about pretending dead in order to save him, Sōichiro is angry about his friend's suicidal plan but he is relived to see his friend is still alive.

## Epilogue (Part 1)

### **Hiroto the Margrave of Hybride**

Three days later, Babylos descends into chaos when vampires drop several Phyllian assassins' beheaded heads as warning to for harming Hiroto, much to the shock of both Eash and Abrahim as the Prime Minister murmurs that all of his plans were gone for naught and fears that Phyllis will never see peace so long Hiroto is still alive. . Raquel, on the other hand, leaving Salabria after staying there for a week and on her way home, whilst recalling her last experience of witnessing the vampires' prowess and Hiroto's true character-specifically his selflessness in rescuing both her and Sōichiro from danger, she remarks that Hiroto is more competent than Moldias and even want him to be her prime minister had North Phyllis still exists; furthermore, when she returns home, she is so angry about her retainers for condemning Hiroto as "incompetent" and "folly" that she defends him by scolding them for slandering the very person who who saved her with his resourcefulness, causing her retainers to kneel immediately as apology. As for the 40 Phyllian spies who gather at Emperia's inn, they are all stunned to hear about the assassination plot but just as they are about to plan to retreat back to Phyllis immediately, only to be found by both Delegelis finds them and kill them all before they do.

Later, the Emperia court is shaken by the news about Hiroto's near assassination by Phyllis courtesy to Rujad's indirect involvement into the Phyllis's scheme, followed by Panopticus's bombshell report about the culprit behind the "Song of Hiroto" who were Abrahim's spies and his confession of not killing Setz. Moldias feels regret for wronging Hiroto the whole time, whereas both Univestel and Finas are rendered speechless by Sobrinus's sarcastic "praise" for their "wise" decision to have Rujad instead Hiroto as Boarder Protector. Now that Hiroto is proven innocent, Sobrinus implores Moldias to restore the Diferente's honor by appointing him as a Margrave but Univestel opposes it vehemently as he persists on not letting the vampires to become boarder defenders, only to be rendered speechless again as Sobrinus calls him out for not realize that his own stubbornness has nearly lost Hybride's most vital person to its boarder defense. Sobrinus then turns to Moldias and advises him to apologizes to Hiroto by saying that a good king is the one who can admit his mistakes, to the king's hesitation .After some deliberation, however, Moldias eventually relents as he not only appoints Hiroto as Margrave, but also having Rujad to be impeached his governor position and holds an election at Hagar where Rujad is barred from participating, then follows Sobrinus to Salabria and meet Hiroto in person.

In the fallout of the meeting, Universtel returns to the Elven Council with regret for falling into Phyllis's scheme and vows to be very careful next time, but he also remarks that his meeting with Hiroto at the capital will become inevitable. Panopticus, on the other hand, confronts Inferia about her own words that almost ruined his plan and despite Inferia's warning about how "dangerous" Hiroto truly is, he asks his aide with a rhetorical question about living at Hybride either as a ruined kingdom under his rule or a peaceful one without him, much to Inferia's silence. Elsewhere, on that day, Moldias and Sobrinus visit Salabria and meet Hiroto and his at Dominus Castle and, as his apology for misjudging the Diferente that brought disastrous results, he informs Hiroto that he will become the Margrave position and even promises him that he will not dismiss the Diferente's position for the next 5 years, with . As soon as Hiroto accepts Moldias's apology and become Hybride's youngest Margrave, everyone especially his allies are clapping their hands and congratulating the youngster for his new position.

One week later, Hiroto and his allies are going to Neka for Darmur's the hot springs to celebrate his promotion as the Margrave. While Sōichirō is bating with Curele whereas Hiroto is enjoying his fun with the 4 women (Valkyria, Mimia, Sorceire and Excelis) surrounding him. Anyways, after the fun, Hiroto tells the girls that their work will begin tomorrow.

### **Vampire's New Outpost At Hagar**

#### Part 4

In the following 2 weeks, Hiroto continues his work by only improving Solum by installing the Spirit street lights, but also fortifying Hybride defenses by building watchtowers all over Salabria, Hagar and Ancel and having some vampires as reconnaissance to keep Phyllis's activities in check.

## Prologue (Part 2)

### **Metis the Female General of Phyllis Kingdom**

#### Part 1

Three weeks have passed since the vampire's presence at Babylos, Phyllis's situation is growing grimmer when news about Hiroto's Margrave position reach the kingdom. Eash is so panicked by such news that he is about to consider on attacking Hybride immediately only to be stopped by Abrahim because they don't have any effective strategy against the vampires. So, Abrahim suggests Eash to send letters to any available generals in the kingdom to discuss any plans whereas he schemes to weaken Hiroto's influence via creating a rift between him and the vampire unions-starting with ordering a spy to disguise himself as Hagar merchant to fund Orcia cultivator's land reclamation project at Orcia. Metis, one of Phyllis's top general who is renowned for her might and wisdom, is the first general to receive Babylos's emergency letter regarding the vampires' intimidation of Babylos the result of failure in assassinating Hiroto and she responds by going to Babylos herself.

## Plot (Part 2)

### **Gezerkia's Attack onto Orsia Again**

#### Part 3

In spite of not getting any answers from either of his generals, Eash feels satisfied to hear them and praises them for their spirits. So, he tasks them with some specific mission: Gardel will be appointed as the main army's Grand Commander and he will lead the army for future campaign. As for Metis, she will be appointed as the new Governor of Jugurtha and sh will go there to no only defending its boarder, but also investigate onto Hiroto and the vampires so they can think a strategy for a counterattack against Hybride.

#### Part 5

Just as Gezerkia and others are reaching Chrissis Castle, however, they stumbles across a vampire-of whom they recognize as one of Salabria's vampires-and, to Gezerkia's dismay, they are informed that Hiroto was waiting for them at Chrissis Castle's gates after having all the soldiers to drop their weapons.

Upon her tribes' arrival, Gezerkia ignores Hiroto's greeting and demands to see the castle lords until she meets Gundogan and hears his butler's announcement about the termination of Belmed Forest Reclamation for 2 years. Even so, Gezerkia refuses to accept Hiroto's proposal until she reads both the official parchment and Zeldis's letter that both him and the elves (Secondaria and Primaria) were against Orsia's forest reclamation out of their friendship with her. Hiroto then invites Gezerkia into the castle and when she meets the castle lords, she wants to kill them even though Hiroto tells her that they has compensated the forest reclamation via their resignation while warns her the consequences of defying Margrave's orders. As Gezerkia still isn't convinced, Hiroto brings treasures and red wine barrels to her and claims these are from Moldius who thanked them for saving Hybride. Eventually, Gezerkia complies to Hiroto's proposal and spares the 3 castle lords and signing Hiroto's parchment, solidifying the Gezerkia Vampire Clan's alliance with Hiroto. As their celebration for Orsia's cancelling Bermed Forest Reclamation within 2 years, Gezerkia and her followers join Hiroto in a party.

### **Privy Council's Reaction to Hiroto's Decree**

#### Part 1

Eventually, the news about Hiroto's decree reaches Emperia and it brings mixed feelings from everyone: Courtesy to Finas, noblemen across the capital scorn Hiroto as they deem that Diferente will bring "doom" Hybride for siding the vampires instead of mankind. Panopticus, on the other hand, is delighted to hear it and thinks that having Hiroto as a Margrave was the wisest decision ever made.

#### Part 8

Universtel persists that that the Orsia incident was the result of "over reliance" with the vampires and the argument between 2 ministers heats up when Elven Elder remains adamant even when Prime Minister explains that losing Gezerkia Alliance will result unprecedented consequences for Hybride, only for the former to be rendered speechless when the latter mentions Hiroto's report about one "Hagar merchant" that could be one of Phyllis's spies.

### **Jugurtha, the North of Phyllis**

#### Part 1

Somewhere at Jugurtha's dessert, 3 elven engineers are going to the next town after inspecting a local aqueduct. On their way, they are passing by a group of 5 people but the encounter almost turns deadly when one man, who is drunk and harasses the elves with his "complement" about their hard work since noon, tries to pick a fight with the elves when one elf retorts to him that the Phyllian elves can leave Phyllis anytime if he keeps up his rudeness and lazyness, only to be quelled by his friends who punch him out cold and apologize to the elves on his behalf. This encounter causes the elves to lament about Phyllis's ungratefulness in spite of their ancestors' contribution to the kingdom's infrastructure while talk about Jugurtha's ongoing woes due to the extra genus taxes onto the farmers as the result of Phyllis's failed expedition onto Salabria, all the while talking about Hiroto and Salabria along the way.

When the 3 elven engineers arrive to the town and stop by at a local inn, they see the Salabrian Elven Merchants at same place and join them for a talk. In the following night, the Salabrian Elven Merchnat then leave Jugurtha for Babylos after a brief rest. During the journey, Hortius can't helps himself but to sympathize Jugurtha's farmers after he learned from 3 elven engineers about the province's food shortages due to empty fiends as the result of unfair taxation onto the farmers since the aftermath of Phyllis Army's failed expedition to Salabri, to the pointing remakrs about Phyllis's impending danger and even wonders if Eash even know what happened at Jugurtha.

#### Part 2

Meanwhile, Metis and her army arrive at Jugurtha's fields but the farmers flee back home as soon as they see her army, prompting one of her subordinates to "discipline" them for their "disrespect" only to be stopped by Metis herself because he claims that her army is not obligated to teach her amry is obligation to teach

### **Gezerkia's Friendship with Hiroto**

#### Part 1

Elsewhere, everyone (from Hiroto to Gezerkia Union to Gundogan) are witnessing the official opening on the boarder between the Belmed Forest and some towns away from the forest. Suddenly, everyone stops by at a a stone that appears to be Gygas's tombstone and mourn for him, with Gezerkia kneel in front and pay her respects to him. During the Dezerg Clan's mourning for Gygas, the elder thanks Hiroto to helping the Red-Winged Vampires to avenge Gygas and protect Belmed Forest from the cultivators which Hiroto replies both humans and vampires share the same emotions despite their differences and feels that hostilities from both sides are wrong, further moves the women of the clan. Later, a party is held at Gezerkia Union's settlement where Hiroto and Valkyria enjoy their time over there. Hiroto's own deeds makes Gezerkia understand how Zeldis felt while recalling the latter's own relationship with the Diferente, so she tells Hiroto that he has become her clan's ally, to which Hiroto replies with an invitation of her to a ceremony that is held at Hagar. Amused by such invitation, Gezerkia laughs and accepts the offer.

### Part 5=

Unbeknownst to Hiroto and others, just as the vampire appreciation ceremony begins, a Phyllis merchant leaves immediately for one of Hagar's trading house after observing the situation, writes letters and give them to an underling who immediately rushes to the Terminus River's riverside in order to deliver the news to both Metis and Abrahim separately.

### **Hortius's Audience with Eash**

#### Part 1

Elsewhere, the Salabrian Elves Merchants arrive at Babylos but their presence brings hostility from the castle guards who are itching to kill them so they can avenge the Salabrian Expeditionary Force that was perished at Terminus River, with some soldiers from that army ere their late relatives. Gardel and his legion also learn the elven guests' arrival but the general admires their courage instead, which one of his subordinate angrily reminds him about his late compatriots' death by Hiroto and the vampires' hands and requests a kill order onto the elves. In response, Gardel punches and berates his subordinate havily for his blind vendetta against Hiroto without thinking it's ramifications to Phyllis as killing even one Hybridian elf would prompts Phyllian elves' exodus from this kingdom; moreover, he doesn't views Hiroto as "demons" nor vindictive enemy due to the nature of warfare. When his subordinate asks him if he as any regrets, Gardel replies that as frustrated as he was for unable to leave Babylos due Eash's orders, lashing at the elves is meaningless and even angrily asks his men really want to taint the Gardel Legion's honor over petty revenge, much to his men's horror as they kneel and apologize for insubordination. Gardel then finishes off by ordering his men to spread a word that he will punish anyone who even lay a hand onto the Salabrian elves.

#### Part 2

Abrahim, on the other hand, receives concerning reports from both Metis and a Phyllian merchant and becoming increasingly frustrated for 2 things: Not only attacking Hybride now is impossible due to Jugurtha's deteriorated state and Hybride's tighten boarders, but his plan to weaken Hiroto's influence has failed as the young Margrave is still alive and both Gezerkia Union and Zeldis Union were present at Hagar. Feeling so upset by Phyllis being at the disadvantages to the point refuses to accept it and blames Hiroto for the kingdom's owes, Abrahim vows to change the tide until a official informs him

#### Part 6

Nevertheless, Hortius presents Hiroto's letter to Eash and according to that letter, as Abrahim reads, Hiroto dislikes war and wants to transform chaos into peace, he will deliver his 50 fallen Phyllis knights as his respect for Phyllis. Initially confused by this letter, Abrahim claims that Hiroto is all talk but Hortius refutes otherwise as he claims that both vampires and elves will wouldn't be with him now if he is what the Prime Minister assumed.

### **Hybride's Margrave and Phyllis's General**

#### Part 1

At Jugurtha, Metis also receives Phyllian merchant's letter about Hagar's vampire appreciation ceremony and as soon she learns that Zeldis and Gezerkia were present at that ceremony, she becomes increasingly frustrated as she comes to realize that Hiroto was one step ahead of her. Meanwhile, Hiroto sets off to Jugurtha via Air Transport right after the ceremony in order to check on the it's state, and a mere sight of the farmers' suffering and dried lands concerns him so much that he fears that peasant uprising would be would be inevitable if this thread continues. Later, he is leaving Hagar back to Salabria but not without being notified by a messenger that

#### Part 4

Meanwhile, Metis is surprised to see Hiroto's carefree letter as she reads that he wishes to have a talk with her, so much so that she assumes the young Margrave to be a "fool" at first but ends up smiling instead as she thinks that he yearns to meet her in person even with risk of entering enemy's territory. Ergo, Metis agrees to meet Hiroto. On the other side, Hiroto and his peers depart for Jugurtha's harbor and meets Metis under the protection of both elven guards and Zeldis's vampires

#### Part 5.1

During the meeting, Hiroto teases Metis about their respective "traps" and even when she threatens him that she can kill him now, he replies that she couldn't do it because she knew that his death will ignite the wrath from both vampires and elves for revenge; moreover, he adds that even if he is given a chance to kill her, he hinks that it will ruin both kingdoms' diplomacy, garnering her interest towards him. Later, Metis notices a stack of coffins and while she is shocked to learn that they contains 50 well-preserved dead Phyllis knights, she is more baffled to see Hiroto praising at them despite his near assassination. Anyways, Phyllis soldiers inspect the coffins for one hour but they find nothing wrong with them. Hiroto then bids Metis farewell and informs her that he will come again tomorrow. When Metis murmurs her confusion about Hiroto's ploy, her subordinates request to kill him but she points at the vampires and warns them that Hiroto's death will make both Babylos and Eesh vulnerable to the vengeful vampires' attack.

One day later, Hiroto visits Metis again for a talk but rejects her gifts. Surprised, Metis asks Hiroto if his plans to attack Phyllis and when he replies that he claims that doing so will bring burden to his people, she threatens him that Phyllis will invade Salabria at anytime only for Hiroto see through her lies due to Jugurtha's condition and warns her about possible peasant revolt if Phyllis continue to tax them for resources. Charmed by his words, Metis offers Hiroto a chance to serve Eesh but he declines as he claims that he already had friends at Salabria, further piquing her interest. The meeting ends with Hiroto leaves Jugurtha unharmed and when Metis confronts her subordinates who give up on killing him, one of them replies that as much as they loathed Hiroto and tempted for revenge, they are astonished to see him handling their fallen comrades carefully. Viewing Hiroto as the rarest person she had ever met, Metis yearns to meet him again someday.

### **Massacre of Salabrian Elven Merchants**

#### Part 1

Back to Babylos, the Salabrian Elves are on their way home after spending their time at at Babylos for 2 days.

#### Part 6

With all 9 elves are killed, the castle guards gleefully celebrate their death for finally "avenged" their fallen relatives and leave, not knowing that one Salabrian -the only survivor who witnesses the grizzly aftermath after he returned from relived himself nearby-escaped with a broken sword and other items that were left behind.

#### Part 7

This incident reaches Gardel first via his subordinate and he is so mortified to hear it that he immediately orders his subordinate to not tell anyone about this while he himself going to report it to Eash in order to avoid the Phyllian Elves' backlash. After listening Galsh's report, Eash summons the castle guards to his bedroom but when Abrahim interrogates them regarding their murders of the Salabrian Elves Merchants, all of them justified their murders by claiming that the elves were "deserved" to die for "siding" with enemies who slaughtered their late relatives, only to be castigated by Gardel for their blind revenge that tainted Phyllis's honor. Since an elf's murder is a serious issue, both Gardel and even Abrahim advise Eash respectively to either summon all the elves in Phyllis and apologize or at least recover the victims' corpses, followed by a warning that antagonizing the elves will consequently leads to their exodus and it will have detrimental effects of the kingdom's aqueduct system. Eash dismisses these advises, however, as he claims that doing so will risk giving Hybride a chance for a counterattack and blames Hybride for Phyllis's current situation, even going so far as to order everything to become "stones" for him by covering up this incident. As the result, Abrahim becomes speechless after this and Gardel angrily storms out because he loses his paitience so much that he exclaims that he will not going to care what will happens next.

At Secondaria, Manieris is so worried about Hortius and the other elves who still haven't come back from Phyllis that he prays that it is only a delay due to bad weather. Elsewhere, the Salabrian human barely escaped from Phyllis via a raft finally reaches Salabria when he sees a vampire above. Back to Secondaria, Hiroto and his allies are consulting Manielis and Alvy until a guard reports about a visitor who has something urgent to tell him and Hiroto responds by orders the guard to let him in. To everyone's horror, the sole survivor informs everyone a shocking news that Hortius, along with Lérruz and others, were murdered by vengeful Babylos castle guards, causing Alvy cries for retribution whereas Manieris orders to his messenger to report that incident to Univestel and declares that Salabria will cut off their trade with Phyllis altogether, much to Sōichirō's worry that a war against Phyllis will be inevitable. As condolences to Manieris, Zeldis have his men to contact Univestel whereas Hiroto promises that he will make sure Phyllis will pay by bring a "hammer" onto Babylos, with Gezekria volunteers to leave for Babylos in order to replay Hiroto for helping her clan. Manieris is so grateful to Gezerkia as he grabs her hand with gratitude and the vampires tells the sad elf to leave everything to her.

### **Hybride's Sanctions Against Phyllis**

On the other side, Metis meets 50 vampires and Carabella and she is horrified to learn from the latter about the Salabria Elven Merchant's murder by Babylos guards and Hiroto is going to lodge a protest against her kingdom, so much so that she bites her lips in disbelief to know about what Phyllis did even after Hiroto has repatriated 50 coffins back to Phyllis with sincerity. Later, the vampires flies to Babylos and dropping the letter tubes at the elven residential are while circling around the palace for 5 times, followed by Gezerkia warning to Eash about retribution from both Hiroto and the elves for the deaths of the deaths of Salabrian Elven merchants and then leaves back to north. The following aftermath shaken Babylos entirely when local elves eventually learn the grizzly demise of the Salabrian Elves Merchants via letters that are dropped by the vampires, which causes Eash so furious that he demands to know who "leaked" the incident to anyone. That is, until Abrahim reads Hiroto's letter and replies that it was due to a human survivor which causes Eash to feel regret for not heeding to Galsh's advice sooner. Abrahim, who only stares at Eash's breakdown coldly, replies that mere apologies will not going to suffice anymore because he fears that Hybride will going to use that as a diplomatic issue.

Meanwhile, Emperia is also shaken by Hortius's murder when the capital receive Hiroto's letters from a vampire. Univestel, the only Privy Council member who remains clam even after reading the letter, declares that the Elven Elder Council will impose sanctions against Phyllis, from telling their Phyllis brethren to leave Phyllis as protest to ban Phyllian goods from trade or adding 10 times tariff on these goods; additionally, he also suggests to demand official apology and atonement from Phyllis for Hortius's murder. Whilst Panopticus agrees by claiming that a clear atonement is needed due to the seriousness of the elves' murder, Finas on the other hand urges to not further "stir" up the situation only to be scolded by Univestel heavily for ignoring his elven compatriot's death, followed by a question if he also make complains should his daughter is in danger that renders him speechless. Sobrinus then adds that Hybride will become a laughing stock if they don't protest soon but Moldias is hesitant because he ignored Eash's own demands of the North Phyllis Remnants' arrest, to which Panopticus reminds the king that the situation was different back then and Hortius's death was unjust because there was no law that allows a soldier standing by the king to kill an ambassador. After some deliberation, Moldius eventually supports the sanctions against Phyllis and once the conditions are set, Panopticus leaves after the meeting with a smile and hopes that this will put Phyllis to it's knees.

At Secondaria, Magnelis is thanking Gezerkia for sending letters to Babylos which Gezerkia replies that she did that to repay the elf elder for Hiroto's gift along with his condemnation against Gundogan for almost destroying Belmed Forest. At the same time, Hiroto receives Panopticus's letter about them bundling Hortius's murder, North Phyllis issue and border issues all at once, much to Gezerkia's amusement, So, Hiroto summons vampires and have them send these letters to Babylos where the elves immediately reports it to their elder Lucitius once they read them.

### **Babylos Elf Representive Ultimatum to Eash**

#### Part 1

At Babylos, Eash receives Univestel's letter about Grand Elf Elder's criticism about him that resulted the deaths of Salabrian Elven Merchants and gives him an ultimatum: Either give Hybride official apology and atonement by returning the 9 dead elves back to the kingdom and or facing sanctions from Hybride because the elves cannot forgive those who offended their dignity or seriously undermines their morals-starting by informing the king that he had ordered the elves in Babylos return to Hybride. To make matters worse for the king, Eash also receives Moldias's complain letter and here are the following conditions,

* Phyllis must return all 9 elven corpses back to Hybride.
* From now on, Phyllis shall not encroach of Hybride's territory.
* The North Phyllis' matter will be settled and shall not to be pursued.

This infuriates Eash as he silently murmuring his discontent for Moldias's audacity to arrest Hortius's murderers while he himself refused to apologize for ignoring his plea to arrest the North Phyllis Remnants who almost assassinate him.

One week later, Babylos receives letters from Hybride about the murder of 9 Salabria elves and to make matters worse for both Eesh and Abrahim, a soldier reports that Lucitius the Elven Representative wants to inform his farewell, prompts the latter orders to let him in while urges the king to watch his words when questioned. The meeting grows intense as Eesh doesn't know how to answer Luttius' s question about the incident, however, and when Abrahim tries to speak of his behalf, the king hushes him from lying and confesses everything to the elf instead, further ends with his promise that he will have the murderers to be punished. Initially fells indifferent to Eesh's confession at first, Luttius opts to give both Eesh and Abrahim a second chance when they both ensure him that Phyllis will rectify their mistakes by talking with Hybride but before he leaves, he warns them that Phyllis Elves will not hesitate to leave Phyllis if they find their redemption to be a trickery or incident like Hortius ncident happens again. Afterwards, Abrahim instructs Eesh to do deal 3 things whilst ensures that he has a plan to prove that they are not backing down from the negotiation. Luttius, meanwhile, urging his fellow elf to cancel their departure whilst remarks that the challenging part of the negotiation is up to the 2 kingdoms.

Later, the castle guards who murdered 9 Salabria elves are arrested under Eesh's decree and all of them are interrogated for it. Once all 9 Salabria Elves' corpses are found and their skeletons are assembled, the guards then being executed via beheading.

### **Talks Between Hybride and Phyllis**

#### Part 4

Meanwhile, Panopticus and Universtel arrive at Salabria and heading towards Secondaria first.

#### Part 10

After the first round of heated argument, both Both sides then suspend the negotiation for 30 minutes ,

#### Part 11

During the break, Abrahim and Metis are talking about Hiroto whose silence throughout the negotiation's first round that gives the general implies that it is the Margrave's plan to find a right opportunity for his rebuttal but just as the duo are discussing their next ploy to turn things around, Gardel is nowhere to be find and his disappearance the Prime Minister to scream in terror for the general's actions. Meanwhile, Univestel and Panopticus are discussing Hybride's gamble by using Phyllis's Elven possible exodus against their opponents, all the while looking at Hiroto who is taking his nap. Suddenly, Gardel and his soldiers interrupt Hiroto's nap as the former thanking him for the coffins of his fallen compatriots. Believes that Gardel is a good person, Hiroto praises these fallen soldiers as loyal and brave warriors despite his near assassination, garnering the general's respect.

30 minutes later, the negotiation resumes with Abrahim informs Hybride Faction that aside from the dead Salabria elves, Phyllis will not compensate more than that and whilst ignoring Panopticus's warning about Phyllis Elven exodus, he also pressures Hybride to eliminate the North Phyllis Remnants if they want to discuss for another non-aggressive solution. Just as Panopticus and Univestel are about to comply to Phyllis's terms unwillingly, however, Hiroto intervenes and warns Abrahim that doing so will only destroy Phyllis; when Abrahim scoffs at him for dissuading Phyllis into attack Hybride, he continues by urging both Hybride and Phyllis not to discuss North Phyllis issue by pointing out both kingdoms share their goals in defending their respective boarders, meaning that their obsession for total victory will have serious repercussion to both their boarders and people. Therefore, he suggests Phyllis to not only return the dead Salabria elves back to Hybride and pay an indemnity as compensation, but also promise Hybride that neither armies from both side will cross the boarders. Nobody utter even a word after hearing Hiroto's speech until Gardel claps his hands and agrees with his suggestion, followed by others. Alas, the negotiation goes smoothly when both factions sign the treaty and Phyllis Faction shake their hands with Hiroto.

After the negotiation, Hybride Faction bids Phyllis Faction farewell and on their way back home, Panopticus approaches Hiroto and praises him as a strategist for using military as his rebuttal. Univestel joins in but while he praises Hiroto's performance, he reminds the Diferente that he still disagree his view before he then hiddenly giving Hiroto a gift and leaves.

## Epilogue (Part 2)

### **Hiroto the Key to Peace**

At Babylos, Abrahim reports to Eash and Lucitius regarding the peace treaty and while the duo are satisfied to hear it, Eesh asks Abrahim about Hiroto and should they get rid of him due to his ongrowing influence but the latter urges his liege not to because he views the Diferente as a key to the peace between Hybride and Phyllis. Metis, meanwhile, is resting at Techevelle Castle and rereads the peace treaty until she realizes that the vampires are not in the contract until she notices that neither armies from both kingdom cross the river, she laughs instead as she is impressed by Hiroto tactics that outsmarted Phyllis and further anticipating their next encounter. At Emperia, Moldius is delighted to see the safe return of Panopticus and Univestel but when the 2 ministers leave the king's room, the latter informs the former that they are still rival even after this event only to be warned by the Prime Minister that he will be his enemy if the Elven Elder try to overthrow Hiroto, much to Univestel's silence and leaves.

## Prologue (Part 3)

### **North Phyliss's Desperation to Regain**

Unfortunately, not everyone find this peace treaty between Hybride and Phyllis acceptable, particularly Countess Felkina of Sigil who is livid to hear it from her fellow nobles because she is one of North Phyllis Remnant's few remaining benefactors. Not only she condemns Hiroto for excluding the North Phyllis settlement from the peace treaty to the point laments about diplomacy being handled by a mere "commoner", she also feels that Moldias, Panopticus and Univestel are unreliable for accepting the peace treaty and ranting about Hybride being control by "liars". However, Felkina smirks as she has a plan and it requires corporation from Joachim, the "king" of North Phyllis, to make his move. Somewhere at the villa, Joachim is awaken by a guard from his dream about his childhood memories about Felkina's visit.

#### Part 5

Eventually, the first 2 messengers manage to reach both Univestel and Panopticus respectively but both visits are turned down for different reasons: Univestel is so infuriated by Joachim's demand that he berates the messenger for his "liege's" arrogance despite being a mere guest in another kingdom. These bad news further intensifies Joachim's paranoia and anxiety that his dream of reviving North Phyllis is fading away.

### Part 1

Somewhere at Babylos, Abrahim is writing a letter to Metis after he rereads the peace treaty regarding the third condition that implies that vampires weren't counted as army.

### Part 1

At Jugurtha, situation continues to worsen due to rise of hostile farmers' attacks on merchants out of desperation for food-starting with an incident at Aviv where 20 farmers were apprehended and executed for mugging a merchant and robbed his food supplies. At the same time, soldiers are discussing about Hiroto and the peace talk's fallout but while some claims Hiroto's desire for peace was genuine because he returned 50 coffins to Phyllis and claims that starting a war at the expense of starving citizens would ignite an uprising, others sstill loathes Hiroto so much that they derides Metis's newfound friendship with their enemy as "treachery" to their fallen compatriots and vows to avenge them anyhow. At Techevelle Castle, Metis is ready to leave for a secret meeting with Hiroto after reading his letter for an invitation.

#### Part 3

As both Hiroto and Metis stands up and the general smiles and tells tells the Margrave that she had fun, Hiroto invites Metis to Salabria but Metis challenges him go to Techevelle Castle instead as her promise to visit Salabria. Despite both Manelis and Alvy shaking their heads as their plea to reject Metis's answer, Hiroto does the opposite and agrees to go to Techevelle instead before Metis leaves the riverside, to both elves' dismay about Hiroto's nonchalant attitude towards the danger he is about to face.

### Part 4

Later, Hiroto is changing his clothes with Mimia until Magnelis interrupts and calls him out for accepting Metis' invitation nonchalantly without considering the Phyllian soldiers' hostility against him and expect to leave Phyllis unscathed. Instead, Hiroto jokingly says that Alvy and even Metis could save him from trouble but when Magnelis reprimands him about entering a hostile country like a trip, he becomes serious by explains that this is their best opportunity to have relations with Phyllis and given his relationship with Metis improves after the boat wrestling, he claims that not going to Techevelle now due to safety will wasting their efforts and it is a best interest for them to follow on Metis's terms.

玛妮爱丽丝瞪着弘人。

#### Part 7

Meanwhile, Raquel is finished swimming at a pool while recalling her past experience at Salabria and her meeting with Hiroto, of which prompts her deduces that the Margrave still cares about the people who live at Hybride no matter who they are and vows to protect them and Hybride's boarders at all cost, even though he is not an ally to North Phyllis. Even after receiving news that Hiroto has excluded the North Phyllis settlement from the preach treaty between Hybride and Phyllis, she understands him motive as it meant to protect the people and boarders from danger and even yearns to meet him again. Suddenly, a maid reports to her about Panopticus's message regarding Joachim's outrageous demand of the Prime Minster's explanation about the peace treaty, which shocks and angers Raquel so much about her brother's delusions of being a "king" while acting extremely crude to the very people who aided their shelter despite being a mere guest in a foreign land. So, Raquel orders to get her carriage ready as she wants to confront her brother herself.

#### Part 5

Back at Terchevelle Castle, Hiroto and his party are enjoying Metis's welcome ceremony where the Margrave enjoys the belly dancers' dancing as wwell as the local cuisine, so much so that he praises Metis for it. Metis then gloats that her kingdom is prospered with beautiful women and delicious food but Hiroto teases that the general is the most prettiest of them all, prompt her to replies that his flattery will going nowhere while enjoying her wine with him. After the belly dancer's dance, the three soldiers are next to perform their "dance" but their "act" raises uneasiness from both Hiroto and Alvy as the Margrave chuckles when he notices one soldier's strange glare and footsteps whereas the latter prepares to unsheathe his sword as he suspects that solider is trying to assassinate Hiroto. Just as the dancing soldier is about to kill Hiroto, however, Metis saves the Margrave by "joining" the dance and she manages to thwart all 3 soldiers' every attempt to reach Hiroto with her spear because she want to avoid a scandal of her killing a important guests, much to Alvy's amazement as he seems to understand why Hiroto trusted Metis. When the "dance" is over, Metis whispers to all three soldier about meeting her at her room for their "rewards" and then return to the table and tells Hiroto that she can dance too, to which Hiroto responds with a joke of him terrible in dance and it makes Metis laugh.

#### Part 6

After the feast, Metis, who is so irate about the 3 old guard's insubordination for what they did at the stage, walks into her room where the 3 guards are gathering and immediately orders their execution after giving them 3 small bags of gold for their family, much to the guards' horror as they realize that she has found out their plan. One soldier stands up to her by saying that the soldiers will resent her for befriending an enemy without considering their feelings for their fallen compatriots, but Metis berates them all for nearly destroying Phyllis over their petty revenge and deems their insubordination as their betrayal against her because she cannot repay Hiroto's courtesy with rudeness, rendering all 3 soldiers speechless and they are executed afterwards. Later, Metis dismisses the organizer's position to host future events and prohibits any old guard to gt close to Hiroto after she reprimands him for arranging their "dance" without considering their assassination plan. Now being left alone in her room, Metis looks at the moon while remarks the soldiers' twisted determination to kill Hiroto but vows that not let today's incident deter her friendship with Hiroto and she must make him to link up with the vampires during his stay ay Techevelle Castle.

Eventually, the news about the 3 assassins' execution spreads across Techevelle Castle and it demoralizes the old guards so severely due to Metis's merciless decision, as well as as the 10 missing people that are found dead at the hill, that they temporarily gives up their assassination attempt onto Hiroto.

### **Joachim and Felkina's Daring Audience with Moldias**

#### Part 1

At Emperia, Joachim and Felkina's upcoming "visit" has shaken the entire capital: Metis is so livid to read Hiroto's letter about Felkina's demand of his explanation to Joachim that she is disgusted by the 2 people's disrespect to the Margrave, to the point regretting for separating herself from her brother 3 years ago and she is going to his castle to reprimand both Joachim and Felkina for their foolishness. Meanwhile, Moldias also receives this news via a chamberlain and hearing Felkina's name reminds him of her father, Count Lalente who once pressured him to aid North Phyllis only to be perished from a battle against Phyllis, and he plans to not give Felkina too much details due to her cunning is as problematic like father. Panopticus also receives the same news via Delegelis whilst reading Hiroto's letter about Felkina and while despite feeling relieved that Hiroto didn't accepted her "request" due to how troublesome she really is, he still can't help himself but to wonder Felkina's actual motive considering that Moldias has no intent to change his mind. Univestel is also shocked to hear Joachim and Felkina's "visit" that he shakes his head and deem them as naive fools for not comprehend the motive of excluding the North Phyllis settlement from the peace treaty and he is going to participate the meeting as well so he can't allow Felkina to do as she pleased.

#### Part 4

Afterwards, Univestel feels something is off about Felkina as he had a hunch that she is planning on something. Panopticus, on the other hand, ordes Inferia to keep an eye on Joachim and report to him if he going somewhere.

#### Part 5

As for Joachim and Felkina who return home with disappointment, they both meet Raquel who reprimands her brother for making his "appeal" to Moldias alone. Joachim then argues that he refuses to watch his dream of reviving North Phyllis fading away and even prepare to die for it, only to become speechless when Raquel castigates him for taking life too lightly and have him writing two apology letter . After ordeirng Joachim to write two apology letters to both Moldias and Hiroto, Raquel then confronts Felkina about the messengers and calls her out for her abrasiveness towards Hiroto by interrupting his duty and demanded his explanation to Joachim. Felkina, feeling disgust to even hear Hiroto's name, scoffs at Raquel for defending Hiroto by saying that she has different ways of thinking than them and persists that the "road for North Phyllis's future" will extinguish if they remains silent, though Raquel is unfazed and refutes that the Countess has taken unnecessary detours to fulfill their pipe dream. Anyways, Raquel tells Felkina to stop Joachim from behaving strangely anymore and remind them that those who don't knows endurance shall never fulfill any dreams because not everything go to their way in life. After she leaves, however, a disgruntled Joachim murmurs that his sister didn't understand that this is their best chance to revive their homeland. So, on the next day, both Joachim and Felkina take 30 cavalry knights with them and leave the castle, without knowing that Inferia is tailing behind them.

### **Disappearance of Joachim and Felkina**

At dusk, Hiroto and Sōichiro visit Gezerkia in order to get her acknowledgement of a meeting between Metis and the Salabria Union Vampires. At first, Gezerkia is displeased by this idea as she still views Phyllis as her enemy, only to change her mind when Hiroto says that is for Dezerg Clan's sake by explaining that having good relations with humans will gain their respect and at least lessen their impression that vampires are "evil"-starting with the elves accompanying him and the vampires give him some tributes, with Metis brings the money. Impressed by Hiroto's words, Gezerkia let him stay for a night. 2 days later, Hiroto then visits Zeldis in regards Gezerkia's decision but in spite of having an honor as the first vampire to meet Metis, he worries that doing so will only to be labeled as a "traitor" by his fellow vampires. However, Hiroto tells him not to worry about it as he suggests him to at least

Elsewhere, Raquel goes to visit Joachim again out of her concern for his increasingly radical behavior only to find out that he has left the castle instead, courtesy to one vassal. However, that vassal's suspicious answer ends up garnering Raquel's rage and she asks them about the whereabouts of Joachim and Felkina, which one vassal bitterly replies that revealing their locations will "dishonor" his lord. Still, hearing the answer alarms Raquel as she seemly know where Joachim could have gone to and orders her men to leave and write a letter to Hiroto. Meanwhile, Inferia is following both Joachim and Felkina to the west only to be stunned to realize that path is heading to Ansul of all places, which confuses her but she immediately report it to to report it to Panopticus as soon as possible. Eventually, the news about Joachim and Felkina's trip to Ansul reaches both Panopticus and Univestel but they choose to overlook their plans and let them extinguish themselves instead.

### **Metis's Visit onto Salabria**

#### Part 1

At Techevelle Castle , Metis is anticipating to upcoming visit to Salabria after reading Hiroto's letter and she picks her trusted aide for the trip. At the same time at Dominus Castle, Sōichirō reads to Curele about the "Grasshopper and Ants" but the more he reads the story until the end where Curele sympathize the grasshopper, he begins to fell extremely uneasy due to Metis's upcoming visit that he trying to prevent her from meeting Curele;furthermore, even with Alvy is in charge of the castle's security, he worries that her underlings may going to assassinate Hiroto during the trip.

#### Part 2

On the very next day, Dominus Castle is abuzz with Metis is busy preparing for Metis's visit upon Salabria with Valkyria and others stays behind while Hiroto and the Primaria Elves (Excelis and Astelis) heading to the harbor via a horse carriage. Few minutes later, Metis's ship arrives at the Salabrian harbor along with her second in command and a secretary, then meets Hiroto and Primaria Elves (Excelis and Astelis), then orders her men to carry the malt given by Hiroto and follow the trio into the carriage that heading for Primaria.

### **Joachim's Declaration of North Phyllis's Revival**

#### Part 1

Elsewhere, Joachim's carriage reaches Feo the capital city of Ansul and he feels that his time to fight for North Phyllis's revival is finally here.

#### Part 3

Soon, the crowd is so impressed by Joachim's rousing speech that some of them, who happened to be North Phyllians, shake their hands with Joachim and pleas him to revive North Phyllis and its former glory. Unbeknownst to everyone including Joachim and Felkina, however, one man who shook Joachim is actually a Phyllian merchant who immediately rides his horse and return to Phyllis to deliver a news about North Phyllis's revival to his fellow Phyllians.

#### Part 7

Eventually, Joachim's declaration reaches Jibril who is confused by both his and Felkina's purpose at Feo and, under his advisor's suggestion, he sends 2 garrison soldiers to the inn where Felkina currently resided in order to check if she is an imposter.

The garrison soldiers' report cause Jibril to suffer a dilemma about facing outrage despite having his suspicions about Felkina's motives until he recalls about the air-mail he signed with Hiroto, so he writes a letter about what happened at Feo and have a vampire to send it to Salabria immediately.

### **The War Between Phyllis and North Phyllis**

#### Part 1

On the next morning at Dominus Castle, Hiroto and his friends are eating breakfast with Metis's group until one guard interrupts them and whispers to both Hiroto and Excelis about something that force them to leave momentarily. Sōichirō goes and checks on both Hiroto and Excelis first and when the trio become speechless to read Jibril's letter about someone resembled Joachim and Felkina were spotted at Feo and declared war on Phyllis for North Phyllis's revival, so he  urges Hiroto to not tell Metis about this incident and becomes angry when Hiroto becomes hesitant to do so. To make matters from bad to worse, just as Alvy later joins in and also feels shocked to hear the same news, the four also receive Raquel's letter about her missing brother which solidifies their fear as this confirms their whereabouts at Feo. Like Sōichirō, Alvy also urges Hiroto to tell Hiroto about the news but even with these warnings that telling Metis about Ansul but Hiroto insists to do so anyhow because not only he claims that lies are dangerous when exposed due to Metis's sharp instinct, he also seemly understands the reasons behind Felkina's "visit" of Salabria as well as Joachim's dastard declaration of North Phyllis

弘人带头走向食堂。

“你绝对不要说啊。”

相一郎在后面叮嘱。弘人没有回答。进入食堂，立刻坐回美提丝的旁边。

（求你了别说啊。）

After returning to the table, Sorceire asks Sōichirō what had happened but he lies that nothing, until Metis turns her attention to Hiroto with the same question but to everyone's dismay, Hiroto tells the truth anyways but despite everyone include Metis become silent after Hiroto reveals that Joachim could be at Ansul, he continues that North Phyllis's declaration of revival

“这是决不能容忍的挑衅行为。我作为边境总督很生气。边境总督的目的，是维护国境的安全，以及，加深同重要邻国菲利斯王国的友好关系。北菲利斯王族所作出的复国宣言，严重伤害到了这两方面。对进行宣言的北菲利斯王族，提出强烈抗议。”

弘人作出宣言。

“原本，这种事可能不说为好。但，纸里包不住火。一旦暴露，将丧失信用。而且信赖不会再恢复。我不想失去同菲利斯王国的友好关系，特别是同美提丝阁下的友好关系。所以，才执意在这里说出来希望共享问题。”

弘人进一步作出了说明。

叶珂瑟莉丝和阿尔贝都无语了。相一郎也说不出话来。

弘人还是干了。

在日本，有沉默是金，雄辩是银这样一句话。雄辩固然优秀，但说到底不过是第二。第一是保持沉默。这次不就正好是这样吗。为什么，不保持沉默呢？

Therefore, Hiroto requests Metis's corporation to solve this problem to ensure the relations between Hybride and Phyllis. but Metis stands up and informs him that she is leaving back to Phyllis.
“对于这次的问题，我一个人没办法处理。只有美提丝阁下与我共同处理此事，才能避免危机。不能共同应对的话，两国间的关系会因为一件蠢事而遭到破坏。这样的事情，不能让它发生。”

“我还是回去比较好吧。”

美提丝站起身。

（你看看，变成这样了吧！）

相一郎瞪着弘人。但是，弘人没有动摇。

“作为边境总督，会对搞事的人采取行动。肇事者，已经确定是在安市庐州的州首府菲奥。现在马上派遣二十名吸血鬼。吸血鬼族的话，能在几小时内到达菲奥。一到达，就将逮捕肇事者，押解回萨拉布里亚。审问之后，移交到王都，由国王予以处置。安市庐州长官和精灵长老会安市庐州支部长那边，由吸血鬼族进行联络。让美提丝阁下蒙羞的行为，打消访问我国的菲利斯的勇气这一愚蠢行为，绝对不能姑息，决不轻饶。绝不容许再出现此类挑衅行为。作为边境总督，会防止最坏的事态。”

Everyone becomes speechless after hearing Hiroto's words until Metis tells Hiroto that she is not planning to stay, just as Sōichirō's feared, but Hiroto continues by saying that

就在相一郎这样想的时候，弘人继续说道。

“美提丝阁下应该也知道，这次挑衅行为的目的有二。第一，让两国陷入紧张状态引发军事冲突，令两国间开启战端。战争一旦爆发，菲利斯国内的北菲利斯人也会发动叛乱。利用这一点，趁机让北菲利斯复国是目的之二。得益于美提丝阁下勇敢的减税政策，恐怕数年内尤格鲁达便能恢复元气。粮食困难的问题得以解决。那样一来，就算在如何利用北菲利斯的复国来挑起战争，也会陷入苦战。发起挑衅行为的人一定认为现在正是挑起祖国光复之战的最好时机。两国开战，是无法避免的。为了避免这一点，以边境总督的身份派出吸血鬼逮捕王族。然后，加紧运送小麦。小麦能很快到达尤格鲁达的话，就能平息农民的叛乱。但是修普利特单方面应对有困难的地方。北菲利斯王国复国的宣言，恐怕已经传到了对岸菲利斯王国。菲利斯士兵也不可能不受到刺激。万一菲利斯兵受到刺激要渡过提尔米纳斯河，开启战端的可能性一下就变高了。”

“想用这个来留住我是吗？”

美提丝用冰冷的目光看着。

红热你点点头。

“来不及的。”

“来得及，用吸血鬼族的话。请美提丝阁下务必修书一封让部下不要中计。我也会写信给菲利斯士兵。信，会让吸血鬼族带去，空投给菲利斯的守备队。这样一来，就能让美提丝阁下的命令在数小时内传达给菲利斯的士兵们。”

美提丝没有说话。

冰冷的美瞳，默默地看着弘人。

气氛变得剑拔弩张。和缓的气氛早已消失无踪。

“你说王族在菲奥是吧。告诉我地点，就不怕我下令暗杀吗？”

“我不认为拥有智将之名的你会做出这种事。王族名叫由亚西姆。基本能确定是他本人了，因为姐姐送来了‘弟弟不在，该不会干什么坏事吧’这样担心的信。”

由亚西姆吗……美提丝默念。

“由亚西姆我知道。国家如果不灭亡，是当不了王的男人。没记错的话，还不到二十岁。”

“我也听说。”

“姐姐是拉凯尔吧。早有耳闻他们姐弟一起逃到了修普利特王国。姐姐倒是个一丝不苟的人。”

“你见过？”

“见过。还是北菲利斯同菲利斯开战前的事。弟弟很喜欢泛舟的样子。姐姐就比较成熟了。还记得她说过再这样下去这个国家会走向灭亡的话。”

弘人点点头。

After

“送完信之后，也希望你能继续留在普里玛利亚。在这里，能通过吸血鬼族更快地入手情报。美提丝和我之间，如果情报有区别，情报入手的时机不同，会影响问题的解决。”

In spite of Metis' threats that

“让我留下来可不是什么好事啊。”

美提丝威胁道，

“没那回事。”

弘人微笑起来。

“你是菲利斯王国最有能力，最值得信赖的人。所以，希望你能留下来。一起化解两国的危机。”

美提丝哼了一声。

小瞧我？

不，不是这样的。

“弘人阁下果然是个奇怪的男人。换了我，绝对会隐瞒的。”

“就算对方是美提丝阁下吗？”

弘人露出微笑。

“正因为美提丝阁下就在这里，所以不认为能瞒得住。而且，这次的问题也不是我一个人能解决的。”

Hiroto then summons Valkyria and another vampire into the dining room via a clap and after listening to his request of capturing Joachim, Valkyria kisses Hiroto and orders everyone for the emgency meeting

“全体部队紧急集合！拿到书信立刻出发！”

走出了食堂。

#### Part 6.6

Meanwhile, at Feo, Joachim wakes up and feels exhilarated about his upcoming war with Phyllis and feels that there is no turning back for the sake of reviving his "kingdom" because he views this as the only way, even though knowing that he will die for it. When reaching Feo's jetty, seeing the river prompts Joachim to recall his childhood memories about Terminus River and yearn to stop on the other side the river despite their originally plan is to just heading to the middle of it. After everyone is onboard onto the ship, Felkina, who herself also thinking that this is "war" is their only chance to bring North Phyllis back to existence as a buffer zone to both kingdoms, urges Joachim to do the same and he complies. On the other side, the news about Joachim and his "appeal" of North Phyllis's revival spreads across Aviv via a merchant and it sparks everyone's attention: Not only it angers the Phyllian soldiers so much that they going to kill him for making a fool out of them, it also prompting the local villagers to prepare their revolt against Phyllis by gathering as much people as possible. Elsewhere, 20 vampires are flying pass Hagar and on their way to Ansul and Valkyria tells Curele to not to be rough today, to which Curele nods and fly off.

#### Part 7

So, the "war" begins with Joachim orders all the ship to sail towards the other side and when the fleet reach the center of the river, he provokes the Phyllian soldiers by ordering them to leave "his" land. The Phyllian soldiers are so angry by Joachim's provocation that they shoot arrow at him but all of them are missed and Joachim further taunt them for unable to killing, with his thoughts that his former homeland is almost at his reach. Suddenly, Felkina orders to retreat back to Feobut Joachim insists on pushing the army forward to Phyllis's shorelines instead, leading to their argument that confuses the soldiers until their boatman is hit by Phyllian arrow that forcing the North Phyllian fleet to retreat, with Felkina rows the boat herself and orders everyone to protect Joachim. Seeing that the tide is changing on their side, the Phyllis Army begins to give chase after the fleeing enmies and shoot rains of arrow only for Felkina to get hit by the arrow when she protects Joachim from them, much to Joachim's horror. The "war" only stops when Curele interrupts the battle by creating 2 big waves with minimum power that splits the boats from both armies ships into 2 before Phyllian archers can shoot her. Valkyria then praises Curele after her mission which makes the latter so happy that she wishes that Sōichirō will read more books as her reward.

#### Part 8

Back to Terminus River where the ships from both armies are overturned, the vampires are rescuing the survivors and bring them to shore. For Joachim and Felkina who both emerges from the river and baffled to witness the surprising scenery, they are taken by the vampires to Feo's shorelines despite their minor resistance and confront Alvy who declares their arrest under Hiroto's decree while being accompanied by Jibril's guards. The Phyllian soldiers, meanwhile, remains hostile against the vampires even after their rescue until they see them return, dropping cylinders on the ground and fly away instead, and their are even baffled to discover that these cylinders contain letters from both Hiroto and even Metis about their intolerance against North Phyllis Remnants for disturbing the peace between Hybride and Phyllis. Many soldiers remains skeptical, however, as they assume that these letters are "fake" so they show them to the captain for verification but he confirms these letter as the real one due to their respective seals, leaving everyone to wonder the vampires motives. On the other side, Phyllis soldiers are distributing Salabrian wheats across Jugurtha and all the villagers are happy to accept it, including the Aviv villagers who immediately stops their rebellion once they grabs the wheats and bake the breads and consume them With that, the North Phyllis Remnants' rebellion is effectively extinguished for good.

### **The Reunion Of Raquel and Metis**

On the next day, Raquel visits Secondaria after she heard news about Joachim's arrest but Manelis advises her to stay because Metis who is at Primaria, so she opts to send letter to Hiroto. At Dominus Castle, Hiroto is so happy to read Manelis's letter about Raquel that he yearns to invite her to Primaria in spite of Excelis's warning about Metis. Later that night, both Raquel and Hiroto eventually meets up at the building roof top. Meanwhile, Metis and her aides are wandering at Dominus's castle grounds while waiting for Phyllis' intel in order to confirm Hiroto's claims regarding both Joachim and Felkina. Eventually, the intel returns two days later with a shocking confirmation about Joachim's sighting at Feo along with his losing battle to Phyllis army, as well as his subsequent arrest by the vampires along with Felkina in the aftermath of vampires' intervention that stopped the war, meaning that the Margrave was speaking the truth. Both Metis and her aides are so astonished by such news that the former thinks Metis is so astonished by the Hiroto's prowess that she think that she may going to meet North Phyllis's former nobility if she stay a bit longer.

At night, Primaria is hosting a grand farewell party for Metis where she meets and interacts with Salabrian castle lords. She returns to her room afterwards only to be surprised to see Hiroto's letter that tells her to go to the Elven Elder Council. When she arrives, Alvy escorts Metis into the council's depth and they both talking about Hiroto's sincerity until they reach to a small observation room where they observes Hiroto's interrogation with Joachim and Felkina.

The interrogation begins with Felkina derides Hiroto so harshly for thwarting her pot to revive North Phyllis that she compares him with Phyllis and even rejecting his concern about her injured back. Still, Hiroto patiently explains to Felkina that the reason why he didn't aid her to revive North Phyllis while knowing that her plan could have succeeded regardless of Joachim's fate is because she was so fixated on seizing North Phyllis's border that she never even considered on handling like national power and state management after their seizure -one will have detrimental ramifications for both Hybride and ironically the North Phyllians, meaning that North Phyllis pointless. Even with these fact, Felkina remains adamant about reviving North Phyllis but Hiroto retorts that her dogmatism will not only unable to bring life and happiness to the North Phyllians who reside at both Hybride and Phyllis respectively, but also harms Hybride's national power because North Phyllis's devastation that severely decreasing it's revenue, leaving her speechless. Ergo, Hiroto informs both Joachim and Felkina that they will be sent to Emperia where Moldius will deal with them but Felkina scornfully retorts by taunting him as an "ineffectual being" without the vampires and declares that North Phyllis will hold grudge against him and never cooperate with him at all. Metis, who is watching interrogation the entire time , angering Metis so much that she is about to intervene until Raquel suddenly steps in and intervene the interrogation.

Raquel defends Hiroto by not only castigating Joachim for his short-sighted mentality that caused trouble for both Hiroto and Metis that nearly destroying the friendship between Hybride and Phyllis, she also corrects Felkina that North Phyllis will cooperate with Hiroto because she supports his peace and implores the Countess to apologize to Hiroto, of which the Countess begrudgingly complies while speechless. Metis is so amazed by Raquel's words that she recalls the princess's own words prior to North Phyllis's fall about her former kingdom's corruption, and then concludes that Hiroto has won this battle. Raquel then apologizes Hiroto for her interference which Hiroto says that he doesn't mind.

Everyone then leaves the room after the interrogation, including Metis who now understands Hiroto's intention of having her to witness his reason why he opposed North Phyllis's revival. Coincidentally, Raquel stumble across Metis along the way and while she is surprised to reunite with her enemy at first, Hiroto calms her down with a whisper that he was the one who invited her. Both Metis and Raquel then having a conversation where the general asking the princess if she remembers her, to which the princess replies that she acknowledged the general's efforts to strengthen the Hybride-Phyllis friendship with Hiroto even after North Phyllis's demise, all the while apologizing to her for Joachim's folly and wishes that it will not affect the friendship between her and Hiroto. After telling Raquel that she heard everything from that room, Metis kneels down and kisses the princess's hand out of respect. Raquel then pleas Metis not to kill Joachim because she fears that his death will end up angering North Phyllians who resides at Hybride and it will consequently destroying the friendship between both Hybride and Phyllis, to which Metis only nods and both women going separate ways as Raquel leaves the castle with four elven guards whereas Metis is talking with Hiroto who thanking her for coming and says that he will orgranize her grand sendoff and Metis replies that she will invite him to Babylos next.

Having escorted to outside, Metis looks at a starry night with satisfaction as she remarks that her remarkable experience after visiting Salabria, especially after she learns about both the vampires and Raquel will not be in vain. Elsewhere, Raquel returns to to Primaria Castle while feeling so pity about Joachim's situation that she laments if there is any way to revive North Phyllis situation like this could be averted had she . As for Joachim and Felkina, the prince reflects his own recklessness whereas the countess blames herself for their failure in reviving North Phyllis; when Joachim checks on her back wounds, Felkina claims that her injury is nothing compared to his failure and blames herself for it. This prompts the duo to recall Northern Phyllis's past prior to its fall-specifically the moment they stepped onto Terminus River's sands.

## Epilogue (Part 3)

### **The Former Prince's Wish Coming True**

On the next day before his transfer, Joachim meets Raquel alone where the Princess reprimands her brother for his recklessness that resulted Felkina's back injury whil asking him if he still planning on reviving North Phyllis again. Joachim tearfully answers that he could at least able to return to Terminus River's shoreline had his successfully revive his homeland, to which Raquel hugs Joachim and tells him that she still thinks that his actions has endangering everyone despite she herself also missed Terminus River's sandy beaches, she still thinks his action were reckless while also comforts Felkina by telling her that she will prevent Joachim's execution no matter what, even if the changes are from slim to none. After setting Joachim off, Raquel sighs and recalls her bonds with her brother despite his flaws  and because she unwilling to see his execution, she seeks Hiroto for his help and granst her wish.

Meanwhile, Joachim becomes increasingly paranoid about his own fate despite Felkina when he confronts Hiroto and Salabria soldiers who take him with them against his will. During their ride via Vampire Air Carriage. Joachim accuses Hiroto for trying to "kill" him before going to Emperia, though Hiroto replies that he just wants to take him to somewhere and he will tell him once they reach their destination, which the prince reluctantly relent while laments his supposed "demise". To Joachim's shock, however, the carriage arrive at Terminus Riverbanks's sandy shoreline that once belonged to his former kingdom, and Hiroto tells him that it was Raquel's request to grant his wish but urges him not to go too far. Stepping onto the shoreline reminds Joachim of his good times at North Phyllis to the point shedding his tears of joy. After taking some sands into a bottle, Joachim gives his ring and necklace to the vampires as his gift and apologizes to Hiroto for the trouble he has caused. When Felkina greets him minutes later, Joachim tells her that Hiroto and the vampires were actually granting his longtime wish.

### **The House Arrests of Both Joachim and Felkina**

10 days later, Joachim and Felkina are having an audience with Moldias who is disappointed at them for for nearly destroying the peace and friendship between Hybride and Phyllis. When Moldias asks both Joachim and Felkina which one of them initiated their move, both them trying to confess but the king hears enough and, rather than executing them, he put them into house arrest for a year and Felkina is prohibited from visiting Joachim. The outcome piques Panopticus's intrigue because of Hiroto's accomplishment for stopping the duo's rampage without killing them. Outside Emperia, Felkina bids Joachim farewell and on her way towards back home, she remarks Joachim's rare happiness because Hiroto has fulfilled his long life dream-something -and as much as she bemoans over their thwarted plan by Hiroto, she has to repay the Diferente somehow for Joachim's sake.

### **Letter from Joachim and Metis to Dominus Castle**

#### Part 1

At Dominus Castle, Curele and the vampires are surprised to see jewelries and Joachim's letter of gratitude to Hiroto and the 8 Vampires for granting his longtime wish. Even with this lucrative present, the vampires don't know what to do about it.

#### Part 2

Hiroto, meanwhile, is bathing at a nearby hot-spring with Valkyria and also reading the same letter.

## Characters

* Sōichirō Sōda
* Gezerkia
* Valkyria
* Curele
* Sorceire
* Excelis
* Carabella
* Alvy
* Moldius
* Eash I
* Raquel
* Metis
* Gardel
* Felkina do Lalente
* Joachim
* Zeldis
* Astilis
* Feuillet
* Torlan
* Panopticus
* Sobrinus
* Abrahim
* Angelus
* Univestel
* Finnath
* Seth

## Story Impact

* Throughout the entire arc itself, Phyllis tries and fails to subjugate Hiroto even with Abrahim's best schemes and top generals' (such as Metis and Gardel) undaunted prowess. In fact, this further solidifies Hiroto's vital position as the key of peace to both Hybride and Phyllis since he is not only one of few people who has the connection with the vampires, but also his amazing debate skills that capable overturn his disadvantage.

* More castle lords in Hybride are introduced in this arc and they shown either contempt or skepticism towards Hiroto
	+ Rujad is a castle lord who ruled Hagar and he is notorious womanizer while prided with his Phyllis lineage because his grandmother was one of Phyllis' noblewomen. He is one of many castle lords who despised Hiroto and the vampires out of jealousy, so much so that he demanded that he will lead the Joint-Defense instead of Hiroto and even
	+ Jibril is a castle lord who ruled Ansul but with a very indecisive personality.

* Hiroto's glory by defeating Phyllis Army twice has gain some fame even from his enemies, specifically the spies who then carry on Abrahim's plan to defame Hiroto by singing the Song of Hiroto.
	+ In spite of Hiroto's rescue of Hagar from Kyne and his army, Rujad remains antagonistic towards Hiroto and the vampires out of pride until he is given an ultimatum by Hagar's own Elven Council Elder that he need to apologize to Hiroto or the elven elder council will cut ties with Hagar
	+ Contrary with Rujad, Jibril opts to side with Hiroto immediately after.

* Phyllis also have it's own elves but unlike their Hybride's counterpart, most of them are exempted from taxes but in turn, none of them hold any influential positions despite their crucial role in aintaining the kingdom's infrastructureorganization that represent them. For this reason, the elves in Phyllis are seen as second-classed citizen in the kingdom and they often belittled by nearly everyone.
	+ In spite of being belittled by Phyllis, the elves play a major role in Phyllis' history, particularly the Fall of

* More stories about North Phyllis and the characters are explained and it's backstory is revealed: It turns out that North Phyllis was ruled with corruption by an arrogant king and his corrupted court where bribery is a common practice. In fact, the kingdom's transparency is so lacking that it disgusted both the local leves and even Raquel as the former claimed that the kingdom was beyond salvation, whereas the latter views that . What really sealed North Phyllis's downfall is that the king and his court's disgusting mistreatment to the elves that 's outrageous demand of elves to participate a war against Eash while imposed heavy taxes on them, and when these elves ended up supporting Eash despite not participating the war
	+ The result of the king's death caused the last of noble family like Raquel and Joachim to flee Phyllis and they have been rescued by a Hybridian knights and they wre taken shelter at Hybride ever since. However, 7 years has passed and the support for North Phyllis's revival is fading, which ends up thinning Joachim's patience .
		- Raquel is a princess-turned-refugee who once ruled North Phyllis until it's downfall courtesy to Eash. Initially belittles Salabria and even disgusted to learn Hiroto's relationship with the vampires "as disgusting", her visit of Salabria changes her perspective drastically as she not only learn the truth about Hiroto and the vampires that contradicts to the said rumors from Emperia, she also witnesses their prowess as well as the Diferente's charisma that proves his caliber and might. Since then, Raquel becomes one of Hiroto's recurring allies throughout the series.
		- Joachim is Raquel's younger brother who is also a noblemen-turned-refugee and one of 2 main antagonists in this arc's third act along with Felkina. Unlike his sister, the prince is too devoted to revive his former homeland that he viewed himself as a "king" and acting rude and condescending towards others who didn't share his view, courtesy to his vassal's pressure and especially Felkina's gaslighting. To make things worse for the
	+ While some like Raquel, Joachim and Galsh were lucky to escape Phyllis and sought refuge at Hybride, others (specially the farmers) remained stuck at Jugurtha and they Metis' abolishment of th tax may ease

* Felkina is introduced as one of Hybride's influential nobles and also one of 2 main antagonists in this arc's third act alongside Felkina. Born to a renowned House Lalente where her mother was a former North Phyllis noblewomen while her late father was a former Privy Council Member, Felkina is one of North Phyllis Remnants' few avid supporters who is loyal to Joachim and willing to do anything to support his cause to retake North Phyllis . Her meeting with Hiroto was antagonistic one where she belittled the boy simply because of his
	+ Her family is also introduced in a rather grimmer light. Her father,

* Jugurtha is introduced as one of Phyllis's northernmost territory that happened to be North Phyllis's former territory prior to it's annexation to Phyllis in the aftermath of the civil war. Unfortunately for the citizens especially the farmers, however, they are often mistreated by the Phyllis citizens simply because of their identity despite Jugurtha itself is one of Phyllis most important province due t

* The aftermath of Phyllis' assassins failure in assassinating Hiroto have a profound effect for both Hybride and Phyllis.
	+ With vampires dropping the beheaded heads of Phyllis assassins at Babylos as a warning to those who try to harm, Eesh and Abrahim becomes panicked for it as the Prime Minister think that Phyllis will not know peace so long Hiroto is still alive, and the Diferente's new position as the Margrave only tempting king to lauch a full assault onto Hybride until
	+ Raquel becomes the only survivor of her group during Phyllis Knights' attack onto Dominus Castle after the deaths of Galsh and other bodyguards. At the same time, the incident she experienced enabled her to not only learn more about the vampires' true personality and prowess, but more importantly Hiroto's true character that contradicts Emperia's nasty rumors about him. This alone solidifies her as Hiroto's recurring ally in future story arcs.
		- Her visit however also garnered th attention of Felkina, who herself was disappointed at Hiroto's rejection of Raquel's request to the point thinking him as a "diabolical" person who stand in her way to revive North Phyllis.
	+ Moldius, who once wrongfully judged Hiroto due to his outburst over one poem that spread across Emperia, feels regret after learning Hiroto's near assasination by Phyllis courtesy to Rujad's incompetence. This is Moldias's second since the last arc . To rectify his mistakes, he appoints Hiroto as the new Margrave of Hybride.
		- However, aside from Sobrinus and Panopticus, not all ministers or nobles are willing to acknowledge Hiroto: Univestel remains skeptical towards the young Margrave until the Hortius murder incident forces him to seek his help during the Hybride-Phyllis peace negotiation, only to be impressed by the young man's negotiation skill that manages to ensure the peace between Hybride and Phyllis without adding the North Phyllis Contention in this peace treaty. He remain antagonistic towards Hiroto until his future involvement at Noblesia in the next arc. Finas, on the other hand, remains hostile towards Hiroto despite his vital role in keeping Hybride's stability and its diplomacy with Phyllis, to the point willing to join other antagonists in the later arcs to ruin the Diferente even if it would ironically endangers Hybride in the process-making him as one of few recurring antagonists in the series.
	+ Due to his incompetence to see through Phyllis plan, Rujad is demoted from his Boarder Protector position and he is removed from governor position under Moldius's degree. As the result, an elf by the name Ildols succeeds him as the new Governor of Hagar.
	+ Hiroto is promoted as the Margrave of Hybride as Moldius's redemption for his for second yet fatal misunderstanding about him again. Since then, many characters in the latter arc address Hiroto with his current position.
	+ Zoch's disgrace due to conspiracy with Phyllis and his indirect role in Hiroto's near assassination caused Glinka to be under Hiroto's control and one castle is under construction as the vampire's post in order to enforce and secure Hybride's southern boarders. Zoch's surviving family, specifically Hyodor the nephew who respects his late uncle in spite of hi antics, requests leniency so they can retake the late castle lord's will but ends up being denied Magnelis and Astelis instead. This forces Hyodor, together with his steward Crusade and Nuron, to plot a sabotage the reconstruction of Glinka Castle but in the end, they are all eventually get caught courtesy to Sorceire as well as the vampires and mummies. Out of the three, however, only Hyodor is spared whereas both Crusade and Nuron are executed.

* More Phyllis figures are revealed in this arc, with Metis, Gardel, Cain and others as its' notable citizens to the kingdom of the South.
	+ Metis is introduced as one of Eesh's entrusted generals due to her beauty and intellect. Being the first to respond to Eash's letter of help after the vampires' presence at Babylos, she is also one of very few people in Phyllis thinks that attacking Hybride is suicidal and it only damaging the kingdom even further, considering her territory Jurgutha so she opts to investigate o Hiroto and the vampires in order to find ways to defeat them. Her investigation about Hiroto ends up
	+ Gardel is also introduced as one of Eesh's another champions who is renowned for his bravery, loyalty and honor. Unlike Metis who uses wisdom to

* The aftermath of Hybride-Phyllis peace negotiations bring significance to the story where Hiroto manage to bring peace to both Hybride and Phyllis with an unexpected plan-something that not even veteran ministers like Panopticus and Abrahim could even think of. For this reason, Hiroto is seen as the key of peace between both kingdoms.
	+ On Hybride side, both Panopticus and Univestel are so astonished to witness Hiroto's debates against Phyllis that they begin to recognize caliber, with the Grand Elder starting and slowly to
	+ On Phyllis side, Abrahim, Metis and Gardel are also surprised by Hiroto's eloquence that they to see an enemy is saving them from the crisis.
	+ For this reason, Eesh gives up on assassinating onto Hiroto due to Abrahim's remark about the Margrave, but it still doesn't stop Abrahim from finding ways . As the story goes on, however, their role is reversed with Eesh the king is the one who yearn to meet Hiroto in order to see his true caliber, while Abrahim ends up feuding with the Diferente due to his desire to regain Phyllis's former prestige.
	+ Unfortunately, because of the exclusion of the North Phyllis settlement from the peace treaty, it garners hostility from Felkina who is the main supporter

* Hiroto's subjugation of Joachim and Felkina brings significant impact to both Hybride and Phyllis: Not only this further solidifying the diplomatic relationship between Hybride and Phyllis, it also ends ends North Phyllis Remnants' futile quest to revive their fallen kingdom for good.
	+ Due to their involvement in their war against Phyllis that will almost ruin the peace between Hybride and Phyllis, Joachim and Felkina were punished by Moldius by having both separated: Joachim will be imprisoned for a year while Felkina is prohibited to see him within a year.
		- Before his imprisonment, Joachim is taken by Hiroto and the vampires to one of Terminus River's shoreline that happens to be his favorite place before the fall of North Phyllis, albeit. Seeing his homeland for even a brief moment
		- Felkina on the other hand still bitter about their failure to revive North Phyllis and her only reason to tolerate Hiroto for a time being is because he granted Joachim his longtime dream instead of killing him. This still doesn't quell her one-sided animosity against the Diferente as she refuses to affiliate with him in the next twoarcs until the following events (and aftermath) of one arc she eventually (and begrudgingly) aided Hiroto and the vampires to the defeat the invaders from Magia. That event will eventually leads to her full reconciliation with Hiroto and becomes one of his recurring allies since then.
	+ Hiroto's amazing accomplishments in saving Hybride makes him a living legend throughout the continent but his reputation also makes a lot of enemies outside both Hybride and Phyllis, especially those who are still skeptical about the Other Species (specifically the vampires) such as people of Magia and Regulus.
		- However, not everyone in Hybride recognize Hiroto's credibility, specifically the affluent noblemen and aristocrats within Emperia who belittle the Diferente with scorn due to his rivalry with Felkina and her defeat and they will do however they can to ensure his downfall.
		- Even Metis is not safe when she her opposition such as the likes of Zieglete are displeased by result to the point demands her to resign her position as the general.

## Trivia

* This arc is by far the longest arc in the series that features at least 3-4 books chronicling Hiroto's initial rivalry and eventual reconciliation with Phyllis Kingdom.

## Notes

1. ↑ To Abrahim, Phyllis biggest threats were Hiroto and the vampires due to their display that crushed Phyllis Army from its failed invasion sometime ago. While his schemes was almost a success, what Abrahim never expected in the end was that Hiroto near death itself has already triggered the vampires and slaying those who trying to harm Hiroto.
2. ↑ In reality, this was one of Abrahim's ploy to spark Emperia's distrust against Hiroto via manipulating the noblemen's and aristocrats' jealousy to keep him isolated, and none of any people in Hybride are the wiser
3. ↑ Out of everyone regarding to Rujad's dastard letter only Inferia remains indifferent to their reaction to the letter because she was only a messenger.
4. ↑ In Hiroto's defense, the vampires have been scouting the provinces (including Hagar and Ansul) that is near to Terminus River nearly everyday areas so they can keep Phyllis Army's movement in check and report to him if they find any sings of signs of disturbance. He further views his action as the anger and protests at the highest order.
5. ↑ The reason the vampire scout ignores Inferia is because he doesn't even know her and he can't tolerate her bossy attitude.
6. ↑ In truth, Finnath himself already loathed Hiroto out of his deep hatred for the Diferente to the point using anything to defame the Diferente, including his rescue onto Hagar from Phyllis's invasion.
7. ↑ According to Finnath's lies, Hiroto have been "collaborating" with Phyllis in order to "attack" Hybride and use the vampires to defeat Phyllis's Army, then steal the glory to himself. Unbeknownst to everyone including him, Universtel and even Moldius, they were all being manipulated by Abrahim as the latter using their dissatisfaction towards Hiroto to keep the Diferente isolated from Hybride before assassinating him. The plan was almost worked too if it not for Raquel's sudden appearance at Dominus Castle.
8. ↑ According to Panopticus, while the king may feel free to express their emotions in check. What concerns the Prime Minister the most, however, was Moldius was being too e's main weakness: being too emotional (anger and panic), to the point making rash decision without even thinking the consequences.
9. ↑ Panopticus suspects that both Finnath and Universtel may knew about Phyllis's conspiracy but keep silent about it, bout Phyllis towards Lujud as a "better" candidate despite he was responsible for Hagar's near danger in the first place, neither of them realized that Phyllis have been manipulating their jealousy against Hiroto to eliminate the Diferente, and the songs about him "being king" further proving their incompetence. What worries Panopticus the most, however, was Moldius's main weakness: being too emotional (anger and panic), to the point making rash decision without even thinking the consequences.
10. ↑ Whilst not making any comment during Moldius's tantrum about Hiroto's "rebellion", in reality Panopticus was observing the situation and like Sobrinus, he too realized that this Phyllis's deception and viewed everyone who has fallen the traps are fools for removing the one value "chess piece" that keep Hybride safe.
11. ↑ As much as he despise Hiroto for the humilliation he suffered earlier, Rujad never thought of killing Hiroto but approved Schut's plan to "teach" the Diferente a "lesson". Once again, Lujud's obliviousness towards Phyllis's scheme proves to be his biggest mistake as Schut and Phyllis Knights, who disguised themselves as Hagar Knights, did eventually invades Dominus and try (but failed) to assassinate Hiroto, just like the Governor initially suspected.
12. ↑ Both Lujud and Zoppo are so delighted to see Hiroto's (temporary) downfall that they are gullible to believe Schut's and Sykes's lies without knowing their mission in assassinating Hiroto under Abrahim's orders. In a way, this means both Lujud and Zoch have indirectly betrayed Hybride due to their greed-something disgusted even Schut as he views scums such as Zoch needed to get rid of.
13. ↑ Given that North Phyllis Remnants are target by the journey for Raquel is not an easy one for Raquel, Still, the only reason why Raquel insisted on bringing the mummy along was because even after losing her kingdom, she still has pride and honor of a noble and she cannot afford to see people suffer.
14. ↑ On Galsh's case, Excelis explained that she has already informed the guards that no Phyllian merchant are allowed to visit Dominus Castle.
15. ↑ On Zoch's case, Excelis heard that the Glinka castle lord had received so many women from a Phyllian merchant lately and it caused her to suspect that the women were actually spies for Phyllis.
16. ↑ Raquel was donning her armor when visiting Dominus Castle and, according to Hiroto's deduction, her reason in doing so was to avoid her would be assassins.
17. ↑ One of things Galsh doing was sitting on the floor while sipping his wine and passing it to his "knight", who is actually Raquel in disguise, for "poison testing".
18. ↑ Normally, Hiroto was about to reject because he has his suspicions about Northern Phyllis's motive of using the vampires for their own purposes, such as assassinating King Eesh. It is only reason why he begrudgingly accepted Galsh's request because of Raquel (one of her former kingdom's remnant royalty to boot) that Hiroto reconsiders his decision since he doesn't want to disrespect a visitor who happened to a former aristocrat from a fallen kingdom. This also caused Hiroto to suffer his own dilemma because he also didn't want to offend Valkyria too much either despite her own antagonistic view towards them because he didn't want the vampires to remember North Phyllis Remnants to be jerks.
19. ↑  Valkyria herself was so disgusted to meet anyone related to Phyllis that she left the room just as soon as she met Galsh. She was even more annoyed when both she and Curele were summoned by Hiroto into his office out of reluctance, to the point arguing with Galsh and even talked back to him by proclaiming herself to be a princess too.
20. ↑ Raquel's perception towards the vampires has changed when she met Curele in the flesh and found her when Sōichirō informed her that she is harmless, which was a far cry from her prejudice against the vampires as she once deemed them as "demons". It was because of this, Raquel was mortified to hear Galsh's proposal to send Curele to assassinate Eash because she think that sending a child to assassinate a king is immoral.
21. ↑  According to Hiroto, the death of Eash may incidentally boosting Phyllis's morale to attack Hybride with an army that is larger than the last one .
22. ↑ Initially assuming meeting Hiroto was a "mistake" due to how young he is, Raquel listened to his words closely as. To her experience and understanding, everyone Hiroto was different because unlike other people she met, his words were not lip service . Besides, Raquel herself didn't want to kill Eash
23. ↑ Part of the reason why he executes Zoch because unlike this coward who willing to defect to Phyllis as long he is still alive, Schut and others have readied to face death by the time they began their mission in assassinating; not to mention he deemed both both Zoch and Lujud were fools for letting their greed got over themselves.
24. ↑ While deducing that these beheaded assassins were the result of , .
25. ↑ This is mainly because Raquel herself witnessed Hiroto's selflessness by letting her on board onto the Air Carriage before him, as well as his plan to Sōichiro even if it cost his life-of which contradicted to the nasty rumors about the Diferente's possible "revolt" she heard from Emperia.
26. ↑ Even after learning the truth about Hiroto's "treachery" while feeling regret for not listened to Sobrinus's advice until now, deep down he wasn't plan on apologize to a Hiroto because he still believe that a king shouldn't kowtow to a youngster such as Hiroto despite he himself became Phyllis's pawn in the first place. The only reason why he reluctantly to do so is because he wanted to be seen as a respectful king instead of a tyrant.
27. ↑ Even now, that subordinate still loathed Hiroto and the vampires and blamed them for the defeat of the Phyllis Army that tried but failed to invade Salabria, to the point refuses to acknowledge Hiroto's Margrave position out of spite.
28. ↑ The only reason why Gardel stayed behind at Babylos was because he wished the king to change his mind after seeing Metis's deeparture to Jugurtha.
29. ↑ The reason why the soldiers quickly kneel down to Gardel is because they hear his loud voice.
30. ↑ The reason why the vampires are not allowed to join Hiroto to Jugurtha because the latter fears that their presence will cause chaos, mostly due to vengeful Phyllis soldiers who still loathed them for Phyllis's horrific defeat. So, Zeldis had to dispatch at least 50 vampires to watch over Hiroto just in case if the meeting goes awry, with Gezerkia as backup as she thinks that Hiroto is important for both Hybride and the vampires.
31. ↑ Based on Metis's perspective, each side has their own traps to counter their opponents: Hiroto have the "ambush unit" from the coffins and vampire as his weapon while Metis plans to have her soldiers to have Hiroto killed by cornering him. Out of the two, however, only Metis attempts to kill Hiroto over even a slight suspicions about him but she actually hesitates with full knowledge that vampire may going to attack Phyllis should Hiroto receives any harm from Phyllis soldiers.
32. ↑ The Mummies were responsible for the mummification of the Phyllis assassins in order to prevent decomposition of the enemies.
33. ↑ The 50 vampires who attending Babylos comprises 40 Red-Wing Vampires (Gezerkia's Union) and 10 Black-Wing Vampires (Zeldis Union).
34. ↑ According to the letter itself, a king is responsible to his subjects' doing.
35. ↑ Part of Hiroto's strategy is remain calm and keep his silence not because of Univestel's orders, but observing and analyzing the said discussion, trying to point out its flaws, and then seek a best timing for his rebuttal. To the Diferente, silence is golden and eloquence is silver, and when combined together they can be a perfect weapon for him to change the tide into Hybride's favor despite Phyllis's advantages.
36. ↑ Univestel's blinded confidence to reply on Lutiticus to make Phyllis comply to Hybride's demand was because he depending his own kind heavily due to their prestige; not to mention he is also Luttius's longtime friend despite living at different kingdom. To the Elven Elder's horror and regret, however, this plan backfires terribly when Abrahim still unfazed by the threat of Phyllis Elven Exodus because of his own promise with Luttius.
37. ↑ According to Hiroto, if Hybride comply to Phyllis's request on arrest and execute North Phyllis Remnants, the latter will likely flee back to their former homelands and rendezvous with their fellow citizens who resided at Jugurtha of all places-one of Phyllis's territory that is notoriously known for their heavy taxes and the inhabitable environment; in order to crush these remnants, Phyllis Army have to depend on Jugurtha's resources to do so but considering Jugurtha's own crisis such as barren lands, it will starve its own citizens and more worryingly, it will ignite a violent peasant uprising that will tear Phyllis from within.
38. ↑ In Hybride's case, even if Phyllis's refusal to question North Phyllis may save the kingdom, the cost of that will not only demoralizing Salabria and Hagar Armies, its hypothetical failure during the negotiations will also deteriorate Phyllis's prestige-one will endangers Hybride's own border's safety as dissatisfied generals will going to revolt by crossing the boarders regardless.
39. ↑ In Phyllis's case, its solution on just returning the corpse back to Hybride as compensation-without promising anything to Hybride, no less-is considered as a pyrrhic victory because sooner or latter, Hybride will discover its deceit and declare a war against Phyllis, whose boarders were weaken despite its "victory".
40. ↑  Additionally, Hiroto also claims which whichever the kingdom start a war, the one who really suffers the most are the citizens who resided at the boarder as the war would not only made their land inhabitable and force them to relocate somewhere, but also increasing the chances of both kingdoms' civil war as the peasants may stage an uprising against both kingdoms because of that said war-something even Univestel agrees.
41. ↑ Of all the .
42. ↑ In reality, Univestel was as astonished as everyone else (including the Phyllis Faction) when Hiroto pointed out the flaws within the 2-hour-long argument while suggest an unexpected plan that will ensure the peace between both kingdoms without compromising anything-something neither he nor anyone else could've think off.
43. ↑ The soldiers are split into 2 groups: one group favored Metis's peace treaty while the others opposed it.
44. ↑ The rest who are opposed Hiroto's peace talk while lamented Metis's friendship with him were the veteran soldiers who survived the vampires' onslaught from the Battle of Terminus. While they claimed .
45. ↑ In spite of Metis's intervention, these 3 guards are still trying to assassinate Hiroto by claiming that they still have "arrows". That is until .
46. ↑ The other reason why the 3 guards were speechless was because Metis scolded them with a question that if they really want destroy Phyllis just to avenge their friend. In a twist of irony, their execution was their chance to reunite with their fallen friends in afterlife.
47. ↑ The old guards laments that they could've assassinate Hiroto had they were given enough time to prepare to kill Hiroto.
48. ↑ In one of her past, Raquel had to separate herself from Joachim in order to have him live independently. This turned out to be her biggest mistake because that only made Joachim vulnerable to the vassal and specially Felkina's influence which further radicalized his desire to revive North Phyllis
49. ↑ There are 2 reasons while Raquel called Joachim's selfishness: First of all, when Joachim talking about his dream of reviving North Phyllis, Raquel berates him .
50. ↑ At one point, Felkina is so consumed by her hatred for Hiroto for rejecting her request to revive North Phyllis that she even called him a "coward" like a girl, to the point calling Raquel "wrong" for only trying to see his "good side", all the while mocking her faith in Hiroto. What the Countess didn't know, however, was the truth speak otherwise and she herself never understood what Raquel's own experience at Salabria where she was not only being rescued by Hiroto from the invading Phyllis Knights, but also witnessed his true personality that garnered the vampires' trust-something Felkina belittled heavily.
51. ↑ What piqued Raquel's curiosity was that Joachim didn't seemed depressed even after Moldias rejected his appeal, which only adding her worries about him.
52. ↑ The reason why Inferia was surprised to see Felkina and Joachim going to Ansul was because she didn't have any acquaintance who lived there, nor having heavy North Phyllian activities.
53. ↑ For the Prime Minister, who receives Inferia's letter about both Joachim's and Felkina's trip to Ansul, he now realized why Felkina visited Salabria and even originally trying to stop their plan only to change his mind since this would be a best opportunity to bury North Phyllis Remnants for good.
54. ↑ For Univestel, in spite of his bitter history with Felkina's father in the past, he has no problem seeing North Phyllis Remnants' demise because that will ease Hybride's burden even a bit. According to him, as much as Hybride's need diversity to survive, they don't need the rebels who will drag the kingdom into even bigger trouble like national decline.
55. ↑ According to Sōichirō, the "Grasshopper and Ants" story was supposed to teach the readers about diligence in life but the content itself had some not so child-friendly subjects, especially the bittersweet ending where the grasshopper died and the ant, who had enough of the grasshopper's laziness that he refused to give them food, ended up sympathizing with the grasshopper and no longer feel mean to the grasshopper. Surprisingly, this story metaphoring Joachim's would-be demise if nothing is done to help him.
56. ↑ In spite this is his first time to visit Feo, it gave Joachim some hope because it is near to North Phyllis's shore, which happened to be his former homeland, just from across.
57. ↑ Originally, the merchant wasn't even sure if Joachim himself was real or not. What he knew, however, was that Hybride will going to launch a war against Phyllis again due to Joachim's recklessness.
58. ↑ Sōichirō himself was annoyed to keep this incident a secret out of fear of Metis's hostility when she found out the news about Feo and would berate them for making a fool out of her, which would surely going to damage the trust between her and Hiroto.
59. ↑ Felkina's original plan was to not using an army to defeat Phyllis Army by luring them to Feo so the soldiers over there will wipe them out on their behalf. Unfortunately for her, Joachim's blind and suicidal bravery has ironically ruined her plan while disregarded her plea that he would wind up dead before they even reach the shore
60. ↑ To Joachim, this is their best chance to crush Phyllis because he saw Phyllis Army is "retreating", to the point disregard Felkina's plea that they had done more than enough and he would ended up dead before they can complete their goal, mostly out of his claim that they had given up their lives the moment they started this mission he
61. ↑ Curele used only 60-70% of her power to create this big waves that sunk the ships.
62. ↑ At first, Joachim used his authority as North Phyllian Royalty to command the vampires who took both him and Felkina to drop them down, only to be yelled at by the .
63. ↑ According to one soldiers, it was Metis who distributing the wheat via her cooperation with Hiroto but the villagers are so hungry that they ignored his explanation while grabbing the wheat as much as possible to bake the breads. In fact, the fragments and taste of the bread themselves alone has quelled the villagers' rebellion because food was the only thing they can ever thought of.
64. ↑ Originally, Metis's aides urges their lord to return to Phyllis when they because they assumed that they had hoodwinked by Hiroto; moreover, Metis herself was skeptical about Hiroto's intel because it was much faster not long before she sent her own letters to Phyllis, assuming him was faking his sincerity .The only reason why she opt to stay was because she saw how serious Hiroto was when he reported to her .
65. ↑ At one point, Alvy even tells Metis to keep this thing a secret and when they both reached to the small observation room, both Metis and Alvy had a chat about Hiroto being truthful whereas everyone was trying to hide something from her, to which Alvy replied that Hiroto was a brave man who tried to preserve the friendship between Hybride and Metis.
66. ↑ According to Hiroto, North Phyllians' mission would still be succeeded whether regardless of Joachim's fate which caused Felkina confused and asked him why didn't he cooperated with him even with his knowledge. Hiroto replied that was because both Felkina and Joachim thought only the present goal more than the realistic outcome of their pipe dream that have severe consequences to almost everyone.
67. ↑ According to Hiroto, the only thing both Joachim and Felkina were focusing were just focused was just North Phyllis' revival without considering the consequences of such war, like devastated lands in the aftermath of the war.
68. ↑ In Hybride's case, the kingdom would lose it's support for North Phyllis because not only the kingdom would be forced to contribute a considerable amount of food and war funds at the expense of it's own national power, due to the decrease of taxes that could crippling the its prestige and prowess-something Felkina should've known since she is one of the kingdom's nobles and yet orchestrating a fruitless struggle to revive the dead kingdom.
69. ↑ The greater irony about North Phyllis's revival is that even if the kingdom is revived, tax revenue alone wasn't enough to rebuild the war-torn land and the authorities would ends up plunder farmers' resources for taxes, which further exacerbating the farmers' suffering that could be far worse than Phyllis's regime and would consequently sparking the peasant revolt that overthrow the current administration. The greater irony is that even Metis and Raquel thought that reviving Phyllis without thinking ahead of the end goal was naïve, given to Hiroto's description of the consequences alone.
70. ↑ The irony and hypocrisy of Joachim was that for him to accuse Hiroto as a "traitor" for just meeting with Metis, he himself has met Metis during his and Raquel's escape from Phyllis-something Raquel pointed out. In addition, contrary to Hiroto's efforts to pacifying the rivalry, Joachim's obsession of reviving North Phyllis has ironically also ruining both kingdoms' diplomatic relationship without even thinking the suffering and happiness to his own people, of which made Raquel also deemed him unworthy to be the heir apparent.
71. ↑ Deep down in Felkina's heart, she still persisted that her side was righteous despite she didn't glared at Metis. The only reason .
72. ↑ Whilst persisting on reviving Northern Phyllis Kingdom for his people, his recent defeat makes him realized his naivete and regretted for not listening to Hiroto and Raquel. Felkina's both injuries and mistakes further enforced Joachim's remorse for his own action.
73. ↑ According to Raquel, a good king such as Joachim should not cry.
74. ↑ Raquel was trying to comprehend Joachim's motivation in reviving Northern Phyllis Kingdom: Either her lack of presence in his life or due to his greed. Whichever the case, Raquel worries that Joachim will be executed for his treachery against Hybride.
75. ↑ Despite his bravery, Joachim's flaw was his impulsiveness that often prompts him making rash decision-something Raquel couldn't stand. As much as she dislike his antics, however, she will not abandon him because she views him as her only sibling in her life.
76. ↑ Due to Hiroto's vast influence over Hybride Kingdom, he is the only person Raquel can rely on so that Joachim's life will be pardoned.
77. ↑ The epilogue reveals why Hiroto helped Raquel in saving Joachim from execution: Originally, Valkyrie protested against Hiroto's help onto Joachim due to the trouble the prince gave to the Diferente. The very reason why she eventually let Hiroto rescue Joachim was the because he promised her going to Hagar's hot spring together if she agrees to help him saving the prince, of which she immediately complies.

## References

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Light Novel Volume 7 Chapter 15