In Backlund, at the Odra family's estate.
A swarm of vampire bats, somewhere between real and illusory, flapped their wings and flew into the manor villa's hall.
The vampire bats gathered in the center of the hall, transforming into dense black mist that steadily solidified before reforming into a tall, lean figure.
He wore a long black coat lined in red and set with dark crimson gemstones, over a white shirt trimmed with lace. His light-colored hair was nearly silver, and his eyes were blood-red, as if blood were hidden within them.
Seeing this, Cosmi, who had been waiting in the hall, hurried over. "Earl Mistral, Grandfather is waiting for you in the basement."
"Mm."
Mistral gave a slight nod, then followed Cosmi to the basement where Nibis slept.
Before the iron-black coffin in the center of the basement, Mistral said solemnly, "Emlyn has obtained the three Vampire Beyonder Characteristics he mentioned. They're in his bedroom."
"That little fellow cautiously set up a Wall of Spirituality, but he seems to have forgotten that producing things out of thin air when he hadn't met with anyone else was suspicious in itself."
"He took the items to Harvest Cathedral. He should come over tonight."
"I checked his bedroom. For a long period of time, no second person or creature besides him entered it, so those Characteristics weren't placed there in advance."
"Mm... Of course, it could also be that some non-living entity placed the items in his bedroom beforehand, or that it has a way to erase its own scent, like I do."
"However, I am more inclined to believe that the Fool has already responded to him."
After a brief pause, he asked, "What do we do next?"
Nibis's somewhat hoarse voice came from inside the coffin. "Once Emlyn brings the