In the seas off southeastern Japan, a gigantic eight-legged octopus lurked beneath the surface, its exposed crown resembling a small island.
Upon it, several people stood discussing a massive fortress on the coast.
One was a deathly pale vampire in a tailcoat, with a slightly tattered cloak draped behind him.
Swirling the crimson wine in his glass, he said softly, "That is naval headquarters, called Edo—the capital of Japan in reality.
But in this world, their capital is Heian-kyo.
That is our target this time."
A burly man with a powerful build, thick body hair, and a wild aura asked, "Do we really need to directly assault their regular forces now?
The monsters in the sea and on land should be enough for us to hunt, shouldn't they?"
A hunched figure shrouded entirely in a cloak, its appearance impossible to make out, leaned on a strange cane.
In a grating voice like metal scraping against glass, it said, "Abner, Japan's naval headquarters is the finest hunting ground for us.
You werewolves need the power of the moon, and what you rely on is brute strength in close combat.
The Navy's Biological Corps will be the best food for you."
The burly man called Abner could not help digging at his ears, clearly unable to bear her voice. "Sandra, how I wish your voice could become a little more normal."
Sandra tapped her cane. "If you and I join forces this time and seize the Biological Corps' treasure, perhaps I'll be able to recover."
Hearing this, the vampire spoke up. "Have you forgotten about me?"
Sandra let out a shrill, sinister laugh. "Ferguson, don't worry. How could we forget you?"
These three were Ferguson the vampire, Abner the werewolf, and Sandra the witch.
They had formed a small alliance called the