After arriving in [Ruberios], we headed straight for the papal chamber at the very top of the Holy Empire, so we could make our way down to the underground [Vampires] mansion where Luminous was staying.
We were looking for the man who had always served as pope alongside his brother ever since the Luminous faith was founded: Louis Valentine.
He was the elder brother—and essentially an alter ego—of Roy Valentine, the proxy Demon Lord of the [Vampires] who had attended Walpurgis, the banquet of Demon Lords.
At the same time, he was also one of the Three Dukes, Luminous's closest aides.
According to Chronoa, "If you want to reach the mansion where Luminous is, you need him to guide you there."
She said that even if you knew where the mansion was, slipping in unnoticed would be difficult, since it was guarded by elite [Vampires] called "Transcendents," beings several times stronger than the Crusaders.
...Honestly, looking at our lineup, it didn't seem like it'd be that hard.
Still, since we were visitors for the moment, we decided to use the most peaceful method possible.
"It should be in here."
The [Luke Genius], the pope's personal guard division, were stationed in front of the corridor connected to the papal chamber, but we slipped past them easily with [Arc Vanishing] and the Curse of Illusion.
Creak...
When we carefully entered the papal chamber, there stood a [Vampires] who looked exactly like Roy Valentine, whom I had seen at Walpurgis a few months ago.
"You have come, Lady Chronoa."
Even his clothes and voice were identical. This man was Louis Valentine.
"...But who are the two people you brought with you?"
Louis's question carried clear wariness toward us demons, so I answered him myself.
"We belong to Lord Guy Crimson's faction. We happened to learn of Chronoa's existence, and there is something we would like to confirm with Lady Luminous Valentine regarding her."
Of course, that part about having something to confirm was a lie.
Guy didn't know about the connection between Chronoa and Luminous, so as far as he knew, my reason for coming to [Ruberios] was to observe the abilities of the few [the body of a sage] among the Crusaders.
But to Louis, it would definitely sound like something else.
For example: "We intend to interrogate you about a Demon Lord and a Hero being in league with each other."
"...!!"
As if my guess had been right, alarm seeped into Louis's face, despite the expressionless mask he had been maintaining.
Apparently, the worst-case scenario had crossed his mind—that he might end up having to deal with Guy.
"...P-please wait a moment. This confirmation you speak of..."
The sight of a two-meter-tall [Vampires] being terrified by a single assumption was almost pitiable.
Considering Guy's personality, even if a Demon Lord and a Hero were secretly working together, he'd probably just leave it alone as long as it didn't inconvenience him.
"There's no need to worry. Lord Guy has no intention of holding Lady Luminous responsible for anything."
Feeling a little sorry for Louis, I reassured him and told him not to worry.
I had only needed an excuse. I hadn't meant to scare him that badly.
**
One way or another, with Louis guiding us, Ria, Chronoa, and I arrived at the [Vampires] mansion beneath the Holy Empire.
"This is the room where Lady Luminous is staying."
After leading us all the way to an ornate door at the far end of the mansion, Louis gave a light bow and promptly returned to the surface.
Chronoa watched him go with the ease of someone used to it, then turned her gaze back to the door and slowly pushed it open.
Rumble...
Inside was a room that showed Luminous's tastes all too clearly.
If it had only been filled with elegant furniture suited to a queen, I might have thought it was ordinary enough. But in the corners, there were maid outfits, gothic clothes, and all kinds of rather bizarre magic tools... piled up everywhere.
"...Well, her tastes are definitely clear."
Thinking that, I moved farther inside, when suddenly I heard voices.
One was a finicky voice that I assumed belonged to Luminous. The other was a gentle, mellow voice that sounded strangely similar to Ermesia's.
The two voices were almost complete opposites.
"......?"
"...Wait a second, this magicule signature is... an elf? And not just any elf, a [High Elf]...?"
Outside, I hadn't bothered using magicule detection because of the barrier made with holy magic. But once I was inside and used it, I sensed the magicules of a [High Elf].
And the moment I noticed that magicule presence—
"—Oh my? Luminous, I think your guests have arrived~"
—the woman I assumed was its owner casually poked her head out from deeper inside the room.
She had the long ears characteristic of elves, and she was a [High Elf] with a face perfectly identical to Ermesia's.
And in this world, there was only one elf who shared Ermesia's exact appearance.
The [Thunder Emperor], mother of the [Heavenly Emperor]—
"...Sylvia?!"
—Sylvia El Ru.
"Hehe, every single one of you looks interesting~"
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