Multiverse Gacha

Crash!

The Laeding binding Rudolf Ostach shattered with a forceful snap.

Yet, all around, a swarm of security team members had already encircled the area. Rudolf Ostach immediately realized that his adversaries had come prepared this time.

"Astarte, retreat."

"Command acknowledged."

Astarte abandoned her assault on Natsuki Minamiya without hesitation, swiftly scooping Rudolf Ostach into her grasp.

Moments later, a towering familiar resembling a "Gundam" materialized. Astarte stood at its core, like a pilot commanding a colossal mech.

"Rose Fingertips."

Boom!

The surrounding security forces didn't stand a chance. The familiar's power was far beyond what ordinary humans could hope to resist.

Natsuki Minamiya, however, felt a pang of regret for summoning the security team. Her original plan had been to trap Rudolf like a turtle in a jar, but now these reinforcements were proving to be more of a hindrance than a help.

The Laeding darted through the chaos, rescuing the injured and unconscious from the fray.

Not far off lay an old-era vampire, his life no longer in immediate danger. Yet, with his familiar defeated and all his magical power stripped away, he had suffered a grievous blow.

As for the flames raging around them, they only fueled Natsuki's growing urge to kick that vampire into oblivion.

Summoning a familiar was one thing—why did he have to set everything ablaze? And not just a small fire, but a sprawling inferno. Did he think being from the old era made him untouchable?

Soon, the fire brigade arrived. It took hours to extinguish the blaze.

No surprise there—the surrounding area was utterly ruined. Though these were mostly abandoned warehouses, the fire had swept through like a purging storm, leaving the space eerily open and barren.

"Instructor Minamiya, we lost them."

"It's fine. If they slipped away, so be it. They'll show up again eventually. You're dismissed."

"Yes, ma'am."

The subordinate departed, and Natsuki let out a quiet sigh.

An artificial lifeform implanted with a familiar—a powerful one at that, perfectly balanced in offense and defense.

And then there was that annihilation teacher, a madman through and through. The only thing that gnawed at her was the child.

Having a familiar implanted was tantamount to a death sentence. Now, with Astarte relentlessly hunting vampires and siphoning their familiars' magic, it was merely a temporary fix—a bandage on a fatal wound.

After facing Rudolf Ostach today, Natsuki was even more convinced: this was a zealot driven by faith, willing to do anything to achieve his ends.

"What now? Wait for him to resurface? After this, he'll be far more cautious next time."

Suddenly, a figure popped into her mind—the one who'd tipped her off with a lead.

The night passed wordlessly. Natsuki and the special district security team remained embroiled in the aftermath.

The fire's impact was colossal, nearly spilling into active streets.

Fortunately, the area was sparsely populated. Otherwise, the consequences could have been unimaginable.

And the root of it all? Not Rudolf Ostach, but that old-era vampire. Rudolf hadn't started the fire—those flames were the work of the vampire's reckless familiar.

The final verdict came down: for the next century, that vampire would be condemned to a life of grueling labor.

The losses from the fire were incalculable. A hundred years was lenient.

---

At Saikai Academy, in the lavish office belonging to Natsuki Minamiya, August lounged in a brief respite—his head resting comfortably on Sayaka Kirasaka's lap.

At this hour, Yukina Himeragi was off attending class. Sayaka, unsure of what to do with herself, had been pinned to the sofa by August, who now napped atop her thighs.

Throughout the ordeal, Sayaka's face burned a vivid crimson.

Countless times, she'd considered hurling August out the window. Yet, in the end, she couldn't bring herself to do it.

Her childhood had left her with a deep aversion to men, but now, her lap was claimed by this infuriating scoundrel—and she was powerless to stop it.

Whoosh!

At that moment, Natsuki Minamiya appeared in the room.

"Well, aren't you enjoying yourself?"

She'd been up all night, only wrapping things up that morning. She was exhausted, barely able to think straight.

Meanwhile, August was here in her office, luxuriating on the lap of the Lion King Agency's elegant Sword Shaman. Could he possibly indulge any more?

"Did you catch him?"

"No."

"Hm? He got away again?"

"He escaped. The fire last night was too massive—we couldn't pursue."

"Say, Natsuki-chan, need my help?"

"No, thank you."

Without a hint of hesitation, Natsuki shot down August's offer.

This guy never lifted a finger unless there was something in it for him. She didn't buy his sudden altruism for a second—there had to be an ulterior motive.

The last time, for intel on Rudolf Ostach, she'd promised him twenty days of tea-brewing duties.

Who knew what he'd demand this time? So, before he could elaborate, Natsuki shut him down cold.

Besides, she was the instructor of Itogami Island's special security team. If she couldn't handle this herself and had to call in outside help, it'd be a disgrace.

"Natsuki-chan, if I were you, I'd keep an eye on one particular place."

"One place?"

"Have you forgotten what that guy's real goal is?"

"His real goal?"

In an instant, it clicked for Natsuki. His goal—the "Right Arm of the Saint," buried deep within the Keystone Gate.

That was Rudolf's true aim. No matter what he did, it all circled back to the "Right Arm of the Saint."

If that was the case, she didn't need to scour Itogami Island to catch him. She could simply wait for him to come to her.

"You're being awfully generous."

"I'm in a rare good mood. If you feel bad about it, how about a kiss? I'll even settle for giving you one."

"Drop dead. A dog can't change its nature, can it?"

With that, she stormed out. This office, her office, now felt more like August's domain.

Natsuki, the supposed master of the space, had breezed in, lingered briefly, and left again.

But August knew exactly where she was headed: the Keystone Gate. That place held far more than just the "Right Arm of the Saint"—it harbored deeper secrets still.

---

If you're interested in reading more, feel free to visit my pat reon, https , // www .pat reon. com /XElenea