Gasper was terrified at the prospect of being sold off by Tenraku, as it had happened numerous times before! During their travels together with Tosca, Tenraku, and Gasper often found themselves short of money.
In such situations, Tenraku would frequently sell Gasper to wealthy nobles, businessmen, or even human traffickers to earn some quick cash.
Although Tenraku would secretly rescue him after each sale, the memories of those dark experiences haunted Gasper. The lecherous gazes of those noble and wealthy men still sent shivers down his spine. Gasper had resisted at first, but it proved futile. Every time they needed money, Tenraku would sell him off.
Feeling helpless against the situation, Gasper couldn’t help but cry foul. Why was he the one being sold every time? It was unfair! To address this, Tenraku started presenting both Gasper and Tosca together whenever they needed money. Yet, to Gasper’s dismay, he was still the one chosen.
The repeated experiences of being sold into darkness instilled an immense fear in Gasper. So, when he heard Tenraku ask if he should sell him again, Gasper burst into tears.
“Wāāāāā… I don’t want to be sold, Lord Tenraku, I don’t want to be sold!”
Sobbing, Gasper clung to Tenraku’s leg, wiping his runny nose and tears all over him. He didn’t want to be sold again, forced into a dark corner, shivering in fear from those corpulent uncles.
“Hey, hey, kid, what exactly did you do to Gasper back then?” Azazel asked, astonished by Gasper’s sudden wailing. Meanwhile, Rias, Sona, and the others cast scrutinizing glances at Tenraku.
Caught off guard, Tenraku thought, ‘I was just making things up. Why is this kid so dramatic?’ Trying to ease the situation, he patted Gasper’s head.
“Alright, alright, this time I won’t sell you. Guests are here, stop crying like that.”
However, Gasper, with his tear-streaked face, continued to sob and pleaded, “Wāāāāā… I don’t want to be sold, Lord Tenraku, I don’t want to be sold!”
Wu Wu Wu…
Gasper’s heartbreaking cries filled the room and Azazel, taken aback by Gasper’s sudden outburst, wore an expression of disbelief, while Rias, Sona, and the others looked at Tenraku with a mix of surprise and disdain.
Feeling slightly embarrassed, Tenraku thought, ‘Why does this kid remember these things so clearly? And what about the money from those sales? Didn’t he spend any of it? Those noble and wealthy men liked him; what could I do?’
“It’s really true this time. We don’t need money now,” Tenraku said, trying to convince Gasper. To demonstrate, he slammed the peace agreement from the Vampire faction onto the table.
“Elmen, we reject this agreement!”
Observing Tenraku’s actions, Elmenhilde’s expression turned sour.
“Lord Tenraku, does the peace agreement of Carmilla’s Vampire faction not even equal the value of Gasper?” Her gaze sharpened, and her voice carried an ominous tone.
“Indeed, this foolish kid is timid and often a burden, dragging others down. To you, he might just be a tool or garbage. But so what? He’s still our companion, our family. If you don’t want him, we do!” Tenraku’s voice echoed through the room, filled with disdain.
“Now, you suddenly need his power, and you want him back. It’s not that easy! He might be timid and foolish, but he’s still ours. We won’t let him go so easily!”
With a series of mocking laughs, Tenraku’s voice resounded in the room.
“Wāāāāā… Lord Tenraku!”
Gasper’s cries continued, echoing in the room.
Gasper, emotionally overwhelmed, continued to cry uncontrollably. Azazel and the girls, witnessing this spectacle, couldn’t help but crack a smile. Even a mud statue could muster some spirit; the vampires, with their initially unpleasant demeanor, finally seemed to be enjoying themselves.
“Lord Tenraku, it seems you truly don’t need our Vampire’s peace anymore!” Elmenhilde, vexed, coldly remarked. “Is it because of the peace agreements initiated by the three powers – Angels, Fallen Angels, and Devils? Now you’re actively refusing the goodwill offered by our Vampire faction. I’m curious how you’ll explain this to representatives of other factions.”
Dismissing her with nonchalance, Tenraku replied, “As Elmen San said earlier, this is our affair. We don’t need your concern.”
“You!!!” Elmenhilde was infuriated and retorted sharply.
“In fact, Elmen San, I’m really curious about the confidence your vampires have mustered. The ones who need peace the most are not us!” Tenraku signed and shook his head while wearing a sarcastic expression on his face.
“We vampires fear no enemies!” Elmenhilde responded coldly.
“Oh, oh. That’s truly impressive. Not only do you have to contend with your Vampire comrades from Tepes, but you also have to simultaneously face enemies from the Church, Devils, Fallen Angels, and other allied forces.”
“But, why do I feel like I could wipe out your entire Carmilla Vampire faction alone?”
Though Tenraku’s tone was light and casual, his words carried extreme arrogance. After a few seconds of stunned silence, Elmenhilde and her two servants were visibly angered.
“How dare you!”
Instantly, an overwhelming aura emanated from the two vampire servants. The male Vampire was enveloped in flames of fiery red energy, while the female Vampire was shrouded in an icy blue aura. Translated into the power levels of Devils, both emitted a peak aura akin to that of Top-Class Devils, approaching the level of Demon Kings!
This was undoubtedly an impressive display. Both servants possessed extraordinary strength.
However—
Buzz!
An aura a hundred times more terrifying than theirs radiated from Tenraku. Tenraku gazed at the two vampires who were attempting to display their prowess with an indifferent look on his face while a sharp glint flashed in his eyes.
Groaning, the two Vampires began to retreat as blood trickled from the corners of their mouths. Despite their efforts to resist, they kept staggering backward, their eyes filled with horror as they beheld Tenraku.
As for Elmenhilde, the moment she sensed the aura emanating from Tenraku, her entire body froze. She had never experienced such an immense and powerful aura before. Trembling, a profound fear gripped her soul, leaving her mind blank.
She was a prodigy among the Vampires, the next in charge of the Karnstein family, entrusted with significant responsibilities by the Queen. She had faced Demon Kings, the Younger Sister of the Demon Kings, and the former Governor General of the Fallen Angels without fear.
Yet, at this moment, all she felt was her own insignificance.
Unable to make eye contact, unable to resist, unable to escape…
Complete and utter insignificance!
To be continued…
Support me on Patreon for extra chapters