Read Online From the Warlord's Empire by Gakuto Mikumo - Free Book Online Page A

vampire.”
    “Hmmm.”
    Relying on the note Nagisa had given him, Kojou stuffed vegetables and fruits into the shopping cart. The ingredients were enough to feed three people, enough for Kojou, Nagisa, and Yukina. This was the result of Nagisa, well aware Yukina lived by herself, strenuously inviting her over for supper.
    Nagisa was overjoyed at having someone to talk to during meals, after all. Kojou was quite grateful that Yukina was playing the role of listener in his stead. In the first place, with observing Kojou being Yukina’s prime objective, it wasn’t exactly a bad deal for her, either. So, since all of their interests coincided, it had at some point become customary for Yukina to come to the Akatsuki residence for supper.
    “What’s a big shot like him coming to Itogami Island for? Hey…that’s too many onions!”
    “You mustn’t be picky about your vegetables. Also, I think his aim is probably to meet you, senpai.”
    “It couldn’t be because I’m the Fourth Primogenitor, is it…?”
    “There really wouldn’t be any other reason…and senpai, don’t sneak green onions back onto the counter. You are not a child.”
    Yukina sighed as Kojou brought the greenish-yellow onions he detested back into the cart. They looked like a young, recently married couple getting along nicely as they shopped, but neither of them realized it. They were trying to converse about what was a rather serious subject.
    Actually, between the store employees and the neighbors, people whispered rumors about such as, “They’re living together?” “Not brother and sister?” “He seems to live with some other girl…,” “Don’t tell me the three are living together…,” and so on, but of course the persons concerned did not notice any of this.
    “Why does some vampire from somewhere in Europe know my name…?”
    Kojou murmured in dissatisfaction as he checked the name the invitation was addressed to one more time.
    Yukina, seemingly feeling guilty somehow, made a sigh.
    “I believe he noticed your existence because of the Lotharingian Armed Apostle incident in recent days. It’s because you spectacularly burned the city like you did…”
    “That wasn’t me! That Beast Vassal did it on its own!”
    “Of course, I understand that…but the world at large may not think so.”
    “Shit…that’s no reason for some piece of origami to come attacking me. Did he come all the way overseas to pick a fight?”
    Kojou made a groan of loathing as he recalled the steel beasts he’d encountered at school. He managed there because Yukina had come, but if she had not, Kojou’s Beast Vassals might have gone berserk.
    For someone well aware of the danger posed by a primogenitor’s Beast Vassals, it was a rather violent way of doing things.
    “A declaration of war…perhaps?”
    Yukina’s lips formed the ominous words. A primogenitor holding sway over a Dominion was treated the same as a national army under international law. Kojou, though lacking both retainers and brethren, was technically no exception.
    “Although it is not impossible, I believe he seeks negotiation for the moment…”
    “So I’ve gotta respond to this invitation either way, huh…?”
    As Kojou unfurled the invitation as he spoke, a perplexed look came over his face as he read the content.
    As Yukina’s sharp eyes picked that up, she dubiously looked up at Kojou.
    “Senpai? What’s wrong?”
    “Err…it kinda says here to bring my partner with me…”
    “Partner?” Yukina went “ahh” and made an affirming nod. “Come to think of it, it’s standard to bring one’s spouse or lover with you when attending a party in the West.”
    “…Hey, this is a pretty big problem, out of the blue like this. What’s a single guy supposed to do?”
    “In this circumstance, perhaps you could ask an acquaintance to act as a substitute?”
    “Substitute…you say.”
    Kojou’s lips twisted as if he was conflicted. A substitute for a lover would have