"I am Thalion Ravencroft... You can refer to me as Duke Thalion," the red-haired man introduced himself, giving a side glance to Ryuk, who turned to look into the man's crimson eyes before nodding his head.
"Ryuk," Ryuk introduced simply.
"Ryuk, a short and interesting name."
"Well, Ryuk, I came to Grade E with a very important mission, which I have already resolved, and was preparing to move back when we received your call. Since we've finished our business and are also returning to Grade B, I thought it would be best if we could help drop you at the grounds of the Fallen Family."
"I hope you're not against this idea?" Duke Thalion said.
Ryuk vehemently shook his head.
"No, it's fine. Thank you for extending a helping hand," Ryuk replied.
'If even the Captain of an entire Apex Barracks is unwilling to refuse you of a request, then I will be stupid to think I have a choice.' he silently thought right after.
"It's nothing," the Duke said, waving him off casually with a small laugh as they both travelled to the elevator. Thalion pressed a button under the elevator panel, rapidly whooshing them downward.
In the elevator, a couple of thoughts were running through Ryuk's head.
'He refers to himself as Duke, and during the meeting, a Captain who rules over the entire Grade E Apex soldier battalion seemed afraid of displeasing him and agreed to everything he said. That means this man must be quite a high-profile vampire.'
'Right now, I am nothing but some slummy kid from Grade E, yet he treats me with respect. This is not due to his love for me, but the respect toward the card I possess. For now, I'm viewed as a person only because of that card.'
'If that was taken away from me right now, then I would be viewed as something less than an existence. That's something bound to happen once I use up the card's requests.'
The noise of the elevator awoke him as they got out, and the first thing that welcomed them was the sight of the red-haired girl who had her chest puffed up and clear annoyance written all over her face.
"You abandoned me!" the girl barked out at Duke Thalion, who never lost his small, respectful smile. But before he could answer, Ryuk felt her disgusted gaze directed toward him.
"And why is this blind creep still here?" she asked.
"I'm sorry if I made you feel that way, but please, do refrain from referring to him as such. Right now, he is an important guest of our Vampiro family, one whose favor would be better cherished than annoyance."
"I hope you understand, Young Mistress," Duke Thalion said, with a bit of seriousness in his voice.
This seemed to bring slight surprise to the pompous red-haired girl as she scanned Ryuk from head to toe before humming.
"Like I care. We're leaving... Now!" she said before storming toward the entrance, barging through the glass, and disappearing outside.
"Please do not be offended, Ryuk," Duke Thalion apologized, but Ryuk shrugged his shoulders, moving on almost as if he couldn't even be bothered at all.
Together, they moved out of the place and soon arrived outside, where a large plane was already waiting for them. Once more, Ryuk was starstruck by the design of the craft and watched as its hatch opened, spearing out stairs.
But even more shocking was when the red-haired girl jumped into the air, ignoring the steps. Ryuk watched as she rapidly moved 30 meters into the air and disappeared into the craft.
'Just how strong is she?' he couldn't help but wonder.
"This way, Ryuk..." Duke Thalion said as he climbed up the stairs, and Ryuk followed after him.
If he had also needed to jump such a height, he would have ended up embarrassing himself, as he really wasn't capable of such a feat.
The three disappeared into the ship, which immediately rose into the air, ascending higher and higher before it zoomed forward with a speed that caused white rings to appear in the air, fading into the distance.
At the top of the largest base in the barracks, a man stood, his hair flapping wildly in the wind, scattered by the turbulent wave.
"They're finally gone..." Captain Dolmian said with an exhale of relief, but soon his expression settled as he looked toward where the ship disappeared.
"It would probably be best if the higher-ups became aware of the existence of a new cardholder of the Fallen Family," he said, dipping his hand into his pocket and bringing out a communication device, soon dialing a number.
"Hello. This is Captain Dolmian of Grade E barracks. I would like to speak to the Commander in charge about an anomalous situation, and I deem my message of three-star importance."
"Hold on a second, and we'll get you across," came the reply.