Astrid tied up the vampire until she was all trussed up like a rich roast. Between that and her seductive threats, licking her lips like she was going to eat the undead instead of the other way around, the captive nodded and made a submissive noise through her gag. (Astrid wouldn't have neglected gagging her so she couldn't bite as part of the process of tying her up, would she?) The vampire was, if not actively cooperative, than at least cowed and quiet, and unlikely to cause trouble. And perhaps a little moist between the legs, though it could have been fear, the restraint, or Astrid herself.<br/><br/>Meanwhile, although Kiyoni might have felt abandoned by Astrid, at least her flirtation with Antoine was going better.<strong>"Most adventurers would be satisfied with gold or artifacts... but if you wish for a more <em>personal</em> reward, that can also be arranged."</strong>The ambassador replied back without missing a beat, and added for Lucia,<strong>"I believe that my body is unscathed, but I have heard that in the excitement of battle, people can feel no pain from their wounds. So please feel free to check, if it should assure you."</strong>Lucia's search revealed that Antoine's body was quite slim and androgynous under the loosely fitting outfit, but otherwise uninjured.<br/><br/>Kiyoni and Penny found the center of all the commotion, the scroll that the newly named Chillytits had tried to force Ambassador Antoine to read earlier. It was the only item that detected as magical to Penny's senses, and carried an aura of conjuration of the teleportation subschool. They didn't have time to investigate further before Septimia and Inge arrived. The air that they tried to cultivate with their introductions as important personages of Futanaria was for naught, as the gnome buried her face in the Counsel's soft and abundant assets. Which, granted, was apparently somewhat of a deliberate choice on Septimia's part, and seemed to have its desired effect on Penny and Astrid.<br/><br/>Between her close hugging and her rapid-fire questions, Penny caught Septimia and Inge off-guard, who weren't quite sure how to respond nor were they able to effectively squeeze a word in. Septimia, looking relieved that the full brunt of the wizard's curiosity was now directed towards the foreign shieldmaiden, turned to Lucia. "The rituals leading up to the coronation will take the better part of a week. Inge and I have ceremonial roles that we cannot miss without causing scandal. But as outsiders you will have no such restrictions, leaving you free to act. There have been whispers and rumours of something to happen, but nothing solid yet."<br/><br/>Unfortunately Inge actually had to try to answer Penny's questions. "I, um, I'm a warrior, not a scholar, so I wouldn't know about spheres and laws. I'm not a futanari, we don't have them where I come from. But there will be a time to answer your questions later!" she tried to change the topic. "We'll have greater concerns if all of us can't keep a single captive vampire from mischief. Very well, you may bring her along. She is evidence of her kind's presence - hopefully she is a mere tool of a hidden mastermind, and not a a symptom of a vampiric infestation," Inge spoke to Astrid.<br/><br/><hr/><div class="floatright">(https://i.imgur.com/h139zp4.png)<br/>Crown Princess Ruthilia V</div>Septimia had to stay with the train to coordinate the clean-up, while Inge, the heroines of Zettai Ryouiki, Antoine, and a tied-up Chillytits took a flight on griffon-back to the nearest town. Under the moonlight, the Castle of Zeldwatch stood dark and imposing over the surrounding forests at the foot of the mountains, a piece of gothic architecture that would not have been out of place as a vampire's lair. Once upon a time the castle defended the mountain pass into Futanaria, but nowadays with the completion of the rail tunnel beneath the mountains it was little more than a scenic backdrop to the castle town outside its walls. They landed in the castle town of Zeldwatch and proceeded to the tavern, which had been rented out in its entirety. The guards posted outside saluted Inge and parted to allow the party entrance. Inside the place was lit by a roaring fireplace keeping a spitted boar hot. The Crown Princess looked up in middle of refilling her drinking horn from an already half-emptied cask of wine.<br/><br/>"Your Royal Highness, may I present these members of Zettai Ryouiki: Astrid Darkbane, Kiyoni Masyura, Penelope Starshimmer, and Lucia Mourningbow; and Ambassador Antoine of Thebes." Inge announced.<br/><br/>"So we meet at last! Septimia sent word of your arrival. I am Crown Princess Ruthilia V, and you must be the heroines that stopped the attack on the train and saved the good Ambassador." Ruthilia didn't demand any bowing or kneeling, just a kiss on her ring for formality's sake, nor did she let go of her horn of wine in the meanwhile. "But enough of business tonight, come celebrate today's successful hunt with me! Some of the finest game to be had in these forests, but alas I shall have little time for such pleasures once I am Queen. The purification rituals begin tomorrow morning, so let us drink and make merry for one last night! And is that a.... vampire? Where did you find one? Kinky!"