"Become a vampire, Juro."

The vampire's sharp hand pierced the man's abdomen.
This wound was so critical that not even a saintess could heal it; it was a fatal injury.
The only way to survive was to receive the vampire's blood and become one himself.

However...

"I will never... become a vampire."

"Why are you being so stubborn? Humans are weak and frail."

-Look at you! You couldn’t even fight properly because you were too busy protecting that fragile creature, and that’s how you fell to me.

The vampire pointed towards Scud, who lay there, unable to move, his entire body shattered, but his blood-red eyes still glared at them.

"If you became a vampire, wounds like the one you have now would heal in an instant. And that’s not all—eternal youth and immortality await you!"

The vampire coveted Juro, a man who possessed the skill to stand against him, a skill that might have been dangerous to him if Scud hadn’t been there.
Long ago, when he himself faced death, he pledged loyalty to his current master, 'Dracula,' and gained the strength he now had as a vampire. He wanted Juro to feel the same.

But Juro's answer remained resolute.
"I’m not afraid of dying."

"This can’t be! Isn't Feratu too powerful?"
"Even though Juro was at a disadvantage because he was protecting Scud, I never thought he’d fall like this."
"No, it’s not over! I’m sure he’ll find a way to win."

As the release day for Manafia arrived, as usual, people gathered around those who had purchased the new issues to read together.
However, the reaction was particularly intense this time, all because of Van Helsing.
In the last chapter, the incredibly powerful villain, 'Feratu,' appeared and placed the protagonist in danger. Juro, his mentor, appeared to fight, leaving readers in suspense.
Today, readers were treated to a double chapter of Van Helsing, which met their high expectations.

Juro, fighting desperately to protect his disciple and the others from Feratu, found himself gradually losing ground against his endlessly regenerating opponent. When he was severely injured, the readers gasped in shock.

"Don’t cry."

"You won! That thing ran away! Juro fought him without any chance to heal himself…"

Despite his severe injuries, Juro had managed to land a final blow, cornering Feratu, who had no choice but to flee as dawn approached. But Juro couldn’t finish him off.
All that remained beside him was Scud, shedding tears of fury.

"Flowers are beautiful because they bloom and wither. Even if I, this flower, wither, new flowers will soon bloom in my place."

-Burn with passion, let the flower within you bloom. Remember, it’s always humans who defeat monsters....

The readers of Van Helsing sat in silence, staring at the last part of the comic, stunned by the shocking twist.
Their discussions about how Juro would defeat Feratu seemed trivial now in the face of the unexpected turn of events.

"Is Juro dead?"
"No... if a priest or a potion was used to heal him quickly..."
"No, he’s beyond saving... he’s dead."

Juro, who had first appeared as a powerful figure saving the protagonist, and later as a reliable mentor guiding the inexperienced hero, had met an awe-inspiring end.
Given his many fans, there might have been some dissatisfaction over his death, yet no one was protesting to bring him back.

"It was an end fitting for Juro."
"Feratu is such a coward! Juro fought with a human body, yet he ran away!!"
"Scud will avenge Juro!"

The readers were not simply there to make demands.
While it was indeed heartbreaking and sad to see a beloved character meet their end,
what mattered most was that he had a fitting end.
In their eyes, Juro’s final act was a meaningful sacrifice.
As the secret organization Van Helsing stood to protect humans from vampires, Juro’s fight to defend his disciple and others from Feratu was moving, even as a drawing.

"Did you hear the rumor?"

"What rumor?"

"There’s talk that comic books might be banned."

"What?!"

Barely had they digested the story when someone dropped the shocking news.
The mention of a comic book ban quickly drew everyone’s attention.

"Why would they ban comic books?"

"They say some nobles have requested an Agora, claiming the comics are harmful to the Empire."

"An Agora? That could be dangerous."

Even commoners were familiar with the Agora.
As it was one of the few spectacles open to them, they had seen the nobles’ intense debates multiple times, and losing nobles often faced the loss of their titles.
Occasionally, if an unpopular noble lost, it even led to public lynching.

"But isn’t the real reason that they’re annoyed commoners are getting ideas above their station?"

The commoners, now literate, were about to explode after reading the Parent-Teacher Association’s statement, understanding that the real issue was that comics encouraged commoners to encroach upon the nobles’ interests.

"Let’s see, the Agora is just around the corner."
"The nobles really played a dirty trick this time."
"Yes, indeed. And aside from the Emperor, all the judges are nobles, aren’t they?"

Those who were engrossed in Rupert’s comics couldn’t help but worry about a potential ban.
The Agora was meant for disputes between nobles, and the three judges, aside from the Emperor, were always from the Seven Great Noble Houses.
The readers suspected that these nobles would not let commoners infringe on their benefits.

"Father, please be a judge at the upcoming Agora."

"Amelia, it’s not as simple as you think."

The House of Bluewell was the foremost among the Empire's noble families.
The Duke, head of House Bluewell, was troubled by his daughter Amelia’s request.

"We’re not just any noble house. We have to consider our vassal families and our allies."

As part of the Seven Great Nobles, House Bluewell could indeed serve as a judge if they wished.
However, not only House Bluewell, but other members of the Seven Great Nobles were reluctant to serve as judges for the Agora.
Being a judge meant taking sides, which could lead to enmity with the opposing group.

"Still, none of the other Seven Great Nobles favor Professor Rupert. It wouldn’t be fair!"

Amelia, undeterred by the difficulty, continued to press her point, and her father could not refute her logic.
‘It’s true. Rupert Somerset hasn’t been well-received.’

Rupert, supported by the Imperial Family and allied with the Yuren Merchants, had risen quickly and independently.
Nobles didn’t welcome the sharp teeth of a hunting dog they didn’t own.
In less than a year, Rupert Somerset had become a subject of admiration and jealousy throughout the Empire.

"Alright. I’ll volunteer as a judge for this Agora."

"Father! Thank you so much!"

The Duke of Bluewell accepted Amelia’s request, albeit for complex reasons.
Partly because he still owed Rupert for a past incident.
When Amelia had caused an incident at Somerset’s factory, he had been genuinely frightened.
He hadn’t anticipated that not only Rupert but the entire factory staff would faint.
Helping Rupert now seemed a good way to repay the favor.

Of course, there were other reasons as well.
Rupert had close ties with the Crown Prince and the Yuren Merchants, who had ascended as the Empire’s top merchant group.
He was also the youngest professor at the Imperial Academy, a prestigious achievement in itself.
‘If he’s this capable, perhaps he’s worthy of marrying my daughter.’

The Duke had initially intended for his daughter to inherit the family title, planning to marry her to a husband who would take on their family name.
But seeing Amelia grow more assertive in recent times, he had changed his mind.
He realized that helping her find happiness was his role as her father.

“Whether it’s Earth or this world, they’re not much different.”

With less than an hour before the Agora, Rupert showed no signs of anxiety.
He sat calmly in the waiting room, reviewing his prepared notes, feeling only a sense of inevitability.

"Sun Tzu said it well: the best victory is won before the battle begins."

Rupert was not concerned about the Agora.
He had no intention of losing.