Ep 19. Vampire of the Solitary Castle

Allen, Lenalee, and Lavi are sent to investigate a strange occurrence in a castle owned by a wealthy nobleman. The town surrounding the castle is plagued by rumors of a vampire living within its walls, and the Earl has taken an interest in the situation. As they investigate, the trio discovers that the “vampire” is actually a Level 2 Akuma who has taken over the body of the nobleman’s son.

The Akuma’s ability to absorb souls has made it nearly indestructible, and Allen soon realizes that they will need outside help to defeat it. Enter the eccentric but powerful Exorcist, Arystar Krory III. Krory is a strange character, living in near isolation in his own castle with only a handful of servants. He is also a bit of a glutton, with a taste for rare meats and exotic spices that would make most people queasy.

Despite his quirks, Krory is a formidable fighter. His Innocence, a giant maw that protrudes from his left hand, and the fact that he is immune to Akuma attacks, make him the ideal teammate for Allen, Lenalee, and Lavi. But the fight against the Akuma is not without its challenges. Krory’s attachment to the body that the Akuma has taken over causes more than a few emotional distresses, and Allen must navigate the delicate balance of respecting a man’s grief while simultaneously taking down an enemy.

To make matters worse, the Akuma has brought out the darkest parts of Krory’s past. His love for the original occupant of the body has led him down a path of desperation, and the Akuma uses this information to try and turn Krory against the Exorcists. The resulting battle is harrowing, with Allen and his team fighting tooth and nail to save not only Krory and the town surrounding the castle but their own lives as well.

In the end, the Exorcists triumph, but not without a few scars and a renewed sense of respect for the power of the Akuma. Despite all of his quirks, Krory earns a place in the small group of friends that Allen, Lenalee, and Lavi have created for themselves. They leave the lonely castle behind, grateful for the help of their new ally and ready to face whatever comes next in their fight against the Millennium Earl.