Volume 1

''It was the era of the supreme Russian Empire with financial power and vast territorial reign under the Romanov dynasty. Magnificent architecture and arts of multiple disciplines were abundant. However, under the rule of 14th Tsar Nicholas II, the Russian foreign policy began to fall and the faux-pas eclipsed the Romanov grandeur. The royal family consisted of - Tsar Nicholas II, Tsarvina/Tsaritsa Alexandra, Tsarevna Tatiana, Tsarevna Olga, Tsarevna Maria, Tsarevna Anastesia and Tsarevich Alexei. Another influencial member respected by the royal family was the High Priest Grigori. However, his presence proved to be the main cue for disbelief and riot against the Empire.''

Year 1916. Saya and Hagi reaches Petrograd. They have come to investigate the royalties following the trail of Diva. For that, they join in the orchestra group of Romanov Royal Academy.

In the academy, they get acquainted with Victor, the orchestra lead. Saya doesn't pass the test to make it as a lead player but Hagi draws everyone's attention instantly by his ingenious cello play (despite the fact that it was Saya who originally taught him to play the cello). Saya is allowed to hang around as a novice and sent to a private room to practice. There she meets a girl named Claudia who has come along with her brother, Vincent, for treatment from a good healer who resides in the Imperial household. As they get along with each other, they could hear the performance of the Imperial Orchestra beginning.

Elsewhere in the palace, the music floats into the ears of the young royalties too. Princess Anastesia urges Prince Alexei to accompany her to the orchestra but he is afraid that their mother might scold them. The princess gets another idea to have fun with stilts but their mother, Tsaritsa Alexandria intervenes. She snatches away Alexei from Anastesia, scolding her for her carelessness with her brother who is not as healthy as her. Grigori, who has accompanied Alexandria, stops her from scolding the princess and persuades the latter to be careful around Alexei. Grigori's pampering earns him a hug from the princess who runs off gayly after mocking her mother. Tsaritsa Alexandria confines Alexei to his rooms and drowns in anxiety herself when alone with Grigori. She vents out her worry about her son being limited by his illness despite being the only heir to throne. Suddenly, Grigory embraces the empress, assuring that he'll help her and Alexei and asking her to trust in him completely.

Saya and Hagi alight from the carriage, having arrived their rooms after the day-long rehearsal. Saya is a bit off since Hagi got chosen as an orchestra member and seems to have been savoring every moment (the smug expression written all over his face although he is reluctant to admit it). To cheer up Saya, Hagi reminds her that she too, has made a friend. Saya quickly switches to their objective, which in itself is a gloomy prospect and the two agree on finishing their mission as quickly as possible so that they can return home. As they walk into the house, they find a letter slipped under the door with a seal of Bordeaux. Saya and Hagi are reminded once again of their mission: to eliminate the existence of those who are no longer human.

Meanwhile, Claudia admits feeling quite good ever since she has undergone the treatment. Her healer is revealed to be Starets Grigori Rasputin who affirms Vincent that Claudia is doing well. Claudia accuses her brother for worrying too much while Rasputin steals a sly smile.

The next day, Hagi attends the orchestra dressed up in his new uniform. Everyone compliments how it suits him. Vincent inquires why Saya has not accompanied Hagi to which the latter replies that she is practicing alone. This starts quite a squabble among the musicians since one of them had commented on Saya's playing the other day. The heated quarrel goes on as Hagi finds himself sitting next to a child player who is on the violin. A good thrashing from Victor pacifies the quarrel and they start tuning up for performance.

Elsewhere, Saya confronts Claudia who is cheerful as ever and wants to take Saya to meet Starets Grigori. However, Saya retains a sombre demeanor and states that the reason she is there, is to slay chiropterans; which is why she's got to kill her. Saying this, Saya unsheathes her sword and swings it at Claudia while chanting a non-verbal apology. The body of Claudia lies in a pool of blood and Saya is shocked at finding she hasn't transformed but is still a human.

''Saya finds herself walking towards her home - the chateau in Bordeaux. Suddenly she realizes that she has stepped onto something gore and finds dead bodies lying all around. She clasps her hands to her mouth to suppress the nauseating feeling when a figure approaches her. Claudia calls out to Saya, rebuking her of the deed - killing her even though she was a human. Saya realizes what she had done was unforgivable but she can't change anything now. Claudia's enigmatic smile and a sudden upsurge of chiropterans drives Saya to be compelled to slaughter again. As she fights on, Claudia gives her a cold look saying she was disappointed in Saya, having thought she finally had a friend. Saya screams and cries for apology from Claudia but the chiropterans flock onto her..... ''

Saya finally awakes and seeing Hagi's anxious, watchful face, she realizes that she has been seeing a nightmare all along. Hagi gives her a comforting embrace but it does little to calm Saya who has been thinking of Claudia all along. She yells that the girl did not yet become a chiropteran and blood was gushing everywhere; Saya helplessly asks if she has to continue fighting. Hagi reminds her that it is their mission and she shoves him away, angrily yelling at him. Hagi silently leaves. When Saya is alone in her room, she is shocked to find another letter with the Bordeaux seal fixed between the window shutters.

Another day, the royal household and nobility have been enjoying the enchanting performance of the orchestra. General Shpukin alludes to the peaceful environment to bring up the issue of political turmoil with Tsar Nicholas. The general shares that the movements of the opposing party is not to be taken lightly and also points out the reason for people's animosity - Grigori. The Tsar, looking across the convict and his wife who are sitting side-by-side, however, does not agree with this theory. General Shpukin tries to persuade the monarch by pointing out how Grigori appeared out of nowhere, applies curious arts and carries himself in an unseeming fashion. He adds that people thinks the entire royal household is under Grigori's spell. But still the Tsar remains adamant in believing Grigori, seeing that the Starets has used his curious arts to heal Prince Alexei.

The performance is over and as Hagi places his cello back in the case, Kiske takes his leave from Victor to meet his brother. Suddenly Miguel tells Hagi about the welcome party the orchestra members are throwing for him. He adds that Hagi should bring Saya along with him. As he affirms so, Hagi looks across to see Vincent with Victor and is quite surprised by his expression.

In the palace, General Shpukin confronts Grigori while passing a corridor. He throws warnings at Grigori who jestfully accepts them as compliments, further infuriating the General. Grigori fans his fury by offering to brew up a cure for his pallid appearance. The General realizes he has had enough of Grigori's jest and retreats after retorting that it's his natural complexion.

Elsewhere, Kiske returns to Kiska's room and observes his brother hasn't been resting properly. Kiska's conditions have gotten better but he suffers from the anxiety that Kiske won't like him anymore now that he has changed. As Kiska caresses Kiske's hand, Kiske drives away his brother's anxiety by embracing him with a kiss on the head and saying that he loves Kiska more than anything in the world; that's why they promised to be together forever. Just then Grigori enters the room with a comforting greeting. The brothers heartily welcome him and thank him for the treatment. Having inquired after Kiska's condition, Grigori hands him a vial of medicine and tells him to endure the pain a bit longer.

A sudden emergency cuts the visit short and Grigori has to leave the twin brothers to attend the young prince who has injured himself badly.