Chapter 453 - Chapter Fourteen: Vampire Lineage
As the night deepened, the window of Henry and Eleanor's room was knocked on as if by someone. Tap, tap. It was a second-floor window. It was not a person.
"I don't mind, Count."
When Henry called out, a white mist entered through the gap in the window. The mist formed a mass beside the chair Eleanor held out and began to take a human shape.
"As expected of a True Ancestor. You have presence."
"Umu, it is something we who were born as humans can never do. It is impressive."
The mass of mist became the form of the Count.
"Henry-sama, Eleanor-sama, I am honored by your praise."
He flipped his black cloak and greeted them with an exaggerated gesture. He sat in the chair Eleanor recommended, and the three of them toasted.
"The fact that you didn't come through the door means you want to talk to us without King Seldic noticing, I suppose."
When Henry broached the subject, he nodded slowly.
"About your fellow mage, then."
When Eleanor said it as if prompting him, he again nodded slowly.
The companion Eleanor spoke of referred to the companion with whom Henry had achieved the Demon Lord subjugation, while also suggesting they were the Count's companion.
"Yes. It is as you surmised. I heard that she died, but..."
Vampires are immortal. And True Ancestors like the Count, or those of the collateral lineage born as Vampires, have extremely high magic defense and can change their forms in various ways, so they are not existences that others can easily destroy. Since there is no natural death, death itself is unnatural.
"Yes. She passed away over ten years ago. Let me tell you, she was not subjugated."
"Then, how? As you know, we Vampires are immortal. Certainly, your fellow Vampire was a half-breed born to a True Ancestor and a human girl, and strictly speaking, not a Vampire. Therefore, her power would be weak. However, unlike humans, she should be immortal. Despite that, you say she died. Could it be..."
"That 'could it be' is it. She performed the Ritual of Succession to pass her power to the next generation."
"What, such a thing..."
"It is true, Count."
The Count looked into Eleanor's eyes, and then into Henry's eyes. He could easily tell that neither of them was lying or being evasive.
"Why such a thing? She was praised as a hero who defeated the Demon Lord and became a knight of various countries, wasn't she? Unlike me, who is shut away on a small island."
"No, that is exactly it, Count. You knew what her wish was, didn't you?"
"Her wish, you mean the words of the vow of those seven heroes?"
"That's right."
The vow of the seven heroes was like a motto for the six companions Henry gathered on the premise of challenging the Demon Lord. At Eleanor's suggestion, each person decided on their own, and they would chant it in order starting from Henry to inspire each other during toasts or before battles.
"If I recall, it was 'For those who must be protected,' was it?"
"That's right. That fellow said she liked the motto of our country's First Corps and used it just like that."
Henry was laughing, wahaha.
Eleanor, while looking at Henry's smile, remembered her former companion who was now gone. She lived alone in the mountains. Sometimes she used Charm to beguile hunters and suck their blood. Henry and the others, who heard the rumors, went to investigate and encountered her, eventually drawing her in as a companion.
"But, what does that... I see... that was the reason..."
When Henry and the others defeated the Demon Lord and were invited to the Count's island as heroes, the two met for the first time.
"That's right. As the Count also knows, most Vampires enter into contracts with villages. However, that fellow did not do so. I don't know the reason. Anyway, that was how it was."
Henry was pretending not to know. However, Eleanor knew what she had heard directly from the half-Vampire herself, something she had vaguely suspected.
She was ashamed of herself. As long as one enters into a contract with a village and becomes a protector or lord, one must fulfill certain obligations. However, she did not possess the mighty power that the villagers imagined. Therefore, she secluded herself in the mountains to escape the annoyance of such expectations being placed upon her.
After that, she met Henry and the others. After their talk, she decided to fight against the Demon Lord and the Demon Lord's army as a companion and an individual mercenary, just as she was invited. And she found meaning in living in the battle to protect people and fought with vigor. Officially, the strongest mage on the island was said to be Eleanor, but in reality, she boasted magic control that surpassed Eleanor's and also excelled in physical abilities. Because she inherited human blood, she did not take damage from holy magic, and she also knew the art of recovering her own wounds. By instantaneously turning her body into mist or possessing familiars such as bats, black cats, or rats, she accomplished things that human scouts could not do.
"Perhaps it was a result of becoming positive about living. She married a hunter she had known for some time. I believe the Count also knew of that."
"Yes, I heard. I remember being surprised that she actually found a partner."
"She said she didn't use Charm. She must have met an understanding man."
Vampires also boast beautiful features. However, it is rare for them to be united with humans. Eleanor giggled at the Count, who spoke as if appalled as a fellow of the same race.
And then, she defeated the resurrected Demon Lord, was called a hero, and became the protector of the island in name and reality. She had one daughter with the hunter and enjoyed a modest family life. It must have been the most fulfilling time. Later, the hunter, who was a human, also aged and died of illness in a human-like way.
"Officially she is said to be a granddaughter, but she is actually her daughter. I believe she received one orphan as a playmate for her daughter, adopted him, and made him her younger brother. For that fellow, 'those who must be protected' meant her family."
"I see. Then, the partner for the succession was..."
"That's right, that daughter."
The daughter born between the half-Vampire and the human is an existence called a quarter and is not immortal. Most of her abilities as a Vampire are also lost. Originally, the mother has half human blood. Naturally, her abilities are greatly inferior compared to a True Ancestor.
"That fellow was worried about the daughter she had with the hunter she loved. So, she performed the Ritual of Succession and passed on part of her own power. I didn't know, but apparently, if the Ritual of Succession is performed, a half-Vampire is no longer immortal and aging progresses faster than in humans. She died shortly after that."
"Fumu. And after that, the daughter?"
"She was entrusted, along with her younger brother, to the orphanage run by Catherine. She grew up safely and is now doing agricultural research."
"That is that Lyudmila."
"That's right, even though she is a quarter, she is one who inherits the blood of a Vampire and succeeds to part of that power. Of course, that power will be greatly inferior to a True Ancestor, but for a human, she is a superhuman who possesses the power of both a hero-class warrior and a mage."
"I thought it was strange when I heard the name Lyudmila. That name is given to women in the region that is my home. The mother Vampire might be traced back to someone who was near my home if we trace the origins. But, I see... such a thing..."
Since the Count fell silent, the two also refrained from speaking. This was because he needed time to accept the content of the story and think.
Even though she is close to a human, the power inherited by Lyudmila is too mighty. Those who examine her would know. If she were detected and became famous from childhood, she might be kidnapped by unscrupulous people and her magic control might be exploited. Fearing that, the mother, after consulting with Eleanor and Catherine, decided to seal her body along with her spirit until Lyudmila's spirit matured. The seal used the soul of the hunter, who was the father, with his own consent, and as a result, she took the appearance of a boy of the same age as Lyudmila at that time. Lyudmila was born in the year 168 of the Kingdom of Sertoria calendar, and since she received the Ritual of Succession in September 178, she was ten years old. It was in 187 that her mother died and she was entrusted to the orphanage, and to match her appearance, she was officially said to be born in 175, and she herself was said to be her grandmother, not her mother. The seal will be broken twenty years later, in September 198. Since it will soon be 197, Lyudmila will be released from the stopped time in one year and nine months, regain her original female appearance, and begin to grow.
"Lyudmila herself knows, but according to Catherine, it seems possible that the seal might not be broken as it is. In fact, she was told by her mother that there is such a possibility."
Timing it for when the Count had settled down, Eleanor explained the plan she had secretly made for coming to the island this time.
"The reason I sounded out not just Jeanne but all members of the Class of 175 about coming to this island and tried to get approval for the entry of all who wished was because of Lyudmila's origin. It was easily predictable that Lyudmila would want to meet the Count, who is a True Ancestor, and in fact, she wished for it."
"I was unaware. It was just that Bishop Jeanne told the maid that she could increase the island's agricultural productivity, and that reached my ears."
The Count was completely unaware at first. However, he had noticed that the blood of his kin was flowing in her at first sight.
"If Jeanne hadn't sold the idea to the Count, we were thinking of talking to you directly. I knew the Count cared about my companion. And by talking like this, I intend to have the Count be of help when she is lost in the future."
"So that is why Bishop Jeanne was talking so much about Lyudmila."
"No, Jeanne and the others should know nothing. They seem to think Lyudmila is a boy-girl whose growth is slow."
"A-A boy-girl whose growth is slow? That is, again..."
The Count unintentionally began to laugh, but it was a laugh precisely because he believed in Jeanne's character.
"If she is spending time together as a companion of Bishop Jeanne, there is no need for me to interfere. However, if there is anything I can do, please tell me anything. Do not hesitate."
Even in the confrontation with the Bishop Fish, Jeanne first proposed reconciliation and recommended the Alraune as an interpreter. Her stance of being favorably involved with monsters and spirits could be seen. Whether it is a natural gift or the accumulation of effort as a priest, she is a person who gives a mysterious sense of security when mingling with others. She is a rare type among humans who tend to take an exclusive attitude toward other races. On the other hand, she is doing monster extermination using powerful magic. There must have been circumstances up to now, but she doesn't seem to fear King Seldic. No matter who the opponent is, she will be able to handle them with a fair and flexible response. She is different from me, who, even if for the sake of the islanders, overestimated myself and immediately decided on subjugation. Besides, Lyudmila, whom I met, placed absolute trust in Jeanne.
"I am grateful to hear you say that."
"Please, we look forward to working with you."
Henry and Eleanor together said their thanks and toasted once more.
"There is one more thing I wish to speak of."
"What is it? Please speak without hesitation."
"Then, I shall take you up on your word."
The Count leaned forward. The two also leaned forward to match the Count, bringing their foreheads together.
"What do you two think of King Seldic?"
"What do you mean by 'what'?"
When the previous Demon Lord was resurrected, he was just before coming of age. Despite being a minor, he brushed off the restraints of those around him, participated in the Demon Lord subjugation army, and went to Sertoria. When organizing the Demon Lord subjugation unit and challenging the Demon Lord's cave, he reached adulthood and participated as the main force of Engrio. After that, from the time he was installed as the Crown Prince, as if to overturn his previous reputation, he went around taverns every night and stayed at brothels, even being called the profligate prince. There were even talks of deposition. After safely being crowned King, he implemented good governance centered on the economy domestically, and internationally, he repeatedly caused wars of invasion. Especially toward Regnentes in the north and Sertoria, he planned large-scale invasions and was repelled by both countries. Many knights died, and now many nobles, especially those in the west where the damage was great, are exempt from military service by paying substitute money, and that movement is beginning to spread to the nobles in the central and eastern parts.
"I can only think he finds joy in fighting."
The Count stated his own impressions based on the circumstances so far.
Even for the Count, when he was on the continent, he experienced countless wars. Because he is immortal, the number of his opponents far exceeds that of a human general. Even for him, King Seldic's love of war seems excessive.
"Do you think the fighting itself is the purpose, Count?"
At Henry's serious question, the Count flinched for a moment.
"Count, I hear King Seldic has been quiet lately. At least on this island."
Behind Eleanor's words, it could be seen that Sertoria's scouts were grasping the recent movements of the Engrio army.
"Yes. As you surmised, there is a possibility of dispatching troops to the continent."
"It seems so. Is he planning to dispatch troops to West Liber, centered on the eastern nobles?"
The Count sighed at Eleanor's words. The intelligence network, for which Eleanor the strategist created the foundation and the current King developed along with the hero Hughes, is functioning perfectly.
"You had already grasped that much."
"In my opinion, the dispatch to East Liber is aimed at reducing the knights directly under the nobility while strengthening cooperation with East Liber."
"Reducing the knights of the eastern nobility... What, in short, does that mean?"
If you reduce the knights, you won't be able to win the battle.
"I hear that in western Engrio, as a result of many knights dying in battle, the system where nobles pay money as war funds instead of military service has become established. In order for the same thing to happen in the east, a certain number of knights dying in battle will be necessary."
"D-Dying in battle?"
"Yes. If the number of war dead increases, the same thing can happen in the east as in the west. As a result, the only one who holds substantial military power is King Seldic, who obtains money instead of military service and hires soldiers. In other words, the King maintains absolute superiority and can exercise strong authority."
"Th-Then, King Seldic's aim is..."
"Yes. In my opinion, King Seldic might be intending to use the results of the previous defeat as preparation for a future major war."
The Count gasped at Eleanor's unexpected words and was unable to speak for a while.
〇 Latest Class of 175 Management Scale (Excluding personal assets such as cash and jewels)
・Shops: Main Shop (Nakanohara, Kingdom of Sertoria), Shop No. 2 (Village near the Sertoria border in eastern Regnentes),
Shop No. 3 (Sertoria Royal Capital), Shop No. 4 (Flatlands), Temporary Shop (Primordia)
・Right of Free Passage and Right of Free Commerce: Medioland, Regnentes, Finis, Northern Gram, Primordia, Engrio (Including Count Vectis's Special Autonomous Territory)
・Fields: Eight fields (Including buildings with farm functions)
・Livestock: Goats, sheep, pigs, a few
・Contract Animals: Eight swarms of honeybees
Chapter 18 End
Chapter 18 has ended. Thank you for reading this far.
During the posting, I received new bookmark registrations. Also, I received ratings (were they updated?), and many likes. And you maintained them. Thanks to you, the overall points have also recorded my personal best. Thank you very much.
Coming to Chapter 18, I was finally able to reveal Lyudmila's true identity. She was an unnatural existence in many ways, but the punchline was that she inherits the blood of someone who is not human. I had put out several small foreshadowings, so I think you might have noticed she was no ordinary person. With this, I was finally able to give the answer. By the way, it's also a spoiler, but Lyudmila is the only one in the Class of 175 who is connected to a non-human lineage. Just in case.
And, as the attentive readers have probably already noticed, there is no Episode 6.
If you ask why, it's actually because I forgot to post it. I am sorry. However, fortunately, within the stories before Episode 5 and after Episode 7, they are connected, but they exist as independent episodes in a sense. Therefore, I decided to post it as the "Back Yard Of Stray Priest" of this chapter without immediately posting a corrected version. I hope you can read it as an intermediate episode from Episode 5 to Episode 7 and beyond.
In short, it's my complete mistake, but I ask for your supplement.
As for the next chapter, after posting the forgotten Episode 6 on Friday, I will post Chapter 19 Episode 1 starting from Monday. It will be the final chapter of the long-continued Growth Period Arc. In other words, that will be gathered, and that thing will be understood... it should be. My writing has become slow lately, and at this point, I've only written about two-thirds of Chapter 19, but I'll try to keep writing without slowing down the posting pace, so I look forward to your continued support.