kscans

Chapter 47 - Those Who Move in the Shadows

◆ The Pope of the Holy Church ◆

We had received a startling report from the returned Vampire subjugation force. The annihilation of the allied army and the subjugation team, a Ghoul of abnormal strength. But what was most shocking of all was…

"The Vampire controlled lightning?!"

The grand cathedral erupted in an uproar at the impossible report.

"How blasphemous! As if a Vampire could wield the power of God! You insolent fool!"

Naturally, the priests were enraged by his statement. But the report had only just begun. It would be pointless to have summoned everyone here only to let the matter drop. Even if it was a false report, we had to determine how this imitation lightning was created.

"Silence!"

At my words, the priests reluctantly closed their mouths.

"Let me confirm. Did this Vampire truly control lightning?"

"! Y-yes. Dozens of lightning bolts fell from the sky, clearly following an intelligent will. And they struck not the Vampire, but us."

"Could it not have been magic made to look like lightning?"

In the past, many magicians had researched ways to replicate lightning. But while they could reproduce other natural phenomena, lightning alone remained beyond their grasp. Thus, what passed for lightning magic was but a pale imitation of the real thing.

"N-no, that was undoubtedly lightning. The tremendous light and sound, and above all, the speed that was impossible to follow with the eye. It could have been nothing else. Indeed, the Holy Knights were turned to charcoal in the brief moments they were out of our sight."

"Could they not have simply been burned by fire magic?"

"Even so, the power we felt from that lightning was real. The ground where the lightning struck was blown away. If she can continuously cast magic powerful enough to incinerate a Holy Knight with fire while simultaneously blowing away the ground, that in itself is an abnormal feat."

True enough. Regardless of the truth, the power of the Vampire in question was undeniable.

After hearing reports from the other survivors, it was clear that they all asserted it had been real lightning.

"…Regarding the Vampire in question, we shall not get involved until the truth of her lightning manipulation is discovered."

"What are you saying! If we back down now, it will be as if we are admitting that the Vampire can control lightning!"

"That, that is precisely the problem."

The priest who had agreed with me now looked at me with a confused expression, as if to ask why.

"Even if we send a new subjugation force, we will surely suffer considerable casualties if we fight that Vampire."

"But those who participated in this subjugation were all hot-blooded youths. Our veteran priests specializing in anti-undead combat were not present."

"That is true. They are indeed skilled users of Holy Magic. But do not forget the fact that the allied army was annihilated. Even if we were to dispatch a subjugation force, we would be at an overwhelming numerical disadvantage."

"! But with Holy Magic, we can purify them all at once!"

The priest persisted, but he still didn't understand.

"The enemy has non-undead forces, such as Dark Elves. Furthermore, that lightning magic of hers… if she were to unleash it from a distance, there is a risk that we would be annihilated before our Holy Magic could even reach her."

"Do you truly believe a Vampire can control lightning, Your Holiness?!"

"Do not misunderstand. The power is real. If we are outnumbered and outmatched in power, the danger of our defeat is great. If that happens, the survivors will think thusly: that the Vampire can indeed freely control lightning. We would, inadvertently, guarantee the truth of the rumor. At the very least, those who learn of our defeat will think so."

"That is…"

It was true. The rumor that the Vampire could control lightning was already spreading. The few soldiers who had survived on the battlefield and the survivors of the subjugation force who had fled in a state of delirium had publicly declared that the Vampire had controlled lightning.

Because of this, the Vampire had come to be known by the moniker 'White Thunder Duchess'. If we were to try to silence the rumors now, it would only lend them more credibility.

"Even if we are to send a subjugation force, we must first uncover the truth behind the Vampire's magic. Do not act rashly."

"…Yes, sir."

Ah, they have no patience. Good grief, they claim to serve God, yet why are there so many who seek power?

"For such a major incident to occur during my tenure, is this too a trial from God…"

Oh, why must God's trials be so troublesome and tedious? I feel like complaining, but my position forbids it.

"I wish I could quickly hand over my duties to a competent successor."

But the trials imposed upon me were not yet over.

"Your Holiness, an urgent report!"

A young priest burst into the grand cathedral during the meeting.

"Insolence! This is a meeting!"

"It is fine. Give your report."

It was undoubtedly more trouble, but I wanted a change from the current gloomy atmosphere. I prompted the young priest to speak.

"Y-yes! There has been movement in the territory of the Vampire Progenitor residing in the east, the Disaster Empress Camillael Vold!"

"…Wh-what did you say?!"

O God, please have a little mercy.

◆ Voylard Chromshell ◆

"Hmph…"

Lately, if I do say so myself, I have been in a good mood. This is because a Vampire in my service, by chance though it may be, defeated my sworn enemy and presented me with that magic sword. For such a great achievement, it was only natural that I reward her by allowing her to evolve into my child. Furthermore, Merlille, now my child, has achieved a swift victory against an allied army of humans, the Church included, and has secured her own territory.

"It is still a small territory, but it will soon grow."

As expected of my daughter, I wish to praise her.

"She was clever, unlike the other bats."

It is regrettable that with her gone, the accuracy of the bats' information has decreased, but if I think of it as merely returning to how things were before, it is not a great loss. Indeed, she has brought me something of far greater value.

"My, my, you're in a good mood."

However, this pleasant time was ruined by a single intruder.

"What do you want, Camillael?"

Before me stood what appeared to be a lovely young girl. However, her true identity was the same as mine, one of the kings of Vampires, one of the Seven Heavenly Progenitors, Camillael Vold. She was by no means the adorable being she appeared to be. Her behavior was so wicked that she was feared by humans and called the Disaster Empress.

"Hahaha, you could at least give me a little welcome, Vol. And you can call me Cammy, you know."

"I have no reason to call you by a pet name. State your business."

"Ooh, scary."

Camillael feigned fright. Her behavior grated on my nerves.

"Alright, alright. Don't send so much killing intent my way. Your subordinates are frightened, you know."

And whose fault do you think that is?

"Oh, I just came to confirm something."

"Confirm?"

"Yes. I hear you've acquired an interesting new toy recently."

"…"

A toy. Was she referring to the magic sword I had acquired, or…

"And you see, I've acquired a toy myself, and I'd love for them to play together."

So her target is Merlille.

"…Do as you please."

"You will?!"

Camillael's face lit up like a child's. How transparent. She would have acted on her own even if I had refused permission. She had come here to ask for confirmation knowing full well that Merlille was my daughter.

"We Progenitors have a pact of non-interference. Therefore, I have no intention of meddling in your games."

"Well, yes. But that toy is yours, isn't it? So I thought I'd get your permission first, so you won't get mad if I accidentally break it."

For a moment, Camillael flashed me a sadistic glint in her eyes, one she clearly intended for me to see.

"Hah, do not underestimate her. She is my daughter. It is your toy that will break."

"?! Haha! I like that! For you to say something like that! Good, this is getting interesting! This next game is going to be quite stimulating, don't you think?!"

Camillael let out a grating laugh.

"Phew, well then, I'll be going. My toy is getting antsy to go play. See you later!"

"Do not come back."

Finally, the noisy one left, and silence returned to the room. At the same time, I heard a frantic knock on the door.

"Master, are you alright?!"

"There is no problem. Return to your duties."

Hmph, my subordinates lack training. It seems no one can reach our level. However, that girl might…

"Ah, thinking of it that way, this may be a good opportunity. It will be good training for her."

I composed myself. If things go well, not only will it promote her growth, but it may also allow me to wipe the smirk off that one's face.

"Do your best, my daughter. You seem to have caught the eye of a troublesome one, but by my blood, you will surely prevail."