Chapter 414: A God and A King

The capital of the Duchy of Mist and the residence of the Progenitor, Plenilune Castle.

The ancient castle shrouded in darkness couldn’t be found on any map and was located far away from even the Twilight Citadel.

Had the carriage led by Ralion not been impossibly smooth, making the jostling inside nearly imperceptible, it would’ve been quite a grueling journey.

The unique climate and atmosphere of the Duchy of Mist made for some entertaining discussion.

“Are we having meat again this time?”

“…Are you getting tired of it?”

“Not at all. It’s great. Humans are descended from hunting animals, after all. Mmm, delicious. We didn’t have anything like this in the Military State.”

“We did too! The food just didn’t get distributed down to you!”

“We’ve decided to just call that ‘not having any.’ Mmm. Oh, it’s even cooked? Who made this?”

“Me.”

Kavila emerged from the side of the carriage and clapped her hands.

At her cue, Dragonfang Puppets dressed in white aprons and triangular kerchiefs slowly emerged, holding plates.

The sight of the skeletal Dragonfang Puppets serving food was grotesque—almost comically so, yet Kavila directed them with an aloof tone.

“You should feel honored. A great Elder like me—”

｢…If I’m rude here… sis will get mad, right? Let me phrase it more nicely.｣

“—personally cooked for my dear sister’s beloved consort. No, sis! I wasn’t insulting him, I swear! I’m just envious of how much affection you show him, that’s all! Please don’t get angry!”

“If there’s no nice way to say it, just say it plainly. Tyr, you can let her be. I prefer it that way too.”

Besides, I can already hear everything with Mind Reading, so if your words and thoughts don’t match, it’s actually more confusing for me.

At this rate, they will catch me using Mind Reading.

Using Kavila’s fretting as my entertainment, I began picking through the food on my plate.

The potatoes were first steamed, then pan-fried in oil and topped with cheese.

The meat, heavily seasoned and slow-cooked, fell apart at the slightest touch.

I took a bite of the meat and potatoes together before chewing them slowly.

“This isn’t some beginner’s cooking. You’ve done this before.”

“‘Done this before?’ I’m a vampire, remember? I’ve probably eaten twice as many meals as you have. Just because the blood’s not dried on your head yet doesn’t mean you can scoff at a thousand years of experience!”

“You’re really prickly even when being complimented. I was just surprised that someone who can’t taste food could cook this well.”

“Hmph. It’s not like I did it for praise from the likes of you.”

Despite her words, Kavila seemed pleased and began to chatter away.

“Livestock, despite being livestock, are ridiculously picky. Even when I generously give them meat, they whine that it’s tough or bland. Sometimes they complain about being tired of meat and ask if there’s any bread or greens! The best way to shut them up is to decorate the food nicely.”

“Well, you can’t blame them. No one wants to eat the same thing all the time… But from what you’re saying, it sounds like you cook for them regularly?”

“I’ve got nothing better to do anyway and it passes the time. I’m used to handling meat now.”

She can cook food like this without even being able to taste it?

It’s like a blind painter or a deaf composer.

Even though I was full, I kept eating nonstop.

Watching me devour the food, Tyr quietly called out.

“Kavila.”

“Y-Yes, yes, sister!”

｢Sis’ calling me! What is it? Did I do something wrong? Probably not, right? She must want to say something!｣

“…Teach me how to cook later.”

Tyr whispered quietly, and Kavila, overcome with emotion, shouted out loud.

“Leave it to me! I’ll teach you everything, sis! From prep to knife skills, how much to cut, and for how long—everything in detail!”

“Shh. Not so loud.”

It didn’t take long for Hilde and I to clear our plates.

Rubbing my full belly, I spoke.

“Another loss for the Military State. As expected of a rootless nation—they just can’t win.”

“There you go, picking fights again. The Military State’s just strict about luxury goods. We can make food like this too!”

“If food like this exists but you can’t eat it, that means life is hard. People end up having to get by on beans. Ah, will I ever be able to go back to the Military State at this rate?”

When I casually pushed the Military State a bit, Hilde took the bait.

Pride wounded, she filled the silence herself.

“The Military State has too many people! When it was on the brink of collapse, the only way to feed everyone was with Chimera Beans! Do you think we stole those from the Tree of Corruption for no reason?!”

“I wasn’t criticizing—just making a comparison.”

“Raising livestock is a luxury in itself! According to Military State research, if you get rid of one cow and plant Chimera Beans on that pasture, you can feed twenty people. In other words, to raise one cow, you’d be killing twenty humans! You think we don’t raise them because we can’t?”

As Hilde stomped around indignantly, I recalled what I knew of the Duchy of Mist.

Most of the Duchy was grassland.

The damp land caught between sea and mountain didn’t get much sunlight, so only low grasses grew thick.

The rolling hills from the ridge down to the coast were perfect for raising cows and sheep.

That didn’t change even after the vampires arrived.

The sheep running across the wide plains are lively, and the shepherds who watch them are healthy.

…And it’s those healthy humans whose blood the vampires drink.

The vampires of the Duchy of Mist are, in a sense, shepherds who treat such humans as their livestock.

“Progenitor.”

Valdamir knocked.

The man had driven the carriage so quietly it was easy to forget he was there—his approach meant this short journey was over.

“We’ve arrived at Plenilune Castle.”

“You have done well.”

I opened the window and looked outside.

A land shrouded in thick, dark mist.

Even though the fog was dense enough to blur vision beyond a few hundred meters, a deeper shadow stood out, looming like a giant, gazing down upon me.

The capital of the Duchy of Mist.

An ancient dark castle not marked on any map.

Plenilune Castle.

– Screech, screech.

The cry of black-tailed gulls circled above in eerie rings.

The low murmur of countless people filled the city.

Each voice was small but gathered together, their weight made the fog tremble.

Every one of them was waiting for the Progenitor’s return, hearts heavy with awe and unease.

Just like at the Twilight Citadel.

It struck me again what kind of presence Tyr held in the Duchy of Mist.

The beginning of all vampires.

The god of vampires who drinks human blood—even the mighty Elders serve her and seek her favor.

And yet, I made Tyr’s heart beat once more.

If I manage to fully restore her senses too, then I will have…

No, let’s not overthink it.

As I prepared to disembark, I spoke.

“So this is Tyr’s castle? It’s quite big. I don’t think I’ll be bored while I’m here.”

“Make yourself comfortable. We’ll be staying for a while, so think of it as time to rest.”

“Huh? Weren’t we supposed to be investigating Mr. Luscynia’s death?”

“We’ll gather those who knew him and hold a trial. However, until the most likely suspect shows up, there won’t be much to go on.”

Well, that makes sense.

If Elder Luscynia was killed, the prime suspect would be his blood successor—Doctor Sage.

Tsk, maybe I should’ve read her better when we met.

I got too distracted by her unique Bloodcraft and couldn’t read her mind properly.

The only thing I know for certain in this case is that the Doctor Sage didn’t kill Luscynia.

“…And Valdamir has likely already handled the detailed investigation. Let’s review his report and think it over together. Even for you, uncovering the truth in this foreign land will not be easy.”

Tyr spoke as if it were a given that Valdamir had made preparations.

And of course, the Crimson Duke had things ready for the Progenitor.

“I will deliver them shortly.”

“Good. Hu should be with you, so send it through him.”

Tyr may be the god of vampires, but a god exists only in temples and in people’s hearts.

The ones who actually run the country exert influence from outside the temple.

It seemed that the nation was managed entirely by a few Elders.

Among them, Valdamir held an overwhelmingly large share of power.

A god and a king.

It wasn’t just my imagination that gave me a sense of foreboding.

“Let’s go. Take my hand and follow me, Hu. If you are going to become the King of the Military State, it is better to show your face early.”

“What if I don’t become the King of the Military State?”

“Then all the more reason to stay by my side. You are my…”

｢…Calling him my consort feels too embarrassing. I need to phrase that differently. Besides, I have no intention of drinking Hu’s blood, so he is not a consort anyway.｣

“…I shall introduce you as a distinguished guest so the others will treat you accordingly.”

Hopefully, it ends at just being treated well.

Normally, I would’ve refused to have my face known like this, but just this once, I followed Tyr’s wishes.

I stepped out of the carriage first, set one foot on the ground, and offered my hand to Tyr.

Tyr looked puzzled even as she took my hand.

“Are you showing courtesy? What has gotten into you?”

“I always say this, but it’s not that I can’t be polite—I just choose not to be. Still, there’s a time and place for everything, right? Especially when it’s a moment where your dignity needs to shine, Tyr.”

If you can keep your hand hidden, it’s best to do so.

But if you must reveal it, do it with flair.

Fewer people knowing your hand sounds good?

Not at all.

The ones most interested in my hand are the ones who most want to strip me bare.

Escorting Tyr, I descended from the carriage.

With a gentle hand on her shoulder, I led her slowly.

It was an intimate gesture, but Tyr, though slightly shy, gladly accepted the escort.

And when Tyr appeared like that, the situation from the Twilight Citadel repeated itself—but the reaction was much, much greater.

Vampires and humans alike gasped in unison.

“The Progenitor… has a consort?!”

Well, it’s not entirely wrong.

But did they have to use the word ‘consort’?

I wish they’d call me something else.