Chapter 432: The #1 Female Protagonist and the Ordinary Male Protagonist

The Night Ebb Tide was the Duchy’s grandest event.

When the currents shift and the Leviathans ascend, the Duchy’s sea turns into a drained wetland.

For half a month, the great sea, normally untouchable by humans, bares its depths.

And during that time, the Duchy’s residents gather at Plenilune Castle in hopes of fortune— following that trail of blood, the vampires arrive too.

Even the retainers of slumbering or absent Elders were no exception.

One group of them now knelt before the Progenitor and paid their respects.

“We, the coven of Du Rahan, offer reverence for the Progenitor’s return in place of our sleeping Elder. We beg forgiveness that our Liege cannot be present on such an auspicious day.”

The Duchy of Mist spanned a vast area with a low population capacity.

And where there are no humans, beasts inevitably fill the space.

In the southwestern highlands, where few humans tread, wild stallions race freely across the terrain.

Taming such beasts would be nearly impossible for an ordinary human as one kick would be enough to send them to the next life.

But for vampires who neither tire nor injure easily, it’s surprisingly simple to mount a horse and strap on a bridle.

Moreover, unlike the primeval beasts in the southern lands, these highland horses had interbred for centuries with escaped domestic breeds, making them more docile and easier to raise as livestock.

For that reason, the southern horses of the Duchy have long been regarded as fine steeds, often sold at high prices to neighboring kingdoms, where knights were always in need of mounts.

Those who trained with the horses—both humans and vampires—grew strong.

Their domain was ruled by none other than Black Knight Du Rahan, the headless knight.

Though it seems like he was now slumbering somewhere.

“I take no offense. I, too, have only recently returned from a long slumber. How could I rebuke Du Rahan? You have paid respects in his stead. That alone is enough.”

“We are unworthy of such grace… But, Progenitor, who is the human by your side?”

“Oh, this one?”

Tyr shot me a sharp, sideways glance.

For some reason, there was a strange hostility in her eyes.

She muttered discontentedly, clearly displeased with me.

“What else? My consort, who does nothing but wander around outside. Do not mind him—he is no different from a loafer.”

I was stunned by the sudden public jab and replied indignantly.

“Hey, Tyr. A loafer? Sure, I’ve been slacking off, but I came here as a guest in the first place!”

“Guest or not. If you are out every day and never show your face, what kind of guest are you?”

Tyr pouted.

It had been like this for a while.

Ever since I told her the sense restoration was complete, things had been peaceful, but after a few outings, Tyr had started getting increasingly short-tempered.

The reason was obvious: she was annoyed that I wasn’t spending time with her.

If I pushed it a bit further… it might’ve even been jealousy—albeit the most basic, beginner-level kind.

She didn’t seem to realize it herself, so I couldn’t be sure.

For a girl who lived through the 12th century, it was… unexpectedly girlish.

I couldn’t tell if I should be happy that she was becoming more human or troubled that the object of her growing emotions was me.

“Then give me something to do! If you give me work, I’ll do it properly!”

“Hmph. No need.”

“No, come on! It’s not fair to blame me for being lazy and not even give me something to do!”

“They say there is no more hope after three failures. I have already assigned you two tasks and both times you provided lackluster results. What could I possibly trust you with again?”

“Two? When exactly did I get two tasks, and what did I supposedly fail at? I completed one successfully and haven’t even started the other I don’t know about!”

Sure, I may be doing the bare minimum and lazing around, but I at least meet the baseline!

I get enough done that you could let it slide as “technically working!”

I protested, but Tyr scoffed.

“Successful? You mean that half-baked attempt?”

“Half-baked? Just this morning, you caught a whiff of a floral scent and were so thrilled you plucked a petal and ate it like a horse! You were enjoying it more than anyone!”

“W-Why are you bringing that up now?! I said it was half-baked! Besides, that flower did not even taste good! It was so bitter—I wanted to spit it out!”

“Well, of course it did! The flower probably didn’t want to be eaten in the first place!”

To anyone watching, we were clearly arguing.

Because we were arguing.

But the vampires watching Tyr and me bicker interpreted it a bit differently.

｢So the rumors were true… the Progenitor really does have a consort.｣

｢She treats him with surprising familiarity. She was always so cold and distant, like the depths of the sea, but now… she almost seems… human.｣

Don’t get the wrong idea.

We’re really fighting here, okay?!

I’ve done all this for her, risked my life, granted her wish—and now she’s acting all entitled!

How long do I have to keep giving?!

Sure, I’m currently mooching off Tyr and throwing my power around, but still!

That’s within acceptable limits!

“Enough. Let’s talk about this later.”

“If we delay it, I’ll just be stuck standing here like some decorative potted plant. Then, when the vampires get curious and ask, I’ll end up looking like some idle consort. Is this your version of ‘Taming of the Shrew?’”

“Being a shrew would be preferable. You are worse than that.”

｢She looks displeased, but she’s never shown it so openly in public before. Is it because of that consort? He’s not even particularly handsome, and yet…｣

｢A man should have a commanding body and a fine beard. I wonder how he managed to charm the Progenitor…｣

｢To talk back to the Progenitor so flippantly… he’s grown arrogant from favoritism. If he continues acting this rudely, a great misfortune is bound to befall him…｣

Wait a second, do I really look like some bratty consort to them?

I’ve got skills, okay?

I’m the King of Humans!

That’s not some knockoff, novel title!

…Hold on.

This whole scene really does feel like a cheesy romance novel, doesn’t it?

The male lead—an absolute monarch of a nation.

Cold, distant, impossibly powerful.

A fearsome ruler ranked #1 in combat, cloaked in intimidation.

And the female lead?

A completely ordinary girl with average looks and no pedigree.

She lives quietly and humbly but with one unique trait: a special ability to understand others.

Even the heartless male lead finds himself drawn to her in a way he never expected, and begins to feel his long-dead heart stir again…

…If you flip the genders, that’s just me.

No wonder the vampires were looking at me like that… They looked at me with the same pity you’d reserve for a silly protagonist.

｢The Progenitor has chosen this time of upheaval to keep a consort by her side… They say when a consort attracts too much attention, the country falls. To think it’s coming true in our Duchy.｣

｢Still… better not point it out. I have no wish to displease the Progenitor.｣

｢This too shall pass. More importantly—｣

Vampires weren’t emotional beings.

Even seeing the Progenitor banter with her consort, they quietly buried their thoughts and moved on to other matters.

“Forgive our rudeness, but… might we offer our service to Bloodmare Ralion?”

“You have always looked after Ralion as if he were your own Elder. Very well. You may do so.”

“Your blood knows no bounds, Progenitor.”

The group, having finished their greetings, slowly withdrew.

Their fondness for Ralion was genuine—but that wasn’t all.

｢I don’t feel the pull of my blood being drawn. Has the Progenitor truly lost her power?｣

｢Our Elder still sleeps, so there’s nothing for us to decide yet…｣

｢If the rumors are true, perhaps we must risk offense and awaken Sir Rahan.｣

｢No. Perhaps allowing him to sleep and simply observing is the most loyal course. Surely no disgrace will befall the honorable Sir Rahan…｣

So the rumors are already out.

Vampires whose Elders haven’t risen are taking a wait-and-see approach.

That’s good, at least.

Everything feels like it’s moving quite fast… but honestly, Tyr’s descent into humanity is even faster.

She randomly insisted I stand beside her today, asserted her authority here and there, introduced me to visiting vampires, and then dished out little jabs as if trying to keep me in line…

…she really is acting like the male lead trying to flaunt his own power.

So what’s the usual response in these scenarios?

“There are so many vampires. Seeing them like this, I’m reminded that you really are the ruler of this nation, Tyr. Just from all the greetings alone, it feels like the whole day’s going to slip by.”

“Seems you have not realized it before. You best remember that going forward.”

“Right. That was the last group, wasn’t it? Looks like all the retainers of the absent Elders have arrived.”

As I tallied the numbers, Tyr, seated on her coffin-like throne, slowly lifted her gaze.

There was no grand throne in Plenilune Castle’s hall.

Instead, Tyr was supported by her black coffin—her seat of endless darkness and blood.

“Do you know who the Elders are?”

“Of course I do. They’re written in the history books.”

The Elders I’ve met so far were those who lived through history itself.

They’re so famous it would be harder not to know who they are—aside from the five I’ve met, the one who died, and the one who’s not exactly human.

“The Waning Moon Muri, the Black Knight Sir Du Rahan, the Watcher Rahu Khan, the Fallen Nun Sister Yegcheria, and Old Bakuta the Bloodleech. They all have such cool, dramatic titles. It’s no wonder they’re popular.”

“Popular? I imagine the Sanctum has had a heavy hand in how that history was written.”

“Guess they didn’t really know what they were doing. No matter how hard they tried to paint them as evil and emphasize their misdeeds, people studying them just found them cool instead. It’s human nature—people are more drawn to interesting villains than they are to boring Saintesses.”

As expected, nothing lifts someone’s mood like gossiping together.

Even my childish attempt worked like a charm on Tyr. She let out a soft chuckle and murmured.

“That is true. After all, I ended up falling for one too.”

“…What?”

“…It’s nothing.”

Pretending I didn’t hear that, I smoothly changed the subject.

“So far, only the covens of those Elders have shown up, right? I guess the rest aren’t coming this time.”

“Indeed. Most of them are likely still slumbering somewhere.”

“That’s a shame. I was hoping to see them at least once.”

It would’ve been interesting to read the thoughts of those ancient Elders.

Who knows, maybe their techniques could even help Tyr.

I let my words hang in the air with a hint of regret, and upon hearing them, Tyr nodded and stood up.

“Katalina. Summon the Elders. Awaken all sleeping Elders and bring them before me.”

“What? A summons for the Elders?”

I couldn’t believe my ears, but the handmaiden calmly accepted Tyr’s command.

“What deadline shall I follow?”

“Immediately, as soon as they hear it.”

“I shall obey, Progenitor.”

“Wait, wait, wait!”

I quickly cut in, drawing Tyr’s gaze to me.

I stepped in front of her just before the situation could spiral out of control.

“Wait just a second, Tyr! What are you doing?”

“What do you mean? I’m calling all the Elders to the castle, just as you asked.”

“The sleeping Elders? Out of nowhere?”

“You said you wanted to see them, did you not?”

Tyr answered like summoning every slumbering Elder in the Duchy was no big deal.

“I simply had no reason to summon them before. If a reason presents itself, there is no need to hesitate.”

“And the reason… is me?”

To vampires, their retainers were merely extensions of their own limbs.

Even now that Tyr had regained her heart, that perception hadn’t changed.

To someone like me, an ordinary human, Elders were monumental beings.

But to Tyr, the Progenitor, they were servants to summon at will.

“You said you wanted to see them, correct?”

Just like that, she would summon the rulers of the country at the whim of her consort.

The country might survive it, but I definitely wouldn’t.

People would scream that I was trying to manipulate the leaders of the nation behind the scenes!

I raised my voice in panic.

“I appreciate the sentiment, but that’s okay! Waking someone up while they’re sleeping is rude, isn’t it? Let them sleep!”

“They will not mind the call. For vampires, slumber is merely a way to pass the time over long years. Since there is also the matter of Luscynia, we will have use for them anyway.”

“Nope. The castle is already crowded. We can just send them the news later.”

“This castle was built to hold all vampires with room to spare.”

“Still, let’s not! It’s the house where Tyr and I live together. Don’t you think it’d get noisy? We have a right to privacy!”

A house where we lived together.

That phrase made Tyr pause.

Until now, she only thought of her retainers as extensions of herself and there was no need to request privacy from your own limbs.

But ever since losing her dominion and regaining her external senses, imagining Elders staying nearby caused a flicker of discomfort in her.

“H-Hrm. You may be right. The Night Ebb Tide is approaching, and bringing the Elders in as well might be a bit much.”

“Exactly!”

“I understand your reasoning. Very well… I’ll cancel the order. Wait.”

Just as she was about to instruct the handmaiden to rescind the summons, Tyr tilted her head and asked.

“But… what privacy is there to protect? It is not like you’re doing anything.”

“Then I’ll just do something.”

As if that were any trouble.

“How?”

“There’s no one else left to meet, right?”

“True.”

“Perfect. The more time, the better.”

It wasn’t hard, or forbidden.

I’d refrained until now only because I’d wanted to respect Tyr’s desires.

I stood at a distance to let her experience and reflect, but this… should be enough.

I stepped towards Tyr.

Now that she was used to me, she didn’t react even as I got close.

She simply looked at me steadily, waiting to see what I’d do.

Tyr was the type who wanted to be led in matters like this—so I’d do as she wished, even if it was a bit bold.

I slipped my arms under her back and knees, then lifted her up in a princess carry.

Tyr, who had silently watched until now, suddenly realized she was being held and widened her eyes.

Her red irises trembled.

“E-Eh? Hu?”

She was lighter than I expected.

Even a regular human could lift a girl like this.

While holding her, I turned to the handmaiden Katalina.

“Ms. Katalina. That was the last thing on today’s schedule, right? Please let everyone know not to bother us for a while.”

Internally, she was panicking and screaming, but being a vampire, she didn’t show it.

She simply bowed.

“As you wish.”

“Thank you. Also, cancel the Elder summons. There’s no need for it anymore.”

Leaving those words behind, I headed out of the hall.

The handmaiden was torn over how to explain what she’d just witnessed, or who to even report it to, but that was no longer my concern.

“Hu, this is… what…?”

“Come, Tyr. Let’s go.”

Tyr didn’t seem satisfied with only partially restored senses.

That was just how the human body worked—everything was connected.

No matter how well I’d restored her senses, she was likely feeling a subconscious discomfort she herself hadn’t realized yet.

Her increasing irritability… sure, some of it was her emotional reawakening, but a bigger part was probably a physical imbalance she couldn’t identify.

I looked down at Tyr, awkwardly bundled in my arms with her hands clasped, and said.

“Let’s go make some privacy.”