Chapter 445: Trial That Defies Fate (8)

The Progenitor Tyrkanzyaka possessed overwhelming power, but she had once been a girl who died before even reaching the end of her natural life.

She merely had a bit of knowledge about the human body. It was through coincidence and obsession that she became the Progenitor.

Because of that, Tyrkanzyaka herself was ill-suited for combat.

She had no experience in life, and her body had never fully matured.

So with Bloodcraft, she revived warriors to fight in her stead.

Now, with centuries of experience, Tyrkanzyaka was more accustomed to battle…  but she still lacked the knowledge of how to fully wield her boundless power.

By contrast, every Elder was a mighty figure of their era, names carved into history.

Though Tyrkanzyaka wouldn’t easily be overcome, facing all these Elders at once without her full power…

It was effectively impossible.

The moment Tyrkanzyaka realized her powerlessness, her whole being trembled with fury.

“You… dare to challenge me?!”

“That’s right. They’re vile. They’ve forgotten to whom their lives originally belonged.  It’s time to remind them.”

The one saving grace was that not all the Elders opposed her.

Kavila, who stood firmly by the Progenitor’s side, whispered as she embraced her.

“Just for a moment, return to how you were. Calm your restless heart, become the cold-blooded Queen of Sanguine again, and punish them. Whether you choose to forgive them or kill them and reclaim their Primordial Essence… that’s your choice, sis.”

The Progenitor’s authority had fallen to the ground, but that authority had always stemmed from her power.

If she regained that power, the respect she’d lost and the Elders who’d left her would all return.

…Though the belief that she would never change might not come back with them.

“Take your rightful place again as the one who makes judgment. Just as you always have.”

Tyrkanzyaka’s eyes trembled slightly.

Yes, this looked like a crisis, but there was an easy and simple way to resolve it: slice her body open and momentarily remove the Ace of Hearts card connected to her heart.

Then, her heartbeat would stop and the senses that had returned to her would dissipate.

Tyrkanzyaka would once again become the Ruler of Blood, placing all vampires under her control.

“…But still.”

“What are you afraid of, sis? We’re vampires. Wounds heal fast. Even if your heart shatters, it’ll return as good as new.”

That might be true.

But in that “good as new,” Tyrkanzyaka’s feelings, sensations, and the precious traces left behind by the old “Tyr”—would no longer be there.

Tyrkanzyaka spoke.

“Wait. Just give me a moment to think about it.”

“Sis, there’s no time to think. We must decide before he arrives.”

“He?”

“Du Rahan. The Heroic Knight. Your old nemesis and your most loyal servant.”

The moment the name of Du Rahan, the Black Knight, left Kavila’s lips, Tyrkanzyaka dug up a long-buried memory—from the age known as the End of Chivalry.

In those days, countless knights who called upon honor came to hunt Tyrkanzyaka.

Most of them died, unable to overcome the Dark Knight legions.

Even those who defeated the Dark Knight became food for the Elders.

But there was one.

The Heroic Knight Du Rahan.

He even felled Elders and eventually reached Tyrkanzyaka’s throne.

Kavila reminded her of what came next.

“Do you remember the day he became an Elder? He challenged you with the souls of every knight who died in the Dark Knights’ hands. Though he lost, he begged to become an Elder. He said he would defeat you even if he had to become a vampire. Of course, he couldn’t resist your power and became a faithful servant.”

She scoffed slightly at a knight daring to defy the Progenitor’s power, then stiffened her expression with a warning.

“If he has broken free from the shackles, he will absolutely try to kill you. He’ll make sure even your regeneration won’t bring you back.”

Sir Du Rahan, once the mightiest knight, even before becoming an Elder.

And even after becoming one, he never once fought at full power.

A headless knight who wielded his own severed head like a shield—or a hammer.

People joked that because he used both hands, he was the strongest, besides the Progenitor, of course.

But… the headless knight wasn’t just a gimmick.

It was the ghost of a hero who refused to fight with all his strength for the vampire Progenitor.

“While those three are just resentful of you. Right now, they’re like children throwing a tantrum, begging you to come back. Once your power returns, they’ll kneel before you like lambs. They’re not even worth killing.”

Had they truly intended to attack, they would have.

But Muri, Rahu Khan, and Bakuta hadn’t.

They came only to ask, press, and argue.

If Tyrkanzyaka declared her return, they’d be the first to kneel.

But not all of them were like that.

There were those like Dogo who simply ignored her.

Those like Erzsebet who dreamed of ambition.

And there was also Sister Yegcheria.

She was currently away from the Duchy, but who knew what she might do when she returned?

And Sir Du Rahan would absolutely come to kill her.

He hadn’t forgotten the vow he made right before death.

Even in death, he was a knight of honor.

Tyrkanzyaka finally understood.

Nothing in this world was a given.

She wasn’t revered as the Progenitor because she “had given” them power, but because she “had” power.

With her power gone, Tyrkanzyaka and the Progenitor were no longer the same.

Betrayed by her most loyal servant, she trembled with anger and shock.

“…What about Valdamir?”

And the answer came, just as she feared.

“Sister. Do you really think he doesn’t know? You know as well as I do, Valdamir is the one who’s practically been ruling this country. He’s handled all the troublesome matters for centuries. He holds the greatest power and the most information. He probably knew those three had awakened before you did.”

In short, Valdamir knew and still turned a blind eye to the current situation.

Tyrkanzyaka trembled with fury at the betrayal of the one she trusted most.

There were only enemies left.

Well, maybe Lyre and Kavila still remained.

But would that be enough?

Kavila, after all, was about to stop her heart.

There was no other way.

If she wanted to resolve this helplessness, this confusion, this fury—she had to stop her heart again.

Execute every vampire who defied her and return as the Queen of Shadows, to restore order once more.

Kavila urged her to choose.

Though it was hard to say if one could call it a “choice” when pressed so hard.

“…I—”

Hilde, who had been speaking coldly with a piercing gaze, suddenly seemed to realize something.

Tilting her head, she began gauging whether rebellion against the Progenitor was truly possible.

So you thought I had no plan, huh?

You lacked faith.

I was just looking for a more comfortable way forward, but I always leave myself an escape route.

Temporarily setting aside her scolding glare, Hilde softened her expression and suddenly jumped into my arms.

“Father, I love you!”

Some passersby heard and smiled warmly.

Were they assuming we were a close father-daughter pair?

I definitely don’t look that old…

Maybe it’s because they’re vampires, but age doesn’t seem to register clearly around here.

As I peeled Hilde off of me, I said.

“Just a moment ago, you were scolding me for being lazy at work. Now, do you finally understand your father’s grand plan?”

“Yes! Your lowly daughter failed to see your grand design! I’m sorry!”

“You just gonna apologize with words?”

“I’ll apologize with my body too! Should we get a room? Or just do it here~?”

The bystanders, who had been smiling warmly just a second ago, quickly fled.

A few stuck around with curious expressions though.Sorry, but we’re not going to give you that scene.

“That’s right. Tyr’s power never disappeared. It simply changed. If the right trigger comes along, she can return to how she was. It might look like a crisis now… but is it really a crisis if you can get out of it with a snap of your fingers? A real crisis is one you can’t do anything about.”

“So that’s why Father didn’t say anything? You even pushed the other Elders forward while you spent that long night with her!”

“I wasn’t really aiming for that. That’s just how it played out. Shouldn’t the Elders also have a chance to act on their desires? After all, they, too, are humans. Well, whatever the result of those desires may be…”

“As expected of you, Father…! I knew I could believe in you!”

Liar.

You were practically on the verge of flaying me alive not long ago.

“If the Elders provoke or persuade Tyrkanzyaka into regaining her power, then the Duchy will once again be ruled under her absolute power. The Duchy’s order will be restored and you’ll be the consort of the absolute ruler!”

“…Haha. Right.”

Not that I planned for that outcome.

But… would Tyr really throw away what she so desperately wanted?

Would the Elders truly stop hoping and accept a life under eternal order?

I don’t deny the need for order.

You can’t fall asleep in a house you think might collapse at any moment.

You need to believe it will stand.

That the same today will continue tomorrow.

I understand that.

But if upholding that belief requires someone to die—if the house collapses and crushes people, and we ignore their deaths to build a bigger house and have others sleep beneath it—what would that house be for?

Who is that order for?

We may believe it’s necessary.

Even if it’s tragic, we can argue that a greater order is needed for the sake of the many.

But I am the King of Humans.

I can’t read order or hearts, but I can destroy anything that becomes the enemy of humanity.

…But since those who desire order are also human, as one who reads human desire, instead of destroying, I create chances for that order to be reshaped.

“Anyway, leaving the castle was the right call. It seems best to stay outside until things settle.”

“Okay~ Father, rest easy. I’ll find us a place to stay! But…”

Hilde glanced toward the streets.

She had scouted the city around the Duchy’s capital thoroughly, picking only the quietest alleys to move through.

Yet strangely, the streets were overflowing with people, humans pushed out by the surge of the crowd.

No way we’re getting seats at any restaurants like this.

Hilde pressed her fingers to her lips in thought.

“Looks like all the humans who’d been waiting by the coast for the Night Ebb Tide have returned to the city en masse. I didn’t have time to investigate, but there was no movement last night. They must’ve rushed back.”

She was right.

The streets were jammed with those who had gathered for the tide.

There’s nothing wrong with staying at the castle briefly, but with so many people, the city had grown loud and chaotic.

“Must’ve been an Elder’s command. Most likely the Crimson Duke… but what could be the reason for calling so many here so suddenly? Do you have any guesses, Father?”

“No clue, but the timing does feel a bit too convenient.”

“Hmm~ I didn’t think he’d join the rebellion. I was hoping he’d remain for the Duchy’s sake…”

She’s completely relaxed now.

Yeah, I’m curious too.

The Crimson Duke knows how to escape the shackles.

He can truly choose.

What will he choose?

Of course, the one I’m most curious about… is Tyr.