There were several reasons why Shei decided to cross-dress as a man.
First, to safely fall into Tantalos in this iteration. Since she did not know the exact trigger to reach Tantalos, she had to be captured and dropped by the Military Nation. However, it would be foolish to obediently disarm and let herself be captured by the Military Nation. So, she chose a method to fall by summoning a being with the authority to do so.
That was Absolute Spear Partaksion. A knight of the Old Kingdom and the Northern Commander of the Military Nation who revered duels. Shei provoked Partaksion by striking down the soldiers of the Military Nation one by one, and he leaped out to duel her.
That was enough. Partaksion loved duels, but had no interest in taking lives or wealth through them. If she fought reasonably and then dropped a hint that she wanted to fight strong opponents in Tantalos, he would laugh heartily and personally throw her into Tantalos. However, because he had a daughter around Shei's age, not cross-dressing would make that process difficult. Middle-aged men are infinitely weak to girls their daughter's age.
And the second reason. This was perhaps a more fundamental reason, but it was simply because Shei found it comfortable to dress as a man.
It was a world where chosen prophets and Saintesses visibly existed. If Shei, a regressor, acted as if she knew the future, she would naturally incur the misunderstanding of being a Saintess. It might not even be a misunderstanding, but from Shei's perspective, who had to uncover all sorts of secrets, a Saintess was not a very good identity. To avoid pursuit, or to avoid drawing suspicion. Shei often changed her appearance and attire.
The Mask of Agartha was for that very reason.
A treasure obtained from the barbaric lands down south, where countless tribes were torn in every direction. By wearing it, she could change her impression without any special effort. Shei changed her identity that frequently.
However, the Mask of Agartha was not omnipotent either. It merely implanted an impression and made people believe it... but that was still a matter of perception and belief. If it was exposed as clearly as now, it was useless.
Caught by the worst opponent at a bad timing. Shei opened her mouth while clutching her torn collar together.
"No. This is..."
"It is fine, Shei. You do not need to make excuses."
Surprisingly, however, the first one to dismiss it casually was Tirkanjaka. Tirkanjaka tilted her parasol further down and let out a small sigh.
"So that is why your blood tasted good. There were a few other suspicious parts besides that, but this explains most of it."
"Uh, huh? Are you okay with this?"
"It is bewildering, but what difference does it make? Does it make sense for a man to like a man? A woman disguised as a man is more plausible."
"That is a real misunderstanding!"
"Misunderstanding? If liking a man is a misunderstanding, then do you like women after all? Or perhaps, acting friendly to me, the Princess, and the Thunder Society Master was also...?"
"No, no, no! That's not what I meant!"
Despite her earnest explanations, Shei felt relieved. Tirkanjaka remained composed, as if this kind of farce was no big deal. It was hard to think that Tirkanjaka, who rarely showed emotional fluctuations, would change her attitude here.
Hilde spoke.
"You lack sensitivity! These days, it's an era where men can be couples with men, and women with women! Cross-dressing is actually stranger!"
"...? But can you not have children that way?"
"You shouldn't be hung up on such trivial things! Love isn't just for having children, is it?"
"That is also true. Even for vampires, emotions like affection.... Hmm, this does not seem like the time to be having such a conversation."
Stopping mid-sentence, Tirkanjaka reproached Hilde as if annoyed.
"It would be laughable if I acted according to your thoughts. Did you think my attitude would change as easily as flipping my hand just because you said a word?"
"Hmm~ This is a bit unexpected, though~"
"Would it be acceptable for the Sea of Blood to be stirred so lightly? I stopped doing the foolish act of being swayed here and there by a cunning word over a thousand years ago."
Vampires might be inherently insensitive, but a being who has lived through a thousand years is duller than insensitive. That was not simply a matter of senses, but a matter of experiences and accumulated knowledge.
"I know that. The arrogance of those who create the future they have seen. The unpleasantness that arises when they try to realize the future they have seen. Hilde, you might find it disappointing, but from Shei, I do not feel that unpleasantness...."
Tirkanjaka paused and chose her words for a moment.
"Are you sure about that? There were definitely times she acted like she knew everything, right?"
"...I do not deny it. There were times I wanted to punch her once. Still, it did not feel like a nauseating arrogance."
Hilde asked Tirkanjaka again, who was trying hard to recall good memories.
"Really? When she clearly knows the future, and even has the treasures of the Heavenly Gods? Cheon-aeng and Rene's pockets. If not the Holy Court, who else would have those?"
"Is she not trying to go against the future? From Shei, such a will is felt before the arrogance of a prophet. Rather than what her identity is, is it not more important what she has done before me and what she will do in the future?"
Relief found its way to Shei's fingertips. What she had built up so far was not in vain. Shei had worked hard, and Tirkanjaka had believed in her.
It was only natural. At the end of the apocalypse, Shei had rushed about, encompassing both light and darkness. In particular, after saving Uiseon and moving with her, she had even communicated with and helped the vampires, whom she had only considered enemies. If it was the bond formed from that time, it was enough....
...But when did this bond form? Just as Shei suddenly looked back, Tirkanjaka smiled benevolently and spoke.
"Therefore, tell me just one thing. If you do, I will continue to stay by your side."
No matter how benevolent she was, she was the Progenitor Tirkanjaka. The arch-enemy of the Holy Court and the Queen of Shadows. She had lived that way for a thousand years, and spending a short time with Shei or Huz would not change her essence.
As she herself had said, the sea is quiet. The Sea of Blood is not swept away by momentary storms. Spending a few days with Shei would not change her essence.
"Shei. When I march with blood towards the Holy Court, help me behead the Saintess."
While Shei momentarily flinched at the chilling proposal, Tirkanjaka feigned not noticing and smoothly continued.
"I am not asking you to take everything on. I do not wish to burden you so much. Just one, even just a single one is enough. Do you have the will to do so?"
Shei realized intuitively. This was a test, no, an opportunity. It was giving her one last chance to lie and say she was on her side.
Even if Shei nodded, it did not mean she would immediately have to attack the Saintess. How long would it take for the Saintess and Tirkanjaka to confront each other directly? It might not happen even once until the King of Sin appeared.
There was a way out of this predicament right now. She only had to nod here, or side with the vampires at least for this iteration.
However... Shei's mouth moved on its own.
"I can't."
Tirkanjaka's lips slowly stiffened like dried blood, but it couldn't be helped.
She could escape this predicament right now with a lie. However, the Holy Court had helped Shei greatly on numerous occasions. For Shei, who had received their help and formed an attachment, she had no intention of excluding them in the future she would reach.
"I will stop the apocalypse that will come in the future. The Holy Court and the Saintesses are my greatest allies. It will be difficult without their help, and I don't want to do that."
Honesty was not necessarily a virtue. A sweet lie might bring a better result.
But Shei had no choice but to be honest. She was not skilled enough to show different faces to everyone in every iteration and still maintain herself within it.
Tirkanjaka, too, was asking knowing that fact.
It went as Hilde had designed. She must have known from the beginning. Given the two's personalities, there were inevitably... parts that would clash.
"Is that so..."
Tirkanjaka sighed softly. With a small sigh, she severed a sliver of affection.
It wasn't without regret, but it was something she had done countless times while living for a thousand years. Without any firmness, just with familiarity.
Drop. The emotion ended. Tirkanjaka faced Shei with tranquil eyes.
"It ends here. It was quite enjoyable."
And as if shaking off her feelings, she tried to turn around. Shei hastily spoke to her.
"Wait. Hold on. If the apocalypse comes, that's the end of everything!"
"Is that not also a prophecy? As long as you lack the will to defy the prophecy, the prophecy will eventually be bound to you and repeat. I am advising you in earnest."
"No, I'm telling you it's real! The King of Sin will kill everything! You, me, and even Huz! Are you saying that's fine?!"
It was that moment. As Tirkanjaka glared at Shei, pitch-black energy poured down like a waterfall. Shei raised her arm to cover her face.
It wasn't exactly threatening, but the expression of refusal was clearly conveyed. Tirkanjaka warned Shei, who stood still, in a low voice.
"Do not mention Huz. Just now, you abandoned Huz with your choice."
"What are you talking about? I never abandoned him! It's not like I'm a vampire."
"No. You might not know. But you definitely abandoned him."
"I'm asking what you mean!"
Shei did not know that Huz was the King of Humanity. It was already an open secret, but Tirkanjaka did not intend to go out of her way to inform her of that fact.
Since Tirkanjaka had fought the Holy Court directly, she believed in the existence of the prophecy itself. However, she did not believe its contents. Even if the prophecy itself was true, there was no certainty that those who conveyed it would only speak the truth.
Shei had acted consistently, so she only trusted the person named Shei. Shei's words existed merely as words, not as the truth. Tirkanjaka had embarked on this journey by clearly distinguishing the two.
And during the ensuing journey, Tirkanjaka also came to know a new fact.
That the King of Sin, whom Shei was trying to stop, might be the King of Humanity. And that Huz was likely the King of Humanity.
The Five Lords, who killed the King of Humanity long ago and divided his power. If that legend was true. Perhaps the being called the King of Sin was just a smear, or perhaps the Holy Court simply feared the King's return.
If Shei was even slightly involved with the Holy Court, distancing herself whether she liked it or not was the only path for Huz. If by any chance Shei tried to kill Huz in advance, Tirkanjaka would have no way to save him unless she turned him into a vampire. Along with her hatred for the Holy Court and to protect her precious person, Tirkanjaka instead spoke with a sneer, like when dealing with a prophet.
"Why don't you look into it with your great foresight?"
"It's not foresight...! Hmph. I can just meet him and talk! Where is Huz?"
If it were him, wouldn't he resolve this difficulty? Wouldn't he mediate for everyone with his grinning face? It was when Shei said his name with a sliver of hope.
Tirkanjaka swung her parasol fiercely. Like black ink swallowing the world, a fierce darkness surged along its trajectory. This time, it was clearly an attack containing a threat. Shei also had to swing Cheon-aeng to counter it this time. Cheon-aeng, having swallowed lightning, tore through the darkness and roared with thunder.
Tirkanjaka's voice seeped through the scattering darkness and the reverberating thunder.
"If you truly abandon us and follow the Holy Court."
"I have no intention of...!"
A pale hand reached out towards Shei, who was retorting. It was Tirkanjaka's hand. Much faster than Shei expected.
After regaining her heart, she could not extend her Blood Art outside her body. Instead, she gained monstrous strength, as if she had converted all that authority into Qigong. It was dangerous if caught in her grasp; feeling that instinctively, Shei reflexively reached out with her other hand.
Ji-zan. A sword with no recoil. A relic of the Grandmaster that those without qualification cannot even lift. With Ji-zan, she lightly struck away the hand approaching her. Just that alone, a heavy thud flowed down her arm.
Above Shei, who lowered her stance, two bright red eyes shone crimson from within the darkness. The Progenitor Tirkanjaka was looking down at her.
With clear hostility.
"I will carve into your body what it means to become my enemy."
She was an opponent she had faced once before. Although she was under Finlei's control back then, that power was unbearable. The Black Knights she commanded were truly infinite. Forcing a war of attrition with near-infinite resources, and even if one reached her main body, there was no particular means to harm her.
At that time, she was moving under the control of a low-ranking vampire, and easily returned because Huz came up with the method of an electric shock... but what about now, with her complete will? Furthermore, if even her main body was dangerous enough.
However.
"...Go ahead and try!"
Cheon-aeng, Ji-zan, and the Thunder God were for facing great enemies. Shei swung Ji-zan in a circular motion and struck away Tirkanjaka's arm. No matter how strong the force, it could not resist the earth itself. Towards the bounced-back Tirkanjaka, Shei shouted with indignation.
"Stop being so stubborn! I need you! The Holy Court, Azi, and Huz too! If we don't, no one will survive after this!"
"Since there are only two hands, to gain one more, you must put down what you are already holding. That is the way of the world."
"Where is the way of the world in this damned world! It's the end if we don't forcefully gather everything together!"
"Then, let us say it is my selfish heart. I am full of jealousy and do not wish to be with others."
It was a sarcastic remark towards Shei, but the scene that briefly crossed Tirkanjaka's mind at that moment was Huz conversing intimately with Shei. He didn't particularly show it, but she intuitively knew he always cared for Shei. Until now, she thought they were both men, but now that Shei was revealed to be a woman....
"I will show you an ugly jealous fight."
Tirkanjaka put a little of her true feelings into it and stepped down hard and forcefully.
There is a technique called Jin-gak. It is a technique where the moment you step down, you penetrate your qi into the ground, applying that impact to the entire earth. If one's control is not outstanding, only the foot would sink or the sole would burst from the qi.
However, Tirkanjaka succeeded in an outlandish way.
Unable to withstand the tremendous impact, the sole of her foot bursts in an instant. That was literally an instant. Tirkanjaka's True Blood, which held absolute dominion over all blood, returned to its place as if nothing had happened.
However, even that fleeting moment was enough.
To spread the impact across the entire Lightning Rod Tower.
Even for the Lightning Rod Tower, which easily let lightning pass through, the Progenitor's blood energy was too fierce. *Rumble.* The Lightning Rod Tower, upon which the Sea of Blood had settled, tilted.