What is the first thing one must do when a superior suddenly enters their workplace, to avoid mutual embarrassment? It is none other than announcing one's arrival. It would be troublesome if they couldn't recognize each other, after all.
Some rulers with perverse tastes would hide their identity to secretly enjoy the other's reaction, only to reveal themselves later and feel catharsis. Fortunately, Tyr had no such taste for putting his subordinates in difficult positions. In a way, it was consideration. For it would be hard to keep one's life if one caused trouble for the Progenitor of Vampires.
Originally, before acquiring a heart, Tyr was insensitive to such catharsis anyway. Tyr announced his return before stepping into the Duchy.
And the effect was certain.
Far in the distance, a massive fortress wall comes into view. From the crimson steel gates, an ominous darkness swirls. The firmly shut gates looked grandiose, as if they wouldn't budge even if a meteor fell.
The Fortress of Twilight. Several ambitious kings had invaded to eradicate the vampires, but none among them could open it—an impregnable fortress.
All mist-covered lands belong to the Duchy, but only beyond that fortress does the true land of the Duchy where vampires reside emerge. No stories from inside are passed down. The Fortress of Twilight serves to protect the Duchy from foreign invasion... but simultaneously, it is also a cage that prevents livestock from escaping under vampire rule.
That gate, which had become an even greater symbol of fear because of it, opened with a heavy rumble as Tyr approached.
Beyond the arched gate, a crimson carpet was laid out on the ground. As if daring not to block the Progenitor's path, nothing stood upon the straight-stretching carpet. Instead, on both sides, hundreds, thousands of beings knelt and worshipped the Progenitor. Among them were not only vampires but even humans.
An excessively grand welcome ceremony. It doesn't suit me. Unlike Tyr, I have perverse tastes and like hiding my identity.
As I sighed and passed through the fortress's main gate, a booming voice rang out beside me.
"O Progenitor—! We have long awaited your return!"
Thud, a knee struck the ground. The first to kneel was a martial monk wearing a single dao robe. The emaciated figure visible between the robes looked like skeletal remains, appearing as if it would shatter at a touch.
However, how futile appearances can be. Within that skinny body resided immense power and martial arts. This was true even before he became a vampire, but even more so after.
Blood Monk Dogo. A fallen martial monk. An Elder who had nearly become an immortal, but instead of the death called Ascension, chose to remain in the mortal world by becoming a vampire.
And beside him, a noblewoman with an innocent visage wore a generous dress with a deep plunging neckline. The noblewoman, with a bright yet peculiar smile, gathered the hem of her dress. As if it were second nature, she bowed and greeted with etiquette so flawless that even the strictest chamberlain could find no fault.
"May you be in good health. This humble concubine is beyond grateful to greet the Progenitor thus."
The Progenitor's patron, handmaiden, and teacher. The noblewoman who wrapped a kingdom's court in blood, Countess Erzebüt.
There had been many countesses before her, but now there is only one. Because her atrocities were so horrific, bestowing the title of countess upon anyone else became taboo.
Each and every one of them was an Elder who had changed history. Five of them were present. Solely for an audience with the Progenitor.
The Progenitor briefly answered them.
"It has been a long time. I am glad to see faces no different from before."
At that moment, brief agitation flickered across a few faces, but Tyr happened to be looking at a familiar shadow behind them and failed to notice.
"Rallion. You were here early."
Purrr. Rallion lightly shook his body and approached. Tyr stroked Rallion's mane with a benevolent smile.
I sent Rallion toward the Duchy to deceive the eyes of the Grand Principality. At that time, Tyr didn't pointlessly order him to return and simply commanded him to head to the Duchy. It seemed Rallion, who parted ways then, had been waiting in the Duchy for Tyr's arrival.
Countess Erzebüt spoke proudly.
"Blood Demon Rallion announced the Progenitor's return. After Rallion appeared in the Duchy, all creatures of the Duchy yearned only for this day and made preparations."
"You have worked hard, Erzebüt."
"Your grace is boundless."
It had been quite a while since I sent Rallion, yet they kept preparing not knowing when Tyr would arrive? Well, since they were certain Tyr would come, that must be why Valdamir, Rungken, and Kabila, and even Claudia came along so readily.
"Will you rest from your journey, or attend to official duties? Give your command. We shall obey as it is."
"Before hearing the stories of this time... wait a moment."
Tyr glanced at me and took my hand, leading me. I, who had been observing from behind, was pulled forward in bewilderment. Tyr stood me beside him as if to show me off to everyone.
The human brought by the Progenitor Tirkanjak. Instantly, everyone's gaze pierced my face. They were all hastily inputting me into their minds. Especially Erzebüt, who covered her mouth with her hand and busily evaluated me.
'A human? The Progenitor, who has never kept humans close, has taken a concubine?'
Oh dear, my face is completely exposed. There's no way this passes quietly.
Tyr, who had quite deliberately placed me on the same level, continued his command.
"There is an injured one. I wish to treat them immediately, so hurry and bring Ruskinia."
He meant to summon Ruskinia, an Elder of the Progenitor and the most outstanding physician, merely for a concubine. When his name left Tyr's mouth, all the Elders couldn't meet each other's eyes and hesitated.
"Uh... that is... we apologize, but."
It was clearly an odd reaction. No matter how surprised they were by the concubine's appearance, these were Elders who would offer even their own hearts if Tyr commanded, yet they couldn't bring themselves to speak. Not only Dogo and Erzebüt, but even Rungken and Kabila cautiously glanced at each other.
Sensing something strange from the Elders who couldn't open their mouths, Tyr pressed them.
"What is the problem? You need only follow orders as commanded."
"O Progenitor. There is a report that must be made first."
There was only one Elder who could speak frankly to the Progenitor here. Valdamir, representing all the Elders, or rather on behalf of the reluctant vampires, delivered the sorrowful news to the Progenitor.
"Ruskinia has met his end."
At the news of an Elder's death, even Tyr's face stiffened.
The Duchy's 'preparations' for the Progenitor returning to his homeland after a long time were perfect. The quarters where Tyr would temporarily stay were decorated so luxuriously it was hard to believe they were improvised, and the storehouses were filled with supplies to respond to any situation.
The carriages and palanquins placed in the backyard alone came in five types. No matter what whim Tyr indulged, a suitable vehicle was prepared.
Though they probably didn't expect Tyr to bring an injured human, as they hadn't prepared a physician.
Anyway, having entered the quarters as an honored guest, I asked Tyr.
"Can Elders die too?"
"...Yes. However, that was when I was inexperienced and fought against the Court of the Holy Emperor. Since establishing the Duchy, not a single Elder has experienced death."
Tyr answered, lost in thought.
The death of an Elder must have been quite a shock to Tyr as well. Well, it couldn't be otherwise. Hearing that a subordinate you've been with for hundreds of years died would be distressing. Especially if it's an Elder who, like Rungken earlier, would return in a few minutes even if crushed by a juggernaut, struck by lightning, and impaled by a spear and sent flying. Because they know how hard it is to die.
"It happened over twenty years ago, and Ruskinia's subordinates all remain, so it seems there was some kind of incident... but I can't even guess until I hear the circumstances."
I'm curious too. Just what kind of incident could kill that Elder. I asked Tyr.
"You said there were thirteen Elders in total, right?"
"That is correct. However, it is difficult to see all thirteen. Among the Elders, there are those who fall into deep slumber like I did or wander the world. Excluding Rallion who is with me, usually only half are awake and active in the Duchy."
"Then six excluding Rallion, no, now five is the total number of Elders?"
"...Probably, there are still six."
"Huh?"
Six minus one, so why still six? Is this vampire-style miraculous mathematics?
Tyr continued explaining while deep in thought.
"It was reported that Ruskinia died, and a vampire who inherited his True Blood exists. Since they haven't been directly acknowledged by me, they cannot be called an Elder yet, but they likely possess power no different from an Elder and rule over subordinates. Perhaps because it was an unprecedented situation, Valdamir apparently left them as is and observed for now."
"In short, there's a guy who became a noble without Tyr's permission? How audacious. When the Progenitor is alive and well with both eyes open...."
"Yes. If that hadn't happened, that position could have been yours."
"But still, a vampire who was already an Elder would do well, right? Someone who rose from below step by step would be more suitable than a parachute appointment. Good choice!"
Deflection successful. Tyr answered, seemingly a bit disappointed by my polite refusal.
"Anyway, it's disconcerting, so I must deal with that matter first. I intended to have Ruskinia look at your condition...."
It passed by suddenly, but an Elder's death is no small matter. Elder, the Heaven-Defying Duke Ruskinia. He too left a mark significant enough to be recorded in history.
Ruskinia was a Blood Qi Grandmaster and martial scholar. A master who researched blood vessels and the physical body, created qi arts, and tempered them. It's said he volunteered to become a vampire himself for deeper and darker research. Among the qi arts passed down to the present day, there are none his hands haven't touched.
To think he tried to use such a historically significant Elder as a physician. Is this the right of one who bears the Progenitor's backing...?
The problem is that he's dead now.
"Since Ruskinia is gone, I must find another physician...."
"I'm fine. I'm still young so my recovery is good. I do need to rest, though."
"If they're an outstanding physician, there should be a few among his subordinates as well. I will select a few of them."
"No. It might be different right after getting hurt, but now that some time has passed, post-treatment is more important than emergency measures. Fiddling with it again will burden my body."
This is a body that only had the hole patched up with emergency treatment after my belly was pierced. A vampire who wouldn't hesitate to expose their own heart wouldn't mind open surgery either. How could I entrust such major surgery to an Ayn or Yayling-level physician? They'd have to be an Elder, absolutely.
Oww, now that I'm conscious, my stomach hurts again.
I groaned and sprawled out on the sofa. Perhaps because I showed too much pain, Tyr looked at me worriedly and sat at my bedside. Instead of the dark, unfamiliar ceiling, a beautiful vampire with shining red eyes filled my vision. Stroking my forehead where cold sweat flowed, Tyr murmured.
"...If you were a vampire, you wouldn't hurt from something like this."
Was he subtly shocked by the news of Ruskinia's death? Tyr's switch seems to have shifted slightly. In the past, he would have merely suggested it once, but now he's even trying to persuade me. Because he hurts seeing me feel pain, and worries about what if I were to die.
Originally, he wouldn't have been this sentimental. Is this also because he regained his heart? I appreciate the sentiment, but.
"Elders die too, don't they? Like this time."
Refuted with a single sentence. The hand stroking my head flinched.
"There must have been some kind of incident. Neither Ruskinia nor the Elders die without reason."
"Likewise, humans don't die without reason either. In that sense, Elders are no different from humans."
The meaning of my refusal was clearly conveyed. Tyr expressed his dissatisfaction by messing up my hair. It was already messy anyway, so there wasn't much change.
After fiddling with it for quite some time, Tyr rose from the sofa. Preparing to go out, Tyr left me with these words.
"They say they have something to report regarding Ruskinia's death. Phew, I will firmly instruct them, so request anything you desire. Erzebüt's attendants will serve you without any shortcomings."
"Thank you. My stomach feels a bit upset right now so I don't think I can digest anything, I'll eat later."
"Alright. Rest comfortably."
Tyr, draping a pitch-black parasol over his shoulder, left a quiet word before exiting the VIP room.
"...If you change your mind, tell me anytime."
...I sense an intention to keep driving a stake into this Duchy.