Mury bathed in the waning moon. Melting into the darkness with mysterious movements, she literally 'melts' her body. Once a renowned dancer and a member of a secret assassination unit, she attempted to assassinate the Progenitor Tirkanjaka on a commission, but caught Tirkanjaka's eye and became an Elder.
Assassins receive education close to indoctrination from a young age. For Mury, who was a doll following orders without purpose or will, the life of an Elder was a better choice. There are still many people Mury has to kill and many who want to kill Mury, but at least she doesn't have to live in the tension of potentially dying.
Therefore, Mury resented Tirkanjaka for liberating her. Mury's current attack was nothing short of a tantrum.
A tiny gap in the broken wall. Even through a small hole barely big enough for a head, Mury slipped out like flowing water. Taking advantage of the narrow, dark gap to position herself behind Tirkanjaka, Mury thrust her dagger toward Tirkanjaka without any killing intent or presence. Mury's dagger, Moon Fang, targeted Tirkanjaka.
[Your dance steps are yours. But that blood is mine.]
After a small murmur was heard, a massive fist swept past Mury.
Originally, vampires don't pay much attention to defense. Moreover, if it's a shadow formed by gathering darkness, it's better to just ignore it and push through.
However, Mury couldn't underestimate the terrifying power emanating from the giant. She wouldn't die if hit, but with an ominous sensation, Mury abandoned her attack and dodged the giant's fist.
Whoosh. The fist swept past right before her eyes, swirling with a storm. The hard texture, the heavy presence, and the blood existing beyond that pitch-black darkness could be felt.
"It's full of blood energy, isn't it~? Even though her authority has disappeared, that power is more than enough to fill the giant, right~?"
"Blood energy!"
Bakuta, smelling the scent of prey, rushed at the giant. Opening her mouth like a monster, she took a large bite out of the giant's right hand. Having tasted the blood energy within the darkness she had chewed off, Bakuta frowned and muttered.
"This is a bit... tasteless..."
The moment Bakuta chewed the darkness and expressed mild regret, the giant snatched Bakuta with one hand. As if taking revenge, the giant brought Bakuta to its mouth without a single inch of hesitation.
Crunch.
The giant's teeth crushed Bakuta's lower body just like that. Bakuta, who had been in the position of eating something her whole life, experienced the position of being eaten.
Chomp, chomp. The shadow, chewing and swallowing one of Bakuta's legs, let blood energy drip from its mouth and muttered.
[You're just as tasteless.]
"Huh? Mom is hungry too?"
Bakuta asked happily even while being eaten, but Tirkanjaka's shadow sneered and denied it.
[Not particularly. Anything that could shut your mouths was fine.]
"...What a shame. I thought Mom had also realized hunger."
[If it's that, I already know. Because I am still craving it.]
The power of vampires is Blood Manipulation, handling blood. Tirkanjaka can still use Blood Manipulation. However, she just couldn't handle her overflowing power because she insisted on blood being where it should be.
Therefore, Tirkanjaka 'deceived' the blood.
The upper body of the giant rises behind Tirkanjaka. The blood energy emanating from Tirkanjaka's body flows into the giant. The giant surrounding Tirkanjaka is another flesh body created by Tirkanjaka peeling off her own body.
Even if it was made with authority, all its elements are the same as Tirkanjaka. The blood energy trying to keep its place seeps in without knowing it's a created body. That's fine. Because Tirkanjaka has enough blood energy to fill a lake.
"...The clan leader has learned how to use her power."
The Watcher, Rahu Khan, muttered.
Rahu Khan, the outcast of the wasteland, can concentrate his blood energy to increase his body's functions. That ability can strengthen the entire body, but because it is mainly used for the eyes, he was given the alias 'The Watcher'. True to the Watcher, Rahu Khan pierced through Tirkanjaka's shadow with eyes rippling with a red demonic glow. What kind of trick she used, how she used her power, and how to break it.
"It's powerful. That's it. The same method as Valdamir. The blood energy is stronger, but... it's low-class."
Rahu Khan took out the spear he carried on his back.
That giant is literally a giant version of Tirkanjaka. It's a method devised to properly use her overflowing power. It's certainly powerful and useful, but the framework called flesh is still binding her power.
...However, perhaps because she is the master of Blood Manipulation, her speed of accepting power is extraordinary. It's like she's reclaiming what was originally hers.
No, come to think of it, it was originally hers. Soon, Tirkanjaka will digest the power of all the Elders.
"If she completes that power, no one can return her to the original clan leader."
The Watcher intuited that this was the turning point.
Rungken is the last remaining boar beastman. Rahu Khan and the centaurs under his command are also on the verge of disappearing. Vampires are living taxidermy. They exist forever in the time stopped while fading away. Rahu Khan, who had the duty of the continuation of his species, could not tolerate the Progenitor's caprice.
The Progenitor had to be eternal. Only then would the centaurs be eternal too. Even if Rahu Khan incurred the Progenitor's hatred and died, the centaurs he deliberately didn't bring would still remain and continue the lineage.
"Ha!"
Rahu Khan, who had been looking for an opportunity, found an opening and kicked the ground. His hooves left deep marks on the corridor, and the four-legged beast charged at a speed two-legged beasts couldn't follow. The gap created because it was made of Tirkanjaka's body, the straight line from the elbow to the hand, was pierced through by the spear.
The spear containing rotation scattered the darkness. Blood energy flows from the broken and shattered body. The giant convulsed spasmodically, but Rahu Khan dodged with agile movements, destroying and wrecking the giant. The giant, with little left, screamed.
However, even while wounded, the giant's eyes rolled. Its bright red eyes, as if full of blood, chased Rahu Khan's movements.
"My eyes, so easily!"
Rahu Khan's watching eyes looked at him. The technique forged by the Elder is reproduced with the Progenitor's blood energy. Rahu Khan saw the gaze directed exactly at him and realized.
The only time they can stop the Progenitor is now. Even Valdamir, who surpassed the Progenitor in martial prowess, and Du Lahan, who achieved victory against her. They would soon be overtaken by the Progenitor.
Therefore, they had to arrive before that.
Du Lahan and Valdamir. The forces possessing the power to achieve victory against the Progenitor.
***
This is the most desperate situation since arriving in the duchy.
Five Ein. One Elder. Looking at the simple numbers, it's six, but when considering their quality, it's equivalent to a legion in the duchy.
In comparison, I am a normal human, and Hilde is a single Six-Star General. A Six-Star General wouldn't fall behind anywhere, but if ordered to go to the duchy and act confidently against them, they would stick out their tongue. Leaving aside martial power, it's hard to even kill one Ein because of their immortality, and they have an Elder's support? Just running away is the best strategy.
Running away is only a topic when it's possible, though.
"By any chance, if I were to offer to become a hostage, would you consider it positively?"
"Dispose of them."
"You don't even intend to listen."
They are almost making walls out of blood and approaching in case we might escape. If it were one Elder, I would have somehow aimed for a gap and deceived them, but with five Eins surrounding us from all directions, there's no room to even breathe.
Damn. Do I have no choice but to leave it to Hilde's discretion now? When I was half-giving up.
"Wait a moment."
The wave of blood parted, and another Ein revealed itself. The Ein I had encountered the most in the Fog Duchy, Count Erte.
At the appearance of her figure in this desperate situation, I shouted joyfully.
"Count Erte! You came to save me!"
"I suppose so."
Count Erte readily admitted it.
My reinforcements! You came right on time! You were almost a bit late, but I'll forgive this much margin of error! Because the protagonist appearing at the very end has more catharsis!
"Erte. You, who are Valdamir's vassal, for what reason are you stopping me?"
Elzebute revealed an uncomfortable expression.
No matter that she is an Elder, she can't just carelessly handle another Ein who isn't her vassal. Even if their rank is low, they are vassals and limbs of another Elder. She can't kill or harm another Elder's limbs just because she doesn't like them.
Moreover, Count Erte is an Ein trusted by Valdamir. Her actions reach all the way to Valdamir. Elzebute asked her intentions.
Even so, the difference between an Elder and an Ein doesn't disappear. Count Erte knelt before Elzebute and answered politely.
"It is the will of the Duke of Red Blood. The Duke of Red Blood wishes for the situation not to change significantly until he arrives."
"Valdamir's will?"
An Ein wouldn't impersonate an Elder's will. Especially if it's Valdamir. Elzebute asked, just in case.
"Does that 'situation' include the life or death of the beloved concubine?"
"He didn't specifically mention it, but it probably does."
"The reason?"
"How could I dare guess the will of the great Elder. I merely followed."
"...Tsk."
'Valdamir is a necessary force. He must have his own thoughts, so I want to comply if possible, but...'
However, there is one thing overlooked. The fact that the Elders right now are reckless ones who have even cut off their restraints. Elzebute moved impatiently.
"Since there was no word to save the beloved concubine either. Let's quickly clean this up and resolve the later matters later."
"Lord Elzebute, wait a moment..."
"Don't mind her and continue what you were doing."
Elzebute's vassals are her limbs. Another Elder's will is none of their business. Disregarding Erte's dissuasion, the Eins raised waves of blood and rushed at Hilde and me. Hilde managed to split the first wave with her holy sword, but she was gradually pushed back by the ensuing waves.
Well, an Elder who betrayed the Progenitor wouldn't listen to the words of the Duke of Red Blood. What's needed now isn't words but force.
"Madam Elzebute, please stop!"
"It will be too late later."
"No. The Duke of Red Blood has arrived!"
Along with Count Erte's shout, the sound of someone running was heard from afar.
Tap tap tap tap tap.
It was an urgent footstep that made one want to check what emergency there was just by hearing it. The footsteps, gradually approaching this place, neared the corner. Count Erte knelt in advance toward that direction.
And the reinforcements I had been waiting for arrived.
"Phew. Almost late."
The entity that came running without any dignity was none other than the Duke of Red Blood, Valdamir. Stopping precisely in front of Count Erte, he handed the bundle in one hand to Count Erte and surveyed the surroundings.
Elzebute. Her vassals. And the surrounded Hilde and me. Grasping the situation in a short time, Valdamir headed straight for Elzebute without hesitation.
Elzebute welcomed him without any particular vigilance.
"If you say you were almost late, you're already late. Valdamir. Where did you go on such an important day that you're only arriving now?"
"I went to wake up Du Lahan."
"I know that too. Considering that, I'm asking why you were late. Seeing you running here on your own two feet, it doesn't seem like you slacked off.... More than that, didn't you ride Rallion?"
"Rallion left me halfway and ran to the Progenitor first."
The Blood Demon Rallion is the Progenitor's beloved horse. No, it is the first vassal created by the Progenitor, and the last trace of her when she was human. Rallion, made by Tir with clumsy but sincere effort and power, will never betray Tir.
Elzebute reminded him of that fact.
"To separate Rallion from the Progenitor. That was your plan, wasn't it?"
"No. My accompanying Rallion was not to separate it from the Progenitor."
"Then why?"
To Elzebute's question, Valdamir answered as if it were obvious.
"Because Rallion is fast. I borrowed its power because I thought I lacked time. It was regrettable to borrow the Progenitor's beloved horse for personal reasons, but an unavoidable schedule came up, so I couldn't help it."
It was the simplest and most primary reason for riding a horse. Elzebute, looking at Valdamir as if dumbfounded for a moment, questioned him.
"How much time does it take to wake up Du Lahan.... Anyway, where is he? Did he also run toward the Progenitor following Rallion?"
"He is right here."
"Here?"
A tone as if they had come together. However, looking everywhere, Valdamir was alone. He had only brought a bundle. Only then did Elzebute direct her gaze to the bundle Valdamir brought.
That's right. A large gift is contained in that heavy bundle.
I'm saved, I'm saved. Approaching Count Erte, I gestured to unroll the bundle. Count Erte looked at Valdamir as if waiting for instructions, and as soon as permission fell, she untied the bundle bound with blood thread.
The bundle with a heavy weight flowed down, and what revealed itself was... someone's head. A human head full of anger and resentment, glaring at Valdamir with bloodshot eyes.
That head, which looked as if it were still alive, shouted with a voice mixed with blood.
"...Val...da...mir...!"
The head of the Dark Knight, Du Lahan, appeared in a truly unexpected place.