Chapter 295
Chapter 295
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 295
Chapter Title: War Preparations (2)
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From time immemorial, the most crucial element in any war had been seizing the initiative in information.
Grasping when, where, and how the enemy would move was an indispensable condition for victory.
As such, intelligence networks across the entirety of Auterica sprang into action all at once, driven by the same objective.
All in pursuit of even the smallest clue.
Of course, no one in the world knew that this phenomenon had been triggered by the will of a single individual.
'The question is how much time we have left.'
It had been quite some time since the Reverse Heaven Society Leader had left Earth.
Yet the fact that he still hadn't shown himself in this world meant...
'He must have stopped somewhere else before coming to Auterica, or he's running into trouble entering this world.'
Given the circumstances of the oracle that had descended, the latter seemed more likely.
Then again, invading an entire world wasn't something one could pull off easily.
But since this foe had already succeeded multiple times before, he was an existence they absolutely could not afford to underestimate.
The Kanghwan Realm was still suffering the aftermath of his visit, after all!
'I need to think ahead about his objectives too. What would he target first right after crossing into Auterica?'
In the Kanghwan Realm, the Reverse Heaven Society Leader had stolen the dragon veins—passages supplying qi to the world—and the dragon heart at their center.
The laws constituting each world differed, and the structures of their energies varied wildly, so it wasn't a perfect match for Auterica, but there were certainly points worth considering.
'Auterica has no dragon veins or dragon hearts. But if I had to pick something he'd be interested in...'
Two places immediately came to mind.
The first was the Holy Land at the center of the Ion Continent.
It didn't serve a practical function like a dragon heart, but it held symbolic value as the world's center and theological significance as a place touched by the gods' footsteps, making it a highly important site.
Still, one could never be too sure, so thorough preparations were in order just in case.
And the second...
'Come to think of it, if I had to draw a comparison, this one's closer to dragon veins.'
The incarnation of a god descended upon the earth, its very symbol.
The miraculous proof upholding an entire continent.
A fragment of divinity incarnate.
The World Tree.
'...I'll have to prepare around Harris for that one.'
It seemed the heteroclite races of the Enamel Continent weren't destined for rest just yet.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ They were focusing intently on fortifying Auterica, their main base.
But Earth couldn't be neglected either.
When you got right down to it, Earth—where the Reverse Heaven Society had already entrenched itself—was practically the enemy's home turf.
From a long-term perspective, they couldn't let this chance to shake them slip away.
'Staying on the defensive isn't my style anyway. ...Plus, it would maximize Heinz's forces before the final battle.'
Heinz 2nd's campaign in Europe, as part of that offensive, was proceeding smoothly enough.
Upon arriving in Italy, he first made contact with Termidor's underlings lying low in the area.
He'd had to handle everything personally in France from start to finish, but now that he had reliable limbs at his command, he could skip all the tedious processes.
Conveniently, as rival factions in neighboring countries, the Italian vampire clan 'Gomorrah' had already been well-prepped for.
'Maximize efficiency.'
Until now, he'd moved at a leisurely pace, but there was no room for complacency anymore.
He made full use of Otherworld Teleportation Circle Summon, which he could invoke twice a day, shuttling back and forth to the other world as needed, and Lord's Authority to manage his forces, pushing his efficiency to the limit.
And the result?
Kaboom! Rumble—!
"Charge!"
"Kuh! Has Termidor lost his mind? Do you even know where you are?!"
"Clear the path! Tear the pizza-eaters apart!"
"You baguette bastards are talking shit! Kill them all!"
In less than two days, Heinz had stormed the mansion in the mountainous outskirts of Naples, the central city in southern Italy where Gomorrah's leader resided.
With his subordinates handling most things autonomously, it was incomparably faster and smoother than in France.
Heinz nodded slowly as he headed toward the mansion's interior, sensing powerful auras within.
'Good call bringing them under my wing. They're useful in so many ways.'
Naturally, thoughts bubbled up of forcibly subjugating Gomorrah's leader like a tyrant under his command.
Wouldn't that help even more in wresting Europe from the Reverse Heaven Society's influence?
With those thoughts, he finally reached his target destination and came face-to-face with the mansion's master.
"...Barging into a lady's home uninvited. Your manners are abysmal."
The interior was spacious and ornate, befitting its scale.
A tall woman with a strong, matronly impression—like a female warrior—opened the door and greeted him.
"When I heard that tyrant lost to some Eastern vampire and surrendered, I ripped the messenger's mouth off... Didn't expect it to be true. My apologies."
Short-cropped black hair, pitch-black eyes, smoky eye makeup, black lipstick and manicure, and tattoos scattered across her body.
The female warrior, clad head to toe in black, growled low like a beast, her massive frame rippling with densely packed muscle.
'...Definitely a different case from the tyrant.'
Unlike the tyrant, whose prowess stemmed mainly from unique skills rather than vampiric powers, the opponent before him radiated intense vibrations from the vampire factor itself.
As if she might lunge and bite at any moment.
Moreover, the sheer volume of that energy was comparable to the Sacred Blood vampires he'd faced in Auterica.
'I thought crossing that wall with just the vampire factor would be tough unless you're like me... No, that was just preconceived notions.'
Worlds had different traits and structures altogether, so there was no reason they couldn't have the means to achieve it.
Especially since she was an Awakener who defied the world's laws!
The downside was that fully subjugating her without her submission would be nearly impossible.
'Even the tyrant was a close call. ...I have no confidence in controlling that much vampire factor.'
If it backfired, who knew what problems might arise.
Better to just drain her dry if it came to that—far less hassle.
It was a shame, but he had no intention of taking needless risks and complicating things.
'I can grab a suitable second-in-command here and prop up the tyrant as backup.'
Being adjacent to France and with shadow abilities for mobility, it wasn't a bad option.
To that end, dealing with Italy's vampire leader, Bestia the Beast, as quickly as possible was key.
That way, he could select a candidate before more sacrifices piled up outside.
Heinz straightened his suit collar and spat out a heavy line.
"Let's make this quick. I've got a mountain of things to do."
"Kahaha! So confident! It's been ages since I felt this thrill! To think there's another monster like that duke from Romania!"
Kwaaaang—!
And with those words...
The mansion's upper floors vanished entirely.
Without preemptive barriers, it wouldn't have ended there.
Kururung—!
"Kahat! Strong! You're strong!"
"Hm."
Bestia charged ferociously, half-transformed into a beastly form befitting her epithet.
Her appearance resembled a werewolf more than a vampire, but possession of the vampire factor made that irrelevant.
"Can't just let a beast that bites people roam free."
With that, Heinz 2nd clashed against her with his full power.
Massive physical might colliding, blood demon energy raging wildly, blood threads slicing perceptions, space tearing apart.
That earth-shattering battle forced the surrounding vampires to retreat far away, and even after the mansion's site was wiped clean, it raged on for a while longer...
"Kuhuk! Indeed... No wonder that tyrant submitted. At this level, you might actually beat him..."
"Time to end this."
"W-Wait...! You took that French guy as a subordinate, so why not even mention it to me?"
"...What are you trying to say?"
"Pfuk— Hey, big guy, need a loyal hunting hound who bites hard?"
Somehow, he picked up a newly tamed wild beast.
Of course, she lost more power in the process than the tyrant had, but the reinforcement from Purified Blood Essence made up for it, so the difference wasn't huge.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ Acquired new vampire factor. Due to the influence of special skill Hybrid Evolution, the entity's presence becomes even more distinct. Once the process was complete.
'Hm? This must be...'
Heinz 2nd... no, Han Seonghyeon...
Naturally realized he could evolve Avatar once more through Unique Skill Enhancement.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Bucharest, the capital in southern Romania.
"What brings you all the way here, Doctor?"
There, the Reverse Heaven Society's European branch leader, the 'Duke,' received an unexpected guest.
"Whoa-ha! Don't I have a big job coming up? My heart was racing, so I rushed over in one go. Feels like the time's finally right!"
A grimy lab coat that clashed with the antique mansion interior, spittle flying with every word, and frivolous mannerisms.
But the duke, dressed in fine noble attire, merely stroked his goatee with a furrowed brow, saying nothing.
No matter that this man was one of the leader's direct elite guards, boasting top-tier combat prowess in the society—this was a meeting as the European branch head.
The branch head position was subordinate to the Doctor, so out of courtesy, he decided to show respect.
'Even if it's to such a vulgar sort.'
This was noblesse oblige!
The dignity a noble must uphold.
The duke slowly nodded, eyes closed.
Even as he basked in self-admiration, the Doctor's chatter continued unabated.
"That phantom's started moving in Italy. He'll be in our sights soon enough, so shouldn't we check the preparations beforehand? I always like to inspect things myself!"
Phantom.
The duke's expression twisted slightly at the word.
'Tch, what does that guy see in him...'
In truth, he inwardly resented the whole situation, only accommodating the Doctor's strong insistence.
For him, the elite guard's number one, and his clan 'Dracul,' to dig traps just to catch one Eastern vampire!
It had softened a bit hearing of the phantom's feats in France, but it still chafed.
'Termidor or Gomorrah—I could've wiped them out ages ago if I'd wanted. I just couldn't move recklessly as Dracul grew.'
Unlike other level 9 vampires lording over a single nation, he dominated the entire underworld of over ten Eastern European countries.
Even national intelligence agencies called him 'Europe's strongest' as accepted fact.
That was the moniker for the ruler of the Dracul clan, the shadow lord of Eastern Europe.
"...Anyway, things'll get busy from tomorrow! You're tied up with your own stuff, Duke, so no need to worry until it starts. I'll have everything neat and tidy—ready to go!"
The Doctor's rambling, disguised as a greeting, finally wrapped up.
The duke, half-listening, nodded reflexively and stroked his goatee in satisfaction.
No need to face this frivolous fool again until the day—could there be better news?
"...Hmm, it's late. At least have a meal before you go. Can't mistreat a guest from afar."
"Oho? I was just getting peckish—perfect! I won't stand on ceremony!"
Thus, with a lighter heart, he offered dinner.
It was dignity a noble must uphold, after all.
As a vampire, he could sip a bit of blood and call it done—no big deal.
With a casual finger snap.
The door opened silently, and servants with ghostly footsteps swiftly prepared a full-course meal.
"Whoa! A feast fit for kings! Excellent! ...But what's that?"
The Doctor, clapping excitedly, soon fixed his gaze on one spot.
His eyes locked on the attention-grabbing dish, and he unwittingly turned to the mansion's master.
"Heh, I heard you like pizza, so I had them prepare it specially."
Menu tailored to the guest's tastes.
Drunk on his own thoughtfulness, the duke replied confidently, drawing the Doctor's eyes back to the food.
Around golden dough oozing savory cheese aroma, topped with all sorts of delectable ingredients.
It was indeed one of his favorites.
The problem, however...
"...Pineapple?"
Was that it was a Hawaiian pizza topped with pineapple.
Staring at it blankly for a moment, the Doctor's face instinctively twisted in disgust.
Then, bringing a hand to his mouth, he fixed the duke with an uncharacteristically serious look.
"...Duke, you don't actually eat this, do you?"
His rare stern expression carried the complex emotions of discovering a friend's bizarre tastes.
Even a hint of poorly concealed revulsion in his eyes.
"...I thought you liked that sort of thing."
The duke offered a curt, awkward defense.
Naturally, his own expression soured at being deemed a lunatic by a madman.
After going out of his way for the guest's preferences, this reaction?
But the Doctor shook his head firmly and continued coldly.
"Tch, Duke. There are things in this world you can eat, and things you can't. And pineapple pizza clearly falls into the latter category. Who knew I'd witness such heresy here!"
He then launched into a dramatic rant, listing every horrific aspect of Hawaiian pizza.
As spittle flew anew and the monologue dragged on, the duke—eyes closed—quickly cut him off.
Cursing himself inwardly for offering dinner.
"I see. I'll keep that in mind. Dessert was going to be mint chocolate ice cream, but that might need canceling too. I had needless prejudices..."
"Whoa-ho! Mint chocolate's great! That sweet tang after the sweetness— the perfect dessert! You do know your stuff, Duke!"
"......"
"Mint chocolate, unlike other sticky chocolates, has an artistic aftertaste! Clean enough you don't even need to brush after! And moreover..."
The chatter stretched on again.
The duke soon gave up judging the man.
Maybe engaging this lunatic in conversation from the start was the mistake.