Chapter 49
Chapter 49
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 49
Chapter Title: Advance Preparations (3)
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“Dried fruits for sale~ Sweet and tasty, perfect for long journeys!”
“The capital-bound carriage departs soon! Only a few seats left—hurry up!”
“Aw, this is too pricey. Give me a little discount, will ya?”
Heinz strolled through the heart of the city.
He had handed control of the barrier in the Monster Forest over to Hans and stepped out to handle other matters.
Even using up all the materials from the Reverse Heaven Society and those Harley had gathered, supply wouldn't be an issue going forward.
Hans couldn't venture out recklessly, but he had countless undead at his command to serve as his hands and feet.
As long as the Fragment of the Immortal King isn't directly exposed. No matter how incredible the Saintess's powers are, monitoring the entire continent to identify every single undead is impossible.
The fragment's distinct traits made it hard to hide, but a simple black magic concealment field sufficed for his undead subordinates.
As Heinz made his way toward his destination, he had detoured here on a whim, remembering certain people.
The Kingdom of Talia, located in the western continent. Rapella City.
The city where he had parted ways with the siblings he met in Azantu.
It's been about seven months since then. Time flows differently, so it feels like it's been that long already.
Three days on Earth equaled one month here.
Of course, his avatar Heinrich had remained in Outerica, constantly training, so he had felt time passing.
The relentless daily training routine in the Church had just dulled that sensation.
Vampires do pop up here and there. Not as brazen as in Azantu, but they're playing it safe.
His transcendent senses and Appraisal picked up vampires scattered throughout the city.
But Heinz ignored them and walked on confidently.
No one could pierce his Concealment anymore.
Unless it was a Sacred Blood, that is.
“Kyahaha~!”
“Rafi! Running like that is dangerous!”
As he wandered, taking in the sights, he neared the grocery store where the siblings were staying.
Suddenly, a small girl darted out from around the corner.
“...Huh?”
Heinz, who had sensed her approach long before, effortlessly sidestepped.
But the startled girl tripped over her own feet as she tried to stop.
“Eek—?”
“Rafi!”
She was about to tumble from momentum and suffer a nasty fall.
But before she hit the ground...
Tap—
Heinz caught her smoothly and set her down gently.
“...Eh?”
It was so natural that even the girl just blinked in confusion.
As if nothing had happened.
“Rafi! I told you to be careful!”
The boy rushing up scolded the girl while anxiously checking for injuries.
Confirming she was fine, he let out a relieved sigh.
“Ah! Thank you! Rafi didn't get hurt thanks to you. Come on, Rafi, say hello.”
“...Ung.”
Prodded by the boy, the four-year-old girl peeked around cautiously before bowing her head.
Then she hid behind him, peeking out with just her eyes.
“Sorry about that. She's a bit shy. Thank you again.”
The boy bowed deeply once more.
It was a relief to see they were doing well.
“No worries, Aaron. Looks like things have been smooth for you.”
“...Huh? Do you... know me...?”
“......”
He was on the verge of feeling hurt that Aaron had forgotten him already when he remembered his face had changed.
His skeletal structure had shifted from Mixed Blood Evolution, he'd grown into True Blood, and crucially, he'd altered his features to sever ties with his main body.
“Er... it's Heinz. Been through some things, so my face changed a bit.”
He should've restored it before coming.
Too late now, so he had no choice but to explain.
“...Really you, mister?”
“Yeah.”
“......”
Hard to believe, naturally.
As he pondered how to convince him...
Grab—
“Mister—!”
Aaron threw himself into his arms, voice trembling.
Trusts me quicker than expected.
Heinz patted Aaron's back lightly.
After their brief reunion, Aaron took Rafi—the only daughter of their uncle's grocery store—by the hand and led the way.
“If sis knows you're here, she'll freak out! She's been waiting for you forever. But thinking about her not recognizing you... it's kinda funny!”
“Hee hee hee~♪”
Aaron chattered excitedly this way and that, while Rafi swung back and forth holding his hand.
He'd taken charge of her care before parting, and it seemed they'd grown close in the meantime.
They arrived at the grocery store.
Diana was already staring their way while organizing the shelves.
“Sis! Guess who I...”
“Mister—!”
Thud thud—grab!
Before Aaron could finish, Diana rushed over and buried herself in Heinz's arms.
Her tearful face pressed into his chest matched her brother's perfectly.
“...How'd sis know right away?”
Except for instantly recognizing him.
Sensing someone approaching from inside the store, Heinz quickly pulled his hood low.
“Diana! What's wrong... Oh?”
“Hello, Mr. Bolt. Long time no see. It's Heinz.”
He greeted the surprised Bolt naturally as he came out, soothing Diana.
He moved the kids aside and quietly asked her what had been nagging him.
“Um... no blood smell like before. But your scent... uh, hard to explain. I just knew.”
That Diana could pierce his Concealment shocked even him.
No blood scent means the vampire part is well-hidden. I did focus on that.
Still, discerning his evolved Concealment showed greater talent than expected.
With proper nurturing, she'd be a fine asset.
“We're doing great. Mornings, Aaron and I go to the tutorial hall for reading and math. Afternoons, we help at the store. He says we don't have to, but I want to pitch in.”
Every few days, they got free time to read at the hall.
Fortunately, their uncle was keeping his promise.
“Passed by and thought of you. Glad you're well.”
“Hehe, all thanks to you, mister. How've you been?”
She didn't comment on his changed face.
Knowing he was a vampire, such changes wouldn't faze her.
“Hm... yeah. Not bad.”
He'd made plenty of gains.
His goals had sharpened too.
The next day, he treated the three kids—including Rafi—to goodies, caught up, and handed support funds to their uncle Bolt.
Then came farewell again.
“Be safe, mister—!”
“Come again!”
“Bye-bye~♪”
Second time around, the kids waved bravely without tears.
Now, time to check the situation.
Leaving the city, Heinz headed to his original target.
He was swamped raising Heterosis on Earth but squeezed in time thanks to the time difference with this world.
Gathering intel wouldn't take much anyway.
The reason for his efforts?
While training to become a Holy Knight at the Grand Temple, Heinrich had befriended many.
Including several from the Immortal King subjugation force, from whom he learned expedition details.
Clashes with black magic cults, friction with high society seemingly backed by vampires.
Combine that with Heinz's encounter near the capital upon first arriving in Talia—a female True Blood...
The Brocoslak Clan's influence reaches deep into the Kingdom of Talia.
A force entrenched enough to wield power behind an entire nation.
The vampire group that birthed Heinz 2nd's power. The Brocoslak Clan.
Perfect piece to use. Couldn't ask for better.
That's why he'd come here himself.
To gather intel before swallowing them whole.
To Talia's capital, the likely Brocoslak Clan stronghold.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ “Oh? It suits you well.”
“Haha, you think? Amazing how it fits my build perfectly.”
“Our temple's artisans are the best on the continent, no exaggeration. Altering existing armor is child's play.”
Heinrich wore the Holy Knight armor issued right after his ordination.
A sleek suit gleaming in white-silver tones.
Its inner lining was etched with dense prayers for defense and resistances.
“So, what about weapons? By the time most become Holy Knights, they know their fit. But you rose so fast, you're still figuring it out, right?”
“Yes. I'm using sword and shield basics for now and steadily learning others...”
Heinrich's core Holy Warrior Combat Arts were practical battlefield skills.
From bare hands to wielding any picked-up weapon—comprehensive mastery.
One settles on a main weapon for advanced techniques, but Heinrich's rapid growth left him undecided.
The Roselia Grand Temple had plenty of retired senior Holy Knights as instructors, offering every weapon art imaginable.
Training available anytime he wanted.
“Or join a knight order specializing in your preferred weapon and train with seniors. Get lucky, even the captain might guide you. Speaking of, decided on an order? How about mine—Silver Wings Holy Knight Order?”
Silver Wings had joined Talia's Immortal King subjugation.
This senior was the youngest from that group, back from Talia.
He'd offered advice and support, but formal orders meant restricted freedom, which didn't appeal.
“I'd rather wander the continent, aiding those in need and spreading the Main God's teachings.”
“Hm, a wandering Holy Knight?”
He nodded with a mixed expression.
“Spreading the Main God's will is noble. Tough and risky—not recommended. Heretics target loners.”
“Fair enough. But no backing down.”
“Freelance Holy Knights need standards. Tough at your level now.”
A distant goal for newly ordained Heinrich.
Though his growth would reach it soon.
“Back to weapons. Pick a main for advanced training. You'll rotate through orders temporarily for experience—take your time.”
As advised, he'd train across various orders, learning duties.
Roselia Grand Temple hosted many, with diverse missions.
Subjugating black mages or demon worshippers, hunting monsters, guarding sites—varied roles.
Newbie Heinrich started with basics.
“Our duty is paramount! Plenty of powerhouses here, but no slacking. Stay vigilant against contingencies!”
First posting: Sky Shield Holy Knight Order, defending the Grand Temple perimeter.
His guiding senior endlessly stressed their role's importance.
“This is the Church's heart—Roselia Grand Temple! Heretics will try any dirty trick. One gap, they'll pounce. Never relax!”
Fortunately—or not—nothing happened during his stint.
Next, Solar Wolf Holy Knight Order patrolled holy grounds—same quiet.
The Main God Church's core was secure by nature.
Months of duties and training later...
He adapted to the Blessing: Leap from ordination.
Splendid: leap any distance up to daily limit at will.
Full distance at once or split as needed.
Cooldown between uses limited combat spam, but ideal trump card.
Daily range was short but growing with practice.
Eventually, maybe continent-spanning.
Another gain: shifted views on main weapons.
I have Martial Bones, growth acceleration, and buffs. Why limit to one?
Specializing yields more, sure.
But picking one felt wrong—like they were all the same.
Martial Bones effect or innate aptitude—who knew.
Might as well learn all. Focus sword and shield most used. It'll pay off later.
His Super Recovery let him cut sleep and leisure easily.
Sky Shield taught sword-and-shield; Solar Wolf, spear arts.
“Hah, mastering so quick. Rumors were true—impressive.”
“Hm... won't die anywhere now. Basics down—don't get cocky.”
He sought instructors in spare time; later postings brought blunt weapons, greatswords, more.
Result...
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ The entity has gained enlightenment through repeated training. Acquired skill 「Comprehensive Weapon Mastery」. Months of minimized sleep and relentless training.
Now I get how to handle any weapon.
Separate from Holy Warrior Combat Arts, his weapon understanding skyrocketed.
Any armament would feel more adept, efficient.
High-potential general skill. It'll grow with me. Useful for other avatars later.
Only Heinrich wielded weapons now, but no guarantee forever.
Then, this prime training hub's knowledge would prove invaluable.