Chapter 76
Chapter 76
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 76
Chapter Title: Brocoslak Clan (3)
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Puuk—
"Hup!"
Heinz, no longer interested in dragging things out, grabbed the back of Frigia's neck—now fully subdued—with one hand.
As his five fingers dug deep into her slender neck, blood trickled out from the wound.
In that state, with his blood directly touching hers, Heinz injected 「Purified Blood Essence」 straight into her veins.
"Kugh—! You! What the hell have you...!"
As expected of a True Blood.
Even while pinned down, she controlled her own blood, isolating the portion that had already come into contact with Heinz's 「Purified Blood Essence」 to prevent it from spreading through her body.
Her ability to respond immediately to the situation was impressive.
'Of course, it's a meaningless struggle. Let's see how long she can hold out.'
The 「Purified Blood Essence」 continued to pour in relentlessly.
For Frigia, already drained of energy, there was no way to handle it.
Moreover, since it was entering through a vital point like her neck, there were limits to how long she could keep controlling the blood there.
"Kuhup..."
In the end... the anomaly that started at her neck spread to her brain and heart in an instant, then rapidly throughout her entire body.
'This mad bastard! Forcing his blood into me! What the hell is he planning...'
Why go to such lengths instead of just killing her cleanly?
If True Blood—especially from someone stronger than her—entered her system, it would cause severe mental corruption.
She might get a bit stronger, but going insane would render that pointless.
'Is he planning to use me to destroy the capital?'
If not, there'd be no need to do this.
Blood was the source of a vampire's power. Why complicate things by expending his own?
'I absolutely won't let him have his way!'
Normally, this small amount of blood couldn't dominate a True Blood like her.
But for some reason, the blood now inside her kept influencing the surrounding blood, ceaselessly altering the vampiric factors.
Feeling her entire body heat up and pain surge like she'd been injected with deadly poison, she gritted her teeth and fought to stay conscious.
Wooduk—crack!
But rather than mental corruption, an incomprehensible change was occurring in her body—one she couldn't understand.
'...What is this? Is the effect of devouring kin this potent? No, it's not just an increase in blood demon power...'
Frigia, who had mastered control over her body through long years, quickly realized it.
Her physical abilities—strength, agility, flexibility, and more—had exploded in growth.
Not only that, but she could now handle her blood demon power far more adeptly, with efficiency on another level entirely.
Her mind, previously focused on resisting mental corruption, finally began to analyze the situation objectively.
The vampiric factors in her body had been affected by the injected blood and mutated all at once.
...It was a change so dramatic it could only be called evolution.
And Heinz's earlier words resurfaced in her mind.
'Won't you follow me? I can make you far stronger than you are now.'
It seemed those words hadn't been madness after all.
"You! What the hell did you do to me...?"
Frigia, flustered, repeatedly examined her transformed body.
Her mind was still clear, and the pain was gone now.
She felt much stronger than before, with no sense of alienation.
Heinz observed her closely and nodded quietly in satisfaction.
'Good, it works on True Blood too. It consumed quite a bit more 」Purified Blood Essence「 than with others, but that's nothing compared to the effect.'
He had stayed on guard, ready to eliminate her if she went out of control, but fortunately, he could feel the subordination bond form smoothly.
"You seem fine now. Shall we get up, then?"
"What are you scheming? You think I'll follow you just because you pulled this out of nowhere...?"
Frigia glared at him coldly as she spat the words, then obediently stood and assumed a respectful posture.
"Ah...?"
Only then did she seem to notice something off, looking back and forth between her body and Heinz.
Then, she suddenly lunged at him with her arm—only to freeze in place like a statue.
'She's figured it out. But she can't attack me anymore.'
That was the basic effect of 'Blood Subordination'.
"This... how? How can you... Huh?"
No matter how hard she tried, her hand wouldn't move forward.
Only after testing it herself did Frigia fully grasp her situation, plunging into confusion.
It was only natural for a True Blood of Brocoslak to be subjugated by someone she'd just met today.
"Now we can have a calm conversation."
"This... can't be possible? Even Sacred Blood couldn't..."
No, it seemed she wasn't ready for that yet.
"Focus on the conversation, Frigia."
"Yes!"
Only then did she lock eyes with Heinz and prepare to listen intently. He nodded in satisfaction at her demeanor.
Following the script as before, he revealed his set identity and persuaded her that those who followed him would gain even greater power.
Of course, her reaction was the negative one he'd expected.
"Brocoslak is one of the 'Prime Bloodlines.' It's also one of the few still harboring a Sacred Blood. And you, a branch family member, think you can take it over?"
An unexpected piece of information slipped out as well.
He knew Brocoslak was an original lineage from ancient times, but he hadn't known about the Sacred Blood.
'I only received about a week's training as a Lesser Blood, after all.'
That meant no access to such high-level info—but now things were different.
"Tell me more about that Sacred Blood."
"Ugh... Well..."
The Sacred Blood who was also the progenitor of the Prime Bloodline.
They possessed power befitting their name, but over long ages, they'd dwindled one by one. Now, only two or three were estimated to remain.
Inheriting Sacred Blood was extremely difficult, so the power hadn't properly passed down.
"Is there anyone who inherited Sacred Blood?"
"...A few decades ago, I heard the lord of the Yupersh Clan succeeded. Not sure if it's true, though..."
He'd heard of the Yupersh Clan during training.
It was one of the top three clans in Outerica alongside Brocoslak.
'And from the vibes, they seem the stronger force.'
"Our progenitor, 'Brocoslak,' entered hibernation long ago. To endure as long as possible while awaiting a successor worthy of inheriting his power."
This was info known only to the clan's True Bloods.
But even they didn't know the hibernation site, so she had no idea where the Sacred Blood slept.
"But if that Sacred Blood awakens later and learns a branch family took the bloodline... You won't die easily!"
"So he's hibernating now. No idea when he'll wake?"
"Ugh... It was a means to endure for ages in the first place. Only he knows when, but it won't be anytime soon."
Then it didn't matter.
He didn't know when that guy would wake, but by then, there'd be no need to worry about it.
More importantly, now it was time to convince this woman.
To reach the Brocoslak Clan's lord smoothly, he needed her active cooperation.
"So, Frigia. Are you satisfied with your current situation?"
"...What are you talking about?"
"Hiding away to avoid detection. Unable to show your true self openly. Living in constant anxiety, wary of the Church."
Frigia's face stiffened.
While gathering info from subjugated vampires, he'd heard plenty about her.
That revealed one side of her.
Of course, judging hastily from hearsay was risky, but one thing was clear.
She yearned to live openly in the light.
Even as a True Blood, frequent outings under the inconvenient sun.
Indulging in luxury through high-end shopping, forming ties with humans via frequent social gatherings.
And through it all, basking in their flattery and praise while enjoying life as one of them.
But it was all a fragile illusion that could vanish anytime.
She surely felt that acutely.
She'd had to abandon everything built up multiple times, creating new identities.
"But that's unavoidable! We're a race that can't step into the light by nature."
"Who decided that?"
"...Human perceptions, and the Church's actual judgment..."
"Why fear the Church of the Main God?"
"They're strong! How many on this continent can defy them? Only the Empire or Mage Tower Alliance have a shot!"
And even those maintained good relations with the Church, so effectively none.
Heinz nodded at her answer before speaking.
"In the end, it boils down to lacking power."
"...I admit your abilities are impressive, but this isn't something a few stronger individuals can fix."
"What if it's not just a few?"
"Pardon? What do you mean?"
He looked at Frigia with a small smile.
"For example—if all vampire clans on this continent united their power?"
"That's impossible! What nonsense..."
"Why is it nonsense?"
"Each clan is an independent organization. Proper cooperation is unlikely, and they'd splinter over interests whenever issues arise. It'd collapse immediately."
Heinz nodded slowly, still smiling.
She wasn't wrong.
"Right. But what if... there was a lord with absolute power to control them all?"
"Ha! Even Sacred Blood couldn't... Wait..."
Frigia trailed off, struck by a sudden sense of déjà vu.
Naturally so.
Those were the words she'd muttered to herself right after being subjugated by Heinz.
Looking down at her dazed expression, he continued leisurely.
"It's my ability. Through this blood, I can bring all vampires on this continent under my command... unite them as one. And they'll all grow stronger, like you."
"Ah..."
"How long will you keep cowering? Vampires are already few in number—if we don't unite our power, we'll be oppressed forever."
Frigia's eyes wavered.
Her inner conflict was plain.
"Then, for us Brocoslak..."
"Of course. As the origin of my blood and my first subordinate force, Brocoslak deserves commensurate treatment."
She was almost won over.
This would seal it.
"When I become the king reigning over them, you'll share in the glory at my side."
And with that.
Frigia Brocoslak fully submitted to Heinz 2nd.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ The deepest part of the Bright Duke's mansion in the Kingdom of Talia.
In pitch-black darkness, a man seated in a large armchair listened to a middle-aged man's report.
Mulo Brocoslak, lord of the Brocoslak Clan, lightly swirled the wine glass in his right hand as he gazed at the subordinate who had finished reporting and stood respectfully.
"So, things are getting ambiguous."
"Yes. They're even asking for our cooperation regarding him."
"Hmph, so the Immortal King has truly revived..."
"From separate inquiries, the Church's atmosphere has been off lately. Timing-wise, it might relate to when their elites hurriedly moved through our side's temple last time. Something went wrong then."
The Church of the Main God had secretly informed the upper echelons of each faction.
News of the Immortal King's revival, urging preemptive measures, and word of an upcoming summit for detailed discussions.
"Keep at it for now. The Immortal King is one thing, but we can't just let the Church grow stronger."
"Yes, I'll gather the noble subordinates and deliberate, my lord."
"Dismissed."
"Have a restful evening."
The middle-aged man clasped his hands, bowed carefully, and left the room without a sound.
Click—
After softly closing the door, he wiped cold sweat and swallowed a rising sigh.
Even sighs weren't allowed here.
The mansion was his in name only; he controlled nothing.
As the true power behind Talia Kingdom, Duke Bright, crossed the hallway silently, he paused at the approaching figures.
"Lady Frigia, greetings."
"Oh! Father, isn't it? I hope you're well. Coming from reporting to the lord?"
Frigia's cover identity was one of the duke's daughters, so she always called him "Father."
To him, who'd prefer casual speech, it was burdensome.
"Yes, I was reporting on the Church matter."
Finishing, the duke glanced at the one beside her.
A complete stranger, but he showed no reaction, bowing and stepping aside.
With a True Blood of the clan present, he had to turn a blind eye and deaf ear to everything.
"Then I'll head to the lord. You should rest too, Father."
"Yes, then I'll be off..."
The duke bowed again and exited the passage.
The two who passed him.
Entered the heart of the mansion where Mulo Brocoslak resided, unhindered by anyone.