Chapter 79
Chapter 79
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 79
Chapter Title: Entity Projection (1)
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Bright Ducal Mansion.
"So, that's everyone in the area taken care of?"
"Yes. It would be most efficient to summon the rest sequentially."
"......"
"...sir."
Heinz, lounging in a comfortable armchair, fixed his gaze on the man standing beside him. The reporter hastily corrected his speech.
He hadn't used polite language in decades, making it feel incredibly awkward, but there was no choice—he had to get used to it now.
He was no longer the shadow ruler of the Talia Kingdom.
'Having the Lord around sure makes reorganizing the clan go smoothly.'
Heinz glanced at Mulro, who stood sighing beside him, and smiled inwardly with satisfaction.
He had briefly pondered what to do after subduing him at first, but subordinating him had proven the best choice.
After all, wasn't absorbing the clan about leveraging Brocoslak's influence in the first place?
Excluding the key figure, Mulro, would mean he hadn't truly taken control.
Mulro Brocoslak was the one who had led the clan from the shadows of the Talia Kingdom for decades, building the power it held now.
No one—not even fellow True Bloods like the field-oriented Ober or Frizhia—could replace him.
'Good thing it worked out as planned. Otherwise, I'd have had to eliminate him.'
Mulro possessed blood magic power surpassing Heinz's own, at a level too high to guarantee control.
But then a sudden idea had struck.
If the opponent's level was the issue, why not forcibly reduce it...?
A vampire's power stemmed from the vampiric factor in their blood.
So, what if he drained just enough to avoid killing him?
The result was the current Mulro.
'Still, thanks to his accumulated dignity, he didn't drop below True Blood.'
And the power he'd lost would steadily recover over time with consistent feeding.
It would be a grueling process, but as compensation for devouring the clan lord's blood to his heart's content, Heinz had filled Mulro's 「Refined Blood Crystal」 to the brim. The drop in combat strength wouldn't be too severe.
'It consumed a lot of my own 「Refined Blood Crystal」, but I gained even higher-quality blood in return. Worth it. Plus, his subordination to me strengthened.'
With no need to hide blood mutations anymore, he'd generously injected 「Refined Blood Crystal」 into the other bloodkin one by one.
Like heteros, they made excellent limbs and labor—only natural.
Thanks to that, the clan's forces in the capital had more than doubled.
"Handle summoning the outlying members and reorganizing the structure on your own. Oh, and there was a message from the Church of the Main God?"
"Y... yes. It was regarding the Immortal King's resurrection."
He still struggled with polite speech, but it would improve with practice. No need to fuss.
'I knew the Church was preparing through various means. Still, we can't let their influence grow further in Talia.'
This place was as good as his now.
No need to deal with an uncomfortable neighbor, so sticking to the previous policy toward the Church seemed wisest.
"Then we'll proceed with the original plan for the rest."
"Ah, and prepare to gather continental information from multiple angles going forward. Whether you build your own intel network or ally with existing ones, the method's up to you."
"...Understood. You've proven your capabilities amply, so I'll throw my full support in from now on."
Mulro bowed lightly and vanished without a sound.
'...Oh, right, that.'
Heinz belatedly understood Mulro's reaction, scratching his chin as he fell into thought.
That remark had been an empty promise to secure Frizhia's cooperation—he'd half-forgotten it.
Now that the clan was fully absorbed, a token effort would suffice.
But reconsidering, it wasn't without potential.
'And it could be quite helpful. Time to seriously lay the groundwork?'
If aiming high, why not the pinnacle?
Not just one clan, but ruling all vampires... becoming the 'Vampire King' didn't sound bad.
"Hmm... Vampire King..."
Heinz sank deeper into the armchair and closed his eyes.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "Sir Heinrich! Back on duty already?"
"Haha—I've rested long enough; time to earn my keep. Can't freeload forever, right?"
"Come on, no one's complaining. You could rest longer."
"Truth is, I'm itching to get back."
About a month had passed since the Immortal King's assault.
As Heinrich headed to his post in full armor, he felt his changed status anew.
He'd sensed it during occasional outings, meeting people.
The cathedral folk were especially friendly toward him.
'I set it up that way, but the effect's even better than expected.'
The quiet aftermath, despite the Immortal King's revival, was thanks to Heinrich's fatal blow—buying time for countermeasures...
...That narrative had spread through the Church. A natural response.
Satisfied inwardly, he walked on and spotted the Saintess crouched by a flower bed.
Following her vacant gaze: a tiny pill bug inching away.
'Same as always.'
Smiling faintly, he approached with a light cough.
"Ahem... Saintess, good day?"
"Ah! Sir Heinrich! Long time no see. I heard you'd recovered well—are you fully healed now?"
"Yes. Been fine for ages, but my healer was so thorough. 'Watch for a month in case of aftereffects,' he insisted... haha."
Of course, it was concern, but frustrating for the problem-free Heinrich.
He'd been stuck with the treatment room's basic training setup.
'No heavy weights there. Gotta hit intense training today to rebuild lost muscle.'
At least it existed, built for past Holy Knights—grateful, in a way.
"Can't be too careful with curses, especially from the Immortal King! It's only right."
The Saintess nodded firmly, then suddenly looked apologetic.
"Sorry I haven't visited much. Been swamped preparing countermeasures..."
She sighed, downcast.
No time amid the frenzy over the Immortal King: relaying info to factions, reviewing collaborations, scouring texts, consulting the Mage Tower Alliance, contacting intel groups, interrogating warlocks via inquisitors for analysis on Immortal King Hans...
Mobilizing everything; as overseer, she was run ragged.
"Frontliners must be busier than me, though..."
Her gaze drifted over the flowers, a small smile forming.
"Work ended early today for once—first flower bed visit in ages. And running into you? Lucky day."
The pill bug was gone, but she stared wistfully at the grass.
Heinrich tilted his head at her affectionate gaze.
'...Feels like I'm pill bug tier.'
Or lower. Probably imagination.
Maybe.
"Ahem, Saintess. I'll head to my post."
"Oh! I've held you too long. Right, you're still in Radiant Guardians training?"
"Yes. The incident hit near the end, so a few more days before reassignment."
Treatment time didn't count toward training—unavoidable.
"I see... You aim to become a Free Holy Knight, right?"
"Yes. Adventure the continent, aid the needy, spread the Main God's will."
Free Holy Knights got Church support without unit ties—easier to stage needed scenes.
Fewer constraints for the performer, better for the director.
"Hmm—got it."
She pondered, nodding slowly.
As Heinrich turned to leave after another greeting—
"Oh! Good news coming soon!"
He looked back; she just grinned and waved.
'Tease and bail...'
Still, predictable.
Promotion, probably.
He'd earned merit; awkward keeping a bishop-level Holy Knight at grunt status.
'Whatever it is, I'll take it gratefully.'
Smiling in anticipation, Heinrich hurried to his post—already late.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ ⚙ KARMA SHOP ⚙ Unique Skill Enhancement (900,000) Status Enhancement – View Details Held Karma: 1,393,934 Absorbing the Brocoslak Clan had naturally yielded a hefty karma haul.
It hadn't been long since enhancing my Unique Skill post-cathedral raid—highly encouraging.
'Everything's going smoothly as planned. Wonder what I'll get this time.'
Last upgrade gave 「Customization」, enabling the elf avatar Harris.
Tweaking stats suited his spirit user path perfectly.
Bonus: altered Hans's look amid peacekeeping duties.
Masked anyway, so minor change, but why waste the ability?
'Couldn't overhaul the skull too much or the mask wouldn't fit, but I put effort in.'
Result: sleek, perfectly sculpted skull; sharp jawline; neat teeth; sharply arched eye sockets.
A charismatic, handsome skeleton.
'Fitting for the Immortal King. Anyway, time to enhance.'
No more delay.
I selected 'Unique Skill Enhancement' and squeezed my eyes shut against the incoming headache.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ Avatar potential rises dramatically. Individual growth speed increases further. ⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ Unique Skill grows, unlocking new possibilities. Acquired special skill 「Entity Projection」. The familiar headache passed.
No further changes after waiting.
I opened my eyes, unable to hide my confusion.
'...Nothing?'
No usual bonus 'Avatar slot increase'.
Just two system lines.
'For a 900k enhancement...'
Felt scammed.
Faster growth for my many avatars wasn't bad, but still—too stingy.
"Huh?"
Checking the new skill dispelled my grumbling with a gasp.
Hans, Heinz 2nd, Heinrich, Harley, Hubert, Harris.
My proud avatars, each with standout talents and personalities.
And 「Entity Projection」's effect...
Once a day, fully project one avatar onto my body.