Chapter 414: God and King
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 414: God and King
Plenilune Castle, the capital of the Duchy of Mist, was where the awakened Progenitor now resided. The dark, ancient castle, which appeared on no map, was a great distance from the Twilight Citadel. Had Tyr’s carriage, led by Ralion, not been so comfortable that one could barely feel it move, the journey would have been quite arduous.
The unique climate and atmosphere of the Duchy of Mist made for quite interesting conversation.
“Meat again for this meal?”
“…Are you tired of it?”
“Not at all. I love it. Humans were originally hunter-gatherers, after all. Nom, nom, delicious. We never had anything like this in the Military State.”
“Yes, we did! The food resources just weren't distributed to your father!”
“We’ve agreed to call that ‘not having it.’ Nom. Oh, it’s even cooked? Who made it?”
“I did.”
Kavila emerged from the carriage’s annex, clapping her hands. From within, Dragonfang Puppets wearing white aprons and triangular bandanas slowly walked out, plates in hand.
The sight of skeletons serving food was so bizarre it was comical. Kavila commanded the Dragonfang Puppets and spoke primly.
“You should be honored. That I, a great Elder, am…”
‘…Sister will get angry if I call him livestock, won’t she? I should be nice.’
“…feeding my vexing sister’s consort. No, Sister! I wasn’t insulting him, I’m just jealous that he has your favor! So my words came out a little rough! Please don’t be angry!”
“If nothing nice comes out no matter how you try, just speak your mind. Tyr, it’s easier for me that way, so please just let her be.”
I hear everything with my mind-reading anyway, so it’s more confusing for me when her words and thoughts are different. I’m going to get caught for my mind-reading at this rate.
I savored Kavila’s anxiety as I examined the food on my plate. Steamed potatoes had been pan-fried in oil and topped with cheese. The meat, slow-steamed for a long time with a generous amount of spices, fell apart along the grain at the slightest touch. I put a piece of potato and meat into my mouth at the same time and chewed slowly.
“This isn’t a beginner’s cooking. You’ve got some skill.”
“Some skill? I may be a vampire, but I’ve eaten twice as many meals as you. Does a wet-behind-the-ears brat like you think a thousand years is a joke?”
“You’re prickly even when I’m complimenting you. I was just surprised that someone who can’t even taste can cook so well.”
“Hmph. I didn’t do it for a compliment from the likes of you, you know.”
Despite her words, she seemed pleased and began to ramble on.
“For livestock, they’re awfully picky eaters. I graciously give them meat, and all they do is complain that it’s tasteless or tough. Sometimes they say they’re tired of it and ask for bread or grass! The best way to shut them up is to garnish the food a little.”
“It can’t be helped. You can’t live on the same thing forever… But from the way you talk, it sounds like you cook for them often?”
“I have nothing better to do, so it’s just to kill time. And I’m used to handling meat.”
To be able to create such flavors without tasting them herself. She was like a blind painter or a deaf musician. I kept eating, even though I was getting full.
Tyr watched me eat voraciously for a moment before calling out to Kavila in a low voice.
“Kavila.”
“Yes, yes, Sister!”
‘Sister called for me! What is it? Did I do something wrong? Probably not, right? She must have just called my name, right?’
“…Teach me how to cook later.”
As Tyr whispered, Kavila, overcome with emotion, shouted.
“Leave it to me! I’ll teach you everything there is to know about cooking, Sister! From prepping to knife skills, I’ll explain every single detail of what to do and how much!”
“Shh. You’re being loud.”
It didn’t take long for either Hilde or me to empty our plates. Sated, I patted my stomach and said.
“Another loss for the Military State. I guess a country with no class just can’t seem to win.”
“There you go, starting fights again. The Military State is just strict about luxuries. We could make food like this in the State, too!”
“The fact that you can’t eat food like this even if it exists proves how hard life is there. In the end, you have to get by on beans. Ahh, I wonder if I can ever go back to the Military State.”
When things get boring, you have to stir up conflict. As I subtly disparaged the Military State with talk of food, Hilde, her pride wounded, filled the silence on her own.
“It’s because the Military State has a large population! For the State on the brink of collapse, Chimera Beans were the only way to feed its people! Do you know why we went all the way to the Tree of Corruption to steal those beans?!”
“I wasn’t saying anything bad, just making a simple comparison.”
“Raising livestock is a luxury in itself! According to the State’s research, if you get rid of one cow and plant Chimera Beans in its pasture, you can feed twenty humans. In other words, you have to kill twenty humans for one cow! You think we don’t do it because we can’t?!”
Watching Hilde jump up and down, I recalled what I knew about the Duchy of Mist.
Most of the Duchy of Mist was pastureland. The damp earth, wedged between the sea and the mountains, received little sunlight, allowing only low-growing grass to flourish. The hills that sloped from the mountain ridges to the coast were suitable for raising cattle and sheep. This ecosystem had not changed even after the vampires arrived.
The flocks of sheep running across the vast plains were lively, and the shepherds who followed them were healthy.
…And the vampires drank the blood of those healthy humans.
In a sense, the vampires of the Duchy of Mist were shepherds of human livestock.
“Progenitor.”
Valdamir knocked. The fact that he, who had been driving the carriage so silently I hadn't even known he was there, had approached meant that this short journey was over.
“We have arrived at Plenilune Castle.”
“Good work.”
I opened the window and looked outside. A land thick with dark fog. Even in the mist that made it difficult to see more than a few hundred meters ahead, a darkness more prominent than the fog itself looked down on me like a giant.
The capital of the Duchy of Mist. The dark, ancient castle that appeared on no map.
Plenilune Castle.
Caw, caw. The cries of black-tailed gulls circled overhead. The murmur of the many people in the city hung low in the air. Each individual voice was quiet, but together, they were loud enough to make the fog tremble.
All of them were waiting for the Progenitor’s return with awe and anxiety in their hearts. Just like at the Twilight Citadel.
I was once again reminded of Tyr’s position in the Duchy of Mist. The beginning of all vampires. The god of vampires, whom even the great Elders, who drank human blood, obeyed and sought to please.
And yet, I had made Tyr’s heart beat again. If I were to fully restore her senses on top of that, I would have that god…
Ah, let’s not overthink it. I prepared to disembark and said.
“Is this your castle, Tyr? It’s a huge city. I don’t think I’ll be bored during my stay.”
“Rest comfortably. It will take some time anyway, so think of it as a break for now.”
“What? Weren’t we supposed to be investigating Mr. Luscynia’s death?”
“I will summon those who knew him and hold a trial. However, it seems there will be no significant leads until the most likely suspect arrives.”
That made sense. If Elder Luscynia was dead, the Doctor Sage, who had inherited his original blood, would be the prime suspect.
Tsk, should I have read him more thoroughly when we met? I was so fascinated by his unique Bloodcraft that I couldn't read his mind properly.
The only thing I knew about this case was that the Doctor Sage did not kill Luscynia.
“…And Valdamir will have completed the detailed investigation. Let us review his report and think about it together. Even for you, it would be difficult to uncover the truth in a strange land of vampires.”
Tyr spoke as if it were a given that Valdamir would have everything prepared. And, as expected, Lord Sanguine Valdamir had things prepared for the Progenitor.
“I will present them to you.”
“Very well. I will be with Hu, so send them there.”
Tyr was the god of the vampires, but a god exists only in shrines and in the hearts of the people. The ones who actually run the country, however, exert their influence everywhere from outside the shrine.
It seemed that only a few Elders were running the country. And among them, Valdamir’s share of the responsibility was very, very high.
God and King.
The slightly ominous feeling I had was probably not just my imagination.
“Let’s go. Take my hand and follow me, Hu. If you are to become the King of the Military State, it would be best to make your face known beforehand.”
“What if I don’t become the King of the Military State?”
“Then it is all the more reason for us to be together. So that others know you are my…”
‘…Calling him my consort is somewhat embarrassing. I should rephrase. Besides, I have no intention of taking Hu’s blood, so he isn’t a consort.’
“…honored guest, so that others will treat you with respect.”
I just hope it ends with ‘respect.’
Normally, I would have refused to make my face known, but this time, I followed Tyr’s wishes. I stepped out of the carriage first, then turned and offered her my hand.
Tyr took my hand, looking puzzled.
“You, being polite? What’s the special occasion?”
“Like I always say, it’s not that I can’t, I just choose not to. But there’s a time and place for courtesy, isn’t there? Especially in a place where Tyr’s dignity must be upheld.”
It’s best to hide your hand if you can. But if you’re forced to show it, you must do so in the most spectacular way possible.
Wouldn’t it be better if fewer people knew? Not at all. The ones who will watch my hand with interest are the ones who want to strip me bare the most.
I escorted Tyr out of the carriage. With my hand lightly on her shoulder, I guided her slowly. It was an intimate gesture, but Tyr, though slightly embarrassed, willingly accepted my escort.
When Tyr appeared, the scene from the Twilight Citadel repeated itself, but this time, it was followed by a much larger reaction. Vampires and humans alike gasped in shock.
“The Progenitor… has a consort?!”
It’s not wrong, but do they have to use the word ‘consort’? I wish they’d call me something else.