Chapter 444: Trial That Defies Fate - 7
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 444: Trial That Defies Fate - 7
“You’re a coward… We were one and the same. We were both the dead. Even if our hearts were cold, even if we felt nothing… being one with the Progenitor meant we were no longer lonely… To leave us behind… you’re a coward.”
A faint harmony accompanied Muri’s sobbing, singing voice. The Phantom Dancer, The Waning Moon Muri, was a dancer. She hummed songs and danced, adorning the desolate duchy with art. Muri herself had lost all inspiration after becoming a vampire, but the subtle changes she felt whenever Tyrkanzyaka listened to music resonated in her heart, compelling her to continue.
“Progenitor… why have you forsaken us? You left, you slept. After turning away, we finally meet again… only for you to cast us aside like old shoes.”
But now that the Shackle was broken, nothing resonated in Muri’s heart.
Inspiration, emotion, bewilderment, betrayal. The feelings Tyrkanzyaka should have been feeling for her were gone.
For an artist, inspiration is everything. Now that Tyrkanzyaka, the one who would listen and judge, was gone, Muri’s music had no audience. Art without an audience is nothing. Now that the Progenitor had left in search of a man, Muri had become nothing.
“I did not cast you out! Was it not you who came to me, having judged things on your own?!”
Tyrkanzyaka answered, but to those freed from the Shackle, her voice was mere noise, incapable of moving their hearts. Rahu Khan spoke.
“Clan Chief. The Shackle is a promise. I protect the body my mother gave me. That is why I became a vampire. But you, Clan Chief, have broken that promise.”
“Even if I have reclaimed my heart, your immortality does not vanish. No, in fact, it has grown stronger. You will not die even at my command! What is the problem?”
In their fledgling days, the Progenitor’s Elders had died left and right, despite their immortality. This was partly because their faction was weak compared to their powerful enemies, but it was also because Tyrkanzyaka and the Elders frequently lost control of their own powers and went berserk. That was why the Progenitor Tyrkanzyaka only accepted the strong as Elders—those who seemed capable of controlling the power they gained.
“…Different. Now, we are… different from Mom.”
Old Bakuta the Bloodleech. A predator from the deep swamp, his age and origins unknown. He, who had become an Elder to quell his hunger, rubbed his empty stomach and chewed on something sorrowfully.
“We promised we’d all be the same. That we wouldn’t be lonely. But… what are we supposed to do if you change all by yourself?”
“Changed? In what way have you changed, Bakuta?! You are still an Elder. You cannot possibly feel hunger!”
“…But. Mom. I’m hungry. Something is missing. It can’t be filled.”
Old Bakuta looked around with vacant eyes. The other vampires flinched and recoiled from his gaze, which saw even them as prey.
The power to consume another’s blood and make it his own was unique to Bakuta. If devoured by him, not even a vampire could regenerate. The gluttony of consuming others was inherently shunned. The only reason he could remain a part of the Elders was because he was suppressed by Tyrkanzyaka’s powerful Bloodcraft.
Under the Progenitor’s dominion, Old Bakuta had leisurely butchered beasts, putting his expertise to use.
But that was only until now. Rahu Khan, who had been staring intently at the famished Bakuta, spoke as if he’d realized something.
“Not hunger. Desire.”
“…Desire?”
“The Clan Chief took it for us. Took our desires. That is why we were at peace. But now, the desire has returned.”
“Mmm… I think so. I want to move. I want to dance. I want to tear bodies apart. I want to drink. I want to be held… Progenitor… did you want to be held by a man, too…?”
“That is a matter for later!”
The Elders, freed from their Shackle, relentlessly threw questions at her. Tyrkanzyaka answered each one.
No one struck a gavel, nor did anyone declare the start. But the Trial That Defies Fate against the Progenitor had already begun.
The Ain and Yeiling—vampires who no longer needed to follow the Progenitor—moved to their respective lords. The Progenitor, who stood at the very top and thus had no one below her, was left utterly alone.
The throne had become a courtroom. The Progenitor, without a single retainer, was left to face the vampires’ interrogation alone and lonely.
I had a feeling this was coming, and now the shit’s finally hit the fan. These vampire bastards have some nerve. Just because the Progenitor lost her power for a moment, they immediately start a rebellion. I thought they were bloodthirsty and merciless, but it turns out they have no shame either.
I had to escape. If the Elders were coming here in revolt, Plenilune Castle would soon become a battlefield.
“We need to get out of the castle! Wherever we go, we need to have our feet on the ground!”
I grabbed the curtains hanging by the bed and tore them down. The bed itself was a historical artifact from a bygone era, and a single curtain was likely a priceless treasure, but not more precious than my life. I immediately tied the ends of the curtain to make a handle.
“Father. What are you planning to do?”
“I’m going to use it as a parachute! Hilde, don’t even think about getting on. It’s a one-seater!”
“…I will be fine even if I fall from here.”
Right. Hilde was one of the Six Generals. To a General who had learned how to break a fall, falling was just an easy vertical movement that required no effort.
The same was true for vampires… Wait, am I the only one scared of falling? Then what’s the point of having a fear of heights?
“You seem unusually serious today.”
“The jokes can start after we get out of here. You go first. They’ll be here soon.”
“You’re certainly good at separating work and private life… Huh? Why are you grabbing me by the scruff of my neck…?”
Hilde planted her feet on the bed and pushed off hard. Grrrrk, the massive bed slid across the room and slammed into the opposite wall. When one imagines a collision between a wall and a bed, one usually pictures the horrific demise of the bed, but this enormous bed, fit for an ancient noble, didn’t stop even after impact.
CRASH!
The bed smashed through the wall and sailed into the open air. Unfortunately, the falling object had no wings. The relic that had resided in the Progenitor’s bedroom for hundreds of years would soon be reduced to wreckage. You’ve served me well, bed. I might have given you a hard time, but you were comfortable. I’ll mourn for you.
“You go on ahead. I will follow shortly.”
“Wait, you don’t mean… Aaaahhhh!”
Hilde unceremoniously threw me through the broken wall. I flew through the air, sharing the same fate as the bed I had just mourned.
“Aaaahhh! It’s not even finished yet!”
As I fell, I saw two of Erzsebet’s Ain burst through the door, but that didn’t matter anymore. I had my own life to worry about.
I waited for my speed to pick up a little. The wind would help it spread wider. After counting to five, I flung my hands apart, unfurling the curtain parachute. Thankfully, being an antique didn’t make it any more fragile. The sturdy, tough curtain held my weight.
The air in the duchy is heavy. Thick with the damp sea breeze and an unknown darkness, it clung to my body as if I were submerged in water.
With the dark, hazy sea in the distance as my backdrop, I descended toward the ground rather quickly…
“Wait. This is still a bit fast.”
Even if I used every breakfall technique in my Qi Art arsenal, the impact would be severe. This wasn't good. What should I do? As I pondered, I heard the sound of the bed shattering below. The frame was completely destroyed, leaving only the soft mattress…
Oh.
“Sorry about this. You’ve been a great help to the very end.”
Landing on the mattress, I dusted myself off and stood up. Thanks to the bed’s tear-jerking sacrifice—providing a curtain, breaking the wall, and even cushioning my fall—I was completely unharmed. As I let out a sigh of relief and looked up, there stood Hilde in her nurse’s uniform, a sullen expression on her face.
“Agh, you scared me. What the—I’m sure I fell first, so when did you get here?”
Was that a fast-falling technique instead of a breakfall? While I stood there bewildered, Hilde spun around and started walking.
“Follow me.”
“You’ve been quite chilly since a moment ago. What’s got you so upset?”
“The situation is urgent. We don’t have time for idle chat, so let’s hurry.”
Hilde led me through the dark alleys as if Plenilune Castle were her own backyard. Her strictly business-like demeanor reminded me of her role as the Camarilla.
She was clearly displeased. It couldn't be just because the situation was turning sour. This was clearly dissatisfaction directed at me.
“Are you perhaps jealous?”
“I’d rather it be jealousy, Father.”
Hilde retorted without even looking at me.
“For the past few days, rumors have been spreading like wildfire that you’ve been spending your nights with the Progenitor. First among the vampires, then to the humans. Now, the rumors about the Progenitor and her consort are no secret in this castle.”
“That’s a little embarrassing. And a little flattering.”
“Flattering. Hah.”
Hilde sighed, then spun around. She glared at me with sharp eyes and said,
“I did my best. But what did you do, Father? Tumble around in bed with the Progenitor? Carve your mark on her body?”
“It was a pleasant time.”
“If you were planning to deepen your bond with the Progenitor, you should have taken care of your duties first.”
Perhaps because she was still in the nurse’s uniform, Hilde’s sharp, articulate words made her seem several times more astute than usual.
“You knew full well there were factions ready to revolt against the Progenitor. And before resolving that, you take her into a room? You indulge in pleasure during this golden opportunity? I know you’re a beast, Father, but I thought you at least knew how to handle your own crises. I finally couldn’t stand it anymore and came in, only to find you lying in bed.”
“I suppose I was a bit lazy. But Tyr requested it.”
“If you were going to engage in pillow talk, you should have told Tyrkanzyaka to prepare for this. You’re hopeless, Father.”
Being called ‘Father’ while being treated with such contempt felt a little strange. As I just gave an awkward smile, Hilde looked at me as if I were an insect and continued.
“The sleeping Elders have awakened. It’s impossible to know if they’ll be hostile or friendly to the Progenitor. Because this is the first time her dominion has weakened. No one can predict what kind of impulsive actions a vampire who has lost that dominion will take. Not even the Saintess.”
“If not even the Saintess knows, how could I…”
“Even so, Father, you were just attacked by Ain. You should have been more careful.”
Her eyes were sharp enough to cut me. Hilde, though she called me Father now, was the Camarilla who had long served as the Chief of Public Safety in the Military State. Seeing a glimpse of that side of her, I grew scared and quickly tried to placate her.
“S-Still, there are many Elders who are friendly to Tyr, right? Historically, most of the Elders are indebted to her. Above all, the Bloodweaver, Lady Kavila, is devoted to the Progenitor, isn’t she?”
“…Do you know what information I have uncovered?”
I already knew from reading her mind, but I asked out of courtesy.
“What is it?”
“Like the Elders, the Ain are equals among themselves. Just because one is slightly superior doesn’t mean they can rule over another. To rally and mobilize the Ain, an Elder is needed. Not necessarily their own Elder.”
“Does that mean there’s an Elder who has rallied Luscynia’s Ain?”
“And according to my investigation, that Elder is…”
*
As the Progenitor’s authority plummeted in real-time, Kavila clapped her hands in annoyance. At that moment, a colossal presence smashed through the wall and appeared.
Several vampires quickly retreated, attempting to defend against the attack with the power of blood. But the massive presence casually ignored the vampires’ attacks and widened the hole with its pincer.
“You said you’d watch and see, but you’re so ungrateful you’ve forgotten the grace of being spared! How dare you mock the sister who gave you her blood?”
The bones of a Leviathan. To be precise, the exoskeleton of a Leviathan that was attacked and killed while molting. When the Leviathan’s corpse washed ashore one day, Kavila collected it and turned it into a puppet. It was difficult to make a puppet from the corpse of a sea creature, but Kavila succeeded after a long and arduous effort.
The lobster-like pincer wreaked havoc inside the hall. Its hard carapace deflected most attacks as it swept through the area. In the courtroom that had instantly become a chaotic mess, Kavila draped herself in Blood Silk and approached Tyrkanzyaka.
“Sister. Look. At these wretched creatures. This trash thinks that just because you’ve reclaimed your heart, your original blood is now their own power. We can’t let this stand. If we do, they’ll come not only for your throne, but for your blood and your life.”
Kavila, turning the tide of battle by herself, looked like the Progenitor’s savior as she approached. She herself was thoroughly drunk on the role. At this moment, Kavila satisfied her blooming desire more contentedly than anyone else.
“There’s no other way, Sister.”
And Kavila’s human and trivial desire, different from that of the other Elders, was…
“I will… stop your heart for a moment, Sister. So you can be my sister again.”
…completed by killing the Progenitor. Kavila smiled, as resplendent as a flower petal just before it withers, and made her proposal to the Progenitor.