Chapter 166

Chapter 166
## Chapter 166

### Meanwhile, in the West (2)

The procedure for administrating “Refined Blood Essence” to the Ufersh vampires was going ahead without a hitch.

This was the very lifeblood of Heinz the Second, who had reached the pinnacle of evolution by drawing out the dominant traits from vampires across numerous dimensions.

By purging every last trace of foreign intent and thought—which essentially functioned as impurities—the resulting Blood Essence had become an unparalleled medicine for those of the night.

The moment this substance was introduced into a subject’s veins, it revolutionized their vampiric attributes, sparking an instantaneous surge of evolutionary growth that had otherwise been blocked for ages.

Furthermore, Heinz, being the source of this potent essence, possessed the ability to gently steer the trajectory of their genetic specialization.

Deep within a massive subterranean chamber beneath the estate.

“Ngh…!”

“Haa— Haa—”

Concluding a session of “Refined Blood Essence” integration, Heinz surveyed the gathering of vampires who were currently whimpering from the intense physical restructuring of their evolution, giving a quiet nod of approval.

‘To be truly effective, their primary requirement is developing a resistance to sunlight.’

This particular limitation had occupied his mind since the very first time he synthesized the “Refined Blood Essence.”

In truth, the vast majority of vampires, existing at the basic Fledgling grade, possessed such severe vulnerabilities to solar rays that operating during daylight hours presented immense hurdles, unless they relied on specialized blood sorcery.

They might have managed to sidestep such a liability had they remained sequestered in the shadows indefinitely, but such seclusion was no longer an option now that they intended to step into the public eye.

They were bound to safeguard their territory now that they had formally laid claim to it!

‘Even with this treatment, completely erasing the weakness is improbable, but mitigating the drawback will suffice. Besides, their underlying physical attributes will see a comprehensive boost.’

Furthermore, though vampires typically existed as a scattered minority population, their collective numbers had become formidable now that the constituents of two massive factions were concentrated under one roof.

There were hundreds of Fledglings present, individuals whose strength rivaled the knight class—not even counting the lower Servants and Slaves—and every single one was vastly more potent than they had been previously…

‘Additionally, there are dozens of Purebloods. The count would easily have topped a hundred if not for the recent conflict that broke out between the two factions.’

In truth, Heinz himself had been the one responsible for slaughtering the greatest number of vampires during that chaotic dispute, but he chose to dismiss that reality as he exited the subterranean vault.

Creak—

“Excellent work, My Lord.”

“Theodore, am I correct in assuming the individuals inside arrived from the southern territories?”

“Indeed, that is correct. The southern lands are experiencing significant upheavals lately, which caused a delay in their convergence with us. At this juncture, the only remaining factions are those from the southeast and the remote east, both scheduled to make landfall within a matter of days.”

“Mhm, our preparations are nearing completion.”

He paced through the corridor, conversing calmly with Theodore, who had been waiting faithfully outside the entryway.

‘Reflecting on it, the Tribal Federation has been rather turbulent of late. It would be wise to have Harley pay them a visit in the near future.’

The south had always been an isolated domain, making reliable intelligence difficult to harvest due to geographic barriers like the vast desert, leading him to overlook it for a time.

Vampiric infiltration was notoriously difficult there because the populace lived in tight-knit tribal units, and the shamans who populated the southern regions were naturally antithetical to the spectral wraiths that Olivia commanded.

‘They are reportedly a grade above typical holy priests when it comes to manipulating spiritual entities. Wraiths, whose cognitive functions are diminished due to suppressed consciousness, would find it exceptionally difficult to withstand their purification rituals.’

Yet, it remained a bittersweet territory, hardly justifying concentrated focus given its sparse populace and minimal global leverage, a result of its hostile climate and isolationist policy.

‘In reality, I simply pushed it aside, operating under the assumption that addressing any friction there would fall under Harley’s purview.’

He had delayed the matter for numerous reasons, but now that Harley had successfully established a robust foundation of his own, mapping out a southern expedition was the logical next step.

It would also make for an excellent narrative.

‘Harley, having transformed into the companion of the legendary champion following a perilous saga, at last returns to Calcos, the cradle of his spirit. Yet, the reality that awaits his homecoming…!’

Though immersed in these strategic calculations, Heinz—for whom managing parallel lines of thought was a routine mastery—betrayed no outward sign of distraction, maintaining a fluid dialogue with Theodore.

“What is the status report regarding our overseas sectors?”

“We are currently consolidating their structures, maintaining operational bases only in pivotal regions. Naturally, every station has been restaffed exclusively with individuals who have received My Lord’s blessing. Their combat efficacy has risen so dramatically that it has substantially decreased the sheer number of personnel required per post.”

It would have been a waste to completely discard the networks they had painstakingly built while amassing their military weight within the Talia Kingdom.

Furthermore, retaining a baseline population of kin within various territories was essential for maximizing their tactical mobility via Blood Gates.

“We have also completed the network distribution across the entirety of the Talia Kingdom. With Blood Gates established at strategic nooks, we now possess the capacity to deploy anywhere in the realm in an instant. The spatial transit efficiency has risen sharply as well; we can even bridge across to a neighboring center like Raffella City while burning remarkably few resources.”

Theodore offered this report with an expression of distinct pride.

It was a justifiable sentiment, given that the construction of Blood Gates stood as a pinnacle achievement of the Ufersh Clan’s distinct blood sorcery.

Heinz, however, merely gave a confirming nod and offered a word of commendation, his mind drifting once more…

‘Raffella City… If I recall correctly, that is the current residence of Diana and her kin. It is high time I paid them a visit.’

That location housed the young siblings he had chanced upon during his initial arrival in Auterica.

He had given his word to check in on them roughly once every year when they went their separate ways, and a significant block of time had slipped by since their last meeting.

‘The distance is trivial. Is this akin to the sentiment parents feel once their offspring venture out into the world?’

He had never anticipated harboring such an emotion.

He inclined his head slightly, experiencing an unfamiliar sensation of warmth.

While it brought a minor touch of awkwardness, in all candor, it was far from an unpleasant feeling.

‘Strike while the iron is hot. Perhaps an immediate departure is warranted.’

With the bulk of his pressing administrative duties managed and the confirmation that the spatial gateway was operational, evaluating the system firsthand seemed like an excellent use of time.

—

“Ah? My Lord? W-welcome!”

“We honor your arrival in Raffella City! Please, allow us to guide you out this way!”

Heinz materialized seamlessly in the center of an apartment dominated by a glowing blood-magic formation, human craniums, varied ritualistic trinkets, and a swirling, crimson aura. He offered a relaxed gesture of his hand to the attendants who were bowing low and projecting palpable anxiety, stepping past them toward the streets without delay.

‘The aesthetic is undeniably macabre, precisely what one expects from blood sorcery, though the core mechanics differ very little from the gateways utilized by the Holy Church.’

Exiting the safehouse, which was perfectly camouflaged as a commonplace residential dwelling, the familiar cityscape of Raffella City spread out before his gaze.

It remained a typical settlement of mortals, entirely unaltered from his previous visit, though a monumental shift was looming on its horizon.

“…Is that price not entirely unreasonable? Lower it a bit.”

“You are completely out of touch with reality. Prices are identical across the board due to the monster incursions!”

“I was under the impression our kingdom bypassed the worst of the devastation because the governing officials managed the defense competently.”

“Even so, a surge in commodity pricing is unavoidable when transport merchants are terrified to move freight. The primary commercial highways are thoroughly disrupted.”

The ambient noise of citizens haggling over provisions filtered into Heinz’s perception.

Owing to their covert interventions, the Talia Kingdom had escaped widespread physical ruin, yet navigating these turbulent times without economic fallout was impossible.

The countenances of the populace were heavily shadowed by anxiety, as the daily struggle for survival naturally grew steeper.

Predictably, their frustrations regarding the current state of affairs mounted, and their collective malice naturally gravitated toward a single entity.

“This misery can be laid squarely at the feet of that Immortal King Hans.”

“Thinking on it, there was a fellow named Hans in my native village, and he always possessed a highly unsettling gaze. You see…”

“Good heavens! Come to think of it, a Hans of my acquaintance similarly…”

The target of their ire was Hans, the ultimate manifestation of malice who had descended upon their reality, the dreaded Immortal King.

Heinz navigated the pedestrian paths, entirely unbothered as he tuned out the waves of condemnation aimed at the name ‘Hans’ echoing from every corner.

He harbored a brief flash of pity for every individual named Hans across this world, though he had surrendered any notion of altering his alias a long time ago.

‘The opportunity has passed. I ought to have selected a far more elegant title at the very beginning.’

That lingering regret had ultimately driven the naming process for his youngest creation, ‘Hesperon’.

It was a title he had settled upon after diving deep into name etymologies, eventually drawing inspiration from classical Greek mythology…

‘Reflecting on it now, I was trying far too hard during that period.’

With the passage of time and a calmer mind, the memory felt somewhat embarrassing.

As he walked at a relaxed pace, taking in the urban atmosphere and drawing nearer to the merchant shop managed by Diana’s relative, his internal reflections were suddenly shattered.

Crash—! Bang!

“Mercy, cease this at once! How do you expect us to survive if you reduce our livelihood to splinters?!”

“Waaaah—!”

“Get over here, Rafi. You are safe, you are safe. Stop crying!”

A loud disturbance erupted from the precise sector he was traveling toward.

Amidst the overlapping shouts, he instantly identified the vocal inflections of familiar acquaintances.

‘What is unfolding here?’

In the subsequent heartbeat,

He had already seamlessly integrated himself into the crowd of onlookers massing before the storefront, his approach going entirely unnoticed by anyone present.

“Tsk, what a farce. Are you truly claiming there is no additional coinage concealed within this place?”

“Should we begin seizing these goods? They ought to yield a decent profit if liquidated in bulk.”

“Agreed, prioritize the premium merchandise first, just in case they attempt to smuggle items away later. Roll the wagon forward!”

A group of six imposing, hostile men were systematically looting the interior of the shop.

Meanwhile, the local watchmen assigned to patrol the commercial district merely rubbed their necks with conflicted expressions, remaining entirely passive.

Heinz focused his senses, collecting fragments of gossip from the surrounding spectators to piece together the narrative.

Right at that moment,

“You absolute scoundrels! What do you think you are doing?!”

Diana, who appeared to have been alerted by Bolt—the pale, trembling shop proprietor who was currently fighting for breath—pushed frantically through the wall of spectators, arriving on the scene.

“Oh? Look who finally decided to show up, old timer. What does it look like we are doing? We are here to repossess what we are owed.”

“Did I not give you my solemn word that the outstanding balance would be delivered shortly?! What justification do you have for storming my business and halting our trade like this?!”

“Oh? According to our accounting, the sum you surrendered during our last meeting fails to even offset the accumulating interest. Waiting around any longer is a losing proposition, so we elected to take our compensation in trade goods.”

“That is pure extortion!”

When Bolt, consumed by fury, lunged toward the thugs following the dispute, one of the enforcers delivered a harsh shove that sent him crashing to the pavement.

“Ugh!”

“U-uncle!”

Diana rushed forward to assist him to his feet, while the remaining members of the household, who had been clustered together at a safe distance, converged around him with tear-stained faces.

“Ha, we are conducting ourselves like proper gentlemen, you realize? If this were the old days, we would have simply hauled all of you off to…”

“Watch your mouth, look around. The watchmen are observing.”

“Tsk— Spit!”

The enforcers cast a brief glance toward the authorities before returning to their pillaging.

From the context of their remarks, it appeared their ultimate objective was to sell the entire property title to an outside buyer.

It was an utter catastrophe for a household completely dependent on the shop for sustenance.

Bolt ground his teeth together, staring at the thugs with undisguised hatred, while his spouse cradled their three young ones close, attempting to stifle her sobs. Little Rafi continued to weep hysterically, terrified by the volatile environment, and Aaron was entirely occupied with trying to soothe her fears.

Amidst the chaos, Diana, who had clearly matured since their last encounter, stood with her fists tightly clenched, her frame trembling as she kept her gaze cast down.

‘I see— The youngest child, Rafi, was struck by a sudden, severe ailment… leaving them in desperate need of immediate capital… ‘

Heinz dispassionately mapped out the chronology of events, synthesizing the details harvested from the murmurs of the gathered crowd.

Driven by desperation, the family had exhausted standard loans from acquaintances before eventually falling prey to predatory loan sharks.

He could likewise discern the rationale behind the non-interference of the local guards.

The actions of these thugs fell within legal boundaries, operating as a sanctioned asset seizure that had been formally logged with the municipal authorities.

It was highly probable that a compromised bureaucrat was protecting their operations from behind the scenes.

‘There are so many systemic issues requiring my personal intervention.’

This dominion belonged to him in all but name.

He took no pleasure in witnessing such corruption manifest right when he was beginning to formulate long-term governance plans for the territory.

Having fully synthesized the dynamics of the scene, Heinz deactivated the “Existence Denial” technique that had been masking his presence, taking a deliberate step out of the crowd.

“…Sniff?”

Diana, whose head had been lowered in despair, suddenly jerked in awareness, her nose twitching as she caught a scent in the air.

Slowly, she lifted her gaze, her eyes brimming with moisture as they locked onto his figure.

“…Mister?”

Her voice cracked slightly, heavy with accumulated grief yet utterly incapable of concealing the sudden surge of delight.

It was an expression perfectly designed to evoke immediate protective instincts, but Heinz’s cognitive focus was directed toward an entirely different realization.

‘…Her olfactory sensory capabilities remain utterly unprecedented. There is absolutely no scenario where this qualifies as a mundane trait.’

He had previously accepted her talent without deep scrutiny due to his limited comprehension of this realm’s mechanics, but possessing extensive experience now, he understood better.

Diana’s sensory gift was an anomaly, even within the context of this supernatural world.

He had encountered no records of anyone possessing a parallel trait, despite currently commanding an extensive intelligence network.

…With the singular exception of the ‘unique skills’ manifested by the awakened individuals originating from Earth.

‘Yet Diana is undeniably a native of this world, not an Earthling. Fascinating. I ought to transition her into my personal circle to monitor her development closely.’

Concealing these calculations beneath the surface,

Heinz the Second stepped into the clearance, a dangerous, icy smile spreading across his features.