Chapter 198

Chapter 198
## Chapter 198

White Giant (5)

The Talia Kingdom was now firmly under the authority of the Vampire Clan Alliance known as ‘Hybrid’.

Across the territory, the newly instituted blood donation stations were functioning smoothly, and the initial panic among the populace was steadily fading. A few citizens had even begun to offer praise, noting that daily life had actually improved under the new regime. By all accounts, the transition of power was progressing without a hitch.

“…And those are the primary disturbances and internal conflicts reported across the territory this past week.”

Yet, a peaceful transition did not mean the realm was entirely devoid of friction.

Pockets of dissident citizens continued to instigate public unrest, while others plotted insurgencies or attempted acts of sabotage against critical social infrastructure and the blood collection facilities. Though the alliance’s pervasive, web-like intelligence network intercepted and neutralized these threats almost immediately, the agitators were growing more calculated, proving to be a persistent annoyance.

‘As if my current workload isn’t heavy enough.’

Heinz the Second knit his brows, shifting slightly in his seat within the royal chambers as he reviewed the briefing.

“So, the three adjacent kingdoms are indeed the ones pulling the strings behind these curtains?”

“That is the reality, High Lord. Unfortunately, they are meticulously erasing their tracks, leaving us without definitive proof. Please accept my apologies.”

Mulo Brokoslack, the commander overseeing both internal and external espionage, offered a profound bow in response to the casual inquiry.

Heinz gave a brief nod of acknowledgment, flipping through the detailed pages of the document.

‘The frequency has dropped significantly compared to the initial weeks. They must realize the futility of their efforts after suffering so many consecutive failures.’

In truth, Hybrid’s administrative grip on the Talia Kingdom was absolute. It was a natural consequence of utilizing vampires—beings far superior to mortals in capability, entirely immune to bribery, and incapable of treason—who were deployed across every corner of the realm in absolute devotion to their master. The strategy of inciting local mortals to riot had lost its efficacy because the insurrections were dismantled before they could even materialize, leaving no one willing to rally to a doomed cause.

‘The turmoil is merely being prolonged by foreign meddling, but even that will soon fizzle out.’

Heinz could look at the situation from their perspective. Even with the endorsement of the Main God Church and the Saint, neighboring realms were bound to feel deeply unnerved by a nation governed entirely by vampires—creatures that humanity had spent centuries treating as lethal adversaries. Furthermore, Hybrid was actively summoning more of their kindred from every corner of the continent to swell their ranks. The neighboring rulers were simply trying to buy themselves enough time to formulate a defense.

‘Frankly, their anxiety is well-founded, considering we are systematically taking control of their criminal syndicates as well.’

A cold sneer touched Heinz’s lips as he set the papers aside. Out of respect for current diplomatic optics, he was maintaining a low profile, but he had no intention of remaining passive indefinitely.

‘The best approach is to quietly and progressively stretch our reach beneath the surface.’

If he was going to commit to an operation, he would ensure it was executed flawlessly. Subterranean maneuvers and operations in the dark were, after all, the natural forte of the vampire race.

“Moving on.”

He shifted his focus to an adjacent folder on his desk and spoke up once more.

“This particular data… is it a recent development?”

“Indeed, High Lord. In fact, it represents the core of today’s briefing. Recognizing the sheer scale of the threat, I prioritized gathering and synthesizing the latest intelligence.”

Mulo responded with absolute poise, launching into the details of his report.

“Reports indicate that colossal, pale humanoids are materializing across various sectors of the continent. Their physical dimensions easily dwarf standard municipal ramparts, and their raw power and regenerative capabilities are—”

This was information Heinz was already well acquainted with. However, the subsequent details contained elements he had yet to uncover.

“To date, three distinct entities have been identified. Two of them have already been terminated. The first was promptly neutralized in the Lesque Kingdom by the crusade forces under the direct command of Saint Heinrich…”

It appeared the world was dealing with more than a solitary behemoth.

“The second creature went on a destructive rampage along the western frontier of the Azeria Empire before it was brought down by the imperial legion commander and a cohort of high-tier officials. The imperial forces sustained devastating losses during the chaotic encounter, to such a degree that the entire defensive legion tasked with holding back the western beasts has been severely destabilized.”

Having engaged one of these monsters firsthand, Heinz knew intimately how grueling the battle could be. For another faction to successfully hunt one down proved that their martial prowess was formidable.

‘Impressive performance by the Empire. They bled heavily for it, but they achieved their objective.’

Yet, a specific detail set this imperial beast apart from the one encountered by Heinrich.

“…You are asserting that its mere respiration caused environmental decay?”

“Precisely, High Lord. Witnesses state that it discharged a highly toxic vapor from its singular open airway. The miasma made it exceptionally hazardous to even close the distance.”

Furthermore, data from the initial military scouts indicated the beast did not possess this lethal trait when it first emerged. This led to an inescapable deduction.

‘…Just as I suspected, the entity undergoes an evolution by drawing in negative karma.’

Heinz had previously noted that the White Giant’s offensive capabilities felt somewhat mismatched with its overwhelming aura. It was undeniable that the creature was a walking catastrophe, but its toolkit seemed excessively geared toward pure survival.

‘The dark constraint binding its features was definitely an anomaly. It must have intentionally suppressed its true capabilities to breach the subterranean void, only to unlock them sequentially by gathering wicked karma upon the surface.’

By synthesizing this fresh intelligence with the insights gleaned from Hans’s “Immortal Heart” and “Forbidden Knowledge,” he was able to piece the puzzle together with remarkable speed. Though it remained frustrating that the ultimate origin of the White Giant was shrouded in mystery, that was an answer he could unearth at a later date.

“Regarding the single entity that evaded termination…”

Mulo pressed on with his delivery, undeterred by Heinz’s momentary silence.

“It manifested within the borders of the Rohan Duchy, inflicting catastrophic casualties upon the local garrison before successfully retreating after an engagement with Cardinal Pirei and the elite paladins of the Main God Church.”

The accounts specified that the ecclesiastic forces were compelled to abandon their pursuit because the titan manipulated the wild beasts pouring from the mountain passes to hold the surviving soldiers hostage.

‘…Both the rampaging beasts and the giant are clearly conduits of the same cosmic insanity. What’s worse, this one possesses enough cognitive awareness to weaponize them.’

Heinz closed his eyes, rubbing his temples as he contemplated the escalating crisis. Three of these monstrosities had already broken through, and one was now roaming free. An elusive threat of that caliber was bound to become a massive liability in the future. Moreover, there was no baseline to suggest that more of these giants wouldn’t manifest. If they continued to slip away into hiding…

“Current intelligence suggests the escaped titan has concealed itself somewhere within the treacherous terrain of the Northern Mountains, but the harsh environment has made pinpointing its exact location impossible.”

Heinz opened his eyes to fix his gaze back on his informant just as Mulo uttered those words.

‘Interesting. The Northern Mountains bordering the Rohan Duchy…’

Suddenly—

*Boom!*

The office door was thrown wide open as an uninvited guest burst inside.

“Heinz! I have returned.”

The intruder was Briki, the other prominent Sacred Blood within the Hybrid hierarchy.

“Oh, look at that, Mulo is present as well? My Lord… ah, pardon me, High Lord? I am back from my travels. *Hehehe.*”

Briki offered a belated display of formal etiquette, feigning ignorance of who was occupying the room. Given her sensory talents, she could have easily identified the occupants before crossing the threshold, but Heinz simply tolerated the theatric display, having witnessed it on countless occasions.

‘She is an ancient senior who has endured for eons, not to mention an incredibly capable asset for our operations.’

Mulo, having previously operated under her direct command, was similarly understanding of her quirks.

“…High Lord? A strange wave of fatigue is washing over me again. This is exactly what occurred during my last assignment, why must it—?”

“You are simply experiencing a blood deficit. I shall issue an advance order so you may select a few choice specimens from the holding blocks. Setting that aside, what is your report?”

Briki, ever perceptive, scowled slightly as she looked at him, but Heinz seamlessly redirected the conversation. Yielding to his prompt, she offered a brief complaints before speaking plainly.

She confirmed that the mission to formally recruit and integrate the various vampire factions residing within the Azeria Empire had finally concluded. Naturally, tracking down every single hidden rogue was an impossibility, but no major organization could have evaded their dragnet, as any faction of significant scale would invariably leave a footprint.

“The northern territories are an absolute catastrophe, so it is highly unlikely any clans remain there. As for the southern regions inhabited by those primitive human tribes, the climate and culture make it far too inhospitable for our kind to thrive… Consequently, the only remaining independent faction is the Obaifo Clan operating out of the Zepia Republic to the east.”

“I see. That clarifies the landscape.”

With that, Heinz had obtained a comprehensive view of their current reality. He now understood everything from the domestic affairs of the Talia Kingdom to the volatile threat of the White Giants, alongside the final milestone for vampire unification represented by the eastern Obaifo Clan.

‘It appears the time has come for us to step out of the shadows and directly influence continental affairs.’

Furthermore, the schedule for the second Continental Summit was fast approaching, and the Talia Kingdom had been extended an official invitation to attend.

“Briki. Mulo.”

“Yes~?”

“At your command, High Lord.”

Initially, Heinz had intended to deploy Duke Bright to act as his proxy, mimicking their previous arrangement. However, he recognized that this upcoming assembly would mark the inaugural international debut of the ‘New Talia Kingdom’ under Hybrid’s banner. It would appear weak and unassertive to send a mere surrogate to an event of such geopolitical gravity.

“I shall step forward to attend this Continental Summit in person. Both of you will accompany me and prepare accordingly.”

“…Understood! We shall ensure all arrangements are flawless, High Lord.”

“Wait, you expect me to journey out there as well? Shouldn’t one of our primary powerhouses remain behind to anchor our sovereign territory?”

Briki voiced her displeasure, clearly viewing the journey as a tedious chore so soon after her return from the field. Heinz paused, contemplating her point, and realized her caution was logical.

“…Very well, Briki. You shall remain to oversee the capital.”

“*Hehehe*— Excellent! Leave the security of the realm to me, High Lord!”

Watching her gloat over her impending relaxation, Heinz privately resolved to saddle her with an immense administrative workload before his departure.

‘The timing is perfect to etch the name of Heinz into the consciousness of the world. It will also serve as an explicit demonstration of power and a warning to the Obaifo.’

Thus, the roster for the upcoming second Continental Summit would feature a highly unexpected participant:

The sovereign ruler of the New Talia Kingdom,

The supreme leader of the Auterica Vampire Clan Alliance,

The exalted Sacred Blood vampire,

Heinz Hybrid the Second.

—

Deep within the recesses of the Northern Mountains.

This was a desolate, cursed mountain range, perpetually choked by a suffocating, bleak miasma due to the sheer altitude and jagged architecture of the surrounding peaks.

*Rumble—! Boom!*

A violent concussive blast tore through the silence, followed by…

`[—————!]`

A profound, resonance echo, reminiscent of a leviathan’s mournful wail, reverberated across the canyons. Yet, the chaotic struggle was short-lived.

The rapid resolution was entirely due to the forces anchored there:

`[His Majesty has decreed that any rogue entities encroaching upon these borders are to be systematically neutralized and repurposed as thralls of the undying army.]`

Spoke the Death Knight Lord Karam.

`[The sheer audacity—! Attempting to pollute the sovereign sanctuary of the King with such wretched steps—! I shall etch absolute terror into the very fabric of your consciousness—!]`

Bellowed the Dread Phantom Pagos.

`[…This flesh… is unpalatable…]`

Muttered the Ghoul Lord Fiona.

Operating alongside Arch-Lich Kellypa—a specialized combat necromancer whose martial prowess far exceeded utility-focused liches like Dwell—and Drexler, a towering Doom Knight clad in heavy armor standing well over three meters tall… a massive contingent of high-tier undead commanders had converged upon this single location.

`[—————!]`

Consequently, the White Giant, which had blindly blundered into the sovereign domain of the Immortal Fortress, was stripped of any opportunity to mount a meaningful resistance. It was instantly dismantled by the overwhelming force, its severed head left to be dragged across the frozen earth. Naturally, the corrosive emissions radiating from its nasal cavity were perceived as nothing more than a mild fragrance by the dead.

`[A commendable effort… This represents a highly unorthodox classification of beast…]`

`[It required minimal exertion, Olivia. However, the corruptive madness clinging to this entity… it transcends the nature of a typical wild monster, which is why I secured its remains. What is our course of action regarding its disposal?]`

`[An intriguing dilemma… Given that its biology deviates from standard living organisms, I am uncertain if the standard protocols for reanimation will take hold… We should summon Dwell to conduct an evaluation…]`

As Karam and Olivia deliberated,

*Snap— Thud!*

A localized fracturing sound drew their collective gaze downward. The noise originated from the maw of the White Giant’s isolated head. The blackened constraints that had bound its mouth shut were dissolving into ash, permitting its jaws to part slightly.

`[Oh? Does the specimen still harbor residual resistance? How tedious.]`

*Shing—*

Karam advanced, unsheathing his massive two-handed blade, which erupted with a dark, flame-like necrotic energy. The surrounding commanders mirrored his vigilance, locking their eyes onto the massive head.

However, the giant, its mouth finally liberated from its seal, launched no offensive countermeasure. It merely rasped a series of declarations.

`[The convergence point of all existence—. The ultimate destiny and conclusion of vitality—.]`

The officers of the undying legion shifted their gazes, silently communicating their confusion at the titan’s cryptic vocabulary.

`[…What is the meaning of this?]`

`[The creature… possesses the capacity for speech…?]`

Ignoring their reactions, the giant’s head continued its rhythmic, low chant.

`[The primordial defilement— and the manifestation of perpetual deprivation— stagnated within the absolute nadir of the abyss—.]`

The severed head continued to whisper unintelligible concepts.

`[Death—.]`

`[Are you pleading for your own termination…? We are entirely capable of granting that request without delay…]`

Olivia interjected sharply, her patience exhausted by the entity’s vague ramblings. To emphasize her point, a terrifying gathering of concentrated spectral force and dense necrotic mana began to manifest around her form.

`[The Immortal King— Guide me to the presence of the Immortal King—.]`

The pale visage finally articulated its true objective.

`[Ah, I comprehend now.]`

Though the demand was abrupt, these commanders had long served the predecessor of the current throne, allowing them to instantly deduce the underlying context. It appeared this entity, steeped in cosmic madness, shared a fundamental connection to the abyssal void, analogous to the conceptual ‘death’ governed by the Immortal King.

Karam, pieceing the implications together, gave a casual nod as he rested his massive blade against his shoulder armor.

`[Very well. I acknowledge your petition.]`

`[Then— the Immortal King—]`

`[However,]`

A sudden flash of absolute darkness cut through the air.

*Whoosh— Whoosh—!*

The massive twin-handed sword carved a deep, jagged ruin across the giant’s pale features.

`[Ugh—?]`

`[The audacity to issue directives regarding our sovereign master is intolerable. Your hubris is severe.]`

`[This specimen… appears to be an exemplary subject for academic analysis… His Majesty will find great utility in this… I shall fetch Dwell at once…]`

Furthermore, the commanders were well aware that their current monarch, Hans, harbored a deep distaste for matters concerning cosmic ‘madness’. After all, their primary directive in this territory was the systematic eradication of any local beasts consumed by that very affliction.

`[Rest assured, we shall preserve your existence until you have surrendered every fragment of information within your mind. We shall keep you functional until His Majesty graces us with his return.]`

With practiced efficiency, the devoted retainers gathered the colossal head and the scattered remains of the giant. Thus, a highly irregular and valuable specimen was cataloged into the necromantic research facilities of the Immortal Fortress.

All without Hans possessing the slightest inkling of its arrival.