Chapter 211

Chapter 211
## Chapter 211

For Worse (3)

“With that, our gathering is concluded. My gratitude to everyone for your dedicated efforts.”

At long last, the Second Continental Summit reached its termination.

Nevertheless, only the pair of cardinals remained in their seats at the holy table, the Saint and the Saintess nowhere to be seen.

Their absence was unavoidable, given the necessity of steeling defenses against the impending assault of the Immortal Army, projected to commence the very moment this gathering dissolved.

Naturally, the territories deemed vulnerable had received prior intelligence and were implementing defensive protocols, while the dignitaries in attendance intended to depart for their sovereign lands immediately following the adjournment.

The assembly had originally been scheduled to conclude on the previous day, yet it had been prolonged specifically to forge contingencies regarding this precise crisis.

‘Yet so very little has been determined.’

Heinz the Second, who had maintained a steadfast silence throughout the duration of the proceedings, gently massaged his jawline as he observed the chaotic, exiting crowd within the grand assembly chamber.

It was an exceedingly complex matter to extend military aid to neighboring realms when individual nations remained blind to the timing of their own impending invasions.

Furthermore, the topic of the Continental Allied Force had already been debated to the point of absolute exhaustion.

Allocating supplementary regiments to counter the increasingly relentless incursions was simply an impossibility.

‘We are left with no alternative but to rely upon our domestic might, guided by the premonitions of Saint Heinrich.’

The Azeria Empire and the Zepia Republic, standing as the preeminent global powers, would presumably manage to weather the storm by leveraging their sprawling domains, their abundance of elite combatants, their martial prowess, and their robust domestic networks.

The Calcos Tribal Federation, possessing an exceptionally massive ratio of active warriors relative to its populace, alongside the Wizet Magic Kingdom—a secluded island domain boasting sophisticated sorcery and serving as the focal point for the Magic Tower Alliance—likewise offered less cause for immediate anxiety.

Conversely, the trio of principalities situated in the western territories, omitting Talia, which possessed meager defensive capabilities relative to the vastness of their borders… would boundlessly suffer under the pressure.

‘The circumstances present an ideal opening.’

This dilemma simultaneously offered a flawless avenue for Hybrid to project its authority beyond domestic borders.

“The current climate appears rather daunting for your nations.”

Heinz Hybrid the Second, the sovereign ruler of the New Talia Kingdom and commander of the most formidable vampire syndicate across the mainland, flashed a chilling grin.

“I am prepared to extend my cooperation.”

He projected his voice toward the cluster of royal dignitaries who had gathered in tight circles, exchanging anxious whispers with grim countenances.

Every official recoiled slightly at his declaration, casting guarded glances in his direction.

Though he had not actively exerted his oppressive pressure upon them, the sheer, staggering disparity in their relative power levels compelled them to shrink back out of pure survival instinct.

“…Cooperation? We acknowledge the graciousness of the gesture, however… regarding the Talia Kingdom…”

Yet, these individuals were seasoned statesmen representing the honor of their lands.

The delegate from the Sharotti Kingdom, mastering his trepidation, stepped forward to offer a hesitant reply.

Such a reaction was entirely predictable, seeing as his domain shared an immediate border with the Talia Kingdom and had consistently been the most aggressive in trying to constrain their expansion…

“Ahem, grant him a moment.”

“…Indeed. This forum exists for deliberation, so there is no harm in hearing his proposition.”

The speaker paused as the remaining pair of delegates stepped in to mediate.

He was momentarily taken aback by their receptive stances, having fully anticipated their lockstep solidarity with his position, but reality swiftly asserted itself, prompting him to give a reluctant nod and retreat a half-step.

“Ahem! Very well, I suppose evaluating the terms carries no risk…”

In truth, their desperate circumstances stripped them of the luxury of pride.

The shadow of the Immortal King loomed far too ominously for them to fret over the underlying ambitions of the vampires.

They were similarly well aware of the current military matrix backing the Talia Kingdom.

A unified federation comprising nearly the entirety of the vampire demographic within the Ion Continent, organized beneath a singular crest.

The raw power generated by such a collective was staggering on its own, and the potential force multiplier resulting from their total governance over an established monarchy was exponentially greater.

It was precisely this terrifying potential that had driven the neighboring states to maintain such rigorous containment policies.

‘It remains far wiser to welcome reinforcements if they are available. Should the vampires overstep their boundaries, the Church, the Empire, and even the Republic will undoubtedly intervene to restore order.’

Such was the identical line of reasoning circulating through the minds of the royal envoys.

Naturally, Heinz was fully perceptive of this internal calculation.

‘It is of no consequence.’

He had absolutely no intention of acting out of pure altruism.

‘My initial strategy involved utilizing the Continental Allied Force as the primary vehicle for our integration, but under these altered conditions, it proves far more direct to entrench our presence within the adjacent realms and use them as springboards.’

While he had already initiated covert overtures toward the bordering territories, it would be foolish to ignore a chance to legitimize and accelerate this territorial expansion on a public stage.

‘I have no desire to keep the vampire populace corralled within the borders of the Talia Kingdom indefinitely.’

When all was said and done, they were a species accustomed to a decentralized existence across the entirety of the landmass.

He had concentrated them within the localized environment of the Talia Kingdom out of sheer political necessity, but maintaining such an artificial density over an extended period would yield unfavorable results for all parties involved.

To be sure, transitioning them back into a quiet existence within the shadows would be a simple task, but choosing that path would entirely negate the purpose of subverting a throne and entering the geopolitical spotlight.

‘If vampires are to coexist openly, we must cultivate a social fabric wherein they can confidently identify themselves and operate across foreign jurisdictions without fear.’

The contemporary view of vampires was essentially identical to how people viewed predatory beasts, yet populations inevitably grew accustomed to entities they encountered on a routine basis.

By simultaneously expanding their subterranean influence while executing high-profile public operations…

‘They will naturally integrate into the civilian population. In due time, we will establish blood commerce registries in sovereign nations, matching the system currently operational within our own borders.’

Heinz remained deeply immersed in his strategic calculations, watching his diplomatic staff engage the royal envoys in active dialogue.

-Hannibal Strauss: Should you desire it, I can escalate the frequency of the incursions targeting the western realms. Would that not simplify your negotiations?

-Heinz the Second: I appreciate the thoughtfulness of your proposal, but it is wiser to monitor the unfolding events for the immediate future.

-Hannibal Strauss: Very well. Nonetheless, I shall step in the moment I deem it advantageous. After all, it serves our mutual interests.

…Leveraging Hans’s unprompted cooperation made it entirely feasible to force the issue, even if the neighboring principalities exhibited severe reluctance.

‘Setting that aside.’

Heinz shifted his focus toward Kayla McClair, the Vice President of the Republic, who was currently occupied with exchanging parting courtesies with the remaining attendees.

While bringing his species into the light of day remained an essential objective, his absolute primary focus at this juncture was the elusive Obaifo Clan operating secretly within the borders of the Republic.

He might currently claim the title of the King of Vampires, but such a designation remained an incomplete sovereignty so long as the Obaifo Clan managed to elude his dominion.

Only by forcing them into absolute submission could he truly claim the uncontested mantle of the Vampire King across all of Auterica.

‘Securing an internal asset would be ideal to mitigate complications. Should I initiate a delicate approach, or simply force a direct confrontation? Which path is… ’

As he weighed the variables,

[“High Lord. A matter of extreme urgency requires your immediate attention.”]

A sudden mental transmission broke through from Mulo, who maintained a watchful posture at his flank.

Heinz cast a subtle, sidelong glance toward him, prompting the subordinate to quickly expand upon his warning.

[“A critical dispatch has arrived from the eastern sectors. The Obaifo Clan has mobilized.”]

The political figures of the Republic, the journalistic outlets, the corporate syndicates, and even the armed forces…

Sweeping, radical restructuring was manifesting across every major institution concurrently, defying the narrative that they had been maintaining a low profile.

[“The vast majority of our surveillance assets assigned to track the eastern theater have been neutralized. The operative who narrowly succeeded in transmitting this intelligence vanished from our network immediately after… I offer my deepest regrets, High Lord. It appears that securing further field intelligence will prove highly problematic.”]

Heinz directed his gaze back toward Vice President Kayla.

She was currently preparing to exit the premises, seemingly entirely oblivious to the upheaval destabilizing her homeland.

‘The moment to intervene has arrived.’

He offered a subtle nod to Duke Bright, the former statesman of the Talia Kingdom who stood beside him, gesturing with his chin toward the departing female politician.

He reasoned that utilizing a familiar face would be the most effective opening move, given her deeply rooted hostility toward the vampire race.

“A pleasant day to you, Vice President. Might we secure a brief moment of your time?”

Acting on the directive, Duke Bright closed the distance to Vice President Kayla…

“Ah, Duke Bright. You must accept my regrets, but as you are well aware, my schedule is exceptionally compressed at present. A matter of utmost priority requires my presence, so I must request that you forward any proposals in a formal memorandum.”

She offered a polite, practiced smile that simulated genuine regret.

True to her political training, her features betrayed not a single flicker of her internal distaste, but Duke Bright, who had navigated a lifetime of political peril as a subordinate to vampires, was far too perceptive to be deceived.

He could detect an underlying layer of revulsion and deep-seated disgust hidden beneath her professional demeanor.

Her attitude had not always been this severe, indicating a deliberate effort to alienate him now that his vampiric nature had been exposed to the world.

‘This reaction was entirely anticipated.’

However, he had already formulated a psychological lever designed to compel her participation.

“The topic concerns your son.”

The politician froze instantly upon hearing those words.

Her welcoming expression dissolved in an instant, replaced by a freezing glare directed straight at Duke Bright.

“Are you now amenable to a discussion?”

“…Indeed. It appears my pressing engagement has just been deferred. I can dedicate a brief window for this conversation.”

Thus, a tense, adversarial dialogue was initiated within a thoroughly hostile atmosphere.

Naturally, even throughout this development,

-Hannibal Strauss: Fascinating. An Eastern theater alignment, following the events on the Enamel Continent? I shall task Olivia with conducting a thorough intelligence sweep.

The Immortal King’s intrusive supervision persisted without pause.

-Hannibal Strauss: There may exist components of value within that sector. Amassing Karma through such avenues yields far greater returns than simple mass extermination.

Even if his underlying motives remained entirely self-serving.

—

‘Something is misaligned.’

At the precise moment Heinz the Second became aware of the disruption in the eastern territories, Harris, stationed upon the Enamel Continent, similarly detected the anomalous nature of the current environment.

He had indisputably perceived an irregular frequency emanating from the World Tree, yet the remaining High Elves had received no spiritual communications regarding the matter.

Furthermore, it was an undeniable reality that his own perception had been fleeting, akin to an elusive daydream experienced while he was profoundly synchronized with the natural world. He had not been granted an explicit, clear communication.

He could have easily dismissed the sensation entirely…

‘Ah, what a profound nuisance… How did I find myself entangled in this?’

Yet he held the rank of a High Elf, the pinnacle tier within Elf civilization, serving as an ordained minister of the World Tree.

He could not simply overlook an omen intrinsically tied to the life force of the World Tree, making it entirely predictable that he was appointed to spearhead a specialized scouting detachment after voicing his concerns.

‘They treated me with such fragile care previously on account of my novice status. Do they honestly believe this destination poses no danger?’

While that dynamic was certainly at play, the primary justification centered on the premise that if the World Tree had directed an isolated alert exclusively to him, a specific purpose must underly the choice.

‘Ah, the current wind currents are wonderfully soothing. I would vastly prefer to recline beneath a canopy and indulge in a slumber.’

Regrettably, his obligations afforded him no such leisure, compelling Harris to reluctantly advance toward the anomalous coordinates alongside a contingent of Guardians.

Fwoosh—

Naturally, Pascal, the Wind Spirit, took up the burden of transporting him, given that the elf had long since embraced the sheer convenience of the arrangement.

—

The initial faction to depart following the conclusion of the summit was the contingent from the Tribal Federation, under the direct stewardship of High Shaman Morna.

Morna, whose face had remained set in an unyielding, rigid mask throughout the proceedings, rose from her position the precise instant the meeting dissolved, as though determined to bypass any attempts at detention, and charted a course for the southern territories via the Church’s spatial portal without offering a single parting word to her peers.

Immediately following her exit,

An official diplomatic dispatch from the Calcos Tribal Federation was transmitted to the Roselia Cathedral by way of the isolated sanctuary located in the south,

And its ominous message was promptly communicated to the representatives of the remaining territories who lingered within the consecrated grounds.

“…I must have misheard the report. Pray tell, what is the status regarding Calcos?”

Positioned within the central corridor connecting the portal chamber to her personal quarters inside the cathedral complex,

Princess Riley, who had just concluded her formal farewells and was navigating the hallway alongside her baggage, posed the question with a thoroughly bewildered expression.

“I do not believe your ears deceived you, Your Highness. I find myself equally paralyzed by the news.”

Isea, who had just conveyed the critical updates she had pulled from the Church’s internal channels, reiterated the message, her tone reflecting her own profound disbelief.

-The Calcos Tribal Federation hereby dissolves its alignment with the Continental Alliance. All prior treaty agreements and collaborative frameworks are rendered entirely null and void; our nation shall chart an independent course going forward. Any and all oversight from the sanctuary is strictly prohibited.

Such was the core of the declaration.

“This is madness, how could they presume to…? Our collective survival is precarious even with unified front lines, what could possibly justify such isolation…!”

Riley gave vent to her frustration in an angry outburst.

Her fury was entirely logical, given that the exhaustive negotiations they had endured over multiple days had been rendered completely meaningless in a single stroke.

Furthermore, an ideological desertion of this magnitude severely fractured the collective resolve and psychological fortitude of the remaining nations.

When one looked at the core issue, what was the foundational purpose behind the convocation of this summit?

It was designed to forge a collective survival strategy through mutual compromises and structured treaties, even when total ideological alignment was lacking.

“What paradigm are they operating under? Is such an extreme measure truly required? Short of an active declaration of hostility…”

She severed her own train of thought abruptly.

It was highly irresponsible to introduce the concept of open warfare into an already destabilized environment.

“Sigh— Let us initiate our return journey. Our absence from domestic matters has already persisted far too long. We have no alternative but to place our reliance upon the Church’s mediation for the time being.”

To be sure, the hierarchy of the Church was not sitting idly by in the face of the crisis.

They were persistently attempting to re-establish communication lines with Calcos to demand an explanation for their sudden, radical pivot.

‘Should their diplomatic efforts fail, the ramifications will be severe… ’

She dismissed the dark thoughts with a shake of her head and directed her entourage toward the portal chamber.

Managing the immediate crises within her own jurisdiction remained her primary obligation; the broader geopolitical fallout would have to be confronted at a later date.

Nevertheless,

Within Jeron, the sovereign capital of the Azeria Empire, to which Princess Riley, Isea, Hesperon, and the remainder of the imperial diplomatic contingent were currently executing a hurried return,

…an identical state of absolute pandemonium was unfolding.