Chapter 27

Chapter 27
## Chapter 27

Rapella City

“I appreciate your dedication throughout this journey. This covers the remainder of what is owed.”

“Haha, think nothing of it. We intend to remain in this settlement for a period, so should any other tasks arise, do not hesitate to reach out.”

I said my goodbyes to the hired fighters who had protected me on the road to Rapella City, handing over the final portion of their coins.

Fortunately, this particular band of mercenaries caused no complications, allowing our journey to conclude without incident.

“Wow, so this is Rapella City… The scale of it is incredible.”

Diana spoke with awe, gripping Aaron’s hand tightly as her eyes wandered across the bustling streets.

It was entirely different from Ajantu City, standing as the grandest urban center we had encountered on our travels so far.

‘That stands to reason, given its proximity to the seat of power. Talalia, the grand capital of the Talia Kingdom, lies a mere few days’ travel from this spot.’

Though the Talia Kingdom itself was merely a minor realm situated on the frontier, its primary metropolis operated on an entirely different level of grandeur.

Naturally, the neighboring settlements within its orbit shared in that prosperity.

“I am just uncertain of how we will track down my uncle in a place this massive…”

Diana let out a troubled breath, her shoulders dropping with worry.

Observing her fret over the matter, I offered a casual wave of my hand to ease her mind.

“We possess his name and his trade. There is truly no reason to despair. The search will be over before you know it.”

My previous period spent navigating the Outerica dimension had allowed me to accumulate substantial intelligence.

Unearthing a single person’s location with that knowledge was a simple task.

Three suns rose and set after our entry into the gates.

That was the duration required to pinpoint the exact whereabouts of Diana’s relative using the channels at my disposal.

“You managed to uncover his location with remarkable speed.”

“Wealth can open almost any door if you deploy it correctly. Besides, I was in no particular rush and took my time. The process could have been accelerated if necessary.”

On our initial day, we parted with the horse-drawn transport and secured lodgings so the youths could recover their energy.

By the second day, I initiated the proper inquiries and commissioned the search.

Now, on this third day, the intelligence had been delivered into my hands.

“Your relative runs a merchant shop dealing in dry goods within the southern market sector. By all accounts, his affairs are stable.”

“It is an immense relief to hear that he is doing well.”

As we made our way toward the market district.

Diana drew in several steadying breaths, attempting to settle her racing thoughts.

“What is causing such agitation? You appear incredibly rigid.”

“It is simply… many years have slipped away since I last looked upon his face as a small child. What if I am entirely foreign to him now?”

Amused by her unnecessary anxieties, I let out a soft laugh and reached out to give her head a comforting pat.

“You worry over nothing. To those of mature years, a handful of winters pass in the blink of an eye. He will likely be filled with joy, marveling at how much you have matured.”

As my hand lingered on her hair, Diana shifted her gaze toward me, an unusual expression crossing her features.

Feeling a sudden wave of self-consciousness, I cleared my throat and pulled my hand back.

A light laugh escaped her lips as she smoothed down the strands I had disrupted.

“You truly are full of surprises, Mister. I confess I was growing anxious because your demeanor seemed to shift so drastically of late.”

“…My demeanor? In what way?”

“Indeed. The way you express yourself has altered; you carry yourself with far greater gravity and composure. It is quite respectable, of course, but notable nonetheless.”

Diana offered a bright grin, playfully showing her tongue.

Examining my own actions in silence, I realized her observation was entirely accurate.

I had been completely oblivious to the transformation.

When exactly had this shift occurred?

The answer was clear enough.

‘Could this be the lingering impression of the ‘Persona’? A subtle evolution occurring without my conscious awareness.’

The profound isolation, the desperate yearning for validation, and the rest of those dark impulses had been transferred into the Arch-lich Hans.

Conversely, the nature of Vampire Heinz II appeared rooted in an inherent serenity and poise.

‘A spontaneous alignment shifting to match the intrinsic traits of the vessel… Regardless, it presents no real disadvantage.’

I retained the capacity to suppress it should I choose to.

I simply permitted the change to persist because navigating affairs in this manner required far less exertion.

Engaged in quiet dialogue as we traversed the streets, our destination finally materialized before us.

It presented itself as a thoroughly commonplace merchant shop, entirely indistinguishable from its neighbors.

“Greetings~ May I assist you with something today?”

As our boots crossed the threshold, a mature fellow bearing the cheerful countenance of a shopkeeper stepped out from the rear quarters.

“Greetings, uncle! It is I, Diana. And this is my younger brother, Aaron…”

“…Greetings…”

Diana moved to the forefront, keeping a firm grip on Aaron’s fingers.

Aaron showed a moment of reluctance before dipping his chin in a respectful greeting.

Better than five winters had dissolved since their last encounter, meaning that to the young boy, this man was effectively an absolute stranger.

“What? Diana? Aaron? The passage of time has truly transformed you both! But what circumstances have brought you to this threshold…”

I stepped in to clarify the unfolding event to the thoroughly bewildered merchant, Volt.

I chose to leave out any mention of night-walkers, framing the tale around the reality that the pair had been deprived of their guardians in Ajantu, endured great hardships to survive, and ultimately crossed paths with me.

“Ah… I comprehend. My dear niece and nephew… You have carried a heavy burden. You did well to survive. Truly, you did well…”

As the narrative unfolded, his throat tightened with sorrow, and he pulled the hesitant children into a fierce embrace.

“Oh… it is alright. We are unhurt… *sniff*!”

“Sister… please do not weep…”

The youngsters, initially freezing at the unfamiliar warmth of the gesture, quickly dissolved into tears, wrapping their arms around him and weeping without restraint.

‘He appears to possess a genuine heart. That is a fortunate outcome.’

Among the details I had commissioned regarding his life, his standing within the community had been thoroughly vetted.

I had no intention of abandoning these youths to a malicious guardian.

Had his character proven deficient, I would have simply informed Diana that the search yielded nothing and sought an alternative path.

‘Now, a touch of material persuasion should smooth the remaining edges.’

Alerted by the weeping outside, the merchant’s companion emerged, and I took a moment to outline the circumstances to her as well.

Following that explanation, I stepped further into the residence.

Shortly after crossing into the domestic quarters connected to the storefront, my gaze locked onto a tiny female child, roughly three or four winters old, occupying herself with a plaything on the floorboards.

“Sob…”

Inhaling sharply, the little girl directed her wide, moist eyes toward our group.

Seemingly startled by the unannounced arrivals, she paused in her play, scrambled to her feet, and sought refuge within the folds of her mother’s garments.

She peered out from her hiding place, tilting her head with an expression of intense caution.

Yet, as she noted the presence of the two siblings who were not vastly older than herself, a spark of curiosity lit up her small features.

“Mercy… These poor little ones must have endured terrible trials until this moment…”

The matriarch, deftly lifting her young daughter to soothe her, regarded the siblings with profound pity.

Then, noting the road-weary state of their appearances, she guided the youngsters toward the bathing quarters, vowing to restore them to comfort.

“Escorting these youths across such distances could not have been a simple undertaking. You have my deepest appreciation for guarding them so faithfully.”

With the chamber cleared of others, Volt bowed his torso deeply to express his gratitude.

“Think nothing of it. The children provided companionship and aid in their own right, and our shared journey was a pleasant one.”

Regrettably, our private dialogue was cut short by the demands of commerce.

“Is the proprietor within?”

“Coming, coming! Right away!”

Detecting the arrival of patrons in the storefront, Volt hastily departed to manage his trade.

As my itinerary involved remaining within the settlement for several days to ensure their adjustment, I took my leave for the moment, intending to return at a later hour.

—

“I… I cannot possibly accept a sum of this magnitude. The youths have already arrived under such tragic circumstances…”

On the following afternoon, I requested a private audience with Volt to arrange the material provisions required for the children’s upbringing.

“No, it is entirely proper. As previously stated, I derived considerable value from their presence on the road. This quantity of wealth represents no hardship to me. I simply desire that it secures their comfort and future.”

To an ordinary tradesman, the contents of the pouch represented a monumental fortune, but to an entity that had plundered the treasuries of those who controlled an entire city’s wealth, it was an inconsequential sum.

“Considering the loyalty Diana displayed, this is a minor token. I regret that I cannot offer an even greater sum, though burdening a household with unmanageable riches carries its own perils.”

After a momentary pause of reluctance, he stretched forth his hand to claim the heavy container of coin.

Though his pride had prompted an initial refusal, the reality of providing sustenance for two additional mouths was an undeniable strain on his modest income.

“An affection for the youths has taken root within me during our travels. I intend to pass through this region from time to time to check on their progress.”

With those words, I dropped a subtle indication that further material support would be forthcoming in the future.

In exchange for this patronage, I exacted a promise that the youths would receive whatever scholarly instruction they wished to pursue.

“Without question! I shall nurture them with the same devotion as my own flesh, without an ounce of favoritism.”

Whether absolute impartiality would manifest remained to be proven, but the influx of gold was specifically designed to eliminate any resentment regarding expenses.

So long as I maintained a steady stream of resources, any underlying bias would be held in check by practical interest.

Thus, when a full week had transpired within the boundaries of Rapella City, the moment arrived to sever my path from the siblings.

“Ah… Mister, my heart is overflowing with appreciation for everything you have done. *Sniff*! I truly… I…”

“Oh, Mister!”

Diana, fighting a losing battle against her tears, and Aaron, sobbing without restraint, threw themselves forward to clasp me tightly.

Throughout the consecutive months of our shared journey, a reciprocal fondness had developed within me, and a sudden tightness gripped my throat.

“Come now, this does not mark the final time our paths will cross. Ensure you heed Volt’s counsel, and guard your well-being, understood?”

With Diana poised to master the fundamentals of the merchant trade and Aaron assuming responsibility for their four-year-old relative, I returned the embrace of the two children.

“What interval constitutes ‘from time to time’?”

“Pardon?”

“You promised to return from time to time. What exact span of time must pass before we see you?”

In truth, I had not formulated a precise schedule.

I paused briefly to assemble an appropriate reply to Diana’s direct inquiry.

“Well… I shall return to this threshold at least once in every cycle of seasons, even if greater frequency proves difficult.”

“A single time each year? If that is what your journey allows, then so be it. And… should the journey ever present too great a hardship, do not compel yourself out of obligation. Merely appear when your path naturally allows.”

Seeking to relieve any pressure weighing on me, Diana offered a gentle smile through eyes glittering with tears of appreciation.

Though the deployment of long-distance spatial magic could easily bridge the gap, I felt a deep respect for her consideration and offered a final pat to her hair.

Having delivered my farewells, I set my back to them, yet an persistent weight lingered in my chest.

Reatedly turning my gaze rearward, I exchanged parting gestures with the pair until the distance swallowed their forms entirely.

‘This departure carries an unexpected emotional weight. I genuinely hope prosperity finds them. I must ensure I monitor their circumstances closely.’

In various ways, these youths had carved out a significant place in my regards.

They represented the foundational bonds I had forged upon this soil of Outerica.

‘Now then, it is time to direct our course toward the seat of power.’

Between the substantial funds transferred to Volt and the generous reserve of emergency coin settled upon Diana, my material wealth had been severely depleted.

Fortunately, the entity known as Heinze required little in the way of gold when journeying in isolation.

I crossed beyond the city perimeter and maintained a steady, unhurried pace until the sun dipped beneath the horizon.

With the retreat of light, a profound obscurity claimed the landscape.

*Flap!*

A cluster of winged night-beasts cut across the dark expanse above.

—

As the first light of dawn began to crack, following a night spent entirely on the move, my boots finally touched the outskirts of Talalia, a destination that normally demanded several days of equestrian travel.

‘So this stands as the primary metropolis of the Talia Kingdom… I wonder if my passage through the gates will be permitted?’

Up to this juncture, I had successfully cloaked my true nature, but breaching the security of a capital city might present a far more formidable challenge.

‘Should I summon Heinrich to this location?’

My primary motivation for traversing this distance was centered entirely on Heinrich.

I had been deeply affected by the display of the Holy Knights I had crossed paths with while operating under the guise of Hans a short while ago.

The sheer authority derived from commanding a consecrated blade, coupled with the profound deference and prestige yielded by the religious institution, was undeniable.

While collecting rumors within the settlements, I had dedicated extra effort to analyzing the hierarchy of the priesthood.

After weighing the prospective advantages, I determined the plan held immense promise and completed this journey for the express purpose of integrating Heinrich.

The capital, Talalia, housed a grand cathedral of the Sacred Order, rendering it an ideal staging ground for his placement.

As I surveyed the sprawling city from the crest of the elevation—.

In that exact instant.

“Mmh… Forgive the intrusion, but might I inquire as to your identity?”

The unexpected vibration of a feminine voice caused an icy sensation to ripple down my spine.

‘My senses detected absolutely no approach…!’

Leaping backward to establish a safe interval, I turned to find the stranger calmly inspecting her own fingers.

Digits glistening with a fresh coat of crimson.

The fluid of life—

Simultaneously, a searing agony erupted across my throat.

I immediately suppressed the flow of blood through sheer concentration and raised my defensive readiness to its peak.

‘Curse it… Precisely when my affairs were unfolding smoothly.’

She regarded the stain upon her skin, slowly raising her hand to her countenance to taste the fluid with practiced grace.

“Precisely as calculated… You undeniably carry the ancestral essence of our lineage.”

With cascading tresses of gold pinned high to showcase a pale throat, an exquisitely formed woman appearing to be in her early twenties stood before me, clad in a striking crimson garment and shielding herself with a sunshade.

The nature of the entity was unmistakable: a high-born night-walker originating from the Brokolak Clan.

“The aroma of our lineage drew me hither, and I found myself wondering… have you been consuming your own kind? Verily, a companion of your own bloodline?”

Locking eyes with her deep red gaze brought a sensation of total immobility.

“By what method did you achieve such a feat? I command you to identify the author of your lineage. It appears they neglected to establish the proper compliance commands within the inherited essence.”

Her sanguine gaze flared with a malicious light, projecting a crushing weight upon my physical form.

In defiance of my conscious desires, my jaw strained to part.

“Regardless of the specifics, since you have transgressed against the statutes of the lineage, I shall visit retribution upon both your form and your sire… provided his existence has not already been extinguished.”

‘…This must be the manifestation of the Mana Eye.’

Those ocular spheres, radiating a crimson hue charged with arcane force, were overriding my physical agency.

Given my current threshold of power, mounting a successful counter-measure appeared virtually impossible.

“Any display of defiance is utterly meaningless at your current tier. Simply surrender your words without further struggle.”

Naturally, that assumption failed to account for my unique circumstances.

‘A tedious repetition. It feels as though this exact scenario unfolds at every turn. How many occurrences does this make? I must elevate my capabilities without delay.’

Each time I concluded that a higher tier of strength had been secured, an even more formidable adversary materialized to contest it.

It appeared that until my position at the absolute zenith of this reality was solidified, this sequence would persist indefinitely.

For the immediate present, alternative options were exhausted.

“You have exhibited a surprising capacity to endure. Yet, the conclusion remains unaltered…”

Paying no heed to the night-walker delivering her proclamation across the clearing, I proceeded to execute my ultimate evasion tactic—the termination of the summoning state.

Though my objectives for this excursion had been fully realized and the departure carried no real loss, the interruption remained a distinct annoyance.

‘Very well, let us observe how our next encounter transpires.’

In all likelihood, that meeting would not be long delayed.