Chapter 47

Chapter 47
## Chapter 47

Preliminary Preparations (1)

I swiftly concluded my responsibilities on Earth. Hans increased the frequency of nighttime surveillance to locate any remaining members of the Abyssal Conclave, while Heinz engaged in discussions with the more conservative faction.

“I do not plan on enforcing any draconian demands. My sole objective is the preservation of stability and security, alongside the absolute elimination of anyone aligned with the ‘Abyssal Conclave’.”

“Do you truly believe those two objectives can coexist without conflict?”

“That depends entirely on your perspective of order.”

From my standpoint, penalizing wrongdoing was a fundamental aspect of preserving harmony. Furthermore, it was undeniable that possessing sufficient strength was mandatory to accomplish this.

The woman seated across from Heinz during this dialogue, Aria, who governed the moderate faction of the Blood Alliance, offered no counterargument. She simply remained in her seat, keeping her eyelids closed just as she had during their initial encounter.

“Very well. I shall assist Heinz in integrating the extremist faction.”

Her compliance with the arrangement came far more swiftly than anticipated. This smooth progression left me somewhat surprised, as I had previously contemplated utilizing a degree of physical intimidation.

“…It might be inappropriate to ask at this juncture, but what drives you to agree so effortlessly without any hesitation?”

“Following deep reflection, I arrived at my judgment. Why should I reject an agreement that offers mutual advantages? As for where my confidence lies… it rests entirely in my own capabilities,” Aria answered, a faint grin appearing on her face while her eyes remained shut.

“To see this execution through, you will require an intermediary. Allow Jinsol to accompany you. I shall discuss the matter with her independently. Let us also determine if there are additional members within our ranks who wish to align themselves with Heinz.”

Attempting to completely dominate an entire syndicate through solo force has its constraints. While building up authority purely through raw power is achievable, it demands an immense investment of time, which did not align with my current objectives. Consequently, I had intended to disclose my objectives and apply a bit of intimidation, yet their cooperation exceeded my calculations, to the point of offering to personally win over Jinsol, an influential figure among the moderates.

‘What sort of gift does she possess? Is she capable of parsing thoughts? Or simply evaluating a person’s inner nature? Surely she cannot envision future events?’

I felt a strong urge to subdue her through raw power if needed just to uncover her underlying motives, but executing that was highly impractical given her position as a faction sovereign. Subjugation did not offer total cognitive reprogramming capable of dominating someone’s internal consciousness. They would carry out directives, but their reluctance would be transparent, which wouldn’t assist in successfully absorbing the Blood Alliance. There was zero justification for antagonism when she was demonstrating such compliance.

“Excellent. In that case, I will entrust the duty of communicating with the moderates to you. Shall we move on to our strategy for absorbing the remnants of the extremist faction?”

“Let us proceed with that. To realize this goal, our initial step must involve engaging the neutral faction…”

The opening phase required gathering the remaining fragments of the hardliners to establish dominance over a newly unified front. The absorption of the Blood Alliance was unfolding without any major disruptions.

—

To seamlessly execute Operation ‘Home Theater: Demon King and Hero’, it was highly advantageous to possess a greater number of high-tier subordinates operating strictly under my direction. It was undeniable that relying solely on Hans and Heinrich for primary tasks, with Heinz providing secondary reinforcement, felt inadequate. Consequently, the most pressing dilemma was identifying an accelerated method to empower ‘Halli’, who had not yet established a definitive specialization.

[Heh, this is exceptionally fascinating.]

Just moments ago, I uncovered a highly promising approach hidden within the records that the chief researcher of the Abyssal Conclave had carefully hidden away. Hans was completely absorbed in analyzing the stolen intellectual data of those individuals at a location situated far from my current home, carefully reviewing the findings.

Even if the direct application was closed to me, the foundational concepts proved highly beneficial. Most importantly, because of the chief researcher’s meticulousness, the documentation regarding projects ‘actively in development’ remained entirely unaltered from start to finish.

[A procedure designed to graft attributes of a non-human entity, Ma-In, into different hosts. Is this not essentially identical to the methodologies of Chimera creation? Predictably, the process failed when applied to ordinary humans, and even among the awakened population, the negative repercussions were devastating.]

Under the guidance of ‘The Path of Magic’, Hans, who currently displayed incredible comprehension across multiple disciplines, remained fundamentally an expert in the dark arts. Furthermore, ‘Chimera research’ was an area of study that shared deep commonalities with the dark arts.

[It is quite a fortunate turn of events, looking back. Had I centered my attention exclusively on ‘Forbidden Knowledge’ during my tenure in Outerica, even with the advantage of temporal acceleration, my advancement would not have occurred at this speed.]

True capability eclipses mere volume. By immersing himself in the spellcraft of diverse realms and shattering his internal limitations, Hans successfully constructed the groundwork required to rapidly escalate his power.

[…Yet this transcends standard Chimera methodology. This is centered on purging defects and perpetually advancing by integrating solely premium traits… Forging a completely perfected entity represents the ultimate objective, it seems.]

Since the undertaking was still an active investigation, the archive preserved not only the text files but also the actual biological samples utilized during the procedures.

[Haha, could this truly be dragon blood? It mirrors the appearance of liquefied precious stones.]

This collection featured the essential catalyst, ‘Dragon Blood’. The compact container holding the violet fluid radiated and cast colorful reflections as it drifted, shifting dynamically with every tilt.

[Hmph… If I synthesize these elements with my personal technical expertise, it appears highly probable that a viable outcome can be achieved… Metamorphosis achieved via ‘adaptation’ to foreign biological materials.]

With conditions developing in this manner, I begin to feel restless, as though precious moments are slipping away. Having gathered substantial assets from Earth, it would be ideal if I could now dedicate my attention entirely to undisturbed experimentation within Outerica.

“However, the true obstacle stems from the Holy Order…”

To be more precise, the complication arose from the Saintess, who persisted in her relentless daily hunt for whoever inherited the legacy of the Immortal King.

“Even so, I managed to uncover some highly advantageous indicators.”

It required roughly three weeks of Hans isolating himself within a secluded peak to finalize the “Contagious Demon Magic Final Version_Modified_2nd_FINAL(3)_The Real Last”. Throughout that identical span of time, the Holy Order began picking up traces of Hans’ aura and launched a tracking initiative.

“Hans’ energy signature was identified instantly, yet due to a variety of masking fields, they lacked the capability to isolate his precise coordinates. This demonstrates that even the Saintess’ tracking mechanisms possess vulnerabilities.”

Furthermore, Hans had subsequently grown far more skilled at obscuring his true nature, and his sorcerous development had accelerated significantly, particularly after mastering ‘The Path of Magic’.

“If that assurance proves insufficient, I can always implement Heinz’s specialized ‘Concealment’ and ‘Blood Mysteries’.”

I retained the capability to observe the active deployments of the Holy Order in real-time by utilizing Heinrich, rendering me entirely certain that we could successfully bypass the Holy Order’s perception. Nevertheless, that strategy could only be deployed once Heinz’s integration of the Blood Alliance reached a stable conclusion.

“Regardless, preliminary actions can commence immediately.”

—

[The dimensional transition to the Outerica realm has concluded successfully.]

Following the spatial shift, Halli warily inspected the immediate vicinity. The location was a dimly lit corner of a passageway running parallel to a primary thoroughfare, a spot starved of natural illumination due to the surrounding architecture.

This venue was one of the urban centers Heinrich had traversed during his trek toward the sacred territory, situated within the western territories of the Ion continent, inside a major metropolis of the Tulke Kingdom.

“Whoa! You gave me a real fright! When exactly did this traveler appear here?”

The moment Halli emerged from the shadows, a poorly dressed individual resting on his haunches in the walkway while consuming a cigarette recoiled in shock. Halli glanced briefly at him but chose to disregard his presence, moving past him toward the main avenue.

“The northern territories of the Tulke Kingdom, specifically the Aonia County governed by Count Tarak. It is a stroke of fortune that daylight still remains.”

The sun radiated fiercely overhead, indicating there was zero necessity to delay operations until the following dawn. Tarak was a location that had made a positive impression on Heinrich during his initial intelligence-gathering runs.

Soldiers of fortune traversed the pathways displaying their armaments, alongside occasional spellcasters draped in traditional vestments. Merchants guided massive wagons laden with an assortment of merchandise. The scene served as the flawless representation of a classic high-fantasy setting.

“It possessed elements of a fantasy realm previously, but this location conforms much more strictly to the archetype.”

This urban center, appearing almost as a literal interpretation of established fantasy tropes, maintained a flourishing mercenary market due to the high concentration of beasts dwelling within the northern peaks. It stood as a wealthy town complete with a grand sanctuary, despite its positioning near the border of the monarchy.

It represented the final destination to finalize all arrangements before journeying toward the ‘Steel Fortress’, which fortified the northwestern boundaries of the immense Northern Mountains that spanned across the entire upper section of the landmass. The settlement featured a mercenary hub for beast-slaying contracts, a commercial syndicate for trading salvaged remains, and an established branch of the Magic Tower for academic inquiry.

As a consequence of these industries, the municipality remained incredibly lively and filled with an eclectic mix of travelers.

“The level of activity appears even higher than I anticipated.”

Securing resources did not seem like it would present any major hurdles. Naturally, I would eventually need to secure some armed escorts down the line. Uncommon substances, components harvested from magical beasts, and various enchanted devices capable of advancing research objectives were all readily accessible. I intended to allocate a substantial sum of wealth here.

“Since generating capital is no longer an issue, minimizing delays is my primary focus. While I transported a massive quantity of precious minerals inside the dimensional storage I brought along, I do wonder if it will suffice.”

It appeared most logical to proceed directly to the Magic Tower installation to acquire additional space-expansion apparatuses.

“Greetings~ This is the retail establishment of the Rocafelli Magic Tower Tarak branch. Are there specific items you are seeking today?”

The individual managing the clientele inside the storefront connected to the Magic Tower facility behaved far more like a commercial retailer than an academic spellcaster.

“Are you searching for dimensional storage devices? You have selected the ideal location! The fabrications from our Rocafelli Magic Tower represent elite craftsmanship, delivering a spatial retention capability twenty percent greater than rival institutions…”

“That is reassuring to verify.”

I deliberately selected a highly regarded Magic Tower, intending to utilize their fabrications for an extended duration. Because the beast-harvesting economy was so thoroughly established, independent combatants frequently utilized dimensional storage apparatuses during expeditions, meaning a wide array of models was stocked.

“This specific unit furthermore features an internal stasis mechanic for the contents, ensuring significantly extended preservation lifetimes…”

“That particular utility strikes me as essential.”

Naturally, the acquisition costs were incredibly high, meaning they were typically purchased collectively by massive mercenary associations or elite tier adventuring squads.

“Yet the advantages do not stop there! The chassis is structurally reinforced to endure environmental extremes, ensuring that regardless of your destination…”

“Tell me, what is the cost of this unit?”

Swayed by the employee’s highly effective sales presentation, I noticed myself constantly agreeing with his points. Within moments, the entirety of the precious metals I had transported inside my previous dimensional pocket had been depleted, leaving me in possession of merely a handful of newly acquired arcane tools.

“We appreciate your patronage~! Should you require any further assistance, please request Charlton at the Rocafelli Magic Tower Tarak branch retail shop!”

I exited the establishment in a slight daze, feeling as though my mind had been subtly manipulated by the encounter. I now held large, pack-style dimensional storage devices outfitted with every conceivable utility.

Inspecting my newly acquired assets, I gave a brief shrug.

“These were essential acquisitions regardless. Even if I simply transported them back to Earth for liquidation, I would easily generate multiple times the initial cost.”

Although it felt somewhat like an uncalculated transaction, analyzing their intrinsic utility confirmed it was a favorable arrangement. Furthermore, the local prices were discounted due to the specific economic landscape of this settlement.

“However, now that my liquid capital is almost entirely exhausted, a return trip to Earth is mandatory.”

The sole inconvenience attached to the situation was the necessity of returning to Earth simply to restore my diminished financial stores.

“I ought to evaluate generating capital by facilitating commerce with Earth. What merchandise would yield high returns if brought into this ecosystem? Perhaps culinary flavorings or equivalent commodities?”

This line of thought birthed an entirely new commercial strategy, rendering the transaction highly encouraging from multiple perspectives.

—

Crack— Snap!

“Ugh, haah…”

Accompanying the auditory grinding of shifting skeletal structures, a heavy breath escaped from Jinsol’s mouth. The latent vampire traits within her anatomy commenced a progressive transformation, stimulated by the foreign agent introduced into her system. Her musculature grew significantly denser and more elastic, her skeletal framework hardened, and her sensory perception sharpened. Though her total reserve of blood spellcraft experienced no volumetric increase, her operational precision and peak power output surged, granting her the capability to employ her gifts with far greater equilibrium.

“My physical form feels entirely altered! It feels as though I have undergone a complete rebirth!”

The moment the anatomical restructuring concluded, Jinsol inspected her hands and limbs in absolute astonishment. She perceived a torrent of power surging within her, creating an impression that her internal combat efficacy had escalated exponentially.

“I see, this specific concentration of ‘Refined Blood Essence’ appears to mark the maximum threshold. I must evaluate larger distributions to observe the ultimate boundaries of this transformation.”

Naturally, this impression was largely subjective. The volume of ‘Refined Blood Essence’ provided to her lacked the capacity for such an extreme modification. Based on my active ‘Perception’ analysis, the actual physical optimization hovered at roughly thirty percent at best.

‘Even so, securing a thirty percent escalation in martial capability for a level 6 combatant like Jinsol is an achievement that cannot be disregarded.’

Jinsol had willingly placed herself under Heinz’s authority, acting upon the guidance provided by Aria. In a strict sense, her position was a dual assignment intended to serve as a connection to the moderate faction, yet by consuming the ‘Refined Blood Essence’, she entered a state of total allegiance to Heinz. Having personally witnessed the internal friction dividing the various sub-groups, she apparently recognized the absolute necessity of a unifying figure to step in and prevent identical schisms from fracturing them down the line.

“It serves my purposes perfectly to have a subordinate capable of managing operations independently. Provided the appropriate restrictions are established, any threat of insubordination is neutralized.”

Heinz paused until Jinsol had adequately mastered her physical state before addressing her.

“Since your system has integrated the change, we must depart without delay. A vast array of tasks requires our attention.”

“Understood! I await your directives, Lord!”

“…Lord?”

“Is there an issue? Yes, Lord. For all practical purposes, you represent the sovereign ‘King’ of our lineage now, do you not? Or does that designation displease you?”

Reflecting on the matter, within Jinsol’s native reality of Nocturnia, the vampire society categorized internal authority levels by utilizing terminology from chess. By accepting the vital fluid, a permanent structural connection had been forged, causing her to view Heinz as the foundational ancestor—the sovereign lord—of her entire lineage.

“Hmm… No, it is acceptable.”

I harbored no genuine objections to the title. Receiving such high deference was actually quite satisfying.

“Therefore, Lord, with conditions having progressed to this stage, we have essentially established an entirely fresh bloodline upon Earth, correct? Consequently, we require an appropriate title to identify it. Have you formulated any concepts?”

She inquired with an energetic grin. Despite utilizing the formal title of ‘Lord’, her fundamentally vibrant temperament remained completely unaffected.

“A title…”

The inquiry arrived unexpectedly, meaning I had not formulated any distinct designations. Nevertheless, taking into account the cultivation of group identity and fidelity, selecting an appropriate identifier was a sound strategy.

“Ideally, something that underscores our primary characteristic…”

The modification derived from the ‘Refined Blood Essence’ constituted a mechanism of altering alternative vampires by utilizing the unique vampire attributes within Heinz’s physiology as the primary agent. It focused on modifying ‘hybrids’ who had already achieved their peak potential development by integrating dominant traits imported from multiple disparate realms.

The precise manifestation of the mutation shifted based on the refinement and volume of the ‘Refined Blood Essence’ utilized, yet the reality that any resulting shift would yield a monumental advancement remained absolute.

As I contemplated the phenomenon, a specific scientific term surfaced in my mind.

“…We shall designate it as Heterosis.”

“Heterosis! The exact definition eludes me, but the cadence is excellent!”

With those words, the foundation of Heterosis—destined to function as the premier martial vanguard within the broader Blood Alliance—was officially established.