Omniscient First-Person’s Viewpoint

Chapter 411

The Holy Crown Church rejects vampires for one reason alone:
Vampires are not human.

This isn’t a matter of literature or academic study. It’s not the result of grandiose rhetoric or meticulous standards.

Simply put—vampires are different from humans.

Vampires possess long lifespans and immense power, and they drink human blood to sustain their existence. Naturally, they become predators. Their very existence places humans in the position of prey.

…Come to think of it, the priest who killed me called me the seed of the Demon God. Back then, I dismissed it as just another insult.

That’s right. If they had left Tyr alone, humanity would have changed. Killing Tyr was their mistake—it led to the birth of vampires.

“Hah. So, they failed yet again. Judging by the situation, it seems the Holy Crown Church is struggling. How delightful. But, Hughes.”

Scoffing at the absent Holy Crown Church, Tyr turned to me with a question.

“If they truly seek to protect humanity, why would they oppose you, the King of Humans? Why does the Holy Crown Church attack you, and why do you evade them?”
“That’s easy to explain. The ‘humans’ defined by the Holy Crown Church aren’t truly human.”

The Holy Crown Church created gods and established taboos. They divided good and evil, eliminating heretics. All of this was to define the ‘humans’ they desired as the only true humans.

“To me, humanity includes all humans—vampires, beastmen, even the priests of the Holy Crown Church. But the Church treats vampires as if they should not exist. Who gave them that right?”
“…That is true.”
“If they wanted to exterminate all opposing humans and survive on their own, I could at least understand that. But claiming to prevent sin before it occurs, arbitrarily defining good and evil, and altering the future as they see fit… how could I not resist?”

So that’s why Hughes treats me as just another person. Whether I am the Progenitor or merely a vampire, he still sees me as human…

Before the King of Humans, all humans are equal. Tyr vaguely grasped this concept.

“…And there’s another reason the Holy Crown Church seeks to stop me.”

I extended my hand. Tyr, uncertain, instinctively placed her own over mine. Then, once more, I summoned the power of lightning.

“The Demon God understood the great principles of the world, yet he could never comprehend the flawed, fickle nature of individual beasts called humans. That is why even the Demon God could not truly create or change humans.

The dilemma of homunculi—no matter how much one attempts to replace humans with magic, in the end, all they create are mere homunculi. Even if a great sorcerer comprehends the laws of the world and wields magic, they do not understand how to become human.”

One can only understand oneself. It is impossible to fully grasp another through mere perception.

Could a master painter accurately depict a colorblind person’s vision? Could the wisest sage truly fathom a child's world? Seeing through one’s own eyes, interpreting the world with one’s own mind—understanding another’s world is an immensely difficult task.

“But as the King of Humans, I do understand.”

Lightning surged through our clasped hands, just as before. The tingling energy crawled through Tyr’s body, tickling her insides.

No one—not even the Demon God, the thief of lightning—had ever managed this. Even if they understood the concept of channeling lightning within the body, they did not grasp how it needed to be done to become someone else.

But I knew. And with the power I gained from the Demon God, I could apply that forbidden knowledge to humans—without concern for the homunculi dilemma.

As the sensation returned to her body, Tyr shivered slightly. But she had experienced this once before—she was used to it now. Instead of pulling away, she tightened her grip, feeling the new sensation coursing through her.

Just like when he revived my heart…

“If I am given the means, I can change a person. The Demon God is merely a tool for that change. I would rather listen to people’s desires than alter them outright, but if it comes to it…”

Tyr’s wish, unfulfilled in her first life, was simple—
To live an ordinary life, with a beating heart.

So, I granted her wish. As a result, the boundary between her inner self and the external world became distinct. Yet even within her wish, the yearning for a normal life remained.

“You have helped me as well, after all. If you truly desire it, Tyr… I can turn you into an ordinary human.”

It was a heavy, terrifying offer. If she accepted, Tyr would be entrusting every nerve of her body to me.

She couldn’t dismiss it as mere boasting. I had already restarted her heart, and even now, I wielded that same power. If she entrusted herself to me, it might be dangerous—but…

I have already entrusted Hughes with my heart. And now that my heart beats and I can feel emotions again… the only person I want to be with is Hughes. If I wish to entrust myself to someone, why should I fear it?

Resolving herself, Tyr did not withdraw her hand. Instead, she extended her other hand as well, placing both in mine. Pressing her lips together, she looked up at me and spoke.

“Hughes, I…”

At that moment, the mist in the distance stirred. A distinct presence.

Tyr, who had been about to speak, fell silent at the sudden appearance of an uninvited guest. She peered through the darkness and called out.

"Who goes there?"
"O Great Progenitor!"

A vampire emerged, his jet-black cloak unfurling like bat wings.

Riding the thick fog, he spotted Tyr and immediately dove toward her. With a thud, he crashed onto his knees, his legs shattering from the impact. But even as his bones fractured, his body regenerated, and he dragged himself forward on his knees.

"Progenitor! I beg your forgiveness for this intrusion, but I must make a plea!"

He was certainly respectful. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have deliberately injured himself upon landing. No matter how fast vampires could heal, willingly shattering his own limbs just to kneel before her was not something one did lightly.

That was why, though displeased, Tyr did not cast him aside immediately.

"You knew this was disrespectful, yet you dare interrupt my time away? Do you not fear annihilation?"

This was a crucial moment! If I don’t continue the conversation now, how am I supposed to pick it back up later?!

"I do fear annihilation. But even if I must face it, I must speak! Progenitor, please grant me permission to speak!"

The vampire prostrated himself once more. His voice was filled with desperation, and sensing his sincerity, Tyr restrained her irritation and spoke.

"I permit it. Speak."
"I am Jazra, thrall of Elder Ruskinia. I humbly rejoice in the Progenitor’s return, as do all vampires. However! I cannot fully celebrate in the wake of a recent tragedy!"
"You speak of Ruskinia’s death."

A thrall of the fallen Elder had come to appeal directly to the Progenitor. Since this was already known, Tyr responded with disinterest.

"The matter has already been decided. Lir Nightingale and those around her have been summoned. The trial will be held at the Castle of the Full Moon. Your role is simply to wait and testify when the time comes."
"But, Progenitor! Lir has fled the duchy!"
"She left before I could summon her? Erzebeth and Dogo have been sent to retrieve her. They will handle it. If your curiosity is satisfied, then withdraw."

I answered because the matter was serious, but I will not let a mere thrall waste my time. Once I reach the Castle of the Full Moon, I will not have another moment alone with Hughes before the trial is over. If he does not understand and continues to hinder my time…

Perhaps he failed to notice Tyr’s growing irritation. Instead of lowering his head and retreating, Jazra raised his voice.

"She will not return! The one who killed Elder Ruskinia has broken free from the vampires’ rule! The bonds of blood have twisted—she can neither exert dominance over us, nor can we be controlled by her! She has abandoned the duchy, abandoned the Progenitor—she is a traitor!"

It was a desperate plea, but his timing was unfortunate.

Tyr’s gaze turned ice-cold as she whispered.

"Do you truly wish to die?"

A chilling fury stirred.

Her growing irritation now carried an edge of lethal intent.

"I summoned her because I had to. I will uncover the truth. The trial will proceed, and a judgment will be made. I will fulfill my duty, yet you demand more? You, a mere thrall?"
"P-Progenitor…?"
"There is a limit to disrespect. There is a line to rage. Do you think to burden me with your emotions? Know your place. Do not presume to sway me with your petty feelings!"

The wrath of the Progenitor was absolute. Even the slightest killing intent could drain the blood from a thrall, leaving them a dry husk. Tyrkanzyaka, the creator of all vampires, the sole master of True Blood, had such power.

A chilling presence denied the very existence of vampires.

But Jazra did not perceive it. Instead, confusion flickered across his face.

"What…?"
She is angry? But… my blood feels nothing.

Once, she had that power. When the boundary between her body and the outside world was blurred, even the blood outside her body obeyed her command. In those days, a mere thought from her could turn a thrall or an Elder into nothing more than a puddle of blood.

But now that she had regained her heart—now that she had fully separated her inner self from the world—she could no longer kill a vampire with mere fury. If she wished to kill, she had to move her own body and act on that intent. Like any other human.

If the Progenitor were displeased, my blood would have trembled first. But it remains still. Does this not mean she permits my words…?

Jazra’s boldness had some reasoning behind it. A vampire who had lived for centuries understood that being allowed to speak meant speaking was permitted.

However, the world had changed.

Drastically.

"…?"

At last, Tyr noticed something was off.

A thrall should have been trembling in terror, silenced before they even dared to speak. And yet, this one repeatedly ignored decorum, pressing forward with his demands. It was absurd.

A mere thrall should not have been capable of this.

My control does not reach him…? Is that why he defied my emotions?

Once, her authority alone had determined life and death. But now that she had regained her heart, she was no longer an absolute ruler.

This sudden shift left both Tyr and Jazra staring at each other in bewilderment. Initially, neither understood what was happening.

But gradually, realization dawned.

Jazra, the first to grasp the truth, slowly straightened his posture and asked,

"Progenitor… Could it be… that even you have broken free from the bonds of blood…?"

And those were his last words.

A razor-sharp bone saw sliced through his chest, draining him dry.