Omniscient First-Person’s Viewpoint

Chapter 422

No matter where you look, if you dig deep enough, the ugly side of the world reveals itself. Just lower your gaze and look at your own body. Peel away a single smooth layer of skin, and beneath it lies the stench of blood and the grotesque sight of raw flesh.

The same goes for a nation. Darkness exists—undeniable, yet hidden from view.

“Oh, that,” Tyrkanzyaka said, as if expecting reproach, sounding slightly troubled.

“…It’s the execution method of the duchy.”

“Like hanging or beheading?”

“Indeed. A human who has committed an unforgivable crime is placed into a press. Much like a fruit press, but with a person at the bottom and a massive boulder rolling over them to squeeze out their blood. Since even a single drop of blood is precious to vampires, such methods were adopted.”

For vampires, blood was sustenance, wealth, and power. Humans, who produced blood, were valuable—but only as property. Nothing more.

“Executing people in a press… interesting.”

“H-Hughes, do not think of it as something cruel. It is merely—”

“I thought you’d keep people locked up for life and just drain them dry. Surprisingly, you just kill them outright? Isn’t that a waste?”

“…That is what you are curious about?”

Feigning innocence, I asked back.

“What? Did you think I’d condemn you for being cruel? Me?”

“Is that not how you framed your question?”

“You still don’t know me well. I come from the Military State, after all. Compared to that place, this isn’t much different.”

“Ah, right. The Military State also enforced harsh labor.”

‘Good. At least my nation treats humans better than the Military State. If I had misspoken, I might’ve made things awkward in front of Hughes.’

Compared to the Military State, no country could seem all that bad. Reflecting on the scenes from there, Tyrkanzyaka let out a relieved sigh.

“There is something similar here. Those who steal or harm others are confined and subjected to more frequent bloodletting as punishment.”

“No forced labor?”

“Why bother? The blood taken from them can be used to create thralls to do the work instead. If we made them labor and they got injured, it would be counterproductive.”

“That’s the exact opposite of the Military State. There, injury means the end of labor.”

In the Military State, humans were labor. They were forced into grueling work or had their mana extracted as a resource.

In the duchy, humans weren’t laborers but the resource itself. In a twisted way, perhaps vampires were the only ones who truly valued humans for what they were.

“Well, they wouldn’t put someone in a press just for petty theft. You’d have to at least kill someone for that.”

“Not quite. Those who kill, or cause others to die, are turned into Twawits instead.”

“Twawits?”

“The thralls created by Yeiling. The moment a human takes a life, they have stolen a valuable resource from the duchy. No amount of years they live could ever repay that debt.”

Murder was a grave crime, but only because it deprived the duchy of a precious asset.

“So, their life is stretched indefinitely instead. Vampires may be powerful, but once turned into Twawits, their consciousness fades, leaving only puppets that follow orders.”

“That’s… brutal.”

“Would it not be stranger to be merciful to murderers?”

Well, fair point. Outside of war, murder was detested everywhere.

Wait a minute. If humans were such valuable resources that even murderers were recycled into thralls, then…

“What kind of criminals are put into the press, then?”

A method of execution that involved crushing a person alive—who was that meant for?

“Obviously, those who try to escape the duchy,” Tyrkanzyaka answered as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

“Their blood was drawn to fill this land’s waters. Their flesh wove the fabric of this nation. If they wish to leave, should they not return all that was given to them?”

That’s just a fancy way of saying they have to die. Not that Tyrkanzyaka meant otherwise.

Rather than point out the obvious, I swallowed hard and asked,

“Have there been escape attempts?”

“A long time ago, before we refined our rule, many tried. Back then, we were at war and ruled through sheer force and oppression. But we realized that spreading fear only strengthened the Holy Crown Church. So, we changed our approach. Once we treated people better, escape attempts dwindled.”

“So, there are still some, even now? Despite how well you treat them?”

“When you gather people, you get all sorts. To prevent anyone from even thinking about escape, a severe punishment must serve as an example.”

Now I understood why no tales of the Mist Duchy ever spread. The Holy Crown Church’s prophets couldn’t pierce through the fog, and those who set foot here never made it out. The truth of this nation remained trapped in eternal darkness.

And darkness breeds fear. People crafted horror stories about this place, myself included.

Still, knowing the reasoning behind it made it easier to grasp.

A vampire nation where humans were resources. Because they were inherently valuable, there was no need to mistreat or change them.

Perhaps this place was a paradise in its own right.

“Did that clear up your curiosity?”

“Yes. It’s fascinating how different backgrounds shape different customs. But having the founder of this nation explain it firsthand makes it much easier to understand.”

“Heh. You once told me about the Military State back in the Abyss. That was quite enjoyable. Since we each know different things, sharing knowledge is only natural.”

So vampires treat humans like livestock? As if anywhere else is any better.

The Military State sees them as expendable labor.

The Arcane Federation views them as untapped potential.

The Empire treats them as weeds, growing wherever they please.

At least vampires value their blood. In a way, that’s fairer than most.

“I never thought I’d see the day when Tyrkanzyaka would be the one teaching me.”

“I may have left centuries ago, but this is still my nation. Of course, I can answer your questions.”

“Oh, right. You were studying how things have changed over the last 300 years?”

“I have learned almost everything. There is little that has changed. By tomorrow, once I finish my reports, I will have fulfilled my duty.

Besides, your insight into alchemy and transmutation was more helpful than you realize.”

“My help? Oh, because I explained alchemy and transmutation to you?”

“Yes. Some of the knowledge you shared had already been implemented by Vladimir. When I explained it fluently, Vladimir was utterly taken aback.”

“A vampire, caught off guard?”

“Indeed. He even paused in thought, resting his chin on his hand. Then, he discarded nearly half of the materials he had brought. If he weren’t shaken, would he have done that?”

Is that really shock? More like he reevaluated his plans after realizing how much the progenitor had advanced.

Wait—Vladimir himself came here? Isn’t he usually too busy? Even as the Crimson Duke, he’s still serving Tyrkanzyaka personally?

Kabilla, too. No matter how you look at it, she’s a loyal subject…

No, actually—why would someone of Vladimir’s status personally act as an attendant?

I should probably meet him at some point. I’ve read his thoughts plenty, but if he notices Tyrkanzyaka’s true condition, things might change.

“This is an intriguing nation. I haven’t seen that many places, but none as unique as this one. And what’s more surprising is how that uniqueness led to a stable system.”

“I take pride in my nation. Otherwise, would I dare consider welcoming a human king?”

“What’s wrong with a human king? A human ruler is still just an apex predator. Predators don’t meddle in others’ territories.”

“I am aware. You are no naive ruler, blindly cherishing all. You do not adhere to the Holy Crown Church’s empty doctrines of good and evil.”

And yet, knowing this, Tyrkanzyaka smiled proudly.

“It’s about my pride. Hughes, I brought you here to repay you, but if I were to show you such a disgraceful sight, I wouldn’t be able to lift my head and face you.”

Vampires are kind to humans. Despite reigning over the Abyss, Tyrkanzyaka had rarely ever harmed a human of her own volition. Not out of kindness, but because humans were a precious resource.

…But even though I can read minds, I don’t actually know what true kindness is. Can anyone really tell the difference? Does it even matter?

“As thanks for showing me such an interesting sight, I suppose I should do my part.”

During the day, I’d been… investigating, not playing around. And at night, I was supposed to restore her senses. Time to fulfill my end of the deal.

Without looking, I pulled out a card from my deck. By now, the deck was as familiar to me as my own body, so it naturally produced the card I wanted without any tricks or hesitation.

Tyrkanzyaka glanced at my card and asked,

“You always draw a card when you use your power. Is that deck a relic that holds your abilities?”

“No, it holds meaning.”

“Meaning?”

“How else would I know what power I’m using?”

I curled the Spade 7, Lightning Tangle into a coil and lightly scratched it with my fingernail. The card unraveled like a silken cocoon, spilling out streaks of lightning.

Tens of thousands—no, millions—of fine lightning threads extended from my fingertips. Tyrkanzyaka, watching with curiosity, pointed at them.

“What an unusual ability. What are these threads?”

“Lightning.”

“Lightning? These threads? Don’t tell me… is this the same lightning we saw in the Cloud Village? The power of a Demon God?”

“Well, even with the same Demon God, power varies depending on the wielder. Even if I gathered billions of these strands, it wouldn’t be enough to match a single bolt of ritual magic. Here, take one.”

I plucked a single thread of lightning and flicked it toward her.

Tyrkanzyaka reached to catch it, but the moment she tried, it fizzled out into a weak static charge. No sound, no real sensation—so faint that even the most sensitive being wouldn’t have noticed it. Let alone someone who had no sense of touch.

“…A fascinating feeling.”

Feeling? Don’t pretend you can feel things when you have no senses. I know I’m lacking in power, okay?

“But this lightning thread will restore your senses, Tyrkanzyaka.”

“How can something I cannot even perceive do that?”

“It’s a long explanation, so I’ll just get started. Let’s begin with the closest point to your head. Tyrkanzyaka, stick out your tongue.”

“…My tongue?”

She obediently followed my instruction, parting her lips and shyly sticking out the tip of her tongue.

Even the clams I saw at the mudflats earlier had their tongues out farther than that. There wasn’t even enough to grab.

“You really don’t have much practice with this, do you? Is this all you can do?”

“Erh… ire ishh ihahy?”
(‘Why would I ever need to?’)

Fair enough. A monarch wouldn’t need to stick out their tongue at someone in defiance. If they didn’t like someone, they could just point a finger and have them executed.

Before regaining her heart, Tyrkanzyaka didn’t even need to give a command—merely thinking about it was enough to kill a vampire.

“Let’s leave the deeper work for later. For now, I’ll give you a taste. Focus on the tip of your tongue.”

Spoken language is just vibrations formed in the throat, shaped into sound by the tongue. Unable to speak properly with her tongue out, Tyrkanzyaka simply nodded.

Clutching the Lightning Tangle, I reached forward and grasped the tip of her tongue between my thumb and forefinger. A small, soft piece of flesh fit between my fingers.

“Even if it no longer functions, your body still retains what it once had. Since your flesh remains frozen in the state it was when you died, all I need to do is reactivate the pathways with lightning.”

To know is to see.

A Demon God’s knowledge is a tool for understanding the world. And humans are part of that world.

By accepting the knowledge of a Demon God, I gained the ability to see humans in a new light.

And knowledge, once learned, can be applied immediately.

The lightning threads burrowed into Tyrkanzyaka’s tongue.

Using my mind-reading ability, I stole a glimpse of her perception.

A being that had abandoned all sensation in the cold darkness of the earth, retaining only sight in the absence of light and a faint sense of hearing.

To exist, she had cast away everything else. To her, other senses were nothing but an endless void.

Yet, she hadn’t always been without them. She had simply lost them.

Before I obtained the Demon God’s power, I had neither the knowledge to recognize that nor the means to restore it.

But now…

Good. This should work. With this method, Tyrkanzyaka will—

“Aah, uegh?”
(‘Do you have to hold onto it so tightly?’)

…Not quite the reaction I expected.

She seemed uncomfortable being stuck in this position, her tongue held in place.

Spoken language is formed by the vocal cords and tongue.

Had she trained with qi manipulation, she might’ve been able to produce sound without them, but right now, she was completely silent.

All she could do was let me hold onto her tongue.

That alone was enough to make her feel uneasy? I could chalk it up to vampires lacking patience, but…

‘How long has it been since I’ve had time alone with Hughes, and yet here we are, unable to talk, with me just sitting here holding my tongue out? I know this is necessary, but… being alone in a room together, and all we’re doing is tugging on my tongue? How could I not be frustrated?’

Discomfort and reluctance simmered in her mind.

Because of that, my Lightning Tangle failed to find its path and dissipated within her body.

At this rate, I’d end up just poking her tongue and achieving nothing.

I quickly spoke up.

“Hold on. Focus.”

“…Ah, ueh?”
(‘Focus? On what? My tongue? Or this ridiculous situation?’)

Restoring her senses required cooperation.

Even if the Lightning Tangle could manipulate movement, Tyrkanzyaka needed to respond.

This wasn’t just reading a book—it was writing something new.

And if the author didn’t participate, all I’d be doing was whispering my own wishes into her ear.

Tch. I should’ve guided her response first. That was sloppy of me as a magician.

“You’re saying something, but I can’t understand you. Still, I can tell you’re displeased.”

“Ergh ih an ahuh?”
(‘How could I not be?’)

Right. Her body was fully distinct now, thanks to restoring her heart.

Had she still been fully undead, I could’ve shaped her like before.

But now? That wouldn’t work. If I wanted to change Tyrkanzyaka, she had to move herself.

Strange. It worked fine back at Twilight Fortress when we shared food. The difference is…

Guess I have no choice.

I let go of her tongue.

The soft sensation left my fingers, and for a brief moment, displeasure flickered across Tyrkanzyaka’s face before vanishing.

“This isn’t working. We need a different approach.”

“If you had another method, why didn’t you use it first?”

“Because you might’ve been uncomfortable. I chose the most gentle way.”

“…You call grabbing a lady’s tongue with your fingers gentle? Hah. Then I’m curious—what’s your idea of forceful?”

“It’s hard to explain. Want to try?”

She might regret it.

Not me—her.

Unfazed, Tyrkanzyaka raised her chin in defiance.

“Do it.”

“Alright. No take-backs.”

Time for a little magic trick.

I pulled out the Spade 7 again and gathered a handful of lightning.

Then, I placed it in my mouth.

This time, the crackling was much louder.

Tyrkanzyaka scoffed at the sight.

“…Swallowing lightning? That hardly seems gentle—”

Before she could finish, I grabbed the back of her head.

She looked up, startled.

And as I pulled her forward and lowered my own head—

She was caught completely off guard.

In that brief moment of hesitation, her eyes widened as the lightning from my mouth passed into hers.

Her undead heart thundered to life.