Episode 126 Sacred Blood (1)
《New bloodsucking factor collected. The individual's physical abilities increase due to the influence of the special skill "Hybrid Evolution".》
Heinz lightly stroked his chin at the message that appeared before his eyes.
'This is the first time it's activated in Auterica.'
"Hybrid Evolution" was a skill that pursued evolution by collecting various bloodsucking factors, so it was practically an ability specialized for Earth, where vampires from various dimensions gathered.
It activated this time because it was his first time consuming a vampire outside of the Brokoslack bloodline, but the change wasn't that dramatic, perhaps because they were from the same dimension.
Of course, it was better than nothing.
"Then, shall we get started?"
Now that even Heinz was back, the situation was practically over.
'It's too big to absorb Ufersh's forces right away. I need to reduce their size a bit for a smooth merger.'
Of course, they wouldn't be able to resist him with "Refined Blood Essence", but it was more convenient to support Brokoslack for easier management.
'And I need to replenish the Blood Essence I consumed while hunting the Mad Dragon. Cannibalism isn't all bad.'
And it would become a good nutrient for those who would become his subordinates in the future.
Heinz subtly licked his lips, like someone facing a feast, and quietly infiltrated the battlefield.
The operation, carried out by escaping perception using "Concealment", "Invisibility", and even "Blood Mystery", was very stealthy.
And by the time the Ufersh Clan noticed something was wrong, the situation was already out of control.
And the aftereffects started to affect the other battles.
The place where Freesia Brokoslack and Theodore Ufersh were fighting.
Boom—!
The tip of the parasol, imbued with blood magic power, thrust forward sharply, and the moment he parried it, her legs, wearing sharp heels, swung like whips.
Theodore, who dodged the attack, swung his sharp blood whip, forcing Freesia back, and made a serious expression.
He had always believed he was the strongest among the current True Bloods, so he had enough insight to recognize that her power was only temporarily strengthened by the barrier's effect.
So he experienced her destructive power, reaction speed, and blood magic power manipulation firsthand several times… and reluctantly accepted reality.
'There's support from external energy, but it's not something that can be explained just by that. Her abilities in every aspect are several levels higher than I expected. The Brokoslack Clan couldn't have been this strong.'
He had thought that even Mulo Brokoslack, the former Lord, wouldn't last long against him, but he was frustrated that he was being held back by Freesia, whom he considered to be a lower rank.
But the current situation was too urgent for him to worry about his pride.
'Why is the situation like this? What the hell is going on?!'
The Purebloods, who had been holding out well, were collapsing helplessly.
He didn't know what happened while he was distracted, focusing on the fight, but their numbers had already noticeably decreased.
'When did they get pushed back this far?'
He was getting a headache because unexpected things kept happening.
And he noticed something strange about Brokoslack's actions. They were subduing the less than half remaining Ufersh Purebloods under Mulo's leadership.
'What are they trying to do now? Are they planning to take them hostage and negotiate?'
Even in this hopeless situation, there was still something Theodore was counting on—.
It was the scenario where Visque Ufersh won the battle between the Sacred Bloods.
If that happened, the current situation would be completely reversed.
Perhaps they were also preparing for that moment?
But as he was having such optimistic thoughts,
Chill—
He felt a sudden, ominous sensation, as if someone was targeting him.
He forcibly shook off Freesia, who was charging at him, and stepped back, wary of the direction his intuition pointed to.
"You have good senses. Indeed, it's not that easy, is it?"
Perhaps because he had already been discovered, he didn't bother hiding anymore.
A figure materialized in the air where he was wary, like a ghost.
Theodore had never seen his face before…
"Lord! You're finally here!"
He was able to guess the opponent's identity from Freesia's reaction.
"…The current Lord of the Brokoslack Clan?"
The mysterious ability user who not only took over the clan by usurping Mulo Brokoslack but also absorbed all the existing forces, including him, under his command.
Only then did he realize why the situation had become so urgent and gritted his teeth.
And Heinz the Second, the cause of the change he had identified, was also looking at him, assessing him.
'This is Theodore Ufersh. The current second-in-command of the Ufersh Clan.'
He had already come here after having a brief conversation with Mulo while cleaning up the Purebloods.
He was able to hear about him in the process, and simply put, he was in a similar position to the current Mulo.
The one who oversaw all practical matters under the absolute being, the Sacred Blood.
In other words, he was a talent he needed to win over to take over the Ufersh Clan.
'It was much easier with Brokoslack because they had Mulo. Ufersh is bigger, so I definitely need someone in charge of practical matters.'
The bigger the force, the more essential it was to have capable subordinates.
He couldn't take care of every little detail himself, now that he was the leader of the organization.
"Yes, I'm the Lord of the Brokoslack Clan."
Heinz looked at him and smiled faintly, raising the corners of his lips.
And he nodded with satisfaction, seeing Mulo approaching after finishing his tasks.
"And I'll soon be your Lord too."
"What nonsense…!"
All a leader had to do was make the right decisions for the organization and manage his capable subordinates properly.
That was the kingly way he pursued.
He was a benevolent ruler who would even recruit and appoint talented individuals from the enemy side.
"I don't know what tricks you're trying to pull, but it won't go your…"
"Mulo, Freesia."
""Yes, Lord!""
"Catch him."
Of course, the consent of the person involved wasn't necessary in the recruitment process.
He was the king.
____________________
The three True Bloods of Ufersh who were clashing with Harley quickly realized that the situation was taking a turn for the worse.
It couldn't be helped because the balance of the battles taking place everywhere was suddenly broken, and the situation was being resolved quickly.
"Kkahahahat! It was fun, but it's a shame! Let's wrap things up, friends!"
The True Bloods exchanged glances at his provocative words.
If they just stood there and Brokoslack's reinforcements arrived, they would also be helplessly defeated.
Now there was only one option left.
"Let's go!"
"Haa—!"
Two of them charged at Harley simultaneously.
With the desperate resolve to at least hold him back.
But the one who was most confident in his durability didn't join the fight and immediately flew towards where the Sacred Bloods were battling.
Crackle—!
A terrifying space filled with violent energy fluctuations and a storm of thoughts, sparks flying everywhere.
Even Harley, with his enhanced defense, would be crushed if he entered that space.
He would inevitably suffer fatal injuries.
'And since I, the vanguard, am gone, the two holding that monster back won't last long either.'
It was practically the loss of three True Bloods' power.
Even if Visque Ufersh gained the upper hand temporarily, the situation could be reversed again with Harley's intervention, so he had been hesitant…
But judging by the current situation, it seemed difficult to expect a turnaround.
So what choice did he have? He had to do this.
Just as he steeled his resolve and was about to enter the Sacred Bloods' domain, his entire body covered in blood and blood magic power,
"You can't do that."
"…Huh?"
Someone approached him at incredible speed from the side as he was running with all his might, only looking ahead.
And…
Boom—!
His body was thrown sideways with a massive impact and rolled on the ground.
"Ugh, you…!"
Of course, the one who attacked him was…
Heinz the Second, the destroyer of balance, who was appearing and disappearing, causing explosions all over the battlefield.
"That side is the main dish. I want to wait until it's simmered a bit."
It was an incomprehensible statement.
The True Blood looked around, but the situation was still hopeless.
The large-scale battle between the Purebloods was already over, and it seemed like Theodore Ufersh had been subdued.
"Kkahahahat! Where are you going, come here! Let's have one more bite!"
"Ugh! You crazy monster!"
"Why! You guys can eat, but I can't?!"
And because he was gone, the other two wouldn't be able to hold out against the monster for long either.
'I have to do something.'
He had to turn the tables before they were completely defeated.
As he was trying to create an opportunity…
"Seriously, there are too many True Bloods in Ufersh. It's good to have more strong forces, but it feels a bit excessive. It'll be troublesome if factions form."
He heard a low voice, still incomprehensible to him.
"So… before I eat the Sacred Blood, one True Blood should be a good appetizer, right?"
And…
With a chilling laugh, Heinz's fangs gleamed sharply.
____________________
Visque Ufersh was able to regain the upper hand in his fight against Briki, even though he had been caught off guard by Harley's intrusion.
She wasn't in her best condition from the beginning, so it was still advantageous for him, even after exchanging blows.
But that was all in the past.
He couldn't easily maintain his composure in the rapidly changing situation.
"Oh my, it seems like your concentration is wavering a bit?"
"…Shut up."
"You were calling me an old relic or whatever before, so it's strange to see you so quiet. Did something happen at home?"
"Brokoslack…"
His eyebrows twitched, and his teeth gritted.
It was a sign that he was very displeased, but there was nothing he could do here.
Whether he tried to save his incompetent subordinates or escape alone by tearing through this barrier.
Either choice would require him to use a considerable amount of power, and the woman standing before him with her eyes wide open wasn't the type to allow such an opening.
'How did things come to this? How…'
Everything was going smoothly when he was planning the operation.
He cross-checked the information obtained through Oath of Heaven's Defiance and brought a force that was more than enough, assuming the opponent's maximum strength.
To finish things quickly without any casualties and take over this base.
'I'm sure I overprepared, but what is this situation?'
Visque analyzed the situation with his mind working faster than usual in the crisis.
And he reached five conclusions.
First, he didn't expect Sacred Blood Brokoslack to be here.
Second, the overall level of the Brokoslack Clan was higher than expected.
Third, an unidentified monster had barged in because of Theodore's useless operation.
Fourth, the current Lord of the Brokoslack Clan was also stronger than expected.
And lastly, fifth…
'Where the hell are those Oath of Heaven's Defiance bastards who said they would help if something happened?!'
This was that 'something', but Oath of Heaven's Defiance, who had first brought it up, was nowhere to be found.
He and the Ufersh Clan would be finished if this continued!
'Don't tell me they abandoned us? Was this a trap? …Was Ufersh, tricked?'
In the end, Visque had no choice but to come to that conclusion.
For some reason, they must have abandoned him and chosen the Brokoslack Clan.
But unlike his thoughts, Oath of Heaven's Defiance had definitely sent reinforcements.
And they were quite powerful elites who would be helpful in this situation.
But those reinforcements couldn't even enter the capital, let alone the Bright ducal family's mansion.
Naturally, the reason for that was also—.
[Hehehe! To think you would come here yourself, you saved me the trouble.]
"Ugh! Why is the Immortal King here…!"
Because they were discovered by Immortal King Hans, who was watching Talaria.
Over twenty people trapped in a barrier, enveloped in darkness writhing on the ground, unconscious.
He was paying attention, even using "Abyssal Eye", so those who belonged to evil couldn't escape his gaze.
In other words, except for Briki, who was the first cause of Ufersh's failure, the second to fifth causes were all because of one being.
Of course, no one in this world knew that.