Episode 128 Sacred Blood (3)
The moment he became a Sacred Blood, Heinz the Second's senses expanded endlessly.
His transcendental perception, which had reached the level of synesthesia, surpassed its limits, and he could almost grasp space and even time—.
And his mind, elevated by the increase in level… was able to sense a part of the flow of causality that filled the world.
'I see… so this is how Sacred Bloods fought.'
Heinz instinctively realized.
That if he poured in a bit more of his will, he could touch a part of that flow.
'It consumes a lot of mental power and is limited to the area around Heinz, but… then lower-level beings wouldn't even be able to approach.'
The result of 'dodge' would already be determined before the opponent could even use any means, and his attacks would hit the moment he decided to attack.
How could you even fight against such an opponent?
'If it hadn't been for Briki, even Harley and Heinz together would have had a hard time in a war of attrition…'
The reason why the two of them were able to clash head-on with Visque Ufersh was all thanks to her interference.
If it hadn't been for her, Hans, who was a higher level than Visque, would have had to intervene.
It could be said that they were very lucky.
And his luck was still continuing.
《The individual meets the conditions and grows. The skills "Concealment" and "Invisibility" combine and evolve into the special skill "Existence Denial".》
As his level rose to Sacred Blood, the two abilities he had stolen by consuming vampires from other dimensions and through "Hybrid Evolution" combined and evolved.
And it was a skill with an extraordinary name.
'…This was also influenced by the Sacred Blood's power. A concealment-type skill that distorts causality and denies the very fact of being detected. It's far superior to before in every aspect.'
It would have been nice if other skills had also evolved, but that was being greedy.
Heinz calmed the power surging within him and opened his character information window.
<Individual Information>
- Individual Name: Heinz the Second
- Race: Vampire (Sacred Blood)
- Common Traits: "Mind Hub", "Persona", "Clear Mind"
- Individual Traits: "Blood Kin (Sacred Blood)", "Hybrid Evolution", "Blood Mystery", "Refined Blood Essence", "Existence Denial", "Acceleration", "Super Regeneration", "Insight"
- Special Notes: Forcibly inherited the Sacred Blood and evolved through "Hybrid Evolution". Can exert a slight influence over the 'Ufersh' bloodline. All abilities have grown explosively, and can now manipulate a part of causality.
'Oh, I didn't expect this.'
Influence over vampires who inherited Ufersh's blood.
It seemed like he also gained influence over them after consuming the Sacred Blood.
The modifier 'slight' was added because his authority was significantly reduced since it wasn't a proper inheritance…
'It doesn't matter since I was planning to use "Refined Blood Essence" anyway. But it'll make things easier.'
It was easier to handle those he could control to some extent than those who actively resisted and were hostile.
He had been worried about how to absorb the Ufersh Clan, which was spread throughout the continent, unlike Brokoslack…
"Whew."
As Heinz smiled inwardly and turned his gaze,
He met Briki's gaze, who had been looking at him with interest, her eyes half-closed.
"Hehehe— You're amazing. It's my first time seeing a new Sacred Blood being born. And through cannibalism."
She had just been watching, even when he sank his fangs into Visque Ufersh's neck and when he finally reached Sacred Blood through cannibalism.
She must have also known that she wouldn't be able to oppose him once he became a Sacred Blood, as she wasn't in her best condition.
'Of course, Harley was on guard just in case, but she could have interfered if she wanted to, but she just watched.'
At this point, he could assume that she had no hostile intentions.
She wouldn't be able to do anything to him now that he was a Sacred Blood.
"That's my ability. But Briki, I acknowledge that you played a big part. I'll definitely repay this debt."
"Hmm— It's fine since I was involved anyway. I have a lot to talk about."
She answered leisurely, her attitude as lifeless as wilted vegetables, unlike her sharp demeanor during the battle.
He needed to have a serious conversation with her to find out her intentions, but right now…
"Hahaha! I saw something rare. But I should get going now that I'm done with my revenge! I left my work behind!"
Harley, who had been quietly watching, naturally stepped forward and greeted them.
The joint operation between Harley and Heinz had ended successfully, so it was time to disband the party.
"Yes, Harley. You were a great help. I won't forget this favor."
"Ah, it's nothing! They touched my friend first. And you're in the same boat as our Hubert's Trading Company! Wahaha!"
"Then I'll be counting on you in the future. We'll also pay more attention to Hubert's Trading Company."
"I'd appreciate that! Then I'm off!"
Immediately after the conversation for show ended, Harley confidently left the building through the door.
Mulo's barrier was lifted as the battle ended, and no one stopped him since Heinz, the Lord and Sacred Blood, had given him permission.
"Hmm, are you sure it's okay to just let him go? He's been suspicious from his first appearance…"
Briki mumbled in a sleepy voice, but…
"It's fine. I already have a plan."
Heinz casually dismissed her concern.
And he sent her, who had started to doze off, back to her room and then moved to clean up the aftermath.
'I'm going to be busy for a while.'
From grasping the clan's current situation after the battle to managing the remaining Ufersh members and preparing for future responses.
There was still a mountain of work left.
_______________________
A long two-handed sword in one hand and thick black armor covering his entire body.
That being had a human form, but no one here considered him human.
Not only were his eyes glowing red and his dark magic power burning like flames, but the thick death energy that intimidated just by looking at him was something a human could never possess.
And above all, they knew him very well.
After all, he was a legendary being to those who walked the path of evil.
"…Death Knight Lord, Karam."
"He's the commander of the immortal army… How is such a monster here…!"
They were isolated from the outside by the sudden activation of a barrier, and then the attack began.
All the defensive devices densely installed at the entrance were destroyed, and the chimeras and modified dark knights stationed as guards couldn't hold him back for even a moment.
In that situation, he eventually reached the heart of the hideout in an instant, and the dark mages of Oath of Heaven's Defiance's Tulk Kingdom branch couldn't help but be tense.
"…I thought the Church's offensive had begun because the number of branches suddenly losing contact has increased. To think it was the immortal army's doing."
Old Man, the branch manager and one of the elders of Oath of Heaven's Defiance, muttered softly and frowned.
The fact that the immortal army was directly involved meant that the returned Immortal King was watching them—.
And that meant they had to abandon their plan of profiting from the conflict between the continent and the Immortal King.
'…I'll think about that later. Informing them of this is the top priority. It seems like they prepared thoroughly, considering it hasn't been known until now…'
He organized his thoughts and confidently looked around.
Dark knights lined up in formation at the front, and dark mages already preparing spells.
There were hundreds of them.
This was the central headquarters that oversaw all the branches in the Tulk Kingdom, on a different level from the other branches that had lost contact.
The entrance might have been breached in the sudden attack, but those stationed there were just cannon fodder to buy time.
The real force was the central unit, which had finished thorough preparations during that time.
'No matter how great Karam is, there's a limit to what he can do alone. Even if he summons lower-level undead, there's a limit to that.'
And this was their headquarters, so naturally, all sorts of magic that would be helpful for base defense were layered and installed.
Allied buffs, enemy debuffs, and all sorts of minor dark magic.
[Oh— This is more than I expected.]
Karam, facing them, muttered softly.
Their presence, with their fear removed and their concentration maximized due to the influence of the mind-affecting magic, was as sharp as a blade.
Old Man smiled with satisfaction at the sight of the elite force that didn't even fear death.
"I don't know why the Immortal King is targeting us, but to think he would come here alone. It seems like he's underestimating us, Karam! You will pay the price for your arrogance!"
He shouted confidently with conviction and slowly raised his dark magic power, preparing a destruction spell.
No matter how thoroughly they were prepared, their opponent was a monster who even appeared in history books, so he needed to use all his power to minimize casualties.
But before he could even weave the spell…
[Look at that, Karam… I didn't ask for your help for nothing…]
[Hmm, indeed. It can't be helped to fulfill His Majesty's order.]
Another being appeared behind Karam.
A woman in a black veil and dress, her form blurry but clearly distinguishable.
Her voice, which made his mind hazy and shook his will to live just by hearing it, belonged to…
"Banshee Queen, Olivia…!"
Old Man's expression twisted.
Not only Karam, but even one of the executives of the immortal army was here?
And it seemed like she didn't come alone, as ghostly undead started to appear one by one.
But unfortunately for them, the executives who came here didn't end there.
Swoosh—
The surrounding floor instantly turned black and started to emit an eerie energy.
And from the bubbling darkness,
Whoosh—!
Clatter— Clatter!
Creak—!
Countless undead, from headless Dullahans to Skeleton Knights made of bones, crawled out endlessly and instantly filled the surroundings.
[Pfft— You've prepared quite a bit, but you don't have a chance.]
Dwell, who appeared last from the darkness, looked down at the dark mages with a sinister voice.
Three executives had participated in this operation just to capture them alive.
Old Man gritted his teeth with a hopeless expression at the overwhelming difference in power.
Even if it was just Karam, it would have been a different story, but with one of the executives of the immortal army added to that?
And she didn't even come alone, as ghostly undead were appearing one by one.
But unfortunately for them, the executives who came here didn't end there.
Swoosh—
The surrounding floor instantly turned black and started to emit an eerie energy.
And from the bubbling darkness,
Whoosh—!
Clatter— Clatter!
Creak—!
Countless undead, from headless Dullahans to Skeleton Knights made of bones, crawled out endlessly and instantly filled the surroundings.
[Pfft— You've prepared quite a bit, but you don't have a chance.]
Dwell, who appeared last from the darkness, looked down at the dark mages with a sinister voice.
Three executives had participated in this operation just to capture them alive.
Old Man gritted his teeth with a hopeless expression at the overwhelming difference in power.
Not only Death Knight Lord Karam and Banshee Queen Olivia, but also…
"…Even an Arch-Lich. What are they trying to do, going this far?!"
Incidentally, Dwell was very capable at handling the undead army and devising strategies, but his name wasn't well-known because he didn't like to be at the forefront.
[…I am Dwell McCain, a loyal servant of the Immortal King! Remember that clearly!]
He shouted proudly at their reaction, but it was a meaningless act because his name wouldn't spread from this incident.
Naturally, there wasn't a single human who could escape this place.
After a while,
Another small war, which took place behind the scenes, quietly ended without anyone knowing.
But Olivia, who was cleaning up the aftermath of the battle, had to move hurriedly before she could even finish…
[This girl, Olivia… has received the King's summons…]
Because Immortal King Hans had personally summoned her.
[Olivia, I picked up some interesting guys.]
Hans's gaze turned to those who were hanging in the air, bound by black chains.
[They're the Oath of Heaven's Defiance bastards who tried to infiltrate Talaria. It seems like there's even an executive among them.]
The fact that Oath of Heaven's Defiance was there was proof that they were involved in the Ufersh Clan's movements.
They were a cell organization, but they wouldn't use a unit of this level as cannon fodder.
'Even if the order was relayed through several layers, Olivia should be able to track it down.'
And if her backtracking and the Ufersh Clan's interrogation results were combined, it was only a matter of time before they found out the location of those who orchestrated this incident.
[Investigate them and find out the location of those behind them.]
[Your will be done…]
And so, another task was given to the busiest person in the immortal army.
Olivia bowed politely, her face pale, almost transparent.
It seemed like being too competent was also something to think about.