Episode 177 The New Talia Kingdom
The Talia Kingdom, where vampires had come out into the open and begun to coexist with humans.
But since they were creating a new system that had never existed before, there were constant conflicts, both big and small.
Not only was the number of targets for bloodsucking limited because all the citizens of the kingdom were now under Heinz the Second, but they also couldn't feed to the point of endangering their lives unless they were death row inmates.
But that was a huge stressor for the vampires, who had been 'hunting' whoever they wanted, according to their tastes.
"It's the Inspection Department. Could you please come with us for a moment for an investigation?"
"No, seriously? I confirmed that he was a criminal and executed the sentence, what's the problem?!"
"It seems like you haven't properly read the <Final Draft of Criminal Punishment Standards (2nd Revision)>. Even so, it was just a theft case, you should have just sucked him dry and left him alive. He's also a valuable resource, you were too greedy."
"Ugh!"
Even though they had evolved in various ways thanks to Heinz's "Refined Blood Essence", bloodsucking was directly connected to their instincts.
So it was only natural that there would be those who tried to bypass the restrictions and satisfy their greed.
"How long are we going to let those monsters take over our country and live like livestock? We have to unite and overcome this!"
"But even the Church seems to have given up, what can we do now…?"
"You don't have to worry about that. Actually, the Sharotti Kingdom is secretly…"
Boom—!
Rumble!
"These are the dissidents. Capture them all!"
"Ugh! How did you find out?!"
"…Ahem, I'm sorry. But those who can be saved should be saved, right? It's not even that bad living here… "
"Betrayal…! How dare you deceive us!"
Secret forces that were subtly instigating the humans within the country also started to raise their heads one by one.
Of course, they were quickly discovered by Hybrid, who had already completely taken over the kingdom's underworld, but their actions, presumed to be backed by neighboring countries, continued.
Those countries just feigned ignorance, as if trying to cut their losses.
But surprisingly, the general public's evaluation wasn't that bad.
It was even said that life had become better than before for the lower class, who were struggling to make ends meet.
"Oh my, Healer. Thank you so much."
"You're welcome. It's my job. Next patient, please!"
It was nothing that they had hired a large number of healers from all over the country and were providing medical services at a practically free level.
They even invited priests from the Main God Church to hold regular healing events at temples and prayer rooms.
All sorts of drugs that harmed the body were instantly eradicated from Talia, and the diseases and hygiene problems that were rampant in the slums quickly disappeared thanks to the kingdom's welfare projects.
And they were even provided with nutritious food in exchange for donating blood, so it was practically paradise for the lower class who had nothing.
-Want to make easy money? It's over in the time it takes to drink a cup of tea! No side effects and perfect aftercare guaranteed!
-Accumulate blood donation points and receive various benefits! From daily necessities to luxury housing, there are plenty of gifts!
-Preferably healthy, unmarried men and women in their early twenties. Additional payments based on various conditions.
Not only were there blood donation centers everywhere, but even government offices had flyers promoting it.
It was literally a world where you could live comfortably just by selling your blood regularly.
'And if we use blood magic, we can accelerate the donors' recovery. We can draw blood more frequently than usual.'
They even promised national rewards for model citizens who consistently donated blood, and they even provided a one-on-one matching service with vampires who were looking for specific types of blood…
Literally, 'blood donation centers' were becoming the center of the New Talia Kingdom's system.
'But those with high-demand blood, like young and healthy beautiful women, will be treated even better… It can't be helped. It's not a big problem.'
Of course, if a country just kept handing out welfare like this, its economy would collapse, but the Talia Kingdom ruled by Heinz Hybrid the Second was different.
Not only had the 'Brokoslack Clan' been controlling the kingdom's wealth for a long time, but the biggest problem, the thieves who embezzled national funds, were also gone!
And the welfare budget, which seemed like a waste on the surface, was actually no different from national defense spending to effectively utilize vampires, so it wasn't really a waste.
'And with the nobles diligently working on national affairs instead of indulging in unnecessary luxuries, this is truly an ideal country.'
To be precise, they didn't even have the opportunity or time to indulge in luxuries…
But it was the same thing!
"Lord? Heinz? …To be lost in thought while someone is sitting in front of you. I've always thought this, but you're too self-centered…"
"Briki."
"Oh my, were you listening? Hehehe— It was a joke."
"Enough with the nonsense. How did it go?"
He cut off Briki's frivolous laughter and got straight to the point.
She was practically the only person who could speak comfortably in front of Heinz because he allowed her to speak informally when they were alone.
'Even though we're in a master-servant relationship, there's still the age difference.'
She had existed for over a thousand years, she was literally the history of the vampire race, a living fossil.
And her level wasn't that far behind his, so he could at least allow her to speak informally as a courtesy to her seniority.
"…I feel a bit offended. You weren't thinking anything rude, were you?"
As expected of a Sacred Blood with transcendental intuition, she seemed to have sensed something.
The black-haired beauty glared at him with narrowed red eyes, but his acting skills weren't low enough to reveal his inner thoughts just from that.
"Don't change the subject, report first."
"…Hmm, fine. First, I visited Sharotti, Tulk, and Lesque, and then the central and western regions of the Azeria Empire. Traveling wasn't difficult thanks to the Ufersh kids opening Blood Gates…"
Although the vampire clans in Auterica were in a three-way power structure of Ufersh, Brokoslack, and Obaifo, they weren't the entirety of the vampire race.
In terms of numbers, the three clans alone would account for about half of the race, but conversely, the other half were members of minor clans.
'And that's not a number to be ignored.'
Minor clans that had lost their Sacred Blood and declined or split off from the mainstream.
They had the common characteristic of being difficult to locate because they had enhanced their secrecy to survive, as their power was weak.
But there were also many whose approximate locations were known to the Ufersh Clan, whose area of activity was the entire continent—.
And Briki's mission this time was to personally visit those places and persuade them.
To join 'Hybrid', the Auterica Vampire Clan Alliance, if they wanted to live.
'Threats are also a good negotiation tactic. It's the nature of diplomacy.'
Actually, it wasn't a bad offer for them either.
It was the perfect opportunity to escape their life of hiding and join the continent's largest vampire force!
And if they joined now, they would even be given the opportunity to be strengthened with "Refined Blood Essence", so it would be strange to refuse.
And it seemed like Briki had the same thought, as she continued speaking confidently.
"But there were some idiots who didn't understand even after I made them a good offer, so I had to persuade them and bring them… no, escort them here. Hehehe."
The subjugation was successfully completed, and her subordinates were currently transporting them through Blood Gates.
And they were quite a good haul, including a couple of True Bloods and many Purebloods.
'It's so convenient to have a Sacred Blood talent under my command. It would have been several times more troublesome to proceed without Briki.'
Naturally, even if they were minor clans, their lords would have been at least True Blood level.
To completely subdue such a force, they would have to dispatch an even stronger force.
But in the Talia Kingdom, which was at the center of the upheaval, all the high-level personnel were busy, and Briki, who happened to be free, had no interest in practical matters and was just lazing around.
Naturally, Heinz, who couldn't stand seeing his subordinates slacking off, practically forced her to take on this task…
And the results, as you could see, were very satisfying.
"Hmm, good. Good work, Briki."
"You appreciate it? I think I worked hard this time…"
"Then rest a bit and take care of the rest of the regions. There are still many left. One day should be enough, right?"
"…You're still so self-centered…"
And so, Hybrid strengthened its foundation as a nation on the surface, adapting to the changed system, and secretly expanded its power by absorbing vampires scattered throughout the continent.
But there was one place Heinz the Second was keeping a close eye on, waiting for an opportunity.
Naturally, it was the remaining one of the three strongest vampire clans.
The eastern part of the continent, the Zepia Republic, where the Obaifo Clan was based.
____________________
Chirp, chirp— Chirp—
A peaceful morning, with all sorts of birds singing beautifully.
"Greetings, Harris. Good morning."
"Harris, try this fruit I just picked."
"Peace be with you. The weather is lovely today."
'Harris Granwood', who had become a new High Elf in the Elven Kingdom, was walking through the royal palace, the only structure connected to the World Tree, receiving everyone's warm welcome.
"Hahaha, thank you. May the World Tree's grace be with you all."
As expected of a High Elf.
It hadn't even been long since he awakened, and he hadn't even shown them anything yet, but the Elves here were showing him infinite favor.
'Well, it can't be helped. The physical proof of God is standing tall right next to them, and High Elves are practically his priests.'
But he didn't feel bad about being treated like this.
To be honest… he had become so used to being revered that he was now naturally accepting it.
'Anyway, I've only heard about this place, it's my first time here. Let's see… where the gardeners live…'
There was a reason why he was heading this way.
He had heard something interesting while learning about the basics of being a High Elf with Cecily today.
And so, Harris personally came here, where the 'gardeners' who managed the World Tree lived, as soon as his lessons were over to confirm it himself.
'I greeted the Elf who's their leader after awakening. This is my first time visiting them directly.'
The World Tree's gardeners were in a position similar to priests or monks, and they were those who devoted themselves solely to serving the World Tree, not interfering in any other worldly matters.
Even though the World Tree was the avatar of God, he was still in the form of a tree and manifested on this land, so it was better to have someone manage him.
'But it's the World Tree, so there probably isn't much to manage. Well, if it wasn't for that, how many people would it take to manage a tree of this size…'
So their main task was to periodically fly around and check for any abnormalities and collect the withered branches that the World Tree naturally pruned.
"Oh, isn't that Harris? What brings a High Elf here…"
"Greetings. I've become a High Elf thanks to the World Tree's grace, so I thought I should personally greet those who serve him most closely."
"Oh…! To think you would think of us…"
And that was the reason why Harris came here.
It meant that a lot of the World Tree's branches, even though they were withered and their ley lines were severed, were piled up here!
"…So, would it be okay for me to look around your workplace?"
"Of course. I'll guide you. Not many are left because they're on shift, but everyone else will be happy to see you."
"Hahaha, I hope I'm not bothering you."
And in his gently curved eyes,
Unlike his usual lazy self, Harris's eyes were busily scanning the surroundings, burning with desire.