Building A Human Empire By Creating A Clan [EN]: Chapter 140

“Another ship added to the fleet.”

Fisher smiled as he looked at the captured vessel.

Three out of the four patrol boats had been hit multiple times by the cannons, riddled with holes, but it was determined that there were no major issues for navigation. No matter how much they were hit, cannonballs were just round lumps of iron.

Unless an explosion occurred, sinking a ship with cannons was not easy. Moreover, the patrol boat was close to the size of a ship-of-the-line.

“I’ll send them to Tissireddon for repairs as they are. With a bit of modification, it seems possible to mount cannons on them.”

Fisher turned the expedition fleet, including the captured ships, back to Tissireddon. Staying anchored off the coast would only lead to being discovered by patrol fleets like this one. He wasn’t planning to return immediately after meeting Vlad anyway.

And I gathered supplies and headed to Vlad.

The landing site was within Mycenae’s territory, so there were no enemies along the way. However, contrary to expectations, the destination was not the imperial palace. Vlad was not in the imperial palace.

‘Was the imperial palace captured?’

Vlad was already cornered. He was moving his residence and fighting battles, and the place I visited him was not far from the front lines.

【Lv. 87】

A lower level than when we met in Wallachia.

“······.”

And the magic power covering Vlad.

It was a different kind of magic power that I hadn’t felt before.

Knowing the owner of the magic power, I clicked my tongue inwardly.

‘He’s almost been consumed.’

Vlad’s haggard eyes met mine.

At that moment, magic power flickered in his eyes. Two opposing magic powers, rising and falling like flickering flames, collided.

Each vying for control of the body.

The body of Vlad trembled.

Soon, the owner of the body was temporarily decided.

The owner was not Vlad.

“Long time no see, or perhaps not.”

I gave a bitter smile and looked at Tiamar.

Vampire Consulting (3)

‘No. Not exactly Tiamar.’

Tiamar is asleep in the Theocracy.

The Tiamar in front of me is her remnant.

A remnant wearing Vlad’s mask.

‘The relic Vlad acquired is one of the weapons that Tiamar created with her power. But the soul she put into the weapon is only a small part, and the rest is the soul of the evil god Akakosk, whom she devoured.’

The dragon may rule, but it is not ruled.

That also applies to the evil god who corrupted her.

She reversed the control of the evil god’s soul, which had tricked her into becoming one.

‘Akakosk paid the price for his arrogance. The price for being arrogant enough to believe he could control the dragon. As punishment for the evil god, Tiamar used a portion of Akakosk’s soul whenever she had to divide her power, such as when creating weapons or creating creatures.’

The relic Vlad acquired was exactly that.

‘Souls have will. Just like the ring with Vlad’s soul whispered to me. The soul Tiamar put into the relic also exerts its will to tempt the user. If you succumb to the temptation, you will have your body stolen like Vlad now.’

That’s why I said it was a remnant of Tiamar.

The soul of Tiamar contained in the relic was only a small part, so unlike the soul contained in the pendant, it was not enough to break the seal of the Theocracy.

The magic power emitted by the relic mostly belonged to Akakosk.

Similarly, the will contained in the relic could be considered Akakosk in terms of proportion. Of course, even if it is only a small part, Akakosk is a soul dominated by Tiamar, so it has Tiamar’s memories and thinks according to Tiamar’s intentions.

‘The reason why the will of the relic has become stronger is obvious. It is because the connection between Tiamar’s soul in the relic and her main body has become stronger than before.’

This proves what I feared.

The seal is breaking, and Tiamar is awakening.

Buzz——

The pendant vibrated.

When had the pendant vibrated before?

When I faced Tiamar’s magic power in Germania.

The pendant had never vibrated except for that time.

‘The souls are reacting to each other.’

Even if it is only a small part, Tiamar’s soul is in the relic.

The soul in the pendant is attracting it like a magnet.

“Hmm.”

Vlad raised the corner of his mouth.

He lowered his gaze below my neck to find the pendant.

He must be feeling the soul’s reaction too.

Even if he doesn’t feel it, he must know.

He must have absorbed Vlad’s memories.

“Stand back.”

At Vlad’s gesture, his vassals left the tent.

Vlad, who had lost the imperial palace and was living as a wanderer, stayed in a tent.

It was similar to a Mongolian ger [a portable, round tent covered with skins or felt and used as a dwelling by nomads in Central Asia], but the installation site was not on the ground but on a huge cart pulled by dozens of oxen. The cart moved along with the march, and it was moving even at this moment.

Clunk, clunk…

On the swaying cart, I waited for Vlad’s words.

“Interesting.”

Vlad took his eyes off the pendant and scanned me.

“Interesting.”

“What is?”

“In my memory, you weren’t that great of a human, but the guy over there says something completely different. How can it not be interesting when different things are said about the same thing?”

The guy over there must be referring to the pendant.

Judging from the tone, the current Vlad was Akakosk.

If it were Tiamar, she wouldn’t call herself a guy.

Brrr…

I put my hand inside my collar and grabbed the pendant.

Then the pendant stopped vibrating.

As if caught whispering a secret.

The vibration stopped abruptly.

“Indeed.”

I gave a hollow laugh and examined the pendant.

The soul in the pendant can talk to him.

I know so much, but I learned about the existence of the pendant for the first time in this life. I didn’t know what kind of influence the pendant would have. I never expected that the pendant would talk to Vlad like I send thoughts to my familiars.

“There was a spy.”

As I clenched my hand, the pendant vibrated again.

It seemed to be saying something, but I couldn’t hear it.

“He says he didn’t say anything unfavorable to you and asks you to explain,” Vlad said with a low laugh.

I released my hand and looked at him.

“What did he say about me?”

“He says you are the god of humans and the rightful successor to the Lord.”

Successor.

I narrowed my eyes.

I am the successor to the Lord?

He never said that to me?

And what of his am I succeeding?

“The reaction is not interesting. If it were the old me, I wouldn’t have reacted like that. Being his successor means becoming the master of this world.”

“I don’t know.”

I reacted indifferently.

The title of Lord’s successor has no meaning.

Even the Council, of which he is the head, regards him as an old man in the back room. There is no point in shouting about being a successor now; it will only create unnecessary vigilance.

“The world has changed a lot. At least when I was active, it wasn’t this chaotic.”

Vlad laughed at my reaction.

“I don’t even remember the human race in the first place. They existed, but they weren’t a race worth remembering. But from such an inferior race, the Lord’s successor appeared, and the race that revered him as the only god is now calling themselves gods without even having the qualifications to be a successor.”

“······.”

“Isn’t it funny? It’s like there’s an epidemic going on. There are too many people calling themselves gods. Until only a thousand years ago, the only god was the Lord. He was a great being who rejected me and even killed me. And Tiamar and her child’s brothers and sisters were all praised as the children of God and sang of eternal order.”

I said to him, who was muttering as if he had woken up from a dream.

“Have you forgotten who destroyed the order?”

Vlad gave a bitter smile.

The will dwelling in him is the soul of Akakosk.

Akakosk, who became one with Tiamar and was eaten in reverse, her will smiled awkwardly.

“I didn’t want this to happen. The situation just flowed in an unexpected direction. That’s how it is when you look at history, right? Even revolutions that started nobly change as they drink blood. The way the world is now is like that.”

“Your excuses are long.”

He shrugged his shoulders.

I didn’t press him any further.

He’s not the type to feel guilty.

I had tried to persuade him countless times before, and they all failed.

“The World Tree is just a tree, and the ancestors are just dwarves with good craftsmanship. The World Tree was less than firewood when the Lord’s fire touched it. The craftsman’s weapons also melted like water. An era when everyone bowed before the Lord. The Lord could do anything.”

Because he was a being who even surpassed the maximum level in the setting.

He really had the ability to perform god-like feats.

“But what did he do? He didn’t make his race prosperous, he didn’t make them revere him as a god, and he dominated the world by spreading the facade of order.”

I nodded silently.

I attached Lundringen to the name Edar.

What was the origin of Lundringen when I attached it?

I said it was a pseudonym used by the Dragon Lord, Ailetrione, when he spread civilization to the elves and dwarves. In my previous life, it was like Prometheus in Greek and Roman mythology.

The Lord was such a being.

“To imitate mortals with omnipotence… How foolish is that? Look at the results of spreading wisdom to a race that was more barbaric than you are now. When the Lord weakened, the race that revered him as a god turned their backs on him. Now they are all running wild, trying to become gods. A race that doesn’t even have half of your qualifications. Isn’t it ridiculous?”

I gave a nonchalant snort.

What does that story mean to me?

I had a different story I wanted to talk to him about.

“This story seems boring to you. But you know that it’s not unrelated to you. You are the Lord’s successor. You have to establish a new order.”

“The Lord never said the word successor to me.”

“It’s not like it’s only decided when it’s said, is it?”

Vlad took his gaze away from me and looked at Mersephone.

Mersephone was standing quietly next to Rachel.

I couldn’t hold her in my arms even here.

She was quietly imitating an adult.

“A winged child. Is she a messenger who conveys the words of God?”

His gaze turned to Calliope.

“Quite a sharply honed sword.”

Next was Rachel.

“I feel a strong faith in this one. But she is greedy.”

Leaving behind the startled Rachel, he scanned the remaining familiars.

“The rest are so-so.”

The familiars frowned.

“Are you going to act as the Lord’s successor with these things?”

At that moment, magic power exploded from Vlad.

【Lv. 89】

【Lv. 91】

【Lv. 93】

The level rose rapidly.

Just like Kuiraou, the Lizardman’s Avatar.

The magic power emitted by the soul enveloped Vlad’s body.

“Father.”

Rachel grabbed my collar. She must have realized the identity of the magic power.

The same magic power that arose from the monster in the center when it caused darkness in the Germania Grand Cathedral and swallowed the city was flowing from Vlad.

That is the magic power of Tiamar and the evil god. It was the power that made Vlad equal to the elves and dwarves, and the immense power that could be wielded without claiming to be a god.

‘Originally, it was the power that would be unleashed through the relic.’

The relic was not visible next to Vlad.

He was unleashing magic power without the medium of the relic.

Vlad himself became the vessel for containing the relic’s magic power.

In other words, he was eaten by the relic.

‘You fool.’

I clicked my tongue inwardly.

I knew that Vlad would be eaten by the relic.

He was eaten by the relic in the previous iterations as well.

However, the progress is unusually fast.

‘When he saw me, he resisted for a moment for the dominance of his body, so he wasn’t completely eaten. But it’s only a matter of time. Even if he lets go of the relic, he is now one with the relic, like Tiamar.’

Drrrrr…

The cart shook as magic power filled the tent.

A suffocating pressure weighed down on me. However, the Iron Man trait soon activated and erased the pressure. The familiars were also under pressure, but they only frowned slightly.

The magic power scanned my entire body like an invisible hand. It was trying to dig inside if there was even a slight gap. But there was no gap for me. When I lightly waved my hand, the magic power scattered.

“Stop playing around.”

“Playing around?”

“Unlike Vlad, you have no reason to fight me.”

Vlad closed his mouth and looked at me.

His eyes were asking why there was no reason to fight.

“To reduce the power of the races belonging to the Council. Isn’t that your purpose? So that there will be no one who can stop you when your main body is completely awakened.”

“······.”

“I also need to weaken the power of the Council for the survival and prosperity of humanity. Then we should see each other’s purposes as the same. Is there any reason to fight an opponent with the same purpose?”

Vlad chuckled.

“Yes, that’s right. I have no reason to fight you. Not now.”

There was emphasis on the word now.

“At first, I was just reaching out as much as possible to improve this damn situation even a little, but seeing you, my mind is changing. Edar, was it, human?”

“Edar Lundringen.”

“Lundringen.”

He clapped his hands and laughed.

“You wouldn’t want to hand over your soul to me, would you?”

The word soul had two meanings.

The fragment of Tiamar’s soul and my soul.

He was talking about both at the same time.

It’s not worth answering.

“Well, of course. That’s why Tiamar and the Lord over there made you their successor. I understand a little why the Lord thought of you as his successor. I only touched it a little, but I saw one aspect of your soul.”

“Stop talking nonsense and get to the point. I didn’t come here to waste time talking to you unnecessarily. Originally, what you wanted was not me but the power to stand against the Council, wasn’t it?”

“That’s right.”

Vlad clapped his hands and nodded.

“You said you brought that strange weapon. Then what should I do? It’s not a plan I came up with. The guy who suggested it to me died a while ago. Wouldn’t it be okay to leave it to you instead?”

Vlad said in a tone that had rapidly lost interest. His interest was focused on me, but now that he was talking about something that had fallen out of interest, he seemed to be already bored and his words lacked strength.

“Since you came all the way here, you’re not going to go back right away. I’ll leave it to you. If there’s anything you need—”

A trumpet sounded, cutting off his words.

It was a signal announcing the appearance of the enemy, so he clicked his tongue.

“The story will have to be postponed for a while.”

I led my familiars out of the tent.

At the same time, the blood relatives who had been waiting outside went inside.

The cart stopped moving, and the army that had been slowly moving in accordance with the cart began to move busily. A group that appeared to be the enemy was approaching from the western horizon.

It was a mixed force of elves, dwarves, and lizardmen.

The number was about 20,000, with about 3,000 cavalry among them.

“Excuse me.”

A servant approached and bowed deeply.

“The Elder has instructed me to deliver this to Lord Edar.”

The servant handed me a mask.

It was a sign to conceal my face and operate.

There was no benefit in my appearance being seen by the enemy.

My familiars also put on masks, following my lead.

“I wonder when they prepared something like this.”

Rachel wore a mask with a teardrop-shaped ruby embedded in it.

“Mosquitoes [vampires] hate sunlight, so they dress as if it’s winter even in summer. Masks to hide their faces are also common. They don’t wear them in other races’ societies for fear of being suspected of their identity.”

There were many vampires wearing masks in the military camp.

There were even more ornate masks than the one Rachel wore.

Our appearance felt rather ordinary.

“If you are ready, this way.”

The servant led us to a temporary platform erected for command.

Vlad and the blood relatives had already taken their places, and I stood slightly to the side, holding Mersephone. Mersephone hugged my neck tightly and yawned deeply.

“Sleepy…”

Mersephone was a familiar but no different from a child. She seemed exhausted from pretending to be an adult in front of Vlad, yawning constantly.

“It’s a battlefield, but I don’t feel any tension.”

Rachel received a teacup from the servant and muttered awkwardly.

“Because we are watching someone else’s battlefield.”

The battlefield was clearly visible from the platform.

The battle had just begun, with a clash between cavalry.

The battle between different races was different from the battles of the Imperial Army. If it were the Imperial Army, they would have carried out artillery strikes before deploying cavalry, and then sent in riflemen to deliver the shock.

However, Mycena [Vlad’s Empire] and the Allied forces sent cavalry first to compete in strength. The Allied cavalry were heavy cavalry, and Mycena’s cavalry were beasts running on two legs without reason. In fact, since there were no soldiers riding them, they could not be called cavalry, but they were treated as such for convenience because they were a force corresponding to cavalry.

Boom!

And a loud explosion covered the battlefield.

Fireballs fell towards the slowly advancing infantry.

It was a sphere made of magic. A huge flame that I couldn’t embrace even with both arms spread from Mycena’s main camp and fell onto the Allied infantry.

“Aaaaaaagh!”

Boom! Bang!

The fireballs flew in an arc and, upon reaching the ground, exploded with a sound louder than the firing of a siege cannon. The impact shook even the platform.

“Use counter magic!”

Web-like streaks of light formed in the sky.

The blue-glowing spiderweb caught the incoming flames. Then, there was a cracking sound as the spiderweb split, and the fireball melted away and disappeared.

“Next!”

Rumble…

The Allied magicians, having blocked the enemy’s offensive, gathered their magic.

Dark clouds formed in the clear sky, and lightning struck.

“Kuaaaaagh!”

“What are you doing! You have to protect us!”

“Control the enemy magicians first, you idiots!”

The vast majority of Mycena’s infantry were skeletons and rotting corpses, with only a very few vampires controlling the undead in between.

The lightning strike was aimed directly at these vampires, and when the vampires died, the undead lost control and rolled helplessly on the ground.

And the lightning spread around the vampires it struck, turning nearby kin and corpses to ashes.

Rumble…

Boom!

The magic didn’t end there.

The magicians who had been attacking each other’s infantry changed their targets to the opposing magicians and began to fight. Unlike when fire and lightning struck the infantry, intense sparks flew in the air when magic collided with magic.

On the ground directly below, unpredictable changes occurred due to the magical collision, such as the ground cracking and then rejoining, and grass growing wildly and then burning.

The armies on both sides, advancing in formation, avoided the places where magic collided and clashed.

“It’s a bit different from the battles I’ve seen so far.”

Rachel shook her head, looking at the magic-whirling battlefield.

“Because elves and dwarves are mixed in.”

“Are the two races very different?”

“They are skilled in using magic.”

There’s a reason why elves and dwarves are considered superior races. Vlad’s Mycena Empire also belongs to the upper ranks, but originally, only the two aforementioned races were considered superior to other races belonging to the representative system [a governing body or alliance of races].

Just as the Empire uses gunpowder weapons, the two races commonly used magic. That wasn’t even magic that could be considered high-level. More wondrous magic is unleashed on battlefields where the Elven Prince, Laeragon, goes to war.

“But there’s nothing to worry about. There aren’t that many magicians.”

The number of high-level magicians is extremely small.

It is extremely difficult to replenish them if they are consumed on the battlefield.

So they don’t easily show themselves on the battlefield.

“You mosquito bastards!”

“Receive the punishment of the representative system!”

In the center, amidst the chaotic battle between different races and beasts, there was a group that stood out. Unfortunately for Vlad, it was a group of different races, not beasts or vampires.

It was a mixed unit of elves, dwarves, and lizardmen, and although the number was only thirty, their valor was so overwhelming that beasts dared not approach them, leaving the area around them desolate.

【Lv. 88】

【Lv. 68】

【Lv. 70】

【Lv. 69】

【Lv. 87】

【Lv. 76】

【Lv. 86】

Some were stronger than or equal to Vlad.

They were opponents that could not be defeated without borrowing the power of the relic.

If Vlad’s forces were intact, he could have easily caught them, but the situation had reached its worst, so it seemed difficult to respond. If he wasn’t careful, the cavalry might collapse because of them and lose the battle.

“Tsk.”

Vlad frowned as he looked at them.

Anger boiled, and magic smoldered.

He knew that if he revealed his hidden power, he could kill them with a single gesture, so he would be even more angry. It was a situation where he had power but couldn’t act rashly.

The guy whose connection to the main body had strengthened as Tiamar’s seal broke could draw out more magic than the Lizardman’s Avatar in the short term. But he had to be careful because there was a risk of being discovered by the representative system.

“The damage will be quite significant.”

Still, there was a high probability of winning.

One of the characteristics of the Mycena Empire is its numbers.

The enemy’s number was about 20,000, but the number of corpses and beasts that Mycena controlled seemed to be several times more. When there is such a difference in numbers, the moment the enemy is pushed back in endurance, defeat is decided.

The problem is that if it goes to a battle of attrition, Vlad’s damage will not be insignificant.

“Damn it… there are only morons. This kind of fight keeps happening. I have to see weaklings who I wouldn’t have even glanced at in the old days acting like strongmen.”

“Hmm.”

Vlad was eaten by the relic [possessed by a powerful artifact].

So he should be considered an ally temporarily.

It would be troublesome if an alliance with a common purpose easily collapsed.

“I can help if you want.”

Vlad turned his head sharply and looked at me.

“I would be grateful if you would.”

I gestured to Calliope.

She expressed concern for my safety with telepathy, but soon got on her horse to follow my instructions. Two guards followed behind her and ran to the center where the chaotic battle was taking place.

“Vampires can’t stop us—“

The chaotic battle was quickly resolved.

Calliope, leading the way, jumped into the chaotic battle with three familiars. The horse did not slow down and cut down the enemies blocking the way as it broke through. The different races who were slaughtering beasts in the middle of the chaotic battle could not fight Calliope for more than two exchanges each.

It was almost as if I could hear the sound of ‘thud’.

The moment they tried to block her first move and counterattack, she cut off their necks and hung the severed heads on the side of the horse. The guards following behind protected her rear and crossed the enemy lines to retreat.

Thud.

This must be what they mean by saying they’ll be back before the tea cools down [an idiom meaning a very quick return].

“It is finished.”

Calliope threw three enemy heads in front of Vlad and reported.

They were the heads of enemies corresponding to levels 88, 87, and 86, respectively.

“Excellent! Very excellent!”

Vlad laughed loudly and waved his clenched fist in the air.

The balance of the chaotic battle shifted dramatically due to the performance of the three familiars.

The enemies hesitated and retreated, then turned their backs and began to flee, and the beasts chased after them to expand the results.
The infantry on both flanks were continuing a tense battle, but when the center collapsed, their formations also collapsed.

“It’s been a while since we’ve won so refreshingly.”

I deliberately made a slurping sound as I drank my tea.

I could feel the gazes of the blood relatives.

‘As expected, it’s still not enough.’

Naga and Lizardmen achieved decent results even with gunpowder weapons. However, it seemed difficult for gunpowder weapons to achieve the same results against the regular forces of elves and dwarves, who were not hunters. It was something I already knew, but the magic that the two races emitted was on a different level.

‘This is why they said that even giving muskets to the undead wouldn’t turn the tide of the battle.’

Of course, if numbers and strategy followed, it would be possible to inflict valid damage.

In any case, my goal is not the victory of the Mycena Empire.

The guy dwelling in Vlad also knows the reality.

The plan is to wear down the forces with a war of attrition.

“What did you say you needed?”

After the battle, Vlad asked.

“It depends on what you can give me.”

“Hmph. Do you know what the strength and weakness of vampires is?”

Vlad called a servant and told him.

To cut off his own head. Then the servant resisted with wide eyes before cutting off his own head. Vlad continued, watching the blood spreading from the servant’s corpse.

“It is very difficult to disobey the orders of the parent who made me a vampire. No matter how strong you are, it is difficult to overcome the coercion contained in the parent’s words. And there are no blood relatives in this country other than the blood relatives of this body.”

The meaning of those words is one.

“Even if I hand over this country to you, no one can object.”

It’s not for nothing that the relic was handed over to Vlad. It was not a coincidence that Vlad got the relic. It was given because if he devoured the guy, he could swallow the empire as well.

The remnants of Tiamar, who had taken over Vlad’s body, asked.

“Tell me. What is needed to bring down the representative system?”

Vampire Consulting (4)

What do I need?

You can hand over this country to me?

I let out a hollow laugh at the absurd suggestion.

“Do you think my words are false?”

Vlad looked at me as if glaring.

Magic flickered in the eyes that met mine.

It was Vlad’s soul resisting.

Daring to hand over his country to a blood bag.

He must be struggling to seize control of the body in anger.

But the resistance faded in vain.

‘It’s a bit absurd, but it’s sincere.’

There were enough reasons to believe it was sincere.

Neither Tiamar nor Akakosk had any attachment to Mycena.

“I am not Vlad. Therefore, this country is not important to me. What is important is whether there is a force to confront when the seal is broken. In order not to be sealed again, we must reduce the power of the representative system and the rest. Just like you said to me just now.”

Mycena was a tool that could be thrown away for both souls.

So they boldly said they would hand it over to me.

“Tell me what you want. If it’s something in this country, I can give you anything. If you want to be the emperor, you can be the emperor, and if that’s too much, you can be the prime minister. I can hand it over to your subordinates, not you, and I can hand over military power. There are no restrictions, so tell me.”

It was truly a groundbreaking proposal.

But it was of little value.

Rather, it was a proposal close to a trap.

‘Emperor, Prime Minister, the words sound fancy.’

At first glance, it was a situation where pumpkins were rolling down the vine [an idiom meaning an unexpected windfall].

But if you think about it, it’s not a pumpkin but a trap.

‘Mycena is not a country I can have.’

There were two problems with Mycena’s rule.

One is that the Mycena Empire is a country of vampires.

The other is that my position is established with Vlad’s guarantee.

‘The number of humans in Mycena is just enough to be used as blood bags. Unless it’s a feast, there’s no reason to raise them on a large scale like a ranch, so the population is small.’

The slaves and servants of other races far outnumbered the population.

On top of that, the ruling race was even a blood relative.

‘It’s a problem even if I rule. Even if I reorganize the administration, promote industry, and secure military power, it will be in vain if Vlad withdraws his guarantee of my position.’

To put it in perspective, it’s like I lent the empire to someone else.

Even if someone becomes the emperor in my place, even if he rules better than me, if I say I will withdraw the throne, he can’t even resist.

The same goes for Mycena.

If Vlad withdraws the position he guaranteed me as the father of the blood relatives, I have no way to stop it. The foundation of Mycena is not humans but blood relatives and servants. Their rebellion is no different from the rebellion of familiars.

‘That might be the guy’s aim.’

There is one more thing to remember.

Tiamar and Akakosk were originally my enemies.

‘The ultimate goal of the two souls dwelling in the relic is to ensure that when Tiamar awakens, there is no force to dare resist her. Considering that the Human Empire is also a force that must stand against her, the best situation the relic wants is for the Human Empire and the Mycena Empire, the two empires, to perish together with the representative system.’

I looked at Vlad.

Vlad took the crown off his head and held it in his hand.

He shook it lightly as if he would readily hand it over to me.

‘He’s shaking the bait.’

The crown is bait.

A bait that stimulates people’s desires.

‘If I were to receive the throne of Mycena and act as the emperor of both empires.’

The Human Empire is already fighting against different races, but wriggling as a rising power and absorbing one of the existing great powers are completely different issues.

The different races will not stand idly by this issue, and the pressure on the Human Empire will also increase rapidly.

On the other hand, from Tiamar’s point of view? It’s the best.

The chaos of the world is growing, and a total war is taking place in which every single force is wearing down its power.

‘It’s a situation where he’s catching a big fish with a sweet bait that has no value to him.’

Receiving the throne is the worst choice.

The position of being second to none is not much different.

The official title that the guy gives is a trap that is only different in size.

‘But there’s no need to refuse what he’s giving.’

I grabbed the crown.

Vlad smiled silently.

He thought I had succumbed to temptation and fallen into a trap.

But I took a step back from there.

“Receiving the crown is too conspicuous. What would it look like if a human who rebelled against the representative system even became the emperor of vampires? You keep the crown as it is, and I will receive some of the authority necessary for ruling.”

Vlad stopped smiling and narrowed his eyes.

He was trying to gauge my intentions.

“Then you can become the Prime Minister.”

“I gave up the throne because I didn’t want to be conspicuous, but you’re telling me to take off my mask for the sake of a mere Prime Minister’s position?”

I tapped the mask I was wearing with my finger and continued.

“It’s better to have nothing than to receive unnecessary attention. In any case, my purpose of visiting has been achieved by confirming your condition.”

“······.”

Vlad’s eyes wavered.

He must have been planning to attract attention by giving me an official position.

But since I refused, he had to choose the next best thing.

To increase the level of intervention by handing over real power.

‘It’s useless. You want me to get deeply involved in Mycena and get caught up in the mud, but do you think I don’t know your tricks?’

This is not the first time I’ve seen Vlad eaten by the relic.

So the guy’s intentions are obvious.

‘I’ll help you maintain a moderate war of attrition with the representative system. So that you sink together with the representative system after a long war of attrition.’