NOVEL NEXT “The vampire increases its kin by passing on its blood to other humanoids. However, all three beastman slaves and two humans injected with your blood have died suddenly.”
Witnessing true madness, I was thrown into confusion.
A cardinal is creating my kin? Why on earth? What’s the agenda behind this?
There’s no way the Luminous Kingdom would permit the increase of first-generation kin inheriting the progenitor’s blood. Would a group that harbors such hostility towards vampires allow that?
If that’s the case, it would mean that everything is Raul’s unilateral decision, but an individual like a cardinal wouldn’t recklessly go against the church’s policies. Even if he seems insane, the faith he showed didn’t seem fake… or did it?
“Ordinary vampires, the so-called kin, can create others not just by directly biting, but simply by injecting their blood into humans. Of course, the amount required here is considerable, so unless done intentionally, it’s not likely to happen.”
Still, the possibility of it being for my sake approaches zero. Raul is a human supremacist who considers vampires a nuisance and firmly believes that serving humans is the way to serve the world.
That’s why I can’t fathom his intentions. What reason could there be to create my kin while going against church policy?
“But in your case, it seems a will of your own is necessary to create kin. In other words, without your consent, my wish can’t be fulfilled. Well, time is running out, so even if we started right now, there wouldn’t be a way.”
“Are you a heretic? You babble about serving humanity, yet secretly trying to increase my kin? How is that fulfilling your wish?”
“Do not blaspheme my faith. Just because the road ahead is thorny doesn’t mean the promised land at the end is false. I have more faith in Lord Luminous than anyone. And Lord Luminous has declared to usher in a glorious age for mankind. I am but a faithful shepherd, sewing the first thread of that tapestry.”
What a lunatic. I expected him to flip out at the heretic accusation, but he didn’t.
They say a fool’s conviction is terrifying, and this zealot’s faith seems remarkably steadfast. …Though I suppose he’s not exactly a fool.
It’s clear he’s not your average nutcase.
“So what is this grand wish of yours?”
“In these war-torn times, why do you think humans have always been the most oppressed race right through the hundreds of years of interspecies conflict?”
Did I just throw in a pointless retort? I didn’t sign up for a history lecture. Just curious how interesting the zealotry of this lunatic is, I figured I’d hear him out one last time.
But even with my displeasure evident, Raul continued to intently expound.
“The problem is lifespan. Compared to Ain, humans have far too short a lifespan, so we were always doomed to defeat.”
Elves live about a thousand years on average, and dragonkin live half that. Dwarves last around 300 years. Beastmen vary, but many can live at least as long as humans, and some even over 200 years.
“There were heroes among humans even during the chaotic ages. However, even those heroes lose their peak strength in fifty years and fade into legend in a century. Humans, having lost a star, lived in prolonged darkness, once more praying for a new star to appear to guide us.”
Fifty to a hundred years. For humans, that’s not a casual amount. But for other humanoids, especially Ain, it’s a different story.
For beastmen and dwarves, a hundred years is plenty of time for a generational shift.
And for dragonkin and elves, it’s simply a blink of an eye.
The shining time of human heroes is exceptionally brief. Thus, even when a rare powerful individual arose during the war-torn period among humans, the Ain could merely avoid battle or conduct flanking operations to stretch out time without suffering substantial losses.
No matter how heroic, no single person can lead every battlefield. With only one body, it’s impossible to be active in multiple regions simultaneously. It’s not that there aren’t powerful individuals among the Ain to rival heroes.
As a rule, their innate abilities are superior, and they have longer lifespans.
So the era of conflict became a prolonged dark age for humanity.
The fact that the human race didn’t face total extinction isn’t a product of their cleverness or a handful of heroes’ sacrifices; rather, it was pure luck, having been so insignificant in the eyes of other races that they went unnoticed.
Thus, it’s almost miraculous that today, humans have seized control of the continental dominance on Terra.
After the Ain battled violently among themselves and met their doom, humans swiftly planted their flags and took advantage of the empty stronghold.
Of course, just because I heard that tale doesn’t make the horrible mistreatment and oppression of Ain by humans today justified. I, for one, was due to be executed simply for being the progenitor of vampires, an utterly innocent victim.
“Now under Lord Luminous’ guidance, humans have seized control of the continent, yet every day I see those beastly fiends infringing upon our borders. It only makes clear that all of this is insufficient. From that, I concluded, if we could overcome our limited lifespans, a stable era for humans would surely come.”
“Can that happen?”
I was about to ignore him, but was so baffled that I asked back. From a history lesson, we somehow ended up right into the realm of insanity.
Like hell, is he trying to pass himself off as Qin Shi Huang? After spinning such a long-winded tale involving history and deity, what astounding conclusion could possibly come from it? I never imagined he’d speak of immortality.
I once saw a scene in a drama where a kidnapped corporate bigwig berates his captors, asking if his worth is just this low, and thought that made no sense. But now, it makes sense.
If that’s what he calls a wish, what was the point of me enduring his torture? It feels utterly infuriating that my very existence feels tainted with such trivial aims.
Yet, Raul remained utterly unfazed. He appeared to believe wholeheartedly in his own righteousness without a hint of doubt.
“There exist beings who were born human yet now live forever, are there not? Those are the vampires, kin who were born human and inherited traits from the progenitor.”
Whether this can even be called logic is questionable, but it was a seamlessly flowing line of reasoning.
‘Is this guy really a vampire expert? Could he have researched for such a reason?’
I want to believe not, but it seemed likely.
Have I ever seen someone so crazy beyond my imagination? As I embraced the depths of true madness and the vast abyss beyond, even I, filled with resentment, thought, ‘No, that’s too much.’
Before true insanity, I was still an infinitely small existence.
“But it wouldn’t mean anything to give up being human. So I focused on the progenitor’s blood. I believe that if I can unravel the powers that transform mortals into immortals with just a few drops of blood, triggering a craving for blood, we could isolate that essence and extract the mystery which would extend lifespan alone.”
“……”
Ah. I’m starting to get what he’s trying to say.
Though I can’t empathize with him at all, a consistent argument is starting to emerge. Whether it’s realistic is another matter, but if he could find a method for humans to achieve immortality without turning into vampires through studying the progenitor’s blood, that would be revolutionary.
Moreover, capturing those mediocre kin to study them and coincidentally encountering me, the fourth progenitor in history, would send this zealot into thinking it’s divine guidance.
“Research is a process that requires numerous experiments and validations. It’s necessary to observe how a transformation into a vampire occurs when the progenitor’s blood is directly implanted, to compare reactions evoked by infused blood following additional procedures. However, young progenitor, until you create kin, there’s nothing I can do.”
“Well, that’s good, you idiot.”
I genuinely laughed. Though being executed feels unjust, the thought of trampling over the lunatic’s absurd dream brings a flicker of consolation.
Do you think sharing such a notion would make me want to assist you? If you’re hoping for one last chance, wake up from that dream.
…
…
Wait a minute.
“……Did you just say you injected my blood into a human? By a cardinal?”
If I recall correctly, Raul did mention that. ‘Three beastman slaves and two humans,’ he said.
It seems strange in hindsight. In the Luminous Kingdom, where human supremacy prevails, it wouldn’t be impossible to experiment on beastmen, but such acts wouldn’t be permitted on fellow humans.
“A sacrifice is necessary for the greater good. The world won’t change just because a couple of pests that gnaw at society disappear.”
This guy’s really off his rocker. He’s outright declaring himself above the law.
But even so, my questions remain unresolved. I’m definitely missing something.
“Since when? And how?”
Think! What am I overlooking?
This may sound harsh, but Raul and I have been practically together since our first encounter.
Not only with the repeated torture sessions but even the bizarre experiments, where parts of my body were severed or blood drawn, were conducted right in this room.
Unless I’d ventured outside at meal times or to fetch something, he was always beside me reading over papers while eating, so I can confidently say he was diligently present.
“Hey, you.”
At sleeping times? Sure, if he wanted to do something with his limited time, he’d have had some availability.
But could he really have smuggled humans to use as experimental subjects without being spotted by the soldiers outside?
No. I can confidently assert that those put on guard duty by the Luminous Palace couldn’t possibly be so incompetent as to overlook him bringing in illegal test subjects through the main door.
Or perhaps all the guards outside are on Raul’s side? If a human within the palace had that much influence, wouldn’t they have delayed my execution?
Neither option seems plausible. So how did he bring in the sacrificial subjects?
“Secret passage. Right?”
In some ways, that’s a simple story. He’d always stuck around me closely. Yet somehow experiments involving beastmen and humans were definitely conducted.
This means that the experiments must have taken place close enough that Raul could monitor their progress even while briefly absent. While I couldn’t assert this with absolute certainty since I’d never been outside this room, it’s highly likely they occurred within this facility.
And regarding the guards positioned at the entrance. There must be a method to smuggle illegal human test subjects into this place while evading their eyes.
A theory that meets both conditions arises in my mind.
“……”
Raul didn’t affirm; however, the momentary look of surprise he exhibited was effectively a confirmation.
And reaching that certainty, I discovered what could very well be my last chance.
“Hey. What if I agree to help with your experiments?”
“What?!”
His eyes widened, clearly taken aback by the unexpected proposal. I could feel the dying ember of his desire reigniting.
That’s right, you couldn’t just give up, could you? After so long devoted to your research, now finally glimpsing a potential, who would want to quit?
“Are you saying you’d provide me with experimental subjects by your own will?”
“And if I did?”
“Then!! …No, it’s already too late. The execution is scheduled for two days later. There’s no way to procure new subjects and conduct research in just one day.”
Well, of course. That’s exactly why I brought it up.
I still held onto some semblance of a desire to live, while he clung to the hope of his wish.
If I die, the path leading to this newly discovered wish would vanish.
Being on the chopping block and pleading for my life seems inherently imbalanced in negotiation.
Yet, now it’s different. This time, because he surely views this as his last chance as well, I find myself in a position to negotiate from relative parity, rather than just pleading for my life for the first time.
“You said sacrifices are necessary for the greater good, didn’t you?”
I’ll admit, despite being my enemy, and twisted though it may be, your conviction to create a world solely for humanity is indeed genuine.
“If you sacrificed your position as a cardinal and became a hunted man to fulfill your wish, what would you do?”
Sacrificing oneself for the greater cause. If it opened the door to a brilliant era for humanity you envisioned, could you truly relinquish your honor and standing?
“Take me and flee.”
At least I’ve come to a point where I can be quite certain about that response.
Raul is the kind of man capable of making such a decision. Though twisted in belief, he’s resolute. If he believes firmly that he’s acting in accordance with divine will while committing these illegal experiments against the church’s teachings, he may indeed discard even his status as a cardinal.
Coming from a previous chief inquisitor, a cardinal would hardly be confined to just one lab. If he’s willing to engage in illegal tests, he must have one or two hidden shelters available.
Take me and hide me from the impending death he’s scheduled for in two days.
“If so, I’ll help you with your experiments.”
Wouldn’t it be infuriating if I were the only one left stranded in this miserable state? Let’s dive into that hell together.
You fall to the very bottom for me. Then, I shall consume you to live on.