“So, how is the Progenitor doing? I see you didn’t bring them along today.”
Martini changed the subject to lighten the mood.
“I didn’t expect the war preparations to go this quickly, so I’m here alone this time, worried that my tail might be stepped on. The Progenitor is training hard in the Dwarves’ Underground City.”
“Is that so? Have there been any results?”
Stella raised one corner of her mouth with a hint of confidence.
It was rare for Stella, who usually remained composed no matter what task was given, to openly display this much confidence, so Martini adjusted her sitting posture, finding it intriguing.
“Considering the place, I haven’t been able to draw out my full power, but at the very least, I think it’s certain that they’ve surpassed me.”
“…Really? Is that so?”
Martini’s voice was more filled with curiosity than surprise.
She knew better than anyone that Stella wouldn’t make such an empty claim in this situation.
But it’s only been three years, right?
Though Aria has shown the fastest growth among all past Progenitors and has many other unique traits, Stella is the second-in-command of the Sahelrn Duchy.
No, it would actually be more accurate to say she’s the second strongest Vampire on the Terra continent.
Since Stella is attached to Martini’s side, she’s still a Duke, but in terms of overall combat power, she has a higher expected value than Grand Duke Helraig and even Grand Duke Jeil Helraig.
Of course, Stella is a Wizard and Jeil Helraig is a melee type, so in a one-on-one battle, the latter might have a slight advantage. However, the tactical value of a Wizard skilled in Dark Magic is immeasurable, especially one who far surpasses even Martini.
‘But the Progenitor, who has barely lived for four years, has surpassed Stella?’
Even considering Aria’s absurd appetite for growth, I thought it would take at least ten more years. To have achieved such a radical growth in just three years is hard to believe.
“In a state where regeneration is no longer possible, I was able to be beaten purely based on physical ability. I fought while sealing away about half of my magic, yet if Aria uses both Dark Magic and Blood Magic in perfect condition… the results would likely be even more overwhelming.”
Despite showing pride, Stella subtly didn’t want to admit her defeat, which added credibility to her statement.
Martini, with a dry smile indicating disbelief, pointed out, “That’s great news, but… I hear you trained her quite roughly.”
Martini herself had a history of thoroughly beating Aria under the pretense of training, and while it might have seemed like unreasonable violence to the one on the receiving end, it was meticulously calculated training.
Knowing Stella’s skill and meticulousness, Martini trusted she would have controlled it well enough; though to be criticized could be excessive, if serious injuries were sustained while fully depleted of regeneration abilities, death would be unavoidable.
Moreover, as the gap in skill closed to an unmanageable level, the risks only escalated.
“Yes. It was the Progenitor’s wish.”
“…The Progenitor’s?”
“Yes. She seemed unwilling to succumb to instincts and asked to help her handle her powers even while surpassing her limits.”
“Oh, really? That’s wonderful. You’ve really gotten stronger. That’s… yes, indeed, a joyful matter.”
Martini’s eyes sparkled.
Her expression of joy at the hopeful news, if only for a brief moment, revealed fragments of the normalcy hidden behind the image of the flawless might of the Duchy.
“So, if I request your assistance now, will you be able to make it in time?”
“If I make a round trip to Iron Grave right now, it seems tight, but it might be possible before the battle begins. However…”
“You’re not planning to request assistance, are you?”
Martini didn’t answer. But in the silence, both she and Stella perfectly understood each other’s thoughts.
Martini Sahelrn has no intention of calling upon Aria’s power in this war.
Stella Banteker thought this could happen as well, and while aware of the Duchy’s urgent circumstances, used the excuse that recognizing the situation was the priority to avoid returning with Aria.
“I feel a bit strange saying this after returning alone, but isn’t this a bit backward?”
“The stronger the pawn, the less you wish to use them prematurely, right? She is undoubtedly the hope and future of our people. If things continue like this, within ten years at most, it’s possible that she will exceed the threshold of what humans can contend with. Once that happens, neither numbers nor holy magic will matter. If we want a definite victory, it’s better to keep her hidden until then.”
“Let’s hope we’re not left holding the card and die without even seeing the table.”
A legitimate concern.
Martini had originally thought that if Aria were just a bit weaker, she would consider fighting alongside them.
But ironically, the more certain of her potential Aria showed, the more she couldn’t bring herself to drag her into the dangerous battlefield.
If they borrowed Aria’s hand now, the Duchy’s overall military strength would significantly increase. But that would also expose their weaknesses.
While strong, she’s still just one individual.
Whether it be Knights or Imperials, or regardless of how many foes come, if one cannot effortlessly overpower them, the strength of a single individual has its limits.
A powerful Vampire can lead a battle to victory but cannot turn the tide of the war.
Just like Martini Sahelrn has done until now, and just as Jeil Helraig has done, it’s merely about hiding in the darkness of night, desperately guarding the last bastion.
The same applies to the Progenitor.
Even three years ago, humans had willingly suffered tremendous losses just for the singular goal of assassinating the Progenitor.
If this time, humans mobilize all means to kill just one Vampire, Aria’s safety cannot be guaranteed.
Even if humans concoct a plan sacrificing thousands, or rather, tens of thousands of troops, losing Aria would ultimately spell the end of the Vampire’s future.
What would remain then is only predetermined decline and fall.
The very reason humans hasten war at this timing is that they know that if the Progenitor builds a powerful force through alliance with the Duchy, it will pose a great threat, trying something against the Duchy instead of the untraceable Progenitor.
In that scenario, sending Aria to the battlefield is, in the long run, far more dangerous than simply defending the Duchy.
“Guess we must just give it a try.”
“Right. I never thought it would come to this.”
This may truly be a dangerous gamble, with no guarantee for tomorrow.
Martini and Stella chuckled wryly across the desk.
‘It’s hard to think it started merely as an investment for the Duchy.’
I wonder if the day will ever come when the ominous clouds hanging over the Duchy will clear to reveal the brilliant moonlight.
The war from three years ago had been strictly an investment for the Duchy and the future of the Vampires.
Saving the Progenitor and getting into debt. That was simply that.
But when did it become something more? When did I see hope as an individual Vampire rather than a leader of the Duchy?
Martini Sahelrn is a leader of the Duchy.
As the Grand Duke of a nation, it is right to enlist Aria’s participation. Prioritizing the immediate physical threat over the idealized and abstract concept of the “future of Vampires” is the correct course of action.
Moreover, perhaps teaming up with Aria in this war could yield a better chance of victory.
Even if saving Aria ensures the hope remains for the Vampire race, if the Duchy faces defeat alone, the soldiers who die at her command will never see a hopeful future.
‘It seems I’m still not fit to stand above others.’
Martini gazed up at the night sky with bitterness.
Among the reasons she had decided not to strain herself and involve Aria in battle lies a deeply personal feeling—she did not want to witness her become a symbol of hope only to face defeat.
As her night deepened, the shades of sincere self-reflection rolled silently beneath the surface.
*
“Chief, did you hear?”
“We got deployment orders too? I heard.”
In the Luminous Kingdom Randell, two Knights spoke with pale faces regarding the orders just issued today.
The command was none other than to participate in a war against the Sahelrn Duchy. However, both men showed no surprise, as if they had anticipated this.
After all, they had been sharpening their blades since suffering a bitter defeat three years ago and sensed that this time, the speed and scale of preparations from the Duchy felt quite unusual, even the common folk could tell it.
Notably, the amount of nations forming the combined army had even added Armes Kingdom to the original group from three years ago.
While a tripartite alliance was already remarkable, a war involving four nations coming together was unprecedented.
The Greysia Empire, who had rushed to criticize the Luminous Kingdom’s blunders once again, seemed to be moving their standing army along with only the minimal forces needed at the eastern border next to Suwong Kingdom, while all the Knights left with available time from the Luminous Kingdom were called to arms.
Thus, among Randell’s Knights, Dave and Selin, who hadn’t been deployed for a while, had expected their own deployment order. No, they were actually waiting for it.
“With this, Flona’s…”
“Shut it. I’ve seen countless fools rush into battle, driven by personal vendetta.”
“Yet, didn’t you want to join the fight because of Flona?”
Dave didn’t respond. But Selin knew her thoughts weren’t wrong.
After all, the two had grown so haggard after losing their comrade and junior, Flona Moonlight, during their last battle three years ago.
“However, Chief, could it mean that the Progenitor is alive, implying Flona’s betrayal was also a falsehood?”
Selin dared to voice her wish.
Betraying humanity and helping the Progenitor, Flona had been excommunicated and was executed on the spot by the inquisitor.
When they received the shameful news of Flona’s passing, the level of despair from both Dave and Selin was indescribable.
But if the report from the inquisitor was fabricated, wouldn’t it be possible that the Ducal Vampires had intentionally done so to tarnish the honor of the Knights?
Dave still did not respond to Selin’s question.
The Church’s upper echelons are not foolish.
If they blindly accepted the fabricated narrative generated by the Sahelrn Duchy, it implies they were realistically considering the possibility of Flona’s betrayal.
‘Then the worst possibility is, Flona…’
Dave halted his thoughts there.
Yes, the important thing isn’t about avenging a departed comrade.
He resolved to focus solely on the war approaching and vowed that completely erasing the Sahelrn Duchy would be the only way to honor the memory of his fallen comrade.
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