After hearing Jeil’s words, I realized that the situation following the war wouldn’t be simple either.
The terrifying reality right in front of me was enough to make me completely overlook what comes next. Sure, losing means death, so there’s no need to discuss that. But even if we win, the real headaches start from there, right?
Leaving aside the question of how I would be treated, first, there’s the Helraig Duchy.
The Helraig Duchy and the Sahelrn Duchy are not exactly next-door neighbors like in an apartment complex. It’s not just a matter of psychological distance; there’s also physical distance.
The Sahelrn Duchy, touching the eastern border of the Bertica Kingdom, and the northwest Helraig Duchy are definitely not places you can easily travel between.
Sure, sneaking out alone might work, but it’s nearly impossible for a bunch of vampires to casually roam around human territory multiple times.
To put it simply, the returning vampires from the Helraig Duchy are not on an easy journey back to their homeland.
‘Humans aren’t the type to give up easily.’
It’s not like these grudges just popped up overnight. If it could all be settled with one war, it would have ended three years ago.
No, I don’t even need to worry about the future of the Sahelrn Duchy. Just showing up means that the vampires humans most want to kill would be me.
No matter how much stronger I’ve become, I can’t survive alone. So, I’m bound to remain in a co-dependent relationship with the Sahelrn Duchy even after we somehow get through this war.
But even that is essentially back to square one. Just combining our strengths with the Sahelrn Duchy doesn’t mean we could handle the humans, which is exactly why I’m here asking for help from the Helraig Duchy.
After one war, if the Galdu Duchy separates and goes its own way again, it just means I’ve cleared one hurdle without fundamentally solving my survival chances.
‘This is tough, really.’
Given the attitude, I don’t see Jeil and Martini collaborating either, but beforehand, Jeil did state that they would help this time. It was a clear indication that there wouldn’t be a next time.
A long-term alliance seems impossible, even if it is the most plausible way to oppose the humans’ alliance; the two grand dukes are divided by differences in beliefs.
To ask either side to bow their heads now would be impossible—no need to be a genius to realize that.
“…First, let’s deal with the war at hand before thinking further.”
“That’s not incorrect. However, it would be wise to consider it in advance. And although I’m not in a position to sound all high and mighty, let me offer you one piece of advice.”
While I, attempting to procrastinate on complex decisions, was pushed to think, Jeil surprisingly nodded in agreement. Yet he added in a gruff tone.
“If you aim to become king, remember how the fate of merely strong rulers turned out. A ruler who cannot face reality is undoubtedly a tyrant, nor would vampires ever follow a ruler without ideals.”
Ideals…
The strong ruler Jeil mentioned, as well as the ruler devoid of ideals, likely referred to the first Progenitor.
For someone like me, who came this far solely with the straightforward intention to survive, that’s a pretty sharp jab.
“Well, I’ll worry about luxurious dilemmas after the war. The deployment is in four days. No matter how much the humans’ attention has shifted east, it’s practically impossible for thousands of troops to cross into the Bertica Kingdom, so I’ll streamline them to below a thousand. We need at least this much time to select an elite force.”
Lightening the heavy atmosphere, Jeil tapped the table lightly.
It was only then that I realized I’d been holding my breath and slowly started to breathe again. Suddenly, something he said caught my attention, so I cautiously expressed my concern.
“Four days?”
“I know the time is pressing, but this is the best I can do. During my absence, I have to pick those who will guard this place, and we need to do something about the broken tower.”
Having opened my mouth for nothing, I slumped back into my chair.
This isn’t easy. It really feels like I’m in a minefield.
Honestly, I believe the recent property damage was justified self-defense, but when comparing the situation to being in a restroom, it feels like I’m still in a pre-visit phase.
No matter how much of a victor I am, and how much Jeil is a can’t-defend-himself loser, until I find a way to resolve the war with the Sahelrn Duchy, I’m in a position to tread carefully.
“Wait a minute. ‘During my absence,’ does this mean you’re coming too?”
“I mentioned a small elite force. Is there anyone who can reduce troop numbers like me?”
“…That does make sense.”
It’s definitely reasonable that if we want maximum firepower with minimum personnel, Jeil’s participation is essential.
Since I’ve fought him once, it’s clear he’s incredibly strong; from my perspective, it’s good news, but honestly, I didn’t expect him to say he’d come.
Well, let’s just think positively. If he comes, I won’t have to worry about the way back.
“Leave the troop preparations to me, and you take this time to rest. …Ah, but first, the Progenitor.”
“Yeah?”
“You can’t go looking like that. I’ll have a dress made for you, so you should go with the maids before resting.”
“A dress? This is fine as it is!”
I waved the thick, durable collar of my newly changed clothes that I had put on after getting rid of the ragged outfits from my fight with Jeil.
However, Jeil shook his head with a look of disdain, as if to say I even have to explain this much to you.
“You should know how important appearances are. Once you reveal yourself this time, there’ll be no hiding again. Plus, I regret to inform you, but all races will likely see you as the representative of vampires. Showing up as a haggard mess won’t bode well. At the very least, show a respectable appearance.”
“…Thanks for that.”
Even though emphasizing the regret part made me want to slap him, I couldn’t argue against him; he had a point.
In essence, he meant that attire is part of the facade.
While I’d been pretending to be strong and adopting a high-handed attitude during my stay in the Mist Labyrinth, it ultimately was just a scheme to inflate my substance through my appearance.
Until now, I had been rummaging through whatever clothes I could find that prioritized durability, but it’s clear that looking the part won’t negatively impact my image in any way.
With that in mind, there’s no reason to refuse something that is offered for free.
And little did I know that this seemingly simple decision would lead to the biggest crisis since stepping foot in the Helraig Duchy.
*
“Progenitor, please stretch out your arms. Naturally. Yes, that’s it. Good.”
…Life. How did it come to this?
Three maids, with measuring tapes in hand, scurried around my naked self.
At this point, regretting it is a bit late, but I should’ve caught on when they said “I will make you a dress” instead of “I’ll give you one.”
As soon as I followed the maids Jeil assigned, they promptly stripped me and clung to me with the measuring tape. When I hastily protested that I could just wear something that roughly fits, I was grounded by the statement that there were no ready-made clothes available in my size, and now I’m undergoing the greatest trial of my life.
“Yes, this time, we’ll measure your chest, so please raise your arms. Yes, that’s it… Wow.”
I squeezed my eyes shut, trying not to be aware of the feeling of the tape wrapping around my chest and loosening again.
I kept telling myself that there was probably no excessive physical contact, but that must just be my imagination. I want to believe that.
However, shutting my eyes and thinking of something else couldn’t stop me from hearing the whispers of the maids.
“Wow, look at this. I’ve never seen a three-digit chest before.”
“That waist size doesn’t make sense! Look at the shape. How is it not sagging even when she’s naked?”
“The proportions are astonishing. Her legs reach all the way to my waist!”
“Her face… Compared to her, I’m just a sprouted potato. More like a potato that got hit twice with a hoe.”
…Being so sensitive has its downsides. Did they think they could whisper and I wouldn’t hear anything?
Why are the maids here so straightforward? Have they only recently become vampires?
I guess it’s true that one finds out it’s spring only after flowers have fallen—the more I think about it, the more I’d prefer the loudmouth Stella.
Regardless, I couldn’t muster up a response due to embarrassment, and in that moment, I only cursed my acute hearing.
‘Jeil, that bastard…’
Anyway, I’m pretty sure it’s all his fault. I have to get my revenge later.
Desperately hiding my grimace, I followed the maids’ instructions.
Despite having used seduction techniques in the past, I thought I’d lost all sense of shame by now.
But now, having adjusted more to my current body than in my previous life, I’ve had to deal with lustful gazes from men, so I thought adjusting to having a dress fitted wouldn’t be a big deal—but pure admiration makes it a hundred times more burdensome.
“Progenitor, is it okay if the fabric clings a little?”
“If the material doesn’t have enough body, then the fabric will hang loosely below the chest and ruin the dress’s shape. Since it’s not a kind of dress that looks pretty tied with a string, it should have some structure.”
“…That’s fine.”
Now, I was so drained that I decided to simply be a yes-girl.
Having worn thick and baggy clothes that didn’t reveal my shape until now, the height of the conversation I was engaged in was far too high for me to handle.
This is despair. When was the last time I felt so much fear and overwhelming despair in my life?
…I can’t remember. I just hope this ends quickly and reasonably.
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