“It is not the paradise of everyone, but the paradise of vampires.”
Silence fell after Aria closed her mouth. In contrast to the indifferent Aria, Jeil Helraig quietly contemplated the words she had spoken, while a few others were left with their mouths agape.
‘This is the future the Progenitor dreams of.’
In truth, Jeil had not expected a response of this level from the start. He had bluntly warned that he wouldn’t serve a king lacking resolve or talent, determined not to repeat past failures. But isn’t trust something that can’t simply be proven with a few words?
Jeil had already dimly realized that Aria was different from the first Progenitor. Perhaps he held onto a weak hope. However, he understood all too well that hasty expectations only lead to disappointment. That is why he led reinforcements personally, leading troops into battle to confirm her intentions through action, not just empty words.
The results exceeded expectations.
Aria was certainly no mere smooth-talking vampire. No, she aimed to shoulder burdens and take action far beyond her words. Her charisma, strength, and mindset all drew others in. She became a symbol of hope, bolstering the morale of her allies and saving the lives of countless vampires who should have died.
Diving headfirst into the most dangerous battlefields, Aria proved her resolve was heavier than a hundred words while securing victory.
They say one must repay a debt of gratitude. The simple fact that she could throw herself into danger for the sake of others marked her as distinctly different from the first Progenitor.
‘I only meant to suggest you think it over.’
It was not a demand for immediate answers, but a suggestion to gradually find her own solutions to what would eventually be needed and would not be settled overnight.
Thus, when she declared her desire to merge the Sahelrn Duchy with the Helraig Duchy and requested support, Jeil initially thought she was being overly eager and rash.
But that was not the case. The plan Aria had laid out was anything but a flimsy idea that could be whipped up overnight. Jeil’s advice merely provided time for her to organize her thoughts and a direction; these ideas had likely been tangled in her mind from the very beginning.
“I see you have been thinking so seriously about this.”
Martini Sahelrn exclaimed, mixed with awe and admiration. That woman must have thought it was a dream to hear the Progenitor express her resolve.
The moment her gamble seemed to miraculously bear fruit—a plan to protect the fourth Progenitor, to one day elevate her to the throne and forge a future for her race—was remarkable, considering how uncertain and unlikely it seemed.
Yet now, it could no longer be dismissed as forced praise. The fourth Progenitor had provided an answer—arrogant and absurd yet the most realistic kind—that only she could achieve.
Jeil couldn’t deny that this time there was a possibility that Martini Sahelrn’s obsession did exist.
“Certainly, it will be a difficult road, but… I cannot declare it absolutely impossible.”
Typically, it would not seem realistic for a dictatorship to influence an entire continent. Especially when it’s one where vampires hold the upper class while humans and beastmen make up the majority. Those being exploited would not remain silent. If dissatisfaction spread across the continent, even the strongest monarch could be brought down.
However, on a long-term scale, there existed one being capable of sustaining such an absurd dictatorship in theory forever.
The Progenitor of Vampires.
The only being that could potentially grow into an overwhelming force able to crush a hundred thousand or a million rebels. Aria’s ambitions, though currently difficult to realize even with the combined powers of two duchies, would one day grant her the strength to maintain a regime single-handedly.
‘As long as they do not feel exploited to the point of thinking it better to lead a rebellion and die, they might just live in acceptance.’
Revolution can only occur under the hope that one person’s sacrifice allows others to enjoy a better future. The more individuals who are exploited, the less burden each carries. If one could truly possess the entire continent, even a little blood drawn would suffice.
Most would probably endure so long as they wouldn’t have to throw their lives away in vain.
Moreover, there was another appealing aspect to this.
That is, every human and all races have the potential to become vampires. Until now, the perception of vampires and the hardships of living made this unlikely, but should the era of vampires arise, why wouldn’t humans aspire to the privileged class of immortality?
By making examples of cooperative humans into vampires, others would begin dreaming of ascending the social ladder, likely contributing more to sustaining the regime rather than attempting a rebellion with little chance of success.
“However, one condition must be met for that plan.”
With a serious face that seemed to be urging him to say more, Aria nodded. Jeil immediately inquired about her determination.
“Ordinarily, the reason you give realism to a plan that sounds ridiculous is the limitless potential of the Progenitor’s growth. While middle managers can be replaced, absolute power cannot be substituted. Are you ready to dedicate yourself to maintaining the regime forever?”
The atmosphere froze in an instant. Especially the reactions of Aria’s three companions were striking. One displayed guilt, another worry, and one pure confusion.
It couldn’t be helped. In the end, the paradise sustained by the Progenitor’s might would bind her forever.
While it is indeed a noble sacrifice, it would be difficult to say it was one that would last eternally.
Thus, Jeil couldn’t help but ask. Given that it would rely on one king, and could collapse at the whims of a monarch, it echoed the precedent set by the first Progenitor.
But Aria stayed calm.
“Oh, if you’re worried I might tire or grow weary, there’s no need. I never said I would sacrifice myself forever, after all.”
“Does that mean you intend to quit partway?”
“No. I mean to reign without ruling. As long as you don’t break the big picture, you can do as you please. If they’re friendly forces, it’s okay to grant some autonomy. I can step in only when threats to the regime appear, right? Once things settle a bit, I planned to live peacefully with them.”
Her nonchalant response, pointing to her companions, lightened the previously tense atmosphere. In the back of the conference room, the tail of the Dragonkin Girl she pointed to began to flutter in the wind.
‘Is she completely devoid of ambition?’
Jeil let out a hollow laugh. Here was a person who casually mentioned integrating the entire continent, something no one had achieved even during the tribal wars, yet showed no desire to wield power excessively or indulge in luxury.
Could there be a better testament than this to the fact that her dream was not for herself, but to protect those who followed her?
He had doubted, tested, and verified several times. To avoid repeating past failures, he had let go of expectations and held rigorous standards.
And at last, Jeil Helraig could no longer refuse to acknowledge that Aria would walk a different path from the first Progenitor; she was indeed the talent capable of leading her people to paradise.
“Progenitor, Aria.”
Jeil stood up from his seat. The questioning gazes around him turned to astonishment as he stepped forward, knelt, and bowed his head.
“I, Grand Duke Jeil Helraig of the Helraig Duchy, hereby swear to crown you, our king, on behalf of the wild compatriots.”
It was a short and simple declaration, but was there ever a phrase that could better reveal the determination of a man who stubbornly followed his beliefs through a history stained with blood?
Martini too rose with relief, a light smile on her face. Standing up as if shaking off a heavy burden, she walked up beside Jeil and similarly knelt before Aria.
“I, Grand Duke Martini Sahelrn, on behalf of the compatriots of the interior, vow to crown the great Progenitor, Aria, as our king.”
With the two Grand Dukes kneeling, naturally, Stella joined in as well.
Two Grand Dukes and one Duchess.
As the unexpected sworn procession unfolded, Eleonora jolted and reflexively stood up.
While Eleonora began to seriously ponder whether she should join the ranks, Lavina beside her poked her side, stifling giggles.
‘Aria. Your expression.’
As Eleonora understood Lavina’s lips, her gaze shifted to Aria.
Her calm demeanor while seated among the kneeling vampires, wearing an expression that read, ‘I’m utterly burdened, so could someone take care of this?’ led Eleonora to smoothly slide back into her own seat as if nothing had happened.
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