We started moving again, leaving Erma to the cleanup by a certain marquess vampire summoned from the duchy.
I had attached most of the beastman slaves who had sworn loyalty to me as support, and thanks to them, it seems the vampires are able to control the city without difficulty even during the day when they can’t move directly.
I had told them to report any signs of disloyalty from the Ain slaves at any time, but thankfully that’s just a misunderstanding; they all still seem to be working hard and listening to me well.
If I had tried to turn the Ain slaves into vampires and control them through blood bonds, I doubt I could have filled the gaps during the day like this.
Moreover, if I had kept them enslaved without liberation, it would have been difficult to expect active and independent devotion from them in the future.
For a while, I will need to pay attention to the movements of the slaves, but considering it a long-term investment, it’s not a bad situation.
No, on the contrary, given that it’s just the beginning, it can be considered quite smooth sailing.
Above all, the most significant achievement is perhaps the visible precedent I’ve set, showing that I will accept anyone who pledges loyalty, even if they are not of my kin.
While Eleonora and Lavina are living proof of that, honestly, with just two of them, they could be considered exceptions, so it’s fair to say that I have only now begun to make my intentions known to the entire continent.
Well, I’ll think about the rest later.
Having left Erma, we advanced boldly toward the Royal Capital of Bellia in the Bertica Kingdom.
In the meantime, we had already taken over three more cities aside from Erma.
Perhaps due to the aftermath of the Allied Forces’ defeat, it seemed like all remaining troops had been stationed in Erma, making it easier to conquer cities the farther we went inland.
I just charged in, cleared a path, our crew blew things up, and the rest came rushing in with a bang—boom!
Expressing it this way makes the war seem rather trivial, but in reality, humans crumbled under that level of pressure.
In the newly acquired cities, I used the same method to enlist the Ain slaves and put them to work.
I seem to have unintentionally become something like a slave liberation activist.
Still, whether it was thanks to the virtue of not treating them as slaves or due to the overwhelming power I displayed, I don’t know, but surprisingly, there was little friction stemming from our different species.
Of course, there were some brave fools who showed hostility towards vampires in front of me and wasted opportunities, but I pulled them all out, so for now, there shouldn’t be any problems.
No, honestly, I wouldn’t mind if some issues arose. The entire process feels more like a publicity stunt anyway.
If there are any slaves thinking about rebellion against me, I’ve intentionally left a little breathing room, just to see what would happen.
For the vampires called in temporarily to manage things, I told them they could flee if need be, prioritizing their own lives.
Honestly, even though I’ve stuck flags down in every city we’ve passed through like playing land grab, I haven’t achieved anything significant enough that could be retaken by humans or hit from behind by beastman slaves.
Eventually, after seizing the royal capital, I’ll need to clean up the domestic situation all over again, so if the troublemakers step out before I can build anything, it may as well be a welcome occurrence.
“Are you here?”
Lost in thought and fooling around, I was found by Martini, who had been working diligently.
“Yeah. Is everything ready?”
“Yes. We can move anytime tomorrow night.”
“It’s really close now.”
This place we’re currently in is the last city before we reach the Royal Capital of Bellia.
In other words, the next battle will be crucial. It means we’ll truly be facing off against the royal family for ownership of the Bertica Kingdom.
“Make sure the troops don’t let their guard down. Tomorrow might not be as simple as it has been so far.”
“I’ve already made sure to remind them thoroughly.”
“I like that thoroughness.”
Martini giggled lightly.
Excluding Erma, I haven’t encountered any particularly threatening situations on our way here, but the final battle surely won’t be an easy one.
Even without support from the Luminous Kingdom or the Empire due to the war with the Suwong Kingdom, it’s not without reason that the Bertica Kingdom is treated as one of the top three powers, suffering a painful blow from our last war.
We pushed up quickly, taking advantage of the confusion, but it’s impossible that it will end without resistance.
In fact, the lack of resistance I’ve noticed on our way here is proof that they are steering clear of wasting their remaining forces and intend to make a decisive stand at the royal capital.
“Still, it’s a relief that the Ain slaves are surprisingly obedient. They’ve made it so that even if I were hit from behind, it wouldn’t hurt too much; honestly, I thought it would take more time.”
Not to mention the beastman slaves, even the elves, who I thought would scoff at us due to their strong pride, were surprisingly easy to enlist.
Of course, those from the elder faction, as well as those who seemed uncomfortable with Lavina, I didn’t give a chance and killed them off instead.
If they had issues, they should have treated Lavina well while they were alive. Otherwise, they better keep their own countries safe.
In any case, the surviving elf slaves were assigned to Levanta Clocksees from Erma for persuasion, and it was unexpectedly quite fruitful.
What’s interesting is that most of the elves who chose to follow me were forest guardians.
It’s not a fresh discovery, but it seems pointing to a living example of one’s own kind has much more persuasive power than a hundred words from a vampire.
There’s nothing wrong with the old adage. Indeed, things that cannot be resolved through ties of academic lineage, acquaintances, or bloodlines can be done through those means.
“They probably reacted this way because they were slaves. I’ve never been a slave myself, but I understand better than anyone the hope brought by a miraculous downpour after a long drought. They feel the same way.”
Martini, who stood beside me with her arms resting on the railing, gazed up at the moon and spoke.
Salvation. I don’t think I’ve done anything grand; I merely used them as I could, but is it possible to interpret it that way?
I imagined it.
What if, during my time stuck in the depths of the Luminous Kingdom, back when I didn’t possess red eyes like blood, someone had pulled me out from that stinking, horrible cellar?
“…Ah-hah.”
Thinking this way makes it somewhat understandable.
It’s definitely something one would cling to. I would have done the same, not wanting to miss out on a lifeline that had come my way.
And just as Eleonora had done for me, I wouldn’t have cared whether their species was beastman or dragonkin.
“Then, I must also reward their expectations.”
Although they aren’t truly mine yet and are just moths diving toward visible light to survive, it doesn’t matter.
Even if they may only be moths right now, if they have the potential to someday become my strength, isn’t it the duty of someone in a position of power to guide them, as long as they don’t rebel?
“To do that, we need to win.”
“We will win.”
With conviction, as I said this, Martini smiled once more.
“Didn’t you say not to let my guard down?”
“…It’s not letting my guard down, it’s confidence.”
“How reassuring. I always believe in you.”
She added, “Since the first moment I met you,” before leaving, stating she wouldn’t take up any more of my time.
Even if it’s a joke, it’s a bit embarrassing.
I couldn’t help but think that I absolutely cannot lose tomorrow.
*
“Prince, is there still no response from the Luminous Kingdom?”
“…Yes, Your Majesty. Although I’ve contacted them several times, it seems unlikely to receive a reply.”
“Is that so?”
King Glom Bertica turned his gaze from the gloomy expression of his firstborn son, Dweik, and nodded.
“What about the situation outside the royal capital?”
“It’s confirmed that not only the forces of the Sahelrn Duchy led by the Progenitor in the east, but also vampires from the Helraig Duchy in the northwest, and armed groups believed to be the beastmen who previously resided in the Mist Labyrinth in the southwest. This has caused refugees to flock in from all over the kingdom.”
“I know that. But more importantly, how far have the vampires under the Progenitor managed to reach?”
“I heard that they just conquered Delotte today.”
Glom let out a heavy sigh, feeling troubled.
Delotte is one of the cities closest to the Royal Capital of Bellia.
With it now seized by the vampires, it basically means they can reach the capital within a day if they really set their minds to it.
“Order the castle gate to be locked.”
“What about the incoming refugees thereafter?”
“Leaving the castle gate wide open at night is equivalent to suicide. Moreover, there’s no guarantee it’ll be safe just because it’s daytime now.”
In essence, it was no different from telling them to abandon those subjects who had escaped from the beastmen and vampires.
Dweik’s expression twisted with despair. However, knowing he couldn’t persuade his father no matter what he said, he reluctantly hung his head.
He was well aware that if the royal capital fell, the very survival of the Bertica Kingdom would be severed.
“It’s absurd. Is it really possible that a kingdom built over hundreds of years could collapse so quickly due to just one vampire?”
“It’s still too early to give up. There are still priests and knights in the shrine of the royal capital, and while they cannot use sacred magic, the Royal Capital Defense Forces are still intact.”
“Right, that’s true. You’re right. I misspoke.”
Glom nodded in agreement with his son’s words, forcing a bitter smile.
There was now no further room to retreat. They had to bet everything on the next battle.
“Deploy all forces. Until this battle is over, my guards will be limited to two. The remaining members of the royal guard must prepare for battle alongside the Royal Capital Defense Forces against the approaching vampires.”
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