My Alter Ego’s Path to Greatness

Episode 211 For Worse (3)

“Then, this concludes the meeting. Thank you all for your hard work.”

Finally, the Second Continental Summit came to an end.

However, only the two cardinals remained seated at the Church’s table, the Saint and the Saintess absent.

It couldn’t be helped, as they had to prepare for the Immortal Army’s attack, which was expected to begin as soon as the meeting ended.

Of course, the countries that were potential targets had already been warned and were taking measures, and those present were also planning to return to their respective countries as soon as the meeting ended.

The meeting was originally supposed to end yesterday, but it had been extended to discuss countermeasures for this issue.

‘But not much has been resolved.’

Heinz the Second, who had been silent throughout the meeting, slowly stroked his chin as he looked at the bustling conference hall.

It was difficult to readily offer help to other countries when they didn’t even know when their own countries would be attacked.

And they had already discussed the Continental Allied Force to death.

It was impossible to dispatch additional troops to deal with the more frequent attacks.

‘We have no choice but to rely on our own strength, based on Saint Heinrich’s foresight.’

The Azeria Empire and the Zepia Republic, which could be considered superpowers, would probably be able to respond somehow with their large territories, their numbers of strong individuals, their military power, and their well-established infrastructure.

The Calcos Tribal Federation, which had an abnormally high proportion of combat personnel compared to its population, and the Wizet Magic Kingdom, a small island nation with advanced magic and the headquarters of the Magic Tower Alliance, were also less worrisome.

But the three kingdoms in the west, excluding Talia, which were relatively weak compared to their territories… would inevitably face difficulties.

‘This is a good opportunity.’

And it was also a golden opportunity for Hybrid to expand its influence abroad.

“You seem to be in a difficult situation.”

Heinz Hybrid the Second, the ruler of the New Talia Kingdom and master of the continent’s largest vampire force, smiled coldly.

“I can offer my help.”

He spoke, looking at the representatives of the kingdoms who were huddled together, whispering with serious expressions.

They all flinched at his words and cautiously turned to look at him.

They hadn’t even been pressured by his aura, but the overwhelming difference in level made them instinctively cower.

“…Help? We appreciate the offer, but… with the Talia Kingdom…”

But they were all representatives of their respective countries.

The representative of the Sharotti Kingdom, regaining his composure, stepped forward and responded reluctantly.

It was only natural, as his country was the closest to the Talia Kingdom and the most active in trying to keep them in check…

“Ahem, hold on.”

“…That’s right. This is a place for discussion, so we can at least hear him out.”

He hesitated at the other two representatives’ intervention.

He was momentarily flustered by their unexpected attitude, as he had thought they would agree with him, but then he realized the reality and reluctantly nodded, subtly stepping back.

“Ahem! Well, I guess it wouldn’t hurt to listen…”

Naturally, they weren’t in a position to be picky.

The Immortal King’s presence was too threatening to worry about the vampires’ future schemes.

They also knew about the power of the current Talia Kingdom.

A clan alliance where most of the vampires in the Ion Continent were united under one banner.

Their combined strength alone was unimaginable, and the synergy that would come from them taking over an entire kingdom was even more so.

They had been keeping them in check because they were wary of that.

‘It’s better to accept help if we can get it. If the vampires cross the line, the Church, the Empire, and even the Republic won’t stand by and watch.’

That was the common thought that crossed the minds of the kingdom representatives.

And of course, Heinz already knew that.

‘It doesn’t matter.’

Naturally, he wasn’t planning to volunteer.

‘I was originally planning to intervene mainly through the Continental Allied Force, but now that things have come to this, it’s more efficient to solidify our position in the neighboring countries and expand from there.’

He was already secretly approaching the neighboring countries, but it was a shame to miss this opportunity to expand his influence publicly.

‘I don’t plan to keep gathering vampires in the Talia Kingdom forever.’

After all, they were a race that lived scattered across the continent.

He had gathered them in the small society of the Talia Kingdom out of necessity, but it wouldn’t be good for anyone if it lasted too long.

Of course, it would be easier to just have them go back to living in the shadows, but then what was the point of taking over a kingdom and coming out into the open?

‘For the vampires to come out into the open, we need to create an environment where they can confidently reveal themselves and operate in other countries.’

The current perception of vampires was practically the same as monsters, but people naturally got used to things they saw often.

If he could expand their influence in secret while also engaging in public activities…

‘They’ll naturally blend into society. Eventually, we’ll be able to trade blood in other countries like we’re doing in the kingdom.’

Heinz was lost in thought, watching his administrators talking to the kingdom representatives.

-Hannibal Strauss: If you want, I can intensify the attacks on the western kingdoms. Wouldn’t that be easier for you?

-Heinz the Second: Thank you for your consideration, but it’s better to observe the situation for now.

-Hannibal Strauss: Alright. But I will intervene when I deem it necessary. It’s beneficial, after all.

…With Hans’s unwanted help, it wouldn’t be difficult to make things happen, even if the kingdoms were hesitant.

‘Anyway.’

Heinz’s gaze turned to Kayla McClair, the Vice President of the Republic, who was greeting the others.

Bringing the vampires out into the open was also an important task, but his top priority right now was the Obaifo Clan hiding in the Republic.

He was currently calling himself the King of Vampires, but it wasn’t a proper throne as long as the Obaifo Clan remained.

Only after completely subjugating them could he become the true King of Vampires in Auterica.

‘It would be good to have an inside collaborator to avoid trouble. Should I approach them cautiously, or should I just confront them? What should I…’

As he was lost in thought,

[“High Lord. There’s something urgent I need to report.”]

A sudden telepathic message came from Mulo, who was standing next to him.

Heinz subtly glanced at him, and he hurriedly continued.

[“It’s an urgent report from the east. The Obaifo Clan has started to move.”]

The Republic’s politicians, the media, the business world, and even the military…

Radical changes were occurring in all sectors simultaneously, to the point where it was hard to believe they had been lying low.

[“Most of our informants who were monitoring the situation in the east have been eliminated. The agent who barely managed to bring this information also lost contact immediately afterward. …I apologize, High Lord. It seems like it’ll be difficult to obtain any further information.”]

Heinz’s gaze turned back to Vice President Kayla.

She was about to leave, seemingly unaware of the situation in the Republic.

‘It seems like it’s time to act.’

He subtly glanced at Duke Bright, the former representative of the Talia Kingdom, who was next to him, and gestured with his chin towards Kayla.

He judged that it was better to send out someone she knew first, as she already had a strong animosity towards vampires.

“Greetings, Vice President. Could we talk for a moment?”

And so, Duke Bright approached Vice President Kayla…

“Ah, Duke Bright. I apologize, but as you know, I’m very busy right now. I have an urgent matter to attend to, so could you please send me a written report?”

She smiled apologetically, as if she was truly sorry.

As expected of a politician, her expression didn’t show a hint of discomfort, but Duke Bright, who had spent his entire life walking on thin ice as a vampire’s subordinate, wasn’t easily fooled.

He could sense a subtle aversion and disgust, beyond just coldness.

She hadn’t been like this before, so she was clearly trying to distance herself from him now that she knew he was a vampire.

‘I expected this.’

But he had prepared a magic phrase to force the conversation.

“It’s about your son.”

Her movements stopped at those words.

Her gentle smile vanished, and she glared at Duke Bright with icy eyes.

“Are you willing to talk now?”

“…Yes. It seems like the urgent matter has just been resolved. I can spare a few moments.”

And so, an uncomfortable meeting was arranged in the midst of a frosty atmosphere.

Of course, even in that situation,

-Hannibal Strauss: Interesting. The east, after the Enamel Continent? I’ll have Olivia investigate further.

The Immortal King’s nosy intervention continued.

-Hannibal Strauss: There might be something useful there. It would be more efficient to acquire Karma that way than to just kill everyone.

Even though his intentions weren’t exactly pure.

______________

‘This is strange.’

The moment Heinz the Second realized the problem in the east, Harris in the Enamel Continent also noticed the peculiarity of the situation.

He had definitely felt something strange about the World Tree, but the other High Elves hadn’t received any revelation about it.

And it was true that he himself had only vaguely felt it in a dream-like state while he was overly immersed in nature. He hadn’t received any clear revelation.

He could have just ignored it…

‘Ah, this is annoying… How did things turn out like this?’

But he was also a High Elf, the highest rank in Elf society, a priest of the World Tree.

He couldn’t just ignore a premonition related to the World Tree, so it was only natural that he became the leader of a special investigation team after bringing it up.

‘They were so protective of me before because I was a newbie. They think this place is safe?’

There was that aspect to it, but the main reason was that if the World Tree had sent a signal only to him, there must have been a reason.

‘Ah, the breeze is so nice today. I want to lie down under a tree and take a nap.’

But he couldn’t help but do his job, so Harris reluctantly moved to the suspicious location with a group of Guardians.

Whoosh—

Of course, Pascal, the Wind Spirit, was in charge of carrying him, as he had already realized the convenience.

______________

The first to return after the summit was the delegation of the Tribal Federation, led by High Shaman Morna.

Morna, who had a stiff expression the entire time, immediately got up from her seat as soon as the meeting ended, as if she didn’t want anyone to stop her, and left for the south through the Church’s gate without even saying goodbye to the others.

And immediately after,

An official statement from the Calcos Tribal Federation was sent to the Roselia Cathedral through the only temple in the south,

And its grave content was relayed to the representatives of the other countries who were still in the holy land.

“…I think I misheard. So, what about Calcos?”

In the middle of the hallway leading to the gate room from her lodging in the cathedral,

Princess Riley, who had just finished greeting the others and was leaving with her luggage, asked with a dumbfounded expression.

“I don’t think you misheard, Your Highness. I feel the same way.”

Isea, who had just relayed the news she had urgently received from the Church, repeated it, as if she couldn’t believe it either.

-The Calcos Tribal Federation is withdrawing from the Continental Alliance. All previous discussions are null and void, and we have decided to go our own way from now on. All interference from the temple is prohibited.

That was the gist of it.

“No, how dare they…? It’s already difficult with everyone united, what’s the meaning of this…!”

Riley exclaimed in anger.

It was only natural, as the discussions they had for days were now meaningless.

And this kind of defection didn’t help the unity and morale of the others.

After all, why was this summit held in the first place?

It was to find a way out together through concessions and agreements, even if they didn’t agree on everything.

“What are they thinking? Do they really need to do this? Unless they’re declaring war…”

She suddenly stopped talking.

It wasn’t appropriate to bring up the topic of war in this situation.

“Sigh— Let’s go back. We’ve already been away for too long. We have no choice but to trust the Church for now.”

Naturally, the Church wasn’t just standing by and doing nothing.

They were continuously trying to contact Calcos and talk to them after their sudden change of heart.

‘It’ll be troublesome if it doesn’t work out…’

She shook her head and led the group towards the gate room.

Taking care of the tasks at hand was the priority, and they could worry about the aftermath later.

However,

Jeron, the capital of the Azeria Empire, where Princess Riley, Isea, Hesperon, and the rest of the imperial delegation had hurriedly returned,

…was also in a state of chaos.

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