Chapter 176: The Vampire in the Lecture Hall
Since the beginning of the new century, when the new gods came to the planet of the Lost World, 267 years had passed.
In the middle of the continent known to Black Scale as the southern continent—new continent for the other countries and fourth continent to the players—was the Yobuen plateau. The region was a high and wide open field at an altitude of over 800 meters, and it was considered a sacred place because it looked like the Prairie of Beginnings that was told from the Pantheon. However, it was becoming outdated for it to be called sacred.
Yobuen was a good land for people to live in. Just as the many ruins and spires testified to this fact, the new generations were also building a new civilization in this patch of land. In particular, the metropolis of Vaseniol, named after the pioneer Vasen Lak Orazen, was one of the largest cities in the southern continent. Although it had only been around for about one hundred years, this metropolis, located at the edge of the Yobuen plateau with the Gareum River running down into a waterfall below, combined harmoniously with ancient relics, forming a paradoxical city that merged the past and the present.
On the other hand, it also served as a supply base for the frontline between the Black Scale Empire and the Danly Union Empire. In fact, the actual border between Black Scale and Danly was hundreds of kilometers south of Vaseniol, but if Orazan—the capital and an automated city that could run by itself—was the heart, then Vaseniol was the hand with a supply base and fortress acting as a spear and shield.
However, not all those who came to Vaseniol were soldiers. In the first place, the new continent was an area of conflict between various forces worldwide, including the knowledge of the Black Scale Empire, the Danly Union Empire, the Ronante-Oroban alliance, the Muen Holy Kingdom of Mune, and even the Black Order. They each exerted influence to some extent and engaged in fights to take the sphere of influence from the Black Scale Empire. And in these fights, there weren’t only guns, swords, magic, and miracles.
The most significant weapon that had shaken the world in the past one hundred years was knowledge itself. Those at the Margonin University in Vaseniol was comparable to the scholars of Orazan's Kylin University. Despite being criticized by other countries for its lack of neutrality due to the affiliated military academy that trained officers, students from various nations enrolled to learn knowledge that was pretty much monopolized by the Black Scale Empire. Of course, there was nothing bad about this for Black Scale.
Some of these foreign students returned to their homeland, but others remained in Vaseniol to continue their studies, and there were also some who, perhaps in line with the Black Scale's desires, chose to turn their backs on their own countries. So for other nations, it was essential to catch up with the Black Scale in a world where each day brought change.
***
"...Therefore, after Night Sky established the Pantheon, Night Sky reaped the blessings that he had bestowed upon his species and then blessed them anew. For example, the Lizardmen of the past were said to possess immense strength. They were so strong that a warrior could allegedly break a water buffalo’s neck with their bare hands."
In a lecture room at Margonin University in Vaseniol, one could look out of the window to see the Yobuen plateau, where the grand Gareum River flowed, meeting a precipice and transforming into a waterfall.
Beneath it was a vast jungle. There were stories that small numbers of Rakshasa tribes who were untouched by civilization still lived within this jungle, but as long as they didn’t interfere with the routes used by traders and soldiers, Black Scale no longer interfered because it was deemed that there were no longer any Rakshasa groups that wanted to become part of civilization.
A middle-aged Orc standing on the podium continued to say, “However, with the passing of the age of the three brothers, Night Sky took back the blessing of strength he had granted to the Lizardmen. Instead, he bestowed that blessing upon the weak and fragile Pangolins. As a result, while the Pangolins have small physiques, they possess strength comparable to larger species. What is it like, Chocho?"
At those words, a Pangolin that was seated and quietly listening to the lecture repeatedly blinked.
"Oh, well...yes. That's right. My friends often say that I'm quite strong for my size, and I haven't really felt uncomfortable due to that. But..."
"But?"
"If Night Sky had paid a little more attention and maybe made us a bit taller..."
This comment prompted a wave of laughter throughout the lecture hall.
The Orc professor also grinned, revealing their molars.
"It's a shame, indeed. However, Night Sky likely believed that even with a small physique, there were things you could accomplish. What else is there?"
This time, from the back of the lecture hall, a massive Ogre with a height of almost two meters even when sitting raised their hand.
"Night Sky has also shown consideration for our species as well. This might sound disrespectful to our ancestors, but honestly, they weren’t exactly good with calculations."
The Orc professor nodded.
"Yes. I don't blame species that haven't received blessings in the past. Blessings sometimes just vary in direction. For instance, the Ogres from Black Scale and those from the Danly have significant differences."
The Orc professor didn't elaborate further, but the Ogre in the lecture hall nodded. Compared to the Ogres from Black Scale who had gained intelligence and assimilated with other species, the Ogres from Danly had become much more aggressive than their ancestors. As a result, they were no different than living tanks on the battlefield, but regardless, many Black Scale Ogres felt fortunate that they weren't Danly Ogres.
The professor said, "Us Orcs, too, were said to be aggressive in the past. Fortunately, thanks to Night Sky’s blessings, instances of me giving you guys lower scores have decreased."
A brief bout of awkward laughter swept through the classroom.
"Anyway, Night Sky made up for the weaknesses of various species to enable harmony among them. This concept is known as Night Sky’s Counterbalance. This wasn't a single occurrence but rather something that took place over several generations with the most care and caution, and some scholars even view it as an ongoing process to this day. This will of God’s aligns with the principles of fairness, equity, and balance, as found in the Pantheon."
Afterward, the professor continued the lecture by going into metaphysical concepts while excerpting passages from the book Night Sky, which was written by Sairan Muel. In a simple summary, it was about the concept of justice that Night Sky held, and the conclusion was because of that, it would only be natural for them to emerge victorious against powerful nations like Danly. There might have been a somewhat dogmatic aspect to the conclusion, but the students' reactions weren't that bad as this was a lecture of the History of the Pantheon that was required for graduation.
Then the professor said, "To wrap up, if there are any questions about today's lecture, I will give a concise answer and we can leave it there for today… Are there none?"
The students scattered throughout the lecture hall began to exchange glances. It meant that they should refrain from asking any questions because lunchtime was approaching.
Then, ignoring all those glances, a white hand went up. The hand belonged to what Lizardmen called a Minnow—species such as Humans, Elves, Dwarves, and Halflings. The owner of the hand sat in the very corner of the lecture hall, wearing a deep hood that made it difficult to see their face.
Yet the professor knew their name.
"Ramin Solost?"
"Yes."
It was a woman's voice.
The Orc professor glanced at the clock hanging on the wall for a moment. Many items in the lecture hall were creations of the Dwarf craftsmen from the Fabirang Empire. In particular, the arcane-powered wall clock held great value. This astonishing clock didn't stop as long as it received regular maintenance and supply from a Wizard.
The Orc professor said, "Ask your question."
Cold stares were directed at Ramin, but she didn’t seem to care.
Ramin said, "I have a question about the first part of today's lecture."
The professor recalled the lecture. The first part of the lecture discussed the Afterlife of the Pantheon. After the era of the three brothers, the Afterlife of Night Sky, which had been known simply as the Prairie of Beginnings, transformed into one with complex and challenging rules as the afterlifes of various gods merged with it.
The professor nodded, and Ramin continued to ask, "Actually, my question isn't about the doctrine of the Pantheon. I know that when believers die, not only the believers of Night Sky but also believers of other gods go to the afterlife realms made by their respective gods. But..."
"But?"
"If someone doesn't believe in any god, where do they go?"
The question chilled the classroom. The Orc professor seemed taken aback, as their expression showed that they were thinking for a moment. Meanwhile, on one side of the lecture hall, students were murmuring.
"As expected, she's...probably a non-believer."
"Why did our school even admit someone like her in the first place?"
Ramin's body grew slightly tense. Even though she tried not to listen, her keen ears involuntarily picked up the words about herself.
"A Vampire, huh. Honestly, I thought they were extinct until I saw her."
That was the same for Ramin. Before becoming a Vampire herself, she thought Vampires were an extinct species. A long time ago, during the dawning of Black Scale, Lakrak had killed the God of Blood and Rotten Meat. Many Vampires were moved by Lakrak's dedication and sacrifice, so they chose to end their lives through starvation as they didn’t want to live having to sacrifice the life of others. However, not all Vampires did so.
A small number of weak and insignificant Vampires blended into the crowds of people and survived. Because their existence was insignificant and their influence was minimal, the gods hadn’t paid attention to them. However, if one delved into history books, records about Vampires and their punishments could be found. Most vampires who harmed people were executed, and those who didn't were brought to prison and died of starvation.
The starved Vampires who died in their hunger became a symbol of sacred sacrifice, but treatment for those who had escaped as well as their descendants was not so favorable. The concept of being a Vampire itself as not being a crime had only recently emerged. And thanks to that, Ramin was able to enter Margonin University, but she still felt the weight of many eyes on her.
The Orc professor said, “Ramin, honestly speaking, even I'm not entirely sure. I know that gods take the souls of believers when they die. But for non-believers...it’s said that they usually just vanish."
"..."
"Of course, I'm not a theologist or a priest, so I don't know for sure. We have plenty of professors here who specialize in that field, so it would be a good idea to ask them directly."
"But..."
Ramin was about to say that she had met and asked the theologists and priests about this, but at that moment, a student shouted while looking out the window.
"It's the Moving Castle!"
From the horizon, the Moving Castle stood tall above the jungle with its legs moving as it approached the plateau below.
“Was today the day that the Moving Castle comes?”
“I don’t think so. The route must have changed.”
"Why, though? Is it because of the war?"
Outside the window, communication Wyverns that flew from Vaseniol were heading toward the Moving Castle already.
The students were excited. Besides transporting war supplies and soldiers, the Moving Castle was also used for trading by merchants who had amassed goods from the mainland of Black Scale. Although this was the same for other cities that the Moving Castle passed by, the days the Moving Castle arrived at Vaseniol were a festival.
The Orc Professor sent Ramin a look meaning that there was nothing they could do, and before Ramin could agree, the professor said, "Let's stop here. I hope you all have a good day."
The professor and students left the lecture hall.
Ramin was the last to rise from her seat. She also looked at the approaching Moving Castle outside the window. To get a better view, she slightly lifted her hood, but a gust of wind completely blew it off her head. Beneath her black hair, the deep brown irises that she had had back when she was a Human had been replaced with unsettling red eyes. Ramin furrowed her eyebrows. Then, to block the pain from the sunlight, she hurriedly pulled her hood back over her head.
***
Even though the Moving Castle hadn't arrived yet, the streets of Vaseniol were already in a festive atmosphere.
Feeling dizzy because of the massive crowd, Ramin slipped into a dark alleyway as she usually did.
Vaseniol's security wasn't that bad. With a considerable proportion of soldiers passing through the streets due to the ongoing war and nobles from various nations moving along, Black Scale had to pay attention to maintain their security. Moreover, with the presence of Wizards in the Magic Tower not far from Vaseniol, bandits were few and far between even though there were occasionally some petty thefts and pickpocketing. After all, nobody wanted to experience the nightmare of encountering a Wizard just because they picked a fight.
Therefore, when Ramin felt someone approaching from behind, she didn't pay much attention to it. And if that feeling hadn't come with a blade being held against her neck, she would have continued to think nothing of it.
"Ramin Solost, slowly raise your hands and don't move from your spot."
Ramin did as they said and quietly asked, “Who are you?”
"I've been watching you for a long time."
"What?"
"A Vampire, hybrid, and non-believer."
"..."
"You're the person we've been seeking."
"What do you mean..."
"Slowly turn around."
Ramin turned around slowly. Unfortunately, the inside of the alley was dark, and there were no signs of other people around.
This person had a mask made of wood. A mask resembling the face of a Troll, Rakshasa, and Goblin. It was somewhat comical and humorous. Other than the mask, they were covered in black clothes and fabric, so it wasn’t possible to know who they were. But regardless, Ramin could recognize what this symbol meant.
"You are..."
"Yes. Since the era of the three brothers, our existence has become widely known. I'm a part of Fang.”
Simply put, the group collectively known as Fang was the armed organization that the Danly Union Empire was proud of. Their missions were mainly shadowing, espionage, kidnapping important figures, and assassinations.
If they were soldiers of Black Scale, Ramin would have been trembling, but Ramin instead felt rather confused as they boldly presented themselves in the largest city of the southern continent.
The Fang agent said, “Ramin, if I gave you the chance to wipe out this city, would you do it?”
Updated from fr𝒆ewebnov𝒆l.(c)om