Volume 10 Chapter 64 Lineage of the Opener
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
”Hey, Klock.” Kreis greeted him just as he always had, standing in the office of the Borges estate. Klock’s expression remained grim, and Kreis seemed to pick up on the tension, tilting his head.
”Is something the matter?”
”…Kreis. Is it true that you’re a Vampire?”
Kreis’s eyes widened at the question. The sudden confrontation clearly caught him off guard, but a moment later, the corners of his mouth curled upward.
”Kreis. There are factions from the other world on our side. They’re the ones who outed you.”
”That Succubus girl, I assume.”
”…You noticed her?”
”She’s been coming to Vulture² quite often, hasn’t she? I don’t know her name, but she’s clearly a high-ranking entity. I’d have to be blind not to notice magic power that intense.”
It was a total confession. Kreis wasn’t even trying to play dumb, which saved Klock the hassle of an interrogation. Still, his guard stayed up. Men like Kreis always had an angle.
”How long have you been one?”
”From the start.”
”…The start?”
”Since the day I was born.”
”What…!?”
”My family originally had nothing to do with the Moon Court³. On the human side, we’ve been a respectable house since my great-grandfather’s generation. To the Moon Court, I’m just a dhampir—not even worth their notice. The only reason we’ve lasted this long is because we never associated with the Vampires.”
Never associated with them. Just like Rosalie, then? If that was the case, maybe Kreis was looking out for her as a kindred spirit rather than acting as a scout for the Moon Court.
”Why the distance from the Moon Court nobility?”
”My grandfather supposedly despised them. My father felt the same, and so do I. Two generations ago, our family moved from the Empire to the Federation and took the name Borges. No one in the Moon Court even knows we exist.”
”…So you were Empire nobility originally.”
If he was telling the truth, he might just be another victim of a forced turning. If he’d been bitten during an invasion like Rosalie, Klock couldn’t exactly hold it against him.
”I told you I knew your mother, didn’t I?”
”…Yeah.”
”I knew Maria because our families have been linked since my great-grandfather’s generation. The Opener⁴. The descendant of the ancient Hero. Your mother’s side of the family is the reason we were able to settle in this land.”
Klock’s brow furrowed. This was a curveball.
”By the time I was born, the war was over and the Opener was just a legend—the ‘Second Hero.’ The Chosen Ones⁵ had become ordinary people, and their children were even more mundane. But the results you’ve achieved in this war gave me every reason to believe in you. I’m truly grateful to Maria’s family. If you succeed in restoring Livorno, it will be a fitting tribute to her.”
”……So that’s why you helped me.”
(Dominance. That was the power of the Opener.)
Kispe’s words echoed in Klock’s head.
(World conquest. That must be the true nature of Master’s ability.)
He knew something was off. Why did he have the same ability as a Stellar Skill⁶ used by the Chosen Ones? He’d figured it was just a coincidence he had to live with, but hearing this made it all click. This ‘Dominance’ ability could be passed down. That was why Kreis had it. It wasn’t a Unique Skill at all.
”Have you been on my side this whole time?”
”Now, I wonder. I was certainly shocked when you said you’d take on the Demon Lord’s Army. Back then, I didn’t entirely believe in you.”
True, Kreis hadn’t been the most helpful at the start. Klock guessed he was talking big enough that Kreis had his doubts. But the real question was now. Was Kreis an ally, or just a good liar?
”Just to be sure, do you have any other proof you’re with us?” Klock asked.
”If I were with the Moon Court, the estate I gave you would be a death trap. By the time you returned to Conro, this whole town would have been crawling with Vampires.”
Kreis had a point. If he wanted to invade, he would have shown his fangs by now. Klock would have done the same in his position. If Kreis were a mole, he was doing a terrible job of it. Still, a seed of doubt remained.
”How about you prove it by heading to the front lines?”
”I’m afraid I’d be useless. I’ve never seen a day of combat in my life. Vampires might have better physical stats than humans, but I’m still a klutz. I’ve never once tasted blood. As you can see, I’ve got the wrinkles of a forty-year-old to prove it. My lifespan will be just as short as a human’s—maybe shorter.”
”Drinking blood changes that?”
”It rejuvenates you. That’s why the Moon Court nobles look so young despite being centuries old. My appearance is proof of my abstinence.”
Klock stayed silent. He wasn’t sure how much to buy into, but Kreis certainly sounded like an ally. Or at least, he felt like one.
Kreis stood up and walked to the window, pulling back the curtains.
”See? I’m fine in the sunlight. Rejuvenated cells burn in the sun, but because I’ve never fed, I’ve aged naturally. I can walk under the sky.”
”…No kidding.”
”Vampires who feed can’t do this. It’s a bit different for dhampirs, though. If the blood is as thin as Rosalie’s, she can walk in the sun while still feeling the urge to feed. But if she gives in to those impulses, eventually the sun will become her enemy too.”
Klock didn’t know the specifics of Vampire biology, but that explained a lot. Feeding makes you young, but it makes you combustible. Rosalie was still fine in the sun because she was fighting it, but that wouldn’t last forever if she slipped.
”I heard there were attacks in town.”
”That would be Rosalie. She was turned in Basselow, but the blood in her is very thin. When it’s that diluted, the body creates a massive hunger to try and compensate.”
”And you just let it happen?”
”I did. Her blood is too weak to actually turn anyone else. As long as she wasn’t killing anyone, I decided to overlook it if she was just drinking some blood. If she had started leaving bodies, I would have stepped in, but she’s desperate to control herself. She’s fighting her own nature, so I chose to give her a chance.”
(Was Kreis prepared to kill her?)
If she’d lost control, Kreis would have put her down. If he’d been protecting her with that kind of resolve, then he really was on humanity’s side. Kreis had more character than Klock gave him credit for.
”Fine. I’ll trust you for now. You’re one of us.”
”My, that was surprisingly easy.”
”I can’t judge someone just for their race. I’ve got a Succubus on the payroll, after all. I had my suspicions, but… you’re a hell of a lot better than Kispe.”
”I see. Yes, a Succubus is far more trouble than a Vampire.”
Suzette was a Demonkin, but she was an ally. There was no reason a Vampire couldn’t be one too. If Kreis was pro-human, Klock couldn’t fault him. He wasn’t 100% convinced, but he’d see how it played out. Kreis didn’t feel like an enemy.
”But I’m taking Rosalie. If she’s got the hunger, I can’t leave her alone. I’m not letting any more ‘incidents’ happen.”
”Fine by me. She’s in your hands.”
Not like Kreis could have stopped him anyway. She was already with Alice and the Succubus squad. They’d branded her with a slave mark to seal her hunger. It was basically a prison sentence, but there was no other way. Klock would figure out her long-term fate later.
”Now, since my name is cleared, I have some good news for you.”
”Good news?”
”Regarding the recruitment. Your reputation has preceded you. We have over two thousand volunteers gathered in Vulture already. It’s early days, but training is underway.”
”Are you serious!?”
Klock remembered talking about it, but he hadn’t expected much. Honestly, it had slipped his mind.
”The attack on Orrid likely spooked people. We have volunteers coming from outside Vulture, too. It’s not enough to take down the Demon Lord’s Army yet, but two thousand men gives us a lot more tactical flexibility. They’re all yours. Use them however you like.”
Everyone loves a winner, Klock guessed. The final count was 2,382—volunteers from all over Conro, and some from the furthest reaches of the Federation. The joy of having an army was tempered by the nightmare of supplying them. The Brigante Troop had become a major player.
* * *
”Klock, got a second?”
It was just before the march to the Great Wall Corridor. Coordination was a mess. As he watched Ada and the others bark orders, Primlena pulled him aside.
”Primrose reached out.”
”Primrose!? How!?”
She was the wife of Dayrid’s mayor—a Merfolk. It took a week on the fastest horse to get between Dayrid and Conro. Communication shouldn’t have been that fast.
”Jewel Clams⁷. We use them for short-range pings with our kind.”
”What the hell is that? Can you actually talk through them?”
”Not like telepathy. We can’t trade details, just simple signals sent through magic power.”
She showed him a bivalve shell studded with red stones. A few of them were blinking.
”These shells are a colony species that coordinate their power to weave illusions,” the explanation began. “When they sense danger, they have a biological instinct to signal one another and cooperate. By tapping into that frequency and channeling magic power⁸ through them, one gem can alert another of the same wavelength. They’re essentially naturally occurring magical artifacts.”
”So you’re saying a signal is coming from Primrose?” Klock asked.
”Indeed. Generally, different colonies operate on different wavelengths and won’t resonate. We can rule out the possibility of this being a stray signal from another group,” the other replied.
”Right. So, what’s the message??”
”Trouble in Dayrid.”
Klock wanted to bury his face in his hands. This was, by every possible metric, the worst news he could have received. He had instructed her to notify him if anything happened in Dayrid, hoping that no news would be good news. But the signal had come through anyway. He had assumed that as long as the gem-shells weren’t used, he wouldn’t have to worry about the back⁹. It seemed life wasn’t going to be that simple.
”Keep in mind, this only confirms a ‘change’ in Dayrid. It isn’t necessarily a death knell,” the other added.
”Give me a break. It definitely means the Demon Lord’s Army is knocking on the gates,” Klock said.
”Perhaps. Or perhaps the Count judged the situation in Orrid to be so dire that he’s marched out to join the fray. The signal could simply mean that Dayrid’s defenses have been thinned.”
Klock nodded. That, too, would count as a change. The signal was just a raw notification that the status quo had shifted; it was a blank slate that could be read a dozen different ways. (But the odds of a Demon Lord’s invasion are sky-high. You wouldn’t have told me if you didn’t think so too.)
”True. Knowing Primrose’s personality, she’d only use it if she were truly desperate for help. There’s no doubt she’s facing an unprecedented crisis,” the other confirmed.
”I get it. But still…”
Honestly, there wasn’t a damn thing he could do. He couldn’t afford to waste a week trekking back to Dayrid now. Since they had come this far, rescuing Orrid had to be the priority. He would send Raki ahead to the south, while Klock pushed through the Great Wall Corridor to secure the western pass. Once that was done, Klock would follow for the final showdown at Orrid. Until the dust settled, he could only pray that Dayrid would hold the line.
”Master.”
Kispe arrived just as Primlena was departing. They were currently swamped by a sea of soldiers¹⁰; usually, she avoided showing her face when the crowds were this thick, but today was an exception.
”So, you didn’t kill him,” Kispe observed.
”Yeah. I’ve got a gut feeling Kreis is on our side. If he’s gone to these lengths just to lead us into a trap, then I guess I deserve to be played,” Klock replied.
”I suppose so. If he gathered over two thousand soldiers just to lead them into a Moon Court trap, it would be a rather spectacular waste of tactical resources desu wa.”
Kreis had handed Klock a massive advantage. If it were a few hundred men, it would be one thing, but over two thousand? Handing a force that size over to Klock’s command was a gesture of trust he couldn’t ignore. The Brigante now stood at 2,682 strong. Combined with the advance party the Count had taken, Klock’s total command had swelled to 5,600 men. Within the Federation, Klock now likely commanded the second-largest military force, right behind the Count himself.
”By the way, Kispe. It turns out I’m not a Unique Skill¹¹ user after all,” Klock mentioned.
Kispe tilted her head in confusion. Klock recounted the story of the Opener¹² he had heard from Kreis.
”Master is a descendant of the Opener?” Kispe asked.
”Assuming Kreis wasn’t just blowing smoke, that’s the origin of my skill. Apparently, the Authority can actually be bestowed as a gift. My ability was identical to the Opener’s Stellar Skill¹³ because it wasn’t mine to begin with. It was an inheritance,” Klock explained.
”The Opener passed his skill down to his children as a bestowed legacy. I see. That certainly explains why your Authority felt far too potent to be a mere Unique Skill. Because you lacked magic power, it was categorized as one by mistake—but if it was a Stellar Skill all along, the pieces fit desu wa,” Kispe noted.
Was it a coincidence? Or was it destiny? He finally knew the secret behind his Authority—the power of World Conquest. He’d have to try it to be sure, but the moment he used it, it would belong to someone else. He didn’t dare test it, but he was certain. Klock was of the Opener’s bloodline. His Authority was a Stellar Skill, passed down through the ages.
”An inferior race,” Kispe muttered with a smirk. Realizing the truth, her face lit up with a wicked smile. “If you don’t even have a Unique Skill of your own, then doesn’t that make you a totally pathetic, powerless little loser? Just an incompetent human coasting on his ancestors’ coattails… ♡”
”You’d better watch yourself tonight,” Klock warned.
No magic. No skills. The only thing he had managed to learn on his own was Kindling—a tiny flame only good for starting campfires. He was weak. Utterly useless. And yet he was supposed to be one of the Chosen Ones. It was enough to make his head spin. (God, I’m stupid. I just wanted someone to talk to, and I ended up digging my own grave.)
”And really, Master, aren’t you being a bit too careless? What would you do if I Charmed you and forced you to hand that Stellar Skill over to me?”
The demon girl gave a small, sinister giggle. Klock’s eyes went wide. She was exactly the type of person who might actually do that on a whim. Kispe was right; he had let his guard down and let a fatal secret slip. He stared blankly at the distant horizon.
”Hehe. Oh, Master, you must trust me so much! It makes me so happy. You pathetic, incompetent human. You’re so reckless and foolish. You’re so cute I could just burst desu wa!”
Klock didn’t even have the energy to get angry. He manufactured an excuse about remembering he had work to do and made a run for it. The girl laughed after him, a sweet, melodic sound. Even as he retreated, she teased him without looking back. Klock would just have to live the rest of his life praying she wouldn’t betray him. Which, honestly, was the same situation he had been in since the day they met.
”Lady Kispe? What’s up? Did something good happen?” Alice asked, appearing just as Klock was making his escape. The Rabbit Girl blinked at the Queen, who looked positively radiant.
”Oh, I did. I’ve just confirmed that Sir Klock is the most incompetent of the incompetent. I have a feeling things are about to get very interesting desu wa,” Kispe replied.
”Huh?” Alice asked, completely baffled.
Five are required: The Opener, The One Who Stands Against, The One Who Leads, The Chain Binder, and The One Who Shoots Down. There were five Chosen Ones in this cycle, but the selection process happened six times. That meant one of the five had to have been chosen twice.
What was swirling in Kispe’s mind was a far cry from Klock’s fear. The moment she had heard Klock’s story, her thoughts had jumped straight to the mechanics of the selection. She might look like a delicate girl, but her mind operated on a level far beyond her appearance. (The sixth selection. The identity of the double-selected individual is still a mystery. I thought I’d need to identify the Opener and the One Who Shoots Down first, but…)
Kispe turned her gaze toward the direction where the man had vanished. Klock Livorno. The very first of the Chosen Ones. The man with no power, only a purpose. In the last cycle, there were four Chosen Ones. The double-selections were the One Who Bites and Inherits and the One Who Protects and Lights. However, the former was a double-selection from the start. The latter was different; he received his second selection much later.
The selections didn’t happen all at once. The timing and order were staggered. That was why there were moments when only one Chosen One existed. In the previous age, the first to be chosen was the One Who Protects and Lights. A powerless human man who founded a nation to guide his people, lighting the fire of hope that became the Dusselhelm Empire. And then, much later, he received his second selection. With his new power, he left his kingdom behind and fulfilled his destiny as a Protector on the Beast Continent. That was a century ago.
(This time, the final selection might follow that same delayed pattern. Master… there is a very high probability that he is the Sixth.)
If Master’s ability was an inherited Stellar Skill rather than a Unique Skill, there was no way Lady Teekua didn’t know. Considering the One Who Bites and Inherits was intended to be an inheritor from the beginning, there was a definite pattern at play. Lady Teekua must have been planning for this war since a hundred years ago. Choosing Klock first wasn’t a fluke; she had been hunting for the Opener’s bloodline. That was why his childhood friend was chosen as the One Who Stands Against—the Hero was likely the second selection, meant to support Klock.
Alice sat on the edge of the carriage, kicking her legs boredly. Kispe smiled at the rabbit girl’s yawn, then looked down at the milling crowds. Thousands of soldiers—innocent people born into a brutal era. Despite her small stature, Kispe’s gaze always seemed to look down on the rest of the world. In the last cycle, the Revealer earned that title by using the abilities of the Lilies. A person’s raw ability doesn’t always dictate their role. If that’s true, then the Stellar Skill of World Conquest might not even be related to his role as the Chain Binder.
Perhaps his next role was the one that truly mattered. Or perhaps he didn’t need one at all. If Master was the same type as the One Who Protects and Lights, then he was a late-bloomer—a Chosen One with his true awakening still ahead of him.
”Alice. How would you feel if Master lost to Ms. Viola and became a Vampire?” Kispe asked.
”Huh? Eww, no way. Not my type at all!” Alice replied.
”I thought as much. Fairies don’t quite fit him either. There’s something about him staying human that makes him so perfectly, pathetically cute desu wa,” Kispe said.
”Vampires are for girls! Male vampires are just annoying jerks!” Alice shouted.
However, this was just one of many predictions. There was also the possibility that the sixth selection had already happened to someone else. If another Chosen One had been picked twice, they would likely be undergoing a remarkable awakening right now. In that case, Klock’s chances of survival were slim. He had obtained various cards, but his own power was meager. He was nowhere near ready to face the Demonkin who had crushed entire races.
Why had the Hero been pulled away from his side? Had the Goddess already decided he had outlived his usefulness? If so, he might not live to see the end of this war.
”If you have no further use for him, Teekua… then we’ll take him for ourselves,” Kispe whispered.
—
Summary:
Klock confronts Kreis about his Vampire identity, only to discover that Kreis is a ‘natural’ dhampir whose family has deep historical ties to Klock’s own ‘Opener’ lineage. Kreis reveals that Klock’s unique power of Dominance is an inherited ability from the legendary Second Hero, Maria’s ancestor. The chapter concludes with the Brigante Troop’s massive growth in manpower and a mysterious magical message from the Merfolk via jewel clams.
Klock receives an ominous magical signal from Dayrid, suggesting a major crisis or invasion is underway. Despite the urgency, he decides to prioritize the rescue of Orrid, realizing he cannot return in time. Meanwhile, Kispe deduces that Klock is a descendant of the ‘Opener’ and posits that he is a late-blooming ‘Chosen One’ destined for a second selection.
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Trivia:
- The distinction between Stellar Skills and Unique Skills suggests Klock’s power is part of a legacy system rather than a random mutation.
- Kreis’s aging and sunlight resistance are tied to his refusal to feed, highlighting a cost-benefit mechanic for Vampires in this world.
- The ‘slave mark’ on Rosalie is a dark necessity that hints at future moral dilemmas for Klock’s leadership.
- The jewel clam ‘signals’ imply an urgent situation developing in Dayrid that requires the Merfolk’s involvement.
- The ‘sixth selection’ mechanism: Kispe identifies Klock as the likely candidate for a double selection, similar to a hero from 100 years ago, hinting at a massive power-up in his future.
- Stellar Skill vs. Unique Skill: The revelation that Klock’s power is a legacy rather than an innate skill explains his lack of magic power and sets a precedent for skill bestowment.
- Goddess Teekua’s vision: Kispe suspects the Goddess purposefully chose Klock’s bloodline and separated the Hero from him as part of a long-term plan
—
Character Insight:
Klock’s relationship with Kreis shifts from suspicion to a cautious, respectful alliance based on their shared history as descendants of marginalized power lineages. Kreis’s willingness to ‘watch and wait’ with Rosalie shows a level of empathy that contrasts with the cold logic Klock expects from higher-tier beings like Kispe.
The dynamic between Klock and Kispe shifts as Klock accidentally reveals the source of his power. Kispe uses this vulnerability to mock him as an ‘inferior race,’ yet her closing thoughts reveal a possessive loyalty, vowing to take him for herself if the Goddess discards him.
—
Lore And Worldbuilding Context:
The concept of the ‘Opener’ (拓く者) is introduced as a hereditary role capable of world conquest. Vampire biology is expanded: blood consumption triggers rejuvenation and power but causes sunlight vulnerability, while dhampirs with thin blood experience heightened hunger urges.
Introduced the concept of ‘Gem-shells’ as natural communication tools that resonate on specific biological wavelengths. Expanded on the history of the ‘Chosen Ones,’ revealing that their roles (Opener, Leads, etc.) are fluid and can be supplemented by a second divine selection.
—
TL Notes:
The term ‘拓く者’ (Hiraku-mono) is translated as ‘Opener’ to maintain the sense of one who pioneers or paves a way, which ties into the ‘Dominance’ ability to command others.
The terms ‘magic power’, ‘back’, and ‘soldier’ were kept from the raw text’s specific English loan-word usage. ‘Desu wa’ was integrated into Kispe’s dialogue to preserve her noble/succubus speech pattern.
—
Glossary:
Notes:
• Klock – Battle‑worn master of the Conro estate, purple‑eyed and bearing a healed gut piercing, leads a 3,000‑strong Brigante troop. Recovering from injuries, he wields the Dominance‑based Stellar Skill ‘Authority’ (World Conquest), a lineage heir of the Opener. Surrounded by a succubus harem, he’s aggressive, vengeful, famed as a street hero, and possesses a massive, weapon‑like penis.
• Kreis – Baron of Valture and district chief, a middle‑aged noble weighed down with gold chains and jeweled rings, hawk‑like eyes and a sly smile mark him as dangerous. A Borges family dhampir, about forty, wrinkled from refusing blood, he administers Vulture. At a Borges gathering he greets Klock by name—Maria’s son—before Klock can speak, like a predator already knowing its prey.
• Rosalie – Daughter of Viscount Albert Fennec, once frail and bedridden under Suzette’s care, now a vampire heir of the Fennec title, innocent of betrayal. Soft, untrained body with thick thighs and a fleshy, well‑endowed frame; long fangs from a bite by Viola. Thin vampire blood drives a fierce hunger. Sheltered by House Borges, under Klock’s custody, she follows the Brigante Troop.
• Maria – Klock’s mother, once known in noble circles but long absent from the stage. Kreis Borges recognizes Klock as her son the instant they meet, hinting at a past connection that Klock himself doesn’t fully grasp, and turning her name into both a bond and a weapon in that moment.
• Kispe – The Queen Kispe, also known as Succubus Princess Asura, is a winged succubus with long black hair, amethyst eyes, a petite slender build, and a one‑piece dress with black tights. She acts as Klock’s lover and healer, teasing him and wielding arousal as a weapon, manipulating him with a sharp, playful tongue.
• Suzette – The older maid from Viscount Fennec. The head maid at the Viscount Fennec’s villa. She is confident, clear-spoken, and professional.
• Alice – Beastkin girl with long ears, one of the Six Noble Ladies, appears at the Barreith gathering as a playful, mischievous volunteer. Energetic and mocking, she wields superhuman strength and interacts closely with Klock among the recruited volunteers.
• Orrid – Southern pleasure town near Conro, known for its chaos and vice. Serves as Brigante’s next destination and Count Grasso’s sphere of influence. Rumored den of spies and mercenaries.
• Primlena – Orange‑haired merfolk priestess, fierce yet elegant, sister of Sea General Primjune and subordinate to Primrity. Captured by Klock, she now seeks his downfall, commanding Obsidian Riders on giant fish and wielding a trident. She departs as Kispe arrives, delivering news of the Merfolk and the jewel‑clam communication, a revenge‑driven siren bride masking fury with ritual grace.
• Ada – Female. Ada the Wild Wind. An A-rank adventurer. Her appearance is striking, with black hair mixed with fiery red, multiple earrings, and an axe spear as tall as she is. She is incredibly strong and fast, with a Unique Skill called the ‘Blessing of the Wind’ that enhances her speed and agility. Ada is ruthless in combat but shows a surprising willingness to negotiate. She is highly respected in adventurer circles and feared by criminals. Her relationship with Klock is adversarial, as he stole from her and escaped using trickery.
• Primrose – a female Merfolk and mayor’s wife of Dayrid, instrumental in maintaining the town’s false allegiance to the Demon Lord’s Army to protect its citizens, seeking Sanctuary’s aid against the impending threat.
• Dayrid – The city the Demonkin army is planning to attack next, intending to strangle Dayrid from land and sea. This confirms the Demonkin’s immediate military objective for Klock.
• Raki – a male burly warrior and squad leader under Ada, voicing concerns about the risks of engaging the Demon Lord’s Army, loyal to Ada’s group.
• Goddess Teekua – The deity who saved Sylvia after her death and granted her rebirth as a hero.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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