Omniscient First-Person’s Viewpoint

Vladimir let out a small, contemplative hum.

Unlike the others, Dullahan was the only Elder who had become one through defying the progenitor. The Dark Knight. A legendary figure who had roamed the battlefield, severing the heads of knights far and wide—a headless knight feared by all.

That made it almost fitting for Dullahan’s head to be separated from his body. After all, his legend spoke of him wielding his own severed head like a flail. But no matter how fitting it might have been, there had never been a case where he appeared only as a disembodied head.

It wasn’t the head that made Dullahan terrifying. It was the body.

I turned to the severed head and asked,

“Sir Dullahan. Why have you arrived with only your head?”
“You… bastard…!”

His voice was a harsh rasp, like a dull blade scraping against stone. Likely because he had no body to produce sound properly.

Even an Elder’s strength had limits—in this state, even I wouldn’t lose to him.

Seeing the strongest reinforcement appear in such a helpless state, Erzebeth widened her eyes and turned furiously to Vladimir.

“Vladimir? What is the meaning of this? Where is Dullahan’s body?”
“I left it behind. If his head and body were together, he would undoubtedly have tried to resist the progenitor.”
“…What?”

She still didn’t get it.

Why, if Dullahan was meant to oppose the progenitor, would his head alone be brought here?

She should have understood by now.

“Your mind is quite rigid, Madam Erzebeth. Must I spell it out for you?”

For the sake of her understanding, I decided to explain it clearly.

“The Crimson Duke is not on your side. Unlike you lot, he has no intention of attacking Tyrkanzyaka. Unless, of course, you’re a rebel who dared to betray the progenitor.”

Erzebeth finally realized it.

She finally understood why Vladimir had disappeared.

Why he had gone to awaken Dullahan alone.

Why he was feigning ignorance while subtly positioning himself closer.

Just as Erzebeth prepared to react, Vladimir moved first.

She flicked open her fan in an attempt to drive him away.

The blood pooled on the floor responded to her command, rising into a wall that separated her from Vladimir.@@novelbin@@

At the same time, crimson vines intertwined with the very brickwork of the building, lashing out to entangle Vladimir’s legs—as if the world itself was trying to bind him.

Vladimir’s response was swift and direct.

He raised his greatsword high and brought it down in a single, decisive slash.

Everything in his path was cleaved in two.

The vines.