Hello Parchments and Nazarins Mr.Bones bringing another explanatory chapter of my fanfic The One Who Came Back.
Inta has her first official meeting with Ainz and Shalltear, everyone learns something.
With you
The One Who Came Back
Chapter 44: Origins
"I don't think this is a good idea."
"Don't be a coward now; you were the one who insisted on meeting her."
"That was before; now I'm not so sure."
"You've already met my master; there's no one more powerful than Ainz-Sama,"
Entoma said as she pushed Inta through the corridors of the Great Tomb.
In the following weeks, after Entoma's relationship with Inta began, Ainz thought it was time for a more in-depth conversation about the Golden Feather and Lord Barintacha's knowledge.
...
Hours earlier
Inta was impressed by the beauty and size of Nazarick; its magnificence was indescribable. Upon reaching the throne room, he saw the true meaning of a god seated on a black throne. After they were announced, both greeted each other as if it were the first time they had met, for different reasons, of course.
"It's a pleasure to meet you officially, Lord Barintacha."
"The honor is mine to be, for the first time, in this hall in the presence of Your Majesty."
"Lord Barintacha, I know of your intentions with Entoma, and I believe she is more than capable of making her own decisions in this regard. So, we won't delve into that subject. Instead, I'd like to talk about you, where you came from, and how you became a vampire, if you don't mind sharing."
"Of course not, Your Majesty. I was born Inta Barintacha 2742 years ago. I inherited a barony in the kingdom of Urth, which no longer exists. It was on the border with the ancient Beastman Kingdom, the Tlamok Empire, which has also disappeared, absorbed by the Triumvirate. I became a vampire when I was 22."
"Hmm, interesting. It seems that kingdoms rise and fall quite frequently. About your attacker, was he strong?"
"I can't say, Your Majesty, but he seemed confused, actually insane, as if he were in the frenzy that accompanies the first days of transformation. I went through that phase myself. It's like a dream, and almost nothing is remembered. When I regained consciousness, I was far from my home, and when I returned, everyone was dead, including the village. I don't know if it was me or the other who did all that."
"It seems to have brought back unpleasant memories for you, Lord Barintacha. I apologize for that," the Sorcerer King said, nodding his head in a bow.
"Please, Your Majesty, don't worry about it. Sometimes, confronting the past is necessary."
"Nevertheless, I apologize. I would like to make amends by sending you a gift. I've heard that you have a significant collection of magical items."
"Ah, yes, nothing like the beauty I glimpsed in your home today, my lord. Many of my items were acquired over the years. It would be a pleasure to show them to you more calmly on a more appropriate visit. One of my oldest acquisitions is a golden feather with infinite ink..."
"How curious. Does it do anything else?" Ainz tested.
"Not that I know of, Your Majesty. I bought it when I was still human from a caravan coming from the far north. It was found in a ruin. Since the people who sold it to me didn't have a written language, the feather had no greater use for them, so they sold it to me in exchange for supplies, horses, and wagons. That's when I began my collection."
"Extreme north, you say? Perhaps I'll visit there someday, but my current responsibilities keep me quite busy. Well, Lord Barintacha, we'll conclude this conversation for now. I hope you enjoy your visit to my home. We'll meet again on another occasion. Now, please excuse me."
Inta and Entoma bowed their heads as the sovereign left.
"His Majesty Ainz Ooal Gown has left the hall," Albedo announced. "Entoma, you'll accompany Mister Barintacha during his visit, won't you? Please be careful."
"Yes, Lady Albedo."
Entoma took Inta to visit the library and the sixth floor, the safest places for visitors, considering that the other floors were specifically designed to cause harm. Then, they headed to meet Shalltear, who was waiting for them. As they walked down the corridor, they crossed paths with a familiar figure.
"Mister Yamashiro?"
"Mister Barintacha! What brings you here?"
"I should be asking you that! What are you doing here?" the vampire said, giving a strong handshake.
"I live here now."
"You were looking for Entoma; that's how I met her. How did you end up here?"
"It's a long story. Maybe after a drink, we can talk," TW said, noticing Entoma's impatience.
"Men," she commented, "they easily get distracted."
"I apologize, Miss Entoma. It wasn't my intention to delay you."
"Don't worry about it, Mr. Wild. It's not like we have a scheduled appointment with Lady Shalltear."
"Are you going to see her? Good luck with that, my friend," TW said, smiling as he walked away without further explanation.
"Now I'm worried," the vampire groaned.
...
Now
"Don't be silly; she won't eat you," Entoma pushed him. "At least, I don't think so. After all, vampires can't drink the blood of the dead, or the undead like you."
"No, we can't, but that doesn't mean other things can't be done."
"I'll protect you, you coward. We've arrived; behave."
"Okay, my love, let's go."
The vampire bride waiting at the door announced, "Miss Entoma and guest."
"Ah! Let them in."
Both entered the living room of the bedroom; it was luxurious and ostentatious, with a Victorian style. The vampire was seated in a richly upholstered armchair that made her appear taller. Shalltear gave her first command upon seeing Inta.
"Knee..." She didn't even finish the word before Inta had genuflected.
"Barintacha Hierophant VI, at your service, my lady."
"Hmm, it seems we have a polite one here. Maybe I rushed and was discourteous. After all..."
"Don't worry, my lady. If I were younger, inexperienced, or arrogant, I might not recognize your superiority and might try to confront you. Asserting your power is the best solution for such conflicts with other vampires, my lady."
"Well, well, well! Entoma, where did you find this humble suitor?!"
"Thank you, Lady Shalltear, but I believe we both found each other."
"Very well put, Lord Barintacha. You may rise. Entoma told me that you're very ancient. I must reluctantly admit that I don't have as much experience with other vampires. My duties to the Great Tomb of Nazarick prevent me from leaving or interacting so frequently."
"Yes, my lady. I went through a period of little enlightenment due to my self-imposed isolation, but since then, I've always sought new information and shared it with those who have the same attitude as I do."
"And what attitude do you seek?" Shalltear asked, sitting more seriously in her armchair.
"Coexistence. I seek alternatives for interaction among races, even among our own kind, which has, in the best of words, been difficult."
"I believe you're aware of the Sorcerer Kingdom's policies in that regard."
"Yes, my lady, the new legislation has been very helpful in that regard. Is there anything, in particular, you'd like to know?"
"Simple things like... what sets us apart? After all, my vampire brides are summons, and I feel that, like you, we are not the same."
"Well, apart from the level, Entoma told me that you, my lady, are a true vampire."
"And what does that mean to you?"
"Royalty, I mean, royalty among vampires, the highest rank we could aspire to. But still impossible for us; some have the pretension to name themselves Vampire Kings, but they are just a parody of true power."
"Why?"
"Because we are different, born differently. Even now, your presence marks you as different. Vampires are born through the bite of other vampires; we can be bound to a master if we consume some of their blood, but a True Vampire arises from ancient magic.
"Like summons?"
"No, it's hard to explain. My studies have shown the existence of very few True Vampires throughout known history. The last one I heard of was Landfall, who disappeared. Stories say he was confronted by the Thirteen Heroes, but getting back to the point, True Vampires transform through ancient magic. The 'curse' is passed in its purest form, and that alone makes them as strong as a Greater Vampire. But over time and by feeding on blood, their powers increase exponentially."
Shalltear remembered that she had been created by Lord Peroroncino, not just transformed into a vampire by magic but made out of nothing like one, an ultimate power.
"I understand that, over time, long life may be the advantage to learn a lot, and blood serves as our food, but it seems like there's more to it, doesn't it?"
"Yes, my lady. We can feed solely on animal blood, but we gain strength only from the blood of intelligent beings. The stronger the being, the more it strengthens us. Sometimes even a weak person can give us a greater boost."
"Why is that?"
"I believe they possess Talents."
"Talents, like being able to see greater distances without using martial arts or seeing levels?"
"Yes, some people are born with these abilities. Even being strong is a talent, the most common one, actually. Regular people don't reach the gold level in strength, speed, or dexterity. Those who exceed that are not many adventurers. Beyond Mythril or Orichalcum levels, they become even rarer. Adamantite ranks are at hero levels, and above that, only Godkins and the so-called gods themselves."
"Godkins are the children and grandchildren of your gods."
"Yes, and even descendants of the Greed Kings, Evil Deities, or the older gods who are now forgotten."
"So, following this line of thought, perhaps your great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, or the tenth generation may have a tiny part of that blood, thus originating these latent talents. That's why the blood of intelligent beings must strengthen us; we absorb the power of these ancient 'gods,'" Shalltear concluded with a touch of disdain.
"My lady, that's astonishing. Such a notion questions most religions because it would make a significant portion, if not all of the population, heirs to these gods."
Shalltear puffed her concealed flat chest with the discovery she had just made.
'I'll tell Ainz-Sama immediately. No, he probably already knows this. What a foolish mistake on my part. But Demiurge must have a use for such information, and I can brag to that Gorilla. It will be so humiliating for her. Hi! Hi! Hi!' she mused in her thoughts.
"Lady Shalltear? Lady Shalltear?" Entoma called, knowing that she had lost her hostess for some time to her reverie.
...
Author's Note
Hello, in this chapter I show my interpretation of this world, where Players reach thousands of years ago, obviously their blood would be disseminated throughout the population that perhaps they themselves may have given rise to.
After all, imagine a famous guild of Idols from Ygdrassil throwing a farewell party for thousands of guests, like a New Year's party and suddenly at the end of the game they are transported to the New World, hundreds of thousands of years before the arrival of Nazarick, they would give rise to a new population, perhaps mixing with the natives or not.
Well, that's a topic for other chapters, stay tuned
