54 Primogenitors

Three figures sat upon thrones in the Garden of Whispers.

Their ethereal forms flickered, each donning a golden mask. Amidst the blooming flowers, they exuded an air of mystery.

One figure, tall and imposing, radiated a calm and steady presence. Though his face was hidden, he instilled a sense of trust and reassurance.

Another was slender, their androgynous appearance making it difficult to discern their gender. Their posture was elegant, and a decayed aristocratic aura clung to them.

The last was petite and restless, fidgeting in her throne, constantly looking around with a childlike eagerness.

The trio in the Garden of Whispers evoked a strange feeling, as if they represented the stages of life: youth, adulthood, and old age.

"What are you two waiting for? Are we expecting anyone else in the Garden of Whispers? I don't recall inviting any others to this meeting."

The petite figure was the first to break the silence, her voice delicate yet carrying an inexplicable authority and maturity.

She was none other than Giada Kukulcan, the Third Primogenitor, ruler of the Night Empire, who had established the Chaos Zone in Central America.

With her words, the tranquil atmosphere was shattered. The decayed figure chuckled softly, their gender-indistinguishable voice chiming in.

"...Giada, you're still the same as ever, unable to sit still."

This speaker was none other than Aswad-Guul Aziz, the Second Primogenitor, and ruler of the Fallen Dynasty in the Middle East.

"What? Do you have a problem with that, Aswad?"

The Third Primogenitor's voice was sharp, her excitement evident as she lifted her elegant, lethal claws, her masked face hiding a smile brimming with anticipation.

From her posture, it was clear that if Aswad-Guul Aziz said anything displeasing, a battle might break out at any moment.

"Enough. Aside from here in the Garden of Whispers, we rarely have the chance to meet. Let's not start bickering the moment we gather."

The tall figure's voice rang out, warm and hearty, evoking the image of a steadfast young man.

This was the First Primogenitor, known throughout the world—Ki Juranbarada.

Though all three Primogenitors were world-renowned, the Second Primogenitor lived a reclusive and decadent life, rarely appearing in public. Meanwhile, the Chaos Zone ruled by the Third Primogenitor remained shrouded in mystery, virtually isolated from foreign influence.

The First Primogenitor, however, was different. Though he also seldom appeared in recent times, his achievements were legendary. The entire world order was, to a large extent, shaped by his influence.

For instance, the Holy Ground Treaty was established under his leadership, signed by several world powers.

This treaty was the reason the large-scale wars between humans and demons had ceased, with only occasional skirmishes still taking place.

For the past few decades, the world had enjoyed relative peace, thanks largely to the First Primogenitor's efforts.

Of course, there were conspiracy theories that suggested otherwise. Some believed that the First Primogenitor was merely exploiting humanity's short memory, hoping that within a century, humans would forget their hatred for demons and grow complacent.

Then, he could lead his vampire progeny to overthrow humanity and seize control of the world.

But such theories were a matter of perspective—believers saw what they wanted to see.

"Alright, Ki! Just get to the point and stop dragging this out."

The Third Primogenitor, Giada Kukulcan, waved her hand dismissively, urging the First Primogenitor to speak directly.

But before he could respond, she added:

"…There's no one else here in the Garden of Whispers, and we're all in our true forms. We don't even need an anonymous vote. So, is there really a need to keep wearing these masks?"

In response to her words, the First Primogenitor remained calm and unhurried as he replied, "…This is the rule of the Garden of Whispers. Even if it's just the three of us, even though we know each other well, we should not break the tradition."

Whenever the Holy Ground Treaty Organization needed to make a significant decision, they always conducted anonymous votes.

As the leaders of the Night Empire, the three Primogenitors each held veto power.

"You just love your rules."

The Third Primogenitor shook her head, neither agreeing nor disagreeing with the First Primogenitor's decision.

Among the three, the First Primogenitor was the most bound by rules, and the other two had long grown accustomed to his behavior.

"I believe you both know why I've summoned you to the Garden of Whispers."

At that moment, Ki Juranbarada's tone grew serious.

"No, I'm not entirely sure. I only know that the twelfth has awakened."

The Second Primogenitor, who had somehow produced a glass of red wine, idly swirled it as he spoke.

Aswad-Guul Aziz was always lost in his decaying, hedonistic lifestyle, indifferent to the events of the outside world.

"Then you should understand what the awakening of the 12th Kaleid Blood signifies, Aswad."

Ki's voice remained low.

"Is it the Root?"

The Second Primogenitor's brow furrowed beneath his mask, his hand freezing in mid-swirling motion.

"The seal on the Root has been fully broken? Is that Cursed Soul about to initiate the Blazing Banquet?"

At this, Giada, the Third Primogenitor, chimed in.

The three Primogenitors had lived through countless eras, from the rule of the Devas over the world to the present. There was little they did not know.

Thus, whether it was the Fourth Primogenitor or the Root, both had always remained under their watchful gaze.

"If it were only the Root's awakening, it wouldn't matter. The Blazing Banquet would proceed as programmed."

"The issue is, after the Root's seal was undone, it did not regain a functional body and cannot fulfill its mission or its will."

"The Root was devoured by an unknown entity through methods beyond our comprehension. As a result, the one who consumed the Root has now gained control over Dodekatos and 12th Kaleid Blood."

"…And the one who consumed the Root is the very devil who appeared in this world a few years ago."

Ki meticulously recounted the events that had transpired on Gozo Island to the other two Primogenitors, as though he had been present at the scene himself, describing every detail clearly.

In reality, these details came from none other than Gajou Akatsuki, who was currently imprisoned in Malta.

"You're talking about that devil with self-awareness? Ha, is it really a devil? Devils, as we know, aren't supposed to possess a self-conscious will."

Giada's expression shifted to one of interest. Leaning forward, her petite form adopted a posture of eager attentiveness, her tone brimming with excitement.

"I don't know the origin of that devil, but I suspect it may be connected to the Devas…"

Before he could finish, Aswad-Guul Aziz interjected, "…You're suggesting that the devil isn't really a devil, but an invader from another dimension?"

"Indeed. We all know that humans are not native to this world. They came from another dimension.'"

"…The Devas abducted a portion of humanity from another dimension and reared them on this planet."

"At the time, there were also some entities pursuing the Devas."

"…Which is why I wonder if this demon is somehow related to another dimension. If so, could it be that the only portal connecting our world to that dimension has been compromised?"

Ki's voice was filled with concern.

After millennia, he had come to regard this world as his home, a place worth protecting. He had no desire to see entities from beyond the stars or dimension descend upon this land.

"That devil is incredibly powerful. The Witch of the Void, who has contracted with him, has already demonstrated his eerie abilities."

"…If that devil were the only threat, we could still handle it. But if more demons like him begin to appear…"

Ki trailed off, but the other two Primogenitors immediately grasped his meaning.

The Third Primogenitor, however, burst into laughter. "…If countless unknown devils were to appear, wouldn't that be thrilling?"

"…The more such exciting occurrences, the better, I say!"

Ki was left speechless.

He understood Giada's feelings. In fact, even his own cold blood seemed to stir with a newfound intensity.

Vampires, especially those from ancient generations, had lived far too long, their emotions eroded by time until they were barely recognizable.

For many of these old vampires, death was not something to be feared—it was something they welcomed, for they had lost all meaning in life.

It was this unique mindset that set ancient vampires apart from ordinary beings. Without fear of death, they sought only pleasure, only joy.

But after centuries of life, these vampires had experienced all there was to experience. The only thing that could still intrigue them was the unknown.

As the longest-living Primogenitors, they had suffered the greatest 'erosion' of all.

If not for Ki's commitment to an ancient promise, he might have shared Giada's thrill, feeling nothing but excitement instead of concern.

Suppressing the boiling blood within, Ki remained calm as he continued, "…The fact that even one of the Fourth Primogenitor's familiars is now under the control of that unknown devil is already dangerous."

"...You haven't forgotten, have you? The events that took place in the distant past on this land, the very reason we became Primogenitors?"

"If that devil recklessly unleashes the power of the familiars, allowing these unstable creatures to run rampant, the tragedy from thousands of years ago may repeat itself!"

"...We have never truly subdued the familiars. Everything we've done until now has been at great cost, merely to pacify them."

The First Primogenitor's words finally silenced the other two. Even Giada, usually so quick-witted, fell quiet.

It was as though they were all lost in recollection, transported back to that moment thousands of years ago when they had become the first experimental subjects, transforming into the Primogenitors with an unyielding spirit. 

The long passage of time had caused the three of them to forget many things, and their temperaments had undoubtedly shifted. But there was one thing they would never forget—the oath they had sworn and the mission they bore as Primogenitors.

"We need someone to keep an eye on that devil. If he steps out of line, we must be ready to act and deal with him."

"...The Blazing Banquet can proceed, but using the familiars' power recklessly, allowing them to run amok, is absolutely unacceptable."

"Thousands of years of effort have only just barely reduced the threat of the familiars to a manageable level. If the Fourth Primogenitor's familiars descend into madness, all those millennia of work will be for nothing."

"...I trust you haven't forgotten, and cannot forget, the true purpose behind the existence of the Fourth Primogenitor's familiars!"

Even the Second Primogenitor, typically indifferent and decadent, sat up straight, shedding his usual languid aura. His tone was now serious and resolute.

And just as the Second Primogenitor was about to volunteer himself, offering to monitor the demon to stave off his boredom, the Third Primogenitor, Giada Kukulcan, spoke first.

"...Leave it to me. I'll be the one to monitor that demon!"

The Second Primogenitor's words caught in his throat, and he replied irritably, "...Giada, your zone is far from Europe. That devil doesn't seem like the type to travel all the way to the Americas for you to monitor."

Unfazed, Giada retorted, "Ha, that's no big deal. I can easily travel from Central America to Europe."

"...Besides, I'm already in Eastern Europe. So if we're talking proximity, I'm actually closer to the devil than you are, Aswad!"

The Second Primogenitor bristled, "What are you doing in Europe? Aren't you supposed to be staying in Central America?"

"I'm not like you, lounging in my palace all the time. That's so dull."

"...Being a Primogenitor is boring enough, so of course I'm going to seek out some fun, traveling all over the world."

Giada sneered, "Or would you prefer we fight? Whoever wins can go monitor the devil. That might be an amusing way to pass the time."

"...I wouldn't mind that to break up the monotony."

As tensions flared between the two, Ki had no choice but to intervene, "…According to our agreement, since Giada was the first to volunteer, she should be the one to handle it."

Aswad-Guul Aziz grudgingly calmed down, "I thought you'd say that such an intriguing task should fall to you."

The First Primogenitor laughed heartily, "…I was going to suggest that, but I'm not in the mood to fight Giada today, so let her handle it."

"...Now, there's another important matter we need to discuss—what to do about the other Kaleid Blood currently within the borders of our Empire."

...

In the capital of the Kingdom of Aldegia, Saigou was leisurely strolling through the streets with Avrora at his side.

***

Bonus Chapter:

100 Power Stones = 1 BC

300 Power Stones = 2 BC

500 Power Stones = 3 BC

700 Power Stones = 4 BC

1000 Power Stones = 5 BC

***

If you want to read up to 70 chapters ahead, don't hesitate to visit our patron and get a discount of up to 40%: pat reon . com / XElenea