Episode 130: Human Experimentation

“Huh!? Human experimentation…? What the hell is that supposed to mean!?”

“Human experimentation is, as the name suggests, experiments conducted on human bodies. Typically, the subjects’ pain and dignity are disregarded, and it’s strongly avoided as inhumane. However—that makes it a fitting activity for an evil organization, doesn’t it?”

Siegfried responds calmly to Leon’s question.

“No, what I wanna know isn’t the meaning of the words ‘human experimentation’!”

“I see, you’re asking about the mortality rate? In that case, by my estimation—the probability of death is around thirty percent. That means a seventy percent chance of survival. I’d say that’s a challenge with plenty of odds in your favor.”

“Plenty my ass! A thirty percent chance of dying is straight-up dangerous!”

“Risk is inherent in experiments. But—even if you were to lose your lives, I wouldn’t regret it one bit.”

“Even if you don’t regret it, that doesn’t mean we’re okay with it!”

“Exactly.”

Fen nods in agreement with Leon’s words.

“I’m not afraid of dying in battle. But dying from human experimentation? No way in hell.”

At those words, Siegfried slowly shakes his head.

“It seems you’ve all misunderstood something here.”

“Misunderstood…?”

“Moreover, conducting human experiments at this stage is an essential measure to ensure your victory in the battles ahead. After all, Luverios can wield the power of Lugdura, one of the ‘Seven Great Calamities.’”

“The Seven Great Calamities…!?”

Beatrice lets out a voice filled with shock.

In response, Siegfried continues calmly, showing no emotion.

“I’m sure you’re all aware. The previous Kirchhen King, Almadius IV, lost his life in an accident.”

That happened about seven years ago. A major incident that would be deeply etched into the kingdom’s history occurred at the detached palace located in the northern part of the capital.

On that day, the main royal family members had gathered at the detached palace, enjoying a vacation. But suddenly, a powerful undead appeared and attacked the palace.

It resulted in an unprecedented tragedy, with dozens of deaths.

Among the victims were the king at the time, Almadius, the first prince Farnadios, and the second prince Salnarius—in other words, Luverios’s father and his two older brothers.

An investigation ordered by the survivor, Luverios, after the incident revealed that an ancient temple had been hidden deep underground beneath the detached palace.

The official announcement, at least, states that the undead sealed there had awakened, causing the event.

“That said, that’s just the surface story. In reality, Luverios—who was the third prince at the time—teamed up with Joachim to disguise the elimination of his father and two brothers as an accident… That’s a rumor anyone’s heard at least once, right?”

“You mean he used the power of Lugdura from the ‘Seven Great Calamities’ to kill them? But isn’t that a bit of a stretch?”

Dominik raises a skeptical voice.

“Even assuming the incident was King Luverios’s doing, couldn’t he have just unsealed the temple hidden under the detached palace? What makes you so sure he used Lugdura’s power…?”

“Of course I am.”

Siegfried answers without hesitation.

“Right before enrolling in the officers’ academy, I met Luverios and Joachim. That’s when I became certain. Within these men’s magical power lies a force of the same nature as… the one inside me.”

“The same nature…?”

“Inside me resides the power of Celestina, one of the ‘Seven Great Calamities’—the vampire’s power. Among the ‘Seven Great Calamities,’ the vampire Celestina and the necromancer Lugdura share relatively similar natures. Celestina uses ‘blood,’ while Lugdura uses ‘bones’ to grant abilities to others.”

Everyone falls silent.

Until this moment, they hadn’t been told that Siegfried was a vampire.

Ignoring the group’s confusion and bewilderment, Siegfried continues speaking.

“Luverios is hiding Lugdura’s power. If it became known that he possesses the power of one of the ‘Seven Great Calamities’—it’s obvious he’d be branded a heretic by the ‘Holy Church’ and targeted for elimination. However… among his close aides, there are undoubtedly those who’ve been granted shares of that power. —Now, back to the topic. To contend with people like that, you’re insufficient as you are now. Human experimentation is absolutely necessary.”

In that instant, a crimson liquid surges up like a torrent from Siegfried’s feet. It’s his blood, infused with magical power.

It spreads throughout the room as if it has a will of its own, blocking everyone’s escape routes.

“Come now… with this, there’s no way out. Resign yourselves and participate in my experiment.”

“Tch…”

“Are you serious…?”

Leon, Dominik, and Fen break out in sweat on their foreheads, unable to hide their agitation.

Only Beatrice, alone among them, faces Siegfried directly with a look of resolved determination.

Toward the group, Siegfried declares.

“Now then, I’ll explain the details of the human experiment we’re about to conduct. It is…”

Siegfried speaks, describing the experiment he’s about to perform.

The moment they hear the explanation, everyone’s expressions freeze.

“Are you for real…? Have you lost your mind!? If something like that goes wrong…”

To Leon’s murmur, Siegfried responds with a faint smile.

“But there’s no better way to test a vampire’s power. And as I said— this is a gamble with plenty of odds in our favor.”

“But still… In the worst case, we’d end up…”

“I couldn’t care less about your pain or dignity. That’s what human experimentation is.”

“…You really are one hell of an irredeemable villain.”

“To me, that’s the highest praise.”