Omniscient First-Person’s Viewpoint-Chapter 394: It Didn’t Fall From the Sky - 13

“Vampires cannot coexist with humans. They drink blood, after all.”

The truth of those words was starkly evident, with vampires currently massacring humans outside. Whether or not the Lightning Thief was aware of this, he spoke to me nonetheless.

“It’s only natural. Even if you can communicate with them, who could live peacefully next to a creature that feeds on their blood? It’s like putting sheep and wolves in the same pen. Changed humans will always clash with those who remain unchanged.”

“It’s hard to trust someone from the Holy Crown Church saying that.”

“Do you think vampires are shunned purely because of the Church?”

Well, not exactly. If someone coveted my money, I’d be anxious. If someone craved my blood, I’d just run. You can live without money, but you can’t survive without blood.

“The difference is division. There are only two ways humans and vampires can live together: either the vampires are ostracized, as in most places, or humans are reduced to livestock, as in the Mist Duchy. Even if they coexist, there must be hierarchy and separation.”

“Fine, let’s say that’s true. What does that have to do with the nations?”

“The nations were on the verge of producing something akin to vampires—a race of homunculi, alchemic humans with perfect physical structures.”

I recalled the homunculi of the Golden Mirror. Ordinary homunculi lacked self-awareness, and only those imbued with the unique magics of certain masters could communicate. They were restored near-perfectly within the Golden Mirror’s domain but remained constructs, not true humans. I couldn’t read their thoughts, after all.

“The demon of the Golden Mirror possesses the power to deconstruct and reconstruct the world. Naturally, that includes humans. This is classified, but the Golden Mirror can alchemize even humans. Thankfully, it can only create shells, but even that is terrifying. Imagine humans with robust, flawless bodies.”

One exception stood out: the Thunder Overseer. I could read her thoughts. She wasn’t just human; she had spent immense time perfecting herself, making her akin to a homunculus.

“Like the Thunder Overseer?”

“Exactly. If humans like her gathered, they might rule over humanity like vampires do—or worse. Vampires are few in number and despised for their bloodlust, but beings like her, who resemble humans, would be idolized. Ordinary humans would aspire to become like her.”

“And isn’t the Thunder Overseer already admired?”

“That’s fine. She’s ‘special.’”

Special, indeed. The Thunder Overseer firmly believed she was exceptional. Her self-awareness was overwhelming—every time I read her thoughts, it was unavoidable.

But her ‘special’ seemed to mirror what I considered ‘normal.’

“Because she’s special, she’s allowed to be different. Ordinary people console themselves, believing they aren’t lacking but that she’s extraordinary. She believes it too, which is why she manages Claudia so meticulously, ensuring no other versions of herself emerge. Thanks to her, the nations, even under the demon’s influence, haven’t crossed the line.”

“Is that what you meant by hiding the demon?”

“Exactly. The demon reshapes the world, and that includes humans. But... humans must remain unchanged. Their dignity and purity must persist. A today that mirrors yesterday guarantees an endless tomorrow. Even with forbidden knowledge, one must protect oneself and move forward.”

The Lightning Thief’s resolve seemed as unshakable as a storm. Despite the downpour and lightning striking close by, he held onto his kite strings, warning me.

“Savage beast. You might call such changes ‘nature,’ but we are different. We will protect humanity in its truest form.”

There was a distinct trace of faith in his words. Though a demon, he was still human and might once have been a devout believer. It wasn’t surprising for someone like him to be uncooperative. After all, not everything in the world goes as I wish.

But I am the King of Humans. There’s no one I can’t understand—not even demons or the devout.

“But you know, don’t you? As a demon, you have no right to say such things.”

“That’s unfair. What was I supposed to do, being too exceptional for my own good? This isn’t about being special—I was just unlucky. I never wanted this.”

“That’s not what I’m talking about. Why would someone who wishes for a today like yesterday act as you did?”

The Lightning Thief misinterpreted my words and responded.

“You mean building Claudia? That was necessary. It was for humanity. If I hadn’t created a livable city, the displaced people of the nations would have relied entirely on the Golden Mirror for survival.”

That wasn’t it. True, he had built Claudia from the ground up, establishing order with the Church’s apostles. Back then, the name ‘Thunder Overseer’ didn’t even exist. And yes, his dedication as a sage to the Holy Crown Church was commendable.

But that wasn’t what I was referring to.

“Why did you fly that kite? That wasn’t something you did yesterday.”

“What? What’s wrong with flying a kite?”

It was fun, of course. There probably wasn’t any deeper reason.

And that was enough. Sometimes, the mere fact that you can do something is reason enough to do it.

“Why did you make a kite that could fly even on rainy days? There was no reason to test it in a storm. You could have simply not flown it.”

“Sometimes, you just feel like it. Especially on rainy days. There are moments when you want to be out in the rain for no reason.”

“And what about days with thunder and lightning?”

The Lightning Thief fell silent. Thunder roared, lightning crashing violently nearby. While it missed this time, the next strike wouldn’t spare the fragile kite.

This was an image born of his mind, a memory shaped by his experiences. There had been a day when the Lightning Thief went out to fly a kite in a storm. It wasn’t purely on a whim. Despite the cold rain, his face had been alight with exhilaration.

“You knew lightning might strike the kite. You knew it would travel through you. Why didn’t you let go of the string?”

“...I just wanted to.”

“Why did you try something new instead of doing the same as yesterday? Why test lightning’s patience?”

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“To help the people of Claudia. If there’s a way to avoid lightning, they’ll thrive.”

“Nice excuse. But really, you just wanted to succeed where you failed yesterday. You didn’t hesitate to take a step forward.”

Humans can lie to themselves, distorting their memories for self-preservation. But no dubious excuse works on me. I may have lost my power, but I am still the King of Humans.

“You sages do as you please. The reason today can’t be like yesterday is because of humans like you, constantly moving forward.”

The Lightning Thief shut his eyes tightly and shouted.

“...Fine! But as a sage, I acted for the people of the nations! Using deadly lightning to save lives is the most human thing I could do!”

And there it was—the claim of good intentions. That it was all for a noble cause. The moment those words are spoken, the debate loses its meaning.

“Who doesn’t know that? I acknowledge your contributions. You built the Lightning Tower, the Thunderwheel, the farms. Everything you did as a demon was for humanity. Even under the influence of the Holy Crown Church, you hid your nature and rejected fame.

“Yet, was that kindness solely yours to give? When did goodwill become your exclusive property?”

That is savagery.

Intentions. Feelings. Beliefs. Glorious achievements, devout faith, lofty ideals. All of it is wielded like a tool by small-minded humans. How barbaric.

“Yes, you had goodwill. I won’t deny that. Even if you looked down on others, you genuinely cared for them. But the heart is what matters. The tools don’t.”

“...Tools?”

“Yes. The Thunder Overseer stabbed me without hesitation. She turned faith into a weapon. Vampires, sensing the divine breath of the Thunder Overseer and her subordinates, sought to kill them all. Both sides are the same. No matter how they justify their actions, they all use their tools to stab others. In that sense, gods and vampires are no different.”

“That’s absurd! How can gods, striving for humanity’s survival, be the same as vampires who’ve abandoned their humanity?”

The Lightning Thief protested, but I had my rebuttal ready. Showing him the wound on my side, I countered.

“The god’s angel stabbed me. A god, supposedly preserving humanity, attacked me.”

“Because you’re a savage.”

“So, anyone who doesn’t fit their definition of ‘human’ is killed? No different from vampires, then.”

He couldn’t refute me—not with the victim standing before him, speaking the truth. Before he could respond, I preempted him.

“I’ll show you. Among humans who kill for countless reasons, I’ll reveal one who truly stands for humanity.”