Value (4)
I took Jenice's hand and followed behind Rohbark.
Rohbark resided in the highest tower of Kirchheis Castle.
A space reserved solely for the family head.
'Looks like the Dragon Blood is stored there too.'
A vast corridor stretched out before us.
It was packed with artwork and ancient weapons, a ostentatious display of the Kirchheis family's wealth and power.
Yet not a single ant could be seen.
"……."
The atmosphere was beautiful yet eerie.
Jenice's fingertips trembled slightly, her tension palpable from the strange vibe.
Hierniorn, perched on her head, clacked his beak.
In truth, non-direct blood relatives are forbidden even from entering this top floor. We can only do so now with the family head's permission.
'What if someone accidentally steps wrong? What happens then?'
Ha! Think a mere mistake would be tolerated? You'd be burned alive by the "Incineration" spells laid throughout this place!
It was that strictly guarded an area.
As we walked the seemingly endless hallway, Rohbark suddenly flicked his fingers and shouted.
"Open the dark room!"
The wall split open with a crack, revealing a hidden door.
Rohbark grabbed the handle, and dozens of locks disengaged with a harsh metallic clamor.
Hierniorn flapped his wings and flew ahead through the open door.
This dark room is a private vault usable only by the Kirchheis family head. It's been ages since Hierniorn last saw it.
A secret chamber where even a grand mage had to vocalize and prove their identity to enter.
Extraordinary artifacts lined the display stands—on a scale like a small museum.
Rohbark ignored everything else and strode straight ahead.
He placed his hand on the object at the room's center, then turned to Jenice and me.
"Feed him."
"Pardon?"
"Help Kirian drink the Dragon Blood, you fool."
"Ah……."
Jenice's confusion was understandable.
Under the grand mage's hand sat a massive barrel, big enough to fit a person inside.
A giant drum made of fitted wooden staves.
One might expect beer or wine spilling out if the lid were opened.
"F-Family head?"
Jenice stared blankly before stammering.
"What."
"If it's all right, could we move the barrel to Young Master's room so he can drink it slowly? This is just too much……."
But Rohbark shook his head firmly.
He pulled a large glass goblet from somewhere and tossed it over, adding a condition.
"The Dragon Blood cannot leave this place under any circumstances. Not a single step. So Kirian must drink as much as he can here. No time limit, though."
Jenice's face stiffened.
Hierniorn reacted the same.
What the hell is this old man's problem! We could drink it slowly outside! Why insist on doing it here!
He looked ready to manifest and peck at Rohbark's forehead.
But I understood.
Peering at the room's structure through my Transcendental Eye, I saw it wasn't mere whimsy.
Special spell "Preservation" is active.
Magic is controlled by environmental factors.
The Dragon Blood in the barrel was kept in perfect condition by the dark room's Preservation spell.
That's why he insisted it couldn't be removed.
Of course, he could transplant the spell to my room for convenience, but…….
'No intention of granting that much special treatment, huh?'
Or maybe he was curious how much Dragon Blood I could handle.
If the dragonkin physiology hadn't revolutionized in 500 years, it would still taste utterly foul.
An ordinary child couldn't come near its horrific flavor.
My prediction hit the mark.
"Now, let's begin."
"Urk……."
The moment Rohbark opened the lid, Jenice started dry-heaving.
A stench beyond any normal creature's blood wafted out.
"How is anyone supposed to……."
Jenice, pinching her nose, ladled a cup and muttered in dismay.
The blackish blood reeked of sulfur, like it had just been scooped from hell, assaulting her nostrils.
I felt Rohbark's mischievous gaze.
Eyes wondering if I could even touch it to my lips.
His expression held a playful glint.
'Trying to mess with me like this?'
No reason to play along.
I had a countermeasure, so I reached out without hesitation.
"Give it here, Jenice."
"Yes?"
"The Dragon Blood. Hand it over quick."
At the same time, I drew up my mana.
Child's play compared to fooling Asena's probe earlier.
Illusion spell "Sensory Distortion" is being cast.
Target specified: "Kirian Kirchheis".
A spell cast on myself.
A simple incantation completely altered my sense of taste.
Let's see, blackish color, so…….
'Chocolate flavor sounds good.'
The sulfurous stench turned sweet in less than a second.
The sweetness intensified toward the bottom of the cup, so the Dragon Blood went down smooth.
"Gulp! Delicious!"
I drained the goblet demonstratively.
Jenice panicked.
"D-Delicious……?"
"Yeah."
One more thing.
It looked like thick broth, but Dragon Blood was essentially a demonic substance of mana particles.
Special elixir "Dragon Blood" is converting to mana and accumulating in the Mana Heart.
Mana Heart rank-up possible based on intake amount.
My Mana Heart had plenty of empty space.
No worry of getting full no matter how much I drank.
"No straw, though?"
"F-Family head? Do we have a straw?"
"……."
Rohbark's eyes flickered.
Kuhahaha! You got him good! Well done! Hierniorn approves!
Hierniorn burst into laughter.
But it wasn't quite "got him"—there was a slight inaccuracy.
Rohbark stared at me wordlessly with an odd expression.
I kept gulping Dragon Blood from the goblet, watching the old man's face.
'What’s that look?'
His eyes remained impassive, but a faint smile tugged at his lips.
As if he were enjoying this.
My imagination?
"……Once Kirian’s had his fill of Dragon Blood, bring him out. Bastion will guide you on the way back."
"Yes, family head. But……."
"I’ll have a straw brought too."
Not my imagination.
A subtle smile definitely curved Rohbark's lips as he turned away.
'Why’s he smiling?'
Who knows. But couldn’t you share a bit of that mana in advance? Mana from Dragon Blood—it’s been so long, Hierniorn’s mouth is watering…….
'Good guardian spirits know how to wait.'
Damn.
I shooed Hierniorn away and focused on chugging the Dragon Blood.
How much time passed?
I finally stood only after scraping the barrel's bottom.
The result of consuming an enormous amount—
Mana Heart rank has increased by one stage.
Current stage: 2.
Spells can now be cast with greater power.
I could now handle slightly more complex magic.
And opportunity knocked soon after.
A major incident demanded my newly enhanced mana.
"What? You lost to Kirian? You call that speaking?!"
The crystal chandelier shook from the enraged bellow.
The girl before her father squeezed her eyes shut and bowed her head.
"I'm sorry, Father. But the one-eyed merchant judged it so, and Grandfather intervened—I had no choice……."
"Quiet! So what’s that brat’s value? Exactly how much?!"
"She didn’t say precisely. Just that it’s at least on par with mine……."
"What? Damn it all! What the hell have you been doing all this time, you worthless sack of shit?!"
Rohbark's third son, Tornil Kirchheis.
A 7-star war mage known as the "Guide to Annihilation."
True to his moniker, his temper was savage—cross him, and blood would spill.
After her mother divorced unable to endure his tyranny, Libiel's days alone were like walking on thin ice.
"Libiel, remember how much money I’ve poured into you? You formed your Mana Heart at five because I opened my vaults without hesitation."
"Yes, I know."
"And you lose to Demiph's son? Explain why this happened. Speak!"
"……."
Libiel had no words.
She'd given her all—why did it end like this?
"Mark my words, Libiel. The Kirchheis family tolerates no useless existences."
Her pale face hardened further.
Young as she was, she knew the family's ruthless traditions.
Failures were discarded at any time.
If her father made a new child, she'd be cast aside like a rag.
"Father, are you discarding me……?"
"Not yet. But prove your worth. By any means."
"How? Tell me the way."
A heavy silence fell between them.
Tornil's eyes darkened, sinister thoughts converging on one conclusion.
'Demiph's son, Kirian.'
A boy brilliantly proving his talent.
Rather than raising Libiel to surpass him, dragging him down would be easier and faster.
Eliminating him entirely would be ideal.
"Yes, removing him outright is best."
A cruel smile crept across Tornil's lips.
Sensing ill intent, Libiel looked up.
"What do you mean?"
"We'll make Kirian disappear without a trace. To be recognized, you must clear obstacles, right?"
"Pardon? Make Kirian disappear?"
"Ah, remove him where no one sees. It won't be hard. The boy has no guardian."
Tornil smirked, his plan fully formed.
He placed a hand on his daughter's shoulder.
"Go befriend Kirian. When the time comes, lure him to the place I specify. Got it?"
"Father……."
"You can do it, Libiel. You must."
The least suspicious person.
Using Libiel herself to take out Kirian.
"This is about your survival. You can do it, right, Libiel?"
Madness gleamed in his flashing eyes.
No room for objection.
Libiel accepted the order with a dark expression.
"……Yes, I can. Father."