Chapter 80
Chapter 80
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 80
Chapter Title: Blood Appetizer
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The path from Banten to the Philador Kingdom was straightforward.
There were two main routes.
One was heading south through the Mano Territory and crossing the border.
That was the very path they had taken last time during the great famine to procure food from the Nile region.
The other was departing from Banten, home of the Carviot Count family, passing through the Five Nations Alliance, and heading south into the Philador Kingdom.
It was much shorter than the route via Mano Territory, but it crossed through so many foreign lands that it came with all sorts of hassles, making it unpopular.
Unfortunately, thanks to the Class 2 mission issued by my father, Bacchus von Carviot, we had only one choice from the start.
"Hmm~ Hm!"
Miron was humming cheerfully, his burly frame belying the lightness in his tune. He clearly loved his new gear.
"Miron, you really like it that much?"
I could understand his joy over the new weapon, but seeing him this thrilled made the guy who'd bought it for him feel pretty good too.
The mission required us to stop by the Fran Kingdom in the south of the Five Nations Alliance, link up with Lady Aria von Wendinel of the Wendinel Duke family, and then head to the Philador Kingdom.
Since Jaun, Miron's hometown, lay right along the route, I'd taken a moment to get him a new weapon there.
I'd figured the mineral paradise of Jaun would have exactly what I wanted.
Luckily, my hunch was spot on, and I found the perfect piece for Miron without much trouble.
'Frenzy grows stronger the more it's used. Even if it changes later, right now, a Bloodflow Stone will do wonders for his development.'
The Bloodflow Stone absorbed excitement from boiling blood, smoothing the flow and preventing overload.
It couldn't form a hammer on its own, of course, but embedding it into the handle of his new weapon would greatly aid Miron's Frenzy—a Heterogenous Power.
"Haha, of course! How could I not be thrilled when you went out of your way to craft something this precious for me, young master!"
Whoosh! Boom!
The hammer swing, brimming with his glee(?), whipped up a gust that tousled my hair and cooled me off nicely.
"Hmph, good. Glad you like it..."
'Compared to the crap Saladin shoved into Mimi and Nene under the guise of "upgrades," this isn't even expensive.'
I should've upgraded it sooner, knowing he'd love it this much. Now I felt a twinge of regret.
"You bet! Bloodflow Stones? I heard only nobles use those!"
The Bloodflow Stone mixed into the hammer would let Miron wield his Frenzy Heterogenous Power more effectively.
For him right now, it was peerless treasure. To most others, though, it was just a tonic stone for stabilizing mind and body—hardly cheap for commoners, but no burden for the Carviot family.
'Good call adding those extras too.'
With budget left after the main weapon, I'd tossed in some bonuses. Felt rewarding now.
It would be a huge boon for Miron, who couldn't yet handle aura.
"Yeah, it's sturdy, so use it well for a long time."
No need to tell him exactly what I'd mixed in—he'd faint from gratitude. Better keep it secret.
"Miron, we'll hit Kartman, the border town of the Fran Kingdom, soon."
I shifted topics, briefing him on Fran customs as a foreign land.
"The Fran Kingdom has specialized in magic for generations. Mages dominate every layer of society."
"Ah, so knights don't get much respect?"
Fair assumption, but if that were all, I wouldn't have brought it up.
"Worse than that. They view anyone fighting with raw physical force—no magic—as near-barbarians. Even as Carviot Counts, we won't get special treatment."
Centuries of obsession with magical scholarship had bred that prejudice, family prestige be damned.
Of course, when the Holy Empire invaded with their magic armor breakthroughs, Fran crumbled under imperial hooves in no time.
Only I knew that, though.
"They're official envoys visiting the Wendinel family, so they won't show it outright. Still, expect some unpleasantness. If they act rude, just let it slide."
"Mm... Got it, young master. If you say so, I'll follow."
Miron scratched his head, nodding like he half-grasped it.
Yeah, it wouldn't click yet.
Fran, a minor nation in the Five Nations Alliance, earned its rep as the continent's top magocracy for good reason.
Roooaaar!
"Ow, what's with the sudden downpour?"
Like the sky had sprung a leak. The torrent caught everyone off guard.
"It's summer—pop-up shower! Quit griping and find shelter before the goods spoil!"
Peddlers circling the Five Nations Alliance for trade hustled to escape the rain too.
Each nation boasted unique specialties; play it right, and profits soared.
Bad luck—their cargo was Millen Kingdom foodstuffs.
If rain ruined it, losses would be catastrophic.
How long did they wander?
Splash! Splash!
As puddles formed on the parched ground, one shouted.
"Hey, over there! A cabin!"
Heads whipped around at his cry.
A cabin?
In these deserted mountains, someone living off the grid?
Doubts faded fast.
"H-Hurry!"
Rain intensified; clothes clung sodden and miserable.
Even with tight packaging, this deluge would spoil goods.
Minds fixed on minimizing damage, they bolted.
Splash! Splash! Splash!
The first to spot it flung open the cabin door.
Creeeeak—
Untended, it groaned stiffly, announcing itself.
"Pardon the intrusion~."
Spooky vibe?
He'd rushed in boldly but now crept inside cautiously, greeting softly.
No signs of life within.
His face lit up.
Empty house—no awkwardness, perfect rest spot.
"No one's here! Vacant!"
"Whew, lucky!"
Others poured in, relieved.
"Brr, freezing. Anyone got flint?"
"Me. Let's light a fire."
Clink! Clink! Whoosh!
Soaked and chilled, they sparked up and settled in quick.
Flames banished gloom and chill; coziness spread.
As they thawed, one generously offered snacks.
"Ahh, finally alive. Hey, jerky in my pack back there... Huh?"
With light and leisure, he finally noticed.
A figure in the corner.
So silent—even visible now, eyes closed, it'd vanish from senses.
Clad in crimson—no, blood-soaked rags. His utter lack of presence chilled to the bone.
"Oh, whoops. We have company. Guys, someone's back there."
Others across from him hadn't sensed a thing; he pointed it out.
Or maybe instinct drove them to huddle safely, alerting to the threat.
All now aware, the jerky guy awkwardly addressed him.
"You the owner?"
"......"
No reply—just a blank stare.
Chill sweat despite himself, but he pressed on.
"If not, and just a fellow traveler, fate's brought us together. Share a meal?"
"...Meal?"
First reaction—to that word alone.
Unnerving aura?
All peddlers watched the exchange now.
"Yes, join us. You weren't even using the fire—warm up here."
Others sensed the weirdness too, treading lightly.
"...Meal... Fine."
Ignoring their kindness, he rose slowly.
Then drew a dagger.
Shing!
Peddlers flinched—despite numbers.
His menace nullified their advantage.
"H-Hey, what..."
True shock came next.
No time to react—he slashed without hesitation.
Schwick!
Eerie slice of flesh parting.
Thud!
It was his own left arm.
Spuuurt!
Blood fountained from the stump.
Splash! Splash!
Shock froze them, as panic paralyzes.
They should've moved then.
Blood met fire—turning to red steam.
It touched skin.
Siiiizz!
Chilling hiss.
"G-Gaaahhh!!"
"S-Save meee!!"
Screams erupted.
Where red steam kissed, skin withered like a mummy's.
"M-Monster!"
Untouched ones bolted for the door.
"Oh? Running? Can't have that."
The huddled wretch now brimmed with vigor in voice.
He reached for the door.
Creeeak! Boom!
It slammed like a mansion's gate.
Step. Step.
Blood-steam shrouded, he advanced leisurely.
Thud! Thud!
"G-Gah! Open it!"
Door-jammers pounded frantically.
"I-I'm trying! But... it won't budge!"
Even wrecking efforts failed; panic spread.
"Useless. Sealed by Blood Sect power. Vermin like you couldn't pry it open in death."
"Eeeeeek! S-Stay back!!"
They hurled whatever was at hand.
Or madness would claim them.
Undeterred, he approached casually.
Raised his remaining right arm.
"So quit wasting energy. Be good and fill my belly."
With that—
Spuuurt!
A finger burst, deathly red steam creeping toward them.
"Gaaaahhh!!"
Their terror-shriek ended it.
Moments later, silence blanketed the cabin.
Crackle. Crackle.
Only the fire whispered of lives once there.
"Mm. Mmm."
His severed arm regrown, burst finger mended—like nothing happened.
Savoring like a delicacy, eyes shut, he opened them regretfully.
"Sigh. Better than stray chicken... but."
Obviously. Humans—apex race.
Once kin, hunted despite risks: ultimate delicacy.
But since gaining his Heterogenous Power—
Humans no longer satisfied.
Inevitable.
Best cuisine demands mortal peril for the reward.
Post-power, humans weren't worth the hunt.
Just annoyingly trickier than pigs or chickens.
Nothing more.
Realizing that stripped their savor.
"Eh, soon enough."
Dissatisfaction faded; his grin stretched in joy, anticipation, ecstasy.
His group's order—from Shadow, top brass—stirred new thrills in his boredom.
-Recruit the Shield Family's third son en route to Philador Kingdom. If he refuses, kill without delay.
Shivers of excitement.
"Recruit" and "fail-kill" blurred.
Killing a noble—scion of a famed house across the continent.
'Noble blood—purer taste?'
But mere starter.
Shadow's command promised exquisite fare.
-Suspected to wield Heterogenous Power.
Heterogenous Power.
Same as his, Shadow's, Black Wing's—the sky above skies.
Tasting one who wielded it!
Irresistible balm to his ennui.
"Yes, appetizers before the main course."
Gorge on gourmet first, lose the nuance.
So savor starters slowly, build to the entree.
"Heh, can't wait."
His chuckling form vanished from the cabin.
The thick blood reek drifted south—toward Fran Kingdom.