Chapter 105
Chapter 105
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 105
Chapter Title: Dracain
-----------------------------------------------------------------
“What do you think? I only showed you this one blood magic that's fit to display openly, so I'm not sure if it satisfied you.”
Honestly, I wasn't in any state to rattle off a critique. With the possibility of something going wrong in my body at any moment, how could I relax and chat? As my silence stretched longer than expected, Shimo, standing beside me, spoke up in my place.
“The sharp ferocity hidden within that red mist... Truly, it lived up to the moniker of the Grand Duke of the Mist. A remarkable display of blood magic. Lady Lumia seems astonished too. She's never this quiet...”
“You have a keen eye... You saw it properly. It's a refreshing compliment, unlike the flattery from those dullards.”
The Grand Duke's gaze fixed directly on me. He stared openly with a puzzled expression, but I couldn't let this drag on forever. I took a slow breath and opened my mouth.
“It felt like a silent wave of blood quietly surging in. The opponent facing the Grand Duke probably never even realized when they died... A quiet death. No better way to put it...”
I analyzed the blood magic the Grand Duke had shown. I observed the world contained within it and read the laws embedded there. That's why I laid out my guesses about the results it produced.
No ability to interfere with the mind... Taking over someone's body doesn't make sense either. Wide-area attack... Effective against unspecified crowds. Offense and defense happen simultaneously. Getting close would be suicide.
I'd wondered just in case. Could the Grand Duke have manipulated the blood to tamper with my mind? Was he trying to turn me into a ghoul and control me? But no, absolutely not. The Grand Duke's blood magic wasn't a mystery developed in that direction.
“Could it be... some connection to my ancestors?”
“No, nothing like that...”
“I never knew the elven royal detection magic was that exceptional.”
Suddenly, thick curiosity spread across the Grand Duke's face.
“If you don't mind, how about traveling together and letting me introduce you to others? What do you say?”
“We're grateful you made time for our sudden visit... but we only planned a brief greeting before leaving.”
“Busy, are you? Or do you find mingling with others uncomfortable?”
I nodded silently.
The Grand Duke shrugged and turned away. Once that lingering gaze finally lifted, my body felt noticeably lighter. He was a being who harbored a vast mystery. Even his ordinary movements exerted strong influence over this world.
“Then tomorrow, I'll set aside some time separately. Come by then. Before the party starts, it shouldn't be inconvenient.”
This wasn't asking for my opinion. He assumed the meeting was set for tomorrow and nodded to himself. A strange glint flickered in his slightly visible eyes. He'd taken mild offense. I was slow to notice amid his unexpected kindness. At his core, the Grand Duke was somehow... off.
“That sounds good.”
“Hm...”
Was my response satisfactory? Only then did the Grand Duke offer a smile.
I planned to leave this place tomorrow anyway. Promises to meet meant nothing.
“Then, see you tomorrow. No need for formalities.”
With that, the Grand Duke walked off alone, his footsteps echoing. When he reached the small dais and clapped his hands, every gaze in the room snapped to him.
-I am Denos van Azariel. The host of this party, and...
I hurried out of the party hall with my disciples. Only after passing through the corridor lined with red carpet and fully exiting the mansion did a long sigh escape me. I hadn't noticed inside, but my body had been rigid with tension.
If even I felt this way, my disciples must have been worse off. Olbern collapsed on the spot. Her body slumped limply over the Wolf Queen.
We left the city immediately and returned straight to the Black Feather Hawk. I didn't forget to check our surroundings for any tails.
“Master. That was dangerous.”
“I know.”
“We should avoid actions like that from now on...”
I nodded at Durel's sincere concern. I'd momentarily forgotten that mages are inherently a bit twisted at their core. Dracain blood mages were no exception. After catching my breath, I approached Shimo.
Shimo lay sprawled on the deck like a starfish, looking far more exhausted than the others. Was it from that duel he'd ended in a flash earlier? His already pale face seemed even paler.
“Shimo.”
“Yes...”
“I've got something to ask.”
“What is it?”
“Is Grand Duke Azariel a blood mage who can use blood magic to interfere with minds or create ghouls?”
“Is that what worried you? It's fine. Our innate bloodlines are different.”
“Really...? What if a human ingests Dracain blood? Nothing weird happens, right?”
At my question, Shimo's eyebrows twitched dramatically. He got up and edged slightly away from me.
“What're you doing?”
“Well... Your question felt kinda creepy for some reason...”
“It's not like that.”
“Then why ask...”
“Well...”
My hesitation didn't last long. After a brief pause, I voiced what had happened earlier—the thing no one had noticed.
“The Grand Duke's blood suddenly flowed into my body.”
“Pardon...?”
First confusion, then shock, then worry—Shimo's expression shifted in an instant. Olbern and Durel were the same. Before the panicked trio could swarm me, I continued.
“No issues with my body. Magic works fine, no pain. Didn't seem like the Grand Duke moved the blood himself... It just flew in on its own.”
“Are you really, really okay?”
“I told you I'm fine. Now answer what I asked.”
Shimo stood and began circling me, inspecting every inch despite my assurances. Durel and Olbern were no different. The two rushed over and peered even closer than Shimo.
“No abnormalities in your body.”
“You said it doesn't hurt...”
“Are you sure you're okay?”
“No... I said I'm fine? Shimo, answer me.”
I peeled off my clinging disciples and perched on the railing. Only then did Shimo speak.
“Even if another race ingests Dracain blood, no major issues... But in your case, Master...? If the blood really flew in with intent...”
“If it did?”
“I don't know.”
Everyone fell silent at Shimo's frank admission. As the mood soured, he hurriedly added,
“N-No...! I really don't! Blood entering someone's body on its own volition—I've never heard of such a thing!”
A phenomenon even Dracain had never heard of. What the hell was that blood? Closing my eyes and scanning my body yielded no changes. I tried various blood magic experiments, wondering if I could use it now, but the blood inside me wouldn't budge.
Too small an amount...?
Nothing clear turned up, just frustration. But what could I do? Even Shimo didn't know. I decided to shelve the issue for now.
“Fine, something else then. What's with the red wings and the winner's right?”
“Red Wings. A trait of blood magic from noble trueblood descendants. Called that because red wings unfold from the back...”
“You're from that lineage?”
“No... not likely. I was born to ordinary folk. My parents too... Their hair was dull like mine. True noble blood would shine brighter.”
“But you definitely...”
I'd seen it clearly. One wing, but a red wing had unfolded from Shimo's back. He nodded in response.
“Yes. Red Wings did manifest. Probably thanks to the mana circle you taught me... Though I'm not sure exactly.”
“And the winner's right?”
“A Dracain tradition. The victor in a duel claims the loser's vitality... by taking a sip of their blood. In reality, it's just a harmless ritual.”
“Hm... Got it.”
“But are you really okay?”
“If Dracain can drink each other's blood without issue, why would it be different for a human...? Nothing's wrong right now, I said.”
Whatever the case, nothing had changed yet. I hopped off the railing and headed to my cabin. My disciples trailed subtly behind.
“How far are you planning to follow?”
“Well... We're worried about you, Master.”
“Shouldn't we monitor your condition more?”
“Master! I learned some dwarf folk remedies—maybe try one...!”
I sighed and opened the captain's quarters door.
“I'm changing to leave. You all do the same.”
Late morning. Of course, in Revan Pole, morning looked as gloomy outside the window as evening, but it was morning nonetheless. I stirred on the bed before quietly slipping out.
“Haaah~”
Yawning lazily, I tousled my hair into place and thought how my hair felt smoother than usual. That's when I caught something unfamiliar in the large mirror's reflection of the girl.
“What the...”
My left pupil was tinged red.
Eye infection...? No... My skin looks a bit brighter too...
Something was changing in my body.