Chapter 37:

Chapter 36 - Expedited Plans

The Otherworldly Patron of Blood


"Wait, they have her? Why would they take her?"

"Beatrice... she knows how to open up the box."

"The box? You mean the box that got stolen from Applecot Mansion? Then that means... The Jawbreakers killed him!"

She nodded. "Thirty minutes ago... if she left thirty minutes ago, then she's probably long gone by now." She placed her head in his shoulder, grabbing his arms. "What are they going to do to her?"

He patted her on the back. "Don't worry, we'll get her back. We just need to focus hard on what to do next."

"Right, right." After thirty seconds, she stood up, smacking her cheeks gently. "Sorry. I got emotional for a second."

"Don't worry about that. For now, we need to find clues regarding where she could've possibly gone."

She nodded. "Got it."

In the doorway, Claire and Alanis stared at the scene. "Wow, she got over it quite quickly," the latter noted.

"That's just how she is. Working through problems is how she gets over them."

. . .

Despite the four of them banding together to find her, the only hint they were able to find was that Beatrice and the man entered the forest together.

The four congregated at the study room, trying to figure out what to do. On one hand, the faster they found her and acted, the better. On the other, they had no clue how big the Jawbreakers faction were. They killed a lot of people back at the hotel, and they had no doubt they had more men at their disposal. They needed a plan, but what could they come up with in this short of a time?

They decided to meet again at a later time. Maya and Alanis would stay in the bookstore, reading up on everything related to the Jawbreakers. Meanwhile, the other two went to the Holden Hotel, trying to get some rest. Despite being really hungry, an anxious feeling in his gut prevented him from eating much. He went to sleep, immediately entering Hemofemina's domain.

As soon as he entered, Hemofemina stood in front of him, hands on her hips. "That was a real close call you experienced," she said.

"Yeah, it was. I won't do it again."

She poked his stomach. "Don't get shot again."

"I won't."

She pouted. "You're not taking this as seriously as you should be."

"It already happened, Hemofemina. I won't let that happen again."

Sensing his irritation, she backed off. "Fine. But just so you know, there's quite the interesting change that's occurred."

"What is it?"

"I'm not telling you."

"Why not?"

"You haven't entered this domain by yourself in a long time. I have to drag you in. That means you haven't properly practiced your magic like you should be. So much more power, and you don't have the interest to learn it?"

"I was busy."

"Not busy enough. You had multiple chances to come here and practice when you went to sleep, and you didn't. So, I've decided. I'm only going to tell you if you promise to come here every night before your fight."

"My fight?"

"Yes. I know you're about to fight those mercenaries to get her back, aren't you? But if you don't keep up with your own powers, how do you expect to fight them? It's simply suicide at that point, and I'm not letting you die on my watch. So promise me you'll come back here to train properly. It doesn't even need to be a full-on training session. Just random experimentation is good enough!"

"You sound like my mom."

"You are very lucky that I am as lenient with you as I am. Any other god would've smacked you across the head for even questioning their orders."

"...Fine. I promise to come back here to train my powers. Sorry."

"It's all good!" Her demeanor more cheery, she leaned against a meat stalagmite. "No failing to come, alright? Otherwise, I'll have to really punish you."

"Right. So what's this information you wanted to tell me?"

"You know how I told you there was a signal from a blood gem that was very faint?"

"Yeah."

"It's gone now."

"What?"

She nodded. "It seems that ever since that man - what was his name again?"

"Barford Porterson."

"Right, him. It seems that ever since he died, the signal's been moving. It used to be in Phegolan, but now I sense it here. Pretty close, actually."

"Seriously? If that's the case... then the box contains it, doesn't it?"

"Yes. It most likely contains the blood gem we're seeking."

Oh no.

He didn't know exactly how other people interacted with the blood gem. After all, he only saw two of them, one buried in the ground and the other around Taykaw's neck. But whatever the Jawbreakers were trying to do with it, it was bound to be something terrible. He paced the room, his anxiety getting the better of him.

"If it helps, there's not much those guys can do with it. They can't sell it, nor can they channel magic through or from it. Those gems are meant to be impenetrable to all kinds of mortal magic."

"Then what could they be doing with it? Why go through all the trouble to do so?"

"Honestly, it could just be delusion. Sacrifices, status, all that."

"Could be." He sighed. "I guess I won't know for sure until I meet Maya tomorrow."

"Exactly. Don't let it get to your head just yet! There's still time to save her."

"Right. Thanks." As he was about to leave, he remembered his promise and came straight back. "Well, I guess I should start training, now that I think about it."

"Good. Magic that's exercised, even if only in a domain, is better than unexercised magic. Now, go on, do something!"

He went up to a meat stalagmite and punched it with his hand. It bled a little bit from the pressure, giving him something to work with. Forming a blade, he cut open the tip of the stalagmite. Blood spurted from its opening. He waited for the blood to pool up before forming them into spikes, sending them flying in the air. He watched them as they soared in the air, realizing something very important about his technique.

His spikes had gotten much, much slower.