Kikikiki. Hahaha. Youre a funny guy. I like you. By any chance, do you want to switch masters? Im sure I can strike you a better deal than the dead emperor.
Hmm. Sorry, but the relationship between the Emperor and I is too deep-seated to be severed so easily.
What a joke when those punks from the Guild were the ones who sold you out.
.
Azadine was taken aback. The reality of the Korasar Peddlers Guild being run by the ssenger Clan was a closely guarded secret, yet the Count knew about it.
Had Derek disclosed it to him?
Oh, rest assured. I only know this because I have my own ways of finding out. Right now, Im the only one who knows that people of the ssenger Clan run that Peddlers Guild. So, will you stay loyal to that organization even when the guild rat you out?
Even if Im not that keen on staying loyal, I dont want to be the lackey of a man who makes a habit of bathing in blood.
You can live for eternity and even gain power. Are you really going to turn down power, eternal life, wealth, and harmony, just to stay a ssenger and be loathed by all? Huh?
Im sorry, but you dont align with my philosophy of aesthetics.
Azadine slung his arrowless bow across his torso, drew his sword, inhaled deeply, and channeled the power of the Kazas Grimoire- Flower, Bird, Wind, and Moon through his entire body.
He felt a vastness along his spine as if it was connected to the universe. Despite seeing an unholy blood bath before him, a profound power flowed through his body.
Oh, ho?
The Count seed to sense sothing from Azadine.
How arrogant. How dare a re soulless blaspher like you speak in such a manner to a descendent of the Great gods?
The Count glared at Azadine while the two won wrapped around him slithered away, vanishing into the blood like serpents.
Well, thats okay. You see, Im well aware of thods to rouse peoples loyalty.
Instantly, a few figures erged from the pool of blood.
Kikiki.
Two n wearing hawk masks stood with their eyes glowing blue.
Ugh!
Azadine recognized them as soon as he saw the hawk masks.
That damned District Head! He didnt tell anything about what happened to the ssenger who ca here before. Why the hell is he here?
Those two figures were Harad and Kevna. One was the ssenger responsible for Salasma before Azadines appointnt, while the second managed the neighboring region to the north.
Both were said to have died in the line of duty. They must have gone missing nearby since they were in the Counts castle. The district head must have stayed silent to avoid any potential bla.
This right here is my key to discovering that the Peddlers Guild are people of the ssenger Clan. Their loyalty is absolute, to the point that they can easily disclose the clans secrets.
Having said that, the Count stepped back.
Okay then, Ill get dressed and ready. In the anti, either kill him or capture him alive and make him loyal to . Also, find out the whereabouts of the copy of the Grimoire of the Heavenly Kings.
Yes!
The two forr ssengers replied to the Counts command before he disappeared under the surface of the pool of blood.
.
Azadine wanted to go after the Count, but he wasnt familiar with the layout of the bath of blood. Also, he couldnt act rashly with two forr ssengers blocking his path.
Anyway, look who it is? Arent you the famous Azadine? Dont tell youre my replacent! It looks like the Aragasa has really run out of talented people!
The n, their eyes glowing blue behind their hawk masks, drew their bows.
Typically, a Moon Horn Bow would decay rapidly if it got wet. It was made using composite materials and boasted overwhelming strength despite its small size. However, it was equally demanding in terms of maintenance. Painstaking care was necessary, especially when used on rainy days.
There was no way that these Moon Horn Bows, which had just erged from a pool of blood, would be working optimally
-Snap!
Arrows flew towards Azadine.
No way.
The bows that were subrged in blood still worked perfectly fine. Azadine caught the arrows, but the montum was strong enough to force him back.
While he was physically stronger than other ssengers, he was up against two of them right now. His opponents had more experience, shot their arrows at the sa ti, and the blood also made them slippery. This was perplexing.
Huh?
Harad and Kevna were surprised to see him catch the arrow.
He caught the arrows at this distance? Arrows shot by us?
Did the blood weaken our arrows?
They did not entertain the thought of Azadine being so remarkably skilled but instead thought that sothing was wrong with their bows. Since Azadine was notorious for being incompetent, it was hard to dispel that preconception.
Its even better for . Go on, let your guard down.
Azadine held on to the arrows hed caught earlier.
Should he shoot these arrows with his bow? But if he did, his own bow would be stained with blood.
Seeing how their bows are fine, it shouldnt be affected if it gets wet with blood. But if thats not the case, repairing it will be a pain in the ass.
At that mont, droplets of blood rose from the bath and created four spheres around Azadine.
Hoo-hoo-hoo.
The four spheres bombarded Azadine with drops of blood through the darkness. The ultra-high-pressure streams of liquid flew at him like spears. He spun around and landed on the ground while dodging all the blood aid at him.
Did he dodge that?
Not bad for soone I heard was the biggest idiot in the clan!
Harad, Azadines predecessor as a ssenger, ramd his sword into the surface of the bloodbath and thrust it upwards with great force. A blob of blood splashed up toward Azadine.
Tch!
Azadine swung his sword, slicing apart the blob. In the anti, however, the two forr ssengers moved to his left and right. As they surrounded him from both sides, they fired spittles of blood from their mouth and tossed daggers at him.
Azadine extended his left hand. He held the arrows the two forr ssengers shot at him, sandwiched between his fingers. He waved them like a fan to block the flying daggers and spittle.
And.
-Bang!
An arrow was jamd into the forr ssenger, Harads, chest.
Urgh?!
Azadine had shot the arrow without stringing it on the bow, similar to a dart, which penetrated Harads chest.
Fool.
Kevna sneered.
No, Im not. That bastards throw is way faster than I expected.
Harad, Azadines predecessor, made an excuse even with the arrow sticking out of him.
Theyre way too unbothered.
Azadine clicked his tongue as he glanced at his foes. They were clearly wounded, but neither was screaming in pain.
Are they undead? Or did the arrow not hit deep enough?
Sure, the arrows had penetrated into the forr ssengers body. Still, since it was thrown by hand, the force was limited. The arrow had caught on the leather armor and didnt even penetrate the flesh.
But no. I suspect it wouldnt have worked in this situation even if it reached the flesh.
He bemoaned the fact that these two ssengers had been turned into monsters by the Count. Even though they saw him as a joke and ridiculed him, it still pained him to see mbers of his clan beco puppets of an evil Count.
Kekeke. How did a fool like you beco a ssenger? I guess the honor of the Imperial ssengers has hit rock bottom, huh.
If the honor of the Imperial ssengers has hit rock bottom, its because of you, Harad, not . Did the Count transform you into a vampire?
We volunteered to do it. Why would we pledge allegiance to a dead emperor when we could enjoy eternal life, riches, and fa?
Besides, the Aragasa has gone to the dogs. Theyve forgotten their true sense of purpose and only live to serve the interests of the Five Great Families and the Senate of Elders.
Well, I wont deny that Aragasa has fallen, but I dont see that as a reason for you to beco dependent on the Count. Still, at least the young children still look up to the Emperors ssengers, dont they? But what are you two right now? Arent you just moss-eating snails at the bottom of a pond? What sort of wealth and fa do you think youll get clinging to at the bottom of this bath?
You bastard!
Azadines mockery of their situation infuriated the forr ssengers. They once again shot arrows at him, but Azadine simply spread out his hand and turned the arrows upwards with a twist of his wrist.
The blood made it too slippery to catch, but he had no issue deflecting then. Then, at the sa ti as when he released the arrows between his knuckles, he flicked his wrist as well.
-whoosh.
Azadine launched the daggers that had been thrown by the forr ssengers from his hand, and they went flying through the air.
Ho~!
Impressive!
The forr ssengers dodged Azadines attacks and marveled at the skill.
-Twilight!
Their blurred forms closed in on Azadine.
Tch. The Kazas Grimoire cant be used in knee-deep water.
Azadines version of Twilight required movent. Unlike the spell used by other ssengers in the clan, his version could not be used in water.
Ha!
The forr ssengers appeared on both of his flanks and pressed him with a series of attacks. At that mont, Azadine unleashed his own counterattack.
-Boom!
A pillar of water rose, or rather, a pillar of blood, and the two forr ssengers bounced off the waters surface and rolled around.
Huh?!
How is this.
This unexpected turn of events stunned the two forr ssengers. They had been confident while surrounding Azadine and decided to press their attack. However, Azadines body seed to be fully charged with electrical energy.
The mont they ca in contact with him, their body was overwheld by tremors and shock. Using this opportunity, Azadine counterattacked using his sword and fists. He stabbed the enemy coming from his right while slamming his fist into the one on the left.
Flower Bird Wind Moon, Thundercloud, Kazas Grimoire!
The original version of the spell used electrical energy that catapulted the target with a single touch. However, Azadine stamped on the ground to charge the electricity montarily and released a bolt at the person in contact with him. One bolt was enough to send them flying away.
I th-think we-
I think our skills have just dulled a bit after becoming immune to pain. I cant believe were taking a beating from the clans idiot, Azadine.
They were in denial of the reality in front of their eyes. They were well aware of Azadines history of powerlessness and incompetence.
Azadine was notorious in their clan. They could not understand how the incompetent Azadine had knocked them out with a single blow.
No. Youre so pathetic. After all that, the difference in our abilities is way too clear. So go live at the bottom of the Counts bathtub eating moss or whatever.
Azadine could not help but say a comnt to Harad and Kevna, who were still deep in their denial.
Thank you for being careless and off guard. And indeed, if you two keep denying reality, itd be way easier for . Still, even if the Count turned you into one of his monsters, youre the ssengers that the whole clan is proud of, looks up to, and yearns to be! So, fight with all you got so that when I take you down, I can at least tell your families that it was an outstanding fight from both of you till the end. Stop denying reality!
Harad and Kevna flinched in shock at Azadines words.
Azadine.
You are right. We apologize for our discourtesy until now.
Harad and Kevna, who had been acting like spiritless idiots, snapped back to attention.
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