CH 53

Estian’s eyes turned crimson in that instant, prompting Aled to snap its fingers in realization. “Good Lord, I was right! No wonder you could wield a black steel blade despite being human—that’s what you ate! No, but how come you’re still human after taking it? Most of them end up dying or turning into a monster… Ah, I see why you have no thoughts of having children. You may be capable of breeding, but a child of your blood will be born a monstrosity, after all.”

“…”

Aled babbled on excitedly about the truth it had realized, but then it noticed Estian staring at it pointedly. At the same time, it dawned on the spirit how dangerous it was to touch upon this topic. Aled took retreating steps, cowed by those glaring red eyes, as it spoke up in self-defense. “No, so I mean, I knew you definitely weren’t impotent!”

Aled gulped when there was nothing to swallow. Impotent, my foot. This fellow must be capable of making dozens, hundreds, even thousands of babies if he wanted.

“You,” Estian growled in a chillingly low voice, and the spirit felt even greater fear than it had when the emperor had hurled its jewel.

It felt death was imminent.

Before Aled knew or could do anything about it, Estian had drawn his black steel blade and thrust it down onto the table—

“…!” The spirit saw the blade had landed a mere paper-thin distance away from its face.

“Oh, my mistake. Let’s retry that.”

“Ahhhh! Spare me! I’m sorry! I’ll never say it again! I was just amazed to come across something I thought was long gone!”

“Tell me. How much do you know of Eugendiph’s Blood?”

“I don’t know the details. I just know that some spirits I know took an interest because much of it disappeared when it was made. It’s the truth!” Aled trembled as it inched away from the black steel blade.

“You don’t know the details, but that means you do know about it to some extent.”

“Why? Is there something you want to know? Come on, what are spirits for? You can ask any questions and I’ll find all the answers in the spirit realm! Really! Promise! You know as well, don’t you? Spiritual entities like us suffer big time if we break a promise. I’ll keep my word, really! Just say what you need!”

Aled rubbed its hands in a gesture of pleading—so furiously fast a fly would be put to shame—throughout its appeal, and Estian watched the spirit at it before opening his mouth to speak. “Very well. I’ll need several promises from you first.”

“Several?”

Damn jerk. Just how much does he intend on slaving me around? Aled grumbled inside before putting on its best smile and replying, “Your wish is my command, master.”

It was nasty and unfair, but what could the spirit do? It was all for the sake of living. For one, its house was in that jerk’s hands, and he had also promised to pay its remaining, as well as additional, installments to the spirits it owed, and that was not all; Estian seemed intent on truly killing Aled without scruple if the latter refused to make promises.

“First things first…” Estian began.

The spirit speculated as to what he would demand first. ‘Information about Eugendiph’s Blood, I suppose? Now which spirits knew about that again? Ah, that fellow who lives in the jewel of Mount Griden is knowledgeable in these sorts of records. We fought about something the other day and haven’t been in touch for over 400 years… Should I look for him? Ugh, it hurts my pride to make the first move though.’

As Aled was contemplating on a good way to reconnect with an estranged friend—in a natural fashion—Estian broke its thoughts. “Keep in mind that the moment you say a single word about Eugendiph’s Blood to Cecile, you’re dead.”

“…”

“What’s with the look? Got a problem?”

“No. How could I have any?” His words had merely struck Aled as unexpected. The spirit had thought he would immediately ask for information regarding the blood, yet instead, he said he didn’t want Cecile to know about it? 

While Aled was feeling a little bewildered, Estian left the jewel on the table and approached the bed before continuing to speak. “Second, clarify the nonsense you told Cecile about me being impotent on your own. And get your hide inside the jewel.”

With that said, Estian lay down next to Cecile. A moment later, Aled vaguely overheard Cecile complain of how she could not take it anymore, while Estian cooed to her to do it just one more time. 

Do I really need to clarify anything when he’s making it so clear with his body? Aled grumbled to itself on its way into the jewel while listening to their voices.

* * *