Chapter 53: Sheeps go Baa!

Chapter 53: Sheeps go Baa!

The three of them plus the griffin struggled in their metal bonds as they were dragged towards the earth, and then pulled in. The ground parting inches from their skin, as darkness engulfed their senses.

This is where you will stay. Said Sophia as they emerged into the light seconds later.

This looks high tech. Thought Luke, blinking the spots out of his eyes as they adjusted to the sudden brightness. Definitely a change from all the marble, wood, and bricks everyone else uses.

The floors and walls were made of a silvery metal, and strips along the edges casted a clinical white light into the room. One end of the room opened up to an artificial grassland where, as promised, ten elephant sized bull-like sheep were grazing. Idly staring at the new entries with bits of grass in their mouths, and sharp horns glinting ominously in the light. Promising a skewering to whoever came close.

Along one wall were shelves, stocked with all manner of books, scrolls, and bottles. Along the opposite wall an assortment of dumbells and other workout equipment. A row of three large beds were nestled deep into the room, in a dimly lit portion of the room, a fair distance away from the openeing with the sheep.

Im assuming you three have manasinks already? Sophia asked, as she walked into the grassland. Briefly glancing at them, her lone eye expertly found the ring on Lukes finger before darting to Rex and then Nel. Good. She nodded. The sheep are trained, and theres a machine that will milk them. All of them are in the Warrior-tier, so if youre a mortal, dont drink too much. She turned back and eyed Luke and Rex. And once you do drink it, make sure you burn the mana off by using the weights in the corner or something. Dont drink more than half a cup, and you should already know not to cultivate the mana manually. She advised them. Agnella, you can drink all you want. It wont be as beneficial for you as it is for them, but mana is mana. One of the sheep, that big black one actually, is at the peak of the Warrior-tier, so if you drink its milk, it should give you some benefit. What else

Drink milk? Does it have mana in it?

We can cultivate with milk? Rex asked, for once seeming equally as clueless as Luke.

Not just any milk. My sheep are special. Sophia beamed. Cyclops of ages past have bred them specifically for cultivation. I had to give them a special regime of potions, and She shook her hand through the air. It doesnt matter. All you need to know is that their milk has mana and putting the mana in the milk is a labor of decades. Especially to get it to the right quality and density. At my level, what they make now isnt exactly useful, but if the baby sheep drink the milk of the elder sheep, they get stronger faster, and hopefully within the next century or so, Ill have a flock of a dozen Hero-tier sheep.

So the milk does have mana. And warrior tier mana at the sound of it thats good. Really good. If its anything like the monster I killed earlier, then Ill have to be careful, but this could take me to the peak.

Lady Sophia, I thank you but

She cut Nel off with a wave of her hand. I know what you want to say. I get it. Being imprisoned isnt any fun, even if the box you're in is a really nice one. Cyzicus has told me about this woman before, and Ive learnt a few things about her myself. I know first hand how many of your brothers, and cousins shes killed, and I know how hard it was for your Grandfather. To have his enemies kill his own family, and not be able to do anything about it. It nearly broke him. She sighed. He spent a decade hunting her, but she was always too slippery, and with the Tides, he could never be too far from the Capital. At the Mortal-tier, and even the Warrior-tier, battles are easy. Two opponents face off, and the weaker one dies. At the Hero-tier things are different. Any cultivator at that level worth their salt isnt easily cornered. We have too many ways to run. To hide, and remain hidden. Its If a hero doesnt want to die, its nearly impossible for another one to kill them.

Then how does he plan on killing her now? Nel frowned.

She grinned. Well, unfortunately for her, she cant leave the Island. Emperors are the only ones that can teleport in and out undetected, and she isnt one. If she tries, that crazy lady, Arke, will kill her. Like shes done with anyone else whos tried. Theres some kind of ward around the archipelago and each island, and it alerts her when anyone crosses. Which means shes trapped. And with two cultivators of similar strength hunting her She chuckled. Theres not a chance of her leaving alive.

Oh

Indeed. As annoying as it has been having that winged-bitch on the island, I guess it had some unexpected benefits.

That winged-lady, why does everyone hate her? Luke asked, seizing the opportunity to ask the one question that had been bugging him for a long time.

HAH. Shes an Olympian now which is bad in and of itself, but before that she was an Othryian. Theres nothing worse than being an Othryian. The cyclops said, her hands balling themselves into a white knuckled fist.

Im afraid I should get going. The faster I deal with this would be usurper, the faster I can have you lot out of my home. She lifted her hand, wiggled her fingers, and disappeared.

So Luke said, looking between the two siblings. Who wants to try sheep milk, and do you think she has cookies?

Why would she have cookies?

You dont like cookies?

I like cookies, I just dont see why a cyclops would have them lying around.

Hey, watch your tone. That cyclops. Luke made some air quotes, is your New Grandmother, a Hero, and an Empress.

Rex stared at him blankly. Just because she might get married to Gramps, doesnt make her my Grandma.

Well actually. It kind of does. Nel said, walking toward the sheep. You know how Grandfather is, hell insist on it. Family is important to him.

Rex frowned, and walked after her. Choosing not to say anything.

Have you guys heard of this special milk before? Luke asked, following after them.

No.

Yes. Nel said. ...Kind of. Ive heard of special techniques that imbue parts of animals and plants with mana. Some animals do it naturally, and others can be made to. The Apples from the Evening Garden are supposed to be like that. There are some snakes that imbue their venom too, but thats less useful.

Huh. So how do we do this? Luke asked as they gathered around a sheep. All three of them craned their necks, and watched it chew.

Rex bent down on his knees, and looked underneath it.

What are you doing? You dont even have a bucket. Luke quirked his eyebrow.

Ill just use my mouth.

The fuck? Theres supposed to be a machine that does this, isnt there. Whats he thinking?

Baa. It leapt over their heads, and darted away.

Yeah, I would run too. Luke thought, his eyes briefly meeting Nels. Both their gazes filled with revulsion.