Chapter 934: A Lesson To Learn

Chapter 934: A Lesson To Learn

Not long after we made our announcement to the rest of the world, I was told that it was time for lunch. Apparently, Aznod had been quite busy lately, and had only just gotten back from helping Chel and James with an important matter. When we heard that, Tsubaki rushed off towards the kitchen, likely wanting to make sure that she still had the chance to cook as well.

Meanwhile, I made my way towards the living room with Accalia, chuckling at the urgency with which Tsubaki left. “So, who all hasn’t moved in?” I asked curiously, Accalia taking a moment to think it over.

“There’s Aurivy and Julia, and Tryval and Alme. Other than that... Irena lives here via Alena, but everyone else has already moved in and gotten comfortable. The rest... well, Chel doesn’t consider herself part of the Greater Pantheon, so she is still with James, obviously. Everyone else has already moved in.”

I nodded my head at that, before I gave a somewhat mischievous smirk. “Are there any secrets lying around here? This was made by Tubrock, after all?” I still remembered finding all the different hidden passages when I first received the Sky Citadel. If this was anything like that...

Unsurprisingly, Accalia chuckled softly, and nodded her head in confirmation. “That’s right. There are quite a few places. Some are really well hidden, while others are just not marked on the map, but can be found if you don’t take the teleporters everywhere. Honestly, I don’t think he built those secret rooms with any major purpose. A lot of them are empty, so he probably made them just for the sake of it.”

“Ah, hello Tsubaki.” Aznod spoke with a warm smile as he tied his apron, getting ready to start preparing dinner. “I assume you are here to cook for the Keeper?”

Tsubaki stood at the door to the kitchen, hesitating slightly before nodding her head. “That’s right. I would also like to continue learning from you at the same time, if that is acceptable.” Although Tsubaki had arguably held a higher position than Aznod in the past, that all changed the moment he married Udona, essentially putting him on the same level as one of the Greater Pantheon.

Aznod simply smiled, nodding his head. “Of course, it’s fine. However, there is one dish that I would like to specifically prepare for the Keeper myself, and I’ll be preparing it for all of the others, as well?”

Tsubaki’s eyes immediately became vigilant, looking at the kitsune chef. “A special dish?”

“You could consider it as such.” He nodded his head in agreement, pulling out a small pile of ginseng. “These are new products that have recently evolved in Deckan. While working together with Sir James and his team, I have helped to conduct a series of tests. Due to the nature of the produce, they require specific training and a special license to grow. As of now, I am the only one capable of legally growing these ginseng.”

Tsubaki’s eyes narrowed as she looked at the pile of roots. “Is there something dangerous about them?”

“If properly grown, not at all.” Aznod assured, able to see the source of Tsubaki’s concern. “If they are harvested too early, they are extremely dangerous, and they need to be grown with ready access to chaotic energy. So long as they are ripe, not only are they safe to consume, but they will also provide an additional benefit to the body.”

That got Tsubaki’s attention, causing her to turn her gaze back to Aznod. “What sort of benefit?”

Rowan smiled as he watched over the construction team, all of them happily working while he and the other Maxers guarded them against monster attacks. Despite his moral alignment, Rowan was indeed doing his job, observing the underground with his senses to watch for any possible ambushes.

After all, there was no need to let something else enjoy his prey before he had the chance to do so himself. Now that a few hours had passed, more than a third of those at the sight had been gradually affected by his spreading power. Whenever one touched by his ‘gift’ touched another, it would share that effect with them. Despite all those present being energy beings of one variety or another, those affected all had fresh blood pumping through their bodies.

All that lives must bleed, and all that bleeds must die. These were the two core rules established by Rowan after turning into the Fallen God of Blood. Those given blood by this effect must be careful, as that blood represented their life force. Spilling it meant a direct loss of their health, regardless of their energy state. This made otherwise nonlethal attacks that only threatened mortals once more a terror for those that had achieved perfection or godhood. Even a martial spirit could not escape this bloodletting.

Even more insidious was the fact that Rowan was able to control the blood that began to flow through the body of his victims. If he wanted it to erupt and spill out of their bodies, he could do so. In a way, those who were touched by his power were already dead, they simply hadn’t realized it yet.

“Oh, cool, what’s this?!” A young, energetic voice echoed in Rowan’s ears, causing him to purse his lips and look at its source. There, a young girl with pale white skin and matching hair stood amongst the construction crew, staring down at her arms in surprise. Rowan could feel that his power had started to flow through the girl, so he thought she must have cut herself while working.

Silly girl not being careful. Rowan chuckled to himself, before pursing his lips. Most construction workers chose larger builds, because it was easier to carry large objects and do heavy labor. Moreover, the girl didn’t seem to be injured, as her health bar hadn’t appeared over her head. It almost made Rowan think that she was referring to something else entirely, until he heard her next words.

“Is this blood? Cool! But why do I have blood, all of a sudden?” She asked herself, drawing the attention of those nearby.

“Miss? Are you still in a mortal body? It’s dangerous to be on a floor this high.” A tall, burly man spoke in a surprisingly gentle voice, causing the girl to shake her head.

“Nope! I’m a super cool god, you know! But why would a god have blood?” She tilted her head to the side, making the man before her blink.

“Are you sure you didn’t sense wrongly, miss...?”

“Lifre! My name’s Lifre, and I’m super sure that I sensed it right, see!” One of her fingers turned into a blade, cutting at her other palm without hesitation. Her health bar immediately appeared over her head. And then, instead of the normal glowing mist, blood began to flow slowly drip from her palm.

The large man’s eyes went wide in alarm. “L-Lady Lifre?” He asked in both recognition and concern, Lifre looking up at him.

“Yup, that’s right! I thought it’d be fun to come and help everyone get set up on the frontier! So many stories to see out here! And this one...” She hummed thoughtfully, before her eyes fixed on Rowan. “This is your story, right?”