The Blood King - Chapter 103

Levi’s room.

” So that is where you were. I didn’t know there was another auction happening at the same time.” Levi said.

” Well, there wasn’t anything special in it, so…” Aria said.

” Then I am assuming the guys are?” Levi asked.

” Yes. In groups of 20, they set off to the 10 countries.” Ling answered.

“….I have a feeling that things aren’t going to go as smoothly as I want them to.” Levi said.

” All of you, especially you, should know that a lot of those guys were people who went into hiding after stirring up trouble for themselves.” Levi glanced at Ling.

” Just because they weren’t seen for a few years doesn’t mean that everyone will have forgotten about them.” Levi said.

“…Sigh, when I am gone, try not to get into trouble, ok?” Levi said helplessly.

” Aren’t the roles of parent and child reversed in this situation?” Aria giggled.

” I am serious. Aria, you are just at the 4th level of the Mind opening realm.” Levi said.

” In the first place, that is not a high level.”

” Added to the fact that you are training to be an apothecary, focusing on pill refining, your fighting ability is non-existent.”

” What would happen if a fight were to break out?” Levi finished.

” How mean! It’s not like I am here alone. Furthermore, you don’t even know what level you are at, young master!”

” So why am I getting lectured, when you are going to some dangerous land of martial arts?!” Aria argued.

” You not being alone is not the problem. Aside from you, Don is at the 5th qi refining level-” Levi was interrupted.

” Don’t put me on the same level as that fool! He’s been stuck at that level for over 8 months.” Aria pointed.

“….As I was saying…..Ling is at the 2nd level of the heaven and earth stage…” He paused.

“…And finally, Nerezza is at the 5th level of the heaven and earth stage, the highest out of everyone.” He finished.

” What?!” Ling and Don shouted simultaneously.

“…I didn’t know she was that strong…” Aria mumbled in surprise.

” Even then, she is only strong enough to protect herself if some war were to break out.” Levi said.

” Ling isn’t much better. He has the level, but no techniques or skills to utilize it.”

” He is powerful, but don’t forget there are sects scattered throughout the cloud continent, and they have techniques.”

” Those techniques might pale in comparison to some I have seen, but they ARE techniques. Regardless.”

” What I am trying to get at is this. In a large scale fight, either you guys will be killed, or you will have to give up your lives to win.” Levi said seriously.

“…..But, young master….” Aria paused.

‘ After returning from the divine country 2 years ago, you stopped using your abilities.’

‘ From what I understand, those abilities alone make up about half of your strength, yet you are still going to such a dangerous place….’ Aria wore a conflicted expression.

” Hmmm?” Levi looked at her.

“….It’s nothing.” She said.

” Regardless of what you might think, out of everyone in this room, I am the hardest to kill.” Levi said.

“…” They kept silent.

“…Don’t get the wrong idea, I am not trying to make you feel insignificant.” He said.

‘ And yet, that is exactly what you are doing.’ Ling thought.

” I just want to make sure that you understand your positions.” He continued.

” While this Red Sky inn, along with the beast market are things to be happy, even proud about, don’t let it make you forget that we are still at the bottom of the barrel.”

” Don’t let arrogance cost you your lives.” Levi said.

‘ Like it almost did mine, so many times…’ He thought.

‘ For real-‘ The demon saint commented.

” Shut up, demon saint.” Levi said.

” You belong to me, including your lives. I have already invested a lot in you; As such, none of you are allowed to die without permission or an order to do so.” Levi said seriously.

“…” They all kept silent.

” While I am gone, it will be up to you to make sure those fools don’t cause any trouble.” Levi said.

” Do you unders-”

Boom!

Levi’s room shook.

” That…was not an earthquake!” Levi shot up from his bed.

“…..It couldn’t be…” Aria’s eyes widened in realization, as she left Levi’s room.

“…” Levi appeared on his balcony.

An explosion blasted a hole through the front of the inn.

From a room on the 3rd floor, flames spilled out through a large hole.

” Kyaaa!!”

” Hey! Are you ok?!”

” Wh-What the hell….” The people walking below gathered.

” That room is….” Afterimages trailed behind him as Levi left his room.

He ran through the inn before arriving at a certain room.

” so it was him….” Levi mumbled.

” Young master…i…” Aria stopped.

A youth floated horizontally above a destroyed bed, beside a large hole in the wall.

Thick, black tattoo-like lines covered the boy’s face and arms.

Flames coated the boy’s body as the smell of burnt flesh wafted through the air.

” Didn’t you give him the sleeping pill?” Levi asked.

” I ordered one of the men to do it while I was away….” Aria’s face paled.

” His eyes are only partially open…He is not fully conscious…” Levi said.

” Aron…how troublesome…should I just..” Levi mumbled.

” Wha-What are we going to do, young master?” Aria’s voice shook.

“…Sigh…” Levi could only sigh.

“…” He reached out, grabbing at air.

The semi-conscious Aron glanced at Levi, his eyes a bright orange color.

” Don’t make more trouble for me. Sleep.” Levi said as beads of sweat appeared on his forehead.

Aron’s body trembled ever so slightly, before slowly lowering onto what remained of the scorched bed below him.

“…Even his skin was burned..” Levi mumbled as he slapped Aron’s chest.

” I restarted his heart and healed the burns, but you should hurry and feed him the sleeping pill before he wakes up again.” Levi sighed helplessly.

“….I’m sorry, young master.” Aria lowered her head in guilt.

” Hurry and feed him the pill.” Levi left the scorched room.

” Demon saint, do you really not know what is wrong with him?” Levi asked.

‘ I haven’t the foggiest. Hehehe, that boy is quite something. Those flames were not qi, you know….’ The demon saint said.

” Yes, you said that before. What I want to know is why they keep appearing.” Levi said.

‘ You should be more interested in this, seeing as martial artists aren’t supposed to be able to conjure elements before a certain level.’ The demon saint said.

” Sigh.” Levi sighed.

“….If I don’t know how to stop this from happening…”

“…If I am not going to get rid of him, then I should at least try to make it so that he is not roasted alive…” Levi said softly.

” Should I find a bloodline to strengthen his body? But…the last time I gave someone a bloodline, it didn’t end well for them.”

” Even though I controlled and suppressed it while the changes were made, when I let up…sigh, I will have to figure something out.” He mumbled.

…

Outside of the Inn.

” Is-Is he….”

” No, he isn’t dead, but…”

” If that piece of wood isn’t removed…” Beads of sweat appeared on the man’s forehead.

” Excuse me, please.” A voice rang out.

” Huh?” The people turned their heads one by one.

” You, aren’t you the boy who owns this Inn?”

” What?! So he is the rumored owner….”

” What the hell were you doing in there?!”

” Yeah! How can people feel safe while on the streets when this stuff is happening?!”

” You may have money, but money can’t buy back a life!” Someone threw a palm-sized rock.

“…” The blood shield materialized, catching it easily.

” !!”

” A martial artist….”

” hii!”

” No wonder..”

Levi ignored them and walked up to the man lying on the ground, a large wooden beam atop his chest.

He reached out, grabbing the beam.

Boom!

He dropped it beside the man.

“…With only one hand?” Many people’s faces scrunched up.

” H…el..p..” The man forced out.

Levi reached out.

All of the man’s blood returned to his body.

His broken arm was healed.

His chest which was caved in sprung back into place.

His broken collarbone was mended.

“…Huh.” His eyes widened as the pain swiftly disappeared.

” I am extremely sorry.” Levi bowed in apology, his hair falling over his shoulder.

” N-No, you don’t-” The man sat up.

” Please, take this as compensation. Although it isn’t much, I hope that it will, at the very least, earn your forgiveness.” Levi said as he handed over a black pouch.

” Wha- So many silver coins?!” The man exclaimed.

“…” Levi turned around.

” What? Wasn’t he just on the verge of death?”

” What did he do?”

” Just earlier, that guys blood gathered back up and went back into his body…” Someone said with a pale face.

” A-Are you sure?”

” I would like to say not, but…” He glanced over at Levi’s departing figure.

“…I now see where some of the rumors about that guy come from.” He finished.

” Oh, you should go and eat something.” Levi said before continuing on his way.

” What do yo- ugh!” The man groaned in pain.

” Hey! Are you ok? What’s wrong?” Someone asked.

” Humph! After that huge display, this guy will still die! All of these martial artists are the same!” A skinny man shouted.

” They treat us like dirt just because they are a little faster or stronger!” He spat, his sharp eyes widening in anger.

” N-No, I’m fine! It’s just…I might die of hunger!” He shouted, his cheeks reddening with embarrassment.

” Ah?!” The people collectively shouted.

…

Some time later.

The cracking of whips and the hooves of horses sounded.

“…I guess it’s time I left.” Levi got up from his cross-legged position.

He opened the door of the balcony and walked out.

Below, multiple carriages and lone horse riders rode down the street.

‘ Hmm? The scorching sun clan? Ha, well, I guess calling them a clan would be too generous at this point!’ The demon saint snickered.

‘ When the other two clans left, the scorching sun clan master and a few others decided to stay, while the old master and the majority of the clan left.’

‘ Hehehe, I wonder if he thought he would run into some good fortune if he stayed behind?’ He finished.

“…” Levi eyed the yellow carriage silently, scrutinizing its peculiar flame-like design.

” What does it matter?” Levi mumbled as he jumped from the balcony.

” Neigh!?” A horse cried in surprise.

” Wh-What?!”

” Out of the way!!” The coachman shouted nervously.

Without looking back, Levi got up.

” Hypnotizing steps.” He mumbled as afterimages trailed behind him.

” Hmm? Wha!” A girl with blonde hair in a carriage spat out her tea.

” What is it?” The father of said girl asked.

” There! There!” She pointed.

” Hmm? Cough?! Cough! Bloody hell! Damn martial artists!!” He cursed while adjusting his glasses.

On the street, running beside their carriage was a blurred figure.

…

At the edge of a forest.

Multiple carriages, people and horses gathered.

Just a little further in the distance was a large empty port.

In a certain carriage.

” Father! Can you believe it? He kept up with our carriage the entire time!” A blond-haired girl shouted excitedly.

” Stop shouting! Behave as a proper noble lady should!” The gruff, bearded old man scolded.

” Bu-But-”

” No buts!” The girl flinched.

” Humph! Think that they are gods just because they have some bodily strength! Humph! Bunch of worthless fuckers!” The old man shouted.

” Father!” The girl protested.

” Who do you think you are reprimanding?! You are 100 years too young!” The old man scolded.

” Instead of focusing on such pointless drivel as martial arts, you should invest time in your falling grades!” He snapped.

” Well?! What do you say?!” He questioned.

” …Yes, father.” She spoke softly.

” Hey, look! Something is coming!” Someone shouted.

Everyone turned to look at the ocean.

The silhouette of a ship came into view.

A few moments later.

” Hmm?”

” Who was it spouting nonsense?”

” A fisherman….”

” False alarm, huh…”

” Hmm?” Levi looked into the distance.

” They are here.” He mumbled.

…

In the distance.

” Ay, watch it! Yer too close!”

” Don’t slack off!!”

” Adjust the mainsail!”

” Number six! Don’t break away!”

” Careful! Careful now! Land is in sight!”

” Heh heh heh! Cloud continent, ey?”

” Aye, captain!”

…

On land.

” H-Hey, I think it might be here!”

” Dammit! If this is another false alarm I will-”

” O-Ohhh! They’re here! The merchant fleet!” Someone shouted.

” Hey, I heard….”

” Seriously?! The captain of this fleet is a woman?! Although I did come the last time, I didn’t see a female captain…”

” Why would you have seen her? Who are you to cause her to appear?!”

” A-And-Gulp…She used to be a pirate? Aren’t you pulling my leg-”

” Shh, keep your voice down! Do you want to die-”

” We only need 6 ships docked! Relay this! There’s no space for much more anyway!” A loud shout interrupted the man.

” Right away, cap’n Ann!” Someone replied.

” Oi! Only 6! The rest can fuck off fer now!” A shout echoed.

” Aye!” Someone replied.

” Whoa…”

” A-Amazing…”

Although this wasn’t their first time seeing them, the people still watched in awe.

Over 30 barques lined the ocean.

Their white sails, in contrast with the sea, created a great image.

The crew continuously shouted.

They ran up and down doing their respective jobs.

6 ships stopped at the port, dropping their anchors.

Dhump!

Dhump!

Wooden planks were extended, creating a deep thumping noise as they hit the dock.

Step! Step!

Wooden heels created crisp sounds as a figure walked down a plank.

Tulwar swords at either side of her waist, a woman wearing long black pants and an unbuttoned, light-brown shirt stood.

” The cloud continent, ey? Ya brought yer money, I trust?” She spoke as she adjusted her hat, her long, curly brown hair falling over her shoulder.