284 Can’t Stay

Two chapters today. I'll try to post two chapters tomorrow again, but I'm not sure. A bit busy lately...

...

Bloed wanted to go back home to study the new technique as soon as he got it. He was eager to find how this technique worked.

In all honesty, this technique was groundbreaking for Bloed. The fact that it worked using psychic energy instead of mana opened a whole new world for him.

Not even the Human Confederation had something like this. Until now, Bloed thought that the only way to use psychic energy was through ESP abilities or supported by mana.

But the fact that a technique like this existed changed the situation completely.

Perhaps there were other techniques like this out there, techniques Bloed could use to become stronger.

Unfortunately, no matter how eager Bloed was to study the booklet, he had to wait until the banquet ended first.

It would be rude of him if he leaves early when he was one of the stars of the banquet.

Thus, Bloed could only suppress his curiosity and focus on the banquet.

After the emperor rewarded Bloed and the others, the banquet continued. Soon, several beastmen nobles were surrounding the group, trying to form a tie with them.

Mainly young beastmen of the opposite sex. There were a lot of young men and young ladies trying to start a conversation with them.

Before long, Bloed started to find it tiresome, so he found an opportunity to escape from there with Regina behind him.

Liu Ying, Aya, and Rana stayed behind, conversing with some noble girls about different topics. Bloed realized that Liu Ying had hit off well with some of the noble young ladies, perhaps because she was originally a princess.

Well, Bloed was originally a prince as well, but as a manaless child and the shame of the Skysword family, he never had the opportunity to participate in this kind of noble event.

Smiling wryly, Bloed found a nearby balcony that he used to hide from the enthusiast nobles and take a bit of fresh air.

Behind him, Regina chuckled slightly seeing his exhausted expression.

"You look tired, master."

"Just a little bit. I'm not used to dealing with so many people."

Regina chuckled slightly. "Right, I can imagine how exhausting it was."

Bloed agreed completely. It was exhausting.

It was not a problem at the start when one or two nobles approached him. But when more than twenty nobles wanted to chat with him at the same time, it became a torture.

Moreover, Bloed had the feeling many of these nobles were looking at him with second intentions.

Bloed knew that none of them had bad intentions. They just want to forge a good relationship with someone talented.

After all, there was a high chance of someone among Bloed's group becoming a demigod. Mainly Bloed, whose exploits during the competition made him the center of attention.

As a B-Rank that managed to kill around ten A-Ranks and B-Ranks with just a saber slash, it was normal that other people became interested in him and thought of ways to rope him.

But Bloed did not like it when other people looked at him as though he was just a tool to further their interest.

Bloed shook his head slightly and sighed tiredly. It was better not to think about that too much.

Noticing Bloed's exhaustion, Regina smiled.

"Wait a moment, master. I'll get you something to drink."

"There is no need. I'm alright."

"I insist. Your throat must be parched after greeting all these nobles."

Without waiting for Bloed's reply, Regina turned around and went to search for something to drink.

Bloed shook his head in resignation and smiled wryly.

Well, he was already used to Regina's care.

At that moment, someone else approached him.

"So you are here, Bloed."

Bloed was startled. Turning around, he saw a golden-haired fox girl looking at him with a monotonous expression.

"Miss Eve, you are here as well."

"Hi." Even nodded slightly, her expression unchanging. "It looks like you were a bit overwhelmed by the nobles."

Bloed smiled awkwardly.

"Don't worry, I understand. I don't like this kind of events too much either." For an instant, Bloed thought he saw a trace of exasperation in Eve's eyes.

The fox girl then walked towards Bloed and stood beside him, gazing at the capital of the Great Savannah with an unreadable expression.

"Do you need to talk with me?" Bloed asked while looking at the side profile of the fox girl.

Eve nodded, her golden eyes twinkling slightly.

"About the reward, did you like it?"

"I did. It was better than I thought. Actually, I even think that the reward was a bit too much."

"You don't need to worry." Eve shook her head. "In fact, this reward is nothing for a kingdom like this. Although demigod artifacts are valuable, the kingdom has many of them in its treasury. Plus, the five of you are very talented, and what you achieved is worthy of praise. So there is no harm in giving you a good reward and leaving a good impression on you."

Bloed nodded. In fact, he had to admit that his impression of the king improved after receiving his reward.

"I guess I don't need to worry about that then."

"You don't." Eve nodded. "Right, about the reward I promised you, I'll send it to you tomorrow."

"That is great. I will be able to continue my experiments with that."

Eve smiled softly, changing her expressionless look for the first time in the night.

"You are truly dedicated to your experiments. I guess I understand why you are so successful even though you are so young."

Bloed smiled wryly. "Thanks."

"… It's a shame you are planning to leave."

Bloed fell silent.

He looked at Eve and smiled bitterly, finally aware of the true reason she was here.

"Do you want to convince me to stay?"

Eve nodded. "You have lived with us for a while, Bloed. Don't you think this is a great place to live? If you want, I can build a laboratory for you in the headquarters of Moonlight Glow. I can promise you that the resources you will get will be top-notch. Moreover, nobody will make things difficult for you with me as your backing."

Bloed nodded with a bitter smile.

To be honest, he was a bit tempted by Eve's words. The beastmen countries were truly a great place. Moreover, he had friends and people that respected him here.

However, he could not stay here if he wanted to fulfill his mother's dream.

Bloed knew the power of technology. He knew that if he chose a country to spread it, that country would grow stronger quickly and think of ways to use that technology in war.

When a country's technology is vastly superior to another, the weaker country would eventually end subjugated by the stronger country.

And if one of the countries of this world ends getting even ten percent of the Human Confederation's technology, it would not be strange if that country starts to have ideas about dominating the world.

Bloed did not want that. He did not want to see the legacy of his mother turning into a cause of bloodshed.

That was the reason he wanted to go to Academy City.

Academy City was famous for its neutrality. If Bloed started to spread his technology there, he could reduce these risks at the minimum.

Of course, eventually there would be countries interested in using his technology for war. But if he made use of Academy CIty's neutrality, it would be much easier to spread science and technology evenly between the many countries, creating a form of balance.

Due to that, Bloed could not stay here.

At the very least, he needed to go to Academy City and confirm the situation there.

And then, if what he sees there does not satisfy him, then it would not be too late to return here and think is another way.

Feeling Bloed's determination, Eve nodded in understanding.

"I understand. When are you leaving then?"

"After Javelin's marriage."

"Javelin? The young catkin of the Sharpclaw family? I understand. Mmm… It means I still have a few days…"

���Miss Eve?"

"It's nothing. I was just thinking about something."

Bloed put on a confused expression.

For some reason, though, he thought he saw a mischievous glint flashing in Eve's eyes.