224 Returning to the Capital (2)

Bloed looked at Aya, Javelin, and their father with a slightly surprised expression.

After that, though, he could not help but feel a bit awkward.

Mainly due to Aya.

The catkin girl had just been lost the opportunity to represent the Great Savannah in the competition for the mines while Bloed and Liu Ying managed to get it. Obviously, she would not feel comfortable after seeing them.

As though proving Bloed's guess, Aya lowered her head with a gloomy expression as soon as she realized it was Bloed.

Bloed sighed. Now it was awkward.

The worst part was that he could not simply leave now. If he did, Aya was going to feel even worse.

Javelin smiled wryly. Understanding Bloed's worry, he took the initiative to greet him.

"Bloed, Miss Liu Ying, congratulations on your victory. Miss Regina, nice to meet you again."

"Thank you, fortunately, I had a bit of luck."

"Thank you, Mr. Javelin."

"Mm."

Bloed, Liu Ying, and Regina returned the greeting.

Javelin's father spoke up at that moment. He looked at Bloed and sighed.

"It was not luck, young man."

"Huh?"

"Your victory. It was not due to luck. I watched your performance during the selection, and to be honest, I was very surprised."

Bloed was stunned by the catkin's words, but he quickly recovered and smiled.

"Thank you for your praise, but there are still a lot of things that I need to improve."

Javelin's father narrowed his eyes briefly before nodding.

"You are right. But you are still young. Same with you, Miss Liu Ying. Young people like you have a lot of potential. Who knows? Perhaps one day the two of you will be two new demigods."

"I hope so. But it's not so easy to become a demigod." Bloed smiled and replied. Suddenly, though, he realized that Aya was tightening her fist.

Bloed's expression turned complicated. After hesitating briefly, he finally sighed and spoke up.

"Miss Aya, do you know why you lost?"

"Huh?"

"It was not because you were not strong enough. Quite the opposite, I don't think your strength was inferior to your opponent. However, she had more experience."

Aya was startled. Involuntarily, she raised her head to look at Bloed.

When she did, she was greeted by an encouraging smile.

"Cheer up and practice hard. This time it was impossible, but I would like to have another opportunity to fight beside you."

After saying these words, Bloed bid farewell to the catkin family farewell and left with the girls.

Behind him, Aya continued looking at Bloed's back dazedly until he disappeared in the crowd.

Javelin's father's expression turned strange.

He looked at the dazed look of his daughter and patted her head.

"That boy is destined to reach very far, my daughter. And if you want to walk beside him, you must work hard."

Aya nodded without looking at her father. Hesitating slightly, she opened her mouth.

"… Dad, can I go to see the competition?"

"Huh?"

"… I want to see what I'm lacking."

The catkin middle-aged man was startled. But soon, he smiled softly.

"Of course."

…

After Bloed and the girls left the airship, they went directly to their house.

In the way, Regina and Liu Ying were looking at Bloed strangely and exasperatedly.

Finally, when they arrived at the entrance, Bloed was unable to endure their strange gazes anymore.

"Okay, what is it?"

"… Master, can you please stop raising flags with every pretty girl you met?"

"… Do you mean Aya?"

"Mm-Mm." Liu Ying nodded bitterly. "Regina is right. That poor little girl must be experiencing her first love right now."

Bloed did not know whether to laugh or to cry.

"I'm sure you two are exaggerating."

"We are not, master," Regina said with a sigh. "Please, consider my suggestion of disguising your face… Use an ugly face if it's possible. A mask will work too. That way, only the demon and I will be able to see your true face and fewer girls will fall for you."

Bloed was speechless.

"Anyway, I know you said that to cheer that cat girl, master. But be more conscious of yourself and others. If you say something like that to a girl in that situation, it would be strange if she does not start to fall for you."

"… I'll be careful."

Regina narrowed her eyes suspiciously. Finally, though, she shook her head.

"I hope so." She then sighed. "Anyway, master, I'm going to prepare dinner. Is there anything in particular you want?"

"Anything is alright. Everything you cook is great." Bloed said casually. "I guess I'll take a bath meanwhile. I feel dirty after two days without taking a bath."

"A bath?" Regina was startled. But then, her eyes lit up.

She then glared at Liu Ying with narrowed eyes.

"What about you, demon?"

"I think I'll wait until Bl– I-I mean, I'm feeling a bit sleepy. I guess I'll go to my room."

"Good." Regina nodded with a small smile. "I'll start preparing dinner then." Upon saying that, Regina left hurriedly.

Bloed was confused. For some reason, he felt that there was something wrong with the last interaction between Regina and Liu Ying.

Shaking his head, he decided not to think about that and walked towards the bath.

Taking off his clothes, Bloed submerged himself in the warm water. Instantly, he felt as though the fatigue of the last two days was disappearing slowly.

Bloed let out a groan of satisfaction and closed his eyes.

Perhaps because he was a bit too tired, Bloed soon started to doze off. Eventually, the hot bat made him fall asleep.

But in his sleep, he felt someone approaching him.

Bloed ignored it initially. After all, he knew he was safe with Regina around.

But when he felt that person entering the water as well, he finally remembered where he was.

Bloed opened his eyes hurriedly and looked beside him. To his surprise, a beautiful silver-haired girl was submerged on the water and staring at him. Her glistening skin was covered only by a towel.

"… Master." Regina muttered softly and a slight blush appeared on her face.

Bloed gulped down a mouthful of saliva.

...

P4TRE0N: patr-eon.com/aidnovels