Chapter 120 - Aftermath

Time passed, Ryuu had discovered a few things about his new self strengthening and the stronger the blood is, the more boost he acquired from the presence of blood. It only boosts him a small margin until reaching a certain limit unless the skill level up.

Regardless, the skill does not include his own created blood and needs to be the enemy's own blood.

If those blood came from normal cannon fodder enemies then the boost wouldn't be that noticeable but fighting some stronger makes the difference.

His lovers meanwhile boosted in their skills and capabilities after their job change. Trese was able to move more silently in the shadow and control his shadow army like mere puppets while Shinobu's ability to make poison that wouldn't affect even her allies was now possible because of her [ Mana Control ] and grew connected with her Zanpakuto but still hadn't unlocked Shikai.

Furthermore, Her sword technique had turned into a superior skill after her job change turning into the [ Poison Empress Katana Technique ]. That is capable of slicing through a dragon by surprise. She wasn't the only one but Mitsuri and Kanae also reached a level of superior skills.

If the three combine then they are capable of holding their own with an S class but never defeat one.

Justine usage of the [ Gilgamesh Gauntlet ] only amplified by her new job making her strength only below to Borkus but only their physical strength and not the overall combat power.

As for Nezuko and Kie, they hadn't developed any major changes besides Kie being able to cast more enchantment and increase her allies ability. She is also able to grow stronger if she's with a group of people while Nezuko gets stronger when riding Blue, the Raptor Leader.

"So you're heading to Hartner Duchy?"

At the current time, Ryuu is talking with Van who had planned to visit the Hartner Duchy, one of the few duke lands within the Orbaume kingdom and the once close relationship with Talosheim before their betrayal.

Van, who once hoped to have a friendly relationship with them, was in rage when he read the story given by Ryuu. First he doubted but the more he read the grim his emotion became.

He had told this to Borkus who had his daughter in Hartner almost run there and slaughter every single one of them but making an enemy of the Orbaume kingdom wouldn't be wise.

Considering that place also houses an S class adventure named Randolf, "The True" even if he retired being an adventurer.

"Yeah but I'll visit the farmland first. Befriending Kasim and the others would be a good idea."

In the canon story, Van would meet and befriend a group of newbie adventurers that would lead to his entanglement of a conspiracy against two heirs of the Hartner.

Van couldn't just leave a future friend even more after learning what the Hartner heir is planning to do. Furthermore, these people are refugees from a neighboring duchy called Sauron Duchy that was invaded by the Amid Empire.

This shows that despite being the same kingdom, they view other citizens from another duchy as leeches. Which is why those citizens in Hartner were manipulating them to their advantage and propaganda.

"....Jyuuh here I thought only my lord was capable of doing this."

[A/N: Jyuuh is a Rat sounds in death mage]

The one who spoke was an undead knight that was created by Van a long time ago and had the soul of a rat that had been strengthened by numerous other mindless souls. His name was simply Bone man.

"Roar!"

Grunted by creatures with the bones of a bear, monkey, wolf and bird. This was knochen made from the fragment of Bone bird, bone monkey, Bone bear and Bone wolf that Van mix together after their destruction by the Orichalcum dragon that was fortunately defeated by their team but it was close call. It's name is Knochen, a Bone chimera.

"I know right? Bocchan, why don't you let us handle it?"

Rita, who was living armor that possessed a bikini armor vaguely understood knochen upon looking at Van and Ryuu serving everyone while using their clone to cook.

"Yeah, Ryuu? Can you let us help?"

Kie asked, seeing him busily cooked for them while only watching. Ryuu only shook his head since he considered it training improving his split mind and control.

"No need, Kie. I'm doing this because I'm just bored."

Ryuu insisted as they poured some soup that had been boiling for a few hours. His skills to clone himself were near perfect that only had few differences namely the need of the main body.

It needed a true main body which is why even how many clones he produces there's always a main body controlling them.

"What's the difference between you and Van-kun clone, Ryuu?"

Nezuko asked curious, seeing them showcase their ability to replicate themselves. Though, Vandalieu's clone doesn't have clothes and has an Ethereal body.

"It's too complicated but I can't split my spiritual body like I do since my power only relates to flesh."

"Right, my spirit clones are also far from perfect compared to Ryuu-san. It takes a burden to create too many."

Indeed, unlike Ryuu who had an infinite split mind because of the [ HiveMind ]. Van would mentally burn out the more and longer he made clones.

As a side note, Ryuu couldn't make an infinite split mind with his own main body and still uses the [ Parallel Thought Processing ]. The only reason for the infinite split mind is when making a clone and not another mind within his own main body mind.

"This is crazy good! What do you call this?"

Vigaro as he took his serving from the boiling bowl of soup that contains numerous ingredients.

"Is this the miso soup that boy is talking about?"

Zadiris added tasting to the succulent flavor of the soup. It was far different than what they normally had a few months ago.

"This is called a hot pot. Tasty right?"

Justine said, taking her own soaking a piece of cutlet into the boiling broth. She easily devoured her own meal, unable to stop herself.

"I never knew how to cook this but thanks to Ryuu for helping me."

"No problem, Van. I do like hotspots but I prefer my hometown meal."

"Anything you cook is just divine Ryuu!"

"You can say that again! Here, Blue, catch!"

Mitsuri slurped the soup moan in pleasure giving a heartwarming smile while Nezuko threw a piece of meat that her larger raptor caught with her massive jaw. After it rank up, Blue had become larger at least three times the original size.

"Oh you just delight, blue!"

"Roar!"

"Now you're just making me jealous blue."

Ryuu jokingly said only to be kissed by Nezuko on the cheek before heading her giggled.

"There? Happy?"

"Very!"

"Van-sama can I do the same thing?"

At that moment, Tarea hugged the main Van and tried to kiss the shota on the cheek but was stopped by Basdia. In that moment, Van was smothered by the group of his harem while Ryuu watched while praying for his friend.

"Hey Ryuu, you're forgetting us are you?"

Ryuu turned to see Justine and the other girls looking hungrily. In the end both, Ryuu and Van were smothered by their harem and barely escaped.

"Having harem is hard…."

"More dangerous…."

The two comrade in arms silently enjoyed their moment with their woman even though Van doesn't have any sexual urges since physically his only a six year old while his mentally if he added two of his life and current then his over 40.

===========

The next day, Ryuu and his woman prepared themselves to depart along with Vandalieu having their separate agenda. The dhampir would focus on meeting his future allies and securing the slave citizen of Talosheim within the slave mine where they were imprison.

While the first princess of Talos Him who was trapped under the castle of Hartner Duchy and needed to be freed by Vans magic.

"Are you all ready?"

Ryuu changed his clothes to have similar clothing as Dante from DMC 4 opting to use his [ Rebellion ]. He still prioritized blade chains but wanted to see if the sword could increase the amount of level absorb considering the blade's effect.

"Why can't I bring blue with me!?"

Nezuko explained wanting to bring Blue with her but was declined considering many factors. She was saddened by the news and couldn't help but complain.

"Because taming a monster, especially a sub dragon, would draw too much attention."

Trese explained having read that it was difficult to tame even the lowest level of monster and needed a certain amount of talent. When a young individual was able to tame even a sub dragon would immediately notify the Taming guild which records all documents regarding taming.

"Also we can't store blue unless you want Ryuu to make him join the hive and lose his affection to you?"

Shinobu added that only made Nezuko more griminaces from the news since she liked her pet raptors.

"Dear calm down, I think we can find a way to bring him."

"Yeah, you shouldn't be sad."

"Heh Ryuu, couldn't you just put blue within the dimensional room?"

"Oh yeah, sorry I just caught in the thought of binding him that It slipped my mind."

Mitsuri and Kie cheered Nezuko while Kanae asked Ryuu who responded in shock since the idea slipped his mind after binding too many monsters. Having [ Eidetic Memory ] still hadn't given him perfect recall.