Bloodbound Codex: I Grow Stronger in Secret

”Though the strangest part is that even after we extracted all of it from this monster...its overall strength didn’t decrease at all.” The researcher finished, making the whole chamber fall silent once again. Everyone who had been staring at the projection slowly shifted their eyes toward the monster floating inside the glass tube, and only one thought crossed their minds.

’Wasn’t this monster already dead? Shouldn’t every monster lose its cultivation rank and strength after dying?’

Even Queen Solaris frowned after hearing that explanation. She herself had confirmed that the monster no longer possessed any strength when she killed it, so the researcher’s words only confused her further. Every monster lost its cultivation rank the moment it died, that was common knowledge throughout the world. So what exactly did he mean by saying its strength hadn’t decreased?

Seeing everyone’s confused expressions, the researcher quickly bowed his head slightly. ”My apologies, Your Majesty. I failed to explain it properly. I didn’t mean that the monster still possesses its cultivation rank after death. What I meant was that if this substance had been extracted while it was still alive...its cultivation rank and overall strength would have remained completely unchanged.”

A wave of relief spread across the chamber after hearing that explanation. Several researchers unconsciously let out quiet breaths while even Solaris relaxed her narrowed eyes slightly. The earlier explanation had almost overturned one of the most basic understandings everyone had about monsters.

”I see...then I assume this conclusion came after multiple experiments?” Solaris asked calmly before continuing, ”Have you discovered anything beyond this, Wilson?”

Wilson bowed respectfully. ”I apologise, Your Majesty, but this is as far as our research has reached. We will need more time before we can provide any further conclusions.”

Solaris nodded before turning back toward the monster floating inside the tube, ’Is this why Eliana was trying to warn me?...She definitely knows something, maybe this whole thing is Azarion’s doing but something of this calibar?...It seems I should pay her a visit after such a long time.’

After thinking for a moment she spoke, ”Continue your research. If you require any assistance, you already know whom to contact. As for me, I will be leaving the continent for a day, I have an important matter to discuss with Eliana.”

The researchers immediately bowed as they spoke in unison ”Understood, Your Majesty.”

The next moment Solaris disappeared from the chamber without leaving behind even the slightest fluctuation. Only after she had left did Wilson straighten his back before turning toward the other researchers and calmly assigning each of them their next task.

- - -

While all of this was happening inside Solara, the Human Continent remained bathed under clear sunlight unlike the rainfall in Solara.

Inside the Central City’s Royal Palace, King Azarion stood in his personal chamber rather than the research chamber where Project X remained inside the Bloodline Crucible. He stood quietly on the balcony of the enormous room, the balcony alone stretching nearly five meters outward and overlooking a large part of the palace grounds. Its size alone made it obvious just how massive the entire chamber truly was, though Azarion paid no attention to any of it.

One hand rested on the balcony railing while the other remained behind his back. His expression looked as calm as ever, but for a brief moment his jaw tightened before he slowly exhaled and relaxed it again.

After standing there silently for a while, he finally clicked his tongue, ”Damn bitch Solaris...she must have sealed the surrounding space completely, Even the Relic couldn’t bypass it to continue recording.”

He closed his eyes for a brief moment as he recalled everything he had witnessed through the monster’s perspective. He had managed to confirm Atlas’s location inside Solara’s Central City, but the moment Solaris tore off the monster’s arm, every connection between the Relic and the monster was severed.

From that point onward, the projection stopped completely.

No matter what he tried, all he could replay was the recorded sequence from the beginning until the exact moment Solaris ripped off the monster’s arm. Beyond that point...there was nothing.

Azarion’s irritation lasted only for a brief moment before a faint smile appeared on his face. He looked toward the sky beyond the balcony while thinking, ’All the prey I have been hunting has finally gathered in one place. Now the only thing left is deciding the right timing. If I choose it correctly...I can deal with all of them at once.’

Just then he established a telepathic connection. ’Veyron, how many Chimera are still left in the Army?’

A brief pause passed before Veyron’s voice sounded inside his mind. ’Only three more remain, Your Majesty. Do you want me to send them to any particular Continent?’

Azarion shook his head slightly. ’No, Let them continue growing inside the Crucibles for now. Instead, expand the Army with SSS-ranks. And also...’ His eyes narrowed slightly before continuing, ’What is the progress of Project X? How much longer until the final ”----------”?’

A chuckle came from the other side before Veyron replied with obvious satisfaction. ’There has been an unexpected increase in its progress, Your Majesty. If everything continues at this pace, only three more days are all we need until the final ”----------”.’

Hearing that, Azarion’s smile widened slightly. ’Oh, is that so? That’s good Veyron, Then everything is proceeding faster than expected heh!’ After a brief pause he continued, ’What about the Nobles? How many from the other Continents have agreed to divert the Dragon Continent’s attention?’

Veyron answered immediately while continuing to analyze the countless reports and Bloodline Crucibles spread throughout the chamber before him. ’Almost every Noble we targeted has agreed, Your Majesty, the strongest among them are as follows: On the Angelic Continent, the Doophleshate Household has already sided with us who are coincidentally rivals of the Rosaria Household. From the Elven Continent, Mariano Household has also agreed and The Grafords of the Dwarven Continent are under our control as well.’

’Though Their overall strength is insignificant compared to the other Continents, but their crafted weapon will become a valuable supply once the Operation begins.’

Azarion nodded after hearing the report. ’Very good. Continue with the preparations. Once the final ”----------” is complete...the Operation will begin at the same time.’

The telepathic connection ended. Only then did Azarion turn around. His eyes landed on the woman who had been quietly standing near the entrance of the chamber for quite some time. He had sensed her arrival long ago, but only now did he walk toward her. A smile appeared on his face as he spread his arms before gently pulling her into an embrace.

Liora rested her forehead against his chest before speaking with a dissatisfied expression. ”Why didn’t you come to see me for the past week? You left me alone again, If Cassandra hadn’t been keeping me company, I would have gone mad from lonesome and boredom.”

Azarion pulled back slightly and looked at her before answering calmly. ”I had some personal matters to deal with, You know I cannot always spare time, Liora. I am the King of the whole Human Continent.”

Liora lowered her head for a moment before nodding slowly. ”I know...it’s been over a century now, so I understand that much. But every now and then you disappear for days without telling me anything.” She looked back at him before continuing, ”We also have only one child even after all this time. Don’t you have any plans for more? Or is that why you never took a concubine?”

Azarion let out a helpless sigh before stepping closer. He slipped one arm beneath her knees and the other behind her back before lifting her into a princess carry. A mischievous smile appeared on his face as he looked into her embarrassed eyes.

”There are several reasons for that, but I will explain them another time. As for your earlier question...” He leaned slightly closer before continuing, ”...why don’t we discuss about that question of having more children inside your bedroom instead?”

The meaning behind those words reached Liora immediately. Her cheeks turned bright red as she lowered her head and muttered something under her breath that even Azarion could barely hear. The next moment both of them disappeared from the balcony without leaving behind even the slightest fluctuation in spirit energy.