After a long while, Sigmund shifted his attention from the difficult problem of how to expel the unwelcome guest in his body, temporarily focusing on another matter that shook him to his core.
He gently swirled the crystal jar in his hand that still contained about one-quarter of dark red liquid. To his surprise, that guy hadn't downed it all in one go this time!
Due to the deep connection between soul and body, even when he lost control, his senses were partially shared, though it was like being separated by several layers of thick gauze—all sensations became blurred and hazy.
But even so, when Lin Jun tasted this liquid, that explosive ultimate deliciousness that penetrated through layers of barriers still gave him an unprecedented shock!
For bloodkin, drinking blood served not just survival—its greatest "delicious" source actually came from that sense of plundering life, claiming another's power as one's own.
Therefore, drawing directly from living prey was always the best choice.
But this jar of liquid was completely different.
Its "deliciousness" was purely sensory—ultimate pleasure that directly hit the taste buds, unmixed with any taint of power extraction!
This most primitive, most direct pleasure should have been permanently sacrificed by them—these bloodkin who abandoned the joys of the living for power and eternal life!
Yet now, this jar of liquid actually allowed him to reclaim this forgotten thrill!
"Truly... unbelievable..."
He murmured softly, gently swirling the crystal jar again and bringing it close to his nose to sniff carefully.
The scent seemed nothing particularly special, even somewhat plain, yet once it entered the mouth, it could produce such a revolutionary experience!
Though he was now a duke, during his human period he had been merely a humble, nameless slave within the empire, naturally having no access to those fruits with [Tastiness] traits.
After his humble, nameless self transformed into bloodkin, even though he had the means to obtain them, he'd long since lost the ability to taste their wonderful flavors.
Just like Lin Jun, this was actually the first time in his life he'd truly tasted "deliciousness"!
The value of this jar of liquid was beyond question.
In Sigmund's view, only the empire's most noble Emperor deserved to enjoy it!
Thinking of how he'd recently been busy dealing with his internal "roommate," neglecting pressure on Highfort Keep, even being repeatedly harassed and provoked by Alama.
Add to that Eleanor, that bitch, continuously tattling—all these signs of negligence had already aroused the Emperor's displeasure. Recently, orders urging him to launch a new offensive had become increasingly frequent and stern.
If he could now present this treasure jar, all his previous minor failings would surely be written off, and perhaps... he might even receive some extra rewards!
The only problem was...
Sigmund licked the corner of his mouth, his gaze falling on the crystal jar that had somehow reached the bottom, falling into brief silence.
"Do you... have more?"
"Beg me."
"..."
Sigmund took a deep breath, forcing himself to close his eyes and suppress his surging anger.
He had to return his mental state to calm, absolutely couldn't follow the other party's rhythm. He'd almost forgotten what kind of person his "roommate" was!
Just then, the ring on his index finger—symbolizing ducal authority and inlaid with a dark red gemstone—suddenly flashed with light. This was the signal for His Majesty's summons!
Ultra-long-distance psychic communication consumed considerable resources each activation—there must be important arrangements. Sigmund dared not delay and immediately sank his mind into the ring.
In the Hermit Empire's heartland, within Duskfall Keep.
In the grand yet gloomy hall, twelve enormous red magic crystals floated in midair, emanating soft yet cold halos. Sigmund's silhouette gradually materialized in one of the crystals.
The connection had barely formed when a sarcastic female voice came crashing down on him: "Oh my, if it isn't our esteemed Duke Sigmund! Holed up in your Crimson Spire all day—I thought you were busy with something earth-shattering, but turns out you still have time to attend meetings!"
It was Eleanor. At this moment, only the two crystals representing him and Eleanor were lit in the hall, clearly a private summons for just the two of them.
Facing this crude provocation, Sigmund snorted coldly and retorted: "Eleanor, after all this time, have you finally learned how to properly set up camp instead of crying for help from all sides the moment you're ambushed?"
"You slave—" Eleanor's words stopped halfway.
Sigmund also suddenly noticed the abnormality!
The magic crystal projection he occupied was turning black as if concentrated ink had been spilled on it, dark mist continuously spreading! This thick fog nearly dyed the entire crystal pitch black, making even his own image blurry and indistinct.
At the same time, his "roommate's" complaint sounded in his mind: "So cramped..."
"Watch the occasion! Restrain yourself! For both our sakes!" Sigmund growled in his consciousness.
Lin Jun seemed to realize the situation was special. He muttered something but made no further moves, only silently observing everything.
"What's going on with you?" Eleanor asked.
"None of your business?" Sigmund had not the slightest intention of explaining.
"Hmph, I heard you've recently become quite interested in abyssal magic and are recruiting those ominous practitioners on a large scale..." Eleanor's voice once again carried malicious speculation. "Hehe, I'm rather looking forward to seeing your fate now~"
Sigmund responded with silence.
At this time, the third crystal in the hall finally lit up—the crystal representing Prince Visarius, positioned to the right of the throne.
"Your Highness." Sigmund and Eleanor nearly simultaneously restrained their auras and greeted respectfully.
Prince Visarius, having just connected, went straight to the point: "I summoned you on behalf of His Majesty. Sigmund, regarding Highfort Keep..."
His words stopped halfway as he finally noticed Sigmund's magic crystal projection shrouded in heavy black fog—clearly abnormal—and couldn't help but pause.
Sigmund hastily took the initiative to continue: "Reporting to Your Highness, the front is currently still in a stalemate. Alama..." He quickly reported the situation, finally promising: "Please inform His Majesty that I will definitely go all out..."
However, Prince Visarius interrupted him: "No, for the next period of time, temporarily cease your attacks. Afterward, large quantities of logistical supplies will be transported to the front lines. Just focus on protecting them."
Eleanor asked in confusion: "Cease attacks yet massively increase supplies?"
Sigmund immediately guessed the answer: "Your Highness, are you dispatching new reinforcements? May I ask who will be leading them?"
Visarius said in a heavy voice: "Yes. In one month, Velariss will arrive at the eastern front to assist in your operations. And I will personally go to support the western front!"
"That madwoman?!" Eleanor exclaimed in shock, her tone full of apprehension.
Sigmund asked: "Your Highness, with both you and Velariss personally participating in operations against the United Kingdom, won't the empire's eastern forces be too depleted? What about the dwarves..."
Visarius chuckled lightly: "No matter. In one month, the dwarves... will no longer be a threat to our empire."
Sigmund and Eleanor were both wildly speculating about the empire's arrangements regarding the dwarves, but only Lin Jun stared at the bloodkin prince's silhouette for a long time, finally recognizing this fellow!
(End of Chapter)
Comments