Chapter 259: Plano Town (15)
This chapter is sponsored by The Bitch in the Fantasy World Patrons:
• Adventurer GrimV
********************
********************
Carito led Elio and the rest of the grand finalists to a corner of the room that had a VIP area. There were about eight people sitting at the table, at least ten people standing on guard to keep others away, and all of them were wearing formal evening attire and masks.
Carito stepped forward and lowered his head.
"My Lords and Ladies, I present to you the grand finalists for tomorrow's Feugo Tournament," he said and then turned to Elio and the rest.
"The first one is Master Gigan or also known as Explosión de Magma Gigan. He has a [Lore Magic] that allows him to shoot out magma and melt his target in mere seconds. And he's from here, the Marbleam Kingdom."
Gigan lowered his head.
"The second one is Mistress Emilia or also known as Emilia of the Blazing Dagger. She doesn't have any Lore Magic, but her proficiency in using Fire Magic Arts and daggers earned her the nickname Blazing Dagger. And she's from the Luxen Kingdom."
Emilia lowered her head.
"The third one is Master Elio or also known as Fiamma Oscura Elio. His Lore Magic comes from his sword, a cursed Lore Item that eats away the owner’s lifeforce and also poisons the owner’s mind in exchange for power, and he's from the La Spada Kingdom."
Elio lowered his head.
"And the last one is Master Kyle or also known as Kyle of the Blood Tree. His moniker, Blood Tree, came from him killing a unique tree monster said to be blessed by the Elemental Gods. And although he's the youngest, he has tremendous luck and skill, he has the Light Affinity, and he's from the Orion Kingdom."
Kyle's lips broke out into a smile and he offered an elegant bow.
"It's a pleasure to be in your presence, My Lords and Ladies."
As the people at the table turned to each other, Carito lowered his head and then went to the side.
“Master Elio, can you tell us more about your Lore Item? How is it cursed and how much power do you get?” one of the male VIPs asked.
“This sword has a mind of its own and it chooses its master.
“Each time the ‘chosen master’ pulls out this sword from its sheath, the sword will automatically eat the lifeforce of the ‘master’ -- 1 second is 1 month. It will also poison the mind ‘master’ by planning murderous thoughts to encourage the owner to use it longer.
“As for the power I get, it gives me an extra Physical and Magic Force Grade and it buffs my attacks with dark flames, similar to [Enchant Fire].”
Some of the VIPs let out a sigh of disappointment.
“What if someone else’s touches that sword without being chosen by the sword as its master?” another male VIP asked.
“Even without pulling out the sword from its sheath, their lifeforce will automatically be drained. And if they pulled out the sword, instead of 1 second per 1 month, it would be 1 second per 1 year.
“They’re minds will also be poisoned by simply touching the sword.
“And lastly, the sword won’t give them any additional power from wielding it.”
“What a selfish sword,” one of the female VIPs said.
“I think both of you and the sword will fit perfectly fine,” one of the male VIPs teasingly said.
“How long have you been the master of that sword?” a male VIP asked.
“Around 5 years. But if you’re asking how many times I’ve used the sword, it hasn’t been more than a day,” Elio said.
It was a lie.
As a Commoner born in the La Spada Kingdom which is located in the Southern Continent and is less peaceful compared to the Northen Continent, and his profession is a Mercenary, he couldn’t count how many times he had to use the [Fiamma Oscura].
“Master Kyle, can you tell us more about the monster you got your moniker from?” another male VIP asked.
“With pleasure, My Lord,” he said and lowered his head.
“It was a Treesap blessed by the Elemental Gods. Compared to the usual Treesap, this one was made out of multiple Treesaps, forming a small forest, and it was also let out a sleeping gas with the Magic Force of Adamantite.
“It was able to devour hundreds of victims before people finally noticed the strange number of people missing on its location.”
“Where was the location?” the male VIP asked.
“It was located at the Great Forest of Ana’thema.”
“Where’s that?” one of the female VIPs asked.
“It’s between the Holy Kingdom and the Orion Kingdom around the Feuter Hills. Don’t you know that?” one of the female VIPs replied.
“I wasn’t asking you.”
“Of course, you weren’t.”
Clap.
One of the male VIPs clapped his hand.
“Let’s not fight among ourselves. The night is still young, ladies.”
“How did you defeat it?” a male VIP asked.
“I was with a group of people. We each searched and burned its trees and I managed to burn its main tree,” Kyle said.
“Lady Emilia, how do you manage to produce a lot of flames?” a male VIP asked.
Emilia lowered her head.
“Please forgive me, My Lord, but I cannot divulge that information at the moment. But after I win the tournament, I will be happy to answer any question you have about my weapons.”
“How unfortunate,” the male VIP said as he leaned back on his chair and then turned to a female VIP by his side. “What do you think, my love?”
“As always, I betting on a female.”
“Come on, my love, at least let’s try to make things exciting.”
“This is exciting for me. And plus, does it even matter? It’s always the same every year. I’m getting sick of it. I’d rather stay at home and sleep.”
The male VIP gently grabbed the female VIP’s hand.
“Come on, my love.”
The female VIP pulled her hand away.
“Okay, I’m betting the entire mansion at Estana Town.”
“My love, you can’t do that.”
“Why not?”
“It has three of our most important farms of our family.”
“I don’t care,” she said and then turned to the other VIPs. “Anyone wants to bet against my offer?”
A male VIP slowly raised his glass and took a sip before putting it down and turning to her.
“I’m betting my second casino at Corazon Village for Master Elio.”
“Deal.”
“Hold on! Wait!” the male VIP beside the female VIP said and then turned to the female VIP. “My love, it isn’t equal. His casino only generates 1/8 of our business that you bet.”
“No take-backs~” the male VIP said and then turned to another male VIP. “Isn’t that the rules?”
The male VIP nodded.
“Correct.”
The male VIP beside the female VIP stood up.
“If this is how the game is going to be played, then I’m going home,” he said then turned to all of the VIPs, “Goodnight,” he said and then left.
And as he left the room, one of the masked guards accompanied him.
“One already left,” a female VIP said with a bored tone and then got up. “I’m leaving as well. This is boring,” she said and then left.
Just like the male VIP who left, one of the masked guards accompanied her.
“We’re down to 6. But it doesn’t matter. Those 2 were never serious betters anyway,” a male VIP said and took a sip from his glass.
“We’re leaving as well,” a male VIP said and then got up along with a female VIP.
“Both of you are also leaving? We haven’t even finished asking the questions.”
“We just remembered that we had a special appointment.”
“You can’t be serious!”
The male and female VIP left and were accompanied by 2 masked guards.
There were now only 4 VIPs left on the table -- 2 men and 2 women.
“Are we still going to continue doing this farce?” a female VIP asked and then looked at the remaining VIPs. “The 3 of you are the only ones who enjoy this.”
The other male VIP let out a sigh.
“It can’t be helped. We’re the only ones who actually respect this celebration.”
The female VIP rolled her eyes before her masquerade.
“You 3 are chronic gamblers.”
“And what does that say about you?” the other remaining female VIP said.
“I can also leave if you want me to,” she said then turned to Elio. “Master Elio, do you wish to escort me somewhere else?”
Elio didn’t say anything.
“Pffft...!” the other remaining female VIP tried to suppress her laugh. “How unfortunate, even peasants can’t stand your presence.”
“At least I don’t have a husband who doesn’t go around complaining about his wife having hideous toes.”
Woo-chang!
The other female VIP grabbed a knife and threw it at the female VIP but she missed and it landed struck on a wall.
One of the remaining male VIPs let out a sigh and stood up.
“Ladies, for the second time, please, no fighting.”
The female VIPs both looked at the opposite direction from each other.
“Does anyone here have any other questions for the grand finalists?”
The other male VIP took another sip from his glass and then placed it down.
“I’ve lost interest in betting.”
“You and Mariana have already placed your bets. No take-backs,” he said and then turned to the other female VIP. “And you?”
“I’m not a chronic gambler like you three. I have no interest in betting.”
“You have to bet.”
“Fine, I bet Mariana’s husband on Elio.”
The male VIP let out a sigh.
“That’s not allowed.”
“Why?”
“Because he’s not your property.”
“That’s not what he said two days ago.”
The male VIP turned to Mariana.
“A little help here, please?”
“I’m also going to bet her husband on Emilia.”
The male VIP fell to his seat, removed his mask and massaged his temples.
It was Antonio T. Plano, the Village Chief of Tapa Village.
“I’m getting a headache…”
As for Elio and the 3 grand finalists, they didn’t say anything. As veteran fighters, they had their fair of interacting with people from the higher echelons of society.
“So what and who are you betting?” the other Male VIP said.
Antonio stopped massaging his temples and then gave him an “are-you-serious?” look.
“You’re the only one left who hasn’t bet.”
Snap!
“Fine,” he said and then snapped his fingers.
Carito, who was waiting on the side, rushed over to him and bowed.
“Yes, My Lord?”
“You’ve heard their bets. I’m betting 20,000 plats on Master Gigan, 20,000 plats on Master Elio.”
“Yes, My Lord,” he said and then bowed once again.
“Okay, we’re done here,” Antonio said then turned to Elio and the rest of the grand finalists. “That will be all. Enjoy the party. Ask anything you want from helpers and they will provide it for you.”
Elio took a small step forward.
“Excuse me, My Lord.”
Everyone around looked at him.
“Yes?” Antonio said.
“I’ve heard stories that your family is able to provide ‘special services’ from demon-kins without facing any prosecution from the law.”
“My, my, I wasn’t expecting this,” Mariana commented with a smile.
“Indeed,” the other male VIP said with a smile and then took a sip from his glass.
The other female VIP snorted.
“Beastiality.”
Antonio turned to Carito.
“See to it all of their needs are met.”
Carito bowed.
“Yes, My Lord,” he said then turned to the grand finalists. “Master Elio, Master Gigan, Mistress Emilia and Master Kyle, please follow me.”
Pah!
As Elio and company left the VIPs, Kyle slapped Elio’s back.
“My man~! I always knew we had the same tastes~! This just shows why were best friends~!”
Elio didn’t say anything.
Kyle suddenly moved a little closer to him.
"Las-I las-don't las-recommend las-you las-escaping las-with Las-Saa'liha las-tonight…" he whispered in the La Spadian language.
Elio's eyes became wide and his body stopped moving for a brief moment before he recovered his bearings.
"Las-You las-won't las-have las-e las-tonighany las-chance las-but las-everyone las-will las-have las-the las-chance las-tomorrow las-because Las-HE las-is las-coming…" Kyle said and then stepped away from him.
***
Elio sat on a chair as he waited inside a large luxurious room. He shed his cloak to the side but kept the rest of his clothing with him, including his sword [Fiamma Oscura].
Knock.
Knock.
There was a knock on the door.
"Mar-Master Mar-Elio, mar-the mar-slaves mar-are mar-here. Mar-May mar-we mar-enter?" a female voice asked in Marbleamean behind the door.
"Mar-Come mar-in."
Ka-cha!
The door opened and four female Monkeigh demon-kins who were still in their teens or at least looked to be in their teens wearing see-through clothes with a thin underwear that barely covered their private parts and a metal collar engraved with runes around their necks entered while being led by a maid.
Elio's gaze immediately landed on the third Monkeigh who had strong human features that would make her quite beautiful even by human standards. She had a curvy body oozing with sexy appeal and was well-endowed both in the front and back despite only looking like she was 15 years old.
"Mar-Master Mar-Elio, mar-these mar-are mar-the mar-female Mar-Monkeighs mar-that mar-you've mar-requested. Mar-You mar-can mar-have mar-all mar-four mar-of mar-them mar-tonight mar-if mar-you mar-want mar-and mar-are mar-allowed mar-to mar-do mar-anything mar-to mar-them mar-except mar-giving mar-them Mar-True Mar-Death."
The first, second and fourth Monkeighs had lifeless eyes. Meanwhile, the third, she too had lifeless eyes initially. But after seeing Elio, her eyes regained their light, but she quickly wiped it off and returned to mirroring her companions.
"Mar-I'll mar-have mar-the mar-third mar-one. Mar-I mar-don't mar-want mar-to mar-be mar-disturbed mar-until mar-morning."
The maid bowed.
"Mar-As mar-you mar-wish, Mar-Master Mar-Elio," she said and then left the room with the rest of the Monkeighs.
When Elio and the third Monkeigh were finally alone, the third Monkeigh rushed over to him.
Chud!
"Uncle Elio…!" she said in the Daemon language as she wrapped her arms around him and tears ran down her cheeks.
Elio awkwardly tapped-hugged her before finally placing his hands on her shoulders and pushing her away.
"Saa'liha, are you hurt?" he asked and then touched the metal collar on her neck. "Let me remove this first and then we'll escape right away from here."
Saa'liha suddenly pulled away from him.
"No, we can't…!"
"Don't worry, you're safe now. Your mother is also waiting for you back at the Southern Continent," Elio said and held out his hand but didn't touch her or step forward.
Saa'liha was neither Elio's niece nor were they blood-related. The truth is, Elio and Saa'liha's parents, specifically her father, were partners back in their Mercenary days in the Southern Continent and was older than him who took him under his wing.
Moreover, she also used to be human 4 years ago when she was 11 years old. But after the small village that she and her family lived in was attacked by a Demon-kin Necromancer who summoned a Wave imbued with the Earth Affinity, the people there turned into Monkeighs.
In regards to her parent's whereabouts, her mother was in the Southern Continent who was now a demon-kin who only had [False Fire Mastery] which she was born with and then received [True Earth Mastery] and [Lesser Chaos Mastery] after she became a Monkeigh. Meanwhile, her father was born with [True Fire Mastery] and [True Poison Mastery] but died 5 years ago during a Mercenary Contract with Elio.
Saa'liha was born with [True Fire Mastery] and [True Poison Mastery] like her father, and now had [True Earth Mastery] and [Lesser Chaos] after becoming a Monkeigh. Meanwhile, her younger brother was like their mother who was born with [False Fire Mastery] but now had the [True Earth Mastery] and [Lesser Chaos Mastery] after also becoming a Monkeigh. However, they were still too weak. In fact, the reason why Saa'liha got into the predicament she was in right now was because her village was raided by a group of slave traders and she helped defend the village while they let her mother, younger brother and the others escape.
"No..! You don't understand…! We can't leave them…!" Saa'liha said.
A confused expression flashed across Elio's face.
"What do you mean?"
"Uncle Elio, there are people here secretly working for the Housan Empire and they said that someone from the Housan Empire will come save us tomorrow…!"
Elio placed a finger between his lips.
"Keep your voice down," he said and when he noticed that Saa'liha calming down a bit, he continued. "I understand what you're trying to say but it's safer if we escape now instead of tomorrow. I've already made the necessary preparations."
"Please, Uncle Elio, the people here need help… We should all work together… Some of the slaves here, humans and demon-kins, are younger than me or no older than my brother and are innocent… Please…!"
Elio closed his eyes. Although he didn't say anything, the expression on his face revealed everything that he was feeling.
Saa'liha fell down on her knees and hugged herself as she began sobbing.
"If you only know…. what they did to us… I… I…" she couldn't continue and simply cried her heart out.
Elio knelt down and placed his hand on her trembling shoulder.
"I understand. Please don't cry anymore. You're safe now. I promise."
Chud!
Saa'liha hugged him and buried her face on his chest as she continued to cry uncontrollably.
Elio raised his hand to rub Saa'liha's head but stopped. He stared at the ceiling and thought about her family.
***
11:32 p.m.
Temple of Priests building, Plano Town, Marbleam Kingdom.
"I don't eat..~~
"I don't sleep…~~
"I do nothing but think of you…~~"
Vivian was inside her room and wearing a set of clothes.
"You pick me under your spell…~~"
She picked up a black scarf and checked her reflection in the mirror as she wrapped it around her head, covering the lower part of her face.
"You pick me under your spell…~~"
After she was satisfied with the position of the scarf, she grabbed a black cloak and watched her reflection once again as she wore it and then pulled the hood forward, covering almost half of the upper part of her face.
"You pick me under your spell…~~"
Her eyes ran down her entire attire in front of the mirror and from time to time she would turn to the side and also do quick and sudden movements.
Hmm…
Not bad I guess…
From her cloak, to scarf, to her short and fitting turtleneck backless short dress, to her gloves, and her boots, everything was black. She bought all of these items except for the fitting turtleneck backless short dress earlier in the afternoon while she was shopping for a formal evening dress for the dinner party earlier.
I really wanted to wear all red…
But given my Priestess identity…
It just feels wrong…
I would die from embarrassment if the Red Cloaks here found out that I bought a red cloak...
I don't think I'll be able to show my face to them ever again...
She turned away and headed for the window.
Whatever…
When she opened the window, she was immediately greeted with the cool night breeze and she could hear the muffled festive music from a distance.
What a very noisy place…
[Greater Origin Transformation].
Blaaak.
Her eyes transformed into demon form -- what used to be ruby-colored human eyes were now onyx with golden pupils. She swept her eyes around her surroundings and also strained her ears.
I guess it's clear…
She placed her foot on the window sill.
Hopefully, my plan will work this time…
Vooom!
***
11:39 p.m.
"I don't eat..~~"
Vivian was walking in a neighborhood that didn't look poor but also didn't look rich either -- just right in the middle.
"I don't sleep…~~"
Aside from watching out if there were any people around on the street, she was also on the lookout for opened windows.
"I do nothing but think of you…~~
"You keep me under your spell…~~
"You keep me--…~~"
She stopped singing when she saw a humanoid blue-colored nervous system holding what looked like a bottle and walking in a zig-zag manner down the street and coming her way.
She shook her head mentally.
I can already smell the sweat and alcohol from here…
Too disgusting for the experiment…
When Vivian and the man passed each other, neither of them acknowledged each other and went their own way in peace.
***
Vivian stopped in her tracks when she saw the door of a house a few buildings down the street open.
Two blue-colored nervous systems stepped out of the door and stopped on the sidewalk to talk.
[Greater Origin Transformation].
Blaaak.
One of Vivian's eyes reverted to its human form.
Women at this hour…?
Prostitutes…?
She let out a sigh.
Well…
She resumed walking.
The two women, who appeared to be in their 20s, hugged each other and then went their separate ways.
One headed north while the other headed south toward Vivian's way.
Seeing the dark-hooded figure, the one headed south instinctively kept her guard up while trying to play it cool. Thanks to the Feugo Festival, many businesses have been booming due to the influx of foreigners coming to Plano Town. However, at the same token, crime also rose.
"Mar-Hey mar-handsome, mar-want mar-to mar-join mar-me mar-and mar-my mar-friends mar-over mar-there mar-waiting mar-for mar-me mar-at mar-the mar-corner mar-of mar-the mar-street?" the woman said seductively when the dark-hooded figure and her were already a few meters apart.
It was a lie. She had no one waiting for her at the corner of the street.
The dark-hooded figure didn't respond and continued walking.
The moment the woman was already a few meters away from the dark-hooded figure, she immediately quickened her pace but didn't run. And when she finally reached the end of the street, she immediately turned to a corner and leaned against the wall. She secretly peeked to see if the dark-hooded figure changed course and decided to follow her. But to her surprise, there was no sign of the dark-hooded figure.
"Mar-That mar-person mar-must've mar-went mar-inside mar-a mar-house mar-or mar-something…" the woman said under her breath.
She then resumed walking with the same quickened pace.
Chu-Psssh!
Someone or something suddenly grabbed the back of her neck and green mist exploded around her, rendering her body completely immobile.
Crack!
Before she could even process the rest of her thoughts, her neck was violently twisted to the side and the last thing she saw was the face of the dark-hooded figure which turned out to be a woman with one of her eyes strangely inhuman and the lower half of her face covered with a black scarf. As for how she knew it was a woman, although there were other clues, the biggest clue that tied all of it together was the faint scent of perfume or cologne that only women from the upper echelon of society would wear.
Ever since Vivian moved to the Holy Kingdom for the Basic Training and began hanging out with Kara and the rest of her female classmates, the perfumes and colognes that she wears start at the price of 10 gold coins which was 100 silvers or 1,000 coppers. And the perfume she was currently wearing was one of the items she bought for the dinner party earlier which cost 50 gold coins. Even her clothes, makeup, lotion and the liquid soap that she uses for washing her hair and body were of high quality that an average female citizen wouldn't wear and come to such a neighborhood.
Vivian dragged the body of the woman's body to a dark and narrow alley and then held it up against the wall by the neck with one hand.
Riiiip!
She ripped off the right strap of the body's dress, exposing the neck, traps and shoulder, and then she pulled her scarf down.
"Now let's try this."
Chak!
Gulp.
Sluuuuuurrrrrrpppppp…!
She bit down a chunk of flesh on the body’s traps and then swallowed before proceeding to suck down the blood.
A few moments later, she pulled her head away and licked her lips.
I need more…
All that blood this morning made me crave the whole day…
[Greater Origin Enchant].
Blaaak.
Vivian's tongue transformed into an ethereal pale grayish-colored 3ft long tongue and it slithered its way into the bite mark of the body.
This isn't working…
She pulled her tongue back out from the body and tried to swallow the blood and the bodily fluids stuck on her tongue.
Yup…
Really doesn't work…
First off, her demon tongue doesn't have a sucking effect. Secondly, due to the structure of her human mouth and throat, she couldn't put all of her demon tongue inside her mouth.
[Greater Origin Enchant].
Blaaak.
Her tongue reverted to its human form.
Well..
At least I tried…
She looked around her surroundings.
I want to eat the rest of this food…
But I can’t transform here…
I also can’t slip inside the homes of people…
Well…
I mean…
I could…
But it would take me quite a while to find one…
There’s just too many people because of the festival…
If Vivian were to describe the feeling she felt right now, although the blood she drank was no doubt tasty, it was like drinking a protein shake. It tasted great and could make one feel full, but drinking a protein shake and eating a meal were just two very different things.
She let out a sigh.
No other choice…
Chak!
She stabbed her hand inside the body.
Okay…
Where is it...?
Her hand navigated its way inside the body, feeling the warmth and softness of the internal organs.
There…!
Blaaak!
She pulled out her hand and it was holding a heart that was still beating and warm. Her lips broke into a grin and her mouth started to water.
"I'll take this as a souvenir," she said and then began wolfing down the heart.
After eating the heart, she returned her attention to the body and a disappointed look appeared on her face.
Even I can tell that the taste of this blueie has already greatly diminished…
Looks like no matter what…
The best way to eat a blueie is to be in demon form and eat it in one go…
Thud.
She dropped the body to the ground.
[Explosive Leg].
Booom!
And then tapped the body with the tip of her boot, turning it into a mist of blood and also leaving a small crater.
Too noisy and messy…
This experiment is a failure…
And I'm still craving for more…
Vooom!
********************
********************
Thank you for reading and I hope you enjoyed this chapter!
By the way, I’ve posted this chapter at WebNovel, Royal Road and Patreon. However, the main is P-a-t-r-e-o-n (Immortal_Shades) because I want to post pictures and videos there without any restrictions.
https://www.patreon.com/Immortal_Shades
Don’t worry, the chapters there are free. And if you want to donate because I have no talent in being a writer, feel free to consider any of these titles:
• Adventurer - $2
• Guard - $3
• Merchant - $4
• Mercenary - $5
• Knight - $6
• Priest/Priestess - $7
• Necromancer - $8
• Aristocratic Noble - $9
• High Priest/Priestess - $10
Thank you once again and I will see you at the next chapter.
Chapter end
Report
