Science/Magic 112 Devourer/Blight 2

One hundred years ago, a star fell from the sky, unleas.h.i.+ng the plague that almost destroyed the world.

The Blight.

And one hundred years ago was also when Camilla's s.p.a.ces.h.i.+p landed on this planet.

Coincidence? Possible, but Bloed did not think so. Their features share too many similarities.

The most likely possibility was that tissue of a Devourer was stuck in the s.p.a.ces.h.i.+p's hull when it crashed on the planet. In s.p.a.ce, it was unable to reproduce and entered in a period of hibernation, but once it reached a place where it could reproduce, it awakened once more and started what later would be known as the war of the Blight.

But that was only Bloed's speculation. Before today, he did not have a way to prove that the Blight and the Devourers were the same. But now that he found a trace of the Devourers on the planet, most of his speculations were proved true, and he knew things are much more serious than he expected.

"I-Impossible!" Liu Yung took two step backs involuntarily. "The Blight was destroyed completely one hundred years ago! The G.o.ds killed it!"

"Well, they were not thorough enough." Bloed said. "To be more exact, someone kept a specimen secretly to experiment on it. Furthermore, that person or organization has achieved some kind of success and this creature is proof of it."

Liu Ying took a deep breath to calm down. She then looked at the creature with a dismayed expression. "Why someone would do something like that?"

"Is it not obvious?" Regina sneered in disdain. "For greed. The Devourers, or the Blight as you call them, are a very powerful race. They are able to absorb energy and souls and a.s.similate other organisms to evolve into stronger lifeforms, and once they evolve until a certain point, they become almost undefeatable. It would not be strange if the people of this world feel tempted by that kind of power and try to find a way to make it theirs."

Bloed sighed. "The problem is, these idiots underestimated the Blight. Liu Ying, what do you know about my mother?"

"… Only that she is already dead. You don't talk much about her."

"Well, I'll tell you something now. My mother is not from this place… It's hard to explain, but you can say that she is from a place beyond the continent."

"B-Beyond the continent?" Liu Ying was surprised. "T-Then, th-that explain why you know so many strange things."

"Yes." Bloed nodded glossing over her words. "And you know why she ended here?"

"???"

"Because her birthplace was attacked by the Blight. When mother came to this continent, her people were losing the war against the Blight."

"T-That is…"

"Do you want to know another piece of information?" Bloed asked with a bitter smile.

"W-What?"

"The place from where my mother came was thousands of times stronger than this continent."

"!!!" Liu Ying opened her eyes wide.

"Do you understand now?" Bloed asked in a self-deprecating tone. "They were thousands of times stronger than this place and able to use weapons more destructive than you can imagine. But even so, they were being defeated by the Blight. And in this place, someone was idiotic enough to try to find a way to control it. They are seeking death."

"What are you going to do, master?" Regina asked worriedly.

Bloed smiled wryly. "What can I do? I did not even know who the person behind this is or why he is doing it. Even if I want to do something, I have to find a place where to start."

"B-But, we can try to tell the churches about this! Bloed, I'm sure the churches will do something!" Liu Ying exclaimed.

"And how are we going to do that?"

"T-That is…"

"We don't even have proof. The only proofs are my words and the results of this technology's a.n.a.lysis. But n.o.body else around knows about technology, so they hardly will believe the results it reaches to."

Liu Ying fell silent and lowered her head.

"Don't worry too much." Bloed looked at her and smiled. "Actually, your idea is pretty good. We just need to find a way to implement it. Plus, I think we still have time. Judging by the events in Calice City, the people behind this are still experimenting with the creature. We are not in the worst-case situation yet. What we need to do now is to become stronger as quickly as possible. That way, we will be able to defend ourselves if the Blight appears again."

Liu Ying thought for a moment and nodded. "You are right. We need to become stronger. Not only to defend ourselves but also to avenge my family. Bloed, I promise you I'll become stronger."

"It's good you understand." Bloed curved his lips up. "And until you become strong enough, I'll support you. Mm, I think I'll start to work on the stuff I promised you."

"Really?"

"Really. I'll guess it will be ready when we arrive at Diadel City."

"Good!" Liu Ying smiled happily. "Then, I guess I'll go to train. See you later, Bloed, Regina!"

Liu Ying then left the laboratory happily.

Bloed shook his head helplessly. Beside him, Regina narrowed her eyes into slits.

"Master, I think you treat Liu Ying too well. Could it be…"

Bloed rolled his eyes. "Stop being jealous and help me with this."

"Master, I left our lunch in the stove."

"Okay, okay. I can do this for myself."

Regina bowed with a smile and left the room.

…

Diadel Duchy was the territory directly neighboring the Kingdom of Alterna. It was also known as the land of merchants due to the great number of merchant caravans that pa.s.s through this land every year.

Different from the human-only kingdom of Alterna, it was not uncommon to meet other races in Diadel Duchy. Approximately twenty percent of the population of Diadel Duchy belonged to other races, with the most common ones being beastmen. Elves and demons, on the other hand, were much rarer.

And today, a group of three people accompanied by two strange pets arrived at the entrance of Diadel City, the capital of the duchy.

...

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