Abyssal Sovereignty

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Chapter 12: Sharing Secrets Again

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The Blood Race, as the name suggests, is a species intrinsically linked to blood.

What sets them apart from other races is their unique method of acquiring energy. While most races can replenish their strength through natural means or by consuming common foods, the Blood Race must extract energy from the bodily fluids of others—most notably blood.

Of course, there are many races in this world, and the Blood Race is not the only one with such needs. Creatures like zombies, or the little one following Aris and Veridith around, are quite similar.

Because of this, the Blood Race is typically endowed with a special ability: the manipulation of blood. For instance, Elyssa’s earlier use of "Blood Surge" was but one such application.

"Ah, we don’t really need blood slaves anymore, you know," Elyssa mentioned. "In recent years, we've developed a substitute for blood. It’s still in its early stages, but it has significantly reduced the necessity for fresh blood."

Within the Blood Race, there's a clear hierarchical structure. Lower-ranked Blood kin not only possess weaker abilities, but they also require more blood to sustain themselves. In contrast, higher-ranked members are considerably stronger and can consume ordinary food, though it’s far less efficient than blood for energy.

In the past, the Blood Race often used their innate abilities or magical contracts to bind other races as blood slaves, which earned them quite the notorious reputation.

However, the advent of this blood substitute has been a boon for the Blood Race, and even for other similarly dependent races, in restoring their public image.

"I see... It seems this world has progressed rather well..." Farkonia murmured under her breath.

"What did you say?" Elyssa asked.

"Oh, nothing. Just talking to myself," Farkonia responded casually, still careful not to reveal her origins from the Abyss.

"Well, since Elyssa’s shared, I suppose it’s my turn! I’m from the Dragon Race!" Diana suddenly announced.

"Wait! Diana, you—!?" Elyssa, alarmed, tried to stop her, but Diana had already blurted out the truth.

"…It’s not a problem for me, but for you… that’s another matter," Elyssa whispered sternly in Diana’s ear.

"Hmm... But since you shared, I felt left out not saying anything," Diana pouted.

"Wha—?! You idiot! Absolute fool!" Elyssa turned away, her pale complexion now tinged with a blush that was distinctly uncharacteristic for the Blood Race.

Across from them, Misako observed the two with a mischievous grin, clearly scheming something in her mind.

As for Farkonia, the mention of Diana being a dragon triggered her memory of dragon classifications.

Dragons are typically categorized by their color, each possessing different attributes, abilities, and even personalities. Red Dragons, for instance, are known for their affinity with fire, while Blue Dragons excel in water manipulation.

A dragon's color also manifests in their humanoid forms. Farkonia, as a Green Dragon, bore green hair and, in both her dragon and human forms, had red eyes.

Following this logic, Diana’s silver hair could only mean one thing—she was a Silver Dragon.

"Honestly, how is it that all Silver Dragons are supposed to be smart, and yet you’re such a dunce?" Elyssa huffed once she’d regained her composure.

‘Smart? Silver Dragons are known for being clever?’ Farkonia mused.

In truth, the defining characteristic of Silver Dragons, aside from their mastery over various types of magic, was their cunning and deceptive nature.

Realizing this, Farkonia took a moment to study Diana more closely, and soon it all made sense.

"‘Sesame dumpling’... Seems the seniors were right after all."

"Oh, by the way, it’s quite the coincidence, but I’m a dragon as well," Farkonia casually revealed her own lineage, causing Elyssa and Diana to grow visibly nervous.

"...Is something the matter?" Farkonia inquired, her curiosity piqued.

"N-No! Not at all!"

"Of course not!" they both stammered, their denial only making their reaction all the more suspicious.

"R-right! Since Lady Farkonia has shared, why don’t you tell us something about yourself, Lady Misako?" Diana asked quickly, diverting the conversation.

"‘Lady Misako’? Really? I’m much older than the lot of you!" Misako retorted, placing her hands on her hips in protest. However, with her diminutive form, her words carried little weight.

"Understood, Miss Misako. But judging by your ears, you’re from the Beastfolk, aren’t you?" Elyssa asked, gazing at the fox-like ears atop Misako’s head, which were almost indistinguishable from her cherry blossom-coloured hair unless one looked closely.

"Ah... something like that," Misako replied vaguely, only now recalling that revealing her true heritage as a black demon might be problematic. After all, black demon were thought to have been wiped out in a great war some five hundred years ago. If word spread that they had reappeared, it would certainly cause an uproar.

She would have to bide her time until the moment was right to reveal herself.

"Hmm, the Beastfolk, huh... Things haven’t been going well for them recently, have they?" Diana remarked.

It was said that not only the Beastfolk, but also some rational monsters and even a few Demonkin living outside their territories had faced harassment lately, with many mysteriously disappearing.

"...I see. Be careful, Misako," Farkonia said with concern.

"Pfft, what’s there to fear? I’m still stronger than most fully-grown dragons, and I’m not even a Beastfolk," Misako replied with a dismissive wave of her hand.

"But you’re awfully pretty and adorable. Even if you’re not one of them, you might get targeted just for your looks," Diana pointed out with a cheeky grin.

"...W-What?!" Misako stammered, momentarily flustered.

‘...Do you hear yourself? If anyone should be worried about being targeted for their beauty, it’s you!’ Misako thought as she glanced at Farkonia, who was notably taller than her, dressed in an elegant monochrome gown that accentuated her graceful figure. With a face that exuded a youthful yet mature allure, Farkonia would undoubtedly cause any young girl to swoon and call her "Big Sister" in adoration.

And Farkonia could, indeed, play the part of the protective older sister if asked. Just ask the fool who’d once destroyed an entire dragon valley in a fit of rage.

"Hmm? Isn’t that…"

Quite coincidentally, as Misako thought about that very person, she appeared.

A young girl with golden hair streaked with hints of black strolled down the street, accompanied by a little green-haired girl with a peculiar creature perched atop her head. Trailing behind them was a large group of burly men huddled together, hovering in the air. They drew the attention of everyone on the street, causing passersby to step back in caution.

"...Ah! Lady Farkonia!" The green-haired girl, Veridith, spotted Farkonia and dashed over.

"What’s the matter, Veridith? We only parted less than an hour ago," Farkonia asked gently.

"Well... this is what happened..." Veridith recounted the recent events: how she had been lured into an alley, had her meal spilled, and how Aris had come to her rescue.

"...I see. As much as I’d like to handle this personally, given the circumstances, we should leave it to the city guards." Farkonia’s expression remained warm, but Misako could tell that beneath her calm surface, she was seething with rage.

Recalling the recent time she'd been disciplined by Farkonia, Misako couldn't help but shiver slightly.