Chương 349: Trouble Causing Trouble

"Mister Holgod… I hear that you wished to talk to me in private. Is it about that shapeshifting entity again?"

"No, there is no progress in this regard to talk about. I haven't been able to find any further clues following the disappearance of whoever or whatever had been mimicking Jirnme–What I want to talk to you about concerns the blood ocean… The things at the bottom, all of them, they have been appearing… Displeased""How can you tell?"

"The same way I've been collecting information so far. My affinity lies with Fiendish Blood in particular, but my affinity with blood in general is also high, so I can sense many things when it concerns a huge volume of blood inhabited by blood creatures" Holgod stretched whilst sitting on a stool. He and his interlocutor were currently sitting inside one of the largest tents, a simple silence barrier surrounding them so that the content of their conversation only stayed between the two of them.

Although Holgod had exceptional qualifications, he was only present here in the quality of hired help. The actual leader was the thin man sitting across from him–Jartscol, a man highly trusted by Baron Hyotrask Devilblood, an old ally and friend from when Devilblood was still only a knight. Holgod was never one to attempt any confrontations, but even if he were, he would know better than to butt heads with Jartscol. He was an unassuming mage, but this demon was on par with Holgod if it came to a fight…

The man with the golden mask wasn't one to brag, but it was impressive to stand on his level. Not to mention that Jartscol was an elusive and crafty man. He was a demon with dark blue skin, but that was as much as one could identify since Jartscol was always wearing a hood and robes, only showing his hands and the vague outline of his mouth. What he was truly capable of was unknown, so it was best not to cross him.

Regardless, the demon tapped something through his hood–Presumably one of his horns–Before responding.

"I see… Could it be that they disapprove of our presence and tests? Are they unhappy about us taking samples, even though they were small ones?" Holgod shook his head.

"I doubt that's it. It doesn't even seem like any of the big dogs even took notice of our existence, no… It is certainly linked to something else that I have noticed. It is quite subtle, and even I thought that I was just imagining things at first, but now I am certain: Something is slowly draining the blood from the ocean" The hooded demon's eyes were unseen, but Holgod felt the quizzical gaze directed toward him nonetheless.

"Something is… Draining the blood ocean? That is quite hard to believe. Not only is the timing far too perfect, but how could that even be possible? It isn't just any blood we're talking about. This is a mixture of countless kinds of blood, including that of ancient, unimaginably powerful entities, including devils and divine beings.

If one of those bloodline addicts were to hear of this place, the poor bastard might have a heart attack at the sheer mountain of gold that this would represent for them""Anything absorbing directly from the ocean would just get itself killed. Even if it were one of those very ancient entities, this is simply not something anything can safely do" Holgod shifted on his tool, making the demon sigh.

"You give me the impression that you have an idea as to what could be responsible for this…"

"Good, because I do have an idea–That damned shapeshifting menace!"

"Alright…"

"And do you know who else is a shapeshifting menace?"

"... Here we go again…"

"Mara Maeve Maya Nebulo, she was not even so far away when-""I'll stop you right here. There is no concrete proof that the maid who disappeared on the night Hyotrask was incapacitated and everything else happened was Mara Nebulo.

For all we know, that red demon woman could have died and have her body disappeared like what happened to others within the residence, and secondly, even if she was responsible, how the hell are we supposed to know if it was Nebulo in disguise, and not just an actual demon woman performing espionage?"

"I haven't seen a single proof that holds up–Do you have one?" Holgod shrugged.

"I have my instincts""Your instincts suck, Holgod""Perhaps, but Mara Nebulo is known for devouring her victims whole, not even leaving a speck of blood behind. Where is all that she eats going anyway? As far as I am aware, she's a damn automaton and doesn't even have a stomach! Hell, I would be surprised if she even has a throat connecting her maw to anything else" Jartscol began rapidly tapping his fingers against the table. Enjoying the story? Show your support by reading it on the official site.

"Listen, I am not saying that it absolutely CANNOT be her. I am just saying that it could be so many other things! Mara this, Mara that, I swear she's everywhere according to people! The windmill broke down? Must be Mara Nebulo! The harvest wasn't good? Must be the curse of Mara Nebulo! An animal is found filled in a slightly unusual way? Clearly has Mara Nebulo written all over it! It isn't like she is known to leave nothing behind, right?!"

Both his palms hit the table, making it shake with more force than one would expect from a frail-looking mage like himself.

"I am sick of hearing about this damned woman. Granted, she is dangerous, she is threatening, all that business… But she isn't everywhere. Even if she can teleport wherever she wants, she can not be everywhere. This mass hysteria is getting on my nerves, and I thought that I would be free from it whilst kilometers underground, but it seems like it was nothing more than a pipe dream… Anyway, why would she be able to absorb the blood?

I admit that she can most certainly absorb what she eats without leaving even a scrap behind…"

"... But… I don't remember hearing that she can absorb such things without batting an eye. I am… I am sure your instincts as a mage aren't that awful, but amidst a profoundly illogical world, we mages are supposed to rely on logic, facts, and evidence" Holgod raised both hands in defeat.

"Alright, alright… It's just that… This ominous sensation of uncanniness was correct this time too, and… And I can't help but feel like it was her beneath that mask, you know?" Holgod wanted to say that he felt this way partly because he had personal experience with Mara, but that was information that he would rather keep a secret, as it partially connected him to Beliol Azt Mastras, and the destitute king was someone that no one would want to be associated with.

Ever since he had been dethroned and his daughter had taken over, the continental alliance had done their best to completely sully his legacy to the extreme. It made sense for them to do so, but anyone with their heads on their shoulders knew that they didn't actually believe that slavery was evil. They only believed that it was an outdated, inefficient method to keep a kingdom and its economy running. Nothing more, nothing less.

If slavery was still as effective as it was long ago, they would all be partaking in it. It isn't a matter of morals. It is a matter of efficiency and return on investment.

Beliol Azt Mastras's reputation is suffering because he was an old man stuck in his ways and staring with bright eyes at the golden age that was firmly stuck in the past, having stubbornly tried to replicate the past without taking into account that times had changed, and that the current stability and strength of Beelmart's neighbours was far too great for any overwhelming victory. Holgod didn't really care for the crownless king, but the old man was still strong, and he had something that Holgod wanted.

So cooperation was the only way, even if Beliol Azt Mastras was a wanted fugitive. The blood mage gave up on trying to convince Jartscol. In the end, the demon mage was correct. There was no proper evidence yet, so even if it was true, there was no reason for anyone thinking properly to believe it. Jartscol brought his hands together.

"Well, who knows, maybe this damned Mara Nebulo is indeed amongst us as we speak, but until there is a good reason to suspect such a thing, we'll proceed as usual… I do trust your judgement on the fact that something is draining the blood ocean, even if it is quite absurd… Would you be able to track the source?"

"That's the problem. Whatever is responsible is doing so at a very slow and calm rate. It is so subtle that I could barely even detect it, so tracking it down? It's basically impossible, especially when this place is oversaturated with blood-type mana of so many kinds. It's interfering with my detection capabilities quite severely""Can you at least guess the general direction the disturbance is taking place in?

If the great monsters within the blood ocean grow too agitated, this whole expedition is going to fall apart quite quickly. Few of us are even aware of the true dangers that lie within this ocean. If the threats come and show themselves, most will immediately run away""Right… And this expedition is about what, exactly?"

"That's confidential""And if I say please repeatedly and in a very annoying manner?"

"... It is still confidential. All I can tell you is that this isn't an expedition that happened because of Hyotrask's orders. It came from the king directly when he was informed of the presence of this blood ocean. I too do not have all of the information, so you can imagine that you won't be getting much more than that" Holgod nodded along, preparing to stand up, but suddenly stopping mid-motion.

"I don't know why, but the old monsters suddenly grew a lot more agitated, and… Yep, one of them is quickly rising toward the surface. I think we'll have to pacify this one unless we want trouble""Damn it. Any idea what could have made them so freaking mad?"

"No clue, but I would assume that it has to do with the absorption taking place. Maybe our blood thief got their hands on some particularly precious blood? That seems to be the most likely possibility" Holgod and Jartscol swiftly went on the move, quickly followed by a small team of the strongest members of the expedition. Alongside them were several other mages and warriors.

Although most of them weren't on the same level as Holgod and Jartscol, they were professional teams who could accomplish similarly impressive feats as the two great mages as long as they were together.

"Situation?" A man wearing a suit of armour so thick that he looked more like a steel golem asked as he somehow had to slow down so as not to leave the rest of the group in the dust.

"One of the old creatures is upset and quickly approaching the surface. We have to pacify it in some way. It doesn't matter if it dies or not, as long as it goes back to its territory, we'll consider it a victory""Very well" The armoured warrior brandished a large warhammer, accelerating slightly so that he would be standing between the blood ocean and the rest of the group. The timing of the group was on point.

Jartscol erected a barrier to conceal and isolate themselves from the other expedition members who might be spooked if they saw what emerged right as they all arrived. It was an abomination whose features were hard to determine, but it resembled a squid.

'Blood Squid' was the name that came to mind first, but that was quickly dropped as the giant squid emerged from the water and began to float in the air, displaying about three dozen tendrils.

"Careful, that thing will inject toxic blood into you if you so much as graze its tentacles" Holgod quickly identified the main source of danger. The mages fired a volley of spells at the creature, but it actually countered by erecting a barrier of blood mana, moving some of its tentacles like hands as it began to manifest basic offensive spells en masse. Jartscol spoke up.

"Don't hold back, folks. That thing is a mage"