――My heartbeat quickened up.
I think this is the biggest amount of blood thus far…
I can tell that its <King's Scepter of the Light Demon> instead of <Head Servant Leader> at work here.
My Lucival blood, which kept gushing out while dyeing Hal'Konk crimson, rapidly expanded into a vortex as if a typhoon of chaos had suddenly manifested in the air. <King's Scepter of the Light Demon> also contained <Central Pillar of a Greater True Ancestor's Lineage>. I could clearly perceive the chaotic nature of the blood spiral.
◇◆◇◆
"A shining tree clad in His Excellency's blessing and divinity after absorbing his blood!" Helme exclaimed.
The solemn atmosphere of the Iglued tree as it was basked in sunlight had grown even more intense. While absorbing the surging waves of Lucival blood, the number of its branches and silver leaves kept growing as if to cover the sky with myriads of stars that formed a night sky canopy.
Rollodeen, who had transformed into her divine beast mode, also looked up to the Iglued tree.
"Nyagooo…," she roared in a peculiar way.
Her voice was filled with worry over her beloved partner losing great quantities of blood. At the same time, she understood that the Iglued tree was growing into the Crest Tree of the Lucival.
Yet, her love towards Shuuya prevailed. With her pitch black pupils widening, she judged the actions of the Crest Tree as an attack against her beloved. While deploying tentacles from her whole body in a fan form, she put strength into her limbs, about to pounce on the tree.
Thereupon, the honey-loving Sea of Trees beastman passed in front of Rollodeen, causing Rollodeen's fervor to diminish somewhat.
That furball squealed in surprise, "Puyuyu!"
This beastman spoke a lower ancient language in the past and had been able to use the golden, dark pot of Skill God Abkhur, but because of a strife with a certain cursed god, it got struck by a curse, dooming it to only talk in puyuyus. By the way, some of the Sonzol and Terpot races, which resembled beastmen and lived in other areas of the Sea of Trees, had also fought against and got hexed by the same cursed god.
Meanwhile, a huge amount of blood was still being released from Shuuya's body. That blood expanded while adopting a spheroid shape, just to wrap up the exterior of the Iglued tree. A sea of blood violently raged within the sphere itself.
The whirlpool of blood was seasoned with the space-time attribute and moved around so madly that even calling it whipping wouldn't be enough to describe its crazy raging.
Within that storm-like blood, a wand, which signified a king's scepter, clearly surfaced. Countless small, dazzling circles that depicted the taiji of yin and yang while carrying huge amounts of mana manifested. The wand and those circles repeatedly clashed and appeared as if exhibiting the overlapping of good and evil.
At a glance, it appeared as though light and darkness were vying for supremacy. But, that was wrong. In reality, it was the height of both devouring each other.
Then Debonchchi clad in blood appeared within the raging seas of blood. They danced in the air while faintly singing, "…Chchi, kago noway dahm"
"…Chchi, chiichchii, kago noway."
"…Chchi, dallar, phushra dahm."
"…Chchi, kago noway."
Very likely only few understood the meaning behind the lyrics of their song.
The <Head Servant Leaders> also perceived how their own hearts throbbed, experiencing an agitation as they had never so far.
"…The beating became faster. The amount of mana went up a notch too?"
"Nn, but worried about Shuuya."
Hearing Eva's voice, Shuuya inclined his head. Meanwhile Ciel, who sat on the ground behind Eva and Rebecca, groaned, "Aaauaaah…"
Ciel was staring fixedly at the bloody Debonchchi with her eyes only thinly opened. Her expression was blank, but contrary to the confusion dyeing her voice, she was apparently trying to tell the others something.
Because of Ciel's groan, Shuuya said, "The blood consumption is terrifying, but I'll be okay," so as to soothe everyone.
"Really? I feel like it's way more blood than during the time when you turned me into a <Head Servant Leader> though…"
"…It probably means that I grew stronger."
As if reacting to Shuuya's words, the Crest Tree of the Lucival let new green and white flowers bud at its branches and trunk. Those budding flowers absorbed the blood and once they obtained a gloss, they orderly lined themselves up as if forming huge magic crests in the center of the big trunk. Moreover, small circles also appeared on the branches' surface, too.
One among the big circles on the trunk had "Lucival's First <Head Servant Leader> Viine" in an ancient language carved into its center. Likewise, you could read the names of the other Lucival bloodkin in other circles.
◇◆◇◆
"…I feel like getting paralyzed from within my body. This tree does have a presence…"
"Nn, Muu-chan, no need to be scared. It's okay."
"Hey, all the blood and now the sudden growth of the tree…are you alright?"
"I'm Nemus…"
Moga and Nemus called out to me. Muu appeared to be scared too.
"Nyaooo."
I could also hear Rollo's voice among the clamoring.
"It's somewhat scary, but…look! My name is written inside that big circle over there!" Rebecca pointed at the evolved Iglued tree.
"It's no Iglued tree anymore. The big and small circles on its trunk and branches are proof of it being family. That's why this tree is kinda like our family tree. It embodies the Crest Tree of the Lucival," I explained.
"Nn, I sense the awe."
Eva seems to feel the same as everyone else. Is it the effect of <Crest Tree of the Lucival> and Blood Surge Teller? Does it mean something like a "blast of blood that brings about fear and panic"? Or does it use some electromagnetic waves similar to <Blood Mana> electricity to cause panic in other people's minds? Or maybe it's just the surprise of having seen the amount of bleeding and smelled the thick stench of blood.
"Big. Unlike before, this is the genuine Crest Tree of the Lucival…"
"Nn, characters depicting my name are inside a big circle, too. Those circles stand for <Head Servant Leader>!"
There wa a slight difference in tone between Helme and Eva…
"…The tree has absorbed Milord's blood!?"
"Quema-sama…please hide behind me!"
The orcs were completely frightened.
"…"
"The number of big circles seems to have increased. Also, some of the circles have new shapes, don't they?"
"Nn, Shuhelia's name is carved in one of the new circles."
"Shuuya mentioned that she's somewhat different from us, but does that mean we're actually the same?"
"…I don't think you can call it the same. The new circle with Shuhelia's name has no connection to the 25 smaller circles containing the names of the <Servant Leaders>, unlike our circles which are connected to them."
While nodding at Eva's words, I added, "Yep. Not all of it is the same. It's probably an outcome of me having accepted a Spirit World Knight."
"Hmm, so does that mean Shuhelia-san is an exclusive knight just like she talked about? Doesn't that feel like she's a Light Demon Knight who's exclusively attached to the Lucival? Though, that might be the result because the gods of the Spirit Worlds approved of it."
"Perhaps."
"I feel envious of the bloodkin whose connection with His Excellency has been noted down officially."
Helme's name wasn't anywhere to be found on the crest tree.
"Also, Veronica-senpai's big circle is connected with small circles through small notch lines."
"Nn, Veronica-senpai was able to create her own <Head Servants> as <Head Servant Leader> because of her rich experience as a vampire who lived for a long time," Eva explained with a serious expression.
Rebecca agreed to that by nodding.
"…Her being able to create three <Head Servants> by sharing her blood is evidence of her <Blood Path - Open Third Gate>, I suppose. But, it also means she's on the same level as the empress of the Valmask family, doesn't it? It sure drives it in once more that regarding Veronica as "senpai" is just proper."
"Blood Path skills are harder to obtain than normal skills."
"There's also <Bloodsucking>, so it can't be helped. But, the shape of the blood that surrounds the tree…is the same as when we were reborn as bloodkin, isn't it?"
"Nn, bigger, but the same as back then."
"I wonder whether the tree's ability to fuse with His Excellency's power…is an effect of me having watered it with a pew-pew."
Is the crest tree only big? It's hard to tell the full shape of the blood covering the tree from here. But, if it's just as everyone says, it should be the same as back when I created the <Head Servant Leaders>.
The pipes stuck in my arm still continued to suck my blood as if alive. But, just when I started to wonder how much more it'd need,
『Guuuuh, as if I'd let thee suck my blood!』
Saraten hurled a telepathic message at me. It sounded as if she was feeling a danger to her own life, but I ignored her.
At that moment, a stinging pain ran through my hand and arm. My hand was still covered by bark up to the wrist, but the pipes had been retracted. The tips of the wooden pipes looked like syringes.
Those needles lowered themselves as if bowing, then the pipes turned into something akin to whips, and got pulled back into the crest tree. At the same time, my bleeding stopped. Moreover, the blood surrounding the tree was sucked into the crest tree in one go.
The traces of my blood were pretty as they glistened. On the other hand, blood streamed out of the holes on my wrist and back hand.
And then, without me even focusing on <Blood Path - Open First Gate>, the blood flowing out of my hand and arm was pulled back into my body as if watching a video being fast-forwarded. Just for the open wounds to be closed up naturally as befitting for a vampire.
Has the metabolism inside the tree been stimulated after sucking my blood? It was making its mana circulate.
Next there was a rumbling as if the bark and handprint were causing a pulsation. Several glowing cracks ran across the bark. Those lines drew arcs, creating a magic crest on the tree's surface. It was a magic crest with a shape that matched the hand print.
The picture of a dazzlingly gleaming wand could be seen in the center of that new magic crest. Is this an effect of <King's Scepter of the Light Demon>?
In the next instant, when the magic crest started to rotate around my wrist as if becoming a special lock of the Crest Tree, I could hear a metallic click as if a heavy lock had been opened.
Has my arm really become a key for the Crest Tree? Well, I'm the suzerain of the Lucival, on top of my hand currently being stuck in the tree.
At the same time, the bark in front of me transformed, turning into a bark-made, double door corresponding with the thick tree trunk.
That door opened by widely denting inwards with a creak. Of course, I was pulled into the tree together with my arm that was still stuck in the hand print.
The crest tree'S interior was dark. It felt like it had depth. But, sensing anything with Grasping Perception or Magic Observation proved to be difficult as there were mana responses all around me. The visibility was also bad, so I couldn't see much.
…But, I could tell that my body had been engulfed by something like a liquid. Any normal person would have died from suffocation because of that, but…is this blood?
No, going by its smell, it's something else. It's not sap either.
I could perceive some moist sensation from my skin as if it was in contact with some sort of body fluid.
…It's warm. Can you say that I'm currently inside Iglued's body?"
"――Your Excellency!"
"Aaahh! Shuuya's body has been drawn in!"
"Did Iglued eat him?"
"Nyagoaaa."
"Aaahh, Miloooord!"
"Quema-sama! Are you okay!? You're peeing yourself…"
I could hear everyone panicking behind me. Did Quema collapse?
『…Vessel, thou are in a grave situation! Thou must let me out!』
『No. It's not like the tree is hostile, but if I let you out, you might have your blood and mana sucked, instead of just a bit of blood』, I warned Saraten.
Although she fell from the divine domain, she's a being holding the name of "Treasured Divine Sword Saraten." That's why I think it'd be alright even if I released Saraten inside this tree. Or rather…Saraten is talking about the situation being grave, but it's clear that she's aiming to absorb my blood. She's apparently attempting to feast on my mana and blood.
Her blood consumption seems bad, but maybe blood is also flowing through her blade. If I get the bald, cool Suloza to appraise Saraten…
No, it's quite possible that she'll simply repel the attempt of an appraisal.
As I was pondering about all that…
『…Tsk, I wanted to suck some blood, but I'll endure! I'll wait here!』
Saraten calmed down. But, I have to let everyone know about the situation.
Since my mouth was blocked, I told Rebecca and the others through a blood message that I'm alright.
"A blood message? Has your mouth been blocked inside?"
『Yes, it's covered by a fluid, but I can hear just fine』
"Rollo-chan became all upset in her divine beast form."
That's probably because she saw me being pulled inside the tree. It must have worried her.
『Eva, please calm Rollo down』
『Okay』
This fluid-like substance wrapping up my body was weird. It wasn't as though it was encroaching me or anything. But, the sensation was slightly different from when Helme was engulfing me…
The fluid was warm and felt somewhat sticky, feeling like it was tending to my body in a special way. Maybe comfortable describes it well?
But, Iglued, which transformed into this crest tree, should have originally been a spirit or evil spirit tree. And even though it's an outcome of me having poured my mana into it…for it to have evolved to such an extent…I guess it grew while reviving as something akin to a spirit tree because it got my mana which combines light and darkness.
And Iglued's spirit tree, which probably possesses a light attribute, achieved the great feat of fighting off the invasion by Queen Sardyne.
Moreover, I don't know whether it's been triggered by my mana or Eva's mind reading ability, but after feeding on my blood and mana, the Iglued tree, which seems to have turned into a spirit tree, reacted to my Extra skill <Crest Tree of the Lucival> and also to my recently obtained, new skill <King's Scepter of the Light Demon>. I assume it evolved from a spirit tree into the Crest Tree of the Lucival as a result of that.
Just when I wondered how Iglued had drawn me inside itself, I became able to freely move my arm - the one which had been stuck in the hand print until now. The bark sensation, which had dragged my arm into the handprint, was gone.
I could sense some sliminess from my hand, but I could also move my palm as I wanted.
And just when I lowered both my arms, I felt something touching my palm, as if probing.
Hmm? What is it? Small tentacles?
They feel soft…going by their tiny size….childish fingers?
Once those soft thingies grabbed left hand after groping around, I could hear a childish voice saying, 『…Master』, from below.
The next moment, I was washed outside as if being expelled by the liquid. Then the Lucival tree instantly regained its previous shape.
"Oh, you're back. Though you're covered in mucus. Huh? You've got a small tree with you?"
"Don't tell me, from His Excellency's butt…"
"Surprise."
"Nyao."
"Puyu! Puyuu~"
"I was startled when it changed into a huge tree of blood, but for you to give birth to a relative of Nemus is even more unexpected!"
"…I am, Nemus…"
"…" Read over 40 chapters ahead and support the TL!
Everyone was naturally astonished. Hearing Helme and seeing them all so tense, I reflexively laughed out.
But, a small tree flower and not a child?
I looked at my right hand. Currently Catiza posed as a sixth finger. But, what was more important right now was the thumb. The nail-art-like dragon crest - the proof of my contract with Balmint - was just the same as before.
Next to the nail with its pretty art, a new, small, four-leaf clover that shone emerald had been added. And what was clasping my hand as if to cover that mark was a plant vine? A plant vine that extended from a vine-made amulet. It was something that had transformed into a small finger.
At the end of that vine…stood a tiny tree being with the shape of a human child. It had thin hair seemingly made out of pure-white and green petals. The hair ornament with its rainbow-colored, floral pattern was cute. Its eyebrows were yellow, close to golden. Its eyes had a brilliance as if small marbles had been put together while both eyes possessed different colors. Ear cuffs made out of white and green vines hung as accessories from its ears. A wooden choker adorned its neck. And it was wearing plant-made protective clothing with lovely, small leaf decorations, as you'd see on fairies.
Naturally, my eyes were drawn to its choker. A tiny, crystalline, rainbow-colored gem, which contained mana, was embedded in the center of the choker. Something like a shining wood cube colored in the seven prismatic colors was projected into the air right above the choker, before vanishing, just to reappear again moments later.
Suddenly, the Debonchchi, which were clad in blood, drew close. Are they planning to give her, who had just been born, their blessing? They're dancing as if to form a diadem of blood. Are those bloody Debonchchi…different from the ones so far?
Then again, each of those Debonchchi has its own perks to begin with. Wherever I went, be it the Goldiba village, Holkerbaum, or the temple of Akreshys-sama, the Debonchchi were always different in nature.
Even their faint singing right now was something I've never heard before. It's kinda like a nursery song, or maybe a spirit song?
But rather than worrying about the Debonchchi and their song, this little tree girl was of more interest right now. Is she possibly…going by her colors…the child between Elias and Iglued?
Yet, the arbor on her back has been connected to the crest tree while shaped like wings. Does that mean that she's my kin, but basically a tree race?
"…Are you the child of Elias and Iglued…?" I asked the tree girl.
"…? Master…"
Hmm, she's calling me master again? Well, she's obviously meaning me as she's point a tiny plant finger at me.
Does she have no memory of Iglued and Elias?"
"Did you lose your memories?"
In response, she inclined her head, "…? Master…"
Once again, she used the same words to answer me. Next she put her tiny finger, which she had pointed at me, into her tiny mouth. That and her gorgeous eyes turn her into a truly adorable tree spirit.
"…It sounds like you speak my language though…"
"Your Excellency, you gave birth to a new fairy kin-chan from your butt?"
"No, that's wrong - on so many levels."
Helme's tomfoolery woke an urge in me to retort with a chop, but I refrained.
"Nn, cute! Kind of resembles Elias and Iglued from the memories."
"…She's adorable, but Shuuya…" Rebecca narrowed her eyes after agreeing with Eva.
She was gazing at me as if to carefully scrutinize my nether region and butt…
"Rebecca, don't misunderstand. I think I just got a new kin, or rather, formed a contract."
"Really? That's good to hear. I thought that you might have given birth to her or that you impregnated the tree thanks to your overflowing stamina."
"Nn, but Spirit-sama says she was born from your butt."
Eva and Rebecca teased me. Puyuyu was next to them too, after separating from Moga and Nemus. It cried and then exchanged a nod with Muu.
The two's eyes were sparkling. It seemed as if they were curious about the being which was smaller than them. But, then both got nudged by Rollodeen's nose from behind. Her nasal breathing whirled up their hair.
"Nnn, nya, nyaooon."
Rollodeen looked awfully curious as if wanting to find out what was going as it looked so interesting. Next, she extended a small tentacle from her neck towards the tree girl.
But, for a change, the movement of her tentacle stopped midway. This was rare for Rollodeen who was a natural prankster. She apparently sensed that the girl was different from the children so far. Apparently having become cautious, she didn't try to touch the tree girl anymore.
"Master…," the girl whispered.
I don't know whether she was embarrassed, surprised, or scared by the liveliness of everyone, but she hid behind my calf. Grabbing my trousers with her tiny hand, she occasionally peeked her head out from behind my leg.
It seemed as though she was curious.
"What a very adorable spirit kin! Your Excellency, did you decide on a name for her?"
"No, not yet…," I looked at the tree girl at my feet.
"I like her! She's so very small, so how about "Tin?""
"――I'm Nemus."
Moga and Nemus made a suggestion. Nemus was trying to draw something like a kanji on the ground, struggling with it… Apparently putting too much force into her excessively huge hand and fingers, she caused the ground to cave-in while messing up the lines she had already written… It looks like that will still take some time.
Thereupon, Rebecca pressed one hand into her hip, and extended one hand in my direction, while suggesting, "Then….how about Lucy!?"
Lucy, huh? That might actually be quite nice.
Eva nodded at Rebecca's suggestion and then instantly switched to her magic wheelchair mode.
"Nn, Ieshu!"
She announced while sitting on her chair and extending a tonfa in the air.
"Eva's proposal is a combination of Iglued's I, Elias's E and lastly my Shu?"
"――Correct," Eva confirmed with an angelic smile.
Next she directed her eyes at the tree girl.
"Puyu――"
Puyuyu threw something like a dice on the ground, and after seeing its outcome, it repeatedly nodded, before shouting, "Puyuyuuun!", while triumphantly holding up its wand in the air.
Somehow I understood the meaning behind that action, but I ignored Puyuyu either way.
Then Helme made her magnificent boobs sway, before saying with a broad smile, "Hehehe, everyone, your naming sense is still lacking!" while waving a finger in denial. "I see, it's my turn now! I shall prepare a special name just like with <Spirit Ball Conception>, <Elixir Law - Catfish Conception>, and <WHite Flame Sage Hand>!"