Born in Blood

Chapter 428 One Banner

There was a reason Liam chose the Empress over the Emperor.

The Emperor's body was marred and tainted with Alucard's blood.

Liam was not comfortable drinking Alucard's ichor.

If he knew it would make him stronger, perhaps he'd ask for a few droplets… if the Pashah wouldn't kill him right away, that is.

But in reality, he was worried it might entail something different. A fatal side effect, or worse.

The Empress, on the other hand, had a much more 'delectable' appearance.

Her Abomination Form had melted away, reverting her back to a relatively normal state.

Even her wounds were healed up, and her black and white roman toga covered her body.

Despite the grand difference between the Emperor and Empress' sizes, Liam felt safer going for the latter.

Alucard threw over the Empress' body to Liam as though she was a bag of dirt.

Liam grabbed her by the arm before she fell below the ocean, giving her a quick inspection.

'Her space ring isn't with her,' Liam thought. 'Did Alucard take it? Can't ask for something like that, anyway.'

Regret.

Rank 6 resources were… well, Rank 6 resources. It was self

'This just means that Alucard has the space rings of two Rank 6 beings.'

Yikes.

'The danger he poses now has to be beyond measure,' Liam thought. 'We've made an alliance with a walking calamity.'

A moment later, Liam stored her in his ring, which caused the storage device to wobble and shake, as though unable to contain her power.

Even past her death!

After a few seconds, though, the shaking stopped, limiting itself to a constant tremble.

The space ring itself was a rank 4 item with 200 cubic meters in space, and Liam wasn't too worried about it breaking.

'In the first place, it doesn't matter if it breaks or not,' Liam thought. 'Everything inside would just explode outward like an uncoiled spring if it did, but nothing would be lost.'

Then, Liam focused back on the situation at hand.

Reaching into his shadows, he pulled the luminous dagger out of his Inner World.

It still retained its brilliant brightness, reflecting in the awed eyes of those present.

Liam slowly threw the dagger towards Alucard, who caught it instantly and gave Liam a terse nod.

A moment later, it was gone.

"Now then," Alucard said. "I suppose that's all for today."

The sun was setting over the horizon, casting vermillion shades over the skies.

It was a long day.

There were still matters to be dealt with, and plans to formulate.

Liam nodded.

"Didn't the Dual Empire have allies?" Liam asked with a serious look. "They'll come for revenge."

Alucard made a cold smile.

"The only allies they had were the Echorians. And don't think I forgot our agreement. We'll be giving them a visit soon. You and me."

Inwardly, Liam sighed.

Right.

He'd forgotten about why Alucard had given them the alliance in the first place — through exposing the Royals' schemes.

Starting another war straight off the bat was stupid and unwise. There was no way Liam, or Alucard, was going to do so.

Not without preparing.

"Prepare well," Alucard said as he turned around, flying towards Korsa. "Until we meet again."

And that was that.

Liam spun his Water Dragon around and flew as fast as he could towards Ilali, swarms of Acolytes, Fearists and Couragists trailing behind him.

All under one banner.

***

Soon enough, the figureheads, Elders and acolytes of the Temple soon touched down on the island.

There was a staggering number of people available now, and there wasn't enough room for the space.

Of course, there was a temporary fix of having the earth elementals to extend the island's length by a bit.

But turning it into a permanent solution would be too much of a hassle.

They'd have to go beneath the island and start building from the roots up, which was incredibly dangerous due to the magical beasts living beneath the depths.

Kerian was beside Liam when they touched down.

She'd flown closely behind Liam throughout the whole ride, making sure not to go in front of his Water Dragon.

Perhaps it was a respect thing for the Fearists, but Liam still didn't trust her. Not fully.

"You can choose a place that fits your needs. Or have someone make it for you. Until then, that building over there is mine."

Liam pointed to the Temple beside Usan's. Space wasn't an issue to him, so he didn't mind staying in the same place.

"I don't have demanding living requirements, Sire. I would prefer to guard at your side."

Liam rubbed his face.

This was another Jargon situation.

Liam's gaze fell on the acolytes of the Temple.

They were still grieved. Mourning the loss of their leader. They hadn't even said their last goodbye to him.

Liam took a deep breath.

He wanted to begin eating the Rank 6 corpse straight away, and perhaps enhance the King's Eye through Humpty… but wounds could fester if left untended.

Just then, a low-ranking acolyte ran up to Liam with tears in his eyes.

"Master Liam! Master Liam!" he shouted, snot running down his nose and dribbling down his chin.

He was carrying something in his hands.

A half broken mask.

Usan's.

The Elders watching had their pain-filled eyes widened.

"I spotted it drifting past the ocean waves," the young man said, wiping his tears and snot.

Liam slowly took the mask from the boy's hands. It was cracked diagonally. Ripped in half.

"Jane," Liam called out, and the Elder's face grew serious. "You can rally everyone and have a proper burial."

"There's no body, so you'll have to make due with the mask."

After a short pause, Jane nodded solemnly.

Liam handed her the mask, which she caressed gently.

They left, preparing for the funeral.

A moment later, Liam was moving towards his quarters with Kerian beside him.

"Sire, is there a reason why you asked for the Empress' body?" she suddenly asked. "Are you perhaps… a necr—"

"No."