Re: In My Bloody Hit Novel - Chapter 531

Chapter 531: The Problems Of The Diligence Family
As they moved towards the grand cathedral within the expansive compound of the Diligence family, Eunid, Alfred, and Mulligan walked in solemn procession.

The cathedral was an imposing structure, its towering spires piercing the sky, and its stained-glass windows depicting the virtues of the family and their goddess.

Inside, the vast hall was illuminated by flickering candlelight powered by runes, casting a warm glow over the intricately carved stone pillars and vaulted ceilings.

The room was filled with a reverent silence, broken only by the soft murmurs of those gathered for the prayer session. Everyone wore solemn expressions, their faces reflecting a mix of devotion and concern.

It was rare to see the patriarch outside these days, and many attendees approached Mulligan to greet him with deep bows and whispered words of respect. Mulligan acknowledged each one with a nod, his frail body supported by a walking stick, but his presence commanding the room.

In a shadowed corner of the cathedral, an old dwarf with a crooked smile and uneven teeth whispered urgently, “Master Alfred!” His voice barely audible over the quiet hum of the gathering.

Alfred glanced around cautiously, then excused himself from those surrounding him to know about the war efforts in the mountains against the zodiac families. He stated that he needed to use the bathroom. He navigated through the crowd, his military regalia clinking softly, and slipped away to meet the dwarf.

“I have found something of significance, my lord,” the dwarf whispered, his eyes gleaming with a mix of fear and cunning.

This dwarf was an outcast from the Patience virtue family, a disgraced rune smith that Alfred had taken under his wing for his resourcefulness.

Alfred’s face twisted into a scowl as he grabbed the dwarf by the neck, lifting him slightly off the ground. “That plan of yours was almost seen through by my useless nephew. If I hadn’t remembered about the devils appearing in the lower world, I would have been exposed!”

The dwarf gasped for breath, yet managed to croak out, “But it worked, didn’t it?”

Alfred’s grip tightened for a moment before he released the dwarf, who fell to the ground, massaging his bruised neck with his calloused fingers. “Even a useless maggot like yourself can come up with good ideas sometimes,” Alfred conceded grudgingly.

The dwarf chuckled lowly, his laughter a raspy sound. “We dwarfs start learning runes at a very early age. Although I flunked out of the family, it is not impossible for us to fake bloodrunes. Even if the Seer were to go there herself, she would believe them to be real.”

Alfred nodded, a sinister smile spreading across his face. “It was also a good idea to have my men capture those grotesque-looking creatures—humans that you turned into monsters using runes—and place them in the barracks of the new recruits. Once they thought it was demons and announced it to the others, everyone believed it.”

He chuckled darkly, the sound echoing in the small alcove. “Not bad! If you continue like this, you might become a general in my army. Operating to make the Diligence family mine from the war front is nearly impossible. I am sure that my brother sent me there to weaken my hold on the family, but from here, it will be all too easy.”

Suddenly, Alfred’s expression darkened, his eyes narrowing into slits. “So tell me, dwarf vermin, why have you called me at such a time

when I should be letting my achievements be known to the other family members?”

The dwarf’s eyes darted nervously as he leaned in closer. “My lord, I have discovered something even more significant. There is an ancient text hidden within the vaults of the Virtue of Patience family, a text that could give us… I mean you, the power to control runes without going through the difficult process of learning it for hundreds of years.

Of course they have been rumors of it before. But the Elders and patriarch confirmed it to be a rumor. However, i have found it to be real.”

Alfred’s eyes widened, a mixture of greed and excitement flashing across his face. “Explain,” he demanded, his voice low and intense.

The dwarf nodded eagerly, his crooked smile returning. “This text, it details the secrets of Rune Weaving at the highest level. If we could obtain it, we could create artifacts of unimaginable power. The family would be at your mercy, and you could control not just the Diligence family but potentially all the Virtue families.”

Alfred’s sinister laughter echoed through the darkened corner, a chilling sound that made the dwarf shudder despite himself. “You have done well, dwarf. If this is true, you will be rewarded beyond your wildest dreams. But if you deceive me, you will wish you had never been born.”

The dwarf bowed deeply, his face a mask of obsequiousness. “I live to serve, my lord.”

Alfred was about to go, but the dwarf called to him again, “Master Alfred, there is also another thing. It concerns a certain cleric of the diligence family. Poor me… i paid really dearly for this information. But since it was of significance to you, I thought you should know. Erm… master, have you ever heard of one who is blessed with an S grade Dantain with cultivating Spirit and Body?”

Alfred frowned a bit. He had heard of cultivating spirit, and body, but never the two together. After all, he was not as knowledgeable as he looked. And had indeed wasted the ripest time of his life when he should have been absorbing knowledge and securing his position within the family.

but seeing the expectant look on the face of the dwarf, he coughed a bit, “I do remember, but just so we are on the same page, explain to me what it is.”

The Dwarf raised a brow, but he still removed a small tattered book from his coat and handed it over to Alfred to read.

Alfred took the book. He knew this dwarf well. Even though he was nameless as a result of his shaming out of the family, he was still quite resourceful, but more than that, he was so proud of this fact that he did not mind boasting about it, just to show that he was still very useful.

However, instead of explaining like he did about finding out about the secret of his former family, he instead handed over a book. This could only mean that he was being extremely careful, and whatsoever information he was trying to pass was far more important than even the secret of a Virtue family.

Alfred could not help but raise a questioning brow at the Dwarf, but he nodded back.

Alfred put the book into his clothes. He had a feeling that this was far from over.

As Alfred straightened up, his face transformed back into a mask of calculated calm. “Return to your position and keep a low profile. We cannot afford any mistakes. I’ll call for you when I need you later on.”

The dwarf nodded and scurried away, disappearing into the shadows of the cathedral. Alfred took a moment to compose himself, smoothing his uniform and plastering a congenial smile on his face before returning to the main hall.

Meanwhile, in the cathedral, the solemn prayer session was underway. The air was thick with the scent of incense, and the soft hum of chanted prayers filled the vast space. Important figures from the Diligence family and allied families were in attendance, their expressions a mix of reverence and concern for the ailing patriarch.

Mulligan stood at the front, his presence lending an air of gravitas to the proceedings despite his obvious frailty. As he led the prayers, his voice strong but tinged with the occasional cough, those present could see the strength of his spirit even as his body weakened.

Eunid stood beside his father, his face composed but his mind racing with thoughts of the recent confrontation with Alfred. He couldn’t shake the feeling that something was amiss, and his uncle’s behavior only heightened his suspicions.

As the prayer session continued, Eunid’s gaze wandered over the gathered family members and allies. Each face told a story of loyalty, ambition, or concern, and he knew that in the delicate balance of power within the Virtue families, even a small misstep could have far-reaching consequences.

However, he noticed that Old fang was not in attendance. He was not worried about this. But old fang was never one to miss a gathering that promoted his acceptance into the family.

It had been many many years, but he still sought to prove himself in the eyes of the family members.

this was something he had no choice at doing, simply because he carried a very peculiar image. Besides, he was an outsider. Even though he was probably the most knowledgeable person within the family aside the patriach, this had to be done.

And yet, he was nowhere to be found.

Meanwhile, Old fang strolled into Nora’s room. she was at a corner, not on her bed, hugging her legs.

The room was dark and stuffy.

Old fang had walked in with some old manual scripts. he dropped them on the bed.

From the moment he walked, in, his every move was scrutinized by Nora. She already knew that the effect she had suffered in the Arena last night had been because of this butler and his young master.

However, Old fang went about his business, not sparing her a glance. He walked up to the windows and opened up the blinds, light rushing in and Nora immediately closed her eyes.

And then he walked up to her. “hmmm! will you look at that? Barely one night and all your wounds are healed. even a gold rank cultivator will not easily pull such a thing off without the help of a cleric. and here you are.

Your Dantain is yet to fully awake because of its injuries, but the rest of your BODY seems to be capable of far more than I had thought it was. Truly, a body and spirit blessed by the heavens.” He walked up to her, and she panicked a bit, pulling backwards towards the wall.

“Don’t do that! I know you are not truly afraid of me, and have a piece of metal tucked in between your legs, waiting for me to draw closer so you can use it.”

He had barely talked, when Nora’s hand moved, a broken sword edge in between her thighs fell out and she used it to attack, heading for his neck.

However, it was blocked by his spiritual energy.

*Dum!*

She let go of the blade and as if fell, she caught it with her other hand, as she twisted and launched for his groin area.

*Dum!*

It was unfortunately the same thing.

Again and a gain, she tried, and not once did he stop her, but his spiritual energy blocked all the attacks.

She frowned as she thought hard for a way to get back at him.

“Youtr body absorbed the medicinal content of many herbs when you were placed in the cooker to die, and remodeled your body in a very peculiar way. As long as its not death, you can pretty much heal from almost every injury… At least physical injury. Your head is still very messed up.

I’ll go straight to the point. I know you are not as crazy as you want us to believe. Although the issue with fire might be real, but you are better than peeing and soiling yourself to garner the pity of the young master. So listen and listen well.

You are henceforth the property of the Diligence family of Virtue of the Holy church. A pet of his young master. whatsoever heritage you carried before coming to this place in the lower world is no more. Even a king there is but a peasant here.

The young master has seen your potential and has granted you life once more. You will show gratitude to him to him, and show your usefulness or I’ll drop you in a pen with Double membered core beast horses in heat. Do I make myself clear!?”

Nora looked into the butler’s eyes and was frightened by the presence that he commanded.

He presented his hand, and she gently placed the broken sword on it.

“Good! Now, I have taken some important scripts and templates of the family, including basic knowledge of the other families, what to know, what to do, what not to do, how to ask questions, and when not to. They are also additional scripts on power structures. And lastly, which are the most important ones, TECHNIQUES.

Techniques are divided into grades. This, you will see later on. The ones I have set aside are of most value to the young master’s cultivation. Since he believes in you so much, you will use them.

You are a cauldron, Although broken, a broken pot is regardless, still a pot, cook the meal, even at the cost of it spilling. I will handle the rest.” he stood to his feet to leave.

However, he stopped a bit at the door and turned to her. “O! And please clean your room. I am sure the young master will be visiting once he his done with the sermon.”

After which he walked out of the room. The moment he did, Nora could not help but breath again. All the while, from the moment she had stared into his eyes, it was as if her entire world had frozen up.

She had felt her throat go dry in fear and her heart sink. It was a different kind of fear from the one she felt for Chiron.

For old fang, it was as if he capturing her with his gaze and pulling her into his void prison.

Gently, she stood to her feet. Just as he had said she had indeed healed. Even Nora did not know why a lot of things that happened to her did so in the first place.

She stood to her feet and then walked over to the templates, scripts and books that the butler had brought over.

Gently, she opened the texts. These were surprisingly words that she understood. At first she thought of just dropping them to the side. But then she remembered what Old fang had said.

It was not the fact that he was going to let core beasts have their way with her that truly scared her. Bit that she would be discarded again for being useless.

All the while, it had been the same thing again and again. She had been pulled along like an extra baggage. This to her was not only embarrassing to an awakening for her mind.

‘If useless, your fate will be in the hands of the strong.’

She did not want to fee that way again. Besides, any pride she had was washed away in the weeks of sitting in her own shit within the container hat brought her to this strange land.

She hated that she had to rely on yet another for her survival, but she was clear that she did not have a choice. At least not now.

But these techniques, this opportunity she had been given could potentially change her life.

Nora did not want to live under another man. She wanted to be her own boss. Deep in her heart, she already vowed to make everyone that had maltreated her pay.

Whether it wa sin this strange land that she had been reduced to the status of a slave, or even her brother, she was going to let all of them eat the fault of her hurt.

With a determined look, she took the books and sat at a corner.

Slowly, hours passed as she consumed the contents of the books. What she did not notice was that as she did, her body had started glow lightly, releasing the medicinal scent that it had done back at the arena…

….

When the prayer session finally ended, Mulligan addressed the assembled crowd, his voice resonating with a mix of authority and weariness. “Thank you all for your prayers and your continued loyalty to our family. We face challenging times, but together, we will overcome them.”

The crowd responded with murmurs of agreement and respect, and as Mulligan stepped down from the podium, he was surrounded by well-wishers and family members eager to offer their support. Eunid watched his father closely, noting the strain in his eyes and the determination in his voice.

As the gathering began to disperse, Alfred rejoined them, his expression carefully neutral.

Eunid couldn’t help but feel a pang of distrust, but he knew that for now, he had to bide his time and gather more information.

Mulligan, leaning heavily on his walking stick, gestured for his son to follow him. “We have much to discuss,” he said quietly, his voice barely above a whisper.

Eunid nodded, his resolve hardening. “yes father!”

Meanwhile, Alfred had digested the content of the book that the swarf had passed to him, and right now, his eyes shone with new found knowledge. This was two good news in one day.

He could not help but chuckle to himself. After all, he was just in the silver ranks, and knew that it was one of the limitations to his position inheriting the sit from his brother.

Eunid was young and it was obvious that the possibility of reaching that position was clear, especially because of his talent. But he was an entirely different case. His Dantain was already too old.

However, if he had the cauldron that he just read about, then things would be entirely different. After all, he could just have her in his bed, and his power will multiply.

He massaged his jaw in thought…

(Author’s note: this chapter is the longest I have ever written. I pressed together 3 chapters for you guys. I hope you enjoy it!)