Reborn As a Pirate - Chapter 109

Chapter 109: Bathing with Freni?!
Ryan’s face remained calm, though his body bore the subtle signs of recent battle. “I encountered a few adversaries, the Black Knight and the 12th Black Knight. It was taxing, both physically and spiritually,” he replied with a nonchalant wave of his hand, though concern flickered briefly in his eyes.

“The 12th Black Knight?” Freni’s eyes widened, her initial surprise giving way to a deep concern as she reached out instinctively to grasp Ryan’s wrist. Her fingers emitted a soft, deep blue glow as she channeled her magic into him, scanning for injuries. A wave of relief washed over her when she found none. “It’s a relief that you’re unharmed,” she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper.

“The 12th Black Knight is renowned for his formidable strength, ranking at the pinnacle among second-tier elites. Few of his peers, let alone second-level witches, could stand against him,” Freni explained, her tone laced with awe and a hint of fear.

“I’ve dealt with the 12th Black Knight,” Ryan interjected, catching her gaze with a confident smile. “I owe it to the [First-level Spiritual Enhancement Crystal] you provided. It significantly boosted my spiritual powers.”

Freni fell silent, her mind racing. She knew the limitations of the enhancement well, ten [First-order Spiritual Enhancement Crystals] could only raise one’s spiritual capacity to 33% of a first-tier extreme professional. The gap between a newly appointed first-tier official and a seasoned second-tier elite like the 12th Black Knight was vast. Yet, she chose not to voice her doubts, opting instead to express her continued support. “Regardless, I’m just glad you’re safe,” she said softly.

“What unfolded in the outside world while I was unconscious?” Ryan asked, shifting the conversation as he organized his thoughts.

He recounted his ordeal, describing how the blood witch had compelled him to “perform” in an arcane ritual, akin to a staged play involving “the brave man and the original witch.” The tale was steeped in mystical allegory, one that resonated deeply with their current predicament.

“The brave man and the original witch…” Freni murmured, a distant look in her eyes as she pondered the implications. She knew all too well the trials faced by the “original witch.”

Gathering her thoughts, Freni relayed the crucial details of her own encounter with the blood witch Serena, though she chose to withhold one critical piece of information, the curse of witch’s pollution.

“The Blood Witch is nearing her end?” Ryan exclaimed, his face etched with surprise. The idea that the overwhelming power of the Blood Witch was but a shadow of her capabilities at her peak was staggering. “Is this what it means to be at the boundary of fourth-tier power…”

As realization dawned on him, his expression shifted from astonishment to understanding. “It explains her boldness, even against the threats from the ‘Circus Leader.’ Facing her own mortality, what has she to fear from mere threats?”

Shaking his head, Ryan’s tone deepened with resolve. “Lady Freni, let’s proceed to the stone hall up ahead. Given everything, it’s likely the Blood Witch brought us to the ‘Blood Moon Temple’ not to harm us, but for some other purpose.” He chuckled wryly, “After all, with her capabilities, if she truly meant to harm us, she wouldn’t need such elaborate schemes.”

Freni nodded, her gaze fixed forward as the two of them began walking side by side toward the imposing stone hall. The ground beneath their feet echoed with each step, a testament to the grandeur of their surroundings.

Ryan, his curiosity unquenched, studied the vast expanse around them. “This space is immense. It’s hard to believe we’re still under Minin Volcano. Could this be deeper underground, or perhaps an independent spiritual world altogether?” he mused quietly, his eyes scanning the intricate carvings that lined the walls.

They soon approached the entrance of the stone hall. The towering doorway stood slightly ajar, inviting yet daunting, making them feel like mere ants at the threshold of a colossal world.

Ryan paused at the gap, ready to lead the way. His ability, [Heart of Gluttony], granted him a robust health bar, an advantage in unknown territories. He glanced back at Freni, whose magical prowess was strong, though her defenses were less so, a classic mage build of high offense but fragile guard.

Silently acknowledging his glance, Freni held her position. She had seen Ryan’s capabilities, especially after his victory over the 12th Black Knight. It reassured her that he was more than capable of taking the lead.

The dome of the Blood Moon Temple was illuminated by a gigantic light stone embedded high above, casting bright light that mimicked daylight and highlighted the mystical aura of the place. Ryan stepped forward, his movements cautious. The possibility of traps in such an ancient and sacred place was not to be underestimated.

He reached the center of the temple without incident, standing before a blood pool that shimmered like a basin of liquid rubies. No traps had been sprung, an indication that this place was meant to test, not to harm, its visitors.

Freni joined him, peering curiously at the pool. “Is this the ‘holy blood’?” she whispered, her voice a mix of awe and skepticism. “It looks like ordinary water, save for its color. There’s no trace of spirituality in it.”

Ryan didn’t respond immediately; instead, he read the system panel information that seemed to hover in the air before them:

[Holy Blood: A divine substance, purified essence extracted by [the King of Blood] from the very source. After millennia, its potency has diminished. Submerging oneself in this ‘holy blood baptism’ can incrementally raise one’s spiritual capacity beyond normal limits, without complicating further spiritual enhancements. The extent of enhancement depends on the individual’s capacity and current rank. Note: This divine essence can only benefit each being once, and no other divine substance will replicate its effects thereafter.]

Ryan turned to Freni, considering the implications. “It seems this place holds more than just secrets, it offers a gift, a rare one. But it’s a one-time chance for anyone who dares to embrace it.” His thoughts were mix of reverence and caution, aware of the weight such a decision held.

“Holy blood… the King of Blood… could this truly be the forbidden elixir of the gods from a millennium past?” Ryan murmured to himself with awe and disbelief.

A shiver of realization ran down his spine, not merely from the notion that the holy blood was a divine legacy, but from its startling similarity to the effects of the First-level Spiritual Enhancement Crystal that Freni had once gifted him. The implications were profound, could the crystal’s origin be as dark and formidable as this?

The thought sent a cold tremor through him. Was the foundation of the Augustus royal family entwined with such formidable power? Dryness clung to Ryan’s throat as he pondered the enormity of their legacy.

It seemed that clinging to Freni’s coattails was proving more beneficial and increasingly perilous by the moment. “Thick” and “white” were understatements for the protection she offered; his reliance on her was becoming deliciously indispensable.

Shaking off the daunting thoughts, Ryan turned to Freni, who was already deep in contemplation beside the ominous pool of blood. “This must be the holy blood,” he stated, trying to mask his unease.

Freni crouched beside the eerie, crimson pool, her brow furrowed in concentration. “It’s quite deep… surely its not meant for direct consumption. Perhaps it’s intended for immersion?”

“You could test that theory,” Ryan suggested, though he knew well the properties of the Holy Blood from his arcane panel. Still, he kept his cards close to his chest.

“I shall,” Freni agreed with a nod, her gaze lingering on Ryan as she hinted, “Just don’t rush ahead this time.”

“Agreed,” Ryan responded, his tone casual, aware of the blood’s benign nature.

Content with his compliance, Freni turned back to the pool, beginning to slip off her shoes. Midway, a sudden blush of realization dawned upon her, immersing herself in the pool was akin to bathing in Ryan’s presence! A delicate shade of red colored her cheeks under the shadow of her witch’s hat. She bit her lip, musing that the pool’s opaque waters would shield her from view, rationalizing that it wouldn’t truly be a ‘bath.’

Reassured by her own logic, Freni relaxed and continued. Her feet, pale and delicate as alabaster, touched the surface of the blood. At the contact, a ripple disturbed the still waters, and a surge of pure spiritual essence flowed into her, a mere whisper of power that nonetheless promised a swell of latent potential.

“It truly works through immersion!” Freni exclaimed, her face alight with wonder and excitement.

Yet, almost immediately, her delight morphed into concern. As she dipped her toes into the Holy Blood Pool, it seemed to trigger some arcane mechanism. Bubbles frothed across the surface as if boiling, and a potent surge of spirituality began to effervesce from the blood.

“Is the potency of the holy blood evaporating?” Freni murmured, her eyes widening in alarm. Without a moment’s hesitation, she leaped fully into the pool, eager to harness as much of the fleeting power as possible before it dissipated into the air.