Chapter: 73. Embarrassment (4K)
When speaking, there are skills and arts to consider; we shouldn’t say words that can easily lead to punishment.
For example, phrases like “I miss it so much” or “I remember that girl” should be avoided at all costs.
So, it turns out that whether I miss her or remember her is all wrong!
This time, Xue Fei was smarter and chose her words with utmost care, clearly transforming into a great literary figure and diplomat.
“Yes, considering diplomatic aspects, if we want to go to the Northern Region Flame Land with the Fire Lizard, we definitely have to pass through the Blood Domain. At that time, if it’s convenient, we could visit… ahem, if it’s convenient, we could carry out some diplomacy and have friendly communication negotiations with the Third True Ancestor. This would be beneficial for our two countries…”
“Stop, Xue Fei! You just want to say that if we pass by the Blood Domain, we can meet an old friend, right? Why say it so euphemistically? There’s nothing shameful between you.”
“Don’t you already know that?! If you had said that sooner, I wouldn’t have had to say all this! I’m the one being criticized here!”
Xiya’s words made Xue Fei’s cheeks puff up in anger. This black-haired puffball casually waved her hand, looking rather unconcerned.
“Okay, okay, since you don’t like her topic, I won’t talk about it. I wasn’t familiar with her anyway; I was just thinking about whether it would be possible for old friends to meet if there was an opportunity. There’s nothing else intended. But the way you guys said it made it sound like I’m some kind of monster, am I a flower thief? Really! Why not just lock me in a cage, add a few locks, and throw away the key? Just don’t let me find it.”
“Queen Sister, don’t be angry… I know I was wrong, I really shouldn’t have been too sensitive…”
“But I can just slip away, you can’t lock me up.”
“……”
Some guilt doesn’t last for more than a few minutes.
For example, in front of Xue Fei, it’s hard to feel any guilt.
She’s just too dismissive, making one want to suppress her and punish her fiercely.
However… Belis knew she certainly had to reflect on herself; she shouldn’t be so sensitive. Queen Sister also needed a normal social circle. Just as she said, even though Queen Sister took back Xialet, that didn’t mean she’s a flower thief.
The mindset of being afraid of the unknown after being bitten by a snake once is not advisable; being overly cautious is even more wrong. This would only restrict Queen Sister’s freedom, which is not what Belis wanted.
After clarifying this point.
Belis took the initiative to bring up this topic again to ease Xue Fei’s mood.
“Ahaha… if they are just ordinary friends, then it doesn’t matter! I really didn’t mean that… um, Queen Sister, you just mentioned she doesn’t drink blood. I remember the Blood Race becomes restless if they don’t drink blood, right? Prolonged lack of blood intake can lead to illness, not just lethargy, but even life-threatening situations. Her ‘anorexia’ seems a bit concerning?”
“Hmph.”
“Woo… Queen Sister, Belis really knows she was wrong. Don’t ignore me, please, I beg you…”
Belis leaned in to act cute, gently shaking Xue Fei’s elbow. Xue Fei squinted her left eye, observing her little sister beside her. She initially wanted to continue ignoring her for a while to vent, but not long after, she found it hard to maintain her resolve.
Belis wasn’t joking. Due to their past interaction patterns, she was genuinely panicking about Xue Fei ignoring her, distancing herself, and fearing loss.
What can she do? Who made her the older sister? If not to spoil her, who else could she spoil?
“Hey… just don’t do that next time, I was just joking with you guys.”
When Xue Fei began to tell her story, everyone gathered closer to listen.
“Let me think… indeed, the Blood Race drinks blood not just for nourishment but to replenish mental strength, which is crucial. However, Floro is different; she is of the bloodline of the Blood Race ancestor, the oldest family branch of vampires. She needs to drink blood to replenish mental strength, but it isn’t necessary for survival. She told me that she once tried to drink blood from a cup, but after just a sip, she started vomiting uncontrollably. There was nothing she could do but use ketchup as a substitute, which wasn’t very effective. I even recommended donuts to her! I don’t know what her current situation is, but at that time, as I mentioned earlier, she could even fall asleep while walking. She wouldn’t wake up even if her chin hit a rock!”
Belis listened and nodded continuously.
She actually didn’t understand much about that time and experience, because when Floro Yaer came with the Blood Race delegation to the Demon King’s Castle, Belis was still very young, and her memories were unclear. Moreover, to avoid any diplomatic mishaps due to the young princess saying the wrong thing, the Demon King hadn’t allowed Belis to meet Floro, so Belis had no real impression of her.
“The ancestor’s bloodline…” Timani, who had knowledge of high-level races, of course understood this concept, “Then her status in the Blood Race should be quite high. I heard that those of the ancestor’s bloodline can even walk under the sun for short periods. Now that she has become a True Ancestor, she must be even more powerful. Xue Fei, you really know a lot of big shots.”
“Big shots… uh, sorry, it’s hard for me to imagine that fool has become a big shot.”
Livra pushed the donut plate toward Xue Fei with sparkling big eyes, as she loved hearing stories.
“Reuniting with an old friend… that sounds nice! But she said she wants to meet Miss Shaya. Why can’t it happen?”
“Because of the rules of the Blood Race,” Timani shrugged and explained the Blood Race’s regulations, seemingly connecting it to the similar strictness within the Fire Dragon Clan, “The seven territories of the Blood Race balance each other and engage in internal conflicts. If a True Ancestor, as a lord, leaves without the approval of the Blood Race Elder Council, it’s likely to cause disruptions in their territory, so it’s not just a matter of going.”
“Ah…? They fight among themselves too? Oh right… I did remember from my readings that the Blood Race often has internal wars, but I didn’t know it could be this severe, fighting at a whim.”
“That’s how the Blood Race works. Territory and population are their most precious resources. After all, their people need ‘blood’ to survive; they have never been united.”
“That really is troublesome… sigh, not being able to meet an old friend is quite pitiful for Miss Floro.”
Livra nodded sympathetically. At this stage, she was studying the history of the Human Kingdom and the Demon Race, not particularly familiar with high-level races. But she realized that even extraordinary beings have common contradictions.
Listening to their conversation back and forth, Xue Fei, in contemplation, recalled more and more about Floro’s past visit to the Demon Territory.
Suddenly.
Her complexion slightly paled.
She quickly raised her palm among the crowd.
“Stop! I’ve suddenly changed my mind; I don’t want to meet her even if we pass through the Blood Domain!”
“Oh! Queen Sister! What profound awareness! I support your decision!… Ahem… Of course, I don’t oppose Queen Sister making friends. A normal social relationship is fully supported by Belis!”
Unlike Belis, who only cared about the outcome,
Xiya was puzzled about why Xue Fei suddenly felt averse.
“Did you remember something unpleasant? I think… even if you had arguments in the past, it has been so many years; it should be over. If you can meet, it’s best to do so. After all… aside from us, Xue Fei usually has no friends; it’s too lonely.”
“Hey, Xiya, can you take back what you just said? I have a lot of friends, okay?”
“Hmm? But you’ve been back in the Demon Territory for so long; you’ve been holed up in your room every day.”
“The big fish in the lake are all my friends! I just bought fish fry today, and once they are released into the lake, I’ll gain an endless number of friends. Are you telling me I have no friends? That’s just weird.”
“……”
Belis and Xiya exchanged glances, and this time, the two sworn enemies nodded in tacit agreement, understanding each other’s thoughts.
— Indeed, it is necessary for Xue Fei to have a few more ordinary friends.
This matter could be discussed later.
Right now, everyone was waiting for Xue Fei to respond, and she didn’t keep them in suspense, clearly stating her reason for not wanting to seek out the Blood Race.
“Because I have a premonition it would be very troublesome. I suddenly recalled that in the last few days she was in the Demon Territory, I was hiding from her and couldn’t let her find me. Those days were just too painful!”
“Going crazy? Hiding from her?” Xiya tilted her head in confusion, “Does she have some sort of illness… oh, Xue Fei, does ‘going crazy’ mean she suddenly did something to make you avoid her? But why hide?”
“Exactly! Listen to me; isn’t she anorexic? She clearly hates drinking blood, but for some unknown reason, she suddenly begged me to let her drink some blood, claiming my blood smelled very nice! How terrifying is that! And here I thought she was a friend; it turns out she wants to drink my blood! I was so scared during those days! I dreamed of bats suddenly appearing!”
“What?!”
Xiya and Belis chorused in shock, and Belis hurriedly leaned closer to Xue Fei to ask.
“Then… did you let her drink your blood?!”
“Of course not! I’m so afraid of pain… uh, don’t suddenly get so close! Even if I had let her drink my blood, what’s the big deal?”
“Queen Sister, you completely don’t…! Well… as long as you didn’t let her drink it, that’s fine. You’re right; we should indeed keep our distance from her.”
“Huh? You think so too?”
“Yes, there are thousands of friends; why stick to just one?”
Belis breathed a sigh of relief, thankful that little Floro did not “succeed.”
It seems… Queen Sister does not understand the common knowledge about the Blood Race’s blood-drinking practices?
The method the Blood Race uses to drink blood is usually to collect it in a container, using specific magic to prevent the blood from coagulating, and then drinking it. Only in very special cases would they directly penetrate the skin with their fangs to take blood.
Because… the saliva of the Blood Race has a strong aphrodisiac effect.
So, unless it’s the breeding season for the Blood Race, they would never choose to drink blood directly.
But children of the Blood Race, especially those like Floro who have never drunk blood and are anemic, don’t understand anything!
If the little Floro had asked Queen Sister for some blood to drink, it’s highly likely she would have gone straight for it. Belis could hardly imagine what an extreme scene it would be if Queen Sister had actually agreed, one that would mentally break Belis.
But still, as I said, it’s a good thing, good thing, that Queen Sister knew to refuse and was afraid of pain, and wouldn’t agree to such a ridiculous request.
Xiya also breathed a sigh of relief. When she was at Ourus, she had studied extensively about the cultural customs of various countries and races. She also knew that if the Blood Race had direct skin contact for blood drinking—that was equivalent to a marriage proposal common sense.
“Ah… thankfully, Xue Fei, it’s good that you refused. But, she hates blood yet wants to drink yours; could the taste of blood really be different?”
“Maybe it’s different for the Blood Race? At first, she didn’t show any abnormalities. There was one time we were outside catching butterflies in the flower bushes, and a leaf nicked my finger. That girl Floro was quite practical; it was just a small cut, nothing serious, but she was very anxious. Seeing there was no medicine nearby to stop the bleeding, she directly sucked my finger into her mouth, saying it would help stop the bleeding. The result was that for the next few days, she kept chasing me, saying she wanted more blood. It was just ridiculous!”
“Ah, I see… hmm? Xue Fei, are you saying! Her saliva directly made contact with your skin?!”
“Yes, what’s the problem?”
“No, no, Queen Sister!” Belis quickly interjected, her eyes filled with turmoil, “That girl didn’t do anything strange to you, right?! Because the saliva of the Blood Race has special effects!”
“Oh, I know; you’re talking about the aphrodisiac effect, right?”
“You knew that all along!”
What else would it be? I’m just lazy, not completely ignorant.
Xue Fei smiled bitterly, patting her fair neck, but this action caused the girls in front of her to gulp.
Xue Fei quickly straightened up, no longer making such dangerous movements.
“You only know part of it… the special effect you’re talking about is most significant when the Blood Race’s fangs pierce the skin; saliva alone doesn’t have that strong an effect.”
“N-no obvious effect is still not good! Queen Sister, at that time, weren’t you… weren’t you… woah! I can’t even think about it!”
“What are you thinking?! You just have a mind full of perverse thoughts and seems to have forgotten the most basic question!”
“Huh?”
“At that time, I was only eight years old! What do you think that effect could have on me! I was just a little child then!”
“Ah…”
Belis suddenly realized.
Xiya had the same epiphany.
The special effects of the Blood Race also required another condition to be met.
That is, the effect’s target needs to have grown and developed to a certain extent.
What does this even mean?
A mind full of perverse thoughts led them to forget the basic common sense and the necessary innocence!
Xiya and Belis both slowly lowered their heads, feeling guilty about their overly twisted view of the world.
“Lord Xialet, you see, how could a child have such emotions? Thinking like this is just wrong; you’re framing Teacher Shaya!”
“Alright, Princess Livra, I already understand. If you say more at this time, it will be very hard for me not to be angry.”
“My fault.”
