Hearts of the Forest are very peculiar oddities.
They are made of soul power or psychic energy accumulated in some way after countless coincidences and years of accumulation.
Sometimes they are in the shape of crystals, other times they are in the shape of amber. Sometimes they can be small animals or other times they can appear like a small sapling.
But despite their different shapes, there are some similarities they share.
They are incredibly valuable.
And being in contact with them can bring unexpected side-effects.
Such as–
"Learning a new ability all of sudden, huh," Bloed muttered to himself, thinking about the ability he just got.
Actually, he already suspected the reason he got it was related to the purple crystal, but it was good to hear Elwha confirming it.
The problem was the other side-effect.
And that was–
"Your minds are connected?" Liu Ying squinted and looked at Bloed and Elwha with a not-so-pleased expression.
Elwha smiled awkwardly. ��… I'm not sure why it happened either. Perhaps, it was because we were having physical contact when I destroyed the soul world, or perhaps it was because our soul power mixed with the soul power of the Heart of the Forest and created a link between us… don't look at me like that, it's the first I have seen this kind of situation as well."
"In other words, you don't know how to cut off this link," Bloed asked while feeling a headache coming.
Was he supposed to live while sharing his thoughts with a girl he just met?
And as he expected, Elwha just looked at him awkwardly, unable to reply.
But that was enough of an answer.
Bloed looked up at the sky and sighed deeply.
"I want to ask something." Liu Ying stepped out at that moment and glared at the elf princess. "Princess, exactly how are your minds connected?"
"That… We can feel a little about each other's feelings, and perhaps we will be able to see a bit about each other memories in certain circumstances. Plus…" Elwha turned a bit red.
"Plus?"
"We feel a bit of a-attraction for each other?" Elwha blushed slightly and avoided meeting Liu Ying's gaze.
When the demon heard that, her eyes narrowed.
"Attraction?" She stared at Bloed and asked him.
In this situation, Bloed could only nod helplessly.
"I see…" Liu Ying nodded calmly, but Bloed had a feeling a storm was raging inside her.
Plus–
"How envious…"
For some reason, Aya chose that moment to wake up and speak up.
Bloed was speechless. Girl, stop riling Liu Ying up, please.
But to Bloed's surprise, Liu Ying did not turn angry as he expected.
Instead, she walked towards Bloed, grabbed his hand gently, and sighed with a tired expression.
"You know what I want to ask, right?"
"It was not my fault," Bloed answered in reflex.
"I know." Liu Ying nodded. "And that makes it even more frightening. I mean, I was already expecting Aya, but even an elf princess? You never cease to astonish me."
"… I-I'm sorry." Aya said timidly.
Liu Ying rolled her eyes. Are you going to stop chasing my boyfriend after apologizing?
She already knew her man was outstanding, but it would be bad if things continued like this,
In fact, Liu Ying did not mind if Bloed had a few more wives. But there should be a limit.
Counting Regina, the two sisters who promised to meet again one year later, Aya, and herself, there were already five potential wives.
And now, even an elf princess that shared a soul connection with him appeared?
Liu Ying had the feeling that if she doesn't nip this problem in the bud right now, this elf princess would end entangled with her boyfriend in the future.
And by then, it would be too late for regrets.
Thus, she decided to act immediately.
"So, princess, what do we need to do to get rid of this connection?"
"T-That… To wait, I think?"
"Wait?"
"Yes. This kind of connection must rely on soul power to keep working. Thus, if we are far from each other and are unable to share our soul power, the connection should start to fade soon enough."
Liu Ying nodded. She then stared at Bloed to ask if he had a better opinion.
Bloed was deep in thought. In fact, he had already reached the same conclusion before hearing Elwha.
However, Bloed feared that if they did not severe the connection completely, it would return if he and Elwha meet again.
Unfortunately, he could not think of another solution.
In fact, even now, he did not know of the underlying reason behind the apparition of this connection.
Sighing, Bloed nodded helplessly.
"We can only do that then."
Anyway, he and the elf princess would part ways after that, and perhaps they would not meet again after that.
Once that conversation came to an end, it was time to think about the current situation.
"Captain, what should we do now?" Rana asked with a frown.
Bloed furrowed his brows. He looked at the two unconscious elves and at the heavily injured Aya, Rana, and Rhone.
They could not continue like this. It was better if they received medical attention as soon as possible.
But then, his eyes flashed.
At the same time, he looked up.
"Bloed?"
Liu Ying tilted her head. But when she saw the smile on her boyfriend's face, she understood.
"Master!"
A worried voice came from the sky. And then, a silver-haired girl suddenly appeared in front of Bloed.
Bloed smiled. He ignored the expressions of astonishment on Elwha, Aya, Rana, and Rhone's faces and took a step forward.
Raising his hand slightly, he caressed Regina's hair.
"I'm alright, don't worry."
"I'm glad." Regina nodded with a relieved smile, but then, her expression turned complicated. "… I'm sorry, master… I could not protect you this time."
Bloed smiled wryly. He then put his forehead against the Valkyrie's and closed his eyes.
"What do you mean? You did more than enough."
"... But I should be able to do more."
Bloed shook his head and chuckled.
However, he felt glad seeing this overprotective side of Regina.
"Okay, can you please stop flirting in front of me? I feel left out." Liu Ying could not help but speak up after seeing the pair of master and servant creating their own world.
And as though just realizing Liu Ying was there, Regina looked towards her.
"Mm? Oh, so you are still alive, demon."
Liu Ying's lips twitched.
"If you were not several ranks stronger than me, I would have punched you right now."
Bloed chuckled again. Only now he felt the danger had finally ended.
This incident had come to its end.
...
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