Prax cupped my face and her full soft peach-colored lips landed on mine. After her recent changes, it was easy to forget that she's a goblin. Her scent and the sensation of the parting kiss were captivating. My hands moved on their own and pulled her closer, allowing me to fall deep into the kiss. Our chains of fate glowed with a warm brilliance until we parted.
Prax's eyes sparkled as she licked her lips seductively. A moment later only a gust of wind swirling on the floor was left. Prax dived headfirst into battle. I would be lying if I said I wasn't conflicted by the entire interaction. But, I guess I could figure it out after we leave tomb.
"Will you join the battle?" Bai Hu asked.
He had been ordered to guard me. Even after the battle started he didn't move from my side.
"Hmm," I replied.
I pushed myself to my feet and my mana surged. A moment later a ball of green magic exploded raining down on the battlefield. All of my allies received another buff and the tide of battle was completely overturned.
Twisting my hand. Two flying daggers appeared as I started at the ferocious battle between Rema and Bai Yu. Her power was waning and the only way to save her was to use her as if she wasn't worth saving.
One exchange after the other passed and Rema finally lost footing, pressed beyond her capabilities. My blade flew as I used a flash step to cross the distance. The second prince dogged the first then the second blade, being led right into my line of fire.
For the first time, I used my newly acquired ability.
"Mind Bullet" my voice rumbled as an invisible power launched from my hand, narrow and with one set trajectory, it hit the Second prince between the brow.
His mind went haywire as deadly migraines tore at his mind. My flying daggers curved in the air.
Shunk! Puh!
One dagger was buried in his chest and the other blew through his neck. My blades returned to me and I stepped on them. I then used them to glide through the air, hovering over the dying prince. My hand twisted and his storage ring came to me, I quickly replaced it with a wisp of Shamanic Smelting Flames.
His body caught fire and it slowly swallowed him alive, no cinder or ash remained. I then snatch Lao Meili's ring and turned her to burn her from existence as well.
Under the combined forces of Bai Yi and my beauties, Bai Yu's guard didn't last long. Taking the spoils of war, my beauties worked, each acquiring a storage ring of their own while I spoke to Bai Yi.
"You scared me, you know?" said Bai Yi.
"Haa, I was just taking a nap. Waiting on you so long, I grew sleepy." I replied.
"Sure." Bai Yi chuckled, "You know the Beastfolks will hunt you for this?"
"I'm aware. But I heard everything, and it seems my payout for your brother's head is lacking in value exponentially. That's why I have a request, for starters. You agree and I'll give you a message from the Winged Tiger God."
Bai Yi's eyes widen. I smirked victoriously.
"But that means I'll you owe even more. Little Demon, your divine luck is something terrifying." Bai Yi shivered, "Answer my question first. Are you a prince of Uhnok?"
"Haha, Brother Bai Yi, according to the laws of royalty, I am the second prince. Now, what say you"?" I replied.
Bai Yi was shocked at my revelation.
"You spoke with him?" Bai Yi asked.
"Yes, I spoke with her."
"Her?" he asked.
"Yes, Winged Tiger God is a mantle. Like you, she succeeded one before her. They seem, you all seem, to originate from Atoria. And it isn't luck, more like fate. You were born with the right stuff to become the next Winged Tiger God." I explained.
"Whatever the request, I agree," said Bai Yi, excitedly.
"Good. I want you to leave after claiming the last piece of the armament. I don't want you caught up in what happens next."
Bai Yi laughed. "I guess that's something I can do for a brother. So, what did the Goddess say?"
"She says that you have to be alone when you open the coffin in chains. I believe her. This world isn't simple. She wouldn't tell me. So I think she might have secrets that only her successor should know."
"Too wise for a young goblin. I'll do as she said and as you request. Here, take this." Bai Yi put a badge in my hand. "When you go through Tapping the Blood or manage to get a technique to disguise yourself, come to the Beast territory. You can use this to find me and gain access to places without issue. Just keep the problems to a minimum. Oh and the money that you took here shouldn't be traded for the common currency."
"Naturally. Take care, Bai Yi." I spoke as I walked away and my beauties followed me out of the hall.
"Say, I thought you were a brawler." I looked at Rema for a few answers.
"Master, I wasn't born a slave. And being a slave fore the most part isn't glorious, especially with the master I had before you. It would have been a shame to fight with Kilij Arslan as a slave...But now, it would have been more of a shame to fail you by not using my full strength." Rema explained as her blood weapon slowly returned to the wound on her hand.
Three days passed as me and my beauties looted rooms for spells, skills, and Ahngs. There was a lot of gear but we picked and choose what was best for us. Self development was the goal, turning a profit came second place.
When the rooms we encountered were already cleaned, we continued on for another two days. We finally managed to enter an open area without booby traps as it was littered with monsters to protect the valuables within.
"This must be the garden of Prince Anon." Said Dahlia.
"I was thinking the same." my mana rippled and memories of the heavenly treasures I encountered and read about was delivered to their minds, along with their uses and proper storage.
"You should use this time to train and collect heavenly treasures fitting for yourself. Any elemental soul or cores are a must grab, no discrimination." I spoke before using shadow drift to speed into deeper into the garden.
'Also, stay vigilant. Princess Ar'iur has already stated her interest in this garden.' I sent a mental transmission.
The first day was spent practicing the thousand mind techniques. I used my flying daggers to kill monsters of all ranks. Those that I couldn't, I ran from. When I had time, I collected heavenly treasure not easily found outside. I also kept the Winged Tiger God's words in mind, by harvesting things I could use in rare pills that strengthened the body and mana. The second day was more of the same with my only goal being to control more flying daggers with proper skill.
I had managed to control three daggers with ease when I finally made it to the center of the garden. There I found a giant Sakura tree with a terrifying aura. It was the first time I had every seen one the continent or even heard of one. Surrounding the tree was rare high grade herbs and the demon clan. Or at least what was left of them.
I had no animosity towards them. The Princess cost me a secondary plan into the dragon hunt but I had regained that through Bai Yi. I had killed some of her people, but that was because of the death note that I signed with Bai Yi. Aiding another party meant death.
Now, I silently and calmly watched as the Princess and her people kneeled before the Sakura tree.
"My lady, how long must we kneel? We've been here for days." the elder spoke. I wasn't surprised that the old monster survived fire breathing booby trap.
The princess sighed. "The Sakura is a sacred tree of the Succubus demons. During ancient times, a hero was summoned with a Tier 3 system called 'Waifu System.' That system cultivated him to greatness. While eventually became an Incubus lord, a harem naturally appeared, but a pink haired Waifu of his was his most loved. When she died, her heart became the first Sakura Tree. She refused to move from fear that her soul would never find her lover again.
After five hundred years, the Incubus lord refused to progress or leave the royal palace. He spent his days watering her tree with mourning tears. The woman's soul began to weep because of this. Using 500 years of collected essence, her blossoms wept and the tears splashed onto the Incubus lord. His power skyrocketed, surpassing level 100. He later moved on knowing that his most precious wife would rather see him living than crying at her grave."
"How come, I've never heard about this story?" The elder asked.
"Because my aunt is a lust fiend Inanna. She grew up hearing about the legend of Sakura's tears. She learned about the amazing things that Sakura trees could do for lust fiend and their higher counterparts, the succubus."
"Aunt? Your first sister's mother?" The elder thought of the sickly princess that showed her face so rarely that it was easy to forget her existence.
"Naturally. That's why we're here." The Princess then pulled out an white tulip.
"Lilith's Tulip?" the elder gasped. Not even in Prince Anon's garden had Lilith's Tulip emerged. I had never heard of the flower or come across it in text.
My curiosity took hold and my hearing focused.
"With Sakura's tears. This tulip will save my first sister and my second brother will fall to the background where he belongs. " the princess spoke with extreme hatred.
"My lady, the throne could be yours if you choose." The elder spoke.
The princess scuffed. "That cloaked man we encountered. He mostly refined the Tier 7 Elemental Establishing Pill. He also ate it and elemental dragon avatars appeared. It was amazing, but it became astonishing once I found that the women he lead all had slave seals. Most importantly, I recognized one."
"But what does this have to do with throne?" The elder asked.
The princess laughed mockingly. "We met the cloaked man before. He's the little goblin that sold the Strengthening elixir in the market that day."
"What?!" The elder exclaimed, "So the elixir..."
"Yes, he probably refined that as well. And Bai Yi's people took the Blood of the Eucharist from you. I think it turned out to be dragons blood. That explains the elemental dragons. Now, either that little goblin is lucky or he knew what he was getting. Either way, this world is filled with so many delicious things and people. This princess wants to play not sit on some throne and battle with words and will under the cover of darkness. Out here, I am free, entertained, and growing in ways that the palace can not hope to match."
"It's not like you haven't met talent before."
"But in a goblin? Even the princes of this race speak and walk one way. Its anomalies like him that reminds me why I like to explore." The princess explained.
'Tears of Sakura?' I thought. 'If it's good for lust fiends, then Prax could definitely use it. It's time show the little Princess what other tricks I have.'
I quickly summoned my beauties to meet me and surround the Sakura tree. Unfortunately all of the movement alerted the elder and he attacked. Thankfully Dahlia dodged it then retreated into the forest.
"After her!" the elder growled and two guards gave chase.
The elder began to give orders to the remaining people when the princess stopped him.
"That little goblin used the traps of the tomb to fight us last time. He's tricky without a doubt. Everyone stay here. He's close. And he most likely wants to lure use away from the Sakura's Tears."
She couldn't be more wrong. 'Nyx, help Dahlia. Prax, show me what a Lust Fiend can do to the minds of men.'
My mental transmission went out and new battle began.