Chapter 20: A Minor Issue

Chapter 20: A Minor Issue

“Big Brother, over here!”

Just as Yake was contemplating where to take Aierjisi for her proper rest, Mia spotted them and led them along. Yake had no time to think and followed Mia, arriving at a cave where the beastmen sought refuge.

“Oh, there’s even a cave here? And it’s quite spacious too!”

After surveying the ridiculously large cave, Yake found a quiet spot and gently placed Aierjisi down.

“Big Brother, is she okay? She looks seriously injured! Mia should go get some medicine for her.”

“No need, thank you for your kindness, Mia. But Aier doesn’t require any medicine. Can you please step aside for a moment? I’m going to tend to her wounds.”

“Okay.”

Mia nodded and ran off to the side, leaving Yake and Aierjisi alone in the corner. Although he planned to treat Aierjisi’s injuries, Yake didn’t have any healing spells. Luckily, Yake wasn’t entirely unprepared; he remembered a special potion that was perfect for Aier — his own blood.

“Wake up, Aier.”

Yake pulled out a dagger and sliced open his arm, letting his blood drip into Aierjisi’s mouth.

?!

As the first drop of blood touched her lips, Aierjisi’s vampiric instincts kicked in. Unfortunately, her rationality showed no signs of waking up.

“Aier, you’re awake—thank goodness…”

Before Yake could finish his sentence, Aierjisi pounced on him, pinning him down and staring wide-eyed at him.

“Aier?”

Yake felt a wave of fear; this was the first time he had seen Aierjisi like this.

“I want more! Give me more! More blood!”

Overwhelmed by her thirst, Aierjisi’s instincts took over as she bared her fangs and bit down.

“Ah…”

Yake struggled to keep his voice low, fighting back the urge to scream as Aierjisi drained his blood.

“Yake? What’s happening to you… no… did I do this?”

About three minutes later, Aierjisi regained her senses, realizing she had Yake pinned down and that there was a bite mark on his neck. It was obvious — she had just fed on him!

“You finally woke up! You scared me half to death; I thought you were going to drain me dry!”

“No, what in the world happened? Why did I suddenly do that? Explain!”

Aierjisi released her grip and got off Yake.

“No, you don’t remember what you just did?”

“Not at all! If I remembered, why would I need you to explain it?”

It seemed she really didn’t recall what had just transpired. Yake slowly recapped everything that had happened, and Aierjisi soon understood why she acted that way.

“I see, I think I get why I changed like that.”

“What do you mean?”

“Because you fed me blood while I was unconscious. It stirred my vampiric instincts. If I had fed on your blood while conscious, I could’ve suppressed my impulses. But feeding me blood while I was out cold? That’s a whole different story.”

If Aierjisi drank blood in her unconscious state, her body would be completely controlled by her vampiric instincts, which don’t discriminate. Even if it was Yake, her loyal servant sharing a life with her, she wouldn’t hold back from draining him dry. Thankfully, her rationality had returned midway, interrupting that frenzy.

“Anyway, you got lucky this time. I woke up just in time. Next time, don’t ever feed me blood while I’m unconscious; otherwise, you might not be so fortunate again. Understood?”

Aierjisi said this with a stern expression, clearly not wanting Yake to be drained dry by the instincts she couldn’t control.

“Okay, I understand. I won’t do that again.”

“By the way, where are we right now? What about Father King? Isn’t he with us?”

Aierjisi looked around, realizing she was in an unfamiliar cave.

“Where are we? I’m not sure; Mia brought us here. As for your Father King, he’s still there facing off against that crazy woman.”

“What? Father King is fighting that crazy woman alone? Are you kidding me? He left us behind?”

Aierjisi immediately panicked, standing up and preparing to rush back to aid her father.

“What are you going back for? What can you do to help? Don’t forget, you were seriously injured by that woman. Even if you go back, you won’t be able to do anything; you’d only be a burden to your Father King.”

Yake stopped Aierjisi from running back to throw herself into danger.

“So, are we just going to sit here and do nothing? I can’t just stand by!”

“But even if you went back, you wouldn’t be able to do anything. You should place your trust in your Father King; he seems quite capable against that woman, at least stronger than the two of us. He should be fine.”

“I don’t care, I have to go!”

“Aier, can you please stop being so unreasonable? In this situation, what can you actually accomplish?”

Seeing the little princess back at it with her princess temper, Yake felt a bit of irritation. Did she really not grasp the situation? Did he need to slap some sense into her?

“What are you two arguing about? I’m back.”

Just then, a battered Carl returned to the cave.

“Father King?! Are you okay? How did you end up like this?”

Seeing Carl in such a disheveled state, Aierjisi rushed forward to support her father. In her memory, it was the first time seeing him in such a condition.

“That woman is no pushover. I fought her to a standstill; we both suffered. But trust me, she’s in pretty rough shape too after I hit her with a powerful spell. Now quick, find me a place to rest; I’m completely drained.”

Yake and Aierjisi helped Carl to the spot where they had rested earlier.

Considering that the crazy woman was now severely wounded and Carl was weak, he wouldn’t be able to deliver the finishing blow. That task would fall to her.

“I’ll go take care of that crazy lady now.”

“You should forget it; she’s probably already retreated. Even if you go now, you won’t find her. It’s better for you to rest right here. By the way, I’m still curious; weren’t you supposed to be in the Sacred Domain? How did you suddenly get out? Did you clear the Trials that quickly?”

“Ah… It’s because I encountered a little issue inside, so I came out.”

“A little issue?”