Rhett stroked his chin thoughtfully. "You're right. The system for extraordinary hunters must be implemented, but we can't rush it. At the very least, we need to wait until the major cities, secondary towns, and villages across the kingdom are constructed. We need to set up hunter guild branches all over the country to meet the needs of these extraordinary hunters and provide a base for those who enjoy wandering. If we announce the system too early without the necessary infrastructure, we risk benefiting others instead of ourselves."
Ryley was taken aback by his father's foresight. "Father, as always, you're thorough. I'll keep a close eye on the construction progress of the main cities. No, actually, I'll personally oversee the projects to ensure they're completed quickly!"
Rhett smiled, pleased with his most dependable son. "You've worked hard."
"It's nothing. If there's nothing else, I'll head out now, Father."
"Wait a moment," Rhett called out, stopping Ryley again. "Kazrey's birthday is coming up. As a father, you should spend time with him."
Ryley smiled and took out a music box. "I've already prepared a gift for him. He loves music, and this should be perfect for him."
"Good... Oh, one last thing. After you leave, have someone investigate whether there are any unusual occurrences around the world. I suspect that the essence of the Love God has already surfaced, but no one has noticed it yet," Rhett said, frowning.
He still couldn't believe that something he spent over a thousand Destiny Points on would remain invisible and unnoticed. There had to be something wrong with the way they were observing things.
"Understood. I'll send someone to investigate," Ryley nodded thoughtfully.
Two days later, at night.
The sky was full of stars, with the moon hanging high above.
In the royal palace's back garden, the water of an artificial lake rippled gently, reflecting silver light.
Various aquatic magical beasts enjoyed the cool night air, occasionally leaping out of the water and splashing about.
The palace at night was far quieter than during the day. The servants had retired for the night, and only knights patrolled in groups.
In a pavilion at the center of the lake, Rhett sat in the middle, with McCoff and Vidis seated on either side. Sveta stood respectfully across the stone table.
"Your Majesty... I mean, Rhett, I need to get back to patrolling. I've been away from my post for too long..." Vidis said, shifting uncomfortably and preparing to leave.
"When it's just us, you can call me as you used to. Besides... what's the harm in skipping a patrol? With me here, do you really think this palace is in any danger?" Rhett smiled casually, then patted McCoff on the shoulder. "Isn't that right, old friend?"
Hic! "Y-yeah... or maybe not? Give me another drink, and I'll tell you for sure," McCoff hiccupped drunkenly, swaying as he held an empty wine bottle, his face flushed.
The air was filled with the rich scent of alcohol, evidence that they had already drunk quite a bit.
"You... you're hopeless," Rhett said with a sigh, rubbing his forehead in exasperation.
Ever since McCoff returned from the Coldstream Front and discovered the strange interaction between blood source energy and alcohol, which not only enhanced the flavor but also significantly increased its potency, he'd been unable to resist. One taste was all it took, and soon McCoff was spending his days in the capital's taverns, lost in drunken reverie.
To be fair, this new alcohol, strong enough to even knock out extraordinary individuals, had indeed grown in popularity.
Even Vidis, catching a whiff of the scent, couldn't help but glance longingly at the bottle. But, knowing he had to resume his patrol soon, he restrained himself.
"What about Vicky? Aren't you afraid she'll find you like this and give you a good beating?" Rhett teased with a smirk.
"Hah, afraid of her? Don't be ridiculous. I'm the head of this household, and I don't fear anyone... hic!" McCoff boasted loudly, leaning against the railing as the alcohol loosened his tongue.
Rhett and Vidis exchanged glances, both marveling at McCoff's courage.
But... was that really the case?
Just then, a loud voice echoed from the distance.
"McCoff, you drunk! I've been looking all over for you, and here you are, sneaking off to drink again!"
The smell of this extraordinary alcohol was strong. Even from a hundred meters away, someone with extraordinary senses could catch its scent. As McCoff's wife, Vicky knew exactly what kind of drink he liked best.
Not to mention, only a handful of people in the palace were allowed to drink during this time, most of them being those close to the king.
The voice, sharp as a lion's roar, quickly reached the pavilion.
One moment, McCoff had been lounging like a lazy fish, but now he snapped to attention, springing to his feet with a panicked look. "Oh no, how did Vicky find me here..."
Muttering to himself, McCoff quickly made a decision and waved his hand. "I've got to go, folks. We'll catch up another time!"
Before he could finish his sentence, he had already darted out of the pavilion, hoping to buy time for the alcohol to wear off before facing Vicky. His plan was simple: deny everything!
Rhett burst out laughing, watching McCoff flee in embarrassment. "Really? And this guy calls himself the head of the household, huh..."
Turning to Vidis, Rhett grinned mischievously and asked, "So, how about you, my good friend? What's your standing at home? How do you compare to McCoff?"
Vidis gave a strange look and replied, "McCoff has standing at home? You're joking, right? He's nowhere near my level!"
As soon as he finished speaking, the two of them locked eyes and, as if by instinct, erupted into laughter at the same time.
"McCoff sure ran off in a hurry. I didn't even get a chance to give him what I prepared," Rhett remarked with a shake of his head. He then retrieved two small packages from his space ring, tossing one to Vidis and placing the other on the stone table.
"This... is…" Vidis sniffed the air around the package, his eyes widening in shock. "Could this be... the scent of blood source energy?"
The knowledge of bloodstones had spread across the world, and nearly everyone was aware of their existence. However, very few people had seen one in person or knew exactly what they looked or smelled like.
Vidis recognized a faint similarity between the scent in the package and the taste of the blood-enhanced alcohol he had sampled. Combined with the widespread rumors that the bloodstones were incredibly beneficial to the body, he ventured a guess.
Rhett held up a bloodstone, examining it. "You're right. This is a bloodstone, the cultivation aid that will shape the future and influence the balance of power in the world. The Kingdom of Green was a bit slow compared to other kingdoms, but we've finally produced a batch. Take some and see how they work."
"Will this really be of much use to me?" Vidis asked curiously, still eyeing the bloodstone in his hand.
"To be honest, you're a level-three knight, so the current bloodstones won't have a dramatic effect on you in the short term. But if you take them consistently over time, you'll definitely see a difference," Rhett explained, then glanced over at Sveta. "But for Sveta, the effects of the bloodstone will be immediate. It'll strengthen your body and, more importantly, help extend your lifespan."
Upon hearing this, Sveta's eyes filled with gratitude. "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your generosity!"
"This is what you've earned," Rhett replied dismissively.
Vidis, now deep in thought, realized the greater value of bloodstones for ordinary people. He had already decided to give some to his family.
Still, he swallowed one himself to test its effects.
Initially, the bloodstone felt hard in his hand, but the moment it entered his mouth and began to dissolve, it melted effortlessly into a mysterious blood energy, flowing smoothly into his limbs and organs. It didn't even require his digestive system to break it down—it was absorbed directly.
This meant the medicine was 100% effective!
Vidis closed his eyes and savored the sensation. After a moment, he smacked his lips and said, "Interesting... In such a short time, I can already feel an improvement in my physique. It's easier than training, and its potential for our military is undeniable. No wonder it's becoming world-famous."
Speaking of training, Rhett seemed to remember something. He pulled out another small package and handed it to Sveta. "This is for Ellie. Give it to her and tell her that persistence will pay off."
Sveta bowed respectfully and said, "Understood, Your Majesty. Ellie will be overjoyed when she hears this!"
The next morning.
Rhett was in his study, reviewing various reports and documents detailing the kingdom's development. His eyes landed on a report titled "Extraordinary Pasture Development Plan," and his brow furrowed as he noticed the date marked at the bottom.
"It's already early November... According to the latest simulation, Black Star should be coming to see me in a few days…"
The thought had been lingering in his mind, leaving him with an indescribable feeling of unease.
He looked out the window and muttered to himself:
"The trajectory ahead... First, Black Star will visit and tell me about the anomaly at the Rocky Volcano. After that, I'll head to the volcano and encounter the purple eye, the Soul Demon race…"
"Then, a month later, Black Star will come to me again, acting completely out of character, saying he wants to pledge his loyalty to me, and behaving strangely in many ways…"
Rhett's eyes flashed as he recalled the information he had gleaned from that simulation. The Peace Dove had said that Soul Demons were masters of mind control, adept at manipulating souls.
Recalling Black Star's unusual behavior, a terrifying thought began to take shape in Rhett's mind, sending a cold shiver down his spine.
—Could it be that Black Star has been mind-controlled by a Soul Demon, like a puppet?
And now the Soul Demon, having gained access to Black Star's memories, was planning to use him as a pawn to get to me?
The more Rhett thought about it, the deeper his fear grew.
A sense of foreboding washed over him.
He wasn't afraid of open confrontation, even against an army of millions, but the idea of unseen schemes, hidden in the shadows, sent a chill down his spine. One could never defend against an enemy one couldn't see.
Who knew what other tricks the Soul Demon had yet to reveal…
"Damn it…"
Rhett set down his pen and began tapping his fingers on the desk in a steady rhythm. After a few moments of thought, he decided to take the initiative.
Whether or not Black Star had truly been possessed, Rhett couldn't afford to wait and leave his safety to chance.
He needed to uncover the truth for himself.
The Rocky Volcano.
Once the lair of a Holy Domain magical beast, the place had now fallen silent, the creature long gone.
Gray clouds frequently drifted over this territory, casting a shadow over the land. The atmosphere was oppressive, the air thick with dust, making the area feel like an entirely different world.
The sound of volcanic eruptions rumbled in the distance, while the black and brown volcanic rock, rough and mineral-rich, was barren, not a blade of grass or insect in sight.
The place seemed utterly desolate, as if cut off from the rest of the world.
Tap, tap, tap...
Three pairs of footsteps echoed at the base of the volcano.
A small-framed man, dressed in black and masked, ran ahead, while a tall, striking woman with flowing blonde curls and long legs chased after him with lightning speed.
Behind them, an elderly man, battered and panicked, fled in desperation.
"Tarson, you can't escape! Today, you'll pay for what you did to those thirteen children!" the woman shouted, her voice full of fury and cold resolve.
The small-framed man cursed under his breath, "Three months of searching, and we finally find you in this godforsaken place. You won't escape today!"
"Please, I beg of you, spare me! I'll never do it again!" the elderly man wailed as he fled, his voice full of desperation.
"I've already hidden here, why won't you leave me alone?" he cried, his voice trembling with fear.
"Spare you? And who will spare the innocents you harmed?" Black Star, the small-framed man, growled as a black mist began to gather at the tip of his wand. In the next moment, a ripple of energy spread outward.
The ripple was invisible, and perhaps it was because the fleeing man was exhausted that he didn't notice the deathly wave expanding toward him. When it struck him, he stumbled, nearly tripping.
Regaining his balance just in time, he heaved a sigh of relief and tried to keep running.
But just as he did, the sound of a whip slicing through the air reached his ears.
The old man's heart tightened, and he tried to react.
But the whip moved faster than sound, and when he turned to look, he found that the distance between him and the ground was rapidly growing.
Lowering his gaze, he saw a headless body still running.
The shape and size were all too familiar.
It looked... just like his?
His thoughts froze. Even as his head hit the ground, he died with his eyes wide open in disbelief.
A thick, corrosive black mist soon drifted over, consuming the remains until they disintegrated into dust, floating away on the wind.
"Your whip technique is getting better and better, Sands. It's sharper than a sword. That neck wound was clean, as if it had been sliced with a blade," Black Star remarked with a smirk, looking at the woman who had delivered the fatal strike.
Sands sighed in relief as the dust settled. "Finally, this guy is dealt with…"
She then ruffled Black Star's hair playfully, her tone smug. "Of course. What did you expect? I'm Sands, after all!"
"Here, have something to eat. I found it in his hiding place," Black Star offered, pulling out a package of dried meat.
"Ugh, no way! I'm not eating anything that belonged to him. It's disgusting!" Sands replied, wrinkling her nose in disgust. She turned and walked away.
Black Star shrugged, popping a piece of dried meat into his mouth. "Suit yourself. More for me…"
As a mage, the long chase had worn him out. He didn't have Sands' physical endurance, so he sat down on the ground, taking a break and letting his body relax, intending to wait for Sands to return.
Half an hour passed quickly.
Black Star had finished the meat, but Sands had disappeared from sight. Eventually, even her aura became undetectable.