Thoughtfully furrowing my brows at Kurama's words, I tapped my cheek while remembering the abilities of a Vampire from my knowledge. 'Shapeshifting, hypnosis, immortality, as well as blood manipulation.' Now, this was just the knowledge of vampires I had from my past life, from books and movies, but I still assumed they had the same abilities, if not more.
"Are you referring to their ability to manipulate blood, Kurama?" I seemed to hit the nail on the head as Kurama faintly nodded, though there didn't seem to be much confidence behind it. "Yes. It's just a speculation, as I haven't had much interaction with Vampires since they're a reclusive species, but I think if it's anyone who could solve your issue, it could be them."
"A speculation, you say? I don't think you'd have told me if it were purely speculation." Raising an eyebrow, I leaned a little closer to Kurama, who flashed a faint smile before sighing with a nod as she rested her chin on her hand. "Haa, well, it's 'speculation' because it's you, Alex. If it were anyone else, I'm confident they'd solve your problems easily, but you don't have blood flowing through your veins; you have Ichor; it is something usually only those with divinity would be capable of influencing."
As Kurama gestured to me, I leaned back in my seat, frowning as I didn't doubt her words; my Ichor was something only Gods or Dragons should have, so there was no way it would be easy to use or manipulate.
"Well, even if that's the case, you're capable of using my blood to make potions; if you can do that, I'm sure there exists a Vampire that's capable of doing something similar." Kurama merely chuckled at my words. "Being praised by my man feels quite splendid." "You're not my woman, Kurama." Despite my remark, Kurama promptly ignored me.
"However, despite my excellent alchemy skills, you're overestimating me, Alex. Your blood is simply too potent for me to work with; it overpowers every other ingredient I use. Not even Legendary rank ingredients stand a chance." Although her choice of words sounded like she was complaining, her expression said otherwise.
"Perhaps if I had other Mythical rank ingredients to balance things out, I'd be able to properly use your blood, but if I could create a Mythical tier potion, I'd be a Goddess."
"Huh, so I suppose getting a potion for Master would've been impossible." As I muttered under my breath, Kurama's faint smile vanished as she slowly nodded, causing a moment of silence to fill the air.
"Anyways, thank you, Kurama. The Daemon Continent, looks like I have a place to visit." Clapping, I stood up and stretched slightly before pulling Kurama to her feet, prompting her to fall into my embrace, causing my face to twitch. "Speaking of Master, I'm really curious how she'd feel to know one of her friends is hitting on her disciple/lover."
"Fufu, she wouldn't have minded." I didn't believe Kurama for a second as I skeptically stared at her, causing her to awkwardly cough. "W-Well, this would be after she beat me up a few times." "Yeah, that sounds a bit more like Master." Dryly nodding in agreement, Kurama finally separated from me before sporting a solemn expression.
"Please be very careful in Daemon." Seeing her serious expression, I just smirked. "Of course, I'm not some hot-headed youngster; those days have passed." "You've never been a hot-headed type, Alex." "Tsk, quiet, Lazuli!" Shooting the smirking Lazuli a glare, Kurama kissed my cheek before turning around, causing her nine, incredibly soft tails, to brush against my face.
"If that's so, I'll finally take my leave." As Kurama left, I sat back down, formulating a schedule for when I'd be able to go to the Daemon continent. While doing so, Lazuli hugged me from behind, resting her chin on my shoulder.
"I'm coming." "Heh, you can't monopolize me, Lazuli; you came with me last time to the Asckbon Continent." Rubbing her hands, I glanced at Lazuli, who proceeded to pout, causing me to kiss her cheek. "Want to continue where we left off?" "Of course."
Smirking, we pressed our lips together as we began to strip ourselves of clothes before engaging in an hour-long, passionate lovemaking session.
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After gathering everyone together for a family meeting, I told them what Kurama had informed me of and my plan to visit the Daemon Continent; I had initially intended to go by myself, mainly because it would be quicker, but a certain someone wasn't having that.
"I'm coming!" Slamming her hand onto the table, causing it to groan, Yuki glared at me with open hostility, causing me to wryly smile as I raised my hands. "Y-Yuki, I know your emotions are all over the place, but please try and listen; if I go alone, I'll be faster—" I wasn't able to finish speaking as Yuki proceeded to place one of her hands atop my head.
"I. AM. COMING." Feeling the muscles in her hand twitching, as if eager to crush my head, I nervously gulped while looking at Yuki, not knowing how to respond. 'If I say something she doesn't like, I fear she might crush my head.'
Although there was a bit of genuine fear in Yuki about what was to come, as a man, I had to hold my ground. "Yuki. You're not coming." Leaning forward, I stared unflinchingly into her eyes; our staring contest lasted for several seconds as the tension between us grew thick enough to cut.
However, like a balloon, Yuki deflated as she slumped her shoulders, lowered her head, and removed her arm. "W-Why not?" Seeing the tears forming in her eyes, I internally wanted to vomit. 'Shit, now I sort of regret saying what I did.'
"Because I'm faster alone, and secondly, which was probably the most important, but I'm confident when you're here." Tenderly holding Yuki's hand, she looked at me with her teary eyes, confusion hidden within her gaze. "There are people who want to do us harm, that stupid church, Duke Vendom, granted, I'm not that concerned about him. However, we still have enemies, and if you were to come, I'd feel less confident about everyone's safety."
"I would still be here, Alex." As Vanye interjected, I faintly shook my head; Vanye was definitely strong, no doubt about that, probably even more dangerous than Yuki, but their roles were different.
"Yes, but you're not Yuki, Vanye. You two can both kill, but you can't protect like Yuki. She's an unbreachable, indestructible wall; a mountain." Personally, I thought I was still underestimating Yuki's importance. "With you here, I know nothing unfortunate will happen. That's why you can't come."
"I-I don't like it, b-but okay." Wiping her eyes before tears could fall, Yuki shot me a glare before falling silent, causing me to sigh in relief.
With that out of the way, the next several days were spent ensuring everything would be fine during my absence before finally setting off for the Daemon Continent a week later.
However, before actually leaving, I took a little detour to the capital.
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"Right this way, Count Alexander." Following Kai, the Steward, into the castle, he led me down the numerous extravagant halls for several minutes until finally stopping beside double doors on the eighth floor.
"Here is Princess Iguan's room." Slightly bowing, Kai began to walk away, causing me to scratch my head. "Steward Kai, is it okay for me to enter the Princess's room? Will it not hurt her reputation?" Kai raised an eyebrow at my words before nodding, causing me to deeply frown, only for his next set of words to confuse me. "However, his Majesty has allowed so." "W-Wait, the King personally granted me permission?"
With a knowing smile, Kai nodded before turning around and leaving, causing me to shift my gaze to the double doors with an ugly expression. 'Fuck, I don't want to enter her room anymore.' I'd be foolish if I didn't realize what the King was attempting to achieve.
Inwardly cursing, I took a deep breath and gently knocked. "Princess Iguan? It is Count Alexander. May I speak with you?" There was a bout of silence before she responded. "Please enter, Alexander." Softly sighing, I entered and closed the door behind me, before glancing at Iguan, who was sitting down in a dress with a book in her hand. However, when I saw a maid beside her, I felt a rush of euphoria.
'Haa, thank goodness, she's not alone.' Approaching Iguan, who gestured to the couch opposite her, I sat down and reached into my space pouch, grabbing a small stack of papers as well as one of the few artificial crystals I've made before placing them on the table.
"What are these, Count Alexander?" With a curious expression, Iguan looked at me, prompting me to point between them. "As I promised during our dance, I'll teach you how to use space mana; however, I urgently have to deal with a personal matter, so until I can return, I've written down all my understanding, knowledge, and instinctive feelings regarding space magic. As for the mana crystal, it's filled with only space mana."
It's already been a reasonable amount of time since the promise, and I didn't want her to think I'd forgotten about her, so I figured this was the least I could do for now. 'I honestly don't even know if this stuff is going to be helpful.'