BXBX NOVEL Chapter 47 Leon's Decision
Everyone in Prasinos could freely use magical power.
They could use it according to their natural aptitude, class, and their constitution. That includes normal animals and plants. However, there was a distinct difference between each creature in terms of how their bodies take in magical power.
The difference lies with the creature's mana receptors.
The composition and nature of the mana receptors vary from race to race, constitution to constitution. Even mixed races had identifiable mana receptors.
But there was no account in the entire history of Prasinos about a creature possessing two different types of mana receptors! Just what the hell are these creatures?
Leon furrowed his brows, looking extremely disturbed. He didn't know what happened to these wolves. Although he had a hunch that they were results of the Spectre's experimentations, he didn't want to accept that fact.
He wanted to deny it as much as possible, for there were many lives involved!
Today, they encountered twenty wolves, that meant twenty pairs humans and wolves, or even more! His heart pounded hard as he could only imagine the horror they went through. He became burdened.
He loved his subjects even though they misunderstood him. He was born knowing that it was his responsibility protecting the inhabitants of the empire, regardless if they approve of him or not. What can he say?
He was born in this position, his heart was meant to love the people.
Even if they do not love him back.
Now he was faced with a gruesome reality, the subjects are in danger! He had to do something!
He turned and looked longingly towards Eli's cottage. He stared at it for a long time. Clenching his fist, he toughened up himself to come up with a decision.
To leave his unborn child and future wife, in order to bring greater peace.
His heart broke in two.
"Again, I would be out of the family's picture.." He uttered with a bittersweet smile.
As much as possible, he wanted to stay by their side at all times. But now, he cannot afford to do it.
He was about to wrap up to go inside, when he saw Olivier's team arriving from disposing the remains of the enemies.
"Your Highness, we have arrived!" Olivier reported.
"Hmm, you're timely. I was about to go inside and check on Randel." Leon acknowledged the team and beckoned them to get inside.
As soon as they opened, the aroma of a sumptuous dinner welcomed their noses. They had been on high alert all this time that they didn't notice that they all had skipped lunch and it was almost dinner time.
Eli welcomed them home with a relieved smile. Wearing a light pink laced apron, she welcomed the team. Her aura excudes that of a gentle and loving mom-to-be.
"You're here Baobao, Wisey, Sir Olivier! I am glad you are all safe!" Of course, the first one she hugged was the furry body of Baobao. She even rubbed her head in Baobao's fluffy tummy.
"Aiyoo, Master, I am full of dirt!" Baobao nervously responded as he gave Eli's head a pat. He glanced at the far left and saw the Prince Master, starting at them intensely.
Meeting the Prince Master's stare, Baobao's fur stood up in goosebumps. "The Prince Master looked scary!" He mentally communicated with Wisey.
"Hmmf, he was just envious that Eli chan's object of affection was us. What can he do? He was just a 'friend'!" Wisey responded as she arrogantly transformed into her original barn owl form and brushed her cheeks on Eli's hand.
Eli also affectionately caressed Wisey's head. Wisey didn't forget to cast a gloating glance towards the cold Prince, "Too bad you were just a friend!"
Leon couldn't take the provocation anymore and avoided the mocking glance of Eli's two companions. Olivier on the other hand was praying that the Prince wouldn't be so cold when they go home later on.
"Randel was already awake, you can rest in the living room for a moment, while I prepare for dinner." Eli led the exhausted group in the living room.
There they saw Randel, sitting attentively. His cold and mysterious demeanor was back. His upper body bandaged, his long brown hair was neatly resting on his back and shoulders. Beside him was Azayn, who was busy reading the book of rare animals Eli had duplicated for her.
"Greetings esteemed elf!" Olivier respectfully greeted the elf in the living room.
He knew that the elves preferred not to interact with humans, but this elf not only helped them, she seemed to also tended to Randel's injury.
"Be at ease, you're Eli and Randel's friends, and this Prince was even Eli's future hus- eherm.. Friend, Eli's friend." Azayn answered nonchalantly, but almost blurted out something that would make Eli uncomfortable.
Back when Azayn took Eli to the elven village for refuge, she was able to introduce her with his father, Chief Eirllon and her husband Koehthar. After formally introducing Eli to the men, she had already dragged Eli out and they proceeded to have a girls talk.
From that she knew that the reason that Eli collapsed and had her summoned in Argentum was because of this Prince's sudden proposal and the many revelations thereafter.
Azayn went to tease Eli as to why she wouldn't accept the Prince's proposal as she would really be needing the help of a husband in preparing for her delivery soon. However, Eli patiently explained about her take on marriage and how she and the Prince agreed to just be friends.
Eli left them in the living room to finish preparing for dinner while the group expressed their concern on Randel.
Randel was already out of the dangerous stage of his condition. He just needed to replenish energy and recover from his wounds. After knowing this, everyone heaved a sigh of relief.
Randel remembered something and took out a recording crystal into his pocket.
"I have managed to record everything that happened before I engaged in a battle with the wolves. I felt that there was something wrong with them."
Everyone observed the scene of the wolves transforming and attacking their own handlers.
"We have also encountered the same thing, however the berserk was triggered by breaking a pendant with a red liquid." Olivier reported. "How come it wasn't the same as yours?"
Everyone was baffled. After some time, Randel replied, "The wolves went berserk after I cut off one of the cloaked men's heads. Could it be that I have simultaneously broken the pendant?"
All agreed with Randel's hypothesis. It was plausible.
"We were lucky, however, that Wisey was able to find the artifact that could stop the berserk." Oliver then showed everyone the bracelet containing the greenish liquid.
He handed it down to Leon and continued, "Apart from this and the broken specimen of the red liquid crystal, we're not able to determine if the other artifacts have some connection with the wolves' berserk."
Everyone, even Azayn was left in wonder, how these wolves turned into terrifying monsters.
These monsters appeared mindless and all they could do was to attack the nearest enemy around. If the entrapment spell weren't there, if they weren't able to subdue them on time, they could just imagine how many lives would be lost when these wolves were allowed to go on rampage.
"I have completed my initial investigation of the wolves we have captured.." Leon declared to the group. Everyone could see that he wasn't feeling well about what he was able to discover.
With a cold glint in his eyes and tightly clenched fists, he informed everyone, "The wolves possess human mana receptors.."
"Ridiculous!" It was Azayn who first voiced her surprise. She dropped the book that she had been enjoying earlier and said in utter disbelief,
"How could that happen? No one could possess two types of receptors! Even mixed race creatures naturally develop their one and own!" She was a doctor, she knew this fact very well.
"I, too, would want to not believe it the most. But I checked and checked repeatedly. I couldn't deny what I saw and verified… Those were human receptors.. There's no denying that fact…They were the result of gruesome experimentations.." Leon explained, his voice shaking.
Everyone was left speechless. It was such a scary truth they had stumbled upon. No one else spoke a word.
"Prince, what's your plan?" Azayn broke the silence and asked for Leon's next step.
"I'd like to look into the matter deeper. As much as I want to stay here with Lady Elise, this matter must not wait…" Leon answered straightforwardly, but regret could be seen in his eyes.
"I'd like you to also inform the Elven Chief of this matter. Chances are, not only the human and wolf race were involved.. The worst case scenario is, the Spectre had already been using lives indiscriminately for their goal." Leon pleaded with Azayn.
"Hmm.. It's good. On behalf of my father, we would like to cooperate with the Third Prince of the Seirende Empire." Azayn acknowledged. The possibility of other races being involved were also highly possible.
Leon looked at Azayn gratefully, and looked towards the rest of the group and addressed them one by one..
"Randel, I will also communicate soon with the Grand Masters… Continue on your recovery."
"Olivier, stay here with the Lady. If possible, help her to train using her summoner's ability."
"Baobao and Wisey.. I'd like to plead to you, and also to everyone, not to tell the Lady about the experiment…I am afraid that this news may forcibly remind her of her past.."
"As for me, I will immediately go back straight to the capital and report these matters to the Emperor." He said with determination in his eyes.
He decided to give up the chance to be closer to Eli and make up for his lost time as Little Han's co-parent.
"Everyone, I entrust to you the lives of my child, and the Lady… I couldn't thank you enough for this help."
Leon, the Barbaric Blood Prince of the Seirende Empire, bowed humbly towards the group with utmost sincerity.