Furosi couldn’t help but recall that cruel night.
On that night, a hundred members of the Blood Clan were killed, but among the rebellious Blood Clan members who were injured by that Blood Clan prince, there were as many as a thousand.
In the end, the incident was only quelled through the combined efforts of the Elders’ Council and the Parliament members.
After that rebellious Blood Clan prince was killed, he did not die like the ordinary Blood Clan members before him.
Instead, he resurrected on the spot repeatedly, only truly dying after being beaten to the point of losing the ability to immediately revive.
His death was also unique—he lost his soul, leaving behind only the Blood Clan’s essence.
After discussion, the Elders’ Council and Parliament decided to seal the essence of that Blood Clan prince, as well as the essence of the other rebellious Blood Clan members.
They named the cause behind the increasing rebellions “Contamination,” though the exact reason remained unknown.
However, to prevent the recurrence of a Blood Clan prince’s fall, the Elders’ Council halted further investigation.
The main reason Furosi brought this matter up again was that recently, she had discovered another case of “Contamination” remarkably similar to the previous Blood Clan rebellion.
Amelia watched Furosi’s unwavering gaze and slowly sat down.
“Are you really going to investigate this? You might end up risking yourself.”
Although Amelia and Furosi didn’t get along, they were sisters after all. Amelia teased Furosi daily but did not want to see her truly perish.
After a long silence, Amelia sighed. “Alright, since I’m your older sister, I’ll go crazy with you.”
Amelia understood why Furosi had called her.
Furosi’s bet was likely a ruse; what she really wanted was to drag Amelia into investigating the truth behind the “Blood Clan Rebellion.”
“But on one condition, if the Elders’ Council holds anyone accountable, I’m not taking the blame.” Amelia raised a finger.
“Naturally,” Furosi agreed readily. She wasn’t one to beat around the bush in matters like this.
However, after agreeing that Amelia would bear the blame, Furosi seemed to remember something and looked toward Ivy on the magical light screen.
“The main reason I want to investigate this is actually because of this little one.”
“Because of this little one?” Amelia was genuinely puzzled this time.
She had previously guessed what Furosi intended to investigate, but hearing that it involved Ivy left her completely confused.
“Don’t you think the Empire suddenly choosing a hero to exterminate the Blood Clan is suspicious?”
“Although they call it a divine oracle, the content of this oracle is strangely off.”
“Centuries ago, our Blood Clan already mastered the method of breeding human blood slaves. There’s no need to invade and suck blood everywhere anymore.”
“And the blood slaves we breed are mostly bought from slave markets or taken from starving children during disaster years.”
“These blood slaves can choose to stay in the Blood Clan’s ancient castle when they grow up, or leave; some even choose to become Blood Clan members.”
“We’ve established a very thorough system. After all, every year there are famines and refugees—we’re never short of blood slaves.”
“So the so-called archenemy mentioned in the oracle seems like a deliberate provocation to stir war between humans and Blood Clan.”
Furosi slowly shared her suspicions.
Their Blood Clan had always lived in peace. Ordinary members barely left the territory, only those responsible for purchasing slaves during disaster years and the princes had freedom to travel.
Yet this oracle thrust the Blood Clan directly into the spotlight.
“Also, the Violet Empire surrendered far too quickly.”
“Though Ivy is quite weak, she’s still a hero. How did she escape only to be handed over so quickly?”
“And during all this, there was no involvement from the Church of Light, as if it didn’t exist.”
Amelia frowned. She had felt something missing in this human-Blood Clan war.
It was the absence of the Church of Light.
Not to mention the Church of Light was the Empire’s parliament, the oracle itself was given by them.
As the first witnesses of the oracle, the Church’s failure to take initiative or come to battle against the Blood Clan was clearly suspicious.
Even more so, they handed over the hero so readily, agreed to cede land and pay reparations as if it was pre-planned, all executed rapidly.
It was as if they were eager for the hero to be killed.
Amelia glanced at the hero still curled up in the corner.
“So this little one was actually sold?”
Furosi nodded.
“Uh…”
Amelia looked at Ivy locked away in the small dark cell, then at Furosi—the mastermind behind all this.
Furosi read Amelia’s strange look and calmly said:
“Separate matters. This little one betrayed me and must pay the price.”
Amelia didn’t press the issue further, instead turning back to finalize their bet.
“Though I agreed to investigate with you, there must be a proper bet, or it’s no fun.”
“If you lose… you’re not allowed to cut me for a whole month.”
Furosi shook her head. “Don’t say impossible things.”
Amelia twitched at the corner of her eye, then revised: “Then no cutting me without a good reason for a month.”
“Deal.” Furosi didn’t object this time and then asked:
“How long do you think this little one can hold on?”
“Hm… a week,” Amelia said after pondering, settling on what she thought was a reasonable estimate.
“Then I bet this little one won’t last five days,” Furosi said.
Meanwhile, in the small dark cell.
Ivy felt an inexplicable terror sweep over her.
It was as if some unknown presence lurked unseen, ready to harm her.
Although Ivy knew it was her imagination, prolonged deprivation of sensory input made her nerves hypersensitive.
For someone used to perceiving the world through sight and sound, losing both was like plunging headfirst into the abyss of fear.
Fear only grew louder and darker in the silent, pitch-black world.
Ivy kept adjusting her breathing, trying to calm her emotions.
She finally understood why solitary confinement in prison was the most terrifying punishment—far worse than physical torture.
Because this kind of punishment strikes directly at the soul.