Solar Blood Masters (197)

Chapter 197 - The Perfect Suitor

Raphael slowly awoke in a lavish bed within an opulent room. He looked around groggily then the memories of the previous day's events, of the poisonous grapes and the duel with the Snow Maidens, came flooding back.

He directed his awareness inwards and inspected his Gourmet Roots. They were calmer now, and new, microscopic hairs had formed along their length which indicated his increased tolerance to poisonous substance.

‘So, Enel’s devious actions actually… helped my Gourmet Roots evolve? How ironic.’ He was amused by this unexpected turn of events. He also noticed that his Solar Essence Density had increased by 20 kelvin.

He got out of bed, walked over to the window, and peered outside. He was in the palace. Below, a crowd of people milled around the base of the colossal black pillar, now embedded deep in the earth like a morbid monument to his earlier battle.

‘That pillar… it really did some damage. Hopefully, no one was seriously injured.’

Then he remembered Kudumei. Where was she?

A faint vibrating sound came from beneath the bed. He looked down.

Kudumei shivered there, her violet shell coated in a thin layer of frost.

“You’re still cold? Damn that Silk Yune, what is her ice made of? Come out from under there.”

He dragged her out gently, then paused as his stomach growled loudly.

A delicious aroma wafted through the air.

Food.

“Is that… food? Smells delicious! Come on, Kudumei, let’s go investigate.”

He dragged the shivering clam behind him, ignored her protests, and walked through the palace. Maidservants bowed respectfully as he passed.

He arrived in a massive dining hall, where a long table groaned under the weight of a lavish spread of food. He skipped over excitedly, braced himself against the table, and inhaled deeply, savoring the intoxicating aroma.

“This is… heaven.”

He glanced back at Kudumei, seeking her approval, but she simply continued shivering, seemingly unimpressed by the culinary delights.

“Go ahead and indulge. This was prepared… specifically for you,” a voice came from the other end of the table.

Raphael looked up around the mountain of food and saw Xavier Snow sitting there, casually enjoying a small portion of rice.

“Who are you? Oh, wait. Aren’t you that old man… from the contest?”

“I am Xavier Snow, Lord of this empire, and you, young man, are currently within my abode. After you fell unconscious, I brought you here and had my specialists examine you. However, their services weren't needed, for your body was already in the healing phase. Pardon my language, but you possess a remarkable physique.”

“Oh, thanks, I guess.” Raphael smiled sheepishly then his drooling gaze returned to the food. “So… it’s okay if I… eat this?”

“Feel free,” Xavier Snow gestured towards the spread.

Raphael didn’t hesitate. He began devouring the food like a beast! He was stuffing his mouth until his cheeks bulged. He hadn’t realized just how hungry he was.

Xavier Snow watched him while sipping his tea thoughtfully.

‘His demeanor has changed drastically compared to yesterday's duel. Food… it truly is the window to a man’s soul.’

Among the dishes, some were laced with an agent called ‘Serum of Truth.’ He’d instructed the chefs to sprinkle it liberally. He was waiting for the serum to take effect before beginning his interrogation. He had many questions for this golden-haired lad.

‘It should be taking effect… now.’

“You truly can consume copious amounts of food as if it were nothing. Remarkable. So, what is your name, and where are you from?”

“Huh…” Raphael finished stuffing his mouth, then replied, “You can call me… Raphael, gramps. As for where I’m from… I came here from Yama Yaguai. Through a portal.”

Xavier Snow’s eyes narrowed slightly. ‘So, that spatial rift I sensed wasn't my imagination. This lad… he’s from Yama Yaguai? That place of monsters? No wonder his strength is so… monstrous. So there ARE human clans residing within Yama Yaguai? Given this Raphael’s affiliation, it would be beneficial for our empire to maintain good rapport.’

“What can you tell me about your home? Your lifestyle? Your parents?”

“My parents? My mother died after I was born, or rather, she was murdered by a vicious witch. Butler Long raised me, mostly. It was horrible. I was treated like garbage for being weak. And my father… that bastard!” Raphael slammed a fist onto the table, causing the dishes to rattle. “He acted as if I didn’t exist! But soon… I’ll make him see me! He’ll pay for ignoring me all those years!”

Xavier Snow pondered Raphael’s words. ‘So, he has family issues as well? But for him to be seen as “weak”, just how powerful is his father? Raphael, he’s by no means weak. He’s more capable than most in this empire.’ He glanced out the window at the colossal black pillar.

‘And that grand pillar out there is definite proof. It weighs as much as a mountain. No one in this empire could even budge it. And that clam of his… I can’t even sense its Solar Essence. I’m starting to question the accuracy of my ancestors’ reports. Perhaps Yama Yaguai isn’t as simple as those old scrolls depict.’

“Raphael, what can you tell me about the current state of Yama Yaguai?”

“It’s… peaceful. By Yama Yaguai standards, of course. The nine major territories are governed by nine powerful Emperor Calamities. Well, eight now. Yunyin Territory is currently… vacant. But it should be fine since Sindoll, the Void Emperor Calamity maintains order. As long as she is around, those beasts won’t run amok.”

“So, the Void Emperor Calamity my ancestors spoke of… is called Sindoll? Those reports… they were accurate. We humans… we can’t contend with such forces. What if Sindoll were to set her sights on us? We’d be…” Xavier Snow shivered involuntarily.

“Don’t worry, gramps,” Raphael interrupted his thoughts. “Sindoll isn’t like that. She’s a close friend of mine. At least… I think we are. She spent five years tinkering with my body. If THAT’S not devotion, I don’t know what is. Plus, Sindoll and my grandma… they go way back.”

“What?!” Xavier was stunned. ‘This kid… he has ties with such powerful entities?! Then he is the perfect fit for my daughters! He could elevate my empire’s status to be amongst those powerhouses, such as the Bloodthorne and Allucar Empires!’

By the time Xavier finished his internal monologue, the table was… empty.

Licked clean!

Raphael burped loudly, wiped his mouth, and thanked Xavier for the food.

Kudumei rattled over and shivered beside him.

“I’m going to find a Fire Pool for you, Kudumei. Just wait.”

“There is a Fire Pool within the palace. At the lower levels. I can have some stewards escort you there, if you’d like,” Xavier Snow interrupted.

Raphael was skeptical. ‘A Fire Pool… inside the palace?’

He activated his echolocation. His sensitive ears picked up the distinct vibrations of a large, active Fire Pool. It was nearby, beneath them.

“Lead the way,” he told Xavier Snow, picking up Kudumei.

Xavier Snow organized for a servant to escort them.

After Raphael departed, Xavier Snow fell into deep thought. ‘That Raphael… I must win him over. A marriage alliance with him would greatly benefit our empire. And my daughters’ Ice Vein… perhaps it can finally be cured. Yes…’

…

Creak…

“Please, enter.” The female servant opened a grand, ice-wrought door and politely gestured for Raphael to proceed.

He entered the vast underground chamber. The servant bowed curtly, then departed, leaving him alone within the Fire Pool’s sanctuary.

Raphael was dressed in a simple, white cotton robe. He observed the space. Several colossal ice pillars surrounded the area. A dense white fog oozed from their base.

Large stones, positioned atop one another like a precarious tower, stood near the chamber's edge. Fire-type plants, with leaves that resembled flickering flames, grew in abundance around the stones.

And at the chamber's heart within a large circular area, a Fire Pool was bubbling.

Raphael grinned. This was perfect!

“Yahoo!” he shouted excitedly as he flung his robe onto the floor before dashing towards the Fire Pool and diving into its fiery depths.

He swam around like an excited child. He dipped beneath the surface, then emerged, spitting out a stream of liquid fire before laughing boisterously.

“Kudumei! Come! It’s amazing!” He playfully splashed some liquid fire at the shivering clam.

Kudumei hesitated for a moment, but then after sensing the warmth, she dove into the Fire Pool.

SPLASH!

Raphael and the clam frolicked in the fiery embrace. They splashed, they swam, they played.

Raphael commented, “Look, Kudumei! You’re not shivering anymore! The Fire Pool is healing you!”

After a while, Raphael decided to explore the pool’s depths.

“Let’s go, Kudumei!”

He grabbed onto the clam’s shell, using her as a diving scooter, and they descended towards the bottom.

If an ordinary human were to enter a Fire Pool unprotected, let alone naked, their flesh would instantly melt from their bones. But Raphael’s Super Human Constitution, enhanced by Thienika’s Solar Seed and Sindoll’s grafting, was more resilient. He was practically immune to the Fire Pool’s searing heat.

Shortly after Raphael and Kudumei vanished beneath the surface, feminine voices came from the entrance.

“Ugh, that golden-haired brat… I still can’t believe Father chose HIM as the winner.”

“He did say he’d pick the suitor, didn’t he, Yuki? And besides… that brat’s strength is undeniable. If Father hadn’t intervened, we would have been severely injured. Or worse.”

Yukiana and Labeach entered the chamber. They were dressed in simple, white robes that accentuated their curves. Their blue hair flowed loosely down their backs.

“But sister, to marry a child? It’s ridiculous!” Yukiana stomped her foot, causing the ground to tremble slightly.

Labeach placed a comforting hand on her sister’s shoulder. “Don’t worry, Yuki. Father might have chosen him, but… the final decision rests with us. We are the Snow Maidens. We choose our own destiny. No man, not even Father, can force us to wed against our will.”

“I still have to pound him for insulting our appearances,” Yukiana grumbled, then continued.

“That’s enough about that brat. Let’s focus on our training. I can feel the Ice Vein pulsing. Its tendrils are spreading… We have to suppress it before it consumes our life force. Just like it did Mother.”