Sixth Bloodline [BxB]

CHAPTER 44: SEVENTH PUREBLOOD [WHO DOES HE TAKE AFTER?]

cHAptEr 44:

sEvEntH pUrEbLOOd

[wHO dOEs hE tAkE AftEr?]

   AFTER THAT, the situation finally managed to clear itself. Mikhael, who had actually joined hunters before the Judgement Order, was said to have been sent on the mission to infiltrate Hunters from that point on.

The Judgement Order twisted history simply like that.

Even if one was to look through accounting books of Judgement Order or try to dig out some truth, this is the only result they will stumble upon.

However, Mikhael still felt a bit guilty, so no matter how they scolded him, he only silently accepted everything. But seeing him so honestly admit his wrongs, their hearts also softened and they couldn't scold him too harshly.

When Mikhael himself saw that they also didn't seem that angry, like a little kitten poking someone to check their reaction, he bit by bit grew even braver as he began to talk about dirty deeds be knew about Hunters and joke about them.

Such as, who slept with whom, who's weaker than whom, who had the most humiliating moments and such, and then compared him to his virtuous brothers and sisters here who had clean histories. Well, they themselves knew that he's talking nonsense — how could they all be clean of smears in their past?

   'But, whatever...'

Since Mikhael spoke like this, then let him vilify that other group. They can only blame themselves for taking Mikhael into their ranks...

Anyway, while he was bragging about sleeping with the old boss whose skills were worse than that of a century old virgin — the other rolled their eyes at his nonsense.

While on the other side of the city, someone wasn't at as lucky as Mikhael.

If Ethan knew that he was facing danger to protect someone who even forgot about him at the moment, it's a wonder if he'd go and beat him up personally!

Since he pretended to be the person about to meet Dante, Ethan naturally didn't hide his traces at all. One could even say that he appeared to be as noticeable as possible, and coupled with his bearings, people were simply unable to remove their eyes off him.

They all realized that this fellow isn't simple, but who was he exactly?

Person with this bearing can't be someone unknown, yet no one could recognize him! Still, that didn't stop them from making a move. In fact, they felt like they can't let this person meet with the Seventh Pureblood, lest he joins him and becomes even more of a threat!

So Ethan, who worried about a youth that disappeared the moment they stepped in this city, faced over ten attacks from various powerhouses in just one hour.

He was well aware that there wasn't only one power involved, but...

   "My Lord..." With Vane and Sean by his side, Ethan has clearly distanced from the other group that came to pick him up.

   "I know," he didn't waste words, he was well aware what he wanted to say.

Despite being targeted by different powers, their enemies seem to be able to locate them a bit too easily...

Ethan suspected the steward that came to pick him up from the very beginning; he arrived too soon. Even with the train being delayed an entire hour, most people would think that something was wrong — yet this person didn't even send someone to check the train, but instead appeared the moment they arrived.

   'And his words about inconvenience... How could he know about it when people didn't even start leaving the train?'

One needs to know that since the road to the City of Evernight is so well-hidden, any communication would be disabled from the train. Those who knew the actual path were those existences on the very top and Judgement Order, so Ethan's gaze when looking at Mikhael before was odd for that reason.

Still, he accepted it.

Someone Dante was acquainted could create Armament with power great enough to influence an entire city, so he no longer considered Mikhael as some ignorant youth.

Who knows, he might even be an immortal Human.

But...

He could understand Mikhael's skills, and didn't doubt the ally Dante trusted. But those people who came to welcome them?

Ethan sneered.

To know of the things no one should be aware as of yet, how could that be possible!?

Naturally, someone had informed the steward that the train was on its way. And that someone should be one of the spies among Order's trainees.

   "Later, find a chance to get rid of this person," Ethan wouldn't take initiative to attack someone, but he would never show mercy towards someone who tried to take his life.

From the first attack, it was obvious that assassins targeted Ethan and his two followers. So Ethan, who took eye for an eye, accidentally hid behind one of "Dante's" people and let them bear the brunt of the attack.

And so, one by one, people who came to pick him up dwindled in numbers while the trio got out unscathed. Frustrated, the leader of this group distanced from them and blamed them for the death of their comrades.

   "Didn't you originally come here to protect and escort me? How is it my fault that you're unable to do what you've been asked to do?"

How could Ethan restrain his poisonous tongue?

This journey was no different than a walk in park for him, but his two men were often just an inch from death in the previous hour — they were saved just because Ethan silently interfered using his blood suppression to stop the assassin who was in the middle of attack. That let his men grasp an opening to slay them.

It was already obvious that those people have switched camps already, so Ethan decided not to show mercy. If not for him being uncertain about Mikhael's current position, how could Ethan continue to play with those people for so long?

And he would chip away a bit of enemy forces with each attack making it look like it truly had nothing to do with him. And now, he set his eyes on that bastard pretending to remain loyal to Dante.

Since he already betrayed him, he'd help Dante take out some trash...

Yet, before he could act, he was stunned to see someone walk towards him.

Ink black hair and tiny body wearing formal clothes, the incoming child had face which almost seemed as if it's been carefully sculpted by God in order to make the most perfect creation in existence! A lollipop in one hand and other resting in his pocket, he seemed no different than any normal child.

But everyone here knew better.

Only one child with blood red eyes could walk this city without care of being hunted down — the Seventh Pureblood.

Because his situation was somewhat special, he still looked like a child, but he didn't lose his mind like one. Not only did he not crave blood, he had never even tasted it once before, so he can't be said to be a complete Pureblood.

Until the moment he drank blood and finished the change, he would always be stuck somewhere between being human and a vampire — but that itself was a huge advantage.

He could continue to grow until the moment he finished the change. Few decades were like a year to his still-growing body — but even so, no one dared to underestimate him because of his looks.

Despite being the youngest and looking like a little child, his brain was more valuable than anyone in this city together.

Even so more than all other six Purebloods.

   "Oh, my, what do we have here?" His somewhat childish voice spoke those words with serious expression, making him look cute.

   "How come when you left the manor today, you appeared to be in much larger number? Who dares to bully my men?" But even so, his voice wasn't angry. In fact, if one listened carefully to it, it would even appear somewhat mocking.

   "My Lord?" Gritting his teeth, his attendant knelt down, followed by everyone else and even those two behind Ethan. Only Ethan stared at Dante somewhat curiously and gave him a knowing look others couldn't catch.

Dante pretended to ignore his gaze and he came closer with a smile on his face.

   "You've come, my friend," he smiled as he tugged on Ethan's clothes.

   "Yes, I apologize that I'm late. Who'd say that this city has so many bored cockroaches meddling in other people's business," very naturally, as if he's already done it countless times before, Ethan bent down before picking Dante and held him in his arms.

   "Impudent!" The guards on the ground all stood up and moved to surround Ethan, "How dare you touch our Lord Pureblood? Are you even worthy!?"

   "..."

Ethan chose to ignore them.

   "Why did you stand up?" At that moment Dante spoke.

   "My Lord..."

   "Did I allow you to?"

   "We..." They immediately knelt down again.

   "It is one thing that you came out on your own to greet my guest, I can only accept that as your concern for my friend and forgive you," he began to speak and Ethan frowned.

Ho?

But even so...

   'You chose to forgive him?'

Dante was very wise, even Ethan gave up in competing with him when it comes to some mischief and games. First words were about listing his crime. That alone was enough to sentence him to death, but the next part was Dante taking initiative to give him an excuse and spare his life.

Then, he actually forgave him.

Ethan pretended like he didn't understand anything and continued to hold onto Dante. The other party was telling him to not touch this steward for now, he still needed him for something.

   "But... To actually take so long to bring my guest to my residence and even lose half of my men... What should I need such an incompetent servant for?" He sneered and Ethan sighed.

To betray one's master, how could their ending be anything good? Not only will their new master hunt them down if they find out about this betrayal, but even enemies would be unwilling to accept someone guilty of insubordination under their ranks — despite being the ones who made them do it.

Who would dare to use a servant who betrayed their master? Won't they also be at risk of betrayal following that logic?

Not to mention, accepting them was no different than telling the other side: Look, it was me who made this person backstab you!

It would truly be ironic.

But those people only blindly believed that they'll have a better future if they betray their master — they'd give up a peaceful future just for the sake of a moment of glory!

   "My Lord, I can explain! This..."

   "What? You're going to make someone else bear the brunt of your crimes? Just how much further do you intend to lose face for me?" If Ethan didn't hold down Dante, he fears that the other person would go and kick the other party.

   'How violent! Why did my cute little brother become so violent as of lately?'

   "..."

He paused.

   'That... Doesn't happen to have anything to do with that crazy fellow he met on the train?'

   "I don't dare, my Lord!"

   "What don't you dare do while this Lord isn't looking?" He sneered. Those simple words had another layer of accusation. The other party's face palled immediately, he understood that this little guy knew about his evil seeds.

The crowd that originally crowded immediately dispersed when they realized that there's something wrong about this situation.

Their Pureblood's subordinate lost too much face for him already, so what if he wants to punish him now? And if they remained here and managed to annoy their lord... Won't he also punish them for being there?

   "Get lost from my eyes. From now on, you lot have nothing to do with this Lord," then he tugged at Ethan again who only nodded and began to walk away.

He ignored the crowd begging for mercy on the ground as he proceeded forward. Their faces were pale with terror, even though Dante spared them. For they knew, being abandoned like this, people behind them would find them useless and get rid of them just to silence them.

That alone was much crueler fate compared to dying by Dante's hands.

Only the two men who followed Ethan this whole time stood up and went after them.

   "It's done... I'm done..."

He still couldn't understand. Where did he go wrong to lose against a child?

On the way to Dante's manor, Ethan acted restrained like he was only there to carry Dante, but once they were isolated from everyone else...

   "You little brat, how dare you wander alone without guards to protect you!?" He pitched Dante's waist who only cried in protest.

   "Big brother, I was wrong! I won't do it again!"

   "Won't do it again? What time is it that you shamelessly said those words to me again!" He showed no mercy.

   'This brat, he's become uncontrollable!'

   "Ah, I'm serious this time! You were in trouble, so like a good younger brother, I had to come to the rescue!"

   "..."

   'Who taught him this? Who!?'

   "What rescue? Do you think those few henchmen would be able to hurt me! Tell me the truth, what did you want to do over there?"

Dante saw that acting pitiful won't work anymore, but at least he got away from beating. He just got pinched few times, it's nothing with his current body.

   "Ah, that. I was actually following you from the very start," he admitted and Ethan's eyes turned even more dangerous.

   "Wait before you beat me up, there's a good reason for what I've done!" He immediately added and Ethan only sat down on the sofa and crossed his legs before taking off his gloves.

   "I'm listening," but Dante only meekly followed those gloves with his gaze. How could he not know  by now that whenever this big brother of his removed those gloves, his ass would suffer some pain in turn!?

To Dante, Ethan seemed like an Emperor listening to a guilty sinner and about to sentence him death if he's unhappy with the answer he'll hear! Those hands with no calluses at all appeared to hold his life like it was a thin thread which could be snapped at any moment!

   "You see, the person that should arrive today... Well, I wasn't really worried about him, but it's true that steward moved out on his own without telling me anything, and I decided to follow him since something seemed odd about his behavior! Therefore, I saw him welcoming you and realized your plan, so I thought that I might as well follow after you."

   "..."

Ethan's eyebrow twitched.

   "Dante, that excuse of yours is truly no different than having no excuse at all," he slowly spoke as Dante shuddered.

   "No, wait, there's another reason. How could your good little brother possibly let you suffer grievances. In case something seriously happened, I would've just jumped in and saved you!"

   "Oh?"

It was a single sound, not even a word, but it only made Dante more afraid.

   "Right, see how no one attacked you while you carried me? Even if they want to offend me by killing you, how can they directly attack me? It would be equal as offending all Purebloods! Even if they worked for them, if I complain a bit about my grievances, the other side would have no choice but to hunt down those who attacked me for the appearance's sake!"

   "Oh?"

   'Say something clearly, please!'

   "You trust your friend more than you trust me?"

Dante palled, it was better to just keep silent - after all!

It's not that he didn't trust Ethan, but he knew Mikhael's craftiness better than anyone! f**k, did you ever see an Esteemed Seat take the Pureblood directly into Hunters HQ as if leading his younger cousin and make everyone unable to figure out his identity!?

That's just a layer of an iceberg showing a but of Mikhael's craftiness, and Dante learned a thing or two from him.

In fact, looking at situation Mikhael experienced earlier and Dante is facing now, the two appear to be more of brothers compared to Ethan and him!

   "No! I naturally trust brother more, but the rest of our siblings are all vile and crafty so they might have made a move personally! I didn't want to take risks and that person... Well, I highly doubt steward would be able to meet him. He runs really fast..."

   "..."

Ethan nodded, he really does.

   "Do you dare say those words in front of Constantine again?"

Dante palled.

   'f**k!'

He doesn't.

Constantine is even scarier than Ethan! It's why he freaking ran away from him and sided with this evildoer instead!!

   "Diana would also be really sad if she heard those words. She lives you the most, after all."

   "..."

   'Can I cry now? Getting spanked seems kinda cute compared to them hearing me bad-mouthing them.'

   "Though, that friend of yours running fast..." Ethan really couldn't refute those words.

He personally witnessed just how fast could that person run away! Even he, a Pureblood, couldn't catch up to him!!

   "Also, what are his skills compared to this steward. Merely a spy for others that can't even fool a little child, how could my friend suffer under his hands? In fact, it's more likely that steward Jonson wouldn't even know how he died if he faced my friend!"

   "..."

Well, he could understand that as well. Those perpetrators on the train... That youth was really fast in dealing with them.

   "Indeed. I met your friend on the train," he mused, but Dante's eyes gleamed with happiness.

   "Really! How was he? I'm sure big brother liked him!"

   "..."

Recalling the period of time when Dante went around the world fooling for five years and how he returned with different personality, Ethan had a complicated expression on his face.

Back then, he simply thought that he won't have to worry about Dante who had the oldest member of Judgement Order following in his shadow to protect him.

But. What. Actually. Happened!?

His shy and cute little brother returned like a wolf in sheep's clothing!

As he often described Mikhael as a generous big brother without a name, Ethan shrugged it off and thought that it was something else on that journey that changed him. Maybe Elias, he knew that the old man did some shady business from time to time.

But when he met Mikhael...

   "You seem to be protecting that steward of yours?" He changed the point of conversation. He really didn't want to remember that shameless spell-caster who called him a "Dumblord"!

   "Ah? Yes, killing him would be too simple. There's something odd going on with that person, and I think he also has some connections to the previous steward..." Dante frowned as he opened the void and took a stack of papers with various letters and pictures among them before giving them to Ethan.

   "Take a look, I want to make him act.

Dante also racked his brains because of this steward, but still didn't know who was his boss.

   "I don't have enough proof nor even an inkling to see who's behind him. If I didn't give up on him and he still has to prove his worth to the other side, maybe I could find out something? So I couldn't kill him yet," Dante explained as he sat on Ethan's lap. No matter what, this Pureblood that looked like a ten years old child was the most proficient in selling cuteness!

He also learned from Mikhael that being lazy could be a wonderful thing sometimes, so he liked to be carried around by Ethan. His brother was also tall, so he could also see more when he was lifted up!

No matter what, Dante also wanted to be tall — can he still call himself a man if he's satisfied with his height as it is now!?

He did have some childish points about himself. For the first part of his life, he was always confined to bed. The second part was a new life given to him because of his intelligence and it was only after he met Mikhael that he learned the wonders of being corrupted— ah, free and unrestrained!

If he had to chose between Ethan and Mikhael... It would be hard to chose, indeed. One is like big reliable brother while other was like naughty brother that takes him out on adventures.

While Dante continued to wonder what kind of trouble should he create once Mikhael appeared, Ethan's frown only became deeper as he continued to read through those files.

   "And you still dare to say that you'll be careful from now on? You even kept this person by your side for so long despite knowing all this and didn't even tell me about it!?"

Dante stilled.

As expected, he couldn't escape being taught a lesson that day. He even had to write down "I won't create trouble" for the entire evening.

And while they waited for Mikhael that day... He didn't appear.

A day later... He still didn't appear.

Two days later... Not a trace of him could be seen!

Three days later... They even forgot about who they were waiting for...

It was only on the fourth day that Mikhael finally came, bringing a terrifying storm that would rise the entire city on legs once again.