The God of Jesters
Chapter 229 - 4.05.2 He took you away from me.

Chapter 229: 4.05.2 He took you away from me.

Max’s actions were weird in Sheva’s eyes. Yes, this boy has helped them and yes, she really feels thankful toward him. But she was not blind due to it.

The contact between Max and the boy was close to nil, the most he had interacted with this boy was the day he killed Krugal, the boy’s father. Then why, all of a sudden Max would make a drastic choice such as making this boy his blood inheritor?

She understood the importance this held. Even for someone with an astounding resume as her, she was still set aside in her regiment when the bloodline promotion offer came up in the talks.

The reason being that one’s age and potential mattered a lot for the process. The younger it is, the lower the restriction on talent and compatibility.

Although Krotal can be somewhat considered at the ripe age for accepting a bloodline. He already possessed one to begin with.

All the knights had bloodlines and Krotal’s was the Iron Body. One of the most common bloodlines available in Bothal and if he were to accept a new bloodline in his body, then a conflict would arise and one would at the other. A war inside his body will take place that doesn’t have a high survival rate.

Of course, there were exceptions, like the Tyrant Bloodline of the major churches and some ancient families. Along with the sole monster that ruled above them all, the Radiant Hall.

"Your inheritor? Yours?" It would be a lie to say that Crow was not interested.

He knew full well how mediocre his bloodline was, rarely would there be people that rose to Master Level with the Iron Body bloodline. So he entertained the proposition for a bit.

But in his head, he was ready to accept it without any issue.

’Finally, the fruit of my labor.’ If he wished to grow stronger, he knew that besides having higher potential, you need to have resources as well. Including the bloodline with a higher upper limit and even more abilities to boot.

And he had seen this old madman in action. His moves and abilities were topnotch and if he recalls correctly, this man was able to use supernatural powers before he reached Master rank.

Which is rare, considering one gains such powers only after ascending to the Master Rank.

While those bloodlines that provide it earlier are obviously higher in quality.

Of course, what I said to him was not ignored by him. It was just an added bonus when compared to his gains.

"Yes, my bloodline... I don’t have much time left. This revenge, I can’t continue it, I can’t make those people pay for their crimes." Max had made up his mind, whether it was a lie or truth, he was going to believe it and create a lie to let Krotal understand why he chose him and what was the price of such a gift.

Unaware that Krotal really didn’t know his background or why he did all those things. In his mind, there were only two things.

One was to make this boy his heir, the other was his Daughter. If he had a choice, he would never choose this boy, Sheva was better in every way possible. But her age was an issue.

The other issue was his own bloodline. Which was more of a curse than it might appear. He didn’t wish for the woman who had helped him so much to be sacrificed so easily.

"Boy, didn’t I say, it’s a good opportunity? But I would suggest that you don’t accept it yet. Let’s find his bottom line first."

’But I wanna accept it, this seems like a really good chance for me to become someone special.’

"Don’t be swayed by small gains so easily. That man obviously would put you under some kind of contract that would require you to fulfill his dreams or not. I have seen many who have done so. It’s like a devil’s contract. They wish for something impossible in return for giving away power."

’I worked with you and gave up the life of my father. So what about this? I really lack patience for this. And besides, I would only value that power, if I have to pay something for it. But I still have one worry though.’

"Max, are you sure about this boy? He already has a bloodline in his body."

"No... there is no need to worry, although I might have used this power for violence. It lacks any true offensive capabilities. My teacher was a warrior and a healer."

"Listen, boy, this bloodline is a bit different than the ones you know. In truth, there are mainly two specialties of this bloodline. One is face-changing and the other is vitality absorption. Nothing more. It depends on the user and I believe you saw how I used it?"

"I know your bloodline is a powerful old man. But the issue is, I know for a fact, that you were at the center of whatever big thing happened on the hill. So many bleeding eyes, almost like the Taboo text I read in school."

"Tell me, old man, why should I believe you?" The boy was far smarter than he looked. Although I haven’t spoken to him about it. Nor did he dare to approach the two Scary ladies when they were talking about the event in detail.

He was able to make up the scenarios by himself by playing a game of fill-in-the-blanks.

His mind had conjured many different ideas and fantasies, but in the end, he ended up with the most plausible one. The one closest to the truth.

In his mind, the old man was not the victim of the Void level event, but the sole originator of it.

"Because I have nothing to lose nor anyone to carry on my will anymore. The lineage of my bloodline ends with me. Which I don’t wish to see and if not for my daughter not being in this world anymore, I wouldn’t have chosen you."

"So I was an afterthought? And you still haven’t told me about what actually happened on that hill. How did you do that?"

"There is no need to be offended boy, it is what it is. There is no denying the fact that I killed your father but on the other hand, even after that, you gave up your fingers to save us. So I appreciate your help there."

"But I also know that you made that choice not because you wanted to save us, but you wanted to save yourself and we just tagged along. It should probably be the man who took you in, that saved us."

Crow suddenly smiled at this point," Oh, I was going to guilt trip you for a long while. " Which surprised Sheva on the side. Looking toward Max, she couldn’t help but say. "I didn’t mention that detail to you yet."

"The false memories seem correct if my words are corroborating with your conclusions." Max smiled before turning to the boy. "As for what caused the Taboo on that hill... truth be told, I don’t remember. But considering, I now lack something of importance of mine, I can somewhat infer the cause of such disaster. " Max said, giving a look toward his useless hand, which has turned wood-like under the corruption.

Of course, all of it was hidden under bandages.

As for what this thing was, Max didn’t speak at all. The more he says, the more he will give away the truth.

So this much false information was enough

And it was, considering how imaginative this boy was, a fantasy and a series of events already formed in his head. Crow couldn’t help but ask. "You lost it?... at least you need to gift your disciple something special as an acceptance gift."

"..."

The boy was weird.

*****

Sheva left the duo, she had stayed there just as a precaution, fearing that the boy might pull something odd.

Though, her direction was not the little home in the jungle, instead, she went deeper into the forest, and neither Max nor Crow bothered with it.

Unlike them, Sheva was just a human. A normal human with normal human needs. One can imagine her reason at this late night.

And there was no need to speak of it.

Of course, their assumption was a bit wrong. As some words echoed in the dark forest. "You are late Sheva, were you still busy gorging on some food?"

"..."

"Just come out, I am not in the mood for your games today."

When those words were spoken, a man walked out of the side of a tree. A man who was not so unfamiliar to Sheva.

"Why standing so far away? Even your voice seems a bit weird than before.’ Sheva said, walking closer with a torch in her hand. But the man coughed a bit, before saying. "No need to come close, don’t want to give you nightmares, not for now at least."

When those words were spoken, she stopped. "Just tell me, why are you here today? No, the correct question should be, is this Baldar I am speaking to, or Jara?"

"... No need to be so cruel. I got you a good job, as I had promised."

"You used me."

"This is for the greater good... this is for..."

"Speak his name, isn’t it the same bastard that fucked with Max?"

"... I would appreciate it if you don’t cuss him."

"Why shouldn’t I do it? That bastard is the one who turned you into... into whatever the hell are you now..." Emotional, she was.

Sheva felt pathetic and weak.

She had lied to Max all this time.

She had lied to herself and the reason she was against the dwarves.

She showed a hint of vulnerability that she was scared to show to anyone.

And her words along with emotions seemed to have hurt Baldar. "If not for him, we both would have died there."