"Moreover, he has also begun to delay the supply of pure Blood Dew to the Blood Moon Clan, a behavior that must be corrected."
Uphemia’s eyes shone with excitement.
The Blood Tear Duke is now an Apostle of the Abyss, and if she could successfully "teach" him a lesson, it would undoubtedly greatly enhance her rating in the New Star Plan, maybe even propel her to the top position.
"I understand, Father. Asmond, that wild dog, indeed needs to be whipped a bit to see who the true master is."
"Finally, and most importantly," the King of Blood’s voice took on a deeply unfathomable tone:
"Find a way to approach the young Wizard named Ron Ralph; there is a quality in him that we need..."
The spiral in the blood-eye twisted and changed as if something terrifying was brewing:
"If we can turn him into our ally, or rather... a servant, the success rate of the entire plan will significantly increase."
Upon hearing this, Uphemia felt a subtle unease.
Though her father did not say it outright, the implication was very clear.
"Father, how would you like me to approach him?" she cautiously asked.
The spiral in the blood-eye began to rotate slowly again, as if considering how to answer:
"You are a beautiful woman, and he is a young man. At critical moments, women always have some... special advantages."
The implication of this sentence was extremely clear, causing a nameless sense of resistance to surge within Uphemia’s heart.
Although she was indeed a creation of the King of Blood, she also had her own consciousness and dignity.
Being asked to "conquer" an unseen person in such a manner made her feel a subtle humiliation.
But outwardly, she still maintained a façade of loyalty:
"I... understand, Father. But what if he refuses?"
"Then use more direct methods."
The King of Blood’s tone became dangerous, and the blood-eye began to emit a portentous red glow.
"The curse mark will allow you to completely control his body and mind, an effect stronger than any contract."
The spiral in the blood-eye began to accelerate its rotation:
"Of course, this ability can be used only once and requires a complete... process. So you must choose the right moment."
Hearing these words, Uphemia felt even more irritable inside.
"I understand, Father," she finally replied, trying not to reveal her inner hesitation: "I will find a way to complete the mission."
"Very good. Remember, this mission is crucial to the success of our entire plan."
The King of Blood’s voice began to become blurred as the Teleportation Gate slowly closed:
"Do not disappoint me, Uphemia. You are my finest creation, and my only... successor."
With these words, the blood-red tentacles retracted into the Teleportation Gate, and the light of the blood-eye gradually dimmed.
In the air, only a thick scent of blood and an unsettling echo were left behind.
Standing at the edge of the cliff, Uphemia gazed toward the distant Abyss, her heart filled with mixed emotions.
Of course, she knew the meaning of her existence and understood her father’s expectations of her.
But the feeling of being used as a tool still stirred a nameless sense of rebellion in her heart.
"Never mind, take it one step at a time," she whispered, then turned to the blood demons behind her:
"Besides, Father did not set any hard targets; I’ll first figure a way to enter the Observation Post."
As a being with an independent personality, she would, of course, execute her mission in her own way.
Regarding those unpleasant "special means," she’d avoid them if possible.
After all, there were still many other ways to achieve her goals.
......
Meanwhile, deep within the distant Chaotic Blood World, an indescribable terror was brewing.
At one extreme corner of this world stood a palace constructed of white bone and flesh.
Each column of the palace was a gigantic spinal bone, with strands of decayed flesh hanging from it.
The walls were pieced together with countless human faces, twisting in agony at times, laughing wildly with bloodthirsty mouths at others, displaying all extremes of human emotion.
Most unsettling of all, these faces were still alive.
They blinked, breathed, and mouthed silent words, but no one dared to listen closely.
In the deepest part of the palace, the King of Blood "sat" alone on his throne.
After nearly an era of uncontrolled power, Aiden’s true form had turned distorted and horrifying.
His body displayed a terrifying state, caught between human and Abyssal Creatures.
Most of his skin had peeled off, revealing the writhing veins and muscle tissue beneath.
His left arm was entirely composed of black bundles of veins, bearing countless tiny eyeballs, each rotating independently.
Most terrifying was his face.
His original facial features had twisted and deformed, with his mouth stretching to the ears, revealing three rows of sharp teeth.
On his forehead was a giant vertical eye, with a spiral pupil, emitting a red light that could drive one into madness.
This was the true appearance of the "King of Blood," a pitiful existence partially eroded and destroyed by his own power but still retaining some self-awareness.
On the table before him crawled a small spider.
Its eight legs bore human eyeballs, while its abdomen continuously morphed into various geometric patterns.
This was a manifestation of the "Void Spider" Maggs.