“So, you’ve awakened the Whitemore bloodline,” he murmured more to himself than to Val, “But why wasn’t this detected during the awakening ritual? There was no sign of any sort of awakening then.”

Val seized the opportunity to plant a seed of doubt regarding the priest.

“That’s because the concoction I was given wasn’t the witch’s potion,” he said, feigning hurt.

Actually, he desired to take revenge before he was sent to the Northern Frontie, but At the same time, he wanted to fortify his strength by advancing his Blood Devil bloodline to the second level. However, time, the eternal adversary, was not a luxury he could afford to squander on both endeavors. As such, in order to do both, he made the calculated decision to draw his father into this vengeful whirlpool. He will use his father’s help to get the priest executed.

Joshua narrowed his eyes. “What are you implying?”

Val had fabricated a story just for this moment.

He explained to his father that the priest had given him a potion similar in appearance to the witch’s potion but with very different effects. It was a suppressant, designed to inhibit his bloodline, but it had provoked an unexpected reaction. His bloodline had fought back. He couldn’t feel pain, so he hadn’t known what was happening inside his body until later that night when he woke up feeling strange and vomited black blood. Although he was puking blood, he felt stronger than ever. That was when he realized what had happened.

Half of what Val had said didn’t happen, but what he said was indeed possible hence why Joshua believed him.

Val’s declaration sent shockwaves through Joshua. He had sacrificed Val because he believed he was a normie, but now it turned out it was one big conspiracy.

“I had really been taken advantage of!”

His relationship with his good son was broken and he had also agreed to sending a potential powerhouse to the frontline just because of a scheming bastard! It left a bitter taste in his mouth!! He couldn’t help but regret it!!!

Joshua’s gaze rested on Val as he pronounced his thoughts, “That damnable priest… he ought to be damned if he has a hand in this.”

After a moment, he continued, “Our hands are tied in taking open action against him, as we lack concrete proof and he is sheltered by the Church of Light, which holds great influence in the kingdom. Nevertheless, I will deploy my men to delve into this matter clandestinely. If we can unearth any damning evidence, we will seize him and deliver justice as per our law.”

The Church of Light was born from the ashes of the apocalypse. It served as a beacon, a lighthouse in a world drowned in desolation. Its teachings offered a strand of hope to those ravaged by the catastrophe, attracting the desperate and the desolate into its comforting embrace.

Its power and influence had grown exponentially over the years.

Currently, it was the no.1 religion within the kingdom.

“Gathering evidence might not be as arduous as you think. A simple investigation into the priest’s recent acquisitions might reveal if he has procured the ingredients necessary for a bloodline suppression potion. If such a trail exists, it would provide compelling evidence against him.” Val said thoughtfully.

“That’s a good idea.” Joshua seemed enlightened by this suggestion.

He summoned his shadow guards and ordered them to make a comprehensive report of what the family priest had done in recent months and gather dirt on him.

Shadow guards were orphans that Joshua had taken in from the streets and trained to serve him. They were so conditioned that they wouldn’t hesitate to die for him or to kill whomever he ordered them to.

They followed his orders without hesitation. Without delay, they set out to gather evidence against the family priest, disappearing from the study as silently as they had arrived.

“If your allegations are true, my son, an apology is due. I’d be grateful for your forgiveness,” Joshua said, a hint of remorse in his voice.

“I’ll look forward to that, father,” Val responded, his tone serious yet holding a hint of satisfaction.

Next, Joshua asked, “Is there anything you desire, Val?”

His gaze had softened. It was a sign he wanted to make amends as it had now become known to him that Val wasn’t a useless piece of shit, but a Bloodline User just like him. The least he could do was to compensate for the tribulations his son had to undergo due to the ill intentions of the priest. Even now he failed to see that it was his fault! 𝑂𝒱𝐥xt.𝗇𝓔t

“For now, I’d prefer that you do not announce my awakening as a bloodline user to anyone,” Val replied, catching his father off guard.

“Why?” Joshua frowned, perplexed by his son’s request.

Val’s eyes took on a steely glint as he stated, “I want to observe the true faces of those around me. If they know of my awakening, they will inevitably change their attitudes and start treating me better.”

“I see,” Joshua responded, understanding Val’s reasoning. It was a wise move. Knowing who was truly loyal and who was a fair-weather friend was invaluable information. He felt a newfound respect for Val!

“I also want the freedom to leave the stronghold as I wish. I want to train myself, so that when the day comes for me to leave for the Northern Frontier, I will be strong enough to defend myself,” Val responded earnestly. “I hope you won’t deny me that. My survival depends on it.”

Joshua contemplated Val’s request for a moment before saying, “Very well. You have my permission to leave the stronghold for training. However, you are to venture no further than the outskirts of the Evernight Forest. That is my condition.”

Val nodded in agreement, “I understand, Father. I accept your terms.”

With that the meeting between the father and son concluded.

Joshua slumped back onto his chair, while Val stood up and exited the study.