Unholy Player

Chapter 533: Henry’s Plan (Part 1)

The Blood Sect, as its name suggests, was an organization that brought together different races and different kinds of individuals under the same mindset.

As long as one was willing to change their Path to the Blood Path and was strong or influential enough in the Midlands, anyone could join this organization, regardless of where they came from or what they used to follow.

As for Kaelor, he was the only one from his race within this organization.

It was not because his race was naturally righteous, unwilling to change their Paths, or too weak to join an organization this powerful.

It was because his race was one of those facing an inevitable end and was on the verge of extinction. Their numbers had been shrinking year after year.

It was a race called Mechari, and their low population came from the fact that their method of reproduction was very different from other races.

They did not reproduce through mating like most other races. Instead, they were created and brought into existence by wise, elderly members of their kind, whom they called Creators. In a way, each new Mechari was forged rather than born.

Unfortunately, all of their Creators had been gone for a long time. Only 1 remained, but he was so old that he had not produced a new Mechari in centuries. He was no longer able to pass on the knowledge needed to create more. Without that knowledge, no new generations could be made, and their race had no way to continue.

That was why, when Kaelor saw the flying drone, he recognized it at first sight as a distant cousin. Hope rose instantly, and he asked the first question that came to his mind before anyone else could speak.

"Is there a Creator here?"

His joints trembled as the mechanical gears hidden within his body began to spin rapidly. The motion grew hotter and faster as excitement surged through his circuits, pushing his frame close to overheating.

His entire life was now narrowed to a single mission. He had to find a new Creator for his race so their population could rise again and escape extinction, no matter how far he had to search.

His choice to join the Blood Sect was also tied to that dream. Unable to find any solutions from the existing four gods, he decided to try his luck with a new one. Even if that meant walking a path most would fear.

"Creator?" Zephan and Liora repeated in confusion. They noticed the sudden shift in his demeanor and exchanged a look, trying to understand what that word meant to him and why it made him look so eager.

Meanwhile, the drone drifted toward them and stopped a short distance away. It held its position in the air with unnerving stability, without the slightest wobble or correction.

Then a holographic screen opened in front of it. Light spilled from its lens, and a figure appeared and spoke.

"Lady Liora, Lord Zephan. Sorry to interrupt, but could you please brief me on the situation?"

The one speaking on the screen was Henry Bates.

He had been watching from the start through cameras placed around the area by the STF. The footage was recorded and transmitted to his office, where every movement came through in a steady feed.

When he saw Sevrak die so easily, a deep relief flooded him. Their investments in these three rulers had paid off generously, and the result was undeniable.

At the same time, however, seeing how strong the trio had become, a small worry began to take shape inside him. It was quiet but persistent.

While Adyr was still asleep, there was no one with enough influence to restrain these three monsters if they decided to turn against the Humans. That truth sat in the back of his mind like a weight he could not set down.

So when he saw the fight end with Sevrak’s death and shift into casual conversation instead, he instinctively felt he had to join it. He needed to be present before the situation drifted into something he could no longer steer.

"Lord Henry." Liora and Zephan greeted him politely in return.

Although they knew Henry Bates was a mortal, what mattered was that he was a Human mortal. He was also the man currently managing the Human City. In their eyes, that position carried nearly the same status and authority as a Rank 4 Practitioner in these regions.

Zephan took responsibility for explaining the situation. "These two are from the Blood Sect. They came here searching for a treasure called the Heart of the Blood Palace. They believe it is somewhere around here and want to enter the city to search for it."

As soon as Henry heard the name, his heart tightened slightly.

It’s good I decided to step into their conversation. A heavy wave of relief moved through him, because he had made the right call.

Among everyone present, only Henry and Rhys knew that Adyr had found and used the Heart of the Blood Palace. If anyone else learned the truth, especially Zephan, the result would be catastrophic.

It would be even worse if Zephan was smart enough to connect the dots: Adyr killing his ancestors and then taking their blood to charge the treasure, all under the excuse of helping the Lunari.

Henry hid his tension professionally and fell silent for a few seconds. He weighed his options, knowing he had to choose the right words.

Then he spoke calmly. "I see." He nodded, his face showing no sign of concern. "They are right. The treasure, or more precisely, the remaining pieces, were here in the city."

Henry did not pretend he had never heard of it. He simply accepted the truth that it was indeed in their possession, speaking as if it was an inconvenient fact and nothing more.

Liora and Zephan watched the screen without much surprise. They did not even know what the treasure truly was.

Arvyn, however, looked as if something bright had ignited behind her eyes. Her elation was immediate, as if this single confirmation was worth the journey by itself.

Kaelor, on the other hand, was still staring at the drone in shock. Seeing it speak stunned him even further. Faint smoke leaked from his metal ears and mouth, as if his internal heat had spiked beyond what his frame could fully contain.

Zephan narrowed his eyes at the wording. "Were?"

Henry nodded again without breaking his composure. "Yes. Our Lord Adyr found it near the mountains and took it." He paused, then added in a slightly heavier tone, "You can probably guess where it is now."

Hearing this, Liora and Zephan swallowed slowly. They could easily guess where it was.

Adyr’s absence for the past few months for "family" business gave them the answer.

If their guess was right, then even if the entire Blood Sect came down with all their strength, they would not even catch a glimpse of the treasure. Taking it by force was not even an option.

Of course, that was only what Liora and Zephan were thinking and imagining.

"Tell us where it is now," Arvyn asked impatiently, having understood the entire exchange in Latin between the two and the strange flying piece of metal.