Netori: Reborn as the Human Aphrodisiac

But until we've rebuilt our forces, we should cancel our Sanctuary expeditions and focus on protecting our borders." Staring at a map of the Angra holdings in the Sanctuary, Akamana sighed—wishing she'd not underestimated Mithras that much.

"If you'd just killed the dragon youth with Cruel Genesis, we'd have taken control of the situation long before Vel'Asha woke up—to say nothing of giving her the chance to summon an army of Yaksha nobles.

And even that army is just a drop in the bucket compared to the forces she's still hiding. We have committed professional suicide, and it's all your fault." Still pissed that Akamana went ahead and stole Springtime City, adding unnecessary trouble to their heavy plate, Belphegor didn't mince his words—his sister's brows arching into a lopsided slope.

"First of all, my cutie pie is much harder to kill than you imagine. Second of all, I'd never kill Mithras, take that out of your mind. Are you fucking insane? He's Menaka's son and your future brother-in-law. What kind of big brother tries to murk his brother-in-law? Belphy, you disappoint me.

I didn't picture you as the cockblocking bro type," Akamana said with a little pout, turning sideways, and ignoring Belphy.

The Knight of Ahriman's face stretched with confusion, a mix of emotions going through his chest as he struggled to process his sister's words.

"You're serious? You are not messing around? You really…like that kid?"

"Of course I do. You think I call him 'cutie pie' because I find him funny?"

"Then I'm confused. Why are you still holding back? Over these past few years, you've had so many opportunities to make him yours, he was right there in your hand, yet you never truly let him inside your heart.

Why?" Aware of his mischievous sister's secrets, Belphegor asked, causing Akamana to bite her index as she remembered past events with a certain dragon youth whose eyes were not purple back then.

The Grand Priestess' thoughts went wild, and her cheeks turned red. But the moment next, she pulled in a deep breath, calming the surge of emotions and looking into the distance.

"Because I'm scared. My heart is small and only has place for one man. The first must be the one, for he for sure will be the last. There is no way around it. So I can't afford the slightest mistake…because I know I will not recover from a deception.

But Mithras is so young. If only he were over 100, 200, 300…I wouldn't be that worried. But he's so young and still has so much time to change—especially as his body evolves.

The one I'm falling for is the greedy, charming, and cheerful lad with a penchant for mischief. The overlord of the next era…doesn't interest me," Akamana said, and as Belphegor tried to make sense of his sister's words, the Grand Priestess stood up, crossing spatial rifts to land in another dimension.

A world of fire and brimstone welcomed her, with squads of gargantuan beasts and herculean demons growling as they faced the Grand Priestess.

"Swell! A welcome party of little freakies," Akamana said and raised her right hand, letting her darkness unfurl in full force.

The growling sounds of formless fiends reverberated throughout the scene, causing the demonic creatures to look left and right, seeking the hiding place of those invisible killing machines.

"Now, now…who is dying today?"

---

Meanwhile, Mithras left Vel'Asha's palace—because yes, the king, queen and queen mother all have a palace inside the palace—making the royal palace more like a city. An excessive arrangement, no doubt., but fairly common in the local monarchies.

A white and gold crest decorated Mithras' chest, highlighting the patterns of his black and red warlock robe. And as he walked down the palace, whispers buzzed left and right. The glances of maids, attendants, princesses, and other royal relatives following his every move.

Mithras ignored them, his mind focused on the troubling news he'd just gotten from the Yaksha queen.

'Like the dragon lords, even if they don't train, Blood Nobles get more powerful with age. The older, the stronger. But the boost also depends on their bloodline and generation rank. With the Fylkirs having the fastest growth pace.

Mithras, you're the only second-generation Fylkir left in the Hadubrangr line—in essence comparable to a demigod. And you also carry the noblest lineage of Balmaria. No one can tell what powers you can unlock in the Blood Lake. But they for sure will be deadly.

Sadly, if you don't play your cards right, you might not live long enough to enjoy them. Because if you don't get to Sucuria quick enough, the Fylkirs will get to you.

And after over 100,000 years of silent refinement…I'd say the Spiritual World only has five people who can trade blows with them—of those I know, at least.' Vel'Asha warned before enforcing Gaiseric's will and giving Mithras the noble crest.

Be it in the Spiritual World or the Higher Planes, immortal lifeforms grew stronger as they aged. But one group brought that gimmick to the extreme: the Fylkirs.

In that category, even the dragon lords fell a step short. So, while the Balmarian nobles had better base attributes and matured quicker. With enough time, the Fylkirs could exceed anyone. And they had over 100,000 years.

The situation wasn't ideal, and as a torrential downpour started falling from the sky, making Mithras' lovely stalkers scatter into the distance, the youth closed his eyes, his lips curling up.

"Mhmm…Odoacer, Arminius, Gurdenhozer, Trajan, Hadrian, Shapur, and Sucuria: the seven Fylkirs. Reeducate one, kill the rest. Tough, tough, tough. But we will find a way—we always do." Even the rain couldn't dampen Mithras' optimism. And he closed his eyes, letting his Sensory Secret spread at full strength.

From the moment his injuries had miraculously healed, Mithras felt as if something had changed inside of him. As if the sun had fused with his heart and filled his chest with infinite light.

What a strange and hypnotic feeling. Mithras now wanted to share that light. To spread it as far as he could, to as many as possible. His senses broke through unknown barriers, enabling him to count the exact number of rain drops within a hundred miles.

Better, the people in that radius spoke to him. Their bodies feeding his brain with a nonstop flow of information that helped Mithras understand them better than they understood themselves.

One such person now entered Mithras' range, drifting towards him with heavy steps.

The rain mixed with her tears, both trickling down her cheeks as her silver hair and white dress became a dripping mess. But she didn't care, her steps dragged down by the weight on her shoulders.

The two met at a crossroads, Elektra's eyes beaming one moment and souring the next.

Mithras just had to lean in, and he could feel the rollercoaster of emotions wreaking the desolate beauty. The rage, regret, helplessness, confusion, self-loathing, all at an extreme. She'd reached the edge; the next step was death. And that couldn't happen, so Mithras reached out, wiping off Elektra's tears, and pulling her into his arms.

"It's fine…it's all fine. Elektra...just say the word…and I will make it all go away." Mithras whispered in the queen's ears and leaned back, melting her down with a disarming look.

Yes. So perfect and mesmerizing. In this instant, Elektra felt as if Mithras' eyes had become a pair of divine jewels, reflecting the shine of a purple sun.

Was that sun trying to save her? Could he really make it all go away?

If so…why would she fight back?

Why should she resist?

Why not just…let go...let go and embrace the sun?

"Please…" Elektra's hands tightened on Mithras' sleeves, and she leaned into his chest…melting in his arms. The Human Aphrodisiac's eyes had never looked more radiant, and he raised the queen's chin, taking her lips in a slow and sensual smooch.

Their tongues met and coiled, Elektra's mind becoming a fog as Mithras imprinted himself on her. Here, the Human Aphrodisiac raised the queen by the legs, carrying her even as their lips stayed connected.

Meanwhile, in Vel'Asha's palace, the Yaksha ruler received a little surprise that Mithras left to help her forget her dead son.

"Oh Queen Mother, in all this madness we forgot to notify you that while you were in a coma, the king changed one law at Mithras' request but died before he could announce the change. It's not that big a deal, but since only Mithras knows the law's in effect, we should either announce or reverse it," the attendant said, causing Vel'Asha's face to twist into a frown.

"What…law?"

"The Right of Conquest.

Also, the Dukes of Astalon and Tantares died in the carnage—including other influential figures. The Duke of Balt was already killed by Cassandra after trying to mess with Mithras during the failed Honoria wedding. Meaning that the four dukes are all dead or crippled.

Also, half the royal palace's women have announced they wish to leave with Lord Mithras, including all the Uriah women." When the attendant's words reached this point, Vel leaped off her seat, grabbing the middle-aged woman by the collar.

"Not a big deal? Have you gone insane? What here is not a big deal? Ending the nobility's Right of Conquest is the foundation of absolute monarchy! Reverse that law, and the most powerful lords will eat the rest, quickly gaining power that surpasses the crown.

And you're telling me that of all the lords of the Blood-Smelting Kingdom, only the strongest knows the Right of Conquest has been restored?!" Vel'Asha snapped, making her poor attendant tremble in fear.

At that time, it began!

News coming from afar that'd in a flash make the Yaksha queen realize…that she'd mistaken a devil for an angel.

"The House of Tantares has signed away its assets to the House of Astalon!"

"The remnants of Balt have signed away their assets to the House of Astalon!"

"The Duke of Elektra has abdicated to lady Cassandra, who in turn will abdicate to the heir of the Astalon and Elektra—her godson, Mithras di Astalon." One after the other, Vel'Asha's messengers gave the news, making the queen stagger in a mix of shock and confusion.

Here, Vel took out a map of the Blood-Smelting Kingdom, trying to find how the assets Mithras had inherited from Gaiseric would align with his new holdings.

The result…was simply flabbergasting. For now, in essence, Mithras controlled…60% of the nation!

"The...nerve. The bloody nerve.

Gaiseric, there was no need to plan for his future. Because under my nose...that boy…has just stolen the kingdom."