Upon hearing the request, Eros wore a peculiar expression. He wants my blood crystals? Is he really that bold?
However, after a second thought, he understood Saliba’s objective. "Are you planning to use my blood to concoct Life Potions?" Eros asked.
Saliba neither nodded nor denied it, which was a silent admission. At this, Eros raised an eyebrow, looking intrigued. "And what price are you willing to pay?"
Seeing that Eros hadn't flatly refused, Saliba felt a surge of joy, though he kept his face neutral. Instead of stating his offer, he countered, "What do you want?"
Eros cleared his throat and rubbed his hands together. "Does your offer from last time still stand?"
A flash of fury crossed Saliba’s eyes. "Don't push your luck!" he hissed coldly.
Eros curled his lip, unbothered. "If you can't do it, just say so. No need to get angry."
Saliba snorted and remained silent. Eros mused for a moment before speaking, "Then we’ll trade for Spiritual Marrow."
Saliba was surprised. He had expected Eros to make some convoluted demand, but this? Fearing Eros might change his mind, Saliba quickly replied, "Deal!"
With the transaction so easily settled, Saliba’s demeanor softened significantly. He looked at Eros and began to speak as if they were just making small talk. "You possess the legendary Elven bloodline, and my Augustine family also carries a transcendent bloodline. If you are willing, our two families could actually arrange a marriage alliance."
"The merging of our lineages would surely create an even more powerful bloodline."
Eros gave a dry laugh. "With your sister?"
Saliba spoke with apparent sincerity. "Yes! If you agree, I can plead with my father to let you wed after this assessment. By this time next year, you should already have an heir."
"However, there is one thing I must tell you in advance," Saliba continued. "As a scion of the Augustine family, she deserves the protection of our house. Therefore, even after you marry, she will not return with you to your fief but will remain in Indiles. Your fief is too far away, and I cannot guarantee she won't be mistreated by your family. I’m sure you can understand my concern as an older brother, right?"
An older brother’s concern? Eros thought. Coming from a man who’s willing to sell out both his sister and his mother?
Though he didn't know the specifics, there was undoubtedly a hidden conspiracy behind such a demand. Hah! If anyone believes that, I’ll laugh at them for a year. Consequently, he chose what he considered a "polite" way to express his refusal.
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Eros shook his head, his tone tinged with mock admiration. "Compared to your sister, I find your mother much more appealing."
As if he hadn't quite given up, Eros followed up with another question: "Are you sure that previous offer really can't stand?"
Saliba’s face instantly darkened. His fists clenched so tightly that the veins on the back of his hands bulged. After a long silence, he growled through gritted teeth, "If you can find a 'Spirit-Blessed Body,' the offer can stand."
The words seemed to be squeezed out from between his teeth one by one, his jaw clicking with the effort. Eros was stunned. He’s actually serious? What a truly 'filial' son. Amused, Eros decided to fan the flames.
"For real? You aren't lying to me, are you?"
"No!" The vein on Saliba’s forehead throbbed.
"Really not lying?"
"No!" Saliba’s face was now contorted.
Looking at Saliba’s twisted expression, Eros suddenly smiled. He dropped his casual air and spoke with absolute certainty: "Now I can be sure the Imperial Family is in contact with some Evil God from the Abyss. Are you really not afraid I’ll report you to the Church?"
Saliba gave a cold, mocking laugh. "You aren't clean yourself. Previously, the Academy didn't believe me because I was the one reporting you. But what if it’s my father who reports you? Even if the Bishops of the three Great Cathedrals in Indiles don't believe it, they will still follow protocol and conduct an inspection. Do you really think that Evil Spirit can hide once an official check begins? When that happens, your family will collapse because of your secret worship of an Evil God!"
As he finished, the sneer on Saliba’s face deepened. He hadn't thought of this before, but Eros’s earlier answer about why he hadn't reported the royalty gave him the idea. He now firmly believed Eros wouldn't dare report the Imperial Family unless he wanted to be burned at the stake by the Church.
As for his own family, just as Eros had said, they were prepared for a Church search. The only reason he hadn't used that as leverage to force Eros into giving up the blood crystals was to avoid a "mutual destruction" scenario. Even if they were prepared, what if the Church actually found something? He couldn't gamble—his house was too noble to risk everything for a few blood crystals. That was why he was patiently negotiating with this guy who had designs on his mother.
It was then that Eros suddenly laughed. It was a strange, eerie laugh that made Saliba’s skin crawl.
Frowning, Saliba barked, "What are you laughing at? Am I wrong?"
Eros’s lips curled into a smirk, his voice dripping with derision. "Evil Gods are 'Great Ones,' Saliba. Why do you assume a few Archbishops could see through Their methods? Even if the three Cardinal Archbishops came in person, they might not be able to pierce the veil set by a Great One."
"Unless your father can convince them to pray for the 'Gaze of the Deity.' But how likely is that? And at that moment, if I step forward and say the Imperial Family is also secretly worshipping an Evil God..."
"Tell me, what happens if the Church actually finds something within the Imperial Palace? Or are you truly 100% certain that no problems will be found?"
Saliba’s throat bobbed. Cold sweat suddenly broke out on his face. After a long moment, he forced a steady tone. "You said 'if.' What if the technique that Evil God used on that spirit is shallow? What if those Archbishops see through it in one glance? Who would believe the word of someone caught worshipping an Evil God?"
"Then how about this?" Eros’s smile turned playful. "Let's place a bet when we get out of this assessment—whose 'what if' has the better odds?"
"You think I'll believe you? That you'd risk your entire family?" Saliba growled.
Eros didn't care. With the same casual smile, he said nonchalantly, "Then do you want to bet with me? Bet on whether I’m the kind of person who would risk his family?"