The Blood Meditation Method was feared not because of its potential but because of its speed. It could even allow a mortal to become a wizard as long as enough blood was there.
There was no limit, so to speak. The only issue was whether the person using this method had the potential to reach a higher realm before he died or lost control.
"Let's return to the Imperial Capital then."
After making his decision, Ian directly changed his path, heading towards the capital using Veilborn Shroud.
He was in a hurry to go to the place marked on the map given by Margaret. However, he couldn't do so if a sword was hanging over his family.
As Ian used his bloodline passive, his speed increased sharply as his figure completely disappeared, making him undetectable.
"I need a good mount or flying equipment."
Ian bitterly thought as he was simply running around wherever he was going out.
[Ashford Imperial Capital]
Within the luxurious and iconic noble quarter on the northern side, two men engaged in conversation in a room at the top.
The person sitting in an impressive aristocratic robe with the crest of the Veilstrider family was Duke Eldric, while the one standing and reporting was Morgrave, who was the captain of the Crimson Legion.
"Lord, we already have a list you require. I don't know how we should proceed," Morgrave said while placing a piece of paper on the table.
Eldric nodded at him and took the paper out to scan it briefly. However, looking at the long list of names, his mood was inevitably hit.
"Tch... it seems they all forget who the lord of this land is."
He felt his dignity as a lord was challenged after looking at the names. There were even some of them who were at the top echelon of power.
Seeing that Eldric was in a bad mood, Morgrave bowed and asked,
"Sir, do you want to kill them all?"
Hearing those cold words, Duke Eldric hesitated. It wasn't that he wasn't ruthless enough; it was just his territory might become unstable if he gave such an order.
However, before he could give the orders, a youthful voice sounded, particularly cold to the bone.
"Kill them all. Why should we keep them?"
Ian opened the door of the room and walked toward the desk where his father was sitting while giving orders.
He heard their conversation just now and didn't think for a bit before giving an order.
The names on that list were all those who had ambition for power. Although Thomas was dead, they would sprout one day or another. There was no need to keep such rats who dug in their own home.
"You came."
Duke Eldric didn't comment on his order but signaled Morgrave with his eyes.
Morgrave understood immediately and bowed before leaving the room.
"Dad, how is the situation?"
Ian waited for Morgrave to leave and sat on the bench opposite before asking his father.
Seeing his nonchalant look as before, Eldric couldn't help but sigh and ask,
"Don't you have anything to say?"
He thought Ian would explain or at least say something. Why did he look like he was returning after a vacation?
"Oh?" Ian came back to his senses after hearing his father's words.
He was busy thinking about the solution to another problem and forgot about killing his uncle Thomas. However, he didn't panic or become anxious.
Instead, he looked at his father and asked,
"Dad, do you blame me?"
The only thing he cared about was if his father blamed him. After all, no matter what, Thomas was Eldric's brother, and his son killed him in cold blood. He had to know if his father blamed him for being anxious.
"No, I knew about his ambition long ago but didn't care. I don't blame you for killing him. We did not have that close relationship anyway."
Eldric shook his head and asked again,
"But I want to ask, why?"
He couldn't understand Ian's sudden change.
Previously, if he was following Lyra everywhere like a puppy, now he was strong enough to make his decisions and even used cold-blooded methods.
So, he just wanted to ask the reason out of curiosity.
Seeing that his father had no blame in his eyes, Ian visibly relaxed and answered matter-of-factly.
"For family."
He didn't say complicated things that had no explanation, and there was no need to. He just needed to convey why he did what he did, and his father would understand.
Sure enough, Duke Eldric suddenly smiled, throwing away all the gloom, and laughed.
"Haha, you brat finally matured."
Instead of scolding his son for his murderous behavior, Eldric was proud of his son's consideration for the family. As long as his son had the family in his mind, he was satisfied.
"Tch... I was always mature enough," Ian snarked.
Eldric rolled his eyes at his words while looking at him weirdly.
Ian also understood, coughed a bit, and changed the topic,
"Dad, what do you think should you do with these rebels?"
He was asking about those names on the list who had ambition. Those were the ones who supported Thomas in one way or another to climb higher.
"Hm... I don't know. Too much killing isn't good. The situation right now isn't good either."
Being a Duke wasn't easy. While he was angry at their betrayal and treacherous behavior, he couldn't just kill everyone. If that happened, how could he operate the duchy?
So, he couldn't be willful like Ian and throw all the consideration behind him.
"Dad, in my opinion, it is better to kill them all."
Duke Eldric heard Ian's increasingly murderous voice and shook his head.
'Although he seems mature now, he is still a child after all,' he thought.
Looking at his father's entanglement, Ian took the blood-red book and a pouch from his mana ring and placed them on the table.
"Dad, look at this, and you decide."