Chapter 368 - Divine Blood
Following Apollo's orders, the adventurers left the hall.
Hyakinthos was helped up from the pile of broken sculptures by a member of the familia.
He looked at Apollo with worry and reluctance, speaking through the pain.
"Lord Apollo, Mahiro is far too dangerous. Please let me stay."
"If he tries anything, I can protect you."
Apollo waved his hand in annoyance, "You step back as well. Let me speak with Mahiro alone. I'm sure he will not harm me."
In the end, Hyakinthos was forced to leave the hall with the others.
Soon, only Mahiro and Apollo remained.
"Now that everyone has gone and it is just the two of us, name your third condition." Apollo said.
A white flask appeared in Mahiro's hand.
He set it down in front of Apollo and said, "My third demand is simple. I want your divine blood."
The white flask had been purchased from the system shop specifically for its preservation properties.
Apollo froze in surprise.
He had not expected Mahiro to demand such a thing. Demanding the blood of a gods was nothing short of taboo to humans.
"Could it be..." A look of delight spread across Apollo's face and he blurted out.
"Did Hestia break the covenant of the gods and give you divine blood to boost your power?"
Mahiro's strength made no sense for his adventurer level.
Even taking into account his rare skills, it should have been impossible for him to wield such overwhelming power.
Apollo was perceptive enough to recognize this anomaly.
Mahiro could command an entire army with magic alone and defeat top tier adventurers with ease.
It was far too bizarre.
Loki had once speculated that Hestia was secretly using divine blood but that theory had been dismissed at the time.
Now it seemed Hestia had lied. Otherwise, why would Mahiro make such an outrageous demand for divine blood?
Perhaps he had already experienced its extraordinary effects which explained why he came to negotiate late at night to keep it secret.
Apollo's eyes brightened.
If he reported this to the guild, Hestia familia would face severe punishment.
Not only would the outcome of the war game be invalidated but Hestia familia might even be disbanded or banished by the guild.
"Apollo, drop those ridiculous assumptions."
Mahiro kicked Apollo square in the stomach, sending him rolling across the floor.
"Unlike a disgraced gods like you, Hestia actually honors her role and has never broken any rules." Mahiro looked down at Apollo and coldly continued.
"If you entertain those foolish ideas again, this negotiation is over."
Apollo clutched his midsection.
Ever since descending from the heavens, he had been revered by humans and had never endured such humiliation.
He had never imagined that Mahiro would strike him nor that the blow would be so merciless.
Did his status as a god mean nothing to this person?
"I understand," Apollo groaned, rubbing his stomach as he struggled to his feet.
"I can agree to the first two terms but the third is asking too much."
Compared to having all his property seized, his familia dissolved and being banished from Orario, the first two demands were fairly generous.
Although he would no longer have limitless wealth to squander and might face some restrictions, keeping half of his familia's monthly income would still leave him with plenty to live comfortably.
"This breaks the divine covenant." Apollo urged.
"If anyone finds out, both of us will be severely punished. I could even be sent back to the heavens."
"Then don't let anyone find out," Mahiro replied matter-of-factly.
"However..." Apollo hesitated.
Mahiro retrieved the white flask and said.
"If it is too difficult, we can forget the whole deal."
"Really?" Apollo smiled.
He had not expected Mahiro to give up so easily.
"Go pack your belongings then, Apollo and leave Orario before sunrise," Mahiro said with a genial smile.
"You are a god, after all. It would be embarrassing if everyone saw you dragged out in disgrace during broad daylight."
"Wait, Mahiro..." Apollo panicked.
He had assumed Mahiro would be easier to negotiate with than Hestia but the boy was ruthless.
"I'm saying this for your own good," Apollo urged, trying to sound persuasive.
"You have potential as an adventurer. It would be a shame if your future was ruined because you broke a divine rule."
"Hestia would be heartbroken."
"Don't test my patience, Apollo," Mahiro ignored his words.
"You are in no position to negotiate. Either agree to my term or get out of Orario."
Seeing that Mahiro would not budge, Apollo felt utter despair.
"It seems Lord Apollo is truly a law-abiding god," Mahiro turned toward the exit.
"In that case, prepare for a life of wandering."
"Wait! I agree!" Apollo called out hastily.
Compared to being banished from Orario and forced to wander the wild, breaking a divine rule just once didn't seem so unbearable.
Besides, as long as they kept it secret, no one would ever know.
Mahiro tossed the white flask back to him. "Hurry it up then."
With a grimace, Apollo uncorked the flask and let his blood drain into the container.
Before long, the flask was full.
Apollo handed it back with a sour look on his face.
Mahiro took the flask and opened his system panel to inspect the description of the divine blood.
===
Item: Divine blood
Quality: B
Effect: Blood harvested from a god. Contains arcanum power and holds remarkable properties.
Source: Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon?
===
Mahiro was surprised by the rating displayed on the system panel.
He had assumed the blood would be rated rank c at best but it turned out to be rank b.
Mahiro glanced at Apollo thoughtfully.
If the blood alone was rated rank b, did that mean this god himself was rated at least A or perhaps even rank -S?
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