Chapter 55: Veil of Bloodlines: The Asura King's Secret

"Here, I shall bestow upon you three gods an extremely crucial piece of information," Seraphina Frostwind spoke with a deliberate, slow-paced rhythm, emphasizing each significant word in her statement.

"Speak on, we're listening!" Kurogami Masayuki replied, his attention fixed on the information conveyed by Seraphina Frostwind, a focus evident through his facial expressions.

"The next target that the wretched 'Steel Dragon' Ryujin Tetsu aims for is none other than an Asura known as the 'Asura King'!" Seraphina Frostwind spoke with a gentle tone. She attempted to conceal the deep-seated worry and fear within her, but her facial expressions betrayed her. Her countenance revealed all the emotions she carefully attempted to hide.

"What? Am I hearing correctly, Seraphina Frostwind? Are you referring to the 'Asura King - The Star of Destruction'?" Mizuchi Haruka exclaimed in surprise. She couldn't hide the astonishment in her voice upon hearing Seraphina Frostwind mention Asura King. Since childhood, Mizuchi Haruka had heard tales about the Asura King from gods who had practiced magic for at least 1000 years. All those deities conveyed a message to her about Asura King: "Do not jest or provoke Asura King! Whoever defies this, even a powerful god, will struggle to escape destruction."

"I'm not joking with you, the truth is that the fourth magical artifact among the eight most powerful and earliest appearing artifacts in all three worlds that we need to seek is in the possession of an Asura known as the 'Asura King'." Seraphina Frostwind spoke with seriousness. This was the first time all three gods had seen Seraphina Frostwind so seriously.

"What is this magical artifact, then, Seraphina Frostwind?" Snow Sky-Dog seemed very curious about this magical item.

"It's the 'Hand of the Asura', a magical artifact that grants the user formidable physical strength. The wielder of this magical item can deprive a powerful god of their life solely through physical attacks causing physical damage."

"Does this magical artifact possess such terrifying power? And what's the real name of its owner, the Asura known as 'Asura King'?" Snow Sky-Dog asked a question that struck at the heart of the matter.

"Asura King's real name is Kagutsuchi Hiroshi. Kagutsuchi Hiroshi is an extremely fierce and powerful Asura, although he's both respected and feared by many, he's quite kind to me. Like 'Mountain Demon Yama Oni', he's a friend of my father's and in danger. I hope you three talented and knowledgeable gods will rescue him from the clutches of the wretch 'Steel Dragon' Ryujin Tetsu."

"Asura King Kagutsuchi Hiroshi and Mountain Demon Yama Oni are friends of your father, Seraphina Frostwind? So who is your father to be acquainted with the most powerful and influential figures in the youkai world, Seraphina Frostwind?" Mizuchi Haruka also asked a very clever question to exploit important information from Seraphina Frostwind, but perhaps this wouldn't affect a girl skilled at hiding secrets like Seraphina Frostwind.

"Mizuchi Haruka, I apologize for declining to answer your question, this is my secret, I don't want to reveal it to you!"

At this point, Kurogami Masayuki couldn't remain silent any longer.

"In my estimation, Seraphina Frostwind isn't entirely human, if I'm not mistaken, then Seraphina Frostwind also has half-youkai blood flowing through her veins like Snow Sky-Dog, but unlike Snow Sky-Dog, the other half of her blood flowing in her veins is human blood, not divine blood like Snow Sky-Dog's. Am I right, Seraphina Frostwind?"

"I hate to admit this, but you've guessed it right, Kurogami Masayuki! I am a creature half-human, half-youkai." Seraphina Frostwind spoke with a slightly uncomfortable attitude for having to reveal this truth.

Facing the curious gazes of the three gods, Seraphina Frostwind felt herself being put in a difficult situation. The fear of revealing her own and her family's secrets made her tense. But her heart knew she couldn't hide it forever, and the truth would be exposed sooner or later.

"Yes, that's right." She admitted the sound in her voice lowered a bit, reflecting the gravity of revealing this secret. "I am a blend of two worlds, between two bloodlines. Human blood and youkai blood flow within my veins."

Kurogami Masayuki and Snow Sky-Dog exchanged a look of surprise, they had never thought Seraphina Frostwind could conceal such a deeply hidden secret. Mizuchi Haruka, although also surprised, wasn't as shocked as her two allies. She understood that all three worlds were full of mysteries and unpredictable.

"I know this may change how you see me," Seraphina continued, "but please believe me when I say I'm still the person you know and trust. Even with youkai blood, I won't let it dictate my actions and decisions."

Kurogami Masayuki grasped her hand tightly, expressing his support for her.

"We still believe in you, Seraphina," he said, his voice gentle yet imbued with strength. "Bloodline does not define a person. What matters is self-respect and loyalty."

Snow Sky-Dog nodded in agreement.

"We are friends, nothing can alter that. We will always stand by each other, be it in the World of Humans, the realm of the gods, or the youkai world."

Mizuchi Haruka smiled, feeling confidence and joy welling within her soul.

"We are a team, a family. Bloodline does not decide everything. Together, we will overcome all difficulties and dangers."

Seraphina Frostwind's heart gently settled into a steady rhythm, feeling warmth from the support and friendship of her three companions. Bloodlines may create differences, but friendship and loyalty transcend all barriers, making every bond stronger than ever.

Listening, though many mysteries remained unsolved, the conversation brought a sense of tranquility to all. In the peaceful ambiance of the restaurant in the Human World, the chandeliers cast a radiant light, yet not enough to dispel the darkness of the mysteries awaiting ahead.

Seraphina Frostwind felt as if she stood before a new door, opening into a world she had only known through legends and myths. The tale of the Asura King and his magical hand was just a small part of larger secrets, intrigues, and battles between hidden forces behind the veil of this world.

Meanwhile, a gentle breeze brushed through the wide-open window, bringing in the chill into the restaurant where they dined. In the sky, the moon sparkled like a missive from the Lord of the Gods, emphasizing the mystery and power of all three worlds.

Tonight, as the moonlight shines, grand events and discoveries await, as if everything is poised for a new adventure, a journey that will change the fate of all three worlds.