The Villainous Son Loves His Mother - Chapter 41

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Esmeralda’s bl00d almost boiled when she heard Hein’s arrogant and haughty words.
She was also very proud.
But that “moment” was truly fleeting, lasting less than a hundredth of a second.

“Then, I’ll take you up on that.”

Esmeralda declared and charged forward.
A gust of wind whistled as the tip of her thrusting sword pierced Hein’s chest.
But…

“Why didn’t you dodge?”

Esmeralda said to Hein with her eyes wide open, her voice trembling. The sword was lodged deep in Hein’s chest, clearly a fatal wound.

“Because I said I’d let you have the first move. Though I’d be in trouble if you pierced my heart. So I did defend myself a little.”

Esmeralda gasped. The sensation from the sword felt strange.
The sword didn’t pierce flesh; it felt as if it had struck something incredibly hard yet resilient.
When Esmeralda realized her sword hadn’t pierced Hein’s heart, she felt a surge of relief. She wanted to win, but she had no desire to kill.
Hein’s defense was simple: he generated localized gravity around the wound, increasing the density of the surrounding tissue. By reinforcing the cellular connections in the pierced area, he prevented further bleeding and tissue damage.
Since this technique directly affected his physical body, it fell within the realm of Celestial Arts. However, enhancing his physical abilities directly would have been far more efficient.
Hein avoided this approach because he was fatally inept at the common Celestial Art of enhancing his body with magical power. He understood the theory, but he could never execute it properly.

“Now it’s my turn… though I’ve already finished.”

Esmeralda wore a puzzled expression, then suddenly noticed a dull pain in her abdomen.
Looking down, she saw Hein’s sword piercing through her stomach.

“Miss Esmeralda has potential. I stabbed you… gently. Even though the blade went through your abdomen, I avoided any vital organs, and your ability to bear children should remain intact. Still, it must sting a little.”

Hein reached out and touched the trickle of bl00d at the corner of Esmeralda’s mouth with his thumb, then lightly traced her lips as if applying lipstick.

“Now, don’t stand there dazed. I’ve personally applied the bl00d makeup to your face. It’s your turn. You can try pushing the sword in further to kill me, or create some distance and attack again. Do as you please.”

Hein said all this so casually.
Even though the longsword had avoided her vital organs, the pain of being pierced through the abdomen was rapidly approaching Esmeralda’s breaking point.
Frankly, she was in no condition to continue.
But—
—Damn it…
—Damn it…!
Esmeralda gritted her teeth, looking as humiliating as a child who had thrown all her energy at an adult only to have her head easily pinned down.
Did she have the strength to swing her sword again?
No.
As bl00d flowed from her wound, the strength drained from her arms.
Yet her legs still moved.

“…Next… It’s my turn…”

With those words, Esmeralda dropped her sword and advanced forward.
As Hein’s expression turned wary, she pressed her lips to his and lost consciousness.

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I was wondering what she was going to do!
I see, that’s it.
It’s a vow of revenge.
I once read in a book about a custom called the “Bl00d Kiss” in the far East.
It was a ritual performed when swearing revenge for an unforgivable crime… or something like that, if I remember correctly.

Originally, it was said to be a type of curse.
One would fill their mouth with their own bl00d and spit it onto an object belonging to their sworn enemy.
This act symbolized “Share in my suffering,” and over the centuries, it evolved into its current form.
So, her pride was deeply wounded by being so easily defeated in front of a large crowd?
Still, to bring up an ancient Eastern custom like that…

…Ah, I see!

My declaration of a duel must have piqued her curiosity.
In other words, she wanted to show off her superior knowledge of Eastern customs.
Just how high is this woman’s pride?
But it’s not bad.
Turning the tables on this delusional revenge-seeker will be deliciously satisfying.
This woman—Miss Esmeralda—will be added to my “worthy opponents” list.
I hope she keeps getting cocky and challenging me.