Strongest Necromancer System Chapter 713: A Vympir’s Meal I

"You enjoy embarrassing people, don’t you?"

A playful smile curved Hesabeth's lips as she spoke, and Jason merely shrugged, his face lit with a serene grin.

"It’s a bad habit. I’ll try my best to work on it, your majesty."

With a huff, Hesabeth replied in a mock-haughty voice, keeping the playfulness alive.

"Ensure you do, young man."

Their lighthearted banter drew chuckles from both as they savored the tranquil interlude, and it took several more minutes before Hesabeth circled back to Jason’s earlier inquiry.

"Now, about the outside world. Things haven’t exactly gone rightly for either of us out there, as I’m sure you already predicted. Let’s just say that our actions have been heavily frowned upon by the council, and we will be facing repercussions when we return. Myself moreso than you, as a matter of fact."

Surprise arched Jason's brow at Hesabeth's words. He had anticipated repercussions for himself upon returning—he had, after all, obliterated the Machina's world alongside Gillian, guaranteeing some form of penalty. Yet, it stunned him that Hesabeth might face punishment too. He had never imagined the council daring to penalize someone of her stature. He queried if it stemmed from her attempt to slay him using her powers, catching a flicker of guilt across her features. Still, she nodded with composure.

"Yes, it is. There were rules imposed on me at the formation of the council about how to use my powers. I have always known how dangerous it would be for me to lose control of these powers, and there have been situations in the past where I destroyed entire worlds for the most pointless reasons. I swore never to lose my composure like that again before I joined the council, but now that I have broken that pledge, it is obvious that there will be sanctions. Some money, or some resources, and maybe even a temporary suspension from the council. Who knows?"

Jason murmured thoughtfully upon absorbing her explanation. It felt odd to picture Hesabeth enduring discipline as if she were an ordinary individual. Wasn't the council aware she could act with impunity? He was convinced that if she chose, she could outright reject any punishment! So why...

"Why are you allowing them to punish you?"

That was Jason's pointed question, and it brought a pleased smile to Hesabeth's face! She was delighted that he grasped the council wasn't imposing this on her against her will—she was permitting it! No one could enforce consequences if she resisted. Setting her tea aside, she responded with steady calm.

"I’m allowing this to happen because I understand the importance of the peace that we have forged in this region of the Primordial Expanse. You wouldn’t understand all of this because you weren’t around during the Period of Lawlessness, but the bloodshed and death that occurred back then is something that even I could not bear to witness. It was a twisted period of unprecedented evil, and it was only the desire for power that caused the entire world to be plunged into such madness. I have a feeling that we are on the brink of returning to such a period once again, and although I am a being who has every right to do whatever I please without consequence, I also possess empathy for those beneath me, and therefore, I refuse to allow my actions to be the catalyst that drives this world into such a period once again. If I were to refuse punishment, it would set a precedent across the Primordial Expanse, and people would begin to undermine the Council’s authority since they believe that they cannot be punished for their actions. Even if the world is destined to fall into the madness of lawlessness again, then let it be because of some other person’s foolishness, rather than my own."

As Hesabeth concluded her words, a frown creased her brow while she gazed into her teacup, haunted by recollections of that era, and Jason sensed her deep loathing for those dark days. He had long heard tales of the Period of Lawlessness and formed some notion of its horrors. But seeing Hesabeth's fervor to prevent its recurrence convinced him the atrocities far exceeded his initial imaginings! His admiration for her swelled after her candid revelation, and he nodded while lifting his teacup for a sip. The taste hit him instantly—he gagged violently!

"Ugh! Fuck, this is disgusting!"

[The user has consumed [Coffee]]

[The user’s Vympir Gene is rejecting the meal and has gone into a frenzy]

The system notifications blurred before Jason's eyes as he doubled over, nearly choking in the process! A nauseating surge coursed through his body, and across from him, Hesabeth merely hummed, observing as he slammed the cup down in revulsion, before finally commenting.

"Well, I suppose I was right after all. It’ll take some time for you to get used to it."

Jason's gaze lifted to meet Hesabeth's, his eyes burning crimson, sending an eerie chill racing along her spine at the feral threat in them!

The surroundings quaked subtly around Hesabeth, yet she soothed her Bias, assured of her safety. Jason clenched his jaw, revealing glimpses of razor-sharp canines as he growled.

"What the hell did you do to that tea!?"

Hesabeth blinked in momentary astonishment, then sighed and set her own cup aside.

"I didn’t do anything to the tea. It is the same tea that I am drinking now, is it not? I poured them from the same kettle. What you are going through is of no fault of mine, but rather as a result of your new constitution. You are now a Vympir, Jason. Did you think that you would simply be able to continue on with life as normal?"

Clutching his head against the pounding ache, Jason endured it while his gut rumbled fiercely, a stark reminder that nearly three days had passed without sustenance! Strangely, though, none of the picnic fare before him tempted him in the least! On the contrary, just eyeing it churned his stomach to the brink of heaving! What curse was this? Did it mirror the vampire myths from Earth? Would normal meals forever elude him!? Abruptly, the notion struck that he'd never savor his mother's home-cooked meals again, igniting a rage so intense his fangs elongated further!

"This is bullshit!"

Fury laced Jason's outburst, and Hesabeth hummed softly, a wave of fond reminiscence washing over her at the scene. Long ago, she and Gillian had shared a similar repast, where he had schooled her on how Vympirs could partake of ordinary sustenance. That encounter had been uncomfortably tense, but now, she anticipated genuine amusement with Jason. A teasing smile played on her lips as she sipped her tea once more, then continued.

"If you want to eat regular food that badly, then there is a way."

Her words snapped Jason's fierce attention her way. His eyes had deepened to a bloodier red, transforming him into what seemed a savage creature from an enchanted woodland—the kind that prowled and devoured lost wanderers like a legendary fiend!