Tamed Monster - Chapter 41

Monster’s blood.

It was a mysterious substance that many humans were fascinated by.

Though many were interested, it wasn’t something easily obtained. It was a rare item traded only on the black market at exorbitant prices. Particularly, the price varied greatly depending on the condition of the blood.

Just as fresh blood from beasts usually commanded a higher value, so it was with monster blood.

The clearer and purer the blood, and the less of the monster’s characteristic foul stench it had, the higher the price it fetched.

Since ancient times, there had been an anonymous figure who swept up all such prized blood. No one knew who he was, but every dealer specializing in monster blood had dealt with him—through his agents.

Though his agents changed daily, they always bore a certain mark, making it clear they worked for him. Presumably, these agents were frequently silenced to keep the secret. Traders wondered who this mysterious man was, and why he was so cautious in acquiring monster blood.

Yet anyone who tried to solve the mystery would risk their own life. Terrified of this, dealers in the shadows prudently kept their distance, allowing this anonymous figure to procure monster blood unimpeded for years.

This shadowy figure, second only to the Emperor in power within the empire, was notoriously infamous among a select few of his inner circle and was currently engrossed in his cruel hobbies.

Today, he was not indulging in torturing monsters or crushing them alive for experiments. The Crown Prince also enjoyed tormenting humans. In fact, he seemed to derive slightly more pleasure from tearing apart humans than monsters.

This was his so-called third hobby.

While mercilessly whipping a death row prisoner’s back with a spiked whip, the Crown Prince chuckled darkly, enjoying the prisoner’s agonized cries immensely.

Though there was some satisfaction in tormenting women and children, the Crown Prince found little amusement after a short time since they would lose consciousness.

Especially, he never intentionally harmed children. His cruel acts were driven by some grander purpose, and he bore no ill will towards them.

Having spent a happy childhood wrapped in love and protection—even from his father—the Crown Prince strangely grew into a demonic man within such an environment.

He himself found this paradox puzzling. Pausing from the whipping, he indulged in idle thoughts.

The prisoner was not even a citizen of the empire but one of the pirates who frequently invaded borderlands and plundered imperial subjects. Technically, he was a citizen of a neighboring allied country.

Legally, they should have been sent back to their country. By continental law or agreements, that was the plan. They should never be tortured to death like this. Yet the Crown Prince had never followed this law even once.

Whether they died here or there, they were doomed anyway. Why bother with principles?

Moreover, would he simply let go of such a useful teaching tool to die comfortably? Absolutely not.

Though called “plunderers” they had only stolen goods and food, not committed capital crimes. The group of about thirty prisoners recently captured had some sense of morality. But such details meant nothing to the Crown Prince, nor did he care.

“Please… spare me! My lord!”

Untied, the prisoner sobbed pitifully, unable to understand why he was condemned. He seemed a fool, ignorant even of imperial law. The Crown Prince then revealed his identity to the bewildered prisoner.

“That’s quite an unworthy title to use for one who will soon become Emperor.”

His dry voice carried shocking information. The prisoner, panting heavily, seemed lost in thought before drawing a deep breath—his bloodied chest rising—and then he screamed. The sound grated on the Crown Prince’s nerves, causing him to scowl.

“Crown Prince!”

The sudden, familiar title forced a mechanical smile onto the Crown Prince’s lips. The nameless pirate whimpered once more at the twisted laugh.