1445 Vow of Blood

Varian shielded Enigma and gripped his sword tight, his eyes glowing in a danger red.

The moment they teleported to escape from Samantha, they exposed themselves. Cradle was only so long and it's only a matter of time before someone caught up.

He deliberately steered away from Robert. Princess Snow got what she wanted. Only Xeola was left.

So, her presence was long expected.

"Are you here to kill?" Varian's voice was subdued.

The gentle, warm wind turned biting cold and stung his skin like a pointed a blade, only a moment away from splitting it open.

The stars in the sky shifted. Blue rays began to fall on the surface, giving a new, darker hue to everything.

The two bracelets on her wrist opened like handcuffs and fell.

Xeola's purple skin turned red. Now, with her entire body–hair, skin and iris–being red, she seemed like one of those mythical hell spawn.

The peak rank 8 aura eminating from her intensified. Like a hurricane was about to set off, the wind stirred, ready to explode.

"What if I am?"

Xeola's wrist flicked and something cracked.

Varian's expression turned ugly as their teleportation was forcibly broken by overbearing aura.

Even though teleportating against after traces of space travel would make them more tracable, the alternative was to stay and fight.

A glint of curiousity flashed in Xeola's eyes. "Your teleportation treasure is weird. A bit too sophisticated."

Varian showed no change in expression but inwardly he tensed.

"What would Seraphina gain from killing me?"

"Insolence! How dare you refer her in such a disrespectful manner?" Xeola's fingers flicked.

Varian raised his arms in defense and staggered back a few steps.

Drip! Drop! Drip!

Even though it was a casual attack, blood was flowing down his forearms and dripping from his elbows.

"Give me your natal treasure and your life will be saved." Xeola said it just for the sake of it.

No one was dumb enough to actually believe that.

One, she was straight up lying. Once she got the treasure, she could kill him. Without any chips to bargain, he'd be helpless.

Two, no one would give up their natal treasure. If it's just damaged, it'd recover. But if you're away from it, then the damage slowly turns permanent. And if the natal treasure was away from you and got completely destroyed, it'd have a near crippling effect on the owner.

What Xeola was demanding was essentialy major control over Varian's life.

She knew he wouldn't agree. No one would. So, she'd have to kill him despite considerable risk of him posessing dangerous treasures.

Still…before she ended this repugnant bastard, she wanted to see him struggle.

'I can't give you my natal treasure!'

From a strong rejection.

'Kill me! But I'll never yield!'

To defiance.

'No. Please. I'm begging. Don't kill me!'

To pathetic pleading.

'Ahhh, I can't wait, I can't wait. I'll make him kneel and bark before I cut his head open.'

The Princess' eyes grew moist and her thighs pressed against each other as the gory images intensified in her mind.

Thankfully, Prince Merov was dead and averted a major disaster.

'Go on! Go reject! Show me your how strong you can be before I break you down! Reject!'

"Take it."

"Huh?"

"Take my natal treasure but to do so, cease your aura circulation or I'll blow up my natal treasure and die with it."

"Are you for real?" Xeola couldn't help it.

Was this guy an idiot? What's the difference between giving up his life and surrendering his natal treasure?

With one attack, she could cripple him. A crippled guy would be as good as dead in Cradle.

"Aura." Varian spat in a cold tone that meant business.

Even though he's the one being ransomed, it looked like he had the upperhand.

Xeola blinked in confusion.

'Is there something I don't know? Does he intend to escape during the duration of giving me the treasure? But it's useless. His life is in my hands. Does he want to attack me when I take the treasure? But he's not strong enough.'

Several possibilities flashed in her mind. But it's not like she had a choice.

If Varian really destroyed his natal treasure, she didn't know what could happen. Perhaps nothing bad. But perhaps something she'd regret.

Xeola didn't know Varian's character. So, she only considered the consequences after he blew up the treasure.

She didn't consider if he'd really destroy his natal treasure and kill himself. If Samantha was in her place, she'd laugh at his bluff.

She had seen what he'd do for Enigma. It'd be foolish to think he'd die, leaving her in this dangerous place.

But Xeola was not Samantha.

"Fine."

As Xeola withdrew her aura and slowly stopped its circulation, Varian's natal treasure—Requim—began to float toward her.

'Just a bit…just a bit…'

Like any normal warrior, Xeola intended to violate the agreement if possible. Once the sword entered the range where she could snatch it despite Varian's innate control, she'd lunge forward, grab the treasure and kill him.

But the man seemed to be precisely aware of that range and moved the sword only with a crawling pace.

Eventually, however, the moment arrived.

Boom!

When she burst forward breaking space itself with her speed, the group, as Xeola suspected, vanished in the twisting space.

The Princess didn't care. She poured her aura into the sword and discovered a sleeping soul.

"Lord! Lord!"

With a very humble expression, the arrogant princess used precious healing treasures on the soul.

A few minutes later, a white light emerged out of the sword and entered a ring on Xeola's finger.

With the soul taken to another vessel, the sword was useless. No, it'd be useful to torment that man and crush him completely.

"Lord, Lord, please wake up." She begged in a meek tone.

But there was only silence for a full hour. And then, a weak voice spoke up.

"V-Varian Konstant…d-don't touch him, I will…I will kill him myself."