Chapter 247
Chapter 247
## Chapter 247
Chains of the Oath (1)
While the upheaval back on Earth continued to be addressed, the steady passage of time did not stop in Auterica.
Even following the departure of the Immortal King from the southern territories, incursions persisted at a regular rhythm, keeping Heinrich endlessly occupied as he made a reputation for himself throughout the lands.
Because the situation within the Republic was rapidly approaching its resolution, developments were moving forward smoothly without any catastrophic disruptions.
This period also served as an opportunity for the avatars who had fallen behind the pace to close the gap and cultivate their strength.
‘As things stand, there are only five avatars I can genuinely count as immediate assets for battle.’
The indisputable peak of power, Immortal King Hans.
The swiftly ascending new powerhouse, Vampire King Heinz the Second.
The shining champion, the beacon of human hope, Saint Heinrich.
The terrifying titan who had shed his humanity, Barbarian King Harley.
The prominent High Elf who had risen to power through the favor of the World Tree, Harris.
Ordinary people would be utterly astounded to discover that these five individuals were all transcendent entities, but for someone like him, whose expectations had been raised to such an extreme level, it seemed only fitting.
‘It would be no simple task for anyone else to match their standard through ordinary progression.’
These specific avatars had achieved such rapid advancement only because of a highly unique blend of intricate variables and pure fortune.
It would prove exceptionally difficult for any others to close that distance, even if they dedicated vast amounts of time to the endeavor.
‘Still, the Growth Elixir yields far greater results than I anticipated, meaning it isn’t an entirely hopeless prospect.’
The Growth Elixir, obtained via the Karma Shop, demanded an astronomical investment, requiring a staggering 200,000 points for a mere seven-day duration… yet after observing its practical application, he could not deny that it fully justified the expense.
Once a person tasted its incredible benefits, resisting the temptation to purchase it again became nearly impossible, regardless of the price. It possessed an addictive quality.
Consequently, setting aside Hubert and Hugo, who functioned as the primary errand boys for Earth, the remaining trio of avatars pressed on with their rigorous training, sustained by the potent enhancement fluid.
Wooong—
“Ah, curse it all! Yet another failure!”
And right in the middle of that group.
Hesperon, having just endured another bitter disappointment, ran his hands through his hair in deep irritation.
The arrays of the summoning circle pulsed with light, its resonant tremors gradually dropping to silence.
Simultaneously, the precious components utilized as offerings collapsed into piles of worthless soot.
‘…Sigh, what a pointless loss. With this many successive failures, it’s turning into an absolute embarrassment.’
In stark contrast to Dwarf Howard, who advanced his capabilities by relying heavily on his inherent racial advantages, or the hatchling Horus, who essentially operated as a walking cheat code, he was nothing more than a common human being.
It was only natural that he would find himself lagging behind when it came to personal development.
Because of this, he had chosen to dedicate his efforts toward forging a contract with a formidable partner…
‘Yet I never anticipated that this specific drawback would prove to be such a massive bottleneck.’
He let out a heavy breath, shifting his eyes downward toward his right arm.
Encircled by thick wrappings etched with restrictive runes, it bore the appearance of a sealed malevolent limb waiting to unleash devastation… though in truth, it was merely a dense accumulation of localized curses that were gradually eroding his body.
‘There is simply no remedy available to me at this moment.’
Even to someone like Hans, who possessed unparalleled expertise in the realms of dark sorcery and hexes, the blight consuming his right arm represented a highly anomalous phenomenon.
The restrictive holy energy provided by the Saint, his distinctive status as a traveler from another world, his latent capacity as an avatar, and the medical attention from the imperial hospital—the premier healing institution on the continent—had all played a part.
Under normal circumstances, a hex of this magnitude would have claimed his life long ago, but due to these interlocking elements, it had instead bound itself directly to the vitality residing in his right limb.
‘Furthermore, it appears to have developed a rudimentary awareness after feeding upon my own resolve during that integration.’
Hesperon glared intently at the corruptive force shifting beneath the cloth layers.
It writhed and agitated whenever he channeled a substantial volume of magical energy, acting as though it were actively rebelling.
‘The psychological degradation that accompanies its violent surges is an additional issue. Though, it poses no real threat to my mind.’
Hans was incapable of providing an accurate assessment merely by watching from afar, even with his vast knowledge.
He required an opportunity to personally inspect and analyze the phenomenon… but such an option was out of the question for now.
“Ha—.”
He exhaled softly and began clearing away the remnants of his work.
Exiting the designated summoning chamber, he began pacing through the corridors of the imperial magic tower, buried deep in contemplation.
‘Every entity I attempt to bind a pact with turns away from me the moment they sense this corruption. Perhaps I ought to lower my expectations…?’
The spectrum of available summons was vast.
There were beasts comparable to the wildlife wandering the wilderness, ethereal entities mirroring natural elementals, and even anomalous lifeforms hailing from entirely alternate realms.
Naturally, the most highly prized targets were the legendary creatures of myth, such as unicorns, pegasi, and juvenile dragons.
Understandably, Hesperon had directed his full attention toward establishing bonds with such creatures… yet his endeavors had yielded nothing but a string of disasters, even with the guidance of the imperial summoner.
‘Abandoning the effort now feels like a waste. Is there no alternative path forward…?’
His footsteps eventually led him into the archives of the magic tower.
He enjoyed unrestricted entry to this facility entirely due to the influence of Riley.
Naturally, the heavily guarded vaults housing high-tier classified knowledge remained barred to him, but he had no requirement for such materials at present.
‘Thinking back, my next physical evaluation is scheduled to take place very soon.’
He scanned the rows of texts, his mind drifting back to the details of his prior examination.
The Growth Elixir possessed remarkably multifaceted attributes.
It did not merely accelerate the comprehension of knowledge and physical drills; it stimulated advancement in a far more comprehensive manner.
This reality had been starkly highlighted during his routine assessments following his release from medical care.
“This defies logic. The imbalances within your physique are correcting themselves at an unprecedented velocity. It appears the degradation of your fundamental physical capacities has been largely reversed. What is more, your natural physical development has actually resumed…”
Even the typically unshakeable chief medical officer had completely lost his professional composure during the evaluation.
To put it more accurately… he had looked at him with the burning curiosity of a researcher desperately wishing to perform an autopsy.
As one would expect from an individual holding that rank, he possessed a streak of… profound eccentricity.
Hesperon navigated the library shelves, pulling down a variety of texts.
Every single volume pertained directly to the arts of invocation and binding covenants.
His singular fixation on the summoning arts stemmed from a specific rationale.
‘With a true dragon like Horus already by my side, dedicating myself to conventional sorcery is entirely redundant.’
It made far more sense to specialize in his highly specific advantages.
Particularly the latent capabilities of “Chains of the Oath”, the unique trait he had acquired by surrendering his right eye.
This power did not merely amplify the attributes of a bound partner through the strength of their connection; it additionally permitted him to link his consciousness with inanimate objects, manipulating them as smoothly as his own flesh and blood.
Allowing an attribute with such immense utility to sit idle would be an absolute waste.
‘Reanimated corpses or fiends might actually possess a higher degree of synchronization… No, that is a path best left untouched. I have no desire to be branded a practitioner of the dark arts.’
He was currently operating under the absolute patronage of Riley as her trusted confidant within the royal palace. Misusing that standing would be an act of profound ingratitude.
Moreover, even if he attempted to walk that path, he would never be anything more than a pale imitation of Hans.
While he stood lost in these reflections amidst the bookshelves…
-Heron! Are you occupied? I have acquired something meant for you!
The bright, energetic tones of Riley vibrated inside his consciousness, conveyed across the link of “Chains of the Oath”.
Despite the fact that he, as the initiator of the spell, retained primary authority over the bond, she remained capable of sending messages.
Riley, who had initially shown great reluctance to use the connection, now utilized it to contact him incessantly.
He was well aware that she had been under immense pressure recently due to the political friction surrounding the Hermanheart ducal house, which prompt him to offer her a patient ear.
Simply having a reliable confidant to speak with could provide an immense source of fortitude.
‘Though from the sound of it, she appears to be holding up remarkably well.’
He eventually arrived at the estate of the Fifth Princess.
The station de sentries immediately parted to let him through, clearly anticipating his arrival.
They had evidently grown entirely accustomed to his constant appearances at the palace.
“Ah, Heron! You have arrived!”
The moment he stepped into Riley’s personal quarters, she turned to face him with an radiant expression.
“Feast your eyes on this! The Saintess herself infused her blessings into it! A brand-new set of ritual bindings!”
She exhibited a neat package of linen wraps, each one meticulously stitched with sacred passages from the holy texts.
“Securing the proper Holy Cloth and overseeing the tailoring took some time, but the process went smoother than anticipated thanks to the intervention of Sister Seah. Having the right social circles truly makes all the difference!”
He was well acquainted with the labor required to produce such artifacts.
He had personally witnessed Isea, a companion of the hero’s circle, appealing to Saintess Liesta on his behalf.
In contrast to Heinrich, who dedicated his gifts entirely to the theater of war, the Saintess possessed unmatched talent in alternative domains.
She had invested a massive amount of personal labor to carefully weave these specific bindings. They were, for all intents and purposes, invaluable treasures.
“You have my deepest gratitude. I am truly thankful that you went to such lengths for my sake.”
“Do not give it a second thought. It is a trivial matter when measured against everything you have risked for me.”
She offered a gentle expression as she passed the offering into his hands, before inquiring with a trace of hesitation,
“So… did the latest attempt yield any results?”
“No, the outcome mirrored the previous trials. I am beginning to believe that a shift in strategy is required.”
“…Do not lose heart! Success will come swiftly, Heron! I will see to it that whatever rare components you require are provided, so leave the logistics to me.”
A sudden pang of remorse struck him, knowing the sheer scale of the burdens she took on simply to provide him with resources.
The horns of unicorns, the vital organs of lesser dragons… these were not commodities easily obtained, even for an individual of her royal status.
Each item demanded an equivalent of no less than 200,000 Karma.
It was imperative that he discover a far more practical method.
“Ahem, why not test their efficacy immediately? Perhaps changing them out will grant you some relief and inspire a fresh perspective?”
Riley cleared her throat softly, her eyes gleaming with genuine curiosity.
Hesperon offered a quiet laugh and gave an approving nod, taking up the invaluable tools.
The moment he channeled the power of “Chains of the Oath”, the concentrated sacred essence embedded within the cloth began pouring into his system.
The process demanded a significantly higher level of mental focus than standard procedures, no doubt a testament to the exquisite caliber of the craftsmanship.
After a few heartbeats, the fabric ends began to twitch with a life of their own.
He held out his right arm.
Swoosh—
The existing layers that had been bound tightly around his limb uncoiled themselves without a single touch.
And exposed beneath the cloth,
A heavily discolored arm, painted with bizarre, shifting contortions reminiscent of serpent tracks, was laid bare to the light.
Twitch—
The instant the containment vanished, the underlying curse began to violently boil upward… yet before it could properly erupt, the fresh holy linen swirled around his flesh, locking the corruption back down.
‘The difference is night and day. This grade of containment should easily endure the strain of high-tier sorcery.’
Hesperon opened and closed his newly wrapped right fist.
The malevolent force would inevitably grow more erratic in direct proportion to the volume of magic he manipulated, but with this level of protection, he should remain entirely safe provided he avoided reckless behavior.
The already potent properties of the holy fabric had been further amplified through the intervention of “Chains of the Oath”. They had essentially transitioned into genuine sacred relics.
‘Yet even a measure such as this cannot entirely eradicate the presence. Just how deep does this corruption run…?’
While he continued to analyze the state of his limb, a sudden, radical concept flickered through his mind.
The capacity to link with and master external items, elevating their properties and commanding them as though they were extensions of his own physical form.
It was a profoundly potent tool, precisely as he had just proven.
And that realization sparked an entirely new train of thought.
‘Material structures, invocation, amplification… ’
Given those parameters, was it truly necessary for him to remain so stubbornly fixated on living beasts of legend?
It remained nothing more than an unverified hypothesis, but…
‘I have permitted traditional definitions to restrict my thinking.’
From that point, his reflections pushed past his previous boundaries.
He realized he had not yet pushed the absolute thresholds of his upgraded capability.
“Chains of the Oath” granted him the capacity to forge connections not merely with animate lifeforms, but with entirely inert objects as well.
If that was the case, what truly dictated the boundaries of a target?
Was a permanent, unyielding physical shape an absolute requirement?
If such a restriction did not exist…
His eyes dropped back down to his right hand.
What would occur if he attempted to exert direct, absolute authority over the very curse sealed inside it?
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