Chapter 7

For the next three days of wait, Eryx spends his time solely on exploring the limit of The Almighty and each of its possible usage.

One of its main and most used abilities is undoubtedly [Future Sight]. [Future Sight] on its own is already overpowered enough as all possible futures of everything can be seen by his eyes. That means the outcome of every action can be thoroughly seen by him. Whether his own or his opponent. The activation cost is also relatively small to none depending on the activation. However, it's also not without limitations.

For one, he must have knowledge of what or who's future he is trying to look into. For example, if someone is trying to kill him in the future. As long as the other party had yet to appear before him, perform any act leading to the attempt to kill him or thought of it, Eryx wouldn't be able to learn it through [Future Sight]. Otherwise it would be too ridiculously overpowered.

Secondly, there is a limit to information he could gain depending on how the ability was activated. It was simply the matter of perspective he would gleam from. For example, if [Future Sight] activated through perceived threat, he would only be able to see within the limit of what the threat entails. Meanwhile activating [Future Sight] through directly looking at the person, he could watch the perspectives of the person from the start to the end of the 'threat'. Which means the ability performs the best when Eryx is face to face with his target.

Thirdly would the target themselves. For a normal mortal, looking through their history from birth to death is effortless. But a Campione or Heretic Gods? It requires significant effort and Divine power to perform.

Overall, it's a great ability that is very flexible and practical, not limited to battle only.

Next would be [Future Alteration]. For this ability, Eryx hadn't explored much with how little opportunity he had to use it and also it expend a lot of Divine power to use.

The main way he tries it is with a simple dice. With each activation, he could eliminate the possible futures he would land on any number but six. With more possibilities he tries to eliminate, the more costly it becomes. As simple as that.

For [Divine Foresight], its effect is quite similar to [Future Sight] although it differs in how it delivers information. [Future Sight] basically allows him to watch from a third person perspective of an event revolving around an object or person but [Divine Foresight] allows him to learn about an object or person like reading information through a stats sheet in a game. The completeness of the information depends on the Divine power he put into activating the ability.

Then. Lastly, [Guaranteed Victory]. The tasteless name aside, its effect is simply just increasing the possible futures where he would succeed and lessen the possibility where he would lose. Basically increasing the effectiveness of [Future Alteration].

Those were the initial abilities of The Almighty prior to enhancing it with the authority he obtained from slaying Surtr. After the enhancement, The Almighty only gained a new ability which was disappointing because it isn't even an ability that would benefit him directly or immediately for his impending battle against Verethragna and Melqart.

—[Start]—

[Allfather of Quincy]

Type: Unique Soul Manipulation Sub-Authority

Previous Owner: Yhwach

Current Owner: Eryx Silberkranz

Cost: Requires distribution of the user's soul fragments or blood, with the greater power bestowed requiring significantly more Divine Power and vitality.

Activation Requirement: The user must initiate a soul-link through either touch or through blood, binding the recipient to their soul network.

Description:

Allfather of Quincy grants the user the divine ability to distribute fragments of their own soul to chosen individuals, effectively bestowing a fraction of the user's power and Quincy abilities. Once empowered, recipients can cultivate these abilities and grow stronger under the user's influence, while being permanently bound to the Allfather's will. Through this ability, the user can forcibly retract the bestowed powers at any time, instantly stripping recipients of their Quincy abilities and any strength they accumulated.

Additionally, by consuming a small portion of the user's blood, recipients can be granted a Shrift, an individual letter-based power that drastically enhances their abilities, similar to the power of the Sternritter. This action turns non-Quincy individuals into fully-fledged Quincy, expanding the user's dominion over others while integrating them into the user's Quincy network.

Effects:

Soul Distribution: The user can grant a fragment of his soul to empower others, providing them with basic Quincy abilities such as Heilig Pfeil, Hirenkyaku, and Blut. The power granted can be nurtured by the recipient, growing stronger over time.

Power Reclamation: The user retains the ability to forcefully retrieve the distributed power, instantly stripping the recipient of their Quincy abilities and any cultivated strength.

Shrift Bestowal: By consuming the user's blood, a recipient can be granted a Shrift, a unique ability tied to a letter, greatly enhancing their combat potential. This represents a much larger portion of the user's power, making the recipient a direct extension of the user's will.

—[End]—

Instead of offensive ability, the [Allfather of Quincy] is another support type ability to cultivate followers. Not something he would need now. But could be useful in the future if he is thinking about establishing a faction.

Based on the knowledge Eryx possessed, the only adversary to a Heretic God is a Campione. But from his fight against Surtr, Adam concluded that a squad of Sternritters is definitely sufficient to defeat a Heretic God when assuming they are the same as Surtr with very direct offensive abilities. After all, the only reason why Heretic God is not the opponent of anyone without Divine power is the Divine Protection that passively protects them. But a Sternritter with Shrift and Vollstandig definitely could.

Since he already obtained the ability, there's no way to request for a reroll or refund. Eryx could only try his best to turn it into an advantage for himself. Just like when life gives you lemon, you make lemonade.

———

On the second day after, Eryx gives Eliza the order to track down Godou Kusanagi and the Grimoire in his possession. Eliza had completed her task and was only waiting for Godou to arrive at Sardinia. But aside from that, she also had news for Eryx about the youngest and most prodigious Grand Knight of the Copper-Black Cross order looking for him across the islands of Sardinia.

"I know. Let her be. She wouldn't ever find us anyway without my permission." Eryx shrugged at the news she brought for him which made her roll her eyes and wonder why she was even working hard to procure those which he probably already knew with his hack-like authority.

Also, yes. Eryx explains the bare necessary information about his authority to Eliza since he finds her trustworthy enough not to betray him knowing there's no way she ever could.

"Anyway, take a seat. There is something important I would like to discuss with you." Eryx's laid back display vanished and was replaced with seriousness and solemnity that made Eliza hesitate a little bit but unable to fight her curiosity, she heeded his order and sat in front of him.

Seeing Eryx this serious only ever happened when he talked about his 'secret' which she knows little about except him once being part of a militant group that she never heard of before called the Wandenreich and him being a high ranking member of said group, a Sternritter. So, she asked.

"Is this about that secret?" She asked with an ambiguous look. But surprisingly, he nodded.

"Indeed. I won't get much into it right now since it wasn't relevant. But, what if I could bestow you power similar to mine but in exchange for your freedom. Both physical and spiritual?" Eryx presents her the offer out of the blue.

"No need to rush, take your time and think about it carefully." Eryx orders with a knowing look in his face before he closes his eyes again and meditates while Eliza mull over the offer.

Naturally, Eliza was ecstatic with the offer. She had seen Eryx display his power before during his usual morning training session. The ability to harness what he explained to be Spiritual energy, to create bows, blades and guns from energy and myriads other abilities he mentioned before but had yet to display. However, what attracted her the most isn't the power. But the alleged lifespan of a Quincy as Eryx admitted before is way older than his appearance shown.

It's not a secret that many magic practitioners thirst for the secret of immortality due to the nature of their society function where they rely on accumulation of wisdom and wealth to grow stronger which only Campione had been capable of harnessing immortality.

Any ways to simply achieve longer lifespan, not even need to be real immortality, could drive any old monsters in hiding, magic associations or organizations crazy and fight for even a glimpse or fragment of the secret. Yet here Eryx offers them to her like it's worth nothing.

If this offer is made known to others within both the supernatural and normal world, without a doubt that thousands would throw everything they had in a frenzy just to be accepted by Eryx.

Regardless, Eliza manages to stay relatively calm despite the offer and seriously contemplate it. The warning that Eryx gave is also a reason. Considering the way he spoke it, accepting to be like him would strip her off some of her privacy. As for to what extent, he didn't explain that deeply. But considering the benefits, the cons seem trivial in comparison. Not just longer lifespan. But also powers that rival the best sorcerers.

With a heavy sigh, Eliza made her mind and looked at the still meditating Eryx with determination. Just as she is about to open her mouth and talk. Eryx opens his eyes as a faint smile forms on his lips.

"Good." He said without even hearing her answer. "Now, let's proceed with the ritual." He said next as he placed his palm above Elize's heart.

Despite the seemingly intimate action. Neither react in such a way as they remain solemnly while the ritual proceeds.

"By the authority [Allfather of Quincy] I bestow upon you, Eliza Falkenrath, a fragment of my soul." Eryx declared before he suddenly winced sharply as he felt a small fragment of his soul was torn away. However, he endured the pain which immediately turned dull since he experienced it plenty enough before.

For Eliza, during the ritual. She felt a comforting yet binding sensation spreading over her body and mind. But without a doubt, her power grew. She became instinctively capable of wielding power that was foreign to her until a moment ago as that information seems to have been engraved deep in her mind along with a formless bond that tied her to Eryx.

When she opens her eyes, she is greeted with Eryx staring straight at her.

"You are the first to join the rank of Quincy. There will be many more in the future as I revive the Wandenreich and the Quincy race. As such, I require capable subordinates. To slowly learn and grasp the Quincy abilities requires a lot of time. Hence, we will skip the process with your next gift." Eryx said as a silver cup materialized.

The cup is shallow but with wide rims and a symbol of a five pointed cross at the bottom, the same symbol as the cross Eryx always carries.

Eliza reached out her hands to hold the cup as Eryx produced a knife and held its edge to slice his palm and squeeze out his blood which filled the cup until half full.

Without needing to be instructed, Eliza held the rim of the cup on her lips and emptied the contents, painting her lips red with his blood before she felt deep power contained in the blood stirred her very soul, growing stronger with each thrumming of her heartbeat.

"Thus, I bestow upon you this Shrift. M, The Mirage."

With the final declaration, boundless power burst from Eryx and quickly gathered before funneling into Eliza as she winced and gritted her teeth. Her power grew significantly, exceeding even the likes of a Grand Knight she often compared herself to, the pinnacle of what a human can grow into and the limit.

Meanwhile Eryx frowns as he watches the transformation that is happening to Eliza. The powers he bestowed quickly modify her very soul to accommodate them and in the process, he could feel she is subconsciously activating her Vollstandig form to acclimate to her newfound power.

Eryx did not hesitate as he immediately used Schatten and dragged Eliza away before her power exploded and ruined the villa. Not that he cares if the villa is destroyed. But this could reveal his location to the Grand Knight in Sardinia and alert her to his location.

Inside the misty and foggy place, Eliza regained her consciousness to find her body had undergone significant changes. Mainly her power as she no longer harnesses Mana but instead, the chokingly abundant Spiritual energy in the Astral Plane. The Spiritual energy in the Astral Plane felt limitless and she could harness all of them without limits.

With a casual swipe of her hands, the bracelet on her right wrist vanished and transformed into two pistols materialized in her hands. Then, when she pulled the trigger, two bolts of blue energy in roughly an arrow shape, flew out and vanished into the dense fog around her.

After she is done testing her weapon, Eliza looks at her body. Her previous outfit was replaced with a sleek and stylish white militaristic uniform with a short white cape hanging on her shoulder and a sabre on her waist. But in the process of looking at her outfit, she caught a glimpse of an ethereal shimmering and translucent wings that constantly shifted colors behind her. Also, a similar five pointed halo above her head.

In this state, she feels like she could even fight a Heretic God on her own. That's how strong she felt.

"You can get that notion out of your head. While the Quincy Vollstandig form is indeed powerful. You are far from able to win against a Heretic God. Unless you are able to master all the abilities you have gained."

Eryx's voice interrupted her as Eliza turned her head around in the fog to look for Eryx as he suddenly appeared from her side with a disapproving look.

"With my gifts, you are as strong as a baseline Sternritter. However, an experienced Soldats could easily defeat you. So, don't let the powers get into your head." Eryx said in a lecturing tone before he opened a portal with Schatten but didn't look like he was bringing her back.

"Take advantage of irregular time passage of the Astral Plane to familiarize with the Quincy abilities. When the time comes, you will join me to fight both Verethragna and Melqart. Do not make me regret my actions." He warned before stepping into the portal.

"Yes, Your Majesty." Eliza kneeled and answered instinctively, calling him 'His Majesty'.

After all, what Eliza gained is not merely just abilities and power. But also knowledge. Although not complete knowledge of the Quincy race. She got most of the general information that she should know as Quincy herself.

Simply basking in his presence filled her with a familiar yet foreign sense of reverence and worship to Eryx, the possessor of The Almighty, the Allfather and Emperor of Quincy.

As for Eryx, he is blissfully unaware that the [Allfather of Quincy] have a strong brainwashing effect on the target which made them revere him no less as a god. He simply returns to meditating especially after the ritual since he needs to recuperate the fragment of soul he lost or his strength might decline.

—————

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