The Promise of Blood

"Anyway, this topic is kept confidential among high-level warriors, so it's best that you forget that we ever talked about this. It isn't relevant to a Novice mage like you anyway." The emperor said after seeing Seraphina get lost deep into her thoughts. She snapped out and nodded in affirmation.

The seals on both the warriors were deactivated, and the emperor invited them to a courtyard and ordered a few servants to bring them refreshments. With the battle he just had, he was enlightened to many insights, and his spearmanship was bound to improve. With him being in a good mood due to this, Seraphina took this opportunity to bring forth her proposal once again.

"As you can see, Sir Xavier is an extremely powerful swordsman who lost all his powers due to an accident and regressed back to his Novice self. If we grant him the Sage's stone, he can restore his previous rank and face the heavenly demon, whom we estimate is a Crafted Savant."

The emperor contemplated the proposal put forth by his daughter, weighing the pros and cons. He knew that someone like Xavier would be a better choice for the stone, as, unlike the other grandmasters, he has complete mastery of Force. Even if the others used the Sage's stone and became a Sage, they would only wield the inferior version of force as they wouldn't have taken the oath.

Moreover, the chances of victory are already thin if the heavenly demon really is a Savant. They don't have significant records of a Savant's power, but it's said that they are like a force of nature and capable of destroying countries single-handedly.

"Your plan is good, but, and I mean no offense to Sir Xavier, how can we ensure that he stays on our side after regaining his powers? Again, no offense, but he doesn't look like the most righteous person to me…"

Just as Seraphina was about to say something in Xavier's defense, Xavier cut in the conversation and reassured the emperor.

"I can perform the promise of blood on my sword to prove my allegiance. This is the highest level of respect and assurance I can grant you. If you still don't trust me despite my oath, then I won't bother with you anymore."

The emperor's eyes widened as he digested Xavier's words. If he had even the slightest doubt till now that Xavier was a pretender, it was now completely gone. The promise of blood, just like the oath of the champion, was something only high-level warriors were able to perform.

Xavier's tone was strict and firm, as if he was making a great concession. It was one too, since the promise of blood is a unique type of binding vow whose consequences got worse the stronger or higher you were. For example, an expert might get off easy with light injuries after breaking such an oath, but an Archon like Xavier was risking his life making such a promise. It was similar to the mana oath of the magicians.

For someone like Xavier, an Archon who lived his whole life with a sword along his side, he truly couldn't offer anything more.

The emperor, being a Grandmaster himself, understood the weight of the words Xavier just said. He immediately bowed his head and replied with great respect.

"I wouldn't dare to doubt you if you truly do so. I apologize for making you do something like this, but it is a matter of the safety of my people."

Xavier sighed and unsheathed his sword, a simple blade of steel with no fancy enchantments. While a good blade is a nice boost to power, true masters can exert most of their power from a simple branch of a tree.

However, for them to show their full potential and beyond, weapons of the highest quality are a requirement. A bad blade cannot withstand the full might of a high-level warrior, it'll be ruined in just a few swings.

He placed the sharp end of the blade on his palm and grazed along the length of the sword. The sword was dyed bright red, the blood marking the significance of his oath.

"I, Xavier, swear upon my blood and blade to stay true to my allegiance to Seraphina. I shall not aim to harm the Souvell empire and fight against the heavenly demon."

The blood started glowing, basking the whole room in its eerie light. Such a phenomenon was something rarely witnessed especially on the scale Xavier, an Archon, performed.

While the emperor couldn't tell exactly, he estimated that Xavier was some being far more powerful than a Sage, and possibly more powerful than a Savant, just from the light of his promise of blood.

The blood disappeared, and Xavier could feel something binding his soul. It didn't hinder any movements or power, but it felt extremely uncomfortable.

'This is the third time I've ever made a promise of blood. Tsk, I really hate these types of restrictions, it feels like someone has control over your life and death.'

"Now, are you satisfied, emperor? It should be an honor for you to compel me to make such a promise." Xavier replied in a rude and irritated manner, and while Julian was highly displeased and Seraphina anxious, the emperor did not seem to mind at all.

"I once again apologize for making you go to such lengths. I, too, am under a promise of blood that I can't disclose, so I completely understand your frustration."

Xavier wanted to quip back by saying what can a Grandmaster understand, but he calmed down seeing that the emperor did not want to raise hostilities anymore.

*Sigh*

"Now that Sir Xavier has made that promise of blood, let's get back to the Sage's Stone, shall we?" Seraphina once again brought back the topic, and this time, no one had any objections. Julian had a few, like how can we give such a precious object to a stranger rather than someone who has served their country for years, but since the emperor did not say anything regarding this, it was not his place to speak up.