Ascension of the Nephilim

Chapter 607  Attacking Through a Vow

The plan was risky. But Emeros decided to play with strengths.

His power was in the mystery of Vasilius. And he didn't know how to actively use these powers other than being able to find incredible relics which demand spells, incantations, or be a legacy inheritor of an item.

With foe close to a Champion, this was the safest way that Emeros could think of.

Emeros decided that the only way he could defeat someone as strong as this was to make a vow with it that would be to their benefit.

But Emeros knew that there was a strict rule that his vow had. He could not move against a vow but only follow what the vow states. There was a strange honor that he had to uphold by fulfilling his end of the vow. Just like the other vows that Emeros had, he could only take advantage of those who tried to make a breach of contract or enforce a Contract of Unequals.

But these limitations could be to their advantage. He had to risk a way to trick the enemy into some vow that would be to their advantage when the fight started.

Vivindel watched curiously at Emeros.

"A vow?"

"So you won't kill me, of course. I'm an alchemy master, and I could trick Rorcast to death. As you can see, I'm just a level ten youth. Tricking Rorcast was easy. But I decided to have mercy on you. After all, I still have a lot to learn in this world. Other than what my master told me of the Crown that is hidden here, I know very little."

"You're either very brave or very stupid to do this. You don't seem like a son of a noble, and yet… your methods and magic are something that even I, Vivindel, cannot comprehend. And there is the mystery of why you know so much about me. Where did you acquire your power?"

"My former master was a Cardinal who lived outside of this planet. Sadly, he died as the many enemies across the stars chased after him. I was lucky enough to take a few bits of his legacy. Including a Vow Counterspell, activated when Rorcast forced me to offer up my memories to him."

Vivindel's eyes widened.

"So that's how you knew about us. An interesting spell that is spoken of by the remnant tales of those who practice black magic."

"Yes. My master was such an expert, and he thought me well." Emeros revealed a strange darkness emitting from his palms.

"And I am certain that this spell could be of great use to you. But I need to make a vow that puts at equal. If I am to work with a Troglodyte, I need assurance of my survival. My allies must also be spared!"

Vivindel was curious about the boy. Not only did he have this ancient and lost magic, but his other arm could wield fire through gloves. There was an even greater mystery in the gloves of the boy and greater possibilities. In the kingdoms of this planet, they all used formation plates. Creating energy conversion circles from small signs was impossible! And yet, there it was before him! It turned the novice into a mage that can cast and wield fire!

The magic in the gloves alone was a goldmine of possibilities.

At once, numerous vines sprouted upwards and bloomed, revealing a body of orcs.

The orcs looked as if they had an average level of 10. Equal to the Chort creatures of the Imp family.

Nine orcs appeared and guarded the area.

"In case your allies try anything…" Vivindel smiled.

Emeros frowned as he saw the number of orcs. Hesitation appeared.

"...Fine. Since you are bold enough to come here, then enter my chamber. I can see your allies are still there. This process of making vows will keep me preoccupied."

Emeros glanced around.

"You buried several corpses here. But these corpses are alive and preserved. You have quite a collection of monsters…" Emeros observed the blank expressions of the orcs and could see a vine protruding out of their backbones and into their brains.

Like a puppet master controlling his marionettes, Vivindel had captured and turned several orcs to do his bidding. Emeros knew that there would be more inside.

Emeros took a step back in fear and showed hesitation.

"If you retreat now in fear, I will kill you. I doubt you'll return, and even without your memories, I can benefit from all the marvels that your body has." Vivindel's vine body began to pull back and disappear down the ground. A hole was visible as the vines opened a path down.

The orcs nearby all began to draw their weapons. Ready to attack Emeros.

Emeros glanced into the distance and could see his allies running. They stood a distance as the orcs watched them intently.

"Stay there! Don't attack!" Emeros called out. He turned to the hole and jumped in.

But as he jumped in, the vines coiled at him once more.

CRACK! CRACK! CRACK!

The vines constricted and choked Emeros. Emeros struggled as he was lifted, and his clothes were all being ripped apart.

"...You broke my potions!" Emeros shouted as the vines quickly undressed him.

Emeros's back was revealed, and Vivindel could see the fading vows made on his back.

"You made quite a bluff. Vow Counter? It seems that whatever power was instilled in your body is gone. I cannot sense any vow-breaking or counterspells now. A pity, boy. Because you killed Rorcast, you got arrogant. I can Rorcast tried to alter the previous vow bound on you and made it so that you would reveal everything." Vivindel observed.

Emeros was struggling, but he hoped that just like Rorcast, Vivindel would force a vow.

"Tell me everything you know, and I won't kill you in the most gruesome deaths! I will even allow you to serve me! Of course, you can never kill me! For I will be your master!" Vivindel demanded.

"That is my offer. Take it or leave it..."

Emeros felt a strange anger in him. Not of his own. But he knew that the power of Vasilius was angry.

"Please... spare me!" Emeros pleaded. But he didn't agree to the offer.

"Do not resist this, and I will not kill you!" Vivindel raised his hands.

Emeros cursed. This vow was more generous than what he believed Vivindel would have. But this also meant...

FLASH!

"What?!" Vivendel saw a bright white world, and a Throne appeared.

At once, Vivindel saw a land of white.

Vivindel felt a massive pressure coiling around it.

Before him was a grand throne and a smaller throne next to it.

"A little vine dares to take a king and coil its hideous paws to me? You offer to spare a life when this king can demand yours?"

Vivindel was confused and saw Emeros seated on the throne.

"As you have desired to spare his life for knowledge, so shall yours be spared if you offer knowledge! And as you haughtily declared that my Prince cannot kill you, so shall you be unable to kill him! This is my ruling! The Rule of a King has been invoked!"

A split second had passed, and both returned to the world.

Vivindel stumbled down, confused about what had happened.

Emeros quickly triggered the fire energy and shot upwards toward the vines that covered the ground.

VOOOSH!

The shattered potions spilled strange mixtures that even Vivindel was not sure about. But it had a very simple property. A flammable liquid created a powerful purple flame that ate through wood!

The fire was painful, and the vines all began to make way.

Viviland was confused and saw Emeros run towards him with his hands extended.

BANG!

A fireball struck Viviland, and the vines covered the True Vine.

A larger vine-form of Viviland appeared, and as he was about to make an attack, a searing pain in his soul erupted as he broke the vow and desired to kill Emeros!

The orcs above began to also stumble down as Viviland lost control of it.

At once, the team of Emeros saw the slumping orcs and quickly ran and jumped down the hole.

Perment jumped down and hurled a giant axe of a Kallikantzaros.

Emeros caught it and swung the axe as he ignited it, creating a purple flame over the blade of the axe.

KERCHUNK!

"You!" Viviland roared but felt another searing pain.

He controlled himself, and many vines pushed against Emeros instead of slapping him. Emeros stood in front of his allies, and any attacks Viviland intended were drastically limited as he could not kill Emeros.

BANG! BANG! BANG!

The entire team shot out fireball after fireball at Viviland, and Perment shot out last and created a fireball of twice the size and power of the rest.

BOOOM!

Viviland had no choice but to retreat as he abandoned numerous vines as they were on fire.