To summarize, the cursed sword Volberk was not destroyed.
"Huff, huff... I'm alive... I'm still alive!" it gasped.
The reason was simple: Lydia's capacity was not enough to absorb everything in just four attempts. She took a deep breath and handed the sword back to Sylas.
"With this, I've gathered more than enough divine power. It should be more than sufficient to consecrate everyone's weapons."
"Even so, there's no harm in being thorough. Take more if you need," Sylas suggested.
"No, I've already received far too much. I can't burden you any further," Lydia replied with a gentle smile, declining Sylas's offer. Though she had absorbed a significant amount of Volberk's essence, the sword was still strong enough to maintain its cursed nature. If she were to take more, it might end up as nothing more than a piece of scrap tal in the shape of a sword. Lydia didn't want to deplete any more of Sylas's resource.
'She doesn't need to worry about it,' Sylas thought, clicking his tongue in mild disappointnt as he retrieved Volberk. He knew Lydia's personality well enough to understand that insisting further wouldn't change her mind.
"Now that everything is ready, we should begin the strategy eting," Lydia said, turning to the task ahead.
"I'll gather the holy knights. Sylas, please assemble the mbers of the Corleone family."
"Understood. I'll be back shortly," Sylas responded, stepping out of the eting room. He glanced at Volberk, who continued to hum and tremble.
"I can feel it... I can hear it... I exist... Just existing is such a wondrous thing..." the sword muttered, awestruck by its own survival.
"You're enjoying this a bit too much," Sylas remarked.
"M-Master...!"
Volberk flinched at Sylas's voice. The sword's previously arrogant deanor had long since vanished. Now, it spoke with trembling reverence. Sylas raised an eyebrow, his face puzzled.
"Who is this master you speak of? I have no idea."
"O-Oh, I dare not utter your na... I am but dust in your presence... To even call myself your servant is blasphemy... Please forgive my impudence, O Great One..." Volberk stamred, lowering itself further into submission.
"Stop with the flattery, or you'll wear out your tongue," Sylas said dryly.
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"If that is your command..." the sword replied, imdiately ceasing its rambling. Yet, its trembling did not stop, clearly still anxious.
Volberk had learned two important things from its recent experiences. First, Sylas wasn't particularly attached to the sword's power. Sylas was the kind of person who could destroy any treasure if he couldn't make use of it. And more importantly, Volberk had realized the second and far more terrifying truth: This human knows how to destroy .
As an ancient cursed sword, Volberk had no fear of anyone in this age knowing how to seal or destroy its essence. But Sylas, sohow, possessed that knowledge. Volberk had no doubt of this. Sylas's casual attitude after the failed absorption attempt proved it.
Sylas grinned as he shook the sword lightly. "You must be enjoying the world a lot more after your near-death experience. Enjoy it while you can—before you're gone for good."
"M-Master...! I serve you...!" Volberk pled desperately.
"I don't need any servants," Sylas replied coldly.
"Please...! I'll do anything you wish! Your will is my command, your desire my mission...!"
"Then will you cooperate while I put your essence to good use?" Sylas asked. If Volberk had a face, it would have been on the verge of tears. The sword was now reaping the consequences of its earlier defiance, with no way to negotiate. Worse yet, there wasn't even a need for it anymore. With Lydia's newly absorbed power, even a simple blessed sword could harm the demon. Why rely on a cursed sword when a consecrated weapon would do the job?
"Well, there's one way you could avoid being destroyed," Sylas offered.
"W-What is it...?" Volberk asked, trembling.
"A Pact of Subjugation."
"...!"
Volberk was struck speechless. A Pact of Subjugation was the ultimate vow for any spiritual being. It ant completely surrendering one's life and will to a master. The master could destroy the one bound by the pact with just a snap of the fingers. It was a vow that no one would take unless they truly feared for their life. Sylas watched the sword's hesitation and nodded.
"I guess that's too much for you. I understand. The Pact of Subjugation is a bit extre."
"Y-Yes... it is... too extre..." Volberk stamred.
"You're right. Life should be lived boldly and with purpose. Rest easy and enjoy your remaining days. When the ti cos for you to disappear, you can say you lived free."
"I, the Cursed Sword Volberk, hereby swear my eternal allegiance to Sylas Corleone... as the master of my soul...!"
[Volberk, the Cursed Sword, has voluntarily bound itself to you.]
[You are now able to draw upon the sword's power and destroy its essence.]
[Through the Pact of Subjugation, you may override the sword's will.]
Hearing the ssages after such a long ti, Sylas grinned. He had finally secured a useful weapon.
"I'll be sure to put you to good use," he said.
"May it be as you will, Master..." Volberk vowed, but internally, it thought, I should have just behaved... I went too far...
Sylas's group and Lydia's companions gathered for the strategy eting. Once everyone was present, Lydia began.
"Thanks to Sylas, we are now in pri condition. But this may be our last chance. If we miss this opportunity, capturing the demon may beco impossible."
Everyone nodded in agreent. They had rested well and replenished their divine power to the brim. If they waited any longer, the side effects of the potion would start to take their toll, and their holy power would slowly dwindle. Now was the perfect ti to strike.
"I have both good news and bad news for you," Lydia continued.
"Good news and bad news?" Sylas asked.
"Yes. The good news is that we know where the demon is," Lydia said.
"...!"
While the holy knights remained calm, already aware of the information, Sylas's companions were taken aback. This ant they didn't have to search the vast city for the demon. They could go straight to it and engage in battle—a huge advantage.
"Nightmares are particularly troubleso demons. They can hide their location while freely attacking through dreams. But..." Lydia pointed to a map spread on the table.
"Nightmares are often bound to the place where they were summoned. If they haven't gathered enough power, their physical form can't leave that spot."
"So, you know the demon's actual location?" Sylas asked.
"I've narrowed it down to a few places. It's definitely in one of these," Lydia said, pointing to five locations in the western and northern districts. Each location was relatively close to the others, so even if they searched one and ca up empty, they could quickly move on to the next.
"That's definitely good news. So, what's the bad news?"
"The bad news is... I still can't leave this place."
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