READ NOVEL ONLINE Chapter 122
A natural question arose whether EX-grade items become bound to the owner upon successful enhancement.
I also wondered if there’s a correction applied to the success rate along with the binding.
This couldn’t just be a coincidence, could it?
Having succeeded in binding twice, it seemed like a plausible hypothesis.
Setting aside those thoughts.
[Lv. 86]
No matter how weak she became, even now Roxanne was still at a higher level than me.
Originally, Eternity’s Binding could only be applied if one was at a higher level than the opponent.
In that sense, it was absurd for me to hold dominion over her.
‘The Holy Sword is the same.’
As an Undead, it was quite contradictory that I came to possess the Holy Sword.
That contradiction was purely due to the binding.
In a similar context, if binding is possible, I might have a chance at dominion over the restraint.
“Wait a moment. I can’t find the words….”
Roxanne, stifling her sobs, barely swallowed her emotions.
Was her voice trembling because of the overwhelming feelings?
For now, ownership had only transferred, and I hadn’t exerted any distinct change on my end.
According to the set rules, Eternity’s Binding could be adjusted based on one’s intentions….
Was it just the desire to act that allowed for adjustments?
That seemed likely. The floating of the Holy Sword and Mana Eater worked in such a way.
‘For a test, maybe just raise it slightly… to level 87.’
[Lv. 86]
[Lv. 87]
With that, my level had indeed increased by one from level 86.
This confirmed it. As long as I held ownership, I could control it with mere thoughts.
‘This is awesome!’
I had thought to wish for a failed enhancement to burden me, but that was only a minor task.
Controlling Roxanne through binding was the real strategy.
While I might not have cared for Roseha, Roxanne was still a subject of caution.
If she ever realized the truth, wouldn’t she try to kill me?
Inadvertently, I had prepared a sort of insurance for that time.
“Phew… I’ve calmed down now.”
After taking a deep breath, Roxanne finally spoke.
Even though her level had risen, it seemed she couldn’t feel any significant change with just a level.
“You must know, Ancestor. I’ve become rank 7… so that’s why you came.”
Roxanne lightly touched her choker.
I hesitated on whether to reveal the ownership but decided to listen to her.
“It’s all because of this. I don’t know the details, but this choker suppresses my power.”
After that, she explained her circumstances, which wasn’t particularly surprising.
Since I had guessed it was the Old One’s doing, this scenario was somewhat expected.
“I’ve tried everything. But nothing has helped…”
She intermittently paused to choke back tears.
Her words were mixed with sobs, making it hard to interpret her story.
At this point, what Roxanne was saying felt far removed from the essence of her situation.
She was almost lamenting, venting her frustrations.
Feigning deep interest, I fixed my gaze on the choker and spoke.
“The thing constraining your neck is Eternity’s Binding. Do you remember the Kalasatra Gem that sealed Roseha’s traits?”
The Kalasatra Gem sealed Roseha’s unique magical powers.
Eternity’s Binding was a superior version of the Kalasatra Gem.
From the rank alone, it was one level above, so did it really need an explanation?
Unlike Roseha, who had resigned herself, Roxanne was still in denial.
And quite understandably, since Roseha had been looking for a way out for a long time and had given up, while Roxanne hadn’t even lasted a full day yet.
“Eternity’s Binding is one tier above that. It’s only natural that you can’t break it, not even you.”
“Ah….”
“Unless it’s the Old One, no one can release your bind. Or you’d have to kill the Old One.”
Tears pooled in Roxanne’s eyes as she looked at me.
In her own capacity, she couldn’t even handle the Kalasatra Gem.
“That’s… I see….”
Holding back tears, her downcast appearance pained me to see.
To think that the proud Roxanne would reveal such a vulnerable side.
“…Huh.”
Eventually, she started rubbing her eyes with the back of her hand.
After some time of sobbing, Roxanne suddenly noticed me and spun around.
“I’m sorry, I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to show you such a sight….”
The grace of salvation magnifies the despair.
I had thought of hiding this fact for years before finally granting her freedom, but that was a mere passing thought.
How could I act on self-hatred just by thinking it?
On the contrary, I had no immediate plans to release her.
The ownership of the restraint could be seen as ownership of Roxanne herself.
I couldn’t let go of the opportunity to have rank 2’s Lord under my control.
For now, I’d just restore her power and confess the ownership transfer.
“Roxanne. Come closer.”
“Yes?”
“I might be able to resolve this.”
“…Is that so?”
Her gaze held no expectations. Roxanne had already given up all hope.
It was somewhat inhumane of me, but the more desperate she became, the greater my benefit would feel.
Gently, I reached out to Roxanne’s neck, and I felt a sensation at my fingertips.
I resolved to restore her strength and focused on the level above her head.
[Lv. 87]
[Lv. 88]
[Lv. 89]
.
.
.
[Lv. 97]
The level that had been increasing one by one finally came to a halt at 97.
In an instant, Roxanne’s eyes, nose, and mouth widened.
A soft syllable trembled from her quivering lips.
Her eyes, which now resembled candle flames, were vividly capturing my image.
I had expected it, yet facing her blank expression felt rather daunting.
“The choker remains, but your strength should have returned. Go ahead, check it out.”
No sooner had I finished speaking than Roxanne released her aura.
I had asked her to check, and she ended up unleashing her aura!
Fortunately, I quickly contained it, so my body stiffened for only a moment.
“An-Ancestor….”
Just then, Roxanne firmly grasped my hand.
Now, her eyes brimmed with unshed tears, carrying a different meaning than before.
Besides numbers, there was a visible change in her level.
The already deep pink in her aura now became exceedingly intense.
If I had to compare, it was slightly lighter than Roseha’s, but still a rare charm.
“At first, I doubted you, Ancestor… I’m so sorry for doubting you. Thanks to you, I’m alive. How can I repay this grace….”
Her voice caught in her throat, unable to find the words.
The more I saw her, the more I questioned if this was the Roxanne I knew, facing this cognitive dissonance.
“The ownership of the choker has completely shifted to me. For now, I’ve only restored your strength, and the binding remains.”
This meant I could weaken her again if I desired.
Before continuing, I cautiously gauged Roxanne’s reaction.
“…Whether the binding remains or not, I will judge based on your future behavior.”
I’m sorry, but I need at least one insurance policy for myself.
If Roxanne were to turn against me, I would die helplessly.
The choker was the only means to prevent that future.
I carefully observed Roxanne’s response.
She might interpret this as a silent threat, knowing I held her life in my hands.
This was Roxanne we were talking about.
No matter how high her charm level might be, and even if she served me as her Ancestor, this was a different territory altogether.
She wouldn’t easily accept that the proud Roxanne was dancing in the palm of someone else’s hand.
“This will work perfectly for training purposes.”
“…?”
“I think it’s a good idea. Please proceed as you wish, Ancestor.”
Unexpectedly, Roxanne bowed deeply.
Her own will led to the ownership of Roxanne (binding) transferring to me.
It’s all good, but what did she mean by training?
‘…Could it be.’
During the past discussions about the Holy Ceremony, she had asked me to teach her from the Ancestor’s perspective.
The choker could mean she wanted me to use it as a training tool from that time.
***
Roxanne had no choice but to comply.
How could she oppose the will of the Ancestor who restored her powers?
More so, with someone like the Ancestor, there would be no psychological discomfort.
Perhaps this would indeed be necessary for her guidance.
If a descendant behaved disrespectfully, they could easily be trained any time.
‘She mentioned being released based on her behavior.’
If psychological discomfort arose later, she could just act accordingly.
She wasn’t clear about the standards, but she believed it was purely based on her own behavior.
“I understand. I shall proceed as such.”
“Good.”
Roxanne cautiously fiddled with the choker.
When it felt like the Old One’s leash, now it felt like it was with the Ancestor….
‘A leash?’
Suddenly, that word triggered a memory.
A conversation I had with Roseha at the top of the castle.
True to the Succubus Queen, all sorts of lewd conversations had come up.
-If you just continue with regular mating, you’ll get bored quickly, right? Since you’re mixing bodies, Elder should enjoy it too. So what about this… how about that?
Roxanne shook her head vigorously.
I tried to shake off the memories, but it wasn’t working.
-─Is it not good for a transcendent being, standing at the peak of all, to become submissive before a man? To show a more vulnerable aspect? Wouldn’t that be quite enjoyable too?
-…What?
-Of course, I mean only during mating! You know what I mean, right? For instance, putting a leash around your neck—ah, that’s enough.
-Did you just say a leash…? Is that something you’d dare to say?
-Don’t take it too seriously! Just think of it as a different kind of play! Dragons love different kinds of play. Just interpret it that way.
Roxanne had only aimed for mating and begetting for the sake of her clan’s survival.
That thought had caused her to threaten me back then.
-Watch your words, Roseha. I am the proud Lord of the supreme dragon tribe. Would you have me wear a leash for mere amusement? Throw away my pride as a dragon?
-Oh, don’t get too heated, Elder. I was just speaking casually. Anyway, sorry about that. You, of all people, wouldn’t do such a thing.
Contrary to her words, at that moment, I thought of something.
In front of another dragon, was it so wrong to set aside dragon pride for a moment?
Moreover, when my imagination sparked, for some reason, it didn’t feel unpleasant.
“….”
The hand fiddling with the choker began to tremble.
My throat went dry, and my lips quivered with anticipation.
Heat surged through my body, and cold sweat began to trickle down.
Without realizing it, Roxanne was fanning herself with her hand.
Barugore was staring at me intently.
It had always been that way, but now it felt awkward, given the awareness.
“I-I’m suddenly feeling hot. Don’t you think…?”
“I wouldn’t know since I’m Undead.”
“A-Ah! I had meant to offer a holy relic!”
As if to avoid my gaze, Roxanne began rummaging through the pile of treasures.
“…Ah.”
Roxanne’s face flushed even more when she finally realized.
Glistening gold and treasures seemed like something that a hatchling would desire to collect.
For grown-up Roxanne, hoarding treasures felt almost like an embarrassing secret only among fellow dragons.
A torrent of embarrassment washed over her, making her face even redder.
With her back to Barugore, she buried herself deeper in the pile of treasures.
Pretending to search for the holy relic, her mind spun around.
‘What might the Ancestor be thinking of me?’
Would he find me amusing like this?
A half-grown hatchling, after all…
Conversely, Barugore was quietly—
‘Score! Holy relics acquired.’
Behind his expressionless face lingered a broad grin.