Chapter 573 - 506: Ogre Bloodroar, the Blood Covenant

Chapter 573: Chapter 506: Ogre Bloodroar, the Blood Covenant

According to that good-natured companion, the "Blood Covenant" was an ancient and cruel form of contract within the Beastman tribes.

It was unlike a "contract" witnessed by the world’s Law or a powerful being, which would be binding on both parties involved.

The essence of a Blood Covenant was more like a one-sided Curse, or rather...

A master-slave contract.

This contract originated from a dark age when the Beastmen were enslaved by more powerful beings. It was a vile custom left over from that period of history, a brand seared deep into their culture.

Through a specific ritual and a resonance of bloodlines, it forced the weaker party to offer absolute loyalty and obedience, its binding power acting directly upon the depths of their bloodline and soul.

The stronger party, however, had virtually no obligations or restrictions. They could decide whether the contract continued at any time and could even inflict punishment through their connection to it with but a single thought.

It was an incredibly unequal bond, placing one party completely under the other’s control.

Roland’s gaze fell on Ogre’s humbly prostrated form, his mind racing. 𝘧𝓇ℯℴ𝓂

Ogre’s personal strength was negligible to him, and his ferocious, greedy nature made him far from an ideal companion, but...

His status as the "local strongman" of Lin Ye Town and its surroundings, and the crude yet extensive intelligence and operational network under his command, were undoubtedly of great value to Roland. Having just arrived in this unfamiliar era, he was in desperate need of a foothold and a source of information.

This would save him, a newcomer, a great deal of trouble when it came to trivialities and local affairs.

With this in mind, Roland uttered two simple words.

"Very well."

A wild, ecstatic joy—the relief of someone who had just cheated death—erupted in Ogre’s eyes. Without another moment of hesitation, he used his trembling left hand to tear open the tattered Leather Armor on his chest, revealing a muscular torso thick with hair.

He gritted his teeth, his expression hardening. Focusing the faint, primal trace of Beastman Bloodline Power in his body into the index finger of his one good left hand, he plunged it fiercely into his own chest, just above his heart!

"ARGH!"

After a low, irrepressible grunt of pain, the Half-beastman’s face instantly turned as pale as a sheet.

The point where his finger pierced did not bleed profusely. Instead, wisps of an eerie, dark red mist—as if mixed with black smoke and motes of light representing life itself—were forcibly extracted.

The mist gathered and compressed at his fingertip, gradually forming a writhing Dark Red Blood Talisman that radiated an aura of malevolence and submission.

At the same time, Ogre’s vitality visibly waned, as if what had been drawn out was not merely blood, but a part of his very life essence.

Veins bulged on his forehead and sweat poured down like rain as he began to chant rapidly in an ancient, guttural Beastman tongue, the words carrying a heavy, rhythmic cadence.

With each uttered syllable, the Dark Red Blood Talisman pulsed with light. Its form grew more complex and distorted, finally settling into the shape of a bizarre Rune that seemed to be forged from thorns and Chains.

As the chant reached its crescendo, Ogre abruptly focused all his will and desperate pleas on Roland. Cupping the fully formed Dark Red Blood Talisman in both hands, he raised it high above his head and cried out hoarsely.

"With my bloodline as fuel! With my shattered soul as the catalyst! I willingly offer up this chain and pray for your acceptance! From this moment on, my life and death, my honor and disgrace, shall all hang upon your every thought!"

The instant his voice faded, the Dark Red Blood Talisman, as if alive, detached from Ogre’s hands. It floated slowly toward Roland and hovered before him, pulsing faintly as it transmitted a base, servile intent—a desire for submission, a yearning to be controlled.

After a moment’s consideration, Roland extended his right index finger. Without touching the Blood Talisman, he simply tapped lightly in its direction through the air.

"Granted."

With his dispassionate word and mental assent, the Dark Red Blood Talisman suddenly flared with crimson light. It transformed into a streak of light, not flying toward Roland, but reversing direction and shooting back with even greater speed to brand itself onto the spot between Ogre’s eyebrows.

TSS!

A much more distinct searing sound followed. Ogre’s entire body trembled violently, and he let out a muffled groan of pure agony, but he gritted his teeth and bore it.

A smaller, twisted, and grotesque dark red mark, like a living creature, branded itself deep beneath the skin between his eyebrows. It pulsed with an unsettling light a few times before slowly fading from sight.

It left behind only a spiritual brand beneath his skin—nearly invisible to the eye, but one that Roland could sense with perfect clarity.

Simultaneously, a faint yet tangible, one-sided connection formed in Roland’s mind.

He could vaguely perceive Ogre’s weakened state and general location, and could even faintly sense his wildly fluctuating emotions.

A sense of control welled up within him—the power to issue commands and inflict punishment through this connection at any time.

With the ritual complete, Ogre looked as if he’d been drained of all strength. He lay limply on the ground, only his heavy panting audible as a small pool of sweat and blood spread out beneath him.

Yet he dared not show the slightest hint of disrespect. He struggled to once again touch his forehead to the ground, using the last of his strength to declare hoarsely to Roland:

"Ogre Blood Roar... hereby presents to you, Master, the chains of my bloodline and soul, and offers... my absolute loyalty!"