Way of the Knights

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Anyone who would watch this scene might think that Raven trick this two and enslaved them, hereby removing their free will out of their body. In fact however, this is definitely not true at all.

"I don't need you to bow in obeisance nor salute me each time we meet. I took you in as my trusted confidants, all I want is your loyalty. That's enough."

The seal that appeared on Raven's hands are no slave seals but instead a Pact of Trust. It is a seal that plants a fair connection between people.

'You trust me, I trust you. So long as we are connected, I will shelter you. This bond shall never be broken by anyone else but you. So long as you don't sever this connection, then neither shall I!'

This words are basis for the creation of pact, its functions lies in the word 'connection' and 'bond'. So long as this pact exists, then neither party shall betray the other. This ensure harmony between both parties so that they could trust each other with any secrets that they have. Another function of this, is that it could pass on messages in a telepathic way. So long as any of the connected party isn't separated by worlds, then it doesn't matter how far, they will be able to communicate with each other. This method is different from a voice transmission. The telepathic communication of the bond ignores distance and untraceable unlike voice transmission.

Just now, as soon as Richard and Jacob accepted the pact, they understood this. In fact, Raven already bestowed a great fortune to both of them.

It is an inheritance that is lost from the annals of history, one that could plunge this whole kingdom in madness. [Sacred Leaf Holy Scripture] is it's name.This technique is one of the most formidable alchemical manual that Raven got his hands into. It is the supreme treasure of the Sacred Leaf Era of the Final Haven Kingdom and was even treated as their bible. This scripture is formed from the countless contributions of the Sacred Leaf Era's Alchemists. This is their blood, sweat and tears, and each technique and formulas that existed in the book could easily change the fate of this kingdom.

Raven found this scripture when he roamed the vastness of the Grand Ancestral Planes, it is also the reason why he dabbled in alchemy in the past which allowed him to change his fate and become more powerful. Now, he bestowed it to these two since they were able to move his heart.

Although Jacob only had little experience in Alchemy, he could more or less tell just how formidable this scripture is. He glimpsed one page of it and he could already hear the enlightenment bells beckoning, tempting him to walk the path of greatness. Though same could not be said for Richard.

He had long since chosen Alchemy as his path, he longed to reach the grandest and roots of alchemy itself, and once he saw this book, he felt that the path towards there was illuminated. He could feel the burning desire and stubborn tenacity returning to him. His eyes shined brilliantly like stars and he could see the light of hope from the lowest pits of his lifetime. This graciousness is something that could never be repaid, and even though it is impossible for him. He decided to dedicate his life and service to Raven. In front of him, his seniority was useless and he didn't mind taking him as his teacher, same goes for Jacob as well. As for Raven, he acknowledge their resolved and also didn't mind them calling him master, though it feels weird for him to have disciples this early on. For the sake of secrecy, he intended to keep things between them for now, at least until he had enough strength to walk unhindered in this kingdom.

"How much time do we have left?" Raven asked as soon as they calmed down.

"One more week, Master. I'm pretty sure that many people can't wait to replace us and claim this building for their own."

Hearing this, Raven sneered and his eyes turned incredibly chilling. He then said: "Allow them to lust over it for a few days. As you two, heed my instructions."

"At your service Master!" The two hurriedly bowed and listened with hearts pounding."Make invitations and send them out, mask the purpose for it being our farewell sale. Allow them to feel a sense of superiority before we thoroughly crush their dreams."

"After that, concoct Moonshine, Body Restoration Liquid, then Energy Condensing Pill, Limb Restoration Pill, Limit Breaking Pill, Berserk Trigger Pill and Network Rebirth Pill. Make as many as you could until the date of our great show. You have the Sacred Leaf Holy Scripture with you so these should pose no problem to you."

"You will be incredibly busy but this is good for business." Raven said allowing his words to sink in to his disciples. What they felt can't even be described as mere excitement anymore. This sort of incredible fortune could only be encountered through fate and luck, and not sought after. From now on, an incredible change is about to go down, and people are unaware of it.

***

Raven left the two to make preparations, as for him he had other business to attend to.

Borrowing the veil of the night, he walked between the shadows of scattered brushes and trees. His body moved fast but also quietly, not even a footstep could be heard. His eyes radiated a calm yet raining annoyance. He jumped on a tree branch and crouched, eyes narrowed he caught a good view of the settlement before him.

His eyes gleamed and shimmered with a pale golden glow. Along with the veil of darkness surrounding him, this image will cause anyone to shiver. He stood in front of a colossal sized pagoda. It has 9 floors and emitted a faint light, it is also surrounded with thick walls with guards menacingly glaring at wherever their gaze landed.

From the looks of it, there is a tight security this night. Something that only occurs once there is a major event happening. Eyes squinting, Raven zoomed in on one of the pagoda floors. He could see servants moving to and fro, carrying carts of what looks like fragile stuff. There are several people who wore badges that watched over them, shouting at these pitiful servants whenever they stumbled or caused any of the containers to shake. This kind of scenario is present on majority of the floors, Raven's gaze landed on the 9th floor and when it did, a faint glimmer appeared in his eyes. He saw a few people laughing and feasting around with a merry atmosphere. All sorts of fragrant and mouth-watering delicacies are prepared and showed no signs of stopping. Raven kneaded his spiritual sense into a line and projected it towards the 9th floor, then a overhead scene was reflected in his Spiritual Sea along with real time voices.

"Come now Alfred, eat and drink to your heart's content! This feast won't finish itself!" An overly obese man uproariously laughed and presented a toast to a man next to him.

"No need to tell me twice Lord Mort. I plan on satisfying myself now, and maybe for the rest of my life as well." The man named Alfred said after returning the toast.

"I should've done this sooner! I couldn't believed that I'm missing out on so many things! For this, I offer my deepest gratitude to you Lord Mort."

"Oh, stop that!" Lord Mort said while waving his hand, "I merely give you a suggestion, it doesn't amount to anything! I just can't stand to see working hard for nothing! You are too valuable for your own good! You should definitely take care of yourself more!"

A string of flattering words came out naturally from the obese man's mouth. Not too far from them there is a bulky teenager who had both of his arms on the back of his head, sitting in boredom while two women who wore very revealing clothes fed him with food, fruits and anything that he wanted to eat. If he wanted to drink wine, no one stopped him, in fact the maidservant will fawningly sit on his lap, place the glass on his lips gently, all the while his hands roamed and groped the maidservants body.

"I know that we shouldn't be drinking this hard since we have an important even tomorrow, but I can't endure. It's been far too long since I've tasted alcohol, never anything that is as good as this! I feel that I could really get used to this." Alfred said as he downed one glass of wine, he let out blissful sigh after doing so.

"Then get used to it!" Lord Mort replied while laughing, "As for hangovers, we have tons of medicines that could aid that! The event tomorrow however, is something that I couldn't help but feel great excitement over."

"Me too, Lord Mort." Alfred said, "Me too."

Down on the forest, Raven heard all of this with a sneer in his face. A chilling smile was plastered on his face as he said:

"Well, since the two of you are excited, then why not make it more exciting? Am I right?"