'Oh, right I forgot.'
Xarth releases Zero's hand and begins to speak.
"Sir Zero may ask you a question?"
"Yes?" Zero said while tilting his head.
"I know this may sound strange but, Do you happen to see a Red Sword lying around?"
'Hurry up and tell me I already saw it with you.'
Zero took out the Drunken Blade from his scabbard and showed it to Xarth.
"Is this what you were looking for?"
"Yes! that's my sword now can you please give it back to me?"
Zero Retreated the sword back.
"But it's compatible for me...Can I make a change in our contract?"
"Why?"
"I'd like to have this sword as the down payment."
'This Shameless bastard, Well not that I care. He can have that forsaken sword back. it's yours in the first place.'
"Okay, but could you hand that thing to me for just a minute."
Zero hesitated before giving the Drunken Blade to Xarth.
"You don't have to worry this will just take a minute. I'll come back later, you could find me at the tent where I rested at."
"You'll give me that Blade, right? otherwise, I won't consider our deal settled. "
'Ha...that's how much you like it.'
"I'll keep that in my mind."
Xarth quickly ran to his tent while looking at his back once in a while. He carefully closed the tent's entrance while making sure no one is nearby.
He placed the Drunken Blade on a chair before talking to it.
"Drunken Blade." Xarth quietly whispered to the red blood like blade.
'Oh! Hi Asshole! How could you f*cking throw me in the goddamn air!'
'Ha...Here we go.'
"It's your goddamn fault in the first place!" Xarth angrily shouted.
'How is it my fault, you dimwit!?'
"You forgot to tell me the most important condition of the contract!"
'Well, I'm f*cking Sorry!' The Drunken Blade replied with no ounce of guilt on his voice.
'This Rude Blade.'
"Stop! Let's just forget it. it's already done anyway what can I possibly do about it."
'Hmph!'
'Ah! I don't know anymore.'
"Oi, you Useless Blade!"
'What!? who are you calling useless!? Ha! You punk!'
"You, anyway is there a method to transfer The ownership of the drunken blade?"
"What!? Why!? What would you do if there is a way!?"
"I'll give my ownership to Zero. He wants you back."
'Ha!? He wants me back?'
'Yeah because he's your rightful owner.'
"Yes, he wants you back so go!"
'What I'm saying is, I don't want to deal with a sword-like you ever again!! So go back where belong.'
'What if I don't want to?'
Xarth started to frown.
'What the hell is this blade saying.'
"Why won't you!?"
'I don't like him!' responded the blade with eagerness.
'What!? He's the freaking Main character the most powerful person in this world!'
"*Sigh Then is there any type of alternative like for example he'll just have the capability to wield you or use your powers but I would still be the one you acknowledge as the owner?"
The Drunken Blade kept silent for a whole minute.
'Hm.....There is!'
'Really!? Thanked God, I won't have to deal with your foul mouth alone anymore.'
"Then you'll agree now? Don't worry he'll use you much better than me ."
'I'm pretty sure that I won't meet with Zero again in the future after this is incident...I promise I would never want to associate with him any further!'
"Fine, I'll agree for now because you're a pushover."
Xarth let out a sigh of relief because the Drunken blade finally agreed.
"So what do I need to do."
'You just have to form a Blood pact using me as your medium.'
"What is a Blood pact?"
'I never heard or read anything about this from the original Novel. I have 3 volumes of the book yet I still lack information.'
A blood pact is a contract between the owner of an artifact and his companion this process is created by using the blood of both individuals. Though it will not work without the full cooperation of the artifact to act as the medium between the party.
The artifact will need to first acknowledge the selected individual to make the contract work. If the conditions are met the artifact will wish for a contract and a piece of paper will suddenly appear to be signed by both of the parties, Of course, they are using their own blood to sign it.
The main purpose of a Blood pact is to make a blood bond that ties the Artifact, Owner, and the selected companion to fully use the abilities of the artifact. It also have it's own benefits like I said they are bonded together by blood they would feel each others condition, they will also hear the voice of the artifact more often besides they won't need to use a lot of Mana to maneuver the artifact because they are split between the two.
Those who were not selected or even acknowledge by either the Artifact or the Owner will never or won't be able to use the artifact for their own purpose.
'You're going to cut yourself by using me as your medium. The cut should be enough that one drop of blood can come out and you'll also need a drop of blood from that dude.'
'Seems easy enough, but there's something that concerns me does this pact have any side effects?'
"Wait Drunken Blade does this pact have any side effects?"
'Not that I know of...To assure you this the first time that I'll conduct this kind of contract.'
'That doesn't assure me at all.'
"Haa...Okay, I'll call in Zero. Oh by the way if we form this Blood pact can the selected individual hear your voice from now on.
'Yeah and I'll curse the sh*t out of him!'
Xarth started grinning at the thought of the Drunken Blade swearing in front of Zero while he was releasing a murderous look on his face.
He stepped out of the tent and strolled over to where Zero was stationed.
"I'm Back." Xarth announcing his presence.
"Oh, your back!" Zero replied while showing a little bit of his happiness.
He scans Xarth's appearance...his bit of happiness slowly faded back to his usual stoic look but this look seems more on the angry side.
"Where's the Blade?" Zero asked with a chilling tone on his voice.
'Ha...'
Xarth just blankly stared at the man in front of him...
"Sir Zero you should not speak with that kind of tone to someone who is feeding you without anything in return, and don't worry about the sword I will sure give it to," Xarth replied with confidence.
"..."
"Follow me."
Zero followed Xarth back to his tent and started explaining what was supposed to happen this fine afternoon.
"So yeah...Do you still want this blade?"
"Of course shedding a drop of blood is nothing."
"Then we'll start."
'Ohhh Xarth you're forming a pact??'
"Soleis? Where were you?"
Zero glanced at Xarth with a disoriented look on his face probably thinking Xarth is a delusional noble son and decided to feign ignorance to what was happening before him.
'Oh, I just met up with some of my friends.'
"Friends, do you mean other elementals?"
'Yes and some Elves as well.'
'Elves woah do I have a chance to meet one of them? I doubt it.'
"Ahem.."
Zero's fake coughs caught Xarth's attention...He snapped out of it and began to focus.
"Okay let's start Drunken Blade."
*OAAANGGGGG...
A red light appeared between Xarth and Zero it slowly formed into a piece of paper that seems to glow a gold light.
Xarth took the Blade from the chair where it had been sitting on he lightly grazed his fingers blood soon started to come out of it he immediately set down his finger with blood on the piece of paper steadily floating in the Air soon he was followed by Zero. Zero did the same thing with Xarth.
Now that the contract was signed by both parties it is now the time of the Drunken Blade's acknowledgment of this contract. The Blade started to float into the air it was giving out an ominous pressure...it was none other than the power of the blade! The last and final condition is that the blade will need to use a particular amount of its own Mana to break the piece of paper making the Blood Pact successful.
*OAAAANGGG...
The Blade started to glow in red blood-like color a sinister feeling can be felt around the people inside the tent.
'What's this feeling? It's crushing me? Is this the power of that rude sword?'
The Blade shifted its body and slashed the piece of paper floating in the air soon two of the light that lit up the inside of the tent combined into one making the color a more Fiery red-gold shade and it soon quickly faded into the background.
'It f*cking works! I'm soo great ain't that right!?'
"Yeah, I guess...So Sir Zero can you hear him now?"
"Yes." Zero replied with a blank expression on his face.
'What's with him?'
Then suddenly someone called out to Xarth from the other side of the tent entryway.
"Young Master Xarth. Young Master Harold would like your presence."
"Cairo is that you?"
"Yes, We've just received Duke Jidek's reply and Young Master Harold would like to read it with you saying that it's a chance to have some brotherly time."
'Well done Harold thanks to you I wouldn't have to console this kid, good thing I didn't need to find the opportunity to get out of here the opportunity came to me.'
Xarth softly chuckled.
"You heard him have fun with your Blade."
Xarth left having a satisfied smile on his pretty doll-like face, Cairo escorted Xarth to Harold's tent he could see Harold sitting on a chair while looking at the letter.
"Young Master Harold."
He shifted his head and glanced at Cairo
"Thanks, Cairo wait for my further instructions."
"Yes, Young Master." Cairo bowed and waltz over at the corner area of the tent.
Harold began to look in the direction where Xarth is currently standing.
"Xarth come here."
He did as he was instructed and came closer to Harold.
"So what did the letter say?"
"I didn't read it yet. Let's read it together." Harold said with a kind tone.
'He really changed.'
"Okay open it."
"Okay, I'll read it out loud."
Dear Harold Barrows
I am obligated and happy to help you in any way. And I also want personally get to know the next successor of the Count's title. I'll have the Prison ready please come straight to the castle and have dinner with us. I am happily waiting for your arrival this evening and glad to be of help in your need of assistance.
Sincerely yours,
Duke Jidek Lancaster
"That what was written...I'm glad the Duke lend a hand."
"So don't we need to get moving now?" Xarth implied.
"I agree. Cairo! You heard what he said. inform the soldiers to take down the tents and tell them that we'll depart this afternoon."
"Certainly Young Master Harold."
"I am grateful."
"It's an honor," Cairo replied with a warm smile on his face.
'Seems like we'll be sleeping at the Duke's Castle.'
"Xarth are you nervous?"
"Why would I be?" Xarth replied with an indifferent tone in his voice.
"Because we'll be meeting a high-ranking figure in our kingdom and I believe this will be your first time meeting another Nobleman."
"Thank you for your concern but I think I'll handle it pretty well," Xarth replied with an overly confident tone. Not that he was wrong, it was because he's not the real Xarth besides he knew for a fact that he'll handle the meeting well since that was part of his job in the publishing company.
Lee Son a team leader. The one who leads the team in the right direction was an idol to his members while a nuisance to his other co-workers not because he was bad at doing his job actually he's pretty great at it people just assumes those baseless rumors circling the office. Or it was just because they were envious of his talent so that they created that rumor to make others hate him. Nonetheless, Lee Son ignored it and lived without care about what others think about him and it remains the same here in this world of the novel.