"It's really a thing to consider."
He would have overlooked it if it had only been three or five percent less, but it's over fifteen percent. Although it did not totally eliminate the risk, it was still better than keeping the ratio at ninety.
A 20% difference is already significant.
Who exactly is this assassin? Is he some golden child, or did he save the world in his previous life, that he could cause such fortune in Chase's fate?
Chase's brows furrowed as he analyzed the situation and decided that helping the assassin was the best course of action.
"But how can I trust the assassin?" He stressed. "He tried to kill me for a minor offense I committed at the banquet, proving that this person's temper is incredibly volatile; I am still in danger of being killed."
The system offered a proposal. 「The Host could implement the Oath to the Gods.」
Chase hummed. "Oath of the Gods? Tell me more about it?"
「It is a fate-binding oath established by borrowing the language of the gods. Before taking the oath, the participants of the covenant will agree on certain conditions. The agreement must be followed at all times, or else the parties will face sanctions and penalties under the discussed arrangement.」
"That simple?" Chase scratched his cheek. "That sounds like doing some pinky swear. How could it help me?"
[As the parties agreed on a premise, limitless retribution could be upheld. It is also boundless, which means that the punishment will still have an effect, regardless of distance or time. The gods watch over the Oaths, thus no one could hide from it. The Oath will only lose its validity if one party dies a natural death unless otherwise stated.]
The objective is to bind the oath-takers with rules and punishments, allowing trust and respect to blossom between the participants. Well, that is the case if all the participants really wished for a healthy cooperation. After all, trust cannot be easily built overnight.
In Chase's case, it is a useful shortcut that could guarantee his safety.
"The Oath can only lose its effect if one of the oath takers dies a natural death. But, if the other person is already dead, why would the Oath still work?"
Chase thought that a promise or a covenant will only become useful if both parties were still alive. Even though dying from violation is not natural, it is still severing the bond created by the oath. Without the receiving party, the Oath must have lost its meaning. But the system specified that it can only be broken if one receives natural death.
"What is natural death anyway?" Chase pondered. "Is it the state of dying in old age, illness, or accident? Or could it be..."
Could it be related to the soul?
If it is the case, it explained everything. Chase has a theory — that souls could only be considered to have died 'naturally' if they were able to cross the river with the ferryman of the underworld and had reached the dwellings of Yama.
Chase himself died naturally in his previous world and was able to experience it, even chatting with some officials while waiting for his turn to meet the Old Lady Meng Po.
But what happens to those who did not get their 'natural deaths'?
"Gods existed in this world. Could it be that ghosts and such are also present?" Chase suddenly has goosebumps. "Hey, system. Are ghosts real in this world?"
The system suddenly becomes silent, as if hesitating. In the end, it flashed the answer. 「There is a clan named Ghost Clan and they areー」
"Alright, don't mention it. Or else I won't be able to sleep at night."
He walked back and found the assassin coughing. Evreux had been yelling for so long that his voice had gotten hoarse. He is dead set on taking Chase's attention. The white-haired prince arrived underneath the hanging person and raised his lamp.
Evreux focused his attention on the young man.
"Alright, I will help you."
Chase did not waste his time and told him his intention.
"However, I won't help without reason. You said that you can help me get out of this place, but I don't believe you. Give me reasons I should trust your words? After all, you tried killing me once."
The words the white-haired prince said are reasonable and concise. It made the assassin a bit surprised. But he did not show it in his face and only lasted a bit.
Evreux realized that there had been some difference between the person's attitude before him and the one in the reports. It seems that this Chase Laurier is not someone anyone could trifle with. But he is clearly a scumbag before.
What is with this sudden change?
Evreux did not dawdle longer as he organized his thoughts. With a scratchy voice, he responded, "I am an assassin nurtured by the Royal Family. The Dark Abyssal Cliff is one of the places where I frequently train."
"Dark Abyssal Cliff?"
"It's the name of this place."
Chase scratched his chin. "I see. Then are you saying that you are familiar with this place and know the way out? But I heard before that no human could survive on this cliff unless they're lucky."
The assassin replied, "The Dark Abyssal Cliff is indeed dangerous, but it is not without a safe area. It is a secret within the royalty of the Norbumin Kingdom, and we have access to these passageways."
"But why would you need these passageways — wait, I think I know."
Chase recalled the memories he got from the original. Almost a third of these memories were focused on the recent events, which were the clearest of all. A portion of it is about the Norbumin Kingdom.
"One of the known products of the Norbumin Kingdom is their collection of precious stones and exotic medicine." Chase looked around him. "So, this is where you all getting it."
The assassin did not deny it. "But we only dared to explore the upper area of the abyss. This place is already the border of the 'safe area'. If we landed anymore deeper, it would be dangerous."
There is a common knowledge stating the deeper into the abyss, the darker it gets. Even Chase, who was ignorant of the rules, understands it.
"Still, even though this information is correct, what made you think I would need your help to escape from this place? What if I have a compass that could give me the way? Your guidance would be unnecessary."
Chase got a system that could give him the way. Although it wasn't telling him which direction was going up, it still tells him if the place he was stepping on was safe. He has been using this loophole as a cheat.
Evreux did not quickly reply. Instead, he asked, "The distance between the cliffs of the abyss is not very wide, yet bridges were not created. Why do you think is that?"
Chase did not answer. How would he know? The assassin already expected the prince didn't know it since only a few knows the reason.
He supplemented the answer, "It's because the abyss calls the soul of the living. Anyone stepping on it will always be drawn to the deepest uncertainty. Even with a map, any foreign people will fall deeply."
"You mean that even if I am going up, I will still end up deeper at the end?"
The assassin nodded. "It is the curse of the abyss. It desires the wonders of life, thus calls the living."
"You're telling me you are not affected by it?"
"The abyss blessed the natives of the Norbumin Kingdom. Why do you think it existed in the first place?"
The Norbumin Kingdom is one of the oldest kingdoms in the world. It wasn't wealthy like the Sangrail or as large as the Bledsian Empire to the east, but it has the richest history that even recorded the time immemorial. Many things had occurred for a million years, and for a million years, The Norbumin Kingdom continued on its ground.
The existence of the Dark Abyssal Cliff might have appeared after the establishment of the Kingdom, and a probable reason could be protecting the residents. The Norbumin Kingdom never experienced wars since it was surrounded well with high mountains and deep trenches.
"It is true that you even needed a guide to cross that narrow passage," Chase muttered.
With all this information, Chase realized why the assassin could affect his danger level. Actually, it doesn't have to be Evreux. Anyone who is a native could give him the assurance of leaving this place.
Chase already has the intention of saving Evreux and is only asking these things to give him a clearer picture of his state. Then, what is left would be the level of trust they could give each other.
"Your words are reasonable," Chase concluded.
"Then--"
"But that is if you are saying the truth. You tried to kill me and that will not change. I am weak. You are strong. I wanted reassurance. What can you say?"
Evreux could fully see the picture more than Chase. He knows that this white-haired prince has no ability to fight back. If he is in the other person's shoes, he would also hesitate.
"Then what do you want to do?"
Chase smirked. "Simple. Let's perform the Oath of the Gods."
"Perform what?" Evreux wasn't able to hear Chase's words. A kind of wind suddenly swayed the vine he was tangled with, and it started turning around. Evreux restlessly turned his head so he could see Chase clearly. "What did you say?"
"Oath of The Gods," Chase repeated. "You don't know about it?"
"That, of course, I know about it."
The assassin is familiar with this oath since it is a sacred act committed by people, especially those holding power, to build relationships without fearing the unreliability of trust. It is very secure and foolproof.
It's just that this oath is very dangerous. The name might sound common and cheap, but its effect is very potent it could severe generations of family. Evreux had seen many officials on the court die because they were careless in planning out the premises of the oath.
The assassin did not reply quickly, so Chase grumbled, "What? You don't like it?"
"I..."
"You only have this chance. If you say no, then I will leave you here. Who cares if I will die anyway? The point is, YOU would also die."
Evreux grumbled for a bit, then agreed. Anyway, there are really no other ways to prove that he won't harm Chase. The white-haired prince smiled after seeing him agree and immediately listed out his conditions. He wouldn't waste time on another bout of banter.
"You must not do anything to harm me, not your subordinates, or any related people you can command. If your subordinate wanted to kill, with or without your permission, as long as you know the intention, will be considered as breaking the oath. The gods will be watching your actions. If any of it were made to cause my death, then expect a punishment," Chase elaborated.
Evreux did not agree immediately. He wanted to clarify the loopholes of the Oath so he won't be implicated.
"Then, what if you died under my supervision? Let's say, with my utmost effort, you still ended up dead. Will it still be my fault?"
"In that case, let the gods judge it. I'm sure they could see everything to determine if you really killed me or not."
"I guess that's fine," Evreux considered. "Then, in exchange, you will save me from this vine. I won't kill you, not my subordinates, or any related people I can command. Once we are out of this place, I will make sure that you are safe. I promise never to cause any harm."
"Good," Chase nodded. "Or else, all the royalty of the Norbumin Kingdom will die in the worst ways!"
"What?" Evreux frowned. "That's not fai-"
"Not fair?" Chase interrupted his words. The white-haired prince walked around in circles, still holding the lamp that seems to flicker dully.
"How could it be unfair? I'm sure you understand that the simpler the premise, the greater loopholes it carried. The validity of the oath can be forfeited by natural death. Even if I don't die naturally, my death is achieved and I'm sure it doesn't matter to you to die as punishment."
Assassins were people who do not fear death and most of them would rather choose suicide than implicate their masters. Giving Evreux the condition of death is simply giving him a gift. That's why putting up another condition will make the assassin behave and treat this deal more seriously.
"To be honest, I don't want to die."
Chase admitted, his eyes holding the determination to live. Under the flicker of the dull light, the elegance of his emerald-colored eyes appeared exquisite and vibrant.
"I don't trust you, but I want to live. What do you think?"
Evreux never thought of killing Chase once the prince saved him. He wasn't that black-hearted to kill someone who saved him. But if this is how Chase wants to put it, then just agree. The gods will be the judge of his actions. Without his intent to kill, the Norbumin Royal Family won't be implicated.
This is enough.
"Alright, as you wish," Evreux said.
Chase beamed a smile. "Don't worry. I won't take advantage of it. I also have the same share of punishment. If I do anything to harm you, then my family will also be implicated. How's that?"
"How vicious can you be?" Evreux could not believe that Chase would also sacrifice his people. The white-haired prince only shrugged his shoulders.
"The world is not fair, but it doesn't mean I am too."
Chase made a fist with his right hand and placed it in front of his heart. Evreux copied the same gesture. The two of them once again elaborated on the conditions and punishments and ended their oath by saying, "Let the gods hear my oath, and my fate will be under their guidance."
A warm feeling suddenly enveloped their hearts that made an erratic beat after accepting the oath. Unknown to them, a small star shape tattoo appeared on their left chests, the symbol carrying their godly oath.
Now that it is safe, Chase gradually relaxed. The deal about the assassination had long been gone to the back of his mind as he pondered on how to untangle the vine on the assassin's leg. Evreux expected little from Chase and only wished for him to hand him the knife so he could untangle the vine himself. But Chase did not give it to him instantly.
"How thick is this vine? Is it sturdy?" Chase inquired. He played with the knife in his hand and estimated the distance.
Evreux could not understand him. "Just throw the knife so I could get it. I will cut it myself."
"Eh, but that would be a waste of time."
"What do you mean-"
The assassin was unable to continue when he heard an object whistling past his ears. His eyes were focusing on Chase so he was able to see the white-haired prince take a step back, then throw the knife in an astounding force!
The knife headed somewhere above, then suddenly he could feel the vine on his ankle lighten until it reached his position, and he fell down. Chase watched as the assassin shot to the ground with a thud.
"That's good," Chase hummed, circling his shoulders for a good stretch.
He's already injured and weaker than his previous incarnation, but it seems that he could still use some skills he gathered in his last life. Chase only glanced at the assassin for a while, then walked ahead to retrieve the knife he had thrown away.
It should be difficult to see in the dark, but he only has to raise the lamp to find it. Like before, the blade flashed after meeting the light. Chase followed it, picked the knife, and whisked it to remove the dirt and sap from the vine it slashed.
The knife is really of good quality since, despite being used haphazardly, it still retained its shape. Chase hummed to celebrate his wonderful loot when a sudden bout of danger touched his senses.
Something is lurking in the shadows.
And that something is already behind his back.