CHAPTER 260: CHAPTER260-THE SHACKLES OF THE GODS

"Do you realize that humans inherently harbor immense power within themselves? It’s merely restrained by the shackles imposed by the gods," Greed explained, setting the tone for a profound revelation.

"Each metamorphosis, each shedding of my old self, breaks one or two of these divine restraints wrapped around me, substantially enhancing both my physical and spiritual capacities."

"You may perceive me as heartless, and I won’t deny that aspect of my nature. My inherent darkness is indeed merciless, but it only surfaces under specific circumstances." He continued, "In normal conditions, I’m just like you, capable of experiencing happiness, anger, sorrow, and joy."

"The knowledge that my previous incarnation caused the deaths of numerous old nobility ignites in me feelings of anger and guilt. However, the first transformation I underwent broke the spiritual shackles, leading to a significant shift in my mindset."

"Therefore, I understand what I must now do."

Owen listened, startled by the parallels between Greed’s revelations and the Doppelganger Technique he had been recently exploring.

What exactly were these divine shackles? Owen had experienced the sensation of chains breaking before – could that have been related?

As Greed concluded his explanation, they found themselves in a brightly lit cave.

"This has been my abode for years. It’s somewhat humble, but it’ll serve," Greed commented with a light-hearted smile, settling down on a mat and casually inquiring, "Tea?"

"Wine," Owen countered, choosing a spot to sit across from him and producing two bottles of wine, offering one to Greed.

"Are you forgiving me then?" Greed probed after a pause, gauging Owen’s reaction to his narrative.

Owen shook his head, maintaining a steady gaze on Greed, his response loaded with unspoken dialogue.

"So, what is this?" Greed, far from disappointed, was curious instead.

"I have no reason to kill you. The one who truly deserves to die isn’t you." Owen chuckled lightly, downing his bottle of wine in one go, then pulled out a scroll.

Although Owen’s avatar wasn’t physically strong, it harbored the soul power of his original body.

In this world, he had learned a method to form contracts using soul power to inscribe on specially prepared scrolls.

After finishing, Owen tossed the scroll to Greed.

"Sign this, and our grievances will be settled." Greed scanned the scroll with his soul power and burst into laughter.

"Agreed!"

With that, he dripped his blood onto it and left his soul mark before throwing the scroll back to Owen.

Catching the scroll, Owen smiled and said, "Let’s drink another bottle for your straightforwardness!"

This way, this powerful individual would at least not be an enemy to Owen in the future.

"Until we meet again!"

After finishing the wine, Owen departed.

It wasn’t until Owen’s figure had long disappeared that Greed withdrew his gaze.

Half an hour later, Owen returned to the town, having encountered no sign of the man in blue, likely deterred by Greed.

Noticing the evening sky darkening, Owen looked up to catch the last glimpse of the setting sun disappearing over the horizon, ushering in the night.

Owen was momentarily lost in thought.

"Owen!"

Calls came from not too far off, pulling Owen back to reality as he looked towards the source.

"You’re finally back. I thought you’d been taken out," Melita said, her eyes gleaming with joy as she approached and playfully punched Owen.

Owen smiled.

"Ran into a friend who just happened to save my life."

"So, you’re saying if that friend hadn’t been there, you’d have been in danger?"

Bella approached from a distance, removing her disguise mask to reveal a stunningly beautiful face that caught Owen’s eye.

"Owen!"

Olivia ran towards him, bubbling with excitement, about to hurl herself into his arms before stopping abruptly, her cheeks flushing as she stood still before him.

Owen chuckled softly, ruffling Olivia’s hair, and turned to Bella, saying, "Not exactly, but it would have been a bit troublesome."

"That’s good then," Bella replied, breaking into a smile.

She then leaned closer to Owen, sniffed, and looked up at him with suspicion, "Have you been drinking? And quite a lot?"

"Just had a couple of bottles with that brother, not bad!" Owen responded with an easy smile, glancing at the sky.

"Let’s head back to avoid any more trouble."

The empire was restless at night, with many warriors engaging in nefarious deeds under the cover of darkness.

They all nodded, having hidden in a secluded spot just to wait for Owen, without even checking their loot yet.

A quarter of an hour later, they returned to their room.

Bella and Olivia immediately began eagerly sorting through their findings, with the little Ice Soul Beast scurrying about, while Owen watched them with a smile.

"Owen, I need to talk to you about something. Come with me," Melita approached Owen, whispering and then walking towards the door.

Owen glanced at Bella and Olivia, sensing they wouldn’t start another argument, and quietly followed Melita outside.

Bella, who was counting their treasures, briefly looked up at Owen’s departing figure, her eyes filled with complex emotions, before returning her focus to the task at hand.

"Melita, what’s the matter?" Owen followed Melita to a secluded area.

"Owen, didn’t you say you’d compensate us?" Melita turned around, her eyes serious.

Owen was momentarily taken aback, not expecting Melita to be concerned about his promise of compensation.

Melita’s family was among the most affluent of the surviving old nobility.

Despite being targeted in the purges by the second prince, she wasn’t the sole survivor of her family.

Even though her family now operated from the shadows, their influence remained significant.

"Just say it. As long as it’s within my power, I’ll do my best to fulfill it," Owen nodded, his expression becoming solemn.

Seeing Owen’s affirmative response, Melita’s eyes brightened.

She hesitated, her thoughts on the tip of her tongue, but found herself struggling to voice them.

"Do ... Do you have a new fiancée?"

The question finally emerged, and her cheeks flushed pink immediately after.

Before Owen could reply, Melita glared at him as a warning, "Don’t get any weird ideas!"

Owen found himself at a loss for words in front of Melita, though he still shook his head in response.

"Then, do you think... am I beautiful?"

As she spoke, Melita removed her disguise mask, revealing a stunningly beautiful face.

Once again, Owen felt as if the world around him dimmed, leaving only Melita in his sight.

Shaking his head to clear his thoughts, Owen was about to answer when Melita suddenly changed her expression to one of feigned annoyance, moving closer until he could smell her faint fragrance.

"You are beautiful, haven’t I complimented you several times before?" Owen said, feeling awkward.

Even when speaking the truth, he wondered why she seemed so threatening.

Melita’s expression softened upon hearing his words, and she huffed lightly.

"That’s for shaking your head just now."

Owen would never admit to being mesmerized by Melita’s beauty just moments ago; otherwise, he couldn’t imagine how proud she would act around him.

"Why do you ask? Are you considering becoming my fiancée?" Owen shifted the conversation, aiming to tease Melita a bit.

"I..."

To Owen’s surprise, Melita’s face turned red instantly, and she couldn’t even meet his gaze.

"You wouldn’t..." Owen leaned in, his sentence cut short by a punch.

"Hmph!"

Melita glared at Owen fiercely, her punch serving as a release for her frustration, aware that Owen was deliberately teasing her.

She brushed off her hands, not looking his way again.

"I won’t waste my breath on you. In a few years, my family is holding a competition. Just come and easily take first place."

"What competition?" Owen, rubbing his arm, looked at Melita curiously.

He knew Melita’s family had many survivors, but the mention of a competition seemed odd.

Melita’s face turned awkward as she slightly turned away.

"You’ll find out when the time comes. Just win first place."

Owen felt something was off, but without further details from Melita, he couldn’t probe deeper.

After a moment, Melita stealthily glanced back, only to meet Owen’s gaze and quickly turn away again.

"What’s this, are we playing hide and seek now?" Owen was puzzled, not convinced that Melita had developed feelings for him.

Although she occasionally blushed around him, it certainly wasn’t because she was moved by him.

Melita suddenly turned towards Owen, her gaze fixed intently on him, and she spoke earnestly, "Owen, you said you would compensate us, right?"

Owen nodded, waiting for her to continue.

In a soft voice, Melita added, "So, all you need to do is fulfill the request I’ve made of you. Don’t overthink the rest."

Owen was about to respond with a wry smile but restrained himself upon meeting Melita’s gaze, detecting a hint of vulnerability in her eyes...

"Since you’ve put it that way, I will naturally keep my promise," he assured her.

Melita’s eyes brightened, and she extended her pinky finger, suggesting, "Let’s make a pinky promise, so you can’t back out later!"

"Are you a child?" Owen couldn’t help but tease, yet he still extended his pinky to seal the promise with Melita.

"Alright, let’s head back," Melita said cheerfully after the pinky promise, her mood evidently lifted.

She put her disguise mask back on and led Owen back to their room.

"You two finally decided to return," they were greeted with Bella’s scrutinizing gaze upon entering the room, with Olivia also showing a hint of displeasure.

"Hmph, Owen isn’t your fiancé. Why the jealousy?" Melita retorted, not backing down from the confrontation.