Book 5: Chapter 69: Blood Oath
âSworn siblings?â Upon hearing Uncle Skarâs suggestion, Lilith was momentarily stunned. Her mind raced as she pieced together the meaning behind the âsworn siblingsâ. It dawned on her that this term was seen in the novels from her previous world. Like-minded individuals in the pugilistic world would go through a ceremony together to convert their friendship into mock kinship.
Although not blood-related, their relationship would be as intimate as blood siblings after the ceremony. They would often say things like even if they were not born on the same day, same month and same year, they would die on the same day, same month and same year.
It sounded so noble, amazing, sophisticated, emotional and sincere⦠but looking at it from another perspectiveâ¦
To be sworn siblings meant that they would share a relationship akin to siblings⦠He was the older brother and she was the younger sisterâ¦
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In other words, Uncle Skar did not only have a daughter complex, but also a little sister complex?!
Lilithâs expression changed slightly as she took a few steps back. She hesitantly said, âThat⦠That doesnât seem very appropriate. The age gap between us is too much. Wouldnât it be strange for us to become sworn siblings?â
âDonât worry about it.â Uncle Skar was clearly very excited and failed to notice that Lilith was acting oddly. He patted his chest and continued, âAge shouldnât be a hindrance for people like us. We canât let something as trivial as age hold us back. In fact, our age gap could even further highlight our love of freedom.â
âI⦠I guess you have a pointâ¦â Lilith forced herself to smile and play along.
Of course age isnât a problem here, but Iâm worried that you may be a pervert!
Lilith sensed a natural affinity with Uncle Skar due to their similar personality, which led her to believe he was a trustworthy person. However, the thought of gaining a new sibling after being an only child for so long made Lilith extremely uncomfortable.
Most importantly⦠If her mother were to discover that she had somehow gained an older son⦠would she crush him with her palm just because he was too unpleasant to look at?
Lilith nodded as she looked at Uncle Skarâs dirty face and beard. Given her motherâs personality, Lilith was certain that such a scenario was very likely to happen.
âWhy donât we give it some more thought?â Lilith suggested.
âWhat more is there to think about? Iâve already made my decision!â Uncle Skar waved his fist, looking unusually determined.
Unlike Lilith, Uncle Skar had lived for thousands of years. During this time, the loneliness, boredom, heartache, and helplessness as he walked his path alone was not something Lilith could ever imagine.
This was why Skar suggested for them to become sworn siblings. It was rare for him to find a like-minded individual, and he would not let Lilith slip away! They would face lifeâs challenges and court death together. Never again would he have to suffer the judgment of others all alone!
Uncle Skar narrowed his eyes and looked at Lilith, sensing her reluctance. He quickly worked his brain and a peculiar smile spread across his face. He whispered in Lilithâs ear, âThink about it, my dear Lilith~ If we both join forces, the resulting effect will be more than just one plus one.â
âThatâsâ¦â
âYes, it will at least be one to the power of one!â
âWhat! How can one to the power of one be even bigger than one plus one?â Lilith was shocked beyond belief.
ââ¦Ahem⦠Is that soâ¦?â Uncle Skar coughed dryly, then hastily changed his words. âI meant to say one times one. Yes, thatâs a one times one effect.â
Lilith was even more shocked. âIsnât one times one the same as one to the power of one?â
This time, it was Uncle Skarâs turn to be shocked. âIs that so?â
âHmm? Is it not?â Lilith looked at Uncle Skar like he was a monster. âUncle, did you learn math⦠from your daughter?â
âO-Of course notâ¦â Uncle Skar snorted and said dismissively. âI must have a brain fart from standing up too quickly after sitting down for so long.â
Lilith rolled her eyes, obviously not quite convinced by him. âStop beating around the bush. Just tell me whatâs on your mind without all these metaphors.â
âFine, Iâll be direct then. Ahemâ¦â Uncle Skar cleared his throat and stuck his chest out. A strange aura gradually built up in Uncle Skar and Lilith sensed it too.
She felt a strong connection between individuals who had similar personalities. Her breathing and heartbeat even began to synchronize involuntarily with Uncle Skarâs.
âThis about it, Lilith. If we have a fresh idea and the probability of one person succeeding in implementing it is 50%, then wonât the chances of success for two people working together be 100%?â
âMakes sense.â Lilith nodded her head vigorously.
âIn other words, if we were to get into big trouble due to our brilliant idea and the likelihood of one person successfully escaping is 50%, then with two people, the probability of at least one person escaping becomes 100%!â
âYou are right!â After listening to Uncle Skar, Lilithâs eyes gleamed with excitement and she applauded with enthusiasm. âAccording to what you just said, if I were to get into big trouble and the likelihood of successfully shifting the blame is 50%, if I have someone⦠like a sworn sibling, the probability of successfully shifting the blame becomes 100%!
âYes, exactly.â Although Uncle Skar sensed that there was something wrong with the last sentence, he was lost in the joy of hearing Lilithâs positive response. He clapped and laughed heartily. âEverything has gone from 50% to 100%. Isnât it wonderful?â
âSuper wonderful.â
âWill you accept my proposal, Lilith?â
âWell, I canât say no after hearing Uncle Skar.â
âGreat, let us seal our commitment with a blood oath!â Uncle Skar was overjoyed. With a wave of his hand, the severed head of a strange beast appeared before Lilith.
It looked like the head of a goat, but with sharp fangs attached to its upper and lower jaws. Its slightly curved goat horns glimmered with a metallic sheen under the moonlight. At first glance, it seemed like it used to be a formidable opponentâ¦
âThis isâ¦â Lilith was taken aback and uncertain.
âA specialty from my home. The name is⦠well that doesnât matter, but the blood of this demon beast is a necessary component for our blood oath!â
Lilith forced herself to smile as she caught a whiff of the fishy smell and the overpowering scent of the demon beastâs head, which was amplified by her heightened sense of smell. âWeâll just have to smear it on our lips, right? Itâs okay, I can still accept.â
Uncle Skar placed his hand on Lilithâs shoulder and beamed a smile at her. âWhat are you talking about, Lilith⦠no, little sister. Of course weâll have to drink it to celebrate the bond between us.â
âDrink?â The expression on Lilithâs face changed dramatically. âYou mean directly?â
âDonât worry, it doesnât taste bad at all,â Uncle Skar assured.
âNo, this isnât about the taste.â Lilith gulped, feeling her stomach churning as she spoke. âThe real issue is whether I can mentally accept it or not.â
Despite Lilithâs incredible strength in all aspects as a Dragon Princess and she would definitely be fine after drinking this thing, the idea of drinking blood was not something she could easily accept, as she had been a human being in her previous life.
Uncle Skar seemed to notice Lilithâs inner turmoil and shook his head in resignation.
Humans are really fussy.
âAs the older brother, allow me to demonstrate.â
With a gentle wave of his hand, a clean wound as if made by a sharp knife appeared on the beastâs head. Blood started gushing out and Skarst swiftly grabbed a silver cup out of thin air with his left hand.
The blood flowed into the cup as if guided by some unseen force. Skarst tilted his head backward and quickly drank it down in one gulp. He then tipped the cup to prove that he had emptied it completely.
Skarst laughed heartily and exclaimed, âSee? Iâm still feeling fine. This is a common practice back home.â