Beyond the Apocalypse
Chapter 556: Depravita Flame?

Chapter 556: Depravita Flame?

Marshal Maximo could not contain his admiration for the runic formation’s power. Even though he was a man who had weathered countless battles and witnessed all manner of extraordinary feats, the effect of Vlad’s work still surpassed his every expectation.

"Amazing—truly amazing!" he proclaimed, his voice reverberating throughout the large hall. The lingering echo underscored the respect everyone felt after seeing his grievous wound partially purged of its chaotic infection.

The Marshal turned his gaze upon Vlad. "Can you engrave another one? I’ll secure any materials you require," he continued. Although his natural healing ability was already eliminating the remaining traces of chaotic energy from his injury, the process would still take a few weeks to fully restore him. If Vlad could hasten that process, it would be worth almost any effort or expense.

Unfortunately, Vlad shook his head. "I’m sorry, but I can only perform one Darkness Devouring Runic Formation a day. That’s my limit."

A flash of disappointment passed over Maximo’s features as he heard this, but it quickly shifted into a measured nod. Regardless of how skilled Vlad might be, he was still only a Guardian-tier lifeform, which implied inherent limitations. Expecting more than one use of such a potent technique in a single day might have been unreasonable from the start.

"I would like to buy the diagram for that runic formation," Elder Damian’s voice broke the silence. His presence in the hall seemed to intensify as he voiced this request, and his words echoed with a certain weight. "I speak on behalf of the Golden Sky Fortress and the Imperial Family. It would help everyone here—and if it saves lives, then no price is too high. You may ask for as much wealth as you want."

A profound hush descended on the hall. Everyone present understood the implications behind Elder Damian’s statement. He was not requesting the runic design for his personal use; rather, he intended it for the fortress itself. The Golden Sky Fortress formed a bulwark against unimaginable threats in this Doomsday World, and any technique that could counter the chaos-energy infection wrought by The Darkness was sure to be invaluable on the battlefield.

At the same time, his words also hinted at a subtle pressure: he was effectively telling Vlad that the fortress would pay any price to obtain the formation, but it would do so by any means necessary. If Vlad refused or demanded too much, the empire might still find a way to acquire it, whether willingly or through more forceful methods. It was a delicate dance of necessity and potential coercion, all masked by polite language.

Marshal Maximo’s brows furrowed slightly. Though he knew Damian’s approach was in the best interest of their forces, he felt uneasy pressuring someone who had just performed such a favor for him. Nevertheless, his personal feelings could not override the strategic demands of the war. Lives were at stake, and in a realm as merciless as the Land of the Three Calamities, any advantage could mean the difference between victory and slaughter.

Vlad felt numerous pairs of eyes lock onto him. A lesser individual might have quailed under such scrutiny, but he displayed no outward sign of nervousness. Instead, the Depravita of Wrath offered a calm smile as he looked toward the old man in the gray robe. "I can certainly sell you the runic diagram," he began, speaking in a measured tone. "But it would be useless. The core power of the formation does not come from the materials or even the runic lines themselves. It’s derived from the unique energy I used as a catalyst when combining the components."

The faces of all the Legends in the room hardened in unison. In that split second, every person present was reminded of the dark, flaming plasma Vlad had wielded earlier. Most of them had been too focused on the laborious engraving of the runes to pay it the scrutiny it deserved. Now, it became clear that this omission had been a mistake on their part.

Sensing their collective realization, Vlad continued before anyone else could speak. "I call it the Depravita Flame—it’s a unique bloodline ability. It possesses both devouring and neutralizing properties and seems especially effective against the chaotic energy of The Darkness. However, there’s only a limited amount of it I can produce each day."

Maximo and the other Legends listened with rapt attention. The notion that a personal bloodline skill could hold this power was not unimaginable in a world riddled with cosmic forces and monstrous races. Yet it also introduced a formidable obstacle: the entire runic formation hinged on Vlad’s ability to conjure that dark flame. Even if someone else tried to replicate the arrangement, it would fail without the catalyst.

As the Legends digested this information in thoughtful silence, Jormungandr, Ouroboros, and Fafnir exchanged knowing glances. Each gave a faint smile, reflecting their approval of Vlad’s handling of the matter. By presenting the energy as a personal bloodline gift—unique to him—Vlad had made it appear that he alone could forge the catalyst.

In reality, the plasma was Depravita Aura, something all Sky Seed Depravitas could summon. But by framing it as his sole specialty, Vlad ensured the fortress’s reliance on him specifically. It was a subtle but crucial distinction, one that might protect them from becoming expendable assets should the empire find other methods to replicate the technique.

Nevertheless, there was still an issue that loomed overhead, one which materialized the very next moment.

Elder Damian drew in a measured breath and addressed Vlad once more. "Master Vlad, your talent as a rune master is exceptional. In light of your contributions, I believe we could arrange for a Legendary Rune Master from the Graecia Empire to come here and teach you personally. We would provide you with all the materials and resources you need for both your training and your cultivation. That way, you wouldn’t have to face the dangers of the outside world, and yet you could see your power grow without limit."

His tone was courteous, even solicitous, and on the surface, it appeared to be a resplendent offer. To most people, it would have seemed like an unparalleled opportunity: advanced instruction from the empire’s best, an endless supply of rare materials, and safety within the fortress walls. Many warriors in the Doomsday World would have considered it a dream come true. But the undercurrent was not so benign.