Supreme Spouse System.
Chapter 176: Chains in Silver Flame

Chapter 176: Chains in Silver Flame

Chains in Silver Flame

"System," Leon growled silently, gaze fixed on Natasha who floated upon her throne of water. "Give me something. Anything to kill her."

[System: Positive, Host. The suggested countermeasure item to neutralize a Monarch Realm cultivator, however, needs 3000 Blank Points to completely counteract its effects. Current balance: 1612 points.]

Leon muttered under his breath. "Tch. I don’t have that much! Can I borrow?" he yelled while sprinting, dodging a whispy swipe of water that would have taken off his shoulder.

[System: Alas, Host, borrowing is not an option.]

A plume of water shot for his ribs. Leon swiveled, taking the blow with his arm, then somersaulted backward and landed with a pained grunt.

He growled. "Great. What a time to have ethics."

Another whip descended—too quickly.

Leon parried with his forearm, golden energy exploding outward. The force pushed him three meters back, boots screeching on wet stone.

Useless. She was too much.

[System: I do, however, have one device that can suppress her movement and aura output by 70%. for ten seconds. Cost: 1000 Blank Points.]

Leon’s breath caught.

Ten seconds.

Not much. but for fighters like us.

Ten seconds is everything.

"I’ll have it."

[DING!]

[1000 Blank Points withdrawn]

[Item awarded: Eye of Drowning Silence.]

A tiny, dark crystal appeared in Leon’s hand—its slick face glowing softly, as though it contained breathless expectation.

He didn’t think.

"How do I use it?"

[System: Crush in palm. Effect takes hold at once.]

Leon’s amber eyes flashed up. Natasha was spinning another blow—great pillars of water writhing above her like the necks of a twisting hydra, poised to strike.

Leon hesitated for a heartbeat. His muscles tensed. "Do it," he growled in heart.

Nova came down beside him, breathing hard, a thin line of blood trickling from her shoulder. Her eyes flashed with annoyance. "She’s seriously pissing me off. Leon, if we don’t get a hit in, we’re dead."

Leon looked at her. His tone lowered, even and smooth. "Not anymore."

Without ceremony, he smacked the crystal in his hand.

CRACK.

The world did not explode. It folded.

An unseen power spread outward—silent, formless, but absolute.

For an instant, nothing was different.

Then Natasha blinked.

Once only.

Her heel skidded half an inch on the wet stone. The coiling hydra of water over her undulated—losing form, slowing.

Her breath caught.

The air distorted ever so slightly, as if space itself were holding its breath. Her control wavered.

She sensed it.

Water stuttered partway through shape. Her shield wavered and flickered, no longer fluid—unstable.

Nova spun hard, barely in time to intercept the instant Natasha’s fingers lost hold of a water whip. It disintegrated into benign mist.

She blinked at Leon, bewildered. His position hadn’t altered.

But he was grinning.

Calm. Confident.

Nova’s chest constricted. What...?

Her thoughts whirled. He hadn’t drawn his blade. He hadn’t employed a skill. He just broke that crystal—

And Natasha was stumbling.

Her aura had dimmed, like a storm choked out by sudden silence.

Nova’s eyes widened. "What did you do?"

Leon’s golden gaze remained locked on Natasha, who was trying—and failing—to summon control back into her water.

"I broke her rhythm," he said softly. "You have ten seconds. Let’s end this."

Leon smiled grimly. "We’ve got ten seconds. Let’s end this."

Nova didn’t respond with words.

She didn’t need to.

"Then don’t waste time," she snarled, and attacked.

They flowed together—not coordinated, but instinctively combined. No fear. No hesitation. Only purpose.

Leon feinted left, a flash of gold, then dropped into a spinning blow, foot cracking stone as he spun low, fist searing with Voidbreaker energy.

Nova jumped off him like a springboard—soaring off his shoulder, wind-charged blade streaming light as she plummeted like a star.

"NOW!" Leon bellowed.

But she was already there.

Natasha flung up her arms, water surging in to create a shield—too late.

Leon’s fist crashed into her ribs, golden chi exploding against the barrier. The shield shattered.

Nova’s sword descended from above, ripping through Natasha’s guard like a lightning bolt. Sparks and mist burst outward.

Eight seconds.

Natasha recoiled, attempting to counter—whips of water coiling—but her reflexes were blunted. Her aura quivered.

Leon pushed ahead— with his fists. He disappeared into her guard, dropped down under a wild swing, and struck his knee up into her belly.

Seven seconds.

Nova twisted low, cutting across the calf of Natasha’s leg with the edge of her blade. The blow landed on flesh. Blood spattered. Natasha let out a yell and stumbled.

Five seconds.

Leon materialized behind her. His hand slammed into her spine with a resounding thump of chi—Voidbreaker art for punch. Natasha gasped for air. Her body spasmed.

Three seconds.

Nova came up and hit high. Leon hit low.

Their fists met on her—one to the jaw, the other to the stomach. Two shockwaves exploded out. Bones shattered.

A shriek ripped through the darkness.

Natasha’s body sprang back—flung like a ragdoll. She slammed into the side of the colossal tree fountain, the stone breaking apart behind her. Water poured in jagged curves.

She gasped. Blood coated her lips. Her aura—so royal, so crushing—flared wildly.

Then—

Silence.

The blue wall around the garden throbbed once.

Then disappeared.

Magic dispersed like steam on a cold morning, leaving behind the gentle lapping of the fountain and the heavy breathing of two people.

Hard. Heavy. Alive.

Leon advanced, rising and falling on his shoulders, shirt ripped at the chest. His fists still emblazoned, knuckles bloody.

Nova sheathed her blade—but didn’t lower it. Her gaze didn’t waver from Natasha.

Natasha moaned, struggling, attempting to sit up.

But her body collapsed.

She collapsed at the base of the fountain, soaked, broken, blood trailing from the corner of her mouth. The shimmer of magic had faded from her skin. Only raw breath and pain remained.

Nova stepped forward.

Her eyes were fire. Her voice, steel.

"She tried to kill us. I’m ending it."

Her blade rose—gleaming in moonlight, catching droplets of water and blood. Her stance was unshakable.

Leon said nothing at first.

But he stepped between them, calm yet firm, raising a hand.

"Wait."

Nova’s eyes flared. "Leon—"

"I’m not letting her walk away," he said, voice low but absolute. "But death?" He glanced at the ruined woman before them. "That’s far too kind."

At the base of the shattered fountain, Natasha coughed. A bitter laugh escaped her bloodied lips.

"I knew you wouldn’t let me die," she growled, glaring with puffed eyes. "But what now, Leon? Intend to drag me to the Duke? Strip me of dignity? Parade me like a prize?"

Leon’s head inclined.

He smiled—but his eyes went cold.

Dark.

Merciless.

"Not quite."

He moved closer, boots squelching in shallow water. "You attempted to kill me. You poisoned the king. You broke a holy covenant between kingdoms." His voice was steady, too steady. "But you’re alive."

She laughed weakly. "So what? Think you want me to beg?"

"No," Leon replied, squatting so their eyes were at the same level. "You’re alive because your life is worth more than your death."

Natasha’s eyes narrowed. "Then what? What’s your plan?"

Leon stood. His voice lowered—icy, unemotional.

"To make sure you are never able to raise a weapon against anyone again."

He turned inward.

"System," he thought, quiet and intent. "Do you have anything that enforces will consent in a Covenant of Will?"

[System: Yes. Item available: "Mist of Submission." Enforces verbal will consent in Covenant of Will. Effect window: 3 seconds.]

Three seconds...

[Cost: 300 Blank Points.]

[Warning: Effect irreversible.]

Leon flinched. "Tch. Figures." He glanced at his balance.

[Remaining Balance: 612 Blank Points.]

Too close. Close.

"Do it," he breathed.

[DING. Item granted: ’Mist of Submission’. 300 Blank Points deducted.]

A compact, sealed vial appeared in Leon’s hand—black-glass, sleek, with a glowing blue mist suspended within.

Nova observed with narrowed eyes as Leon approached Natasha and crouched down beside her. "What are you doing?" she demanded, voice tight.

Leon said nothing yet.

He twisted the vial’s neck. A gentle hiss leaked out. The vapor seeped out like a snake, colorless to the eye—but cold as death to the skin. It curled upward, seeping into Natasha’s nostrils.

Her eyes widened.

A shiver coursed through her body.

She blinked furiously. Her breathing slowed down. Her pupils expanded ever so slightly—not unconscious, but... dazed.

Leon leaned closer.

"I am asking," he spoke slowly, plainly, "do you agree to form a Covenant of Will with me, where I am your master—and you provide your unconditional loyalty, mind, body, and soul?"

Natasha took another breath, the mist increasing its grip.

Her lips parted.

"...yes."

It was little more than a breath. But it was enough.

[Consent noted. Starting binding sequence.]

Leon raised his hand. A sigil of silver flame burst to life in his palm—elegant, ancient, and pulsating with raw spiritual force.

Nova stepped back, watching with wide eyes.

"Leon... that’s—"

"I know what I’m doing," he said quietly.

He pressed the burning sigil against Natasha’s collarbone.

She cried out, her body arcing as the symbol branded her skin, fiery white-hot. The earth shook. Water around them shuddered back. A shockwave of unseen force rolled out, sweeping through the garden.

Her eyes rolled back—mouth open in a soundless scream as the mark blazed through her soul, binding her essence to Leon’s will.

Bolts of light burst up—wrapping around wrists, ankles, throat—before disappearing deep within.

Covenant of Will fulfilled. Subject locked into Host.

[DING! Slave Seal Applied Successfully. Target Natasha under Host’s control.]

Natasha screamed once more, her cry shattered, as the seal was burned into her soul. And then a burst of light exploded from Natasha’s chest. Her body spasmed—and fell to the ground.

Unconscious.

Steam curled thin from her skin. The brand glowed once, then went dark, growing to a soft silver color on the curve of her collarbone. A binding finished.

Leon stood, his face not revealing anything. The fountain behind him burbled softly, the only noise in the stillness that followed.

Nova didn’t say anything. She just looked.

Her brows were narrowed—not in shock. Slave seals weren’t uncommon in Galvia. But to see Leon—the way he’d done it—with no hesitation, no remorse, no hesitation of doubt.

That was something different.

"You..." Her voice interrupted the silence, level but questioning. "You used a slave seal?"

Leon shifted slightly, the curve of his lips twisting wryly. "I did."

He didn’t explain.

Didn’t defend.

Nova watched him, the edges of her mouth curling, inscrutable.

"Never seen it done like that," she finally said.

Leon shrugged indolently, the heat diminishing from his hands. "I do things my way."

Nova’s eyes darted to Natasha—rumpled, bruised, trussed.

Then to him.

"...Remind me not to piss you off."

Leon smiled, low and dry. "You’d have to try pretty hard."