Primordial Draconic Incubus With A Gourmet Chef System

"I-I s-sswear on my Soul that I will keep the secrets shared within this room until the day Branch Leader Yoshiko grants me permission to share them with others. I will uphold the integrity of this Oath, bound by my word and my Soul. Should I disclose any information, may my Soul shatter into fragments and vanish from existence."

From the stuttering in the old-sounding woman's… no, at this point, Yoshiko doubted the woman was even old; judging from her tender hand she should be young. Most likely no older than Lucian.

But that was beside the point.

It was the same poisonous Oath. The same Oath that promised certain permanent extinction.

Reincarnation was a topic many on Arcadia held onto in hopes they would continue to live, even if their memories were wiped in their next life.

Even if reincarnation did not exist, at least they could hope. If what awaited them after death was not reincarnation, well, how would they know? They would not be alive to know.

However, Yoshiko was one of the few who knew reincarnation did exist. But it was different to how everyone perceived it. Instead of being reborn anew, upon a person's death, they would be sent to the mythical places known as Heaven and Hell.

Heaven and Hell were the same as the stories told. Heaven was a place for the good Souls, while Hell was for the evil scum to rot.

Yet, these two so readily swore such Oaths.

Yoshiko sighed as she saw the Runic Symbols penetrate Lucian and the spot where the masked girl's forehead would be.

<{Your Soul has been bound.}>

As Lucian read the System Notification, the System's sudden voice sounded out, [Host if you want to cease existing, why involve me? I'm just an innocent System trying to live one day at a time. Yet… now… what if I accidentally spill the beans?]

Lucian's lips imperceptibly twitched. [You're not getting out of this that easily. Now, you'll have to watch your tongue as much as I do now.]

The System grumbled.

[That's comforting, Host. Really comforting. No pressure, just the small matter of eternal oblivion hanging over my little fox head. Just great. That's exactly what I needed right now.]

Lucian could not help but feel a flicker of amusement at the System's words, but he did not let it show on his face.

He had to stay focused.

A Soul Oath was not just a simple contract between two parties like on Earth — it was an unbreakable Oath that bound not only him, but the System as well.

From the first moment Lucian heard the System's voice in Luna's castle, they had become one… or maybe they had fused even earlier than that… it was a topic he was unsure about.

But the point was… if one of them failed to keep their lips shut, both would face the same consequence — the total destruction of their existence.

However, Lucian felt nothing even as he felt a sudden sense of heaviness deep within him. It was like an invisible chain was now wrapped around him.

It was a sensation he was all too familiar with. Soul Oath, Blood Oath, Heavenly Oath, Hellish Oath, Abyssal Oath, etcetera, were all intrinsically the same.

The System; however, was less enthusiastic.

[You know, Host. I've been through a lot since you activated me. But this… This is a whole new level of existential dread. I mean, really, did you have to drag me into this mess? What if I accidentally blurt out something? One slip of my cute fox tongue, and poof!

We're dust! No, there won't even be dust! There would be nothing left of me!]

[Then, you'll have to be more careful. I've got no intention of ceasing to exist, but this is a necessary risk. Whatever Yoshiko is about to say is going to be worth it.]

The System groaned, but it did not argue further, at least vocally. [Fine. Fine. But remember, if you die, I die too. And even if you don't care about me, remember, there's still Lily, Luna, Sylvia, and Isabella. You better continue to live for them.]

The System understood its Host neither cared for it, feared the Soul Oath, nor did he care for his own existence. He had taken countless risks in the past, some far more dangerous than this. In fact, this was child's play to him.

But it was different now.

With Chef Lucian's Soul in the mix, he now cared for and valued what Dao Immortal Lucian did not.

Yoshiko's expression was still rather complicated.

"You two are something else." Yoshiko was unsure if she should feel admiration for their willingness to swear such an Oath to not disclose what she would be saying soon, or feel concern for their reckless confidence in doing so.

When she asked them to take a Soul Oath, she only wanted them to swear to keep her upcoming words a secret. However, should they disclose the information, their Soul would be injured as a consequence.

That was all.

But what was done was done. There was no going back for them. A Soul Oath could not be taken back.

And it was not as though it placed her in a disadvantageous position. In fact, only she benefited from the ordeal.

With that in mind, Yoshiko spoke, "Now that the Soul Oaths have been taken, I can move forward. But be warned, if either of you break the Oath, there will be no escape."

Lucian gave a small nod, indicating he understood.

Lily, on the other hand, swallowed hard. The scene of the Runic Symbols penetrating her forehead and the sudden heaviness replayed in her mind.

Instinctively, Lily's eyes shifted to her Big Brother Lucian, searching for a sense of security. Instantly, seeing his indifferent face, she felt her resolve strengthen.
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"The consignor of the item is none other than me." Yoshiko went straight to the point.

"What?" Lily exclaimed in astonishment.