Village Head's Debauchery

Orion and the Key leaders reciprocated their greetings respectfully. They looked around and noticed they were in a small, enclosed room resembling a waiting area, with one door at the other end.

They immediately understood that Seraphina and the others had been waiting for them before taking them to the main room where the procedure would occur.

"Follow us this way, please," Seraphina said, stepping towards the door at the other end, opening it, and leading the way forward.

They followed her through the door and arrived in another room. However, this room was much more expansive and empty than the former, with a few chairs filled with fruits and drinks. It was divided by a heavy sheet of glass, which they sensed was magically reinforced.

On the other side of the magically reinforced glass were ten unique beds, each enclosed by its sheet of reinforced glass. Each bed held a warrior, attended by two to three individuals.

"For clarification, this procedure is designed to merge the Vylkr Fusion Armlet with warriors who have reached their full potential, enabling them to break through it. We don't have complete information to ascertain whether they will encounter any other obstructions later."

"However, based on our observations of the gods' chosens, whose Vylkr energy compatibility is less than that of the warriors, we can only assume that their growth will be unrestrained and unfathomable. Those are all the necessary details for the procedure," Seraphina explained. "The procedure will start in two minutes once the preparations are done. Also, those on the other side of the glass can neither hear nor see us, so if you have any questions, please feel free to ask."

The Key Leaders all nodded in understanding. None of them had any questions since Orion had already explained everything thoroughly. They were more curious about the results and the changes made to the Gearweavers, as even Orion had no information about that.

Some took their seats alongside the leaders of the Healers Association, while others walked closer to the glass to observe the procedure. The room was spacious enough for them to have a clear view of the other side regardless of where they sat or stood.

Orion had heavily influenced the design of the building, so while the leaders were impressed—this was their first time inside since its construction—he was not.

After two minutes, the room was cleared, and all the warriors were strapped to the unique beds, their right or left arms secured on sturdy platforms connected to the beds and enclosed within reinforced glass.

Around their wrists were refined versions of the Vylkr Fusion Armlet, which showed minor improvements over those worn by Stronghold Leader Zogar and Fifi yet bore similar designs.

As the procedure began, they watched as the warriors' expressions twisted in pain. Some screamed in agony, while others remained silent, their teeth gritted.

Despite the intensity of the pain, the experienced warriors with incredible endurance and strength pressed on. Through sheer determination, they endured as the Vylkr Fusion Armlet realigned the networks within their bodies, bonding with the Devourer's heart.

They also knew their leaders were watching from the other side of the room, making it imperative not to display any signs of weakness.

Meanwhile, Orion and the others behind the glass continued to observe the procedure with unwavering gazes, hoping the warriors would persevere.

After thirty minutes, the procedure was completed.

Several healers entered the room to tend to the warriors and check for complications. Ten minutes later, a man approached the reinforced glass and shook his head, indicating no issues.

"The procedure has been successful without any complications," Seraphina announced, nodding to the Key Leaders. "Stronghold Leader Seth, please be here tomorrow so we can merge you with the Vylkr Fusion Armlet," she added.

"I'll be here tomorrow," Stronghold Leader Seth affirmed with a nod, a smile forming on his lips.

"Alright, let's head over to the other area so I can show you our development concerning the Gearweaver," Seraphina said, stepping out of the room and taking the lead.

Orion and the others followed closely behind her.

"The Gearweavers are weapons crafted from Vylkr alloys designed to harness and augment the Vylkr energy of the gods' chosens, enhancing their overall combat prowess," Seraphina explained passionately.

"Similar to the Vylkr Fusion Armlet, we've enhanced them to be even more formidable. Our approach includes integrating a Devourer's heart with a living one-star Vylkr vine as the core component. The Devourer heart acts as the primary source of Vylkr energy, storing and distributing it throughout the Gearweaver."

"Meanwhile, the one-star Vylkr vine serves as a devouring mechanism, consuming other Vylkr vines and converting the absorbed Vylkr energy to strengthen both the Gearweaver and its wielder through synergies with Vylkr alloys and the Devourer's heart. Over time, these Vylkr vines can evolve independently, potentially reaching higher stars or developing into unique variants."

"And just as the wielder can channel their own Vylkr energy into the Gearweavers at will, this symbiotic relationship enhances both their capabilities as they grow stronger together."

As the Key Leaders absorbed Seraphina's explanation, they halted in their tracks, eyes wide with shock.

"You merged a Devourer's heart with a one-star Vylkr vine?" Reena asked incredulously, her gaze fixed on Seraphina as if seeing her in a new light. The revelation was so unexpected that it transformed her perception of Seraphina from someone familiar to a mysterious figure.

A Gearweaver capable of devouring Vylkr energy from Vylkr vines, combined with the Devourer's heart, and enhancing itself alongside the wielder?

Even though Reena wasn't a warrior herself, she had gleaned enough from Fifi about the intricacies of the Vylkr Fusion Armlet to foresee potential calamity in such a combination.

She wasn't alone; all the other Key Leaders shared her concerns.

Seraphina and the leaders of the Healers Association also stopped in their tracks.

"Yes, we did," Seraphina replied, turning to face her. She then emphasized the project's success to the other leaders of the Healers Association beside her.

"But isn't that just asking for trouble?" Reena asked, her brow furrowing in a deep frown.

"The Village Chieftess is right. As much as I want to surpass my limits and grow stronger, there should be boundaries when dealing with Vylkr vines, and merging a devourer heart with one should be one of them," Stronghold Leader Seth said, his gaze solemn as he looked directly at Seraphina.