Pirate Kingship.

Chapter 248 Do you want to exchange your soul for this stainless steel basin?
At this time, the light on the third level of the maze was far less dazzling than at the beginning.

It even makes people feel that the gold and jewelry everywhere are covered with a layer of dark shadow, exuding some kind of ominous atmosphere.

This huge space no longer looks like a magnificent treasure cave, but more like a gloomy and cold tomb.

In his spiritual vision, he saw mountains of gold and silver surrounded by clouds and mist, all of which were filled with a sticky smell of blood.

Byron and the others immediately realized that something was wrong.

At first, Thomas the Macaw swore that he would find Captain Flint, who dared to slander him, dig out his body and kick his butt.

At this moment, he could only shrink into the brim of Byron's three-cornered captain's hat like a turtle.

By the way, he kicked the gold digger that was also hiding here and knocked it to the ground. Regardless of the mouse's squeaking protests, he took its place.

"Hey, man, give Mate Thomas some room.

I will introduce you to the gentle goat sisters on the island someday, I guarantee you will be satisfied."

At this time, the six maids also held Byron and Violet's hands.

There was no time for the two to refuse. By the time they came to their senses, they were already sitting in front of a golden desk.

“Didn’t Thomas say that Flint’s mission was to select an artist with an elegant temperament to find and inherit The Faustian Contract?

Why did it jump out now?

Moreover, the main body of the contract does not seem to be here, but a contract is directly projected into the spiritual world of both of us."

No one could answer his questions.

[Logbook] The information that can be read from the projection is also very limited:

"The Faustian Contract can use the greed in people's hearts as a beacon and easily project its power into anyone's inner world.

The golden table and chairs, paper and pen, tinderbox and six maids are all abilities that come with the contract.

It can manifest in the spiritual world as well as in the material world to assist in the signing and execution of contracts.

Warning: The number of contractors currently in the same period has exceeded double digits, the holy relics are in an abnormal state, and are degenerating into cursed objects.

If you want to inherit the contract, you can try to open a breakthrough from the previous owner of the contract."

Seeing the information presented in the log, Byron's brows furrowed deeply:
"Two-digit contractors? Could it be that all the qualified treasure hunters were pulled to the third floor of the maze?
Wasn’t Flint the previous owner of the contract?
Only by finding him can the contract be re-recognized? Does that mean this great pirate is still alive? "

Then Byron, like Marion [Silver Arm] before him, saw the clause in the Faustian Contract about using all trusted crew members as sacrifices in exchange for wealth.

Especially when the contract emphasized that the exchange objects included any property and [Alchemy], I couldn't help but feel a tingling sensation on my scalp.

"Removing the weight load limit is a small matter, but allowing the selection of any item is a big deal.

If you choose Azik's cursed gold coin, a level 2 pirate can be immediately promoted to level 3 and gain powerful strength.

If you choose the Midas Touch, it would be like "it is better to teach a man to fish than to give him a fish", which is equivalent to moving the entire Treasure Island back home.

There are countless selfish villains in this ocean, but very few good people who can stick to their original intentions.

I'm afraid most people would find it difficult to resist such temptation.

but"

In Byron's own opinion, this piece of paper was full of the feeling of "Child, do you want to exchange your soul for this stainless steel basin?"

If we really sign the contract, we will suffer a huge loss.

Violet had already analyzed it for him.

The spiritual core and destiny of "Faust Contract" is that people must fight for "self" and "freedom" from the two colluding tyrants, the "id" and the "superego".

If you submit to either side, you will only become a slave of the contract!

If you want to become its master, you must be an explorer who has an independent "self", never stops seeking knowledge, and pursues "freedom" and "truth" all your life.

Then, a voice in Byron's heart spoke:

“Azik’s Cursed Coin is lovely, and the Midas Touch is charming.

But, Faustian Contract, I truly love you, baby!"

This is also Byron's true voice after blocking out the influence of morality and desire.

He is more greedy than anyone else. As long as he gets the "Faustian Contract", why would he worry about not getting other benefits?
After weighing the pros and cons, I immediately made a choice based on my heart.

Moreover, both Thomas the Parrot and Andrew Lancaster had said that before the third rainbow light faded, the deadly chirping of cicadas would begin.

If you want to dance on the edge of a knife, get the greatest benefit, and save your own life and the lives of your companions, the key is to seize the "Faust Contract".

"I reject."

So, Byron and Violet expressed their choices in unison.

The light on the third floor of the maze, which had been extremely dim, suddenly became bright again, causing many people on this floor to subconsciously look up at the sky.

The most unexpected thing was the "Faust Contract" in front of the two.

But it was not discouraged.

After a brief pause, the standard contract terms suddenly disappeared, and a new line of words appeared:

"What about this?"

Two illusory figures suddenly appeared in front of the golden desk, one male and one female, one hot and one cold, looking completely opposite.

The only thing in common is that they all have a real crystal skull on their neck.

At the same time, the crystal skull No. 12 [North Star God] in Byron's hand shook slightly, which meant that he had encountered its own kind.

Byron narrowed his eyes and instantly read that they were number five and six among the thirteen crystal skulls.

Crystal Skull No. 5 [Sun God] Keniche Ava.

The image is a man wearing three earrings, a golden feather robe and various gold ornaments, holding a flame and a fan. He is regarded as the creator who controls sunlight and energy.

Crystal Skull No. 6 [Moon Goddess] Ischal.

Different from the beautiful moon goddess in other myths.

There is a twisted and coiled poisonous snake on her head, a terrifying pattern of cross bones on her skirt, her hands and feet are like the claws of ferocious animals, and in her arms she holds a water jug ​​that can cause a flood.

According to the legend of the Taya Empire, these two crystal skulls were siblings in their lifetime, one symbolizing fire and creation, and the other symbolizing flood and destruction.

When the two are combined, a vast pocket space can be created out of thin air, which can easily accommodate several pyramids.

The tempting words on the contract emerged on their own:
"Dear guest, perhaps boundless wealth cannot seduce you. But you may not know that there are two crystal skulls of the Taya Empire in this treasure cave.

The last great shaman of the royal city once left a prophecy:

If someone can collect all thirteen crystal skulls, he will become the new emperor of the empire.

The second-level holy relics that were originally limited to one city or one place will also be promoted to zero-level holy relics, showing incredible power.

At that time, they will reveal the secrets of the past and the future to the Taino people through the mouth of Skull No. 3 [Corn God], the only speaking skull that symbolizes life and abundance.

Eliminate the disputes and reunite the Taya Empire!"

It's just a few lines of text, but it's full of devilish allure:
“These two skulls not only symbolize wealth, but also the supreme power of an indigenous empire.

Don’t you really want it?”

The two people's choices remain firm:

"I still refuse."

What a joke. The life of the third brother [Corn God] is in my hands. How can I say "Tayaxing, King Byron" easily?

Is it necessary for you to do this?
Besides, as long as I capture you, everything here will be mine.

Now their only thought was to meet the former owner of the contract, the great pirate Flint, who had been hiding in the background and was afraid that he might be in some trouble.

As they made their choices, the third level of the maze became brighter again.

By now, the handwriting on "Faust Contract" has finally become a little messy.

It seems unexpected that there is really someone who can successively refuse the power of key ritual items, the boundless wealth of [Alchemy], and the supreme power of an empire.

But it still didn't give up.

Since the soft approach doesn’t work, prepare to use the hard approach.

“Now for the final change of the contract terms:
Two guests, the object of sacrifice is... each other!

The rest of the conditions remain unchanged.

Whoever signs his name first and sacrifices the other's life will get everything in the treasure cave.

Please make your choice again, hehehe."

At the same time, Byron and Violet were surrounded by golden light, so that they could no longer see each other and could not communicate in any way.

Although Violet has a high level of cultural literacy and artistic accomplishment, she still missed something when thinking from the perspective of an artist.

[Faust Contract] is essentially not only a contract between Faust, but also a contract between the "devil" of the Sea of ​​Essence.

The so-called affinity is not only a poet and artist who pursues freedom like Faust, but also a devil who focuses on fraud and the seven deadly sins.

Both of these people have the potential to become the new owner of the contract.

The legendary devil is indeed an expert in playing with people's hearts.

The problem facing the two of them is exactly the same as the "prisoner's dilemma".

The general idea is: Two people who conspired to commit a crime were put in prison and could not communicate with each other.

If neither of them exposes the other, then because the evidence is uncertain, each person will spend at most one year in jail, or may even be acquitted;

If one person exposes the truth and the other remains silent, the one who exposes the truth will be released immediately for his meritorious service, while the one who remains silent will be imprisoned for ten years for his non-cooperation.
If they report each other, both will be sentenced to eight years in prison because the evidence is conclusive.

Since the two prisoners cannot trust each other, they tend to expose each other rather than remain silent.

Just like at this moment, Byron and Violet cannot collude with each other to reach the optimal solution.

But a deadly guillotine was held in the hands of each of them.

Just one bad thought and the situation becomes horrific.

Even if we know the principle of the "prisoner's dilemma", there is still no solution.

After all, apart from parents and loved ones who would rather die than let their children come to harm, how many people in this world dare to entrust their lives to the hands of others?

Even if brothers were here, they would most likely perish together amidst endless suspicion of each other.

But, they dare!
Wow!

The thick anchor chain that anchored Byron and Violet's spirits suddenly tightened.

Since the beginning of Iron Anchor Bay, the orphan alliance has worked together to defeat the inner traitor Red Beard, protect the people of the bay from the touch of the Kraken, and defeat the Strait Fleet.
From a tiger-like fourth-level hero, we will track down the whereabouts of the "Whale Hunter", explore the mystery of the tribe's revival, jointly build a new industrial system, fight against the bone-eating clown, and enter the Treasure Island together.
The events we experienced together were more wonderful than many people's lifetime experiences.

They had entrusted their lives to each other more than once.

They are not only comrades-in-arms but also fellow travelers on the road to transcendence.

An anchor chain that anchors each other is not only time-tested, but also in harmony with each other's hearts.

There was no need to exchange information. He smiled easily and said without hesitation:
"I still refuse."

Trust is more precious than gold.

Instantly, the anchor chain was transformed into brilliant pure gold, just like the anchor chain of the contract of Bruch's guardian knight.

Chasing after Catherine, the unconditional supporter of her brother.

Even if a person reaches the pinnacle of a certain path, it is inevitable that his work will not be appreciated by many.

At this time, if there is a soul mate who shares the same spirit with you, it is obviously more valuable than any treasure.

As soon as the two finished speaking, the impotent and furious contract on the table suddenly exploded.

Accompanied by a flash of strong light.

When Byron and Violet opened their eyes again, "Faust Contract" along with the table, chairs and maid had all disappeared.

Only a golden quill mark was left on the back of each of their right hands.

The two smiled at each other. At this moment, aesthetics, hobbies, and other messy things had nothing to do with each other. The two hearts were infinitely close, soothing each other, and it was warm and beautiful.

At this moment, an extremely anxious but weak voice sounded in their hearts through the feather pen mark:
“Thank God, this time the Creator finally sent me a qualified successor.

Come and help me, there are too many people landing on the island this time.

Their endless greed is rapidly corrupting my humanity, and as a human being I am about to give up.

We must not let that fallen evil spirit out!"

(End of this chapter)