Chapter 366: Constraints, Unknown Threats!
The moment the voice echoed across the battlefield, Ban and Meliodas—who had both been lounging idly—flashed forward, instantly positioning themselves in front of Ryuunosuke. Their auras surged with battle intent.
Escanor, ever vigilant, released his artifact without hesitation. A radiant pulse burst from his body as he prepared for combat.
"I didn't come here to fight," the voice declared calmly.
"Sevian dragged us out, so after you've taught him his lesson... mind letting me take him back?"
As the mist and dust finally cleared, the speaker stepped into view—a tall, rugged man with an air of blunt honesty. His presence didn't scream hostility, but there was something unshakably strange about his aura.
"Wade?" Ryuunosuke narrowed his eyes.
That's right—just moments ago, Sevian had screamed, "Wade, save me!" This had to be the man he was calling out to.
"We have no ties with the World Government," Wade said flatly, brushing some dirt off his cloak. "And based on what you've seen, I think that much is clear."
"If we were affiliated with them, do you really think your Dragon Hunter Pirates would've left that place alive?"
"And while your revival trick might be impressive," he added, eyes narrowing, "you're not the only ones with contingency plans."
A sinister black aura began to ripple off his body like smoke. Though its power remained ambiguous, Ryuunosuke could feel it—there was no mistaking it. If a battle broke out now, it wouldn't end well for anyone.
But Ryuunosuke wasn't someone who allowed threats to pass without leverage.
"Then how about this," he said, raising his hand. In an instant, golden chains emerged and wrapped around his own body before extending outward.
One chain shot forward—ignoring both space and defense—and coiled tightly around Wade's torso.
"A contract?" Wade looked down with interest, showing no panic. "What's the condition?"
"You promise never to harm any member of my Dragon Hunter Pirates ever again," Ryuunosuke said with a relaxed smile, though his eyes told a different story.
"Then I'll let you walk out of here peacefully."
Wade's brow furrowed slightly. The chains weren't attacking him—but their presence felt binding. A true contractual power. Dangerous. Rare. Mysterious.
"If I agree, and some low-ranking grunt ends up provoking me, does that mean I break the contract?"
"I'll agree only if the clause is limited to your executives."
Ryuunosuke chuckled. "Fair enough. Contract established."
With that, the chain around Wade's chest tightened—and a separate, sharper one slithered forward and wrapped itself around his heart. A quiet hum filled the air. If Wade ever violated the contract, his life would be forfeit.
"Hah... That's quite the nasty trick," Wade muttered, impressed. "To be honest, I'd rather not be your enemy."
He was about to speak again when Ryuunosuke's gaze snapped to Sevian.
"And now... him."
Wade blinked. "Wait—he wants one too?"
"I'm not letting him walk unless he's bound by the same terms."
The moment Sevian heard this, his calm expression shifted for the first time. "You're going to bind me with that too? No way. That's ridiculous!"
Wade glanced at Sevian, frowning. "...Our contract might not be valid yet."
Ryuunosuke's expression sharpened. "Then let me give you a choice. Either you take him with the contract... or you leave him here."
He raised his hand again, and dozens of invisible chains materialized around them in a flash, spiraling into view like summoned serpents. Their sudden presence caused even Wade's confident posture to falter slightly.
This wasn't a technique that could be used carelessly—it was a testament to Ryuunosuke's power, and more importantly, his restraint until now.
Wade exhaled slowly. "Sevian, you choose."
"Fight?" he added coldly. "Not happening."
The atmosphere turned tense. It wasn't just about Sevian anymore—this was about a bigger picture. Wade knew their presence here couldn't be revealed to the wider world yet. Those people hadn't surfaced.
If they made the first move now, they'd lose their advantage.
"Tch... Fine." Sevian clenched his jaw. "I get it."
Wade gave him a gentle shove forward. "Then go."
Without hesitation, Ryuunosuke snapped his fingers. Chains coiled around Sevian's body with a speed that left no room for protest. The contract was sealed—its conditions whispered silently into existence.
The moment it was done, both Wade and Sevian vanished like phantoms—no theatrics, no parting words.
As for the rest of the grunts left behind? Meliodas and his crew had already given them a brutal beating. No one bothered to retrieve them.
"Captain…" Meliodas turned to Ryuunosuke with a confused look. "We could've taken both of them. Why let them go?"
Ryuunosuke didn't answer directly. Instead, he posed a question.
"The aura that Wade gave off... was it the one you've been tracking?"
Meliodas paused for a beat, then nodded. "Yes. It's definitely demonic."
"Very pure, in fact."
Ryuunosuke's eyes narrowed. "The aura Wade released had the destructive trace of an Infinity Stone… but it also held something far worse."
"There was a second aura—something darker. One that can erase the very source of life."
Meliodas's eyes widened slightly.
"That's why I didn't act," Ryuunosuke said, voice steady. "If we fought... I couldn't guarantee I'd be able to protect everyone."
"And if I got touched by that aura... I might not come back."
That silence carried weight. Even for someone as powerful as Ryuunosuke, this wasn't an enemy he could take lightly.
"So I chose the second option. Bind them, let them go, and keep my crew alive."
Meliodas nodded solemnly. "Understood, Captain. I'll have Mine begin research on the remnants of that aura. Even faint traces could lead to something."
"Good," Ryuunosuke replied. "They're part of an organization—one we've only just glimpsed."
"And Wade? For him to arrive instantly... he's got some ability we haven't seen yet."
He reached into his coat and pulled out a small vial.
"Take these life essences with you," he said, handing them to the team. "You might need them the next time we meet... whatever they are."
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