However, he didn't want to be tied to a young master with no power due to a lifelong contract. All that was left was the bluff. If he succeeded, he could get the method to undo the curse without any cost.
'Just as my father said.'
Though he was scorned as an ignorant mercenary knight by those around him, he was actually a very wise man. Toby recalled his father's old advice.
'Toby, listen well to your father's words and remember them'
'Yes, Father'
'Most of the world's problems can be solved with violence. There's no beating stronger than a fist. So, if things get complicated, just beat them up.'
It was excellent teaching. Just as his father said, most of life's affairs could be resolved with violence. But Toby asked once more, just to be sure.
'Then, what if I can't use violence against someone?'
'Threaten to beat them up or kill them. Anyone who is human cares for their own body, so they will back down.'
'Indeed!'
It was fortunate he asked that back then. Even against someone he shouldn't use violence against, just creating an atmosphere as if he would turn everything upside down mostly worked. Occasionally, there were times it didn't work and he found himself in danger, but at least he was certain it would definitely work on the young master right in front of him.
'After all, he's just a noble young master. Has he ever faced real danger?'
There's a huge difference between someone who has experienced the battlefield and someone who hasn't. When faced with real danger for the first time, even the strongest man would tremble. Not to mention Sylas, who was still just a boy. He was already closing his eyes in fear.
Sylas, who had been quiet, slightly opened his eyes and said,
"Sir Toby, may I offer a prayer to the goddess before I answer?"
"Of course. But if you still can't answer after your prayer, my fist won't remain idle."
"I understand."
Sylas extended his hand towards the heavens, taking a prayerful posture and murmuring,
"I swear by the goddess in the name of my mother, Lyria, my grandfather, Norman, and my father, Bill."
"...?"
What kind of swearing is this at a time like this? What could there possibly be to swear about in this situation? Toby tilted his head in confusion but was stunned by what Sylas said next.
"If the brat before me harms me and I still tell him how to undo this, let me gouge out my own eyes."
'What?'
For a moment, Toby wondered if he had misheard. But there was no time to resolve his doubts, as Sylas's prayer continued.
"And cut off my tongue, cut off my ears, cut off my nose, split my belly open to take out my insides, and give my flesh to the wolves and dogs as food, and let me live and suffer until all of that is done…."
What followed was a parade of torture that made even Toby feel nauseous. It was incomprehensible where one would hear of such tortures.
The swearing that went on for a while stopped at the point where it mentioned giving even the last piece of bone as food for monsters. But that wasn't the end.
"Moreover, if I am harmed and still tell him how to undo this, let my soul, which has left my body, not find rest when it ascends to heaven, let it wander only in darkness, and let it feel the pain of burning in eternal flames…."
Just when it seemed that the physical pain had ended, what came next was a parade of tortures for the soul. Again, all sorts of creative tortures emerged.
While one could endure physical pain, it was astonishing how someone could even come up with methods for torturing a soul.
The lengthy swearing, which involved torturing the soul, concluded with a request to give the shattered soul as food for demons.
"Now, this is the end of the oath."
Sylas looked at the dazed Toby with a bright smile.
"Sir Toby."
"_y- yes?"
"Now, go ahead and hit me, brat."
"...."
At Sylas's words, Toby became like a mute who had swallowed honey. The various conditions for torture just moments ago had only one stipulation:
It was when Toby had caused harm that he would tell the method to undo it. Naturally, no one would disclose the method after making such a vow.
Even the most cowardly person would not speak a word after such an oath. Toby closed his eyes and recalled his father's old advice.
"But Father, what if it doesn't work on a real scoundrel?"
"Then just do as the scoundrel says."
"Really? Why?"
"Why would it be?"
His father patted Toby's head as he spoke.
"If you don't do what the scoundrel says, then you will be the one who is in trouble."
Truly a wise man. It had turned out exactly that way.
"Damn it, I'm in trouble."
If this reached the count's ears, Toby would be finished. It wouldn't just be a matter of being kicked out; he could be torn apart by furious knights.
Even if he managed to escape, they would definitely chase him down to kill him. It would have been manageable during his prime, but with his weakened strength now, survival would be difficult.
"I have to come up with something!"
Fueled by his survival instinct, Toby desperately wracked his brain. Soon, he found the only way he could survive.
When Toby opened his eyes again, he looked at Sylas with eyes full of respect.
"Excellent. You truly are of the Corleone bloodline."
"...."
"In fact, I was testing you. You are worthy of being my lord."
"...."
"Please don't be upset that a mere knight tested you. Any knight seeks and serves a suitable lord."
"Oh, goddess."
Ignoring Toby's nonsensical ramblings, Sylas opened his mouth again.
"If this brat doesn't kneel within 30 seconds and still tells me how to undo this, let him gouge out my eyes…."
"Lord! I, Toby, kneel!"
"Moreover, if this brat doesn't put his head to the ground and still tells me how to undo this, let him cut off my nose…."
"Look! My forehead is pressed firmly to the ground!"
"Also, if this brat doesn't crawl all the way over there and still tells me how to undo this, let him cut off my ears…."
"I had a nickname of 'Earthworm Toby' once, you see!"
Toby desperately crawled on the ground, thinking. Truly, his father's words had never been wrong.