The only similarity was that they both wore actual Crystal Skulls around their necks.
At the same time, the number twelve Crystal Skull, [Polaris God], which Byron held, vibrated slightly, indicating it had encountered its own kind.
Byron squinted and instantly identified them as numbers five and six of the Thirteen Crystal Skulls.
Number five Crystal Skull: [Sun God] Kinich Ahau.
Its image was that of a male figure wearing three earrings, clothed in a golden feathered robe and various gold ornaments. He held a flame and a fan and was regarded as the creator who presided over sunlight and energy.
Number six Crystal Skull: [Moon Goddess] Ischel.
Unlike the beautiful moon goddesses from other myths, a twisted, coiling serpent adorned her head. Her skirt featured terrifying patterns of crossed bones, and her hands and feet resembled the sharp claws of a fierce animal. In her arms, she cradled a jar capable of creating floods.
In the legends of the Taya Empire, these two Crystal Skulls were siblings in life: one symbolizing fire and creation, the other floods and destruction.
When united, they could create a vast pocket space out of thin air, large enough to contain several pyramids.
The contract's text, filled with seductive power, materialized on its own:
"Respected guest, perhaps boundless wealth cannot move your heart.
"But are you unaware? This treasure cave also houses two Crystal Skulls of the Taya Empire.
"The Imperial City's last Great Shaman once left a prophecy:
"If someone could gather all Thirteen Crystal Skulls again, they shall become the new, rightful emperor of the empire.
"What was once a Second-Class Relic, confined to one city, one land, shall ascend to a Zero-Level Sacred Relic, unleashing inconceivable power.
"At that time, they will reveal secrets about the past and the future to the Tenor People through the mouth of the one Crystal Skull that symbolizes life and fertility, the only one that can speak, number three [Corn God].
"End disputes, reunite the Taya Empire!"
Just a few lines of text, yet they were filled with devilish temptation:
"These two skulls symbolize not only wealth but also the supreme power of a native empire.
"Do you truly not desire it?"
Both individuals' choices remained steadfast:
"I still refuse."
A joke. The life of little number three, [Corn God], is already in my grasp. Isn't 'Taya's Prosperity, King Byron' something I can just decree? Why would I need you to go out of your way? Besides, once I've dealt with you, everything here will be mine.
Their only thought now was to meet the old pirate Flint, who had been pulling the strings from behind the scenes and presumably was the troublesome former master of the contract.
As they made their choice, the third level of the maze brightened further.
At this point, the handwriting on the "Faustian Contract" finally grew somewhat messy.
It seemed not to have expected that someone would actually refuse the power of key ceremonial items, the boundless wealth of the [Alchemy of Transmutation], and the supreme power of an empire, one after another.
But it still hadn't given up.
Since the soft approach didn't work, it prepared to get tough.
"Now, for the final change to the contract terms:
"Dear guests, the object of the sacrifice is... each other!
"All other conditions remain the same.
"Whoever signs their name first, sacrificing the life of the other, will get everything in the treasure cave.
"Please make your choice once again, hehehe..."
Meanwhile, Byron and Violet were surrounded by golden light. This prevented them from seeing each other and made any form of communication impossible.
Although Violet possessed a high level of cultural and artistic refinement, thinking from an artist's perspective, she had still overlooked something.
The "Faustian Contract" was essentially not only Faust's contract but also that of the "Devil" from the Sea of Origin Matter.
The so-called compatibility was not only with someone like Faust—a poet and artist who pursued freedom—but also with a Devil focused on Deceit and the Seven Deadly Sins.
Both types of individuals could become the new masters of the contract.
Indeed, the legendary Devil is adept at toying with people's hearts.
The dilemma laid before them was exactly like the "prisoner's dilemma."
The premise is this: two conspirators in a crime are imprisoned separately and cannot communicate.
If both choose not to expose the other, due to uncertain evidence, each might be imprisoned for at most one year, or even released without charges.
If one exposes the other while the other remains silent, the informer is released immediately for cooperating, while the silent one, for not cooperating, receives a ten-year sentence.
If they betray each other, then based on conclusive evidence, both are sentenced to eight years.
Because the two prisoners cannot trust each other, they tend to betray rather than remain silent together.
Just like now, Byron and Violet could not collude to achieve the optimal solution.
Yet, a decisively fatal guillotine was effectively in the other's hands.
A single bad thought could lead to a horrific outcome.
WHOOSH!
The hefty [anchor chain] linking Byron and Violet's Spirituality suddenly tightened.
Since Iron Anchor Bay, this Orphan's Alliance had together defeated the traitor Red Beard, protected the Bayfolk from the Touch of the Kraken, and crushed the Strait Fleet. They had obtained leads on the whereabouts of [Whale Hunters] from a ferocious Tier 4 Hero, explored the mystery of their Species' revival, jointly forged an entirely new industrial system, battled the Bone Gobble Joker, and ventured into Silvergold Island.
The events they had experienced together were more exciting than what many encounter in a lifetime.
More than once, they had entrusted their lives to each other, back-to-back.
They were comrades in battle and fellow travelers on the extraordinary path.
An anchor chain that bound them to each other, not only tempered by trials but also signifying their perfectly attuned souls.
Without needing to exchange a single word, they both relaxed into a smile simultaneously and said without hesitation,
"I still refuse."
Trust was more precious than gold.
In an instant, this anchor chain transformed into pure, radiant gold, as resplendent as the Guardian Knight Bruh's contract chain.
Rivaling the unconditional devotion of Catherine, the Sister-in-law.
Even a person who reaches the peak of a certain path can feel lonely at such heights.
At such a time, having a like-minded soulmate by one's side was obviously more valuable than any treasure.
No sooner had they finished speaking than the powerless, furious contract on the table suddenly exploded.
This was accompanied by a burst of bright light.
When Byron and Violet reopened their eyes, the "Faustian Contract," along with the table, chairs, and maid, had all vanished.
Only a golden quill mark remained on the back of each of their right hands.
They looked at each other and laughed. At that moment, aesthetics, hobbies, and all other trivialities didn't matter; their hearts were infinitely close, comforting each other, warm and beautiful.
Just then, an anxious yet extremely weak voice resounded deep in their hearts through that quill mark:
"Thank heavens, the Creator has finally brought me worthy successors.
"Come and help me! There are just too many people landing on the island this time.
"Their endless greed is causing my Human Nature to decay rapidly, and the human in me can't hold on much longer.
"We absolutely cannot let that corrupted Evil Spirit be released!"