"...Dragon Grappling Monk?"
Annan couldn’t help but repeat the profession that was completely out of sync with her image.
Hold on, there are quite a few things to criticize here, not sure where to start...
Annan tentatively asked Kafney, "This sounds, a bit like an advanced profession of a Martial Monk..."
The one to reply to Annan was Bishop Daryl.
He too was taken aback for a moment, but he was actually the first one to come around.
Facing Kafney’s astonishing words, the old bishop looked enlightened.
"The Dragon Grappling Monk... it is actually an ancient profession."
He explained to Annan, "Or to say, all ’Martial Monks’ are ancient professions, at least from the last century.
"Martial Monk is a colloquial term. Its full name is actually ’Aesirland Ascetic’. They built monasteries everywhere in the empire, welcoming people of any faith to join and become ’Ascetics’.
"They are not the private army of any True God. But Martial Monks always have their own faith, which is the ’Vow of Foundation’. The foundation can be derived from anything, such as the doctrines of a True or a False God, the belief in a certain philosophy, or even loyalty, filial piety, love, hate — the only requirement is that the foundation must be solid and must not waver in the future.
"Once an Ascetic’s foundation falters, the supernatural abilities that come with their Martial Monk profession will immediately be lost. They must undergo a sacred baptism ritual to re-establish their foundation..."
"So, Martial Monks have an additional ’supreme Curse Binding’, right?"
Kafney quietly replied, "Yes.
"And my foundation is... the obsession to acquire and protect the kingdom."
She calmly revealed her Vow of Foundation to the others.
Annan was enlightened.
Why could Kafney openly share her secret obsession...
Why would Kafney choose the kingdom as her foundation?
—Because she had no room to back down.
Kafney’s Curse Binding was to inherit the throne.
And Curse Bindings couldn’t be one-time deals; that meant she would likely have to continue ruling the kingdom.
In that case, this foundation belonged to the "inherent duty" — since she had to maintain her Curse Binding anyway, this was just a part of it.
...However, a foundation is different from a Curse Binding; it can be chosen freely. Logically, one should choose the most stable foundation...
Annan couldn’t help but take another look at Kafney.
Just for this unyielding resolve...
He now had a certain interest in this child.
"If it weren’t for your tenacity, perhaps you couldn’t have advanced to become a Dragon Grappling Monk."
Bishop Daryl remarked, "This profession isn’t simple...
"The name ’Dragon Grappling Monk’ is actually translated.
"Its proper name, I cannot pronounce here — it is Draconic for ’One Who Wrestles Dragons’.
"Similar to clerics, Martial Monks can gain extra bonuses from sensory abilities... which means they often possess tremendous physical strength. But this strength isn’t derived from the rigorous training of a Swordsman, but is a spiritual projection in the material world.
"Depending on the power of a Martial Monk’s Vow of Foundation, the blessings they receive can differ subtly. Only those Martial Monks whose foundation is based on ’tangible, steady, material desires’ will channel all their spiritual strength into physical power... thereby gaining incredible, even dangerously self-harmful, strength. Only a Martial Monk with monstrous strength can advance to become a Dragon Grappling Monk."
Annan nodded thoughtfully after Bishop Daryl had spoken at length.
So the occupational trait of Martial Monks is to allocate a portion of [Perception] to [Strength], [Agility], [Constitution]... and even [Will], is that right?
And depending on the vow, the proportion of attributes allocated varies. Only a vow like Kafney’s would channel all perception into strength...
This truly is investing all points into strength.
If we look at the normal development of melee professions, they usually increase attributes other than their main one every few levels to maintain a balance of capabilities.
But Kafney is different.
Before advancing, she might injure herself from the shock...
After all, it’s much easier to increase the perception attribute than strength.
"Once one advances to become a Dragon-Capturing Monk, they acquire the trait [Golden Blood], which solidifies their body completely. Their bones and muscles become supple yet resilient, and from then on, no matter how they train, their body shape remains unchanged.
"Because of this, they also abandon the Martial Monk Tradition of striking arts. For they can only avoid injuring themselves with their own great strength when they trip, grapple, or envelop an enemy... The price is that from then on, they cannot wear any armor, use most weapons, and even..."
At this point, the elder bishop’s expression became somewhat complex.
He looked at Kafney, paused before continuing, "Even in order to ensure the transmission of power, they must maintain close physical contact with their target. In fact, most of the Dragon-Capturing Monks I’ve seen were robust men with bare upper bodies. It’s the first time I’ve seen... a Dragon-Capturing Monk like Princess Kafney."
"...Indeed, I am not wearing any armor. This kind of fabric does not hinder my strength."
Kafney, as if to demonstrate, stretched out her arms.
Below the translucent silk sleeves, thin as gossamer, were her slender, bare arms, unobstructed by any clothing.
Beneath her heavy skirt, her legs were also enshrouded in black silk.
She merely stood there, exuding a strong sense of balanced and stable power. Annan had no doubt that he couldn’t push Kafney over, even if he used all his might, but if Kafney wished, she could lift him high and slam him to the ground in an instant... she could even pin him to the ground completely.
"...And more often, I use my shadow."
Kafney stared intently at Annan and whispered, "I can temporarily lend my strength to them, allowing them to grapple multiple enemies on my behalf... or protect others."
As she spoke, she once again gently grabbed Annan’s sleeve.
With just this gesture, Annan felt as though he could be thrown out at any moment...
...Why are you looking at me?
Annan felt very strongly that Kafney truly couldn’t help but glance at him after every few words, staring at him unwaveringly.
If it were an ordinary person, they probably would have fled in terror under that intense, soulful gaze by now.
Luckily, the power of Reversed Inscription is strong.
Annan could boldly stare back and say, "So...?"
"So I will protect you."
She caressed her chest with her left hand, never breaking eye contact with Annan, and said in a raspy yet gentle voice:
"I am very strong... I can protect you."
Watching Kafney, Albert’s gaze slowly turned peculiar.
He glanced between Annan and Kafney.
His expression was somewhat complicated.