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【Dragon-Oath Paladin】 is a factional subclass derived from the Paladin class, requiring an oath akin to Paladin's sacred vows, harnessing the power of oaths to wield divine spells.

[Create an oath for the factional subclass.]

Cassius pondered briefly, crafting the oath based on the specifics of the Ember Kingdom, referencing the Oath of Conquest.

Flames danced through the air, forming chaotic lines of text—

【Credo of the Dragon’s Vassal】

Paladins who swear the Oath of the Dragon’s Vassal have this credo etched into their upper arms.

Extinguish the Flame of Hope: Merely defeating your enemies in battle is insufficient. Your overwhelming victory must shatter their will to fight permanently. Swords end lives, but fear ends nations.

Enforce Order with an Iron Fist: Once you have conquered, tolerate no dissent. Those who abide by the kingdom's order will be rewarded and exalted. Those who resist will be punished and reduced to ashes, serving as a warning to all.

The Dragonlord Above All: Cassius Claudious Norrixius is your sole master of blood, spirit, and soul. You must unconditionally obey the red dragon’s commands until the end of time, or face annihilation.

Cassius commanded:

"Recite your oath."

"Yes, my lord."

Fried knelt on one knee, gazing at the fiery text in the air, recalling the moment twelve years ago when he swore his oath to become a Lionheart Knight.

Back then, the youthful Duke Leo had just accomplished the grand Lionheart Alliance. He ceremoniously placed his sword on Fried’s shoulder, bestowing the highest honor of the Lionheart Knights.

Now, things had changed. He had become a vassal of the fearsome red dragon, a figure that made all the northern lands tremble, poised to become a tool of the red dragon’s conquest.

But Fried only felt a fleeting sense of nostalgia, devoid of complex emotions. After confronting his true self, he clearly understood that he was a self-serving individual, never the knight that Tarik had envisioned.

Calmly, he recited the oath:

"Extinguish the flame of hope, enforce order with an iron fist, the Dragonlord above all."

With the crackling of flames, the fiery words branded themselves onto his upper arm, forming charred marks faintly glowing with light.

"Very good."

The red dragon pressed a sharp claw against Fried’s arm. The mere touch broke the skin, causing blood to seep out.

The blood caused the branded oath to glow with firelight.

It linked to the red dragon's power, connecting to the dragon’s magical essence, ultimately creating unique divine spells.

Such is the function of the 【Oath of the Dragon’s Vassal】.

The factional subclass was now complete.

【Dragon-Oath Paladin】:

[Dragon-Oath Paladins are a special group of paladins who pursue power, longevity, or the glory of war and conquest, yearning for the cleansing fires of blood and flame. They share one unifying trait—unwavering allegiance to the Ember Kingdom and its ruler, the red dragon Cassius.

Dragon-Oath Paladins abandon their former ideals of justice, adorning their armor with the spoils of fallen enemies and delivering the cruelest deaths with fire. They serve as a dire warning to all who dare defy the decrees of their Dragonlord. Unlike conventional Paladin oaths, breaking this oath doesn’t make one an Oathbreaker. Instead, the violator’s body and soul are consumed by flames in the most excruciating death.]

[In addition to basic Paladin abilities, Dragon-Oath Paladins gain additional features:]

[At Level 3, they gain the features: 【Dragon-Oath Spells】【Channel Draconic Power: Dragon’s Presence】【Channel Draconic Power: Dragonblood Link】]

【Dragon’s Presence】: You can channel draconic power to exude an aura of dread. Enemies who fail a saving throw are subjected to fear for one minute.

【Dragonblood Link】: You can channel draconic power to forge Dragonblood Chains, linking yourself to other Dragon-Oath Paladins. Linked members share all damage received. Each time damage is taken, the chains release flames, burning nearby enemies.

[At Level 6, you gain a feature from your sacred oath: 【Dragonlord’s Descent】]

【Dragonlord’s Descent】:

When twelve or more Dragon-Oath Paladins recite the Dragon’s Vassal Oath simultaneously, they can summon a red dragon’s fiery projection to embody Cassius’s will. The projection mirrors Cassius’s appearance and abilities. Its strength depends on the number and power of the paladins summoning it, capped by Cassius’s own capabilities.

[At Level 9, you gain a feature from your sacred oath: 【Blazing Radiance】]

【Blazing Radiance】:

While conscious, you emanate a blazing aura that raises surrounding temperatures, amplifies fire damage, burns enemies, and invigorates allies. When enough Dragon-Oath Paladins emit this aura simultaneously, they can even trigger volcanic eruptions.

After reviewing the details of the Dragon-Oath Paladin, Cassius exhaled sulfurous fumes.

"An excellent factional subclass."

"And somehow familiar."

After some thought, Cassius ordered Fried to use his newly acquired abilities.

"Yes, my lord."

Fried dutifully obeyed, channeling his power.

【Channel Draconic Power: Dragon’s Presence】

A faint but familiar dragon’s aura radiated from him, though it was a mere shadow of the red dragon’s own might.

"Continue."

【Channel Draconic Power: Dragonblood Link】

A scarlet spectral chain coiled around him, emitting searing heat, though there were no other targets to link to.

Cassius watched the demonstration with narrowed eyes, the golden slits flashing with intrigue.

"As expected."

"This is an extension of my power."

Upon the subclass’s creation, Cassius felt his strength extended, transmitting through bloodline links to these Dragon-Oath Paladins.

Every time Fried cast an Oath spell, Cassius sensed the power.

It wasn’t a theft of his own energy but an extension and manifestation of the red dragon’s immense magical essence.

"This form is quite reminiscent of..."

"Divine magic?"

Cassius mused.

But deities were still far beyond his reach. For now, he reveled in the birth of another potent factional subclass, a significant boon to the Ember Kingdom.

"Fried, I order you to construct the Hall of the Dragon’s Oath within Northwind Fortress and train more Dragon-Oath Paladins swiftly."

"Yes, my lord."

Fried knelt on one knee, gladly accepting the command.

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