More than that, the soul-link meant Richard's death wouldn't just reduce Chronus's power. It would RIP AWAY half of the Time Lord's fundamental essence. The scroll compared it to having half your soul torn out while still alive—an experience that broke most beings completely.
Even if Chronus survived the initial feedback, he'd be permanently crippled. Half his magical capacity gone forever. Half his soul missing, leaving him fundamentally incomplete. All the centuries of power accumulation, all the careful positioning within the demon council, all the schemes and plans—everything would collapse if Richard Clay died.
No wonder Chronus had panicked when Richard lost to Satou in their arena duel. No wonder he'd been willing to violate sacred demon law, willing to risk execution by the entire council. Because Richard's death didn't just mean losing a champion or a valuable tool.
Richard's death meant losing half of himself. Forever.
