My Wife is a Dead Villainess, and I'm Her Living Weapon
Chapter 143: Together

Chapter 143: Together

"Hmm. So, you’re telling me that although the Ascendancy keeps dungeons, no one actually uses them?" Elian blinked in disbelief.

"Yes, due to the vast wealth of each Ascendancy Breaker, they hardly scavenge anything. Their honor makes them unwilling to do the dirty work."

In the following hours, Elian picked Katri’s brain for information. No matter how simple or complex, Katri answered every doubt and explained every question. Elian felt his thirst for knowledge being filled the more he listened.

"I thought these rich bastards were supposed to be smart. Why don’t they get someone else to do it for them, like the Church or people from the Conquest?"

Katri covered her mouth as she giggled, "Yes, they truly are foolish from our point of view, but Lucian, you must remember, they have different goals."

"What do you mean?"

"The Church and the Conquest sees the dungeons as a means to earn or get ahead," she explained.

"Thus they clear dungeons to earn money; the Ascendancy does not. Instead, they dive in dungeons for legacy. It is something to be bragged about; what they want are proofs of the monsters."

While Bianca’s lectures told him of the broad strokes, it lacked the details. Katri’s knowledge was the opposite. It was from someone who was deeply connected with breakers on the ground; when it came to the nitty-gritty, she knew everything.

Elian laid back in his chair and contemplated, "So they do not see the value in the cores? They are more like trophy hunters then? What about Artifacts?"

"They are, in a sense. As for Artifacts they use an even more bizarre quirk."

"Which is?"

"Fashion," Katri said in a deadpan voice.

"Fashion."

"Yes, Fashion. They only take Artifacts that look cool or match their aesthetic. This quirk of theirs evens the playing field for the other factions, as stupid as it may sound."

"Wow. And I thought the church was messed up."

Whatever knowledge Elian lacked from his poor schooling had been corrected in the short time that passed. Like a match made in heaven, his INT stat and natural disposition to learning allowed him to absorb Katri’s lessons like a sponge.

He was so engrossed in the discussion that he failed to notice the time.

They were already several hours into the night when the soulgem in his chest began to thrum back to life. This was the sensation that Bianca Valestra, the one Elian adored, was about to return.

With a flash of light, a silhouette began forming beside Elian. In a few more seconds, Bianca manifested into reality. Her eyes, initially cold, softened upon seeing her lover.

Elian quickly got up and welcomed Bianca. Wordlessly, the two embraced in an intimate embrace.

"Welcome back, Bianca."

"Mhmm. Sorry to keep you waiting,"Bianca cooed like a lovestruck teenager.

"That’s okay; I had Katri to keep me company."

Bianca’s eyes furrowed. "Who?"

Elian beamed, proud of himself—like a boy showing his mother a perfect report card. Grabbing Bianca’s hand, he led her toward his other companion. He gestured to Katri and introduced her. The receptionist stood up and bowed in respect.

Compared to Bianca, Katri looked plain. Her body was not as curvy, nor were her features as striking. But she had her own charm, a homey feel that set people at ease. Katri had black hair in a short bun that contrasted with Bianca’s white ponytail.

"Bianca, this is Katri Valkama, I recruited her. She has been teaching me about the guild matters as I waited for you. She is the only one who stayed behind to support the Breakers. I figured we could leave the guild matters to her and Charlotte while we go raid the other dungeons."

At the Tyrant’s excited explanation, Bianca’s smile nearly faltered. Trying her best to not say anything offensive, she just replied with a simple, "I see."

Her eyes shone softly as she watched Katri from head to toe. Elian knew this light was from when Bianca used her system privileges. But he didn’t see the twitch in her brow, the shallow breath she drew. As the seconds passed, Bianca’s face warped and grimaced.

A voice echoed in Elian’s head. One that was very pissed off.

"We need to talk."

Huh? What did I do? Elian thought in confusion.

But rather than answer, Bianca turned to Elian and wrapped her arm around his neck. Pulling him close, she devoured his lips in a fierce moment of passion. Taken aback by her affection, Elian allowed her to do what she wanted.

When she finally let him go, the witch turned to Katri and snarled, "I will say it once and only once. This man is mine."

Bianca leaned into Elian’s chest as she continued, "Whatever fantasies you conjured from his words earlier, forget them. I am the only one he adores."

Katri frowned and clutched the pen in her hand.

"I am well aware, my lady. In the time I have spent with Lucian, he has sung nothing but praises of how amazing and beautiful you are." She then gazed longingly at the intertwined hands before continuing. "Rest easy, our relationship is strictly professional."

"It better be," Bianca snapped, "I’m parched, get me a glass of water."

But you can’t even drink...

Elian’s thoughts were interrupted when Bianca suddenly froze the air in his mouth.

"You troublemaker, I will deal with you later," she threatened telepathically.

"As you wish, please give me a moment."

Katri moved out of the room. Bianca immediately raised her hand and froze the door in place. With a cold expression, she turned around and watched Elian like a hawk.

She snapped her fingers, and the ice block inside Elian’s mouth thawed in an instant.

"Well?" Bianca asked as she crossed her arms in front of her. "What is your excuse?"

"Uhm... Bianca? Darling? What did I even do wrong? Are you angry because I hired her? I can look for someone else. But it would be..."

"I couldn’t care less about who you hired, Elian," the witch snapped. "My issue is how you hired her."

"Huh?"

At Elian’s confused expression, Bianca took a deep breath before massaging her temples.

"Sigh. I guess it couldn’t be helped since you’re young. I will explain."

"Yes, please," Elian said meekly.

As he didn’t really know what he did wrong, the Tyrant did not make any excuses but waited. Bianca’s countenance softened as she gazed at him. Even angry, the affection overflowing from her eyes could not be hidden.

"Elian, I accessed the nanomachines in Katri’s body and watched all the interactions she had with you," Bianca began.

"I guessed you would."

"Yes, and I saw how desperately you recruited her. For lack of a better word, you came on too strong."

Elian nodded, "Yeah, I did get a bit pushy. But it was partly because I didn’t like dealing with the guild part."

"I know. But Elian, you tend to forget that you are no longer just a poor defect."

"But I didn’t forget? That was why I knew she would consider my offer."

Hearing his reply, Bianca tapped her foot in frustration.

"Elian, darling. Let me put it bluntly. The reason I am angry is that your actions hurt me."

"What? Why? When?" the Tyrant grew even more confused at the realization. "I didn’t mean to, Bianca, honest!"

The woman approached Elian and took his hand in hers.

"I know, darling. I know you only have me in your heart." Bianca intertwined their fingers in a lover’s hold as she continued softly.

"I do not doubt that. But you are handsome, amazing, and kind. Any woman would be lucky to have you. When you look at a girl and say, ’I want you’... what do you think she’ll hear? You may not mean it that way, but she will."

She then gazed deep into his eyes, "How would you feel if I found a random guy and told him, I want him while you’re present?"

"I would feel extremely jealous and resentful," Elian answered honestly, "Might kill him too."

Chuckling, she continued, "Yes. That is how I feel now. I know I shouldn’t be feeling this way, but I do. Men of power are seldom monogamous. I shouldn’t keep you to myself, but I find myself wanting to be selfish."

"Bianca, I..."

"Elian, you are a Tyrant who will soon hold the Earth in his hand. Unlike when you were human, girls will soon offer themselves to you by the dozens for even a sliver of your affection and attention."

Bianca pressed against Elian’s chest and tiptoed to kiss him.

"If I am to be logical, gathering allies by marriage is the best way to consolidate power." She shook her head, then embraced him. "The Saintess, Princesses, and the Valkyries—each faction has prospective brides for you. If you were to take a powerful spouse from each..."

Despite the logic in her argument, Elian noticed how Bianca’s body shivered in terror. Her voice turned uneven as if she were holding back sobs. Unwilling to let her continue, he raised her face and stole her lips.

As they parted, he tried to reassure his lover, "Bianca, stop. I have no intention of taking another. You will be my only wife. End of discussion."

"But Elian, we don’t know how powerful the other Crucible races are past the Iron rank! What if, because I kept you to myself, I end up losing you? I am not even a...real human."

Seeing his woman struggle under the pressure of what is to come, Elian felt regretful. This all happened because he acted impulsively without regard for his new status. He foolishly believed he could have all the power but remain who he was at his core.

"Bianca, listen to me," he called gently, "If you are scared for my sake, then let’s get stronger together. Giving me more women will not help. For what they did to you, I will destroy the big three. This is my power, and I will use it as I wish."

"But..."

Elian kissed Bianca softly once more.

"Didn’t I tell you before? Be as selfish as you want. If you want me to yourself, then don’t share. I certainly won’t. Do not fear what will come tomorrow; we’ll find a way. Together."

Hearing his words, Bianca made a dazzling smile as she nodded, "Together."