My Wife is a Dead Villainess, and I'm Her Living Weapon-Chapter 149: Service

Amidst the bickering couples, Katri quickly tried to hold the reins. It was amusing to think she had just smacked arguably the most powerful people in the city. Elian watched her as she moved to the table.

Katri examined the monster cores left behind by the Arcus Kiss Handlers.

"I see. So these are the Knight-ranked monster cores," she grimaced and turned to the four people behind her. "These were used to power entire cities. I have read the news articles that said several power plants were attacked. To think they were Lady Charlotte’s strike teams."

"Guilty as charged. It took quite a sum to form the teams Velvet demanded. Thankfully, it all ended well."

Elian inwardly imagined the fierce battles that might have occurred. In the world of humans, things of value were what made people’s darkest desires come to life. The greed of the Ascendancy had them turn these cores into cheap power generators.

While it helped the cities with their energy needs, he never remembered the rate for electricity being lowered. So the vast difference the cores and fossil fuels made was just pocketed by the nobles. Whatever benefit the cores brought never made it to the general public.

Not that it would have made any difference.

Now that the cores were here, it meant that several guards and breakers were dead. Those who failed in their jobs would be fired, and the cities would be plunged into darkness. Yet, despite all that, Elian couldn’t bring himself to care.

Compared to the vast number of humans who would freeze in the coming winter, completing Sunny’s quest was far more important. But at the back of the Tyrant’s mind, his father’s words kept repeating as if urging his conscience.

"If you are to kill ten. Save a hundred. For a thousand, save ten thousand. If you must kill a million, then save a billion. This is how you show your repentance."

"So, Sir Silas, may I ask why you have come to see us today?" Katri asked like a well-trained receptionist.

But she could not fool Elian. Katri held her hands in front of her, but both were clenched tightly. Not everyone had the mentality that he, Bianca, and Charlotte had. Somehow, Elian felt better. Katri would make an excellent moral safeguard for him and his faction.

"Ah, right," Silas acknowledged. He fetched something from the magic bag on his belt. It was a giant monster core that was almost four times as large as the watermelon-sized cores.

Bianca and Charlotte flinched at his actions. Ned whistled in wonder. Elian, on the other hand, immediately deduced what it was.

"Flare’s monster core..."

Silas smiled while nodding, "Yes, sir HSK. As an expression of the sincerity of my house. We took the opportunity to liberate this from the vassals of the Nobel house. They fled the city even before the invasion arrived; we found their safe house and retrieved what they stole."

"W-What? But the Nobels are the house of Duke Gerald! He leads the Noble Ascendancy! Wouldn’t he see your entire house as traitors?" Katri fretted.

However, contrary to what she expected, those who answered for the old noble were the women behind her.

"Hardly anyone would fault the Dornevales. The Nobels and the Ascendancy abandoned them first," Bianca said in disgust. "They should be glad it only ended with this. You are quite restrained, Silas; if it were Walter, he would have ransacked the Ascendancy in rage."

"Well, Walter’s temper was the reason the Dornevales were confined in Crestfall to begin with. To think that they would throw away the Shield of the Ascendancy! Truly, Gerard is severely lacking compared to his predecessor. His father must be rolling in his grave."

Elian hardly understood the mentality of the upper class. But just from what Bianca and Charlotte had said, the rich had their own share of problems.

He then felt a soft tap on his shoulder. It was Ned who came closer.

"Elian, what the hell is going on? Is this old bastard a big shot or something?"

The Tyrant could only chuckle. If his friend had asked this a year ago, the answer would have been yes. But now? Anyone who didn’t own a world wasn’t worth crap in Elian’s eyes.

"He isn’t," Elian replied curtly. "He is well-connected, but that is it. Leave him to Charlotte. I will introduce you to an actual big shot later."

The entire room turned silent at Elian’s comment. But rather than get offended, Silas’ smile grew wider as he bowed in respect.

"Sir HSK’s assessment is correct. There is no need to stand at attention for my sake, Mr. Patel." He then walked over with the extremely large core in hand. When Silas was in front of Elian and Bianca, he knelt and offered the monster core.

"To the Tyrant Candidate, Elian Reed, and The Witch of the Frozen Night, Bianca Valestra, we the Dornevales offer this gift. We wish to join your faction and vow to serve your house as long as ours keeps standing."

Bianca excitedly wrapped her arms around Elian’s and spoke telepathically.

"Elian! Elian! We got the Dornevales! I have been trying to buy them off for decades! They finally offered us their vow of service! Not even Gerrard Nobel got that!"

But Elian could only reply with confusion.

So? Didn’t he already serve as your banker?

"You idiot! It’s his service! I only employed them through business! Now they offer to share blood ties and serve us as vassals!" Bianca shrieked in his mind. Both her excitement and frustration were clearly evident.

The Tyrant blinked. Was that... good? Wasn’t he already lending them money or something?

I don’t get it. Is this a rich person thing?

"Sigh, I guess it will be hard to understand all at once. Just accept it for now. It’s a huge victory!"

Elian smiled and tightened his hand on Bianca’s.

If it can make my Anchor this happy, it must be a good thing. Is there something specific I should say?

Bianca looked down in a fluster as she blushed.

"You silver-tongued deviant, stop throwing my heart into chaos!" Though her words were harsh, Bianca’s hand gripped Elian’s even tighter. After a slight pause, she finally remarked in exasperation.

"I have a whole ton of words I want to say. But those wouldn’t be for you. Just answer as you will, my adorable idiot. More than my own victory, this is ours. In choosing to save this place, you won an ally I couldn’t bully, buy, or shame into my corner."

Hearing the way Bianca tried to get the Dornevales made the Tyrant chuckle. He stepped forward and took the monster core from the kneeling noble. The reality that Elian was now among those in power grew pronounced when such instances occurred.

Bianca, is Silas a powerful Breaker?

"Huh? He most certainly is. The Dornevales are a house whose Talents revolve around defense. They are the best front-line tanks the Ascendancy could offer. Walter was at least. I haven’t seen Silas in combat, but in terms of defensive combatants, he should be second to none."

I see. Is the fact that Dornevales are powerful well known?

"Yes. He is a Breaker from the Ascendancy. The only ones that are greater than their house are the Valcourne, who excel in offensive magic, and the Mirethaine, who are unbeatable in assassination."

That is certainly impressive. Then will you allow me to answer him in my own way?

"I should be saying ’Do as you wish, my Tyrant,’ but I have a feeling you would just turn this into another spectacle... But how can I call myself your Anchor if I change you to something you are not? So yes, my Tyrant. Do as you please; I will handle everything afterward."

You truly do get me. Thanks, Bianca.

At his lover’s on-the-spot assessment, he could only chuckle in happiness. He brought her hand to his lips and kissed it tenderly. The people with them all smiled wryly, unsure of what was going on.

Elian took a step forward and took the monster core from Silas. But his next words caused the entire room to freeze.

"I refuse."

"Huh?"

"I will take this core and buy it from you. How much?"

Bianca kept a poker face on, but in his mind, she was already going hysterical. Outwardly, she still tried to keep his dignity, but inwardly, the witch already was berating him. The dissonance between her ice-cold face and shrieking mind amused the Tyrant greatly.

"ELIAN! ELIAN!!! WHAT ARE YOU DOING?! DON’T PUSH HIM AWAY!! YOU IDIOT!!!"

In that moment, Elian felt like he was seeing Bianca for who she truly was. A clingy, affectionate schemer who longed for praise and acceptance. And he loved being the only one to see her like this. But despite wanting to please her, he had trust issues.

"Excuse me?"

"I reject your vow of service. I have no need for weaklings."

"... I see..."

"AHHHHHHHH!!!!!! ELIAN!!!! NO!!!!!!!"

"If you truly wish to serve our house, then prove to me your worth."

Elian tinkered with his system UI before sending something to Silas. He also sent the notification to everyone else.

[Alert: You have received a quest: A Tyrant’s acknowledgment.]

Quest Giver: Elian Reed

World: Earth

Details: Prove your mettle for the world to see.

Locations: Crestfall City.

Time limit: N/A

Reward: A Tyrant’s acknowledgment | Admittance to the Weapons of Valestra.

Failure Penalty: Death

Accept? Yes | No]

Charlotte, Ned, and Katri all went slack-jawed. Bianca’s stoic face nearly broke. But Silas, on the other hand, began to guffaw loudly. He lost his calm, gentlemanly appearance as he laughed in a boisterous manner.

"HAHAHAHA! Truly befitting a Tyrant! As expected of someone Mistress Winter chose. Very well, I accept!"

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