My Wife is a Dead Villainess, and I'm Her Living Weapon-Chapter 53: Anchor

Fluffy and Bianca remained silent.

Earlier Elian came to terms that his supposed righteousness was nothing more than a delusion. He made a decision. From that moment on, each life he took would be with full knowledge of the consequences.

But when he realized the Crucible favored people like him, everything changed. The dungeons weren’t trials—they were traps. They lured you in with blood, then crowned you for spilling it. It even encouraged vengeance—and rewarded those who gave in.

It was why those who played the game were called Tyrants. Each decision would lead to the deaths of hundreds if not thousands. Which was why only by becoming a Tyrant could one survive in such a brutal reality.

The only question was whose people would die. Yours? Or theirs? And as Elian internalized this message his mind came back to the truths he had uncovered.

Bianca Valestra was blamed for dungeon breaks that killed entire cities. She was called the mother of monsters. But that was a lie. Fluffy’s existence proved it. Dungeons could only attack if they were invaded first.

Meaning someone made the first move—then blamed it all on Bianca.

And what’s worse, they did it again and again. Bianca fully believed it was her fault. Yet still they weren’t satisfied with just that. She tried to escape—tried to live among the monsters. But their paranoia wouldn’t let them forget her.

Elian’s body tensed.

Every sin you bastards carved into her—I’ll return tenfold. Everything you have, I will destroy and burn to the ashes.

He already knew he was a murderer.

The only difference was that this time, he wouldn’t butcher Bianca’s enemies not for survival—but for vengeance.

Until all that remains are your regrets.

Yes. If they all were all afraid of Bianca being a tyrant, then Elian would become one in her stead. He would take all the danger, but she will gain all the authority. Only she would control him and keep him grounded.

Things only Bianca could do.

I see. That’s why a Tyrant’s partner is called an Anchor.

Fluffy slowly walked over and stood before him. Her usual playfulness was gone, in its place only eyes that trembled.

"Sir Elian, you were nothing more than a teenager before. I do not believe you understand what it means to be a..."

"I do." Elian interjected.

His words caused the 10-meter beast to flinch.

"Elian, I think it should be me. I am the older one. I can..."

"No."

His voice was clear and forceful. It was blunt and sharp like a blade. It left no room for negotiation, nor compromise.

"But Elian..."

"Bianca."

At his affectionate call, the Witch trembled. She hid her hand behind her back and turned away.

"...You don’t have to do this. You are kind. You are light. I should be the one to..."

"Bianca. Look at me."

"..."

She looked up and saw him smiling. Even without a face, Elian knew that this woman alone could tell how he was feeling. Her face warped as she processed her emotions. The Witch eventually made a deep sigh and approached.

The ravishing beauty gazed into Elian’s eyes, took his hand into hers and declared in a firm voice.

"Then it shall as you desire. However, I will be your Anchor—there shall be no objections. If you wish to be willful to protect me. Then I shall do the same."

Elian nodded, "I was going to ask you anyway. There was no one else who could compare."

She blushed but didn’t pull her eyes away. In that moment, time slowed—as if only they existed. But reality had other plans.

"Ehem, what should a wolf do in situations such as these? Squeal in excitement, offer my congratulations or ring the wedding bells?"

At Fluffy’s joke, Elian and Bianca then remembered the same thing.

"I see. My apologies, a Tyrant is considered the ruler of a dungeon. An Anchor is considered his second command, or his spouse. I was asking if you are my master’s Anchor or are you merely her knight?"

Elian felt the ore in his blood burn hotter than ever before. Bianca abruptly let go of Elian’s hands and took a step back. Aware of the implications of what they just said the mood turned awkward.

At least she sees me as a man now.

Even more so when Fluffy snickered in glee at her handiwork.

Bianca pouted adorably. But Fluffy couldn’t have cared less and continued to express her amusement. Feeling it was his job to fix the situation Elian took charge.

"Ehem! Fluffy, Anchors can be many things. They aren’t necessarily romantic. They can also be based in respect and loyalty. What I meant was that I answer to no one. Only to Bianca. I may wear the crown—but she’ll rule."

"Yes! Elian is right! Get your head out of the gutter you lecherous oversized dog!"

"Right. Sure. Sure. Whatever you say. Respect and loyalty got it."

Fluffy didn’t even try to hide her disbelief. Her passive aggressive response made one want to beat her black and blue. But at least she stopped teasing them.

"But I need to warn you Sir Elian. Much like the Tyrant. The crucible gives responsibilities to the Anchor as well. You should hear them first before making your decision."

Abruptly Bianca shouted in anger, "FLUFFY! CEASE THIS AT ONCE! IT IS ALREADY DECIDED!"

However, the 10-meter wolf refused to back down and glared at the woman.

"I already told you! Your life is tied to his! Stop being stupid Bianca! He needs to know! Do you even care what happens after you die? He won’t just mourn you—he’ll raze entire worlds in grief."

"Of course, I-I care...It’s just that..." Bianca meekly stammered.

"ENOUGH! As a member of this family, it is my duty to tell my people of the consequences of their actions. If he still chooses you as his Anchor despite all I tell him, then great! Or is it because you are terrified of him choosing someone else?"

This was perhaps the first time Elian saw Fluffy act in this manner. She no longer even referred to Bianca as Master. And surprisingly, Bianca didn’t lash back but quietly accepted it all. Few could remain unfazed when something as big as Fluffy growled at them.

Fluffy then turned to Elian.

"What about you, you genocidal lunatic? Do you consider my opinions as the words of your family? Or am I nothing more than a pet? If you wish to ignore me, I won’t even bother."

Elian could see every hair on Fluffy’s back stand on end. It gave her the appearance of a hunter primed for the kill.

"Please tell me, Fluffy. I do not consider you just a pet but a valued member of my family."

Fluffy grunted, "Good. Listen well."

Elian glanced at Bianca and saw her fiddling with her fingers nervously. Seeing her like this he made a brief comment to ease her anxiety.

"Bianca. It’s alright. Do not worry."

She nodded. The Witch smiled but there was barely any improvement.

Just why is she so nervous?

"Sir Elian, Anchors receive the love and affection of Tyrants for a price. That price is their lives. A curse given to every Anchor. They will die in their Tyrant’s stead. When your life is in danger of being extinguished. The system will intervene. For that aid, your Anchor dies."

"W-What?"

The Red Swarm Tyrant’s words came back to haunt Elian. She said everything clearly, he just didn’t understand.

"Loyal servant. One I love most. Dies for me. You want to be new Anchor?"

Fluffy continued.

"A Tyrant may have as many Anchor candidates as they want. But only one will be active at one time. Some Tyrants only have one Anchor their entire lifetime. Others use them as expendables."

This system—by holding the lives of a Tyrant’s loved ones hostage—ensured that even peaceful people would be forced to fight. This entire game is designed to have people fight with their everything or risk losing it all.

"By nominating Bianca as your Anchor, you may shield her politically. But you are painting quite literally the biggest target on her back. Many will aim for her first, simply because you cannot die so long as she is alive."

Elian’s mind froze.

Just this simple mechanic threw all his plans into chaos. How could he wage war after war if Bianca’s safety was always at risk? The ranks meant that the worlds he needed to fight would also grow stronger as he did. So the risk would never lessen.

It’s a price I will never pay. I can’t lose. Not even once.

Fluffy’s eyes bore deep into Elian’s soul. Like hammer strikes each word she uttered wreaked havoc in Elian’s mind.

"So, Sir Elian. You wish to be a Tyrant. Bianca allows you under the condition she becomes your Anchor. In short, she is going to use her life to shield yours."

Fluffy’s world came out a growl. As if Elian’s response might force them to come to blows.

"So decide now, Sir Elian. What are you going to do?"