My Wife is a Dead Villainess, and I'm Her Living Weapon-Chapter 54: Promise

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

Fluffy’s question made Elian’s brain kick into overdrive.

Two paths. One: become the Tyrant and bear the Crucible’s fury. Never lose—not even once. The other: make Bianca the Tyrant and die protecting her. It sounded noble. But it was just as cruel.

Fluffy’s rebuke rang out again in his mind.

"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."

If Elian chose to become the Anchor instead of the tyrant, that was the equivalent of taking the easy path. Because after he forfeits his life, Bianca would be left alone. She would be fighting enemies even he couldn’t hope to beat. All because he chose to die early.

Elian’s body trembled.

The thought of Bianca mourning his death yet still forcing herself to fight against other worlds alone—that broke his heart. With him gone, she would be isolated, in grief and weak. He remembered her terrified voice when they fell deep into the Ant tunnels.

"WHERE ARE YOU?! ELIAN! DON’T LEAVE ME! ELIAN! ELIAN! PLEASE!"

Bianca Valestra was never afraid of pain, suffering or even death. She was afraid of being left alone. All of a sudden, he remembered the first time he noticed this truth. It was when he met his classmates for the first time.

When he teased her, Bianca lost it.

"WHAT?! You can’t! I forbid it! I have money! I—I also have a house! Why would you need a girlfriend?! You’re a golem! They’ll just use you and—and milk you dry!"

Elian’s body relaxed and began to chuckle. Fluffy and Bianca both drew a blank at his reaction.

He turned to his Anchor and noticed her restless. Earlier when he broke down, she reassured him. Her tenderness would make anyone swoon.

"Let it all out, Elian. I am sorry for not noticing. You have been pushing yourself really hard, haven’t you?"

Sigh. How could you not fall in love with this woman?

Of the two choices presented, one would allow her to give her life for him. The other would curse her to a life without his support. And although she could find another Anchor like him. Somehow, he felt bitter picturing it.

As if there is anyone worthy enough to stand by her side.

Thus, making Bianca the Tyrant was not an option—not because the thought of another embracing her infuriated him, but because it would make her sad.

Right. So, let’s think back. She only dies only if I fail.

The Anchor only dies if Elian ends up needing the System’s aid. Meaning, if he never gets into that position. There was no danger.

I just need to train hard. Forged’s characteristics make leveling harder. But in exchange I gain stats most cannot even dream of.

Then there was his other Talents. Adamant and Driven allowed his Jobs to morph his combat style. And he was about to reach his second one.

Considering how much his fighting ability changed since gaining Living Metal, each new job represented frightening potential.

Before Living Metal, Elian fought like a brawler. Afterwards, he shifted to someone who dominated the battlefield using engineering and tactics. He still had three chances to reinvent himself. And one was already within reach.

"Sir Elian. Your answer? Or has the shock made you lose your last marble?"

Hearing Fluffy’s rude rebuke, Elian smiled. Fluffy had no reason to play the villain. But she did it anyway. All because she didn’t want Elian and Bianca to leave anything unsaid.

The way of Fralhame.

Spending so much time with the Snow Wolf Alpha, Elian began to learn of their way of life. It was a life of choice that placed emphasis on freedom, mortality and pride. Adoration and gratitude welled forth from Elian’s no longer beating heart.

He reached up and wrapped his hands around Fluffy’s neck and hugged her. The warmth she radiated felt different from Bianca. But it was no less comforting.

"Thank you, Fluffy. Thank you for being part of my family. As payment, I vow to you. Your home. Your people. The Snow wolves of Fralhame. I will protect them as my own."

The 10-meter wolf flinched. "Huh? What are you saying? Do you not understand a single thing I said?"

Without letting go, Elian continued, "No. I understood everything. If Bianca becomes my Anchor, she will die if I fail. So, I will never allow that to happen."

"Look, you lunatic! How could you..."

"Fluffy."

"..."

"I would never gamble with Bianca’s life. She is the most important person to me. I vow to you. I will burn my everything to ensure she stays safe."

Fluffy wrestled away from Elian. The wolf glared deep into his eyes. Elian released her and met her gaze with the same intensity.

"I told you before Fluffy, I am her weapon. But now I chose to be more. She died as a casualty of this game. So now, I will play it. I will join the crucible. And I will not stop till I win. Only then will Bianca be able to live in peace."

"I don’t need to tell you that there are worlds that have been fighting in the crucible for millennia. It will be difficult."

"I know. And it doesn’t matter."

Fluffy continued to glare for a bit more, before her face relaxed. She sighed and returned to her casual and carefree self. The Snow Wolf Alpha turned her head and announced.

"So, he says Master. You couldn’t get a better confession than that. Way better than anything you ever watched on T.V. I would rate that a 10/10."

Elian was about to say the giant dog was being silly until he followed her gaze.

There Bianca was crying.

She had her hands covering her mouth. But the Witch of the Frozen Night trembled as tears rolled down her eyes—but there wasn’t even a hint of sadness. Only joy.

"Hic...Hic...Fluffy you Idiot..."

Seeing her like this, Elian remembered the first time he saw her in tears. Back then, he couldn’t even touch her. Now, he could at least give her some warmth.

The weapon strode forward and fell down to one knee.

Due to him being armed to the teeth the ground vibrated.

Elian gently took Bianca’s hand as he gazed into her eyes.

"Bianca Valestra—my Master, my purpose, my family. I wish to join the Crucible as Earth’s Tyrant. I will tread on corpses without number. Millions would perish before I reach the summit. It would be dangerous. But still, I must ask."

From his palm, Living Metal bloomed into a box—small, simple, already open. A wedding ring laid inside. It had a band made of onyx and a fragment of the Red Swarm Tyrant’s Core as its gem.

"I could have just as easily decided to make you the Tyrant, being your Anchor is far easier. I would then die saving you. But—after I am gone you would be left alone, without anyone to share your pain. And I couldn’t accept that. I refuse to break my promise."

Elian’s promise back then while childish was not halfhearted.

"Haha, I’m sorry, Master. I couldn’t resist. Don’t worry. I will never leave. And even if I did go somewhere, I would always bring you with me. We’ll be together forever—until the day I die."

He already knew Bianca had died once before. She didn’t want to be left behind. Bianca wanted to be the one to go first. It was a joke Elian often heard from his parents. Which was how he was able to understand. In a marriage the one who died first had it easier.

"So, I will defend you with my everything. And if I fail... you will leave this world knowing I shall never look for another. And that after getting vengeance, I will follow you. I offer you little... but I ask for everything."

Elian paused and took a deep breath.

"Bianca Valestra, will you please grant me the honor of being my Anchor?"

Saying everything he wanted, Elian waited. As he did, he heard a snarky comment from an observer.

"Holy crap! When did he plan all this? I didn’t mean to propose on the spot, you spoony bastard!"

Elian had to stop himself from shooting the foul-mouthed third wheel behind him. Instead, his eyes remained locked at the beauty before him. She was overwhelmed with emotion. The seconds ticked by each one feeling like an eternity. Until—

"Y-Yes... Elian. I will be your Anchor."

Few would know that this moment cemented the fate of the entire galaxy. That on this day, the most powerful Tyrant and Anchor came into existence.