My Wife is a Dead Villainess, and I'm Her Living Weapon-Chapter 73: Knowledge

"Elian, can you get off already? Do you have any idea how heavy you are?"

"I don’t but I can’t be heavier than you though. You have twice as much material as I do. And I’m not even in armor."

"Can the two of you please be quiet?" a ghost scolded, "We are on our way to assault a dungeon. Do not bother dad!"

Bianca flew beside the black metal wolf. An ashen rider who rode on its golden-haired mane, "You worry too much Bianca, look no hands!"

"That’s hardly impressive when you meld our bodies together, you cheater." The black wolf scoffed.

"Want me to starve you again, brat?"

At Elian’s threat, Fluffy bowed her head and grumbled, "This cheapskate. Ugh. I really need to stock up on cores. This economy’s killing me."

As the golems bickered, the two Snow Wolf Alphas flanking them discussed in the background.

"Fufu, seeing Whisper and Son-in-law bond is heartwarming. Don’t you think so dear? Elian feels like the son we never had."

"Please no. I can only imagine how much of a handful Elian would be. From his experiments to his temperamental tendencies. He would be a nightmare to discipline."

Bianca approached them and joined their conversation, "Actually, Elian is really kind among the humans. He was well behaved and incredibly loyal."

At her words Silent giggled while Bastion groaned.

"What? Was it something I said?" Bianca asked in confusion.

"It’s nothing, Bianca. While I know of how proud you are of your beloved, please spare a thought for your dear father."

"I only just found out I had a second daughter. And some bastard’s already taking her away. What a lousy way to start the day."

Bastion’s words caused Bianca to flush and turn silent. She made a fake cough before changing the topic.

"By the way Dad, how far are we? You said this was another dungeon controlled by the church?"

"Yes. They are the Flame Swallows. Their Tyrant is someone I met before. The humans are using their eggs and meat as mana enhancers. It’s how the church raises large numbers of Breakers. Freeing or killing the Swallows would cripple their numbers."

Elian, who heard the information, smiled. The big three guilds of humanity had three opposing views and combat doctrines. For the Church, culling their numbers was the absolute best way to beat them.

He wasn’t just watching standing guard last night. The Tyrant was hunting for answers. If he was going to lead a family into war, he had to understand his opponents first.

***

"System, your loyalties do not lie with the humans, correct?"

[Affirmative.]

"Despite you being created by Doctor Magnolia for her husband?"

[Negative. As your clearance level has been increased, the things I can share have also increased. The fact that Doctor Magnolia created me is a lie. I was designed by the crucible. And am given to every participant world.]

So that’s why the Ants, Humans, and Wolves all had the same system. It wasn’t a coincidence.

"Figured as much, how did I increase my clearance level?"

[Beings who know do not know of the crucible are at level 0. Those who do are at level 1. The first ones to know in any world are Tyrant Candidates who bear a mark.]

At the system’s words Elian turned to Bianca in the distance, watching her rub her face against dog-sized Fluffy in bliss.

Bianca had no idea of the Crucible prior to possessing Fluffy. Which meant only Tyrant candidates who had at least one mark are at clearance level 1.

"How many are at clearance 1 on Earth?"

[Access Denied. Clearance level insufficient.]

"..."

Elian ended up rubbing the back of his head in frustration.

I guess that is expected. If being a Tyrant Candidate is at level 1 then level 2 would be when you actually become a tyrant. Let’s try to dig deeper to what this thing is supposed to be.

"I get that you help different races interact. But what is your main purpose?"

[To help crucible participants fight and win the crucible.]

"What does that even mean?"

[Simply put, I help anyone in the crucible with knowledge and information. If it’s to compete in the crucible, I am obligated to assist any participant aiming to compete.]

I see. Knowledge is power, so having the system answer your questions and provide directions would greatly aid in changing the status quo. Wait...

Elian then saw the disgusting reason hidden in the System’s mission.

This thing was created to spark conflict—to keep the underdog rising, the top dogs sharpening their fangs. And because it helps everyone equally, there’s no way to stop the bloodshed.

He ended up covering his mouth in surprise.

Iron sharpens iron. Even the lowest worm can climb—with the system’s help. That’s the problem. So isn’t everything the system’s fault?

Elian’s jaw clenched. He paced, trying to process the information.

No—blaming it is pointless. It’s doing its job. I just need to use it better than they do.

"Can you tell me how to become Earth Tyrant?"

[You would need to kill five expedition leaders, form a faction and invade another world.]

"I see. So, you need to do all three." He folded his arms. "Killing the dungeon bosses is straight forward—I already have a faction. That makes the invasion the last component. Has Earth invaded another world yet?"

[Yes, but none of them succeeded. Earth has been marked by five worlds for retaliation.]

He winced at the word "retaliation."

"Is it possible for all five to attack at the same time?" freewebnσvel.cøm

[Negative, at Iron rank and below, a world can only assault one world at a time.]

"But what happens to the dungeons on Earth if I invade another?"

[Invasions are not the same as expeditions. The dungeons are expeditions; they bring a limited number of participants and cannot go back to and fro. They are like boats. Invasions are like building a highway between two continents.]

Elian grimaced at the system’s words.

"Doesn’t that mean the worlds can keep attacking one another?"

[Yes. The Invasion will only end once the Tyrant Candidate who started the invasion is killed.]

"Doesn’t that sound like..."

The Ashen golem felt his stomach drop. He then remembered a catastrophic event buried in the history books.

"The magma world boss."

It was an event that almost wiped out all of humanity. 30 years ago, a dungeon reportedly broke open and summoned a wave of volcanic monsters. Elian wasn’t even born then. But humanity celebrated it as the Day of Liberation worldwide.

"So even that was a lie? Humanity got invaded, and they hid the reason." He covered his face with one hand. "Ugh. This is a lot to take in. I need to get my feelings in order."

Adamant.

[Talent: Adamant – activated. Elian Reed is now immune to fear and psychological effects so long as the Talent remains active.]

With his emotions blunted, Elian placed the invasion mechanic on the back burner.

"Better. Okay, obviously I need to command earth before I pick a target to invade. Otherwise, it will be fighting on two different fronts."

Wait. If they are still around, they can defend Earth in my stead. I don’t actually care about the entire world. Racing them to become a Tyrant is still far better.

"Besides, if they do not close the dungeons, doesn’t it mean they are playing it safe? Ah—"

"I was too strong. And I ended up killing all the breakers. A dungeon break followed. Humanity lost its most powerful defenders because of me. I tried to save as many as I could, but it was impossible to be everywhere at once. That was the night I received my title."

Elian remembered what Bianca shared. If they lost the best Breakers then, it would make sense why they were on the defensive.

"Okay, so now I know why they act the way they do. System, can you share the info of the Noble Ascendancy, Bloodright of Conquest, and the Truthsong Church."

[Understood.]

Tsk. It is answering because it knows I will fight them.

[Displaying]

[Noble Ascendancy - Comprised of old elitist families who value bloodlines above all. Has the most resources and the fewest in number. Each Noble Breaker is a powerhouse within their own tier due to decades of bloodline purification.]

[Bloodright of Conquest - United group of Breaker guilds who champions merit and grit. Is the middling of the three groups when it comes to wealth and numbers. Their breakers have the greatest variance in strength and values.]

[Truthsong Church - System-worshiping cult with an army of orphans turned zealots. Has the greatest number of breakers due to the crusader adoption program. Also, the lowest quality in Breaker strength and equipment but promotes unity and teamwork.]

"Tsk. So, these are the bastards that made Bianca’s life—."

"My what?"

Elian stiffened. Bianca had appeared behind him, arms folded. She peeked at his system screens and frowned.

"You really are going after them?"

"Not immediately," Elian said. "But I’ll kill every last one of them."

"Sigh. If that is the will of my Tyrant, then I will comply." Bianca then spun around and suddenly changed outfits. Losing her beautiful white armored dress, she now wore a provocative white blouse and a sleek black skirt—she looked like a seductive teacher.

"Ready to dive in?" she asked, eyes gleaming, "At least until Mom and Dad awake."

Elian nodded once. If knowledge was power—then he’d drown in it.