CHAPTER 192: THREES

"Yoh, you hear the news? The Weapons have been up all night..."

"Yeah, all the streets were cleared, and a curfew was put in place. What is going on?"

"You know nothing, man; my brother is a junior breaker, and the entire guild was mobilized."

"I heard a huge army of Weapons arrived last night..."

"Damn it! We have been preparing for this treat for weeks! Why is the city suddenly in lockdown?"

"Shh, keep your voice down! If the Breakers hear you, the worst is a warning, but I heard the Weapons have been allowed to kill anyone who makes a scene."

"What the hell?! Aren’t the Weapons supposed to be good guys?"

"The hell is wrong with you? The Elian bastard has a god complex and resurrects the dead! Pweh! Good guys, my foot!"

When the Crestfall city rose from its slumber, it felt the oppressive air. Although the Weapons of Valestra gained some recognition, most knew that they were capable of immense violence.

Most were grateful that the fourth faction of humanity alone protected them from aliens. But as it was human nature to fear what one cannot understand, the vast majority followed not because of loyalty or respect, but out of fear.

This was further worsened by the arrival of the other tribes of the Slinky Corps. Led by Gamma, Beta, and Zeta, they arrived late in the night. Their monstrous appearance reinforced the already massive number of golems patrolling the city.

Even though there was no announcement, the humans in the city felt the highly volatile atmosphere. It was as if one were surrounded by a sea of gasoline while holding a torch. The whole city was tense, and everyone knew that with the right spark, all hell would break loose.

***

"Mhm... Elian not there, that tickles... Naughty boy... Stop being a pervert..."

In one of the most sought-after luxury hotel penthouses, a beauty more divine than any other relaxed. She talked in her sleep while tossing and turning under the covers. Her hand, however, remained in place; it grabbed onto someone else’s like a lifeline.

"You like me that much... fine... I will dress up as a bunny for you... Pyon!... Pyon!"

Elian couldn’t help himself from chuckling. The things Bianca spoke of grew more lecherous as the nights went on. As he never told her, the witch never knew that she talked in her sleep. It was a secret only he and Bianca’s direct family knew.

Still holding Bianca’s hand, he allowed her to rest. The Weapons had secured the city in a lockdown. Katri and Charlotte were relieved, and Sunny the Tyrant of Averignis was the one in command. Elian already saw the plans and fortifications prepared for the secluded zone.

Even with his pessimistic tendencies, he believed what they had prepared was enough. Should anyone try to come for their Psychomancers, his faction, the Weapons of Valestra, would be ready.

In that moment, the woman beside Elian roused awake. "Mhm... Elian? What time is it? Why didn’t you wake earlier?"

As Bianca was not possessing Chiara, even when she slept, she was dressed in her armor. Elian felt a pang of disappointment that he couldn’t see her in see-through lingerie. Bianca’s eyes went wide, and she awkwardly tried to cover her feminine parts.

"W-What are you thinking about?! Pervert!"

Seeing her adorable attempt to protect her chastity, he felt mischievous.

"I already saw everything though? Why else do you think you don’t smell?" Elian grinned as he licked his lips, "every single nook and cranny."

"W-Wha—"

After Bianca collapsed last night, her soul body was covered in sweat. And although the fluids drenching her body weren’t tangible, Elian wiped her down with a towel made of dominator all the same.

He removed her armor and cooled her body. Sadly, somewhere along the night, Bianca equipped her armor unconsciously, leading to her awkward sleeping attire.

Such a scene was fine in the dungeons, but it looked pitiful when she tried to lie down on a bed. It highlighted that Bianca was stuck in a world outside the norm.

The covers and mattress Bianca used were made of Dominator. Normal objects simply go through her body. While Dominator was not as soft as Snow Wolf pelts, it at least was something Bianca could use.

Rather than getting angry, Bianca covered her face in shame. "How embarrassing..."

Elian chuckled as he pulled her into a deep embrace, "What is there to be embarrassed about? We are soon to be husband and wife; even if you swam in stinky crap, I would wipe you down and clean you up. I am yours, Bianca, now and forever."

"Elian..."

With lovestruck eyes, Bianca closed in on Elian to kiss him; only his phone rang in the next second.

The pair came to their senses and frowned at the interruption. Elian looked at the caller ID in anger. He answered but rebuked in a bad mood, "This better be important, Aunt-in-law..."

[Look at this brat, flirt at your own time. You spoil Bianca too much; it’s almost midday! Bring her here already.]

However, the other party was a Tyrant, forget trying to intimidate her; he had to be careful, or she would beat him instead. Smiling wryly, Elian answered with a short okay.

"That was Aunt-in-law; she said that they are waiting for us..."

Before Elian could even finish his sentence, Bianca’s soft lips touched his cheek. The sensation was both calming yet electrifying. "Thank you for delaying the ritual all so I could sleep, darling. We will pick this up later; let’s go."

Elian nodded, and the pair made their preparations and quickly made their way into the Guild hall. A perimeter was set up by the Weapons, the pair did not encounter any loitering humans along the way. It was as if the city had turned into a ghost town.

When they arrived inside the building, there the inner circle of the faction all stood at the ready. The Psychomancer candidates and their lifelines, in particular, were all tense.

Not even caring that he made everyone wait, Elian addressed the group, "I trust you all completed your preparations; we will now begin the ceremony, Bianca?"

She stepped forward and pulled out the potions from her magic bag. Using a tray of Ice VII, she carried them toward the Psychomancer candidates. She handed a single vial to each person and said a few words.

Elian, who watched, noticed the stern eyes of the Psychomancer Candidates. They all seemed to have made peace with their decisions. When they each had one, they all turned to Elian, waiting for his permission.

Bianca quickly returned to Elian’s side and took his hand. As if using him as a support animal, her trembling ceased upon coming into contact with his skin. He didn’t mind and focused on the Weapons surrounding them.

"No matter who comes for the five of them, we will kill them all. Do I make myself clear?"

A statement that had not a hint of indecision. Like a law passed down from heaven; Elian declared his will to his faction. And every son and daughter of his race roared in response.

"BY THE WILL OF THE TYRANT!"

He nodded and gave the command, "Bottoms up."

Each Psychomancer drank their vial of black sludge. Elian felt nostalgic seeing it. He too had once drank something similar that changed his life completely.

In the next moment, each Psychomancer candidate erupted. Like a geyser, their mana rushed out of their bodies. Violent, overbearing, and in amounts not possible for mere humans, they all began their transformations.

Yearns, Burny, and Blooms faltered and could no longer stand up properly. Charlotte and Katri collapsed on the spot; Ned and Katri’s father caught them with worried faces.

Elian turned to Bianca and she nodded with a small smile, "None of them rejected the potion; we can proceed."

"Alright, we have confirmed that potion’s effects. Weapons! Escort our Psychomancers to their bunkers. Everyone else! Prepare for battle!"

Apart from his faction, no one else should have known about the Psychomancers. While Woody and Sunny warned him not to take chances, they were at best pessimistic predictions.

However, when Elian heard their words, he knew. Instinctively, he knew they would arrive.

[Alert: Crestfall City Announcement: Gnareth has invaded Earth.

Invasion Reason: Conquest.

Win Conditions: Defend Crestfall City or eliminate the invading Tyrant

Lose Conditions: Crestfall City falls or the Invading Tyrant remains alive for more than 60 hours.

Notes: The blitzkrieg perk has been used; invasions are now instantaneous.

Duration: 4 days, 23 hours, and 59 minutes.

Battleground: Crestfall City.]

"Tsk. Blitzkrieg perk, huh? This just keeps getting better."

Elian felt his blood boil. He had no idea what this Gnareth was or what it had to offer, but the time for words had ended. It was now time to fight. But the even worse messages came.

[Alert: Crestfall City Announcement: Sylphane has invaded Earth.

Invasion Reason: Conquest.

...

Notes: The blitzkrieg perk has been used; invasions are now instantaneous.

Battleground: Crestfall City.]

[Alert: Crestfall City Announcement: Astrapheia has invaded Earth.

Invasion Reason: Conquest.

...

Notes: The blitzkrieg perk has been used; invasions are now instantaneous.

Battleground: Crestfall City.]

"Well, they said good things comes in threes."

Ned stammered as he carried his lover, "T-Three different invasions? What the hell is going on?"

"My, my, when the fire burns, it really rages."

Elian found Sunny’s proverb weird, but he got the gist. Funnily enough, rather than fear, he felt his blood boil with excitement.

He watched the CCTV showing the space outside the city. Three giant red gates appeared; enemies poured out of them within seconds of arriving.

"Charade, Hunter."

He turned around and commanded as he walked away, "You all have your orders. Carry them out."

"YES! TYRANT!"