Chapter 349: Leaving

Words : 1727 Updated : Oct 13th, 2025

Chapter 349: Leaving Strax stood in his room, carefully sorting through items and storing them in his inventory. Armor, elixirs, teleportation scrolls, and a few special weapons that could prove useful on the incursion into the Empire. He went about it calmly, without rushing, but his mind was focused on what was to come. Then, he felt a familiar touch. Two slender, cold arms slid around his waist, and a voluptuous body pressed against his back. The sweet scent of Scarlet filled the air, and he knew immediately who it was. "Preparing to leave..." she murmured against his skin, her voice carrying something indecipherable. Strax didn't stop what he was doing, but a small smile appeared on his lips. "Yes." Scarlet rested her chin on his shoulder, closing her eyes for a moment before whispering, "Is everything alright?" He paused for a moment, feeling the genuine concern behind her question. Scarlet wasn't the type to openly show emotions, but she always knew when something bothered him. Strax let out a light sigh, finishing up by storing one last item before closing his inventory portal. Turning around, he met her gaze. Scarlet looked him in the eyes, her expression calm but attentive. "Yes, I'm fine," he said, and to prove his words, he leaned in and kissed her. It was a slow kiss, unhurried, filled with affection and restrained desire. Scarlet reciprocated, deepening the contact for a few seconds before pulling back slightly, her eyes gleaming with a hint of amusement. "I know you," she murmured. "And I know you're holding something back. What's really bothering you?" Strax ran a hand through his hair, sighing again. "I think... I'm overthinking. And... I have a bad feeling about Xenovia... That's why I'm taking only Ouroboros and Tiamat," he commented. Scarlet remained silent for a moment, processing his words. Then, with a small smile, she slid her hands to his chest, lightly digging her nails in. "I know you're going to tell me to stay behind, but if you want, I—" "It's alright, I know my place. If I see there's no way to win, I'll flee," he said with a bitter smile. "Before I burn the entire capital to the ground." He smiled faintly. She smiled more widely. "Of course. Destroy everything if you can't get out... And if I find out you're dead... I'll kill them all." Strax ran his hands around her waist, pulling her closer. "That's why I trust you, brutal and beautiful—what an amazing combination. Make them strong." Scarlet laughed softly, but her eyes gleamed with something dangerous. "Oh, don't worry about it. They have no idea the hell that awaits them. But when you return... they'll be different women." Strax let out a low laugh, knowing she was dead serious. "Just don't kill any of them." "I'll try," Scarlet replied, her voice full of amusement. They stood there for a few more moments, simply enjoying each other's presence, before Strax finally pulled away. "I have to go." Scarlet nodded, but before releasing him completely, she cupped his face in her hands and gave him one last kiss—a long and possessive kiss, as if marking her territory. "Come back alive," she ordered. Strax smiled. "Always." Strax walked through the underground corridor of Scarlet's mansion, his steps echoing lightly against the stone walls. Evelyn's laboratory was there, an isolated part of the house where the alchemist spent most of her time. He opened the door without ceremony and found the woman sitting at her workbench, examining a vial of glowing blue liquid under the faint light of the torches. Evelyn didn't even look up when he entered. "If you're here to ask for another miracle, I need at least three days to prepare something decent," she murmured, jotting something down on a scroll. Strax crossed his arms, a small smile forming on his lips. "I'm not here to ask for anything this time." She finally lifted her gaze, raising an eyebrow. "Then what do you want?" He leaned against the table, observing the space around him. Open books, scattered ingredients, some vials still bubbling. The smell of herbs and chemical reagents filled the air. "I came to tell you that our debt is paid," he said, getting straight to the point. "If you want, you can go back to the Elven Kingdom. You no longer owe me or this place anything." Evelyn blinked several times, processing his words. For a moment, Strax thought she'd be happy with the freedom. But, to his surprise, she only sighed and leaned back in her chair. "Go back to the Elves, huh..." She laughed softly, shaking her head. "And do what? Go back to living among arrogant idiots who don't know how to appreciate real knowledge? No, thanks." Strax narrowed his eyes. "So, you're staying?" Evelyn twirled a glass vial between her fingers, watching the liquid shimmer. "For now, yes. There's still much to study. I want to understand the homunculi better... how they work, how they're created... If I go back now, I'll be wasting a golden opportunity." Strax smiled faintly. "So, it wasn't just about the debt that you stayed this whole time." "Of course not," she said, rolling her eyes. "You've given me access to things I'd never have in the Elven Kingdom. Besides, I have to admit, your madness makes the research more interesting." Strax let out a short laugh. "Good to know." She stood up, placing her hands on her hips and staring at him. "But since you brought it up... are you going somewhere?" He nodded. "I'm heading to the Human Empire. There's something going on there, and I need to find out what they did to Xenovia." Evelyn studied his expression for a moment before letting out a sigh. "Then go already. And try not to die. I still need a good supplier for my experiments." Strax laughed. "I'll take that as a compliment." She merely waved him off, returning to her seat and completely ignoring him. Strax then left the laboratory, leaving Evelyn immersed in her research. Strax walked slowly through the corridors of the mansion, feeling the weight of the passing hours. He had finished his final preparations, given the necessary warnings, and now, the moment of departure had finally arrived. His heart pulsed with a mixture of excitement and worry as he made his way to the garden. When he stepped into the open space, the sky was tinged with orange as the sun began to set, casting a soft glow over the flowers and trees around him. In the center of the garden stood his wives—Scarlet, Cassandra, Belatrix, Daniela, Cristine, Beatrice, Monica, and Samira—all waiting silently. They knew the mission Strax had chosen was risky, and the fear of losing their man was written on the faces of some. But above all, there was a certain acceptance in their eyes. They knew he had a greater purpose, and somehow, they trusted him. "You're coming back, right?" Scarlet asked, with a calmness only she possessed, her green eyes glowing with a mixture of softness and strength. "No matter what happens, you will come back." Strax smiled, a smile that conveyed both confidence and the certainty that everything would fall into place. "I will return. I promise." He walked over to her, took her hands, and kissed her forehead gently. Then, he approached the others, offering a gesture of affection to all of them. The moment of farewell was briefer than he would have liked, but the pressure of what was to come left him little room for long conversations. He looked at Scarlet one last time, his gaze conveying the trust that everything would be fine. She, with a soft smile, nodded her head, accepting his decision and supporting him. "I will return," Strax said once more, as if those words were the last link that would bind everyone to his safety. As he stepped away, he felt the presence of Ouroboros and Tiamat approaching, both already in their draconic forms. Ouroboros, with her black scales and red eyes, was an imposing sight, while Tiamat, with her majestic golden body and eyes shining like the sun, exuded power and grace. Strax, without wasting any time, moved further into the center of the garden, where the open field gave him more freedom. He closed his eyes for a moment, concentrating, and then a wave of energy surged through his body. His red, brilliant, and powerful scales began to form over his skin, and his size quickly increased. When he opened his eyes again, his human form was completely gone. Strax was now in his dragon form, the imposing red Yulong. The sound of his powerful wings slicing through the air was followed by the transformation of Ouroboros and Tiamat. Ouroboros, with her black scales reflecting shadows as if absorbing the very light, rose beside Strax, her wings beating with equal intensity. And beside her, Tiamat, the golden dragon, also took shape with a resounding roar that made the air vibrate. The sight of the three dragons, ready to depart, was one of strength and majesty. Tiamat, with her fierce and determined gaze, was the first to break the silence. "Let's end this, Strax. We're with you." Ouroboros, with a mischievous smile, motioned her head toward the skies. "If there's one thing I know, it's that no one will be able to stop us. Let's go, my husband." Strax, now fully in dragon form, looked at them, feeling the energy of their powerful bodies intertwining. "Let's do this," he said, his voice echoing through the wind before spreading his massive wings and taking flight. With a unified roar, the three dragons soared into the sky. From the garden, they quickly moved away, their wings cutting through the air like sharp blades. The sky around them seemed to open, giving way to their journey toward the Human Empire. The wind howled around them, but nothing could stop the strength of their claws and fangs, the power of their scales shining in the light of the setting sun.

Chapter 349: Leaving

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