My Wife is a Dead Villainess, and I'm Her Living Weapon-Chapter 112: Keepsake

As Elian followed Bianca in he called out to her. His frustration and confusion at seeing Ned growing more and more by the moment.

Bianca.

"He was your friend Elian. One you cherished. The only one you said goodbye to... back when we left the Crestfall people. A year ago—I remember."

Elian didn’t answer. He stared past her, expression unreadable.

And? What am I supposed to do with that now?

She turned toward him. Her hand rose to his cheek, her voice trembling.

"Elian, I cherish you. You’re not just my weapon. You’re my Tyrant. My beloved. I want you to reconnect with him."

Her eyes gazed deep into his, voice cracking just slightly.

"He knows a part of you... I don’t."

Although Elian felt confused, he knew his lover would never hurt him. And while he found it pointless and annoying, since she wanted it, he would compromise.

"Thank you," she said with a heartfelt smile.

Bianca stepped in, kissed him softly, and took the Crown from his hand.

She then led him inward to a dining room, "Everyone please follow me, it is time for dinner, let us eat, afterwards we discuss. That also goes for you two watching."

At her words both Ned and Elian grew confused.

The witch faced Ned and announced, "Tessa Pots, and Marcus Steel. I know you are out there. Come to this building and eat, we have much to discuss."

Ned yelped as Bianca snapped her fingers. A pulse hit his ear. He ripped the earpiece out and dropped it like a cursed item. The doorbell rang twice a mere second later.

The golem’s eyebrows furrowed.

Ned stood in place.

"Sebastian, please get the door. They are my guests."

"Yes, Mistress Velvet."

As if nothing happened, the Valestra faction continued towards the Dining room. Elian sat at the head of the table and Bianca by his right. The Weapons were eating at a customized table that was lower to the floor perfect for dogs.

When Sebastian returned, he had Tessa, Ned and a hulking man Elian had seen before.

"We greet the Witch of the Frozen Night," the giant said. He was so big he almost touched the door frame. He was well over 200 cm and his bulky physique filled the entire doorway.

"Marcus Steel. I do not believe, we’ve ever had the pleasure of meeting," Bianca greeted.

"No, my lady. I was a mere child in your prime. Although even now, I might as well still be a child. HAHAH" He laughed in a boisterous voice.

Tessa made a similar courteous greeting before adding, "To think that the one I met back then was the Bianca Valestra, forgive me for my discourtesy my lady."

Like a hostess, Bianca shook her head and gestured to the table, "It’s fine. Please. Let us not spoil the day by talking on an empty stomach. Sebastian cooked a little too much, please help yourself to some food. We can talk afterwards. Ned that includes you."

Bianca.

"Please endure Elian. I intended to speak to them anyway. Depending on why they kidnapped your supposed parents we may kill them or use them. Please keep on your toes."

He didn’t protest. Not because he approved—just because it frankly didn’t even matter to his goals.

Elian let out a deep sigh. His lungs seemed to carry air that weighed tons. He understood to a degree what Bianca intended to do. But the golem found it annoying nonetheless.

While he brutalized in public, she was already reshaping the world behind closed doors.

Even the seating had been planned. The other three were placed on the far end—this wasn’t dinner. It was a negotiation between nations.

That fact that she knew who and how many were watching them through Ned showed just how well connected his Anchor was. As the last living human administrator, she wielded immense clout in the system. And she knew how to use it.

"This dish is so tasty, almost as good as you are beautiful, madam. Uhm forgive me, I do not know which name you prefer." freeweɓnovel.cøm

"We’ll aren’t you a charmer? For now, I would prefer Velvet. And this is my husband, Silver. Careful that he doesn’t get jealous, he has quite a temper."

Marcus was visibly flustered and wiped his brow with a napkin, "I wouldn’t dream of it. I know how—passionate Candidates can be. I will refrain from making boorish jokes."

Sebastian served them with good food. Only Marcus and Bianca engaged in conversation, Tessa, Ned and Elian all remained silent. Their banter made the air less stifling, but everyone knew that they were standing on a powder keg.

When the group finally finished eating, Bianca finished her wine and affectionately placed her hand on top of Elian’s. Instinctively, he intertwined their fingers, Bianca’s smile grew at his wordless response.

In an extremely good mood, she began.

"Marcus, Tessa. I will start with the most important part first. Tell me why you kidnapped the Reeds. Please note that if you answer wrongly you will die in the next moments."

The two Breakers began to circulate mana along their bodies. Tessa’s eyes even began to glow violet. Yet within seconds their bodies grew slack.

"What?" Marcus’ face warped in terror. He tried to stand up but noticed his legs no longer moved. It was like they were cemented into the floor. Tessa felt a powerful migraine shake her brain so powerfully it made her tip over.

Then all of a sudden, they regained power of their bodies. The entire time Bianca never lost her smile. Rather it was Elian who grunted, "The next time I act, both of you will die."

"Silver, darling. Let it go. I was only making conversation."

She kissed him on the cheek, her smile never slipping.

Elian only grunted in while his eyes were locked on Marcus and Tessa.

"Well? Care to give me an answer? And please for both our sakes do not lie," she followed up.

Elian watched Marcus and Tessa, closely. He tried to pick up clues from their body movements. And he saw the shift. After the display of force, Marcus lost his goofy uncle persona and hardened. His eyes turned sharp, now he looked like someone who commanded Breakers.

In contrast, Tessa, his teacher lost her firmness and loosened her shoulders. It looked like she lost the weight she carried, her facial features seemed softer.

Interesting.

Hearing his thoughts, Bianca squeezed his hand as she elaborated.

Tessa Potts is normally soft spoken, her talent turns her aggressive. Marcus Steel on the other hand has many masks like me. He just shifted into his commander mask. This was what I wanted. This means they are finally going to talk. Thank you darling you were amazing!

Elated at her praise, he nodded in silence. Bianca seemingly enjoying his embarrassment buried her face on his shoulder and nuzzled it.

"We did it to try and contain a potential problem."

"Explain."

Marcus pressed behind his ear and shared multiple digital files to the nanomachines of those at the table. "We found out by accident. The Red Ant incident that ended up in a dungeon break but didn’t, that was where it all started."

Bianca took a moment to sort the files she received. Elian didn’t bother. "Continue."

"At the moment, the Bloodright’s goal was recruitment or elimination. A breaker, one that had the power to turn back a dungeon break, unregistered or others was far too valuable. We searched and eventually encountered the Beacon party. One led to another. And..."

"And?"

"When the Earth Wide announcement came out, everyone scrambled to learn about Elian Reed. We, who were already keeping tabs on him. Just acted faster."

"Why? Why did you suspect him," Elian inquired.

"He was the only missing student in the Crestfall incident. Tess, in particular, already operated under that assumption. That Elian Reed transformed into the black knight, due to an artifact."

Hearing the exact same excuse he had been using, Elian inwardly face palmed. The irony made Bianca giggle. The same excuse they used to avoid the suspicion, became the same one that led the enemy to them.

Elian faced his former teacher and questioned her.

"Why?"

But she pointed to Ned instead.

"Him. Nedeshwar Patel. Despite him being nearly killed by Sir Silver before, after you asked about why Trevor Rogers tried to kill you, I had a suspicion. But the knight saying farewell to Ned was what made me certain."

It was only then that Elian looked to the one claiming to be his best friend.

Even Tessa figured it out—just from how Elian treated him. His former teacher had no reason to lie. He remembered Trevor, he remembered his death, but not Ned.

Elian then accused Tessa to her face, "You are lying."

Tessa told the truth. Bianca and Fluffy had already said the same thing. But if that was true... why did it feel like he never met the guy?

"NO! I VOW ON MY SON’S LIFE! I AM TELLING THE TRUTH! ELIAN, PLEASE BELIEVE ME!"

"Don’t call me that. You don’t have the right," he grunted in a stern tone.

Bianca gently massaged Elian’s hand.

"Darling, please endure just a moment longer. It will end soon."

She then placed Elian’s keepsake in front of Ned and challenged him.

"Ned. This keepsake is Elian Reed’s last anchor to humanity. Explain what it is and why he valued it before. If you don’t, then the Elian you know can never return."

"What?" Ned’s knuckles whitened as he stared at the keepsake.

Bianca looked crestfallen as she continued.

"This is the last chance humanity has to rely on Elian’s Kindness. If you fail this task, that means no one really knew him. So please choose your next words wisely."