BXBX NOVEL Chapter 111: Just kill him if he touches her.
[< You obtained the first ingredient for the Creation of the Celestial Spiritual Body >]
"Celestial Spiritual Body..." Strax thought, reading the notification. The real question now in his mind was whether he would be able to achieve this goal. The word "Celestial" carried a lot of weight, and that intimidated him a little.
However, he was embraced from behind while sitting in the armchair, where Ouroboros' breasts rested on his head, and she murmured, "Everything will be fine, my master," she commented softly with a mischievous smile.
"I don't have any options anyway..." he murmured to himself, as the notification updated.
[< All Missions deleted, the new mission system has been incorporated into the system. >]
[< Mission Reminder Added, the mission tab has been unlocked >]
[< First Mission acquired: Your possessiveness for wanting everything that is rightfully yours has been tested. To obtain the Primordial Dragons, you must get a body capable of withstanding their souls >]
[< Objective: With Xyn's help, you now have the list of priorities and ingredients for the creation of these bodies >]
[< Black Phoenix Feathers: 2/3 >]
[< Friendship with an Experienced Blacksmith [Missing] >]
[< Friendship with an Experienced Alchemist [Missing] >]
[< ? ? ? >]
[< ? ? ? >]
[< ? ? ? >]
[< ? ? ? >]
[< Note: All ingredients are needed in quantities of three. With the deal made, Xyn will offer the last feather at the end of the mission >]
[< Reward: This mission does not offer System rewards; after all, it is a concrete goal of the user himself. The reward is already the creation of the Celestial Spiritual Body >]
The message was long and a bit too expositional for Strax, but it was simpler and more direct. He needed to complete all these steps, and it seemed there were many more objectives beyond the feathers and those who would do the work. Fortunately, he was attentive; the materials should always be in threes to ensure nothing was missing.
Additionally, he checked the new tab created; it was a mission tab that was quite different from what he remembered, or rather, it didn't even exist in the previous version of the System.
Previously, missions were given in Acts or were not suggestive and tried to influence the player, in this case, him, to discover the missions without any help from the system, as if it didn't know how to describe its objectives. Now, however, it was a clean area, with only one mission.
[< Mission: Free your Spirits - Time: Indeterminate >]
"Indeed... this system has changed a lot..." Strax thought while still looking at the feathers in his hand.
"So, do we have a deal?" Xyn questioned, her tone still very friendly and mocking, but what choice did Strax have anyway? "Alright, at least now I have a clear goal..." he murmured.
"Well, just try to get some missions from the Duchy with the Patriarch. If you manage that, we can find a way to travel the world," Xyn concluded, while Xenovia just watched the situation quietly, and that was already bothering Strax...
"What's wrong with her?" he questioned, looking at Xenovia, who seemed to be in another world. "She received a message earlier, from the Prince." Strax heard that and... "What did he say?" His expression changed completely.
Xenovia, noticing the attention on her, sighed and finally spoke. "He asked me to return to the palace to discuss 'important matters.' Something about a growing threat and the need for reinforced alliances. But we know what this is really about..." Xenovia said with a deadpan look, she seemed very tired and although she was here for him, she couldn't stop thinking about this problem.
She even tried to keep up with Strax and Xyn's conversation, but it wasn't possible.
Strax looked at her, stood up, and went over to Xenovia. Extending his hand, he said firmly, "Come here." Without waiting for a response, he gently pulled her, making her sit on his lap as he settled back into the armchair. Xenovia was completely embarrassed, her cheeks turning pink.
"Strax, what are you doing?" she asked, her voice almost a whisper. Meanwhile, the two dragons snorted, almost challenging her to a duel to the death... especially Ouroboros, who turned her face away to avoid looking at it... Her, in his lap! "Damn it..." she murmured.
Strax completely ignored them; those two dragons should learn to control themselves. He then responded calmly, "I want to make sure you're okay," his red eyes softening as he looked at her. "You won't leave my side from now on. If that idiot prince wants something, he'll come here personally, and I'll enjoy dealing with him." Xenovia felt her whole body tremble with excitement, feeling that warmth...
that protection... that hot love that embraced her from corner to corner.
Xyn, watching the scene, smiled enigmatically. "Looks like things are getting interesting," she commented, her tone sarcastic as always.
"You've become quite active, haven't you?" Strax questioned coldly, his red eyes gleaming with determination. "I won't let anyone touch my Xenovia," he said with a gentle smile as he stroked the head of the woman who looked more like a blushing, love-struck girl.
"M-my?" she questioned as she lightly hid her head in his chest, acting very much like a cute girl. "Yes, you're mine... or don't you want to be?" Strax asked as he stroked her long, snow-white hair. "I-I..." She tried to speak, but she couldn't say it; she was still afraid of some things. "All in good time," he said as he looked heavily at Xyn.
"I want to add something to the contract," Strax said, looking at Xyn. "Go ahead, depending on what it is, I might even consi—" "If any other man touches her without her permission, you can brutalize him in any way possible, and say I ordered it."
Xyn raised an eyebrow, her smile widening. "That sounds very interesting. Will you be able to handle that? What if it's the prince?" she said, with a gleam in her eyes. "Anyway, I accept. It'll be a pleasure." She smiled, looking quite pleased with the situation...
she was kind of... well, we'll leave that for later.
Strax answered her question. "I might sound arrogant, but in a few years, I'll be at least one of the strongest in all of Thalassia. After that, I'll be the strongest in this world. A mere prince won't affect me, especially now that I'm starting to establish myself.
This way, I can be sure Xenovia will be protected even when I'm not around." Strax explained with a smile, and Xenovia didn't seem to disagree with him, but also...
"I'm not a child," she said. "I don't need that kind of protection."
His gaze fell on her, serious and possessive. "If I'm saying you need it, you accept it. I give the orders." he said, his look really hitting her hard, making her whole body tremble.
Xenovia opened her mouth to protest, but seeing the firmness in Strax's eyes, she sighed and nodded slightly. "Alright... just don't forget that I'm strong too," she murmured, a slight smile appearing on her lips.
Strax relaxed a little, stroking Xenovia's white hair again. "I know you're strong. But extra protection doesn't hurt, and it makes me feel more at ease. I don't want any man touching my future wife."
Xyn observed the interaction with an intrigued look. "You really did it, little girl. After all these years, he put a little collar on the cold and insensitive woman you are," she commented. "I'm curious to see how far this will go; it looks fun."
As Strax finished his contract... something was happening not too far away...
[Royal Castle, Capital of Thalassia, Thalion]
In the majestic towers of the Royal Castle, built with ancient stones and adorned with golden banners, the Crown Prince paced nervously in his luxurious chambers. The high ceilings and arched windows allowed the golden midday sunlight to bathe the room, but nothing seemed to calm his anxiety.
"She hasn't responded?" the Prince asked, his voice laden with frustration, as he looked at his aide, a middle-aged man with gray hair, who maintained a rigid and respectful posture.
"No, Your Highness," the aide replied, bowing his head slightly in a sign of respect. "I sent the message as per your orders, but we haven't received a response."
The Prince frowned, his blue eyes flashing with irritation. "Xenovia has always been so diligent. It's unusual for her to ignore a direct summons. Something must be happening."
The aide nodded in agreement. "I agree, Your Highness. Perhaps it would be wise to send someone to check on her personally."
The Prince snorted, turning to one of the windows and looking out at the city of Thalion below. The bustling streets and vibrant markets usually brought him a sense of pride and security, but now they only heightened his unease. "After we received news about that man... what was his name again?"
"Strax Vorah, Your Highness," the aide responded carefully. "He is just her younger brother, and the information we have indicates that they have been spending a lot of time together, mainly in training... perhaps she just hasn't received it yet?"
The Prince's eyes narrowed. "Strax... I thought he was dead... Since that time... well, things have changed."
The aide remained silent, aware of the delicacy of the situation. "Your Highness, perhaps we should consider other approaches to ensure Xenovia's loyalty. It may be more effective than confronting her directly."
The Prince sighed, stepping away from the window. "Yes, you are right. We can't afford to lose a warrior like her. But we need to act quickly. My foolish father still wants to make that idiot General of his march to Vorah, and my brother must already have support for it..."