Demonic Dragon: Harem System
Chapter 203: Consume the heart

"What do you mean by 'dying?'" Cristine asked, staring deeply into the eyes of the man who seemed so unconcerned.

"It's like you heard... I had to do some things that pushed me beyond my human limits. Or rather, I've lost all of them. I'll need to force an evolution," Strax said calmly, offering a gentle smile as he stepped closer to her.

"It's fine, don't worry." He smiled, leaned in, and kissed her forehead, running his fingers through her hair.

"How can you say it's fine? You're talking about dying!" Cristine exclaimed, pulling his hands away from her head and looking deeply into his eyes.

"Calm down, okay?" Strax said, turning to walk toward Samira, who seemed to be in pain.

Cristine froze for a moment, Strax's words echoing in her mind.

Her heart raced, and a wave of frustration and despair began to well up in her chest. His calm demeanor, the way he spoke so nonchalantly about something as serious as "dying," unsettled her deeply.

"How can you say that so casually?" she demanded, her voice trembling with a mixture of fear and anger. She grabbed Strax's arm, forcing him to stop as he walked toward Samira. "You're talking about death, Strax! You can't expect me to stay calm."

He sighed, turning back to her with a serene yet firm expression. "Cristine, I understand what you're feeling, but this isn't something that's going to happen, okay? I just need the dragon heart, and everything will be fine."

Cristine clenched her fists, refusing to accept his words. "And you think that's all it is?" Her voice shook with emotion. "Why are you acting like this is nothing?"

Strax's expression softened as he realized the depth of her anguish. He stepped closer again, this time cupping her face with a gentleness she knew so well. "I didn't know my fourth wife was so worried about me. It makes me emotional, knowing she loves me this much." He smiled playfully, gazing into her eyes.

"Nothing's going to happen," he concluded.

Before Cristine could argue further, Samira groaned in pain beside them, drawing both their attention. Strax immediately knelt beside her, his expression serious. He placed a hand on her shoulder, conveying the same sense of calm he had tried to give Cristine.

Samira, despite her weakened state, managed a faint smile. "Still... trying to be everyone's hero, huh, darling?" Her voice was hoarse, but her characteristic humor remained.

"Someone has to keep you all out of trouble, right?" he replied softly, while Monica and Beatrice continued their efforts to stabilize her.

"I'm a grown woman," Samira shot back, trying to stifle another groan of pain. "I can take care of myself."

Strax looked at her for a moment before responding. "I know. Thank you for protecting the two of them."

Cristine crossed her arms, still shaken by their earlier conversation, but Strax's words about fighting together resonated within her.

Footsteps began to approach as Lyana, who had been some distance away, arrived with Rogue, carrying several large crates. As she glanced around at the chaos engulfing the city, her expression grew tense.

"What's our next move? We don't know who or what is attacking, but the city's shaking... Something's happening, and I feel like we need to act soon."

"It's Kryssia... She's hunting for the Dragon Heart and killing everyone from the Black Association," Strax explained, standing up and gazing into the distance toward the city of Eldoria. "But of course, she doesn't know about you all... And she certainly doesn't know..." He paused for a moment, surveying the faces around him.

"She has no idea that I already have the Dragon Heart and the Ginseng," he added with a grin, glancing at the crates they had brought.

"And the gold?" he asked with a greedy smile. Rogue raised her hands, showing off more than 30 dimensional rings, three on each finger. "We're quite rich, fufufu," Rogue laughed.

Cristine and Yennifer exchanged quick glances, the tension in the air easing slightly as Strax's greedy grin and Rogue's mischievous laughter lightened the mood.

"Rich and with the items we need," Cristine commented, crossing her arms. "But that won't save us from Kryssia if she replaces us."

Strax shook his head, still smiling. "Don't worry, she's not interested in us... yet. Kryssia is focused on the Black Association and the big players. For now, we're off her radar."

"For now," Yennifer repeated, frowning. "That can change in a heartbeat, Strax. We need to move fast."

Rogue snapped her fingers, drawing everyone's attention as she twirled her hands adorned with dimensional rings. "Before we go, I suggest we take everything we can here. Since we're 'off the radar,' like you said, Strax, why not maximize our profit?"

Strax laughed, appreciating Rogue's cunning. "Never thought I'd say this, but... great plan, Rogue. The more resources we have, the better prepared we'll be."

"Fufufu... I knew you'd like it." Rogue winked, already rummaging through the remaining crates and motioning for Lyana and Yennifer to help.

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As they organized the last of the loot, Cristine remained silent, still mulling over Kryssia and what was coming. The name of the general echoed like a distant but terrifying threat. No one underestimated her. Something more lingered behind Strax's nonchalance, she could feel it deep down.

"It's not just that, is it?" Cristine muttered to herself, but Strax, ever perceptive, heard her.

"You're right," he admitted, stepping closer to her. "She won't stop until she gets what she wants, and since we already have the Dragon Heart, I only have a few minutes to consume it. We should leave before she senses its mana."

Cristine looked at him, searching for some assurance that he was ready for what was coming. "And what happens when she replaces out you have what she's looking for?"

Strax shrugged, his carefree expression contrasting with the gravity of the situation. "When that time comes, we'll see. For now, I'm not going to get ahead of myself. All I know is we need to act smart, and with these dimensional rings and the right items..." He glanced at Rogue, who was now holding a small fortune in gold, jewels, and other artifacts. "...we're safe for now."

Lyana, who had been keeping an eye on the distant city, finally spoke. "The chaos is spreading quickly. Kryssia's troops won't stop until the city is completely taken or destroyed. We need to decide our next step now."

"Agreed," Yennifer chimed in, already checking her own gear. "The longer we stay here, the greater the chance we get caught in the crossfire."

Strax remained silent for a moment, deep in thought.

"We're heading back to Evelyn's mansion," he finally decided. "We need to regroup, assess our options, and prepare. If Kryssia is truly on the hunt, we'll need every advantage, and disappearing with this is the best option."

Cristine let out a breath of relief, grateful Strax was acting cautiously. "I agree. Better to be prepared now than be caught off guard."

Rogue, still playing with the rings on her fingers, glanced at Strax with a sly grin. "Careful, Strax. With all this wealth and power, you might end up becoming an even bigger target."

He gave a short laugh. "That's part of the game, Rogue. And I've never shied away from a good gamble."

They began making their way carefully back to Evelyn's mansion.

Cristine's gaze lingered on Strax, her worry only growing. She knew he was determined to consume the Dragon Heart, but what did that really mean? The idea of an "evolution" had never been discussed in detail, and the possibility of something going wrong haunted her. Even though Strax tried to reassure her, the fact that he was about to cross an irreversible line left her deeply unsettled.

'What a strange feeling... why am I so worried about this man?' Cristine thought, her chest tightening with an unfamiliar concern that had come out of nowhere. 'Is this... love?'

Yennifer, by her side, noticed the weight in her sister's expression. "Are you alright?" she asked, adjusting the cloak over her own wounded shoulders.

Cristine shook her head, not really answering. "I don't know... I'm worried."

Yennifer placed a comforting hand on her sister's shoulder. "Strax knows what he's doing. It might not seem like it, but he's always a few steps ahead, even when he looks carefree... Plus, he loves his wives deeply... and that includes you, so you better trust him."

They reached Evelyn's mansion in the late afternoon, the sun setting on the horizon in a spectacle of reds and oranges, mirroring the intensity of the battle to come. Evelyn, already aware of the situation, met them at the entrance, her expression neutral, though there was a flicker of concern in her eyes.

"You did it," she said calmly, her eyes gleaming as they landed on the boxes the group carried. "The Dragon Heart and the Ginseng... finally in our hands."

Strax nodded, getting straight to the point. "Yes, but there's no time for celebration. I need to consume the Heart now. Kryssia is at our doorstep, and if we want any chance against her, I need to be at full power."

The mansion seemed to breathe in unison with its occupants as everyone made their way to the main hall. The shadows from the large windows danced to the rhythm of the flickering torches and lit fireplaces. Strax placed the box containing the Dragon Heart on the central table and, with a gentle gesture, lifted the lid.

Inside, the Dragon Heart pulsed as if it were still alive. The flesh was a deep crimson, dark veins running across its uneven surface. The scent of power radiated from it, almost intoxicating. Everyone around could feel the magical pressure emanating from the Heart.

"That's really... a dragon's heart," Rogue murmured, her eyes fixed on the artifact before them. "I never thought I'd see something like this up close."

"Neither did I," Lyana agreed, instinctively stepping back, as if the power of the Heart was too overwhelming to stay near for long.

Cristine, however, couldn't take her eyes off Strax. "Are you sure about this?" she asked once more, her voice low but filled with urgency. "Once you do this, there's no turning back."

Strax looked at her and smiled reassuringly. "I have to." He stepped closer, brushing a hand gently against her cheek before turning back to the pulsating Heart on the table. "Everything's going to be alright."

With a determined movement, he grasped the Dragon Heart. The object seemed to vibrate in his hands, and everyone around could feel the magical weight in the air growing denser. Strax looked one last time at his companions, especially Cristine, who still looked conflicted but said nothing more.

Then, he consumed the heart.

[The Heart of the Dragon Kallamos has been consumed, a Dragon watches you.]