Novel Full Chapter 1127: Moving Out
Chapter 1127: Moving Out
“Lady Black Fang… Can I help you?”
“Yes,” the woman replied flatly. “By opening the portal.”
Quinlan studied her in silence. She betrayed no emotions, no cracks in that cold doll expression of hers. But beneath that mask? He could feel it. The bloodlust. The silent scream of a woman who’d had almost everything taken from her; her home ransacked by Kaede and Lilith, her pride hurt when her blade failed to reach Queen Morgana’s throat. Black Fang didn’t need to say it aloud. She was itching. She wanted to kill, to carve repayment out of flesh and bone.
He shifted his gaze to Vex, who only smiled at him with dazzling brilliance. “If only big sis wasn’t currently busy playing undead…” she sang sweetly, “the whole gang of sexy, unhinged chicks save for the white-haired beauty who’s completely normal, could be together~”
That was her way of giving him the green light. Her way of saying, ’Sure, let’s bring her. What’s the harm?’
Quinlan nodded and let his eyes sweep over the gathered women. They were a dangerous lot already, but not nearly dangerous enough.
“You all know the situation,” he spoke up after a bit of silent measuring.
“The king made his decree. We are prey. His vassals are the predators. My head is the prize in this game.” He gave a dry smile while looking at his girls. “And is he wrong? Not really, I can’t claim him to be out of line. Compared to the strongest on this continent, we are weak. That is a fact.”
A pause came. His eyes burned with elemental harmony, desire for greatness clear in them.
“But I don’t intend to stay prey.”
His hand moved, drawing the Soul Reaper with a sharp whisper of steel. The saber gleamed with a hungry blue light, vibrating with the promise of blood. He called upon his mana and slashed the air to cast a spell while his voice dropped, becoming darker.
“To change the game, we need strength. More allies. More resources. But most of all… we need to become powerful on an individual level so that we can protect ourselves no matter the situation.”
The blade hummed as mana poured from him. The air distorted, space itself splitting apart as he forced it into submission.
“Ladies,” Quinlan’s smile sharpened as the Warp Gate tore open before them, “Let’s ascend together.”
The words fell like sparks into oil. Hungry grins spread across eager faces, and eyes gleamed with the promise of bloodshed. The air itself seemed to vibrate with their anticipation. They weren’t just ready. They were starving.
And together, they stepped toward the hunt.
…
Ignis, also known as Fire Boy if one were to ask Vex, pushed open the wooden door of the small house that had been assigned to him. The hinges creaked loudly, reminding him that this was not home. Not their comfy house, not the warm halls where laughter carried, where his wives would wait dressed in maid uniforms they’d chosen for themselves just to indulge his taste. Back then, life had been easy. Predictable. Safe.
All he had to do was continue excelling at the Consortium-given missions, and he’d get one reward thrown at him after the other. He continued succeeding in them and leveling up while at it, which only kept increasing the rewards he was given.
But now?
He stepped in and found them standing there, his three beloved wives. But instead of welcoming him in frilled uniforms, what he saw were three weary women dressed in combat gear that had not seen the light of day in years.
Mira, the eldest, wore her twin daggers at her hips. She was usually the calm, motherly one, her long brown hair tied back neatly, but her eyes tonight were hard.
Aveline, the middle wife, usually fiery and outspoken, leaned against the wall with her spear slung across her back. Her golden hair was braided, her expression sharp, always ready to speak her mind.
And Nova, the youngest, gentle and affectionate, clutched her staff against her chest as if it were a lifeline. Her silver eyes that normally shone with softness now brimmed with unease.
Even here, inside the consortium stronghold, they knew it wasn’t safe. Not like before.
Mira was the first to break the silence. “Any news?”
Ignis let out a long breath and shut the door behind him. “Orders are to hold position. The offensive war against Greenvale seems abandoned. Higher-ups are embracing defensive measures fully.”
A grimace spread across all three faces. The meaning was clear. This wasn’t a short-term retreat; it was acceptance of a long, grueling game of defense until the last line.
Aveline swore under her breath while her fingers were tapping her spear’s shaft. “Shit… I’m not surprised, though… Going on the offensive right now is suicide.”
Nova’s lips pressed together and trembled. Her knuckles turned white on her staff.
Then, as if by unspoken agreement, they all softened their expressions. A tired sigh passed between them, and they exchanged quick, understanding looks. No matter the world outside, they would not let their husband drown in despair. Even if they had to act, they wanted him to come back to as warm a home as the current situation allowed.
“Don’t just stand there like a stranger,” Mira said gently, offering a tender smile.
“We made dinner,” Nova added chirpily, forcing her silver eyes to shine.
Aveline chuckled as the fire in her gaze dimmed. “Sit down before it gets cold, Fire Boy.”
“Don’t remind me of that horrible bully of a woman… I don’t get what the Super Rookie sees in her. Vex is a real bombshell, no doubt about it, but…”
Mira couldn’t help but giggle. “Maybe his mother never told the poor boy the age-old advice of ’don’t stick it in crazy.’”
Nova, blushing cutely, voiced her own opinion. “Based on what Husband has told us of Devil, maybe his mother figure wasn’t exactly the most sane either…”
“Are you saying that his upbringing has led him to want to stick it in the crazies?” Aveline broke into laughter.
Ignis couldn’t help but smile as the atmosphere became a resemblance of what he used to return to up until a short time ago.
He began moving toward the table as the familiar scent of food filled the modest space. It wasn’t their mansion; it wasn’t the same grandeur, but it was family.
As he sat, he shook his head with a small laugh. “On the way here, I was being glared at by a fiery redhead, eyes like embers. For a moment, I thought that my mother had come back to life only to judge my life decisions.”
Mira’s eyes lit with recognition. “That could be Selene Cross! I saw her back during the Phenom Trials. She’s here too? Must mean her family was relocated as well.”
The three wives scooped a plate for him, then for themselves. Then the modest feast began. Curiosity and worry were threading their voices as they chattered more. About relocations, about other familiar faces, about what this new normal might mean for their future.
*BOOM!*
The house shook as a thunderous bang rang through the stronghold. Shouts erupted outside.
“Invaders!”
“Take up your positions!”
Ignis was on his feet instantly.