My Wife is a Dead Villainess, and I'm Her Living Weapon
Chapter 174: Karnathi

Chapter 174: Karnathi

"So you mean to say that you do not even know how to use a mouth? Like chewing, swallowing, and all that crap?"

"No, Tyrant. Karnathians are all, in essence, plant-like organisms. While Dryads have mouths, they do not actually eat with them. Our sustenance comes from the sun and the nutrients from our feet."

"Hmm, then what is special about how you guys use mana?"

"It is similar to you, Tyrant. We use our roots and our bark to form constructs that have the attributes we want. From fire-proof material to constructs meant to swim and such."

"Oh, I remembered one of my possible jobs having that had that ability."

Elian, like a model student, began asking Woody all sorts of questions. The two of them were waiting as Bianca was explaining to Blooms and other dryads how a female human body functioned.

The Tyrant candidate wanted to join them, but a stern glare from Bianca made him stand down.

As they discussed, Elian continued to create Valestrian steel and molded it into various shapes and molds. Woody, on the other hand, was watering what appeared to be newly sprouted plants of some sort.

"What about your mating biology, Woody? Are you and your Anchor husband and wife? Blooms said you wanted your Anchor’s soulgem reclaimed, but would you be able to bring her back to life?"

Woody tilted his head and closed his eyes to contemplate. This thinking gesture was something Elian grew used to seeing. As many concepts about humans were foreign to Karnathians, the memories of Living Metal plus the system bridged the gap.

The former Tyrant opened his eyes and nodded, "Yes. Though husband and wife fits, we’re more like siblings—grown from the same seedling. As to your other question, that also is a yes."

"Yes? Yes, what?"

Woody chuckled, eyes narrowing in amusement.

"We do not mate like beasts do; we merely hold hands and transfer the necessary mana and pollen. Combined, these allow us to create new life inside our bodies and disperse them as seeds."

"Huh. That’s... efficient, I guess?"

"It is. Finally, as to what I will do once I get her back, Karnathians do not die from old age. However, after a few thousand years, we shed our bodies to be reborn as saplings to restart the process anew. Think of it like snakes molting."

"What happens to your memories?"

"Those are often shared with the world as dreams or mana. When we are reborn, we might remember them from time to time, but normally we live as new people if I were to use human terms. It is suffocating to remember millennia of life and loss," Woody explained.

Elian nodded in understanding. To remember all your life means to remember all the good and bad that occurs. And as most things eventually die, Karnathians must eventually reach a limit to their ability to bear loss. Thus, to renew themselves, they die and reincarnate.

After all, time waits for no one.

Much like the Flame Swallows, the Ironwood Wartreants had their own form of immortality, and both revolved around the soulgems. But while Flame Swallows were resurrected, the Karnathian’s were reincarnated.

Perplexed by the difference in culture, Elian couldn’t help but pause. Woody took the time to watch the Weaponized Karnathians mingle with those who have yet to do so.

"Tyrant, what do you plan to do with them?" he asked, pointing to the golems.

"I am not actually sure. I turned them to save to give them a second chance at life. They may change forms to serve me, or if they wish to stay here, I don’t really mind. But few have the capability to say what they actually want."

Woody tilted his head and touched his chin, "I am guessing you intend to turn anyone who falls to you or your armies into new members of your forces."

"Yes."

"Hmm, then the bottleneck would be Lady Bianca. In order to efficiently bolster your armies, you would need multiple Psychomancers per front. And even then, you would not be able to recycle everyone. You are aware of the stigma on Psychomancers, right?"

Elian shook his head, "I don’t; all I know is that they are sought after as they can give others immortality. And that multiple worlds are all desperate to gain one."

"Indeed. They are even more desirable than even Alchemists. Should others know that Lady Bianca is both an Alchemist and a Psychomancer, it would certainly cause a stir."

"It’s fine; I won’t let any of them have Bianca."

"Mhm, yes. You did mention that," Woody nodded. "Although whether you succeed or have her stolen remains to be seen."

Elian wanted to refute him, but couldn’t. While he had yet to lose till now, it only took one mistake for Bianca to be taken. And that terrified the Tyrant Candidate. He clenched his jaw and changed the topic.

"Is it possible for you to grow back to your original size? I still have most of the material that made up your body."

"Yes, it’s possible. However, I must prepare a new tree core before trying again, although I am unsure if I am still able to, granted that I lost my ability to use mana."

"Tree core?"

"You may think of it as a cockpit from which I drive my body."

Elian patted Woody’s shoulder and remarked, "I see. I’m sure you’ll figure something out. Once Bianca returns, the two of us will depart for the Ysh-Natul dungeon."

"Ysh-Natul? As in the Naga? Why them?"

"They’re nearby."

"..."

When Woody gave Elian a look that seemed to say, "You can’t be that stupid," he grew annoyed.

"What?"

"The Naga of the world Ysh-Natul are battle maniacs who believe in survival of the fittest. Hardly anyone subjugates them, as they cannot even go beyond killing each other to actually form a unified force to fight in the crucible."

Hearing his description of them, Elian gained a certain fondness for them. He raised a Valestrian steel blade and inspected it.

"If that is the case, then we will get along just fine. Humans also butcher each other out of boredom and sport."

"Sigh, as you wish. What should my forces do in the meantime? Do you wish for me to return to Karnathi? Or will you be invading us soon?"

Elian thought for a bit but eventually refused, "Nah, I don’t think I will. As for your people, explain to them about our agreement. I will permit any who wish to leave. But once I become a Tyrant, Karnathi will join my axis worlds for war."

"I understand. We will prepare for a long war. I will send emissaries to my homeworld and have them get ready."

"Are there no other Tyrants back in your home world? I have been meaning to ask how one gets demoted in rank. I had assumed that losing meant being enslaved or just killed. Mind telling me your story, Woody?"

"It’s not that complicated. Our race values honor, so we engaged in duels to minimize casualties. One of the Platinum ranks wagered his world on a duel. I lost. He took my Anchor as a guarantee that I would not retaliate."

"That doesn’t explain much. Even if you lost to him once, you are plenty strong; how did you fall from Platinum all the way to Iron?"

"Oh, that’s even simpler. He held my Anchor hostage. He said if I won any battle before I reached the Iron rank, he would kill her. I complied. My world branded me a traitor and fought to keep our rank. They couldn’t; I am all that is left."

Elian couldn’t help but grimace at the dark story Woody shared. It spoke of lies, deception, and unfair practices inside the Crucible. Yet he could understand why all those still ran rampant.

People are bastards no matter what race. At least those that are able to become Tyrants.

Burdened by the new knowledge, Elian went back to creating Valestrian Steel. After a few hours, Bianca finally returned together with Blooms and a few other Dryads who looked like her but had different colors for their hair.

"Elian. We are done."

"Welcome back, Bianca."

Sharing a quick embrace, Elian turned to Blooms, who bowed and gave an update.

"We have generally understood the requirements for the new vessel for Lady Bianca. To cater to her standards, it will take some time to get it ready. But I vow on my core that we will get it done."

"Good."

Blooms bit her lip and added softly afterwards, "So please rescue our Anchor."

"I will. I already gave your father my word."

The Dryads all bowed their heads in reverence and spoke in unison.

"We shall never forget this kindness, Tyrant. May the sun guide your steps and the will of Karnathi protect your core."

Amused by the weird farewell, Elian turned around only to see Woody stretching out his hand for a handshake.

"I must give my thanks as well, Tyrant. Long have I wished to get my Anchor back. Now that I am finally going to do so, my core burns. Leave what comes after to us; I assure you Karnathi will be ready for war when you call."

Before Elian could reply, a message was sent by the system.

[Crucible Wide Broadcast: The Tyrant of Karnathi has pledged allegiance to the Earth Tyrant candidate Elian Reed. Should Elian Reed successfully ascend as Earth’s Tyrant, all assets and outcomes of Karnathi shall now be entwined with the fate of Earth.]

Smiling, Elian took Woody’s hand and shook it. He created a black coin and gave it to him.

"Good. I expect great things from you. Have Blooms send another offshoot to Crestfall City, present this to the Beowolves on guard. Look for a woman named Charlotte Daniels. Any updates you wish for me to know, send them all to her."

Woody took the coin and clenched it into his fist. "I understand. Farewell, Tyrant; the next time we see each other, it will be when Earth wages war on the Crucible."