Strax left the mansion without waiting or speaking to anyone; he didn't need to. His conviction was clear: he controlled his life, not his family. So, he simply walked away without any problems—except for those two idiots who tried to attack him.
"I'll first look for my lovely wife, then find that bastard Carlos and talk to the Assassin Queen. After that, I need to start leveling up again. My strength is almost tripled now because of those extra points, which is good, but I can't rely on that after putting a huge target on my back," he thought as he reached his horse, Apocalypse.
"Hey, girl, sorry for taking so long. I had to deal with some foolish women who don't know their place," he said with a smile, stroking the fur on Apocalypse's neck. The horse neighed softly, as if speaking to Strax.
"Yes, they don't know their place. I should have punished them more," he said and mounted his saddle. "Can you take me to Samira?" he asked, and the horse nodded. "Thank you," he said, and they slowly rode through the city.
Times were tough, and the conversation with Xenovia brought back many memories for Strax, especially that poorly remembered story. He remembered Xenovia's sword, but... he had no idea how she obtained it, and his mind was completely jumbled.
"This system... is doing things it shouldn't do according to its name... I've read many webtoons and novels in my past life where the system did what it was supposed to do. Harem System? Why do you keep pushing me up and giving me things to get stronger? Shouldn't you be helping me get women?
This is confusing," he questioned, returning to the same thought as before. His analyses of the system were vague, his knowledge didn't help him understand better, and it was all fueled by the system itself, which made Strax think about it, offering rewards and levels for understanding it better.
So once again, exploring the system was the obvious thing to do, and Strax didn't want to be controlled by something he didn't know.
"Ah~ There's no point in thinking about this now. There are things to be done that I can't ignore now... the voice... If Xenovia is right, one of the swords has already chosen me. I just need to keep going and survive until I can get close to it.
After that, it will be bound to me forever, unlike those idiotic swords of Virgil and Dominic that have no connection to the spirits," he said, starting to increase his horse's pace...
[Multiple missions are being executed simultaneously. The System will enter Silent Mode to ensure the user does not experience a mental collapse. Just open the system tab to see your missions.]
This message suddenly appeared, and Strax read it and sighed. "You should stop reading my thoughts and acting this way. Damn, it would be so much easier if you were an AI or something that I could talk to."
[Advance the System.]
He read, as if... "Are you kidding me? You turn into an AI? Damn, forget it! If you're annoying just with messages, imagine as an AI!" He ranted... again...
[...]
"System..." he murmured but continued to walk into the city, finally returning to civilization after leaving his family's mansion...
Strax rode calmly through the busy streets of the city at night, the moonlight illuminating his path along with various establishments still active, as it was just the beginning of the night. Apocalypse kept a steady pace, and Strax used the noise around him to push away his darker thoughts.
The city was alive, with people coming and going, horses, carriages, and noble coaches passing by, and lights shining from shops and restaurants that were still open.
As he had mentioned, he was already preparing to look for Samira in one of the neighborhoods, with Apocalypse following her scent. At first, he found it strange, but he ignored it, remembering that Apocalypse was a Mythical Beast.
While Strax passed by a street near a sign of an elegant hotel, he heard raised voices and the unmistakable sound of a fight. Pulling the reins of Apocalypse, Strax stopped to observe the scene since he was not in a hurry. A man and a woman were engaged in a violent dispute.
The man had a more robust appearance and wore tattered clothes. He was gripping the woman's arm tightly. She, in turn, struggled to break free from him, her voice hoarse and rough as if she had been crying. Strax saw the scene for a second and wondered, "If it were Samira or Beatrice..." He knew how he would act, and just thinking about it made him act unconsciously.
"Let her go, idiot," Strax said, his voice carrying considerable authority, but the man completely ignored him, too distracted by the fight to notice Strax's presence until that moment. "Hey, you moron," Strax said. The man turned with a scowl on his face, and when he looked, his eyes narrowed in suspicion and anger.
"This is none of your business, get lost!" the man growled, squeezing the woman's arm even harder, making her let out a painful groan. "Urgh!" she murmured.
Strax looked at the irrational man and sighed deeply, clearly irritated. "Worm, I don't like to repeat myself. Let go of her arm before I cut yours off," he said angrily.
The man let out a sarcastic laugh and took a step towards Strax. "And who's going to make me? You?"
Before the man could react, Strax leaped off Apocalypse, moving with surprising speed. In an instant, he was in front of the man, grabbing him by the collar and lifting him roughly. "I'm not known for my patience," Strax murmured before throwing him forcefully against the hotel wall.
The man fell to the ground, stunned, and the woman took the opportunity to move away, holding her injured arm. Several bystanders began to gather around, whispering and watching the scene with curiosity and apprehension. Strax approached her, extending a hand in a peaceful gesture. "Are you okay?"
She nodded, still trembling but clearly relieved. "Yes, thank you," she said, her voice shaky.
Strax then noticed the woman's appearance. She was a nun, dressed in immaculate religious attire that contrasted with the situation. Her grayish-white hair fell in loose curls around her pale face, creating an almost ethereal aura in the moonlight. Her deep blue eyes were red from crying. Strax couldn't help but admire her beauty for a moment before turning back to the man.
Strax looked at the man on the ground, who was now struggling to get up, and put his hand in front of his face. "If I see you near her again, I won't be so gentle next time," Strax said coldly, and his hand began to turn cryogenic.
"AAAAAA!!" The man screamed as Strax's hand marked his face, freezing it and causing a burn in the shape of his hand. "Next time, it's death," Strax said, as cold as winter, mounting back on Apocalypse. The horse neighed lightly in pleasure, as if approving Strax's action. Well, companions are alike.
The nun was still there, watching him with a look of gratitude. "You... you're not from around here, are you?" Strax gave a small smile, though his eyes remained serious. "I was born in this city, but it seems they don't like me much here, but that doesn't matter. Take care."
She gave a slight bow, her hair shining in the moonlight. "God bless you," she said softly.
He touched the reins and Apocalypse started moving again, leaving the scene. The streets were still busy, and the people around continued to whisper about what they had just witnessed.
But for a second, he questioned something... "Why didn't I use Analyze?" This thought stuck in his mind. This time, however, he at least remembered Analyze, it was as if... he had completely erased the existence of this ability from his mind.
"Not only did I not use Analyze in that situation, but... I haven't used Analyze since I arrived in the Duchy. Not on my father or brothers, not even on Xenovia. I didn't even remember its existence... isn't that too strange?" He questioned himself, but was brought out of his thoughts by Apocalypse neighing for his attention.
He found himself facing the hotel where Samira might be staying, where Apocalypse had led him. Well, he would have to arrive sooner or later.
As he approached the hotel entrance, Strax dismounted from Apocalypse and handed the reins to one of the stable staff nearby. Then, he entered the hotel lobby, or rather, an inn.
The receptionist looked up as Strax approached the counter, her eyes meeting his instantly. "Can I help you, sir?" she asked, her voice professional but friendly.
Strax didn't waste time on formalities. "I'm looking for my wife, Samira Blaze. Is she staying here?"
The receptionist's expression changed to one of recognition. "Ah, yes, Mrs. Blaze. Please follow me." She indicated the stairs, and Strax followed without hesitation.
A few seconds later...
"Strax!" a female voice exclaimed, standing up and running to embrace him. Her arms wrapped around him tightly, as if afraid he might disappear at any moment.