Chapter 47: I will erase Vorah from the Map

With steady steps, Strax approached Apocalypse. "Come on, girl," Strax murmured, extending his hand slowly towards Apocalypse. "I know you're strong, but I have my own desires too. My desire is to be the strongest of all, and I need the best companion, the strongest mare," he said with a smile.

Apocalypse softly neighed, as if assessing Strax and his offer. She takes a step back, keeping a cautious distance, but shows no signs of aggression. It seems she's willing to give Strax a chance, but only if he proves himself worthy of her trust.

At least, that's how it seemed. Strax was already sure he would win this mare over, after all, the System had proven quite favorable to him. It's a unique opportunity, a chance to gain more rewards from the system.

"Come on, my little one," says Strax, his voice gentle and reassuring. "I know you're powerful, but you need someone to support that strength. Together, we can overcome any obstacle. Give me a chance."

Apocalypse watches Strax with renewed interest, her expression softening slightly at the young man's comforting words. She takes a hesitant step towards Strax, seeming to consider his words carefully.

"You understand, don't you?" Strax continues, his voice now tinged with hope. "I'm not here to dominate you. I'm here to be your companion, to support you, and I won't abandon you like your previous owner."

Apocalypse softly neighs, as if giving her silent approval to Strax. She lowers her head, allowing him to stroke her neck with gentle, reverent gestures.

Malik and the others watch in silence, he at least knew what to say, well, this was really complicated for him, but at the same time relieving, he already had a basic idea now of who Strax was.

"He managed to connect with a mythical beast, a beast that cultivates... haha, this world just surprises me," he thought as he prepared the other horses. "So, which ones do you want?" he said with a smile, and finally negotiations began.

As time passes, the group finalizes preparations for the rest of the arduous journey to the Ducato. They buy the horses, ensuring each one is well-equipped and ready to face the long road ahead.

While helping to prepare the horses for the journey, Malik decides to have a discreet conversation with Strax. He takes the young man to a quieter corner of the stable, where they can talk in privacy, away from curious eyes and ears.

"Strax," Malik begins, his tone serious and cautious. "There's something I'd like to discuss with you before we depart." Strax looks at Malik, intrigued by the seriousness in his voice. "Of course, Malik. What's wrong?" By this point, he already figured Malik suspected him and Samira, not that it's negative, after all, Strax doesn't care about anyone's opinion except hers.

"Hey, what's this?" Samira questioned seeing the old man sweating cold and Strax looking at him. "What's this? What are you thinking?! You married a damn Vorah? You idiot, do you want to cause a war?!" He shouted at her and she looked at him coldly. "I didn't marry anyone." She commented.

"Yes, you did, you agreed." Strax spoke.

"I'm leaving, you deal with this old man, I don't want to be part of these couple fights anymore or be around conversations like this." He said as he walked towards the horses... the three looked at him...

"Is he okay?" Malik questioned, Samira and Strax looked at each other and "He must be okay, he must be missing having sex with his wife." They said together and looked at each other. "We think alike," again, in unison. "Bizarre," they commented. "Okay! Enough!" Malik said, however... "Yes, old man, we're together and she will be my wife, whether she wants to or not." Strax spoke seriously.

"Tsk, you don't understand, do you?" He questioned.

Strax and Samira looked at the man waiting for him to explain what was so wrong with their relationship. "The Grand Duke Vorah and Duke Blaze have hated each other for years." Malik explained and Strax and Samira looked at each other, laughing lightly. "Hey! This isn't funny, you know?! They could go to war!" Malik said, however...

"Hey, how about we get married in a church when we get to the Ducato?" Strax suggested with a mischievous smile. "I approve, we can officially announce to the whole world afterwards." She agreed with wicked thoughts.

"Hey! Are you listening to me? I said this will cause a war!" Malik roared, however. "It'll be the perfect wedding!" They spoke in unison. "I'm getting old...", Malik muttered. "Why perfect wedding?

Have you gone mad?"

"We get married, live happily ever after, and put two idiots to kill each other, is there anything more perfect than that?" Strax questioned as Samira nodded in agreement... They seemed... like two demons plotting various plans as he stood there, incredulous...

"Old man, you're worried too much," Strax said giving a smile. "I'm going to destroy that damn Ducato, and kill whoever gets in my way." Strax said looking at him with a dark look. "You didn't understand, old man... I'm going to wipe Vorah off the map if necessary." Strax said leaving Malik white... Even Samira looking at that couldn't say anything, he...

"Why is he so handsome?" She thought, letting her feelings leak slightly into a drunken gaze...

Malik watched that... and was speechless... He stood there, witnessing that, it was one of the most absurd things he had ever heard in his entire life, which led him to believe that Strax and Samira... "They're insane..."