Chapter 205: Absorbed Dragon Heart

"Kallamos Artoria... Do dragons have names like that? It sounds almost human..." Strax murmured, the tension in the air thickening around them.

"That sounds interesting..." Strax chuckled lightly, stepping closer to the fallen woman on her knees. He decided it was time to break down the barriers between them, even if his intentions weren't entirely altruistic.

"Kallamos," he began, his voice softer than usual as he displayed a gentle smile, trying to be friendly with her.

Even with two true dragons by his side, who were intimidating him like two possessive wives... Well, they were... Especially Ouroboros.

"I don't know why we've met like this, especially knowing that you're dead. I'm not here to dominate you," he said, being honest with the dragoness.

He had no idea why he was there; it made no sense for him to be there. At least, that's what he thought.

She glared at him with disdain. Even in her oppressed state, she couldn't help but show her anger, but Strax noticed that beneath her impenetrable facade lay a deep fear, a fragility he wanted to reach out and touch.

He extended his hand, not as a conqueror, but as someone wishing to forge a genuine connection.

"I don't want you to be my enemy, nor a slave, or anything like that because of this strange connection that's happening." He continued, "I don't know what happened, but if necessary, I want you to be my companion. I want us to face this world together, side by side." He said, releasing a gentle smile as his inner demonic side read the message...

[Conquer the Spirit of the Dragon Kallamos]

HA HA HA, YES! HA HA! I'M GOING TO HAVE ANOTHER DRAGON FOR MYSELF! He screamed internally, sounding almost demonic, while he maintained his gentle demeanor... If only she knew...

Kallamos hesitated at the strange expression he wore, the flame in her eyes flickering, and Strax noticed the confusion in her gaze. He remembered his own struggles, how he had been shaped by circumstances beyond his control. And looking at Kallamos, he saw the same loneliness reflected back at him.

"You're not just a dragon, Kallamos," he said, his voice firm.

"You are a creature of immense power, but you're also a woman. You don't have to carry that weight alone, especially now that you have a second chance at life." Strax added, offering more calm and gentle smiles, trying to present himself as a truly kind man.

The dragon furrowed her brow, as if his words were a riddle she couldn't solve. Strax felt he needed to dig deeper.

"Ouroboros," he called, and the woman turned to him, observing the other woman in front of her with a nervous expression, already aware of her man's objective. "Do you know why we are here?"

Despite this, she hesitated again, her vulnerability almost palpable. Finally, Kallamos whispered:

"I want to be free. I want to be more than what everyone expects of me. I want... to feel. But I don't know how to do that." She admitted, her eyes misting slightly.

Strax smiled, feeling a wave of empathy. He moved closer, his hand still extended.

"Then let's figure this out together. Let me help you find your freedom, Kallamos. I promise I won't try to cage you. I want you to discover who you really are, beyond the dragon people fear."

Kallamos looked at his hand, and for a moment, her pride was almost at odds with her desire to connect. Strax could see the internal struggle consuming her, and as much as he wanted to conquer her, he knew that true conquest would come with trust and understanding.

Finally, with a hesitant gesture, Kallamos extended her own hand, touching Strax's hand. The contact was electric, a fusion of two lonely souls meeting in a moment of vulnerability.

"I want to try, Strax," she said, her voice a whisper. "But I don't promise it will be easy."

He smiled, satisfied. "I don't expect it to be easy. In fact, I hope it's a journey full of challenges, because that way, we can both grow."

[Absorbed Dragon Heart – Kallamos' Lineage Acquired]

A light burst forth across the world, and suddenly, he returned to the normal scene, the lights around him blinding his vision. The air felt heavy, and the pain in his body was nearly unbearable. He staggered into the room where his wives were, greeted by a wave of concern.

Beatrice was the first to notice the strange change; her eyes widened in despair.

"Darling! What happened?!" she exclaimed, rushing to him and grabbing his arm to prevent him from falling.

Monica and Cristine quickly surrounded him, their faces pale and worried. Strax tried to smile to calm them, but the pain was too intense.

"I'm... I'm fine," he lied, even though he knew his appearance contradicted his words. Sweat trickled down his forehead, and his breathing was labored.

"You're not fine!" Cristine said, her voice trembling as she assessed his condition. "You're panting, and your face is twisted in pain! What happened to you?"

Strax felt the intensity of their worry and knew he couldn't hide the truth. He struggled to explain.

"I was just... talking to a dragon," he said, his voice low and weary.