The long-awaited moment had finally arrived. Evelina had reached Montoc Base and was currently in a military camp near the soldiers' barracks.
Nemesis had accurately predicted Evelina's actions and intentions, understanding her thought process. I was deeply grateful to my older sister for that.
Now, Agatha, Nemesis, and I were driving in an armored jeep towards the military camp located within the base's northern gates.
— Look, I can already see the barracks! — exclaimed Nemesis, her spirits lifted after taking a shower.
Agatha and I hadn't even had a chance to wash away the traces of our night together, as we immediately set off upon receiving the joyful news.
*Drift*
Our vehicle skidded sideways into the barracks area. The screeching of tires on the asphalt was accompanied by the acrid smell of burnt rubber. We came to a stop and leaped out of the jeep in search of Evelina and those who had arrived with her.
I spotted a familiar nape of the neck and, noticing bob cut hairstyle on the black hair, tugged on Nemesis's protective gear, asking, — Could it be... Is that Evelina?
— SISTER! Evelina! — Agatha called out Evelina's name, and she turned towards us.
Evelina's emerald eyes scanned the three of us, but then she shouted my name, — T-Thanatos? Thanatos!
We all began running towards each other, but without hesitation, Evelina rushed into my arms.
— Thanatos! Oh, my god... — Evelina whispered in a weary voice, unable to contain the trembling of her body. Her face wore a mask that muted her voice, but I didn't care why she wore it.
— Evelina, you're alive. I'm so happy, my dear, — I exclaimed with overwhelming joy as I caught her and held her close.
The weight of her ordeals was evident as tears streamed down her exhausted face.
— Waaah, Thanatos... I-I was so scared. Boo-hoo, — Evelina struggled to share her experiences, sobbing into my clothes.
Evelina buried her face against my chest, allowing herself to release all her pent-up emotions, experiencing a sense of safety and comfort for the first time.
Nemesis and Agatha hadn't even had a chance to embrace or greet her, as Evelina saw only me. In her mind, there was no one else but me, and that warmed my trembling heart.
I felt great concern as she recounted how difficult it had been for her to survive, the trials and hardships she had endured.
— It's alright, Evelina. Everything will be fine now, — I reassured her, holding my dear Evelina tightly, sharing a sense of comfort.
— T-Thanatos! At first, I was almost raped by twelve goblins, but I miraculously escaped! Then, I spent a night in a terrifying black mist with a thousand walking dead, and then... then I found a group of survivors, and together we set off for a coastal town! We barely managed to leave the harbor, sailing away on a ferry... waa-ah...
I gently stroked her raven-wing hair, whispering comforting words. Her sweet voice trembled, reflecting the psychological exhaustion in her speech.
She spoke of the port in Bridgeport, near New Haven, and the very first day of the Apocalypse. The story that frightened me the most was about the Black Mist, which I had also encountered on that fateful first day.
— Did you meet anyone there? — I asked anxiously, wiping away the tears from her flushed cheeks.
She raised her teary eyes and, after a brief pause, shook her head, — No. Only hordes of terrifying undead. Fortunately, I managed to survive the night in a frightening and dangerous forest, and I was lucky enough to meet a fairly decent group of survivors.
Evelina's tears gradually subsided, thanks to my efforts. It was a bittersweet moment. Now I knew the pain she had endured, the torment and suffering she had gone through.
As we stood in each other's embrace, the world around us seemed to dissolve. It was just the two of us, caught in a moment of profound closeness.
I held Evelina as if she were the most precious thing in existence, cherishing the sensation of her body pressed against mine.
— Hey, I'm starting to feel jealous! You didn't even hug me or pay any attention. Please, don't hurt your "named" sister, — sarcastically said Nemesis.
— Oh, sorry, sister, ha-ha-ha. I was thinking a lot about Thanatos, — Evelina blushed after what she had said and escaped from my embrace, approaching Nemesis.
Evelina hugged my older sister and exchanged a few words with her.
Lastly, Evelina approached Agatha, embracing her tightly and saying, — Hi, Agatha. I'm glad you're alive!
— Yeah, me too, — Agatha nodded with a wry grin, accepting her embrace.
I understood why it happened that way, and no other way. Evelina was emotionally more attached to me and Nemesis than to her own sister. She didn't come looking for us because she trusted in the strength and resourcefulness of my own sister, so she went to help Agatha.
After a brief conversation, Evelina took off her black mask, shamelessly approached me, and hugged me again, but this time with a serious intent. She began to smell me, touch my body, and rub her head against me like a playful kitten, enjoying the warmth she felt from her Master.
— Oh, Evelina, you're getting a little ahead of yourself, — I said, watching her explore my body and its features.
Evelina's voice was soft as she spoke, her words filled with vulnerability and trust.
— Thanatos, I've dreamed of this moment for so long, so indulge me a little! Haven't I earned it?
She continued to play around in the grasp of my towering figure, and in those arms, I silently vowed to protect Evelina in every possible way.
She had faced unimaginable difficulties, but now she was by my side. I would do everything within my power to ensure her safety and well-being!
I had heard the belief that only a few pivotal seconds in your life determine who you will become and which direction your life will take.
These, I believe, were precisely those crucial seconds that determined my most important priorities: beloved women and family, power, information, and strength. And I would pursue my priorities by any means necessary because morality was an unaffordable luxury in my situation.
It was strange, but it felt as if the weight of the world had been lifted from my shoulders, only to be replaced by problems the size of an entire galaxy on my back.
Well, I would deal with the problems as they arose, but I needed to acquire some hidden aces up my sleeve to handle unforeseen dangers in the future.
I turned my head and noticed a group of four people standing aside, whispering among themselves.
— Evelina, are they the ones who helped you make it to me safe and sound?
— Yes, let me introduce you to them! — Evelina took my hand with a joyful smile and pulled me along. But then she abruptly stopped and turned back, — Nemesis, Agatha, do you need a special invitation? Let's go!
— Hey, brat, don't get sassy with me, or I'll spank your ass with a bath towel! — Nemesis half-seriously growled, following us.
Agatha, too, followed the newcomer group, greeting the troop of soldiers, who respectfully greeted the woman above them in military rank.
— Hey, I found my Thanatos! — Evelina proudly announced, looking at the people unknown to me. She began pointing her finger at each one and saying, — This is Victor, a former military soldier. This is Samuel, an excellent carpenter and builder. This is Spica Smith, a strong cultivator. And here's Emma, a pretty good girl, and Liam's sister...
At the end of the sentence, Evelina covered her mouth and looked at Emma, who had an extremely lifeless expression on her face. I immediately understood that their group had lost one member who happened to be Emma's relative.
— I-I'm sorry, Emma, I forgot... — Evelina said apologetically.
The short blonde greeted me in a soft voice and then glared angrily at Evelina, saying, — Thanks for not forgetting to remind me that the meaning of my life is lost.
Emma almost burst into tears and quickly turned around, running inside the guest barracks, which looked like a tent painted in battle colors.
After the awkward moment, my gaze landed on a fair-haired lady with a divine appearance. Evelina called her Spica Smith.
Spica... I had already heard that name in my dream. Could she be my relative? And what a silly last name. I mean, it's such a stupid cliché! Everyone unknown is given the last name Smith.
If I'm right, something is happening that I don't know and don't understand.
Why is my relative here? Is she going to reveal herself or act like a stranger? What does she want from me, and what does Nemesis know about it?
At that moment, I also realized that although I have women I cherish, there is no one I can truly trust. No one at all to trust!
Nemesis is always talking about my safety, but withholding information means she interferes with one of my priorities! And that means I can't rely on her, count on her full support.
As for Evelina, I trust her a little more, but she doesn't have the information.
I will keep a close eye on Spica, and as for Agatha, I have a more neutral attitude towards her. Her thinking and resilience can be trusted, but I'll have to use manipulation to make her even more compliant. I'm not a heartless bastard, it's just that Agatha is not the type of person allowed to have freedom and power in romantic relationships.
Despite denying her own masochism, her deep submissive and sinful nature is evident. She is one of those women for whom I will have to demonstrate power in various forms, strength, and dominance to prevent her from even entertaining the thought of doubting her choice. It's necessary because in the absence of action, there is a small chance of a tendency towards foolishness or betrayal. I don't believe she will necessarily act that way, but I have to consider the psychology of her disturbed personality...
Oh, my God, I knew it! A harem is nerve-wracking, but since I've chosen this path, I must live up to the concept of a "desirable" man.
— Phew... — I calmly exhaled and turned to Evelina, asking in a low voice with a slight rasp, — Has anyone hurt you in these 2-3 days? Don't hesitate to talk about it because I want to take care of my baby...
Evelina lowered her head, blushing like a ripe tomato, when she heard the phrase "take care of my baby".
She shook her head several times, but suddenly a mischievous smirk appeared on Evelina's face. Her index finger pointed towards the fair-haired girl, and she began to speak with a slight falsehood, — Oh, Thanatos... Spica tried to make advances towards me! She made me undress to my underwear and lay in bed with her! I stayed vigilant all night and during sleep to prevent her lustful hands from touching me.
— What did you say? — I asked sternly.
— Oh, you bitch, decided to set me up! Bravely acting in front of everyone, you sissy, — Spica snickered, clenching her hands together.
I turned to Spica to confirm the accusations in her gaze. But I noticed her calmness and a blue parrot perched on her head, comfortably nestled in its owner's hairstyle.
Spica smiled at me provocatively and began to speak, — Hello, Thanatos. Evelina told me a lot about you during our night together, while I squeezed and hugged her like a plush bear, hahaha.
— What did you do to my sister! — suddenly exclaimed Agatha, and then she made several secret gestures in the air.
Around us, about a hundred soldiers quickly gathered and pointed their weapons at Spica Smith.
I clenched my fists and growled, — If you want me to erase you from the face of the Earth, say that again!
Spica seemed to pay no attention to anyone except me and Evelina. She quickly found a flaw in my words and used them against me, — Hey, do you have a mental disability or something? You should have said right away that you're a helpless invalid. If your girlfriend is attacked or attempted to rape, will you double check and ask the obvious before taking reasonable and immediate action?
Evelina suddenly felt how her joking words unintentionally escalated the situation, so she shouted loudly, — Hey, guys! Agatha, Thanatos, I was joking! She helped me, and I owe her my life, I'm serious...
— Don't interfere in adult conversation, — Agatha stepped forward to address Spica, — You are on the territory of Montok military base, facing a woman with the rank of Major General. Watch your filthy language, otherwise your words and actions will be considered a provocation to armed conflict against the authorities. You'll end up in a body bag in no time...
— I wasn't even talking to you, so shut the fuck up. I was addressing Thanatos, — Spica interrupted irritably, waved her hand at Agatha, and turned towards my angry figure. I held myself back from killing her right away because of Evelina's recent soothing words, but Spica continued to provoke me, — So what's your course of action? Will you keep asking people obvious questions instead of trying to kick my ass and defend your girl? Maybe Evelina doesn't need you at all... Then I'll just use her as a footrest. Lately, my toes have been hurting too much, and my heels have become calloused...
— Remove the bird. I don't want to kill such a cute creature, — I murmured with restraint as my eyes lit up crimson. Primitive Chaos energy began to gather in my hands, and I struggled to keep the power under control.
I looked at Agatha and nodded once. She understood me perfectly and ordered the soldiers to leave the area, clearing the territory of people.
— Hmph, show me what you're capable of! Evelina spouted so much nonsense about you. Maybe I won't consider you such a talentless fool, — Spica sneered playfully, sending her bird to a safe distance.