Rise of the Eromancer

Chapter 229 The Plan

"Wait, you're really going? Are you crazy!?"

The damage to the prison was extremely substantial, and yet just after a few days, Rhys and the rest of the inmates were able to plug in all the holes and cracks. They were lucky, as three of Dominique's gang members were Elemental types able to control earth, and one was even able to bend metal.

There really was no point in fixing the prison since there were only a few of them left and they wouldn't even be using half of the space, but Rhys insisted on fixing it… because he had other plans for the place.

And now that it was almost completely back to its previous splendor, Rhys was finally leaving the prison — not back to society, but to the Underworld with the cenleons as he promised them.

"Just let the beasts go back on their own. Why would they even need you, a literal outsider, to help guide them in their own world?" Dominique, however, was completely against the idea; to the point that she was even pulling and snatching Rhys's bag from him; the two, now just both holding his bag.

"Can… you let go of my bag first, Dom?" And although there was a smile on Rhys's face, his eye was starting to twitch as Dominique wouldn't let go of his bag, "You do know you're harassing an amputee veteran, right?"

"Bullshit, you didn't even serve for a year," Dominique also had a smile on her face, but it was clear she was also annoyed at Rhys, "And you're not in the Suicide Squad anymore, you little bitch. So, why are you committing suicide, huh?"

"Boss…"

Dominique's gang, who have been watching this exchange unfold for more than an hour now, could no longer help themselves from interfering as they approached Dominique,

"Could it be… that you've fallen in love with the Big Boss?"

"What the fuck!?" And as soon as Dominique heard that, she finally let go of Rhys's bag and looked at her gang, "Who said that!? You all know full well I'm a full-on dude. Like, pussy here, pussy there!"

Dominique started gesturing all sorts of obscenity with her hands while she stuck out her tongue, causing her men to just laugh at her. As for Rhys, he could not help but just sigh as he stared at the Hearts floating above her head.

Four out of five of them, now completely filled up — and the fifth one has been flickering on and off for the past couple of days. It was, however, still true that Dominique did not harbor any romantic feelings for him, not at all. Riley had tried testing it, but all he got from Dominique was a disgusted and weirded-out expression as he tried to flirt with her—no.

She outright laughed at Rhys's face. Suffice it to say, he wasn't going to try that again. Dominique truly does, and completely swings for the other team. The Hearts she was harboring for him, they were completely… platonic.

"Dom," Rhys then let out a short but very deep sigh as he approached Dominique and placed his hand on her shoulder, "I'll be back as soon as I get them to their city."

"You don't even know what kind of city that is…" Dominique whispered as she glanced at the cenleons, who were already waiting for Rhys. Dominique whispered, even fully knowing that the cenleons couldn't even understand a word she was saying, "...Even if we have gotten close to these beasts, they're still beasts who eat humans. Who knows what they're going to do to you there?

Have you ever thought that maybe they will use you as an offering so they could be accepted by the other tribe or something?"

"That… won't happen," Rhys shook his head even though he was actually also sharing Dominique's concerns, "I have Edissa with me, I am her Bond."

"And Bond, what does that even mean? Like, she's your slave now?" Dominique glanced at Edissa, "I mean, I gotta admit she's god damn pretty and all, and she has really nice tits. And I would've definitely tapped that…

…except for the fact that she has four legs, and the lower body of a fucking lion! I know your dick's big, bro — but what the fuck!?"

"...How did your mind even go there?" Rhys then took a step back as he looked Dominique in the eyes, "As I said, there's no need to worry — you know how strong I am."

"I do," Dominique pointed at Rhys's face, "And I also know how abnormal and strong the creatures down there could get. You always have to remember… the chance of you dying down there is always high, no matter what."

"I'll crawl back up if I'm missing all my limbs," Rhys waved his hand before adjusting and finally equipping his bag, "Okay, bro? I'll be back before you know it."

"I'm not your 'bro', bro. I'm a fucking woman, call me sister," Dominique shook her head.

"You just said you were a 'full-on dude' just moments ago," Rhys and Dominique's men all shook their heads and sighed.

"Yeah, but that doesn't change the fact that I'm a woman, bitch. If I wasn't, then that would just mean I'm straight. Ah, what the fuck. Just go, I don't care about you," Dominique scoffed before walking away, "But if you don't come back, I promise you, you little bitch…"

Dominique then glanced at Rhys, looking up at him with her eyes filled with an almost seething rage,

"...I will fucking drag you back here even if I have to raze the entire Underworld."

"...Roger that," Rhys smiled and nodded, but Dominique just once again scoffed; shaking her head while walking away with her men.

"Are you sure you do not want a companion, Rhys Wilder?"

And as soon as the others were gone, Talia approached Rhys from behind, "The dyke's right, you can never underestimate the Underworld. This world will suffer without you."

"...You're overestimating my existence too much," Rhys shook his head.

"I am not," Talia closed her eyes as he took in a very long and deep breath, "Your existence is the result of a thousand years of history. The perfect existence that we have strived for, that the world has waited for. With your seed flourishing, humans could reach heights they could have never imagined reaching."

"Stop that, Talia," Rhys approached Talia and gently placed his hand on her cheek, "I do not care what the world would think, I only want to be more than good enough for you, and for the others."

"If you want to be good enough for me, then you need to be good enough for the world, boy," an arrogant smirk crawled on Talia's face. But even with her arrogance, however, she still rested her cheek on his hand in the end, "And do not lie to my face, Wilder…

…you very much care what the world thinks of you, that is your greatest weapon. You, like me, are a despicable being who manipulates and uses people — perhaps the only difference is that you really care for them."

"...You're the third person who has said that to me."

"I'm assuming the other two are in your harem?"

"I… don't have a harem."

"Speaking of your harem…" Talia completely ignored Rhys's words, "Have you put your seed in any of them already? Perhaps in Ayesha? I would really like to see that offspring the two of you would produce, or perhaps that Noble princess, or her aunt who controls fire."

"No," Rhys quickly answered, "That's not part of my plan."

"It should be," Talia leaned away, "How else are you going to create the mightiest army in the world?"

"...I won't use any of my future children as soldiers," Rhys looked Talia in the eyes, "That is not the future I want for them, for any of them."

"Tch, just go — I'll handle things here while you are gone," Talia pushed Rhys away, "Since I'm now affiliated with you, their perception of me should have somewhat changed already."

"You might meet the others. At least, Maria should be on the next supply," Rhys nodded, "I have a feelng you won't like her. She's… a little special in the head."

"Rhys, you're the most deranged person I have ever met. No one would top you."

"You know what, I retract my words. I actually think the two of you might just get along."

"Just go, make sure to retur—"

"I will." And before Talia could even finish her words, Rhys suddenly embraced her, "I will make sure to always return to you, Talia."

"Stop that," Talia clicked her tongue. She did not, however, push Rhys away and just rested her head on his chest. But a few seconds later, she whispered in his ear,

"Don't think I don't know what you're trying to do with this prison, Rhys. You're not really bringing these half-breeds home, are you? The reason you fixed Typhon's... You…

…You're trying to get more of them."