Raising My Trash Ability into a Broken SSS+ Rank Skill Chapter 553 Intruders
Previously on Raising My Trash Ability into a Broken SSS+ Rank Skill...
Upon returning to his quarters, Vritra found that Teresa had already settled in, arranging her garments and personal effects. The reality of her new marriage and the prospect of sharing a life with her husband filled her with a fluttering sense of excitement. Even though he had been gone for only a few minutes, she had already felt the sting of his absence. Teresa offered a silent prayer of gratitude to her deceased mother for providing her with such an incredible husband.
The door creaked open shortly after. "Tess," Vritra called out softly. He was mindful that she couldn't always monitor her surroundings and didn't wish to alarm her. "Husband!" Teresa turned toward the sound, her gaze remaining unfocused. Vritra felt a pang of guilt seeing her eyes; however, he lacked the power to defy fate at this moment. He contemplated whether he would have to ascend to the rank of a god to alter her destiny, or if even a divinity possessed such authority.
"Is something the matter, husband?" Teresa asked, closing the distance between them to pull him into a soft embrace. "It is nothing. Tomorrow, we shall go to see the Star realm," Vritra replied, tightening his hold on her. As he gently removed her veil, a thought crossed his mind: 'News of Tess’s arrival has surely circulated. I suspect people will soon come targeting her.'
To ensure no one could intrude unexpectedly, he placed several powerful barriers around the room. Teresa typically remained veiled, as her beauty was so profound that an ordinary man might lose his mind upon seeing her. This was evident from the son of the Fishman King, who had nearly gone mad after catching only a fleeting glimpse of her from afar. Vritra then swept her up in a princess carry, causing her to gasp and clutch his robes in surprise. He moved to the bed, seating her on his lap so they were facing one another.
"Tess, do you have any desire to learn the path of combat?" he inquired. He pulled her closer until their bodies were pressed together. The sudden proximity and the warmth of his skin made Teresa catch her breath. Overcome by shyness, she hooked her arms around his neck and hid her flushed face against his shoulder. "…No, I have no wish to cause harm to others," she whispered, though she sensed this wasn't the response he anticipated.
"Very well, we will revisit the topic later," he said, his hand gently stroking her back. Her form was soft and warm against him, her curves pressing into his chest as her feet dangled nervously. "Tell me, what did you know of me before our union? Was it a dream, or did your mother reveal something to you?" he asked, inhaling the intoxicating fragrance that clung to her. Her scent acted like a potent charm on his senses.
"My mother spoke to me of you," Teresa answered, her heart racing. Vritra wondered about the nature of the woman who had raised Teresa; she was clearly unlike the rest of the Fords, given how well-mannered and virtuous a wife she had provided him. "What exactly did she say?" he asked. Teresa replied, "I am aware that you are not Art Yates. I know your true identity."
Vritra was momentarily puzzled until he remembered the superstition her mother taught her—that speaking a husband's name brought misfortune. "So, you know that I am Vritra?" he asked. Teresa nodded. "You are aware of my history and the events of the ancient war?" he pressed. "Yes, my mother explained everything to me," she said softly, leaning into the intimacy of the moment.
Vritra went quiet for a beat before asking, "You knew I was a demon and that I had other wives, yet you still chose to marry me?" Teresa sounded slightly hesitant as she replied, "Yes, and yes. I realized the five women who visited were your wives." It seemed her mother hadn't been very specific regarding his other spouses. "That is correct. In addition to you, I have six other wives," Vritra stated plainly, gauging her reaction.
"S-Six!" Teresa cried out. With her included, Vritra now had seven wives in total. Anxiety gripped her as she wondered if she would receive enough of his affection. She worried that her husband was already deeply bonded with the others while she was only just beginning her journey with him. Her start was late, and she felt she possessed many flaws compared to the others.
"Do not let such thoughts trouble you. My love for my family is absolute, and I would never neglect anyone. I am certain you will grow fond of them and finally experience a joyful family life," Vritra said, easily reading her insecurities. Teresa opened her mouth to respond, but they both stiffened. They sensed numerous presences entering the Yates realm, all moving swiftly toward their location.
"They arrived sooner than expected," Vritra noted, shaking his head. It was obvious they were after his wife. Even that fellow Smog had arrived, though his approach was far from subtle compared to the others. "Oh, they must be coming for me," Teresa sighed, leaning deeper into his chest. "Do not worry. Psyche, handle them," Vritra commanded. Psyche, who was already guarding the realm, shifted course to intercept the trespassers.
"Furthermore, there is more I must disclose to you," Vritra added. He felt he could finally trust her with his secrets. "D-Do you have even more lovers?" Teresa asked, bewildered and worried about her time with him. "What are you imagining? Of course not. I never even intended to enter relationships with most of my wives. Let us start the story from the beginning."
With Teresa still on his lap, Vritra recounted his journey starting from the Dunshire Kingdom, highlighting the pivotal moments. Meanwhile, outside, Psyche—now inhabiting the corpse of the Fishman King—began slaughtering the intruders. Every trespasser except Smog was eliminated with ease. Gunter went out to confront Smog; while the Yates family head didn't fear him, Smog represented the Golden Moon. Nevertheless, Gunter had no intention of being bullied. He flatly denied the demand to hand Teresa over to the Golden Moon's headquarters.
Despite Smog’s various threats, Gunter remained unyielding. Ultimately, Smog was forced to retreat, realizing he couldn't take on the entire Yates family alone. It was clear that future attempts would require significant force. Inside, Fiona and Yasmine floated near Vritra, listening to his tale. The story stirred old memories of the many disasters they had survived to reach this point. "And that is how I came to marry you," Vritra concluded.
"Divine…?" Teresa looked at him, confused. She held no recollections of her previous life. "It’s alright if you don't remember him. He was a scoundrel who didn't deserve to be your brother. However, as the games approach, you must learn to defend yourself," Vritra said with gravity. "Why? Are you going to leave me?" Teresa asked, confident in his protection. "No, but there may come a time when I cannot be by your side. I will assist you in your training," Vritra promised, still struck by her beauty. Her innocent personality combined with her dark, gothic aesthetic made her incredibly endearing.
Watching from the side, Yasmine thought to herself, 'It would be quite entertaining to corrupt... I mean, train her a little.' She was certain Teresa would thrive as a member of their family.
❖❖❖