Gathering Wives with a System Chapter 422: The Cat Is Out Of The Bag

"Why add the seasoning at this point?" Celia inquired.

"Adding it too soon causes it to burn, ruining the flavor with bitterness," Selene explained.

"Ah." Celia nodded with grave intent, etching the lesson into her mind.

Among the group, Selene's talent in the kitchen stood out as the finest. Her passion for preparing meals had effortlessly assigned her the duty of handling breakfast.

Isaac rested against the doorframe, observing the scene briefly.

"It smells delicious," he commented.

Selene shot him a quick look. "It'll be done in a bit."

With breakfast nearing completion, Isaac headed to the entrance and swung it open.

"Avery, join us for breakfast!" he shouted firmly.

The earth before the home grew shadowy as dampness accumulated. Moisture emerged from the soil and ascended fluidly, forming a figure.

Moments later, Avery materialized, clutching her umbrella.

"Hunger doesn't affect me, so I'm okay," she refused courteously.

"No issue. Step in," Isaac urged.

He advanced and, rather unceremoniously, tugged her inside by the wrist.

Avery's eyes widened in astonishment at his informal handling.

Her status as a Water Elemental Spirit held unique reverence. Typically, she received worship as a divine entity or holy protector, with folks prostrating and addressing her in utmost respect.

Yet here, she found herself hauled in for a meal.

She surveyed the table.

All of them were pinnacle beings.

A Sun Dragon.

A Devil.

A Netherborne Empress’ lineage.

And Isaac, advancing firmly toward Godhood.

Avery offered a subtle smile to herself.

It fit perfectly. A man of his caliber wouldn't regard her with awe but as an equal partner.

They settled into their chairs.

Right then, Isaac’s clone materialized by the primary entrance and unlatched it precisely as a knock was imminent.

Vale halted in his gesture.

"I’ve brought updates on your sunflowers," Vale announced, displaying the folder.

"Already finished the reports?" Isaac’s clone queried.

"Indeed. We hurried through them. The findings are... unexpected."

"Understood. Hand over the documents." The clone accepted the folder. "Join us for breakfast as I review them."

"I—"

"Celia assisted with the cooking," the clone noted with a slight grin.

Vale sealed his lips.

He entered without more protest.

Seated at the table, Isaac caught the subtle change in Vale’s face upon hearing about his sibling’s involvement in the kitchen and let out a soft laugh.

Vale approached the dining space and hesitated briefly upon spotting the assembled group.

Celia’s face lit up instantly. "Brother!"

Vale acknowledged her with a nod, then offered a courteous scan. "Good morning."

After the welcomes, he stated, "I’ll clean my hands first."

He proceeded to the basin. Isaac’s clone trailed him, propping against the surface while scanning the sunflower data.

While Vale scrubbed his hands, he remarked offhandedly.

"I get it now."

"What do you mean?" the clone inquired, eyes fixed downward.

"I see why folks dub you lustful and human refuse."

The clone lifted his gaze at last.

"...What?"

Vale’s eyes drifted to the dining area.

Isaac traced his stare.

Five stunningly attractive women occupied seats there. He alone was male.

Isaac parted his lips to clarify, then snapped them shut.

He’d long ceased attempting to justify that setup.

Vale came back to the table.

Celia cheerfully dished out food for him, meticulously arranging servings on his dish.

"You’re maintaining a good diet, aren’t you?" she questioned.

"Yes," Vale answered. "No need to fret over me."

The meal proceeded in a serene vibe.

Talk drifted easily. Selene now and then described her preparation techniques. Celia mentioned minor updates on her practice advancements. Alice stayed mostly silent but chimed in occasionally. Avery watched the exchanges with subdued curiosity.

Once the eating concluded, Isaac and Emily collected the plates and headed to the sink.

"I’ll handle the washing," Emily offered.

"I’ll take care of drying," Isaac responded.

They labored together in a cozy quietness.

In the lounge, Celia and Vale discussed latest happenings in the Fortified City. Alice and Selene pored over the sunflower files with keen attention.

Every petal from the sunflower granted a quarter-hour enhancement to constitution and vitality. As a usable boost item, it allowed for large-scale creation and trade. The profit potential loomed large.

"Should production expand right, this might fund half the City’s expenses," Selene remarked.

Alice agreed with a nod. "Yet distribution must be managed. Rapid spread could draw unwanted attention."

Avery perched close, sipping tea like an after-meal treat. She absorbed the discussion silently without input.

The home radiated tranquility.

Though each pursued their duties, no strain hung in the atmosphere. It stood as a precious, stable instant amid turmoil.

Isaac completed drying the final dish and placed it down.

For an instant, he permitted himself ease.

Then—

Knock. Knock.

A distinct rap resounded across the residence.

Since Isaac’s clone lingered by the entry, it acted swiftly to reveal the visitor.

"Leora" waited outside, clad in her servant attire.

Professor Catherine accompanied her.

Fatigue marked both their features.

Dust clung to their garments, and travel’s toll showed faintly on their visages. They hadn’t paused for rest at the Ashfang tribe prior to arrival. Straight from the journey, it appeared.

Actually, those who ventured to the Purple Bridge realm consisted of Catherine and the Sword Empress.

Yet the tale relayed to Isaac and the rest diverged.

Per the sanctioned account, Catherine traveled alongside Leora—Isaac’s servant—and the Sword Empress.

Isaac remained puzzled by the Sword Empress’s persistence with this flimsy cover.

Still, he chose not to unveil it.

Catherine had more than once jested by taunting or even playfully swatting Leora in his presence, roping him into the fun.

She crafted those moments on purpose, aiming to draw Isaac to her viewpoint.

Should it emerge that all recognized Leora as the Sword Empress, and Catherine teased with full awareness, repercussions would hit both Catherine and Isaac hard.

Isaac harbored no wish to endure an Overlord’s fury, one capable of slicing Catastrophes.

Thus, he resolved to pretend the masquerade held perfectly.

"Welcome home," Isaac greeted steadily. "Bath first, or perhaps breakfast?"

"What if I take you instead?" Catherine propped against the frame, weariness aside, and flashed a playful smirk.

Isaac prepared a retort, but a stir from behind halted him.

Avery approached, detecting two peculiar auras.

She came into sight.

Upon fixing on Leora, her face tightened.

Isaac spotted an uncommon emotion in her stare.

Dread.

"S... Sword Maiden?" Avery faltered.

Isaac and Catherine stilled.

Their glances connected momentarily, conveying silent accord.

Revelation of this secret couldn’t occur.

The fallout would burden them both.

Catherine regained poise quickest.

"Pardon the intrusion upon the Water Elemental Spirit," she stated smoothly. "But she isn’t the Sword Maiden. That title belongs to my master’s reincarnation, so kindly refrain from its casual use. This is Leora, merely a student."

Isaac bobbed his head promptly, willing Avery to read the plea in his eyes.

"She isn’t—"

"No," Avery declared resolutely, silencing him. Her focus stayed on Leora. "You are the Sword Maiden. Have you reincarnated?"

Silence gripped the air briefly.

Then Catherine disappeared.

Isaac swore mentally.

Escape achieved.

Solo.

He pondered mimicking her flight, but sensation struck first.

A stare.

Piercing and icy.

The Sword Empress—Leora—fixed on him squarely.

"Is something wrong?" Avery puzzled, noting the chill settling indoors.

Sword Empress disregarded her.

Her attention locked on Isaac.

"You appear unsurprised by my identity as Sword Empress. How long have you known?"

"I just realized—" Isaac started.

"I’ll consult Emily. No point in deception," she cut in.

Isaac clamped his jaw shut.

That route led nowhere.

Emily couldn’t fib.

Direct inquiry from Sword Empress would unravel all.

A throb built in his skull.

Noting his quiet, Sword Empress extended her arm leisurely.

The gesture flowed naturally.

Her digits pierced space as if parting veils. She seized an unseen force, then yanked.

Seconds passed, and Catherine reemerged abruptly, hauled back like folded dimensions. Gripped by her coat’s neck, she dangled airborne.

Isaac gaped.

What technique was that?

’Has her power grown?" he pondered.

Sword Empress overlooked his bewilderment.

She turned to Catherine.

"Did you disclose my true self to him?" she queried. Then she dismissed it with a minor shake. "Never mind. That’s secondary."

For the initial instance since meeting her, Catherine displayed true fright.

Gone was the witty, assured educator who toyed with dialogue and individuals. Now, she evoked a pupil nabbed in exam fraud.

"M-Master, it’s—"

"Were your teases toward me before Isaac and others rooted in their knowledge of my identity?" Sword Empress inquired evenly.