Gathering Wives with a System Chapter 431: Terrifying Quest

A unified understanding had long since been reached between them.

This current setting was not the reality they knew.

They found themselves trapped within a simulated recreation of a bygone age.

According to the historical accounts of Professor Catherine, this epoch preceded the Apocalypse—an era before the System overhauled existence and formalized the trajectories of power. Though martial strength was prevalent back then, it developed differently; for the average person, progress was sluggish and lacked true efficiency.

This realization carried significant weight.

When comparing identical ranks, individuals originating from Isaac’s timeline generally possessed superior capabilities.

The System facilitated optimized advancement, refined the manipulation of energy, and perfected various combat methodologies.

Logically, Isaac and Alice ought to have maintained a distinct advantage in this environment.

They had undergone three months of grueling training under the Sword Empress herself. Their foundations had been reconstructed from scratch, and their command over their own power vastly exceeded that of the common combatant.

Based on that deduction, they should have been dominant figures.

However, reality proved otherwise.

Even stripped of the System’s influence, this era was far from fragile.

Isaac could perceive this truth with startling clarity.

Within the ranks of the officers alone, he identified twelve High-Rank species and at least two Apex-ranked entities. Their energy signatures remained stable and deeply refined—not through System assistance, but via the long, arduous process of natural evolution.

This realm was host to "monsters" long before the Apocalypse ever descended.

The elevator decelerated.

"Ninety-ninth floor," a synthetic, detached voice declared.

The portals parted.

They ventured into the gloom.

The entire level existed beneath a permanent, artificial firmament adorned with faint, flickering stars. Cerulean ambient lighting bathed the corridors, imbuing the surroundings with a sense of hollow tranquility.

Dominating the space ahead was a colossal edifice, a fusion of a grand colosseum and a high-command center.

The officers proceeded toward it resolutely.

Isaac and Alice tagged along behind.

Inside, the meeting hall was designed with circular tiers of seating descending downward. A vast assembly of commanders occupied the arena-like space, all oriented toward a central platform.

In the middle sat a round-table assembly.

Four chairs were positioned there.

Isaac’s gaze sharpened instantly as he identified two familiar figures already in place.

Dean Avery.

Dean Selene.

‘Dean… That rank should sit just below the position of Stronghold General,’ Isaac mused to himself.

He scanned the gathering silently, correlating their uniforms and insignias with their respective energy signatures. This assembly alone represented a terrifying density of combat prowess.

After confirming their uniforms one last time, Isaac and Alice took their seats.

Their identification credentials provided total verification.

Officer Isaac.

Team Leader Alice.

The names were identical.

The Quest had woven them perfectly into the fabric of this timeline.

They settled into their designated places.

Moments later, Avery’s eyes swept across the arena, resting briefly on Isaac. She offered a subtle, almost imperceptible nod before rising to her feet.

Her voice rang out, resonant and clear across the vast hall.

"Everyone, the Stronghold General has successfully warped the Sword Maiden into an isolated dimension. She will remain unable to return for at least a month. During this interval, we must reinforce our defensive perimeters, reorganize our chain of command, and steel ourselves for a protracted siege. The enemy forces remain potent. Do not mistake a respite for a final triumph."

The deliberation stretched on for hours.

Report followed report in succession.

Details regarding supply shortages, structural compromises, mounting casualties, enemy maneuvers, and speculative intelligence were presented.

Isaac listened intently, speaking only when necessary. Alice followed his lead.

Gradually, the strained expressions surrounding them began to ease. The realization that the Sword Maiden was temporarily removed provided a sense of relief from the overwhelming tension they had been laboring under.

Yet, no one wore a smile.

Near the conclusion of the briefing, a senior officer posed a query.

"Is it possible to establish communication with the Heavenly Gods?"

A heavy silence descended upon the chamber.

Avery shook her head slowly.

"Not yet."

The atmosphere plummeted instantly.

Even Isaac felt the shift in morale. Whatever the status of the Heavenly Gods, their absence clearly indicated a grim outlook for their survival.

Following a few final directives, the session was adjourned.

Officers began to shuffle out in clusters, whispering amongst themselves.

Isaac and Alice exited together, taking care to avoid approaching either Avery or Selene directly.

Every individual here acted with startling realism. If Isaac and Alice were to suddenly display unwarranted familiarity with the Deans, it would inevitably invite suspicion.

And within the confines of a military stronghold, suspicion spelled doom.

The pair retreated to the quarters assigned to Isaac. It was a utilitarian, modest room that offered a view of the Ladder’s interior scaffolding.

They bided their time.

Just as Isaac had anticipated, a knock sounded at the door a few hours later.

Selene entered first.

Her countenance appeared more somber than Isaac had ever witnessed. She moved directly toward Alice, collapsed beside her, and rested her head on Alice’s shoulder, closing her eyes with a ragged, exhausted breath.

Avery trailed behind, her expression equally grave.

"There is both good news and bad," Avery stated, pulling a chair closer before sitting.

"Begin with the good," Isaac requested calmly.

"I possess personal connections with several individuals from this era. If I manage to contact them, we might secure reinforcements. However, at this specific juncture in history, they do not yet know me. Earning their trust will consume time, and the Sword Empress might reappear before then," she explained.

Isaac inclined his head, then probed, "And the negative news?"

"It concerns the Sword Maiden. Her power is absolute. I cannot hope to overpower her."

The room dissolved into silence.

"Even were I not sapped by the weakness of leaving the land I am bound to, I could not guarantee a victory. In my current state… it is an impossibility. We must rely solely on the garrisoned forces, but her army is superior. Unless the variables shift, we are destined to fall."

A flicker of bitterness crossed her features.

She had vowed to safeguard Selene, Alice, and Isaac. Yet, the adversary they confronted was someone even she was unable to quell.

Alice hesitated momentarily before venturing a question.

"If this era predates the Apocalypse… should the Sword Empress not still be in the bloom of her youth? How is it possible she has eclipsed your power, considering your—"

She checked herself, suddenly aware of the direction her words were taking.

Avery released a soft, dry laugh.

"You may speak it plainly. I am old," she said with a hint of irony. "I have lived for over three thousand years."

Alice nodded, though Isaac noted her visible embarrassment.

"The Sword Maiden is an exception," Avery continued. "She is what one might call a monstrous prodigy. She is likely between twenty-five and forty years old during this time, yet she has already ascended to the absolute peak of the Mortal Realm."

"The peak?" Alice reiterated.

"Before the arrival of the System, the highest state achievable within this Mortal Realm was the rank of Overlord. That was the natural limitation of this world. The Sword Maiden has already reached it," Avery elucidated.

Isaac and Alice exchanged a grim glance.

This meant she had achieved humanity’s ultimate ceiling without any assistance from the System.

The implication was chilling.

Isaac pushed the thought aside and asked, "Then, regarding our Quest, what exactly defines a Special Quest? And what is the true nature of the events unfolding here? Why is the Sword Maiden setting her sights on this location? You seem to hold the answers."