Gathering Wives with a System Chapter 432: Heavenly Gods And War God

"A Special Quest signifies that we aren't the only ones present here," Avery stated with composure.

"Does this imply other individuals are attempting the same Quest?" Isaac inquired.

"Not exactly. It’s quite different," she replied, shaking her head. "They aren't actually pursuing the Quest. It would be more accurate to say the System has drawn them here into this space."

"...?"

Both Isaac and Alice wore expressions of bewilderment.

"Think of it as though these other people are merely dreaming and have accidentally stumbled into the Quest through their subconscious. They won't earn any rewards, nor will they even realize they are trapped within a System Quest."

"They are experiencing dreams of the past—specifically this exact timeframe—so their behavior will be completely natural."

"Much like how memories fade upon waking from a dream, they retain nothing of the 'present' moment."

"However, the instant they wake, all memories of what transpired here will return to them," she clarified.

"Wait... does this mean they will remember us too?" Alice asked anxiously.

"Indeed they will."

"That strikes me as... precarious," Alice commented.

"It is. For that very reason, the System cautioned us to be extremely deliberate in our actions. Should you incite someone's anger, pique their curiosity, or behave in a way that leads them to hunt us down in the real world later, the repercussions could be severe." Avery paused momentarily before adding, "I provided this same warning to Selene earlier."

Selene nodded slightly but remained silent.

Isaac massaged his temples. "That is certainly problematic. Is there any way for us to identify who is dreaming and who is present within the Quest with us?"

"That is impossible to determine. Ordinarily, I would advise extreme caution for that very reason. However, do not fret overmuch," Avery replied.

Isaac arched an eyebrow questioningly.

"The individuals likely to manifest in this Quest are ancient monsters," she continued. "They existed during this era and endured long into the future. They are already well-versed in how Special Quests function. Even if they recall your behavior upon waking, they aren't prone to irrational outbursts. Simply... ensure you don't cross any major boundaries."

Isaac gave a slow nod.

Despite her reassurance, the concept gnawed at him. The thought of acting freely while fully aware that an audience might later bear witness to every deed felt like performing under an unseen, judging gaze.

Avery allowed them a moment to digest the revelation before pressing on.

"There is more to consider. You asked what is currently unfolding, correct? We are in the... dawn of the Apocalypse. The Sword Empress is attempting to halt its progression."

"...what?"

The exclamation escaped Isaac before he could check himself.

Without offering an immediate explanation, Avery withdrew a small, rectangular device from her pocket. It appeared mundane and almost primitive in comparison to typical System architecture.

She tapped the surface of the object.

An underlying hum resonated through the room, and a holographic projection manifested across the ceiling.

Isaac and Alice instinctively cast their gazes upward.

Both of them froze instantly.

Selene’s reaction was identical, even though she had seemingly girded herself for this very sight.

"This is real-time footage of the moon," Avery announced.

Before they had stepped into the Ladder of Heavens, the moon had been identical to the one in Isaac’s original world.

He had assumed it would remain unchanged.

The sight looming above them shattered that assumption immediately.

The moon was fractured.

Massive, gaping fissures stretched across its surface like shards of broken glass.

Crimson clouds shrouded nearly half of the orb, churning slowly with a rhythmic, lifelike motion. In certain spots beneath the ruptures, an ominous glow suggested something internal was collapsing or burning away.

"The Apocalypse has already claimed the moon. The moon is doomed... and it shall plummet to earth."

No one dared break the silence.

"In the aftermath, the Apocalypse will descend upon Earth. The Sword Empress and the War God are striving to prevent that outcome."

Alice finally broke the stillness. "Stopping the Apocalypse from reaching our world... is that what the Ladder of Heavens is tied to?"

"Yes," Avery agreed, nodding. "Once the moon is obliterated, the Apocalypse intends to utilize the Ladder of Heavens—the tether between Earth and Moon—to descend. The Sword Maiden’s objective is to annihilate the Ladder itself so that the Apocalypse is barred from reaching Earth."

Isaac furrowed his brow. "Destroying the Ladder... would strand everyone currently on the moon."

"Precisely."

Avery offered a stiff nod.

"The Moon Dragons intend to wage their war on the moon. If their efforts fail, they plan to retreat via the Ladder of Heavens. But if they flee in that manner, the Apocalypse will follow closely behind. That is the reason the Sword Maiden necessitates the destruction of the Ladder."

Alice’s expression hardened. "So she is opting to condemn them to sacrifice."

"Yes."

The word was simple, yet laden with crushing weight.

"The forces stationed at the Ladder are currently opposing her. They desire to preserve their escape route. The Heavenly Gods—the native deities of the moon—are backing that army. To forestall any interference, the War God has launched a direct offensive against those Heavenly Gods within the Divine Realm," Avery explained.

Isaac exhaled a long, measured breath.

The theater of war was not localized. It was unfolding everywhere simultaneously: on the moon, at the Ladder, and even among the gods beyond human comprehension.

The scope was staggering to contemplate.

Alice folded her arms, her eyes fixed on the projection of the broken moon. "The history of our world was truly this grim..."

Selene spoke in a hushed tone. "War piled upon war."

No one felt inclined to disagree.

For a long duration, they simply observed the projection. Red clouds drifted sluggishly across the cracked lunar surface, and intermittent flashes suggested raging battles far beyond their ability to fathom.

Then, Alice spoke once more.

"...Something feels off."

Avery cast a glance at her. "In what way?"

Alice chose her words with care. "The combat feels too narrow in scale. If this conflict determines whether the Apocalypse breaches our world, shouldn't... shouldn't it be more massive? Yes, we witnessed several Apex-rank species before, but it doesn't carry the weight of a world-ending war."

Isaac nodded slightly. He had sensed the exact same incongruity.

Avery offered a faint, mirthless smile.

"There are several contributing factors. Two, primarily."

She raised one finger.

"First, the population is indifferent. Many are convinced they can easily withstand the Apocalypse."

"...What?" Isaac stared at her in disbelief. "Even with the moon bordering on destruction, they think they can manage it?"

"They are consumed by arrogance," Avery responded calmly. "Countless empires and kingdoms exist. A minuscule number of individuals have ever stood face-to-face with a Moon Dragon. Most assume the Moon Dragons only hold power due to their railguns and superior technology. To the masses, this simply looks like dragons inflating a threat."

Isaac shook his head in slow disbelief. "That is pure insanity."

"It is typical human nature. The majority don't experience terror of a threat until it stands directly upon their doorstep," Avery sighed.

She raised a second finger.

"The second reason is the Celestial Kitsune."

Alice’s eyes narrowed perceptibly. "The race that the Moon Dragons overthrew?"

"Indeed. Only a few decades have elapsed since that conflict concluded. The Celestial Kitsune empire crumbled, leaving behind vast caches of resources. At this very moment, various kingdoms and factions are engaged in frantic infighting to secure those remains," Avery explained.

Isaac grasped the situation instantly.

"They are too consumed by the spoils of war to notice the coming end."

"Exactly. Every empire imagines its local disputes take precedence. They are warring with neighbors, expanding territories, and consolidating their hegemony. None wish to divert resources toward a battle designed to ensure the common survival of all," Avery said.

Alice looked back toward the projection, her features unreadable.

"So they are gambling with the survival of the world."

"They don't perceive it that way. They believe the burden of handling the threat rests on someone else's shoulders," Avery responded.

Isaac let out a cold, humorless laugh.

These people were utterly absurd.

Yet, he understood well that most sentient beings functioned in just this way. Until the danger was imminent, it remained purely theoretical—an inconvenience belonging to someone else.

The room dissolved into silence once more.

The fractured moon loomed above them, static yet utterly oppressive.

Finally, Alice turned back to address Avery.

"What is the trajectory from here?"

Avery averted her gaze from the projection before offering a reply.

"The historical data in my possession regarding exact timeframes is not entirely precise. I manifested several years after the Apocalypse had already initiated, so the majority of my knowledge is derived from scattered records and fragmented tales."

She paused momentarily to organize her thoughts.

"However, according to the accounts I have studied, one month from today, the Sword Empress will make her move and successfully annihilate the Ladder of Heavens."

Isaac frowned slightly. "So... that is the turning point?"

"Yes and no. The destruction of the Ladder won't actually resolve the root cause. The moon is doomed to shatter eventually, and when it falls, the Apocalypse will ride to Earth alongside it," Avery replied.

Her words hung heavily in the air.

Alice crossed her arms. "So even victory doesn't avert the catastrophe."

"Correct. It serves only to delay the process and alter the nature of its arrival," Avery clarified.

They continued their discussion for a duration, debating the era, the primary factions, and the scant information Avery held regarding the subsequent events. As she provided more detail, one revelation crystallized.

The Sword Maiden could not be defeated.

Not by them. Not by anyone present in this time.

Her military might was insurmountable, and the annals of history validated her eventual triumph. The Ladder of Heavens was destined to fall within a month, regardless of their interference. Compared to that looming certainty, the six-month span of their Quest felt nearly farcical.

Eventually, the dialogue waned, not due to any consensus, but because there remained nothing else to be said.

Later, Isaac confirmed through Selene that all his summons remained securely contained within the Soulbind Pendant, which currently rested in her custody. He retained the ability to manifest them whenever he desired.

It appeared the System had merely distanced Isaac, Alice, and Avery from the pendant to ensure they could function as independent entities within this timeline, granting them proper identities rather than leaving them as nameless anomalies.

Selene moved toward the exit after the session concluded. Avery trailed behind her. They dared not remain in one another’s company for too long, lest they invite suspicion.

Alice lingered far longer than necessary. She hovered near the doorway, clearly loath to depart.

"You should prioritize sleep as well," Isaac suggested.

She hesitated. "Am I permitted to remain here with you?"

"I desire to stay with you too, Alice. But we are aware that isn't possible."

He offered a soft smile.

Alice studied his face for a heartbeat, then exhaled a gentle sigh. "Very well. Good night, Isaac."

"Rest well."

The door clicked shut behind her, plunging the room into solitude.

Isaac lowered himself into a chair and stared at the ceiling, where the projection had vanished only moments prior.

’What in the heavens are we supposed to do?’

The query spiraled relentlessly through his consciousness.

’The Sword Empress and her legions are virtually invincible. By what means could we ever hope to topple that?’

He leaned back, gazing into the void.

’It is strange enough that it fell to Selene to complete this Quest.’

Selene was a Silver Drake. Her bloodline was devoid of traditional combat aptitude. They were experts in command and influence, rather than the visceral arts of destruction. Moon Dragons, even as they were more powerful, were fundamentally similar.

A realization dawned.

’Moon Dragons aren't a combat-oriented race.’

Then how?

’How is a Moon Dragon—or their descendants—supposed to clear this Level of existence?’

The contradiction chafed at him. The System never established impossible conditions without a veiled logic. If the Quest existed, then a systematic path to completion had to exist hidden within.

He felt as though a vital piece of the puzzle eluded him.

Something of profound importance.

For the next forty-eight hours, the puzzle occupied his every thought. He rendered assistance at the base, handled minor logistical duties, and observed the soldiers as they prepared defenses, yet his mind remained entirely detached.

The conversations and movements circulating around him faded into inconsequential background static.

Then, on the second day, a revelation suddenly surged to the surface.

It arrived quietly, almost with a sense of nonchalance.

’How did the Moon Dragons actually rule the world?’

He halted mid-stride in the corridor.

Moon Dragons resided upon the moon. Their vantage point enabled them to strike virtually anywhere on the planet due to orbital superiority. That explained their strategic dominance, but not their absolute rule.

Force alone was insufficient.

There were simply too many empires, too many Apex-rank species.

As he pondered the matter further, the answer materialized like a flash.

’Authority.’

Isaac’s breathing grew measured.

If the Moon Dragons shared characteristics with Silver Drakes, their true power wasn't physical, but psychological.

It was absolute command.

Silver Drakes exerted a natural authority over creatures lesser than themselves. It was an instinctive influence that fostered unwavering obedience and misplaced trust. Moon Dragons, as higher-evolved variants, would exercise that ability on a transcendent scale.

They didn't rule simply by crushing opposition.

They ruled because the world felt compelled to follow them.

Because their commands carried weight that bypassed logical thought.

Because resistance against them felt inherently, disturbingly wrong.

Isaac’s eyes dilated slightly.

"That is the key..."

The fragments clicked together with blinding speed.

The Quest was never about dismantling the Sword Empress through raw attrition.

It centered on something entirely different.

A profound understanding washed over him, like luminescence piercing through dense fog.

He finally perceived exactly how a non-combat species could overcome an impossible trial.

The moment of clarity had arrived.

He finally understood the secret to clearing the Quest.