Gathering Wives with a System Chapter 445: Facing The Inner Feelings

Once Selene seized the Ladder of Heavens, she ensured every preparation centered on strengthening defenses.

Meanwhile, the Sword Empress started discussions with a Saint under a Devil King from Hell. These talks demanded opening a portal to permit the Saint and their forces access to the surface world. The action was perilous, pinning down the Sword Empress's army to prevent any deceitful moves by the Saint.

With the Sword Empress's forces occupied, Selene launched her plan. She summoned all the allies Isaac had assembled. The Sword Empress learned of it but couldn't block the allies from joining Selene, as that would leave the Saint unattended.

Additional time elapsed, and Isaac obtained seeds from Hell, while the Sword Empress and the Hell Saint finalized their negotiations.

The Saint sought a modest kingdom on the surface world, plus technology scavenged from the Moon Dragon Kingdom's ruins.

They also geared up to conquer the Ladder of Heavens and ascend to the Moon.

This posed a grave threat to Isaac and Selene.

Avery warned that forfeiting control of the Ladder of Heavens likely counted as a failed Quest. They absolutely couldn't allow the Hell Saint and Sword Empress to claim it, regardless of destructive intent.

This created a stalemate.

The Sword Empress's army had suffered losses, with some soldiers attempting desertion. Though captured and compelled to remain, their morale plummeted disastrously.

Unaware of Isaac and Selene's schemes behind it, she dispatched aides to the soldiers' hometowns to aid their families.

This measure aimed to restore the Sword Empress's troops' spirits. Yet it demanded time.

Time she lacked, with Apocalypse potentially arriving at any moment.

Thus, the Hell Saint's army advanced solo to conquer the Ladder of Heavens. By completion, the Sword Empress's forces would be fully restored, and they'd assault the Moon Kingdom jointly.

That was the scheme, anyway.

However, with Selene and Isaac rallying allies, the Hell Saint couldn't assure triumph.

Stakes soared, outcome utterly unpredictable.

Isaac hadn't foreseen the Hell Saint rejecting a direct portal to the Moon, opting instead to capture the Ladder of Heavens.

Still, Selene's forces at the Ladder might overpower the Hell Saint in battle, so hope lingered. Yet Sword Empress's impending assault spelled certain defeat.

As tensions peaked, Selene took a daring step defying prior strategies.

She confronted the Sword Empress, offering alliance and vowing to unlock the Ladder of Heavens for their troops.

Selene's allies, lured largely by Isaac's intel from Avery, came chiefly because the Ladder belonged to Moon Dragons, hoping to gain Heavenly favor.

Her bold defection announcement sparked rebellion among them. Selene ordered Avery to execute the dissenters, wiping them out.

The Sword Empress reeled in shock, the Hell Saint chuckled in delight. She refused alliance with such a ruthless betrayer.

Yet pressured by the Hell Saint and the manpower savings of skipping the Ladder fight, the Sword Empress grudgingly consented.

Selene earned the moniker Silver Tyrant, famed as a merciless overlord chasing power and dominion at any cost.

A month on, the combined armies of the Ladder of Heavens, Hell Saint, and Sword Empress scaled it to battle Apocalypse.

The outcome? Utter annihilation.

None returned alive. Even War God and Sword God, who joined later, vanished without trace.

Weeks later, Isaac sat on a bench beside Selene, gazing at the fracturing moon overhead.

"So, how are you feeling? The Quest should wrap up in hours," he remarked to Selene.

"...I don’t know," Selene replied, eyes locked on the splintering moon, poised to crumble soon. "Finishing the Quest feels great, and I've gained much knowledge here, yet simultaneously..."

Her gaze stayed riveted to the Moon.

"I wonder if our efforts matter at all," she whispered.

"...?" Isaac tilted his head.

"Behold the moon. That expedition held the mightiest army. Still, total rout. No survivors, Gods included who fought. This era boasted vast, formidable kingdoms. If they fell to Apocalypse, what chance do we have? Resources scarce, endless strife over scraps. I... doubt we'll outlast Apocalypse," Selene stated.

Gloom shrouded her face.

She expected Isaac's comfort, but—

"Pffft! Hahahaha!" Isaac burst into laughter.

"...why are you laughing?" She whirled on him, lips pursed in pout.

"No, seriously, why fret over Apocalypse?" he queried, wiping laughter-induced tears.

"How could I not? It concerns our very lives—"

"Survival's not your burden, Selene," Isaac interrupted. "You excel at leading, commanding, governing. Stick to that. Survival? Fighters like me handle it, along with foraging. Our role."

He clasped her hand. Selene jolted at the touch, tugging to withdraw, but Isaac held firm.

Her cheeks flamed crimson as he grinned, saying, "Notice this Trial, Selene? You negotiated my crops, claimed the Ladder of Heavens' command, forged the pivotal alliance with Sword Empress granting us Quest completion time. Absent you, it'd have been impossibly tougher."

"Not solely me. All contributed," she murmured, averting her gaze to conceal the blush.

"True. Teams form for that reason, Selene. None masters all. United, perfection emerges. Hone your strengths; others cover theirs."

"...."

Selene fell quiet, grasping Isaac's intent.

Why did survival plague Selene?

Apocalypse's peril?

Incorrect.

It barely scratched her fears.

She fretted seeing invincible warriors perish against Apocalypse.

Trial honed her assurance, yet exposed her frailty. Every clash relied on Avery, Isaac, or Alice.

Her fear stemmed from personal inadequacy.

Isaac softly gripped her hands, declaring, "Weakness is fine. Combat inability? I'll battle for you."

Stunned and captivated, Selene lifted her eyes to meet his.

There burned unyielding resolve. A guardian eternal.

"I'll shield you from peril, wounds, illness. Strength? Never your concern. So..."

He beamed.

"Master your talents. Entrust the rest to me."

Selene's thoughts blanked at that smile.

"Th- That..." Stammers escaped her, words failing.

She floundered like a stranded fish gasping air.

Seconds ticked as she sought reply.

Suddenly, a voice echoed in her mind.

'Say yes, fool!'

'W-What?' Selene responded.

'Say yes! He proposed! By Elemental Archons, how do you command Gods and Hell Saints boldly, yet turn lovesick mute before Isaac?' Avery chided, exasperated.

Selene missed most, fixating on one line.

'Girl in love...? What does that imply?' Selene probed.

'You love Isaac. Obvious,' Avery stated plainly.

Selene blinked.

Then her face blazed tomato-red.

'W-what?! Love Isaac!? Me?! How!? When!?'

Avery nearly sighed. This girl had ignored her affections for Isaac all along.

Selene babbled mentally.

Calm restored, one notion endured.

'I love Isaac?'

Naming her longstanding sentiment for Isaac, shyness overwhelmed her.

Heart thundering, she ducked her head, masking her face. Shoulders slumped, yearning to vanish.

"You alright? Why crouch suddenly?" Isaac neared, concerned.

Selene recoiled, but his handhold trapped her.

"Why so flushed—"

"I’m injured! Injury flaring from before!" Selene blurted.

Isaac blinked, invoking Miracle of Grace to mend it. Warmth enveloped her gradually, unnoticed amid turmoil.

Her focus locked on proximate Isaac. Gaze drifted to his lips, recalling her sister and Isaac's library kiss.

She swallowed hard.

Kiss him? Couples did post-pairing in films, right? But reality differed.

Still, post-proposal, lips okay?

'I love you' never surfaced. Shock and inexperience skipped ahead.

Selene squeezed his hand, inching closer.

'Idiot! Suicidal?! No kissing!' Avery yelled.

'Can’t kiss? Why?' Selene halted.

'Forgot Alice's Celestial Kitsune Bloodline warning?' Avery pressed.

'That? Alice revives. Kissing safe,' Selene countered.

Avery gaped. Madness?

Six months of Selene's denial frayed her poise; she barked bluntly.

'No means no! Avoid it!' Avery snapped.

'But proposal...' Selene noted.

'Then answer verbally!' Avery urged.

Enlightenment struck Selene.

'Oh.'

Avery facepalmed at the daftness. How did Silver Tyrant devolve so?

"Selene?" Isaac prompted, noting prolonged silence.

Selene jolted back, eyeing him. Brain spun for ideal words. Glancing skyward at moon.

"The moon..." she uttered.

Isaac followed her gaze. Then Selene pecked his cheek.

Lips tempted, but Trial end and rank-up awaited. Cheek sufficed.

Courage evaporated post-act.

"T-Then, henceforth, rely on your strength!" she yelled half, yanking free and fleeing before reply.

Isaac touched the kissed cheek, sensing residual warmth.

A wry grin formed.

"Shy one," he murmured. Glancing distant tent. "Come out now."

Alice emerged from concealment.

Relief mixed joy; Isaac affirmed weakness acceptable, strength nonessential—timely words beyond her own reach.

Besides gladness, jealousy weighed.

She hastened to him, kissing the cheek to overwrite Selene's mark.

Then lips met. Knee braced between his on the chair.

Isaac's hand cradled her neck. Kiss endured.

Parting, he grinned.

"Jealous, my wild princess? You urged the proposal to Selene," he teased.

"...Yes," she admitted.

"Then?" Teasing grin persisted. "Sharing Isaac with Selene? Regrets?"

Spot on.

Sharing seemed fine; Selene's joy at proposal warmed her.

Yet possessiveness surged.

She craved Isaac wholly, briefly. Mutual claiming, belonging proof.

Alice produced Heaven-Reversal Moon Elixir.

Isaac paled, recognizing it.

"Wait, Trial grounds! Not here—"

She swallowed it, kissing amid activating effects.

.

.

.

Hours later.

Isaac sprawled exhausted. Alice smiled faintly at the golden tattoo low on her belly.

No mark on him yet; his on her satisfied temporarily.

Isaac eyed her smile, torn between sigh, reprimand, rest.

Trial outdoors, no less, for Heaven-Reversal Moon Elixir.

Silver lining:

Solar Dragon Physique (40% → 100%) Level 0 (Share)

Sharing Physique? Wrong moment.

Then reality halted. Only they moved; scenery shifted. Isaac, Alice, Avery drawn to Soulbind Pendant; Selene in void.

[Moonline-Trial completed.]

[Successfully defended Ladder of Heavens for six months.]

[Calculating reward...]

...

Author’s Note: Moon-Trial Arc concludes. Wished for better execution, but mom's hospitalization (she's recovered fully) disrupted planning and writing. Ended early to avoid worsening mess. Apologies. Next arc restores standard quality. Hope you follow Isaac's saga.