Gathering Wives with a System Chapter 471 Advice, New God Quest

After some time, he shifted slightly, turning around while still half-asleep.

Now he faced her.

His arm wrapped around her, and his hand moved to her back,

continuing the same comforting motion.

Time passed quietly.

After a while, he spoke again.

"You are still awake, are you not?"

Emily opened her eyes.

"How did you know?" she asked softly.

"Your breathing was different," he replied.

His voice was calm, as if this was something obvious.

Emily paused. She remembered then that this was normal for him.

He was far beyond an ordinary person. Even without focusing, he could notice small details others would miss entirely.

"If you cannot sleep, we can talk for a bit," Isaac suggested, letting out a small yawn as he opened his eyes.

Emily hesitated, then nodded.

They both spoke in low voices to avoid waking Catherine.

"So you dreamt of your mother?"

"You tried to skip the documents, even in the dream?"

"Are the Eltari Overlords listening to you?"

"Wait, you drank today?"

They spoke a lot. About her dreams. About how her mother used to

rule. About how her summons were growing. Emily was particularly excited with the growth of N'theris Serpent, the Hell Serpent, and Genos, the Metavore Hive.

Isaac didn't scold her for drinking and instead only asked to drink when she was with them. He told her that her drinking alone would make him worry about her safety.

Emily smiled softly. She was strong. Strong enough to fight a Catastrophe alone if proper conditions were met. And Isaac was still worried about her safety? Somehow that made her feel even more fuzzy in her heart.

As they spoke in hushed voices, Emily's replies gradually slowed. Her words became softer, less frequent, until they faded completely. A small, peaceful smile rested on her face as she drifted off to sleep.

Isaac fell silent and looked at her properly.

In the dim light, her expression was calm, far removed from the tension she sometimes carried after waking up from nightmares.

A loose strand of hair had fallen across her face. He reached out and gently moved it aside, careful not to disturb her.

For a few seconds, he simply watched her.

Then he felt movement behind him.

Catherine shifted and wrapped her arms around him from behind. Her naked figure pressed against him.

She rested close, her chin near his shoulder.

"Sorry, did we wake you up?" Isaac whispered, keeping his voice low.

"You couldn't tell if I was asleep or not?" Catherine replied in a whisper, her breath brushing lightly against his neck.

"You're trained for that, aren't you? It would be stranger if I could tell," he replied.

Catherine smiled slightly at his answer.

She did not loosen her hold. Instead, she remained close, her arms

still around him as she spoke again, her tone shifting just a little.

"Emily said something earlier that made me realize something important."

Isaac glanced slightly over his shoulder. "What is it?"

"You shouldn't sell your crops to the Lords directly. Instead, you should push for contracts that allow you to open shops inside their cities. That way, you control the sales yourself while maintaining exclusivity," she said.

Isaac frowned slightly as he considered it. "Wouldn't that be seen as intrusive? Most Lords won't like someone setting up inside their territory. And even if they allow it, they'll impose heavy taxes."

"They will. But that doesn't mean you should avoid it. The Lords aren't simple people, Isaac," she continued, her voice calm but firm. "Little Averon is still young. That's why forming an alliance with the Solkara Race was relatively easy. But the others won't be like him. They've ruled for decades. They've fought monsters, dealt with other Lords, and protected their resources constantly."

She continued, "To them, you're an opportunity that appeared out of nowhere. A valuable one. If you act too cooperative or too passive, they will just take advantage of you."

Isaac's expression turned more serious.

"You should show that you're not easy to push around. If they increase taxes, then raise your prices. If your crops remain exclusive, they won't have many options. And having your own presence inside their cities will help us in more ways than one. Your religion, your influence, your reach. All of it becomes easier if you have a foothold there," she said.

Isaac understood what she meant.

Images of the past surfaced in his mind. Of people like Former

Governor Marcus and Overlord Aurora. They were ambitious,

calculating, and willing to destroy others if it meant gaining more

power.

The Lords would not be any different.

If anything, they would be worse.

With his current assets, including his extraordinary crops, the formidable Great Dungeon, his summoned beings, and all that he had painstakingly established, there was simply too much to offer. This abundance was more than enough to ignite the greed of others.

He realized that remaining passive would inevitably attract unwelcome trouble.

"...You are correct. I will consult with Selene and Old Man Jeremy. We shall devise a proper strategy for handling this situation," Isaac finally declared.

"That's a good lad. This is precisely how you should heed your elder sister's advice," Catherine responded, gently patting his head.

Isaac rolled his eyes, though a genuine sense of annoyance was absent.

He had instructed her the previous night to cease referring to him as 'boy' and instead use 'husband'. Apparently, this had offended her, leading her to believe he was attempting to disrupt their sibling-like relationship. Consequently, she had doubled down on emphasizing her role as his older sister and his position as her younger brother.

"So, what new God Quest have you received?" she inquired.

"What is it?" she asked once more, seeking clarification.

"I'm no longer going to complete them. If I continue, I'll end up becoming a God of Harem, Lust, or NTR at this rate," he grumbled resentfully.

A soft chuckle escaped Catherine. "And what precisely is the issue with that? Those God Domains offer considerable benefits to us. The recent skill you acquired serves as a testament to this. It facilitated Celia's incredibly rapid physical improvement. She is poised to reach Level 2 in her Physiques imminently, a feat that would typically require a significantly longer period."

Isaac offered no denial; her assessment was accurate.

"More potent skills will become available as you complete additional God Quests. You shouldn't dismiss this advantage simply because the theme doesn't appeal to you," she advised.

He remained silent for a brief interlude before responding.

"...For my new Quest, I am required to select a Champion. This individual must embark on a pilgrimage. Their journey entails traveling, personal growth, self-discovery, and the propagation of my faith."

Catherine contemplated his words.

"A Champion..." she murmured thoughtfully. "What about Vale?"

Isaac gestured a slight negative. "While his ambition and potential align, he carries too many existing obligations. He is unlikely to abandon his current responsibilities."

"That is indeed true," Catherine conceded.

"I had considered Tyr or Peter," Isaac added.

Catherine gave a slow nod of affirmation.

"Tyr possesses unwavering loyalty and considerable potential. However, he remains rather inexperienced," she stated. "And Peter is still in the process of completing his Class Advancement to the Adept rank. Even upon its completion, dispatching him would entail considerable risk," Isaac elaborated.

The untamed wilderness proved unforgiving. Even formidable individuals courted peril if they lacked adequate preparation.

Isaac harbored no desire to expose either of them to unnecessary danger.

This very hesitation had been the true impediment preventing him from initiating the Quest thus far.

Catherine seemed to grasp his underlying concerns.

"I shall compile a list. We will identify several suitable candidates and conduct a thorough evaluation of each," she proposed after a moment's pause.

"Thank you," Isaac replied gratefully. A quietude settled over the room once more.

By now, the faint luminescence of the early morning had begun to permeate the space.

Catherine shifted her position and slowly sat upright. The blanket slipped away, revealing her flawlessly proportioned physique—a sight that could captivate even the most ascetic monk—exposed to the open.

Isaac turned his head, his gaze falling upon her. A warmth stirred within him at the spectacle. The events of the previous night, wherein he had successfully subdued her, only amplified this nascent heat.

However, before he could articulate any words, Catherine leaned forward, pressing a kiss to his forehead, before rising.

"I am aware of your desire to repeat our intimacy; I share it as well. However, I must commence preparations for the day ahead. Numerous lords and powerful awakeners are expected, necessitating constant vigilance," she explained. A playful smile graced her lips. "Brace yourself for our next encounter, though. Since you 'pampered' me so thoroughly, I shall most certainly reciprocate the favor."

For reasons unknown, a shiver coursed through Isaac at that moment. Catherine's smile persisted, yet her words carried an ominous undertone.

'What is it she can truly do, though? I am already privy to all her strategies,' he rationalized internally.

Catherine's smile widened slightly as she observed his troubled expression. She gracefully departed the bed and entered the adjoining bathroom. Despite his inner turmoil, Isaac's attention was involuntarily drawn to the captivating sway of her hips, which harmonized perfectly with her slender waist. Viewed from the side, the gentle curve of her breasts offered a teasing glimpse as she moved.

He forced himself to avert his gaze. He understood that succumbing to continued observation would make restraint impossible.

His eyes met Emily's, who appeared to have just awakened. She moved in her characteristic manner upon waking, bestowing a kiss upon him. Her hands then ventured beneath his own—

Catherine POV

Catherine stood beneath the cleansing cascade of the shower. The steady flow of water cascaded over her skin.

She remained motionless, her vacant gaze fixed upwards towards the ceiling light fixture.

Her expression was placid. Perhaps too placid.

'A multitude of Lords are anticipated today,' she mused internally.

The prevailing circumstances were already fraught with complexity. With such a concentration of influential figures in one locale, the likelihood of conflict, clandestine schemes, or...There was a notable surge in hidden agendas. Furthermore, another pressing issue necessitated her early departure from Isaac. 'Mother is bound to make her move!' A subtle smile graced her lips. This pretense was flawless, honed through years of dedicated practice. However, her eyes conveyed a starkly different narrative. A frigid, piercing intent danced within their depths.