Gathering Wives with a System Chapter 472 Meeting Florathi Delegation, Maxing Out The Skill

Following the conclusion of his engagement with Emily, Isaac assisted her with her cleanup and then saw her settled into bed. She was utterly depleted and would likely slumber soundly until breakfast. He observed her for a brief period before extinguishing the lamp and quietly exiting the room.

The morning air outside was crisp and cool, with the farm sprawling before him in the dim, pre-dawn light.

He stretched his shoulders, beginning his walk towards the fields, prepared to find solace in the steady cadence of labor.

However, after only a dozen steps, he detected the presence of two figures situated near the boundary of his property.

The first appeared, at a casual glance, to be a substantial

mechanical construct: a gigantic silver ant possessing articulated limbs and a head that moved with unnerving mechanical precision.

Yet, Isaac could perceive a sense of 'life' emanating from it, a faculty granted by his Life Affinity. This sensation diverged from the sterile hum of a manufactured object, being instead an actual, genuine spark of existence.

He recalled the teachings of Professor Catherine, and the name surfaced in his mind with little effort. Vitaroids. They were a naturally originating species, a fact that most individuals found quite difficult to accept upon their initial introduction to the concept.

A Vitaroid matriarch would absorb awakeners, raw metallic ores, and intricate machinery, and from this sustenance, she would bring forth the subsequent generation.

The matriarch was the sole entity within their kind capable of reproduction, a biological constraint that naturally curbed their population numbers. Nevertheless, each individual Vitaroid was, in its own right, a formidable power.

The present Vitaroid matriarch was known by the appellation the Mother of Crawling Steel, and she held the esteemed position of one of the Florathi's Nine Queens, presiding as a

Lord over the collective cities of the Florathi.

The second figure present was a woman who stood at an imposing height of nearly eight feet, distinguished by her pale white skin and hair of the identical shade.

She possessed four eyes, arranged in an almost perfectly symmetrical pattern across her visage, and a serene, gentle smile graced her lips.

Isaac could sense the palpable 'weight' of both these beings from his vantage point. Apex rank Overlords. Both of them.

“They possess considerable strength. Truly, quite formidable,” he mused, continuing his approach towards them with an unhurried gait.

Considering the identity of the Vitaroid, the underlying reason for their appearance was not complex to deduce. They constituted a segment of the delegation dispatched by the Florathi, intending to extend their felicitations upon his attainment of Lordship.

“Greetings, Isaac Hargraves. I am designated X-019, a Heavy-tier Unit,” the Vitaroid announced. His mandibles clicked softly with each utterance, creating a rhythm that bordered on the musical.

He inclined his head towards the woman accompanying him before proceeding. “And this is Elyndra Petalshade, of the Lumivine. She adheres to a vow of silence, thus, kindly overlook her failure to greet you personally. We have been dispatched by the Fifth Priest to escort you to his presence. He desires to convey his congratulations in person, for the emergence of history’s inaugural SSS-rank Farming Talent, and for your subsequent ascension to the rank of Lord.”

“My regards to you, X-019. And to you, Elyndra,” Isaac responded.

He ought to have offered a more fitting reply, rather than such a curt acknowledgment. However, he found himself unable to, particularly when he perceived himself being subjected to such dismissive treatment.

“This is my City, and they are the visitors. Yet, they arrive at my domicile uninvited in the early morning hours to escort me to their leader as if I were the guest, and they hold dominion over this City,” Isaac reflected.

Regardless of X-019’s outwardly courteous phrasing, the unstated intentions behind his words were far from amicable.

It was abundantly clear that Isaac was being regarded with disdain.

“I appreciate you undertaking the journey, X-019 and Elyndra. I shall convene with the Fifth Priest as per the previously established agreement. In the interim, it would be prudent for both of you to obtain some rest. A voyage such as yours is not a brief undertaking, and I surmise you must be weary,” he stated.

“Agreed upon schedule?” X-019’s mandibles shifted audibly. “The temporal resources of the Fifth Priest are of immense value, Isaac Hargraves. It is said that he can directly receive the divine pronouncements of the Goddess of Life, Harvest, and War. As one who has been favored with her blessings, should you not be eager to present yourself to him at the earliest possible moment?”

“Blessed by her?” Isaac inquired, raising an eyebrow.

“Your SSS-rank Farming Talent. It is undeniably a profound indicator of the Great Goddess’s favor. Surely, you comprehend this fundamental truth,” X-019 asserted, his tone implying he was elucidating an obvious point.

Isaac’s brow furrowed, and he was poised to offer a counter-argument, but before he could articulate his response, the

atmosphere underwent a radical transformation.

The alteration was abrupt and absolute. The ambient Qi within the atmosphere seemed to freeze in place, much like water suspended in motion during the process of solidification. A palpable pressure descended upon the immediate vicinity of X-019 and Elyndra. The very air seemed to turn hostile, becoming heavy and inhospitable towards them.

Then, a voice resonated,

“My allowance for your entry into his domain stems from a measure of goodwill I harbor towards the Florathi. However, should you prove unwilling to conduct yourselves with even the most basic level of courtesy, then do not anticipate my continued display of such consideration.”

The moisture suspended within the atmosphere began to roil. Qi trembled throughout the surrounding landscape. A distinct form coalesced from the air, the mist, and the dampness of the early morning hours, solidifying into the distinct shape of Avery, the Water Elemental

Spirit.

A paralyzing fear gripped X-019 and Elyndra, freezing them in place. It was an instinctual terror that even their Apex-rank Overlord status couldn't override. The chasm between their power and Avery's was vast, like an inaccessible canyon.

"G-Greetings to the Spirit of Water," X-019 stammered, bowing his head low in deference. Elyndra mirrored his posture instantly, a silent acknowledgment of the immense power before them.

"Leave. And inform your Priest to await our scheduled meeting. These manipulative political ploys will not be tolerated again. There will be repercussions if such actions are repeated," Avery commanded, her voice resonating with authority.

"U-Understood," X-019 responded, his voice trembling slightly.

Elyndra gently grasped X-019's arm. In the blink of an eye, the surrounding space warped and folded, transporting them away. They reappeared within the city, back in their designated hotel accommodations.

Avery observed the vacant space for a moment, a faint, dismissive sound escaping her lips before she turned her attention to Isaac.

"Do not be concerned. As one bonded to- why are you looking at me in such a manner?" she inquired, noticing Isaac's focused gaze.

"Well... your arrival was quite the spectacle. The very mana, the land, and even the atmosphere were quaking," Isaac remarked, his eyes wide.

Avery fell silent, her expression betraying no emotion. If she felt any embarrassment, it was skillfully hidden.

An impulse struck Isaac, and he activated his Inspect ability.

[Status: She perceived her entrance as impressive. Upon hearing it described as dramatic, she is now experiencing embarrassment.]

Avery maintained her composed demeanor. With a slight smile, she explained, "Such a display was necessary to deliver a proper warning. If we do not assert our presence firmly, they will continue to probe our limitations."

"I see," Isaac nodded. Internally, he marveled at Avery's impenetrable poker face. He dedicated the remainder of the morning to tending the farm. The familiar work served its purpose, clearing his mind, soothing his irritation, and restoring his sense of self. By the time he concluded, nine new Green Spitters had not only taken root but had also reached full maturity, increasing his total to ten. He stepped back, admiring his work, as a series of system notifications materialized before him. Seed Imprinting progressed from Level 5 to Level 6. Gene Reaping advanced from Level 4 to Level 5. Seed of Providence ascended from Level 8 to Level 9. Reaper's Bounty reached its peak at Level 10. The Class Quest, aimed at creating an army of one thousand War-plants, updated from 1/1000 to 10/1000.

A grin spread across his face. Reaching Level 10 with Reaper's Bounty was a significant achievement, enabling complete alchemical extraction of ingredients without any loss in quantity or quality, along with a fifty percent chance for bonus yields. He stretched, feeling a sense of accomplishment, and headed back towards the house. After a rigorous workout in the gym and a refreshing shower, he descended to find Alice already preparing breakfast at the stove, while Emily moved about the kitchen. Celia sat at the table, engrossed in her compact mirror, meticulously applying her makeup with a rare level of focus.

Just as they were about to sit down to eat, the doorbell rang. Isaac went to answer it.

On his doorstep stood Arlene, Celia's manager. She appeared composed and professional, yet a subtle nervousness betrayed her unease at being at his residence.

"G-Good morning," she greeted him tentatively.

"Good morning," Isaac replied warmly.

"I'm here for Celia. Today is the concert, and I need to ensure she's on track beforehand. She has a tendency to stray at inopportune moments, and I'd rather not spend the afternoon searching the city for her," Arlene explained, her gaze briefly flicking past Isaac into the house.

Isaac regarded her for a moment, feeling a sense of understanding, perhaps even kinship. He was beginning to grasp, in a way he hadn't before, the unique challenges of managing someone like Celia. "Please, come inside. She's about to have breakfast. You should join us," he offered.

"Oh, no, I wouldn't want to impose..."

"It's no trouble," Isaac assured her.

After a brief insistence, Arlene stepped inside. Celia looked up from her mirror, her face lighting up with genuine delight upon seeing her manager. Arlene exchanged greetings with Alice and Emily. As Isaac was about to take his seat, he sensed another presence approaching his property from the eastern perimeter. The footsteps were rapid and urgent, distinct from all other ambient sensations.

He recognized the mana signature – a testament to his Sovereign of Land skill reaching Transcendent rank at Level 10 – even before he reached the door. The doorbell chimed precisely as he opened it.

Althea stood in the doorway. The Florathi princess's usually pale complexion was slightly flushed, her hair was disheveled, and a fine sheen of perspiration coated her face, evidence of her hurried journey to his home.