Gathering Wives with a System Chapter 474 Rare Blueprints

Isaac's face lit up with a genuine smile upon realizing that Chairman Lucius was in need of his assistance.

Chairman Lucius, however, regarded him with a stern look, the kind that clearly conveyed his utter lack of amusement at the cheerful display.

With a pat on Chairman Lucius's shoulder, perhaps a touch more jovial than might have been strictly appropriate, Isaac proceeded into the living area.

Though the others had resumed their individual conversations following breakfast, Isaac could sense Alice's expectant gaze and Celia's palpable curiosity, the latter pretending to be engrossed in Charlotta's words.

He placed the spatial ring upon the table before Alice. "Your father-in-law has brought gifts," he announced, gesturing to the ring. "Go ahead and take a look." Alice accepted the ring and extended her perception into its depths.

After a brief moment of silence, she lifted her head, her eyes meeting Chairman Lucius's. He stood by the entrance, hands clasped behind his back, his expression carefully maintained as neutral.

"These are exquisite. Thank you," Alice conveyed.

"Mhm," Chairman Lucius responded, his voice a low murmur.

A knot of anxiety tightened in his chest, anticipating Alice might question the origin of the garments. Fortunately, his fears proved unfounded, or so he believed.

Suddenly, Celia appeared beside Alice's shoulder.

"Show me, show me!" she exclaimed, leaning in to examine the contents of the ring herself.

Her eyes widened almost instantly, and she straightened up, her delight quickly shifting to pure astonishment.

"This is from Govania! That's the most renowned designer brand in Fortified City 22! Their waiting list spans months. How on earth did you procure these? Do you know someone? We attempted to place an order last spring, and they informed us the earliest they could accommodate a commission was nearly a year away," Celia babbled excitedly.

Chairman Lucius visibly tensed.

Alice registered the subtle shift in his demeanor, then glanced toward Isaac.

Isaac offered a single, minute nod, so discreet that only someone already observing him would have noticed.

The implication was immediately clear to Alice.

Before Celia could even draw breath for her next inevitable query, Alice rose. "Let's go try them on," she declared.

"Yes, but I still want to know how he managed to-"

"Come on," Alice urged, gently but firmly taking Celia's arm and guiding her towards the stairs with an air of calm determination. Emily, with her usual astute perception of the atmosphere, gracefully followed without needing an invitation.

The trio ascended the stairs, disappearing from view.

A slow exhale escaped Chairman Lucius. He turned his head to the side, finding Isaac standing there, his shoulders subtly shaking as he fought to contain his laughter.

"You should go and change, too," Lucius advised, clicking his tongue softly.

"I already have," Isaac replied.

"...?" Chairman Lucius regarded him with a flicker of mild bewilderment.

"This is a clone. My primary body is currently changing upstairs," Isaac clarified. By this point, he had become so adept at managing his clones and main body that it was hardly noticeable.

It wasn't long before the three wives made their reappearance downstairs. Isaac turned to face them, his gaze fully taking them in. He was mentally prepared this time, having learned from past experiences. He wouldn't be rendered speechless by their appearance.

But...

He faltered, completely taken aback the moment he saw them.

Alice had chosen black trousers that accentuated her long legs, paired with a white button-down shirt and a structured belt that cinched her waist. The overall design was remarkably clean and sharp.

The colors created a stunning contrast, with the white harmonizing perfectly with her blonde hair and the black elegantly highlighting the striking red of her eyes. The ensemble subtly framed the dark hue of her horns rather than clashing with them.

Her sleeves were casually rolled up just below the elbow, and she'd left the top few buttons of her shirt undone, lending the outfit a subtly "untamed" allure that suited her perfectly.

A delicate, slim watch adorned her wrist.

Emily was dressed in a pleated skirt of deep ivory and a tailored blouse in a soft grey-blue, neatly tucked in. She completed the look with long socks and knee-high boots crafted from dark leather.

The tailoring was precise and carried a hint of formal elegance, yet the combination of the skirt and boots bestowed a certain warmth, preventing the ensemble from appearing too stiff. It complemented her platinum hair and her striking sea-blue eyes.

It was evident that the designer possessed exceptional skill.

She looked utterly lovely and charming, much like a doll – a fact Emily herself seemed entirely unaware of.

Celia opted for a fitted dress in a deep burgundy hue, featuring structured shoulders and a cinched waist, with the skirt falling just above her knees.

The cut exuded elegance, yet a playful element was present – a slight flare at the hem and subtle gold accents on the cuffs. This ensemble beautifully complemented her pink hair and her naturally warm complexion.

Her tail, dark and sleek, twitched with contentment as her wings remained folded, the deep black of her feathers a stark contrast to the luxurious fabric of her attire, meticulously chosen.

"I knew he'd be speechless," Celia chirped, a giggle escaping as she glanced at Isaac.

Emily's cheeks flushed slightly from the attention, yet a smile graced her lips. Alice, as always, observed him with a calm and composed demeanor, though those familiar with her could discern she awaited Isaac's words.

"You all look wonderful," Isaac finally stated.

"Naturally," Celia replied, beaming with pride. She then turned and walked directly to Chairman Lucius. "Thank you for the magnificent clothes, father."

The atmosphere in the room shifted palpably with her declaration.

Chairman Lucius faltered, the single word 'father' causing him to freeze.

Noticing his reaction, Celia hesitated. "I... I can call you that, can't I? Of course, if-if you'd prefer I didn't, I completely understand. I just thought..."

"It's perfectly fine," Chairman Lucius responded.

He understood enough of Celia's past and Vale's history to comprehend the significance of family for someone who had grown up without one. Since she was now a part of Isaac's life, she was consequently connected to Chairman Lucius's daughters' family, and there was no reason to make her feel excluded.

Celia's face brightened considerably.

Chairman Lucius extended his hand and gently patted her head, a gesture executed with the slightly hesitant care of someone unaccustomed to such acts but recognizing their appropriateness.

Isaac watched this exchange from a short distance, striving to maintain a neutral expression.

'Was that a calculated move, or am I imagining things?' he mused. 'She truly knows how to leverage her charm and innocent appearance to influence people.' He was astonished that even a seasoned businessman like Chairman Lucius could be so easily swayed. Shortly after, Arlene, Althea, and Avery joined the group, and the conversation naturally shifted to the exquisite clothing. Althea, unfamiliar with Govania, showed marked interest. She was already contemplating how to establish contact. Avery's reaction, however, was subtler; she examined the garments quietly, her thoughts unreadable. Isaac discreetly used his Inspect ability, his curiosity piqued. [Status: Contemplating whether her name alone suffices to expedite her position on the waiting list. Moreover, would a human designer even recognize her? Perhaps abduction is the answer? Actually, the six-month waiting period is negligible. She can wait.]

Isaac was taken aback.

He was uncertain what had stunned him more.

That the Water Elemental Spirit had casually considered kidnapping a fashion designer as a feasible solution before dismissing it as unnecessary, or that she had perceived a six-month wait as an insignificant duration, truly meaning it.

He decided to remain silent.

"So, when are you coming down? You're taking longer than we did, and we're the ladies here," Celia prodded.

"I'm currently managing multiple bodies, so I need a moment. It's challenging to coordinate them all continuously," he explained.

Celia opened her mouth, then stopped, her gaze drifting towards the stairs. Simultanously, the Isaac present in the room felt his attire dissipate as his primary form reached the staircase's base.

He descended the stairs clad in a black, high-collared shirt and tailored trousers adorned with gold embroidery. A short cape cascaded from one shoulder, its lining a deep, burnished gold.

Celia stared, her mouth agape for a moment. Despite her earlier playful teasing of Isaac, she was equally astonished by his appearance.

Alice's cheeks showed a faint blush.

Emily looked at him and shyly remarked, "You look good." "Thank you," Isaac replied with a smile.

"You've... you've always looked good, so I genuinely didn't believe you could improve, but this... I was clearly mistaken," Althea commented from the side, observing him with an expression verging on admiration mixed with mild exasperation at the sheer unfairness of it. Isaac chuckled, thanked her, and then turned towards the exit. A collective movement began as everyone gathered their belongings and proceeded toward the two vehicles waiting outside the mansion.

The city was already immersed in the festive atmosphere. Several factors contributed to the celebrations. The city's significant growth and its successful navigation through challenges that would have overwhelmed lesser settlements were causes for joy. The collective triumph over the monster waves had lifted a palpable burden. Celia's upcoming evening concert also generated widespread excitement of a different, more cheerful nature. Furthermore, numerous Lords had arrived and were anticipating their scheduled meetings with Isaac.

The convergence of all these elements prompted Isaac to orchestrate this grand festival. A palpable sense of festivity and warmth already permeated the city streets.

Human awakeners, alongside Orcs and Nagas, moved in synchronized pairs along the designated patrol routes. In one of the more expansive plazas, a gaggle of children could be heard erupting in laughter as they engaged in some sort of game with Naga summons, their joyous sounds reaching Isaac even from the street.

Chairman Lucius paused beside Isaac just as their group began to divide between the two waiting vehicles. "How much longer until Selene's metamorphosis is complete?" he inquired, his voice kept deliberately low.

"At most, a few more hours. Her progress is steady. I'll oversee her recovery, and I'll personally ensure she receives new attire once she's finished," Isaac assured him.

Chairman Lucius gave a nod of satisfaction and proceeded toward the first car, with Arlene, Celia, and Emily following him inside. Alice, Avery, Althea, and Charlotta took their places in the second vehicle.

It was evident that Emily had harbored a desire to ride with Isaac, but Celia had firmly taken her by the arm, guiding her toward Chairman Lucius's car before she could voice her wish. While the practical necessity of space dictated the arrangement – one car couldn't possibly accommodate everyone – Isaac suspected Celia had also shrewdly calculated this as an opportune moment for Emily and herself to spend time with the man who was soon to be their father-in-law.

He let out a slight shake of his head as he observed the maneuver. Celia possessed a remarkable talent for guiding individuals into desired positions without them even realizing it. As he began walking toward his own car, a voice intercepted him. "Would you like to see how I look?"

It was Catherine's voice, originating from his left. Isaac halted. He was indeed curious to see her, genuinely so. He recollected the attire. It would look absurdly-- "Just teasing." Isaac was taken aback.

With swift reflexes, he activated both the Celestial Truth-Seeking Eyes and the Demonic Eyes simultaneously – one sensing Catherine, the other Emily. His vision warped, one eye flaring gold, the other deepening into a profound violet, as he scanned the street, the vehicles, the shopfronts, and the interstitial spaces where someone with her adeptness at concealment might be positioned. Nothing. She wasn't there. His abilities should have rendered any cloaking she employed utterly transparent, indicating she had utilized a clone for the interaction and then nullified it before he could turn. The timing was impeccable. Isaac clicked his tongue.

Very well. If she wished to engage in such games, he was more than capable of reciprocating. He discreetly dispatched several of his own clones, scattering them throughout the vicinity to conduct a search, before entering his car and igniting the engine.

As he navigated the roads, Ruby's holographic projection materialized upon the center console, emanating a steady, blue-white luminescence against the daylight filtering through the windshield. She proceeded to brief him on the day's agenda, detailing the timings for the Lords' summit, the preparatory and subsequent activities, and the evening concert that was expected to draw the majority of the city's populace to the central stage by nightfall.

One particular aspect of the schedule brought him genuine pleasure: Emily's confirmed presence throughout the entire event. Under normal circumstances, she would have already departed to oversee her own City. However, with her AI system and one of Isaac's clones managing affairs there for the day, her attendance at the celebration was secured. The official justification for her prolonged stay was her availability for subsequent discussions with the visiting Lords.

While driving, he also accessed the blueprints that Emily had acquired as a reward for her Lord Quest. She had shared the details of these acquisitions with Ruby, and the AI was currently displaying them prominently on the passenger-side screen: Resonance Watchtower, Rare Blueprint x5; Veinforge Foundry, Rare Blueprint x2; Hollow Sanctuary, Rare Blueprint x1; Thornwall Barricade, Rare Blueprint x10; Echoing Archive, Rare Blueprint x1.

'Every single one is a Rare Blueprint,' Isaac mused. Up to this point, his own collection had consisted of only a single Rare Blueprint: the Praying Altar. This exceedingly useful structure enabled him to gather Faith from his populace, which could then be utilized to accelerate construction speed.

A smile graced his lips as he commanded, "System, share the blueprints!" Without a moment's hesitation, he repeated, "System, share the blueprints." Resonance Watchtower, Rare Blueprint x5 gained. Veinforge Foundry, Rare Blueprint x2 gained. Hollow Sanctuary, Rare Blueprint x1 gained. Thornwall Barricade, Rare Blueprint x10 gained. Echoing Archive, Rare Blueprint x1 gained. He grinned. Unlike individual items, blueprints possessed the capability of being shared. This implied that he, too, could erect these potent structures within his own City.

'Now that I think about it, can I share Emily's troops? What about her buildings?' Isaac pondered. If he could share her summons, then troop deployment should theoretically be feasible, shouldn't it? Or were they classified under different categories? And what of the structures themselves?

Would these structures be considered personal belongings, rendering them unshareable?

Alternatively, perhaps because the buildings were 'linked' to Emily, who held the position of City's Lord, he might be able to include them in a shared pool?