Gathering Wives with a System Chapter 483 Emily In Danger

"Alright then. Let's make the preparations," Bella stated, ascending into the air.

The other Lords stood from their respective places as well.

"The competition shall commence in an hour," Avery announced.

No objections were raised.

As everyone began to depart the chamber, their thoughts were already occupied with team compositions and strategic planning.

Just as Isaac turned to leave with his entourage, a voice suddenly resonated within his mind.

'Your subordinate Emily is in peril due to her innate ability to purify corrupted monsters!'

Isaac's progression halted for the briefest of moments.

His gaze intensified.

Though the communication was directed solely into his consciousness, he identified the source instantly.

Hass, the Lord of Ashes.

Isaac subtly looked in Hass's direction, but the latter did not return the glance. He proceeded onward as if no exchange had occurred, as if no words had been spoken.

By the time all the Lords had exited, Isaac's demeanor had taken on a more somber hue.

"Did something occur?" Avery inquired, perceiving the shift.

"Hass issued a warning. He suspects Emily may be in danger because of her unique talent for purifying corrupted monsters," Isaac conveyed.

Alice's countenance immediately became stern.

"What?" she questioned, a frown creasing her brow.

"Do not concern yourself. Within the confines of the City, no one possesses the ability to harm Emily. Not with all of us present to ensure her safety," Eleanor reassured calmly.

Alice regarded Eleanor for a moment before nodding slowly. "Indeed, you speak the truth. Should anyone dare to inflict even the slightest harm upon her, I shall ensure they deeply regret their very existence."

Averon shifted subtly, appearing somewhat uncomfortable.

While the others seemed poised to take immediate action regarding this revelation, he did not share the same heightened sense of urgency. It wasn't that he harbored any ill feelings towards Emily; rather, the intensity of the concern displayed by the others struck him as... excessive.

Still, he remained silent.

The atmosphere within the room had palpably changed.

What had previously been a lighthearted and strategic discussion now carried a heavier weight.

Following a brief period of silence, Avery lightly clapped her hands, intending to lift the mood.

"Oh, right, I must begin the setup for the betting. Would you be so kind as to provide me with some workers to assist in arranging everything?" she asked, as if recalling a crucial detail.

"Betting stations?" Isaac blinked in surprise.

"I intend to broadcast the competition live. Furthermore, I will allow individuals to place wagers on the prospective winner," Avery explained.

"...Are you serious?" Isaac stared at her, incredulous.

"Absolutely. I shall refrain from disclosing the agreement among the Lords. It will be presented merely as a friendly contest, which should prove quite entertaining," she responded.

For a fleeting moment, Isaac found himself at a loss for words.

He then let out a sigh.

"...Very well. I shall forward the contact information for the workers to you."

Avery's smile broadened, evident satisfaction radiating from her.

"Excellent. Then I shall anticipate seeing you at the competition's scheduled time."

She turned to depart.

"The betting concept was brilliant. Thank you," she communicated mentally.

"You need not thank me. Offer your gratitude to the child. However, do not reveal to that boy that the idea originated from the child. She does not wish for him to know," an ancient and resonant voice replied.

Avery's lips curved into a subtle smile.

"Understood," she mentally responded.

The voice belonged to the Elemental Spirit of Machines. It had commenced communication with Selene subsequent to its quiet descent to aid in her evolution. Avery had anticipated this development eventually occurring. The Elemental Spirit of Machines might have initially disregarded Selene, appearing haughty and indifferent, but in reality, she was a being of deep compassion, albeit one who disliked outward displays of affection.

Upon establishing contact with the Elemental Spirit of Machines, Selene had requested its assistance in connecting with Avery.

Selene desired awareness of the events surrounding Isaac. Not every detail, but just enough to feel a sense of participation.

The Spirit had initially been reluctant to divulge information directly. Nevertheless, it had not entirely severed communication.

Consequently, it assumed the role of an intermediary.

Information began to flow, gradually and with deliberate caution, between Selene and Avery.

And through this established connection, the current plan had begun to materialize.

The strategy to manipulate the situation, to turn the Lords' own intentions against them, and to structure the betting in this particular manner... that was Selene's contribution.

Avery proceeded down the corridor, her outward expression serene, yet her internal thoughts were significantly more active.

"She does not want Isaac to realize she provided all these ideas!"

Her smile widened slightly.

"She is soo cuuuuuute!!!!"

Avery had become thoroughly engrossed in Selene's romantic journey after spending several months in training alongside her.

Witnessing the pure affection displayed by Selene, observing how she consistently endeavored to assist Isaac while concealing her actions to prevent him from feeling burdened, filled Avery with a delightful flutter.

"I am firmly in your corner, Selene! I will aid you in uniting with him and ensure he cherishes you above all others!"

Avery was aware that Isaac had multiple companions, but she could not help but champion such an unadulterated, innocent love story.

This was precisely why she had resolved to align herself with Selene's cause and offer her unwavering support!

Isaac's POV

"Don't worry too much," Isaac reassured.

"Mhm," Alice responded with a nod.

She stood by his side, yet her focus seemed miles away. A visible tension lay hidden behind her eyes.

Isaac caught it instantly, a faint, wry smile touching his lips.

Alice had evidently entered a defensive stance.

To an outsider, she might appear merely preoccupied. Isaac, however, recognized the signs. She was restraining herself, much like a slumbering volcano on the verge of eruption. Should Emily ever face a true threat, Alice would not hesitate to eliminate the danger.

"Who do you suspect is targeting Emily? Could it be one of the Lords?" Alice inquired after a brief silence.

"It's possible it's the Purification Cult," Averon interjected, providing an alternative.

Both Isaac and Alice turned their attention towards him.

Averon shifted slightly under their scrutiny before elaborating, "It's a cult that... well, it's rather peculiar. They are proponents of the Apocalypse. Therefore, if they perceive Emily as capable of purifying corruption, they might view her as an obstacle."

"What exactly is this Purification Cult?" Isaac questioned, his brow furrowed.

"My knowledge is rather limited. Very few people possess much information. They operate with extreme secrecy."

Averon ran a hand over the back of his head.

"That secrecy stems from their long history. They are a group comprised of fanáticos, and their most prominent members wield considerable strength," Eleanor contributed.

"You seem to know more about them?" Isaac directed his gaze toward her.

"A little," she acknowledged.

She paused momentarily, as if weighing her words, then continued with a measured tone.

"Their origins trace back to the period preceding the Apocalypse's arrival. Ancient records suggest a Deity once employed a supreme artifact to ensnare the world in an endless cycle. Subsequently, another Deity emerged, vanquished the first, and destroyed that artifact. The remnants of the shattered artifact descended from the divine plane to the mortal realm. A Flood Dragon discovered a fragment of this destroyed artifact, and from it, a revelation emerged."

Eleanor proceeded, "What began will commence anew. Destiny shall repeat itself, and nothing shall deviate. The world is incapable of genuine transformation. History is destined to remain static. Such is the predetermined path for all existence. However, 'He' will arrive, bringing salvation. He will bestow trials and bestow rewards. He shall shatter the cycle of fate and usher in unprecedented growth. He will obliterate stagnation and elevate all things!"

Upon her conclusion, Isaac and Alice slowly nodded in understanding.

Averon, conversely, appeared astonished.

"...How can you possibly know that? That doesn't sound like information accessible to outsiders. Shouldn't only high-ranking adepts of the Purification Cult be privy to such knowledge?" he inquired.

Eleanor offered a slight shrug.

"I have encountered certain revelations," she stated plainly.

Without further explanation, she shifted the conversation's focus.

"The Purification Cult interprets 'He' as referring to the System and the Apocalypse. They posit that the Apocalypse serves as a trial, intended to propel the world forward. Consequently, they revere it, treating it as a divine entity."