Gathering Wives with a System Chapter 484 Artifacts Made From Eyes Of Crimson Sky Wyrm

"In short, they are lunatics," Eleanor declared.

Isaac nodded his head in agreement. Based on all the information he had gathered, that description seemed fitting.

Averon leaned back slightly, crossing his arms. "Protecting Emily should not pose too much of a challenge with the Spirit of Water by her side. So, shall we divert our attention to the competition for the time being? It will determine if Isaac will be sworn to another Lord. We absolutely cannot afford to falter here."

As he spoke, his gaze drifted towards Isaac, a subtle intensity in his eyes, a mixture of annoyance and resentment.

Isaac detected it instantly. "What is it?"

"How could you make me your Sub-Lord without consulting me about the ludicrous bet you were making? It is now practically guaranteed that I will have to serve yet another Lord." Averon clicked his tongue in irritation.

"If you have no desire to serve another Lord, then fight with all your might," Isaac retorted with a shrug, appearing unperturbed.

A sharp exhale escaped Averon's nose, but he chose not to press the matter further.

Instead, he shifted the conversation. "So, who from our side will be participating in the fight?"

"You, Alice, Emily, Eleanor, Avery..." Isaac paused for a moment. "And I will be seeking out a sixth member."

Eleanor's gaze flickered towards Isaac the instant he uttered her name instead of her official title. While she made no comment, her awareness of the change did not go unnoticed.

Isaac deliberately acted as if he had not observed her reaction.

"Correct me if I am mistaken, but are Alice and Emily both at the Adept rank?" Averon inquired.

"That is correct," Isaac confirmed.

"And Eleanor?"

"Champion rank."

Averon closed his eyes briefly, a small smile forming on his lips. He appeared to have already resigned himself to the possibility of defeat.

"All of our team members are of Apex rank species. Therefore, do not place excessive worry on the rank itself," Isaac reassured him.

Averon's eyes snapped open, his irritation now evident. "They also possess Apex rank species, and furthermore, theirs are Overlord rank, unlike our Adepts."

"Stop acting like a fool," Isaac chided, clicking his tongue.

"I am not a fool," Averon shot back immediately.

"You would not be suggesting we cannot win if you were not. We have Avery. Then there is Emily, who commands two Catastrophes, three monsters she has subdued from the Great Dungeon, three Abyss monsters, and a host of other summons that defy easy counting. Those two alone possess the power to turn the tide of battle. Furthermore, there are Alice and Eleanor, both of whom have recently grown more powerful. So, tell me again why you are convinced of our impending doom?"

Averon opened his mouth, preparing to voice his counter-argument.

Then, he hesitated.

He reconsidered the situation more thoroughly.

Avery might indeed be insufficient on his own. That much was true. However, Emily represented an entirely different caliber of strength. She was a tamer, and her personal rank did not solely dictate her power. Her summoned creatures were the true measure, and they were far from weak.

Even Averon himself felt uncertain about his ability to contend with her if she unleashed her full capabilities.

"...Perhaps we do stand a chance of winning after all," he conceded after a moment's thought, his tone undergoing a noticeable shift.

"I am aware of that. However, this does not grant you license to be careless. Maintain your vigilance and fight with determination. Now, go and ready yourself," Isaac instructed.

Averon nodded slowly. A subtle grin spread across his face as he turned towards the exit.

Those Lords had been a persistent source of trouble for him, and he had endured numerous moments of humiliation due to them. Now, he finally had an opportunity to settle the score.

I wonder who is representing that Fafnir bastard's faction in this competition. I certainly hope it's that shrew Serisa, he mused as he stepped out.

The door clicked shut behind him.

A momentary silence descended upon the room.

"Who do you have in mind for the sixth participant?" Alice inquired, breaking the quiet.

"I was considering either Vale or my sister. However, I have been unable to reach her at all. So, we will likely proceed with Vale." Isaac leaned back slightly.

Alice nodded, deeming his reasoning sound.

Lords themselves were prohibited from engaging in the competition; only their subordinates were permitted to enter. If this restriction were not in place, Isaac would undoubtedly have participated without a second thought.

The group continued to deliberate over a few minor points, nothing of significant consequence, merely adjustments and potential strategies. After a short while, a knock echoed from the door.

Alice directed her gaze towards the sound.

"They have arrived at last," Isaac announced. "Enter."

The door swung open, and Paul strode in with his characteristic exuberance. Following behind him was Tyr, the treant, who carried two substantial boxes upon his shoulders as if they were utterly weightless.

"Brother Isaac! It has been far too long!" Paul exclaimed with a broad grin, stepping forward and embracing Isaac in a brief hug.

Tyr's guttural bark contorted subtly, forming what could only be interpreted as a smile.

"It is good to see both of you," Isaac responded warmly.

Paul extended his greetings to the others, while Tyr offered a discreet nod to each in turn. When his gaze settled upon Alice, his demeanor visibly brightened.

Alice returned his gaze with a smile. "It has indeed been a while."

For Tyr, the duration felt fleeting. However, for Isaac and Alice, who had endured the Trial, months had elapsed. This disparity was evident in their reactions.

"So, did you prepare what I asked for?" Isaac inquired, cutting to the chase.

"Of course! The blacksmiths from Former Governor Jeremy's city were incredibly skilled. Thanks to them, we finished these earlier than anticipated!" Paul responded instantly, his grin broadening.

Tyr stepped forward and placed the two boxes gently on the ground.

Paul lowered himself and opened them.

Within the first box lay a bracelet. While seemingly plain initially, a subtle luminescence emanated from its core.

The second box contained a spear.

Even without physical contact, the weapon exuded a sharp, menacing aura.

"These are crafted from the eyes of the Crimson Sky Wyrm and Hell-Iron Myre. It demanded considerable effort, but the result surpassed my expectations," Paul stated, gesturing with pride.

Isaac's gaze lingered on the items for a moment.

"What capabilities do they possess?" Alice asked.

Paul picked up the bracelet. "This one features two skills. The primary is an active ability. Upon activation, it diminishes the movement speed of all enemies within a fifty-meter radius by twenty percent."

"That's quite useful," Alice commented, her focus fixed on the bracelet.

"Indeed. Especially in group engagements, it grants control over the battlefield," Paul concurred, then added, "For every enemy whose speed you reduce, your own speed receives a 5% boost. This is its secondary ability, stackable up to five times."

He then set the bracelet aside and lifted the spear.

"Now, this is the truly remarkable piece," he declared, his tone subtly shifting.

Isaac observed intently.

"It possesses a two percent chance to inflict a three-second stun with every successful hit on an enemy. Furthermore, there's an additional two percent probability to reduce an enemy's weapon durability by three percent upon a clash," Paul elucidated.

Superficially, the percentages might not appear significant.

However, in actual combat, awakeners could exchange dozens of blows in mere seconds. This rapid exchange meant those probabilities would compound swiftly, leading to the effects triggering far more frequently than the initial numbers suggested.

"Good work." Isaac acknowledged.

"It wasn't solely my doing. Those blacksmiths you connected me with were instrumental. I couldn't have completed these so quickly without their assistance," Paul admitted, rubbing the back of his head with a smile.

Isaac gave a slight nod.

Several Crimson Sky Wyrm eyes remained, which had been entrusted to jewelers. He had been informed that their transformation into functional items would require additional time.

I wonder what kind of abilities those will possess, he mused briefly.

Without further delay, he took possession of both the bracelet and the spear.

Turning towards Alice, he presented them to her.

Alice appeared momentarily surprised before accepting the items.

"Thank you," she expressed.

Isaac offered a subtle nod. "Use them wisely."

Alice first examined the bracelet, sliding it onto her wrist. She then turned her attention to the spear, her grip tightening slightly as she tested its balance.

"It feels good," she remarked after a pause.

"It should. I spared no effort on that one," Paul replied with evident pride.

…The announcement of the Lords' competition propagated with astonishing speed.

Within merely half an hour, the news had permeated every sector of the city.

The bustling streets were alive with chatter, people dissecting matchups, discussing odds, and trading rumors that shifted by the hour.

Citizens congregated in small clusters, fervently debating the potential outcomes for each Lord. Visitors, drawn by the allure of the Great Dungeon or the vibrant markets, joined the spirited discussions with equal fervor.

Soon, information regarding the participants began to surface.

Lists materialized, names were whispered, and details of strengths, abilities, and past exploits were unearthed, transforming private knowledge into public domain.

The originator of the intelligence concerning the subordinates of the other Lords remained unknown.

Yet, inexplicably, nearly everyone seemed to possess access to this compiled data.

A single detail, however, stood out conspicuously.

While comprehensive information on every Lord's subordinates was readily available, there was a stark absence of any data pertaining to Isaac's team.

This anomaly alone was sufficient to ignite widespread suspicion.

The prevailing assumption was that Isaac was deliberately withholding details about his own contingent while assiduously gathering intelligence on his rivals.

The solitary question that remained unanswered, the one that perplexed everyone, was this—

How had Isaac managed to acquire such extensive knowledge about everyone else?

…

From the vantage point of a tranquil café's second floor, two elderly gentlemen observed the lively street scene unfolding below.

Wisps of steam curled languidly from their teacups.

"So, you've wagered on Isaac out of sheer animosity?" Marlow inquired, his tone measured and tinged with amusement. He held the position of principal at Master of Sanctum university.

"Indeed! My entire fortune is placed on Isaac!" Jeremy, the former governor of the human city who now served Isaac, responded without a second thought.

"What makes you say that?" Marlow raised an eyebrow.

"Why else? I am eager to witness that scoundrel's downfall. Do you realize the amount of work he piles on me? Truly, he shows no respect for his elders!"

A few patrons nearby cast glances their way, but Jeremy remained unfazed.

"That is precisely why I wagered on his defeat! If he loses, I shall finally find some solace. And should he triumph, I gain substantial wealth. Regardless of the outcome, I stand to win!"

Marlow let out a soft chuckle, shaking his head.

Even in his advanced years, Jeremy's capacity for unrelenting complaints was almost remarkable.

Yet, Marlow's demeanor shifted abruptly.

His gaze darted subtly, and his posture became noticeably rigid.

Jeremy, however, seemed oblivious.

He continued his tirade, his voice escalating with increasingly colorful denunciations.

Marlow delivered a swift kick beneath the table.

Once, then again.

Jeremy disregarded both actions.

"...And I swear, one day I intend to—"

"It appears you are quite content with the remuneration you receive."

The voice originated from directly behind him.

Jeremy froze instantly.

That familiar, infuriating voice was unmistakable.

Slowly, he turned his head.

Isaac stood there, his gaze fixed upon him.

Instead of recoiling, Jeremy's countenance contorted with sheer irritation.

"Yes, the salary is so generous it makes me detest it! What will you do? Terminate my employment? Go right ahead!" he retorted sharply.

Isaac remained still for a moment, observing him.

Then, in his characteristic calm tone, he inquired, "...Do you recall the provision allowing me to assign you on official trips?"

"What are you—"

Jeremy's face tightened perceptibly.

A faint smile touched Isaac's lips as he placed a hand on Jeremy's shoulder.

"Prepare your belongings. You are being dispatched to the Crawling Serpent tribe this evening to study their organizational structure," he stated.

Jeremy's expression darkened considerably.

"And naturally, you will continue to manage your responsibilities within this city as well," Isaac appended.

For a fleeting instant, Jeremy harbored a fierce desire for ten mouths.

To unleash his curses upon Isaac simultaneously with every single one.

Marlow, meanwhile, calmly sipped his tea, a clear look of amusement on his face.

...

Beyond the café's confines, Isaac proceeded along the thoroughfare.

The city's cacophony enveloped him, yet his thoughts were occupied elsewhere.

He had navigated to this vicinity due to a fleeting sensation of Catherine's presence.

His encounter with Jeremy had been a sheer coincidence.

Discovering he was under a curse, however, was a different matter entirely.

"Sigh. I provide him with a commendable salary, ample resources, and considerable autonomy. Why does he behave as though I am condemning him to servitude?"

He gave a slight shake of his head and continued his perambulation, his eyes methodically surveying the environment.

People streamed past him – merchants, awakeners, humans, orcs, and ordinary civilians. Nothing appeared overtly unusual.

Suddenly, a screen materialized before his eyes.

[A suitable target has been detected within the host's immediate vicinity.]

Isaac's gaze instantly locked onto the direction indicated by the display.

Across the street, near a modest outdoor dining area of a restaurant, a solitary woman occupied a table.

She appeared entirely unremarkable, blending seamlessly with her surroundings.

With intense focus, she savored a bowl of noodles, her expression one of near ecstasy, as if indulging in something profoundly exquisite.

To any casual observer, she would have vanished into the throng.

However, the screen persisted, hovering directly above her.

Additional notifications began to populate the display.

[Name: …]