Gathering Wives with a System Chapter 486 Teasing Alice, A Bet

"So, why did Lord Isaac approach me?" Seraphina inquired, her head tilting slightly.

"As the Lord, it is my responsibility to ascertain the well-being of my city's populace and address any concerns they might have. I make it a point to regularly survey the area and interact with the citizens," Isaac responded.

"Is that so?" Seraphina's eyebrows arched.

"Indeed. Although, I typically employ a disguise to prevent causing undue commotion," Isaac stated without a moment's hesitation.

"Then, might I inquire why Lord Isaac approached me specifically? Is it true that he is known as a connoisseur of beauty?" she asked, a playful smile gracing her lips.

It was the kind of smile that could readily captivate most observers.

Isaac, however, remained unaffected.

His mind conjured the image of the same woman from earlier, hastily consuming noodles and nearly choking. The stark contrast between that moment and her present composed demeanor made it difficult for him to accept her facade at face value.

Nevertheless, he spoke, "Miss…."

"Sera," she interjected smoothly.

"Miss Sera is quite amusing. However, I would appreciate it if you refrained from making such remarks. I am a devoted husband," Isaac replied, a soft chuckle escaping him.

He ensured his voice carried sufficiently for the surrounding crowd to overhear.

His intention was to clearly signal to the onlookers that he was a man of loyalty, not someone who pursued attractive women.

This presented an ideal chance to diminish his Lustful, NTR, and Harem Domains!

An immediate ripple of reactions spread through the crowd.

Some women in the vicinity emitted soft chuckles, finding his response amusing, while a few men grumbled under their breath.

"How do you find the city, Miss Sera?" Isaac inquired.

"It is magnificent. The cuisine is delightful, the streets are immaculate, the pure ambient mana contributes to a sense of calm, and the city's aesthetics exude harmony," she answered without hesitation.

"I am pleased you find it agreeable." Isaac gave a single nod, his gaze then sharpening subtly. "So… may I ask for your place of origin? I was not aware of any humans residing beyond the four established human cities."

The four human cities were known as Fortified City 50, Fortified City 22, Fortified City 82, and Fortified City 62. However, following Isaac's recent acquisition of two of them, the number had been reduced to three.

Seraphina offered a faint smile. "And how did you ascertain that I am not from a human city?"

"I possess a high-level Mana Sense skill. The quantity of mana I can detect from you indicates you belong to an Apex rank species. There are no humans of such a rank in the other cities. If there were, humanity would have long ago produced a Lord," he declared, the lie as effortless as his breathing.

Seraphina would need to examine his status to verify his assertion. However, due to the item she had gifted him previously, his status was concealed from view unless he chose otherwise.

The crowd reacted instantaneously.

Gasps spread like a wave, and individuals instinctively recoiled, creating a wider berth around Seraphina.

Apex rank.

This was no longer an unfamiliar concept. Since Isaac's ascension to Lord, knowledge regarding ranks, species, and the broader world had begun to disseminate among the general populace.

Nevertheless, hearing it confirmed so casually still caused a stir.

The perception of Seraphina among the onlookers shifted.

Murmurs began to arise.

"So that's the reason Lord Isaac approached her? He requires both beauty and power?"

"Notice me, Lord Isaac! While I may lack strength, I possess long legs and an exceptionally skilled tongue!"

"Look at this scoundrel. He…"

Isaac's lips twitched slightly at the murmuring comments.

He elected to disregard them.

Seraphina, conversely, let out a quiet laugh.

"Indeed, your assessment is accurate," she confirmed. "As you are aware, humans have consistently ventured into the untamed wilderness and the Mourning Frost Mountains. Occasionally, a select few encounter fortuitous treasures or opportunities, leading to their ascension in power. As a result, they gain the favor of other Lords and are subsequently recruited by them."

She paused for a brief moment before continuing,

"My ancestors, several generations back, were such individuals. However, they perpetually lamented their insufficient strength, which prevented their return to aids the human cities. Upon hearing of the emergence of a human Lord, my parents dispatched me here."

"And the Lord under whom you resided permitted your departure to this location?" Isaac inquired, raising his brow slightly.

Seraphina merely offered a shrug.

She provided no verbal response.

Isaac maintained his smile, yet his thoughts raced.

This presented a fully formed backstory.

Either she had utilized connections to fabricate a background for herself, or… Mother had intervened and meticulously arranged everything for her.

"Given that you were dispatched here by your parents, may I assume your intention is to serve under me?" Isaac inquired.

"That shall hinge upon Lord Isaac's performance," she responded, her demeanor tranquil, yet her words carried an undertone of defiance.

Isaac let out a laugh.

"Is there something amusing about my statement?" she questioned.

"There is. On what grounds do you believe I would accept you as my subordinate?" he countered.

A hush fell over the assembled crowd.

"You may possess Apex rank, but I command several others of that caliber. My forces include dragons, devils, and various legendary races. What makes you believe I would desire you?" he inquired.

He then added, with even greater emphasis, "Rather, I should be asking you. What do you possess that would compel me to accept you under my banner?"

This time, the crowd's reaction was noticeably more vocal.

Gasps erupted, whispers filled the air, and disbelief was evident on many faces.

An Apex rank human… openly refused?

Some observers appeared stunned, while others were clearly thrilled.

Yet, the more perceptive individuals noticed something else entirely.

Dragons. Devils.

Up to this point, the true races of Saintess Alice and Goddess Celia had not been officially disclosed. However, Isaac's declaration allowed people to begin piecing together the puzzle.

Concurrently, a different query began circulating amongst the onlookers.

What did he mean by dragons… and devils? Did he command more such subordinates?

Live streams capturing the unfolding event were already propagating at an incredible speed.

Across countless devices, screens, and communication networks, people were witnessing the exchange in real-time.

And accompanying this live coverage was an overwhelming torrent of public commentary.

…

[Anonymous User 4821]: That's our Lord.

[CityResident_77]: He didn't even pause to consider. Apex rank or not, he shows no favoritism.

[IronGuard_21]: This is precisely why humanity finally has a promising future.

[MageApprentice]: Dragons? Devils? Just how formidable is his faction?

[HopeForHumanity]: Under the guidance of Lord Isaac, we will ascend. I assure you, this is merely the beginning.

[Watcher_09]: Damn, I envy his luck, being so audacious as to reject an Apex rank Human.

[Anonymous]: Humanity will achieve dominance one day. Take my words as prophecy.

…

Elsewhere in the city, a group was gathered, their attention focused on a projected screen.

Alice stood near a table, her arms loosely crossed, her gaze intently fixed on the display.

Celia rested casually against a surface, a subtle smile gracing her lips.

Arlene was seated nearby, while Emily occupied a hovering cushion, her attention divided between the screen and Alice.

They had only recently returned from a shopping excursion when Arlene received the notification for the live stream.

Now, all of them were engrossed in watching it.

"Sera. She is quite lovely. Isaac has certainly been swift," Celia remarked conversationally.

She cast a sideways glance at Alice as she spoke.

Alice emitted a soft snort.

Emily, after a moment's hesitation, spoke with caution, "Alice, I don't believe Isaac intends to—"

"I am not angered," Alice interrupted. Although her expression was naturally serene, both Emily and Celia could discern a hint of exasperation in her eyes. "What do you all presume of me? I am not prone to losing my temper every time Isaac converses with a woman."

"R-Right," Emily responded, though her smile appeared somewhat strained.

Celia let out a soft chuckle.

She understood Alice quite well.

Considering all that had transpired—especially after Isaac had honored her request regarding Selene—Alice would never become genuinely angry at Isaac for interacting with other women.

Consequently, this situation was not dire, making it an ideal opportunity to playfully tease both Isaac and Alice.

"If you are not angry, then why are you speaking with such intensity?" Celia inquired, her tone imbued with playfulness.

"I am not. Besides, I am aware Isaac will merely recruit her and nothing more. It's not as if he plans to bring her into our home," Alice replied, though her voice undoubtedly carried a slightly more pronounced emphasis than usual.

"How about we wager? My prediction is that he will bring her home," Celia proposed.

Alice fell silent.

"My, so you harbor no confidence in him at all? You envision him as the sort of man who meets a woman once and brings her back the very same day?" Celia queried, placing a hand lightly over her chest in a gesture of feigned surprise.

Alice's eyebrow twitched minutely. She slowly turned her head, her expression becoming entirely neutral as she met Celia's gaze.

"Does that not imply that you also lack faith in him?" she countered.

"It is precisely because I trust him that I am initiating this bet," Celia avowed without a flicker of hesitation. Her smile remained utterly unwavering.

Alice's aura intensified slightly. She held Celia's gaze steadily.

Celia remained still, simply smiling as though Alice's reaction only fueled her amusement rather than presenting a threat. In Celia's view, Alice resembled someone protectively guarding something precious, which only amplified her desire to tease.

Arlene, who had been quietly observing from the sidelines, was faring considerably less well. Her shoulders tensed perceptibly, and her hands clenched slightly in her lap as she sensed the escalating tension.

"I-Is this… acceptable…?" she inquired in a small, hesitant voice.

Emily promptly noticed Arlene's distress. She gently placed her hand over Arlene's, offering a light, reassuring squeeze.

"It is perfectly fine. Do not be concerned. They are merely engaging in lighthearted banter," Emily reassured her softly.

It was primarily Celia provoking the teasing, and Alice appeared on the verge of an outburst. However, conveying that reality to Arlene would be imprudent, so Emily offered her a semblance of false reassurance.

In any event, Emily was confident that Alice would refrain from any truly drastic actions. At most, she might forcibly drag Celia along for a strenuous training session.