Strongest Necromancer System Chapter 848: The Announcements

Gina's grip tightened on Jason’s hand as she noticed all the attention directed their way, yet Jason simply offered a broad grin to the onlookers.

"What? Can't a couple have a little moment of privacy anymore?"

Laughter rippled through the family at Jason's witty remark, and Jason felt Gina relax, her own laughter joining in. She smiled up at him, and he returned her gaze with a wink before addressing the assembled family.

"Gina and I have an announcement to make. Actually, we have two. About three months ago, Gina and I embarked on a journey far from here. During that time, I truly came to understand how vital she is to me and how much I need her by my side. That is precisely why I asked Gina to marry me..."

"...And I accepted."

Gina's face lit up with a radiant smile as she proudly displayed the ruby ring she had kept concealed until that moment. Instantly, the entire yard erupted in jubilation!

"WHOA! Are you serious!?"

"Gina's getting married already!?"

"Congratulations!"

"OH, honey, I'm so thrilled for you!"

The womenfolk rushed forward, embracing both Jason and Gina with heartfelt joy. The men clapped Jason on the back, offering their congratulations on the proposal. Suddenly, Jonas appeared and swept Jason into the most robust hug Jason had ever experienced! Jonas's eyes glistened with tears as he finally pulled away, hastily wiping them as he began to speak.

"She's quite the handful, and frankly, her cooking is hopeless. But you won't find a finer woman anywhere. I entrust my daughter to you. Please, look after her."

"Dad! You're embarrassing me!"

Gina protested, attempting to curb her father's effusive display, while Jason chuckled, reassuring Jonas that he would cherish Gina. Jonas then pulled both Jason and Gina into another encompassing embrace, his tears flowing anew. Nearby, Mira and Bett clung to each other, witnessing their children receive such warm accolades. Mira, however, blinked and then spoke up.

"Hold on, didn't you say there were two announcements?"

The family's excited chatter subsided slightly as they, too, turned their attention back to Jason and Gina, anticipation evident in their curious gazes. Gina began to shift nervously under the renewed spotlight, offering a shy smile that brought a blush to her cheeks. Jason gently placed an arm around her shoulder, meeting her upcast eyes with a look of unwavering support. This gesture bolstered Gina's resolve, and she looked at her family, her voice clear as she announced.

"Jason and I are going to be parents. I'm... I'm pregnant."

"EEEEEEHHHHHHH!?"

The ground seemed to vibrate as the entire family gasped in unison, and Gina winced slightly, hesitant to meet her parents' eyes, anticipating a measure of disappointment. Her family had always frowned upon pregnancies outside of marriage, leaving Gina uncertain of their immediate reaction. To her astonishment, Jonas's voice boomed out with sudden excitement!

"I'm going to be a granddaddy!!"

The cheer that followed was deafening as Jonas swept Gina into a powerful hug, lifting her effortlessly into the air! Bett and Mira embraced, tears of happiness streaming down their faces as they celebrated. Simultaneously, the elder men gathered around Jason, clapping him heartily on the back and shoulders with warm congratulations.

Admittedly, under different circumstances, Gina's pregnancy might have presented a significant concern for the family. Both Jason and Gina were still quite young, and not yet married, making the prospect of a child seem potentially irresponsible. However, who could possibly dare to criticize Jason and Gina after all that they had achieved? Not only were they recognized as the two most powerful individuals in the world, but they also possessed immense wealth, influence, and global connections. Whether they intended to have one child or a hundred, the entire family understood implicitly that they could easily provide for them all. Consequently, only profound happiness filled the air for the beloved couple.

"Congratulations, sweetheart! I am so incredibly happy for you!"

Bett stepped forward and enveloped her daughter in a warm hug, which Gina reciprocated wholeheartedly. Mira joined in, embracing Gina next, and Bett then turned to pull Jason into a welcoming hug. An overwhelming sense of excitement permeated the entire family following the announcements. Jonas, in fact, climbed onto a chair and proclaimed loudly.

"Everyone, grab a glass, and let's raise a toast! Come on! A toast to the future, to Jason and Gina Marc!"

"To Jason and Gina Marc!"

A roused chorus erupted from the entire family, and Jason lifted his beer mug, toasting them in unison! Gina, seizing Jason’s hand, stood on her tiptoes and planted a kiss upon his lips as their eyes met! The family’s cheers intensified, and Jason beamed as he pulled away. Just as Jason prepared to speak, an unsettling premonition washed over him! His eyes narrowed, his heart hammered against his ribs, and an immense pressure descended upon him! Glancing upwards, Jason witnessed a colossal rift rending the heavens above, prompting an immediate, desperate cry!

"AZRAEL!"

The formidable undead construct materialized within the yard’s confines, raising its staff aloft to erect a vast, enchanted defensive dome. In the following instant, a figure clad in obsidian garments descended through the skyborne tear, aiming a fearsome arcane cannon towards the assembled company! The weapon crackled with a malevolent crimson aura before unleashing utter devastation!

TWOOM!!

BOOOOMMM!!

A beam of magical energy, potent enough to resonate for leagues in all directions, struck the protective dome. Shrieks of terror echoed as everyone present collapsed onto the ground! Jason observed as more shrouded assailants emerged from the celestial fracture, encircling the residence. Each of these figures produced their own arcane armaments, compelling Jason to swiftly raise his hand and initiate a runic sequence. The dome, meticulously crafted by Azrael, possessed the resilience to withstand a TITAN Rank I assault; however, Jason understood that each of these newly arrived weapons was at minimum TITAN Rank I, rendering the dome’s integrity precarious.

Numerous magic circles flared to life around the dome’s perimeter, and Jason channeled his mana, resolute in shielding his family from the onslaught.

TWWOOOMM!

TWOOOMMM!

TWWOOOMM!

The robed assailants unleashed a barrage of destructive attacks from every conceivable angle. Despite Jason’s capacity to effortlessly parry these assaults, the ceaseless barrage granted the cloaked figures a fleeting opportunity, which they promptly seized! Additional robed individuals emerged from the rift, alighting around the house. Intricate magical sigils adorned their palms, and channeling mana into these circles, they forcefully slammed their hands onto the earth. A sprawling magic circle fractured the landscape, emanating a sickly green luminescence. The masked figures then drew wickedly curved ritualistic blades, plunging them into their own hearts, causing the sigil to shift from verdant to a furious crimson as its activation commenced.

In the subsequent moment, Jason experienced a significant and alarming depletion of his magical reserves!

‘What in the…’

Jason’s shock was palpable as he realized his magical prowess had diminished considerably. He clicked his tongue in vexation, sensing the cracks spreading across his defensive runes under the relentless assault.

The magical circle recently manifested by the masked perpetrators was an integral component of a formidable Ritual Art known as the [Ritual of Immortal Severance]! Ritual Arts represented a distinct and specialized discipline within arcane practices, whose origins had long since vanished into historical obscurity. These Ritual Arts bore a striking resemblance to Runic Arts, with the fundamental divergence lying in the crucial fact that, unlike Runic Arts, Ritual Arts invariably necessitated the offering of a sacrifice for their consummation!