Chapter 3806 Thirty-First Wife?
Chapter 3806 Thirty-First Wife?
"…"
Davis's words brought about a silent pandemonium in the harem.
Mingzhi's jaw dropped as she held her head.
Yilla blinked.
Evelynn had a similar reaction while Myria shook her head, not understanding what brought about this change. Had her words about Zenova Artoria influenced him?
There were also a few beauties like Shirley who gave a bombastic side eye while a few others like Niera frowned, not approving of Zenova Artoria. She was an existence who wouldn't sit still with them as she was too proud and haughty, but if it was just those two, it would be good but she was also selfishly cunning which meant their lives could be jeopardized.
They couldn't see her willing to be seated with them. They felt it wasn't happening.
However, they also knew that the harem was in splits about this matter since eight of them were in favor of Zenova Artoria joining their harem, twelve of them were against and four abstained. That could've changed after she took revenge for Isabella in the Seventh Hidden Pagoda and brought back Evelynn in one piece.
Zenova Artoria displayed a variety of emotions with how her brows widened before they squinted as though she was deeply distrustful of those words.
"Thirty-first…? Are you mocking me? Or despite the not-so-honorable number, are you swallowing your words of how you once said that I'm not more worthy than someone you already have here?"
Her voice began coldly but in the end, she became amused.
"I'm sorry but Shea is more of a wife than most women in my harem. One reason is she is acknowledged to be the best mother here and the second is she has a caring feminine nature that invokes a man's protective nature, so my opinion uttered back then still stands. She is more worthy than you to be a wife."
Davis declared with a straight face, causing the others to giggle.
They did indeed admit that Shea was more of a wife or mother than them. Even now, yes, she was with the children, taking care of them and imbuing them with good values, something they were hard-pressed to do.
Shea was not only lucky to give birth to Sheria but was a big hit with the other children as well— which also incurred their jealousy but at the same time, they wholeheartedly believed she had no ulterior motives which allowed them to be at ease with her.
"…" Zenova Artoria glared at him.
What was the point of saying that if he was going to accept her? Did he really think she would accept this humiliation?
She heaved an exasperated sigh, walking towards his side while still glaring at him.
"Do you know why an Emperor only has one Empress and the rest are concubines or of even lower ranks?"
She walked around him in a full circle while Davis remained silent as though waiting for her to answer.
She narrowed her eyes, her voice turned cold.
"Because it is impossible to maintain a harmonious environment among wives... because each and every one of them would have tremendous ego and willfulness that sears the family from the inside out. That's why you tell them— you are inferior, so stay in your place and don't try to bother climbing ranks, or doing so would end up incurring severe consequences."
"…"
Davis's gaze flickered. Rather than wisdom, he felt that she was speaking from experience.
'Could it be that her father was an Emperor of a power…?' He doubted.
Considering she had built a big mausoleum to bury her father, he could see that.
'Does this mean Zenova Artoria was a princess?' The way she carried herself, noble, graceful, and elegant, he could also see her being one.
"…"
Looking at Davis still remaining silent, Zenova Artoria gestured and sighed.
"Your harem may be finding unity in calamity for now but once peace settles in and new generations arise, it would be survival of the fittest within the family."
"I concur."
Davis responded calmly as though it was a matter of fact, incurring Zenova Artoria's frown.
"Are you even listening? They-"
She turned to look at his harem's faces, already seeing them seethe in anger at her words. They probably saw her words as nothing more than bringing disharmony. However, she wasn't bothered. In fact, her lips curled into a mocking smile before she turned to look at Davis.
"What if I told you I would agree— but only if you make everyone else your concubine."
"…!"
Evelynn and the others' eyes widened in shock.
Was she agreeing or was she toying with them only to put him down if he agreed? They couldn't tell as they saw her gaze at him sincerely despite the pride in her words.
"Sorry, I can't do that."
Davis spread his hands, smiling lightly, "If my family is ruined during peaceful times by my own wives being swayed by the health and wealth of their children— so be it. I'd make sure the family revives from the ashes anew with an iron fist if required. I don't think our children in the next few generations will all be understanding or obedient anyway, so a bit of cleansing would be more or less required."
"…"
Zenova Artoria stared at him, wondering if this man who was kind to his family was capable of such a thing before she lowered her head.
"Integrity comes at the cost of sacrificing opportunities, sometimes acquiring trust from others that is of little to no worth."
She raised her head, looking at him with a complicated gaze, "You have proved your worth by not changing your tone and I have the utmost respect for it but it's a pity as it is not what I'm looking for."
"I see. I think it's a pity as well but not really a loss as I don't love you yet. I offered you in good faith thinking you're a wonderful woman and as expected, you declined. Don't say that I didn't look your way in the future."
"…"
Davis chuckled while Zenova Artoria stared at him with parted lips.
Why did she even think for a moment that he had the slightest affection for her? She scoffed lightly, shaking her head before she nodded.
"I would rather die than act like a pitiful woman. Nonetheless, give me your price for the Gilded Realm Ascendant Realm Pill. I'm not in the greatest of moods after losing, so you better expect a steep price."
"Shit…"
Davis looked taken aback as though he hadn't considered that.
After some negotiating back and forth, he finally managed to procure the Gilded Realm Ascendant Pill of Minor Realm. He traded one small favor, one big favor on top of the biggest favor of bringing back Evelynn in one piece. Except for the latter, the other two favors were traded in written form, so it was tangible and could be used against him in a minor way.
It could be said that Zenova Artoria wanted insurance against his Judgment Laws which she still believed he had not dispersed from her. What could he say? She was too suspicious and too cautious.
With his reincarnation soul, he doubted this kind of lowly form of karmic binding would work for him. Honestly, he didn't even feel the threat of Blood Soul Contracts anymore, perhaps needing to find an even more powerful karmic binding technique.
Other than his favors, she also got Tina and Myria to make a pill for her. It had to do with the Empyrean Grade Fire Law Treasure and Lightning Law Treasure she picked up in the Mystical Herb Garden and they agreed.
Zenova Artoria ate some annihilative lightning from Eldia, strengthening herself.
Then, she basked in the light of the Celestial Luminescence Pill that had just recharged, receiving an extreme boost to her innate comprehension ability.
"…"
Davis felt like he was being robbed even though what he offered wasn't much when compared to a Minor Realm Pill because his favors couldn't be placed in a value box and measured as he could go back on it while on the other hand, Tina and Myria's pill concoction could certainly be measured.
He also asked for the other pill but was simply met with a scorching gaze that made him take two steps back.
It seemed like it wasn't a good day to be greedy.
Zenova Artoria stayed for half a day before she left.
Watching her leave the Central Desolate Plains as she headed west to the Magical Beast Wildlands, Davis sighed.
"It's a pity that she won't stay. I am starting to like her and would've liked to explore more of her hidden feminine side but she's too prideful."
By his side, the big three and Myria stood.
"Will she be fine…? Evelynn asked with some worry, "I mean, I know she can take care of herself but it is equally dangerous out there."
Myria opened her mouth, "Davis did allow her to come back if she wanted help, so that's good. I always thought Divergents shouldn't be together but with him and you all— that may not be the case."
"Yes."
Davis and the others nodded in agreement.
Although he couldn't offer Zenova Artoria a place to stay lifelong, he made sure to thank her plenty for bringing back his Evelynn. His gaze flashed as he also noticed something which was her requirements had dropped from the last time.
She had hinted at him, wanting him to abandon them all before, but now, she only required him to lower their status.
It made him wonder.
Nonetheless, he turned around and looked at his beauties, wondering if he should make love or just get back to cultivation as the danger wasn't over yet.
Zenova Artoria was ultimately right.
The danger would sooner or later fall on them if they continued to stay here.
"Alright, once we're done digesting the pills, let's leave for another realm to make a second base."