Chapter 186: Next Plan

Asher mentally paused the system’s incoming notification chime; this was not the appropriate moment to review his newly acquired rewards and stat gains. All he wanted right now was to quietly cherish this peaceful, undisturbed moment with his wives.

​He raised his arms and pulled Kelly tight against his chest, feeling her soft body snuggle deeply into his embrace. He had forged a silent vow in his heart—within a single month, he planned to completely cure all three of his wives. He had already successfully restored Kelly, his first wife; now, his immediate second objective was Juliana, his third wife.

​Sara’s condition was considerably more complex and deeply rooted, so Asher had designated her as his final, ultimate goal.

​Tang, observing the intimate atmosphere from the doorway, immediately understood the situation and bowed softly in respect:

​"My Lord, we shall take our leave."

​Asher gave a short, quiet nod: "Jessica, please bring the meal over."

​"Yes, My Lord." Jessica replied with a respectful nod, stepping back out into the hallway alongside Tang and Viper, leaving the four of them alone in the spacious bedroom.

​"I feel completely left out," Juliana muttered, her lips forming a subtle, dramatic pout.

​Asher smiled warmly at her and extended his right arm wide. The moment she saw the inviting gesture, Juliana bounded off the mattress and threw herself into his open embrace. Sara, on the other hand, simply stood quietly beside the bed with a hesitant expression; however, in the very next instant, a gentle, invisible force wrapped around her frame and pulled her straight toward his left side. Sara blinked in quiet surprise, her mind processing the sudden shift before finding herself nestled firmly against Asher’s side.

​He comfortably held all three of his wives at once, a satisfied smile resting on his lips. He inwardly offered a quick note of gratitude to the system for continuously fortifying his physical constitution—without his enhanced strength, holding three beauties simultaneously would have been an awkward struggle.

​’My entire life has fundamentally transformed, starting from the very moment I unlocked the system...’ Asher thought, closing his eyes as he inhaled their distinct, comforting scents:

’I still don’t fully understand why the system chose me out of everyone in this world, but I will make sure to utilize its divine power to its absolute maximum capacity. I have no clear idea what unpredictable threats lie ahead, but I have already accumulated far too many powerful enemies... and some of those bastards are directly targeting my wives.’

​His jaw set in quiet resolve:

​’As their husband, it is my absolute responsibility to shield each one of them from harm. But I cannot physically be in every location at once, which means my wives must also grow powerful enough to defend themselves when separated! We can only elevate our family name to true supreme heights through our own collective strength... As for acquiring the necessary resources? Well, the system will provide everything we need.’

​He opened his eyes and gazed out through the expansive glass windows of the grand bedroom, looking out toward the horizon:

​’We are currently on the right path... at least, I truly hope so.’

___

​[Gods Guild Headquarters.]

[Strategic Command Center.]

​Inside the heavily fortified central command chamber, the guild leaders of Vaeloria’s top five factions were currently convened alongside Lord Daniel.

​"What exactly is the operational strategy here?" Margaret, the Guild Leader of the Celestial Guild—the second-strongest guild in Vaeloria—asked, breaking the heavy silence.

​"My immediate proposal is that we initiate a systematic civilian evacuation." Daniel stated firmly, his serious gaze sweeping across the five guild leaders seated around the strategic table.

​"We fully understand that civilian safety is paramount, Lord Daniel, but the outer defensive walls serve as a massive secondary security barrier... No matter how immense this incoming monster tide turns out to be, the horde will not breach the inner perimeter to reach the population." Tyson Vulcan, the formidable Guild Leader of the Gods Guild—the undisputed number-one guild in Vaeloria—replied smoothly.

​"What utter nonsense are you spouting?!" Daniel snapped, slamming his open palm hard onto the reinforced table as he rose sharply to his feet:

​"We are discussing a full-scale, unmonitored monster tide!! A crisis of this magnitude carries countless unknown variables!! We haven’t even identified the root cause behind this sudden monsters surge! Furthermore, I demand to know—why aren’t Silverspire’s leaders and the patriarchs of the major local families present at this command council?!"

​"This situation is hardly significant enough to warrant disturbing the city council leaders... And as for the major noble families? Those arrogant aristocrats are completely useless in high-level field combat anyway." Margaret answered, her tone remains cool and unimpressed.

​"Indeed. It is vastly more efficient for the elite guilds to manage this threat directly," Tyson added, maintaining steady eye contact with Daniel.

​"Ah... I see. I finally understand your true motives." Daniel said, a cold, disbelieving laugh escaping his lips as he nodded slowly.

​"Understand what, Lord Daniel?" Nixon and Marianne asked in perfect unison, turning toward him in surprise.

​"You individuals intend to intercept and neutralize this entire monster tide without alerting the public primarily out of sheer greed for profit!! Am I wrong?!"

"....?!"

​"I have no intention of fabricating lies to deceive you, Lord Daniel," Tyson stated with a quiet sigh, leaning forward:

​"That is indeed our primary objective. Yes, if we officially inform the city administration and the patriarchs, they will immediately demand a heavily bureaucratic redistribution of all monster drops and yields harvested from the horde. But if the top guilds handle the threat independently, we secure exclusive rights to every piece of high-grade raw equipment, rare skill books, and most importantly, Evolution Stones." He offered Daniel a faint, diplomatic smile:

​"I am not claiming our motives are entirely selfless, but we are actively executing a strategy that protects the civilian populace without inciting widespread panic, civil unrest, or economic disruption. This remains the most efficient method to keep the city safe."

​"Selfishness always manages to sound so remarkably noble when filtered through your tongue, Tyson." Daniel spat, his eyes filled with undisguised disdain.

​"Listen, I didn’t come here to debate ethics! My sole objective in attending this emergency meeting is neutralizing this monster tide before it touches our borders!!" Marianne interjected loudly, slamming her hand on the table to cut off the escalating argument:

​"As long as the citizens remain completely safe, I am content with the arrangement." She turned her sharp gaze directly toward Daniel:

​"Lord Daniel, I fully comprehend your ethical concerns, but Guild Leader Tyson’s logistical point is also valid. If those politicians or noble family heads get wind of this horde, news will inevitably leak to the public, triggering massive city-wide panic and chaos... So let us at least hear the Guild Leader’s tactical deployment plan first."

​Daniel stared at Marianne in silence for several long seconds, analyzing her expression, before slowly resuming his seat, granting Tyson the floor to detail his strategy.

​"Thank you, Guild Leader Marianne... As she correctly pointed out, our primary goal is maintaining total stability within Silverspire. To ensure absolute security, the vast majority of our own lower-ranking guild members haven’t even been briefed on this incoming threat," Tyson said, placing both palms flat against the smooth surface of the round tactical table:

​"My plan is straightforward: we assemble a tightly organized strike force composed exclusively of high-Rank Awakened ranging strictly from S-Rank to SSS-RANK, march out into the wilderness, and completely crush the horde long before it ever approaches the city walls. What are your thoughts on this strategy?"

​"....?!"