Chapter 733 - Jack's Thoughts of the Future
"We can better explain our relationship along the way. They deserve to know that much, given how they're our wife and fiance."
"W-what?!" Kylon stumbled her question. However, she felt Skaryn grab her hand tenderly and slide a ring on her finger. "Skaryn--"
"Kylon, will you say no?"
"I-I… But--"
Skaryn then leaned in for a kiss silencing the dragon goddess. "You're always so confident and headstrong, but you're always so cute when you're confronted romantically…"
"I'm--"
"You're beautiful," Skaryn continued, softly placing his hand on her belly, "and I'm sure our child will be too. I look forward to raising all of our children together."
"Y-yeah…" Kylon finally smiled, resting her hand atop Skaryn's on her belly. "I'd like that…"
Skaryn then cast silence around the two couples as they left the room. They could finally reveal Sterfen's identity but only to those closest to them in an effort to keep Sterfen's involvement in the Fate District as secret as possible.
The next to rush out of the room was Jin, who dragged Tyres and Alcahain to the banquet hall for their duel and to drink the night away. Everyone dispersed, most seeking out the expensive booze at the party and some wanting to form connections with the foreign cosmicians and learn more about the void.
Since Jack's second body was already enjoying the party along with one of Daruun's fifth body and the Sicabor twins, Jack offered himself to his wives. He promised them the rest of the week and gave them the ability to deny all others access to him while Jack's second body would handle business. They gladly stole him away and cleared their schedules, planning to never leave the courtyard and rarely the bedroom.
*****
Upon returning to Daruun's private office, the district leaders had handed off Halmut and Tralbok to some constructs for safekeeping. They still had a couple of things to discuss.
"Silas, what should we assume?" Daruun asked, seeking guidance from his senior.
Staring at the floor in thought, Silas replied, "Assume that he's still not ready… I'd feel the same in his shoes."
"But he could've--"
"Daruun, calm down. Your district will be fine. If anything, him leaving peacefully should mark Jewel's momentary retreat from the Fate District, not the district's imminent collapse."
Sighing, Daruun tried to calm his mind. "Silas… Thank you for convincing Garlok to escort me. Had I come alone, I surely would've lost my fifth body, or worse, Kartonia…"
"Nah… He's not stupid, he only enslaves stupid through means of addiction," reasoned Silas. "He knows what we're capable of so he won't dare act so openly, not until his victory is guaranteed. Even if they outnumber us, there's still a slight chance we could win in the end or at least destroy each other as the end result."
"How'd you convince Garlok?" Gradsdum asked with a curious grin. "No matter how much we offer, he never agrees to anything."
"I have my connections… Don't worry about it."
"I'm not worried, I'm excited! Does that mean they're--"
"No, Garlok and the Venators aren't secret allies nor should we expect them to join our battles for stocks or any compensation," stated Silas. "All I did was call in a favor, a one-time thing."
"Riiight… A one-time thing…"
"Either way, that favor saved me from replacing one of my bodies while keeping Jack and Oli from being wiped out. That's a significant event that shouldn't be glanced over. If there's something extra I can offer to you, Silas, then let me know. Also, please extend the same offer to Garlok."
"Will do. For now, just don't sweat it and move on. If Garlok needs something from us, I'll be the first to hear about it. We've got plenty of things to work on right now, so don't get distracted. Any news from your sixth body?"
"No, there's nothing new to report," commented Daruun. "I'll continue surveillance and inform you the moment I discover which district they're targeting next."
"Good, we'll need to act fast if we want to add that district to our side before Jewel takes it hostage."
*****
As the night went on, so did the party.
Most everyone was still enjoying drinks and the company of their new acquaintances. Daruun's fifth body had left long ago, returning to his necessary business, but that didn't stop the Sicabor twins from trying to get closer to Jack. Jack obliged them for a while and eventually took a break for some fresh air.
Sitting on the rooftop of the guild's tallest building, Jack took in the view of the surrounding city. It was breathtaking. Yet Jack had begun to feel desensitized to the view, no longer finding it as awe-inspiring as it had been previously.
"Coin for your thoughts?"
Blinking, Jack looked to his side. He chuckled, "Can you always sneak up on people, or is it just because I'm weak?"
"Both," laughed Oli, plopping down beside Jack. "What's on your mind? You seem disappointed."
"A little… You know, I was the one who originally created this city, even the country. It started from nothing and looking at how it's grown up till now has always left me feeling accomplished…"
"Okay, so you can no longer stroke your ego with the view, big deal…"
Shaking his head and chuckling, Jack continued, "That all started when I was on another planet. You said our worlds should've been similar, so did you have computers and videogames?"
"Yeah."
"Well, that's where I first came to know this world, through a screen. I only arrived here a thousand years after my in-game character built this place… That's why it was always unbelievable to see this city with my own eyes."
"Ohhh, that makes sense… So you're only slightly egotistical."
"Nah, I'm always egotistical," laughed Jack. "I earned my ticket to come here by being egotistical, so I thought that was just the way to go."
"At least you can admit it!"
"... What about you? How did you get to a new world?"
"I died."
"You died? Like, you died and god--"
"No, no, nothing like that," Oli corrected with a laugh.
"Then it wasn't truck-kun?"
"That… Anyway, in my first life, I was trying to complete an already expired dream, working day to day for no real reason… One thing led to another and I died young, but for some reason my soul drifted through the void. Eventually, I wound up being reborn on a new planet as a baby gorilla…"
"A gorilla?!"
Giving Jack a swift punch to the head, Oli chuckled, "Yes, a gorilla! But I love my family, so don't you dare joke about them."
"Sorry, sorry…" Jack rubbed his head while containing his laughter.
"Actually, maybe you should meet my sister," mentioned Oli. "Her bloodline's just as strong as mine and should be more compatible."
"Really?! That would--"
"Of course, that means you'll be taking her as a wife. That way--"
"WHOA! Don't even mention that. I've already got my hands full!"
"What's wrong? Afraid to man up? Daruun has a wife for each of his bodies, something you could manage just fine," reasoned Oli, still laughing. "And you're one of the few people I'd trust with her. You should be thanking me for being so generous!"
"That's up to my wives, not me. I've already promised them that…" sighed Oli, trying to change the topic.
"Oh, that's it? I'll make sure to speak with them--"
"Hey!"
Jack never bothered to return to the party. He and Oli spent the rest of the night joking around and recounting each other's stories. It was rare to meet someone coming from similar isekai circ.u.mstances, let alone get to know each other as future partners of the Resolute Enterprise and become a future duo that would rock the void to the Core.