The shy Iesha was no longer shy as her eyes narrowed into two tiny slits, appearing to have become heated when locked gazes with Eldia. She didn't give an inch but had her chin up ever so lightly, her white pupils revealing the royal pride of her Frigid World Spirit Race.
This made Davis really wonder again if spirits had more racist tendencies than humans due to their elemental natures. But more than that, he wondered about the time when he took Iesha, sensing Eldia not feeling well about it despite him using a veil to block her view and senses.
This spirit was obviously pissed off about Iesha for unclear reasons as he had many speculations. He wouldn't know which one was the truth unless he asked, but he felt not now as he gestured.
"Well, Eldia, since you came out, just sit there and eat the first piece of meat that you're going to taste in your life other than lightning."
Eldia instantly moved gazes from Iesha before she lightly smiled at Davis.
"Gladly, Master."
"…"
Davis felt like he missed the somber and curious Eldia, but perhaps, this was her true nature, an innocent and cheeky spirit who got caught by Mival Silverwind and sealed for many centuries, which caused a massive change in her attitude towards everything before he finally made her come out of her shell.
"Uhmm~ This is so delicious! But not more delicious than heavenly lightning…"
"…!?"
While Davis was wondering, Eldia had already sat at the place where he pointed beside Zestria, curiously looking around at everyone before looking at the plate before munching in and holding her cheek as though she found the sudden juicy sensation of spices and meat.
However, her words caused a few people to falter.
H-Heavenly lightning!?
"Davis… is this…?"
Natalya couldn't help but ask.
"Indeed. She's Eldia, the Purgatory Extinction Lightning I had with me if you're all wondering. She encountered heavenly tribulation and transformed into a spirit, deciding to accompany me instead of continuing on as a Spirit Attribute Source, ascending as an immortal."
"Oh~"
Voices of shock and understanding echoed as they curiously gazed at Eldia, checking her out while recalling many things about spirits they learned.
While everyone looked astonished, Iesha looked unperturbed.
How could she not sense a presence of a spirit inside him while being intimately connected with him? When Eldia was a Spirit Attribute Source, the presence could be said to be non-intrusive, but it could no longer be said to be the same after Eldia turned into a spirit, which she found, not likable.
However, her man was her man. How could she let another spirit take him away from her?
'Hmph!~'
She inwardly harrumphed as she looked straight at Eldia, continuing to glare at her. Even the heat from the human beside her called Lea was bearable but not the presence of this stupid lightning woman in front of her.
Davis's gaze moved to and fro on them before he sighed.
"I'll say this only once. Eldia is a close companion to me, so don't be cruel to her."
Evelynn and most of the others all nodded as they knew how helpful Eldia was when they had to defend the palace. However, Iesha pouted and glanced at Davis, knowing that he was saying it to her while addressing everyone.
"Eldia, you should be respectful to everyone gathered here." Davis spoke again with the same decibel, "Do you understand?"
"Yes~"
Eldia didn't hesitate to answer as though her previous actions were nothing more than a childish tantrum. She was happily eating the succulent pieces of meat as though she wanted more of this taste.
On the other hand, Iesha also forgot about the previous matter as she concentrated on the same.
The atmosphere became a bit silent as the women were observing the two spirits. This was something they wouldn't see usually, and their unique aura and appearance made them want to touch and see, satisfy their curiosity.
Natalya introduced Iesha as she told her background and her relationship with Davis, which had been cemented all the while Davis kept a straight face. However, most of his women already knew about his relationship with Nadia, so they weren't much shocked to see him taking a spirit.
"Everyone, let's not forget to welcome our new sister."
Evelynn spoke with a kind smile visible on her face as she looked at Dalila Leehan.
On her sudden notice, Dalila Leehan abruptly stood up and clasped her hands to all, her figure trembling ever so lightly as she spoke.
"G-Greetings, fellow sis- cultivators. I-"
"Just call us sisters. He kissed you already in front of everyone, anyway…"
Sophie interjected, causing Dalila to thankfully look at her as her cheeks blushed from being reminded of that world-transforming event to her that completely put her in his spell for a long moment.
"I'm Dalila Leehan. I more or less belonged to the Thousand Pill Palace, but now, I guess that I'm no longer a part of it as I now belong to Emp- Davis."
"Being nervous in front of our sisters is a spot we all came through. You are no different."
Isabella echoed at this moment, causing Dalila to look at her gratefully.
"Thank you, sister Earth Dragon Queen."
"Call me Isabella next time." Isabella slightly smiled, "You don't need to bother with any of our titles unless you want to."
"I understand, Earth Dragon Queen."
Dalila smiled and sat down when she heard a melody of voices.
"Welcome, Dalila."
"I heard that you said you will help us concoct pills?"
"This is going to be another birth of a pill master other than Tina."
Dalila responded to each and every one of them while maintaining a certain distance yet not going too far with her respect. It was the right amount, causing everyone to nod at her sensible actions. After all, she may have earned Davis's favor but not his love yet. Furthermore, they themselves didn't know her well and would want to get to know her before they could ultimately bring down the wall in their hearts.
As for Dalila herself, all their questions and words made her feel welcomed. None of them even were insults but genuine curiosity. She didn't leave any of them hidden and answered matters like her background, past, and character, wanting to fully earn their trust.
However…
'Mhmmmm!!!~'
Dalila's sanity was inwardly screaming for help.
The one sitting opposite to Zestria was literally Sect Master Lea Weiss of the Burning Phoenix Ridge! She couldn't believe that Davis had obtained both the master and the disciple, and what's more, the disciple was pregnant with his child even though the marriage was fairly recent.
She didn't know how this story went so far but could understand that it was anything but tame.
But what the hell!?
A spirit belonged to Davis now? She was sisters with a spirit? What's going on here?
She had thousands of questions reveling in her mind, but because she was an upstart, she didn't dare ask any.
"Master, after you arrived, I left to protect the Alstreim Family." Nadia spoke at this moment, "The defensive forces of Magical Beast Sanctuary found a number of assassins trying to enter with their senses and killed them in the end. However, from the severe torture inflicted on them before they were killed, we found out that they were remnants of the four wicked path powers you destroyed."
"I see." Davis couldn't help but smile, "You did extremely great, Nadia."
Nadia paused before she shook her head.
"It wasn't me… I was only there to oversee."
"Your presence itself struck the truly powerful ones to stay clear. Besides, you're their commander queen, so it's your achievement as well."
"… I left things to my doppelganger since it doesn't seem like I'm needed there."
Davis nodded, "Now that we are all gathered, I also wanted to ask if you need anything else other than my time and love. This Emperor has the strength to move unhinged and could find any resource you want. Just say the word!"
His words were presumptuous, but no one seemed to think of it as such. However, no one raised a hand or anything, causing him to blink.
"Really, no one wants anything? Not even a remote favor of going out to shop with me?"
"That's still wanting your time~" Evelynn chimed.
"Oh, yeah…"
Davis blinked, thinking that he had to rephrase his question as getting them something could also be considered as wanting his time. However, he saw Natalya raise her hand.
"Go ahead."
He gestured before he saw Natalya's lovely brows furrow as she deeply smiled.
"I want Tanya here."
"…"
Davis didn't even blink but paused for a moment before his eyes narrowed.
"Did you mean that you want her here to eat?"
"No. I want her here for you to eat."
"…"
"Natalya. Even though you're an icy beauty, your heart is anything but ice but is as warm as the sun, burning to please him every single day."
Evelynn couldn't help but giggle while Natalya adorably bowed her head.
"Big sister praises me too much."
She then stood up as she raised her head and panned her gaze at the others.
"Everyone, Tanya is my one friend that I want to remain in my life. Our encounter was one of naivety, but we bonded more in recent months. I've seen her character and values, and I can vouch for her that she would not betray the man she loves, and it just so happens the man she had fallen in love with is other than my own, our own."
"As for her talent and techniques, we all saw her out there, dazzling as Sophie and Niera. She didn't even dare fight father-in-law like Sophie did, having immense respect for him even though she didn't need to show. Furthermore, her sword arts is far skillful than any of us, even third sister's so to speak, and I believe she would just keep improving at a rapid pace, even more so if she were to truly become one of us."
"I bow my head in complete defeat."
Isabella lowered her head with a smile on her face, accepting that her sword arts were not a match for Tanya Frostblight's.
"This wasn't the first time I was willful, and it sure ain't going to be the last." Natalya took a deep breath before she turned to look at Davis, "Since you asked us if we want anything, I only ask of you to give her a single chance to see for yourself if she is worthy of you, my Emperor."
Davis looked at Natalya's ardent gaze. It wasn't like the time when she meekly asked for him to take her little sister but articulated her thoughts so clearly that he nearly felt that it transformed into an intent as it struck him!
"I support sister Natalya…"
Suddenly, Dalila's voice meekly echoed as she raised her hand before Fiora hurriedly put her hand up.
"Anything my elder sis wants needs to happen."
"We've never voiced it out, but we owe a lot to second sister for taking care of you while we were away…"
Sophie and Niera also raised their hands.
"I naturally do not oppose spreading his legacy to the most worthy."
"Me neither."
Isabella and Shirley displayed their support. Even Lea Weiss and Zestria silently had their hands up without saying anything.
"Sigh, if it is second sister's request, then I really can't say anything." Evelynn finally raised her hand up.
"You all…"
Natalya's eyes were wide as saucers as she saw this scene. She couldn't believe what she was witnessing as of this was orchestrated or premeditated.
Even Davis was thoroughly dumbstruck by the sheer number of supporters that even with Nadia, Iesha, and Eldia munching on the food as though this didn't concern them, it almost made him think if this was…
If this was his…. council of harem?