Chapter 1088: Ilse's World Turned Upside Down, Revelry in the Household
Noticing Aerialia's gaze, Ilse followed it and, upon hearing her words, fixed her gaze on Orion. Her eyes widened dramatically as she took several steps back. "This..." She wanted to speak but struggled to arrange her words. It felt as though she was learning about an
impossible three-way relationship.
Ilse felt as though her worldview had been shattered inexplicably.
Sensing the attention directed at him, Orion realized he shouldn't have stayed so close during the discussion.
Crystalia and Selene, having already regained their composure, couldn't help but smile at the scene, struggling to hold back their chuckles.
Aerialia was pleased with Ilse's reaction. She couldn't wait to see how long Ilse could maintain her sanity after her worldview had been shattered a few more times, similar to what she had experienced.
"Goddess Ilse, are you okay?" Aerialia asked, watching Ilse closely.
Ilse snapped out of her thoughts and shook her head. "No, I'm not okay," she replied, stretching out her right hand to point at Orion and then Aurora. How did he get her pregnant? Only a god should be capable of that. Are you telling me he's also a god? Do you realize how absurd that sounds?" Her blazing eyes stared at all three, her emotions clearly turbulent.
How laughable! Did they think she was so easily manipulated?
Ilse even began to consider that perhaps Aurora was the real goddess and Aerialia was the separated soul, which would explain everything she had just learned. But she quickly realized that if that were the case, everything she had been told would be a lie.
"I have no reason to lie to you. But if you still don't believe me, why not check her yourself?" Aerialia responded, her expression serious.
Ilse gritted her teeth and nodded. She stretched her hand forward and grabbed Aurora's right hand. After a few seconds, she quickly let go and stumbled backwards.
"Impossible!"
Ilse's eyes widened in disbelief and shock. She had examined Aurora's constitution and the dormant child in her womb, confirming Aerialia's words' validity. But she still found it too difficult to believe.
Her gaze involuntarily shifted towards Orion. She vanished from her position, appearing before him instantly. This time, Orion didn't react impulsively, understanding that Ilse couldn't harm him even if she wanted to.
Ilse placed her hand on Orion's shoulder and scanned through his body with her divine senses. She let go of him and distanced herself within seconds, arriving in front of the grand archway. Her expression was mortified, her divine heart racing as though it wanted to burst out of her chest.
Vylkr energy? Primordial energy? Wisps of Divine energy? Celestial energy? She had sensed all of this within his body. The latter wasn't a problem, but the former two-one which she was already aware of and which was enough to threaten a goddess like her, and the second, which even divine beings found difficult to control unless they attained the status of True God, and the third, which appeared to be a fierce dormant flame radiating with divinity-were all present within the young man before her, along with an inexplicable surge of vitality.
"Are you a god?" Ilse asked, trying to calm her trembling heart. Her eyes narrowed at Orion, awaiting his response. Everything she had learned about him and witnessed led her to this conclusion.
After learning about the other use of their Divine Apostle Crest through her children's memories, she was curious about how it worked and wanted to witness the process herself. However, she was still unsure about its side effects, so she wasn't willing to take any risks that could harm her children's offspring. Also, she remained suspicious of Orion's divine nature due to the unique energies she had sensed in him.
Hearing Ilse's words, Crystalia almost chuckled at Orion's bewildered expression but nodded
in response. "I will, Goddess Ilse," she replied.
Ilse turned and stepped back into her Golden Palace. She intended to deepen her understanding of the laws of the cosmos, prepare for the trial of Divine Mysteries, and improve her strength so she wouldn't be taking visitors. The grand doors sealed shut behind
her.
Aurora immediately wrapped her arms around Orion and kissed his lips.
Witnessing this scene, Aerialia's lips curved into a frown. "If you're going to thank him first, then I wouldn't have chosen to do all the work myself," she said, annoyedly snorting. Aurora immediately released Orion and turned to bow respectfully toward Aerialia. "Thank you for your support too, Mother," she said, suppressing her chuckle. "Humph! Let's head back to prepare before you return to meet goddess Ilse," Aerialia said. Orion nodded in agreement. He lifted Aurora into the sky with the One-Winged Sky Art, and they soared upward together. Selene and Crystalia followed suit beside them.
Two weeks later,
Crystalia, Gina, Meldra, Ursa, and Tala were delivered safely. To celebrate, a grand festivity
was held around Orion's manor, drawing Key Leaders and every important figure in Paradise who came to present gifts for the newborns and their mothers. The celebration lasted three days before tranquillity returned to Orion's manor.
However, the streets of Paradise remained abuzz as the inhabitants began to notice a pattern, with some even placing bets on which of the Supreme Leader's wives would give birth next.
Nonetheless, their respect for Orion grew even more, including among the Villagers. Many more women began vying to become part of his household, either to bear children with mixed heritages of two races or to gain political authority and power.
Unfortunately for them, it remained nothing more than a distant dream.
Orion had taken Aurora to meet with Ilse after his wives' delivery day. He had already promised Ilse not to harm Aurora in any way, so he felt secure about her safety, especially after Aerialia's reassurance. He further delayed his exploration to be present for Shani's delivery, scheduled for a month later.
....
One month later, Shani was safely delivered. Orion's manor was again celebrated, and the surrounding Border Cities joined. Key Leaders and every important figure within Paradise brought gifts to honour the newborn and her mother. This celebration lasted for a day.
Those who had placed bets on Shani being the next to deliver walked away with baskets full of their winnings. Soon, another round of bets was placed on who would give birth next and further increase the growing population of the Supreme Leader's Household.
....
Orion cradled two of his newborns in his arms, smiling as he gazed at the rest of his children. Crystalia had given birth to a girl; Gina, a boy and a girl; Meldra, twins-both girls; Ursa, triplets-two boys and a girl; Tala, a girl; and Shani, a girl. In total, there were ten new additions to the household.