Divine Emperor of Death

Clad in a deep red robe crafted from rich, vibrant silk, Davis walked out of the mansion and stepped onto the altar where he could overlook everyone who was present.

He panned his gaze and saw many whom he didn't expect to come, making him wonder what they came here for.

His scanning gaze even spotted Fairy Aila Cherryweave and Fairy Mei Novara, along with a few other Celestial Fairies whom he hadn't laid his eyes on. His gaze only lingered on them for a moment, not caring as this day belonged to Bylai and Zestria alone in his mind.

His friends were also to the side in the open dining space, still feasting and stuffing their mouths with delicacies as they waved their hands to him.

Davis smiled and nodded at them but remained standing on the altar as though he was not present, as he knew the marriage proceedings were going to begin.

"And now, the brides will make their way to the altar~"

A melodious voice resounded across the venue.

Many recognized that it was Isabella's voice.

Her graceful figure appeared near the entrance to the mansion as she stepped out, and her hands were clasped to two women who were none other than the brides.

Davis's gaze flickered as he saw them through his soul sense.

They similarly wore a red bridal robe, a loose-fitting top, and a long, flowing skirt that accentuated that made them appear like heavenly fairies. Their faces were veiled, and their heads were adorned with flowers and jewels. Their entire body was decorated with jewelry like crimson-gold bracelets, earrings, necklaces, and magnificent hair ornaments that kept their beautiful, free-flowing hair tied in place.

Their tiara had the shapes of a Golden Dragon and Fire Dragon, respectively, causing the Golden Dragon Clan and Fire Dragon Clan's delegates to feel moved by the craftsmanship.

They didn't know the jewelry pieces were forged by Sophie, the seventh wife of the Emperor of Death, but they could see the elegance, cultural richness, and profound respect the forge master poured into these accessories, in turn making the brides shine so brightly.

Many who thought this was just a gathering for a barbaric wedding had to change their minds if they didn't like it.

On the other hand, Davis's thoughts were just as barbaric as everyone thought he was.

Everything about his brides wanted him to move aside their veils and take a peek at their rosy cheeks and crimson lips waiting to be loved by him. If this wasn't a public space right now, he would've already pounced on them and at least teased them.

Nonetheless, Davis was taking note of how they felt at this moment.

Usually, the groom would mostly go to the bride's home to pick her up, signifying the intent to carry her home and take care of her, but Davis had not done that to his women because most of the marriages he had were always with women he snatched out of families- no, women who didn't have their families readily available as they were either in a different realm or distant in relationship because of various reasons.

Bylai and Zestria were the latter as they were offered as a sacrifice to him. One was used as a honey trap that would kill him when slept with because of a hex, and the other was abandoned.

Hence, they had no home to be brought here from. They didn't even have parents or elders from whom they could offer respect and receive blessings at this moment, making it a sore spot for them, so the only person whom they respected enough to bring them to the altar was Isabella.

Isabella brought them to him and exchanged hands, allowing him to hold their hands, officially completing the ritual known as delivering the brides.

At this moment, everything came to a stop.

The guests stopped feasting and saw the groom and the brides stand in the limelight.

They let go of his hands but wrapped their hands around his arms and stepped forward along with him, opening their mouths.

"I, Bylai Davis, promise to love you faithfully, to honor and cherish you all the days of my life. I stand by your side as your seventeenth wife, vow to stand by your side through joy and sorrow, supporting and caring for you in all circumstances until this life ceases, hoping that it would even continue on to the next."

Bylai spoke in a heartfelt voice, causing Zestria to enact the same.

"I, Zestria Davis, promise to walk hand in hand with you to build a life of harmony and understanding. I stand by your side as your sixteenth wife, promising to create a home filled with love and laughter, moving together as we grow and learn, sharing our joys and sorrows, making every moment a treasure to cherish."

Once Zestria finished, they both opened their mouths, their voices echoing as a chorus.

"We give ourselves to you in body and soul. Together, we promise to embrace your family as our own, honor the traditions you create, and respect our fellow sisters, fostering an unbreakable bond that is unique to us and us alone. Please accept as your other halves."

Once they finished saying their vows, they looked at Davis with eagerness, waiting for his words.

"I, Davis Loret… am a womanizer."

"…"

Davis began his speech, but his initial words made many blink. However, he continued.

"I cannot be called faithful, much less honorable, as I have so many wives, but everything I do and will do has you all as the foundation."

"Bylai. Zestria." Davis's voice was firm and solemn as he gave a good look at them, "I have received your words of commitment. In exchange, I promise to never abandon you, respect your sweet individualities, support your dreams, and grow fond of each other until the time comes, but I hope that time never comes and we remain together for all eternity. From now on, you two are officially my wives."

"…"

A few teardrops ran down Bylai and Zestria's face as they tightened their hold on his arms.

Without saying, the guests could see how moved they were. In fact, they didn't think the Emperor of Death would go as far as to announce he was completely smitten with them and ended it on a few notes in accordance with the ruthless actions they had seen.

They imagined that he would be… forceful, but he was apologetically romantic, catching them off guard.

Soon, they started giving their wedding gifts. After all, they couldn't come here without one, which would be disrespectful. Even the uninvited factions carried hefty gifts that would make them cry, as these items weren't supposed to be gifted away.

However, they were a bit dissatisfied with the lack of events as it only seemed to be a feast and the wedding ceremony.

They wanted to experience so many other things, like battles, for one.

Nonetheless, the cultivation world was vast, and many had different customs, so everything was a sight to see for them, including the simple marriage proceedings that went on without much influence of a culture that could only be built with time.

After receiving all the gifts and talking to some people, Davis was about to send them off and enjoy with his brides amidst the moonlit night. However, a spatial vortex opened at this moment, and half a dozen people stepped out, causing him to feel his bride was going to be overshadowed.

"S-Saintess!?"

Both Great Ancestor Zenflame and Great Ancestor Rocksunder stood up in shock as they saw the white-robed woman who was accompanied by an azure fox. Their alarmed voices caused many other inheritors and Patriarchs to turn shocked, some confused about which Saintess they were referring to.

But instantly, the inheritors all went on one knee, allowing her to walk through the stone-paved path as she headed toward Davis.

There was the utmost silence in the venue as they saw her ethereal movements as she walked past them all before finally appearing before the Emperor of Death and handing him a gift.

"Congratulations on your marriage, Emperor of Death. May your brides also find peace and love with you and allow you to multiply fruitfully- oh, they seem smitten already. In that case, all that remains is for you to take good care of them~"

"I will. Many thanks~"

Saintess Lunaria giggled ever so lightly, causing Davis to cup his hands before she turned around and left the same way she came, stepping into the spatial vortex before disappearing along with the few Guardians who came to visit him with their busy schedules.

'She really appeared publicly…'

Davis inwardly sighed, wondering why she had to make an entrance only to leave so soon.

"Emperor of Death, was that…?"

And as he knew it, the guests began asking him for his input on who she was, leaving him no choice but to confirm their suspicion.

"Yes, that is none other than the legendary figure, the one responsible for the peace in the First Haven World, the one and only."

Davis's voice was bland.

He wanted Bylai and Zestria to thoroughly bask in their spotlight, but Saintess Lunaria stole their light without even trying. However, seeing the expressions of his brides, he saw that they weren't offended but honored to have been visited by the Saintess herself.

'Right… they all respect her in their hearts…'

"No way!"

"She cannot be here!"

"Wasn't it said that she ascended long ago!?"

The innumerable questions came, but Davis ignored the boisterous crowd and took his brides into the mansion, letting everything else be handled by Isabella and Shirley.