The Extra's Rise-Chapter 774: Six Engagements (4)

The Ashbluff family’s private necromantic gardens were legendary throughout the Western continent—a collection of rare and dangerous magical plants that had been cultivated over centuries to create one of the most impressive displays of controlled death magic in the known world. Getting access to this restricted sanctuary had required calling in a significant favor with Jin Ashbluff, but watching Rose’s expression as we walked through the garden’s shadowed pathways made it more than worth it. ƒгeeweɓn૦vel.com

"Arthur," Rose breathed, her brown eyes wide with genuine awe as she took in the spectacular array of necromantic flora surrounding us, "this is absolutely incredible. I’ve read about some of these specimens in theoretical texts, but I never imagined I would see them growing in their natural magical environment."

The garden was unlike anything most people could imagine—plants that thrived on Deepdark rather than sunlight, flowers that bloomed with ethereal beauty while radiating controlled danger, and trees whose leaves whispered with the voices of ancient spirits. The Ashbluff family had spent generations learning to cultivate these specimens safely, creating a space that was both breathtakingly beautiful and subtly menacing.

"I thought you might appreciate seeing how the Western continent approaches necromantic cultivation," I replied, watching how she moved through the garden with the confident stride of someone completely comfortable around magical plants that would terrify most visitors. "Jin mentioned that their techniques differ significantly from the Springshaper methods."

Rose paused beside a particularly impressive specimen—a flowering vine whose blooms seemed to absorb light rather than reflecting it, creating patches of absolute darkness that somehow enhanced rather than diminished the garden’s otherworldly beauty.

"The integration is remarkable," she observed with obvious professional admiration. "Springshaper gardens focus on individual plant excellence, but this creates an entire ecosystem where each species supports and enhances the others. The magical synergy must be extraordinary."

Her auburn hair caught the filtered light that managed to penetrate the garden’s carefully controlled shadows, while her brown eyes reflected the kind of intellectual excitement that always made my heart race. Rose approached necromantic magic with the same combination of business acumen and genuine passion that characterized everything she did, treating even the most dangerous specimens as fascinating puzzles to be understood and appreciated.

"Look at this arrangement," she continued, gesturing toward a section where multiple varieties of death-touched plants had been arranged in patterns that created visible flows of necromantic energy. "They’re using the root systems to create a natural magical amplification network. The efficiency must be incredible compared to traditional individual cultivation."

We walked deeper into the garden, following pathways lined with plants that seemed to respond to our presence with subtle shifts in their magical emanations. Rose moved with the kind of confident familiarity that came from a lifetime of working with necromantic flora, completely unintimidated by specimens that would have sent most visitors fleeing in terror.

"The Ashbluff family really outdid themselves when they agreed to let us visit," I said, noting how Rose’s enthusiasm seemed to grow with each new discovery. "Jin mentioned that they rarely allow outsiders access to their most prized specimens."

"I can understand why," Rose replied, pausing to examine a tree whose bark seemed to shift and flow like liquid shadow. "Some of these plants represent centuries of careful breeding and magical cultivation. The knowledge required to maintain this ecosystem safely must be staggering."

We reached the garden’s centerpiece—a clearing where the most magnificent necromantic plants had been arranged around a small pavilion that seemed to exist in perfect harmony with the dangerous beauty surrounding it. Ancient trees formed a natural cathedral overhead, their shadow-touched leaves creating patterns of filtered darkness that made the entire space feel both intimate and otherworldly.

"Rose," I said, turning to face her as we stood in the center of this remarkable sanctuary, "there’s something I wanted to tell you in a setting that could match your own appreciation for the beauty that can emerge from understanding death magic."

Her breath caught as she recognized the seriousness in my tone, her brown eyes reflecting both the garden’s ethereal glow and something that looked remarkably like hope mixed with carefully controlled anticipation.

"Over the past few years," I continued, taking her hands in mine and feeling how they trembled slightly with emotion, "you’ve shown me what it means to build something meaningful through patient dedication and strategic thinking."

’Four down, two to go,’ Luna’s amused voice echoed in my mind as I prepared for what would be one of the most personally meaningful proposals of the entire series. ’Though I have to admit, choosing to propose in a garden of death magic shows remarkable confidence in your romantic instincts.’

"Your business brilliance, your magical expertise, your ability to see opportunities that others miss—they’ve made you an irreplaceable partner in everything I’ve built," I said, studying Rose’s face as understanding began to dawn in her expression. "But more than that, you’ve shown me what true partnership looks like."

I released her hands and reached into my coat pocket, withdrawing the ring case that had been crafted specifically for this moment by artisans who specialized in magical items designed to work with necromantic energies. The case itself was made from Western shadowwood that seemed to absorb and hold darkness within its polished surface.

"You’ve been my advisor, my confidant, and my closest business partner," I continued, watching how her eyes grew wider as she realized what was happening. "You’ve stood by every decision, supported every venture, and helped turn the Ouroboros Guild into something that neither of us could have achieved alone."

The case opened to reveal a ring that represented weeks of careful design and collaboration with the most skilled magical craftsmen in the Western continent. The band was forged from pure aetherite that had been infused with necromantic plant essences, creating a foundation that would enhance Rose’s natural abilities while allowing her to bond more deeply with the magical flora she loved so much.

The aetherite had been colored to match her auburn hair perfectly, creating warm tones that seemed to pulse with life even while incorporating death magic principles. Embedded throughout the band were intricate nature motifs—leaves, vines, and flowers that seemed to move and grow across the ring’s surface in response to magical energy.

But it was the ring’s most unique feature that made it truly special for someone of Rose’s abilities. The aetherite had been designed to form symbiotic bonds with necromantic plants, allowing her to communicate with and influence magical flora in ways that even traditional Springshaper techniques couldn’t achieve.

"Rose Springshaper," I said, dropping to one knee in the center of the necromantic garden as the shadow-touched plants around us seemed to lean in with obvious interest, "would you do me the honor of becoming not just my wife, but my partner in building an empire that spans continents?"

Rose’s reaction was immediate and characteristically thoughtful. Her brown eyes widened as she took in the ring’s beauty and immediately grasped both its symbolic significance and its practical applications for her magical work.

"Arthur," she breathed, her usual business composure finally cracking to reveal the genuine emotion beneath, "it’s absolutely perfect. The magical integration alone must have cost a fortune, but the craftsmanship... this is museum-quality work."

"Because you deserve nothing less than perfection," I replied, slipping the ring onto her finger and watching as the aetherite immediately began to resonate with her natural magical energy. "And because I wanted something that could match both your business brilliance and your magical expertise."

The ring settled onto her finger as if it had been waiting for her specifically, the auburn-colored aetherite beginning to pulse with warm light that seemed to communicate with the necromantic plants surrounding us. Several nearby specimens actually began to bloom in response to the ring’s magical emanations, creating a display of ethereal beauty that transformed the already impressive garden into something approaching pure magic.

"Yes," Rose said clearly, her voice carrying the kind of decisive certainty that characterized all her most important business decisions. "Yes, Arthur, absolutely yes. I’ve been hoping for this moment longer than you probably realize."

She pulled me to my feet and kissed me with the kind of passionate intensity that she rarely allowed herself to display in professional settings, her usual strategic control giving way to genuine emotional expression. The necromantic plants around us seemed to respond to our emotions, their magical emanations creating patterns of shadow and light that made the entire garden appear to celebrate our engagement.

"I love you," she murmured against my lips, "but more than that, I respect what we’ve built together. This isn’t just about marriage—it’s about formalizing a partnership that’s already changed both our lives."

"Exactly," I agreed, holding her close as the magical plants continued their ethereal display around us. "Together, we can build something that will benefit not just ourselves, but everyone who depends on the guild for their livelihood and security."

"The others don’t know yet, do they?" Rose asked with characteristic business instincts, immediately recognizing the strategic timing of individual proposals. "You’re managing this like a complex negotiation, ensuring each of us gets personal attention rather than feeling like part of a group transaction."

"Rachel, Cecilia, and Seraphina have all been remarkably discrete about their own engagements," I confirmed with obvious admiration. "They understand that each relationship deserves its own recognition and celebration."

"Smart women," Rose replied with genuine respect for her soon-to-be sister wives. "Though I imagine they’re all practically vibrating with excitement about finally getting to share the news."

As we stood together in the necromantic garden, surrounded by magical plants that seemed to approve of our union, I felt the profound satisfaction that came from building something meaningful with someone who truly understood the scope of what we were attempting to achieve together.

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