[3rd POV]
The Patriarch's hand moved swiftly, and a soft chop on the neck of the Oracle made him faint.
Then he turned towards the healers present and said,
"Keep him sedated for now and see if you can do something about his eyes and whole situation. Keep me posted on any changes."
The main healer in the room bowed his head and said,
"As the Patriarch orders."
Then, with slight hesitation, he asked further,
"I have a request for the Patriarch to consider."
"Speak," the Patriarch ordered.
"We have used healing potions up to Tier 1, and there have been no changes. Any healing potion or even healing spell has no effect. It's like all healing potions and spells designate the current state of his body as the optimum one.
I would like the Patriarch's permission to use a Tier 4 healing potion and see if that could bring any change," the healer requested while bowing his head.
"You have my consent, but report to me immediately after using the potion," the Patriarch commanded.
Then he and Sasha left the room.
When they came out, Sasha asked,
"What are you thinking, Brother-in-law?"
"Let's head to the meeting room. I have to contact Father and inform him of this unprecedented situation," the Patriarch replied while both walked towards one of the closest meeting rooms.
Both entered the meeting room.
Then the Patriarch took out a cube-shaped structure with a square hole on one side, let the cube float in mid-air, and gave a mental command to the cube to connect to the Grand Patriarch.
The cube pulsed with yellowish light and started humming softly.
After about thirty seconds, from the square hole, a few particles stirred upwards into the air and coalesced to form the image of a slightly middle-aged man with striking golden hair similar to the Patriarch's, an unblemished face, and a golden-colored beard trimmed neatly.
However, his eyes showed signs of weariness from completed work, yet also contained a joy threatening to emerge.
The man in the image said in an enthusiastic voice,
"Tell me the good news, son. Is the child a boy or a girl, and how's my brave daughter-in-law doing?"
After the image formed, both Sasha and the Patriarch got on one knee and greeted the man after hearing his question.
The Patriarch said,
"I, Matthew Ro'nark, greet The Flame King, Michael Ro'nark."
Followed by Sasha,
"I, Sasha Soldrake, greet the Grand Patriarch of the Ro'nark Family."
After their greetings, Matthew answered with a respectful voice,
"Father, Naomi is in labor currently, and the child is yet to be delivered. I have contacted you regarding another matter that came to our attention a few minutes ago."
During their greeting and Matthew's answer, Michael had already noticed the expressions on both of their faces, so he said,
"Yeah, rise, both of you. It's good to see you, Sasha. I can see from the look on your faces that it's something serious, so tell me what's so important that you had to call me while my daughter-in-law is in labor."
Sasha nodded slightly at the Grand Patriarch's remark.
Matthew nodded after hearing the question and said,
"Yes, Father."
Then he went on to explain the interaction between Sasha and the Oracle, then his first encounter with the Oracle in the hall, followed by his further questioning of the Oracle in the room, the Oracle's condition, and the healer's opinion on him.
After hearing the detailed explanation from his son, Michael, who had been standing until then, sat down on a nearby seat and pondered for a few moments.
Then he looked at his son and asked,
"Any other abnormalities or any other phenomena that occurred during this or even during the whole nine months?"
Matthew thought for a few seconds, then replied,
"No, Father. No such things occurred. It only happened when Malcolm tried to look into the future of the child."
Michael nodded and said,
"Firstly, we don't have such a powerful enemy, and if this being is powerful enough to cripple someone just by saying a few words or by mere presence, then we would also be no match for him.
So, such a being trying to enter our family by such means makes no sense. We can relax on this matter—it's not an enemy act—but we should still remain vigilant.
Secondly, there can be many possible scenarios for such an occurrence, and the said reaction only happened when someone tried to intrude.
We are not in any immediate danger, but just to be sure, I will come to the planet in a few hours. I was already planning to visit my new grandchild anyway.
I will also bring a few powerful Artifacts and Potions with me to see if the condition of the Oracle can be improved.
Until then, just stay beside Naomi and make sure she is alright.
And excellent intuition, Sasha—your instinct may have given us a chance to be ready if there are any unforeseen circumstances in the future or any mysterious changes to this family."
After saying this, the particles shaping the image lost their shine and collapsed back inside the square hole as the Grand Patriarch ended the communication.
Sasha and Matthew looked at each other, both feeling relaxed after hearing the Grand Patriarch's explanation of the situation.
Sasha then asked in an inquisitive voice,
"What chance was the Grand Patriarch talking about, Brother-in-law?"
Matthew smiled slightly for the first time since this situation began.
When he heard the question, he replied,
"I can follow Father's thinking. If there is a chance that such a being is born as the child, or if the child is related to such a powerful being, and if he is not a threat to the alliance of our family, and if we are able to get control over the child or make use of such a being's power for our purpose, then our rise as the greatest Overlord of this planet—or the rise of our Family or Syndicate in the Tower—will be monumental.
Talking to Father really calmed me, and I am starting to think of this situation as more of an opportunity rather than a curse for us."
Sasha gasped after hearing his reasoning, and his eyes widened for a few seconds.
Then he also started grinning from ear to ear and said in an ecstatic voice,
"If what you and the Grand Patriarch are thinking becomes true, then our rise will be inevitable. We will rule the planet and gain a strong footing in the Tower."