Endless Path : Infinite Cosmos

After sleeping for a few short hours, Vahn awoke to find Hestia slumped over his body with her breasts nearly pressed into his face. Moving his head slightly, Vahn's nose brushed against the fabric of her dress but, as she had stayed up much longer than she normally did, Hestia stayed sleeping. The fact that she wasn't clinging to him was a bit surprising to Vahn but, considering she had moments where she just wanted to comfort him, he couldn't help but smile. Then, after extricating himself from her lap, Vahn guided Hestia to lay on the sofa before covering her with a thick blanket to keep warm.While alternating between watching Hestia's and Ryuu's sleeping faces, Vahn sensed a very slight fluctuation within his domain. Moving over to Alise's crib, he picked up the young Elf and cradled her in his arms, sending strands of calming energy into her body since it seemed like she was going to cry. Vahn didn't want to disturb Hesti and Ryuu, especially considering how exhausted Ryuu must be from the seventeen-hour delivery. Thus, after confirming both girls were sleeping stably, Vahn carried Alise into the maternity ward where he found Tsubaki and Mona conversing while breastfeeding Sakuya and Anise. Though Mona's contract had only covered acting as a wet nurse for the Vanir, the terms of her contract had been for a two year period and, as the Vanir had already weaned, she decided to help out with the other children to ease the burden of their mothers.Noticing his presence, Tsubaki smiled and, seeing the bundle in Vahn's arms, softly asked, "Ah, did the little one wake up~?" Mona also showed a small smile and, though her chest felt a little fluttery, she didn't make any movement to hide her exposed breast from view. At this point, her mentality had adapted to Vahn's presence so she said, "Anise should be done soon...I can take care of her next..." Vahn nodded, carrying Alise over and sitting to the left of Tsubaki, even though there had been space between the two buxom women. He still tried to be considerate of Mona, even if the latter had stopped minding his presence.Tsubaki issued a husky laugh as she mused, "This one has a voracious appetite. She is going to grow up to a be a powerful warrior, I can already tell~." Though Tsubaki already knew that her daughter had become strong in the Divination, seeing her so healthy and full of life made things far more 'real'. Sakuya was steadily increasing in weight and, though it would be a while before she was crawling about, she was constantly moving around and flailing her arms and legs in the crib. She was a bit of a crybaby, but Tsubaki didn't mind at all since it made her feel 'complete' being able to comfort her daughter...Peering into Sakuya's face, Vahn saw the little brown-skinned girl looking back at him with her startlingly green eyes. They had a lovely almond shape and, though he already knew this was the case, it was easy to see that she would become quite the beauty in the future. Currently, she was putting on a healthy amount of baby fat but, as a result of her dual heritage between Human and Dwarf, Sakuya's strength and vitality set her apart from others, such as Meinya and Anise. The two kittens spent nearly 17 hours a day sleeping and, while Sakuya also spent a fair amount of time sleeping, it was only around 13-14 hours.Finished feeding Anise, Mona passed her over to Vahn in exchange for Alise, asking, "And what's this one's name...?" However, before waiting for an answer, Mona's eyes widened when she saw Alise, remarking, "My goodness, she is so cute...I've never seen an Elven baby before..." Distracted by Alise's appearance, Mona began to wiggle her finger in front of the young Elf's nose, an affectionate smile on her face. Alise, however, didn't seem too fond of the interaction and, as she was very hungry, started to strain her face as tears began to build in her eyes. Realizing this, Mona gave an apologetic smile and, after shifting her top and exposing her other breast, began feeing the teary-eyed Elf while her own heart danced around happily in her chest.Vahn watched their small interaction with a small smile before turning his attention to Anise, bringing her to his shoulder to burp her so she didn't breathe in any of the excess milk. When she released a high-pitched cough, followed by a burping sound, Vahn chuckled lightly. He began to hum a small tune while gently stroking Anise's small back, urging the young Cat Person back to sleep since rest was very important to young children. When she began to purr against his chest, Vahn felt like his heart was going to explode, earning a few playful remarks from Tsubaki about his 'ability to coax young girls'.In normal circumstances, Vahn would have just shrugged off such remarks but, considering he was supposed to 'celebrate' Lefiya's birthday tomorrow, the image of the bashful Elf popped up within his mind. However, before he could enjoy pampering his faithful disciple, Vahn would have to deal with Freya, a matter that was creeping up on him very quickly. It was just after 6 AM now but, considering Freya's personality, Vahn expected she would show up very early. Even if she wanted to be 'considerate' about the fact that Ryuu had just given birth, Vahn didn't expect she would arrive any later than 10 AM. In a way, this was a good thing, as it meant he would have more time to 'deal' with her, but, at the same time, Vahn felt troubled since he would rather spend the day just watching over Ryuu and the children in the maternity ward...Realizing she had 'triggered' Vahn, Tsubaki gave him a very slight look of reproach as she plainly stated, "Vahn, you really shouldn't worry about things so often. Never forget that we all support your decisions, no matter what you decide to do..." Vahn nodded his head, feeling revitalized by Tsubaki's guiding words as he smiled and said, "This is something I decided to do, and I'll see it through till the end. I just get a little overwhelmed after the birth of one of my children...it isn't easy separating from them, especially since they're all so adorable..." This comment earned him a nod from both girls, as they clearly agreed wholeheartedly with his words...Knowing it would be 'worse' if he was informed of Freya's arrival while he was with the children, Vahn only spent an hour in the maternity ward before returning Alise to her crib. Then, after giving Ryuu and Hestia a kiss on the forehead, Vahn left the ward and began mentally preparing himself for what was to come. In regards to Freya, Vahn knew he had to be very decisive. If he allowed her to get an advantage against him, she would probably be a terrifyingly difficult opponent, exceeding even Syr. The difference between a pseudo-Divinity and a fully developed Divinity were, quite literally, the difference between Heaven and Earth.Freya was known as one of the most 'prolific' amongst the goddesses who possessed such qualities, though only because her affairs were generally well documented. In truth, compared to some other goddesses of Love and Beauty, Freya didn't actually sleep around that often. Many such gods would become the managers of brothels while, in some extreme cases, the gods and goddesses would serve as prostitutes in their own establishments. Freya, however, was very 'selective' in who she chose to sleep with, as her Divinity compelled her to only select people she deemed capable, or 'worthy' of her affections. This was the reason why she groomed so many men and women into powerful Adventurers, as only those that had proven themselves could win a place in her heart.Like many gods, Freya was bisexual in nature, showing no preference between men and women, other than the fact that men were generally stronger. There were even some rumors, though the people that spread them would often disappear, claiming that her preferences extended beyond the surface races as well. Freya's charm was supposed to be so irresistible that animals, monsters, and even some gods were subjected to her whims. Vahn could clearly remember the incident where she had gotten a Variant Silverback to attack Bell in the manga, so there was certainly some truth to the claim. However, he didn't believe she was the 'deviant' that some of her naysayers made her out to be, especially since her character showed that her requirements in a partner were rather high.Vahn knew that, after she had observed his soul, Freya's opinion of him had drastically changed and, even though she had already been willing to make the necessary vows, she now showed an almost fervent eagerness. If she wasn't restrained, Vahn wouldn't be surprised if Freya began lingering around the Manor and, if she couldn't get what she wanted, there was a chance she might do something drastic in the future. To prevent this, Vahn knew he had to, for lack of better term, 'tame' the seemingly untameable goddess. He would likely have to be very firm in how he dealt with her in the future, especially since her vows would prohibit her from sleeping with other men until their child matured.With such a restriction in place, Freya would undoubtedly come to him to deal with her urges and, if he didn't tend to her on occasion, there was no telling what she might do. However, though it was very troubling in the interim, Vahn was optimistic that Freya would actually mellow out a bit in the future. He had seen how much Hephaestus, Loki, Anubis, and Hestia had changed since he began interacting with them, even though gods generally didn't undergo many changes in their perspectives that had been cultivated over millions of years.Since it was something he had seen numerous times at this point, Vahn believed he would be able to set Freya on a better path and, in the future, even help her become a much better person once the influence of her Divinity could be mitigated. After all, though he might only have to deal with her for a decade or two now, Vahn's return to the record in the future meant he would have her at his side almost indefinitely. As an immortal himself, it wasn't impossible that they would be together for millions of years so, even if it seemed troublesome, Vahn was determined to help Freya correct her ways. Instead of putting people through trials that were supposed to increase their potential, he would show her that the only thing required was helping them cultivate the proper mentality.With the School opening very soon, Vahn was confident that many of the future graduates would become reputable people in whichever career field they chose. For those that became Adventurers, Mages, and Scholars, Vahn believed they would bring about real and lasting change in the world while forging their own small legends. When Freya saw how the potential of people could be increased without 'breaking' them, Vahn believed she would wholeheartedly back his efforts instead of continuing her destructive methods of helping people realize their potential.Vahn believed that it was generally the fault of the Master, Teacher, or Mentor that a person didn't reach their full potential, not the fault of the student. Everyone had the potential to grow strong and, after coming to understand some of the fundamental laws that governed the world, Vahn knew there were no exceptions to this. Though a person might be restricted by the Tier of their soul, it wasn't impossible to overcome such restrictions. Not only would this benefit you in the life you lived, but all your future incarnations as well.This meant that, even if a person's potential seemed limited, they just needed a teacher to help them break through such limits and rise above the fate that had been assigned to them at birth. It wasn't the virtue of one's birth that decided if a person would become capable in the future, but a culmination of their upbringing, their willpower, and the people that supported their growth. Just a single one of these things could allow a person to become strong, even if they lacked the other two...For the time being, it wasn't practical to make such methods known, as the state of the world wasn't conducive for such an environment, but Vahn knew this would not always be the case. One day, after the Tier restriction of the record was removed, there would be an endless number of paths that could lead people above even the realm of the gods. Vahn, and his companions would clear an easier path for those that wished to follow them and, after a few hundred years, the very concept of 'limited potential' would simply be the crutch of incompetent teachers, not a generally accepted fact of life.Thinking this, Vahn found himself wandering to where the first Cultivator in this world was located, Fenrir's bedroom. Every time he needed to mentally prepare himself for something, Vahn found that he would often rely on Fenrir's assistance to do so. In many ways, she was his own crutch but, considering that she seemed happy to fulfill such a heavy responsibility, Vahn couldn't help but rely on the lovable little Vanargandr. This time as well, when Vahn entered into her icy chamber, she was already waiting for him with her exceptionally fluffy tail, floppy ears, and soft hair. Unlike the bristly hair of the past, Fenrir had put in a lot of effort to make herself 'fluffy', using Preasia as a template, so Vahn made sure she knew how much he appreciated her efforts...(A/N: Alternate Titles: 'Vahn is going to need a very pointy stick to keep the suitors away from his daughters...','Vahn is going to make a Tiered Teaching System xD...Square up, hosers!','Extra Fluffy Murder Floof (U,...,U)~!')https://bit.ly/2XBzAYu &lt;-(p.atreon link)paypal.me/EinlionDiscord Invite: https://discord.gg/Jwa8PKh

Vahn wasn't surprised when, around 9:30 AM, there was a fluctuation in the formation surrounding the Manor. Though it could be anyone, Vahn believed it was undoubtedly Freya so, having enjoyed his snuggle session with Fenrir, Vahn stroked her fluffy ears and said, "Thank you, Fenrir. I can always rely on you..." Letting her Master freely play with her ears, Fenrir lightly nodded, saying, "Yes, I will always be here for Master..." Then, after sharing a long kiss, Vahn left behind the icy cold chamber which, to him, felt like a very warm and comfortable place.Shortly after he left the room, Vahn heard Emiru's voice in his head, explaining, ("Master, Freya has shown up at the gate. Should we lead her to the guest residence...?") Though they couldn't see the action, Vahn nodded his head and responded, ("Yes. Please inform Loki, if she isn't already aware.") This time, instead of Emiru, Vahn heard Maemi's voice respond, ("Loki-sama is already aware. She said to give her a few minutes to get prepared...")Though she hadn't been in the ward for the delivery of Alise, Loki had stayed up late with the other girls, partying and drinking until nearly 2 AM. Since she had never been a morning person, Vahn knew it would take her more than a 'few' minutes to prepare. Since he knew her very well, Vahn suspected this was to give him a moment to confront Freya on his own. If he wasn't able to control the momentum of the conversation on his own, Loki would likely make an appearance to shift the flow in his favor. After all, Loki knew that Freya was coming by this morning and, though she acted uninhibited at times, almost every action she took was calculated.Waiting for him in the foyer, Vahn saw Syr and Maemi, the latter of which was adorned in her battle-maid outfit as she patiently waited to escort him. As for Syr, she was wearing a nightgown, obviously coming to intercept him after hearing about Freya's arrival. Her light-grey eyes, which were usually calm and gentle, contained a hint of unease that marred her pretty face. Vahn knew what she was worried about so, before she had to voice her concerns, he stepped next to her with [Shundo]. She was surprised by the spontaneous movement but, in the next instant, Vahn had already tightly hugged her as he soothingly stated, "Don't worry, Syr...everything will be fine..."Though they had never discussed it openly, Vahn knew that Syr was very worried that Freya would destroy the happy home they had built together. Because Syr had been the goddess' protege in the past, the impression she had of Freya was that of a woman who would do whatever it took to get what she wanted. And, with her unrivaled charm, perfect appearance, and wealth of experience, Freya often did just that. There were few things that prevented her from acting as she pleased, at least before the existence of the Alliance. Still, if she managed to somehow get her claws into Vahn, everything they had worked so hard to build up could be broken down overnight...For several long seconds, silence dominated the foyer's atmosphere until Syr finally released a soft sigh and said, "I believe in you, Vahn...you have the power to change everything, even the very world around you. I know that, in time, even Freya might fall under the influence of your capabilities...just promise me one thing..." Syr had turned her eyes up, looking directly into Vahn's eyes as she firmly stated, "Never, ever, let that woman take the lead and try to make you do as she pleases. Don't let her involve herself in the heart of our matters...at least, not until everyone accepts her. She isn't like us, the people that have banded together to share happiness...Freya is a greedy and possessive woman. The only thing that keeps her from trying to take you away from us is that she lacks the power to do so..."Vahn nodded his head in understanding, cupping Syr's face with his palm as he calmly stated, "I understand, Syr...don't worry, I have my own methods of dealing with Freya. Just remember, regardless of what she has done, the child she bears does not carry her sins. In the future, when we accept them into our home, please treat them just like everyone else..." Syr was slightly taken aback by Vahn's words, rolling her eyes and hugging him tightly as she said, "Obviously. Children can't be blamed for the type of people their parents are. Don't worry, Vahn, I'll cherish all of your children as if they were my own..." Then, as if realizing what she had just said, Syr showed a mischevious smile as a playful glint appeared in her eyes, saying, "Though, you know, I would prefer to have my own someday~."Releasing a hearty laugh, Vahn lowered his right hand from the small of Syr's back, lightly pinching her butt as he said, "You just have to let me know when you're ready. I always am~."Feeling the prickish sensation that caused her to flinch, Syr lightly beat Vahn's chest and said, "Don't you bully me, Vahn Mason...!" in a harsh whisper. Still, even though she felt embarrassed, Syr also felt a great deal of relief at Vahn's words. She knew that, if not for her desire to leave things to fate, he would have already impregnated her long ago. If she truly wanted to, the only thing she needed to do was ask and, just as he had always been reliable in the past, Syr knew Vahn would come through for her...After one more parting embrace, made longer by the passionate kiss the Syr had decided to gift him with, Vahn finally left the Manor with Maemi escorting him. Since he noticed that her tail was somewhat stiff, with a vibrant pink aura listing in his direct, Vahn decided to reward his faithful maid with a hug from behind once they reached the Guest Residence. Her relatively thick tail began to twitch against his lower body as Maemi startlingly exclaimed, "M-Master!?" Then, kissing the back of her head, Vahn whispered into the adorable rounded ears atop her head, "You and your sister only have to ask as well, you know~?"Like red wine diffusing through cloth, Maemi's aura transitioned into a passionate red as she released a hot sigh and said, "Maaaster..." However, much to Vahn's surprise, Maemi's next words were, "Emiru and I don't want to have children just yet...we want to serve Master for as long as possible...at least until Master 'wants' us to bear his children...then we'll happily give up your bodies for you~." Though Maemi's switch had been flipped, she was still honest in her admission of the facts. The only 'dream' she and her sister had was to serve a kind and handsome Master, escaping the boring and rural lifestyle of their tribe. Besides, they were still very young and, under their Master's 'care', Maemi and Emiru knew they had plenty of time before they 'needed' to have children...Nodding his head, Vahn gently stroked Maemi's hair and ears before making his way inside to finally confront Freya. He knew he had been delaying things a little more than necessary but, as he had already developed the habit of making his 'guests' wait, Vahn didn't let it bother him too much. When he entered into the room, however, his expression had already turned calm and steady, even though he had previously been smiling casually while interacting with Maemi. He gave a curt nod to Emiru, who had been waiting inside for his arrival, allowing her to rejoin her sister as they returned to the Manor. As she passed by him, however, Emiru had stopped and, understanding what she wanted, Vahn produced a small smile and stroked her head before sending her on her way.The entire time this was going on, Freya was sitting on the sofa facing the door, silver eyes focused on his every action. She had a very calm disposition right now but Vahn hadn't missed the 'fervent' glint in her eyes, nor the colossal red, pink, and green aura radiating from her body. When Emiru finally left the room, Vahn turned to her with a calm expression on his face and said, "If you're trying to get on my good side, it won't do you any favors to look at the girls around me with hatred and envy..." When she heard this, Freya's perfect brows raised slightly before she began to laugh in an elegant manner. Afterward, she slowly and enticingly uncrossed her legs in an obvious attempt to draw his gaze before fixing her posture with one leg resting on the knee of her other.Vahn felt like a warm and fuzzy sensation had flooded through his mind in an instant but, the moment his [Will of the Emperor] took effect, it faded away. Even so, there was a lingering sensation in his body for a minuscule amount of time as his [Magia Erebea] disposition, combined with the natural purification effects of his blood, completely removed the external influence. His expression hadn't even changed in the slightest as he walked over to the opposite sofa and sat down, casually asking, "So, what brings you here so early, Freya?"Seeing how easily Vahn had dealt with her charm, Freya couldn't help smiling with a bit of excitement as she sensually intoned, "My, please don't tease me too much, Vahn...unless...oh? Do you have the habit of 'forcing' women to describe to you their thoughts and feelings~? Did you want me to tell you how badly I want you to ravish my cold and lonely body~?" Though she had started off in a sensual monotone, Freya's cheeks started to become slightly flushed as a passionate glint passed through her eyes. She couldn't help it as, knowing that she would finally get to sample the boy that had left a deep impression on her heart, Freya's body had started to heat up on its own.Vahn had obviously noticed her reaction, as she wasn't making any effort at all to restrain her aura. Currently, there were thick red tendrils wrapping possessively around his body and, if not for the fact she probably didn't wish to offend him, Freya likely would have gone on the offensive. As for Vahn himself, he was surprised that she had so easily given up the momentum of the conversation by letting her emotions get the better of her. It was starting to seem like the impression he had left on her heart was deeper than he had expected.Still keeping his casual expression, Vahn decided to 'test' Freya by asking, "So, how is your son doing? I heard he was named Ottar as well...?" For a brief moment, Freya had an almost 'pained' look on her face, clearly upset that things were going so slowly. Even so, she tried to keep her composure by lightly touching her cheek and saying, "Yes...Ottar is an inherited name, you see. Back within the Boaz tribes, the firstborn son always inherited the name of their father. Though Ottar himself was an exception to this, he wanted to carry on the tradition of his people. In the future, he hopes that his son will carry on the legacy he left behind...fuuuu..."Having information the Boaz people within his mind, Vahn knew that Freya was speaking the truth. Still, he was a little uncomfortable seeing that Freya didn't seem to have any feelings on the matter at all. Deciding to clarify his suspicions, Vahn asked, "Well, how is he doing? Have you been caring for him properly as a mother...?" Freya's eyes squinted slightly when she heard Vahn's questions, understanding what he was trying to do. Even so, she wasn't going to try and fool him and, instead, simply stated, "Because I didn't want to make a bad impression on you, I've been trying to care for him on occasion. However, I'll admit, I'm not exactly suited to be a mother. Ottar usually takes care of him personally and, when he is busy with missions, I let the servants look after him..."Though he was doing his best to remain unfazed, Vahn released a slight sigh when he heard Freya's explanation. He didn't even have to guess that, if not for the fact she didn't want to completely ruin his impression of her, Freya would have never even interacted with the young Ottar. She seemed so 'disinterested' in her own child, something that unnerved Vahn a great deal as he said, "You should work on it...being a parent is a true blessing. If you really want to get on my good side, the least you can do is attempt to be a good mother..."Freya frowned slightly, crossing her arms to lift her perfectly shaped breasts, which were neither too large nor too small. Averting her eyes away from him, she muttered in a distant and tired voice, "I am constantly making concessions on behalf of the Alliance, even though I've gained very little in the way of benefits. Even now, I'm prepared to give up my child to you in the future, all to appease the conditions Loki, Hephaestus, and Hestia had laid out for me. Now, after I've done so much, acted so patiently, even when it was very difficult, you still ask more of me..?"Vahn was surprised by Freya's behavior but, before he was even able to offer up any words of his own, she released another sigh and said, "Fine. I will do as you say, but not without having a promise from you in return. I'm tired of being made to take vows, suffer restrictions, and denied the things I want to obtain. If it will make you treat my matters seriously, I'll swear a vow to try and become a good mother. In exchange, I want you to at least promise that you won't shun my affections in the future...you don't understand how my body craves, Vahn. If I have to give up on other people, you'll have to take their place...all of their places..."By the end of her words, Freya had a very serious expression on her face and Vahn could see she was looking for any signs that he was going to try and foot around the issue. However, her expression morphed into one of surprise and confusion when he simply smiled and said, "I won't simply make you take a vow one-sidedly, Freya. I swear, on my name, Vahn Mason, Sage Aldrnari, and Captain of the Hestia Familia, to make sure you are more satisfied than any of your previous experiences. In fact, you can consider it a matter of pride as, though you may be unaware of it, I also possess another title...to those that have experienced my capabilities, I am affectionately referred to as the 'Godhand'..."When she heard him take a vow, Freya was very surprised but, when she heard the latter half of his words, she couldn't help but feel amused. As capable as he might be, and Freya had no doubt he was 'very' capable, she believed he was overestimating himself. He might have been able to get an advantage against other girls, or even goddesses, but nothing could have prepared him for what she would do once they, finally, had sex. There wasn't even a god alive, including those with similar Divinities, that had been able to best her in the bedroom. And, though Vahn likely had some degree of prowess, Freya 'knew' he wouldn't be able to match up to gods with Divinities related to Sex.Feeling slightly amused by Vahn's claim, Freya believed she might be able to take advantage of this in the future. Since he wouldn't be able to make good on his promise, she would be able to have sex with him whenever she wanted. Though those troublesome goddesses would undoubtedly interfere, she would at least be able to satisfy her urges a lot more than she initially anticipated. With time, she may even be able to completely conquer Vahn's heart and mind, stealing him away from the other girls after he was no longer able to live without her body. Thus, with a smile on her face, Freya squinted her eyes and said, "Then I, Freya, Goddess of Beauty, Ruler of the Freya Familia, hereby swear that, as long as Vahn Mason is able to satisfy me, I will endeavor to become a mother in accordance to his expectations~."Small chains, formed by the laws of the world, coiled around the souls of Vahn and Freya, patiently waiting for the completion of the vows both of them had made. Vahn, seeing how confident and playful Freya had become, almost as if she had already won, just issued a small smile. Even if she was able to resist his [Grooming] and [Hands of Nirvana], Vahn knew there were two things she could do nothing about. If he made proper use of his [Enkidu], or melded together with her aura, Vahn knew it would quickly end as his victory.Even if his body and mind would have been consumed by the power of her Divinity if he had attempted to do so as a normal person, he had his [Will of the Emperor] to keep his mind from wavering. The only time it wasn't effective was when he gave in to his own thoughts and emotions, not when an external force tried to act on him. By the time Freya realized what had happened, Vahn swore that he would have already revealed if, like a Beast Human, Freya had a 'unique cry' when she was completely satisfied...Thus, within the well-lit reception room of the Guest Residence, two people, one mortal, one goddess, looked at each other with amused expressions. There was a clear expectation in both of their eyes as each had already become completely assured of their victory. However, they were not entirely alone as, peeking through a false panel located behind a painting, a mischevious trickster goddess was desperately fighting the urge to laugh out loud. Seeing Freya 'willingly' walk down the path of her own demise gave Loki to urge to immortalize the moment for posterity. Thus, after pulling out a pen and paper, she began scribbling down the details of the event she had just witnessed, determined to shove it into Freya's face the first chance she had...Title: Godhand Vs. Freya(A/N: Alternate Titles: 'Fenrir is the goodest girl, always, and forever','RIP Freya-sama...','Loki is looking a lot like a perverted sage from a foreign record...')https://bit.ly/2XBzAYu &lt;-(p.atreon link)paypal.me/EinlionDiscord Invite: https://discord.gg/Jwa8PKh

After what seemed like a very long period of time, the next day finally came. As if to celebrate the event, the sun was casting down gentle rays upon the world as wispy white clouds lazily made their way across the sky. Within the Hearth Manor, which was usually quiet and peaceful, there was a lively atmosphere as everyone that usually spent their time in the Sub-Space orb, was currently outside to show their support for Ryuu.Today, a new member would be joining their expansive family and everyone was looking forward to seeing another adorable baby within the maternity ward. Generally, whenever the girls came out of the orb, many of them would stop by just to interact with the children for a bit. Though the unity within the Manor had always been very high, the bonds between everyone had been strengthened by the inclusion of the children. After all, cuteness was such a universally appreciated thing that Vahn wouldn't have been surprised to learn that it was a 'Law'...Of course, while everyone else was waiting for the good news, the two most important actors, Ryuu and Vahn, were within the delivery room with Hestia, Riveria, and Syr observing. Preasia was also present, acting as Vahn's assistant, while he walked Ryuu though what would become a very long delivery. It was fortunate that she had the support of both Riveria and Syr, who showed a great deal of concern for the pained Elven beauty. Fortunately, though the delivery took much longer than expected, there were no major issues so, after nearly seventeen hours, the crisp sound of a baby's cry could be heard within the room.Ryuu, experiencing a great deal of relief after finally being relieved of the intense pain, had a pale and dazed expression until she heard the sound of her daughter's voice. The tired sky-blue yes regained their light in an instant and, though there was a glistening membrane of tears beginning to spread through them, Ryuu had a happy smile on her face. Preasia brought the crying child into its mother's arms, allowing Ryuu to get a look at her daughter for the first time. Much like how Vahn was overwhelmed during the birth of all his children, Ryuu felt it would be impossible to express how she currently felt, other than that she was simply happy and tired, with a bigger focus on the happy feelings welling up inside of her...Vahn, after cleaning off his hands and wiping his brow with a towel, came to Ryuu's side, replacing Riveria, who now had a moderately pale complexion herself. She was feeling some sympathetic symptoms from saying with Ryuu for so long and needed to sit down on the sofa to relax for a bit. Hestia had already looked over Ryuu's daughter and given her blessing, so she went to look after Riveria alongside Preasia, the latter of which performed a basic checkup to make sure Riveria was okay.Though he had already seen her previously, Vahn felt that his new daughter almost looked like a doll that had been carved from jade, possessing a very fair complexion, even though she had just been born. Amazingly, she had a head full of blond downy hair and, when Vahn saw her little pointy ears, it felt like his heart had been scrunched up to the size of a raisin. Still, it was the impact of seeing her being held lovingly by Ryuu that had the great impression on Vahn so, as he had done during all the previous deliveries, Vahn 'saved' the image into his memories. In the future, he wanted to immortalize these scenes in the form of paintings that would adorn his private study in the future...Because she had been feeling very weak, Vahn helped Ryuu replenish her stamina while Preasia had the relatively awkward opportunity to take care of the placenta. When everything was taken care of, Ryuu began breastfeeding her daughter with a loving smile on her face, asking, "What do you want to name her, Vahn...?" Though they had discussed it in the past, Vahn and Ryuu had never decided upon a name since she had wanted to wait until the delivery was successful. Now that her daughter was safely within her embrace, Ryuu felt an ache in her heart not knowing what to call her, thus turning to Vahn for guidance.Vahn fell into a momentary daze when Ryuu asked him to suddenly name their daughter but, after a brief period of consideration, he smiled and asked, "How about...Alise?" The moment he asked this, Ryuu's body began to tremble and she couldn't help hanging her head as the tears she had fought hard to resist began flowing freely from her eyes. Alise had been the name of her best friend and, though the woman had been difficult to deal with at times, Ryuu was eternally grateful for everything she had done. If not for the words she had kept close to her heart, it was possible that Ryuu may have never ended up with Vahn in the first place...realizing this, Ryuu felt an overwhelming sense of loss from remembering her deceased comrades and was no longer able to bottle up the emotions deep within her heart...While the woman he loved was crying, Vahn held her head into his chest while making sure their daughter wasn't affected by Ryuu's sobs. Fortunately, the youngling had already fallen into a deep and contented sleep after finishing her first meal. She just slept, blissfully unaware of what was going on around her while her mother cried into her father's chest.It took a few minutes but, with Vahn's presence and the warmth she fell from being in contact with him, Ryuu managed to calm down. She fretfully observed her daughter's condition to make sure the latter was okay before turning to Vahn and releasing a deeply emotional sigh. As if the tension had melted from her body, Ryuu put on a radiant smile that made the tear stains on her face seem like the most masterfully done makeup in the entire world. Turning her sky blue eyes to her daughter, Ryuu gently ran her index finger near the blond downy hair and whispered, "Alise..." in a soft and clear tone.As if she knew what had just happened, little Alise showed a tiny smile on her face while continuing her blissful sleep. This caused Ryuu to become a little choked up again so Vahn continued to hold the lovably Elf while gently stroking the back of her hair. When she calmed down again, he gave her a kiss on the forehead and said, "You did well, Ryuu. Thank you for giving me another beautiful daughter..." This comment caused Ryuu to laugh lightly as she reclined her head against the thick pillows supporting her, saying, "You're so silly, Vahn...I should be the one thanking you...for everything..."Seeing that Ryuu was on the verge of falling asleep herself, which made sense considering the endeavor she just went through, Vahn gently caressed her face and said, "Rest now...we have our entire lives to express the gratitude we feel for each other." Ryuu rubbed her face against his palm, displaying a gratified and tired smile on her face as she slowly closed her eyes. Even so, her arms continued to support Alise properly as the latter continued her peaceful slumber. Vahn felt guilty about parting them so soon so, for the next hour, he just watched over the mother-daughter pair before taking Alise and laying her in the nearby crib.At this point, the only person left inside of the ward was Hestia, as Preasia and Syr had taken Riveria to rest in her room. She was sitting patiently on the sofa, quietly observing everything that had been happening from start to finish. Unless circumstances forced her elsewhere, Hestia was determined to witness the birth of every child in the Hearth Manor. It often felt like she was witnessing the passage of History itself, marking each significant event as an important moment in the lives of everyone residing in this place they had made their home. And, at the center of everything, there was this boy, Vahn Mason, the man she had fallen in love with, dedicating everything she ever was, or ever will be, to.Patting her thighs in an inviting gesture, Hestia's crystalline blue eyes shimmered like the surface of a lake, reflecting the light from the sun and making its depths indiscernible. Vahn always felt like he could just sink into those deep blue eyes, perfectly content in the sublime feeling of relaxation they could bring. Thus, accepting her invitation, Vahn made his way over to the sofa, laying across its surface while using Hestia's inexplicably soft thighs as a pillow. She began to run her fingers through his hair with an expression of unshakeable love and devotion on her face as she said, "You also did very well today, Vahn...now sleep..." As if falling under the influence of a powerful magic spell, Vahn felt his eyelids become heavy in an instant and, even though he didn't require sleep, Vahn accepted the peaceful embrace of darkness...----------------------------------------------------------------------//Optional Quest Completed!//[Quest: A Man's Responsibility, Repeatable]Rank: B-SSCompletion Grade: AObjective: Impregnate Ryuu Lion (1). Ensure a safe delivery; Current Children(1)Rewards: 100,000 OP, 1x [Guardian:(Nameless)]Grade Rewards: 1x[Sacred Tree Sapling][Sacred Tree Sapling]Rank: UniqueUse: A unique tree that creates a spiritual link with the user, growing alongside them. Any injury or illness sustained by the user will drain the vitality of the tree instead. The first time a fatal blow would be suffered, the Sacred Tree would sacrifice itself to protect the user.Soulbound: Alise Mason----------------------------------------------------------------------Hearing the sudden notification, Vahn's eyes snapped open and he reluctantly parted from Hestia's plush thighs, confusing her slightly as she asked, "Is something wrong...?" Vahn gave an awkward laugh and said, "It seems little Alise's guardian wants to make an appearance..." Hearing this, Hestia began to chuckle lightly, remembering that a 'guardian' would often show up shortly after the birth. The fact it hadn't appeared yet had caused her to completely forget about it, at least until Vahn's exasperatedly mentioned it.Just as Vahn had finished explaining things, a complex array emerged in the air and, after a vibrant light filled the room, a small animal came into existence. It was actually much bigger than normal but, after he saw what it was, Vahn understood the reason. There, shakily trying to take its first steps, Vahn observed the appearance of what looked like a newborn fawn. Unlike a normal deer, however, this fawn had a gradient of light green fur with pale yellow dots covering its back. Most notably, it had very large and adorable ears and, though it had the basic figure of a fawn, there were two nubs where horns would likely sprout in the future.As for its species, the system notification said it was a Spirit Deer, an incredibly rare animal that could fill an entire forest with lush greenery with just its presence alone. It was said that the life and death of a Spirit Deer were tied to the forest itself and, if one was killed within the grounds it once protected, the vitality of all the plants in the area would greatly diminish. Because of this property, they had been hunted in the past for their liver, which was purportedly one of the ingredients to make an Elixir of Immortality. This was, of course, something that had been fabricated by people in the past, as Vahn had seen a variety of different assumed ingredients listed in medical texts, alongside several other mythical ingredients.From the side, Hestia's blue eyes had started to shine as she murmured, "It's so cute...!" while hopping off the sofa. Unfortunately, before she could get close to it, the Spirit Deer seemed to gain its footing as it leaped towards the crib where Elise was sleeping. It turned into green motes of light that infused into the sleeping Elf's body without disturbing the latter at all. Hestia, seeing this, had a defeated expression for a brief moment before coughing to ease her embarrassment. Then, as if nothing happened, she sat back down on the sofa and patted her thighs once again. Vahn fought the urge to laugh, which was difficult since Hestia had a very light blush on her face while trying to keep up appearances.This time, when darkness began to encroach upon his mind, Vahn was able to ease into it without any disturbances...(A/N: I tried to settle for a happy middle-ground, summarizing things while also detailing the emotions derived from the experience. Also, I know some people might complain that Anise and Alise have very similar names, as can easily be seen, so I may retcon Aki's daughter's name in the future if it becomes confusing. However, as only the Vanir will have any real significance to the story for a while, I may just leave it as it.)(A/N: Alternate Titles: 'Being thin and lithe can make birthing very difficult (O_O)...','Poor Ryuu...she really did live a troubled life...','The Path can be a dick xD...')https://bit.ly/2XBzAYu &lt;-(p.atreon link)paypal.me/EinlionDiscord Invite: https://discord.gg/Jwa8PKh

Chapter 734: Calm