Endless Path : Infinite Cosmos

Needless to say, the introductions of Mordred and Sakura had left a 'deep' impression on everyone in the crowd. Vahn's aura hadn't exactly helped to ease any of the tensions so, even when the lights came back on, the majority of people weren't sure what to do with themselves. Some thought about just turning around and leaving but, as the doors to the ballroom had been closed prior to Vahn's arrival, they feared the repercussions of trying.Seeing how uneasy everyone was, Vahn felt somewhat apologetic towards Luvia as it actually hadn't been his intention to ruin the mood. He always got carried away when it came to his children so, in a vain attempt to ease the tensions, he released a mellow and calming aura as he said, "This evening is meant to be a festive occasion. Truthfully, we are easier to get along with than you might expect...so long as you do not do anything untoward. For the next two hours, enjoy food and drink provided as a courtesy of the Empire whilst mingling with each other. We also enjoy conversation so feel free to introduce yourselves."Though it wasn't as effective as he'd have liked, Vahn could feel people begin to relax as a result of his calm aura and guiding words. He didn't imagine any of them would actually try and introduce themselves without a mediator but, so long as they didn't have any malicious intentions, Vahn didn't particularly mind conversing with anyone. The only reason he came off as an intense character was due to many Magi having untoward thoughts or malicious natures. At the very core, Vahn wasn't the type to seek conflict and, if he could get along with everyone, that would be ideal.What Vahn couldn't do was compromise with people who had malicious intentions as, the moment you showed any sign of weakness, they were like snakes primed to strike. If he was around kind and caring individuals, he could coexist with them without any trouble whatsoever. In fact, he preferred the company of Spirits and Fae for this exact reason as, other than fulfilling their purpose, the only other thing they cared about was ensuring each member of their race could live happily. There were some obvious exceptions to this but, in general, entities with an assigned purpose were a lot easier to get along with.With nothing left to say, Vahn escorted Artoria off the stage, followed by his rather large entourage. After joining the congregation on the lower level, he made his way over to where Solon and the rest separated into smaller groups to interact with the crowd. Some of the invitees were students of the Clock Tower, including a few belonging to the Department of Unified Thaumaturgical Theory, so the girls all had groups they could freely mingle with. As for Alexander, he immediately plowed through the crowd, making a beeline toward the buffet tables lining the far side of the hall...Before Vahn could reach Solon's group, his way was 'blocked' by the familiar figure of Reines and the deadpan expression of Waver. Vahn could see visible exhaustion in the man's countenance so, while he had been tempted to just bypass Reines, he internally sighed before halting his steps. Walking by Reines would be a pretty big slap in the face and, given her character, she wouldn't take it kindly. He had already taken steps to try and help Ridley but, in the hopes of helping both Waver and Reines herself, Vahn's brain began to mull over various solutions.Standing in the path of someone on the level of an Emperor was what many would consider foolish but, having a decent understanding of Vahn's character, Reines had been willing to gamble. She had made sure to approach from Artoria's side, leaving plenty of space to walk around if he decided to avoid her. Though this had its fair share of problems, Reines had been spreading rumors about her close association with the Empire and, even if she couldn't win Vahn's favor, controlling how others viewed her was well within the scope of her power.After performing a flawless curtsy, followed by Waver bowing politely, Reines smiled radiantly as she mused, "Your Imperial Majesties, it is a pleasure to see the two of you again. My husband and I have been wanting to express our gratitude ever since you visited our manor to heal his affliction. As this may not be the most opportune time, please allow us to pay you a visit in the future. My daughter, Ridley, also wanted to express her gratitude, but, due to her age, she was, unfortunately, whisked away..."Reines had made little effort to conceal her words so, while she hadn't said any lies, the complete lack of context made it very easy to misinterpret them. It made the relationship between her and the Empire seem infinitely more intimate than it actually was. Just mentioning the face he had personally come to aid them was a pretty big deal but, as he didn't want to publically shame her, Vahn kept his usual smile as he replied, "Having you visit Avalon is a matter for the far future but, if you would like to take tea, I'm certain Luvia can make the arrangements. Waver is a dear friend so I wouldn't mind conversing with him on occasion. Of course, as his wife, you are more than welcome to attend."Without directly refuting Reines' words, Vahn shifted the focal point to Waver, making it clear to the peanut gallery it wasn't the Archibald family, but Waver himself, that had his favor. Since Reines has pointed out his previous visitation, mentioning its relation to her husband, Vahn capitalized on the small oversight. As a result, despite the fact Reines was still smiling, Vahn could see a few additional purple and green bands within the pale-gray aura shrouding her body...Realizing what Vahn had done, Waver adopted a polite smile on his face as he bowed his head and answered, "To have His Imperial Majesty consider me a friend is a great honor. We will be certain to reach out to Lady Edelfelt in the near future. I am looking forward to drinking Your Imperial Majesty's tea once again."Though his wife's vice-like grip caused him a bit of discomfort, Waver knew he had a part to play and, for both of their sakes, he did his best. Reines would probably lambast him for not coming up with a way to elevate her status but, as her obsession was nearing the point of endangerment, he was hoping to resolve the matter in the near future. He lacked the ability to restrain her on his own but, with support from Vahn, it wouldn't be impossible.This time, instead of being dragged around, Waver was the one to lead Reines out of Vahn's way as, if she were to say more, it would only complicate matters. Vahn had already made a public promise to meet with them and, despite their relationship being 'peculiar', to the say the least, he gave them considerable face by calling Waver his friend. This was something Reines herself was very aware of so, even after Vahn and Artoria walked past them, she maintained a faultless smile before allowing Waver to lead her around, their roles suddenly reversed...---After 'deflecting' Reines away, albeit temporarily, Vahn neared the group now consisting of only Solon and Zelretch. Director Atlasia had wandered off to engage some of the students he had sent off to the Clock Tower while Da Vinci and Sion, neither fond of social situations, opted to alight to the private lounges adjoining the hall. They had only appeared as a matter of course so, after the gala officially began, they had no qualms about excusing themselves. Da Vinci, in particular, had grown rather tired of people trying to court her as, even with a device to conceal her beauty, her association with the Empire garnered a great deal of attention...Immediately after Vahn reached a comfortable speaking distance, Solon created a soundproofing bubble. Following this, Zelretch released a hearty laugh before adopting his usual sly smile as he said, "It may have just been my imagination but I would swear the temperature around that woman decreased by several degrees in an instant."Adding onto Zelretch's remark, Solon raised their head, looking directly at Vahn as they said, "That woman is a snake. I won't tell you how to handle your affairs but it would be foolish to trust her. That man has a few redeeming qualities but he is hopeless without the backbone to oppose his wife."Though he didn't exactly disagree with Solon's assessment, Vahn was briefly tempted to remark that there was nothing wrong with listening to your wives. He could also be considered to be henpecked but, unlike the situation between Reines and Waver, his wives genuinely respected his opinion. Even if he was wrong, they would still support him to the best of their ability and, as a result, they would be able to accomplish much more, together.Since Waver's situation was 'significantly' different than his own, Vahn issued a light chuckle before commenting, "I suppose we can't all be fortunate enough to have amazing wives. Even though I try to count my blessings every day, a new one seems to come before I'm able to finish."Hearing Vahn's flowery remark, the tips of Artoria's ears became almost imperceptibly redder. Her expression remained unchanged, giving off a dignified aura, but she couldn't hide the truth from him. This caused Vahn's expression to soften as he lightly rubbed the hand she had interwoven with his arm. He rarely passed up a chance to appeal to his women and, considering Solon had already erected an obscuration and soundproofing barrier, he didn't mind taking advantage of it.Solon was no stranger to Vahn's incessant wiling of women so, while Zelretch had an amused yet incredulous expression, the green-haired Magus appeared unphased as they muttered, "You really are a helpless fool...I suppose that is why so many women favor you?"With the latter half of their sentence being directed toward Artoria, indicated by Solon's slight turn of their head, the former gave a small nod before answering, "Vahn is a capable Emperor but, before that, he is a father, a husband, a teacher, and much more. We all support his vision, hoping against nigh-impossible odds that the world will become a better place through our efforts."This time, Solon's expression changed quite a bit as, unadulterated exasperation on their face as they shook their head and muttered, "I take it back...it isn't Vahn, alone, that is hopeless; the whole lot of you are beyond helping...!"Finding Solon's words disagreeable, Artoria's brows furrowed ever-so-slightly but, before she could retort, Vahn eased tensions by saying, "Relax." Then, projecting his voice so that only Artoria could hear it, he added, "Solon is just a Tsundere. They don't know how to express themselves so they just lash out whenever they are flustered. Don't let it bother you."As she was familiar with the term, Artoria briefly imagined Solon with twin tails, flinging gemstones at people with a red face. The latter seemed to sense her thoughts, their brows furrowing behind their blindfold as they asked, "What did that bastard tell you...?"Remembering how Solon always called Zelretch 'old bastard', the image of them being a Tsundere was cemented in Artoria's mind. Thus, while her instinct as an Empress and Knight was to defend Vahn's honor, she let Solon's comment slide with a 'knowing' smile. This only caused the latter to fume even more but, with a large audience, there was a limit to what they could say or do. Even the obscuration barrier wasn't perfect and, based on their body language, a lot of assumptions could be made.Deciding to give Solon a bit of leniency, as he knew they were easily stressed, Vahn redirected the conversation, explaining, "If nothing happens in the interim, we'll be making the announcement at precisely 9 PM. Until then, feel free to rest in one of the various lounges. Just make sure not to drop you guard...there is a decent chance some of some unexpected visitors making an appearance..."Hearing Vahn's warning, Zelretch adopted a battle-hungry expression while Solon, a small frown on their face, asked, "What are the odds? For you to be informing us...they seem quite high."Though he kept a casual smile on his face, appearing perfectly normal to external observers, Vahn's tone was firm as he unhesitantly answered, "There is room for variation but, based on our data, there is about a ninety-three percent chance of something happening. It would seem another example will have to be made before the integrity of the Magus community reaches an adequate level..."(A/N: Alternate Titles: 'Relax, guys, just act casually :D...*world burning in the background*','Vahn's past training with Loki wasn't without results','Some things change, others remain the same')https://bit.ly/2XBzAYu &lt;-(p.atreon link)paypal.me/EinlionDiscord Invite: https://discord.gg/Jwa8PKh

Though Vahn had no intention of using CHALDEAS to unreasonably persecute people who had yet to commit crimes, that didn't mean it wasn't extremely useful for determining when an attack would come. While it wasn't completely accurate, as any major event could drastically change the future, the combination of CHALDEAS, Sherlock, and Ark left very little room for variance.Since the Imperial Gala was a relatively important event, one which gathered many of the world's most powerful people in one room, ascertaining whether or not something would go wrong was of paramount importance. Vahn couldn't risk seeding further doubts into the minds of the Magus community if he intended to use them to establish order. They needed to be confident and fearful of his power, believing he could protect them while knowing what fate awaited them should they choose to oppose the Empire.To this end, the Empire had made considerable preparations for what was to come. Though it wasn't obvious at a glance, the security of the Edelfelt Mansion, at least on this particular evening, was more comprehensive than could be imagined. So much effort had gone into the preparations that, even after half an hour had passed, there wasn't a single person in the hall who realized what was going on, outside of those who were informed directly...---While Vahn and Artoria were making the rounds alongside Luvia, allowing people to introduce themselves, Mordred and Sakura were doing much the same. The difference was, even without a mediator to ease the tensions, people weren't nearly afraid to approach them. After all, they had the appearance of fourteen-year-old girls and, after seeing how amicably they conversed with the other young men and women within the ballroom, the parents and colleagues of said children used the opportunity to weasel their way into the conversation.In many situations, the children belonging to the Department of Unified Thaumaturgical Theory had either distanced themselves from their families or, in some situations, emancipated themselves with the support of the Empire. Despite this, their shameless parents readily tried to exploit their progeny, some even going as far as to try and smooth things over in order to receive some of the benefits their children had been able to obtain through their own efforts.Though the more prideful and confident students were able to deflect without much trouble, that didn't mean there wasn't any drama whatsoever. One particular example had been when Sakura was talking with one of few students she generally got along with, an intelligent-looking young woman with neatly trimmed orange hair who could always be seen wearing an eyepatch, Ophelia Phamrsolone. Sakura had befriended the girl after Ophelia hesitantly approached her, asking for advice on how she could improve as a Magus.Sakura was a lot easier to approach than Mordred so, when it came to the more demure and shy girls, she was quite popular. Now, however, Sakura's brows had furrowed slightly as a young man with long golden hair, reaching past his shoulders, approached their small group. He was dressed like an affluent Noble but, as if to further elevating himself amongst his peers, he elected to wear a pure white outfit that was enchanted to prevent dirt or stains.At a glance, the man had a very princely appearance but, while his blue eyes were striking, his face was formed into an expression that seemed to look down on everyone around him. Even as he approached Sakura's group, his expression hadn't changed much and, though he managed to perform a flawless bow, Sakura couldn't shake the feeling he was looking down on, not just her, but all the girls gathered around her.Though nearly everyone knew who the young man was, Ophelia was the only one who had been affiliated with him in the past. Thus, when the man turned his icy gaze upon her, she shrunk next to Sakura, muttering, "This is Kirschtaria Wodime, the Head of a thousand-year-old Magus family. After Miss Animusphere left school to fulfill her duties, he became the next in line to become the Faculty Head of the Department of Astronomy..."With Ophelia fulfilling her 'responsibility', Kirschtaria seemed to immediately lose interest in her, adding, "It is my pleasure to make your acquaintance, Your Imperial Highness, Princess Sakura. I have heard tales of your beauty and prowess so it is truly an honor to meet you in person."Despite his flowery words, Kirschtaria's expression didn't change much and, while he was being polite, Sakura liked him less with each passing moment. However, due to her status, it was harder than she would like to simply chase people away. If she did so in a drastic fashion, it would harm the other person's reputation a considerable amount and, as Kirschtaria hadn't done anything to proactively offend her, she was obligated to tolerate him.Forcing a smile onto her face, Sakura gave the handsome man a small nod before issuing him a slight 'warning' by saying, "It is unfortunate, Lord Wodime, but I have heard very little of you prior to tonight. You must be quite capable to have won the favor of Lord Animusphere but, based on my friend's reaction, I must ask that you kindly give us some space. Unless you have a matter of import to discuss, I would prefer to continue our discussion, ladies only."Though his expression didn't change in the slightest, Kirschtaria blinked a few times in surprise, seemingly unaccustomed to being chased away. He held the current Rank 1 position for 'Most handsome man in the Clock Tower' and, due to his status and prospects, the number of women desiring his courtship, both young and old, easily exceeded three digits.Not wanting to offend an Imperial Princess, Kirschtaria ultimately performed a polite bow, stating, "It is unfortunate but, if that is the wish of Your Imperial Highness, I will readily excuse myself. One day, I hope my accomplishments are enough to earn your esteemed recognition..."After raising his head, Kirschtaria cast his gaze over Ophelia once again, his eyes squinting ever-so-slightly in an accusatory manner before he turned away, his cape flourishing slightly as a result. He was obviously displeased about how things had gone but, with a dignified countenance and perfect bearing, Kirschtaria boldly passed through the group lingering around the periphery of Sakura's group, each looking for an opportunity to make their own introduction.When the gap created by Kirschtaria gradually closed, Ophelia released a tired sigh at Sakura's side before lowering her head and saying, "I'm sorry about that, Sakura...Kirchtaria isn't actually a bad guy. He just doesn't know how to properly show emotions and, due to his family, the way he views others is...unpleasant. I used to look up to him but, after I left the Department of Astronomy in order to join the Department of Unified Thaumaturgical Theory, we haven't been able to see eye-to-eye. The Wodime and Phamrsolone families have had close ties for a long time so there is a good chance I would have been married off to him in the future. He didn't take kindly to the fact I ran away from my family as, while I did so for personal reasons, it was an indirect blemish to his pride..."Given how Kirschtaria elected to wear pure-white clothing, it was easy to see he was the type of man who abhorred uncleanliness. Even if it didn't actually have anything to do with him, any kind of blemish, even a perceived one, wasn't acceptable.Kirschtaria aspired to be the 'perfect' Magus and, as he had already been nominated as the next Head of the Department of Astronomy, combined with his nomination for the Rank of Pride, he had a lot of reason to consider himself above others. He was only nineteen this year and, even before the previous purge, he was considered one of the gems of the Mage's Association.Unfortunately, as it was all but impossible to succeed in the previous Association without having a certain kind of character, Kirschtaria embodied the Old Era to a startling extent. He appeared to carry himself with dignity and pride but, if you peeled back the layers of his character, you would find an arrogant young man who had never experienced any real setbacks. His family had never been one of the top ten but, with a legacy stretching back a thousand years, he had never been left wanting when it came to resources and opportunities. Though he certainly put in a great deal of effort, the fact he was always leagues above his peers had left a deep impression on the young man's mind.Part of Sakura's education included learning more about the former and current Magus families so, despite her earlier words, she knew a considerable amount regarding Kirschtaria, including his character and accomplishments. Sherlock had made a comprehensive profile of virtually every member of the Mage's Association so, if she were to access the system and elevate her request to a high enough level, she could even expose Kirschtaria's deepest and darkest secrets. This wasn't something she could just arbitrarily decide, however, as the young man had been given a 'Pale Green' status, meaning his threat level, from the perspective of the Empire, was negligible.The main reason Sakura had sent Kirschtaria away was out of consideration for Ophelia. She had learned a bit about the young woman's past and, due to her sincere desire to liberate herself and forge her own destiny, Sakura had grown quite fond of her. Though she was part of the larger group that revolved around Mordred, Sakura was also the leader of her own small social group, consisting predominately of shy and demure girls with gentle and kind natures. They all looked up to her so, if the opportunity presented itself, Sakura wouldn't just ignore them when they are in trouble.As a result of her personal resolve regarding the matter, Sakura nodded her head in affirmation but, rather than support Ophelia's attempt to smooth things over, she plainly stated, "You don't have to speak on behalf of others, Ophelia. You owe Lord Wodime nothing and, if it turns out he is truly a good man, he will distinguish himself through his actions. Putting pressure on you to try and get closer to me wasn't something a good man would do so, while I understand he isn't a bad person, that doesn't translate to him being a good one, either."Though her eyes revealed various complex emotions, Ophelia still managed an awkward smile, understanding that Sakura was supporting her. It didn't seem to matter that her status as Imperial Princess had been revealed, Sakura was still the same caring person they had all come to respect over the last few months. She unified all of the girls who sought to change their fates but, due to being pressured their entire lives, had trouble deciding upon the best course of action.With Sakura's guidance, they had all made incredible progress in their studies and, though the future still seemed uncertain, they chose to believe in the Empire's vision. They wanted to be able to choose their fates freely, not be forced into difficult situations for no better reason than the fact they had been born female.The Empire promised an equilibrium of status between genders and race, often with very serious consequences for violent offenders. Thus, while the Emperor was rumored to be a deviant with a harem exceeding hundreds of women, mostly Heroic Spirits, they still looked up to him. The fact he was able to produce children like Mordred and Sakura, people they greatly idolized, was more than enough reason for them to wholly support his vision. It helped that, despite the rumors that circulated about him, Vahn's appearance easily eclipsed even famous models. Since the girls all had his Familia Crest engraved on their bodies, he had, inadvertently, left a deep impression on their hearts as well...(A/N: Alternate Titles: 'Trying to surprise the Empire is quite difficult xD...','The embodiment of gentlemanly arrogance','Yes, FBI-san? He's over here...')https://bit.ly/2XBzAYu &lt;-(p.atreon link)paypal.me/EinlionDiscord Invite: https://discord.gg/Jwa8PKh

Despite having the attention of more than a thousand Magi, Bedivere showed an unperturbed smile on his face as he politely bowed to the assembly. Then, in a voice that had soothing quality, despite the firm undertone, he announced, "It is my esteemed privilege to announce the arrival of His and Her Imperial Majesties, the Sage Emperor, Vahn Aldrnari Mason, and his Dragon Empress, Artoria Aldrnari Pendragon."The moment Bedivere finished his introduction, a massive spatial tear appeared behind him, startling the entire assemblage. From within, Vahn and Artoria appeared, arms linked, the lighting from above reflecting off the metal components of their sleek formal wear. Vahn had been wanting to set a trend where people wore higher quality garments instead of just throwing together tacky, mass-produced outfits. He also wanted to make it 'normal' for people to wear armor and carry around their weapons as, if he were being honest, it bothered him to see people behaving so complacently all the time.After spending nearly 150 years within the Record of Danmachi, a place where cultures blended together like a hot pot, it had always bothered Vahn to see the hodge-podge 'uniformity' of modern people. Unless you were wealthy, everyone bought mass-produced goods and, while various brands and logos set them apart, everyone wore very similar outfits. If you strayed away from this, people would label you as a freak, ostracize, or even outright bully you. Only the wealthy and the affluent had been able to wear whatever they wanted so, in the future, Vahn wanted to shift the trend so that there was a larger focus on the quality, rather than the quantity, of a person's attire.Embodying this trend, he wore a sleek black 'napoleon-style' blouse with golden tassels and, if you looked closely, an intricate series of runes could be seen sewn into the embroidery. Though he never really liked clothes that were restrictive around the collar, Vahn tolerated it as it helped to keep his back straight and his head facing forward.To complete his outfit, Vahn had form-fitting onyx-black gauntlets, which, much like his blouse, were covered in an intricate pattern of runes, nearly indiscernible to the naked eye. These gauntlets, much like his greaves, had been designed to be so thin that, at a glance, you would think he had prosthetic arms and legs. More impressively, however, was the mesh of haptic sensors that ensured virtually no loss in textile sensation and dexterity. They even perfectly adapted to their wearer's biorhythm and internal temperature, simulating warmth and creating an illusion of skin contact...The final part of Vahn's outfit was a greyish-black silken sash which, much like the rest of his outfit, was covered in a layer of runes. Unlike the rest of his attire, however, these runes stood out quite a bit, blazing with golden light that emulated the embers visible when cloth was set aflame. This was meant to draw the eye and unnerve people slightly as, while it didn't seem as perturbing as his sleek black gauntlets and greaves, the fact it was an S-Rank Artifact gave it an aura that terrified or enticed anyone closely observing it.When he first stepped out onto the stage, Vahn felt the eyes of everyone in the audience focus on him before, moments later, their gaze shifted, albeit briefly, to Artoria. She, too, was attired in sleek black attire but, unlike Mordred and Sakura, she elected to embrace her femininity for this event. As a result, her main outfit consisted of three distinct parts: a removable sleeved top, a sleek, corset-like bodice, and a three-layered gown that, if you looked closely, vaguely resembled a flower. It extended all the way to her ankles but, as Artoria was used to fighting in a dress, it wouldn't exactly impede her movements in the slightest.Like Vahn, Artoria also had sleek black gauntlets and greaves but, what really stood out was the fact that, unlike her typical, extremely reserved outfits, the separation between her bodice and top left a small 'window' that showed off her cleavage. Da Vinci had even designed the bodice in a way that 'helped' to accent her rather diminutive assets so, with Artoria's already ethereal beauty, she radiated a slightly more mature aura than usual...Fortunately, most Magi were generally very sensitive to how others perceived them so, rightly fearing Vahn's ire, none were bold enough to openly gawk. It hadn't been all that long since he silenced an entire crowd prior to the duel between Artoria and Lorelei so it was no secret he was rather 'protective' of the women around him. Since Artoria had been introduced as his Empress, she immediately became a massive landmine within the hearts and minds of everyone gathered below.To further add to the anxieties of the crowd, Luvia performed a polite bow while, on the stage, Bedivere took a knee before lowering his head. At the same time, most of the Edelfelt security forces lowered their bodies at a steep angle, forcing everyone gathered to make a choice: either lower your head or be left as one of the few people standing tall. This caused bitter feelings in the hearts of the more prideful Magi, but, with 'very' few exceptions, they all bowed low.As one of the only groups left standing, Solon, Zelretch, Zepia, Sion, and Da Vinci (Professor Alpha), drew a lot of attention. Solon, as the 'leader' of the group, stood out the most as, with their unique attire and emerald-green hair, reaching all the way down to their ankles, they didn't exactly blend in with the surroundings. As a result, Vahn's eyes passed over the group but, instead of forcing them to bow, he surprised the crowd by smiling as he said, "It is good to see you, Solon. I hope I didn't keep you waiting for too long..."Though it wasn't a very direct way to do things, Vahn's words made it very clear that his position was higher than Solon's. The casualness in which he greeted one of the most infamous figures within the Association was open to interpretation but, when Solon answered in kind, any doubts were removed as, to the horror of many, Solon politely nodded before replying, "Only a fool would dare to refuse a direct invitation from the Sage Emperor. It is my honor to have Your Imperial Majesty's recognition..."Even Vahn hadn't expected Solon to respond in such an 'agreeable' manner so, for a brief moment, his expression became more genuine as he issued a light chuckle. Then, so as to ease some of the tensions in the room, he raised his hand and stated, "Please, raise your heads. Your respect is noted but, for the time being, we are not your Emperor. Now, so as not to burden our hosts further, allow us to make a few introductions before proceeding with the rest of the gala."Following Vahn's words, everyone in the assembly raised their heads just in time to see Mordred and Sakura, followed closely by Alexander, Mash, Zoë, and Astrid exit through the spatial rift. The fact it had still been silently looming in the background terrified those who knew of the ridiculous amount of magical energy that would be required to perform such a feat. As for everyone else, they focused intently on the group of children that had exited the portal, waiting with bated breath to learn their identity and status.With Mordred, Sakura, Mash, Zoë, and Astrid wearing similar outfits, the only thing that set them apart, clothing-wise, were the golden emblems sewn into Mordred's and Sakura's collars. The others had simple gold buttons, imprinted with military rank, while Mordred and Sakura were decorated in what was quickly becoming known as the insignia of the Imperial Family. Since Vahn and Artoria had the same insignia on their clothes, it wasn't difficult to deduce the status of the distinctly different young women.Matching expectations, Vahn raised his head proudly as he extended his hand toward Mordred. The latter happily accepted and, after pulling her to stand next to him, Vahn announced, "This is the First Imperial Princess, mine and Artoria's beloved daughter, Mordred Aldrnari Pendragon, eldest of the Aldrnari Lineage."Hearing Mordred's official introduction, various thoughts were running through the Magi gathered within the ballroom. Mordred's name wasn't exactly common and, with her connection Artoria, many made the immediate connection between the proud young woman on stage and the Knight famous for leading the rebellion against King Arthur. Despite this, none had the intention of ever bringing it up as the internal affairs of the Imperial Family weren't worth probing into...Having been introduced by her Chichue, Mordred gave a Knight's salute to the crowd, her right hand over her heart as her left was neatly tucked behind her back. She had a radiant and charismatic smile on her face and, despite being the center of attention, showed no signs of nervousness as she raised her chin slightly and proudly declared, "I am privileged to serve the Empire as both Imperial Princess and a future member of the Imperial Knights. I pray that our relationships will be amicable and that my blade never finds purchase amongst any that have gathered here this day."Though Mordred's words were more than a little audacious, the crowd below was compelled to give her an ovation in accordance with prior social norms. She was the daughter of the Emperor and the heir-apparent to the Imperial Throne so, even if her words pricked the dignity of many people, they had little choice but to applaud. After all, rather than a casual threat, there was a certain weight to Mordred's words when you considered just how many people her father had already killed...Following Mordred's introduction, Vahn had her stand next to Artoria before extending his hand to Sakura. She readily accepted it but, compared to Mordred, it was obvious to everyone how nervous she was. If the opportunity presented itself, many decided it would be better to try and approach the demure brunette as, compared to Mordred, she seemed a lot more 'agreeable'.With Sakura standing statuesque at his side, Vahn internally sighed before adopting a more serious look, complete with a threatening aura, as he said, "This is the Second Imperial Princess, my beloved daughter, Sakura Aldrnari Mason. She has a kind and caring nature so, should the opportunity arise, please treat her well..."Though the tone he used was polite, the hidden meaning behind Vahn's words was clear due to the overwhelming pressure affecting nearly everyone; if you messed with his daughter, there would be a very heavy price to pay. His protective nature was well-documented and, according to rumors, it was actually a plot against Vahn's children that triggered 'The Fall'. Thus, if they wanted to try and exploit Sakura's apparent vulnerabilities, a fate worse than those involved in the purge would undoubtedly await them.Hearing her father's words, Sakura's smile became more natural, even if she couldn't help but feel a little exasperated. She appreciated his care and concern but, as this was supposed to be her debut, part of her wished he had let matters lay. Though she knew her weakness would entice the bolder men and women in the crowd, she wasn't a little girl that couldn't take care of herself. She liked to think she was a sensible young lady and, while her explosive power was leagues beneath Mordred, she had enough reserves to overwhelm the vast majority of Magi in an instant.Still, Sakura appreciated her father's support so, with a much calmer smile on her face, she saluted in much the same way as Mordred before stating, "I, too, am privileged to serve as both an Imperial Princess and a prospective member of the Imperial Knights. Though I do not like conflict, know that I am not fearful of necessary violence. Please, never give me a reason to strike you down..."Mordred's words had left quite the impression but, hearing even Sakura basically threaten them, the entire crowd was stunned. The more arrogant amongst them couldn't help but furrow their brows at the 'audaciousness' of Vahn's children but, much like the rest of the crowd, they all applauded. Even if Sakura was just a frail little girl, the fact she had monstrous parents backing her couldn't exactly be ignored. Even if they got the opportunity to teach the girls a 'lesson' in the future, they would never do so unless they could be absolutely certain it wouldn't be traced back to them. Being recognized as an enemy of the Empire all but guaranteed death, a truth emphasized by a body count in the nine digits...(A/N: Alternate Titles: 'Fashion master Vahn bites his thumb at your t-shirt, basketball shorts, and flip flops...','A Tyrannical Emperor's children are also Tyrants~!?','Mess with the cubs and you only have yourself to blame when Mama and Papa find you...')https://bit.ly/2XBzAYu &lt;-(p.atreon link)paypal.me/EinlionDiscord Invite: https://discord.gg/Jwa8PKh

Chapter 1410: Easing Tensions