Endless Path : Infinite Cosmos

Though she had a lot of misgivings about what was happening, Musashi didn't hesitate to cut free Caenis who, due to her hostile nature, needed to be bound and gagged. The trigger for her ability required her to release a loud war cry, so, while it wasn't something Vahn would generally resort to, it ultimately authorized the countermeasure.With Musashi cutting her free, Caenis ripped the gag free, liberating a large amount of saliva before wiping her mouth and saying, "I know you would be able to break free. What's the plan?"As she spoke, Caenis manifested her shield and spear, ready to immediately throw herself back into battle despite her rather one-sided loss. This was something Musashi could appreciate, but, knowing the futility of trying to fight against even Vahn alone, much less the strange blue woman at his side, she shook her head and said, "I didn't escape. Come on, let's get out of here before something else goes wrong."Hearing Musashi's words, Caenis' serious expression turned skeptical for a brief moment before she solemnly stated, "I am not afraid of a fight. You can run away like a beaten dog if you prefer. I won't withdraw before punishing the bastards that thought they could shackle and muzzle me without repercussions...!"Musashi wasn't really in the mood to deal with Caenis, so, after slicing open a spatial vortex, she smacked the latter's backside with her sheath. As a result, Caenis was sent tumbling forward, her olive-brown skin taking on a reddish hue as she spat, "Musashi, you...!" before disappearing through the spatial rift.Without delaying, Musashi also leaped through the spatial tear, exiting out in one of the Bounded Fields they had previously conquered. As Vahn pointed out, they had actually killed quite a number of people just to keep them from exposing the location of their actual base. Though Musashi had only ever struck down the ones targetting her, choosing to leave the rest to Caenis and Cú Chulainn, it didn't change the fact she had a hand in their deaths...Though she was moderately distracted, Musashi swept her katana to the side, using the back of the blade to strike Caenis in the neck as the latter's spear passed harmlessly through her body. This was the usual result when her 'Nothingness' came into play, as, for a brief moment in time, she basically didn't exist.Since Musashi hadn't hit her hard enough to do any real damage, Caenis was only sent sliding a few meters, a feral expression on her face as she shouted, "What do you think you're doing, Musashi!?"Without waiting for a response, Caenis lunged forward, the tip of her spear glimmering with lethal intent. This time, however, Musashi didn't allow it to touch her, using her sheath to smack the spear aside before whacking Caenis on the head. As could be expected, this only further incensed the white-haired woman, but, before she could shout out, Musashi's sheath began tracing dozens of impossible to trace trajectories, striking at her head, neck, and joints until, moments later, Caenis was beaten and bloody on the ground.Brandishing her sheath to discard the blood caking it, Musashi glowered as she looked down at Caenis and said, "Don't lash out at me for preventing you from doing something stupid. The enemy is far stronger than we ever expected! You won't accomplish anything by rushing at them without a plan! Seriously, do you think having a horse's ears gives you the liberty to act like an animal...?"In response to Musashi's barb, Caenis' ears twitched in frustration as she clenched her teeth and tried to sweep the former's legs. Unfortunately, this only had the result of Musashi using her sheath to intercept her ankle with a precision strike, shattering the joint painfully. Even this wasn't enough to deter Caenis, though, as she used the momentum of her sweep to attempt a grapple, passing straight through Musashi's body and earning a painful whack on top of her head.Feeling she was getting nowhere, Musashi considered opening another spatial tear and tossing Caenis inside, but, knowing the latter, this would likely have an adverse effect. Thus, after taking a deep breath and releasing a tired sigh, she kicked over Caenis' spear, saying, "Pick it up..." while adopting a drawing stance.Seeing her spear within arm's reach, Caenis looked between it and Musashi, feeling a moment of trepidation before she grabbed her weapon and released a loud war cry. As a result, her wounds instantly healed, but, before she was even able to take a single step, Musashi appeared behind her, casually taking a few steps as she resheathed her katana.For a brief moment, Caenis froze in place like a statue before, several seconds later, she began coughing up mouthfuls of blood in a vain attempt to draw breath. Immediately after, she fell to the ground, her upper body separated from her lower half, leaving a steamy pile of entrails between the two halves.Without so much as a twitch of her eyelashes, Musashi stared back at Caenis, stating, "I defeated you in single combat, so, in accordance with your traditions, your life and death are mine to decide. Now, pull yourself together and let's talk about our options..."Though she felt a considerable amount of indignation, Caenis, like a monster out of a horror movie, began to rapidly regenerate her body. Her entrails sought each other out like a group of entwined eels, and, after a few seconds had passed, her upper and lower body began to pull together. By the time twenty seconds had passed, she was able to stand on her feet, her body and armor still stained with her own blood as she hefted her shield and spear, falling in step behind Musashi...---While the drama was taking place between Musashi and Caenis, Vahn was seated in a comfortable chair with Da Vinci's faux-body sitting in his lap. His eyes glimmered with golden light and, much like how he had been able to send his intent around after awakening his Qīnglóng form, he could follow the String of Fate connecting him and Musashi, using it to track her location through both space and time.It could be due to her cautious nature, but, Musashi didn't immediately return to their base. Instead, she spent a considerable amount of time just traversing between various Bounded Fields, sometimes jumping back to a previous location. She seemed reluctant to even try and contact her allies and, as a result of her incredible intuition, it was obvious from her behavior that she could feel something was wrong, even if she couldn't ascertain what it was.Since he didn't actually need Musashi to locate the enemy base any longer, Vahn only spent a little over an hour watching her before blinking his eyes and returning to his senses. When he opened his eyes again, he found Da Vinci's face only a few centimeters away from his own, and, seeing he had returned, she couldn't help but ask "She didn't return to their base, did she?"Unable to resist the temptation, Vahn lightly kissed Da Vinci's nose, causing her to flare her nostrils playfully as she tried, and failed, to bite his chin. This brought a smile to Vahn's face and, in response to her question, he answered, "It doesn't matter. From the moment we captured them, the location of their base became known..."Though he wasn't nearly as proficient as Merlin, or even Da Vinci herself, Vahn manipulated the energy within his domain, creating a three-dimensional projection of the moon. This caused Da Vinci's brows to rise slightly, followed by her muttering, "It's no wonder they've been able to hide away without slipping up. They aren't even on the planet..."After nodding his head in affirmation, Vahn turned his eyes skyward, his intent passing through all obstacles in its path, traveling nearly at the speed of thought as he shortly found himself staring at the moon. Since he already knew of the existence of the Moon Cell, it wasn't all that surprising to him that Archimedes had chosen it as the place to hide. Musashi's mentioning of the fact his world lacked mana made it pretty clear that Archimedes didn't rely on any particular Bounded Field, but, much like Da Vinci's tech, he exploited various Laws to achieve feats similar to Magecraft.Rushing up to the moon and dealing with Archimedes directly seemed like the most efficient course of action, but, knowing he had Administrative Access to the Moon Cell, part of Vahn was tempted to crush the man's plans the moment he thought success within arm's length. It was beginning to seem like Archimedes was anything but a Hero, so, with Musashi carrying his 'message', Vahn expected a considerable amount of discourse in their group.Ideally, Archimedes would take his words at face value, but, if he opted to continue with his schemes, Vahn would make good on his promise of crushing them. Since Musashi knew his capabilities better than most, she would undoubtedly try to deter Archimedes and, as a result, he would be able to take advantage of the rift formed between them. Vahn really didn't want to kill Heroes, so, if Musashi was able to convince others to face him directly, he didn't mind beating them down a few times, forcing them to see reason.At the very least, Vahn could ascertain whether or not Archimedes was holding onto a trump card more powerful than Musashi. If she began to oppose his plans, he would undoubtedly move to try and eliminate her before she could interfere. Vahn had the distinct impression Archimedes wasn't the type to tolerate people undermining his authority, so, with Musashi giving off the impression of a genuinely good person, albeit with a few troublesome quirks, it was impossible he didn't have a bigger card to play.Regardless of how things developed, Vahn would prepare countermeasures for anything the so-called Heroes would throw at him. They had already touched his bottom line several times, so, if they didn't reveal themselves after three days, he would treat their silence as a declaration of war. He had given them a chance to do things in an above-board manner and, even if he had to tear apart their plans a thousand times, he wouldn't particularly care so long as they didn't resort to underhanded means. This was one of the 'quirks' of his character, so, if they were true Heroes, they would actually be able to exploit it to their advantage...Vahn was the type that expected hardship and setbacks, using them as opportunities to increase his strength and temper his resolve. If he didn't have this type of personality, he would have never been able to withstand his Shishou's teachings, fill his stomach with Circe's food, and quenched his thirst with Semiramis' poison. He wouldn't even care if a thousand assassins targetted him, so long as they informed him of the occasion and made sure not to involve his loved ones.It may seem like a strange quirk to have, one that worried his loved ones to no end, but, compared to cultivating a mentality of fear, it was the lesser of many evils. In a way, it allowed him to accept a bit of responsibility for the wrongdoings he had committed in his life, as, despite often having the best of intentions, Vahn knew his actions were often extreme. He would not deny people a chance at vengeance, but, from the moment they shifted their focus to his loved ones, Vahn would completely annihilate them.Though his actions may have resulted in the loss of many innocent lives, Vahn had never proactively done so for personal reasons. The moment you began targetting people unrelated to revenge, for the sole purpose of causing mental anguish or a feeling of loss in your actual target, you become irredeemably evil. Vahn would never tolerate such underhanded and unjustifiable acts, so, if Musashi didn't convey his intentions properly, she, alongside her entire group, would be annihilated...(A/N: Alternate Titles: 'I kinda feel bad for Caenis...','That's no Moon...!','Vahn is basically Korosensei at this point. Feel free to try and assassinate him as much as you want, but, if you target the people he wants to protect...there is literally nothing that can save you')https://bit.ly/2XBzAYu &lt;-(p.atreon link)paypal.me/EinlionDiscord Invite: https://discord.gg/Jwa8PKh

Following the conclusion of the Imperial Gala, great changes were afoot in the Clock Tower and, as a result, the entire Magus Association.Though it was never overtly stated, the presence of Director Solon and Director Atlasia at the event made it clear to the politically affluent that the distance between the Empire and the Association had reduced considerably. There had been rumors circulating prior to the Gala, but, now that the Virtual World was being implemented throughout every Department, there was no longer room for debate and speculation. The Association had thrown its lot in with the Empire, and, if they wanted to avoid being swept aside in the wake of the changing era, the affiliates of the Association would need to do the same.Just as the various Family Heads and Faculty members were wondering how they might benefit the most from these changes, the announcement that Companions would be distributed became public knowledge. From this, it became apparent that the Empire wasn't even going to try negotiating with various affiliated families; you either acquiesced, receiving the exact same benefits as everyone else or you resisted and received none. There was no room discussion, and, if you failed to adhere to the guidelines regarding the proper care of your Companion, it was immediately taken from you.Not only were the Companions surprisingly cute and powerful, but, without one, you were denied access to the Virtual World, and, on a larger scale, lost virtually all benefits distributed by the Empire. Thus, while it was obvious that the Companions were basically the eyes and ears of the Empire, they weren't left with many options, as, with the collapse of the global economy and the gradual takeover of the Empire, it was either acquiesce or fall into obscurity.At the very least, most of the students and faculty members either readily or begrudgingly accepted the Companions assigned to them. Though many were confiscated within a day, resulting in several students and faculty members either being suspended, expelled or fired, quite a number of students were happy to have the opportunity to be accompanied by the inordinately cute creatures.The fact Companions served as powerful offensive and defensive guardians within the Spirit Tomb was more than enough to win over the vast majority of students. As for those who were expelled or fired, some were given the option of entering a probationary period while others, specifically those foolish enough to try and charm, enchant, or even dissect their Companions, were quickly dealt with by the Empire's forces.While many considered it extreme, the Empire wasn't shy about trying and subsequently executing those who violated the Common Law to a grievous extent. It didn't matter how old your family was, how much authority they used to have, nor how much individual power you wielded. If you couldn't live without committing acts of cruelty, exploiting others, or using your presumed power to suppress everyone around you, the end result was almost always death.In the future, Vahn intended to implement a less extreme punishment, but, due to the shifting of the Era, leniency couldn't be afforded to those trying to reap benefits amidst the chaos. While those with more magnanimous intentions would be ignored, or even celebrated, he had absolutely no patience for the snakes slithering about in the darkness, mistakenly believing they would rise to prominence through subterfuge and secret dealings.The existence of the Companions was an extreme inconvenience for those with vile and malicious intentions, as, in accordance with the regulations regarding their care, they would accompany you virtually everywhere you went. Discarding them, sealing them away, manipulating their senses, or taking any action that interfered with the fulfillment of their responsibilities would earn you an audit from the Empire's forces. If it turned out you were directly engaged in criminal activities, your crimes would be exposed, and, while only those directly involved would be held responsible, no leeway was afforded to those of qualifying age.In accordance with the Common Law, children could be held accountable for their actions as early as the age of fourteen. While this didn't officially make them adults, a status requiring a comprehensive physical and mental evaluation, it was an age where their actions could no longer be attributed to childish innocence. While obvious exceptions would exist, they would be handled on a case-by-case basis using the data and profile that had been accumulated by Mother, the Artificial Intelligence that monitored and regulated the Companions.Essentially, from the moment you were considered an adult, either through age or action, you were required to strictly observe the Common Law. Since these laws really only accounted for basic things, such as the protection of certain Phantasmal Species, the observation of rights for every species, and the admonishment of vile and heinous acts, the Common Law was actually very easy to observe. You didn't even have to be a good person, just not a terrible one...---In spite of the relatively simple structure of the Common Law, Vahn found himself sitting across from Solon as the latter, with a fatigued expression on their face, complained about the backlash from the families still brave enough to file official complaints. Many of these came from families with relatively decent principles, and, despite the fact they accepted the Companions into their home, it didn't stop them from complaining about the egregious actions of the Empire.So long as there was any wiggle room at all within a policy, there would always be people who tried to take advantage of perceived loopholes to either put pressure on the government or elevate their own status. It didn't matter if you had an endless amount of evidence to prove that punishment was justified, 'righteous' people would still feel compelled to criticize and even protest the severity of the methods used to enact the punishment.The general consensus of most people was that 'death' was too egregious a punishment for the vast majority of crimes, regardless of how heinous they were. It didn't seem to matter if the person being executed was a wicked individual who murdered, raped, blackmailed, kidnapped, and even tortured people without remorse. They would still argue that death was an extreme and unjust punishment, spewing various platitudes and excuses to try and justify their perspective.It could be the result of his knowledge about transmigration and reincarnation, but, from Vahn's perspective, death was a great mercy to those who had ruined countless lives for profit and pleasure. He didn't believe in imprisonment, as, not only did it require the allocation of personnel and excess resources, but, in the grand scheme, locking people away didn't 'fix' them. Rather, it either broke or strengthened the convictions of people locked away, making them unable to adapt to life outside their prison or refining them into far more dangerous individuals. You rarely found absolution within confinement, as, if a prisoner actually reached that kind of mental state, they wouldn't even want to leave.While there were countless methods to rehabilitate people and set them onto a better path, doing so was setting a dangerous precedent as people would then argue that 'everyone' should be given the same opportunity. This would require an ever-increasing amount of infrastructure dedicated to just 'fixing' people who, depending on the circumstances, might not even want to be fixed. Since this led to people being 'trapped' within the system, sometimes for decades at a time, it simply wasn't worth the allocation of resources. People might have infinite potential, but, unless they were willing to put in the effort to better themselves, investing resources into 'forcing' them to be better was a fool's errand.Vahn didn't delude himself into thinking his thought process was without fault, but, compared to the failings of the previous system, what he was trying to accomplish was objectively better. He knew his perspective would change with the passage of time, but, with Ark, Mother, and Shadow coordinating with each other to draft policies, the final structure of society would depend on the needs of society itself. All he could do was bear the anger and contempt of countless people as he tirelessly worked to restore order and build a foundation for a better future...With this in mind, Vahn stopped Solon, mid-complaint, saying, "Tell those people I have no interest in other factions budding within the Empire. They are entitled to believe what they will, but, from the moment they begin advocating for their version of justice, they become enemies of the state. Unless they are willing to become civil officials, exposing all of their secrets for public scrutiny, I have very little interest in what they want to say. This is an obvious ploy to increase their status and establish themselves as a voice that can oppose Imperial Policy...honestly, I'm offended they believe they have any right to question me after ignoring the problems within the Association for centuries..."Though not unexpected, Solon released a tired sigh when they heard Vahn's response, as, in the end, they would be the ones dealing with the so-called righteous families. They knew full-well that Vahn's views on the matter were accurate, but, due to the policies of the Empire, it wasn't that easy to put pressure on groups openly adhering to the Common Law. Had it been a few months ago, it would have been a simple matter of threatening them into submission, but, after agreeing to adhere to the Common Law, Solon was limited in their means.Understanding he was basically shifting his problems onto Solon, Vahn adopted an apologetic smile, adding, "If you think there is someone more suited to the position of Director, feel free to nominate them. Preparations have already been made, so, once this fiasco with futuristic heroes is resolved, we can begin planting World Trees. When that time comes, I imagine you won't be as interested in your position as Director, so, before then, you should consider talking with Zelretch. If he is unwilling, Da Vinci has already expressed that she is willing to take on the responsibilities."Hearing Vahn's words, Solon became visibly less tense, a small smile on their face as they nodded their head and answered, "I doubt that old bastard would be willing to become the Director after I step down. I'll talk to him, but, if Da Vinci is willing, the position will most likely fall to her. Honestly, I would have nominated someone like Luvia or her Grandmother, Olivia. Their family might be a bit eccentric, but, considering they are already involved with the majority of Magus Families, it would benefit them greatly to have the authority of the Director."As he actually hadn't considered Luvia as a potential replacement for Solon, Vahn was slightly taken aback by the suggestion. If he thought about it, Luvia was exceptionally qualified for the position as, compared to Da Vinci, she had an intrinsic understanding of politics. The latter, much like Solon, was an extreme introvert and, though she would be able to manage her responsibilities with the support of Ark, Mother, and Shadow, Da Vinci would undoubtedly lament having to personally meet with the various Family Heads.Finding Solon's suggestion surprisingly agreeable, Vahn found himself nodding in approval, a smile on his face as he stated, "I can't imagine Luvia will refuse. Though her individual power might be a little lacking, her political prowess and business sense are unmatched. She should be able to handle future negotiations without any major issues, and, considering her family's prestige, she would have an easier time being accepted by the current affiliates...very well, that's what we'll go with. You did well to make such a suggestion, Solon."Hearing Vahn's praise, Solon's expression turned dour as, seemingly against their will, it made them feel a little happy. This had become a relatively common occurrence as of late, so, much like before, Solon snorted through their nose, muttering, "I only mentioned the obvious...I don't need you, of all people, to acknowledge me. If it prevents me from having to constantly clean up after you, I would obviously look for someone suitable..."Having grown accustomed to Solon's reactions, Vahn just nodded his head with a knowing smile on his face. Afterward, he rose from his chair and, after stretching his body for a bit, said, "I'll discuss the matter with Da Vinci and Luvia. Odds are, Olivia will end up taking up the role of Association Director as Luvia intends to reveal her status as Keeper of the Imperial Seal in the future. There could be a few issues if she wanted to hold both titles, but, we'll see what she decides. Either way, you should begin making preparations to transition to the European Supercolony. Unless they come out of hiding by tomorrow, I'll most likely be dealing with the group of so-called Heroes in the evening. If things go well, you'll be able to fulfill your dream by the week's end..."With his words finished, Vahn gave a casual wave to Solon before turning his back and vanishing from within the latter's private garden. This left Solon sitting in their chair, nursing a cup of piping hot tea as they inclined their head toward the sky and muttered, "I've put my trust in you...don't let me down...you bastard..."(A/N: Alternate Titles: 'The Empire ain't playing o_o...','Luvia's [Golden Rule:EX] is the MVP','Solon, the six-thousand-year-old Tsundere')https://bit.ly/2XBzAYu &lt;-(p.atreon link)paypal.me/EinlionDiscord Invite: https://discord.gg/mn5xMbE

When Da Vinci finally returned with Musashi's weapons, totaling two katanas, two wakizashi, and an ornate tanto, the latter was finally able to breathe a sigh of relief. Though several conflicting trains of thought were currently plaguing her mind, having her bindings removed and her swords returned to her was a qualitative improvement. She could have broken free whenever she wanted, but, with Vahn within instantaneous striking distance, it didn't seem particularly wise to try and show off.While Musashi was busy tying her sheathes to her modified obi, Vahn was watching her vigilantly while seated at a table pulled from his Inventory. He had Okita and Altera pull back, as there were too many currents that led to conflict while they were around, so, for the time being, it was just him, Da Vinci, and Musashi present within the underwater research center.Once her weapons were securely fixed, Musashi eyed up Vahn and Da Vinci before making her way over to the seat that had been prepared for her. She would normally exchange a few quips with her enemies, but, considering Vahn's earlier display, he obviously wasn't in the mood for such things. It was actually a little unnerving as, while her [Nothingness] and [Empyrean Eye] would allow her to escape virtually any situation, Vahn's 'Infinity' counteracted her ability better than she cared to admit.The moment Musashi sat down, Vahn pulled out a file from his Inventory, pushing it toward her as he said, "You aren't the Musashi from our Time Axis. According to the data we have been able to collect, our Musashi was a sixty-three-year-old man who died from lung cancer. He was a patient and solemn man who, in the later years of his life, dedicated himself to Buddha and the way of the sword. While you may, indeed, be Miyamoto Musashi, your status as a Divine Spirit leaves a lot of doubts about your identity..."Seeing the old man wearing tattered robes within the file, Musashi couldn't help but wince as she closed the document. She actually recognized the man in the file as, in the distant past, long before she had been displaced from her timeline, the same man had appeared before her. He had been trying to escape a heavy downpour and, feeling sorry for him, Musashi had parted with her favorite sake, warmed by her own body. As an expression of gratitude, the man gifted her his sword mere moments before taking his final breath...Feeling a deeply rooted melancholy, Musashi adopted a serious expression on her face as she asked, "Is this man truly Miyamoto Musashi...?"Though he was annoyed by the fact Musashi hadn't answered his questions, Vahn squinted his eyes and answered, "I benefit nothing from trying to deceive you over the matter of your identity. I refuse to believe you aren't aware of your true nature so stop footing around the issue. Tell me, where did you come from? How did you end up working with Archimedes? What is your group's true motive for invading my timelines?"Hearing the impatience in Vahn's tone, Musashi released a tired sigh before pushing the documents back to him and answering, "Contrary to what you might believe, I am Miyamoto Musashi. As for the answer to your question...well, I don't really have a way to answer it? I left on a journey to pursue the path of swordsmanship to its extremes. In my pursuit, I ended up wandering into a world completely different from my own and, after trying to return, I found my timeline, my home, no longer existed. I can't even begin to fathom how much time has passed since then, but, after countless years, I ended up meeting with Archimedes..."Upon reaching this point in her story, Musashi's expression became more serious as she explained, "I never liked that man, but, due to his efforts, I'm able to stay within a single timeline without being randomly sent elsewhere. I also learned about the existence of Quantum Time-Locks and Temporal Singularities...really, this World is a ridiculous place...haaaaa...."Since Musashi failed to elaborate, it was Da Vinci, with an expression of mild surprise, who explained "Quantum Time-Locks are a theoretical phenomenon concerning the existence of the Multiverse and infinite tangential timelines. Based on mine and Sherlock's research into the Second, Third, and Fifth Magics, I was able to form a hypothesis about the true nature of the world. Quantum Time-Locks are one of the hypothesized control factors of the World, accounting for and purging timelines without the possibility of divergence. I had never brought it up before, but, you should be able to confirm if this is the case by asking Alaya directly..."As Da Vinci's words weren't exactly spoken in secrecy, Musashi furrowed her brows while Vahn just nodded his head and said, "Alaya, I know you are listening. Come out."Following Vahn's command, a woman with pale-blue skin, dark-blue hair, and violet eyes manifested at the side of the table. She had her characteristic 'emotionless' expression and, knowing what Vahn was going to ask, she nodded her head and stated, "It is one of the methods used to cull worlds that end in the finite destruction of mankind. Due to my current restrictions, I am unable to determine if this woman is truly from a culled world. I am only charged with the Administration of timelines that branch from my original axis and have no knowledge regarding displaced individuals..."While Musashi was struggling to try and make sense of what was happening, Vahn issued a light hum before asking, "You can still track her, right? I can see the flow of fate around her body so she should be bound to this Time Axis, at least for the moment."In response to Vahn's question, Alaya nodded her head, answering, "As an...apology...I already used up the requisite energy to complete your request. There will be no problems..."Knowing Alaya was referring to her attempt to probe his mind, Vahn lightly squinted his eyes, but, as it was undoubtedly the result of an order from above, he decided to drop it. Blaming Alaya for trying to fulfill her duty was pointless, and, even if he could somehow leverage it against Akasha in the near future, associating with the powers that be brought various risks. He was already given the liberty of acting as he pleased, so, at least for the time being, Vahn couldn't afford to split his focus on forces he had no means of opposing...Seeing the confusion on Musashi's face, Vahn gestured toward Alaya, saying, "I doubt you'll believe me, but, allow me to introduce you to the Manifestation of Humanity's Will to Survive, Alaya. Despite the labels people force upon me, the truth of the matter is that I am doing my best on behalf of the World itself. Yes, a lot of people have died as a result of my choices, but, I have also taken measures to ensure the preservation of as many innocents as possible. Unless you intend to tell me the worlds you have visited were all some grand utopia, you have very little ground to stand on."Though she couldn't tell what exactly the predominately blue woman was, Musashi resisted the idea that she was actually the better-known half of the Counter Force. She had actually fought numerous Counter Guardians over the centuries, so, seeing how subservient the woman seemed to Vahn, she couldn't help but refuse the reality that had been presented before her. All she knew for certain was the fact that, even with her [Empyrean Eye], Musashi got the impression there was nothing she could do against the peculiar blue woman...It would have been convenient if Musashi believed his words, but, as Alaya had already informed him that the Strings of Fate worked on both her and Caenis, it no longer mattered. Even if negotiations ended up breaking down, locating the enemy base now became much easier. Now, it was really only a matter of time before Archimedes' group fell, as, by meeting with Musashi like this, Vahn had been able to link together their fates. There was a tiny string that connected them, so, no matter what she had up her sleeve, Vahn would be able to track her down.Much like before, Musashi couldn't shake the feeling that Vahn was in control of the situation. It was surprisingly uncomfortable, as, even if she drew her blade and fought it out with him, the most she could hope for was an internecine outcome. Vahn seemed even stronger than he was the last time they had battled, while, inversely, her confidence had been shaken by the previous defeat. She didn't even know if everything around her was an illusion, but, based on the fact Vahn readily returned her weapons, it certainly felt like it...Electing not to give Musashi time to organize her thoughts, Vahn shifted in his chair, leaning forward slightly as he said, "So, you're someone who got displaced from their original world...I can empathize with that. Though you seem to be in a state that won't believe anything I tell you, everyone close to me knows that I came here from a different world. One day, I intend to return to my world, but, until then, I will do everything in my power to make this world a better place. You accuse me of cutting off various futures, but, in the end, I'm opening up countless others. The primary difference is, as a result of the foundation I am laying now, all races will have a greater chance of living a happy life, not just humans. If you can't see the injustice in humans wasting resources, taking advantage of each other, and killing the very planet itself, there really isn't much I can say to convince you...now, tell me, I'm really curious about the 'perfect utopia' that Archimedes hails from...tell me about the world you will die to protect..."Though she had a complicated expression for much of Vahn's monologue, the aura around Musashi became as sharp as a blade when she heard the last part. Despite this, Vahn continued to lightly tap his fingers atop the table, observing her with an unperturbed look that seemed to dare her to draw her sword. As a result, Musashi clenched her teeth and, faster than even the most precise instrument could capture, placed her sword at Vahn's throat as she asked, "You really know how to piss people off; did anyone ever tell you that!?"Without bothering to defend himself, even after Musashi's blade pricked his neck, Vahn snorted through his nose and asked, "And I was supposed to be happy when you tried to kidnap innocent children? Sit down and stop deflecting every time I ask you a question! Don't tell me your world isn't a perfect utopia without things like crime, corruption, murder, and ****? You seem intent on ruining every effort we're making to eliminate these things so you must have a pretty fucking good reason, right!?"Rather than shy away from Musashi's blade, Vahn allowed it to cut deeper into his flesh as he glared at her, his rage gradually building to the point of an eruption. He hadn't even asked tried asking her to betray her allies, yet, in spite of showing considerable leniency, Musashi continually deflected or outright ignored his questions. He had even given her a fair amount of information, but, due to her apparent distrust, she didn't take anything he said at face value.Feeling the pressure released by Vahn rapidly increasing, Musashi clicked her tongue before falling back into her seat, her sword already sheathed as she crossed her arms and complained, "Seriously, everything you do is so extreme...haaa..."Unamused by her response, the room around them became suffused with a golden hue as Vahn released both his aura and [Enkidu]. He had seen several currents where Musashi used her swords to cut apart Space in an attempt to flee. Thus, taking advantage of the fact she was a Divine Spirit, Vahn locked down the surrounding Space with [Enkidu], earning another click from Musashi's tongue as she rolled her eyes and asked, "Is that really necessary...?"Growing increasingly annoyed with Musashi's behavior, Vahn's hand, which had been tapping on the top of the table, began to grow golden scales as he solemnly stated, "Last chance...if you keep trying to play games with me, don't blame me for escalating things. This is a serious discussion, and, after what your group pulled, I expect a proper response to my questions. If you're so eager to do battle, expect no quarter...neither for you nor your allies...your group was the first to throw away civility so it is only natural I return the favor, right...?"Though she had an overwhelming urge to cut Vahn into pieces, Musashi managed a smile that did little to convey any positive emotions. It was the kind of smile those consumed by the thrill of battle adopted in the moments prior to their death, the kind that allowed them to take countless lives with them. Despite this, Musashi's voice was eerily calm as she answered, "Okay, fine, sure..I'll answer your questions. Archimedes' world is a shit hole where mana dried up and, as a result, humanity tore itself apart! Most of the world became uninhabitable, relying on science and technology to preserve what remains of the human race! Are you happy now...!?"Finished with her outburst, Musashi kicked against the table in a huff, knocking it into Vahn's chest as she muttered, "Fucking asshole..." in an annoyed voice. Despite this, it was clear that she was more than a little shaken, so, while her reaction caused the atmosphere around Vahn to solidify, he did his best to remain calm. Musashi's admission of the truth was the first step towards compromise, so, if he followed her outburst with one of his own, he would lose the momentum he had generated.Seeing Vahn taking several deep breaths to calm down, Musashi squinted her eyes and asked, "So? What now, Mr. Emperor? Does it make you feel better about yourself to know that the future is just as fucked up as the present? Does it help to silence the voices of billions of people crying out for justice...?"After placing the table into his Inventory, Vahn rose to his feet, putting Musashi on guard as she prepared to draw her katana. What she didn't expect was for Vahn to turn his back and say, "You can leave. I already told you how you should approach this situation if you want to deal with me, so, feel free to contact me if you want to fight. Your admission of the truth exposes your previous hypocrisy so, if you have any sense at all, you will reflect on today's events. The Empire is truly trying to make the world a better place, so, unless you can come up with a method to improve it, stop wasting my time with petty schemes. This is your chance to prove whether or not you're a Hero or just a fool that is being manipulated for another person's agenda..."With his words finished, Vahn, hand clad in golden scales, tore a gaping hole within the void. Unlike a normal tear, however, this was an actual spatial tunnel, surprising Musashi due to the fact Caenis could be seen chained up on the opposite side. She was even more surprised when Vahn looked back at her, saying, "I know you have the ability to cut through Space so take your companion and go. Pass on my warning to all of your allies as, depending on your next course of action, you will all be held accountable together..." Then, after grabbing Da Vinci's hand, Vahn added, "There have been too many deaths...don't force me to kill good people just because you're a bunch of idiots..."(A/N: To all the people that choose to whine about the fact Vahn let Musashi go, without taking into consideration the context of the novel...well, I hope you have a pleasant day (^_^). To those with the patience to actually read the story and see how it develops, I hope you have an amazing day :D...')https://bit.ly/2XBzAYu &lt;-(p.atreon link)paypal.me/EinlionDiscord Invite: https://discord.gg/Jwa8PKh

Chapter 1421: Apprehension