Endless Path : Infinite Cosmos

Due to the existence of a seemingly infinite number of Magical Beasts and countless ruins, two of the most lucrative professions within Mundus Magicus included becoming a Mercenary, hunting both people and monsters, or an Adventurer, completing quests and commissions for the various research institutions and academies.Though it required a considerable amount of strength to rise through the ranks, the most successful Mercenaries and Adventurers could make several hundred-thousand Drachma on a single bounty or quest. Since the average earnings of a citizen of Mundus Magicus were only around six-thousand Drachma each month, there was never a lack of people aspiring to make a name for themselves in the two lucrative professions. The promise of substantial wealth was too great a draw for those who sought higher standing in life, so, even if the annual death count for Mercenaries and Adventurers sometimes reached six-digits, it wasn't enough to deter the courageous, foolish, and desperate...Among the most profitable creatures to hunt in all of Mundus Magicus were Dragons, specifically those of a non-magical nature. A single successful hunt could easily net a party upwards of three-hundred thousand Drachma. In some cases, this amount would increase exponentially, especially if the quarry had been pregnant or had started to develop a magical core. Unhatched Dragon Eggs could sell for over a million Drachma in the market, and, though they were exceptionally hard to come back, a Dragon's Core was a treasure that could go on auction for more than double that amount.Unfortunately, hunting a Dragon was no simple feat as even the weakest subspecies had powerful magical resistance, durable scales, chemical breath attacks, and claws strong enough to rip through the armor of an Airfish with ease. If you managed to encounter one that had started to develop a Dragon's Core, they could even use powerful Magic that could instantly overwhelm an unprepared party. As a result, most parties hunting a Dragon for the first time were either forced to retreat or risk being completely wiped out. This made Dragons the single most dangerous creatures in all of Mundus Magicus, accounting for nearly 20% of all deaths among even Veterans in the field.---Seeing a group of four cat-like people attempting to take down a Dragon, each adorned in armor that was forged from various monster parts, Vahn felt both intrigued and disappointed. His intrigue was derived from the fact it was always interesting to see people struggling to overcome difficulties while his disappointment was entirely due to his expectations. He had somewhat expected the large explosion to have been caused by Nagi and his party, as Megalomesembria wasn't too far from the curious land of cat people, but it ended up just being a party of would-be Dragonslayers. They had seemingly lined the Dragon's den with a bunch of magical explosives, attempting to kill it without a direct encounter, but, either due to fate or happenstance, the heavily armored beast only suffered a few tears to the webbing of its wings and a couple of minor injuries.Vahn wasn't particularly fond of the idea of 'cheating' by using explosives and traps, but, as there was literally a point when he did the same, he couldn't exactly blame them. Strength was not easily obtained, and, due to various circumstances, most people never had the opportunity to proactively seek it. Most children started working at a very early age just to help support their families so they didn't really have the time to dedicate themselves to the thousands of hours it would take to slowly increase their strength. Their only real focus was only trying to be happy and keep their family safe, so, until they experienced some kind of setback, most people never proactively pursued strength...In an attempt to keep the Dragon from thrashing around and making the environment even harder to move in, one of the four Mercenaries, a young female Cat Person with features resembling more of a cat than a human, cast a spell that created bindings formed from light. Light-based spells were exceptionally common amongst the various Cat tribes, especially around Nyandoma, but Vahn was still surprised to see how versatile the magic spell was. It had taken most of her magical power, but the young girl still managed to immobilize the Dragon long enough for the largest of the group, a muscular man with two tiny cat ears and a nub-like tail, to attempt beheading the beast.Using an ax that was nearly as large as he was, the man strained the muscles in his arms as a thin aura of magical energy shrouded his body. His motion wasn't exactly smooth, but the ax eventually traced a lethal arc towards the thinnest section of the Dragon's elongated neck. Unfortunately, even after putting his full weight behind the blow, the man wasn't able to cut through the exceptionally hard vertebrae in the Dragon's neck. He would have been better off aiming for the fleshier bits in an attempt to sever its jugular, but, perhaps overestimating himself or underestimating the Dragon, his mistake was rewarded with the Dragon breaking free, now even angrier than before.As the closest target, the burly man quickly found himself knocked to the ground in the Dragon's fury. It managed to sweep the man's legs using its whip-like tail, shattering his right femur in the process. Then, using its taloned claws, it pinned the man to the ground before opening its rather vicious maw, caustic spittle dripping from its teeth as a fiery light rippled between the gaps in its scales.In a desperate attempt to save their companion, the other female Cat Person, looking far more human than her counterpart, cast a spell that created a magical barrier between the burly man and the Dragon's spittle. At the same time, the final member of the party, a young man who seemed to be from the Leopard tribe, attempted to blind or distract the dragon using his bow. Unfortunately, perhaps as a result of the rush of adrenaline, he was unable to hit the bowl-sized target despite his close proximity...Unable to deter to furious Dragon, the other members of the party could only watch on in horror as liquid-like flames erupted from the Dragon's mouth, enveloping their companion before spreading through the area like water poured from a bucket. The Dragon's breath was very similar to Napalm, making it impossible to extinguish using normal water-based spells. It also possessed qualities that allowed it to eat through armor with ease, so, if you were unlucky enough to take a direct hit, you were bound to sustain severe injuries.Seeing their companion enveloped in flames, the more bestial woman released a feral scream as she attempted to charge at the Dragon, her cane raised like a club. She didn't seem to care about the fact there was Napalm-like liquid between her and the Dragon, her fury and grief completely overriding her sensibilities as she charged like a banshee towards the undaunted monster. Even the calls of her companions did nothing to stop her charge, forcing them to choose between trying to help or fleeing before they, too, became victims.While it would have been perfectly normal to run in such a situation, as there was no way for them to win, the final man and woman stood their ground, conviction visible in their gazes. Vahn couldn't help but nod approvingly when he saw this, a smile spreading across his face as he casually stepped off the side of the mountain. Then, in a functional instant, he appeared before the woman charging through the flames, pushing her back with his right hand while creating a swirling vortex to absorb the Dragon's second breath attack.Before the three could process what was happening, Vahn compressed the flames into his hand before vanishing from view. When he next appeared, he was right next to the Dragon, a tiny orb of flame in his hand. This surprised even the Dragon, but, before it could do anything to defend itself, Vahn placed the tiny orb into its mouth, smiling as he said, "You can have this back."Though its own flames wouldn't be able to hurt it under normal circumstances, the compressed ball of energy wasn't something that could be looked down upon. The Dragon's gag reflex had caused it to swallow the destructive flame, and, without anything to keep it restrained, it released a violent eruption. The Dragon's scales and muscles were durable enough to prevent it from exploding like a balloon, but, as its organs were significantly weaker, it collapsed to the ground, dead, immediately following the muted explosion sound.Ignoring the three people gawking at him, Vahn reached his hand through the mud-like substance that was left in the wake of the Dragon's flames. Then, causing everyone except the bestial woman to collapse to the ground, he pulled out the burly man's body, still intact. He was a little worse for wear, especially with his right leg shattered, but he would survive. The thin membrane surrounding his body, provided as a courtesy of Vahn, had made sure of that...---While his secondary vessel was dealing with the party of would-be Dragonslayers, Vahn's main body was still seated atop the finger-like mountain near Arika's Airfish. Even Asuna had more than enough power to protect herself from most threats, but, promising to keep them safe, he couldn't simply leave them unattended. There were creatures far stronger than non-magical Dragons in the Magical World, so, even if you were extremely powerful, dropping your guard could be fatal. There was even a group of monsters known as the 'Four Beasts of Calamity', devilish creatures capable of rivaling the Great Elemental Spirits.Not much was known about the Four Beasts of Calamity, as they seemed to appear and vanish at random, but their names and appearances were well-known. The most famous of the four was the so-called Dragon King, Arvayr, a mountain-sized Dragon that appeared amidst a horde of tens of thousands of lesser Dragons. The most dangerous, however, was the angelic being known simply as The Harbinger of Death, a monster that appeared as a femme fatale with anywhere between three to six sets of wings. She didn't seem hostile, with some accounts saying she even smiled and waved at people in passing, but, without exception, any region visited by the angelic beauty experienced great misfortune in the days that followed.The final two Beasts of Calamity were known as the Behemoth, a giant Mammoth that even made the mountain-sized Arvayr seem small, and the Leviathan, a surprisingly small serpentine Dragon that had a penchant for devastating port cities with massive tsunamis. The Behemoth was the most docile of the Four Beasts of Calamity, often appearing far away from cities and settlements, but, as could be expected from such a colossal creature, its mere steps caused earthquakes to spread for hundreds of kilometers. As for the Leviathan, it was easily the most hostile of the four, proactively appearing to sink any ships that were unfortunate enough to cross paths its path. It was rumored that Airfish had been developed as a direct result of the Leviathan sinking countless merchant and fishing fleets, drastically decreasing trade and making it impossible for island nations and ports to flourish.According to legend, the Four Beasts of Calamity and the Four Sacred Guardian Dragons had been created alongside Mundus Magicus itself. They were considered pinnacle existences that could only be defeated by each other, but, in the near future, that illusion would be shattered. Ala Rubra, led by the currently unknown Nagi Springfield, would be elevated to legendary status overnight when it was discovered they had killed the Dragon King, Arvayr. Nobody knew how the conflict had started, but, according to some historical accounts, it was apparently the result of Nagi's attempt to turn the infamous Dragon King into his mount...Imagining a thirteen-year-old kid trying to tame a legendary King of Dragons, Vahn couldn't help but be reminded of his children. While most of their actions were relatively tame by comparison, he could easily imagine someone like Vana trying to befriend a legendary dragon. She would thrive in a world where taming and befriending creatures was the norm, and, though there were a number of other reasons, she was the main inspiration behind the thematic virtual world related to taming.Remembering the spirited Vanir, Vahn could feel a sour feeling in his nose, causing him to inhale a deep breath before releasing it in the form of a tired sigh. It had been nearly a hundred years since his departure from Danmachi, and, based on his current rate of growth, it would likely take several hundred more before their reunion. This was a moderately depressing thought, but, as he couldn't simply ignore Eva, Vahn was always fated to depart Danmachi at some point. He also felt a powerful draw to explore other Records, so, while his timing could have been better, Vahn knew the journey itself had been inevitable.After calming himself down, Vahn teleported back to the Airfish and decided to follow his advice to Arika, choosing to take a nap, or, at the very least, cuddle with Medusa. She was very sensitive to his mental state, so, whenever he felt sad or nostalgic, their roles would reverse and she would happily pamper him. She could use her hair like countless extra appendages, massaging and caressing his entire body as he used her modest yet impeccable soft breasts as a pillow. It wasn't quite the same as when he allowed someone like Artoria or Musashi to embrace him, but it was still enough to help calm his unsteady heart...---After an hour-long shower, Arika emerged from the bathroom wearing little more than a towel and a pair of pure white panties. In her absentminded state, she had forgotten to prepare a change of clothes, but, rather than fret, she unabashedly walked through the ship in her near-naked state. She, like her mother, wasn't particularly worried about being seen by Vahn, and, during a few occasions, they had even bathed together. The Royal Bath was a massive bath that could easily accommodate over a hundred people without space being an issue. It was also one of the few instances where the Royal Family came together in order to relax and socialize, so, as a 'friend' of the Royal Family, Vahn had been given permission to use the Royal Bath.Originally, Vahn had been asked by Vesperina to take care of Asuna, as she had been following him around like a lost puppy since their first meeting. He had been reluctant to agree, at first, but, after an upturned gaze from Asuna, he ultimately relented. From then on, it became relatively normal for everyone to bathe together, and, though it sometimes caused her to feel anxious, Arika did her best to behave as normally as possible. She had even offered to wash his back a few times, but, with the ever-present Medusa, he had been able to casually refuse her goodwill time and again.Finding herself near the entrance of the Captain's cabin, Arika nearly stepped inside before catching herself at the last moment. She knew that, at the very least, Medusa would be inside, so, after a few moments of hesitation, she turned around and made her way downstairs. Most of her luggage was in the cargo bay so she had to dig through a sizeable pile of suitcases before finally finding the one with her sleepwear. This included everything from simple panties to far more intricate designs that included frills, ribbons, and lace. She, like most women in Mundus Magicus, typically didn't wear a bra, but, at the deepest part of the suitcase, a semi-transparent set of black garments caused a very slight blush to spread across Arika's face as she quickly buried them from view.After looking around to make sure nobody had noticed the parting 'gift' her mother had given her, Arika released a sigh of relief before picking out a pair of pure white panties and pale-pink pajamas. Then, without bothering to find a changing room, she stripped out of her previous pair, becoming completely naked for a brief moment. This made her feel unusually nervous, but, suppressing the feeling, Arika quickly donned her sleepwear before returning to the bathroom for a brief moment to fold up her previous pair of panties...---While Arika was taking her sweet time to return to the cabin, Fenrir was beginning to feel a little stressed out. Her senses were very sharp so she knew Arika should be returning at any moment, but, every time it seemed like she was heading back, the woman would wander off. This wouldn't normally bother her, but, sensing her Master was feeling lonely, Fenrir wanted to go to his side. She couldn't just leave Asuna alone, however, so, until Arika finally finished her preparations for sleep, Fenrir was forced to bide her time, her scarlet eyes glowing slightly in frustration...(A/N: Alternate Titles: 'Is this a new Monster Hunter expansion...?','Anyone else kinda feel bad for the Dragon King?','Fenrir be like, "Hurry the f**k up, you smelly Queen (&gt;,...,&lt;)~!"')https://bit.ly/2XBzAYu &lt;-(p.atreon link)paypal.me/EinlionDiscord Invite: https://discord.gg/Jwa8PKh

Feeling greatly refreshed, Vahn emerged from the Captain's quarters with Fenrir and Medusa close behind. The former had shown up while he was being pampered by Medusa, her arrival marking a shift from peaceful relaxation to far more 'affectionate' cuddling. Now, Vahn was feeling energetic and completely revitalized, more than ready to face whatever the Record would throw at him next...Finding the person responsible for his emergence, Vahn adopted an affectionate smile as he asked, "Did you sleep well, Asuna...?"As if she only noticed the presence of others when spoken to, Asuna, who had been sitting stock-still on one of the common room's sofas, raised her head slightly, plainly stating, "I am hungry." in her usual monotone.Hearing the taciturn response, Vahn laughed out loud before pulling a tray of macarons out of his Inventory and saying, "We'll eat a proper meal once Arika awakens. For now, how about you join us for some tea and snacks?"Though her expression didn't change much, it was easy to tell Asuna was excited by how quickly she jumped off the sofa, running over to his side with a pitter-patter of footsteps. She even tried to take one of the macarons from the plate by standing on her tip-toes, tugging at his tunic in order to reach a little higher.Preventing Asuna from obtaining her prize, Vahn moved the tray out of reach, patting her head as he said, "Now, now, that isn't very proper. Come, we'll eat together, okay?"After failing to obtain a macaron, Asuna showed a visible pout on her face, but, hearing what Vahn had to say, she fell silent for a few seconds before ultimately nodding her head with an 'Nn'. Then, as if she was programmed to behave as adorably a possible, she tugged on his sleeve in an effort to hasten the short trip to the sofa. Once there, she had him sit down first before hopping onto his lap and using his right thigh as her seat, a habit she developed during the times he would read to her back in the palace...---Perhaps as a result of the noise transmitting through the hull, it wasn't long before Arika appeared from the small spiral stairs that connected the common room to the belly of the ship. She was still wearing her creamy silk pajamas, and, forcing Vahn to repress a sigh as he saw more than just the curves of her body. The top button of her blouse was undone, and, due to not wearing a bra, it was possible to make out two tiny buds due to how thin the beige-colored fabric was.Showing no outward signs of a reaction, Vahn simply smiled as he casually stated, "Just in time. We were just about to wrap up afternoon tea and enjoy a light lunch. Afterward, I'd appreciate it if you help Asuna wash up in preparation for our journey to Nyandoma. I could teleport us over, but, as this trip is supposed to be your opportunity to explore and experience the world, we will be moving through the forest."Hearing Vahn's words, Arika combed through her long fringe bangs before lazily nodding her head and taking a seat across from Fenrir. She was still a little tired, so, rather than waste energy putting on a front, she just picked up the cup of tea that had magically appeared before her, sampling the rich flavor in contented silence...---Following a rather hearty meal, consisting primarily of vegetable stir fry and fried rice, Vahn created a second body, surprising Arika and Asuna slightly. Clone techniques and spells weren't uncommon in the Magical World, but, with their enhanced senses, even Asuna could tell this wasn't that kind of technique. As a result, she was the first to ask, "How...?" before immediately regretting it when she saw the teasing look in his eyes...Surprising the doll-like girl, Vahn honestly explained, "Now that the two of you are my apprentices, I will trust you to keep the secrets I tell you. Though the actual explanation is far more complicated, it basically comes down to the fact that I can freely alter and create new bodies. As you have noticed, these are not simple clones. I have to control both bodies simultaneously, meaning I experience the stimulus from all my vessels simultaneously. It is a little disorienting, but, if I really push myself, I can even produce upwards of ten versions of myself."Though he didn't try something like making eight more versions of himself, as it was simply too taxing for his current self, Vahn decided to demonstrate his transformation ability, ignoring his first instinct of transforming into a copy of Asuna. Instead, he became a chibi-version of his Vanargandr self, laughing mischievously in response to the visible incredulity visible on the two girls' faces. This had the expected consequence of his chibi self being snatched and cuddled by Fenrir, but, with his main body still intact, Vahn smiled as he explained, "You will learn more about my true nature over the duration of your training. For now, it is easiest to think of me as an Ancient Dragon with control over Creation, Space, and Time."Showing the closest thing to an actual emotion Vahn had seen on her face, Arika had an expression of incredulity as she asked, "What is your true form?"Understanding what she might be thinking, Vahn just shook his head, explaining, "I rarely go out of my way to disguise myself. What you see before you can be considered my true form as I have kept it for nearly a hundred years. Don't worry, I'm not going to suddenly reveal myself as some strange creature with an amorphous form and thousands of eyes."Though she returned to a neutral expression, Vahn could tell that Arika was greatly relieved by his words, causing him to lightly shake his head before saying, "We'll be departing. I'll leave a version of myself to safeguard the ship and keep Medusa company."Knowing Medusa wasn't fond of crowds, Vahn wasn't going to continue forcing her to accompany them. Fortunately, as someone needed to stay with the ship, she had the opportunity to freely idle about, and, with his ability to produce extra vessels, it meant they could spend all day just cuddling if they really wanted to.Making no effort to hide her satisfaction, Medusa had a somewhat cheeky grin on her face as she added, "Don't worry, I'll make sure the ship is well guarded. Take your time and explore as much as you can. Even if you're away for a few days, I can guarantee nothing will happen~."Seeing the cheeky smile on Medusa's face, Arika wasn't the only one feeling slightly annoyed by the mischievous Gorgon. Fenrir had a glowering look in her eyes, holding the miniature-version of her Master tightly as she said, "Make sure you behave, Medusa. If you cause any kind of problems, I'll be the one to punish you in our Master's stead."Hearing Fenrir's tone, Medusa's hair automatically condensed to protect her backside as her eyes began to shimmer with a piercing light. She knew Fenrir was serious, but, doing her best to appear undaunted, Medusa adopting a taunting smile before trying to say a few biting words. Before she could, however, her Master interrupted, his hand plopping on her head as he addressed the group as a whole, saying, "Let's head out." in a casual yet firm tone.Without waiting for anyone to respond, Vahn then picked up Medusa in a princess carry, allowing Fenrir to retain his chibi-form, who, following his larger self's words, added, "We'll be traveling on foot, so, unless you want to spend the night in the jungle, we should set out. Asuna will be setting our pace until she gets tired. Now, let's go."Since he was still being carried, Vahn pointed towards the stairs leading up to the deck, causing Fenrir to 'flicker' near the base before leaping through the opening. She could be very clingy when he was in his Vanargandr form, but, when it was combined with his 'chibi' self, it was impossible to convince her to release him. He could transform back into his normal self, but, for the better part of half an hour after the fact, Fenrir would be in a dour mood...Seeing the rather incredulous sight of Vahn being whisked away by Fenrir, Arika remained standing in the same place for several seconds. It wasn't until Asuna pulled at her dress that she came back to her senses, making eye contact with her adorable niece as the latter said, "We should go. I don't want to be left behind."Nodding her head in understanding, Arika picked up Asuna with no discernible difficulty, holding the girl in much the same way as a parent holding their child. Then, in a manner similar to Fenrir, her body flickered before vanishing from view. She had never actually used [Shundo] before, but, after seeing it once, both she and Asuna had been able to memorize it. This was an ability unique to the Ostian Royal Family, and, though it didn't equate to mastery, it allowed them to become some of the most prodigious Mages in existence with very little effort...---Contrary to what some would expect when traveling with small children, Asuna small gait didn't slow the group by much. She was only a little over two-years-old, but, despite her small size and virtually non-existent muscles, she had enough strength to easily rival adults who had trained for years. She didn't move with assurance and confidence in her actions, but, after analyzing a problem for a short while, she was able to figure a way around or over most obstacles. The only thing that kept them from advancing even faster was the occasional appearance of monsters, causing Asuna to quickly retreat behind Vahn despite having more than enough strength to defeat most enemies in a single blow.Rather than force a two-year-old to fight monsters several times larger than herself, Vahn allowed her to hide behind him before giving Arika a small nod. This would often result in her staring at him for a few moments, but, once the monster began charging, she would manifest a golden longsword out of thin air before vanishing in a flash. Her skills weren't very refined, but she was able to bisect a dinosaur-like monster that was more than 15m long in an instant before brandishing her blade in a rather flashy manner...Understanding Arika was trying to show off, Vahn just smiled in response, saying, "Well done. Your skills are a little unrefined, but your talent is exceptional. I have great expectations for you once we begin our training."Hearing Vahn's praise, Arika showed no discernible signs of satisfaction as she swung her sword in a smooth arc, creating a golden trail with her magical energy. Then, in an icy monotone, she asked, "Are you going to make me fight everything? I'm starting to feel as though I'm the one protecting you. I have yet to see your true power, so it is difficult for me to accept such remarks..."Though not entirely unexpected, Vahn couldn't help but burst into laughter when he heard Arika's biting remark. This caused her brows to furrow slightly, and, if they had been closer to each other, he could imagine her trying to slap him for laughing so zealously in response to her words.Taking the initiative to speak, Fenrir adopted a serious expression on her face as she said, "Master is far stronger than you can comprehend. I can tell that you are very powerful, but you are just brute-forcing everything without any real skill. Even without using his full power, Master could defeat you with technique alone."Arika hadn't actually been serious with her comment, but, hearing Fenrir's remark, she couldn't help but feel a little offended, asking, "You think so little of my skill? I'll have you know that I trained hard to reach my current level. I might lack combat experience, but I'm confident that I would be able to defeat you in a battle. Vahn might be very strong, but I'm far from weak."Hearing Arika's words, it was Fenrir's turn to be slightly offended, her hair becoming marginally more pointy as she plainly stated, "You overestimate yourself. It's a good thing that my Master has been placed in charge of your training. With your mentality, you and your allies would suffer as a result of your hubris..."Though she knew there were a lot of people stronger than her, Fenrir had already lived for over a century. Even if Arika gave off a dangerous feeling, there were so many gaps in the woman's stance that she might as well be a complete amateur. If they were to truly go all out against each other, it would not be a match at all, but a one-sided slaughter...Before the two could start a rivalry based on hostility, Vahn instructed Asuna to stand off to the side before flicking his wrist and pulling out the sealed form of Laev-tan. This caught the attention of the two girls locked in a staring contest with each other, Arika's expression revealing a small amount of trepidation as Fenrir began to snicker mischievously.Without explaining anything, Vahn exhaled a breath that seemed to echo in the surroundings as his body seemed to 'melt' away. This caused Arika to instinctually assume a defensive stance, her sword held in a posture that would allow her to deflect most attacks from the front. Before she was able to complete the motion, however, Vahn had already appeared behind her, plainly stating, "When both sides respect each other, a healthy rivalry can help you increase your strength exponentially. Unless it is a matter of honor, never allow your pride to dictate your actions. There are people in this world who have trained for hundreds, or even thousands, of years. Never assume you are at the peak, only that there will always be someone stronger."The moment Vahn finished speaking, hundreds of thin lines appeared across Arika's blade before it shattered into tiny motes of magical light. Despite this, she didn't move from her defensive stance, almost as if her mind had completely stalled while trying to process the visual and audio stimulus she had received. It wasn't until Vahn lightly tapped her shoulder that she 'rebooted', her mouth opening as if to ask a question she didn't know how to form.Seeing the rather 'honest' look on the usually expressionless woman's face, Vahn adopted a smile as he answered, "I have pursued the pinnacle of swordsmanship for decades and have yet to reach it. I can confidently call myself a Grandmaster, but, compared to those who have dedicated their entire lives to the art, I still have a long way to go. Don't let this lesson be a setback. Rather, whenever you meet someone stronger than you, be grateful. It can be very lonely at the peak, and, without strong foes, even the most powerful entities in existence will begin to stagnate.After listening to Vahn's words, Arika looked between him and the hilt that remained in her hand, a thoughtful glimmer in her heterochromatic eyes. She knew he was stronger than her, but, no matter how strong he was, she thought they could at least have a good match. Instead, she was powerless to even defend herself, and, according to him, he wasn't even the strongest...Feeling as though her perspective of the world had broadened, Arika gave a brief glance toward Fenrir, seeing the somewhat hateful woman smiling haughtily back at her. This caused her to feel a small amount of indignation, so, unable to even understand Vahn's power at her current level, she adopted a competitive look in her eyes as she answered, "I understand...thank you for the lesson..." without breaking eye contact with the wolf-like woman...(A/N: Alternate Titles: 'Asuna is quickly becoming spoiled xD...','Arika, the Frog Queen','Fenrir be like, "OwO, what's this? Is someone seeking death~?"')https://bit.ly/2XBzAYu &lt;-(p.atreon link)paypal.me/EinlionDiscord Invite: https://discord.gg/Jwa8PKh

As one of the closest countries near Ostia, the first destination Arika had decided upon was one of the nine Holy Lands, the Sacred City of Light, Nyandoma. It was a land predominately inhabited by members of the various Demihuman Cat Tribes, and, as its names implied, it was an area under the protection of the Great Spirit of Light, Nyon Utu.Though there were many places Arika wanted to visit, Nyandoma seemed like the best choice since it would take less than three hours of total travel time. She had stayed up nearly the entire night, so it simply didn't seem sensible to push herself by choosing a more distant location. Her Airfish might have an auto-pilot cruising function, but, if their flight path intersected with another ship or a group of migratory monsters, it could spell disaster...---Despite arriving in the Record relatively recently, Vahn had a better grasp of the geography than most of its residents. His sense of direction and spatial awareness, combined with the fact he had a Map Function, made it almost impossible for him to get lost. Thus, even without asking about their destination, he already knew where Arika was taking them.Vahn had always been rather fond of Cat People so he was very interested to see what an entire country full of them was like. He already knew it was a moderately 'oriental' country, borrowing a lot of inspiration from countries like Japan, so spas, saunas, and hot springs were popular tourist traps within the fantastical City of Light. These were things he had always been fond of, so, after a quick meeting with the Great Spirit of Light, he was intending to enjoy himself for a few days.Seeing what appeared to be an Ancient Japanese City looming on the horizon, complete with large tiered pagodas, large shrines, and a bevy of slope-tiled buildings, Vahn's could feel his anticipation steadily increasing. It was like stumbling upon a treasure for the first time, as, due to their peaceful coexistence with nature, there were very few Airfish flying around Nyandoma airspace. Rather, there were quite a few laws preventing flight over residential areas, so, before Arika made the mistake of trying to fly directly over the city, Vahn teleported into the common area before entering the bridge through the main entrance...Though she enjoyed flying quite a bit, Arika had never been at the helm for several hours in a single sitting. She had also never flown while mentally fatigued, so, with nothing to keep her focused, she had been on the verge of dozing off for a while. When she heard the hissing of air that denoted the opening of the bridge doors, however, she snapped back to awareness in an instant, her expression a perfect mask of unwavering focus as she muttered, "We will be arriving in a few minutes."Resisting the urge to point out the small amount of drool visible near the corner of Arika's mouth, Vahn just gave a curt nod before saying, "We don't have a permit to fly over Nyandoma airspace so we'll have to either land outside the city or request access to their private Fishport. Remember, this isn't Ostia so you can't just fly around with impunity."Hearing Vahn's words, Arika lightly snorted through her nose before saying, "I am well aware of the laws and policies of foreign nations. This ship is equipped with a concealment function, so I will find a place for us to dock within the nearby finger mountains..."Rather than question the veracity of Arika's claim, as she was undoubtedly very familiar with foreign policy, Vahn just nodded his head. There was no need to point out that she had been flying directly toward the city, only turning towards the mountains after his reminder. Instead, he said, "Once you find a place to dock, we'll stop for a few hours to rest. Asuna probably won't wake up for five or six hours so it is a good opportunity for you to shower and take a nap. I'll wake you up when it is time for lunch."Though Arika's first instinct was to protest, saying she didn't require rest, she ultimately decided to remain silent after hearing him mention Asuna. The idea of a hot shower, a decently long nap, and a delicious meal was also very tempting, so, after a few seconds of silence, she stated, "I agree. Asuna is still very young so she needs adequate rest and nutritious food in order to spur her growth. After I find a place to settle down, I will follow your advice for her sake..."Realizing it was probably going to take Arika quite a while to be able to converse 'normally', Vahn adopted a wry smile before handing her a handkerchief and departing the bridge. He didn't bother to explain what the handkerchief was for, allowing her to stare at it for several seconds before she brought her fingers to the side of her lips. Then, since he had already left the room, the briefest hint of an embarrassed flush colored her cheeks as she quickly wiped away the evidence of her dozing off...---Designed during a period where she contemplated running away from home, Arika's unnamed Airfish came complete with a fully furnished kitchen, a sizeable bathroom with both a bath and a walk-in shower, a spacious common area, a decently-sized cargo bay, two crewman quarters, and, as could be expected, a rather large Captain's quarters. It was also fully equipped with anti-pirate and anti-monster armaments, so, despite its cute appearance, the goldfish-like ship was actually an A-Class Superlight Cruiser, one capable of even scuttling a Dreadnought under the right conditions.After finding a good place to dock, Arika activated an invisible gravity anchor that would prevent the ship from crashing into the nearby rocks before turning on the powerful cloaking device. The ship was usually undetectable by most forms of radar and magical sensors, but, when the cloaking function was activated, the large barrier surrounding the ship could refract light in a way that made it completely invisible. This required a substantial amount of energy, crippling most of the weapons systems, but it was a small price to pay for complete concealment.With the ship successfully docked, Arika released a tired sigh, reclining in the pilot's seat for several seconds before ultimately rising to go enjoy a hot shower. The moment she exited the bridge, she could hear the sound of something sizzling from the kitchen, and, though it was currently very light, a fragrant aroma had already started to pervade the ship. This brought a slight smile to her face, as, in the past, she had never particularly cared about the taste of her food. Now, however, meals were a time to look forward to rather than just another block in her schedule.After enjoying the fragrance for a short while, Arika made her into the belly of the ship, the location of the crew cabins, cargo bay, and bathroom. She was still a little bitter about the fact her room had been occupied by Vahn, but, after thinking about it during the flight toward Nyandoma, she could understand the reason. He hadn't been assigned Guardianship over her and Asuna, but, as a result of his status as both an Ancient Dragon and an Emperor, her mother had 'requested' Vahn to take care of them. It simply wouldn't be proper for her to force him to stay in the crew cabin, as, not only was his status higher than her own, he was also the one taking care of and protecting them...While thinking about the complexities of her current situation, Arika began to peel off the pieces of her clothing, neatly folding them before placing them into a clothes bin. There was a large mirror in the bathroom, so, after stripping down completely naked, she expressionlessly stared at her own figure, complex feelings swirling in her heart. She wasn't a vain woman, but, based on what she had heard, she should be quite beautiful. Her hair was neatly trimmed and well maintained, her body was clean and unblemished, and, though she hadn't fully matured, she had filled out in the places men should find attractive...After staring at the reflection of her body, Arika made eye contact with herself before extending her hand to touch the surface of the mirror. The structure of her face was equally as flawless as the rest of her body, but, due to her lack of expression, it almost seemed inorganic, much like a mask. It had never been an issue in the past, but, after seeing Asuna slowly become more expressive, combined with the 'zest' that seemed to radiate around the woman named Fenrir, Arika was beginning to feel as though her 'face' was a problem...Allowing a tired sigh to escape her lips, Arika turned away from the mirror, activating the magical formation that powered the steamy shower. She allowed the warm water to remove some of her fatigue and melt away the frustrations that had been growing in her heart, things she didn't fully understand. She somewhat wished that Vahn had arrived sooner, as, after seeing the difference in his treatment of Asuna and herself, she couldn't help feeling slightly envious. Now, even if she had the heart to ask him to spoil her, it simply wouldn't be proper due to her age...Leaning her forehead against the shower wall, enjoying the soothing vibrations of the hot water striking her scalp, Arika fell into a deeply contemplative state. She had discussed the matter with her mother, and, though she wasn't quite sure how to go about it, her mother had basically given her consent to do whatever she pleased. She was given permission to follow her heart, and, though she wasn't quite sure where it would take her, Arika knew she wanted something more, something she didn't fully understand...---Though he was largely focused on cooking, Vahn was passively aware of everything taking place in his domain. As a result, he wasn't unaware of the subtle changes Arika was undergoing, causing him to shake his head in mild exasperation. She was very confused right now, but, after traveling around and experiencing more of the world, Vahn was hoping she would stabilize a bit. The only reason she liked him was because he was the first reasonably powerful man that treated her well. She was stuck in a peculiar equilibrium between viewing him as something akin to a surrogate father and a future love interest, something he had encountered surprisingly often after entering a new Record...Shaking his head once again, Vahn began to dexterously flip the stir fry in his wok before letting it simmer on the stove. He had already made his decision, so there was no sense in letting it bother him too much. In fact, the more he allowed it to affect him, the worse the issue would become due to how perceptive young women like Arika could be. It would be easier to all-in on treating her like a child, as, even if she 'resented' him externally, he knew she would be internally happy.At this point, the best thing Vahn could do to prevent the situation from getting further out of hand is making sure Fenrir didn't try to 'convert' Arika and Asuna. She had a habit of conditioning others to view him in an excessively positive light, so, if left to her own devices, the number of people that could be classified as his Believers would steadily increase. She also had a habit of cultivating those closest to him into being 'good girls', effectively instilling the idea of 'work hard and receive lots of pampering'...---The moment her Master started thinking about her, Fenrir's ears twitched slightly, her eyes opening to reveal a curious glimmer. She could sense he was thinking about something complicated, and, as the person who knew him 'best', she could guess what was troubling him. She basically had a sixth sense when it came to other people liking her Master, so, from the moment she saw the members of the Ostian Royal Family, she saw them in a very positive light. After all, anyone who liked her Master was either exceptionally intelligent or a relatively good person...With this thought in mind, Fenrir looked toward the sleeping Asuna, finding the young girl to be an exceptionally adorable creature. Though she also had something very 'dangerous' sealed inside of her, this was actually pretty normal for anyone her Master had taken an interest in.Using the back of her paw, which now looked almost indistinguishable from a human hand, albeit one covered in soft blue fur, Fenrir gently stroked Asuna's bangs. She had always been rather fond of children, so, knowing how protective her Master was regarding them, Fenrir would not hesitate to protect them with every fiber of her being. This elevated Asuna's status to a considerable extent, to the point she was only beneath her Master in terms of importance...As this thought crossed her mind, a smile spread across Fenrir's face as she pawed aside Asuna's bangs and planted a kiss on her forehead. Then, like a mother embracing her child, she held the sleeping princess close, gently nuzzling her as a soft layer of fur spread across her entire body...---Sensing the changes in Fenrir, Vahn couldn't help but lightly chuckle as he threw all the food into his Inventory for later consumption. Then, deciding to get some fresh air, he teleported outside the ship to sit atop one of the relatively common 'finger mountains' that existed throughout Mundus Magicus. These were massive, pillar-like, structures that were typically composed of a type of dense white stone. Some were several hundred meters in diameter, making them exceptionally popular for hermetic Mages looking for a place to build a retreat.Sitting on the very edge of the 1700m tall rocky pillar, Vahn wondered whether or not it would only cause more problems if he were to introduce Arikia and Theo before they were originally intended to meet. Theo didn't seem as prone to imprinting on others as the taciturn Queen, but, with a bit of 'coaching' from Fenrir, there was no way of knowing what would happen.Remembering his last encounter with the tomboy princess, Vahn adopted a wry smile as he shook his head. Then, startling a flock of pterosaur-like creatures that had inhabited the surprisingly lush forest atop the finger mountain, Vahn began to laugh out loud without any inhibition. In the end, it was entirely up to him how things developed, so, rather than worry about future troubles, he would continue to live in the moment. He could even play matchmaker, and, if he really wanted to, there was nothing stopping him from blasting entire worlds into oblivion...As if one some kind of divine cue, a thunderous explosion sounded just as Vahn reclined against the soft grass. This caused him to immediately revert to a seated position, his pupils expanding greatly before contracting as he looked toward another finger mountain that was collapsing around twenty kilometers away. Then, from within a reddish-pink cloud of magical energy, a large dragon emerged like a meteor as it crashed to the densely forested area near the base of the mountain range...(A/N: Alternate Titles: 'An Otaku's paradise','This chapter gives a feeling of Deja Vu...','It seems Vahn is, once again, practicing the ancient art of flag-raising')https://bit.ly/2XBzAYu &lt;-(p.atreon link)paypal.me/EinlionDiscord Invite: https://discord.gg/Jwa8PKh

Chapter 1553: Tensions and Frustrations