Endless Path : Infinite Cosmos

While waiting for the Admiral alongside Arika and Fenrir, Vahn, accompanied by Eva and Asuna, decided to explore Zephyria. It was particularly popular as a tourist destination, thanks in large part to the Sky Pirates that patrolled its periphery, but, as could be expected from the infamous City of Freedom, there were a number of activities to alleviate one's boredom.Though the most popular activities were participating in or watching the various races taking place around the city, there were also a number of casinos and entertainment centers present. There was even a theme park located to the North of the Skyfarers Association Headquarters, a place teeming with magically powered roller coasters and other thrill-seeking attractions.Unfortunately, even if they wanted to go thrill-seeking, most rides simply lost their charm when you could move faster than them. Even Asuna could achieve bursts of speed close to 4500km/h, close to ten times the top speed of the fastest roller coasters. When you accounted for the fact she could fly for short periods of time, most thrill-seeking activities simply couldn't compete.Instead of choosing where they should go, Vahn allowed Asuna to explore freely while he and Eva followed close behind. It was important for Asuna to be able to act independently every now and then, as, despite her age, she was both very mature and incredibly powerful. She needed to be able to interact with the world around her without others telling her what to do. This included allowing her to make mistakes and resolve her own problems, so, even when a group of slightly older boys called out to her, Vahn and Eva vanished into the void, watching her from afar...Though Asuna was still young, she already had the makings of a beauty. This, combined with the fact she was wearing high-quality clothes while walking around with obvious intrigue on her face, made her stand out quite a bit. Several people had already marked her as an outsider, and, though most illegal activities generally occurred in the lower levels, closer to the ground, there were still a number of Sky Pirates, Mercenaries, and other disreputable types that walked around without any particular regard for others.Assuming Asuna was the daughter of a wealthy merchant, several people had already marked her as a potential target. The sword on her back didn't deter them in the slightest, but, in order to avoid scrutiny, they sent their younger members to accost her. These were children they had picked up in the slums located near the base of the finger mountains, so, as could be expected, they were eager to prove themselves and had very few inhibitions about targetting other children...Despite looking in the complete opposite direction, Asuna easily side-stepped a blond-haired boy that was nearly forty-centimeters taller than her. He had attempted to bump into her in order to try and accuse her of knocking into him, but, despite a concerted attempt to slam his shoulder into her tiny body, he ended up losing his balance and nearly tripped as a result of her effortless evasion.As if she had only just noticed the group of boys that had loosely surrounded her, Asuna tilted her head slightly to the side as she plainly asked, "Why did you try and shove me? Did someone tell you to cause a scene...?"Without waiting for the boys' response, Asuna directed her attention towards a group of four men and one woman sitting near an alleyway. She instantly understood what was going on the moment she saw the expression in their eyes, so, before the blond-haired boy could successfully grab one of her twin-tails, Asuna swat his hand aside before flickering away.Feeling an incredibly sharp pain in his hand, the blond-haired boy released an anguished scream as his right hand dangled limply from his wrist. This drew a considerable of attention, but, before the majority were able to make sense of the situation, a loud crashing sound could be heard as the bald man eyeing her was sent flying by the much-smaller Asuna. At nearly the exact same moment, she kicked the knee of another man, using it as a springboard while completely shattering it. It was only at that point that the other three people responded, but, similar to a graphical glitch, Asuna's body couldn't be seen clearly as she made short work of the other three.From start to finish, it took less than three seconds for Asuna to process the situation and deal with it in the most efficient way possible. In the end, there were the bodies of five adults lying limply on the ground, while, at the side, the blond-haired boy, abandoned by his 'friends', cradled his broken wrist with tears streaming down his vengeance-filled face. He didn't dare attack, but, if looks could kill, Asuna would have been ground into meat paste by his glare alone.Ignoring the gazes of the surrounding pedestrians, Asuna stared back at the boy, her smiling face now an emotionless deadpan as she plainly stated, "If you continue down this path, the only thing you will accomplish is hurting yourself and others. Only weaklings and cowards blame the people they intended to victimize. I hope you are able to make better decisions in the future. Not everyone will show you the same mercy I have today."Having said what she intended to say, Asuna continued on her previous path, this time locking eyes with anyone intently focused on her. Her previous display was enough to deter most people, but, at the same time, it also garnered her a considerable amount of attention from those who considered themselves powerful or wanted to recruit strong members into their crews. To many, Asuna was like an unpolished gem, and, if they could recruit her, it was the same as securing a powerful ally for the future...Before she could even get out of earshot from the blond-haired boy, Asuna found her path blocked by a woman with long orange hair and a tanned body. She stood out quite a bit with her pleated skirt and a matching checkered blouse that was tied together at the front like a bikini top. The rest of her outfit consisted of a blue trenchcoat, a large brown satchel, several belts, a whip, a series of small daggers, and, most notably, an oversized blunderbuss pistol. She also had on a blue cap that came complete with a pair of goggles, but, compared to the rest of her outfit, it didn't stand out as much...With her arms crossed under her modest yet shapely breasts, the woman showed a friendly and excited smile on her face as she said, "You've got moxie, kid! Names Mitty, but you can just call me Cap'n. How 'bout joinin' my crew and sailin' through the skies together? Most of my crews female so you wouldn' have ta worry about any of these mangy bastards tryin' ta lay their mitts on ya~!"As she didn't sense any hostility from the woman and her companions, Asuna offered a polite smile before bowing slightly and answering, "Thank you, but I have no intention of joining anyone's crew. I already have traveling companions and we are already on an important mission."Hearing Asuna's response, the woman theatrically smacked her own forehead, her smile not fading in the slightest as she exclaimed, "Of course sum'n as amazin' as you'd already have a crew! Damn, that's a real shame! Guess it's mah own fault fer not scoutin' ya sooner! Well, if you ever change yer min' or need sum'n ta find a rare treasure, 'member us, would ya? Ain't none better at searchin' for treasure as me 'n my crew, Fortuna's Favor!"Following her rather bold claim, Mitty released a rowdy laugh before patting Asuna on the shoulder and turning to her crew, saying, "Come on, girls, let's make merry before the lass' rejection gets me in the slumps! Ahahahaha~!"With the woman's laughter echoing in her ears, Asuna's smile became slightly wry as each member of Mitty's crew either pat her on the shoulder or ruffled her hair. At the same time, from within the void, Vahn and Eva couldn't help but lightly chuckle at her expense...---After waiting for nearly an hour within a museum-like office that was lined with hundreds of scale models of Airfish, Vahn, Arika, and Fenrir all turned their attention towards a door located discreetly around a pillar at the back of the room. From the other side of the door, a woman with burgundy-hair, caramel skin, and a shapely figure entered. She was attired in a frill-collared blouse with puffy sleeves that showed off her ample cleavage, a leather bodice, and form-fitting leather chaps that seemed to be on the verge of tearing apart due to her muscular and toned thighs. As for the rest of her outfit, she had on fingerless gloves, a red sash, a belt with a skull motif, leather boots, and, most notably, a stylish black captain's jacket with a flared collar that hung off her shoulders like a Marine Admiral from the Record of One Piece.Vahn was slightly surprised by the Admiral's beauty, not just because she had a striking and heroic visage but because she was unmistakably a descendent of the Crimson Scarlet. They were virtually identical to each other, with the only differences being their hair-style and apparent age; so, after seeing the Heroic figure in the flesh, Vahn couldn't help but admire her. She was like a less chaotic version of Drake, and, despite a rather vicious and confident appearance, her aura was calm and placid like the sea before a powerful storm...After tracing her pale blue eyes over everyone else present, the Admiral situated her gaze on Vahn, her brows furrowing almost imperceptibly as she said, "I apologize for the delay. The meeting took longer than normal once word of your arrival reached the council. Though we are privileged to play host to a Princess of Vespertatia's party, the reputation of the Sage Dragon Emperor is such that our investors can't help but feel nervous by your presence..."Since she was looking toward him while speaking, Vahn offered a casual smile in response to the Admiral's words, following them by stating, "I do not go out of my way to seek trouble. Rather, it is the actions of others that invite my wrath upon them. Unless they have a guilty conscience, there is no reason to fear my presence."Hearing Vahn's response, the Admiral furrowed her brows even further as she added, "We have our own means of keeping the peace. It is not your place to pass judgment upon our people. If you find something amiss, report it to the proper authorities or inform me directly. I would rather resolve the situation personally than leave it to an outsider. If you are unwilling to compromise, I would ask that you leave this country and never return. Zephyria has enough trouble without some random dragon acting like a vigilante within its lands."Rather than showing any offense to the woman's abrasive words, Vahn couldn't help but smile as he plainly stated, "I will take action where I deem necessary. The affairs and interest of Zephyria mean very little to me. I will protect Mundus Magicus, and, if I see something that needs correcting, I will do what I must to resolve it. You are free to try and stop me, but, if you think it is nobler to side with criminals, I will have little choice but to treat you as an accomplice for trying to enable them..."By the time Vahn had finished speaking, the Admiral had a glowering expression, her pale-blue eyes shimmering with magical light. Despite this, she radiated no actual hostility. Instead, the glow in her eyes gradually faded away, a tired sigh escaping her lips as she muttered, "How troublesome..."Following her exasperated display, the Admiral walked over to a cabinet located behind the large desk near the back of the room. She opened the ornate wooden doors to reveal several shelves of rare alcohols, crystalline cups, and shot glasses. Then, after taking a swig from a particularly fragrant whiskey, she dexterously grabbed a few glasses with her fingers, setting them on the desk before asking, "I'm familiar with the vices of Dragons. Tell me, do Princesses of Vespertatia drink? I'm not fond of discussing business without a few drinks to warm my body."Since the conversation had been between Vahn and the Admiral, Arika had been patiently standing at the center of the room the entire time it was taking place. As for Fenrir, she had been glaring at the Admiral with her scarlet eyes, but, as the latter hadn't shown any actual hostility, she also chose to remain silent.In response to the offer, Arika lightly shook her head, answering, "I do not have the habit of social drinking. If it will ease tensions, however, I will not insist that you refrain."Though she wasn't surprised by Arika's response, the Admiral couldn't stop herself from rolling her eyes as she filled up two 8oz glasses with a rich brown liquor. Then, without asking directly, she sent a glance towards Fenrir while holding the bottle over a third glass.Understanding the Admiral's intent, Fenrir shook her head before stating matter-of-factly, "I would rather drink the alcohol provided by Master. That might be a very expensive brand, but, compared to Master's, everything else might as well be water."Hearing Fenrir's remark, Vahn couldn't help but lightly chuckle at the fact that she never missed the opportunity to somehow praise him. This drew an annoyed look from the Admiral, but, rather than back down, he nodded affirmingly before stating, "Fenrir is correct. That bottle in your hand should be the famous Siren's Tears, a rare import from Sirenum. The quality isn't bad, but, compared to the brands I keep in stock, there really is no comparison. I even have wines brewed by literal Gods, their potency so great that a single drop could turn a small pond into potent alcohol."Noticing the skepticism visible in the Admiral's gaze, Vahn punctuated his statement by pulling out what appeared to be a green glass bottle that had been left at the bottom of the ocean for several centuries. It was covered in brackish markings, and, at several spots on the surface, living barnacles could be seen. Despite this, what truly stood out was the pulsing green light that emanated from the bottle, its rhythm matching that of a beating heart...With the peculiar bottle in hand, Vahn walked over to the Admiral's desk, picking up one of the empty glasses as he explained, "This is a type of rum known as the [Call of Cthulhu]. Those with weaker wills would be overwhelmed after a single swig. If you have the courage to empty an entire bottle, it is said that you would even be able to stare into the abyss without flinching..."Despite its rather peculiar external appearance, the rum poured by Vahn was a crystal-clear brown liquid with a reddish tint. It emanated a potent aroma of fruit and medicine, but, most notably, just looking at the liquid was enough to captivate most people. It was almost like there was a voice in the back of your mind compelling you to drink the aromatic beverage, and, before she realized it, the Admiral had already accepted the glass proffered by Vahn. It wasn't until the liquid was already pouring down her throat that the thought of it being poisoned crossed her mind, but, by then, it was already too late for regrets...(A/N: Alternate Titles: 'Imagine Asuna balancing on the front of a roller coaster without any of the straps...','Side Story: Mitty's Grand Adventure~!','Vahn's bad habit is acting up...')https://bit.ly/2XBzAYu &lt;-(p.atreon link)paypal.me/EinlionDiscord Invite: https://discord.gg/Jwa8PKh

Contrasting any expectations she might have had about the peculiar reddish-brown liquids, it had a rich, smooth, and powerful flavor. It created an illusion similar to drinking liquid flame, but, instead of burning her throat, it brought an extraordinary feeling of satisfaction as the heat spread through her stomach before warming the rest of her body. She couldn't prevent a hot sigh from escaping her mouth, fogging up the empty glass she had yet to pull away from her slightly parted lips...Though the alcohol had the stated effect, Vahn wouldn't give someone a drink they were unable to tolerate. The [Call of Cthulhu] was infinitely more effective on those with vile, greedy, and unhinged characters. The Admiral didn't give off the impression of someone who had been 'corrupted' by the darkness of the world. She likely dealt with some of the worst kinds of people, but, despite that, her aura remained pure, stable, and vast.After holding the position of drinking for several seconds, the Admiral seemed to come back to her senses enough to pull the glass away from her lips. She appeared unaffected by the potent alcohol, but, the moment she tried to set the glass on the table, the truth was revealed. Not only did she fail such a simple action, but, as if she had partaken of an entire keg, her legs completely buckled from the subtle movement.As much as he would have enjoyed supporting the Admiral's body with his own, Vahn, instead, used his telekinesis to prevent her from collapsing. Then, in response to the fact she had drawn an ornate magical flintlock, somehow aiming it directly at his forehead, he created a small barrier between the hammer and firing pin, preventing it from shooting no matter how many times she absentmindedly pulled the trigger.Since she had a number of reasons to be 'hostile' towards him, Vahn didn't take offense to the Admiral's instinctual reaction. Rather, the fact she had enough wherewithal to draw her weapon at all was rather impressive. If she had been a normal person, she would have blacked out the instant the cup left her lips. The [Call of Cthulhu] might go down smoothly, but, like the tide heralding a massive storm, it would continue to swell and encroach upon the mind until all but the strongest had been drowned in its wake...After guiding the Admiral to sit in her own chair, Vahn took a seat across from her before putting another glass on the table. Her pale blue eyes still glimmered with a bit of intelligence, but, if you looked closely, it was almost like her pupils had become like ink blotches. The darkness within had gradually started to encroach upon the surrounding iris, and, given enough time, it would create a phenomenon where her entire eyes were covered in an inky black substance. If left untreated, inky tears would begin to pour down her face, and, preceding the loss of her mind, she same substance would begin to flow from her ears, nose, and mouth.With her eyes still focused on him, Vahn filled up the second glass before reminding her, "Though it might not make a lot of sense, the only treatment is to drink even more. The moment you down the entire bottle, the effects of the alcohol will vanish in their entirety. I would encourage you to finish it down to the last drop...if you give up halfway, I'm afraid things might not end well for you..."Finished with his explanation, Vahn poured a glass of the same substance for himself. It was unique in the fact that, no matter how many glasses you filled, it always had enough to fill ten glasses for each person participating in the bout. The moment one person finished their portion, the effects of the alcohol would vanish for everyone, so, even if the Admiral failed the challenge, there was little danger of her falling to its influence.Seeing Vahn down his glass in a few massive gulps, the Admiral turned her hazy blue eyes toward her own cup. It was hard to form any coherent thoughts but her instincts told her that Vahn was just toying with her. This filled her with a palpable amount of indignation, so, after witnessing him refill his glass, she lifted her own, a resolute glimmer in her eyes as she downed the contents in a single sitting before slamming the cup on the table and stating, "Another...!"Rather than immediately refill the Admiral's cup, Vahn finished his own before setting it down and saying, "Fenrir. Fill mine and the Admiral's glasses, will you?"Though she had originally intended to join the drinking game, Fenrir dutifully received the pulsating bottle with her paws. She made sure to fill her Master's cup first, earning a trenchant look from the Admiral, but, as the latter's opinion didn't matter in the slightest, Fenrir completely ignored her...---Seeing Vahn spontaneously begin a drinking game with the Admiral of the Skyfarers Association, Arika's expression had become a perfect deadpan. She thought she had become used to Vahn's whimsical nature, but, at times like this, she was reminded of just how 'peculiar' the man she had fallen in love with truly was.Though he didn't seem to do it consciously, Vahn had a way of tearing down the walls surrounding a person's heart. She had first noticed this during his stay in the Sun Palace, but, after observing his interactions with people like Nyon Utu, Evangeline, and Grandmaster Sidra, Arika couldn't help but feel fascinated by Vahn's capacity for endearing himself to others.Fortunately, Vahn's capabilities seemed to be derived from his empathic nature and his exceptional eye for people. He had a way of bringing out the best in others, so, from the moment he showed an interest in someone, they were all but guaranteed to experience great fortune. This was particularly true for those closest to him, and, though it was difficult to admit, Arika was a little ashamed of her past self's hubris.Arika had never thought herself weak, but, if she compared her current self to the person she was prior to meeting Vahn, it was almost ridiculous how much she had grown. Though her progress was inconsequential compared to Asuna's, Arika felt as though she could fight against a hundred of her past self without even breaking a sweat. Despite this, she felt nowhere near her limits, and, so long as she continued to push herself, Vahn would undoubtedly help her reach even greater heights...As this thought crossed her mind, Arika couldn't help but smile as she observed the Admiral nearly fall over in her chair. This was probably the part of her that had changed the most, as, compared to her past self, she no longer felt jealous whenever Vahn interacted with other women. She had come to understand that he simply enjoyed teasing people, and, though Vahn had an admittedly massive harem, he was very sincere with his emotions. Rather, as a result of his unequaled capacity for care and comfort, Vahn was often on the receiving end of others' pursuit...---After nine glasses of the progressively potent alcohol, all rational thought had faded away from the Admiral's mind. She didn't know what was keeping her going at this point, but, every time she saw the 'smug' look on Vahn's face, a voice in the back of her mind pushed her to say, "Ahnuverrrr..." in a dull, sensuous, tone of voice. She didn't even seem to notice that the surroundings were writhing about like a living creature, as, for the time being, the only thing that seemed to matter was proving herself against the man seated across from her...Hearing the Admiral's slurred words, Vahn offered an appreciative smile as he admired the woman half-sprawled across her desk. She couldn't even sit up straight, and, due to her drunken state, her previously neat appearance had now turned slovenly. Her face was suffused with a ruddy hue, and, in an effort to cool her feverish body, she had been tugging at the collar of her blouse. Fortunately, despite her untamed and heroic appearance, she properly wore a bra beneath her blouse, so, even when she began to absentmindedly unfasten the buckles of her leather bodice, she didn't expose herself completely...Deciding to concede the victory, Vahn gave a small nod toward Fenrir before setting his own glass on the table. He had already received numerous benefits from the drinking game, so, before things got further out of hand, he decided to take a step back in order to preserve the Admiral's pride. She gave him a similar impression as Tsubaki and Musashi, so, if he managed to win against her, things would probably become troublesome during his stay within Zephyria.Without thinking about Vahn's actions in the slightest, the Admiral managed to half-raise her body. The [Call of Cthulhu] had a property that made it impossible to cheat by spilling the contents, so, even though a large quantity of the reddish-brown liquid escaped from the side of the Admiral's mouth, slinking down her neck and staining her white blouse, she was able to empty its contents after a few large gulps. Immediately thereafter, as if the potent alcohol had never existed, all signs of presence, including the contents of Vahn's cup, evaporated into thin air as clarity returned to the Admiral's gaze.As if she had just awoken from a realistic daydream, the Admiral didn't immediately react to having her clarity restored. Instead, she looked between her empty glass and Vahn's expression, her own a mixture of confusion and disbelief. She was certain she had been drinking moments prior, but, now that she had 'awakened', even the taste of the liquor had been forgotten. Instead, she actually felt a little parched, almost as if she had gone the entire day without a single drop of liquid.Awakening the Admiral from her stupor, Vahn adopted a wry smile as he said, "Though I'm certainly not complaining, you might want to fix your attire before we continue our conversation. Beige suits you, by the way. It matches your olive complexion well..."Hearing Vahn's remark, the Admira turned her attention to the state of her dress. She had unfasted most of the clasps of her bodice, so, instead of hugging her body tightly, her blouse had loosened to the point it was nearly falling off one shoulder. Her jacket had also fallen off, crumpling up in her chair, so, rather than a proud Admiral, she currently appeared more like a tavern wench.Rather than react flusteredly, the Admiral just frowned slightly before quickly arranging her clothes. She didn't even bother asking Vahn to look away, as, even compared to other regions, nakedness wasn't considered a big deal within Zephyria. It wasn't known as the City of Freedom for no reason, and, though most women properly covered themselves, there were quite a few who decided to just bare it all or wrap their breasts with a simple cloth.Almost immediately after fixing her clothes, the Admiral turned her attention back to Vahn, her pale blue eyes glimmering with intensity as she said, "You've a lot of gall for a shitty lizard. Do you enjoy messing with us puny mortals that much? If you keep looking down on us-"Before the Admiral could finish speaking, Vahn's smile gave way to a serious expression as he said, "You insult both of us with such poorly conceived words. Am I supposed to pretend you didn't give me a glass laced with a tasteless poison? Besides, I didn't force you to drink, you partook of your own volition. If I had malicious intentions, I needed only to prevent you from finishing the bottle to ensure you completely lost your mind. Do not insult me at your leisure, Descendent of Scarlet. I'm not fond of formalities, nor do I mind harsh language; but, if you think you can get away with freely insulting me, you are sorely mistaken..."Though she was not completely cowed by the pressure released by Vahn, the Admiral fell silent in response to his words. The 'poison' within the glasses was only intended to loosen the tongue and decrease the inhibitions of the other party. She hadn't intended to cause them any harm, but, even if she tried to clarify her intentions, it wouldn't really matter. The fact remained that she did, indeed, try and poison him...Taking advantage of the Admiral's silence, Vahn regained his usual smile as he added, "I never look down on other people. Rather, if you knew the true nature of my existence, you would undoubtedly feel like a fool for uttering such words. I represent the infinite potential of all things, and, unless you earn my ire, I generally try and help everyone I meet. Though the [Call of Cthulhu] has the potential for catastrophic misuse, it is actually a blessing if used without malicious intent. Now that you have finished the bottle, any alcohol you drink will temporarily strengthen your body based on its quality and potency. You can now drink as much as you want without ever having to worry about blacking out or suffering the detrimental effects of alcohol toxicity. You can still get drunk, but, unless it was something brewed by a God, the chances of you losing clarity are slim, at best."Hearing Vahn's explanation, a look of disbelief flashed across the Admiral's eyes. Then, after eying the bottle she had brought out previously, she uncorked it before downing nearly half its contents in a single go. This was enough to make a normal person blackout drunk, but, other than a pleasant feeling of warmth and a tipsy feeling, her mind remained clear. She also felt a familiar dulling of her senses, but, other than a slight 'lag' between her thoughts and actions, there were no other adverse effects from downing nearly 400ml of a liquid with 62% alcohol...Realizing the 'gift' Vahn had given her, the Admiral couldn't help but rub her temples in, her husky voice suffused with a bit of drunken warmth as she muttered, "How troublesome..." before quickly adding, "I'm not going to thank you. This was not a gift I asked for, so, regardless of your intentions, I do not feel indebted to you. I will, however, apologize for my previous words and actions. Also, as it occurs to me that I had never introduced myself, you may address me as Katarina. Most know me as the Dauntless Katarina but my actual name is Katarina Hawkins. Considering how you previously addressed me, I doubt it would surprise you to know I am the great-granddaughter of the Crimson Scarlet..."Deciding to ignore Katarina's remark about not thanking him, Vahn just nodded his head, a casual smile on his face as he answered, "Though it seems my reputation has preceded me, I suppose it is only proper that I introduce myself. Feel free to address me as Vahn, but, if the situation calls for it, it would be prudent to refer to me as the Sage Dragon Emperor, Vahn Aldrnari Mason. As for this lovable young Vanargandr to my right, she goes by the name Fenrir Mason, Queen of the Frozen Abyss. I don't particularly mind manners and such, but, when she is around, you should take care not to accidentally insult me. She can be pretty sensitive when it comes to defending my honor..."Hearing her Master's introduction, Fenrir's scarlet-red eyes glistened with a murderous light, and, though it appeared cute to Vahn, Katarina felt her body tense up in response to the rows of sharp teeth revealed by her smile...(A/N: I'm going to start polling for the next Record. Keep in mind that the next Record is the 'final' Record Vahn will be visiting (Tier 6+). Though there will actually be a lot of other Records appearing in the story, they will come into play after Vahn has linked the Records. The actual Epilogue of EPIC is supposed be 500+ plus chapters, including short stints of various characters in various worlds, so, even if Vahn doesn't visit a verse you are interested in, there is always hope for the future~! Poll will be listed at the end of every chapter and in the paragraph comments for easier copy+pasting.)http://www.easypolls.net/poll.html?p=5ee6438ae4b017b74559fd5bhttps://bit.ly/2XBzAYu &lt;-(p.atreon link)paypal.me/EinlionDiscord Invite: https://discord.gg/Jwa8PKh

As a nation without any official Administration of governance, order within Zephyria was largely maintained by the various Merchants Groups, Mercenary Troupes, and, most notably, the Skyfarers Association. The latter was not only responsible for the various different types of races that were so popular within the country, but, as their name implied, they managed everything from distribution to the policing of Airfish and other vessels.Prior to the existence of the Skyfarers Association, the most powerful force in the region had been a notorious fleet of Sky Pirates known as the Scarlet Armada. It wasn't until their leader formed a pact with Brave Enlil that Zephyria transitioned from a lawless land of brigands to a nation where various peoples gathered in the hopes of seeking wealth, fame, and, most importantly, freedom. There were still numerous bands of Sky Pirates that called the nation home, but, so long as they were inside its borders, even the most notorious bands followed the 'Sky Pirate Code' that had been written by the first Queen of the Skies, the Founder of the Skyfarers Association, the Legendary 'Crimson Scarlet'.The Crimson Scarlet had been so famous and revered during her era, that, when you first entered the borders of Zephyria, you would pass one of the thousands of statues depicting the legendary Sky Pirate. Each was approximately twenty meters in height, and, though it was strange to imagine, her statues formed a perfect circle that denoted the borders of Zephyria.Seeing the woman who looked eerily similar to Francis Drake, albeit with a loose braid that flowed from her wild hair, Vahn couldn't help but wonder what kind of person the Crimson Scarlet must have been. She must have been quite something to form a pact with a Great Spirit, and, if rumors were to be believed, it was the destruction of one of her statues that prompted the temperamental spirit to devastate the western coast of Tempe Terra...As she often accompanied Vahn throughout the entire day, Eva hadn't missed the admiration that briefly flashed across his eyes. She had also seen the statue, so, with an accusatory look and a sly smile on her face, she asked, "Oh? Are even statues in your strike zone now~?"Hearing Eva's remark, Vahn just laughed in a lighthearted manner before explaining the similarities between the Crimson Scarlet and Francis Drake. He also made sure to clarify that Drake wasn't part of his harem, as, despite admiring her quite a bit, there was no way they could be together.Drake was a libertine who wholly dedicated themselves to hedonistic pursuits; someone who saw little to no difference between a paragon of virtue and a rogue scoundrel. She wasn't a bad person, not in the slightest, she simply believed people should be honest with themselves, and, rather than show restraint and pursue longevity, they should make the most of their transient existence to live as free and unfettered as possible. Though she disdained the vile and wicked, especially those that suppressed and tried to control others, she would rarely go out of her way to save others, claiming, "If people were not so attached to their fleeting little lives, it would be impossible for them to be suppressed by others."In Drake's mind, people allowed themselves to be held back by their attachments. She genuinely believed that if the underprivileged began to commit suicide in mass, those who hoarded wealth and elevated themselves above others would be forced to change. After all, wealth and status only mattered when you had people to lord it over, so, if commoners simply stopped caring about the restrictions placed upon them, such things would lose all meaning. She believed that people should be able to love freely, drink merrily, and if there was something they were interested in, they should be able to pursue it without fear of censure.Though Drake's mentality was 'very' dangerous, it actually coincided with many of Vahn's personal beliefs, so, rather than create conflict between them, they had mutual respect for each other. Drake appreciated the merit-based societal structure he had made, and, though she didn't agree with him on quite a number of things, she wasn't the type to proactively oppose anything. The only thing she really cared about was her own pleasures and pursuits, so, as long as she was allowed to sail, even under the banner of the Empire, she was happy.Fortunately, though she had solicited him hundreds of times, nearly every time they drank together, Drake was the type that understood that 'no meant no'. Though she would tease him about being a 'hard-ass' and a 'tease', she would never pressure or force anyone into having sex with her. Instead, she would simply laugh off their rejection before finding someone else to keep her bed and body warm for the evening. Then, with the dawn of a new day, she would try again, always accepting no for an answer but never giving up on the things she wanted to obtain...Not expecting Vahn to suddenly sing the praises of a woman she had never met, Eva just rolled her eyes at him before remarking, "It's hard to tell which of you is the bigger idiot..."Hearing Eva's remark, Vahn smiled affectionately as he wrapped his hands around her waist, holding her loosely in his embrace as he teasing mused, "I'm willing to be the biggest idiot in the Universe if it means you'll continue to love me..."Towards the end of his words, Vahn's voice became progressively more heated as he brought his face closer to Eva's. Her ears quickly turned red, and, by the time their lips were close enough to brush against each other, a ruddy hue had bled into her cheeks. The fact Vahn had stopped short allowed her to discern his intentions, but, rather than reward him with a kiss, she snapped her teeth in a biting motion before extricating herself from his embrace and saying, "We'll be docking soon. I need to get changed..."Though Vahn didn't prevent Eva from walking away, he wasn't going to let her go that easily. Their relationship had developed to the point that they often teased each other, so, just as she began to descend belowdecks, he reached out with his hand, lighting pinching the air. He was able to ignore most magical barriers, so, at the exact same moment, Eva's body flinched quite a bit as she covered her butt with both hands. Then, after glaring at him with rosy cheeks, she fled into the depths of the ship, hands still covering her butt...---Unlike other countries, which had a limited number of places to dock, Zephyria had thousands of small ports. Since Airfish were the common mode of transportation, nearly every finger mountain had a number of piers that protruded out from the rocky structure, many with dozens of large and medium-sized vessels moored around them. Most of these were located above a certain height, as, once you descended below the markers that were painted across every single mountain, you would officially enter the 'Cloud Sea' where tens-of-thousands of Airfish flew about with little to no actual order or guidance...Though most pilots entering Zephyria for the first time would be intimidated by the disorderly sight of thousands of Airfish flying about, Arika's expression displayed a look of absolute tranquility. Even when foreign Airfish came within a few meters of their craft, she skillfully made adjustments to their course, deftly evading even the fastest-moving crafts. This drew a considerable amount of attention from a number of curious individuals, as, not only did Arika's Airfish stand out quite a bit, her skills as a pilot were as clear as the endless blue skies above the Cloud Sea...After skillfully navigating towards the heart of Zephyria, a massive structure that linked together a total of thirteen mountains came into view. This was the headquarters of the Skyfarers Association, the safest region within Zephyria, and the location of several globally famous Merchant Groups and Mercenary Troupes. They formed a perimeter around the Skyfarers Association, and, though there were a number of different factions competing against each other, most came together for mutual protection and profit.Since she had no intention of hiding her status during her journey, Arika communicated her identity and intentions to the Skyfarers Association. The Communications Officer who answered the call was more than a little surprised that the Princess of Vespertatia had visited, but, after a few minutes had passed, they were given permission to moor their vessel within the Association's primary dock. This was typically reserved for the most prestigious Skyfarer crews, but, given Arika's status, the ranking members of the Association were more than willing to make an exception.After following a small escort vessel, Arika effortlessly piloted the Custos Rosea into the hanger as Vahn, accompanied by Eva, Fenrir, and Asuna stood on the deck. A large crowd had already started to form, as, despite being a private dock, there were more than six-thousand vessels moored inside, many belonging to large crews of Skyfarers. Since the average crew of Skyfarers consisted of more than forty people, including engineers, doctors, and various other support personnel, there were a considerable number of people present within the lively hangar. There were even various open bars and market stalls present, much like an actual seaside port...Due to how quickly rumors and information could travel in port, a considerable number of people had gathered for the sole purpose of seeing a Princess for the first time. This included a number of burly and uruly-looking figures, many choosing to forgo any type of garments to cover their upper bodies. Most were extremely tanned and muscular individuals, and, the moment they saw beauties like Eva and Fenrir, they showed absolutely no sense for propriety as they began to catcall, whistle, and holler out to them...Under normal circumstances, Vahn would quickly teach the unruly bunch a lesson, but, given the identities of the two women they dared call out to, he just smiled slightly as the two released an oppressive, chilling, aura. The surroundings had, quite literally, dropped by several degrees in an instant, and, after a few seconds had passed, ice began to spread across metallic surfaces as Eva and Fenrir coldly stared at the few people who hadn't been cowed by the initial release of their aura.Seeing even scar-covered men avert their eyes from the two beauties, Vahn couldn't help but laugh out loud. Even the port officials who had come out to welcome them had become statuesque, and, if not for their pride and responsibilities, they might have dispersed with the weaker willed amongst the crowd.By the time Arika had emerged on the deck, less than a tenth of the original crowd remained. These were generally the Captains and Officers of various Skyfarer crews, people that wouldn't easily back down even in the face of impending destruction. They would have never earned the recognition of the Skyfarer Association if they lacked courage, so, while they promptly ceased their catcalling, their pride prevented them from dispersing with the rest...Arika wasn't particularly surprised by the tense and chilly atmosphere that had descended upon the docks. Instead, she showed the same calm and dignified countenance she displayed every time she acted in an official capacity. To onlookers, she gave off the impression of a Goddess that descended upon the mortal world, as, after four years of arduous training and hundreds of massages, Arika had greatly exceeded conventional standards of beauty. Though the same could be said for Fenrir, Eva, and even Asuna, they weren't trying to radiate a regal aura, so, for the moment, Arika stood out far more than anyone else on the deck...After passing her gaze slowly over the crowd, Arika gracefully alighted from the deck, her pale-pink dress following her movements as if she was submerged in water. This gave her an ethereal quality, and, after landing, the officials sent to greet her were so stunned by her presence that their mental faculties seemed to have ceased entirely. As a result, they stared back at her with black expressions of adulation, their mouths slightly agape as they stood statuesque before her.Realizing the other party was unfamiliar with general practices and courtesies, Arika took the liberty of breaking the silence, calmly stating, "We intend to stay in Zephyria for a number of days. It would be convenient if the Skyfarers Association is able to accommodate us. Finances are not an issue, so, if you could make the necessary arrangements, we would be grateful."Hearing Arika's words, the port official regained his senses, standing ramrod straight as he stated a little too loudly, "U-Understood! I will make sure to pass your request to my superiors!" Then, as if only then realizing their original duty, they added in a meek tone of voice, "I have been tasked with escorting your party to meet with the Admiral. She had wanted to come personally, but, due to the unexpected nature of your visit, she was unable to break her prior arrangements..."Showing no sign of perturbation, Arika gave a small nod towards the port official before leniently stating, "That is perfectly understandable. Please, lead the way."Feeling as though he had received a great mercy, the port official exhaled a profound sigh of relief before turning to his companions and saying, "Prepare the transport and send someone to pass on the Princess' message. It's not every day we get to show a Princess our hospitality so look sharp!"Though it was a little foolish to say such things in front of the person they wanted to impress, the number of foreign dignitaries that frequented Zephyria could be counted on one hand. Since it was a relatively lawless land, especially beyond the borders, most Aristocrats and Nobles gave the area a very wide berth. Even a Super Dreadnaught might not be able to trespass Zephyrian airspace safely, so, prior to Arika's arrival, they had never entertained Royalty.Without minding the impropriety displayed by the port official, Arika turned toward Vahn, her eyes silently asking whether or not he would be accompanying her. This matter, technically, had nothing to do with him, but, after spending so much time together, she felt more comfortable when he was around. Vahn was very aware of this fact, so, without footing around the issue, he surprised quite a number of onlookers by manifesting a second version of himself. Then, alongside Fenrir, he flanked Arika while his main body, accompanied by Eva and Asuna, vanished into thin air...---Shortly after the Custos Rosea docked within the Skyfarers Association, rumors of Arika's arrival had already circulated through most official and back channels. This garnered a considerable amount of intrigue amongst the general populace, but, compared to the stir it caused within the underground community, this was negligible. Her arrival was completely unprecedented, but, rather than see it as an opportunity to make a name for themselves, many promptly decided to lay low for a while.Only the truly foolish would dare target a Princess of Vespertatia, as, even if you did manage to pull it off, you could never claim credit for it. Announcing the truth was the same as inviting death upon yourself, and, in the most extreme circumstances, it might even result in the destruction of Zephyria itself.Ostia might be a neutral country, but, without an exceptionally powerful military, maintaining that neutrality would have been impossible. Their fleet was capable of linking together to perform Grand Ritual Magic without having to go through the usual process of preparing the land and mobilizing thousands of Mages. Under the most extreme circumstances, they had more than enough power to, quite literally, erase a country off the map. This had happened a number of times through Mundus Magicus' history, and, though it was typically used as a last resort to protect the Magical World, the memory of such events didn't fade with the passage of time...(A/N: Alternate Titles: 'Drake be like, "YOLO~!"','Frogs coveting the meat of swans','Only the truly foolish would dare target a Princess of Vespertatia (O w O)...')https://bit.ly/2XBzAYu &lt;-(p.atreon link)paypal.me/EinlionDiscord Invite: https://discord.gg/Jwa8PKh

Chapter 1599: Malicious Intent