Endless Path : Infinite Cosmos

Though it was undoubtedly the result of his actions and interference, the war between the Hellas Empire and the Megalomesembrian Confederation had yet to break out. Both sides were prepared for an extended and bloody war, but, after the sudden and unexpected destruction of Elfenhof, the leaders of each camp had decided upon a 'wait-and-see' approach. At the same time, large groups of Mercenaries had been commissioned to gather information on the Sage Dragon Emperor and his location. This included a group of famous Immortal Hunters from Mundus Vetus, as, following their departure from Zephyria, rumors had begun to circulate asserting that the Dark Evangel had joined hands with the Sage Dragon Emperor.With Fairy Xuan supplying him with information, Vahn was rarely in the dark about any significant stirrings in the underworld. He knew the rumors were undoubtedly the result of Cosmo Entelecheia trying to make things difficult for him, but, regardless of their efforts, it would make no difference in the end game. Thus, rather than worry about the machinations of fools, he spent the remainder of their time together spoiling Eva and constructing his secret base on the Lesser Moon, Deimos.Though Mundus Magicus was located on the Inverse Side of Mars, it was actually possible to fly away from the planet and find yourself in the actual Solar System. This was due to the magical field surrounding Mundus Magicus working like a spatial membrane that connected the Inverse Side to the Outside, removing the need for projected celestial bodies and allowing those within the Magical World to freely gaze into the night sky without fear of discovery.Unfortunately, the moment you exited Mundus Magicus' version of a Planetary Bounded Field, you would find yourself staring down at a barren and lifeless planet covered in rust-red sand and dust. It was nothing like the vibrant world located on the Inverse Side, and, unless you had a spatial anchor or a magical beacon to guide the way, you could bore straight to the core without finding a trace of Mundus Magicus.Fortunately, Mundus Magicus' Planetary Bounded Field extended nearly 20,000km from the planet's surface. This allowed both Phobos and Demios to orbit within its bounds, as, at the furthest point of their orbits, the former was around 9600km away while the later skirted the edge at 19,312.Due to its proximity to the edge of Mundus Magicus' Planetary Bounded Field, Vahn decided upon Deimos as his base of operations. This would make it exponentially harder for them to be detected, as, despite having ships capable of easily traversing the vacuum of Space, international treaties had prevented any country from doing so. Any attempt to create and station a force in Space would be met with a military response, not just from other countries, but from Ostia itself.During his investigation, Vahn had discovered that Phobos had actually be hollowed out to perform a function similar to the Moon Cell. It orbited the planet a little more than three times per day, and, though it was significantly less advanced than the ancient archive that had been converted into Da Vinci's Workshop, it was still very impressive. The only downside was that it had fallen into a severe state of disrepair, and, though it was still able to perform its functions, the interior was inhospitable to all forms of life. Just cleaning up the radiation leaking from its core would take several years, so, while there was undoubtedly much to learn from such a facility, Vahn wasn't particularly concerned with unlocking all the secrets of the Akamatsuverse.Since it was all-but-guaranteed that the facility on Phobos belonged to the Ancient Civilization of Venus, Vahn spent a bit of time creating a massive formation using modified Yi arrows to lay the foundation. The formation only had two functions, one that concealed it and another that allowed it to gradually stockpile energy directly from the void. This energy would be stored within each of Yi arrows, and, if he ever discovered the ancient archive was being used by his enemies, Vahn would not hesitate to blow the entire moon out of the sky to deny them the opportunity...With Phobos effectively rigged to explode at a moment's notice, Vahn set his sights on the much smaller Deimos. It only had a mean radius of around 6.2km, so, rather than call it a Moon, it seemed more apt to refer to it as an asteroid that had been trapped in Mars' orbit, circling the planet once every thirty hours at a speed of 4,858km/h.Due to its size, it was actually possible for a reasonably powerful person to leap from the surface of Deimos with enough velocity to escape its weak gravitational pull. Rather, Vahn almost felt like he was going to fall off the fast-moving asteroid at any given moment, as, with gravity being less than 3266 times that of Earth's, only 0.003m/s², he was practically weightless.Fortunately, regardless of how ridiculously small Deimos was, Vahn had little trouble navigating its surface. He could freely move through both Space and Time under ideal circumstances, so, after an hour or so, he managed to burrow into the porous core of the icy rock before spending the better part of three days hollowing out and reinforcing the entire structure. In the end, he created a large spherical cavern that was approximately 4km in diameter, repurposing much of the original Deimos to increase the density of the surrounding walls.Vahn didn't want to affect the orbit of the minuscule moon too much, so, from start to finish, he did his best to avoid changing its overall mass and velocity. Then, once everything was complete, he set the 'Garden of Avalon' at Deimos' gravitational center. This would allow it to float freely within the perfectly spherical chamber he had created, but, knowing any random impact from an asteroid had the potential of altering Demios' course and center of gravity, Vahn reinforced its position with an exceptionally powerful gravitational anchor.To further protect the Garden of Avalon and make the interior space hospitable to anyone entering or exiting the former Diorama, Vahn layered hundreds of protective formations and defensive arrays along the interior surface. Once this was complete, he requested the aid of several Elemental Spirits within the Garden of Avalon, effectively remodeling the interior hollow into a fantastical garden that was rich with flora and microbial life suitable for such a low-gravitational environment. This caused a semi-permanant 'raincloud' to form around the Garden of Avalon, but, as this created the illusion of a tiny world suspended in the Heavens, Vahn was rather satisfied with the result. Thus, after six days of hard labor, persistently searching for just the right balance between form and function, he chose the seventh, a Wednesday, to enjoy a much-deserved rest...---While his main body had been hard at work thousands of kilometers above the surface, the rest of Vahn's vessels had been lounging about almost excessively. Though he still dutifully trained every single day, setting an example for his young protege to follow, the rest of the day was spent lazing about, pandering to Eva, and pampering virtually everyone. There was even a two-day period where they all just camped along the beach, complete with cracking open watermelons, swimming in the sea, barbeque, sunbathing, and stargazing.Overall, it had been a rather pleasant week, which, due to the Sub-Space Orb, amounted to nearly thirty days of rest and relaxation. This might seem a tad extravagant, but, when they had the option to spend upwards of seventy to one-hundred-sixty-eight days for every week that passed, it wasn't that bad. Instead, it provided them with ample time to focus on training, research, and relaxation, a combination that allowed for considerable progress without having to compromise on happiness.Though he understood the merits of hard work, Vahn had never forgotten the lessons taught to him by Tsubaki. He knew the importance of cutting loose and relaxing, so, immediately following his morning training with Asuna, everyone would take a bath around the same time while another version of himself prepared breakfast alongside the 'Chacha Sisters'. After breakfast, he would use one of his vessels to watch over Asuna and spend time with his children while the others attended Eva, Fenrir, and Medusa. He could push himself to maintain five bodies without too much trouble, so, as long as Medusa didn't hole herself up inside the Sub-Space Orb, there was enough of him to go around...---Having just completed the construction of their secret base, Vahn adopted a relaxed smile as he continued to rub his hands along Eva's exposed back, his fingers sinking into her soft flesh as the light from the sun reflected tantalizingly across her slightly tanned skin. She had made a concerted effort to spend more time in the sun, so, to prevent even the smallest of blemishes from appearing, Vahn made sure to dutifully coat her entire body in an oil-based sunscreen obtained from his ever-handy and infinitely stocked system shop.Making sure to leave no spot unattended, Vahn allowed his left hand to glide across Eva's pert yet pliant butt, his fingers gingerly tracing her intergluteal cleft. This earned him a slightly annoyed look from the person in question, but, despite her face turning a progressively deeper shade of red, she made no attempt to stop him. Instead, she just released a mildly exasperated sigh, allowing him to continue applying the sunscreen down her thighs and calves before ultimately coming to a stop at the tops of her feet.With her backside completely covered in the fragrant oil, Eva took the initiative to roll over before Vahn could attempt something like lightly smacking or groping her backside. She didn't particularly mind it, but, after seeing how far Theo had fallen, she wanted to avoid being led astray by Vahn's inordinately skilled hands. Just having him apply sunscreen brought her an indescribable amount of comfort, and, if she didn't force herself to stay awake, it was very easy to descend into a contented slumber that could last for several hours...Understanding his adorable fiancee's thought process, the edges of Vahn's smile curled to express amusement as he placed his hand on her abdomen and said, "I just finished installing the Garden of Avalon. Do you want to take a look after I finish applying your lotion?"Willfully ignoring the hand caressing her abdomen, Eva adjusted her position on the towels Vahn had laid out for her before answering, "I'll check it out after I return. I've already seen the inside of the Diorama and I don't see any reason to travel that far just to take a look. I'm also unable to use that convenient little method of yours, so, for the time being, it is best I avoid going there unless it is an emergency. A secret hideout serves little purpose if our enemies are able to track and discover its location."As he already anticipated her response, Vahn wasn't particularly surprised by Eva's logic. Instead, he just gave a curt nod before tracing his hand up her body and dutifully applying a layer of sunscreen to her budding breasts. They were far from the sizeable G-Cups of her Adult form, but, compared to the virtually non-existent breasts of her perpetually prepubescent self, they had grown substantially. They were already nearing the pinnacle of a B-Cup, and, due to a specialized diet and an extremely specific exercise routine, it wouldn't be long before Eva's 'true form' could be classified as a mature beauty.Though she couldn't make sense of his thought process at times, Eva was able to read Vahn like an open book most of the time. As a result, she instantly understood what was going through his mind as he 'shamelessly' fondled her breasts with an appreciative glimmer in his eye. This caused her ears to regain the red hue they had only recently lost, but, rather than 'correct' his behavior, she allowed him to do as he pleased. He had stopped teasing her overtly, so, as long as he didn't get too out of hand, she could tolerate a bit of mischief and wayward thoughts.After triple-checking to make sure he hadn't neglected a single micron of Eva's bared breasts, Vahn moved on to applying sunscreen to her neck, shoulders, arms, hands, and fingers before returning to his base station near her navel. Then, after administering an admittedly excessive amount of the fragrant oil across her abdomen and torso, he used a towel to wipe her down before using his index finger to clear out the remnants from her belly button. This earned him another pointed stare from the red-faced maiden, but, considering what was to come, it seemed pointless to complain about having her navel played with.Unwilling to leave a single spot of his fiancee's body unattended, Vahn gradually worked from Eva's abdomen down to the exceptionally tender region between her navel and the immaculate shrine of purity below. This was the point when Eva would normally turn away and grit her teeth, but, likely as a result of her impending departure, she continued observing the process from start to finish, biting the back of her index finger throughout...---Around the same time that Eva was struggling to hold her void, Vahn was helping Asuna, Euryale, and even Stheno apply sunscreen to their bodies. Unlike Eva, however, they were already wearing their swimsuits, and, rather than applying it directly, he just made sure they had properly applied it to themselves. The last thing he needed was Stheno or Euryale imprinting on him in a problematic way, and, though this didn't seem too likely, Vahn had already been 'bitten' too many times to say it was 'impossible'.Fortunately, whenever his children were around, Asuna ceased her usual mischief and adopted the facade of a reliable older sister. She would patiently walk Euryale through the process of applying her sunscreen, and, though they didn't particularly get along, she would do her best to interact with Stheno, answering questions and offering advice when applicable. This had initially annoyed the eldest of the two gorgon sisters, but, having failed to gain even the smallest advantage against her rival, Stheno had gradually begun to mellow out over time...Confident she hadn't missed any areas, Stheno, wearing an intricate purple swimsuit that normally wouldn't suit someone her age, snaked her way over to her father's die, a sly smile on her face as she smoothly asked, "Did I miss a spot, Papa~?"Offering a smile that was equal parts wry and affectionate, Vahn gestured for Stheno to give a quick pirouette before answering, "It seems like you got everything. Good job, Stheno."Gratified by her father's praise, Stheno offered a sultry-looking smile that had none of the intended meaning as she leaned forward, naturally pressing her breasts together as she presented her head for petting. All of her behavior radiated a natural sex-appeal, and, though he knew she didn't even think about such things, Vahn couldn't help but feel a little concerned about his daughter's future as he extended his hand to habitually caress her head. Though it could be argued that he should be more worried about her future partner, Vahn's fatherly instincts compelled him to consider any man fortunate enough to date one of his daughters 'exceptionally' lucky...(A/N: Alternate Titles: 'That's no moon...!','Oh my...','RIP Stheno's future husband(read as slave)')https://bit.ly/2XBzAYu &lt;-(p.atreon link)paypal.me/EinlionDiscord Invite: https://discord.gg/Jwa8PKh

After an exhaustive search that produced no leads, combined with growing tensions on both sides, the Megalomesembrian Senate ultimately moved forward with the election of a Dictator. This title granted a single person the 'absolute authority of the state to deal with a military emergency', and, following the collapse of the Megalomesmbrian Monarchy, it was the highest position of authority in the entire Confederation.What made the position of Dictator unique among other official titles was that the designate didn't have to be a member of the Senate prior to receiving the post. Instead, the position was often held by the most senior Legatus, the Confederation's version of a High-Ranking General Officer. This was a precautionary measure designed to prevent Senators from using the position to further their own political agenda, requiring a three-fourths majority just to designate candidates for the position.Needless to say, the designation of a Dictator was tantamount to an official declaration of war, so, before the candidates could be finalized, the Emperor gave his consent to engage the Confederate fleet along the Argyrian border. The icy region was the location of the largest freshwater lake in the entirety of Mundus Magicus, and, every time there was a major war between the two superpowers, it often served as the most important battlefront that determined victory or defeat.Immediately following their Emperor's decree, the Southern Fleet, comprised of a five-hundred-meter long Superdrednaught, three three-hundred-meter long Airborne Motherships, seventeen two-hundred-fifty-meter long Cruisers, thirty-seven one-hundred-eighty-meter long Destroyers, one-hundred-nineteen Airwhales of various size, and countless AAS-Class Individual Assault Craft charged over the Argyrian border. Their mission was to secure the side of Argyre occupied by the Confederation, the Naval State of Besperus, in the hopes of establishing a Forward Operation Base that would allow them to surround Megalomesembria from the West and South.Fortunately, depending on who you asked, the Megalomesembrian Fleet was more than prepared for the Hellas Empire's assault. Their fleet was also much larger, so, while the strength of an average Confederate soldier was much lower than their Hellasian contemporaries, they had unquestionable air superiority. They had also stationed three of their Superdreadnaughts along the Argyrian border to protect a new Prototype Flagship, the Svanhvit. This was a monstrous vessel that was nearly an entire kilometer in length, and, while it took a monumental amount of resources to operate, it was equipped with ten of the most powerful military assets in the Confederation, a type of autonomous Magical Construct known colloquially as War Gods or Demon-God Soldiers depending on the side you were fighting on.With the average Demon-God Soldier standing one-hundred meters tall and possessing a Base Power of 2800, calling them Gods wasn't entirely based on hubris. The average citizen of Mundus Magicus only had a BP of 2 without years of schooling or special training, so, from the perspective of normal people, they were incomprehensibly powerful. After all, even a Magic School Graduate was considered inordinately powerful with a BP averaging around 100, and, even if they trained for decades, it was exceptionally difficult for even skilled Magic Teachers to exceed 300BP. This was the reason Dragons were considered so powerful, as, even without magical power, their average BP was between 500~800 depending on their age.Fortunately, despite having nothing comparable to a Demon-God Soldier, which secretly took tens-of-thousands of sacrifices to produce, the Hellas Empire had always been known for its inordinately powerful knights, summoners, and beast tamers. They even had a batallion comprised of more than a thousand Dragon Riders, which, under the right conditions, could rout an enemy fleet or decimate a ground army using superior mobility and overwhelming firepower.While summoned beasts and tamed monsters might not seem particularly useful in an aerial battle between two aerial fleets, this was far from the truth of the matter. After all, even immature magical creatures were exponentially more powerful than the common residents of Mundus Magicus. They often had phenomenal reserves of magical energy, and, with considerable training, they could even be used in Ritual Magic Formations to cast devastatingly powerful spells against enemy forces.Though the average Demon-God Soldier could sweep through hundreds of summoned and trained magical creatures, their production requirements made it impossible to deploy them without ample consideration. Losing even a single one was the equivalent of losing a Superdreadnaught, as, with a few exceptions, the average BP of a 500m vessel was approximated to be 2500. This didn't account for the personnel on board, which greatly affected a vessel's effective output, but, from a logistical standpoint, it was a lot easier to replace a thousand personnel than it was to manufacture a single Demon-God Soldier.Due to both sides exercising a certain degree of caution, the Empire's blitzkrieg quickly devolved into an exceptionally slow push into Confederate-occupied territory. They had to maintain a tight formation to benefit from the magical link that allowed ships to transfer energy between each other to power ritual magic and barriers. This was a capability vessels within the Megalomesembrian Fleet didn't possess, so, as one of their few advantages, the Empire slowly advanced while deploying their elite ground forces to disable anti-air batteries and communications arrays.Using their superior numbers, exceeding the Southern Fleet by a factor of three, the Confederation attempted to slowly surround the advancing formation. This was noticed by the Vice-Amiral of the Southern Fleet, but, rather than give up their advantage, he directed the fleet to adopt a formation that would allow them to create a massive spherical barrier over the region they had captured. This would effectively trap them within Confederate territory, but, at the same time, it effectively cut off access to the Great Lake of Argyre, the most important tactical objective in the region.Seeing through the Empire's intentions, the Commander of the Svanhvit, Legatus Dalmas, a favorite to hold the position of Dictator, took it upon himself to authorize the deployment of three Demon-God Soldiers to halt the advance of the Empire's ground forces. At the same time, he instructed all three of the Superdreadnaughts to ascend high into the sky. This was a maneuver that would allow them accurately target the enemy fleet with their main batteries, but, at the same time, it also left their comparably soft underbellies exposed to enemy fire.As could be expected, the Empire did not hesitate to focus fire on the Svanhvit and the other three Superdreadnaughts. It would be a major achievement to so scuttle even a single Superdreadnaught during a war, as they were often protected by the rest of the fleet, so the Empire couldn't resist the bait that had been laid out for them. This diverted a considerable amount of fire from the deployed Demon-God Soldiers, and, though it nearly crippled two of the Confederation's Superdreadnaughts, it allowed them to prevent the Empire from securing their foothold.With Demon-God Soldiers capable of producing spears that could penetrate the most powerful of magical barriers, the Empire was gradually forced to withdraw before the colossal figures could get into a position to skewer their relatively exposed underbellies. They had tried to repulse the massive automatons by using Anti-Demon Lightning Cannons designed specifically to counteract the rather infamous entities, but, as could be expected, Megalomesembria hadn't slacked off when it came to upgrading their most powerful military assets.Though other countries might have become somewhat complacent during the extended peace that had followed the previous war, Megalomesembria wasn't considered the most preeminent military superpower for naught. Technological innovation wasn't even their main focus, yet, time and again, they were leaps and bounds ahead of the rest of the world. They invested between seventeen and twenty percent of their annual budget on the military, so, every time a war broke out, they always enjoyed an overwhelming advantage in the early stages of the campaign.Fully aware of the so-called countermeasures against the greatest military asset, Megalomesmbria had produced a number of War God that were distinctly different than the rest. The standard variety was predominately white in color and possessed a humanoid figure that allowed them to use large scale versions of existing magical spells. These were still the most common model available, as they weren't exactly something that could be recycled, but, rather than deploy this variety, the three War Gods sent to halt the Empire's advance had a unique black coloration.At the cost of being able to use most external magics, the black variation of the War God had been given the ability to absorb magical energy and convert it into raw physical power. This characteristic wasn't known to the Empire, so, without hesitation, countless magical munitions were expended in a vain attempt to halt trio of onyx-skinned monstrosities. This wasn't completely ineffective, costing one of the colossal automatons an arm, but, with the ability to regenerate using the magical energy it had absorbed, it was inevitable that the Empire was forced to retreat.Even prior to the initiation of the battle, the Empire had little hope of being able to secure a lasting advantage against the Confederation. This wasn't the first time they had contended against the rival superpower, so, rather than risk losing ground when the Megalomesembrian Fleet pushed into their territory, their penultimate goal was to force the Confederation to reveal some of its cards. The only way to win a war against Megalomesembria was to starve them out and formulate countermeasures against their advanced weaponry, so, while the battle ultimately ended in their defeat, it was a small victory towards the war effort.In the end, the Empire managed to retreat without any substantial losses while the Confederation was forced to withdraw two of its Superdreadnaughts for repair. This subsequently forced Legatus Dalmas to rescind his candidacy for the position of Dictator, and, though this wasn't considered a grievous loss from the perspective of the Senate, Vahn couldn't help but find the turn of events a little interesting.In the original timeline, Legatus Dalmas would have ascended to the position of Dictator by a vote of 273 for and 27 against. He was a true loyalist of the Confederation and had held the position of Legatus for more than seventeen years. This made him one of their most experienced commanders, and, while he had made his fair share of mistakes during the war, his tactical brilliance was credited as the principal factor behind the Empire's defeat during their counter-invasion.Though it wasn't like Legatus Dalmas would no longer participate in the war, being demoted to the position of Conciliar Imperatum, effectively making him little more than an Advisor, was bound to have far-reaching consequences. His replacement, earning only three votes over the necessary 225 required for candidacy, had only been a Legatus for three years. To make matters even worse, they had never even participated in a war, and, though they were a top graduate of the Confederation's International Tactical Command Academy, their career advancements had been more so the result of political maneuvering than command prowess.Needless to say, the average soldier within the Megalomesembrian military wasn't all that enthused by the appointment of an untested leader to the most coveted position in the entire Confederation. It didn't help that, almost immediately after his appointment as Dictator, the relatively young forty-seven-year-old man, Lars Laetorius Primulus, wasted no time in promoting several of his friends and confidants to other high-ranking positions within the military. This included implementing his Uncle to the position of Magister Militum, the highest rank a person could hold within the military.Though it wasn't particularly uncommon for a Dictator to place people they trusted in a position of power, the fact his Uncle was a former Consul didn't go over well with many people. Unfortunately, the provisions established by the Constitution of the Megalo-Mesembria Confederation allowed an appointed Dictator virtually unchecked power so long as it directly related to their duties. Since the appointment of a Magister Militum was well within the scope of their authority, it would take more than a three-fourths majority within the Senate to even contest the decision...---While the affairs of Megalomesembria were worthy of notice, Vahn wasn't particularly concerned by the unprecedented developments within the infamously corrupt Confederation. It didn't matter who had been designated as their puppet ruler, as, behind the scenes, the organization with the greatest amount of power was the secret society established by the Demon Nobles of Venus. Behind them, it was the members of Cosmos Entelecheia pulling the strings, so, in the end, it didn't matter if it was the Dictator or the Megalomesembrian Senate; neither was truly in charge.It had always been a matter of time until Vahn was forced to butt heads with both the Empire and the Confederation, so, rather than worry about the inevitable, he was focused on more important matters. Though there had yet to be a public declaration of war, even children would be able to tell that the conflict had already begun. As a result, Eva could no longer delay her departure, so, after a few more days within the Space-Time Orb, they were entangled in a long embrace near the border of Tempe, a nation of Mercenaries and Treasure Hunters that bordered the Holy Land of Wealth and Mystery, the legendary Noctis Labyrinthus.Tempe also happened to be the actual Holy Land for wielders of Earth Magic, but, despite a general interest in all the Great Spirits, Vahn wasn't in a hurry to meet the infamously obstinate Tempe Terra, the Great Spirit for which the Continent itself was named. They were known to spend most of their time cooped up within an ever-changing Labyrinth beneath the Capital, so, unless you were willing to overcome thousands of traps and countless monsters, gaining an audience with them was nearly impossible...Ignoring all matters related to the Great Spirit of Earth, at least for the time being, Vahn continued to hold Eva, his expression somber as he asked, "Do we really have to part like this? I'm not sure my heart can-"Preventing Vahn from completing his words, Eva tiptoed to give him yet another peck on the lips before adopting a chiding tone and saying, "I have already explained it to you countless times, you stubborn oaf. Just as you have things you must attend without me, there are some things I need to resolve on my own. Now, unhand me. The sooner I depart, the sooner we can reunite. Neither of us will be happy if I have to force you to release me..."Though he knew she was being serious, Vahn didn't immediately release the stern-looking blonde. Instead, he held her even closer, deeply inhaling her fragrance as he affectionately nuzzled the nape of her slender neck. It was only after several more minutes had passed that he finally released the red-faced beauty, caressing her face one last time as he reiterated, "I love you, Evangeline Athanasia Katherine McDowell. Even when the final star in the night sky burns out, you will forever occupy one of the largest and most important places in my heart..."Taking note of the fact that Vahn said 'one of' the largest places in his heart, Eva couldn't help but turn her eyes up at him. Despite this, she chose to refrain from commenting on his choice of words, forcibly restraining her embarrassment as she stated, "You kept your promise and saved me from an eternity that I did not choose. Though I cannot promise you another eternity, I swear that we will be together until my ego has faded away into nothingness. The Gods know you would probably drown the heavens with your tears if I actually had the heart to leave you..."Punctuating her words, Eva placed her hand atop Vahn's heart, planting one final kiss upon his lips before pushing away several tens of meters. Then, like a phantom dissipating into the void, her red-faced figure vanished from view. In its wake, a cold chill spread through the area, but, hidden within the veil of the icy wind, a familiar warmth and a pleasant fragrance continued to linger for several seconds following Eva's departure...(A/N: Alternate Titles: 'I would not want to be a soldier on the ground...','When the system itself is a corrupt farce, it doesn't matter who is on top','That's amore...')https://bit.ly/2XBzAYu &lt;-(p.atreon link)paypal.me/EinlionDiscord Invite: https://discord.gg/Jwa8PKh

Though she hadn't been able to emerge victoriously, Theo's demonstration was more than enough to qualify her as an adult. Her performance easily put her among the strongest, not just within the Empire, but the entire magical world. This, combined with the fact she had already been performing her duties as an Imperial Ambassador, made it very difficult to argue against her qualifications, and, though there were a few who tried, the Emperor quickly shut them down.Michael wasn't particularly enthused about the fact his daughter had seemingly become submissive to a foreign entity, but, after seeing how powerful she had become, it was too late to complain. The simple truth of the matter was that he actually expected 'something' to happen prior to sending his daughter to mediate the issues in Ariadne. It was the fact she had already received the favor of the Sage Dragon Emperor that led to her being designated as an Imperial Ambassador, and, though he never intended for this particular development, Michael had tried to take advantage of the situation to further the interests of the Empire.Fortunately, though it was never easy, it wasn't as if Theo was his first daughter to walk down such a path. Rather, during the transition from adolescence into adulthood, all Hellasians would undergo a phase where their instincts heavily influenced their decision-making process and the adult they would develop into. All of his children had gone through the same process, and, generally speaking, it was following this phase in their life when most people were considered true adults.By the time most Hellasians reached maturation, they would have fallen into one of three categories depending on their social status and a variety of other factors. In the case of Aristocrats, they would generally develop slightly sadistic tendencies as a result of their background and the general power disparity between Nobles and commoners. This was especially true if they attended a place like the Imperial Academy, as, with very few exceptions, they would drastically eclipse their peers in virtually all aspects related to combat.With the exception of Theo, all of Michael's children had developed along the 'expected' route, and, at one point in time, the First Princess even had a 'collection' of various different races. A number of these former slaves had grown to become her most trusted officers and bodyguards, and, with the exception of a peculiar human boy, all of them were inordinately powerful. This had been the main purpose of her collection, as, rather than see them waste their potential away for the entertainment of others, Malina had secured them for her own 'personal' interests.Though there were times when things got out of hand, it was generally considered a rite of passage for members of the Aristocracy to recruit their own bodyguards, confidants, and even servants. This not only gave them the opportunity to vent some of their frustrations and curiosities, allowing them to gradually mature while concurrently allowing them to develop an eye for people as they slowly filled their entourage with capable subordinates.In many situations, especially when they were younger, an individual Noble's competency could be evaluated based on the company they kept. If they surrounded themselves with 'yes men' or simple sex slaves, they were generally looked down upon or outright disdained. The same could be said if their subordinates weren't expressly loyal to them, as, if they were able to be converted by others, it negatively reflected the quality of their leadership and overall charisma.Under normal circumstances, the subordinates of an Aristocrat should be willing to lay down their lives for their 'Master' without a second thought. This was the main reason why it was so common for Aristocrats to develop slightly sadistic tendencies, as, without the ability to inspire reverence and instill discipline into one's subordinates, securing their status would be very difficult. For this reason, it was rare for outliers like Theo to appear, as, without considerable support, overwhelming power, and remarkable intellect, other Aristocrats would not hesitate to try and exploit them.With the majority of Aristocrats having moderately sadistic tendencies, they would not overlook the existence of someone with a submissive or potentially masochistic nature. This was especially true when the person in question was a member of the Imperial Family, so, while very few were brazen enough to openly discuss the matter, there were numerous discussions taking place behind closed doors. There was a lot of speculation regarding who had conquered the willful Third Princess, and, as could be expected, there were also detractors disparaging the fate of their Empire should it fall into the hands of someone with a submissive personality.Fortunately, regardless of what was said, Theo's power, competency, and birthright all but assured she would hold the title of Empress. She had more than enough power to secure the position, and, with the support of various influential figures, even openly opposing her was difficult. Doing so was the same as inviting misfortune or death upon themselves, as, if the speculation was to be believed, there was really only one person who could have tamed their Princess. This was largely hearsay, but, considering the consequences, very few were willing to ask for clarification or put the theory to the test...---Following an impromptu city-wide celebration that rocked the entire capital, Theo found herself, once again, within her father's Throne Room. This time, the only people present were close family and confidants, so, unlike her previous visit, things were a lot less formal as she happily received her father's half-hearted yet sincere congratulations.Though she understood what was likely weighing on her father's mind, Theo wasn't going to be the first to broach the subject. Rather, even if someone tried to force her to disclose the truth, she had absolutely no obligation to answer. Her position as Crown Princess actually afforded her a variety of privileges she had never taken advantage of, and, now that she was recognized as an adult, the only person who could reasonably hold her accountable was the Emperor himself. Thus, unless he asked her about the truth in confidence, she would hold it near and dear to her heart until she eventually reached a point where she could proudly declare it to the entire world.Seeing the unperturbed smile on his daughter's face, Michael couldn't help but repress a sigh as he forced a smile and said, "It seems you grew up the moment I took my eyes off of you. Your mother, Gods bless her, would have been proud to see the women you've grown into..."Not expecting her father to suddenly mention her mother, Theo felt a sour sensation in her nose, but, having decided to behave more maturely, she fought back the urge to tear up. Instead, she did her best to smile even more radiantly as she answered, "Thank you, father. Though I might make a few mistakes along the way, I will do my best to lead the Empire towards an even brighter future. I will make both of you proud; I swear it."Though it could be attributed to the naivete of youth, Michael, and everyone else present, could see the conviction in Theo's eyes. Various thoughts raced across their minds, but, ere anyone else could react, it was Vrixho Nagasha who stated, "The road you travel is bound to be wrought with various hazards and hardships. Never forget the conviction you feel at this moment, Theo. Not only will it prevent you from being led astray, but, one day, it will become the torch you pass down to guide future generations. We all believe in you."Hearing Vrixho's statement, the atmosphere became somewhat solemn, but, more than anything, his words deeply resonated with everyone present. This included the eldest Princess, who, despite her father's insistence, intended to get to the bottom of the events leading up to Theo possessing a choker. She didn't want her beloved younger sister and Empire being manipulated by some strange dragon that seemingly came out of nowhere, but, if she really thought about it, it was almost as if Theo was returning to their roots. After all, the Empire wouldn't even exist if not for the forbidden union between Vrixho and the Hellasian woman who gave birth to the first Emperor...Realizing the direction of her own thoughts, Malina couldn't help but frown slightly as she took a long and hard look at the choker around her sister's neck. This didn't go unnoticed by Theo, but, rather than shy away in the slightest, she raised her chin slightly as if to say, 'You can look all you like but don't even think about touching it'.As everyone could see the brief interaction between the two sisters, the First Prince, Casimir, broke the awkward tensions by plainly asking, "What are your intentions now that you have successfully completed your Rite of Challenge? If you've no other considerations, it would greatly improve the morale of our troops if you demonstrated your power on the frontlines.Though it was a fair question to ask, nearly everyone within the Throne Room looked toward the First Prince with a glowering expression. Even Vrixho wasn't an exception to this, stating, "This was not a war sought by Theodora. I will not prohibit her participation but it is senseless to ask her to fight when even senior members of the Aristocracy have yet to make their move. Do not treat my inheritor as a weapon for the convenience of fools who would lead the Empire to its destruction."Contrasting his usual calm and composed demeanor, Casimir rapidly waved his hands from side to side as he hastily clarified, "You've misunderstood my intentions! I would never think about turning Theo into a weapon. I just thought it would motivate the soldiers on the frontlines if she showed off her power in another exhibition match. Theo is beloved by the people, so, if they see how hard she is working to become stronger, I thought it might motivate them to work harder..."Seeing how almost everyone was still glaring at him, Casimir turned to one of only two people who hadn't taken offense to his words, Theo herself. She still had a vibrant smile, and, noticing his gaze, offered an even more radiant version as she unhesitantly shot down his proposal, saying, "I plan to continue serving as an Imperial Ambassador and Auditor. I'm actually against this war, and, though there is little I can do to prevent it, I plan to do everything in my power to bring it to an end. There is something fishy going on behind the scenes and I won't rest until I expose the corrupt fools who think they can treat the Empire like it is a tool to further their personal interests."Surprised by his sister's statement, Casimir found himself at a complete loss for words. The same could be said for his sister, but, as they were better informed regarding Vahn's nature, the Emperor, Prime Minister, Vrixho, and Jack weren't particularly surprised. The latter even laughed a bit before adopting an expectant smile and saying, "I always knew the Empire was bound to be flipped on its head with a tomboy princess at the helm. I can't wait to see the expressions of those despicable old snakes when they get pulled out of their hidey-holes by the future Empress. Count me in, brat!"Much to the chagrin of the First Princess, who had once failed to turn Jack into her subordinate, the uncouth man burst into laughter following his outburst. At the same time, Theo adopted a cheeky grin as she stood, arms akimbo, and snickered like a child who had just completed a prank. This was always something that had annoyed her, as, despite her best efforts to be a reliable older sister, the person Theo had most imprinted upon was the unrelated Jack.Crossing her arms in a characteristically haughty display, Malina gave Jack a sidelong glare, earning the attention of the brutish individual as she said, "I believe it would be prudent if the Special Grand Martial measured his words more carefully. I have always found your influence on my younger sister to be problematic. If I find out you've been planting thoughts in her head-"Before Malina could finish her words, the left side of Jack's smile curled up as he said, "It has been five years, Princess. I know I spanked you pretty hard but that's no reason to act butthurt every time we see each other."If not for the thin coat of white hair covering them, everyone present would have been able to see the tips of Malina's ears turn red as she continued to glare at Jack without any noticeable change in expression. Then, after several seconds of silence, she casually raised her hand before chanting in a dull monotone, "Shatter bone. Lapis Niger...!"Following Malina's simple chant, several black stones, each shaped like spearheads, formed out of thin air. At the same time, a series of tiny magic circles appeared, some with the function of greatly increasing speed and rotation while others enchanted the stone spears to have a homing property. Overall, this process took like than .3 seconds to complete, and, following Malina's pointing, they all fired toward Jack with several times the force of a specialized magical bullet.Though the stones might have posed a threat to most people, Jack's only response was to hold his hand up to shield his face as the black stones smashed into his body, forearm, and palm. They had absolutely no hope of penetrating the thin layer of Ki that enveloped his body like an impenetrable wall, a truth Malina knew all too well. In fact, she was responsible for giving Jack one of his most famous aliases, calling him, 'That damn guy who you can stab with swords all you like and it won't do a thing, dammit!'Unsurprised by the failure of her attack, Malina elected to completely ignore the brutish man as she looked back at her sister and advised, "Please don't do anything that would unnecessarily endanger your life. If you ever need help or advice, I am always willing to make time for you. Never forget that your big sister is always on your side, Theo."Having said what she intended to say, Maline decided it would be best to leave before she caused a bigger commotion. She knew Jack wasn't shy when it came to making a scene, so, if she took things too far, the one to suffer would be her. He had actually gone as far as to spank her in the middle of an Imperial Gala after winning a bet. Though this was the result of her own hubris, her pride made it impossible to forgive him, as, following that incident, she was too embarrassed to even stay in the Capital. As a result, she became the Commander of the Southern Fleet, a post she had held for the last five years in the hopes that people forget the incident entirely...---Seeing his eldest daughter depart, Michael gave Jack a pointed look that caused the man's gaze to break away from the First Princess' backside. She was one of the most beautiful women in the entire Empire, and, though Jack tried to be 'relatively' respectful to the Imperial Family, there was a reason numerous women referred to him as a perverted gorilla. He primarily acted as such to keep people off-kilter, but, as a healthy man who had a considerable interest in strong women, even he couldn't help but admire beauties like the First Princess.Maintaining his pointed look, Michael did his best to repress a sigh as he gazed into the eyes of the most powerful man in the Empire, stating, "Spare me from having to explain to another family why my daughter is no longer available to be wed..."Finding the Emperor's remark rather amusing, a massive grin spread across Jack's face as he rubbed the back of his head and saying, "Gimme a break, Michael. Even my boyish good looks wouldn't last if I was assaulted every day by Miss Black Rock Shooter. Don't worry, you won't catch a mutt like me trying to mix with a member of the Imperial Family."Though Michael wasn't fond of Jack referring to himself as a 'mutt', he still took the man's words to heart, nodding curtly as he said, "That puts my heart at ease. The Gods know I have enough trouble with my youngest running rampant..."Seeing her father direct his attention toward her, Theo emulated Jack's action, rubbing the back of her head and smiling mischievously without showing even a hint of remorse in her crystal clear blue eyes...(A/N: Alternate Titles: 'It's not just a phase! This is who I am!','That's a long time to be butthurt','I feel like Michael is going to be forced into early retirement...')https://bit.ly/2XBzAYu &lt;-(p.atreon link)paypal.me/EinlionDiscord Invite: https://discord.gg/Jwa8PKh

Chapter 1626: Garden : Growth