Endless Path : Infinite Cosmos

Before restarting his treatment of the Homunculi, as there weren't any in danger of breaking down any time soon, Vahn decided to spend the rest of the day cycle alongside the girls who had been away from the castle. He also needed to discuss Luvia's plans and, if she needed to return to London, he would be the one to escort her. To that end, Vahn needed to come up with a method to protect her when he wasn't around, even though she wasn't exactly a soft target. In the past, they had even discussed summoning a Goddess into her body, both as a means of nourishing her soul while also allowing her to fight against most enemies that would target her.It could be the result of her rivalry with Rin, but Luvia it was easy to see that Luvia also had ties to a Goddess, either through her lineage or, more likely, the result of the Nasuverse's creator giving her a parallel with another important character. Vahn didn't know exactly who the central characters of the Nasuverse were but, with the auras of fate lingering around them, it was clear that Artoria was one of the most important. As for Rin, she also had a discernible aura while Luvia, Gray, and Sakura all had subtle auras that were only visible if looking closely. Curiously, even though they were two powerful individuals, Merlin and Scáthatch completely lacked a 'fate' while entities like Alaya and ORT were simply beyond his ability to discern.Before she made her decision, Luvia wanted to learn more about Astraea but, as she also believed in gaining strength for herself, the chance of her following through with the idea would depend almost entirely on any difficulties she faced in the near future. She believed her own power and intelligence was enough to let her navigate most situations, especially with the authority and finances of her family. So long as she didn't do anything like charge into enemy territory on her own, there weren't too many enemies who could endanger her life.Even Magi specialized in assassination would be hard-pressed to target her as, like all exceptional Magi, Luvia was extremely perceptive to negative intentions and curses. The moment they began conspiring to take action against her, she would be able to sense it intuitively and, unless they were an unbelievably powerful foe, there weren't many enemies that could even get close to her. This was a skill possessed by most powerful Magi, especially those belonging to families with a long history. If not for this, they would have long been eliminated by their other enemies as, unless you already had an absolute level of power, schemes and trickery could even lay low Emperors and Demigods...Though Luvia was confident in her own capabilities, Vahn couldn't help being worried about her as, if it were someone on his level, it wouldn't matter what kind of defenses she had prepared. All it would take was a single resolute enemy to completely cripple the Edelfelt family, albeit at the cost of being made an enemy of most major factions. People got nervous when others started flexing their power without consideration for propriety and restraint. This would generally stir the more powerful forces in the world to take action, often bringing out the 'old monsters' who supported each faction.While individual might could take you a long way, especially when you reached certain extremes of power, that didn't mean you were impervious to the efforts of others. Large-scale ritual magic could even wipe entire countries off the map in an instant and, with the justification that they were acting in response to a genuine threat, there were few extremes the stirred powers wouldn't go to. During times of war, especially during the First and Second World Wars, there were examples of individual Magi wiping out entire battalions of enemies while, using the chaos to their benefit, the Holy Church often carried out large-scale purges. It was usually when the 'old monsters' came out to play that the conflict would be brought to an end, generally resulting in a cease-fire agreement such as the one that currently existed between the Mage's Association and the Holy Church.Vahn knew that Luvia's Grandmother was actually stronger than she had appeared during their brief scuffle as, in that instance, she wasn't actually trying to kill him. She even had a nickname like 'Gandr Goddess', the result of her using the relatively basic spell to wipe out entire battalions and fortresses with considerable ease. If she had gone all out from the start, the surrounding mountains would have ceased to exist in short order. However, as he would have inevitably emerged victorious, Vahn knew that there were enemies she simply couldn't stand against. She was the type of Magus that was suited to guerilla warfare, targetting supply lines and facilities indirectly rather than facing strong foes head-on. Against someone like Solon, the odds of her lasting for even a few minutes were infinitesimally small.With that in mind, Vahn felt that Luvia needed someone to protect her when he wasn't around, even though he couldn't think of anyone suited to the position. The best candidate was Siegfried who, if he were asked, would undoubtedly agree to protect Luvia on his behalf. While this seemed like the simplest solution, the thought of sending Siegfried into the political world to act as a shield made Vahn feel guilty. The man had already lived a life where he had dedicated his everything to others and, now that he finally found peace in the solitude of Avalon, it almost seemed 'wrong' to send him into the proverbial pit of snakes. He also had an easily exploited weakness which might not matter against most opponents but, against established Magus families, it wouldn't take them much effort to realize his identity and plan countermeasures...Though he could cover it with a thin cloth, Siegfried had the same weakness as Fafnir, being that his power was restricted the moment his weak spot was protected. Compared to Fafnir's, the spot was only around the size of a palm but, with some attacks capable of reaching light speeds, a barrage to Siegfried's exposed back would be enough to take him out. Thus, even if Vahn decided to entrust the task to the man who had slowly become a close friend to him, it would be necessary to send another to protect him. The 'obvious' solution was to allow a Companion to accompany him, allow them to slowly expose the existence of the rather adorable creatures while also 'field testing' them.Siegfried might not be able to cover his own weakness, but that didn't mean others couldn't watch his back and protect him. This had been a 'loophole' that Vahn had discovered back in the Record of Danmachi as, while even the use of barrier magic would stun Fafnir, this mechanism didn't activate if he was proactively shielded by another. If someone like Jeanne had flown around with Fafnir, they would have been a truly unstoppable pair against anyone lacking a monstrous comprehension of Sword, Spear, or other Martial Laws. Thus, even though Vahn felt it was cruel to send Siegfried out of Avalon, that didn't stop him from considering it...It might seem selfish on the surface, but Vahn actually had a number of reasons to expose Siegfried to the outside world. Though there were areas in the world where extreme poverty ran rampant, a place like London could be an eye-opening experience for the stoic Knight. Vahn wanted him to see the modern world and experience how much things have changed since the time he wandered the land as a Hero. At the same time, his existence would 'expose' the fact that the Empire had the ability to summon 'Heroic Spirits' freely, something that might stir some to action but would give others a very convincing reason to cease hostilities.Siegfried's presence alone would be a deterrent force that represented the unknown power of the Empire. Having a Companion at his side would further stir speculation about the Empire capabilities while also improving their image amongst 'common' Magi once their capabilities were made known. With these factors, it wasn't hard to imagine their enemies spending months, or even years, planning the 'best' course of action. Since Vahn wouldn't be idling in that time, there was a chance they would be able to keep the momentum, denying their enemies the opportunity to act decisively in response.With these factors in mind, it wasn't long before Vahn found himself in the company of Siegfried and Susu, the latter of which was curled up on the stoic Knight's broad shoulders, purring contentedly. As for Siegfried, he listened patiently during Vahn's explanation, his expression never fluctuating in the slightest. By the time Vahn had finished, he didn't delay his response at all, stating in a resolute tone, "I will do it. Though these peaceful days have done much to heal my soul, a Knight is nothing if not the extension of his Lord's will. You have allowed me to experience a kinship I had never known in my previous life. If it means protecting the things you care about, I would not hesitate to face down your enemies."Though Siegfried's reaction wasn't beyond his expectations, Vahn couldn't help feeling a little guilty. A part of him had wanted Siegfried to refuse, even if he knew it would be 'better' for the man to get out and experience the world. Since it wasn't difficult to imagine Siegfried contentedly living on a small piece of land, surrounded by animals as he peacefully lived out the rest of his days, having him become a shield against his enemies wasn't an easy decision to make. If not for the realization that it would be even more selfish to just keep Siegfried around to be his 'friend', Vahn wouldn't have been able to broach the subject.Sensing Vahn's apprehensions, Siegfried's expression softened a bit and, though it seemed like he had almost reached out to pat his head, his hand deviated to rest on the former's shoulder. Then, in a gentle yet equally resolute tone as before, he stated, "This is something I do willingly, not simply because you asked it of me. Though my training has not lessened in its intensity, I feel that idling about in this peaceful land has dulled my senses. I desire the power to protect this paradise from any who would intend to bring it to ruin. If I can be the shield that prevents our enemies from reaching Avalon, I will do it without hesitation."Hearing Siegfried's words, Vahn released a profound sigh, filled with guilt that was suppressed by his overwhelming feeling of gratification. Then, staring into his friend's deep blue eyes, Vahn adopted a sincere smile as he stated, "You have my gratitude. I am blessed to have someone like you to call my friend...I..." Before Vahn was able to continue any further, Siegfried put a bit of strength into the hand he had rested on the former's shoulder, plainly stating, "Words could never express my gratitude for being allowed the opportunity to befriend you. Let us not speak of such things. Come, though the twilight has yet to give way to the day, let us drink and make merry." With that said, Vahn shared a toast with Siegfried, burying words of gratitude and replacing them with a lighthearted celebration of brotherhood...---After making a few preparations, it was only a few hours later, projection time, that Vahn was in the transfer room alongside Luvia, Siegfried, Susu, and Skoll V2.1. Luvia had been quite surprised when Vahn explained that Siegfried would become her bodyguard in the future, commenting, "You'll not hear me complain, but I worry that he might draw even more attention to me. He cuts quite a figure compared to normal men...some may even make scandalous remarks." Since she was very aware of who Siegfried was, Luvia had already memorized a report detailing his entire history. Though he had only done so at the behest of his Lord, it was a documented fact that he had been involved in a tryst that eventually cost him to sacrifice his own life. When others learned of his identity, combined with the fact that she was engaged to Vahn, it wouldn't even take an hour before the other families began making baseless accusations to tarnish her reputation and slander both Vahn and Siegfried.When he heard Luvia's concerns, Vahn barely resisted the urge to laugh before holding Luvia by the waist and remarking, "I have confidence that you wouldn't leave me...as for the middling drivel that aristocrats are so fond of, I don't give a damn what they think. If they choose to resort to such petty methods to protect their pride, it will only blow up in their faces once the truth is exposed. When the time comes, it is an inevitability that many families will come to us seeking an accord. Instead, we will give them an accounting before having them accept responsibility for their petulance." To punctuate his words, Vahn denied Luvia's response by sealing her lips with his own.Though his words hadn't been enough to convince her, Luvia dismissed her errant thoughts the moment Vahn began kissing her. He even sneakily took advantage of the situation, cupping her butt firmly and letting his fingers mold her flesh through her sapphire blue dress. This made Luvia's heart flutter quite a bit and, as she was quite fond of when Vahn acted forward with her, she dismissed her own inhibitions and simply enjoyed the moment. Fortunately, this conversation took place shortly before they moved to the transfer room as, even if he was rather audacious at times, Vahn would rarely behave this way in front of others...Giving Luvia enough time to settle down after the fact, Vahn escorted her to the transfer room before having Alaya transport them into the undergound 'vault' of the Edelfelt Mansion. After that, he ultimately returned back to Avalon, understanding Luvia had her own matters to focus on while his own free time was rather precious at the moment. Though he could tell that Luvia had taken a small hit to her confidence after removing herself from contention as his Empress, it wouldn't be long before she recovered. Rin even compared her tenacity to a cockroach and, once she was able to return to managing her businesses and 'bullying' other aristocrats, she would be back to her usual haughty and confident self...---Upon returning to Avalon, Vahn spent a few minutes gathering his thoughts before making his way toward Nobunaga and Kenshin. He had been meaning to spend time with them after their return and, knowing they had some important matters to discuss, Vahn decided it was best to address them sooner, rather than later. It had already been brought to his attention that he may be required to sire an entire 'generation' of children in the near future, as a means of extending the Imperial Family and strengthening the foundation of the Empire. The larger and more unified the Imperial Family was, without having to rely on 'outside' strength, the more stable his governance would be.Though it was a matter for the far future, and he would never force a political marriage, Vahn knew it would also strengthen the bonds between him and the families his Heroic allies would build in the future. After discussing the 'flaws' that had been pointed out by Luvia, Da Vinci had made a number of changes to her plans for the future. Now, she had divided up each continent into territories based on existing Leylines and Mana Veins, meaning they would eventually have to 'seize' those lands from the existing factions. These placed would become the future territories of the Heroes he summoned to aid against Angra Mainyu and strength his Empire.After considering it seriously, Vahn knew it was considerably selfish of him to summon heroes from their original timelines, even if he didn't intend to 'exploit' them. However, just by calling them into this world, using their nature and the circumstances to compel them into obeying him, it couldn't be denied that he was taking advantage of them. Thus, just as the Holy Grail War had enticed Heroic Spirits by promising to fulfill their wishes, Vahn would do his best to provide the same terms. So long as it was not a destructive wish, he would do his best to fulfill the desires of those he called into this world, granting them the happiness they deserved in exchange for their loyal service.Unsurprisingly, most Heroes had suffered tragic ends so, by researching their history and properly understanding their character, it wasn't that difficult to answer their wishes. After all, even someone as monstrously powerful as Heracles, with his almost legendary pride, would willingly bend the knee if it meant he could be reunited with his family. As for Demigods like Karna, if Merlin's word could be trusted, he was even easier to convince. His only desire was to loyally serve a Master who sought to better the world and protect the people that were unable to protect themselves. Simply by doing his best as an Emperor, he could guarantee the loyalty of someone like Karna without much difficulty.The only types of people Vahn needed to avoid summoning were those that had arrogant, prideful, and conquest-driven natures. Though he could pacify them by promising them territory and letting them build their own seat of power, it would only be a matter of time before conflict broke out. To prevent this, even though it seemed like an inevitability, Vahn could pick and choose from amongst history's most powerful and reliable figures. They would become the protectors of the Leylines and the peacekeepers within their territory, serving as an extension of the Empire before they began to expand toward the stars.Though Vahn was slightly annoyed just thinking about it, he knew it was only a matter of time before his children began seeking their own happiness outside of the castle's ivory walls. By association, the most likely candidates for their partners would be from amongst the families of Empire's allies, with the sons and daughters of Heroes being amongst the most suitable. This was due to the simple fact that 'normal' people wouldn't be able to keep up with the momentum of those possessing higher Soul Tiers. Though love could still develop between them, this wasn't likely to last as, unless they were able to gain power on their own, anyone elevated to power as a result of their relationship had a high chance of being corrupted...Vahn intended to respect his children's choice, allowing them to love freely without ever having to worry that their choices would bring shame upon themselves and the Empire. At the same time, however, anyone they chose would be under heavy scrutiny and, if they were ever exposed for any devious thoughts, it wouldn't be long before they were dealt with. Though this could drive a wedge between him and some of his children, Vahn believed that, so long as they were educated properly, they would always see reason if presented with the facts. Even though love could make people do some pretty 'crazy' things, Vahn was willing to bear their ire if it meant protecting their lives and preventing greater tragedy...(A/N: Alternate Titles: 'Fate be wonky','Siegfried is a Tier 9 bro','RIP Vahn's children's lovers...')https://bit.ly/2XBzAYu &lt;-(p.atreon link)paypal.me/EinlionDiscord Invite: https://discord.gg/mn5xMbE

Though Nobunaga and Kenshin could often be found together, that was typically the result of Vahn seeking them out in the evening hours. As it was currently daytime, Kenshin's presence couldn't be felt within the castle, indicating that she was likely within one of the Trainings Orbs. As for Nobunaga, though she did train on occasion, Vahn found her waiting within the confines of her room. She knew it was only a matter of time until he came seeking her out so, rather than get herself psyched up for training, only to have it interrupted for a few months, Nobunaga decided to idle in her room as she did her best to remain calm.Unlike past instances, where he would find Nobunaga either drinking peacefully or performing maintenance on her rifles, Vahn was rather surprised to find her wearing a simple black kimono with her hair hanging loosely, a listless glint in her blood-red eyes. At this point, any conversation between them could be misconstrued as hesitation so, rather than play the fool, Vahn closed the distance to Nobunaga while peeling at the layers of his clothing. This caused her to swallow hard before using her right hand to move aside her long bangs as she stated in an irresolute tone, "You better be grateful..." In response to this, Vahn grabbed her wrist, bringing his face close as he whispered in a hot voice and resonant voice that caused her to groan, "Each and every day..."---Though there were no 'guarantees', at least under normal circumstances, it was all but set in stone that Nobunaga would inevitably get pregnant. This gave her a small confidence boost as, even if it didn't mean anything in the end, being the first to bear Vahn's biological child was significant to Nobunaga herself. Not only would this be her first child, but it represented a tonal shift in the life she had led up until this moment. Though she had no intention of settling down, as she one day intended to sail a ship through the starry void to 'conquer' new worlds, Nobunaga knew she had no place on the battlefields Vahn intended to fight.It wasn't impossible for her to grow stronger, much stronger, but it had never been her desire to arbitrarily seek strength. She only wanted to protect and liberate her people and, now that she had placed her dream safely in Vahn's hands, Nobunaga's only desire was to raise their child and then spend her remaining years extending his influence beyond the bounds of Gaia. Though she had no experience with such things, Nobunaga felt it was a rather romantic idea to sail a vessel through the night sky, commanding a fleet of ships as they set out to conquer and colonize other worlds...To that end, though she used to feel slightly insecure about how Vahn made her feel, this couldn't be seen at all as she curled up in his lap and enjoyed feeling his fingers trace through her hair. It made her feel like a pampered princess and, with a persistent warmth lingering in her body, this was one of the few times in her life where she felt content. For a few transient moments, she didn't care about anything else in the world but the time she spent together with Vahn. However, as all good things must come to an end, Nobunaga began to feel a little hungry and, betraying this sentiment, her stomach gave a loud protest as if voicing a complaint it had been bottling up since earlier...Though he had also been caught up in the moment, Vahn burst out laughing in response to the sudden grumble, causing Nobunaga to furrow her brows as she reached between his legs with a red face. This was enough to immediately put an end to his guffawing and, after coaxing her for a few minutes, Vahn escorted her to the dining hall before cooking a large meal as an apology. It would take a few days to be 'certain' but, expecting things to go well, Vahn made extra, pushing his luck by reminding her that she was now eating for two. This ended up being a slight mistake as, in response, Nobunaga warned him that she would turn into her youngest form and travel around in the outside world during her pregnancy to punish him if he continued teasing her...Knowing that Nobunaga was serious, as she always followed through with her threats, Vahn made a mental note not to tease her while she was pregnant. She would already be a little unstable, the result of her hormones going haywire, so it was best to stay on her good side. If she was pushed into a corner, Nobunaga way like a wounded tigress who, despite being on her last legs, would still find a way to sink her teeth into you before relenting. With that in mind, he decided to pander to her a bit, showing an excessively concerned expression that caused her to produce a predatory smile in response...---After parting ways with Nobunaga, Vahn decided his next destination would be the Library as, due to the fact it was daylight outside, Olga was away from her Observatory. Kenshin was still in the Training Orb so, while Vahn intended to have a 'discussion' with her later, it would have to wait. For now, he decided to attend the gathering of pale-haired women as, for one reason or another, Illya, Iris, Lakshmibai, and Olga were all in the Library. Vahn had taken a peek to make sure he wasn't interrupting anything but, finding Iris sitting at her desk while Olga and Lakshmibai were both seated near each other, each reading a book, it was clear they were just recreationally reading. As for Illya, she was working a little harder than the rest, sitting on the second level of the Library with a few books piled up around her as she studied seriously.Though the shelves had been empty at first, it hadn't taken long for Vahn to fully stock the Library which, with a total of three levels and 180 shelves, now housed more than sixty thousand books. This number alone wasn't that impressive but, considering the books on the higher levels cost several tens of thousands, to even hundreds of thousands of OP, it was a veritiable treasure trove for any Magus lucky enough to enter. Better yet was the fact that, while many of the books were compiled from a list he had obtained from Da Vinci's expansive memory, more forty-thousand of the books were from completely different Records. Vahn had recorded all the information in his mind but, for anyone wanting to expand their horizons through scholarly pursuit and research, the Library within the Inner Sanctum was the place to do so.Since it was open to everyone allowed within the Inner Sanctum, Vahn passed through the tall double doors without knocking. His arrival immediately drew the attention of everyone present, causing Iris to rise to her feet and greet, "Welcome to the Library, Vahn. Is there anything I can help you with today~?" Though she knew full well that Vahn had 'memorized' each of the books within the Library, this didn't prevent him from spending a few hours just reading something new he had procured from another world. Sometimes, he just wanted to read in order to relax so, if there was anything she could do for him, Iris was happy to oblige.In response to Iris' courteous behavior, Vahn returned a polite smile of his own, answering, "I just wanted to spend some time with everyone. Currently, I'm just wandering around the castle before my next 'shift' begins." It hadn't been his intention to cause anyone discomfort but, hearing what Vahn had said, Iris' smile become somewhat wry as an apologetic glint flashed across her eyes. It almost seemed like she was going to apologize for him having to work so hard on their behalf but, rather than say something that would trouble him, Iris fixed her expression before offering, "If Your Majesty is not against it, I would be more than willing to entertain you."Though he knew there was no greater meaning behind Iris' words, Vahn blinked in surprise while wondering just what she had in mind. At the same time, he was aware of the fact that Lakshmibai and Olga were both eyeing him instead of reading their books while, on the second level, Illya was peeking through the wooden guard rails with a peculiar glimmer in her eyes. Because of this, though he was tempted to accept Iris' offer, Vahn maintained a polite smile as he said, "Perhaps some other time..." Then, turning his eyes to meet Illya's, Vahn allowed his expression to soften after deciding how he would spend the next few hours. It had been a while and, though Illya had not brought it to his attention, Vahn was aware of the fact that Cath Palug had been causing her a few 'problems' after their return to the castle.Understanding Vahn's intentions, Illya's face became beet red while Iris, standing behind her desk, began to lightly chuckle before remarking, "Make sure you behave yourself. Even if my daughter is older than me, I won't tolerate any funny business before the two of you are properly wed~." This comment was said with humorous undertones but, based on how the smile didn't quite reach her eyes, Vahn knew that Iris was serious. At times, she could be very protective of Illya, not all that dissimilar to a mother bear protecting its cub. Though she trusted Vahn a great deal, Iris was still worried that her daughter was quite ready for a more 'intimate' relationship, even if she was already twenty-eight years old...With an even redder face than before, Illya leaped down from the second level before dragging Vahn away before her mother could say anything to embarrass her further. This caused Iris to smile in amusement while, seated in their respective chairs, Lakshmibai and Olga had complex expressions on their faces. For completely different reasons, both girls had wanted Vahn to call out to them but, deciding not to interfere with his decision, they briefly made eye contact with each other before returning to their novels. Then, even though the atmosphere had become a little odd, peace and quiet was restored to the Library, the only sounds being those of pages turning and Iris shelving the books left behind by her daughter...---As the Imperial Library was located within the Inner Sanctum, it wasn't that far away from where everyone resided. In fact, it was located in the westernmost region of the Inner Sanctum, forming a small annex of sorts that paralleled the 'trophy room' to the east. This was the place where war trophies, taxidermied animals, and other symbols of victory that weren't important enough to be kept in the Armory of Camelot were stored. It was also meant to serve as Vahn's private study but, as he had no use for such a large amount of space, he allowed it to be converted into a recreation room for everyone's use. However, even after he filled it with a few of the games everyone had been most interested in, it was very rare that anyone ever stopped by as, with their capabilities, it was generally more interesting to just go out and play, train, or research.Since she shared a room with her mother, Illya dragged Vahn all the way to the Recreation Room before closing and bolting the doors behind them. Then, with a pouting expression on her face, she turned to look up at him before complaining, "That was so embarrassing! I'm glad you want to spend time with me but...but...!" As her eyes had already started to flicker with violet light, Illya knew she didn't have much ground to stand on. In truth, she actually felt considerably guilty after Vahn had overworked himself to the point of retiring to his room. This wasn't her first time seeing him after he had awoken but, now that he wanted to spend time with her, Illya's heart felt like it was going to explode from her chest...Resisting Cath Palug's attempts to take control of her body, Illya buried her face into Vahn's stomach before wrapping her arms around his body and mumbling, "Thank you for working so hard..." She decided it was a waste of the precious time she got to spend with Vahn if she used it to complain. At the same time, even though she was keeping it restrained, her five senses were greatly enhanced by Cath Palug's possession so Illya's head was filled with Vahn's fragrance. She could also feel his warmth flowing into her body and, though it wasn't nearly as chaotic as her own, the powerful and steady rhythm of his heartbeat brought her an extreme level of comfort...Knowing Illya didn't really want him to respond, Vahn just stroked her head and back, gently holding her in his embrace so that she could calm down. Though just being in contact would make her slightly flustered, she would eventually settle down after a bit of gentle coaxing. Then, after she had got her own fill, it wasn't long before Illya had retreated into the back of her own mind, allowing Cath Palug to come forward. Signaling this change, her clothes turned into small particles that retreated into the choker around her neck, a mechanism Da Vinci had designed to meet Rin's and Illya's unique requirements.With Illya already clinging to him before, Cath Palug wasn't shy about taking advantage of the position, rubbing its face against Vahn's stomach and chest while happily intoning, "Fou~". It had been trying to forcibly take control of Illya's body as of late, intending to track down Vahn as early as his arrival at the Einzbern Castle. Though it still only had 99 Affection, Cath Palug's parameter had long ago shifted to 'Love', something Vahn had been able to confirm by having Alaya show its Strings of Fate. It actually seemed to love Fenrir and Iris as well but, as this was closer to it just imprinting upon them, especially in Fenrir's case, Vahn was generally the one to receive Cath Palug's rather peculiar affection...After it had gotten its fill of Vahn's scent, Cath Palug pushed against Vahn's body, an action he knew meant it wanted him to sit down. Instead, Vahn picked it up in his arms, something that caused it to happily squirm in his arms as, for one reason or another, it preferred Vahn taking charge. Since the latter didn't want to make a potential mess, he moved to one of the smaller storage rooms connected to the Recreation Room. Then, after setting up a soundproofing barrier, Vahn pulled out a plush bean bag-like chair before settling into it with Cath Palug snuggled in his embrace. It took this as its cue to reposition but, having learned from past experiences, it first changed into a one-piece dress with exposed back and shoulders before happily pressing itself against Vahn and play-biting around his neck and shoulders.As Cath Palug used its biting as an indicator of where and how it wanted to be bitten, Vahn had, rather awkwardly, become adept at understanding its wants and desires. Fortunately, it didn't seem to understand the intimacy between males and females so, at least for the time being, Vahn had been familiarizing himself with Cath Palug's behavior and ecology while slowly teaching it to behave. Thus, after it had made a slobbery mess out of his shoulder, Vahn gently stroked the inside of Cath Palug's large and fluffy ears as he reminded, "Use your words properly..."Though this caused Cath Palug's pupils to contract, it didn't get too upset before responding in broken Japanese, "Please...bite...aaaah~." To further communicate what it wanted, Cath Palug opened its mouth wide, revealing eight rather pronounced canines, four on top and four on the bottom. It even used one of its fur-covered hand to pull at the side of its mouth, making the 'Aaah' sound it had learned after observing Vahn feed and be fed by others.Since he could tell that Cath Palug was in a less compliant state than normal, the result of them being apart for a considerable amount of time, Vahn decided not to push it too hard. Instead, he dug his fingers into the sensitive spot near the base of Cath Palug's ears, causing it to mewl as it turned its head to the side and exposed its neck. Then, even though he would never get used to this particular kind of intimacy, Vahn brought his mouth to the tender flesh before sinking his teeth into it. This caused Cath Palug to tense up before writhing about excitedly in his embrace as it loudly exclaimed, "Fou! Fooou~!" while holding his head with its paws...In this manner, while slowly pacifying it through the use of Petting Laws, Vahn spent the better part of an hour calming Cath Palug down. It usually only took him around half an hour so this was a testament to how riled up it had been while also indicative of how strong Illya's willpower had become to keep it in check. She had been slowly cementing her place as the more dominant personality as, from the very beginning, Cath Palug had always been heavily influenced by Illya's mentality. Once Illya began to stabilize, it had started to calm down considerably and, according to Merlin, Cath Palug no longer desired to wipe out all the adults in the world. This could change very quickly but, so long as Illya continued to grow stronger, the greatest danger posed by Cath Palug was it 'awakening' after his and Illya's relationship moved to the next level...With Cath Palug slowly returning to its resting place in the back of Illya's mind, the latter opened her hazy eyes with a deep flush on her face. Though she had been considerably shaken the first time she experienced the interaction between Vahn and Cath Palug, now Illya was more troubled by the state her body was left in after the fact. Fortunately, even if she made a considerable mess, Vahn always had the wherewithal to avoid making any comments regarding it and, instead of tormenting her further, he always just held her until she was able to calm down.Illya understood just as much as he did how 'dangerous' it would be to go further and, though part of her strongly desired a more 'meaningful' connection with Vahn, she was the most aware of her own state of mind. If they were to progress their relationship further at this point, there was a non-negligible chance she would begin to resent the other girls around Vahn. Since even positive feelings could be considerably amplified by the presence of Cath Palug in her body, Illya wanted to become more emotionally stable before she gave him the green light. She also wanted to soak her body in a growth chamber for a few days as, even though she was still growing, it was almost painfully slow.At her current rate of growth, she would be in her fifties by the time she began to look like a teenager. Unlike others, she couldn't receive a body from Vahn as, with Cath Palug bonding with her, Vahn was unable to map and emulate the internal structure of her body to avoid any issues. Though he had told her about the existence of Loyalty, which would allow him to change her body and potentially even separate her from Cath Palug, Illya had dismissed that thought from the start. Even if it felt like she was taking advantage of Vahn, which wasn't far from the truth, Illya had already fallen in love with him a long time ago. Now, even if it was difficult for her to hold back, she would rather face years of mental and physical anguish if it meant she was allowed to continue loving him...(A/N: Alternate Titles: 'Don't fuck with Nobunaga xD...','Mama Bear vs. Sage Emperor!?','Illya and Cath Palug are quite the conundrum (o_o)...')https://bit.ly/2XBzAYu &lt;-(p.atreon link)paypal.me/EinlionDiscord Invite: https://discord.gg/mn5xMbE

After what felt like a much-deserved rest, Vahn awoke feeling refreshed and recharged, ready to face the coming day. Before that, however, he helped Mordred and Sakura prepare for their own, even if this only meant helping them brush and pin up their hair. Since it was currently day time outside, this meant they had lessons, today's consisting of spearmanship, etiquette, and armor maintenance. It might not be necessary for them to ever repair their own armor but, as a matter of discipline and principle, all Knights needed to know how to care for their equipment.Once they were ready, Vahn sent off his two daughters with a supportive smile on his face, leaving them in the care of Gray since Artoria had wanted to speak with him. When it was just the two of them, she explained the decisions that the group had reached, surprising Vahn quite a bit when she informed him of her own status. This caused a smile to immediately spread across his face and, even though Artoria had been in the middle of her explanation, Vahn scooped her up, holding her waist as he spun her around a few times. Then, despite Artoria's mock protests, Vahn pulled her into a firm embrace, cradling her in his arms as he whispered, "Thank you...".Vahn had come to understand Artoria well over the last eight months so, even without her having to explain the situation, he knew she must have been the voice of reason for everyone to support her claim. Thus, so that Artoria never felt like she was simply doing her 'duty', Vahn made it clear from the start that he was enthused to have her as his Empress. Though she lightly tapped his chest a few times in resistance, it wasn't long before Artoria ultimately relaxed her body, allowing Vahn to seal her lips as they shared a passionate embrace for several minutes...Though she failed to extricate herself from Vahn's embrace, Artoria managed to explain everything as he loosely held her hips and gently guided her around the room, not quite dancing but having a similar feeling. She explained how Luvia had accepted the position of Empress-Consort and Keeper of the Imperial Seal while Kenshin had nominated herself as Imperial Herald. With the matters Luvia was charged to attend, she would need considerable authority and, with none greater than Vahn's own, carrying his seal was the same as representing him. As for Kenshin, she already had a following amongst the Einzbern Homunculi and, though she would still serve as part of the Order of Imperial Knights, her primary duty in the future would entail preceding his arrival and passing his doctrine to his soldiers and subjects.Since Vahn would be holding Court in the near future, Kenshin had essentially taken it upon herself to be his personal messenger. She would be the one responsible for commanding others to attend his Court, leaving only the positions of Master of Ceremonies and Grand Marshal of the Court to be filled. Artoria and the others had discussed who was most suited for the position before ultimately coming to the conclusion that, amongst them, there was none qualified. Both positions were rather high in the Court but, compared to the status and titles everyone had been assigned, it was actually a considerable downgrade in status to hold said positions.The Master of Ceremonies had the responsibility of conducting important ceremonies and managing the castle staff in preparation to receive dignitaries, ambassadors, and other important guests of the Emperor. They were usually in charge of the Stewards, Chamberlains, Butlers, Maids, Chefs, and other servant classes within the castle. The only person qualified for this level of responsibility was Luvia but, as she was already dealing with external matters, she could not manage the staffing of the castle and preside over its ceremonies. As for the position of Grand Marshal of the Court, it was the higher position between the two but typically had fewer responsibilities.Similar to the Master of Ceremonies, the Grand Marshal was also responsible for planning events and conducting ceremonies. Instead of managing the staff and personnel charged with ensuring the ceremony was a success, however, they had the responsibility of organizing the members of the Court and making sure everyone was properly informed of the arrival and participation of outside parties. They would be the ones announcing the names and titles of guests who were given an audience with Vahn and, with the exception of Vahn and Artoria, their status was considered one of the highest, albeit only during ceremonies.Though Vahn could hold Court in whichever way he chose, creating a completely new system and establishing a unique form of etiquette would just complicate things in the long run. Because of this, his Empire was similar in structure to the traditions passed down through the British Isles for more than two-thousand years. As a result, the only ones really familiar with how things were run included Merlin, Artoria, Luvia, Rin, Iris, Illya, Olga, and, to a lesser extent, Astolfo. Among them, only Rin was free to take up such responsibilities but, wanting to avoid politics completely, she had refused on the grounds of being unsuited for the position.Unfortunately, with so few people making up his Court, they were considerably understaffed when it came to handling official matters. Though having one of the Homunculi take up the responsibility wasn't out of the question, that was a matter that could only be addressed in the future. For the time being, there weren't any amongst their number who had fully awakened an independent ego. If his future guests were to see them behaving as emotionless dolls, it could seriously skew the image he wanted to present to the rest of the world. Avalon was supposed to be a haven for those seeking to escape exploitation so using one of the Einzbern Homunculi just because it was 'convenient' to do so was out of the question...With few options, even though he actually had quite a few, Vahn ultimately decided that he would delay holding court until he had finished treating all of the Homunculi. At the same time, he would be waiting for the summoning system to be readied while allowing the various Fae residing on the island to continue settling in. If they had already built homes and started developing a community, it would actually give him more leverage in future discussions. Currently, as they had only arrived less than two weeks prior, it wouldn't mean much to them if they were forced away. If they were already used to life on the island, however, they would be far more resistant to leaving, making them much easier to convince in the long run.After making his decision, Vahn rested his forehead against Artoria's explaining in a light tone, "In the near future, I'll be summoning several people all at once. Though Karna and Jeanne are a given, I will also be summoning Gawain and Gareth. From what you have told me, I believe they will be a helpful addition to the Court..."Gawain had been one of the Knights loyal to Artoria until the end, while also serving as Artoria's proxy and decay, Vahn believed he would be extremely suited to the position of Grand Marshal. As for Gareth, she was one of the people who weighed heavily on Artoria's heart, the result of her extremely unjust ending. Better yet, Gawain and Gareth were brother and sister while also Artoria's nephew and niece respectively. Though Gawain might hold some resentment toward Mordred, as she had been responsible for both his and Artoria's deaths, Vahn didn't expect he would hold that grudge in his heart after seeing the changes in both Artoria and Mordred.Hearing Vahn mention summoning her family once again, Artoria had a gentle look in her eyes but still released a sigh. Though she felt summoning Gareth wouldn't be an issue, all those that had been at her side during Mordred's rebellion would likely carry resentment toward her daughter. Since she had made so much progress, Artoria didn't want Mordred to have to face any setbacks. She was also afraid to face her kin as, both Gawain and Gareth had been completely unaware of her identity as a female. Though she trusted both of her loyal Knights with her very life, matters of the heart were never simple to deal with...Sensing Artoria's hesitation, Vahn held her a little tighter as he reminded, "The past is the past... let's build the future by focusing on the present..." Even if there were problems, Vahn was confident they could be dealt with. Mordred had indeed come a long way and, so long as her support never waned, it wouldn't matter if others looked down on her. Instead, it might result in her working even harder to prove herself and, with Gawain having been a loyal Knight until the end, Vahn suspected he would adapt quickly to the reality of the situation. From what he had heard from Artoria, the chances he would slander the Imperial Family in dereliction of his duties were incredibly slim...With Vahn's reminder, Artoria felt a small weight lift from her heart and, though she couldn't really find the words to express her feeling, it was surprising how much a simple kiss could communicate. Thus, even though Mordred would likely make a snide remark about her being late, Artoria decided to focus on the moment, sharing it with the man she had slowly come to love. He always seemed so confident when it came to things like this and, even if this didn't necessarily mean he was prepared to deal with the consequences of his actions, Artoria knew that Vahn would still continue moving forward, regardless of the setbacks he faced. This gave her the strength to do the same so, as Vahn slowly guided her around the room, Artoria offered no resistance...---Before he began another long session of treating Homunculi, Vahn made his way through the castle, this time moving towards the upper levels that connected to the heavily reinforced ramparts. Along the way, he passed by several Homunculi who promptly moved aside, bowing respectfully as they made way for their new Master. Vahn, however, broke etiquette slightly as, instead of ignoring them, as was considered 'proper', he greeted each of the Homunculi by name. Though he could tell them apart by the subtle differences in their physique and aura, he had also tagged each of them within his Minimap, allowing him to avoid making even a single mistake. This seemed to be quite impactful to the Homunculi, often resulting in them smiling as they returned his greeting in higher spirits, even if it was hard to discern with their largely emotionless eyes...After reaching his destination, Vahn saw a large statuesque figure seated atop the rampart, the wind gently flowing through his mane-like hair. Even seated, the bronze-skinned figure was considerably taller than Vahn, each of his limbs being comparable in thickness to the latter's torso. With muscles atop muscles, to the point that even someone like Ottar wouldn't be able to compete, he cut quite the figure against the twilight of the rising sun. Just as sunset would persist for well over seven hours, the long morning sunrise was yet another sight to behold, adding to the mystical qualities of Avalon.Without so much as sparring Vahn a glance, as he would not even lower his head to Gods, Heracles continued to look out over the expanse of Avalon as his deep voice echoed, "Why have you come seeking me, Sage Emperor?"Since Heracles was an existence nearly on the same level as someone like Scáthach, Vahn decided it was a waste to mind his rather brash and impolite mannerisms. His impression of the proud Greek Hero was actually quite high so, breaching etiquette himself, Vahn sat down on the ramparts before pulling out a literal vase of expensive alcohol, asking, "Shall we toast the morning sun?" This caused Heracles to turn his eyes toward him, golden pupils blazing like the morning sun as they reflected the image of Vahn deep within.Though his face still had the ferocity of a man who could contend against the greatest monsters in the world, Heracles allowed a slight grin to spread across his lips as he hefted the heavy vase of alcohol and drank from it with the ease other men would use to partake of a mug. He downed more than a liter of alcohol in just a few large gulps before releasing a husky sigh and remarking, "You are a good Emperor. Those who cling to pride and look down on others are doomed to meet a tragic end. Despite the amount of power you may wield, it is useless if you forget why you obtained such power in the first place..."Knowing Heracles was speaking from experience, as he had learned a considerable amount about the Heroic man's past, Vahn gave a solemn and understanding nod. Then, as he had indeed come here with a matter to discuss, Vahn stated in a firm tone, "I owe you a debt of gratitude for what you have done for Illya. Though titles may be meaningless to someone of your stature, I would like to give you the title of Imperial Guardian. At the same time, I came to inform you of my intentions..." Though Heracles didn't have much of a reaction to receiving a title, his expression became beset with grief, a glimmer of hope flashing across his golden eyes as Vahn stated, "I intend to give you a physical body and, in exchange for your service, I will return your Wife and children to you..."Hearing Vahn's words, Heracles experienced a brief moment where a powerful rage almost swelled up inside of him but, knowing the former wasn't trying to deceive him, he remained calm, asking, "How long...?" This question caused Vahn to blink in confusion, resulting in Heracles grumbling as he asked, "How long do I need to serve you before they will be returned to me?" As he knew it would consume a considerable amount of resources, Heracles expected that Vahn would ask him to serve for at least a decade before his family would be returned to him. Instead, Vahn smiled in amusement as he explained, "I trust you have enough integrity to fulfill your promise without being bound to service. It will take time to summon them all, but I can at least return to you your Wife and two of your children. When I have the resources to summon the rest, I will not delay the matter..."Heracles took in a deep breath, causing his massive pectoral muscles to expand outward in a rather intimidating manner. This wasn't his intention, however, as his expression became extremely solemn as he vowed, "I believe you to be a man of your word. In exchange for this kindness, I will continue to protect the Imperial Family until my dying breath. This place is a paradise that should never have to suffer the conflicts of men. If anyone intends to defile this place and its people, they must go through me first..." Though he spoke calmly, Vahn could feel Heracles' aura expand outward, causing the void around to tremble slightly in response.Understanding further discussion was unnecessary, Vahn hopped to his feet before lifting up his own glass. Heracles obliged by tapping his vase against the mug before they both emptied the contents of their respective containers. Then, after exhaling a hot sigh that kicked up a steamy cloud of vapor, Vahn turned his back to Heracles, commenting, "In the future, I would appreciate your company at the nearby tavern. I have very few people that I can consider my friend but, if you'll have me, I would be honored to keep the company of such a legendary Heroic figure." Even if this version of Heracles felt an extreme amount of guilt and self-loathing, Vahn believed he would one day hold his head up high once again. One of the traits he most respected in people was their tenacity in overcoming the past, even if they sometimes needed a small push...Though he did not answer Vahn openly, Heracles decided to keep the company of the Sage Emperor in the future. There were few people in his life that he had ever truly respected and, though Vahn had yet to reach that level just yet, Heracles' impression of the man had increased greatly. So long as he kept his promise, Heracles didn't even care if Vahn wanted him to become a weapon against his enemies. Even if he had to bathe in an ocean of blood and overcome a thousand more trials, being reunited with his family would make it all worth it. He also found the alcohol given to him by Vahn to be of extremely high quality, burning his throat and filling his body with a pleasant warmth, chasing away the chill that had settled into his frame. Though the cold wouldn't affect him normally, Heracles had come to appreciate the numbness so, instead of resisting it, he allowed the chill to settle in his body as he ruminated about the past...Suddenly feeling that the warm rays of the sun were far more pleasant, Heracles allowed a genuine smile to spread across his lips as he muttered, "My beloved Megara...to think we would be together again after thousands of years...this time, I will protect you and our children...I swear..." Though his tightening fist caused the rampart of the castle to fracture, Heracles only spared it a momentary glance before jumping down to the courtyard more than sixty meters below. He had the feeling that sitting around was now a waste of time and, as he had promised to protect the Island, Heracles felt it was time he explored it. His first destination was the Castle Town in the distance, his intent being to find the location of the tavern mentioned by Vahn. Asking for directions was something he could never bring himself to do so, even if he had to wander around and enter every building, Heracles was determined to find it...(A/N: Alternate Titles: 'Vahn be like, "Waifu acquired (* v *)~!"','I wish I had a system to remind me of people's names...','Heracles' Vow : Pride and Respect')https://bit.ly/2XBzAYu &lt;-(p.atreon link)paypal.me/EinlionDiscord Invite: https://discord.gg/mn5xMbE

Chapter 1194: Measures