Endless Path : Infinite Cosmos

After nearly seven hours of flight time, Vahn stepped onto the tarmac of the London International Airport before taking a deep breath of the mana-rich air. Though the overall density was a far cry compared to Avalon's, it was still much more comfortable than the stagnant and polluted air in New York.Seeing Vahn's relaxed look, Luvia giggled to herself before extending her hand out so that Vahn could help her down. Though she had been able to recover enough to walk, her movement was still restricted greatly. If not for the fact she was reinforcing her legs with Magecraft, she might not even be able to stand without resting for a few days.Dutifully taking Luvia's hand, Vahn helped guide her onto the tarmac before they alighted towards a motorcade waiting at the side. Siegfried, Kenshin, and Lakshmibai were already waiting for them, with Kenshin even being the one to open the door for their entry.Vahn wasn't too fond of traveling by plane or car but, as it was still too early for him to begin making a scene, he followed Luvia's advice on the matter. Since her forces also needed time to mobilize and make preparations, it was easier on them if he slowed his pace in non-emergency situations.Fortunately, while traveling in such a way was rather boring, Vahn didn't have to worry too much as he was in good company. He actually liked pampering his women and, during the long trip over the Atlantic, Luvia had continued to pester him about what he had done to her body. Since she wasn't really mad, he found her behavior rather adorable, allowing her to take some small advantages of him.Due to how early in the morning it was, close to 4 AM, the roads were relatively empty so the trip towards the Edelfelt Mansion was shorter than normal. Vahn also noticed that, despite the fact he shouldn't be all that popular within London, there were only a few probes to try and peer into the cars, none of which seemed to carry truly malicious intent.When asked, Luvia giggled mischievously before reminding him that people, for good reason, feared things like Curses and Counter Curses. Since they were in the heart of the Mage's Association, most of the truly dangerous people would be able to mask their intentions. If they lacked this ability, there would be ample ways to deal with them, many perfectly justifiable according to Magus Law.Though the information he received wasn't anything particularly new, Vahn was reminded of how deeply rooted the established families were. They were like snakes that had burrowed underground to preserve their strength through a cold winter. Until an opportune moment presented itself, they would continue to lay in wait until their prey was foolish enough to enter their territory.For better or worse, Vahn felt his instincts as a hunter kick in at this thought, giving him the urge to pay some of the families a personal visit to see how they would react. Since the Monarchal Families were listed in his Objectives, he figured picking one amongst them would be the fastest method to secure power within the Association. He was looking forward to them antagonizing him in the near future; probably more than he should have...As a woman raised in a family that threw themselves onto the frontlines readily, Luvia recognized the glint in Vahn's eye, causing a predatory smile to spread across her face. She was also looking forward to the future as, despite the fact she had lost the battle for the position official Empress, there were ample ways in which she could secure her own power and contribute to the growth of the Empire.---Despite the fact it was early in the morning, Olivia had been awaiting their arrival. The moment she saw Luvia, she vanished like a phantom but, unlike before, Vahn could easily follow her with his eyes. This caused her to raise her brow slightly while looking at him but, far more interested in the state of her granddaughter, Olivia pulled out a strange black gemstone before placing it near Luvia's navel.For a brief moment, Luvia's body tensed up before the gemstone suddenly changed from black to a light shade of red. This actually caused both her and Olivia to become even tenser until, moments later, the gemstone flashed white before turning into dust. Though this also stunned them quite a bit, Luvia seemed to regain her strength after a few seconds, tackling him full force as she shouted, "As expected of my Vaaaahn~! Ohohohoho~"Understanding Vahn's confusion, Olivia explained, "You can look down on us for it if you want, but that little black gemstone is a common item within the established families. It is a rare mineral that can measure the fate of an individual even as a fertilized ovum. We call it Potentiaalikivi in our home country but the Mage's Association calls it the Stone of Fate.The moment Vahn heard the explanation, Sis had already located the item within the system shop, showing it had a value of 7,000OP. This was actually cheaper than he expected but, considering it seemed to be a single-use item, without any meaningful benefits, it made sense.Seeing Vahn's tame reaction, Olivia began to snicker before explaining, "You don't seem surprised by the fact the gemstone broke. It is actually a big deal and, if the Mage's Association learned of it, at least in normal circumstances, they would put a Sealing Designation on both you and Luvia. A child with the potential to break a Potentiaalikivi theoretically has no limits to their growth."Luvia nodded her head in affirmation, albeit while stroking her cheek against his, but Vahn was still acting casually as he smiled in response and said, "Not just my children, but everyone has unlimited potential. In some situations, it is just harder to tap into. Rather than a god, I will elevate my children to the point that gods aspire to reach the same heights."Hearing Vahn's bold statement, neither woman seemed too surprised but Luvia, already hanging on his body with renewed strength, was beginning to heat up. Fortunately, she had the wherewithal to release him before things became disastrous for her, earning a 'knowing' look from her grandmother that caused her face to flush even redder. Then, perhaps trying to get a rise out of both of them, she looked towards Vahn with a predatory look similar to the one Luvia would sometimes display, saying, "If I were a few years younger, I might take a bite out of you myself. It is unfortunate that I've already left things to the current generation~."Vahn just laughed in a lighthearted manner after hearing Olivia's words and, though he was tempted to pay her a compliment about her beauty, despite her age, he ultimately kept mum. He knew she wasn't joking around when she said such things so, to avoid a situation where he was attacked by multiple generations of Edelfelts, it was better to just laugh it off. Though this caused Oliva to squint her eyes toward him, Vahn was confident she wouldn't try to harm her granddaughter's position by acting on her 'instincts'.---As they couldn't talk about it through traceable means, Luvia disclosed everything he had previously told her to Olivia over breakfast. He didn't particularly mind this, as it wasn't intended to be a secret from his allies, so he dutifully gave clarifying answers when questioned. As could be expected, Olivia was more than a little interested in the existence of the Quest Board, saying, "I would like to see this Quest Board for myself. If it is how you describe, I believe it is in the interest of the Empire and the Edelfelt family to take full advantage of such a wondrous opportunity. I'd like to send a group of our family's Elites to begin accepting Quests to see how rapidly their strength can be increased. As we're already involved in various matters all over the world, it would also provide you with ample data."Since Vahn had already discussed something similar with Luvia during the plane ride, he nodded his head in affirmation before saying, "Luvia will be bringing her own escort to tend to her needs within the castle. It will still be some time until the Empire is ready to accept too many outsiders, regardless of whether they are allies. There are a lot of changes that will be occurring in the near future but, at the very least, I can accept those of Edelefelt blood and their direct subordinates."Without arguing against it, Olivia gave an understanding nod before stating, "Umu, that is for the best. The Empire shouldn't be so easily accessible before you manage to cement your foundation."Understanding full well the issues with allowing a 'foreign' power into your midst before you had a functioning hierarchy, Oliva didn't try to press the issue at all. She trusted Luvia's judgment and, with it being obvious they had already discussed the matter, she would leave it at that. Just being able to see and use the Quest Board for herself was more than enough, at least for the time being.Since Lord Animusphere would be arriving around lunchtime, Vahn made the decision to return to Avalon to address the matter of the Quest Board as soon as possible. Before then, Luvia gathered a group of Maids and, though it was unnecessary, a Chef. This wasn't because she didn't like the food served in Avalon, but more so to make them either learn how to cook from Circe or raise their Skill through the Quest Board. As there was indeed a [Cooking] Skill, it would only be a matter of time before the curiously blue-haired Chef was able to reach a level of mastery others would struggle to imagine.To prevent any 'issues', Luvia's entourage was entirely comprised of females as, despite the fact they were all Elites in their own right, the entire purpose of their stay in Avalon was to attend her. Though there were numerous trustworthy Butlers and male combat Elites, Luvia was aware of the presence of Homunculi within the castle and simply wanted to avoid causing any unnecessary trouble. Since she was also aware that Vahn would be summoning more males in the near future, Luvia was considering playing matchmaker between her attendants and some of Vahn's present and future subordinates.Currently, the only males within the entirety of Avalon, besides a number of Fae, were Vahn, Merlin, Siegfried, and Heracles. When they had discussed the upcoming summons, however, Vahn informed her that Heracles' family, consisting of two sons, combined with Karna, Gawain, and, if he had the resources, Galahad. Though she didn't quite agree with summoning these particular individuals, as there were a number of more 'useful' Heroic Spirits, Luvia wasn't going to press the issue. What she was more concerned about was establishing more connections between her family and the Empire, ensuring they would continue being allies into the far future.---Upon returning to Avalon, Vahn informed Kenshin and Lakshmibai that they would be staying for at least a day, allowing the two to return and rest properly. As for Siegfried, he accompanied the group to the Knight's Training Grounds as it was both the location of his home and the Quest Board. In his past life, he had done his best to fulfill the wishes of others so, having a convenient board that would allow him to serve the Empire was of significance to him. His travels around the world with Luvia had awakened the spirit of a Hero that had been slumbering inside of him. Now, in order to make Vahn's dream of a better world a reality, he wanted to contribute more than just protecting the Empire and its residents.With Siegfried's inclusion, the group had a total of nine people, a Companion, and a fat black cat. By the time they reached the Knight's Training Grounds, however, the total had increased to twelve as, with Fenrir always knowing when and where he was, she brought over Mordred and Sakura with her.Thus, while carrying Sakura and letting Mordred ride his shoulders, the most common way in which they traveled together, Vahn led the way to the Quest Board as Olivia and Luvia's entourage looked around the castle in awe.After reaching the large black slab of stone, Vahn set Sakura on the ground but Mordred continued to ride on his shoulders, leaning against the top of his head with a toothy grin. Since it had been a few days since their last meeting, at least from the perspective of Mordred, Vahn decided to spoil her a bit. As for Sakura, she was decidedly more mature than her older sister so, after looking toward the latter with a concerned expression, she let the matter lay while even demonstrating how to use the Quest Board for the rest of the group.Following Sakura's example, Luvia and Olivia both placed their palms against the warm black stone but, as could be expected, Quests only appeared for the former. This caused Olivia to give a curt nod and, after helping Luvia select Quests she would be able to complete without endangering her child, she turned to Vahn, asking, "Your Majesty...we are more or less family at this point, correct? If it is not too much trouble, I would like to have your Familia Crest inscribed in the near future."Having expected this request, Vahn gave a curt nod before explaining, "That is my intention. I can do the same for Luvia's entourage, but only if you are able to tolerate the presence of my Empress and her attendant." As he didn't trust himself to be alone in a room with Olivia and Luvia, for a variety of different reasons, Vahn intended to use Artoria and Gray as his shield. This didn't go unnoticed by either of the golden-haired women, eliciting a mischevious laugh from both of them as they looked toward him with predatory eyes.Noticing the way her Chichue was being looked at, Mordred glared at Olivia and Luvia in response, even though they were just playing around. This caused Olivia's expression to turn somewhat serious as, for a brief moment, she felt very real killing intent from the small child. As for Luvia, she faired better than her grandmother as, having met and conversed with Mordred a few times, the latter had already 'accepted' her presence around Vahn.Since he could feel the change in Mordred, Vahn shrugged his shoulders slightly, causing Mordred to bounce before she snorted through her nose and adopted a pouting expression while looking away. This allowed Olivia to breathe easier, causing her to lightly pat her chest as she remarked, "I see your daughter as the potential to be a powerful Knight in the future. I'm certain she makes you very proud, Your Majesty~."Though she had been pouting before, Mordred's ears twitched in response to Olivia's words before a toothy grin replaced her dour expression. She began to rub the back of her head while puffing out her non-existent chest as she proudly claimed, "I am Chichiue's eldest child! I will also be the one to become Emperor in the future! Just you wait, shishishishi~"Seeing how easily Mordred was baited by Olivia's words, Vahn issued a light chuckle while Olivia and Luvia did the same. At the side, Fenrir looked at her young protege with a prideful look of her own while, standing next to her, Sakura had a 'tired' look as she shook her head. She had spent every day at her onee-chan's side over the last few months so she had already grown used to her carefree and rather 'simple' nature. Still, after shaking her head in mild exasperation, Sakura adopted a supportive smile as she looked up to her onee-chan quite a bit.---After a small welcoming feast, cooked by Circe as Luvia's Chef dutifully took notes and provided as much assistance as she was able, Vahn found himself in the Medical Ward where he treated the Homunculi. Artoria, Gray, and Sakura were present as he inscribed his Familia Crest on the 'obedient' Olivia. She knew better than to act out around Vahn's Empress as, even if she could get away with it, forming any bad blood would just complicate things in the future. Since Artoria had a very serious disposition, Olivia didn't want to test the waters only to discover it was an acid bath.-------------------------------------------------------------------[Status]Name: [Olivia Kulta Edelfelt]Age: 97Race: HumanStrength: 24CEndurance: 17DAgility: 19DMagical Power: 8EGood Luck: 39BCircuit Quality: 28CNoble Phantasm: (-)Origin: War, Fortune, WealthSkills: [Fang of the Wolf God:Innate:S], [Call of the Battlefield:Innate:A], [Herald of Fortune:Innate:C], [Golden Rule:B], [Martial Arts:A], [Marksmanship:S], [Presence Concealment:C], [Etiquette:A], [Dancing:B]Magic: (-)Magecraft: [Od Conversion:S], [Conversion:A], [Catalyze:A], [Jewel:A], [Reinforce:A], [Mystic Code:A], [Magic Coat:B], [True Gandr:E~S], [Counter Curse:A], [Restoration:C], [Familiar:E], [Projection:D], [Alchemy:A][Marksmanship]Rank: SUse: Skill and accuracy with ranged weapons. At this rank, the user is skilled enough to shoot the wings of a fly without killing it.[Presence Concealment]Rank: CUse: The ability to move undetected and conceal your presence from others. At this rank, the user could move uninhibited through intermediate magical formations without triggering them.[True Gandr]Rank: E~SUse: A specialized form of Gandr that is only usable by the oldest Magus families within Finland, the location of the spell's origin. At this rank, the only limits to the spell's use and destructive capabilities are the user's imagination.-------------------------------------------------------------------(A/N: Alternate Titles: 'Vahn's children are OP from conception xD...','Mordred is super spoiled','Olivia is quite monstrous...?')https://bit.ly/2XBzAYu &lt;-(p.atreon link)paypal.me/EinlionDiscord Invite: https://discord.gg/mn5xMbE

True to his word, Vahn also gave Olivia a 'rejuvenation' treatment under the scrutiny of a room full of people. His skills as a masseur were known to almost everyone within the castle so, despite the fact Olivia had a maroon-red face by the end of it, it was obvious he had held back. He also made sure to act as professionally as possible, despite the fact it was more than a little strange for an Emperor to be personally treating people.When everything was said and done, Olivia, despite the fact she already looked younger than Luvia, now had a glossy sheen to her complexion. Since he had even used [Primordial Rune]s to reverse the age of her organs before strengthening them, she would easily live another hundred years without further treatment. Olivia herself, however, seemed quite taken with the experience and, if not for the difference in their status, or perhaps the presence of others, she would have done everything in her power to obtain him as her personal attendant.With her body trembling like a newborn fawn, Olivia was dressed by Luvia's attendants as Vahn quickly wiped down the massage table before looking toward Sophia and saying, "You'll be next." He didn't leave a lot of room for argument, despite the fact his tone was polite, so Sophia couldn't help but flush slightly. She was obviously trying to behave professionally, and would even be able to fight naked if necessary, but Vahn wasn't the type of enemy she could face with confidence after seeing what he did to her Grand Mistress.As could be expected, Sophia had a very toned body as one of the Edelfelt family's Elite forces. Vahn also had to admit that, seeing a fit woman wearing nothing but slacks and dress shoes was quite the sight to behold. Fortunately, he managed to keep his mind clear of wayward thoughts, courtesy of Sakura's presence next to Gray. Though she had paled a little when he was giving Olivia a massage, she now had a slight blush on her face as she held Gray's hand and obediently observed from the side.Since it was a good opportunity, Vahn went ahead and healed the various small scars that marred Sophia's otherwise fair skin, with permission of course. He also provided this same service to the rest of Luvia's entourage, named Natalia, Leah, Marjaana, and Pihla. Like their companion, they all had very toned figures while, amongst them, Leah even outclassed Luvia in bust size. She also had a large scar under her left breast, where she had been stabbed with a spear, so Vahn got an eye-full when she lifted them up, her hands sinking into the plump flesh as he treated the delicate area.In total, the crest applications and treatment only took around two hours as, under the watchful gaze of Artoria, Gray, and Sakura, he didn't have the courage to tease any of Luvia's attendants. When the procedure had finished, the group returned to the Quest Board once again. Since the Medical Ward was adjacent to the Knight's Barracks, it was a very short trip so, within five minutes, Olivia and the rest had all accepted a few Quests for themselves. Olivia, in particular, accepted an S-Ranked Quest that required her to kill a 'Malevolent Otso', a monstrous bear spirit that was native to Finland. She had already been planning to deal with it soon, as it had already attacked a few villages, so getting a bonus reward was quite nice.With the matter of the Quest Board addressed, Sophia and Natalia accompanied Luvia and Olivia while Leah, Marjaan, and Pihla were escorted by a group of Homunculi to tour the castle. All six girls, Olivia included, were given a Companion of their choice from amongst a small 'flock' that had been wandering around the castle. Unclaimed Companions often wandered the halls, observing anything of interest and helping out if they were able. Once they received a 'Master', however, a simple rune contract would activate and, from that moment onward, they would follow them around wherever they went.Since Olivia was already aware of the existence of Companions, as Siegfried had brought Skuld V2 with him, she was quite pleased to receive her own. It took on the form of a tiny humanoid bear cub, complete with white hair in a bowl cut, two rounded ears, and a tuft for a tail. She named it Met and seemed to enjoy carrying it around as the adorable creature clung to her like a Koala. As for the rest of the girls, they all picked dog-like Companions as, compared to most, they were very affectionate and playful.---After giving Olivia a brief tour of the castle, including the Throne Room, the residential area, and the large central courtyard, the group took a break at the dining hall once again. This time, most of the castle's residents had gathered, including the somewhat reclusive Da Vinci and Olga.Vahn used the gathering for the purpose of introductions as, for better or worse, the Empire and the Edelfelt family walked the same path. Though she would have heard about them from Luvia, giving Olivia the chance to see first-hand their power would give her confidence in her own actions in the future. Like Luvia, she would be working to ensure the success of the Empire and, though Vahn had every intention of standing at the frontlines himself, the influence of the Edelfelt family was already global. She had greater freedom of movement and could help to lay the foundation of the Empire in other countries, avoiding some of the issues he and Luvia had previously discussed.For the most part, the new arrivals were well-received, so long as the snide and teasing remarks of people like Nobunaga were ignored. The only person that seemed genuinely annoyed by Oliva was Da Vinci as, even more so than Luvia, the older Edelfelt seemed like trouble. She didn't get along with the types that stuck their noses into other people's business for no better reason than profit. It was people like Olivia, combined with the busybodies from the Holy Church, that was responsible for suppressing her back in the day.By the time the early dinner party came to an end, despite the fact the sun hadn't even reached the apex of its arc, Olivia was shown to a private quarter in the residential area while almost everyone else moved to the Inner Sanctum or went about their personal business.Despite the fact she was Luvia's grandmother, Olivia technically had no status within the Empire so, while exceptions could be made for Luvia's personal attendants, she was not given leniency to stay within the Inner Sanctum. Though it didn't particularly matter to Vahn, he still abided by the decision as, like people kept telling him, he needed to take the matters of the Empire seriously. Since Olivia didn't even try asking for access to the Inner Sanctum, apparently more interesting in wandering the expansive halls of the Ivory Castle, Vahn decided to let the matter lay.Shortly after reaching the Inner Sanctum, Vahn stopped Olga to explain that she would be returning to London with him later in the day. Though she was initially startled by this, her expression became fretful before Vahn preempted her delusions by explaining it was just to visit her father and discuss matters. She would be returning with him after the fact, unless, of course, she herself decided to stay.Since even the thought of being away from Avalon frightened her, especially knowing the difference in the flow of time, Olga insisted that she would continue to stay in the castle until being made the Director of Chaldea.After giving Olga an adequate amount of praise and head rubs, Vahn sent her to prepare for the trip before retiring to spend a few hours with Nobunaga, Ereshkigal, and Da Vinci. He wanted to cheer up the latter, as she very clearly wasn't in a good mood. Since they were all expecting, Vahn showed them some of his most cherished memories, those of the time he spent together with his children as he watched them grow like beanstalks. Though Da Vinci and Nobunaga teamed up against him by adopting their most 'youthful' appearances, Vahn did his best not to mind it since it was easier to snuggle with all three of them as a result...Eventually, Da Vinci returned to her Workshop to continue her research as, with a baby on the way, she needed to make adequate preparations to avoid future difficulties. As for Nobunaga, she went to take a rest, sneaking into Kenshin's room, while Vahn escorted Ereshkigal by hand back to her shared room with Rin. Even simple displays of affection seemed to have a big impact on the blond-haired Goddess as, by the time he reached their room, she had a happy glaze over her eyes as she tip-toed to kiss him. Vahn, of course, reciprocated her affection, at least until she suddenly became far more skilled than normal, indicating that Ishtar had sneakily swapped places with her younger sister.Since he still had time before his scheduled return, Vahn decided to spend some of it with the three girls in the comfort of their room. Even Rin made a partial appearance, sharing her body with Ishtar, so he got to experience a 'very' affectionate version of Rin after the latter used one of her charms to request a massage of her own. Unlike what he had done with Olivia, however, Rin straddled his hips while wearing nothing but Ishtar's intricate panties, allowing his hands to wander around her chest and abdomen as she playfully sucked on his fingers. It was clear she was 'learning' from Ishtar while he was away, causing Vahn to flush slightly when he thought about what they might be doing inside of the unique space shared within her soul...After leaving the warm and fragrant room behind, Vahn was feeling a little heated and, if not for the fact he would be returning to London soon, he would have gone on the 'prowl', as Nobunaga called it. He suddenly felt a little annoyed by the fact that Ereshkigal outright disallowed Rin and Ishtar to have sex in their current state, despite the fact it shouldn't have any effect on their pregnancy. She was very adamant, however, so both Ishtar and Rin had conceded to her insistence, leaving Vahn in his current state.While seriously considering stopping by the Menagerie for a quick bit of fun, Vahn ultimately chose to temper himself by resisting the urge. Instead, he focused his mind with the aid of his [Will of the Emperor] and the [Mantra of Eternity]. Curiously, as he had been using his [Will of the Emperor] at all times throughout the day, its effects had become simultaneously more potent while seemingly less effective. He could be influenced by things a lot easier than the Innate should allow, meaning his views on how an Emperor should think had changed. Though this wasn't necessarily a bad thing, as he could still channel his emotions during combat against his enemies, it had led to a number of 'complications' over the last few months.---Though it was a time when most people would be either sleeping or resting, this was not the case for the Homunculi calling the castle home. They had already come up with a shift system amongst themselves, even without external influence, so there were always around 2,000 people, each with a Companion of their own, walking around the castle. Thus, while Vahn was making his way over to the Transfer Room, his path was littered with beautiful flowers that, due to his current state, made his mind wander a bit more than it should. He actually felt somewhat silly to have so little control over his thoughts, especially with his age. However, when he remembered the quirks of pretty much every God he had ever met, Vahn felt his own behavior was relatively tame compared to some...Fortunately, even if he was under the influence of Da Vinci, Vahn felt he would be able to resist the temptation of pushing down any of the Homunculi. Knowing they wouldn't refuse, even if he asked them to head to their deaths, allowed him to stay sober even in his most heated state. He simply couldn't take advantage of their vulnerable and highly receptive states, especially since a number of them had 'imprinted' on him after their treatment. It was because of this that, despite the fact they were given the opportunity to live in the nearby Castle Town, every single Homunculi brought by Illya decided to take up residence in the castle.After navigating the surprisingly dangerous hallways, filled with beautiful smiling women who all stopped to happily greet him, Vahn plopped down on the smooth stone floor to wait for the others to arrive. He was more than an hour early but, in order to give himself time to calm down, Vahn had no problem waiting around as the heat slowly drained from his body. Since he would be meeting with Olga's father soon, he needed to be clear-headed to guide the conversation, both for his and Olga's sake.In a way, this could be another manifestation of Olga's fortune as, depending on the decision she made, he would very likely be returning with yet another woman to shower in affection. Since she was honestly one of the most adorable women he had known, reminding him a lot of Risna back in the day, Vahn had been thinking about what he might do with the bashful maiden when the time came. Since he knew she also thought about similar things, it almost felt like they were synergizing with each other as, despite the fact he could easily make his thoughts into reality, they were still just delusions in the present...While humoring such thoughts, around thirty minutes passed and, for the most part, Vahn had been able to calm his mind. Though he was akin to a bomb that had its timer put on pause, it would allow him to meet with Marisbury and any of their other allies without any issues. Once he returned home, however, he would be ready to go off at a moment's notice. It was never a question of if, only when, where, and who he would be with when the time came. Since this could very well include Olga, Vahn had thought about who should accompany them as, with it being her first time, she would be hard-pressed to satisfy him. Fortunately, she had gotten reasonably close with Lakshmibai and Fenrir so, even though it might be a little awkward for her, Olga shouldn't be against having their 'support'.With such thoughts on his mind, Vahn rose to his feet just moments before Olivia arrived, escorted by a duo of Homunculi named Chelsea and Judith. Both women politely greeted him and, bringing radiant smiles to their faces, Vahn dutifully expressed his gratitude while addressing them by name. This caused Olivia to raise her brows slightly and, after the two left, she immediately asked, "Have you remembered the names of every Homunculi?" Though the girls all had small identifying patches sewn into their collars, these were not on display normally as, due to Vahn calling them by name in the past, they had adopted the habit of concealing them for reasons only they were aware.In response to Olivia's question, Vahn gave a simple nod before explaining, "It is my hope that those girls are all able to develop egos of their own. In the future, I want them to be able to live freely, not as the tools they were designed to be. Besides, they work hard...its the least I could do..."Hearing Vahn's words, Olivia smiled teasingly as she mused, "Oh~? You sure it isn't because you like the attention~?" Since she could tell Vahn was behaving differently than normal, Olivia felt he might be the kind that enjoyed the attention of beautiful women. The fact he surrounded himself with so many seemed to be proof enough of this fact but, when he gave her a deadpan stare in response, she supposed it was just a misunderstanding.Rather than play along with Olivia's teasing, Vahn leaned against one of the stone pillars in the room as he said, "Things are never so clear cut. Life is filled with infinite complexities, despite our desires to simplify things and just enjoy life..."Recently, Vahn had been feeling the vicissitudes of life, despite the fact that nothing had happened to really garner such a response. He just felt like the world was filled with problems and, though he would do his best to address them in the future, it almost felt like a fruitless endeavor. Part of him just wanted to retreat to an unreachable place, taking all the people he cared about with him and ignoring the complexities of life. Though he knew this was only because he had been isolated from the problems for a while, as he could never just ignore people in need, Vahn honestly felt that his efforts would just be a stopgap measure in the grand scheme of things...As someone who had seen and experienced quite a bit during her ninety-seven years, Olivia's smile faded away as she solemnly nodded in response to Vahn's words. She had lived through two world wars and had seen some of the most horrendous displays of 'humanity' imaginable. Though there had undoubtedly been good times amidst the chaos and bloodshed, it always felt like the bad far outweighed the good in retrospect. Still, she did not regret the path she had chosen and, with her daughter and granddaughter finding success in her wake, she felt an irrepressible vindication.Though she could tell that Vahn wasn't the type that would break under pressure, Olivia decided to be a little presumptuous, saying, "We do what we must to ensure those who follow are able to live better lives."Hearing Olivia's words, Vahn gave an affirmative nod as, if not for his children, he very likely wouldn't bother with such tiresome affairs. It was imagining how they would react in response to the current state of the world that mustered him to action in the first place. Since he knew this world would not be pleasant for them to live, he wanted to make it a better place, not just for them, but for all the children that would one day call this planet home. Thus, no matter how hard things got, Vahn would continue to stand tall, supporting the Heavens themselves if necessary...(A/N: Alternate Titles: 'The Unstoppable Godhand','Quality time o3o...','All children deserve a chance at happiness')https://bit.ly/2XBzAYu &lt;-(p.atreon link)paypal.me/EinlionDiscord Invite: https://discord.gg/mn5xMbE

Due to the state she was in, Luvia had Sophia reorganize her schedule before contacting her family and updating them on the situation. The management of their businesses could easily be handled by her mother for a few months so, with the passage of time in the Projection, Luvia was confident there wouldn't be any issues. What she was more concerned about, at least for the time being, was the fact she couldn't even walk without assistance. It wasn't that there was anything wrong with her legs and muscles, but even standing upright was 'troublesome' for her at the moment.Despite this, Luvia decided to make the most of the situation and, as it was irrefutably Vahn's fault, she had him pamper and attend her as compensation. This included carrying her around the suit like a princess, helping her bathe, and massaging her legs 'properly'. Since he was very aware of the fact she wasn't faking her condition, Vahn dutifully carried out her requests as, compared to how Nobunaga would behave at times, Luvia's demands were pretty tame. The only complaint he had, which he kept to himself, was that she would undoubtedly recover faster if he wasn't around.Currently, Luvia's body was reacting to his presence alone and, as he helped her stretch to ease the tensions in her thighs and legs, Luvia's face would become red as her body heated up to the point her eyes began to water. She was even more sensitive than the women he had performed Nirvana Rebirth on, putting Vahn in a relatively precarious situation as it was difficult to resist the heated looks she was giving him. This was exacerbated by the fact she was only wearing a leotard and, as she hugged her own body to control her breathing, Vahn felt as if his own restraints were being pulled apart slowly and meticulously.Fortunately, Luvia was able to avoid tempting him outright so, after their exercises had come to an end, she managed to calm down by asking about the affairs of Avalon. Since he also needed the distraction, Vahn answered each of her questions while also explaining about the Quest Board and his [World Power] Quest. As Luvia was the closest thing to a Political Advisor and Magistrate that he had, her opinion was very important when it came to foreign affairs. Most of the domestic matters would be attended by Artoria, himself, and Da Vinci, so, while she was also his Keeper of the Imperial Seal, Luvia also served as his Minister of Foreign Affairs and Finance.As could be expected, Luvia was very interested in the existence of the Quest Board, to the point her golden eyes were practically blazing with intrigue and expectation. If it worked the way that Vahn had explained, the Quest Board may very well become one of the most important pieces of leverage she could use to entice other parties. Just the existence of the Skill Tree would shake the foundation of the Mage's Association as it almost completely invalidated the current curriculum. The only 'downside' was that it required accepting Vahn's Familia Crest or entering a binding contract with him to access its capabilities. Fortunately, as it was considered 'common sense' that benefits could only be obtained if you were willing to give up some freedoms, there would still be quiet a few people willing to join their camp.While thinking of ways to capitalize on this revelation, Luvia was also thinking about Vahn's [World Power] Quest. Though it seemed impossible to complete, at least from a 'normal' perspective, she had no doubt he would be able to pull it off. The more important matter was determining the order in which he challenged each force. If Vahn didn't plan to destroy them outright, they would also need to consider things like the allocation of resources while simultaneously removing any divisive elements to establish a proper balance in the aftermath. After all, taking on the Mage's Association, Holy Church, and Dead Apostle Ancestors was the same as taking on the entire world. This meant, even after claiming victory, they would suddenly find themselves in a position to dictate how the governments of each country functioned from the top down...Luvia had a migraine just thinking about how troublesome it would be to institute reforms in the various countries, even if the existence of Magecraft was made public. There would be political and social upheavals the world over as, despite the changes being for the better, there would be an endless amount of resistance. Even if Vahn wasn't intending to go to war against the world, normal people would tear it apart as they did everything in their power to hold on to the 'easy' lives they had lived previously. She could already imagine the crowds of millions, gathering to riot and protest while the more opportunistic amongst them built small criminal factions to benefit from the ensuing anarchy...After making her concerns known, Vahn gave an understanding nod in response and, as he had already discussed this matter with Artoria, Da Vinci, and Illya, he carefully explained, "I know the world isn't ready for the change we are bringing. In the decades that follow, I know millions of people would die, even conservatively. Even if we use the Holy Grail to change the perception of everyone in the entire world, the current structure of society guarantees this. There is nothing we can do about it besides doing our best to help as many people as we can..."Though he didn't have a full understanding of how each country worked, Vahn knew that it would be impossible for people to adapt to a new system smoothly. Since people the world over were extremely reliant on the current structure, perpetuating a cycle of infinite consumption and waste, a large number of people will die during the transition. The sad truth of the matter was, if not for the existence of a system that treated them as a commodity and errantly promoted capitalism, there wouldn't even be as many people in the world as there were at present. Even sadder still was the fact that, other than living as a part of the system, the vast majority of people contributed absolutely nothing to their species other than being another variable for genetic diversity.Vahn knew things weren't so cut and dry, as every individual deserved to live freely as they sought their own happiness. However, when their lifestyle directly harmed themselves and the planet, a bit of accountability was required. Without the system that promoted complacency and material wealth, the vast majority of people wouldn't even know what to do with their lives. They relied on the conveniences they were provided, to the point some didn't even know how to perform even basic skills such as fishing, hunting, or cooking. Without having things ready-made and provided to them, they would die as a result of 'natural selection', blaming others for failing them despite the fact they made no effort to change their fate...Though it wasn't a pleasant topic, Vahn and Luvia discussed ways to mitigate the damage and make the transition smoother. He brought up Da Vinci's idea about turning the entire world into a Bounded Field that turned the Surface into something akin to a virtual simulation. They also had the more extreme option, provided courtesy of Merlin, to create an entirely separate, looping, time axis where 'normal' humans would be able to live without any overlap with the existence of Magecraft. The only reason Vahn was against this idea was that it was akin to trapping the majority of humanity within a temporal prison but, as the Root System itself was already such an existence, it was hard not to consider.In response to these options, Luvia had a complex expression on her face but, knowing how much chaos the world would be thrown into as the Surface and Reverse Side began to meld together, it actually seemed like the best choice. After all, the alternative required them to come up with a system that ensured the survival of billions of people, many of whom wouldn't even be making an effort. They would just complain and protest until they either got their way or, failing that, take it from other people while blaming the system. This was the mindset of many criminals and, with the changes the world would soon face, such individuals would exponentially increase in number.After thinking it over, Luvia shook her head before asking, "Why not just focus on building our Empire and slowly expanding its borders? Rather than worrying about the governance of other countries, we can handle things both diplomatically and militarily. Though many would label you as a Tyrant and a Conquerer, you shouldn't have to be the one regulating everything. Since you will already be dealing with those at the highest level, you can pass your decree unto them and focus on strengthening the foundation of the Empire."As this was also something that had already been discussed, Vahn nodded his head, answering, "I have heard this suggestion multiple times. Even so, it isn't easy for me to ignore the suffering of people around the world...haaa..." If he went with this route, it would take a very long time before the changes he wanted to see could be implemented. However, as Luvia pointed out, it wasn't his responsibility to personally oversee the governance of every country. Instead, as she had brought up in the past, he could continually expand his territory and assign Heroic Spirits to govern in his stead. At the same time, the production of Companions would continue and, slowly but surely, the Empire would become an unstoppable force due to its prosperity and military might.The biggest problem with this method, as Vahn had stated, was the fact that even more people would die during the transition. There was also a chance that, if the transition period was too long, monsters would begin to appear all over the place, claiming even more lives. Though some people would undoubtedly awaken powers to be able to resist against these changes, becoming Heroes, their presence would either be preceded or immediately followed by, Villains. This would be an opportunity for them to dispatch forces of their own to establish order but, according to the simulations run by Ark, the total population of the world would have decreased to around 40% of its current value before finally stabilizing...Listening to Vahn's talk about such things was a sobering experience for Luvia as it almost felt like anything they tried to do would ultimately result in a grievous amount of death. Though it was the fault of the existing system, it was still rather depressing to think about the amount of suffering the world would experience during the transitory period. For a moment, she even hoped that they would be a little slow in stopping Angra Mainyu as, with a great evil wreaking havoc, it would actually be much easier to unite people in the aftermath. They also wouldn't be responsible for the deaths as, being the literal manifestation of 'All the World's Evils', Angra Mainyu was a force of nature that humans had wrought upon themselves...Deciding that such matters, while important, could always be discussed later, Luvia cleared her head of negative thoughts before asking, "How soon until the next summoning? Also, when do you plan to establish the Heaven's Feel Ritual?" As the situation would change with each force Vahn managed to either subjugate or subordinate, Luvia would rather focus on more pressing matters. She was also looking forward to increasing her own strength as, with the existence of the Quest Board and Skill Tree, she felt it would be a simple matter with her prodigious talent and firm conviction.Since he also didn't feel like discussing the troubles of the future in the present, Vahn adopted a gratified smile in response to Luvia's questions, answering, "If things continue as projected, it will be possible to summon others as early as next week. Da Vinci was a bit annoyed with the fact that so many Spirits had come to reside on Avalon but it's undeniably a good thing. As for the ritual...it will take a bit of time. The current process requires a willing sacrifice that possesses a significant amount of Od...for now, we're researching a solution. I know it is impossible to build an Empire without sacrifices but I will never send others to their death arbitrarily..."Hearing Vahn's words, Luvia wasn't at all surprised by the fact a wish-granting ritual required a few sacrifices. This wouldn't even cause the majority of modern Magi to flinch as, if it meant access to the Root or having their wish granted, there were few lengths they wouldn't go to. Hearing Vahn adamantly state he would find a better way, one which didn't require such sacrifice, Luvia couldn't help feel a small amount of vindication. At the same time, however, she felt a bittersweet twinge in her body, causing her to release a hot sigh as she suddenly looked at Vahn with blame clearly visible in her gaze.Laughing awkwardly at Luvia's sudden change, Vahn guided the conversation down a different tangent, asking, "Do you want to accompany me back to Avalon?" In response to this, Luvia kept staring at him for a few seconds before answering, "Of course. If I stayed outside, our child would be several years behind its siblings. I've already explained the situation to my family so we will first travel to London before returning." Then, remembering something, Luvia added, "When we reach London, you'll need to meet with Lord Animusphere. He contacted me a few days ago to arrange a meeting, presumably over the matter regarding Chaldea, Olga, or both."With Luvia's reminder, the image of a pale-haired woman flashed across his mind, her face fixed in a perpetual blush. At this rate, it was only a matter of time before his and Olga's relationship moved to the next level so, before then, it would be good to discuss the matter directly between her and Marisbury. It still wasn't too late for her to change her mind and, as he would continue to support her regardless of her choice, now was as good a time as any to take care of it.Even if the odds were 'astronomically' small, Vahn 'needed' the choice to be Olga's to avoid any future guilt he might feel as a result of her bashful, haughty, yet eager-to-please mentality. Besides, though it seemed like Marisbury was okay with it, Vahn needed to make things clear. Since he would want his own daughters, and their future lovers, to be forthright with him, he needed to set a proper example himself.Luvia hadn't missed the subtle change in Vahn's expression but, considering she was the one who orchestrated the current situation, she had nothing to say. Though it had only been eighteen days since she left Avalon, this translated to nearly one-hundred-and-thirty within the Projection. A lot could change over the course of three months so she was actually more surprised by the fact that Vahn hadn't done 'more'. She could tell from his reaction that he was still 'troubled' by Olga and, though there was a glimmer of expectation in his gaze, her intuition told her he had been holding back. Because of this, she was looking forward to meeting the pale-haired woman again as it was both fun and easy to tease her...---Though it would be better to head back sooner, Vahn left Luvia in the care of her own forces, Siegfried, and Lakshmibai as he left The Plaza alongside Kenshin. He had promised to take her to the Zoo and, after his long night with Lakshmibai, the latter had elected to stay behind in order to show Kenshin her gratitude. As a result, Kenshin was wearing casual clothes, consisting of form-fitting black capris, a black cashmere sweater, a white designer coat, tinged with tufts of golden fur, and matching boots. With her hair braided in a loose black-and-white style, combined with her long legs and lean figure, she really did look a lot like a model or an actress.Despite giving off the aura of a 'cool beauty', matching Vahn's own rather domineering presence, he quickly learned this was just an illusion. After purchasing tickets, Kenshin dragged him around rather forcefully, a radiant and child-like smile on her face. Since Zoos weren't really a thing while she was alive, seeing so many animals gathered together was exciting for Kenshin. Though she had struggled to make connections with humans during her life, she never had any trouble when it came to interacting with animals. Even when she simply sat in her courtyard meditating, or when she took a walk through the mountains, animals would naturally gravitate toward her.Vahn wasn't enjoying himself as much as Kenshin, as he felt melancholic seeing animals locked up for the amusement of humans but, remembering that the Ganesha Familia had used monsters to educate the citizens of Orario, he didn't have much to say. He could also tell that the vast majority of these animals were treated relatively well, to the point that some were as fat and complacent as the people gawking at them. Though he did go out of his way to observe the interior kennels and enclosures, as not all the animals were on display due to the winter season, Vahn found they were treated well enough, even if not to his own standards.So as not to ruin the mood, Vahn did his best to match Kenshin's enthusiasm and, as there were actually a number of particularly cute animals, he began to enjoy himself by lunchtime. If not for the fact people would periodically try to snap photos of them, Vahn would have been in a much better mood. Still, he didn't mind them too much as, compared to how some people would act in Danmachi, there were virtually no threats here in New York. Even Luvia wasn't able to exercise her full capabilities here so, while there had been a few Magi secretly stalking them, Vahn wasn't too concerned. Instead, he enjoyed his time holding hands with Kenshin as they toured around the small Zoo, making the most of their impromptu date.(A/N: Alternate Titles: 'RIP Luvia','Vahn needs to learn how to properly delegate (e,...,e)','Kenshin is adorable')https://bit.ly/2XBzAYu &lt;-(p.atreon link)paypal.me/EinlionDiscord Invite: https://discord.gg/mn5xMbE

Chapter 1219: Entangled Roots