Endless Path : Infinite Cosmos

Though it was a hard-fought victory, Vahn still had the absolute advantage of his Innates, combined with the simple fact that his Memory Fragment lacked Sis to help pull him back from the brink. As a result, it ended up transforming into a pretty terrifying monstrosity that required the combined use of [Enkidu] and Emperor of Light to ultimately put down.Every time Vahn fought his Memory Fragment, he was reminded how much he held back in the majority of his battles. However, while he was comfortable with exploiting his transformative abilities to a certain extent, he didn't want to be recognized as a monster. Ideally, he would assume a form that inspired hope in those viewing him for the first time, not nightmares.Much like how Fenrir could conceivably devour reality itself, Vahn could use his abilities to achieve a similar result, if he wanted to. After all, he could produce a functionally infinite amount of matter using his own body as a catalyst, eventually growing to the point where he was large enough to devour entire planets. This wasn't an exaggeration either as, during one of his experiments with Da Vinci, Vahn had grown to a size large enough to fill a 500x500m testing room.Though it was challenging to maintain a human form while exponentially increasing his size, a trait of Illya's he was slightly envious of, that didn't mean he couldn't continue growing. Instead, by turning into a pseudo-liquid form, where each of his cells served as super-dense sensory organs, Vahn could increase his size without limit. He could grow to fill any volume or cover any surface; there were no limits, only his inhibitions...---Opening his eyes, Vahn found himself in the same location he had been in prior to entering into the [Space-Time Orb]. This didn't mean his position hadn't changed, however, as he had 'entrusted' his body to Nobunaga before submerging. As a result, he awoke to find his hands cuffed to the sturdy headboard while the mischevious beauty straddled his hips, a sadistic grin on her face as she mused, "What a shame...had you been less punctual, I would have been able to play around~"Following her statement, Nobunaga bent her body down, her breasts pressing against him as bit the lobe of his right ear. Unfortunately, her actions had upset the nearby Aeterna, who, seeing Vahn get 'bullied,' began to flare up within her Faerie Lantern.Before Aeterna could set fire to the bedspread, Vahn liberated his right hand from the cuffs without any difficulty, saying, "Don't worry, Ae, she is only playing around. Remember, you promised not to burn anything without permission..."Even before Vahn had finished speaking, Aeterna had cooled off, the flames comprising her body turning a docile shade of magenta as she sulkily stated, "I don't like seeing you get bullied..."Hearing the adorable fae express her concerns, Vahn's couldn't help but smile while Nobunaga, feeling a bit of sweat on her back, said, "Hey, now, I'm not bullying anyone. I'm just playing around a bit. Did you see how easily Vahn got out of those cuffs? It is just a game, a game, okay?"Aeterna had, indeed, seen how easily Vahn escaped the shiny metallic cuffs, so she ultimately chose to believe Nobunaga's words. This, unfortunately, planted the thought it in her mind that Vahn liked to be bound with chains, at least to the point that he treated it as a game. When she returned to the Great Forge, Aeterna decided she would work with her sisters to create some durable chains as a gift, believing it would make him happy.Unaware that Nobunaga had 'corrupted' the innocent Aeterna, Vahn released a small laugh while his right hand sneakily moved to pinch the former's butt. Nobunaga had seen this coming, so she made a half-hearted attempt to block his actions, ultimately failing due to her ongoing effort to coax the fiery spirit staring back at her...---After teasing Nobunaga a bit, Vahn took Aeterna back to the Great Forge. While he was there, he talked with the Gwent about a few of their ongoing construction projects and the possibility of allowing more Dwarves to reside in the Undercity. Since Gwent had already received the title of Lord, Vahn ultimately left the decision to him. So long as the people he invited were willing to follow the Common Law, he had absolutely no problem with welcoming more Spirits.Though it was somewhat unnecessary, Gwent made a big show of bowing his head in public. This was his way of expressing gratitude for Vahn's benevolence and a means of showing respect. After all, it was a pretty big deal that Vahn had entrusted the matter to him, showing just how much the Emperor respected his past promises. The Empire provided them with an excess of resources, fine alcohol, and delicious food, so, for Vahn to also allow them some degree of sovereignty, it left a deep impression on every resident of the Undercity.Vahn understood the intentions behind Gwent's gesture, so, playing to the Dwarve's sensibilities, he helped the Elder Dwarf rise to his feet rather than order him to stand. This didn't necessarily convey that they were equals but, from the very beginning, Vahn had always intended to build a relationship based on mutual respect. He would be firm and ruthless when necessary, but, so long as the people in his charge lived peaceful and productive lives, Vahn would never look down on them...With his business in the Undercity finished, Vahn had to refuse Gwent's offer to join them in their usual festivities as he was too busy to spend a few hours just drinking and partying. He promised to stay longer during one of his future visits, but, for now, there were pressing matters to attend. It was almost time for him to take his children to school, an event that would be immediately followed by a meeting with Solon.After deciding to move forward with his plans, Vahn needed to take proactive steps to finish one of his active Quests, [World Power]. He would soon be completing the Objective of defeating a total of ten Dead Apostle Ancestors but, before that, Vahn wanted to make the irritable hermit into his subordinate, officially. If he couldn't even achieve this, jumping through hoops to summon the Pontiff of the Holy Church would be pointless.Vahn was hoping that Solon would willingly agree to his offer as he had already completed most of the Optional Objectives at this point. Obtaining the five-billion OP reward would make his plans easier to actualize while the [Heaven's Mandate], [Seal of Heaven], and [Imperial Reglia] would undoubtedly prove useful. If they performed similarly to historical versions of the items, Vahn might be able to prevent even more unnecessary deaths.With this in mind, Vahn teleported back to the castle to discuss matters with Artoria before meeting with the children at the Transfer Room. He was already discussing things with Merlin, as the flowery Magus knew Solon best, but it was still essential to get Artoria's input. She was his Empress and, in more ways than one, an important Advisor who also served as one of his moral compasses. He knew better than everyone else just how extreme his decisions could be at times so, when the opportunity presented itself, Vahn would always defer to those he trusted...Since he had already sensed it, Vahn wasn't surprised to find Boudica, Nero, and Grey accompanying Artoria. Boudica spent most of her free time caring for Artoria, so, with her upcoming deployment, it wasn't surprising to find them together. She genuinely treated Artoria like one of her daughters, and, for the most part, Artoria reciprocated these feelings. As a result, they had a very close and personal relationship; one Vahn tried not to pry into too much.Seeing who had arrived, all of the girls within the room immediately rose to their feet, Nero included. She was a little slower than the rest, but that was to be expected considering her status, nature, and other hidden factors. Still, her rising was an indicator of progress, so Vahn gave an appreciative nod in response to the group's courtesy, saying, "Please, be at ease. This is as much Artoria's room as it is my own. You are her guests, so there is no need for such formalities."Though the women all gave affirmative responses, none of them took a seat until Vahn had approached t. This was a basic etiquette for them, a general courtesy of sorts toward the man they unilaterally respected or loved. Vahn understood this, of course, so his words were also a courtesy. After all, he knew what kind of woman Artoria was, a serious woman who would never breach etiquette unless 'forced' under specific circumstances.Since the burden fell to him to start the conversation, as he had intruded upon them, Vahn leaned back against the sofa while asking, "Might I inquire as to what you four were discussing?"With Vahn sitting in a relaxed manner, everyone else visibly relaxed as Artoria answered, "There were a few matters between Nero and Boudica that warranted a discussion. It is of no great importance to the Empire; just a means to build rapport and clear up misunderstandings."Historically, Boudica and Nero had been enemies on opposite sides of a war. Nero's army had even been directly responsible for Boudica's defeat and subsequent death, so, in more ways than one, she could be considered the tragic Queen's nemesis. Fortunately, Boudica was a sensible woman who showed special consideration for others, especially if they were females. She had learned much from Merlin about the events taking place during her lifetime so, even before Nero's summoning, there had been no ongoing animosity between them.Boudica's real enemies had been the same as Nero's, the corrupt officials that had ultimately led Rome, one of the greatest Empires in history, to ruin. Nero had even publically admonished those responsible for her Kingdom's ruin, trying and hanging them for their crimes. Since she was just another victim of the circumstances she had been thrown into, Boudica didn't have the heart to lay blame on Nero for the actions of others.The purpose of their current conversation was to explain their perspective on events that had taken place during the conflict as Merlin, despite his nigh-omniscience, couldn't guess the real motives behind why people behaved the way they did. He hadn't even been alive at the time so, while he had memories of the conflict and could recount the sequence of events with absolute accuracy, the way he recounted things felt distinctly impersonal. Though he tried to make up for this with his illusions, it wasn't exactly pleasant to re-experience the events that had scarred you in vivid detail...Vahn had already agreed to summon Boudica's daughters in the future and, if she so chose, he would even revive her deceased husband. This knowledge gave her great peace of mind as, even if the current version of herself died, Vahn could resummon her original self to make good on their promise. Thus, rather than harbor hatred toward Nero, Boudica felt a great deal of concern and empathy for her former enemy.Just like she was able to see through Artoria with considerable ease, Boudica could tell that Nero had grown up without a mother's love. Instead, her mother had been the contributing factor to most of the tragic moments in her life. This filled Boudica with a form of grief unique to mothers who had experienced great tragedy throughout their lives, specifically those related to their children. She had lost her daughters in an incredibly unjust fashion, so, rather than be offended by Nero's behavior, Boudica couldn't help but feel pained by how comprehensively the former had buried her actual emotions...(A/N: Alternate Titles: 'Word Devourer Vahn','Aeterna don't play...unless it is time to play?','Boudica needs to be careful around Mama's Boy Mason xD...','There are few greater tragedies than a child's life being ruined by their parents'https://bit.ly/2XBzAYu &lt;-(p.atreon link)paypal.me/EinlionDiscord Invite: https://discord.gg/Jwa8PKh

With the topic in his chambers revolving around the relationship between Boudica and Nero, the Vahn meeting with Merlin figured it was as good a time as any to learn more himself. He already had a decent understanding of Solon's character from their past conversations so, after creating a lull, he shifted topics, asking, "You must know it, correct? Nero's past? You would not have gone out of your way to convince everyone otherwise."Since he already expected this transition, Merlin wasn't caught off guard by Vahn's words. Instead, he continued to smile in his usual manner before waving his hand through the air, answering, "Be that as it may, Your Majesty, I do not believe it is my place to reveal Nero's secrets. Someone like Solon is a special exception as, at the time, they could have been considered a threat to the Empire. The time will come when Nero reaches out to you on her own. When that happens, I am more than willing to assist~."This wasn't the first time Merlin had given him a similar excuse, so Vahn wasn't all that surprised. He knew the flowery Magus' well enough, so unless it was information he needed to ensure the Empire was kept safe, it was rare to get a direct answer from him. This wasn't necessarily a bad thing, as it would become problematic if he relied exclusively on information provided by Merlin. However, it was still a little annoying at times like this.Instead of trying to press Merlin to reveal the truth, Vahn just accepted that he would need to put in a bit of effort to discover it himself. This wasn't a particularly difficult task so, for now, he shifted the topic once again, asking, "Have you and Lilith worked things out? I just checked on her earlier...she is going to become a real problem, sooner or later."With Lilith being the Queen of the Succubi, she had a lot of parallels with Merlin and, in many ways, was even a higher form of existence. What separated them was legacy Merlin had inherited from his father, the love he had received from his mother, and the compassion he had for all creatures. While Lilith had indulged in her purpose, Merlin had actively resisted and overcome his. This granted him a phenomenal amount of power, even if he had been helpless to ever truly make use of it.In response to Vahn's question, Merlin released a slightly exasperated sigh before answering, "I have managed to convince her to stop trying to peer into the dreams of the Ivory Castle's residents. There is little I can do about her gallivanting through the dreams of others, however. She had been starved for a very long time so I can't blame her for being hungry. For now, there shouldn't be any issues. In the future, however, I fear she will grow increasingly impatient..."Hearing Merlin's words, it was Vahn's turn to sigh as he knew exactly what the woman in question most desired. She considered it her purpose to serve the Gods, fulfilling their desires and helping to shape the world to their liking. The problem with this was that Lilith wasn't something that could be restrained easily so, even if Vahn 'helped' to fulfill her purpose, things would become troublesome once the convergence began.The only way Vahn could keep Lilith under control was by turning her into his, or someone he trusts, Familiar. Succubi and Incubi were a type of Daemon, entities formed from desires who, as a result, lived for the purpose of fulfilling those same desires. So long as human desire existed, they would be compelled to fulfill their purpose as, much like the Gods of Danmachi, they were compelled to do so by higher orders of power.Fortunately, though it came with a whole host of problems, the nature of Daemon's compelled them to form contracts with sapient creatures. These contracts had a variety of different effects but, in all but a few cases, they ended with the contractor having a mental breakdown. Daemons were entities founded within the 6th Imaginary Aspect and, as amalgamations of desire, their presence alone had a powerful influence over the minds of creatures bound by desire.Humans actually weren't all that good at dealing with their emotions so there were very few who could contract with a Daemon without ultimately losing their minds. They would be consumed by the power they obtained, the otherworldy pleasure they experienced, or the madness that resulted from having their dreams devoured. After all, upon contracting with a Daemon, you become their primary supplies or life essence, mana, and dreams. These were terms that couldn't be altered so, in order to reign in someone like Lilith, her contractor needed to have monstrous willpower, endless vitality, and indomitable resolution.Were it not for the fact he knew she would cause problems amongst the other girls, Vahn wouldn't mind being the one to contract with Lilith. The issue with this, however, was that she had no way to devour his dreams. Though it wasn't impossible to influence his mind, probing it directly was outside even Akasha's capabilities. Thus, by contracting with Lilith, Vahn would basically be telling her that she was no longer allowed to consume something vital to her very existence. He could undoubtedly find a way to supplement this but, with his ever-expanding harem, introducing chaotic elements like Lilith was a truly senseless decision...After sitting in silence for a few minutes, both in deep thought, Vahn ultimately asked in a tentative tone, "How about Karna...?"Though Karna wasn't exactly a God, he was infinitely close to becoming one. He was already a Tier 4 being and, though he didn't possess a matured fragment, he possessed an A-Rank [Divinity] Skill. All he needed was a bit of guidance and a small shift in his mentality to become an actual God of the Sun, rather than the 'Son of the Sun God'.Hearing Vahn's supposition, Merlin shook his head, stating, "I fear what both would become if the energies within Karna's and Lilith's bodies fused together. They are existences on the opposite end of the spectrum, after all...to that end, there are really only three viable candidates. I cannot offer my own services, for obvious reasons..."Merlin was, indisputably, the best candidate for reining in Lilith but, due to his complex relationship with Vivian, this was absolutely impossible. He already did a lot of things that weighed heavily on the heart of his former student so, unless the fate of the world hung in the balance; Merlin would not go out of his way to betray her expectations. The last thing he needed was another Morgan le Fay type of character in his life, someone that was undoubtedly plotting in the background, even at this very moment.Vahn would never force anyone into a relationship of convenience so it never even crossed his mind to request Merlin's assistance. The flowery Magus was already keeping Lilith in check so it would be a betray of his and Vivian's trust if he tried to pressure Merlin into acquiescence. As for the other candidates, Vahn knew he was one of them so, after a bit of thinking, he frowned slightly and asked, "Do you mean...Scáthach?"Even as the words left his mouth, Vahn felt like his temperature dropped, a chill passing through his body. When Merlin nodded in response, he immediately shook his head, saying, "I refuse...even if she meets all the criteria, the thought of Shishou and Lilith teaming up...I would rather fight against Cath Palug with my arms and legs bound."Finding Vahn's comment rather amusing, Merlin couldn't help but chuckle lightly before explaining, "I do not believe you would find someone with greater willpower than Lady Scáthach. Though it may appear as though she lacks ambition and desire, we both understand the truth. With her connection to the Land of Shadows, there are none more qualified to satiate Lilith's voracious appetite. There is also no chance of Lady Scáthach being corrupted by Lilith's influence...rather, I imagine the opposite to be true?"As this was exactly what he was afraid of, Vahn nodded in response to Merlin's question, adding, "If we went that route, Lilith would also become intrinsically related to the Inner Sanctum. At this point, I don't think I could let Scáthach go so having Lilith become her Familiar is just a disaster waiting to happen..."Hearing Vahn's words, Merlin showed an expression of mild shock. He knew of the current situation between Scáthach and Vahn but this was the first time he heard the latter openly state he wouldn't be able to let the former go. As a result, he swallowed slightly as, while Vahn might not be aware of it, he almost always had a certain someone observing his every movement...With the exclusion of Scáthach and himself, Vahn struggled to rationalize who, exactly, the third person mentioned by Merlin was. It had to be someone outside of the Inner Sanctum but, the only people who fit this qualifier were: Siegfried, Gawain, Lancelot, Galahad, Bedivere, Alexander, Maxwell, Heracles, Ozymandias, and Astolfo. Though it was possible he could be alluding to Semiramis, Vahn immediately excluded her as there was absolutely no way the woman in question would accept the person that made her feel self-conscious.While thinking about who else Merlin might be talking about, Vahn's mind wandered to Olga and, as if hit by a bolt of thunder, his brows raised as he asked, "Sherlock?"Seeing Vahn finally arrive at the correct answer, Merlin nodded his head, explaining, "Though there is always the option of summoning someone specifically suited to dealing with Lilith, I believe Sherlock is the best candidate. If you saw the complexities of that man's mind, you would understand why he is suited to the task. If Lilith got out of hand, I suspect he would even be able to trap her within his mind indefinitely..."Even without Merlin giving an explanation, Vahn had already come to the conclusion that Sherlock was, indeed, the best option. The man was virtually incorruptible and, with an infinitely vast library within his mind, there was no chance he would one day lose himself to uncertainty. He was a man who looked for the 'ultimate truth' in all things so, if given enough time, he would probably come up with a solution to any problems Lilith presented without them ever becoming an actual issue.The only problem was convincing Sherlock and Lilith to contract with each other but, considering the nature of the former; Vahn felt like he would readily accept. He wasn't the type to shy away from the unknown so, knowing what kind of being Lilith was, Sherlock would undoubtedly take an interest in her. After all, she had been around since the dawn of mankind, delving into the minds of both gods and men for millennia. She had such a vast wealth of information concealed within her mind that a man like Sherlock couldn't help but be drawn to her.Realizing this was the case, Vahn gave Merlin a mildly annoyed look since there was little doubt the flowery magus has already thought of this solution long ago. He was always like this, forcing Vahn to come to the necessary conclusion by giving small hints and bits of advice. Though this wasn't really a bad thing, as it caused him to reach his own conclusions without being 'told' what to do, Vahn would never get used to being played with.Still, he wasn't going to openly complain as that would make him into a hypocrite. After all, Vahn was known to do something very similar when he was teaching others. It was infinitely better for students to arrive at the answer on their own than to be given the solution from the start. Knowledge wasn't nearly as important as learning how to arrive at conclusions through critical thinking and problem-solving. Thus, Vahn could only begrudgingly accept the fact that Merlin was messing with him as, in the end, it made him into a more capable Emperor...(A/N: Alternate Titles: 'Flowery Magus? More like cheeky...','Vahn fears the Purple Demon xD...','The best teachers don't teach you what to think, they teach you how to think')(A/N: I woke up with a bad migraine so there may be some delays today. I probably ingested about 1000mg of caffeine yesterday so I'm most likely just severely dehydrated xD...)https://bit.ly/2XBzAYu &lt;-(p.atreon link)paypal.me/EinlionDiscord Invite: https://discord.gg/Jwa8PKh

Though he could have gone on, quite literally, forever, Vahn decided to call it quits after everyone except Illya, Arcueid, Aoko, Okita, and Fenrir collapsed. He had been enjoying himself for a few hours, and, soon enough, he would have to take the children to school. There was also the simple fact that if he didn't stop quickly, girls like Medea, Jeanne, and Okita might end suffering a trauma.Vahn had been curious about their presence at first but, after Circe began an impromptu lesson on sexual etiquette, it became clear why they had stayed. She wasn't the most qualified teacher but, with Fenrir having difficulties explaining things in an easily understood manner, Circe was the best alternative.It was a little awkward having such an attentive audience but Vahn had grown accustomed to such things due to his past experiences. He wasn't a particularly shy person, so, knowing it would make things a lot easier for the inexperienced girls; he let himself be a test dummy. Besides, it was amusing seeing Circe try to restrain her urges while trying to explain things to her fiercely blushing niece.Medea had gone so red that her ears were practically glowing with a crimson color as she sat at the edge of the bed in a pale-lavender dress. As for Jeanne and Okita, the former had a wide-eyed look as she formed her lips into a perfect line, a somewhat overwhelming reaction as it looked like she was trying to avoid saying something. Okita, however, just watched on with a disinterested expression despite the intense focus in her gaze...Though the lessons alone were rather intense, Vahn's Divinity ensured they wouldn't soon forget the event. He generally projected his aura radially, so, like the other girls on the massive bed, they were well within the area of his influence. As a result, they could feel everything Circe was experiencing, albeit to a lesser extent. Still, this was more than enough stimulus for pure girls like Medea and Jeanne, even if the latter took it surprisingly well at first.Fortunately, Medea had Medusa hugging her from behind, the latter's hand lightly stroking the area beneath her navel to help her relax. Medusa was still a virgin, but she was rather fond of 'helping' out when Vahn was having sex with the other residents of the Menagerie. She had also dutifully learned the very basics of [Hands of Nirvana], so; while her skills were negligible compared to her Master's, it was useful for things like massages and helping people relax.The real problem was the inclusion of girls like Arcueid and Illya as, compared to 'normal' women, they experienced something that others would describe as transcendental. Even Vahn wasn't able to fully resist their influence, so; shortly after he and Illya began making love, Medea ended up briefly losing consciousness. Since she insisted on being allowed to stay, regardless, she ended up being put through the wringer along with the rest of the girls present...In the end, only those who had a high tolerance, immortal bodies, or a considerable amount of experience had been able to stay conscious. The rest ended up succumbing to the shared waves of pleasure; Hati and Medusa included. It was Hati's collapse that caused the event to come to an end as, though fundamentally different than Fenrir; she was still a Vanargandr. For even her to fall prey to the veritable ocean of pleasure, well, it was a red flag in a lot of ways.Fortunately, Arcueid and Aoko were pretty easy to calm down so, after coaxing Illya and Cath Palug for a few minutes, everyone had been freed from the seemingly endless cycle. Afterward, Vahn helped to wake up the collapsed girls, checking on their bodies to make sure there were no sequelae. Though Medea ended up needing to cool her head for a short while after awakening, Jeanne, Hati, Gareth, and Medusa were all in high spirits.Once Circe had finished talking with Medea, everyone decided to take a bath together using the sizeable in-ground tub. Though not quite an onsen, it served a similar function as it was capable of comfortably seating fifteen people, something that would undoubtedly be necessary for the future. For now, Vahn just enjoyed soaking his body in the steamy water with Illya and Fenrir flanking him. They had always been relatively close, so, after sharing a bed, they were practically on the same wavelength, both wholly fascinated with their 'Master'...---As much as he would like to spend all of his time with his family and lovers, the latter of which could be attested to by his Divinity; Vahn couldn't allow his indulgences to supersede his actual duties as Emperor. He still had a purpose to fulfill, starting by meeting with Gawain to discuss the deployment of the Imperial Forces. Afterward, he visited Olga to spend a bit of time with her, checked up on Lilith, and wrapped things up at the Hanging Gardens. Then, when everything else was was said and done, Vahn entered his personal [Space-Time Orb] with the ever-mischevious and adorable Aeterna.One of the things Vahn felt compelled to complete was the forging of [Lævateinn] so, even if he was busy with other matters, he always found at least an hour to focus wholly on forging. This hour translated to fifty within the [Space-Time Orb], time that was necessary to keep his skills sharp and Aeterna happy.Vahn had once failed to visit the affectionate Vulcanae Queen for three days in a row, resulting in the Dwarves having to send a plea to have him visit as she had effectively made the Great Forge unusable due to feeling neglected.Spirits were emotionally sensitive creatures, and, as a Greater Elemental Spirit, Aeterna suffered from this same quirk. She was also pretty young, so it was easy for her to fall into a negative mindset, even if she was smart enough to know he hadn't abandoned her. Instead, the main reason for her dour mood was the fact that much like Vahn himself, she was very eager to complete the forging of [Lævateinn]'s penultimate form. It was something they had been working for virtually her entire life, so, in a way, [Lævateinn] was even more critical to Aeterna than it was to Vahn.Now, Vahn could focus all of his attention on the internal structure of the blades they were forging as Aeterna dutifully managed the heat. Their cooperation had long reached the point where it didn't require them to communicate with each other verbally so, while they had yet to achieve their shared dream, even the 'failures' they produced were always A-Rank and higher.At this point, almost every item forged between Vahn and Aeterna approached the level of a masterwork, not just their [Lævateinn] prototypes. As a result, they had even been able to outfit both Gawain's and Kenshin's battalions, earning him quite a bit of rapport with both the Commanders and the Homunculi themselves...The curious thing about this was; by having people appreciate and laud his work, Vahn noticed that the quality of his forged equipment gradually increased. He didn't know if it was due to his [Will of the Emperor], which unilaterally increased his capabilities based on things like Loyalty, Respect, and Adulation, but it was a 'very' noticeable change. The only other explanation was the 'Power of Belief,' something he needed to account for within the Nasuverse. After all, it was similar beliefs that allowed many Heroic Spirits to make use of unique abilities, some of which they may not have had during their lifetimes.Semiramis was one of the best examples of this quirk as, during her lifetime, she had nothing to do with the Hanging Gardens of Babylon. She hadn't even seen it during her lifetime but, because she was often associated with the Hanging Gardens by countless people, it had become a part of her actual Legend. Because of this, she has an intuitive knowledge of how to construct it and, despite the real Hanging Gardens being nothing more than an intricate garden; it was even able to fly due to the imaginations of people who imagined it to be.Since even Concepts could be manifest with a physical form, Vahn wasn't too surprised by the fact that his skills and abilities were becoming more powerful due to the perception of people around him. Even his ability to pleasure his women had experienced a qualitative improvement, something he had heard with increasing frequency as of late. Thus, with these factors driving him, Vahn was encouraged to continue working hard, continually aspiring to reach even greater heights...It was with this mentality that Vahn was able to forge an S-Rank [Lævateinn], one of five 'successes' he had managed to achieve over the last few months. This caused Aeterna to happily rubs her cheek against the rather vicious-looking blade before flittering up to Vahn's face, kissing him on the cheek before chiming, "We did it, Vahn~! Hurry, name it, name it~!!"With a gratified smile showing his appreciation and pride, Vahn did as Aeterna suggested, pointing the newly forged blade toward the sky as he exclaimed, "Henceforth, your name shall be [Lævateinn: Epsilon]. Become a blade that vanquishes the Empire's foes and protects its people...!"Since this was his only real opportunity to use [Keeper of the Akashic Tome] these days, Vahn didn't hesitate to use up his current charge. Each successful [Lævateinn] he forged was infused with his and Aeterna's hopes and dreams so; while not on the same level as his actual children, Vahn wanted his masterworks to be able to grow without restrictions.As if to respond to this desire, [Lævateinn: Epsilon] flashed with chaotic energy that seemed fueled by the Laws of Destruction. It gave it an awe-inspiring, albeit tyrannical, aura, one which threatened to lay low any you crossed its path.At the same time, it's four 'brothers' resonated around it as Vahn always made sure they bore witness to the birth of their sibling swords. They currently lacked a real Ego, but there was a nascent seed of awareness within each of them, crying out in celebration of their newly forged brethren.When the light had faded away, [Lævateinn: Epsilon]'s Grade had advanced to what Vahn would estimate to be the middle of the S-Rank. Like it's sibling-swords, it even had an unlimited ability for growth, represented both by its Parameters and Abilities. He would need to wield in battle but, from the very beginning, Vahn's journey towards the peak hadn't exactly been a peaceful one...-----------------------------------[Lævateinn: Epsilon]Rank: S (Divine)Slots: 1P.Atk: 2407+240M.Atk: 1692Abilities: Acknowledgement of the Emperor(-), Lævateinn(S), Flame Wreath(S), Spirit-Siphon(A), Familial Bond(-)One of five swords possessing the legacy of the legendary Lævateinn. The flames emitted by this sword cannot be extinguished by normal means, burning all things recognized as an enemy by the Creator. Due to its Creator's desire to forge a blade with limitless potential, this sword has a very high chance of developing a Spirit that embodies this desire.Restrictions: Vahn Aldrnari Mason, Progeny of Vahn Aldrnari MasonUnique Restriction: Can only be used by those with a sincere desire to protect the Empire and its citizens from harm-----------------------------------Seeing Epsilon's stats, Vahn felt even more pride than before he had named it. He was unable to restrain himself, so, along with the other four [Lævateinn] variants: Alpha, Beta, Gamma, and Delta, he exited the forge to give the newly forged blade a test run. He could feel their excitement bubbling up with his own, each desiring the thrill of battle.Fortunately, he could create a new Memory Fragment on the fly so, for the remainder of his session within, Vahn, and the five vermillion blades, cut loose. Though the Memory Fragment lacked the use of his Innates, it was able to change its shape freely, and, with its ability to use [Laplace's Key], Vahn was one of his most terrifying opponents. By the end of his session, it had become a 'beast' that was more than 10m in height, formed from metallic black ooze that unhesitantly used various Laws in unique and 'educational' ways...(A/N: Alternate Titles: 'Vahn is a monster o_o...','Aeterna doesn't like being ignored (T ^ T)','Vahn is basically an eldritch entity at this point xD...')https://bit.ly/2XBzAYu &lt;-(p.atreon link)paypal.me/EinlionDiscord Invite: https://discord.gg/Jwa8PKh

Chapter 1365: Setting Things in Motion