Endless Path : Infinite Cosmos

Following the conclusion of the Imperial Gala, great changes were afoot in the Clock Tower and, as a result, the entire Magus Association.Though it was never overtly stated, the presence of Director Solon and Director Atlasia at the event made it clear to the politically affluent that the distance between the Empire and the Association had reduced considerably. There had been rumors circulating prior to the Gala, but, now that the Virtual World was being implemented throughout every Department, there was no longer room for debate and speculation. The Association had thrown its lot in with the Empire, and, if they wanted to avoid being swept aside in the wake of the changing era, the affiliates of the Association would need to do the same.Just as the various Family Heads and Faculty members were wondering how they might benefit the most from these changes, the announcement that Companions would be distributed became public knowledge. From this, it became apparent that the Empire wasn't even going to try negotiating with various affiliated families; you either acquiesced, receiving the exact same benefits as everyone else or you resisted and received none. There was no room discussion, and, if you failed to adhere to the guidelines regarding the proper care of your Companion, it was immediately taken from you.Not only were the Companions surprisingly cute and powerful, but, without one, you were denied access to the Virtual World, and, on a larger scale, lost virtually all benefits distributed by the Empire. Thus, while it was obvious that the Companions were basically the eyes and ears of the Empire, they weren't left with many options, as, with the collapse of the global economy and the gradual takeover of the Empire, it was either acquiesce or fall into obscurity.At the very least, most of the students and faculty members either readily or begrudgingly accepted the Companions assigned to them. Though many were confiscated within a day, resulting in several students and faculty members either being suspended, expelled or fired, quite a number of students were happy to have the opportunity to be accompanied by the inordinately cute creatures.The fact Companions served as powerful offensive and defensive guardians within the Spirit Tomb was more than enough to win over the vast majority of students. As for those who were expelled or fired, some were given the option of entering a probationary period while others, specifically those foolish enough to try and charm, enchant, or even dissect their Companions, were quickly dealt with by the Empire's forces.While many considered it extreme, the Empire wasn't shy about trying and subsequently executing those who violated the Common Law to a grievous extent. It didn't matter how old your family was, how much authority they used to have, nor how much individual power you wielded. If you couldn't live without committing acts of cruelty, exploiting others, or using your presumed power to suppress everyone around you, the end result was almost always death.In the future, Vahn intended to implement a less extreme punishment, but, due to the shifting of the Era, leniency couldn't be afforded to those trying to reap benefits amidst the chaos. While those with more magnanimous intentions would be ignored, or even celebrated, he had absolutely no patience for the snakes slithering about in the darkness, mistakenly believing they would rise to prominence through subterfuge and secret dealings.The existence of the Companions was an extreme inconvenience for those with vile and malicious intentions, as, in accordance with the regulations regarding their care, they would accompany you virtually everywhere you went. Discarding them, sealing them away, manipulating their senses, or taking any action that interfered with the fulfillment of their responsibilities would earn you an audit from the Empire's forces. If it turned out you were directly engaged in criminal activities, your crimes would be exposed, and, while only those directly involved would be held responsible, no leeway was afforded to those of qualifying age.In accordance with the Common Law, children could be held accountable for their actions as early as the age of fourteen. While this didn't officially make them adults, a status requiring a comprehensive physical and mental evaluation, it was an age where their actions could no longer be attributed to childish innocence. While obvious exceptions would exist, they would be handled on a case-by-case basis using the data and profile that had been accumulated by Mother, the Artificial Intelligence that monitored and regulated the Companions.Essentially, from the moment you were considered an adult, either through age or action, you were required to strictly observe the Common Law. Since these laws really only accounted for basic things, such as the protection of certain Phantasmal Species, the observation of rights for every species, and the admonishment of vile and heinous acts, the Common Law was actually very easy to observe. You didn't even have to be a good person, just not a terrible one...---In spite of the relatively simple structure of the Common Law, Vahn found himself sitting across from Solon as the latter, with a fatigued expression on their face, complained about the backlash from the families still brave enough to file official complaints. Many of these came from families with relatively decent principles, and, despite the fact they accepted the Companions into their home, it didn't stop them from complaining about the egregious actions of the Empire.So long as there was any wiggle room at all within a policy, there would always be people who tried to take advantage of perceived loopholes to either put pressure on the government or elevate their own status. It didn't matter if you had an endless amount of evidence to prove that punishment was justified, 'righteous' people would still feel compelled to criticize and even protest the severity of the methods used to enact the punishment.The general consensus of most people was that 'death' was too egregious a punishment for the vast majority of crimes, regardless of how heinous they were. It didn't seem to matter if the person being executed was a wicked individual who murdered, raped, blackmailed, kidnapped, and even tortured people without remorse. They would still argue that death was an extreme and unjust punishment, spewing various platitudes and excuses to try and justify their perspective.It could be the result of his knowledge about transmigration and reincarnation, but, from Vahn's perspective, death was a great mercy to those who had ruined countless lives for profit and pleasure. He didn't believe in imprisonment, as, not only did it require the allocation of personnel and excess resources, but, in the grand scheme, locking people away didn't 'fix' them. Rather, it either broke or strengthened the convictions of people locked away, making them unable to adapt to life outside their prison or refining them into far more dangerous individuals. You rarely found absolution within confinement, as, if a prisoner actually reached that kind of mental state, they wouldn't even want to leave.While there were countless methods to rehabilitate people and set them onto a better path, doing so was setting a dangerous precedent as people would then argue that 'everyone' should be given the same opportunity. This would require an ever-increasing amount of infrastructure dedicated to just 'fixing' people who, depending on the circumstances, might not even want to be fixed. Since this led to people being 'trapped' within the system, sometimes for decades at a time, it simply wasn't worth the allocation of resources. People might have infinite potential, but, unless they were willing to put in the effort to better themselves, investing resources into 'forcing' them to be better was a fool's errand.Vahn didn't delude himself into thinking his thought process was without fault, but, compared to the failings of the previous system, what he was trying to accomplish was objectively better. He knew his perspective would change with the passage of time, but, with Ark, Mother, and Shadow coordinating with each other to draft policies, the final structure of society would depend on the needs of society itself. All he could do was bear the anger and contempt of countless people as he tirelessly worked to restore order and build a foundation for a better future...With this in mind, Vahn stopped Solon, mid-complaint, saying, "Tell those people I have no interest in other factions budding within the Empire. They are entitled to believe what they will, but, from the moment they begin advocating for their version of justice, they become enemies of the state. Unless they are willing to become civil officials, exposing all of their secrets for public scrutiny, I have very little interest in what they want to say. This is an obvious ploy to increase their status and establish themselves as a voice that can oppose Imperial Policy...honestly, I'm offended they believe they have any right to question me after ignoring the problems within the Association for centuries..."Though not unexpected, Solon released a tired sigh when they heard Vahn's response, as, in the end, they would be the ones dealing with the so-called righteous families. They knew full-well that Vahn's views on the matter were accurate, but, due to the policies of the Empire, it wasn't that easy to put pressure on groups openly adhering to the Common Law. Had it been a few months ago, it would have been a simple matter of threatening them into submission, but, after agreeing to adhere to the Common Law, Solon was limited in their means.Understanding he was basically shifting his problems onto Solon, Vahn adopted an apologetic smile, adding, "If you think there is someone more suited to the position of Director, feel free to nominate them. Preparations have already been made, so, once this fiasco with futuristic heroes is resolved, we can begin planting World Trees. When that time comes, I imagine you won't be as interested in your position as Director, so, before then, you should consider talking with Zelretch. If he is unwilling, Da Vinci has already expressed that she is willing to take on the responsibilities."Hearing Vahn's words, Solon became visibly less tense, a small smile on their face as they nodded their head and answered, "I doubt that old bastard would be willing to become the Director after I step down. I'll talk to him, but, if Da Vinci is willing, the position will most likely fall to her. Honestly, I would have nominated someone like Luvia or her Grandmother, Olivia. Their family might be a bit eccentric, but, considering they are already involved with the majority of Magus Families, it would benefit them greatly to have the authority of the Director."As he actually hadn't considered Luvia as a potential replacement for Solon, Vahn was slightly taken aback by the suggestion. If he thought about it, Luvia was exceptionally qualified for the position as, compared to Da Vinci, she had an intrinsic understanding of politics. The latter, much like Solon, was an extreme introvert and, though she would be able to manage her responsibilities with the support of Ark, Mother, and Shadow, Da Vinci would undoubtedly lament having to personally meet with the various Family Heads.Finding Solon's suggestion surprisingly agreeable, Vahn found himself nodding in approval, a smile on his face as he stated, "I can't imagine Luvia will refuse. Though her individual power might be a little lacking, her political prowess and business sense are unmatched. She should be able to handle future negotiations without any major issues, and, considering her family's prestige, she would have an easier time being accepted by the current affiliates...very well, that's what we'll go with. You did well to make such a suggestion, Solon."Hearing Vahn's praise, Solon's expression turned dour as, seemingly against their will, it made them feel a little happy. This had become a relatively common occurrence as of late, so, much like before, Solon snorted through their nose, muttering, "I only mentioned the obvious...I don't need you, of all people, to acknowledge me. If it prevents me from having to constantly clean up after you, I would obviously look for someone suitable..."Having grown accustomed to Solon's reactions, Vahn just nodded his head with a knowing smile on his face. Afterward, he rose from his chair and, after stretching his body for a bit, said, "I'll discuss the matter with Da Vinci and Luvia. Odds are, Olivia will end up taking up the role of Association Director as Luvia intends to reveal her status as Keeper of the Imperial Seal in the future. There could be a few issues if she wanted to hold both titles, but, we'll see what she decides. Either way, you should begin making preparations to transition to the European Supercolony. Unless they come out of hiding by tomorrow, I'll most likely be dealing with the group of so-called Heroes in the evening. If things go well, you'll be able to fulfill your dream by the week's end..."With his words finished, Vahn gave a casual wave to Solon before turning his back and vanishing from within the latter's private garden. This left Solon sitting in their chair, nursing a cup of piping hot tea as they inclined their head toward the sky and muttered, "I've put my trust in you...don't let me down...you bastard..."(A/N: Alternate Titles: 'The Empire ain't playing o_o...','Luvia's [Golden Rule:EX] is the MVP','Solon, the six-thousand-year-old Tsundere')https://bit.ly/2XBzAYu &lt;-(p.atreon link)paypal.me/EinlionDiscord Invite: https://discord.gg/mn5xMbE

Shortly after leaving Solon's garden, Vahn found himself in a rather precarious position, a deadpan expression on his face as he kneaded the uncharacteristically tender flesh of Olivia. She was wearing nothing but a folded towel to cover her backside, and, due to his insistence, a pair of dainty panties that left very little to the imagination.Vahn had originally arrived at the Edelfelt Mansion to discuss the matter of selecting a new Director, but, as Luvia had been in the middle of a meeting, Olivia inevitably managed to convince him to give her a massage. She had benefited greatly from his [Hands of Nirvana] in the past, so, whenever the opportunity presented itself, she was very insistent. Beauty was exceptionally important for women who liked to stand out, and, after Vahn's 'care', Olivia could even rival her daughter and Luvia when it came to skin quality and pliability.Since it was easier to 'pacify' Olivia by periodically giving her a massage, Vahn wasn't as against the idea as he used to be. She had 'permission' from Luvia, so, with a bit of time to kill, Vahn didn't mind practicing one of the skills he had cultivated to the extreme. It helped that, over the past couple of days, Vahn had been experimenting with the 'flow of fate', seeing how each of his skills influenced the currents that flowed around a person's body.Though he could normally only see currents directly related to him, it hadn't taken long to discover the fact he could also see what paths others might take. This required channeling Source Energy into their body, but, as he had already become extremely proficient at this, Vahn was now experimenting with directing and diverting the flow, setting people down specific currents without forcing them to acquiesce through words and actions.Fate and Karma had often forced him into difficult situations, but, in the grand scheme of things, this was largely due to the fact he didn't actually have a Fate. Instead, his actions influenced the fates of those born within the Records, fundamentally altering what should have been predetermined series of events. This had always been the case, but, now that he could see the Flow of Fate for all things, Vahn was infinitely more aware of his influence than he had been in the past.Theoretically, by taking just enough action to redirect a current, the person influenced would follow that path without fail. This gave him a fair amount of influence of a person's 'destiny' and, while this wasn't exactly a good thing, Vahn knew it would be a necessary ability when he reached higher Tiers. He would one day be charged with the governance of entire Multiverses, so, unless he intended to always intervene direct, it would become necessary to manipulate the fates of chosen individuals in order to ensure balance.Though he was a long way from the point where it became relevant, Vahn's knowledge had been expanding rapidly ever since his recent awakening. While he didn't specifically base his decisions on the things he had witnessed, seeing the multitude of paths everyone around him could potentially walk was very insightful. It allowed him to string together events like the pieces of an impossibly complex puzzle, one where he could freely change the shape of the pieces...Making full use of his ability, Vahn absentmindedly massaged Olivia's body, ignoring her less-than-muffled moans and exclamations. It took some effort, but, after culling various currents that involved him and Olivia crossing lines that shouldn't be crossed, Vahn found a rather amusing path, one much smaller than the others. The only thing that mattered, however, was that the current existed, as, by making a concerted effort to strengthen the flow, it invariably became the route Olivia was set upon.To put his theory to the test, Vahn set a cushion on the ground before pulling out a bathrobe and saying, "That is enough for today. I'm certain you still have other matters to attend, so, unless you intend to spend the rest of the day in bed, it's time to get up."Olivia, with a ruddy and, admittedly, tantalizing expression, peered over her shoulder with a hungry look in her eyes. Despite this, she knew now wasn't the time or the place to try and seduce Vahn, so, after lifting her trembling body, she attempted to rise from the massage table. At the same time, her towel slipped down and, due to the state Vahn had left her in, so too did Olivia. Since this was what he had seen in Olivia's future, however, Vahn deftly slipped the robe onto her body without making direct contact.Though she had braced herself for a rough impact, Olivia was surprised to find her body wrapped in a white robe as she softly landed on a thick cushion. She was about to blame Vahn for not catching her, but, seeing how things had developed, she was momentarily confused before realizing what he had done. Vahn's recently acquired ability hadn't been kept a secret from her, so, seeing the casual smile on his face, Olivia couldn't help but pout as she protested, "How cruel...to think you would let an old woman fall down without even trying to catch her...what a brute..."While using a towel to wipe down his hands, Vahn shook his head in response to Olivia's complaint before pulling out a second towel so she could wipe down her sweat. At the same time, he casually rebuffed her, saying, "When you learn to pull your mind from the gutter, I'll begin treating you with the delicacy you deserve. You are a beautiful woman, Madam Edelfelt, but we both know it would only complicate things if I surrendered to your temptations. While you may have convinced yourself it would only be a temporary fling, I doubt any of the women around me, Luvia included, would be willing to believe that..."Hearing Vahn's retort, Olivia rolled her eyes before fixing her bathrobe and releasing a sigh as she said, "Saying things like that makes it really hard to give up on having a taste for myself. I wouldn't have been able to rise to my position without being a little greedy...but, as I wouldn't want to make my great-granddaughter cry, I'll do my best to hold back. Still, you can't blame me for trying...we Edelfelt women have always been fond of strong men...truthfully, you can only blame yourself for being so capable~."As this wasn't the first time he had heard Olivia's excuses, Vahn just nodded his head in response before saying, "Luvia should be finishing up soon. If you hurry along, you should be able to finish a quick shower before she arrives." Then, anticipating her response, he matched Olivia's timing, a smile on his face as he said, "I'll help you fix your hair..." just as she asked, "Will you help me fix..."With Vahn already answering her question, Olivia's words trailed off, her golden eyes glimmering in mild displeasure as she muttered, "I hope our future discussions aren't as...frustrating as this one has been. I must admit, I'm not fond of being interrupted. The next time you want to play with me, you'd better be naked..."Since he wasn't actually trying to upset her, Vahn nodded his head in understanding, an apologetic expression on his face as he muttered, "Sorry..." in a sincere tone of voice. This earned him a sidelong gaze from Olivia, but, rather than say anything further, she quickly departed for the adjoining bath to take a shower. She knew Vahn wasn't truly the manipulative type, so, while it was a little annoying to be on the receiving end of his 'experimentation', she forced herself to calm down by overlapping her image of Vahn with a child who had just received a new toy...After following Olivia's retreating figure with his eyes, Vahn's figure vanished like a phantom before reappearing next to a comfortable lounge. He was feeling a little tired, so, with Olivia and Luvia both requiring a bit of time, he decided to take a few minutes for himself. This was, in many ways, one of the most useful aspects of his newfound ability, as, by reading the Flow of Fate, Vahn had a rough understanding of how much time he could divest into simply relaxing.With about eleven minutes to himself, Vahn lightly tapped his abdomen after laying back on the lounge and kicking his feet up. In response, Alaya dutifully appeared in her Companion form, taking a seat in her designated spot. Vahn had been allocating a lot of his spare time to pampering and petting her, so, while it filled her with various complex emotions, she tightly gripped his tunic before nestling against his chest as he ran his hand from her head, down the line of her back, and along her long tail. It was a different stimulation from having her body groped and fondled, but, knowing he was quite fond of petting, Alaya had learned to enjoy it quite a bit...Finding the Companion version of Alaya rather adorable, Vahn lightly poked her cheek as he mused, "You've become a lot cuter these days...I still remember when you used to pout every time I rubbed your head or squished your cheeks..."Hearing Vahn's words, Alaya lightly bit his chest, her teeth completely bypassing the fabric of his clothes to bite the flesh beneath. She could freely choose what her body affected, so, even if he was wearing full body armor, little could stop her ivory teeth from sinking into his flesh. When she pulled her mouth away, however, there wasn't a single sign to indicate she had broken skin, earning a smile from Vahn as he lightly kneaded her tail.Though he was certain Alaya's behavior was related to her primary objective, it was also true that she had changed a great deal compared to her original self. He would like to think this was the result of the time they had spent together, but, while this was undoubtedly a factor, making any meaningful progress would have been impossible had Akasha not 'forced' her to acquiesce. Thus, while he had been feeling tempted to go further, especially in recent days, Vahn couldn't cross that line before he was certain she was free from Akasha's influence.It was a morbid thought but Vahn didn't even need to speculate in order to know that Akasha and her superiors would have experimented with his semen, attempting to produce offspring he would never have the opportunity to meet. Unfortunately for them, his semen might as well be empty air if he didn't proactively want to impregnate someone. Since he didn't actually have a genetic sequence, insemination was more a matter of intent than anything else, at least in his case.Much like an actual True Dragon, Vahn could impregnate virtually anything, irrespective of whether or not it was capable of even bearing children. This had been confirmed by Da Vinci as, in an effort to understand his role in the formation of new life, they had conducted a number of rather 'strange' experiments.While it was impossible to be certain, Vahn's intention to create life worked functionally similar to a Creation, or, perhaps, a Fertility Divinity. His experiments with Da Vinci had produced various types of plant life from inert stone and, in the most extreme of experiments, a vacuum chamber that had been devoid of everything but a single test tube. This ultimately gave birth to a type of flower that could even bloom in space, feeding off radiation and converting it into electrical energy.Needless to say, Vahn's body still had a lot of secrets, but, unless he was the one exposing them, it was impossible for others to take advantage of even a fragmentary part of his biomass. Thus, at least for the time being, he couldn't afford to develop any tender emotions for Alaya, as, if she wanted to be impregnated, he would have to refuse her. There was an inordinately high probability that their child would be stolen from her, and, due to the way she was 'programmed', Alaya might not even be aware of it. They could try for years to produce an offspring, believing they had failed while dozens of their children were used to further the experiments of Akasha's superiors...Though it could just be paranoia on his part, Vahn wasn't willing to take the risk as, even now, he could visualize the cold and emotionless visage of Akasha with perfect clarity. While it was possible they would remain patient, waiting for thousands of years before resorting to such methods, Vahn never underestimated those who devoted their everything to their experiments. Akasha was like an infinitely more powerful version of Da Vinci, completely stripped from any semblance of morals and integrity...Until he could establish contact with Gaia and carry out his penultimate plan, Vahn had little choice but to force Alaya to remain patient. He couldn't even turn on his View Affection without her aura overwhelming him for a brief moment, so, even if it wasn't actual love, it was painfully apparent how much Alaya had come to 'appreciate' him. If he gave her the green light, it wasn't difficult to imagine Alaya pulling him into her personal realm and attempting to ravish him for an eternity, but, for the time being, she could only bide her time, enjoying his caress...(A/N: Alternate Titles: 'Tenderizing the Obaa-chan o3o...','I can see the future...! Trunks is Vegeta's son! There are more than two androids...!','Alaya's affection is as heavy as a planet xD...')https://bit.ly/2XBzAYu &lt;-(p.atreon link)paypal.me/EinlionDiscord Invite: https://discord.gg/mn5xMbE

Though she had a lot of misgivings about what was happening, Musashi didn't hesitate to cut free Caenis who, due to her hostile nature, needed to be bound and gagged. The trigger for her ability required her to release a loud war cry, so, while it wasn't something Vahn would generally resort to, it ultimately authorized the countermeasure.With Musashi cutting her free, Caenis ripped the gag free, liberating a large amount of saliva before wiping her mouth and saying, "I know you would be able to break free. What's the plan?"As she spoke, Caenis manifested her shield and spear, ready to immediately throw herself back into battle despite her rather one-sided loss. This was something Musashi could appreciate, but, knowing the futility of trying to fight against even Vahn alone, much less the strange blue woman at his side, she shook her head and said, "I didn't escape. Come on, let's get out of here before something else goes wrong."Hearing Musashi's words, Caenis' serious expression turned skeptical for a brief moment before she solemnly stated, "I am not afraid of a fight. You can run away like a beaten dog if you prefer. I won't withdraw before punishing the bastards that thought they could shackle and muzzle me without repercussions...!"Musashi wasn't really in the mood to deal with Caenis, so, after slicing open a spatial vortex, she smacked the latter's backside with her sheath. As a result, Caenis was sent tumbling forward, her olive-brown skin taking on a reddish hue as she spat, "Musashi, you...!" before disappearing through the spatial rift.Without delaying, Musashi also leaped through the spatial tear, exiting out in one of the Bounded Fields they had previously conquered. As Vahn pointed out, they had actually killed quite a number of people just to keep them from exposing the location of their actual base. Though Musashi had only ever struck down the ones targetting her, choosing to leave the rest to Caenis and Cú Chulainn, it didn't change the fact she had a hand in their deaths...Though she was moderately distracted, Musashi swept her katana to the side, using the back of the blade to strike Caenis in the neck as the latter's spear passed harmlessly through her body. This was the usual result when her 'Nothingness' came into play, as, for a brief moment in time, she basically didn't exist.Since Musashi hadn't hit her hard enough to do any real damage, Caenis was only sent sliding a few meters, a feral expression on her face as she shouted, "What do you think you're doing, Musashi!?"Without waiting for a response, Caenis lunged forward, the tip of her spear glimmering with lethal intent. This time, however, Musashi didn't allow it to touch her, using her sheath to smack the spear aside before whacking Caenis on the head. As could be expected, this only further incensed the white-haired woman, but, before she could shout out, Musashi's sheath began tracing dozens of impossible to trace trajectories, striking at her head, neck, and joints until, moments later, Caenis was beaten and bloody on the ground.Brandishing her sheath to discard the blood caking it, Musashi glowered as she looked down at Caenis and said, "Don't lash out at me for preventing you from doing something stupid. The enemy is far stronger than we ever expected! You won't accomplish anything by rushing at them without a plan! Seriously, do you think having a horse's ears gives you the liberty to act like an animal...?"In response to Musashi's barb, Caenis' ears twitched in frustration as she clenched her teeth and tried to sweep the former's legs. Unfortunately, this only had the result of Musashi using her sheath to intercept her ankle with a precision strike, shattering the joint painfully. Even this wasn't enough to deter Caenis, though, as she used the momentum of her sweep to attempt a grapple, passing straight through Musashi's body and earning a painful whack on top of her head.Feeling she was getting nowhere, Musashi considered opening another spatial tear and tossing Caenis inside, but, knowing the latter, this would likely have an adverse effect. Thus, after taking a deep breath and releasing a tired sigh, she kicked over Caenis' spear, saying, "Pick it up..." while adopting a drawing stance.Seeing her spear within arm's reach, Caenis looked between it and Musashi, feeling a moment of trepidation before she grabbed her weapon and released a loud war cry. As a result, her wounds instantly healed, but, before she was even able to take a single step, Musashi appeared behind her, casually taking a few steps as she resheathed her katana.For a brief moment, Caenis froze in place like a statue before, several seconds later, she began coughing up mouthfuls of blood in a vain attempt to draw breath. Immediately after, she fell to the ground, her upper body separated from her lower half, leaving a steamy pile of entrails between the two halves.Without so much as a twitch of her eyelashes, Musashi stared back at Caenis, stating, "I defeated you in single combat, so, in accordance with your traditions, your life and death are mine to decide. Now, pull yourself together and let's talk about our options..."Though she felt a considerable amount of indignation, Caenis, like a monster out of a horror movie, began to rapidly regenerate her body. Her entrails sought each other out like a group of entwined eels, and, after a few seconds had passed, her upper and lower body began to pull together. By the time twenty seconds had passed, she was able to stand on her feet, her body and armor still stained with her own blood as she hefted her shield and spear, falling in step behind Musashi...---While the drama was taking place between Musashi and Caenis, Vahn was seated in a comfortable chair with Da Vinci's faux-body sitting in his lap. His eyes glimmered with golden light and, much like how he had been able to send his intent around after awakening his Qīnglóng form, he could follow the String of Fate connecting him and Musashi, using it to track her location through both space and time.It could be due to her cautious nature, but, Musashi didn't immediately return to their base. Instead, she spent a considerable amount of time just traversing between various Bounded Fields, sometimes jumping back to a previous location. She seemed reluctant to even try and contact her allies and, as a result of her incredible intuition, it was obvious from her behavior that she could feel something was wrong, even if she couldn't ascertain what it was.Since he didn't actually need Musashi to locate the enemy base any longer, Vahn only spent a little over an hour watching her before blinking his eyes and returning to his senses. When he opened his eyes again, he found Da Vinci's face only a few centimeters away from his own, and, seeing he had returned, she couldn't help but ask "She didn't return to their base, did she?"Unable to resist the temptation, Vahn lightly kissed Da Vinci's nose, causing her to flare her nostrils playfully as she tried, and failed, to bite his chin. This brought a smile to Vahn's face and, in response to her question, he answered, "It doesn't matter. From the moment we captured them, the location of their base became known..."Though he wasn't nearly as proficient as Merlin, or even Da Vinci herself, Vahn manipulated the energy within his domain, creating a three-dimensional projection of the moon. This caused Da Vinci's brows to rise slightly, followed by her muttering, "It's no wonder they've been able to hide away without slipping up. They aren't even on the planet..."After nodding his head in affirmation, Vahn turned his eyes skyward, his intent passing through all obstacles in its path, traveling nearly at the speed of thought as he shortly found himself staring at the moon. Since he already knew of the existence of the Moon Cell, it wasn't all that surprising to him that Archimedes had chosen it as the place to hide. Musashi's mentioning of the fact his world lacked mana made it pretty clear that Archimedes didn't rely on any particular Bounded Field, but, much like Da Vinci's tech, he exploited various Laws to achieve feats similar to Magecraft.Rushing up to the moon and dealing with Archimedes directly seemed like the most efficient course of action, but, knowing he had Administrative Access to the Moon Cell, part of Vahn was tempted to crush the man's plans the moment he thought success within arm's length. It was beginning to seem like Archimedes was anything but a Hero, so, with Musashi carrying his 'message', Vahn expected a considerable amount of discourse in their group.Ideally, Archimedes would take his words at face value, but, if he opted to continue with his schemes, Vahn would make good on his promise of crushing them. Since Musashi knew his capabilities better than most, she would undoubtedly try to deter Archimedes and, as a result, he would be able to take advantage of the rift formed between them. Vahn really didn't want to kill Heroes, so, if Musashi was able to convince others to face him directly, he didn't mind beating them down a few times, forcing them to see reason.At the very least, Vahn could ascertain whether or not Archimedes was holding onto a trump card more powerful than Musashi. If she began to oppose his plans, he would undoubtedly move to try and eliminate her before she could interfere. Vahn had the distinct impression Archimedes wasn't the type to tolerate people undermining his authority, so, with Musashi giving off the impression of a genuinely good person, albeit with a few troublesome quirks, it was impossible he didn't have a bigger card to play.Regardless of how things developed, Vahn would prepare countermeasures for anything the so-called Heroes would throw at him. They had already touched his bottom line several times, so, if they didn't reveal themselves after three days, he would treat their silence as a declaration of war. He had given them a chance to do things in an above-board manner and, even if he had to tear apart their plans a thousand times, he wouldn't particularly care so long as they didn't resort to underhanded means. This was one of the 'quirks' of his character, so, if they were true Heroes, they would actually be able to exploit it to their advantage...Vahn was the type that expected hardship and setbacks, using them as opportunities to increase his strength and temper his resolve. If he didn't have this type of personality, he would have never been able to withstand his Shishou's teachings, fill his stomach with Circe's food, and quenched his thirst with Semiramis' poison. He wouldn't even care if a thousand assassins targetted him, so long as they informed him of the occasion and made sure not to involve his loved ones.It may seem like a strange quirk to have, one that worried his loved ones to no end, but, compared to cultivating a mentality of fear, it was the lesser of many evils. In a way, it allowed him to accept a bit of responsibility for the wrongdoings he had committed in his life, as, despite often having the best of intentions, Vahn knew his actions were often extreme. He would not deny people a chance at vengeance, but, from the moment they shifted their focus to his loved ones, Vahn would completely annihilate them.Though his actions may have resulted in the loss of many innocent lives, Vahn had never proactively done so for personal reasons. The moment you began targetting people unrelated to revenge, for the sole purpose of causing mental anguish or a feeling of loss in your actual target, you become irredeemably evil. Vahn would never tolerate such underhanded and unjustifiable acts, so, if Musashi didn't convey his intentions properly, she, alongside her entire group, would be annihilated...(A/N: Alternate Titles: 'I kinda feel bad for Caenis...','That's no Moon...!','Vahn is basically Korosensei at this point. Feel free to try and assassinate him as much as you want, but, if you target the people he wants to protect...there is literally nothing that can save you')https://bit.ly/2XBzAYu &lt;-(p.atreon link)paypal.me/EinlionDiscord Invite: https://discord.gg/Jwa8PKh

Chapter 1422: Rampant Change