Endless Path : Infinite Cosmos

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 the feeling of being watched had faded, Musashi spent nearly two full days transferring between various Bounded Fields before coming to a stop outside a small forest shrine hidden away in the mountains of Japan.No matter how many worlds and timelines she had traversed, Musashi always found herself visiting her ancestral homeland whenever her thoughts were in turmoil. This was also the location they had designated for establishing contact if they believed the enemy had tracked them, so, understanding Caenis was close to her breaking point, Musashi brought her to a place where they could both rest.As Divine Spirits, Musashi and Caenis didn't have to worry about food and water, but, as they were both humanoid Divine Spirits, they had never outgrown the habits. Musashi, in particular, was quite fond of Sake, but, having been born during the so-called Japanese Renaissance period, she also had a weakness for hard liquor imported from overseas. It was one of the methods she used to calm her mind outside of battle, as, despite achieving the coveted state of Nothingness, the vices she defined her life as a human were like an anchor for her Spirit...After unsealing a small barrier that prevented the Shrine's offering box from being opened, Musashi pulled out a large gourd, a ceramic jar, and several shot glasses. She then tossed one of the glasses to the moody Caenis, adopting a smile as she said, "We probably have a few hours to kill before any of our allies show up. Come, have a drink with me and stop pouting. It's not like there won't be even more opportunities to fight. You need to learn to relax properly if you want to become truly strong."Though she had caught the glass thrown her way, Caenis immediately tossed it back, her expression still dour as she stated, "You know I hate that rice wine of yours. I prefer port wine and honey mead, not that bitter water you call alcohol..."Since it wasn't like she could force Caenis to drink with her, at least without beating her in a duel, Musashi just shook her head before taking a seat on the cold stone steps and enjoying a drink. The ceramic container she used was actually an item she had picked up in her travels after defeating a hermetic priest worshipping Inari Okami, one of the various Gods of Sake. It was a special ceramic jar that could produce a functionally limitless supply of high-quality sake, albeit at a rate of 12oz every five hours.If left within a Shrine dedicated to Inari, the sake within would ferment once the container was filled, becoming richer and more flavorful with each passing day. Thus, whenever she was busy with other things, Musashi would leave the ceramic container and her personal wine gourd stowed away inside the Shrine, visiting periodically to transfer the contents into larger ceramic wine jars that now filled the entirety of the Shrine's interior.After emptying half the contents of the ceramic container without bothering to dilute the flavorful alcohol within, Musashi released a hot sigh as her face almost immediately became red. Despite her love of sake, there was a reason her legend mentioned various drunken escapades and brawls. She had always been rather weak to all forms of alcohol, and, while she could even drink some Dwarves under the table, it only took a few mouthfuls of the potent liquor to get her drunk.Knowing how clingy and easily agitated Musashi got while drunk, Caenis had already disappeared into the surrounding mountains. There was little she could do against Musashi, even while the latter was drunk, so, after learning a harsh lesson several times in the past, Caenis set aside her pride and decided on a swift retreat the moment the disc-shaped glass reached her companion's lips.Though she had sensed Caenis disappear, tempting her to give chase, Musashi felt it was too much trouble pursuing the horse-like woman. Caenis' foot speed easily eclipsed her own, so, while it was possible for her to cut off the former's retreat, Musashi felt it would spoil the taste of her alcohol if she went out of her way to exert herself. Sake was best enjoyed in good company or while behaving as lazy as possible, so, rather than give chase, she lay back against the cool stone, enjoying the fresh breeze and the gentle rays of the sun while nursing her faithful gourd...---Several hours after Musashi had started her private drinking session, she ended up sprawled out in a slovenly mess atop the Shrine's steps. Despite this, she still possessed an ethereal beauty, something that far exceeded the limitations faced by most mortal women. This was one of the perks of being a Divine Spirit, but, in spite of this, the man looking down on her partially exposed figure had a look of frustration and resignation on his face as he lightly nudged her with his foot, muttering, "It's time to wake up, Musashi...hey...hey, can you hear me...?"Seeing Musashi ignoring his attempts to wake her, laughing drunkenly in response, the man couldn't help releasing a tired sigh before wondering whether or not he should seek out Caenis' assistance or call for additional support. Musashi was notoriously difficult to deal with while she was drunk, but, as someone who vehemently hated most men, Caenis wasn't exactly easy to deal with either.Deciding he would rather avoid another beating from the drunken Musashi, the man pulled out his Communicator, walking well away from the slumbering landmine to say, "Send someone else down. I can't deal with Caenis and Musashi while the latter is drunk."Following his transmission, the man looked around the area, trying to sense the location of Caenis before ultimately deciding to ignore her as he pulled an ornate sniper rifle, a bolt-action rifle that had risen to popularity in the 1980s due to its impressive accuracy and portability. This one, however, had a sleek black luster that seemed glossy at first, but, when observed closely, it actually absorbed the light around it instead of reflecting it. It was also possible to make out thousands of small runes that had been painstakingly engraved along its surface, indicative of more than a hundred different enchantments.Since it would take a bit of time for Headquarters to send support, the man decided to perform a bit of routine maintenance on his trusted firearm. While this wasn't exactly necessary, due to the fact he was a Heroic Spirit, it was a habit he had formed in his past life. This was similar to Nobunaga's need to conduct maintenance on her weapons and, while not exactly the same, it had a few parallels with Musashi's incessant need to drink herself into oblivion...By the time he had finished brushing down the firing pin and cleaning the chamber of his rifle, two additional figures had appeared within the man's perception. The first was the woman who had been assigned as his partner, much like how Caenis and Musashi had been paired together. She was the same 'Saber' that had been assigned to assist during the previous mission while, at her side, Alice, the resident mascot of their operation, led the way by pulling the former's hand.Seeing the white-haired man in the distance, Alice's face brightened into a lovely smile as she broke out into a fumbling run before diving toward him and shouting, "Brother Shirou~" in a happy tone.Though he caught Alice out of the air, Shirou had a wry smile on his face as he set her back on the ground and whispered, "Alice...I told you not to call me by name when we're outside Headquarters. It is also too dangerous for you out here...who let you come outside?"Hearing her beloved big brother's words, Alice puffed out her cheeks adorably before ignoring his question and asking, "Are you not happy to see me...?" in an aggrieved tone.In response to Alice's pouting, Shirou released a small sigh before adopting his most comforting smile, gently caressing her head as he replied, "I'm always happy to see you, Alice. It's just...well, all big brothers can't help but worry about their little sisters. Since you're so adorable, I worry that any random stranger might try to pick you up and kidnap you...hahaha..."Finding her big brother's response to her liking, Alice's smile returned even more radiant than before as she threw her arms around his neck and chimed, "Big brother is the best~!" before planting a kiss on his cheek.With a wry smile on his face, Shirou lightly pinched Alice's cheek in response before rising to his feet and greeting his usual partner, his expression immediately becoming a mask of professionalism as he said, "Berserker...are you the one who decided to bring out Alice?"Without any change in her expression, the woman with features similar to Artoria, the only exception being the color of their hair and eyes, stared blankly back at Shirou before answering, "Assassin...she offered me her cake...Besides, I don't like it when she pouts...it is troublesome...you should play with her more often..."As if having successfully read a script, 'Berserker' sent a thumbs-up toward Alice, earning a similar expression from the small girl who now clung to Shirou's side. At the same time, Shirou released a tired sigh, something he found himself doing with increasing frequency ever since coming to this world.Before things became more hectic, Shirou grabbed Alice's hand, intending her to have her wake up Musashi while leaving Caenis to Berserker. The two had a bit of a rivalry between them, but, due to Caenis' hatred of men, it was easier to let one of his female companions deal with her. Most of their group was actually female, the only exceptions being himself, Archimedes, Lovecraft, and 'another', so it wasn't difficult to have someone else rein her in.With Alice in tow, Shirou made his way over to where Musashi, now with her kimono slightly open, continued napping away with a silly smile on her ruddy face. Seeing this, Alice entered 'panic mode', pushing away her big brother as she shouted, "Brother Shirou, you can't look! Bad...!" Then, after making sure he was facing away, she went over to the sleeping Musashi, shaking her shoulders rather vigorously in order to wake her.After experiencing a nightmare where she was trapped on the open seas during a storm, Musashi woke to find the familiar face of Alice glaring back at her. Though she was still considerably drunk, the angry face of the adorable little girl had a sobering quality to it, forcing Musashi to quickly fix her clothes as she sheepishly asked, "What are you doing here, Alice? Shouldn't you be back at home...?"Before she could finish her line of questioning, Musashi saw Shirou standing off to the side with his back turned, realization dawning on her at the same time as her expression reddened. She wasn't the type that cared if her body was seen by others, but, as Shirou had already resisted her teasing quite, she had developed a certain 'awareness' of him that was hard to put into words. It wasn't anything remotely resembling love, but, as a man with a respectable character, it made Musashi feel slightly ashamed to behave in her usual slovenly manner around him...Seeing Musashi's expression redden, Alice's face immediately formed into a pout as she moved in a way to block the former's view, her posture similar to a mother scolding their child as she said, "You shouldn't be sleeping outside! If you're sleepy, you should return home and use your bed properly!"Musashi was at a bit of a loss as to how she should respond, but, fortunately, Shirou came to her aid, saying, "Don't blame her too much, Alice. Musashi has been on the run for the last few days in order to avoid leading the enemy to our home. She was probably very tired so don't be too hard on her..."Grasping the lifeline that had been thrown to her, Musashi nodded her head, immediately adding, "Assassin is right. Caenis and I have been on the run without resting for two whole days so I couldn't help taking a nap while waiting. Please forgive me, Alice, I promise I won't sleep outside anymore..."Though her frustration had little to do with the fact Musashi was sleeping outdoors, Alice ultimately decided to forgive her after hearing her big brother's words. Thus, while not as vibrant as the smile she reserved for her big brother and favorite uncle, Alice adopted a kind smile before lightly patting Musashi's head and saying, "You worked hard. Let's go home so you can get some proper rest."Musashi felt a slight urge to tear up in response to Alice's perceived gentleness, but, as she wasn't absolutely certain it was safe to head back, she shook her head and said, "I'd like to return but there are a couple of things I need to take care of before then. I know you don't like being away from your big brother, but, can you give the two of us a few minutes to talk? There is something very important I need to discuss with Assassin before we can all head back together..."Hearing Musashi's words, Alice had a complicated expression on her face, but, with Shirou following up by saying, "Alice, be a good girl...please...", she begrudgingly decided to give them some privacy. She knew they needed to talk about the previous mission, and, while it made her a little upset to be excluded, Alice knew everyone just wanted to keep her safe.After Alice was out of earshot, Shirou's expression immediately became serious as he asked, "Have you been compromised? Tell me what happened after you were captured. Did they...do anything to you...?"Though she knew he wasn't alluding to anything sexual, Musashi's already red face became slightly more ruddy as she issued a few coughs to cover up her embarrassment. Shirou's face also became a little red once he realized the hidden meaning in his words, but, unlike Musashi, it only took him a few seconds to recover. When she did, Musashi also adopted a more serious expression, her drunken state quickly fading away as she began to recount the details of her battle against Vahn, the method used to contain her, and the rather one-sided negotiations that had led to her release...(A/N: Alternate Titles: '[Endless Bottle of Sake:B]','The advent of Assassin Shirou and Berserker!?','You better stay away from Musashi-chan you white-haired Octopus...')https://bit.ly/2XBzAYu &lt;-(p.atreon link)paypal.me/EinlionDiscord Invite: https://discord.gg/mn5xMbE

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

Chapter 1423: Fate : Tensions