Endless Path : Infinite Cosmos

Around the same time that he was discussing the summoning of Heroes, Vahn had freed up a bit of time, seeking out Artoria. He didn't want to surprise her by summoning a 'doppelganger' of herself without any forewarning, but, more importantly, he wanted to resolve the matter of her 'surprise'. It wasn't something that needed to be taken care of immediately, but, once she learned the specifics, there was a fair chance she might blame him for not bringing it up sooner.Though Vahn could take a sneak peek into what the future held, doing so would spoil the surprise for both of them. He was very curious about the result, but, in order to share the moment with his beloved Empress, he diligently went in blind. After all, regardless of how things ended up, Vahn was certain Artoria would appreciate it quite a bit.Carrying this conviction with him, Vahn sought out Artoria, finding her lounging in their room. This wasn't all that surprising, but, perhaps as a result of the stress she had accumulated throughout the day, Vahn was amused to find her wearing nothing but a blouse and panties as Gray straddled her back, massaging Artoria's shoulders. It was a rather 'intimate' scene, quickly turning comical when he startled them both by suddenly opening the door.While Gray showed an expression of mild shock, Artoria nearly knocked her out of the bed when she suddenly flipped over and tried to cover herself. She looked like she had just had a heart attack, her face paling as a cold sweat quickly developed across her body. When she saw who had entered the room, however, her face became beet red as she exclaimed, "You...can't you knock or something!?"Electing not to tease her too much, Vahn simply smiled, muttering, "Sorry, I'll keep that in mind..." as he walked over to the bed. He knew she would quickly realize how foolish it would be to require him to knock on his own bedroom. She was simply surprised, as, whenever he made time for his children, Vahn would stay with them for upwards of a day, on the low end...While Artoria was recovering, Gray managed a slight smile, bowing as she politely stated, "Good evening, Master." The fact she was in her lingerie made this quite the appealing sight, earning an appreciative nod from Vahn as he answered, "Sorry to interrupt." in an amused tone.Hearing her Master's words, Gray's smile only widened as she resisted the temptation to laugh, a mischievous glint in her eyes as she stated, "We were just getting to the good part too..."The moment Gray finished her words, a white blur slammed into her head, knocking her off balance as Artoria, with a crimson complexion, readied another pillow and exclaimed, "Traitor...!"---After waiting for both Artoria and Gray to change into more suitable attire, Vahn preempted their questions, explaining, "I wanted to give you an update on the events taking place in the Moon Cell. Before I end up summoning anyone else, I also wanted to give you the surprise I promised. Though it could wait until later...well, let's just say this will make things slightly easier for me? Hahahaha~."Now that she was fully clothed, Artoria had regained her calm demeanor, her expression forming a slight deadpan as she plainly stated, "You intend to summon another person that looks like us, don't you?"Hearing Artoria's words, Vahn turned statuesque, earning a pointed look from his beloved Empress, who, with her arms crossed, added, "Your surprise better be good. I'm already expecting that glutton and battle junky to begin clinging to you in the future. You summoning more doesn't even come as a surprise at this point..."Contrary to how she behaved when others were present, Artoria could be exceptionally shrewd when they were 'alone'. Though she was also prone to bouts of embarrassment, she became a force to be reckoned with whenever she regained her momentum.Despite the slight pressure he experienced under Artoria's silvery gaze, Vahn felt as though he had an absolute advantage this time around. She seemed to notice this as well, her 'anger' beginning to subside even before he answered.So as not to lose the momentum, Vahn took a deep breath, adopting a serious expression as he said, "After what happened with Scáthach...I invested a lot of time trying to comprehend everything that had happened. I've also been speaking with both Alaya and Merlin about concerns I have had for a long time, trying to grasp concepts regarding Space and Time. I'm so close to obtaining a Divinity in both, so a lot of my self-study relates to both subjects..."Artoria didn't know what Vahn was getting at, but she began to feel more than a little nervous. Even Gray was showing an exceptionally serious expression, feeling as though she was bearing witness to an important, historic, moment.With the attention of both women fixated on him, Vahn allowed himself to smile slightly, adding, "I promised to continue looking for ways to treat your current condition. I had discovered the solution some time ago, but, as I had many concerns, I never mentioned it. These last few days have changed my perspective a considerable amount, so, now that I have had time to consider it properly, I think it is time to come forward with my findings..."Even without asking, Artoria knew what Vahn meant when he was referring to her 'condition'. She could feel her jaw begin to tremble slightly as she balled her hands into fists, doing her best to try and stay calm as he explained, "Your Chrono Displasia, it is not the result of you freeing Caliburn from the stone. Rather, from that moment in time, it was your inability to move forward that caused your body to cease developing. You were too focused on being the King others had always expected you to become, following the path they had set without deviating. By the time you pulled the sword from the stone, you had become that King, never changing from that moment onwards..."Hearing Vahn's words, Artoria lowered her eyes slightly, memories of her past welling up, including many things she had come to regret. Though she had started letting these things go, there were still a few things that haunted her, even to this day.Before Artoria could begin wallowing in the memories of her past, Vahn extended his hand, gently lifting her chin so that they were staring directly at each other. Then, before continuing where he left off, he softly stated, "You have come a long way, Artoria...you are no longer that young woman who was forced to bear a burden others thrust upon you. Raise your head, smile, and feel prideful of the progress you have made...the people you have touched..."Placing her hand overtop Vahn's, Artoria was able to calm down considerably, a smile replacing the conflicted expression on her face as she answered, "You're right...the person I have become can't be compared to my past self. Sometimes, I forget...thanks for reminding me...Vahn..."As it was virtually impossible to resist, Vahn reduced the already shrinking distance between them, kissing Artoria's lips in a delicate manner. He was tempted to go further, but, as he was starting to get a little excited for what was to come, he tempered his resolve, pulling away after a few seconds had passed.Now looking like a demure maiden, Artoria had a slight flush on her face as she awkwardly combed her fingers through her hair. In truth, she was also tempted to continue, but, far more than Vahn, she was eager to experience what his words seemed to promise.Contrary to her expectations, albeit only slightly, Vahn went on to explain, "That is the primary cause behind your body's physical development. The real problem, however, is the contract you attempted to establish with Alaya. Even though we have largely treated your trauma, your Soul is still linked to your original body. Time is an illusory concept, having no bearing on the Soul itself. Thus, while your original body remains removed from the Time Axis, your current vessel will default back to that state, even if someone like Aoko were to accelerate you time by millions of years..."As Artoria had started to deflate slightly, Vahn began to lightly caress her cheek, a smile on his face as he asked, "Do you think I would tell you these things arbitrarily? Calm yourself. Take deep breaths and relax..."Following Vahn's guiding words, Artoria took several deep breaths, leaning into his palm slightly with her cheek. Once she had calmed down an adequate amount, he went on to explain, "I spent a lot of time looking into the methods employed by Scáthach to link the Land of Shadows with the current Time Axis. I also discussed your original fate with Merlin, learning the conditions required for your return as the King of Utopian Avalon..."Once he reached the part concerning Artoria's fate, Vahn felt a little awkward, but, knowing she would want to know the full details, he continued, adding, "One of the requirements was for your contract with Alaya to be annulled. This would have resulted in the death of your original body, but, due to the nature of your existence of the 'pillar' of the world, your physical body is simply a vessel. Your Soul, in the form of a Greater Divine Spirit, would have been transferred to Avalon, awaiting the world's destruction before allowing you to return, this time in your 'true' form..."Though she knew Vahn would go on to explain, Artoria couldn't help but furrow her brows slightly, asking, "So, I have to die...no, you have to destroy my original body...?"As she had hit the nail on the head, Vahn felt even more awkward, his smile turning wry as he said, "I can retrieve your original body from the severed Time Axis using the Throne of Heroes. Since you are currently inhabiting this vessel, this would cause your original body to break down into dust, ceasing to exist. The death of your physical body serves the purpose of creating a permanent gateway with True Avalon, one only you can open. From that moment onward, you would be able to summon True Avalon at will, but, most importantly, it will remove your Chrono Displasia entirely. Your true nature is that of a Greater Divine Spirit, one with Draconic heritage...once you are willing to accept that, there will be no limits to your future..."Even before he had finished his explanation, Vahn could see hesitation budding within Artoria's silver eyes. Her aura had also become slightly chaotic, so, while it was somewhat unfair to her, he leaned in close, bringing his mouth near her ear as he whispered, "You will also be able to bear children..."The moment her brain processed what Vahn had just said, which took a surprisingly long period of time, Artoria felt a resolution bubble up inside of her as she firmly stated, "I'm ready. I hadn't even thought about my original body in the last few years, so there is no sense in fretting over it at this point. Let us be done with this. Do it. Quickly."Vahn wasn't too surprised by Artoria's fervor, as he knew she had been thinking about having an actual child even before the recent matter with Mordred. Becoming the latter's mother had been one of the most pivotal moments in her entire life, but, while she cared about Mordred deeply, it was impossible for her to quell the desire to bear one of her own. She had envied the fact that others were able to get pregnant, seeding thoughts of inferiority and causing her to, at times, question her value as a woman...---With Artoria having made up her mind, another version of Vahn, who had been waiting patiently in the Welsh Dragon's Chamber, opened his eyes. In the next moment, he found himself in the familiar black space, standing a few meters short of the Throne's terminal.Though Artoria's name was actually greyed out, as she was already 'summoned', Vahn had already performed an experiment to ascertain whether or not his method world work. In the end, all he had to do was select the [Transmigration] option, and, though there was a fair chance her Ego would be transplanted into the new body, the end result would be the same. All that really mattered was that her physical vessel was destroyed, allowing the gateway to True Avalon to be established. If he had to transfer her soul into another vessel for a few minutes, it wouldn't make much of a difference...Fortunately, Vahn was spared the additional effort as, after confirming his selection, he watched as the familiar bluish-white particles came together before ultimately dispersing. Her body didn't even manifest completely, but, within the Unit Management list, Vahn was able to confirm that her Chrono Displasia had disappeared. The only step remaining was for her to activate [Avalon], then, alongside Artoria herself, he would learn exactly why Merlin kept telling him he was in for a pleasant surprise...(A/N: Alternate Titles: 'Mmm, Artoria showing why she is the top waifu in the Nasuverse...','It's easy, really, we just have to kill you~!','I'm getting vertigo up here...')https://bit.ly/2XBzAYu &lt;-(p.atreon link)paypal.me/EinlionDiscord Invite: https://discord.gg/Jwa8PKh

Vahn wasn't foolish enough to trust Merlin completely, but, when it regarded things like Artoria's happiness, the flowery magus could be pretty reliable. Thus, knowing Artoria's 'true form' would be a reflection of her ideal self, it didn't matter what she ended up looking like. So long as she was happy, there was no reason for him not to be.Originally, Artoria was fated to wait within the confines of Avalon for tens-of-thousands of years, her body remaining unchanged due to the few emotions she was able to cling to during her isolation. It was rather tragic, really, but, now that he had changed her fate so completely, such concerns would never be required. Now, they walked a parallel path, and, no matter what difficulties they faced, they would be able to meet them together...After verbalizing these thoughts and explaining the process to Artoria, Vahn watched as his beloved Empress nervously activated her [Avalon]. He and Gray had also been affected by her tensions, but, as they had similar ideas of showing support, they managed to maintain comforting smiles as a veil of light shrouded Artoria's body.Vahn could feel his heart begin to race madly as butterflies began to flutter around in his stomach, a combination that, despite his age, made him feel giddy. Then, with widening eyes, he watched as the proud and noble swordmaiden he had come to love began to shrink at a startling rate. Merlin's smile suddenly flickered across his thoughts, causing his hands to ball into loose fists as the light began to fade away, revealing a version of Artoria even more petite than Circe...Unamused by the trickery, Vahn turned his attention towards the ceiling, stating, "If you don't break this illusion, so help me..."Following Vahn's words, a laugh could be heard echoing in the surroundings as a hazy figure came into existence a few meters away. This was, of course, Merlin, who, upon seeing the look on Vahn's face, ceased laughing. Then, after lightly coughing a few times, he said, "You'll have to forgive me, Your Majesty. If I were to pass on such an opportunity, I would regret it for my entire life..."As even Artoria was glaring at him with a rather vicious gaze, Merlin waved his hand through the air with an apologetic smile on his face, erasing the illusion he had cast over her body. Truthfully, he was just a little upset by the fact Vahn hadn't thought to inform him of his intentions. This was his way of getting even with him, as, while it may be a much more important even for the three of them, it was still a moment he had wanted to bear witness to...With Merlin's illusion broken, Vahn couldn't help but gawk, his mouth hanging open rather sillily as even Gray's eyes became as round as saucers. As for Artoria herself, she hadn't been able to see all of the changes to her body, but, seeing the two large mounds that threatened to burst through her dress, a large grin had spread across her face. It was only when she looked up with an expression of pride that she realized just how much she had changed, as, compared to before, where she had to crane her neck just to look up at Vahn, she was now only a few centimeters shorter than him...Vahn realized he had slightly underestimated Artoria's complex about her femininity, as, now that she was in her 'true' form, it was impossible to even compare her to her past self. She had become a startlingly beautiful woman, possessing mature features that greatly exceeded his expectations. Even Boudica would be hard-pressed to compare herself to Artoria, as, while she had shapely and natural-looking breasts, Artoria's seemed 'flawless', holding their shape perfectly despite their size...While the changes to her bust were the most notable, Artoria's figure as a whole now possessed an indescribable quality to it. Though it was possible to use words to convey her beauty, any attempt to do so just seemed 'wrong', almost as if it was a libelous remark that blemished her otherwise perfect existence. The only way to describe her changes without it sounding like an insult would be to using the words 'mature beauty', as even describing her as 'godly' seemed inadequate...Seeing Vahn's unbroken stupor, Artoria could feel a swell of emotions from deep within. Though he had always looked at her with love and affection, one of Artoria's secret desires had always been to take Vahn's breath away with her feminine charm. She had wanted to become a woman that could stand at his side, nay, a proud Empress that could match his stature.Though it didn't seem to bother Vahn, it had always made Artoria feel self-conscious whenever she imagined how others perceived them when they were seen together. After all, Vahn was a tall and handsome man who could change the atmosphere of an entire room just by entering it. Inversely, while she also garnered a great deal of attention, the fact she looked even younger than some of his children was a great blemish on her pride. Now, she was confident she could stand at his side with pride, rather than forcing herself to radiate dignity she didn't believe she possessed...Unaware of Artoria's true thoughts, Vahn slowly regained his senses, but, even after several minutes had passed, he couldn't find words to speak. This caused the smile on Artoria's face to grow, and, though it might be awkward to some, she didn't mind allowing Vahn to gawk until he was satisfied. His gaze made her feel beautiful, and, if not for the presence of Merlin, she might have given in to the urge to pose for him.As Artoria's own excitement grew, nearly every set of eyes in the room looked downward, confusing her slightly. It wasn't until she followed their gaze that she realized the reason behind their peculiar line of sight, as, snaking around happily behind her body, a silvery-white tail had made its presence known. This was enough to cause Artoria herself to gawk, her stupor turning into abject shock as she reached out, confirming it was attached to her body...Seeing Artoria's shocked expression, Vahn was finally able to recover completely, an amused smile replacing his previous, stupefied, expression. Then, before Artoria could embarrass herself, he gave a pointed look toward Merlin, stating, "I believe you have seen enough, yes?"Hearing Vahn's words, Merlin awkwardly rubbed the back of his head, saying, "Well, I suppose you are right. Before I go, just let me say a few words, okay?"Without waiting for Vahn's permission, Merlin made his way over to Artoria's side, surprising her, once again, due to how much her height had increased. Previously, she had been stuck at 154cm, but, after the changes to her body, she was now a startling 173cm tall. As Merlin was only 178cm in height, Artoria was able to easily maintain eye contact with him, a fact that caused a small smile to return to her face.The moment he reached Artoria's side, Merlin surprised everyone present by reaching out his hand, stroking the top of her head as he said, "You've grown..." in an affectionate tone. This wasn't meant to be a sarcastic remark, rather, based on the sincerity visible in Merlin's countenance, it was like a father praising his daughter.Artoria's expression immediately turned complicated upon hearing Merlin's words, her nose turning slightly sour. Truthfully, she had always considered Merlin a surrogate father to her, as, while he may have had the same expectations as everyone else, he always stood by her. He was the one who cared for her as a child, taught her how to use her sword, and, most importantly, comforted her whenever she was feeling doubtful or lonely...Though she didn't cry, Artoria was very clearly on the verge of doing so as she closed her eyes and muttered, "Thank you..." in a low voice. At the very end, however, she added on one final word that only Merlin, who had been staring directly at her had been able to discern, 'father'. This caused his own eyes to moisten, but, not wanting to make this moment about him, he issued a soft laugh as his body faded away, leaving the trio to their own devices...With Merlin's disappearance, Artoria felt a strange feeling of loneliness, but, with Vahn and Gray still present, a feeling of fullness spread through her body as she returned their smiles with her own. As a result, her silvery-white tail began rhythmically tap the floor, causing a slight blush to develop across her cheeks due to the awkwardness of having an appendage she couldn't control...---Though it had been obvious due to her physical transformation, Artoria's True Dragon blood was no longer sealed. Fortunately, most likely as a result of her own views on the matter, her transformation was only a partial one. With a bit of effort, it wouldn't be long before she was able to conceal her draconic features completely. Vahn, however, encouraged the opposite, as, rather than suppress her bloodline, it would be a lot 'healthier' for her to master it.Artoria was troubled by the fact she now had a rather thick tail protruding from her backside, but, as she could also feel a phenomenal amount of power within her body, her jubilation greatly exceeded any of her concerns. She also knew that Vahn had a thing for women with exotic features, so, while it was undoubtedly the result of her dragon blood, Artoria silently speculated the 'true' reason behind the sudden emergence of her tail...Vahn would probably reprimand her slightly if he knew her thoughts, but, Artoria was much happier with her current form than her previous self. Part of her had always felt strangely possessive of him, so, to have him look at her with such intrigue and 'want', it made her feel greatly vindicated. Though she would never even think of forcing him to give up other women, she had grown to feel prideful of the fact that, while he may be surrounded by beauties, she had been the one chosen as his Empress.Now that she had become her 'true' self, Artoria was feeling more confident than ever before. It was like all of her repressed emotions were beginning to break free from their bindings, allowing her to feel truly liberated for the first time in her life. She could vividly imagine the reactions of every other woman in the Inner Sanctum, and, though she felt slightly apologetic towards them, Artoria felt as though she had completely eclipsed her 'other' selves...After admiring the changes to her body in a standing mirror for nearly twenty minutes, Artoria met Vahn's gaze through the reflection, her eyes becoming slightly sharper as a smile spread across her face. He had been watching her with an amused yet possessive look on her face, while, at his side, Gray had a visibly envious look.While she would never openly state it, Gray's envy made Artoria feel even more vindicated, her pale white pupils contracting slightly to form slits. This gave her a slightly predatory look, especially with her silver eyes glimmering slightly in amusement. She had the appearance of a cat who had found a mouse to play with, but, rather than act on this emotion, Artoria turned to face them, her expression softening slightly as she muttered, "It seems your surprise not only met my expectations but greatly exceeded them...I suppose I should thank you, shouldn't I~?"Though Artoria could pull off being playfully seductive before, her current form radiated a mature aura that nearly caused Vahn to swallow, hard, upon hearing her husky voice. It had deepened a lot compared to before, now possessing a quality that could make a person's skin turn to goosebumps the moment they heard it. This wasn't due to disgust, however, but due to how sensual her neutral tone had become.Without waiting for Vahn's response, Artoria's clothes began to dissolve into motes of silvery-white light, not to reveal her naked body, but to change into something completely new. Even she didn't know what form it would take, however, as she was merely following her instincts, activating one of the powers she 'knew' slumbered inside her body. All she knew was, based on her intuition, Vahn would greatly appreciate it, so, regardless of what form it took, she would make full use of it.To Vahn's surprise, two silvery-white horns protruded from Artoria's head, appearing reminiscent of rabbit ears. More surprisingly, however, was how her bun partially loosened, allowing her beautiful golden hair to flow freely, while, in lieu of the form-fitting blue dress from before, Artoria was now wearing what appeared to be a white bunny suit. It was a highly revealing outfit, leaving very little to the imagination due to the various sections of exposed skin.Though staring at any part of Artoria's body would be worthwhile, Vahn found his eyes drawn to her long, slender, legs. They were now covered in a pale blue mesh that, at a glance, appeared to be fish next hose. If you were to look closely, however, you would notice that the individual segments were actually thin blue scales, each glistening like the smooth underbelly of a snake. It was, honestly, one of the most beautiful and tantalizing things he had ever seen, causing Vahn's own draconic instincts to act up as a strong desire to 'conquer' his beloved Empress welled up inside him...Artoria could feel a startling heat pass through her body upon seeing Vahn's gaze, but, feeling an equal desire to tease him, she chose to remain where she was, smiling seductively as she said, "This seems to be my Divine Raiment...hmm, I suppose it is true that rabbits often represent good fortune. I wonder if this form increases my own...shall we put it to the test~?"Hearing Artoria's words, Vahn was able to ascertain several things, but, while he was certainly curious about her Divinity, that quickly fell to the wayside when his own words echoed through his mind. He knew what Artoria was referencing when she mentioned putting her fortune to the test. This caused his aura to begin swelling against his will, his eyes shifting from aquamarine to glimmering gold. In turn, Artoria's silver irises also began to glow, her pupils expanding and contracting slightly as their emotions caused an infinite loop of increasing tensions...Though he actually had a lot of other important things going on, Vahn still found himself saying, "It is too dangerous to do it here...we'll end up destroying a part of the castle..."Rather than answer his words, Artoria's eyes squinted slightly as a phenomenal, seemingly infinite, amount of energy emanated from her body. In an instant, their surroundings had changed from their shared chambers to an endless field of blooming flowers. Then, in a surprising act of aggression, she stepped forward, smiling greedily as she said, "I've waited long enough..."(A/N: Alternate Titles: 'Vahn's curse','I may not be your father, but I am your daddy','The Goddess of Fortune places her bet...')https://bit.ly/2XBzAYu &lt;-(p.atreon link)paypal.me/EinlionDiscord Invite: https://discord.gg/Jwa8PKh

With the matter of Sut-Typhon largely resolved, the only people Vahn had yet to be introduced to were Lovecraft and Alice's 'twin'. When it came time for them to introduce themselves, however, the gaunt-faced man plainly stated, "I am but a man present in a century not his own. Many refer to me as Howard Phillips Lovecraft. Those who know me understand the folly of such labels..." As for Alice's twin, she just lightly muttered, "Nursery Rhyme..." without further introduction.Vahn was slightly surprised that even a Conceptual Entity had been summoned by Archimedes, but, based on Nursery Rhyme's appearance, it was more likely that Alice had called upon her. As for why 'Betty' shared the same form, albeit more 'organic', Vahn assumed that had something to with both Lovecraft and Abigail.Though others may be unaware of such things, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that he had downloaded most of the recorded history of humanity into his mind. Thus, using the context clues available, it was possible to speculate that 'Betty' was meant to be Abigail's sister, another one of the victims associated with the infamous Salem Witch Trials. As for why she looked like Alice, that was something only those involved in her creation would be able to answer...With all of the introductions out of the way, Vahn was the one to open the dialogue, stating, "Now that we're all more familiar with each other, let us discuss what constitutes appropriate action and the autonomy that will be provided to your group. So long as your group adheres to the Common Law, the Empire will not directly intervene in your affairs. Even if you decide to build a country, we will recognize your sovereignty, once again, in accordance with the Common Law. You are free to make use of the land and its resources, claim territory, and even establish laws. Even then, you will be bound by the Common Law, meaning land cannot be owned, nor can resources be withheld from those who need them. If you require assistance from the Empire, obtaining supplies from the Supercolonies and distribution centers can be arranged..."As Vahn spoke, he handed out documents to aid those who were struggling to keep up with what he was saying. Ultimately, the structure they decided on would be up to them, but, in the hopes of avoiding complications, Luvia had drafted a seventy-three-page stack of documents that detailed any and all actions they were authorized to take. These were similar to the forms given to anyone with the aspirations to establish a semi-permanant community or build a country, as, ultimately, it didn't really matter to Vahn how humanity divided their living space. So long as they didn't bring harm to the planet, he wouldn't even care if a random, sapient, True Dragon claimed a mountain or two as their territory...While many were still reading the first page of the documents, Vahn continued, adding, "Though you can choose another name, your group is currently recognized as the Heroes Faction. To that end, you are expected to act in accordance with such principles. So long as it is in the aid of the people you wish to protect, there are very few actions prohibited to you. Using any underhanded means to secure a better position for yourselves, however, will not be tolerated. This means, any attempt to encroach upon Imperial Territory, or, any attempts to exploit circumstantial loopholes within the Common Law, will not be tolerated. If you turn to page forty-seven, there is an outline mentioning the acquisition of resources within previously allocated lands. War has always been a foolish and barbaric practice, so, in lieu of this fact, most conflicts will be settled via competition using designated representatives..."As they had realized the impossibility of completely ridding war from the world, Vahn and Da Vinci had come up with a system to serve as a stop-gap until a more-permanant solution was found. This included various contests, functionally similar to the Olympics, and, perhaps most importantly, virtual battles. Vahn had already developed the technology to allow students to fight freely back in the Record of Danmachi, so, with Da Vinci's help, the system had been refined to the point of allowing world-shattering battles to be waged in a completely virtual environment.Soon enough, the entire world would be connected using the Virtual World, so, in order to incite people to improve themselves, ranking tournaments and contests were necessary. This was one of the most important responsibilities of the Heroes Faction, as, once the world began to get back on track, people all over the globe would see their exploits as they fought against the champions selected by the Empire.The way Vahn was orchestrating things, the current Heroes Faction would openly stand against the Empire, specifically opposing policies he enacted. He would pretend to acquiesce to some of their demands, artificially inflating their status and authority in the minds of their supporters. Thus, when the time came where people were beginning to delve into the Virtual World, Shirou and his cohorts would be paving the way, representing the 'free people' against the Empire.In the end, Vahn knew various countries would rise up, establishing themselves and creating their own champions. Even now, places like South Korea, China, and India were beginning to reach a point of stability, establishing small communities that, very loosely, adhered to the Common Law. Though they still had a very long way to go, the existence of 'superpowers', 'magic', and a myriad of other abilities, had inspired a number of people to move towards the future, rather than cling to the past.Ultimately, while the Empire would reign as the most powerful force in the world, its true purpose was to simply regulate and guarantee the rights of all peoples, regardless of factors like race, age, and gender. Vahn didn't care about ruling over the world, but, if he found another ruler wanting, he would not hesitate to eliminate them. Eventually, only those who adapted to the Common Law would be able to reach a position of authority as any egregious violations would invariably result in death...After reading through much of the document, the benefit of super-human perception, Shirou had a complicated look on his face as he stated, "This document only lists appropriate actions that can be taken against the Empire. What about the rules of engagement regarding our attempts against your life...?"Though Vahn had essentially designated Shirou as the de facto leader of the Heroes Faction, he couldn't help but feel exasperated about how 'direct' the man's question had been. He couldn't shake the feeling the man didn't take him seriously, and, while Vahn didn't generally care about formalities, hearing Shirou speak so casually about such a serious topic stirred his ire.Despite his personal feelings on the matter, Vahn maintained a solemn and serious expression on his face as he answered, "There are no rules of engagement. You need only to inform me of the time and place. You can even set the terms yourself, so long as they are not skewed in such a way that prevents me from taking action. I'm not going to just sit in a spot you designate and let you try to seal me for hours on end, obviously...As for things like assassination, you are free to try and kill me at your leisure. If it affects the daily lives of my family and other innocents, however, know that you invite a fate worse than death upon yourself."Understanding he had managed to annoy Vahn, Shirou's smile became wry as he answered in an awkward tone, "I'll keep that in mind...thanks..."Hearing Shirou's response, Vahn squinted his eyes slightly, adding, "Also, while my reputation is already in an irrecoverable state, you would do well to keep in mind things like respect and basic propriety. If you appear in public, attempting to smear or disrespect me, do not expect me to idly tolerate your foolishness. Unless you are stating objective facts, attempting to manipulate people by misconstruing information will be considered a violation of the Common Law."Vahn knew better than most how information could be manipulated to take advantage of even large populations. People could be exceptionally intelligent, but, when you gathered them into large crowds and allowed 'information' to spread freely, it was invariably misconstrued, twisted beyond recognition. This was often exploited by those in power to elevate their status and harm their opponents, twisting public opinion to serve selfish ends. He preferred transparency, so, the moment anyone tried pulling such a feat, Vahn would expose them completely, laying everything about the other party bare before ultimately deciding their fate...Being glared at by Vahn was never pleasant, especially when he was releasing his aura. Shirou felt like he would eventually get used to the pressure, but, every time this thought crossed his mind, it actually seemed to increase. Thus, with the best smile he could manage under the circumstances, he said, "None of us here would ever resort to such underhanded means...we'll keep your words in mind so that others don't try..."Though not completely satisfied by Shirou's response, Vahn gave a curt nod before saying, "If there are no other questions, we'll discuss the acquisition of new forces. Sakata Kintoki and Hou Yi have already been summoned as supplemental forces. They are both exceptionally powerful, but I can still summon four more Heroic Spirits. If you haven't come up with your own list, I have come up with a few suggestions of my own."As they hadn't actually discussed the matter of their reinforcements yet, Shirou gave a small nod in response to Vahn's statement, asking, "Who did you come up with? I am slightly curious."Once again resisting the urge to retort Shirou's casual remarks, Vahn lightly squinted his eyes before looking toward Brynhildr, startling her quite a bit. Though it was impossible to achieve, she seemed to be attempting to hide behind her spear, her amethyst eyes averted as tears began to build along their edges.Due to his interest in Norse Mythology, Vahn had researched it quite a bit, both in the Record of Danmachi and within the Nasuverse. Thus, he was familiar with the demure Valkyrie's rather tragic legend, primarily as a result of its parallels with Siegfried's. As a result, Vahn couldn't help feeling sorry for her, leading him to say, "I will summon Sigurd, the King of Warriors."The moment Vahn's words fell, Brynhildr practically leaped to her feet, tears streaming from her eyes as she exclaimed, "Can you really do such a thing!? Please, tell me it is so...!"Despite the fact there was a large table separating them, Brynhildr managed to 'fly' over it in an instant, grabbing Vahn's hand with both of her own as she floated just a few centimeters away from his face. This was a rather awkward position to be in, but, as he had already seen it coming, he maintained a calm smile, answering, "I do not make a habit of lying. Regardless of who else is chosen, I intend to summon Sigurd to aid your cause."Brynhildr felt like her heart was going to explode at the thought of being reunited with her lost love. Though she knew it would be impossible to resist the urge to try and kill him, she still loved him very deeply. Even if they were only together for a brief moment, she would be able to live in this world without regrets...Vahn didn't know what Brynhildr was thinking, but, as it was a little awkward to have her flittering about while hugging his hand into her rather voluminous chest, he politely stated, "Please, take a seat. We have three other candidates to discuss. If you want to reunite with your husband sooner, remain calm and be patient..."Realizing she had been invading Vahn's personal space, Brynhildr's expression turned crimson as she embarrassedly retreated to her chair. This allowed Vahn to breathe a sigh of relief, ignoring the looks from the other Heroes as he looked toward Tomoe, earning her attention as he stated, "I cannot do so at this time, but I am also able to summon your-"Before Vahn could finish, Tomoe shook her head, saying, "I am humbled by your consideration, Ten'nō-sama. However, I have already made peace with my loss. Though one of my life's greatest regrets was not being at my husband's side during his death, I lived for nearly sixty years after his passing. During that time, I even watched my own child grow old, start a family, and raise children of his own. I am content with the life I have lived. I will not besmirch their memory by forcing them to live a life I have decided upon."Following her words, Tomoe bowed to the point her forehead was nearly touching the table. As for Vahn, he felt slightly awed by the respectable warrior. He was a little ashamed that he didn't possess a similar level of maturity, elevating her to the status of a lesser-idol within his heart. It was a shame they would have to meet on the battlefield, but, when it came down to it, fighting against honorable and valiant opponents was one of life's greatest pleasures...---Due to Tomoe's words, most of the other Heroic Spirits seemed to lose interest in suggesting someone. This allowed Musashi to step in, nominating legendary figures such as Yagyū Munenori, Sasaki Kojirou, and Suzuka Gozen. Ironically, these were three of the candidates for her original identity, something Vahn found rather amusing. Despite this, he didn't think it would be wise to summon someone as principled as Munenori, a man reputed to be rather judgmental, especially against 'westerners'.After mentioning this, Musashi also agreed with him, commenting that Munenori was a bit of a 'hard ass'. As for Kojirou and Gozen, the former had actually appeared during a previous Holy Grail War, albeit as an Assassin. This was a chance for him to 'redeem' his honor, this time being summoned as a Saber Class Servant instead of the rather ignoble Assassin Class. As for Gozen, Vahn mentioned the fact that she was an Yokai, but, seemingly unconcerned by this, Musashi just responded by saying, "Honestly, I just want to fight her. You don't have to summon her if you are that worried."Upon hearing Musashi's rather careless remark, Vahn had to resist the urge to roll his eyes. He couldn't deny that he was also somewhat interested in the outcome of the duel, forcibly stopping himself from perusing the Flow of Fate to find out how it ends. After all, Gozen was considered by Merlin and Scáthach to be one of the greatest swordswomen to have ever lived, something Vahn couldn't help but be interested in experiencing for himself...With no other names put forth, Vahn was preparing to wrap things up when Altria, who had been ceaselessly devouring apples during the entire discussion, suddenly stated between bites, "You should summon...my other half...I want to beat her..."Not expecting Altria to speak up, Vahn tilted his head slightly, asking, "Your other half? You mean, someone that shares your appearance...?"Nodding her head, Altria explained, "I have an Altereactor Core. She has a Cosmo Reactor. Our signatures allow us to track each other through dimensions. She will eventually come looking for me. It will be funny to see her forced to fight on the same side...kukuku..."As he couldn't help but feel a little curious, Vahn peered into the current that had formed in the wake of Altria's proposal. There, he saw a slightly older-looking version of Artoria looking more than a little frustrated as Altria snickered in the background. It was slightly amusing, but, knowing Artoria would probably be a little upset if he proactively summoned another version of herself...The moment this thought crossed his mind, Vahn couldn't help but smile as, earlier that same day, he had promised to give Artoria her gift. Once she obtained that, she wouldn't be nearly as upset by the existence of similar people. Thus, rather than deny Altria her mischief, Vahn gave a slight nod, eliciting the second genuine smile he had seen on her otherwise emotionless face...(A/N: Alternate Titles: 'Shirou is digging himself a hole xD...','Tomoe is very respectable','Altria is surprisingly mischievous...?')https://bit.ly/2XBzAYu &lt;-(p.atreon link)paypal.me/EinlionDiscord Invite: https://discord.gg/Jwa8PKh

Chapter 1468: Surprise (1/?)