Endless Path : Infinite Cosmos

Though he would have liked immediately returned to Avalon, Vahn had one final stop before doing so. He had already to return with Nero, so, rather than teleport to Avalon, he appeared outside of a buzzing and vibrant city with tall was, and, most notably, a massive tree situated the exact center.Seeing the emerald-green tree, its leaves glimmering in a myriad of colors, Vahn felt couldn't help but feel slightly reminiscent. He knew Yggy wouldn't even perceive his absence, but, much like the rest of his 'children', Vahn missed her dearly. She had always been such a kind and caring child, and, though he could relax under the current crystalline tree, it simply wasn't the same.Shaking his head, Vahn cleared his thoughts before vanishing into thin air moments later. When he next appeared, he was within one of the five palatial structures that had been constructed within the European Supercolony. There, surrounded by a handful of fluffy Companions, Nero was taking a nap while lounging atop an ornate throne, her features making her appear fragile and delicate as silent breathing emanated through the otherwise empty chamber.Nero often worked herself tirelessly, even pulling long hours late into the evening to ensure there were no issues with the European Supercolony. The only reason she was currently resting was due to the previous message, stating Vahn would be arriving around 2 PM. Thus, in order to make sure she was free to receive him, Nero had taken a rare break. As for why she ended up falling asleep, the five adorable Companions surrounding her could be blamed for that. Their aura was very relaxing, so, if you cuddled with them for too long, you would feel an almost irresistible urge to just take a nap.Seeing the golden-haired beauty peacefully slumbering, Vahn actually felt a little guilty having to disturb her. Unfortunately, just be appearing, he had already set off a chain reaction, as, noticing his presence, one of the Companions chimed in an adorable voice, "It's Master!"Immediately after the first, the other four Companions peeled open their eyes, each showing gleeful expressions as they began exclaiming things like, "Master!", "Master has come!", "Master, come play with us!".Accompanying their cries, two of the Companions even hopped off the throne, waddling adorably over to his side to grip his legs and snuggle against him with happy smiles.Though they were still waiting for the first truly sapient Companion with an Ego to appear, Vahn was always amazed to see how much progress had been made. He wasn't the only one, either, as the tiny creatures had become 'exceptionally' popular after the preliminary discomfort faded. After all, it was hard to hate a creature that proactively did its best to make you happy, keep you safe, and help you grow stronger; especially if it was also cute...Due to the noise caused by her adorable entourage, Nero's ahoge perked up slightly as her eyelids slowly peeled open, revealing the emerald-green irises beneath. A smile instantly spread across her face, further amplifying her flawless features as she muttered, "To think we would awaken from a pleasant dream, only to find an even more pleasant sight standing before us...perhaps we have yet to truly awake...?"As she spoke, Nero appeared to move very languidly, but, by the time she finished her musings, she was already standing near Vahn, her hands stretched out as if she was going to caress his face. Then, so gingerly that it was almost impossible to feel her touch, Nero's fingers came into contact with his cheeks, causing her smile to increase a great deal as she said, "Our Master has personally come for us. Today is a blessed day, umu..."After confirming that Vahn was 'real', Nero leaned forward, standing on the toes of her left foot as she raised her right somewhat theatrically. At the same time, she lightly placed her lips against his while, in the surroundings, rose petals had started to flitter into existence. It was quite the sight to behold, but, with a beauty in his arms, Vahn had more important matters to attend...---Several minutes after his arrival, Vahn was lounging upon the 'Throne of the Consul', the ornate chair that could easily fit three people seated side-by-side. He had Nero curled up in his lap, giggling as she asked, "What did you think of our performance? Was it enough to stir your bosom and arouse your passions? Umu~."Seeing the petals still lingering in the surroundings, Vahn lightly chuckled before nodding his head and answering, "It is always a pleasure, Nero. Even without the theatrics, however, your beauty alone is more than enough to captivate me."Finding her Master's words to her liking, Nero giggled happily while squirming about atop his lap in an effort to feel even closer to him. Then, after a series of several nods and a few gleeful 'umu', she happily mused, "Well said! Such words are enough to ignite the flame in our bosom into a raging inferno! Umu, mayhaps, if the fates allow, this one shall reward her Master's courteous diligence~?"If he wasn't absolutely certain things would turn into a 'competition' of sorts, Vahn wouldn't mind taking Nero up on her offer. Unfortunately, while he had a few hours to spare, that wouldn't actually be enough unless he went 'all-out' against the otherwise insurmountable woman. Thus, as remiss as he was to refuse the offer, Vahn lightly shook his head, explaining, "The fates are not kind this day. I have other matters to attend, including a few pertinent to the Empire's prosperity. Instead, I will have you accompany me back to Avalon. Many of us will be retreating into Arcueid's Marble Phantasm for an extensive period of time. You've been working hard as of late...a vacation will, no doubt, enhance your beauty even further."Hearing her Master's words, Nero's smile stretched to its limits as the thought of accompanying him for a long period of time was a rare privilege. The presence of others wouldn't diminish this, rather, it was always more exciting when other members of the Inner Sanctum were involved. The passage of a few 'years' within Avalon had brought about several changes, and, though she would occasionally butt heads with some of the stronger willed women, Nero now got along with the vast majority.After learning the details of what her Master had in mind, Nero was even more excited, as, based on the context, there would only be a handful of people present, potentially for months. She felt like the fates were smiling upon her this day, rewarding her for several months of hard work. The only thing that could have made it better was if Boudica also accompanied them, but, as the red-haired beauty had never developed an intimate relationship with Vahn, it would be somewhat awkward asking her to attend...With Nero up to speed, Vahn briefly considered whether or not he should inform Solon of what had happened before ultimately deciding against it. It wasn't that he didn't trust Solon, rather, after the latter became the Guardian Spirit of the World Tree, their Loyalty had skyrocketed. He could even get away with taking liberties, such as patting Solon's head, without any verbal protest. They would still glower at him, but, if he wanted, the peculiar green-haired Spirit would 'begrudgingly' acquiesce to his selfishness.The simple fact of the matter was, due to Gaia's significance, it was better to prevent 'outsiders' from learning about her. Solon would undoubtedly want to meet Gaia, but, until he could be certain there was absolutely no danger, Vahn would keep her protected within Avalon. He wouldn't bring her out until his plan had been enacted, but, more important than that, he would never force her to venture outside unless she was willing.Having made up his mind, Vahn embraced Nero tightly, teleporting them back the relatively short distance to Avalon. She could have easily returned on her own, not even taking an hour to do so, but it was always more meaningful when he personally went to pick his women up. They appreciated it a great deal, and, while it wasn't exactly efficient, matters of the heart often required delicacy, rather than expediency...---Shortly after the return of his second vessel, Vahn felt as if 'clarity' had been restored to his mind. It was always easier to have all of his bodies experiencing the same flow of time, allowing him greater control over his thoughts and actions.Though it might be a little too early for her, Vahn met Gaia's gaze, saying, "There is a place I would like to take you. It may be a little scary, but I'd like to introduce you to my important people. In the future, they will also do their best to protect and make you happy. It may take some time, but I'd like it if you became friends with some of them..."Despite being inside Tiamat's Marble Phantasm, Gaia was aware of almost everything taking place on her body. This didn't just include the Surface, either, but every Texture and Sub-Texture. After all, they were all a part of her. Thus, while she had been cradled in her Master's arms, Gaia knew what he had been up to in the outside world. Rather, if she sorted through her memories, she could see every action Vahn had ever taken since entering her world...After staring in a daze for nearly a full minute, Gaia slowly nodded her head before nestling against her Master's chest and saying, "As long as I'm with Master...I feel safe..."Feeling warmth spread through his heart in response to Gaia's words, Vahn put a little more strength into his embrace, assuring her, "I will protect you..."-----------------------------------------------------------------[Quest: Gaia's Champion]Rank: SSObjective(s): Protect Gaia until departure from the Record.Optional Objective(s): Increase Rapport between Gaia and Alaya(0/100), Increase Rapport between Gaia and Tiamat(0/100), Help Gaia make Friends(0/10), Summon Grand Servants to protect Gaia(0/7).Rewards: 900,000,000OP, Gaia's Loyalty permanently increased to 'Eternal Loyalty', 1x[Emblem of the Guardian God]Failure Condition(s): Expulsion from the Record, Failure to complete Main ObjectivePenalty: N/A-----------------------------------------------------------------Though his feelings were sincere, Vahn hadn't expected a Quest to suddenly appear out of thin air. It was actually a little annoying, as, for a fleeting moment, Gaia had smiled radiantly before closing her eyes and intoning 'Nn' in a contented tone...Doing his best to regulate his emotions, Vahn decided to just be happy for the additional boon. Even though he didn't really need a quest to tell him he should protect her, it was never bad to have extra rewards. It also gave him a basic idea of what he could do to ensure Gaia's happiness, helping her to make friends, and, most importantly, making her feel safe.Vahn did his best not to let it affect him, but he was actually a little shaken by the fact there was an Optional Objective to summon 'Grand' Servants. They were, without exception, the most powerful Heroic Spirits in existence. There was only one for each of the seven primary classes, and, despite a concerted effort, Vahn had been unable to summon a single one of them. This always made him feel a little worried, as, depending on the circumstances, the Grand Servants could have appeared as the enemies of the Empire.While it was something he would need to verify later, the fact it showed up as an Optional Objective led Vahn to believe that the 'requirement' for summoning a Grand Servant was permission from Gaia herself. They supposedly only appeared when the world was endangered, so, with Gaia now exposed and vulnerable, there was a good chance her greatest protectors would answer the call. If this turned out to be true, Vahn's plans would become incomparably smooth moving forward. After all, a single Grand Servant was generally all it took to prevent cataclysmic events, rivaling even beings like Cath Palug in might...Ignoring the temptation to immediately test his assumption, Vahn turned his attention to Tiamat and Alaya. They had been patiently observing everything that has been going on, seemingly with no end to their patience. Tiamat, especially, appeared just as happy as when he first arrived, if not more. As for Alaya, she had actually altered her appearance slightly, forgoing her general 'nakedness' in lieu of a form-fitting, somewhat futuristic-looking, bodysuit. This, strangely, enhanced her appearance quite a bit, causing Vahn to raise his brows slightly before smiling approvingly.With the attention of both girls focused on him, Vahn stated, "This time around, I will have the two of you accompany me. Gaia will need everyone's support and this is a good chance for the two of you to get along with everyone else. Tia, you'll have to be on your best behavior. As for you, Alaya, I trust you have come to understand the value of ingratiating yourself to the others. The fastest method to realize your goal is to win the sincere approval of everyone else. I won't force you, but, at the very least, I'd like you to get along with your sisters..."Alaya lightly frowned in response to her Master's words, finding them troublesome. She, of course, knew there was a fair amount of truth behind them, but, with the exception of the most powerful in Vahn's entourage, everyone else seemed 'beneath' her. She didn't have anything to say to them, as, in the grand scheme of things, anything worth talking about couldn't be disclosed. The only shared topic they could discuss was her Master, but, as she had built up some resentment towards all of his lovers, Alaya had no particular interest in getting along with them...After sorting her thoughts far quicker than even the fastest supercomputer, Alaya ultimately nodded her head, stating, "I will cooperate..." in half-hearted tone. She could, at the very least, associate with her two 'sisters', as, at least in Gaia's case, they had the same objectives. The latter was also her other half, so, while Tiamat was something of a nuisance, Alaya could tolerate her if it meant being able to spend time with her Master and counterpart.Though he could tell Alaya had no interest in associating with the members of the Inner Sanctum, Vahn wasn't going to force her. He would likely need to take action immediately after implementing his plan, but, by then, she would be freed from the restrictions placed upon her by Akasha. This was potentially dangerous, as there was a fair chance she might attack the others, but, after spending so much time together, Vahn believed Alaya would never do anything to intentionally harm him...(A/N: Alternate Titles: 'What is love without theatrics and drama?','Unexpected boon','Vahn over here planting dangerous flags...')https://bit.ly/2XBzAYu &lt;-(p.atreon link)paypal.me/EinlionDiscord Invite: https://discord.gg/Jwa8PKh

With three of the most powerful beings on the planet, including the planet itself, in tow, Vahn exited Tiamat's Marble Phantasm. The others, including Artoria, Arcueid, Illya, Iris, Nero, Fenrir, and, of course, Spenta, were already waiting for them outside, eager to both assist in Gaia's rehabilitation and spend more time together.In actuality, nearly every member of the Inner Sanctum had volunteered to enter Arcueid's Marble Phantasm, but, as that would unnecessarily complicate things, it was decided to split everyone up into smaller groups. This would prevent Gaia from feeling overwhelmed, and, to a lesser extent, it would also ensure everyone was able to make the most of the experience. If there were too many people at once, Vahn wouldn't be able to properly attend each of them, so, with the exception of Spenta and Arcueid, he limited the number of attendees to five.Upon seeing Gaia for the first time, nearly everyone present was dumbfounded by her presence alone. The only exceptions to this were Arcueid and Illya, the former feeling as though she had known Gaia her entire life. As for Illya, she had become a Beast of Gaia after her fusion with Cath Palug, so, rather than awe, she seemed nearly as excited as when he showed up unannounced, causing her to quickly run up and exclaim, "Wow, she is quite adorable, isn't she!?"Against expectations, Gaia didn't show any apprehension towards Illya in the slightest, a small smile spreading across her face as she inexplicably extended her hand. This caused Illya's pupils to contract slightly, her smile becoming more pronounced as she unhesitantly allowed Gaia to gently caress her head. While this was going on, everyone observed with a mixture of reactions, many showing expressions of amusement while others were still awed by Gaia's aura.While Gaia was still petting Illya's head, Vahn relaxedly announced, "We will handle introductions once we're inside. Arcueid, please go ahead and activate your Marble Phantasm."Hearing Vahn's words, Arcueid blinked back into focus, smiling radiantly as she said, "Of course, " before bringing her hands together and causing a 'pulse' to spread through the area. In the next moment, they were all within her personal world, a near-perfect replica of Gaia, albeit without any humans.Though others might not have noticed it, Vahn could feel Gaia relax considerably once they had entered into Arcueid's Marble Phantasm. She then began to look around, a curious glimmer in her ruby red eyes as she gazed towards everyone in turn before stopping when she got to Fenrir.Seeing Gaia's gaze stop on her, Fenrir pointed toward herself, an amicable smile on her face as she said, "Fenrir. I am of Master's trusted companions. One day, I will also be the strongest. I may be weak right now, but I will do my best to protect you."Smiling in response to Fenrir's introduction, Gaia softly chimed, "I know you...I know all of you...I have been watching...for a long time...thank you...Master's precious people...my children..."Hearing Gaia suddenly refer to them as her children, nearly everyone present felt a great deal of warmth spread through their bodies. It was a feeling similar to hearing your actual parent express their love after being apart for a long period of time. As a result, they could feel a stinging feeling in their noses, and, though nobody outright cried, the sentiments were still there...Seeing how things were developing, Vahn's concerns rapidly faded away. He didn't expect any major issues, especially with Gaia's calming aura, but it was still a relief to see how fond everyone had become of her. This was good for a number of reasons, as, not only would it greatly reduce the time it took for Gaia's rehabilitation, but, equally as important, it would undoubtedly leave a deep impression on Tiamat and Alaya.Tiamat was still very childish and innocent so it would be good for her to interact with others in a controlled environment. As for Alaya, she was often cold and distant towards everyone, but, after seeing how quickly Gaia was accepted, Vahn was hoping she would mellow out. Even if she only got along with those present, it would be a marked improvement compared to the past...As a plan began to formulate in his mind, Vahn looked toward Arcueid once again, saying, "We'll be here for a month, at the very least. Can you create a pavilion for us to rest in?"With the ability to freely manipulate reality within her Marble Phantasm, Arcueid didn't hesitate to nod her head, asking, "How many rooms?" as a glowing white sphere manifested in her hands. If you looked closely, the interior depicted the surrounding landscape, albeit with small grid lines and spatial coordinates. Closer inspection would even reveal their group itself, standing idly in the middle of a verdant plain...After briefly considering Arcueid's question, Vahn stated, "Something simple will be fine, for the time being. I will have to trouble you with constructing additional facilities later, but, before that, I propose we enjoy tea and snacks while getting to know each other better. I intend to maintain up to five bodies while we're inside, so we'll work out the finer details once everyone is more familiar with each other."The moment Vahn finished speaking, Arcueid gave a small nod before focusing on the sphere in her hands. Then, seemingly formed from 'nothing', a fully furnished Japanese-style pavilion came into existence with them standing in the central courtyard. There was even a small pond and a zen garden with three large stones surrounded by soft sand.As nearly everyone present could produce grand structures in a short period of time, there wasn't even a hint of surprise on any of their faces. Even Fenrir had developed an 'ultimate' Magic called 'Dominion of Eternal Ice', allowing her to create a palatial structure formed entirely from Yin, Ice, and Darkness Elemental Energies. It took nearly all of her Mana to do so, but, so long as it existed, she would quickly be able to recover while simultaneously reducing the speed of, and ultimately freezing, her opponents.Satisfied with Arcueid's choice, Vahn gave an approving nod, saying, "Thank you, Arcueid. You're amazing, as always."Though she had already been smiling, Arcueid's expression blossomed into a radiant expression upon hearing Vahn's remark. It always made her happy to be complimented and, after spending a few years together, her feelings for him had only compounded. If he wasn't holding onto Gaia, only Artoria would have been able to stop her from pouncing on him in glee...Sensing the shift in Arcueid's mental state, Vahn had to resist smiling wryly, both as a result of her overwhelming emotions and the looks he was receiving from everyone else. Fortunately, they had all gathered for a specific purpose so, before things could get out of hand, he said, "Come. Let us head inside. Also, feel free to change into something more comfortable. Though we are gathered to aid Gaia's rehabilitation, this is also an opportunity for us to strengthen our bonds. For the time being, everyone should relax and enjoy this next month to the fullest. If you feel the need to train, focus on mental development. No fighting."Hearing Vahn's words, Artoria, Fenrir, and Illya appeared as though they had received some kind of mental attack. They had developed the habit of training to an incessant degree, never skipping a single day unless something important was going on. It would be difficult for them to just sit still, for a month, but, as he was intending to maintain five bodies, Vahn wasn't worried they would get stressed out...---Meeting expectations, things within the Marble Phantasm preceded without incident. Gaia was surprisingly open to engaging with the others, and, though she would become anxious when he wasn't in the same room, she still did her best. It was actually rather inspiring, leaving a positive impression on everyone that interacted with her.Due to her calming aura, Gaia was even more effective than Spenta at giving people peace of mind. Just seeing her seemed to cause negative emotions to fade away, causing a strange feeling of 'relief' the moment you walked into the same room as her. This was different from Spenta, who, despite having a calming aura, generally relied on direct contact. As for Gaia, it was actually very difficult to approach within a few meters of her, causing anyone who ventured too close to feel a rising concern, almost as if they were approaching an extremely fragile object.Unless Vahn was holding onto her, it was absolutely impossible to approach Gaia without her expressly allowing it. This seemed to be a kind of failsafe to prevent any harm from coming to her, as, depending on the circumstances, her 'death' also meant all life on the planet would slowly die. As a result, she could purge malicious intentions, and, if the person approaching her had any kind of 'negative' energy, it would be purified almost immediately.He obviously wouldn't test it, but Vahn assumed that Gaia's 'barrier' was an exponentially more powerful version of Fafnir's Innate. She wasn't able to protect herself, but, even if you attacked her with an EX-Rank Noble Phantasm, it would simply 'disperse' the moment it came into contact with the invisible field surrounding her. It even dwarfed Artoria's [Avalon] in power, but, considering Avalon was just a small part of Gaia's existence, it wasn't all that surprising that she had the more powerful version.The only 'people' able to approach Gaia freely, with the obvious exception of Vahn, were Tiamat, Alaya, and, as could be expected, Illya. They were functionally incapable of even thinking about trying to harm her, and, in the case of Illya, she had basically become an obedient pet. This was largely due to the influence of Cath Palug, but, as Illya was still aware of her actions, it wasn't too much an issue. Rather, it was an excuse for her to cuddle with 'both' of her Masters at the same time, a benefit unique to her.Far more troublesome than Illya's shift in behavior was the fact that Fenrir, despite a concerted effort, was simply unable to get anywhere near Gaia. She harbored no malicious intentions, but, due to her affinity with Yin and Darkness, it would cause her considerable pain if she attempted to violate the invisible domain of protection around the delicate Mother Goddess. This made Gaia herself extremely apologetic, but, with Fenrir's insistence she had done no wrong, the two were still able to converse cordially from a distance.Though it was largely conjecture, Vahn speculated that the 'actual' reason behind Fenrir's inability to approach Gaia was the existence of her [Devour] Innate. While others would struggle to do any real harm to Gaia, Fenrir's Innate even allowed her to convert Source Energy more efficiently than any other. She was also able to devour anything she was able to comprehend, so, while there was a vast disparity in power between her and Gaia, Fenrir's Innate was actually 'very' effective against the former. After all, she understood Gaia's 'true nature' as the planet itself, something she could 'easily' devour if she devoted herself to the task.Innates were heavily influenced by a person's perception and comprehension, so, while Fenrir would struggle to devour more abstract Laws, even 'indestructible' objects were subject to her power. The only things that were 'immune' to her ability were things she was convinced she could not devour. In her mind, the only thing she 'absolutely could not devour' was her Master. While she would never proactively bare her fangs towards allies, Fenrir always carried the notion that allies could, one day, turn into enemies. If that happened, she had already made the resolution to do whatever it took to defeat them, even if it meant destroying them completely.Fenrir's Loyalty was, simultaneously, her greatest strength and greatest weakness. It left gaps in her mentality that could be exploited by clever foes, and, if she was feeling lonely, her emotional state would quickly diminish over time. She had made significant progress since her creation, but, no matter how much time passed, she was always happiest when she was with her Master. Even a few days apart would begin to make her feel sad, and, if several weeks or months passed, she was susceptible to mood swings and bouts of depression.Fortunately, with Unit Management, Vahn could easily summon Fenrir to his side in an instant. This would only work if they were in the same Record, but, as it would take exceptional circumstances for them to, somehow, end up in different worlds, this wasn't a major concern. As for them being apart in other ways, that, too, wasn't really a problem, as, no matter how much time passed, Vahn was still reliant on Fenrir's presence. She was one of the 'constants' in his life, so, if they were apart for too long, she wouldn't even need to seek him out; he would go to her.The 'biggest' issue within the Marble Phantasm wasn't Fenrir's inability to approach Gaia. Rather, it was the intimacy he shared with everyone else. It quickly came to light that Gaia shared senses with both Tiamat and Alaya. She had also born witness to every moment in human history from its inception, including every moment of intimacy and tragedy that had ever taken place. As a result, she had always been apathetic to such interactions, but, now that she had a body, she expressed an unexpected eagerness to 'experience' such things herself.Vahn knew Gaia was undoubtedly being influenced by Akasha, but, compared to Alaya, it was a lot harder to refuse her sincerity. When she had first made it known that she shared senses with her 'sisters', Vahn had been hugging her gently from behind as they conversed with Fenrir. Her face had become gradually more flushed, and, just as he was fondling Alaya's tail, a small moan had escaped her lips, followed by a tail spontaneously sprouting from her lower back.Though she appeared delicate and fragile, to the point it was hard to even formulate uncouthly thoughts, Gaia's 'knowledge' was unparalleled. She still appeared exceptionally innocent, but, unless he intended to stop spending time with Tiamat and Alaya, Vahn was in a difficult position where he couldn't actually refuse her curiosity. She wanted to be touched directly, and, with his interactions with the others being well known to her, to the point she could describe them with perfect clarity, it was hard to tell her she 'wasn't ready' for such things...This was one of the problems with exceptionally ancient beings, as, despite her looks, Gaia had actually 'birthed' hundreds of Gods, Goddesses, and thousands of other species. She was, quite literally, the 'Primordial Goddess of Earth', the 'Mother of All Terrestrial Lifeforms'. Even his own Sex Divinity was an authority he borrowed from her, something she admitted to 'bestowing' him after personally acknowledging his prowess.Vahn had always known that his Divinity was tied to the planet, but, hearing Gaia mention she had 'given' it to him, he couldn't help but feel a little shaken. He knew that both she and Alaya had an exceptional degree of Omniscience, but, it was hard to rationalize just how much they knew until they began dropping bombshells.In Alaya's case, she was unable to peek into Bounded Fields, but, when it came to Gaia, she was aware of 'everything' that had ever taken place on her body from the moment she first became aware. One of the only exceptions to this was ORT's Marble Phantasm, as, despite existing on the Surface, it altered reality to create a completely 'alien' environment, a place where Gaia and Alaya had no authority.Fortunately, while Gaia was apparently aware of everything that had taken place within Artoria's, Arcueid's, Illya's, Aoko's, and Tiamat's Marble Phantasms, she was unaware of anything that took place within Space-Time Orbs. She also didn't know about anything that had taken place inside of the [Virtual Reality Marble]s, and, most importantly, she wasn't even aware of the existence of his faux-Marble Phantasm.Though he existed within the Record, Vahn had assumed that his 'Realm' was completely separate from everything else. After all, it was a 'projection' of his Soul, so, no matter how powerful Akasha and her Superiors were, they should be unaware of anything that happens within. If they had tried to peek, he, or, more specifically, Sis, would have been able to detect it.It was comforting to know that Gaia's Omniscience wasn't 'absolute', but, knowing she had been able to witness many of his most intimate moments, it left him in a difficult position. He couldn't easily refute her requests, as, even if he did so, she would still experience everything Tiamat and Alaya experienced. Thus, despite it never having been part of his intentions, the third day within the Marble Phantasm was colored with the sonorous intonations of a frail voice...(A/N: Alternate Titles: 'Artoria, Fenrir, and Illya be like, "My gainsssss...!"','Sphere of Protec!','The quiet ones are always the most dangerous o_o...')(A/N: I have had a fever since yesterday afternoon. I will be sleeping most of today.)https://bit.ly/2XBzAYu &lt;-(p.atreon link)paypal.me/EinlionDiscord Invite: https://discord.gg/Jwa8PKh

After a relatively short period of time, Vahn found himself lazing about, his head, once again, making use of Semiramis' thighs. He could feel their warmth even through her dress, and, though it was hard to notice, a familiar scent of fruit still lingered in the air.Though he was somewhat disappointed that they didn't have sex, Vahn didn't particularly mind it. He had plenty of partners to appease any of his urges, and, though he could ask anyone to give him the same kind of treatment, he was quite fond of lazing about with the raven-haired beauty. She seemed to enjoy watching him sleep, and, though she rarely vocalized her true feelings, the way she combed through his hair with a slight trace of a smile made her affection clear.While enjoying the sensation of her silken gloves, Vahn mused, "This situation seems very familiar..." in a languid tone.Hearing Vahn's musings, Semiramis' elf-like ears perked up slightly as she traced her finger along his neck and answered, "You should be grateful...there was a time when men would battle to the death just for a chance to see my beauty. Truthfully, I spoil you quite a bit...Master..."Rather than refute her words, Vahn lightly chuckled before nodding his head and saying, "Truly, I am a blessed man..."Following his statement, Vahn grabbed Semiramis' hand, gingerly planting a kiss on her fingers as he added, "Thank you..."With her ears drooping a bit, Semiramis couldn't help but avert her eyes, a vain attempt to hide the almost indiscernible blush on her face. She always felt conflicted whenever he said things like this, as, for a brief moment, it made her lament being unable to do the same.Had their situations been reversed, Semiramis would have quickly lost patience if the other party was significantly weaker than her. She didn't understand how he was able to tolerate her selfishness with a smile. He didn't even get upset when she refused to have sex with him. Instead, he helped her get cleaned up and dressed before dutifully fixing her hair.If she had his power, Semiramis would have used it without any hesitation, bending him to her will and forcing him to serve her like a loyal dog. She would indulge herself every day, turning him into a mindless slave that couldn't live without her. Then, once he had served his purpose, she would leave him discarded and broken, obtaining a new toy to satiate her urges...Though he never used it, Vahn had the power to directly order people, and, due to the disparity in his power, others would be compelled to obey. She was very aware of this fact, so it always troubled her that he simply never used it. He could even completely corrupt her heart, making her a slave to his body. Instead, he treated her well, accepting all but the darkest parts of her with a relaxed smile on his face...As this thought crossed her mind, Semiramis lightly poked Vahn's cheek with the golden nail sticking out of her palm, muttering, "That power is wasted on you...fuuuu..."Raising his brow, Vahn ignored the fact that Semiramis' nail was nearing his eye, stating, "That may be so...still, it is my power. How I use it is up to me...is that not that the privilege of possessing such power?"Finding Vahn's words irrefutable, Semiramis gave a small nod, answering, "Quite right. However, those with power should be more decadent. After all, if not them, who had the right to be? Even if it causes problems, culture is advanced by moral declines and the shifting of power. You are, at times, too perfect...your ideals, the way you behave, they leave little fault to be found. These are not the traits of an Emperor, but a God that rules over from on high..."Though they sounded 'wrong', Vahn knew there was a fair amount of truth behind Semiramis' words. In fact, her words struck at the heart of the matter, as, when people gained absolute power, it always resulted in rampant corruption. This caused discourse and chaos, but, given enough time, something would transpire to collapse the broken system, implementing necessary change before restarting the cycle anew.What Vahn was trying to accomplish was, in the minds of many, simply impossible. Even if he created an entire Realm, only allowing 'good' people to inhabit it, corruption would still take root. It wouldn't matter if he manipulated the hearts and minds of every single resident, as, in the face of Time, there were no true absolutes, only possibilities. The Universe would always seek equilibrium, so, unless he also created a Realm inhabited by 'bad' people, contradicting everything he believed in, breaking the cycle was impossible.Despite knowing this, Vahn was unperturbed by Semiramis' remarks, closing his eyes with a smile on his face as he said, "Then I'll just become a God Emperor...simple as that. Eventually, I'll reach a point where nobody can tell me how things 'should' be. I will determine how they 'are', shaping the world according to my vision. Even if I make a mistake, I'll just correct it and start over...it is better than just watching people ruin the world for mundane things like profit and the illusion of control..."Hearing Vahn's words, Semiramis wanted to call him a fool, but, while others would undoubtedly fail in the pursuit of such an ideal, comparing him to others was even more foolish. He had been able to accomplish more in a few years than entire Empires and Dynasties throughout history. Thus, despite the wisdom contained within the words, there were none who could actually tell Vahn what he could and couldn't do. All of his restraints were self-imposed, as, with his power, nothing could stand in his way.As this thought crossed her mind, Semiramis lamented the fact she couldn't become Vahn's Empress. It might not provide her any real authority, but, as his status and power increased, so too would her prestige. She would even be able to live forever, indulging in his affection and the endless wealth of the Empire. Now, she was little more than a poisonous rose, one kept safely tucked away in a private garden.Lamenting the fact Vahn wasn't a slave to his desires, Semiramis joined him in looking toward the roof, a longing look in her eyes. She knew things couldn't remain this way forever, even if that was an actual option. Eventually, she would grow tired of her current way of life, desiring more than the peaceful silence and companionship of a few unique individuals. She wanted power, knowledge, and, though it contradicted the beliefs she had founded her character on; Semiramis wanted Vahn to love her even more...Without realizing she was speaking aloud, Semiramis muttered, "I want to become a Goddess..." in a subdued tone. Her current lifespan was limited to a few hundred years, and, though Vahn would be able to extend it indefinitely, Semiramis wanted more power. At this rate, she would be left further in the way of other women, decreasing her status and prestige by proxy. There was even a chance that, given enough time, even the weakest member of Vahn's entourage would surpass her in power...With a competitive glimmer flashing across her eyes, Semiramis was startled when Vahn suddenly said, "That can be arranged. You already possess numerous pseudo-Divinites and C-Rank [Divinity]. It would take some effort on your part, but, if you were earnest, reaching Godhood would only take a few years."As she still hadn't realized she had spoke aloud, Semiramis was slightly confused by Vahn's words, her eyes squinting in suspicion as she wondered how he was able to see through her. This didn't prevent her from heeding his words, however, causing her to consider them seriously before asking, "What method do you have in mind? I am aware that having sex with you increases power, but that does not mean I'll..."Before Semiramis could finish, Vahn shook his head, stating, "You just need to use the Quest Board. If you complete a few simple Quests each day, your power will gradually increase. There are a number of Quests that only require you to read certain books or conduct specific experiments. In your case, I imagine there would even be some related to concocting poison. You would be able to increase your power without even altering your current schedule."Though she was annoyed by the fact Vahn had interrupted her, Semiramis listened closely until he had finished speaking. Then, with her eyes squinted even more than usual, she asked, "And you did not think to mention this sooner...?"As he had already explained the Quest Board in great detail, Vahn gave Semiramis a deadpan look until she ultimately averted her eyes. She had even done a few Quests in the pasts, but, as they had been rather tedious, she never considered accepting more. One had even required her to read the same grimoire a total of ten times, not counting if she skimmed over sections she had already been able to memorize. Thus, despite knowing the many benefits it provided, Semiramis had completely forgotten about it until Vahn's sudden reminder...Deciding not to press her on the matter, Vahn rolled to a seated position, causing Semiramis to turn her attention back to him, asking, "Are you going...?"Nodding his head, Vahn explained, "There are actually a lot of things going on back in Avalon right now. I even had to make an extra body just to make sure I could spend time with you."Since he knew it would make her slightly flustered, Vahn sent a playful wink towards the end of his statement. This caused Semiramis to lightly hmph, crossing her arms with a pouting expression on her face as she said, "If you had something important to do, you should have said something. Who am I to interfere in the affairs of the great Sage Dragon Emperor...?"Understanding she was just asking him to verbalize how important she was to him, Vahn smiled as he reached out his hand, caressing the side of her face as he said, "You are my beautiful black rose, a delicate flower I can't but appreciate in spite of its many thorns. If I weren't afraid you might wilt, I would take you around with me wherever I went, proudly displaying your beauty to the world..."With her face still forming a small pout, Semiramis turned her eyes up at him, saying, "So, I really am nothing more than a trophy...how shameless, keeping a Queen as a prize to be flaunted..."Instead of retorting her words, Vahn just lifted Semiramis' chin, stealing her lips and entangling with her sharp tongue. He knew that, if he did actually take her around with the intent to flaunt her, she would enjoy every last moment of it. She had a considerable amount of vanity, and, if it allowed her to see him pressuring any who dared view her with covetous eyes, she wouldn't be able to hide her smile.Toward the end of their kiss, Vahn roughly cupped Semiramis' pert buttocks, lifting her onto the tips of her toes. This caused a sonorous moan to escape her lips, followed by a painful prod to his chest, but, undaunted, Vahn continued to kiss her passionately for another minute longer, stopping only when she jerked her head away, gasping for air.Before she could lambast him for his roguish behavior, Vahn took advantage of the fact Semiramis had turned her head to the side, whispering in a heated tone, "If an Emperor can't be decadent, who else has the right~?"Punctuating his statement, Vahn gently bit the tip of Semiramis' long ear, causing her to shudder as she attempted to drive the nail of her left hand into his chest. This barely managed to even prick him, however, leaving her helpless as he gently massaged her ear with his tongue.Feeling like her ear was burning, Semiramis fought hard to prevent a moan from escaping her lips, tilting her head to the side in a futile effort to escape Vahn's clutches. It was only when her tensions were nearing the peak that Vahn finally stopped, causing her to feel both alarm and frustration. She would have blamed him for soiling her dress and panties, but, compared to being denied an orgasm, that was inconsequential...Understanding her anguish, Vahn let Semiramis settle on her feet before embracing her, mustering as much affection as he could manage before saying, "Even if it is a burden for you, know that I love you..."Hearing the unexpected confession, Semiramis felt as though her mind had blanked, her expression defaulting to a complicated pout. Such words always did critical damage to her heart, causing her to lay awake late at night thinking about her life choices. It was really unfair of him to say such things when she was in this state, and, for a brief moment, Semiramis almost began whimpering until a very gentle warmth began to spread through her body...Truthfully, Vahn knew he was being a little heavyhanded, but, having sensed the subtle changes in Semiramis' emotional state, he knew she would need some 'encouragement'. She couldn't spend the rest of her life inside the Hanging Gardens, so, with his plans beginning to accelerate, he needed to give her a small push in order to ensure her happiness.Without forcing her to reveal her flushed face, Vahn allowed Semiramis to lightly headbutt his chest, gently stroking her hair as he said, "I left a present for you...when I'm gone, you'll have about twenty minutes before things get intense. I'll make it up to you during my next visit...either that, or you can stop by Avalon. There is a place I've wanted to take you for a while...I'm sure you'll enjoy it..."Finished with his words, Vahn kissed the top of Semiramis' head before giving her one last firm hug. Afterward, he released her body, leaving her standing with her head hanging low, face veiled by her hair as she tightly clenched the hem of her dress. Even the tips of her ears had turned scarlet at this point so it wasn't difficult to imagine what her expression must look like.Slightly saddened by the fact Semiramis still couldn't be honest with him, Vahn lightly sighed before saying, "I will visit you again around the same time tomorrow. Take care of yourself, Semiramis..."With his farewell completed, Vahn's figure vanished from within the Hanging Garden, immediately followed by Semiramis plopping to the ground. She had been forcing herself to stand, so, now that he was gone, a resonant moan escaped her lips as an agonizing amount of pleasure began to build in her body. It was fortunate she was able to freely teleport within the Hanging Garden, allowing her to blink back to her bed. There, she began to writhe around, a surprisingly girlish smile on her face, golden eyes glimmering as she sensually intoned, "Master is such a beast...so tyrannical...ufufufu~"(A/N: Alternate Titles: 'This is a familiar ceiling...','A buxom, sadistic, tsundere...','Semiramis actually grows her hair out in order to hide her ten-thousand ahoge...')https://bit.ly/2XBzAYu &lt;-(p.atreon link)paypal.me/EinlionDiscord Invite: https://discord.gg/Jwa8PKh

Chapter 1496: Preparations