Endless Path : Infinite Cosmos

After explaining the situation to Artoria and the others, Vahn found himself sitting in seiza next to Arcueid. Standing over him, much like a tribunal of judges, Artoria, Rin, and Luvia all had expressions of mild exasperation on their faces. None of them were really surprised about the developments with Mash, as it coincided with expectations. Rather, the main reason they were upset was that Vahn had allowed himself to get pulled into the pace of his students in the first place. Rin was especially upset, as, while Vahn hadn't done anything with Sakura, the fact he basically made out with people right in front of her was a problem in and of itself.With an intimidating and accusatory light flickering within her deep-blue eyes, Rin crossed her arms and asked, "Are the two of you trying to corrupt our daughter's common sense? I've barely come to terms with the fact she is crushing on someone much older than her. The last thing I need is Sakura developing strange thoughts of what is, and isn't, appropriate. What if Isanna learned about these little games of yours, did you think of that...?"Hearing Rin mention Isanna, Vahn lowered his head slightly, answering, "I understand my mistake. I should have given more consideration to the situation, bringing someone along that could help to keep the girls in line. I did not expect things to devolve so quickly...I let my emotions get the better of me..."Truthfully, Vahn had severely underestimated Mordred's ability to unify and lead the group. She was even able to convince Sakura and Scáthach to support her by making the entire thing about showing support for Mash. She used his empathetic nature against him, taking advantage of the fact he had virtually no resistance against women he had helped. He knew how tragic Mash's past was, so, from the moment he saw her apologizing with tears in her eyes, he had already lost the 'battle'.Rin didn't seem satisfied with Vahn's response, but, before she could say anything further, Artoria shook her head, saying, "We know better than most what kind of man our husband is. Both he and Arcueid share blame in this incident, but the true culprit remains Mordred. Even I failed to notice her intentions this time around, so, unless we intend to punish everyone, there is nothing more to say on the matter. We will decide upon Vahn's punishment before letting the matter lay. I understand your concerns, Rin, but, when we were around her age, did our curiosities not get the better of us...?"Though she had started to calm down, Rin's frown returned with a vengeance when she heard the last part of Artoria's statement. She didn't like to think about the events of the Fifth Holy Grail War any longer, and, after the relatively recent incident with the 'false' Shirou, it had become something of a sore spot. While she did have some fond memories of those times, as Artoria was suggesting, it was also a period where she accumulated various, lingering, regrets.Seeing the change in Rin's expression, Artoria showed a small frown of her own, her voice becoming a little deeper as she intoned, "Rin..."Hearing Artoria utter her name a second time, Rin released a frustrated sigh before throwing up her hands and saying, "Fine! You're right, okay!? Even then, we can't go easy on him. Luvia, imagine if it was Ulla involved in this event. How would you feel?"The moment she heard Rin's question, Luvia nearly caused her to collapse by plainly stating, "I don't believe this is such a big deal. It is healthy for children to be curious and bold. If they bottle up all of their emotions, they will become unstable and easily exploited. Now, if Vahn tried to do anything to Ulla, I would probably castrate him. However, this isn't the case, is it? Sakura may have witnessed the event, but she didn't directly participate in anything that would have harmed her development. Even if she begins experimenting after this, she is already of age by the Empire's standards."Though her relationship with Luvia had improved considerably over the years, there were often times when she and Rin would still butt heads. They have very different views on what constitutes 'proper' behavior as a member of the nobility. Rin came from an orthodox magus family that prided itself on its prestige and dignity. This was the direct opposite of Luvia, who, from the moment they had first met, did everything in an open, excessively flashy, manner. She could even wear a skin-tight leotard in public without blushing in the slightest, taking great pride in both her beauty and physique...Remembering who she was dealing with, Rin appeared unsteady on her feet, her hand rubbing her forehead as she said, "Right. I almost forgot that you're an idiot that likes to show off..."Rather than appear offended, Luvia just laughed in her characteristic 'ohohoho~' manner, further annoying Rin. Fortunately, before they could start arguing with each other, Artoria quickly stepped in, saying, "We will mete out a punishment suitable to the offense. Tonight is supposed to be the night when the children get to explore the Yokai District. The greatest punishment we can assign is denying Vahn the opportunity to explore along with them. While everyone else is wandering around, he will have to remain back at the Enma-tei, waiting patiently for our return."Since the flow of time within the Enma-tei was different than the rest of the Yokai District, Artoria's 'punishment' essentially required him to 'house sit' for several days while everyone else had fun. He had actually been looking forward to seeing his sons and daughters walking around in yukatas and kimonos as they ran between the festival-like Yokai District, enjoying themselves to the fullest. Thus, when he heard Artoria's words, his expression turned melancholic in an instant...Seeing Vahn's reaction, most of Rin's annoyance faded away in an instant, causing her to sigh before saying, "The children were looking forward to tonight even more than this idiot. It wouldn't be fair to them if we suddenly told them he wouldn't be accompanying them. Besides, he would still have Gaia and Alaya with him, so, unless we forced him to sit like a statue, he wouldn't be alone."Agreeing with Rin's assessment, Artoria and Luvia both nodded in understanding. As for Vahn, his mood had improved considerably, enough to boldly offer his own terms, stating, "There is no need to mete out the punishment immediately. A month of isolation within one of the Marble Phantasms should be more than adequate. I can spend the entire time in closed meditation, abstaining from all other forms of training."Vahn was the type that 'had' to do something, as, despite lounging around quite a bit, he generally kept between two and three bodies active at a time. Even Gaia's rehab had been a form of training for him, allowing him to practice controlling up to five bodies without too much trouble. Preventing him from moving his body, forging, and conducting research; all of these were suitable punishments that would compel him to seriously reflect on his actions.Since it just didn't seem right for the person being punished to decide the method, Rin adopted a small frown before saying, "That will be unfair to the person whose Marble Phantasm you use. There is also a high chance the person assigned to watch over you would keep you company. I don't think any of us would be able to tolerate your isolating yourself for an entire month..."By the time she was finished speaking, Rin began to realize they were virtually incapable of actually punishing Vahn. They could lecture him severely, and, due to his nature, he would take their words very seriously. However, when it came to actually punishing him, they would simply feel too guilty to follow through. Even she couldn't stay mad at him for more than a few days, as, after everything he had done for both her and Sakura, Rin felt it would take several lifetimes just to pay the interest she owed him...Just as Rin began to second guess herself, Luvia quickly took notice, shaking her head slightly with a knowing smile on her face. Then, deciding to give her former rival a hand, she crossed her arms in a haughty manner, saying, "It is simple, really. Vahn hates dealing with politics so we'll have him spend the next few days traveling to various food production facilities. We can also have him meet with the leaders of several rising factions, forcing them to think twice about their future actions. The number of 'influential' people who wish to curry favor with the Empire can't even be counted."Hearing Luvia's proposal, Vahn could already feel his motivation beginning to fade. Even if he spent less than ten minutes with the leaders of each faction, it would take him several weeks. It wasn't just a simple matter of 'forcing' his views on others at this point, as, if they were a legitimate faction, they were already following the Common Law. Luvia wouldn't send him to groups that were scheduled to be audited or eliminated, so, if they went with her suggestion, his free time in the 'real' world would all but vanish.As they were very aware of Vahn's distaste for politics, Artoria and Rin brief glances before ultimately nodding their heads and saying, "We agree," deciding Vahn's fate for the next few months. As for the golden-haired beauty at his side, Arcueid, she got off relatively easy. Her punishment was to work as a maid within the Inner Sanctum for an entire week. This included living with and working alongside the current staff, but, most importantly, it meant she was 'forbidden' from sleeping with Vahn for an entire week.Despite her punishment being relatively tame, Arcueid appeared even worse for wear than Vahn. She had initially thought it would be fun to be a Maid for a short period of time, but, when she heard the 'restriction', her eyes lost their light. Though it wouldn't be the longest period of time she was apart from Vahn, she had just spent the last seven months with him. Even a few hours apart would feel like a long time, making a week feel like an eternity...---While his main body was receiving the tribunal's decree, another version of Vahn had seated within Merlin's Wizard Tower, discussing the possibility of summoning a Grand Servant. He had a lot of time to consider the matter over the last seven months. As a result, Vahn no longer felt like it was a good idea to summon them, as, compared to normal Heroic Spirits, they would be difficult, if not outright impossible, to control. He had even seen a possible timeline where a masked man who could only be described as 'Death Incarnate' immediately beheaded him the moment he was summoned...After listening to Vahn's conjecture on the matter, Merlin pulled his attention away from the pair of 'kittens' curled up in the former's lap, stating, "The Grand Servants would be powerful allies, but, at this point in time, there is no pressing need to call upon them. If you do decide to summon one of them, however, allow me to suggest the Grand Rider. Certain restrictions prevent me from revealing their identity, but, with your abilities, I believe you are more than capable of ascertaining their True Name."As a few 'currents' had become more prominent as Merlin spoke, Vahn was able to divert part of his focus, peering into each of them for a brief moment. It took a few minutes, but, after searching more than a hundred different currents, he found a version of himself within the Welsh Dragon's Chamber. It was impossible to know whether or not the person in his vision was the Grand Rider, but, based on her attire, it was a relatively safe assumption. Though she showed off enough cleavage to turn heads from several hundred meters away, her outfit resembled that of a ship captain.Seeing the woman in his vision, Vahn blinked back to awareness with a frown on his face, asking, "Is she supposed to be some kind of pirate? She gives off the impression of someone with less restraint than even Aoko and Nobunaga. Do you really think it wise to invite another unrestrained beauty into the Empire?"Finding Vahn's words amusing, Merlin laughed in his characteristically annoying manner, saying, "Oh my, is His Imperial Majesty finally beginning to show restraint? Today is an auspicious day~!"With his brow twitching somewhat violently, Vahn deadpanned at Merlin, stating, "It seems my age is beginning to catch up with me. Refresh my memory, would you? I can't seem to remember the name of the person who suggested I summon people like Semiramis and Nero...."As if he was completely unaffected by Vahn's tone, Merlin lightly chuckled before spontaneously adopting a more serious countenance as he asked, "Do you blame me...?"Taken aback by Merlin's rapid shift, Vahn briefly paused to consider his response, remembering all the moments he had shared with the people suggested by Merlin. Though it might not have made a big difference if he had never met them, Vahn didn't regret the time he had spent with either of the 'unique' women. Rather, if he knew about their pasts and circumstances, there was a good chance he would have summoned them regardless of whether or not Merlin had suggested them...Deciding to drop the matter, Vahn deflected, asking, "Can she be trusted?" in regards to the woman presumed to be the Grand Rider.Contrary to expectations, Merlin lightly shrugged his shoulders before answering, "That woman only cares about profit and adventure. So long as you line her pockets, she will dutifully serve the Empire in all its endeavors. As for whether or not she can be 'trusted'...well, with the exception of Artoria and myself...she is the only person allowed to reside within Avalon. As for her purpose, I cannot say until she has been summoned..."Though Merlin liked to mess around, Vahn knew he always considered the interests of the Empire when giving advice. Thus, while it would undoubtedly cause him a few headaches, summoning the Grand Rider seemed to be the correct choice. He had already foreseen how the Grand Assassin and Grand Saber would react, so, compared to them, the buxom ship captain seemed relatively tame. If he peered into the currents that involved his interactions with her, she could even be found drinking with Nobunaga and Kenshin, enjoying herself quite a bit...Tracing back the same current, Vahn tried to find out the woman's name, but, as he was unable to see the Flow of Fate within the Throne, it seemed her identity would remain a mystery until he was able to enter inside. Fortunately, based on the fact she appeared at all, he could confirm that it was possible to summon Grand Servants so long as he had the permission of Gaia. Considering she was happily curled up in his lap, adopting an appearance similar to a cat covered in downy feathers, this wasn't really an issue...(A/N: Alternate Titles: 'When will you learn *deep breath* that your actions have consequences!?','RIP Arcueid xD...','Someone drown this man...')https://bit.ly/2XBzAYu &lt;-(p.atreon link)paypal.me/EinlionDiscord Invite: https://discord.gg/Jwa8PKh

Due to the nature of the Yokai District, existing in the 'in-between' spaces on the edge of reality, the primary methods of entry were to either wander aimlessly or be invited inside. Yokai were a bit of an exception to this rule, but, unless they had 'permission' to stay inside, even they would be unable to venture within for a long period of time.Fortunately, due to his status, Vahn had permission to freely enter and traverse the Yokai District. So long as he desired entry, Shuten, Tamamo, or Benienma would sense his intentions, opening the way for him and his guests. There, they would enjoy a 'Guests of Honor' status, allowing them to wander about without having to fear the repercussions of normal Yokai mischief. In fact, unless a member of the Empire went out of their way to stir up trouble, the Yokai within were surprisingly courteous. This was largely the result of their desire for gold, but, as the Empire had plenty to spare, it wasn't really an issue.After spending a month within Arcueid's Marble Phantasm, most members of the Inner Sanctum were pretty content. They had originally intended to stay at the Enma-tei for a few days, but, after spending an entire month lounging about, this desire had largely diminished. Instead, they discussed the topic amongst themselves for a bit, deciding who would chaperone the children alongside Vahn.In total, the number of people entering the Yokai District decreased from more than thirty to a much more manageable - members. This included the chaperones: Vahn, Ereshkigal, Fenrir, Hati, and Gareth. As for the children, the only ones old enough to explore freely were Isanna, Naavi, Kamiya, Daiki, and Sophia. As for others, Ulla spent a fair amount of time outside the projection, and, though she was old enough to participate, Circe hadn't allowed Penelo to attend. She could be a little overprotective, so, despite knowing it was 'safe', Circe forbade Penelo and Petra from leaving the Projection before their magical studies were complete.While Vahn and the other chaperones would be watching over the children, two more groups would also be handling various tasks, both led by other versions of Vahn. As for their purpose, the 'support' group would be keeping tabs on some of the more powerful Yokai, preventing any accidents, while the other group would be assisting Benienma with making preparations. Though they would only be staying for a few days, it was still difficult for one humanoid yokai to prepare baths, meals, and other services for more than a dozen people. She might have a veritable army of sparrow-like Yokai, but it was hard to have too many expectations for a group that lacked hands to work with...---With only a few minutes remaining until they were scheduled to leave, Vahn was waiting with a large smile on his face as he saw everyone arriving in comfortable yukatas and stylish kimonos. There was something about the traditional Japanese garments that appealed to the senses, giving men a calm and dignified appearance while tremendously enhancing the natural beauty of women. Just seeing Isanna and Naavi with their hair neatly tied up made Vahn feel simultaneously proud and concerned. As for Kamiya and Daiki, the former had slowly developed into a rather 'cool' young man while the latter, in stark contrast, possessed the qualities of a 'scholar', including delicate features, sharp eyes, and a calm personality.Vahn took great pride in all of his children, so, seeing how much they had grown, it always brought a smile to his face. Yes, he was immensely concerned about Isanna and Naavi, as they now look almost identical to their mothers, but that didn't change her love and affection for each of them. Thus, while it was a little 'overkill', there would be a primary chaperone escorting them while another followed the groups from the shadows. While he might not be able to protect them so easily later in their life, he would never risk their safety while they were still minors...Seeing Kamiya gradually distancing himself from the group, Vahn's smile became imperceptibly wry as he vanished like a phantom from where he had been seated, appearing behind the black-haired, red-eyed, youth. His sudden disappearance had drawn the notice of nearly everyone present, but, as it wasn't exactly rare for him to vanish, none of them showed surprise. Rather, with their senses, only Daiki hadn't noticed his sudden appearance behind Kamiya.Feeling a sudden weight on his shoulder, Kamiya straightened his back, his body becoming slightly tense as he looked back and muttered, "Chichiue..." in an uncharacteristically demure tone. He was usually a very confident and somewhat overbearing youth, largely due to the influence of Nobunaga and Mordred, so it was rare to see him with a 'thoughtful' expression on his face.Sensing his son's internal conflict, Vahn sent a thread of calming energy into Kamiya's body before saying, "Tonight, I'd like to explore the Yokai District with you. How about it...?"Before Kamiya could answer, Isanna adopted a pouting expression, remarking, "But I wanted to walk around with Papa..."Without losing his smile, Vahn just sent a glance at Isanna before turning his attention to Naavi and Ereshkigal in turn. He actually had intended to accompany their group, as, in more ways than one, it was dangerous for Vanir to move about freely. Isanna, Naavi, and Daiki would all walking around the Yokai District together, so, as the largest group, Vahn was going to watch over them with Ereshkigal and Gareth.Isanna knew she had said something selfish, so, before anyone else vocalized, she adopted an apologetic expression and said, "Sorry...I was just looking forward to walking around with Papa..."Though she often did and said things on impulse, Isanna wasn't actually as selfish as she could have been. She was also quick to apologize for her wrongdoings, causing Vahn to return her an approving nod as he said, "We'll have plenty of time to explore later. Tonight, I want to spend some time with Kamiya. You should focus on enjoying the evening with your brother and sister. When you return to the Enma-tei, I'll have a surprise prepared for everyone I didn't have a chance to accompany, okay?"Without arguing, Isanna nodded her head in understanding. She was happy spending time with her siblings, so, while it would have been more fun to walk around with her Papa, it would still be a fun evening.---Once everyone had gathered, Vahn opened the 'entrance' to the Yokai District by simply having each group stand outside a random room. Then, after sending a signal to Tamamo, he opened to door to reveal the interior of a small shrine. It was a rather strange sight for those who had never witnessed it, adding a certain mysticism and charm to the moon-kissed lands on the opposite side.Before sending anyone through, Vahn reminded, "You are free to explore, but, no matter what, you have to stay with your chaperone. It is possible to get lost in an instant if you aren't paying attention, so, if you do get lost, find a place to rest and wait for someone to come pick you up. Remember, the entities inside are also our people. Some may look and behave in strange manners, but that is not an excuse to look down on or insult them. If you feel as though they are antagonizing or offending you, it is not your place to settle the dispute. The day will come when you each have authority and power to wield. For now, it is our responsibility to deal with such things. Do I make myself clear...?"As all of his children were very obedient, Vahn couldn't help but smile widely when they all nodded at nearly the exact same moment. He was very proud of the people they were becoming, and, while it was largely due to the efforts of their mothers, it made him feel gratified as their father...After waiting for everyone else to depart, leaving on him and Kamiya remaining, Vahn lightly pat his son on the shoulder, asking, "Want to talk about it?"Hearing his Chichiue's question, Kamiya released a sigh unbefitting a child. Then, with a small frown on his face, he honestly answered, "Aneue promised to come with me tonight. When I went to ask if she was ready, she told me she was busy even though she was just sitting around with her friends..."Even before Kamiya had finished speaking, Vahn realized what the problem was. His son had always been rather 'fond' of his older sister. This was largely due to the fact that Mordred had helped take care of him ever since he was a baby, changing his diapers, bathing him, and doting on him nearly every day. She also took an active role in his education, teaching him what it meant to be a man that was capable of leading other men. He was the 'eldest son' within their familiar hierarchy, so, due to her unique quirks, Mordred spent much of her free time looking after Kamiya.Vahn was aware of the puppy love that Kamiya had developed for Mordred, but, after discussing it with Artoria and Nobunaga, he decided to let the matter run its course. They weren't blood-related, and, before Mordred began to 'aggressively' pursue him, Vahn wouldn't have been too troubled if they ultimately ended up together. While some might see it as 'grooming', Mordred possessed no such intentions towards her step-sibling, so, if something did develop between them, it would have been the result of Kamiya's adolescence, not direct manipulation.Put simply, Kamiya, much like his 'arch-rival', Daiki, was a bit of a sis-con. He had always been a little jealous of the attention Daiki received from his Onee-sans, so, with Mordred treating him well since before he could even remember, it wasn't difficult to understand why he would be attached to her.Understanding the crux of the matter, Vahn decided to be honest with his son, explaining, "While it was wrong of her to make a promise and not keep it, Mordred has experienced more than a month since this afternoon. She, and the others, entered a special area where time flowed much faster than within the castle. For me, more than seven months have passed in a similar amount of time, so, while I may be a poor substitute for your sister, I'd like it if we spent some time together."Hearing his Chichiue's explanation, Kamiya was a little confused, but, knowing time flowed in many different ways, he ultimately nodded his head. He didn't really understand it, but, as his Chichiue was always very honest with them, Kamiya knew more than a month had passed for his Aneue. He knew a lot could happen in a single month, so, while he was still a little upset, it was never boring to spend time with his Chichiue.After coming to terms with what had happened, Kamiya looked up at his father, asking, "Can I really choose where we go? What if I want to go exploring in the mountains or something...?"Without even having to think about his response, Vahn smiled in amusement as he said, "You know the policy of the Empire. So long as you do not infringe upon the rights of others, you are free to live and act as you please. While you are still too young to make such decisions on your own, I will never discourage you from exploration when we are together. Even if you wanted to fly up to the moon or dive to the bottom of the ocean, I would follow along to keep you safe."Toward the end of his statement, Vahn ruffled his son's hair, an even bigger grin on his face as he said, "You are a Mason, the son of the Sage Dragon Emperor. Possessing a free spirit and the desire to protect others is the benchmark of our family. Now, lead the way. Tonight is your night, my son. Whenever you wish to go, I will follow..."(A/N: Alternate Titles: 'Guests of Honor','Is Kamiya's 'true name' actually Genji...!?','*I'll make a man out of you begins to play in the background*')https://bit.ly/2XBzAYu &lt;-(p.atreon link)paypal.me/EinlionDiscord Invite: https://discord.gg/Jwa8PKh

In the end, it took an additional six full months for Gaia to reach a level where she was able to walk without the direct support of another person. During this rehabilitation period, nearly every resident of the Inner Sanctum had been given the opportunity to enjoy a much-needed vacation, including Vahn's 'students'. This had included Mordred, Mash, Sakura, Zoë, Astrid, and Scáthach. As for Ciel, she had departed for Japan nearly two months prior.Vahn was aware that Shiki had started to develop a faction of his own, led by none other than his younger sister, the current head of the Tohno family, Akiha Tohno. The latter was a brilliant, decisive, and decidedly 'ruthless' woman, who, post-Fall, quickly rose to prominence after allying with a few older families and crushing various yakuza groups. Upon her reunion with Shiki, she had even gone as far as to divorce her husband, who, days later, vanished from the face of the earth.When Vahn first met Akiha, a cool beauty with long black hair and deep-blue eyes, she had given him a very similar impression to Loki. She was an extremely calculating woman, but, if he was asked to define her most noteworthy trait, it was a borderline obsession with her brother. At some point in the past, she had sacrificed half her life to preserve Shiki's, and, from that moment on, she had been a doting, yet possessive, younger sister. She constantly worried about him since their youth, feelings that eventually became a deep and passionate love once they matured.If not for the fact Shiki had died at a very young age, there was very little doubt that he and Akiha would have become husband and wife. This was largely due to the fact that they weren't related by blood, causing Akiha's inhibitions to vanish in their entirety. The only thing that had prevented them from being together was the resistance of her family, but, after becoming the Family Head and ruling with a decidedly heavy hand, there were none to oppose her decisions.A few years after Shiki's death, Akiha had ended up marrying a man from another orthodox family of demon hunters. This was a purely political marriage, and, even after several years of marriage, Akiha had never so much as allowed her husband to touch her. When it came time to produce an heir, they even used a surrogate mother, as, in Akiha's heart, the only man 'worthy' of her was the one she had given half her life and all of her heart to.Needless to say, Vahn had a few inhibitions regarding Akiha's ruthless behavior, but, considering the sincerity she showed towards the Empire, he decided to ignore it. She was extremely thankful for the fact that he had returned Shiki to her, and, from the moment of their first meeting, she had dutifully followed the Common Law. Her only real complaint seemed to be that her brother had, very quickly, gathered many of his former lovers. In the end, however, she tolerated their presence, as, with how drastically the world was changing, having powerful and loyal allies was a must.If the Tohno family was ever to oppose the Empire in the future, it would undoubtedly be the result of Shiki's 'heroic' ideals. Even then, however, he would have to somehow convince Akiha, but, after losing him the first time, there was little chance she would allow him to do something so dangerous. She was an exceptionally intelligent woman, so, while Shiki seemed incapable of understanding the consequences of his actions, she was smart enough to prevent him from doing anything that would endanger all of their lives.In exchange for Akiha's 'loyalty', Vahn had privately used Nirvana Rebirth on her, as, after giving up half her life to Shiki, she would be nearing the end her own by the time she turned forty. This was a secret he had promised to keep, and, though it wasn't intended to be used as leverage against her, Akiha seemed to interpret it as such. Thus, unless something extreme happened, she would keep a close watch on Shiki, forcing him to focus on 'protecting their home', rather than 'fighting a foreign Empire'. She also had the support of many of Shiki's former lovers, as, much like Akiha, they were not in a hurry to see the resurrected Hero suicide against a seemingly unstoppable force...---After emerging from Arcueid's Marble Phantasm for the seventh time, Vahn had a reminiscent smile on his face as he looked around at the familiar Ivory Castle. He had been missing his children quite a bit, as, from his perspective, it had been a little more than seven months since he saw them last. This wasn't a particularly long period of time, but, after experiencing a few drastic changes, reestablishing a baseline would be necessary...As this thought crossed his mind, Vahn turned to the six young women, passing his gaze over each of them with a few complex emotions in his heart. A lot of things could change in a month, and, due to various circumstances, he was now a little 'too close' to some of the girls. Mash had even used the opportunity to confess her feelings a few days after entering the Marble Phantasm, resulting in a few unexpected developments, the majority of which were 'machinated' by Mordred.With the exception of Astrid and Sakura, most of Vahn's students had developed a strong crush on him. This had originally started off as gratitude and respect, but, due to the progress of their training and the 'massage treatments' they had received, their emotions had blossomed into something that couldn't simply be explained away as puppy love. Rather, Mash seemed wholly intent on joining his personal entourage int he future, her Loyalty having already exceeded five digits in value.For a time, Vahn had hoped Mash might develop a crush for her Heroic Spirit, Richard, but, despite openly admitting he was very handsome, she never developed any affections for him. Rather, it was very difficult to 'like' someone who, due to their carelessness, often caused you considerable harm. His 'training' often resulted in several broken bones, and, if not for the existence of several powerful healers within the Empire, Mash had little doubt his actions would have resulted in her becoming a cripple.At this point, Mash was a young woman of nineteen, and, though she didn't believe she was 'worthy' of her Master's affection, she still mustered up the courage to confess. This was largely compelled by Mordred, who, taking advantage of the fact they would be 'alone' for an entire month, pressured the other girls into doing things they otherwise wouldn't have even considered.Mash's confession near the very beginning was only the very tip of the iceberg, and, though things never developed to the point of no return, even Vahn was surprised by how dangerous Mordred's [Charisma] could be when she was left to her own devices. It wasn't for no reason that she had been able to become the leader of a rebellion despite having no particular interest in leading a coup. Her words, actions, and 'confidence' compelled people to get pulled along by her whims, and, due to a surprising understanding of Vahn's character, many of her plans ended in 'minor victories'.By the time three days had passed in the Marble Phantasm, it became 'normal' for a version of Vahn to sleep in the same room as the girls, each wearing animal pajamas. This led to small events such as pillow fights and such occurring, but, after a few more days had passed, things escalated to the point of playful wrestling and 'excessive' cuddling. From there, Mordred managed to convince the others, even Scáthach, to try and pressure him into playing games like 'Truth or Dare'.At first, Vahn had prevented things from getting out of hand by directly expressing his views on how they should behave as young women, but, before he realized it, even Sakura was on Mordred's side, convincing him it wasn't a bid deal. Rather, there had been a time when it made her sad that he was unwilling to take a bath with him, back when he had first been identified as her father. She had been fond of the small amounts of intimacy and kinship she had been able to experience in the past. Now, she had someone she liked, so, with Mash being her best friend, Sakura wanted to support her.With even the 'voice of reason' within the group corrupted by Mordred, Vahn's only hope was to use Arcueid as a replacement. Unfortunately, she instantly 'betrayed' him the moment he invited her to stay in the same room with the girls. She enjoyed the sleepover structure they had been using since a few days prior, and, though her time with Vahn was always worthwhile, Arcueid was weak when it came to experiencing new things. She had always wanted to attend a slumber party, and, though she had the appearance of a very mature woman, that didn't stop her from wearing a set of adult-sized koala pajamas and allying with the other girls...Vahn managed to last a few more days against the combined assault of Mordred's faction. In the end, however, he was left without a path of retreat, as, due to his insistence, the mood within the Marble Phantasm had been gradually decreasing. Mash even thought she was to blame for ruining everyone else's fun, leading to an awkward scene where she apologized with her forehead touching the ground. That had been the straw that broke the came's back, as, more than anything else, Vahn was weak against sincerity and misplaced blame...After a long heart-to-heart with Mash, and a light spanking for Mordred, Vahn ended up giving in to the groups 'demands'. As a result, he learned just how dangerous the curiosity of adolescents could be. With the exception of Sakura, who was only around fourteen, everyone else was either 'ageless' or between the ages of seventeen and nineteen. Though their appearances didn't exactly reflect this, largely due to the 'treatments' they had received, they were still young women who, as a result of their circumstances, had a lot of pent up 'curiosities'. Even Astrid wasn't an exception to this, despite having a 'very' strong preference for members of the same sex.Though things had been relatively 'tame' at first, involving the confession of various personal secrets, such as who liked who, things quickly devolved when Sakura, of all people, 'dared' Zoë and Astrid to kiss. This started off as little more than a light peck on the lips, but, after a series of teasing remarks, courtesy of Mordred, the two ended up making out for nearly a full minute. Vahn realized he should have stopped things then and there, but, due to the recent memory of Mash's apology, he ended up falling into the pace of people much younger than him.Things became more troublesome when, immediately after the first serious dare, Astrid eyed Arcueid with glimmering eyes, daring her to leave the buttons of her pajamas undone for the remainder of the game. It was the kind that buttoned up from the front, so, after Arcueid unhesitantly complied, it was possible to see her white-lace bra and the fair skin of her abdomen. This elicited an audible gulp from Astrid, causing nearly everyone present, included Arcueid, to laugh.With Arcueid behaving as if everything was normal, Vahn had missed another opportunity to bring the game to an end. As a result, the buxom Divine Spirit immediately zeroed in on him, her sapphire blue eyes glimmering with eagerness and expectation as she dared him to kiss her. Unfortunately for them both, Mordred instantly pointed out that the person issuing the dare couldn't make others do anything directly to them. This resulted in Arcueid pouting for a brief moment as her eyes wandered around the group before stopping on Mash...Arcueid was aware of the fact Mash had confessed to their Master, so, with the intention of helping out her junior, she happily gave up the opportunity to the bashful, lavender-haired, beauty. This was where things began to truly spiral out of control, as, after kissing Mash, Vahn had set a 'precedent' that allowed for further escalation.After a relatively tame kiss, Mash's eyes had glazed over slightly, causing Vahn's heart to palpitate a few times due to her fiercely blushing face. She was already a very beautiful young woman so it had left a deep impression on his heart after seeing how happy she was with a simple, three-second kiss. Her eyes contained an uncommon amount of devotion, and, for a brief moment, Vahn found himself drawn toward her dampened lips like a magnet. The only thing that stopped him from doing so was how silent the surroundings had become, as, due to how intensely he and Mash were staring at each other, everyone present was holding their breaths in anticipation...When Mash noticed where her Master was looking, confusion flashed across her eyes as if she had only just then remembered where they were. Immediately afterward, she retreated back to her seat, covering her crimson face by pulling down the hood of her dog-pajamas. She had never been more embarrassed in her entire life, but, if you were to look closely, it was easy to see she was very happy as her mouth curled into a natural smile despite her perturbance.With the ball in his court, Vahn proposed the idea of bringing the game to an end, earning a series of mild complaints from everyone except Scáthach and Mash. Thus, in a last-ditch effort to break the downward spiral, he asked Astrid what her dream was. In the past, she had only wanted to surround herself with animals so he was genuinely curious whether or not her goals had changed over the last few years.What Vahn never expected was for Astrid to rather boldly state, "If possible, I would like to become an attendant in Master's harem. There are so many beauties within the Inner Sanctum, I don't think I would be happy anywhere else. If it's Master...I wouldn't mind doing naughty things..."When he had first heard Astrid's response, Vahn felt as though he had stepped on a landmine that exceeded an A-Rank Noble Phantasm. He had somewhat expected Astrid to get involved with one of her classmates, specifically Rani or a young red-head named Martha. They had all gotten along 'very' well with each other, so, hearing her spontaneously admit to wanting to join his harem, specifically so she could spend time with his women, his mind completely blanked out...Without waiting for her Master to recover, Astrid completely undermined his vain attempt to try and deescalate things, targetting Arcueid a second time, albeit with the intention to 'help'. She dared the over-eager golden-haired beauty to give Vahn a passionate kiss, causing Arcueid to happily 'pounce' on him. Then, like a group of eager students, all of the girls within the circle fell silent, observing with unblinking eyes as Arcueid greedily kissed their Master without inhibitions. The kiss lasted for several minutes, and, by the end of the unexpectedly intense display, nearly everyone was sitting with their legs tightly closed...In hindsight, Vahn realized it had been a mistake to include Arcueid without explaining his intentions clearly. She had a cheerful and easy-going personality, so, if given the opportunity to do something fun and exciting, she was quick to get carried away. She had spent a considerable amount of time in self-imposed isolation, binding her own body with chains to restrain her destructive impulses. Now, she was free to live the life she had always imagined, free from all of the things that had forced her to live a cursed existence.When Arcueid finally pulled her lips away from Vahn's, there was a thin line of saliva still linking them for a brief moment. She quickly got rid of this by licking her lips in an inadvertently alluring manner, and, before the tensions could fade, she continued to stare directly into his eyes, saying, "I dare you to kiss Mash in the same manner..."In the days following the first game of Truth or Dare, the atmosphere within the Marble Phantasm had become tense with excitement and skewed expectations. Vahn had severely underestimated the curious nature of adolescents that had aligned with each other towards a common goal. As a result, skinship became completely 'normal' within the group, their animal pajamas becoming something akin to 'sexy' Halloween costumes. As for his relationship with Mash, things developed a lot faster than he expected, culminating in her proactively entering the bath with little more than a washcloth to cover her voluminous breasts, leaving her lower half completely exposed...Had Mash not come to some kind of 'secret' agreement with Mordred, Vahn knew he would have undoubtedly emerged from the Marble Phantasm with another lover. Mash had a natural charm, a caring personality, and a hard-working nature. What made matters even 'worse' was that, prior to the events within the Marble Phantasm, most of the women within the Inner Sanctum had already come to expect that she would eventually join his harem. This made it difficult, if not impossible, to refuse her sincerity, as, compared to some of his 'wayward' lovers, Mash was a very loyal and earnest young woman...Fortunately, Mash seemed intent on increasing her strength by a considerable amount before she acted on her emotions. It wasn't exactly necessary, as Vahn, very rarely, had any kind of expectations or requirements for his women. It actually bothered him how some of them 'needed' to feel worthy of his affection, even though they were already amazing women. Though he understood where they were coming from, it still made him feel a considerable amount of guilt when he saw someone push themselves for approval he would readily grant them. Still, he would never 'force' them to give up on the path they had decided for themselves, so, if Mash was serious about increasing her strength, he would support her until she believed herself qualified for his affections...(A/N: This is a bit of a strange chapter. People kept mentioning Shiki, and, due to a past donation, I had already promised to try and include Mash into the harem. The Nasuverse arc is coming to an end relatively soon, so, while it isn't a pressing matter, I felt this was an opportunity to extrapolate on a few things. I am aware of how awkward the chapter is, but, unless you had a relatively 'tame' youth, I don't believe it is necessary to explain how 'dangerous' young adults can be if they believe they can get away with it. Besides, I had already established that Vahn had been nourishing the bodies of his students. This requires them to, at the very least, expose their bare backs to him. After this happens a few hundred times, it would be strange if nascent feelings didn't develop.)https://bit.ly/2XBzAYu &lt;-(p.atreon link)paypal.me/EinlionDiscord Invite: https://discord.gg/Jwa8PKh

Chapter 1501: Consequences