Endless Path : Infinite Cosmos

Unable to decide the fate of an 'Emperor' on her own, Jagoda had the Imperial Guards prepare one of the suites typically reserved for housing foreign dignitaries. These were well-furnished rooms that were dutifully attended by the Imperial Palace's service staff. They were also equipped with powerful defensive spells that made it very difficult to break in, and out, of the room's interior. This effectively made the rooms very lavish cells, ensuring foreign dignitaries weren't saboteurs and spies.Fortunately, Vahn was very compliant with their demands, even agreeing to allow members of the Sealing Corps to place a powerful barrier around the room. He didn't seem to particularly care what methods they used to try and keep him contained, so long as they didn't tarnish his dignity. Rather, much to the chagrin of Jagoda and the Imperial Guard, he seemed to find their efforts 'amusing', his face fixed in a perpetual smile that radiated confidence. It was almost as if he believed nothing could harm him, frustrating quite a number of people...---Several hours after requesting an audience, Jagoda found herself bowing low reverentially before a man with a sturdy figure, a kind smile, a mane of golden hair, and, most notably, two blazing golden eyes. He was a veteran of hundreds of battles, granting him an inherent ferocity that belied the great wisdom he had accumulated over nearly three hundred years as Emperor. This was none other than the Four Emperor of the Hellas Empire, Michael Bashireia Herasu De Vesuperisujimia, the man known to many as the Great Lion of the South.Having heard Jagoda's report, Michael, simply known as Mike or Leo to his friends, had a thoughtful look on his face as he asked, "So, you're telling me the man that mysteriously appeared in the room of my daughter is the Emperor of an Empire we have never heard of? How certain are you...?"With her head still bowed low, Jagoda unhesitantly answered, "I had Magister Orlich to analyze the [Jurist Scale] to ensure it hadn't been tampered with. Based on his analysis, there is reason to believe that man, Vahn Aldrnari Mason, is telling the truth."Hearing Jagoda's response, Michael issued a low 'hooo...' before leaning to the side and using his hand to support his chin. He didn't doubt the veracity of Jagoda's claims, but, based on the title that was associated with Vahn, things could become troublesome. It could just be something arbitrarily made up, much like his own 'Great Lion of the South', but, considering it included his status as an Emperor, it was dangerous to make assumptions. Terms like 'Sage' and 'Dragon' weren't things that couldn't be overlooked, with the former belonging to a very rare classification of Alchemists and the latter belonging to one of the most powerful species in Mundus Magicus.In the Magical World, the majority of Magical Creature, including Demihumans, possessed the ability to transition between a humanoid form and a bestial form. Generally speaking, the stronger an entity was, the more convincing it's 'human' transformation was. This had always been a contentious issue for the more 'zealous' factions among the Demihumans, but, when it came to classifying the power of Dragons, Demons, and Spirits, their ability to disguise as humans often directly represented their overall power. This held true even for their Guardian Spirit, who, every now and then, manifested as a kindly old man to hand out candy to children in the streets.Though it wasn't likely, there was a non-negligible chance that Vahn, who seemingly appeared out of thin air, was a type of Dragon. They had a very strong connection to the Spirits, more so than even the High Elves of Elfenhof. Since it was reported that Vahn was able to manifest items and freely use magic, even in a cell designed to inhibit its use, it was obvious he had a very powerful connection to the Spirits. This was something that could be overlooked, as, during the reign of his father, Michael had witnessed a coastal city completely flattened by the Greater Elemental Spirit, Gnome. From then onward, he never underestimated the might of Spirit Magic, even going so far as to issue research grants to ensure their most brilliant minds were constantly making breakthroughs in its usage...After organizing his thoughts, Michael turned his gaze back to Jagoda, asking, "You said he is willing to accept responsibility for his crimes...what do you make of this?"Realizing what her Emperor was asking, Jagoda paused for a brief moment before saying, "I believe he wants to test himself...there is an aura of supreme confidence that permeates the air around him, almost as if he fears nothing. If my speculation is correct...I believe he is trying to test us...as for what his true purpose is, I cannot say. All I know for certain is that my instincts are screaming at me to not underestimate him..."As one of the most powerful combatants within his Empire, Michael had also felt the terrifying aura that was released when Vahn summoned Laev-tan. He had even convened an emergency council to discuss the matter prior to Jagoda's arrival, ultimately culminating in his daughter being taken away to a safe location. The fact Vahn had appeared in her room was enough of a reason to temporarily remove her from the Palace, as, due to her rather 'spirited' nature, there was a very real chance she might sneak into the dungeon to visit her would-be assassin.Restraining a sigh, Michael looked toward the direction of the Coliseum, lamenting the fact that Jack had recently departed to subdue a rampaging sea monster near the coast. He was still young, but, if they were to go all-out against each other, Michael wasn't sure he could win without wasting some of the Empire's trump cards. The youth had even picked a fight with their Guardian Spirit as part of his request for securing a hundred victories in the Coliseum. In the end, neither had been able to get an advantage against the other, but, as a result of that encounter, Jack had become another one of the Empire's Guardians.Remembering the battle between Jack and Vrixho, a smile spread across Michael's face. He had quite a bit of fondness for the rather barbaric youth, even allowing his youngest daughter to treat him like an older brother. If not for Jack being half-human, making it impossible for the Aristocracy to accept him, he might have even engaged the two once his daughter matured. Unfortunately, even if he was to make an exception, Jack would die of old age long before the time of their actual wedding...Shaking his head, Michael looked back at Jagoda, stating, "I believe your speculation is correct. There is a fair chance this Sage Dragon Emperor comes from a world beyond Mundus Magicus. At the very least, we can be relatively certain he holds no ill-will towards my daughter. If he is as powerful as the reports make him out to be, I fear she would have already been taken or killed. For now, we will test his capabilities by having him fight in the Coliseum. I am tempted to pardon him, but, based on your account, I believe he 'wants' to fight. This would imply he has some knowledge of our laws, so, until we can ascertain exactly how dangerous he is, it is best to simply observe. Once Jack returns from his subjugation, we will see how he matches up against the reigning Champion..."Hearing her Emperor mention Jack's name, Jagoda had to restrain a sigh of her own as she recalled the man barging into the Palace several times over the last few years. There was almost nothing they could do about him, as, even after offending some of the more 'troublesome' factions, he had come out unscathed. The Second Prince has even hired an Assassin graded as an S-Rank threat, but, three days after accepting the commission, the Assassin ended up crucified in the central courtyard of the Second Prince's estate.If she were being honest, Jagoda felt Jack was one of the greatest threats to the Empire, but, in spite of this, the Emperor and the Third Princess seemed fond of him. Jack would even call the Emperor by his nickname, and, on one occasion, he even helped the Third Princess sneak out to go view matches in the Coliseum. He was a completely unfettered individual who simply did as he pleased, a veritable nightmare for those who were tasked with upholding the law. After all, even if they pinned crimes on him, he would simply regain his freedom by battling in the Coliseum...Ignoring her own apprehensions, Jagoda lowed her head even further, saying, "Your will be done." in a respectful tone. Then, after being granted permission to leave, she slowly rose to her feet, keeping her head bowed and taking nine steps back before turning around. She now had her orders, so, even if Vahn was an Emperor, she would carry out the will of her own. As for her personal feelings toward Jack, they meant absolutely nothing in the grand scheme of things. His power had removed quite a number of threats to the Empire and its people, so, even if his mere presence infuriated her, she was able to tolerate him for the sake of the Empire...---Much like when he had first entered the Nasuverse, Vahn had some difficulty trying to sense certain areas with his domain. Unlike the Nasuverse, however, it didn't take long for him to probe such areas with his intent, even entering the most secure regions of the Imperial Palace without notice. Even if it was an area protected by powerful ancient wards, completely separating the interior space form the outside, he was able to send his intent forward all the same.When it came to gathering information or spying on people, Vahn had reached a level that would horrify anyone with secrets to keep. He could even spy on Tier 5 deities like the Olympians, so, when it came time for Jagoda to meet with the Emperor, Vahn's intent was right there alongside her. As a result, his casual smile had turned into an excited grin after hearing the Emperor's orders regarding his treatment.Though it wouldn't take much effort for him to simply leave and track down someone like Jack using his own means, Vahn didn't want to be labeled as a criminal just yet. He would rather be feared and discussed behind the scenes rather than have an international bounty placed on his head. While this might not matter in the long run, the Great Magic War was less than two years away. Many powerful figures would appear during that time, and, at one point, one of the most legendary groups to ever grace the Magical World would be formed, Ala Rubra.While history never specifically stated when the battle would occur, Vahn knew that Ala Rubra would be in direct contention to the group backed by the Mage of the Beginning, Cosmo Entelecheia. If he timed things correctly, dealing with the Mage of the Beginning might change from a difficult feat to a relatively simple matter. Thus, while he had no intention to join Ala Rubra directly, Vahn believed it wouldn't be such a bad idea to befriend them. This was, of course, assuming he didn't meet up with Eva early on and increase his power to monstrous levels...As it stood, Vahn didn't have the intention of being directly affiliated with any nation. However, that didn't mean he wouldn't become involved with them during his travels. He had always possessed a fondness for so-called Demi-humans, and, at some point, he was bound to come across injustices he simply couldn't ignore. Even now, he was able to detect some of the Palace staff walking around with slave collars on their necks, and, like every country, there seemed to be a mind-numbing amount of shady dealings taking place beneath the surface.Even if he didn't plan to settle in a specific location, part of being a Vagrant Hero was being a busy-body that was hated by the Aristocracy and loved by the people. So long as his power and mobility transcended their ability to deal with, he could basically do whatever he wanted. He already had the intention of pretty much freeing most slaves he encountered, and, if he discovered them, it was all but guaranteed he would bury any 'disreputable' organizations. This would undoubtedly undermine the balance within nations, creating a power vacuum that would be readily filled by other criminals, but, if he kept it up, even the vilest individuals would begin to lay low.With Eva being famous enough that mothers used her name to scare their children into obedience, Vahn was intended to become a name that caused criminals, including Nobles, to tremble. He might even dabble in 'replacing' world leaders with dangerous mentalities, preventing the coming war, or, at the very least, stopping it from reaching the point of becoming 'Great'. He already planned to visit Ostia, the so-called 'Holy Land' of the Magical World, once he finished acclimating to the Record. If he took action early on, he would be able to prevent the country's destruction, avoiding the loss of millions of lives and the forceful enslavement of tens-of-millions of innocents.Most historians still debated what exactly transpired to trigger the onset of the Great Magic War, but none of them argued which nation had suffered the most. Ostia was currently the most scenic nation in the entire Magical World, and, though its technology suffered behind some of the more 'forward-thinking' nations, its magical might was second to none. It was considered by many to be the literal heart of Mundus Magicus, representing the oldest nation in existence, Vespertatia. Their Royal Family were the only wielders of Royal and Ancient Magic in the entire world, and, according to speculation, they were descended directly from the 'Life Maker', one of many aliases belonging to the Mage of the Beginning.Even if his primary goal was to find, save, and protect Eva, that didn't mean Vahn would turn a blind eye to everything else. He wouldn't just let some 'evil organization' do whatever they wanted behind the scenes, especially if it involved the sacrifice of literal millions of people. Rather, unless he wanted to go picking fights with the Greater Elementals and Guardian Spirits, battling against the members of Cosmo Entelecheia was the best possible way to polish his skill. This would also set back the plans of the Mage of the Beginning, an enemy he would undoubtedly have to face in the future. Eva would not simply abandon the Record until she had her revenge, and, after making a promise, Vahn would go to extreme lengths to keep it...With a light knock sounding from the reinforced wooden door of his 'suite', Vahn retracted his intent and said, "You may enter..." in a calm tone. He already knew who had arrived so he wasn't phased in the slightest when Jagoda, accompanied by two relatively powerful people, entered the room.Without beating around the bush, Jagoda stated in the firmest tone she could manage, "After careful deliberation, your sentence has been decided. In accordance with Title 8, Chapter 38, sub-sections 10 and 23, you have been sentenced to gladiatorial service for a period not exceeding two years. During that time, so long as you are able to secure one-hundred consecutive victories, you will be pardoned of all wrong-doing, your record expunged, and your name cleared. Do you have any questions?"Rather than answer immediately, Vahn rose from the edge of his bed, causing the rather brutish man behind Jagoda to place his hand on the hilt of his sword. He looked like the type of person that had lived his entire life on the battlefield, his bronzed body covered in dozens of scars as a rather potent killing intent permeated through his aura. As for the other man, he had the appearance of an elderly scholar, but, of the two, Vahn knew the latter was far more dangerous.Ignoring the glare he was receiving from the 213cm tall man, Vahn returned a casual smile and said, "Very well. As I stated previously, I am willing to be held accountable for my wrongdoings. However, I also remember stating you should not forget my status..."With SSS-Rank [Shundo], Vahn appeared behind the trio before his original body showed any signs of dispersing, adding, "Addressing an Emperor as 'you' isn't exactly appropriate...I will overlook it in this instance, but you would do well to remember basic propriety in the future..."Without waiting for Jagoda's response, Vahn departed the open door, causing the waiting platoon of Imperial Guards to form a phalanx-like formation as they slowly backed away from him. They would not attack until instructed, but, when a loud metallic sound echoed in the surroundings, some of the less disciplined men nearly fired their paralyzing beams on impulse. After all, it wasn't every day you saw the Commander of the Imperial Guard and the Imperial Court Mage collapse in an instant...As if he hadn't just knocked out two of the most powerful people in the Hellas Empire, Vahn held out his wrists to the encirclement, a smile on his face as he asked, "Shall we depart...?"(A/N: Alternate Titles: 'There is no contest between a Dragon and a Lion~','Vahn about to rain on the parade of so many people xD...','Bullying is not okay...!!')https://bit.ly/2XBzAYu &lt;-(p.atreon link)paypal.me/EinlionDiscord Invite: https://discord.gg/Jwa8PKh

Knocking out two civil officials would normally earn him additional sentencing, but, considering the Commander of the Imperial Guard had placed his hand upon his sword, Vahn had ample justification to act. It was also a simple truth that, instead of treating him like a dignitary, which required proper usage of his title, they were still looking down on him. This didn't really matter in the grand scheme of things, but, if someone looked down on him, Vahn wouldn't hesitate to return the favor...With his arms bound in magical shackles, Vahn allowed himself to be escorted to a docking station on the west side of the Palace. Here, hundreds of fish-like airships, literally known as Airfish, could be seen lined up within maintenance hangars. These were crafts generally used by the Imperial Guard to respond to threats outside the city, but they were also used to simply move from the Palace to other areas of the Capital. Airfish were one of the most common forms of long-distance transport in the entire Magical World, with larger vessels even being known as Air Whales.Seeing the unique crafts up close, Vahn imagined Da Vinci and Sophia would both appreciate their structure quite a bit. It was interesting to see so many different types of Airfish, some modeled like sharks and minnows while others, for reasons he could only speculate on, even had the appearance of clownfish and tuna. This lent a certain novelty to the Airfish, and, under the right conditions, the presence of a large number of Airfish could make the sky seem like a vast ocean...Since the Imperial Palace towered over the rest of Alpheus like a veritable mountain, the easiest way to depart the massive structure was by using an Airfish. There were physical gates and passages you could pass through, but, as that would take literally hours, it was rare to see anyone but members of the Imperial Guard wandering about the base of the Imperial Palace. This was, of course, by design, allowing the members of the Imperial Family and the upper echelons of the Nobility to basically live a separate existence from the plebian masses.Vahn didn't disagree with the principle of distancing yourself from those you ruled over, but, as the line of thinking of most 'Nobles' was to elevate themselves above others, he found mountain-sized Imperial Palace excessive. If you intended to directly rule someone, you should live among them and try to understand their needs. Lowering your subjects just so you could elevate yourself further only resulted in the development of negative sentiments and the propagation of corruption. This allowed criminal organizations to run rampant behind the scenes, sowing the seeds for future rebellions and the forceful change of power.Were it not for the existence of Vrixho Nagasha limiting the line of succession to a single heir, there is a chance the Hellas Empire would have fallen long ago. Any nation that relied on slavery and the existence of public distractions to ensure order had already undermined their foundation. It was for this reason, that, during the Great Magic War, nearly every member of the Imperial Family was wiped out. The only surviving members were the Emperor himself and the Third Imperial Princess, the latter surviving only as a result of the actions of Ala Rubra.Repressing a sigh, Vahn looked out over the admittedly beautiful Capital City, noticing everything was surprisingly well maintained. Though there were a few examples of high technology, most used magical energy as a power source. Littering was also treated as a rather serious offense, and, if you were found piling up waste or disposing of things improperly, you would quickly find yourself in a prison cell or serving time as a Gladiator.Due to the prevalence of Spirits, every nation placed a heavy emphasis on ensuring the environment was properly cared for. Upsetting the Spirits could, quite literally, lead to the death of a nation, as, in the most extreme cases, annoyed Earth Elementals would simply move to a more pleasant area. This would result in widespread famine, as, without a proper balance in the Elemental Spirits, producing staple foods was impossible. The land would quickly become a wasteland, encouraging even more Spirits to simply leave the area in search of better prospects.If he were being honest, Vahn found this type of system rather endearing as he hated the idea of destroying the environment for things like profit. Here, unless you made a contract and came to an agreement with the local Spirits, mining was virtually impossible. While it was a simple matter to try and collect small amounts of ore, setting up a large-scale operation would literally result in massive earthquakes and cave-ins. The Spirits did not tolerate arbitrary destruction of the environment, and, based on the number of ruins present throughout Mundus Magicus, it was obvious some countries had learned this the hard way...---After around twenty minutes of flight time, the result of strict limitations on the speed Airfish could travel in residential areas, Vahn saw a massive Coliseum that was nearly 800m in diameter, roughly four times the size of the famous Roman Coliseum. It also had magical defenses that rivaled those present within the Imperial Palace, with the Arena itself having exceptionally powerful barriers. Vahn even felt as though his most powerful attack might not be able to penetrate these barriers, at least in his base state.Generally speaking, Airfish were only allowed to land in designated areas known as Fishports, but, as a vessel belonging to the Imperial Guards, the one carrying Vahn was able to land near a specialized docking station that was reserved from the exact purpose of turning over prisoners. There were even different processing areas depending on the severity of a person's crimes, the most notable of which including stripping people bare of their possessions and placing slave collars around their necks...Vahn hadn't expected it to be a pretty sight, but, seeing children wearing little more than rags as they were forced through the processing line and issued shackles and a collar wasn't pleasant. The systematic nature of the entire process left a bad taste in his mouth, starting with the newly arrived 'Gladiators' being stripped down completely naked. They were then doused in cold water for several seconds before being forced to stand in a long queue, bodies shivering as they awaited their turn to receive new garments...Any excitement Vahn had about the Magical World quickly evaporated when he saw such scenes. He knew many of the children were orphans who sought to become Gladiators in order to improve their living conditions. They were much like the Supporters in the Record of Danmachi, innocents who had been forced into their situations as a result of events outside of their control. Now, due to the failure of the ruling class, they had to put their lives on the line just to avoid starvation...With his smile nowhere to be seen, Vahn began emanating a terrifying aura that caused everyone in his immediate surroundings to tense up. There were few things he hated more than seeing children exploited by the very society meant to protect them, especially when the Imperial Palace was filled to the brim with artifacts that displayed their vast wealth. It almost felt like they were more focused on simply displaying their wealth to other members of high society than actually using it to ensure the prosperity of their people...Feeling someone tug at the chains connected to his shackles, Vahn's instinctually jerked his arms in response, sending the foolhardy member of the Imperial Guard flying several meters. This caused the other members of the Imperial Guard to draw their weapons as Jagoda, sensing things had gone south, attempted to defuse the situation by shouting, "Stay your arms! You do not have the order to attack...!"While Jagoda was attempting to get control of the situation, Vahn broke free from his shackles in an instant, his body vanishing like a phantom. Before anyone sensed his new location, a crashing sound could be heard echoing through the area, following by a pained groan. When they turned towards the direction of the sound, they could see a rather fat man wearing an outfit formed from the hide of various animals. He had a pig-like face, an eye patch covering his left eye, and a large whip that was visibly stained with blood still clutched in his hands.Recognizing the man as one of the Coliseum's Quartermasters, a position given to those meant to assign quarters, rations, and clothes to new arrivals, Jagoda quickly realized the reason for Vahn's actions. She turned her eyes towards the group of provisional Gladiators, a group that would need to train for a few years before officially fighting in the Coliseum. There, a young Cat Beastman could be seen curled up on the ground, a rather vicious whip mark along her exposed flank. She had tried to refuse to have a collar placed around her neck, resulting in the Quartermaster punishing her for stepping out of line...Before Jagoda had fully processed the situation, the Quartermaster embedded into the wall became completely limp, the bloodied whip falling from his hands. Around the same time, another crashing sound resonated through the area, this time the result of a sadist-looking Dragonfolk being thrown with enough force that he crashed through one of the large holding cells, his body separating into several distinct pieces due to the reinforced cell bars.As could be expected, things quickly became chaotic once two people were killed in roughly the time it took to take a single deep breath. Those that didn't truly want to become Gladiators felt emboldened enough to make a break for it while those who felt they didn't have a choice just curled into balls, hands covering their heads to show they were resisting. They didn't know what was going on, but, after experiencing numerous hardships, they lacked the will to fight against the Enforcers of the Coliseum.Like an unstoppable tempest, Vahn's figure could be seen appearing and disappearing around the processing area. Those who were notorious for their mistreatment of slaves were met with gruesome ends while those who were simply doing their job only suffered light injuries. It was like watching a one-sided slaughter, as, due to the ferocity and swiftness of Vahn's attacks, many of the workers had yet to even realize what was happening. Some even tried to appeal to the group of Imperial Guards nearby, but, fearing things would only get further out of hand, Jagoda ordered her men to capture the escaping prisoners without interfering in the onslaught. This ultimately resulted in her own men being spared Vahn's fury, albeit at the cost of the Imperial Guard's prestige...---After effectively killing or crippling more than half of the Coliseum personnel tasked with handling incoming Gladiators, Vahn appeared in front of Jagoda with a deadpan expression on his face. This caused her body to tense up, but, remembering the displays of power he had shown, she managed to avoid drawing her weapon, muttering, "Regardless of the circumstances, this incident amounts to a case of mass murder..."Shaking his head, Vahn rebuffed Jagoda's statement, saying, "This was justice. Do not pin the failings of your system on me, Madame Magistrate. I am well aware of your penal code, specifically the areas that define the treatment of slaves and Gladitorial potentiates. I need not tell you this is a disgusting violation of your own Empire's own laws, yet, based on how casually the Coliseum's personnel went about their business, even in the presence of Imperial Guards, it is clear this is the 'norm'. You expect me to obey your laws when you only selectively enforce them? Preposterous."Vahn had fully intended to just go with the flow, but, after seeing a grown man smiling sadistically as he whipped a literal child, he completely lost interest in laying low. Those who allowed him to act in such a way shouldered the same sin, so, from his perspective, the Imperial Guard had no ground to stand on. The only thing that prevented him from rampaging further was the fact that, despite their gross incompetence, most members of the Imperial Guard had lighter auras. Jagoda's, in particular, had been a muted blue with bands of gold, indicating she was a calm, rational, and fairly righteous individual...Understanding the truth contained within Vahn's words, Jagoda could only clench her right fist as she made a mental note to punish Deputy Magistrate charged with ensuring the Coliseum properly followed Imperial Law. She would also need to talk with the Imperial Guards tasked with maintaining order around the Coliseum, as, much like Vahn had pointed out, the behavior of the Quartermaster was entirely out of line. The problem was, even if that were the case, Vahn had no right to impose his form of justice onto them. His actions violated both the Spirit and Letter of the Law, accruing nearly a hundred felony offenses in less than five minutes...Ignoring the venomous look Jagoda was giving him, Vahn passed his gaze over the Imperial Guards as he added, "If you are unwilling to fulfill your obligation, do not blame me for taking matters into my own hands. If you wish to label me as a criminal, feel free to do so. I have never cared about the opinion of hypocrites who only mete out justice when it is convenient. Now, this is the last chance I will be affording you...if you continue showing me such disgusting sights, you only have yourselves to blame for the outcome..."Causing a few members of the Imperial Guard to take a step back, Vahn extended his hands so that new bindings could be put into place. He had already stated he was willing to accept punishment for the laws he had violated, but, during his first meet with Jagoda, he also promised that he would only take action when his bottom line was touched. This remained the case, so, unless they tried to force even more crimes onto him, ignoring the fact he was taking action as a result of their negligence, he still intended to serve time in the Coliseum.Seeing Vahn's outstretched hands, Jagoda resisted the urge to remark how pointless it was to bind him when he just kept breaking them. Instead, she snatched a pair of shackles from one of the shell-shocked Imperial Guards, clasping them around Vahn's wrists before personally escorting him to the area reserved for processing prisoners with high social status. It actually wasn't that uncommon for public officials to end up serving time in the Coliseum, so, for a variety of reasons, their processing and treatment was exponentially better than normal Slaves and Gladiators.At this point, Jagoda just wanted to be rid of Vahn, leaving him for someone else to deal with. She felt like he was a calamity that had befallen the Empire, but, much like Jack, it didn't seem like there was anything they could do about him. She would need to further discuss this with the Emperor and other public officials as her instincts told her this wasn't even the tip of the iceberg when it came to the trouble Vahn would bring them...---While Vahn was causing headaches in the Hellas Empire, four figures had only recently arrived in one of the eleven Gateports that connected Mundus Magicus to Mundus Ventus, the Old World. Among them, a youth with somewhat spiky and untamed red hair could be seen looking around, his muted brown eyes glimmering with excitement. Behind him, a bespectacled man with raven black hair that was styled back in a way to make him appear more youthful, couldn't help but release a sigh as he said, "Nagi, I thought I told you not to go running around...you're behaving like a country bumpkin entering a large city for the first time..."Hearing the older man's complaint, the youth, Nagi Springfield, just laughed in a carefree manner before saying, "Come on, Mr. Konoe, give me a break! This is my first time in the Magical World! THE Magical World! How could I not be excited!? I can't wait to meet powerful opponents and explore all kinds of hidden regions! I also want to try riding, no, taming a Dragon...!"Unable to keep up with Nagi's fervor, Mr. Konoe, full name Eishun Konoe, pulled out a handkerchief to wipe away his sweat, issuing a dry laugh in response. As for his other two companions, the one with delicate features and pale purple hair just smiled as he softly stated, "Go easy on him, Eishun. To Nagi, this is a mystical land that had filled his dreams for years. Allow the boy to spread his wings."Following up with what the purple-haired man said, the youngest-looking of the four, appearing even younger than the twelve-year-old Nagi, added, "Sanders is right. Besides, if you try and keep that birdbrain restrained, he'll just peck at you until you let him go. This is an opportunity for him to grow much stronger, so don't get in his way. I only allowed you to come on this trip because of that old man of yours. If you interfere in my student's growth, I'll deport you back to the Old World."Turning his head to the fair-skinned youth with spikey white hair and amber eyes, Eishun adopted a slight frown on his face as he said, "Hey, he is my student as well. Don't try and steal credit for all of Nagi's progress. Besides, where do you get off calling other people old? Aren't you like six-hundred years old or something...?"Hearing Eishun's remark, the youth, appearing no older than ten, just waved his hand in a dismissive manner, remarking, "Don't you know? Youth is all about spirit! Even if I were ten times older, I'd still be young at heart! Besides, if we're talking about-"Before the youth could finish, the purple-haired man, true name Albireo Imma, squinted his eyes as a rather dangerous smile replaced his previously 'harmless' expression. Then, in an icy tone, he mused, "Oh? Don't mind me, 'Young Master' Zect. Please, do go on~."Despite being the 'strongest' in the group, the youth, known as Filius Zect, elected not to finish his statement, issuing a wry laugh before running over to his disciple's side. He had fought against Al a few times in the past, and, though he had 'won' each of their bouts, he hadn't so much as caused the purple-haired monster to sweat. Their battles always ended up with Al simply 'giving up', seeming none the worse for wear while all his opponents were left struggling for air. He was a true monster, and, even after trying to ascertain Al's true identity, Zect had only discovered an unfathomably deep mystery that seemed to trace back to the very origins of Magic itself...Seeing Zect run off to engage in mischief with their shared disciple, a smile spread across Al's face as he mused, "Muuuu...and I was really curious, as well. Tell me, Eishun, do you have any idea what Zect was trying to say~?"Hearing Al address him, Eishun noticed the amount of sweat on his brow increase exponentially as he released a dry laugh and answered, "I have absolutely no idea...hahaha..."(A/N: Alternate Titles: 'Spirits don't mess around','The Hellas Empire is so fucked xD...','The greatest mystery in the entire Akamatsuverse is the true identity of Colonel Sanders o_o...')https://bit.ly/2XBzAYu &lt;-(p.atreon link)paypal.me/EinlionDiscord Invite: https://discord.gg/Jwa8PKh

Jagoda Bracht Kochanowska was a fifth-generation Magistrate that had proudly served the Hellas Empire for nearly sixty years. Her family had been proud supporters of the crown since the advent of Mundus Magicus itself, so, when she heard that a human male had been discovered in the room of their beloved Third Princess, she couldn't help but take the matter to heart.Though Princess Theodora was the Emperor's youngest daughter, she was the only one in the line of succession who had been able to contract their Guardian Spirit, the Sacred Dragon that had watched over the Imperial Family since the dawn of the Hellas Empire, Vrixho Nagasha. This instantly elevated her to the status of Crown Princess, and, though she was a little 'spirited' by nature, her intellect and magical power had earned her the appreciation of the Imperial Family's supporters.Even before she had been designated as the Crown Princess, Princess Theodora had been doted on by nearly every member of the Imperial Family. She was their pride and joy, and, one day, she would become the voice of the Empire abroad. Because of this, it was 'unforgivable' that someone had any kind of intentions toward her, especially given her age.As one of the races with inherent magical power, the Hellas peoples had always lived much longer than the vast majority of Mundus Magicus' citizens. Because of this, there was a policy that required you to be around the age of sixty to be qualified for a position of status and authority. This was also the age when you were officially considered an 'adult', even if their bodies reached physical maturity around the same time as humans.Princess Theodora currently had the appearance of a human child around the age of twelve, but, in 'Hellas Years', this made her just under four years old. Things like the matter of her marriage couldn't even be talked about until she was ten, approximately thirty-three in Human Years. Thus, despite her insistence that she was already old enough to take care of herself, everyone fawned over her like the child she was. She was the 'baby' of the Emperor, and, due to her outgoing personality, she was also the idol of the Hellas people...---After listening to the various reports regarding their intruder, Jagoda had a grim expression on her face. Now only had he spontaneously appeared in the Princess' room, bypassing all of their security, but it was reported that his magical power couldn't be sealed. If he hadn't imprisoned himself, they might not have even been able to 'capture' him at all. This was a blemish on the Imperial Guard, and, due to the nature of the offense, a slight against the Imperial Family itself.Staring at the sickly pale man before her, Jagoda stated in an icy tone, "Warden Pelias...please clarify the reasons behind your insistence on calling this criminal an 'Emperor'. Are you trying to insult the Imperial Family...?"As there was a startling difference in power between normal members of the Hellas race and the few Aristocratic Families, Pelias couldn't help but tremble under the Magistrate's pressure as he said, "He addressed himself as such, Your Honour. My men...we were unable to do anything against him at all. I have no intention of insulting the Imperial Family, but that man isn't normal...I'm not even sure he is human..."Remembering his encounter with Vahn, Pelias felt a shiver pass through his body as a suppression far greater than the one released by Jagoda permeated through his very existence. His instincts told him that they should not make an enemy out of that man, no matter the cost.Normally, Jagoda would have lambasted Pelias for his failure, docking his pay and placing him under house arrest until further notice. However, as one of the strongest people in the Hellas Empire, one of the requirements of holding an official position, she had also sensed the dangerous aura emitted by their prisoner. Even now, as she was listening to Pelias' report, a sense of danger lingered in the back of her mind, stimulating her flight or fight response.Shaking her head, Jagoda waved her hand in a dismissive manner, stating, "You have leave for three days. Once this matter is settled, you will be evaluated for competency before I finalize my decision. Since you have no previous record of wrongdoings, you will most likely be let off with a light rebuke. You are dismissed."If not for his training, Pelias might have fallen to the ground the moment he was shown lenience by the usually cold Magistrate. His body and mind were both strung out ever since he left the dungeon, so the only thing keeping him going was decades of experience and pure willpower. He knew he was in for a rough night, as, despite never being in any 'real' danger, it felt like he had just come out of a deadly battlefield. Now, memories of the past were already encroaching his mind, filling his thoughts of regret and self-doubt as nightmarish scenes began to resurface from the deepest recesses of his subconsciousness...Seeing the shellshocked man depart the room, Jagoda's expression became serious as she repressed a sigh. She was beginning to feel a bit of the nervousness that reared up every time a difficult battle was approaching. This was a feeling she had almost forgotten after becoming a Magistrate, her duty shifting from the battlefield to the courtroom after decades of service on the various frontlines that existed due to tensions between the Hellas Empire and most Human Nations.Shaking her head, Jagoda rose to her feet, approaching a locked wardrobe that contained all of her battle equipment. She also felt there was something 'off' about their prisoner, so, rather than arrive unprepared, she began donning her armor while saying, "Inform the Prime Minister and the General of what has taken place. They are undoubtedly already aware of the situation, but it is best to keep them up to speed. I have a bad feeling about the man who professes himself an Emperor..."Posted near the entrance of the rather lavish study, two women wearing an ornate version of the armor worn by Imperial Guards immediately saluted in response to Jagoda's words. They quickly set off to carry out her orders, leaving their Master to ruminate over the coming 'battle'...---With nothing better to do, Vahn split his time between polishing Laev-tan and making his cell more comfortable. He rather enjoyed seeing the distant looks on the faces of the Imperial Guards, so, with around two hours to kill, he had converted the interior of the cell into a lavish, completely furnished, bedroom. Now, he was enjoying a cup of piping hot tea, an amused smile on his face as he focused on familiarizing himself with the surrounding mana.As his [Archmage] status made readily apparent, Vahn was one of the most knowledgeable people in the entire Magical World when it came to Magical Theory and Practical Application. He might not be able to manifest its phenomenon easily in the outside world, but, due to the prevalence of Elemental Spirits, this didn't really matter. Even now, unbeknownst to the Imperial Guards, there were dozens of Spirits lingering within his cell, some climbing on his body while others fumbled around with the ornate silverware he had pulled out.Vahn knew it had something to do with his Source Energy, but, ever since his time in Danmachi, the Spirits had always been fond of him. Now, they would become one of his greatest strengths, as, with few exceptions, Spirit Magic had no counter. It could even be used when your Magic was completely sealed, and, in some countries, you were considered a skilled Magus after forming a contract with a single Intermediate Elemental Spirit. As for Advanced and Greater Elemental Spirits, they were things only the strongest Magi in existence were able to form a contract with, often allowing them to leave their name in history as a result.Thanks to his [True Friend of the Elements], Vahn had an advantage that would earn him the envy of virtually every Magi in Mundus Magicus. Better yet, even if his enemies had contracts with Spirits of their own, they would be hard-pressed to convince them to fight against him. Vahn couldn't wait to see the look on his enemies' faces when they realized their greatest ally simply refused to obey their commands. It was bound to be amusing, especially with his 'most powerful' ability...So long as they weren't someone on Eva's level, Vahn already knew how to 'counter' and outright 'cancel' Magic Spells within the Akamatsuverse. He had been able to put this into practice even in the Record of Danmachi, becoming an absolute nightmare for any Mage that relied on things like chants and ritual magic. Unless they were 'faster' than him, which was virtually impossible, he could even reverse the flow of magical energy, turning their own attacks against them. This was his most powerful ability within the Akamatsuverse, especially when combined with his effective immunity to Spirit-based Magics.As his excitement for the future continued to rise, Vahn couldn't help but smile radiantly when he sensed a relatively powerful individual heading towards the Dungeon. Using his intent, he was able to see it was a Hellas woman with bronzed skin, curved horns that framed her head, and the blonde hair that seemed characteristic of their species. She also had reddish-brown eyes, and, based on the fact she was wearing some rather decent equipment, Vahn suspected she didn't come with purely peaceful intentions.Unfortunately, perhaps as a result of the fact he had yet to acclimate to the Akamatsuverse, Vahn was currently unable to read the Flow of Fate. He could still sense its presence, but, similar to trying to find your way in a room after the lights went out, it was very vague. You would either need to wait until your eyes adapted or be forced to fumble around like an idiot, even if you knew the location of every piece of furniture.Preempting the woman's arrival, Vahn rose to his feet, earning confused stares from the guards as he picked invisible Elemental Spirits off of his body. To them, it looked like he was grasping at empty air before setting things down on the circular cafe table he had purchased from the shop. This caused a few of them to think Vahn was just a crazy person, but, after seeing him pull a king-sized bed out of thin air, none were willing to speak out.By the time the guards announced the arrival of the Magistrate, Vahn had finished picking most of the Elemental Spirits off of him. There was still a Wood Spirit that had managed to crawl up his left trouser sleeve, but, unwilling to take off his pants with an audience of thirty people, Vahn ignored it as he smiled towards the expressionless beauty approaching his cell. Rather than a Magistrate, she looked like a proud General that was preparing to lead an army into battle, complete with a winged helmet that was tucked under her left arm...Seeing Vahn for the first time, Jagoda was certain he wasn't a normal man, not in the slightest. While it was very different from her own Emperor, there was a dignified aura that lingered around his body. More noticeably, however, his demeanor made it seem as though nothing could hurt him, reminding her of their Empire's Guardian, one of only four Ancient Dragons in existence, Vrixho Nagasha...Without minding the woman's battle-ready demeanor, Vahn gestured with his hand, startling nearly everyone present by 'unlocking' the gate of his cell. Then, as if pulled by an unseen entity, the gates soundlessly opened as he gestured towards the second seat at the cafe table, asking, "Will you join me for tea...?"After flexing the muscles of her jaw a few times, clenching her teeth, Jagoda gave a small nod before mustering up all of her courage and stepping into the rather lavish cell. She didn't bother herself by thinking about where the furnishings had come from. Instead, she was focused entirely on the cell's occupant, her previous impression growing stronger by the second.Using his Telekinesis, Vahn pulled out Jagoda's chair, allowing her to take a seat before sitting in his own chair and musing, "Caution is a commendable trait, but, under certain conditions, some might misconstrue it as a threat...tell me, what are your intentions, Lady Magistrate?"As if reminded of her own status, Jagoda's expression turned sharp as she firmly stated, "My name is Jagoda Bracht Kochanowska, Imperial Magistrate of the Hellas Empire. My purpose is plain, I uphold the law and mete out punishment to those who violate it. To that end, I require your cooperation in order to ascertain the truth of the current matter."Before she had finished speaking, Jagoda pulled out a statuette of a blindfolded woman holding a set of scales. Even without her explaining, he knew it was an item known as a [Jurist Scale], a rather valuable artifact that had the ability to discern whether or not someone was telling the truth. She also had a ring hidden beneath her gauntlet, a far more valuable artifact known as the [Comptina Daemonia]. It allowed the user to know the name of anyone they saw, and, after performing a very complicated ritual, it was even possible to determine their 'True Name'. This was very useful in the event of facing off against higher tiered Demons and Spirits, as, if you knew their True Name, it was possible to exercise power over them.Without commenting on the statuette, Vahn maintained a casual smile as he said, "You may proceed when you are ready. So long as it is not a sensitive matter, I have no problem answering any of your questions."Though she wasn't fond of the fact Vahn had phrased things to sound as though he was giving her permission, Jagoda buried her resentment, pulling out a small hand recorder and a notepad before asking, "What is your name?"Without missing a beat, Vahn plainly stated, "Vahn Aldrnari Mason, the Sage Dragon Emperor," his expression unchanging as he sensed the fluctuations in the [Jurist Scale].With a curt nod of her head, Jagoda followed up her opening question, squinting her eyes as she asked a series of rapid-fire questions, "What country do you come from? How did you end up in the chambers of the Third Imperial Princess? What is the significance of the title Sage Dragon Emperor?"Amused by the woman's attempts to try and pressure him, the edges of Vahn's smile curled up a bit as he calmly answered, "I hail from Avalon, Capital of the Aldrnari Empire. As for how I ended up in the chambers of your country's Princess, even I cannot say. When I opened my eyes, that is where I found myself. As for the significance of my title...I would think it is rather apparent? I am the Emperor of the Aldrnari Empire."Seeing the [Jurist Scale] remain dormant, Jagoda could feel her pulse begin to accelerate, forcing her to rely on a breathing exercise she had learned during her days in the Academy. She was able to see Vahn's name hovering above his head, indicating he was, at the very least, telling the truth about his actual name. As for the rest of his identity, however, part of her refused to believe it, compelling her to ask, "Where is this Aldrnari Empire you hail from? I have heard of a country called Avalon, but it only exists in stories of the Old World..."The 'Old World' was the colloquial term coined by residents of Mundus Magicus when referring to Earth. While this might seem a little hubristic, as they referred to their own as the 'New World', it was not a complete exaggeration. Though technology was relatively rare in Mundus Magicus due to the monopolization of the Aristocracy, it was several generations superior to anything found on Earth.Instead of immediately responding to Jagoda's inquiry, Vahn poured himself a cup of tea, enjoying the fragrant aroma for several long seconds before answering, "Such questions cannot be answered in a way that would satisfy your curiosities. All you need to know is that, at least for the time being, I harbor no ill-will towards the Hellas Empire. I am not the agent of a foreign country, nor did I have the intention of harming your Princess. In fact, had I not been confused by the events leading to my arrival, I would have alighted the Palace before anyone knew I was here."Seeing the [Jurist Scale] continue to remain idle, Jagoda couldn't help but frown as she stated, "You seem to be telling the truth...assuming that is the case, this has just become a far more complicated matter. Even if you are not an enemy of the Hellas Empire, we cannot allow the Emperor of a foreign nation to freely wander about our territory. It is also true that, regardless of your intentions, you have trespassed the Imperial Palace and injured dozens of Imperial Guards. Even if you were acting out of self-defense, you still violated the laws of the Empire. Those who attempted to harm you will face a punishment of their own, but, regardless of the circumstances, the facts are clear...you are a criminal within the Hellas Empire..."As if it didn't particularly concern him, Vahn issued a light hum before musing, "I am well aware of my wrongdoings. Had I not been, I would not have allowed myself to be imprisoned like this. To that end, so long as you do not resort to anything excessive, I am willing to seek absolution. I have never once considered myself above the law, so I will face my punishment with dignity. Just remember who I am and the title I bear...so long as you do not forget yourselves, I will tolerate your Empire's laws..."Hearing Vahn's words, Jagoda had a terrible sense of foreboding that was further exacerbated when the [Jurist Scale] suddenly indicated he was lying. This seemed to surprise the man himself, causing a light chuckle to escape his lips as he winked and said, "At the very least, I can promise not to go out of my way to harm the innocent. If anything were to happen, it would be the direct result of a flaw in your Empire's system. So long as my bottom line is not tested, I am a relatively harmless individual..."Following Vahn's words, the [Jurist Scale] immediately returned to a state of balance, indicating he was telling the truth. This left Jagoda without an immediate response to his statement, her mind racing to process the information she had obtained during the 'interrogation'. She was intending to have the [Jurist Scale] checked for any kind of anomalous tampering, but, seeing the scales move in response to Vahn's words, their weight increased exponentially...(A/N: Alternate Titles: 'The Hellas Emperor's Pampered Princess...','Vahn about to take this world by storm...','The weight of an Emperor's promise is immeasurable (UwU)...')(A/N: I was going to post this after the reset tomorrow, as today is supposed to be my rest day, but I decided to just release it now. This is going towards my 100k promised words though, so keep that in mind if you want to scrutinize me at the end of the week xD...)https://bit.ly/2XBzAYu &lt;-(p.atreon link)paypal.me/EinlionDiscord Invite: https://discord.gg/Jwa8PKh

Chapter 1533: Intentions