Endless Path : Infinite Cosmos

Contrasting any expectations she might have had about the peculiar reddish-brown liquids, it had a rich, smooth, and powerful flavor. It created an illusion similar to drinking liquid flame, but, instead of burning her throat, it brought an extraordinary feeling of satisfaction as the heat spread through her stomach before warming the rest of her body. She couldn't prevent a hot sigh from escaping her mouth, fogging up the empty glass she had yet to pull away from her slightly parted lips...Though the alcohol had the stated effect, Vahn wouldn't give someone a drink they were unable to tolerate. The [Call of Cthulhu] was infinitely more effective on those with vile, greedy, and unhinged characters. The Admiral didn't give off the impression of someone who had been 'corrupted' by the darkness of the world. She likely dealt with some of the worst kinds of people, but, despite that, her aura remained pure, stable, and vast.After holding the position of drinking for several seconds, the Admiral seemed to come back to her senses enough to pull the glass away from her lips. She appeared unaffected by the potent alcohol, but, the moment she tried to set the glass on the table, the truth was revealed. Not only did she fail such a simple action, but, as if she had partaken of an entire keg, her legs completely buckled from the subtle movement.As much as he would have enjoyed supporting the Admiral's body with his own, Vahn, instead, used his telekinesis to prevent her from collapsing. Then, in response to the fact she had drawn an ornate magical flintlock, somehow aiming it directly at his forehead, he created a small barrier between the hammer and firing pin, preventing it from shooting no matter how many times she absentmindedly pulled the trigger.Since she had a number of reasons to be 'hostile' towards him, Vahn didn't take offense to the Admiral's instinctual reaction. Rather, the fact she had enough wherewithal to draw her weapon at all was rather impressive. If she had been a normal person, she would have blacked out the instant the cup left her lips. The [Call of Cthulhu] might go down smoothly, but, like the tide heralding a massive storm, it would continue to swell and encroach upon the mind until all but the strongest had been drowned in its wake...After guiding the Admiral to sit in her own chair, Vahn took a seat across from her before putting another glass on the table. Her pale blue eyes still glimmered with a bit of intelligence, but, if you looked closely, it was almost like her pupils had become like ink blotches. The darkness within had gradually started to encroach upon the surrounding iris, and, given enough time, it would create a phenomenon where her entire eyes were covered in an inky black substance. If left untreated, inky tears would begin to pour down her face, and, preceding the loss of her mind, she same substance would begin to flow from her ears, nose, and mouth.With her eyes still focused on him, Vahn filled up the second glass before reminding her, "Though it might not make a lot of sense, the only treatment is to drink even more. The moment you down the entire bottle, the effects of the alcohol will vanish in their entirety. I would encourage you to finish it down to the last drop...if you give up halfway, I'm afraid things might not end well for you..."Finished with his explanation, Vahn poured a glass of the same substance for himself. It was unique in the fact that, no matter how many glasses you filled, it always had enough to fill ten glasses for each person participating in the bout. The moment one person finished their portion, the effects of the alcohol would vanish for everyone, so, even if the Admiral failed the challenge, there was little danger of her falling to its influence.Seeing Vahn down his glass in a few massive gulps, the Admiral turned her hazy blue eyes toward her own cup. It was hard to form any coherent thoughts but her instincts told her that Vahn was just toying with her. This filled her with a palpable amount of indignation, so, after witnessing him refill his glass, she lifted her own, a resolute glimmer in her eyes as she downed the contents in a single sitting before slamming the cup on the table and stating, "Another...!"Rather than immediately refill the Admiral's cup, Vahn finished his own before setting it down and saying, "Fenrir. Fill mine and the Admiral's glasses, will you?"Though she had originally intended to join the drinking game, Fenrir dutifully received the pulsating bottle with her paws. She made sure to fill her Master's cup first, earning a trenchant look from the Admiral, but, as the latter's opinion didn't matter in the slightest, Fenrir completely ignored her...---Seeing Vahn spontaneously begin a drinking game with the Admiral of the Skyfarers Association, Arika's expression had become a perfect deadpan. She thought she had become used to Vahn's whimsical nature, but, at times like this, she was reminded of just how 'peculiar' the man she had fallen in love with truly was.Though he didn't seem to do it consciously, Vahn had a way of tearing down the walls surrounding a person's heart. She had first noticed this during his stay in the Sun Palace, but, after observing his interactions with people like Nyon Utu, Evangeline, and Grandmaster Sidra, Arika couldn't help but feel fascinated by Vahn's capacity for endearing himself to others.Fortunately, Vahn's capabilities seemed to be derived from his empathic nature and his exceptional eye for people. He had a way of bringing out the best in others, so, from the moment he showed an interest in someone, they were all but guaranteed to experience great fortune. This was particularly true for those closest to him, and, though it was difficult to admit, Arika was a little ashamed of her past self's hubris.Arika had never thought herself weak, but, if she compared her current self to the person she was prior to meeting Vahn, it was almost ridiculous how much she had grown. Though her progress was inconsequential compared to Asuna's, Arika felt as though she could fight against a hundred of her past self without even breaking a sweat. Despite this, she felt nowhere near her limits, and, so long as she continued to push herself, Vahn would undoubtedly help her reach even greater heights...As this thought crossed her mind, Arika couldn't help but smile as she observed the Admiral nearly fall over in her chair. This was probably the part of her that had changed the most, as, compared to her past self, she no longer felt jealous whenever Vahn interacted with other women. She had come to understand that he simply enjoyed teasing people, and, though Vahn had an admittedly massive harem, he was very sincere with his emotions. Rather, as a result of his unequaled capacity for care and comfort, Vahn was often on the receiving end of others' pursuit...---After nine glasses of the progressively potent alcohol, all rational thought had faded away from the Admiral's mind. She didn't know what was keeping her going at this point, but, every time she saw the 'smug' look on Vahn's face, a voice in the back of her mind pushed her to say, "Ahnuverrrr..." in a dull, sensuous, tone of voice. She didn't even seem to notice that the surroundings were writhing about like a living creature, as, for the time being, the only thing that seemed to matter was proving herself against the man seated across from her...Hearing the Admiral's slurred words, Vahn offered an appreciative smile as he admired the woman half-sprawled across her desk. She couldn't even sit up straight, and, due to her drunken state, her previously neat appearance had now turned slovenly. Her face was suffused with a ruddy hue, and, in an effort to cool her feverish body, she had been tugging at the collar of her blouse. Fortunately, despite her untamed and heroic appearance, she properly wore a bra beneath her blouse, so, even when she began to absentmindedly unfasten the buckles of her leather bodice, she didn't expose herself completely...Deciding to concede the victory, Vahn gave a small nod toward Fenrir before setting his own glass on the table. He had already received numerous benefits from the drinking game, so, before things got further out of hand, he decided to take a step back in order to preserve the Admiral's pride. She gave him a similar impression as Tsubaki and Musashi, so, if he managed to win against her, things would probably become troublesome during his stay within Zephyria.Without thinking about Vahn's actions in the slightest, the Admiral managed to half-raise her body. The [Call of Cthulhu] had a property that made it impossible to cheat by spilling the contents, so, even though a large quantity of the reddish-brown liquid escaped from the side of the Admiral's mouth, slinking down her neck and staining her white blouse, she was able to empty its contents after a few large gulps. Immediately thereafter, as if the potent alcohol had never existed, all signs of presence, including the contents of Vahn's cup, evaporated into thin air as clarity returned to the Admiral's gaze.As if she had just awoken from a realistic daydream, the Admiral didn't immediately react to having her clarity restored. Instead, she looked between her empty glass and Vahn's expression, her own a mixture of confusion and disbelief. She was certain she had been drinking moments prior, but, now that she had 'awakened', even the taste of the liquor had been forgotten. Instead, she actually felt a little parched, almost as if she had gone the entire day without a single drop of liquid.Awakening the Admiral from her stupor, Vahn adopted a wry smile as he said, "Though I'm certainly not complaining, you might want to fix your attire before we continue our conversation. Beige suits you, by the way. It matches your olive complexion well..."Hearing Vahn's remark, the Admira turned her attention to the state of her dress. She had unfasted most of the clasps of her bodice, so, instead of hugging her body tightly, her blouse had loosened to the point it was nearly falling off one shoulder. Her jacket had also fallen off, crumpling up in her chair, so, rather than a proud Admiral, she currently appeared more like a tavern wench.Rather than react flusteredly, the Admiral just frowned slightly before quickly arranging her clothes. She didn't even bother asking Vahn to look away, as, even compared to other regions, nakedness wasn't considered a big deal within Zephyria. It wasn't known as the City of Freedom for no reason, and, though most women properly covered themselves, there were quite a few who decided to just bare it all or wrap their breasts with a simple cloth.Almost immediately after fixing her clothes, the Admiral turned her attention back to Vahn, her pale blue eyes glimmering with intensity as she said, "You've a lot of gall for a shitty lizard. Do you enjoy messing with us puny mortals that much? If you keep looking down on us-"Before the Admiral could finish speaking, Vahn's smile gave way to a serious expression as he said, "You insult both of us with such poorly conceived words. Am I supposed to pretend you didn't give me a glass laced with a tasteless poison? Besides, I didn't force you to drink, you partook of your own volition. If I had malicious intentions, I needed only to prevent you from finishing the bottle to ensure you completely lost your mind. Do not insult me at your leisure, Descendent of Scarlet. I'm not fond of formalities, nor do I mind harsh language; but, if you think you can get away with freely insulting me, you are sorely mistaken..."Though she was not completely cowed by the pressure released by Vahn, the Admiral fell silent in response to his words. The 'poison' within the glasses was only intended to loosen the tongue and decrease the inhibitions of the other party. She hadn't intended to cause them any harm, but, even if she tried to clarify her intentions, it wouldn't really matter. The fact remained that she did, indeed, try and poison him...Taking advantage of the Admiral's silence, Vahn regained his usual smile as he added, "I never look down on other people. Rather, if you knew the true nature of my existence, you would undoubtedly feel like a fool for uttering such words. I represent the infinite potential of all things, and, unless you earn my ire, I generally try and help everyone I meet. Though the [Call of Cthulhu] has the potential for catastrophic misuse, it is actually a blessing if used without malicious intent. Now that you have finished the bottle, any alcohol you drink will temporarily strengthen your body based on its quality and potency. You can now drink as much as you want without ever having to worry about blacking out or suffering the detrimental effects of alcohol toxicity. You can still get drunk, but, unless it was something brewed by a God, the chances of you losing clarity are slim, at best."Hearing Vahn's explanation, a look of disbelief flashed across the Admiral's eyes. Then, after eying the bottle she had brought out previously, she uncorked it before downing nearly half its contents in a single go. This was enough to make a normal person blackout drunk, but, other than a pleasant feeling of warmth and a tipsy feeling, her mind remained clear. She also felt a familiar dulling of her senses, but, other than a slight 'lag' between her thoughts and actions, there were no other adverse effects from downing nearly 400ml of a liquid with 62% alcohol...Realizing the 'gift' Vahn had given her, the Admiral couldn't help but rub her temples in, her husky voice suffused with a bit of drunken warmth as she muttered, "How troublesome..." before quickly adding, "I'm not going to thank you. This was not a gift I asked for, so, regardless of your intentions, I do not feel indebted to you. I will, however, apologize for my previous words and actions. Also, as it occurs to me that I had never introduced myself, you may address me as Katarina. Most know me as the Dauntless Katarina but my actual name is Katarina Hawkins. Considering how you previously addressed me, I doubt it would surprise you to know I am the great-granddaughter of the Crimson Scarlet..."Deciding to ignore Katarina's remark about not thanking him, Vahn just nodded his head, a casual smile on his face as he answered, "Though it seems my reputation has preceded me, I suppose it is only proper that I introduce myself. Feel free to address me as Vahn, but, if the situation calls for it, it would be prudent to refer to me as the Sage Dragon Emperor, Vahn Aldrnari Mason. As for this lovable young Vanargandr to my right, she goes by the name Fenrir Mason, Queen of the Frozen Abyss. I don't particularly mind manners and such, but, when she is around, you should take care not to accidentally insult me. She can be pretty sensitive when it comes to defending my honor..."Hearing her Master's introduction, Fenrir's scarlet-red eyes glistened with a murderous light, and, though it appeared cute to Vahn, Katarina felt her body tense up in response to the rows of sharp teeth revealed by her smile...(A/N: I'm going to start polling for the next Record. Keep in mind that the next Record is the 'final' Record Vahn will be visiting (Tier 6+). Though there will actually be a lot of other Records appearing in the story, they will come into play after Vahn has linked the Records. The actual Epilogue of EPIC is supposed be 500+ plus chapters, including short stints of various characters in various worlds, so, even if Vahn doesn't visit a verse you are interested in, there is always hope for the future~! Poll will be listed at the end of every chapter and in the paragraph comments for easier copy+pasting.)http://www.easypolls.net/poll.html?p=5ee6438ae4b017b74559fd5bhttps://bit.ly/2XBzAYu &lt;-(p.atreon link)paypal.me/EinlionDiscord Invite: https://discord.gg/Jwa8PKh

While arrangements were being made to meet with the Braven Enlil, Vahn and Eva continued to shadow Asuna from within the void.As could be expected from someone with such a powerful fate, Asuna was a magnet for trouble, but, after four years of training, there weren't a lot of people who could hope to harm her. After all, she was immune to external magic, and, if she entered the State of Nothingness, the vast majority of physical attacks would simply phase through her.Though she was far from the level of Grandmaster, Asuna could enter into the State of Nothingness even faster than Vahn. It was like there was a switch in her mind that she could toggle at her leisure, so, even if you somehow managed to bypass her incredible perception, catching her off guard was virtually impossible...Unaware of Asuna's capabilities, a number of people had targetted her during the relatively short stint into Zephyrian territory. It was actually a little ridiculous to see so many groups try to approach her in such a short period of time, as, for the most part, criminal activity wasn't that common above the Cloud Sea.The heart of Zephyria was heavily policed by the Skyfarers Association, and, though every Merchant was either affiliated with a criminal organization or a famous band of Sky Pirates, they worked hard to prevent people from making a scene on their turf. If egregious crimes were perpetrated in their territory it would negatively impact business, so, whenever an incident occurred, those involved in the altercation would face a 'very' severe punishment. This was well-known amongst the residents of Zephyria, so, to see so many people targetting Asuna, Vahn and Eva couldn't help but feel a little exasperated...Fortunately, even after a group tracked Asuna for nearly a half-hour before attempting to intercept her along her path, she was able to deal with it easily. At nearly the exact same moment the group tossed a net toward her, one specialized in sealing magical power, Asuna's figure became a realistic afterimage until the net simply passed through her. By the time it hit the ground, every member of the offending party was nursing various degrees of injury, the majority of which would leave them crippled for life without proper treatment.Though some might consider it excessive, Vahn had taught Asuna to target and crush the joints of her opponents to quickly take them out of the fight. The fact they were targetting a child was more than enough reason to cripple them, so, even if it was somewhat perturbing to see her completely shatter someone's knee or elbow, it was their fault for pursuing such a path in life. If she didn't have the power to protect herself, her end would have been far more tragic than their life as a cripple, so, in a way, they actually got off easy compared to what Vahn or Eva would have done to them...---After exploring for nearly five hours, Asuna was beginning to get a little bored. There were a lot of interesting things to see and do, but, without someone to experience them with, it all seemed like a waste of time. She would normally walk around with Vahn or go bounding from rooftop to rooftop with Fenrir, so, now that she was left to her own devices, Asuna's interest and intrigue were rapidly dwindling.Fortunately, just as she was thinking about calling out to them, Vahn and Eva appeared out of thin air, the former with his usual smile while the latter had a slightly incredulous expression on her face as she said, "You're a real magnet for trouble, you know that?"With her mood improving considerably the moment Vahn and Eva appeared, Asuna adopted a wry, slightly mischievous, smile as she answered, "I wore this outfit to try and stand out, but this isn't the kind of attention I expected. Ahahahaha..."Somewhat amused by Asuna's remark, Vahn issued a light chuckle of his own before asking, "Were you able to enjoy yourself today?"Without having to think about her answer, Asuna bobbed her head a few times before answering, "I like the layout and this land. Though it isn't the same as Ostia, a city above the clouds is pretty cool. The people seem vibrant and full of vitality. If not for the ruffians and scoundrels that call this place home, it would be a wonderful country to live in..."As the last few words left her lips, Asuna's expression subtly shifted, her brows furrowing slightly as she asked, "I don't understand, Vahn...what compels people to try and make a living by exploiting and taking advantage of others? I even noticed boys and girls younger than me with vicious looks on their faces, each eager to cause harm to another person without cause..."Hearing Asuna's question, Eva's expression turned a little complex. Vahn's, however, remained calm and placid as he softly explained, "More often than not, they simply don't know any better. They are born in an environment where it is considered 'normal' to behave like that, and, unless they want to become victims themselves, they victimize others. It takes a lot of courage to break free from such a cycle...more courage than most have..."Before letting his words trail off, Vahn began to lightly pat Asuna's head, causing her eyes to squint contentedly. The conflict she was feeling rapidly melted away, but, unwilling to just leave the matter lying, Vahn added, "The more important thing we can do is enable those at the rungs of society by establishing a system that allows them to overcome their initial standing. We can provide them the opportunity for education and pressure those in power to implement laws that prevent those with malicious intentions from acting freely. It won't be easy, but, so long as you never give up trying to make the world a better place, it will gradually become one..."Though she had heard similar words hundreds of times in the past, Asuna answered with an 'Nn' in response to Vahn's usual spiel. She was already well-aware of her own responsibilities as someone with both status and power; so, rather than feel upset by the behaviors of other people, she actually just wanted him to pat her head...After caressing Asuna's silky-smooth hair for a short while, Vahn retracted his hand, turning to Eva as he said, "Let's get something to eat before heading back. Arrangements for our stay have already been made so we can return whenever we want. We'll probably go visit the Great Spirit of Wind in the morning, but, based on what the Admiral has said, winning him over might not be that easy."Curious about what he meant, Eva tilted her head slightly, asking, "Oh? Are you surprised that the most whimsical Great Spirit is difficult to deal with~?"Before responding to Eva's words, Vahn lightly chuckled before grabbing both her's and Asuna's hands. Then, while walking towards a nearby tavern, he answered, "Meeting with him won't be an issue. If Arika wants to win his favor, however, she'll need to complete a challenge. Brave Enlil seems to enjoy testing people by sending them on random quests or asking them to hunt down rare and valuable treasures. Since there is a pretty important race coming up, there is a fair chance Arika will be asked to participate. I imagine she would enjoy that quite a bit, so, depending on how things go, we'll either stick around in Zephyria for a few weeks or travel to another country until the race is scheduled to begin. I'm leaning towards the latter as I don't really want to get caught idling around after spending so much time in Ariadne."Understanding Vahn's concerns, Eva nodded her head, adding, "I'm actually surprised that none of our enemies have tried to interfere with us until now. At the very least, I expected a group from the Immortal Killers to come and track us down. This is the longest period I've gone without having to repel a group of would-be assassins or crazed zealots. It actually feels a little strange not to have a large group of people hunting me..."Despite being one of the strongest existences in the entire verse, Eva had constantly been pursued over the years by various different groups. The most fervent were the organizations that believed it went against the natural order for anyone to obtain immortality. They were a bunch of lunatics that spared no expense to track down and eliminate anyone that had obtained immortality, even if their target might be a child or a victim of someone else's experimentation.Eva had wiped out a number of powerful organizations over the years, but, despite her best efforts, it didn't take long for a replacement organization to take root. At this point, her bounty was so high that you could effectively build your own country if you managed to successfully kill or capture her, so, no matter how many people she killed, there would always be someone hunting her down...In response to Eva's utterance, Vahn gently squeezed her hand with his own, a gentle smile on his face as he said, "Even if they come, we will repel them together. I don't think there is any reason to worry though. So long as we continue acting in an open and above-board manner, I doubt anyone will suspect you are the legendary Dark Evangel. We're also escorting two Princesses of Vespertatia, so, even if they suspect something, they would have to measure their actions and find proof before taking action..."Though Eva wanted to caution Vahn about underestimating their enemies, the last four years had taught her that he really wasn't. Rather, his power was just that great, and, compared to how strong she was four years ago, her own had increased exponentially. It was hard to discern just how strong she had become, but, if she went all out, Eva was confident she would be able to wipe the floor with most of her past enemies. In fact, if it weren't for Vahn's presence, she would have already gone off to seek revenge against various individuals and organizations...As various figures flashed across her mind, Eva did her best to simply ignore them as she rested her head against Vahn's shoulder. Though she wouldn't allow him to fight her battles for her, she wasn't going to insist that he leave everything to her either. They now walked the same path, and, while it was difficult for her to completely open her heart to him, Eva couldn't imagine ever returning to her life of solitude. She might not be able to admit it openly, but she had already decided to follow him for as long as he would allow.Feeling Eva's head rest against his shoulder, Vahn gave the top of her head a kiss as he led her and Asuna into the nearby tavern. Their entrance drew a lot of attention, but, compared to when Asuna was alone, nobody tried to bar their passage. The moment anyone even considered such a course of action, they would spontaneously feel an existential dread descend upon them, so, even though the trio took their time to eat, none were bold enough to disturb their meal...---A few hours after the Custos Rosea had docked within the private port of the Skyfarers Association, a group of rather roguish individuals casually sauntered over as if they were approaching their own vessel. They had already lined the pockets of a number of officials, and, though Arika's Airfish stood out quite a bit, its design was considered 'childish' or 'silly' by most. Thus, despite a fair amount of attention earlier in the day, most people had quickly lost interest in the peculiar goldfish-like vessel.Though a number of Skyfarers prided themselves on being decent and respectable Transports and Treasure Hunters, a very large portion of their number was made up of Sky Pirates who had decided to 'go legit'. Despite this, they still had a fair number of vices, so, after observing Arika's ship for the entire afternoon, determining it wasn't guarded, they decided to take advantage of an easy mark. It was clear, at least in their eyes, that the Princess was lacking in experience, so, out of consideration, they had decided to teach her a lesson about leaving her property unguarded.While leaving half their group to watch the surroundings, the other half leaped onto the deck of the Custos Rosea before the leading figure, a woman with tanned skin and several scars covering much of her toned body, pulled out a series of bells. These were relatively common magical tools that had the ability to detect hidden magic circles and traps. Though they would break after a few uses, most competent groups carried a number of the mass-produced magic tools with them...Noticing the bell in her hand remained silent, the leader of the group had an incredulous look on her face as she remarked to her nearby companions, "This Princess is even greener than I thought. Unless they have the ability to conceal their traps and barriers from detection, it seems this ship is without even basic security. Unbelievable."Hearing the woman's remark, the group was split between laughing, jeering, and prematurely celebrating an easy haul. One man, a lanky figure with mouse-like traits, even descended into the interior of the ship in order to try and loot a few choice goods before his actions could be noticed. This was pretty common among Sky Pirates, and, unless you were caught in the act, most Captains turned a blind eye in order to keep morale high.Though many noticed their companion's scheme, most had the wherewithal to turn to the woman, waiting for her decision. At times like this, it was generally best to rely on instinct, but, even after several seconds of tense silence, the woman couldn't feel anything wrong with the current situation. She couldn't sense anything other than the engine, and, based on how silent it was after the first crewman descended, it didn't seem like there were any mechanical traps lying in wait for them...After nearly half a minute of silence, the woman ultimately shook her head before adopting a fierce look as she said, "Strip it bare. We won't scuttle the ship, but we'll take everything inside. Make sure to leave all the important systems intact or else the Association might come breathing down our necks."Hearing their Vice-Captain's orders, the men and women aboard the deck became excited as they made their way into the interior of the ship. They then began to spread out to target different parts of the ship, but, before anyone could make it more than a few steps, they were stopped when one of the people attempting to enter the cargo hold exclaimed, "Thomas!? What the fuck!?"Having descended after everyone else, the Vice-Captain was the closest to the stairs leading into the cargo hold, so, before anyone else could inquire, she asked, "Johnny, what did you find!?" in a barking tone. Unfortunately, the only answer to her question was a tense silence that descended upon the entire group like a pressure front. Then, followed by a light tapping sound, a figure with long white hair and glimmering golden eyes appeared from within the depths of the ship...(A/N: Alternate Titles: 'Everything is better when you are with people you enjoy being around','Eva is eager for vengeance...','Petrified, both literally and figuratively xD...')Poll Link: http://www.easypolls.net/poll.html?p=5ee6438ae4b017b74559fd5bhttps://bit.ly/2XBzAYu &lt;-(p.atreon link)paypal.me/EinlionDiscord Invite: https://discord.gg/Jwa8PKh

While waiting for the Admiral alongside Arika and Fenrir, Vahn, accompanied by Eva and Asuna, decided to explore Zephyria. It was particularly popular as a tourist destination, thanks in large part to the Sky Pirates that patrolled its periphery, but, as could be expected from the infamous City of Freedom, there were a number of activities to alleviate one's boredom.Though the most popular activities were participating in or watching the various races taking place around the city, there were also a number of casinos and entertainment centers present. There was even a theme park located to the North of the Skyfarers Association Headquarters, a place teeming with magically powered roller coasters and other thrill-seeking attractions.Unfortunately, even if they wanted to go thrill-seeking, most rides simply lost their charm when you could move faster than them. Even Asuna could achieve bursts of speed close to 4500km/h, close to ten times the top speed of the fastest roller coasters. When you accounted for the fact she could fly for short periods of time, most thrill-seeking activities simply couldn't compete.Instead of choosing where they should go, Vahn allowed Asuna to explore freely while he and Eva followed close behind. It was important for Asuna to be able to act independently every now and then, as, despite her age, she was both very mature and incredibly powerful. She needed to be able to interact with the world around her without others telling her what to do. This included allowing her to make mistakes and resolve her own problems, so, even when a group of slightly older boys called out to her, Vahn and Eva vanished into the void, watching her from afar...Though Asuna was still young, she already had the makings of a beauty. This, combined with the fact she was wearing high-quality clothes while walking around with obvious intrigue on her face, made her stand out quite a bit. Several people had already marked her as an outsider, and, though most illegal activities generally occurred in the lower levels, closer to the ground, there were still a number of Sky Pirates, Mercenaries, and other disreputable types that walked around without any particular regard for others.Assuming Asuna was the daughter of a wealthy merchant, several people had already marked her as a potential target. The sword on her back didn't deter them in the slightest, but, in order to avoid scrutiny, they sent their younger members to accost her. These were children they had picked up in the slums located near the base of the finger mountains, so, as could be expected, they were eager to prove themselves and had very few inhibitions about targetting other children...Despite looking in the complete opposite direction, Asuna easily side-stepped a blond-haired boy that was nearly forty-centimeters taller than her. He had attempted to bump into her in order to try and accuse her of knocking into him, but, despite a concerted attempt to slam his shoulder into her tiny body, he ended up losing his balance and nearly tripped as a result of her effortless evasion.As if she had only just noticed the group of boys that had loosely surrounded her, Asuna tilted her head slightly to the side as she plainly asked, "Why did you try and shove me? Did someone tell you to cause a scene...?"Without waiting for the boys' response, Asuna directed her attention towards a group of four men and one woman sitting near an alleyway. She instantly understood what was going on the moment she saw the expression in their eyes, so, before the blond-haired boy could successfully grab one of her twin-tails, Asuna swat his hand aside before flickering away.Feeling an incredibly sharp pain in his hand, the blond-haired boy released an anguished scream as his right hand dangled limply from his wrist. This drew a considerable of attention, but, before the majority were able to make sense of the situation, a loud crashing sound could be heard as the bald man eyeing her was sent flying by the much-smaller Asuna. At nearly the exact same moment, she kicked the knee of another man, using it as a springboard while completely shattering it. It was only at that point that the other three people responded, but, similar to a graphical glitch, Asuna's body couldn't be seen clearly as she made short work of the other three.From start to finish, it took less than three seconds for Asuna to process the situation and deal with it in the most efficient way possible. In the end, there were the bodies of five adults lying limply on the ground, while, at the side, the blond-haired boy, abandoned by his 'friends', cradled his broken wrist with tears streaming down his vengeance-filled face. He didn't dare attack, but, if looks could kill, Asuna would have been ground into meat paste by his glare alone.Ignoring the gazes of the surrounding pedestrians, Asuna stared back at the boy, her smiling face now an emotionless deadpan as she plainly stated, "If you continue down this path, the only thing you will accomplish is hurting yourself and others. Only weaklings and cowards blame the people they intended to victimize. I hope you are able to make better decisions in the future. Not everyone will show you the same mercy I have today."Having said what she intended to say, Asuna continued on her previous path, this time locking eyes with anyone intently focused on her. Her previous display was enough to deter most people, but, at the same time, it also garnered her a considerable amount of attention from those who considered themselves powerful or wanted to recruit strong members into their crews. To many, Asuna was like an unpolished gem, and, if they could recruit her, it was the same as securing a powerful ally for the future...Before she could even get out of earshot from the blond-haired boy, Asuna found her path blocked by a woman with long orange hair and a tanned body. She stood out quite a bit with her pleated skirt and a matching checkered blouse that was tied together at the front like a bikini top. The rest of her outfit consisted of a blue trenchcoat, a large brown satchel, several belts, a whip, a series of small daggers, and, most notably, an oversized blunderbuss pistol. She also had on a blue cap that came complete with a pair of goggles, but, compared to the rest of her outfit, it didn't stand out as much...With her arms crossed under her modest yet shapely breasts, the woman showed a friendly and excited smile on her face as she said, "You've got moxie, kid! Names Mitty, but you can just call me Cap'n. How 'bout joinin' my crew and sailin' through the skies together? Most of my crews female so you wouldn' have ta worry about any of these mangy bastards tryin' ta lay their mitts on ya~!"As she didn't sense any hostility from the woman and her companions, Asuna offered a polite smile before bowing slightly and answering, "Thank you, but I have no intention of joining anyone's crew. I already have traveling companions and we are already on an important mission."Hearing Asuna's response, the woman theatrically smacked her own forehead, her smile not fading in the slightest as she exclaimed, "Of course sum'n as amazin' as you'd already have a crew! Damn, that's a real shame! Guess it's mah own fault fer not scoutin' ya sooner! Well, if you ever change yer min' or need sum'n ta find a rare treasure, 'member us, would ya? Ain't none better at searchin' for treasure as me 'n my crew, Fortuna's Favor!"Following her rather bold claim, Mitty released a rowdy laugh before patting Asuna on the shoulder and turning to her crew, saying, "Come on, girls, let's make merry before the lass' rejection gets me in the slumps! Ahahahaha~!"With the woman's laughter echoing in her ears, Asuna's smile became slightly wry as each member of Mitty's crew either pat her on the shoulder or ruffled her hair. At the same time, from within the void, Vahn and Eva couldn't help but lightly chuckle at her expense...---After waiting for nearly an hour within a museum-like office that was lined with hundreds of scale models of Airfish, Vahn, Arika, and Fenrir all turned their attention towards a door located discreetly around a pillar at the back of the room. From the other side of the door, a woman with burgundy-hair, caramel skin, and a shapely figure entered. She was attired in a frill-collared blouse with puffy sleeves that showed off her ample cleavage, a leather bodice, and form-fitting leather chaps that seemed to be on the verge of tearing apart due to her muscular and toned thighs. As for the rest of her outfit, she had on fingerless gloves, a red sash, a belt with a skull motif, leather boots, and, most notably, a stylish black captain's jacket with a flared collar that hung off her shoulders like a Marine Admiral from the Record of One Piece.Vahn was slightly surprised by the Admiral's beauty, not just because she had a striking and heroic visage but because she was unmistakably a descendent of the Crimson Scarlet. They were virtually identical to each other, with the only differences being their hair-style and apparent age; so, after seeing the Heroic figure in the flesh, Vahn couldn't help but admire her. She was like a less chaotic version of Drake, and, despite a rather vicious and confident appearance, her aura was calm and placid like the sea before a powerful storm...After tracing her pale blue eyes over everyone else present, the Admiral situated her gaze on Vahn, her brows furrowing almost imperceptibly as she said, "I apologize for the delay. The meeting took longer than normal once word of your arrival reached the council. Though we are privileged to play host to a Princess of Vespertatia's party, the reputation of the Sage Dragon Emperor is such that our investors can't help but feel nervous by your presence..."Since she was looking toward him while speaking, Vahn offered a casual smile in response to the Admiral's words, following them by stating, "I do not go out of my way to seek trouble. Rather, it is the actions of others that invite my wrath upon them. Unless they have a guilty conscience, there is no reason to fear my presence."Hearing Vahn's response, the Admiral furrowed her brows even further as she added, "We have our own means of keeping the peace. It is not your place to pass judgment upon our people. If you find something amiss, report it to the proper authorities or inform me directly. I would rather resolve the situation personally than leave it to an outsider. If you are unwilling to compromise, I would ask that you leave this country and never return. Zephyria has enough trouble without some random dragon acting like a vigilante within its lands."Rather than showing any offense to the woman's abrasive words, Vahn couldn't help but smile as he plainly stated, "I will take action where I deem necessary. The affairs and interest of Zephyria mean very little to me. I will protect Mundus Magicus, and, if I see something that needs correcting, I will do what I must to resolve it. You are free to try and stop me, but, if you think it is nobler to side with criminals, I will have little choice but to treat you as an accomplice for trying to enable them..."By the time Vahn had finished speaking, the Admiral had a glowering expression, her pale-blue eyes shimmering with magical light. Despite this, she radiated no actual hostility. Instead, the glow in her eyes gradually faded away, a tired sigh escaping her lips as she muttered, "How troublesome..."Following her exasperated display, the Admiral walked over to a cabinet located behind the large desk near the back of the room. She opened the ornate wooden doors to reveal several shelves of rare alcohols, crystalline cups, and shot glasses. Then, after taking a swig from a particularly fragrant whiskey, she dexterously grabbed a few glasses with her fingers, setting them on the desk before asking, "I'm familiar with the vices of Dragons. Tell me, do Princesses of Vespertatia drink? I'm not fond of discussing business without a few drinks to warm my body."Since the conversation had been between Vahn and the Admiral, Arika had been patiently standing at the center of the room the entire time it was taking place. As for Fenrir, she had been glaring at the Admiral with her scarlet eyes, but, as the latter hadn't shown any actual hostility, she also chose to remain silent.In response to the offer, Arika lightly shook her head, answering, "I do not have the habit of social drinking. If it will ease tensions, however, I will not insist that you refrain."Though she wasn't surprised by Arika's response, the Admiral couldn't stop herself from rolling her eyes as she filled up two 8oz glasses with a rich brown liquor. Then, without asking directly, she sent a glance towards Fenrir while holding the bottle over a third glass.Understanding the Admiral's intent, Fenrir shook her head before stating matter-of-factly, "I would rather drink the alcohol provided by Master. That might be a very expensive brand, but, compared to Master's, everything else might as well be water."Hearing Fenrir's remark, Vahn couldn't help but lightly chuckle at the fact that she never missed the opportunity to somehow praise him. This drew an annoyed look from the Admiral, but, rather than back down, he nodded affirmingly before stating, "Fenrir is correct. That bottle in your hand should be the famous Siren's Tears, a rare import from Sirenum. The quality isn't bad, but, compared to the brands I keep in stock, there really is no comparison. I even have wines brewed by literal Gods, their potency so great that a single drop could turn a small pond into potent alcohol."Noticing the skepticism visible in the Admiral's gaze, Vahn punctuated his statement by pulling out what appeared to be a green glass bottle that had been left at the bottom of the ocean for several centuries. It was covered in brackish markings, and, at several spots on the surface, living barnacles could be seen. Despite this, what truly stood out was the pulsing green light that emanated from the bottle, its rhythm matching that of a beating heart...With the peculiar bottle in hand, Vahn walked over to the Admiral's desk, picking up one of the empty glasses as he explained, "This is a type of rum known as the [Call of Cthulhu]. Those with weaker wills would be overwhelmed after a single swig. If you have the courage to empty an entire bottle, it is said that you would even be able to stare into the abyss without flinching..."Despite its rather peculiar external appearance, the rum poured by Vahn was a crystal-clear brown liquid with a reddish tint. It emanated a potent aroma of fruit and medicine, but, most notably, just looking at the liquid was enough to captivate most people. It was almost like there was a voice in the back of your mind compelling you to drink the aromatic beverage, and, before she realized it, the Admiral had already accepted the glass proffered by Vahn. It wasn't until the liquid was already pouring down her throat that the thought of it being poisoned crossed her mind, but, by then, it was already too late for regrets...(A/N: Alternate Titles: 'Imagine Asuna balancing on the front of a roller coaster without any of the straps...','Side Story: Mitty's Grand Adventure~!','Vahn's bad habit is acting up...')https://bit.ly/2XBzAYu &lt;-(p.atreon link)paypal.me/EinlionDiscord Invite: https://discord.gg/Jwa8PKh

Chapter 1600: Into the Abyss