Endless Path : Infinite Cosmos

With the prompting of her father, Theo dutifully explained how the tensions between Ariadne and the Empire had been lessened during her stay. She left out most things relating to Vahn, but, having already discussed it with both Eva and Arika, she made sure to mention her kinship with the latter. It would greatly strengthen her position if she had the support of the future Queen of Vespertatia, as, even compared to the Imperial Family, the Ostian Royal Family was beloved by the people.Needless to say, Emperor Michael was pleasantly surprised by his daughter's unexpected kinship with Arika. It was extremely beneficial for the Hellas Empire, the largest Demihuman nation, to have a positive relationship with the country that represented a Holy Land for all Demihuman tribes. They might not benefit much during the war, as Ostia was traditionally a neutral third party, but, when it came time to rebuild, they were sure to recover much faster with the support of the most magically advanced nation in the world.Unfortunately, while the kinship between Theo and Arika was an extremely beneficial relationship for the Empire, the promises she made with Ariadne were bound to cause considerable tensions in the Inner Court. Her words effectively guaranteed the independence of Ariadne following the war, and, while this wasn't necessarily a bad thing for the City-State, it represented a significant financial loss for the Empire.The research conducted by Ariadne and the specialist products they produced accounted for nearly seventeen percent of the gross-domestic-product of the Hellas Empire. This, combined with the fact they were responsible for producing some of the greatest Scholars, Mages, and Artificers within the Empire, made it exceptionally difficult to allow them independence. When you included the value of their land and its resources, it was even harder to agree, as, according to confidential reports, there were traces of Chronoton within some of the more remote regions.A single gram of Chronoton was worth nearly 170,000,000 Drachma, and, if used in the production of weapons, it had the ability to either stop Time or display a target through the Time Axis by a few hours. This was exceptionally useful against powerful foes, as, if you could send them a few hours into the future, you were able to effectively remove them from the battle. If you took that time to create a powerful seal in the area where they had been previously, it was possible to capture even S-Rank criminals without much difficulty.The most important aspect of Chronoton was that it could even transplant or seal a target through the most powerful of magical barriers. There was virtually no counter to it, and, in the distant past, it had been the cause of countless wars. It didn't matter that it required mining more than a hundred million tons of ore just to produce a single gram, as, once it had been refined, its value more than made up for the cost.While Michael didn't particularly care about Ariadne's independence, he couldn't simply ignore the fact they were in possession Chronoton, even in its unrefined state. It was the same substance that led to Vrixho Nagasha being sealed in the past, so, if it was ever weaponized against them, it could spell the end of the Empire. Thus, after hearing about Theo's promise, he remained silent for several seconds with his eyes closed before adopting a serious expression and saying, "We understand the reason for the tensions between Ariadne and the Empire. However, compared to the many benefits we have given them throughout the centuries, the actions of a few outliers should not jeopardize more than a thousand years of coexistence. Recognizing the Sovereignty of Ariadne also directly conflicts with the interests of the Empire so I fear your promise might have been made in vain..."Though it was true that Ariadne had become something of a 'playground' for corrupt Nobles, it was also true that the Empire had granted them numerous concessions over the years. Allowing them to preserve their territory was already a unique exception, and, if not for the close kinship between the founders of Ariadne and Emperor of the time, such an arrangement would have been impossible. It had even been given tax-exemption status during previous wars, a blessing most City-States could only dream of obtaining.Despite her opponent being both the Emperor and her father, Theo did not back down. Instead, her expression became even more serious as she firmly stated, "Change and progress are necessary for a nation's continued prosperity. If Hellas wishes to remain relevant in the coming era, we cannot be held back by personal interests and tradition. It is high-time the Empire forges a route toward the future that doesn't rely on conflict to promote advancement. If we continue along our current path, I fear it is only a matter of time before our arrogance and greed lead to our downfall."Surprised by his daughter's words, Michael raised his brows slightly. He was actually impressed by the conviction contained within her voice, but, before he could remark, someone else beat him to it, shouting, "Audacious! Your words are an insult to everyone who had laid down their lives to ensure the prosperity of the Hellas Empire! We are a species born and bred for battle yet you ask us to go against our nature in order to pander to weaklings? Where is your pride as a Princess of the Hellas Empire!?"As if she hadn't heard the outburst of her older brother, Theo continued to stare at her father with a look of conviction in her eyes. She would not waste time arguing with fools who only pursued their own interests, and, though it was heartbreaking, she had already made the mental preparations to prevent the coming coup.Seeing the unwavering conviction in his daughter's eyes, various thoughts began running through Michael's mind. It was clear that a lot more had changed during her stay in Ariadne than the reports had stated. She radiated a considerable amount of confidence, and, when he focused his senses, he was shocked to find that he couldn't actually see through her. Though it wasn't noticeable at first, it was like her aura had become unfathomably, and, the more he tried to understand the depth of her power, the greater it seemed...Before matters could exacerbate, Michael raised his hand to silence the growing discord within the Court. Then, in a commanding tone, he stated, "Leave us. Rakan, Klemens, you will remain."Hearing their Emperor's command, many within the Court displayed proper courtesy before quickly alighting from the Throne Room. The only exception was the Second Prince, Kacper, who, against standard etiquette, decided to remain. The changes in Theo made him feel more threatened than ever before, and, though his Grand Uncle tried to usher him out of the room, he refused to leave before he could make his case.Though he noticed his son's belligerence, Michael didn't want to shame him before the rest of the Court. He was already a very troubled boy, and, despite his many failings, Michael still cared for his second son greatly. He was the result of the union between Michael and his childhood sweetheart, so, with the latter dying during Theo's birth, the Emperor had always been more tolerant than he ought to be whenever it concerned Kacper.Unfortunately, as a result of being coddled for much of his life, Kacper had developed a powerful sense of entitlement. This came to a head following the birth of Theodora and her selection as the Crown Princess, as, prior to that moment, he had always been his Father's 'favorite'. This caused him to believe he was next in line for the Throne, and, as a result of his childishness, he had been readily exploited by the more divisive elements within the Imperial Court. He was convinced that Theo had stolen both his birthright and his mother, so, unlike the rest of his siblings, he had always harbored a considerable amount of hatred toward his younger sister...---Once everyone had cleared out of the Throne Room, leaving only the Emperor, the Prime Minister, Vrixho Nagasha, Jack Rakan, and his sister, Kacper didn't hesitate to state, "Forgive me, Father, but I cannot simply ignore this matter. Theodora has clearly been placed under the influence of that vile creature. At this rate, the Empire will be brought to ruin by Theodora's naivete. It is not my place to question Father's wisdom but it is clear that Theodora lacks the qualifications to properly fulfill her duties as an Imperial Ambassador. She is far too young and impressionable for such responsibility!"Though it was clear to everyone that the Second Prince's actions were the direct result of envy, his argument was actually very sound. By the standards of the Empire, Theo was far too young to hold a position of authority, but, due to extenuating circumstances, she had been appointed a position traditionally held by the more senior members of the Imperial Family. An Imperial Ambassador was often tasked with directly negotiating with foreign nations, so, more often than not, only those with a considerable amount of experience were assigned the post...For a brief moment, Michael started to consider his son's words, but, almost immediately following the latter's outburst, Theo calmly stated, "Age is not the only metric for maturity. There are people younger than me serving proudly within our military. We allow them to lay down their lives for our great nation yet coddle the members of the Aristocracy who are supposed to set the example that others follow. If my age is to be a point of contention, I will stake my status as Crown Princess in the Rite of Challenge."Hearing Theo's words, Michael, Vrixho, and the Prime Minister, Klemens Jozef Sirzega, couldn't help but show expressions of shock. As for Kacper, he had a look of incredulity that quickly turned to a dour expression due to Jack's laughter...Though it was rare for a member of the Aristocracy to undergo the Rite of Challenge, it was one of the most intrinsic parts of Hellasian culture. By undergoing this ceremony, youths could be elevated to the status of adults by proving themselves in a series of challenges against their seniors. This was the final challenge many recruits faced before becoming soldiers, and, so long as they were able to survive the ordeal, their age would no longer matter in accordance with Imperial Law.Since he had been making an argument based on their traditions, Kacper found himself at a loss in response to Theo's words. She had every right to undergo the Rite of Challenge, and, as a member of the Imperial Family, it was all but guaranteed she would succeed. The only real requirement was to pass a written test and challenge three opponents who were considered her seniors. Despite her boyish nature, Theo had always been an intelligent girl, and, even without the power granted to her by Vrixho, even mediocre members of the Imperial Family were often far stronger than the talented member of the Nobility...Before Kacper could come up with an argument against Theo's inalienable right to undergo the Rite of Challenge, he found himself in a renewed state of incredulity as his father said, "Very well, Theo. I recognize the validity of your request. However, considering the circumstances, I believe it would be for the best if you allow me to choose your opponents. Are you willing...?"Without any hesitation whatsoever, fighting intent could be seen in Theo's gaze as she nodded her head in acquiescence. Then, leaving the Second Prince with a stupefied expression on his face, the Emperor stated, "Since your brother stands in contention to your status as Imperial Ambassador, he will be the first of your three opponents. Afterward, I will have you face off against a Captain of the Imperial Guard. If you are able to perform well against them, you will be free to choose-"Unable to restrain her growing excitement, Theo dismissed with courtesy entirely as she exclaimed, "I want to fight against Jack!"Hearing his daughter's exclamation, Michael, Kacper, Klemens, and Vrixho were at a complete loss for words. As a result, the only sound within the Throne Room for several seconds was the sound of Jack laughing, his aura gradually spreading through the chamber before he spontaneously stopped and answered, "I accept your challenge! Show me how much you've grown, brat!"(A/N: Alternate Titles: 'Muh interests tho...','Theo don't play unless her Master is involved','This is a little more than a small ripple xD...')https://bit.ly/2XBzAYu &lt;-(p.atreon link)paypal.me/EinlionDiscord Invite: https://discord.gg/Jwa8PKh

As it wasn't his first time seeing something similar, Vahn wasn't too surprised by the existence of a tree more than three-hundred meters in height. It was unquestionably awe-inspiring, but, after planting a few World Trees and seeing a planet whose core was one massive root system, giant flora didn't have much of an impact.A stark contrast to Vahn's stoic appreciation, Asuna had an excited expression on her face as she stood atop the dorsal fin of the Custos Rosea. She had only ever seen such massive trees in Vahn's memories, so, seeing the true body of Yggdrasillia for the first time, she couldn't help feeling a little impressed. She could sense an incredible amount of vitality radiating from it, and, though it seemed to lack the purity of Vahn's, it was like a vast and endless ocean that caused greenery to spread out to the ends of the horizon...Seeing Asuna perfectly balancing atop the Custos Rosea's dorsal fin, her unique white hooded cloak gracefully flowing without concern for the actual wind pressure, a gentle smile spread across Vahn's face. She had stopped changing her clothes more than ten times per day, and, though her style was bound to evolve over time, her current fashion identity suited her exceptionally well. It gave her the impression of a modern-day samurai, but, if you actually analyzed the outfit, it lacked even a single piece of traditional garb.Similar to Theo, Asuna now wore an extremely thin mesh that was worn like a second skin over her body. It even covered the fingers and toes, but, instead of being flesh tone, she settled on a matte black that would allow her to better blend into her surroundings. As for its maximum capacity, she was even more talented than Theo when it came to the manipulation of Ki, so, when activated to its fullest potential, Asuna's weighed an impressive 300kg.As she couldn't just run around in a black compression mesh, Asuna's basic attire consisted of a pair of white jean shorts and a moderately baggy black t-shirt. Overtop this, replacing the haori she had been experimenting with previously, she wore a stylish white parka with two large pockets, fur-lined sleeves, and a matching, fur-lined, hood. As for the rest of her outfit, she wore a pair of gloves that greatly increased her grip strength, and, as she often found it difficult to stand on 'any' surface, she had a pair of sneakers with the ability to selectively stick to even sheer and inverted surfaces.With her appearance, Asuna could easily be mistaken for a model, but, in Vahn's mind, every part of her screamed 'protagonist'. He had noticed it in both Danmachi and the Nasuverse, but, compared to 'normal' people, the main characters stood out quite a bit. It was almost as if everyone else in the Record had come to an agreement to dress relatively plain and uniform. This made it relatively easy to deduce who was 'important' to the world, and, though there were a number of exceptions, it was even possible to intuit whether or not someone would be powerful based on specific traits.Though it wasn't as noticeable in Danmachi, the Nasuverse had a number of templates that clearly displayed the preferences of the original creator. The 'Saber-Faces' were the most obvious example of this, but, when it came to the truly powerful, white hair with any combination of red, blue, silver, or golden eyes indicated an inordinately powerful person. After that, the main traits you needed to watch out for were golden hair, and, perhaps most importantly, whether or not they had an ahoge.Generally speaking, you would never see an ahoge on a 'normal' person, so, the moment you saw someone walking around with the characteristic tuft of hair, it was virtually guaranteed they had a part to play in the overarching story of the Record. This was especially true if the ahoge had what he and Da Vinci had coined 'special features', as, unless they existed for comic relief, only those who had a central part to play in the Record had an expressive or functional ahoge.Back in the Nasuverse, there were some people whose ahoges were so expressive that they would even display question marks or stand up straight when they were confused or startled. The one that stood out the most, however, was the mysterious ahoge possessed by X. It had the ability to detect other Saber Faces halfway across the Universe, and, in the most extreme cases, even allowed her to sense their presence within different dimensions. These functions, combined with the fact it could poke through solid metal without causing any damage, made X's ahoge one of the most unique in the entire Nasuverse.Though it wasn't as extreme as X's, Asuna's ahoge seemed to possess a function that allowed her to accurately pinpoint the location of hidden enemies. It would twitch whenever someone tried to pull off a sneak attack against her, and, whenever it came to Vahn, specifically, Asuna could even detect him in the State of Nothingness. She even seemed to know when he was thinking about her, as, the moment he looked up at her with a smile, Asuna's ahoge twitched slightly as she turned to face him with a radiant smile of her own.Without worrying for her safety, Asuna unhesitantly leaped down butt-first, her knees tucked up as if she was going to do a cannonball. This was another habit she had developed, and, as she had proven her willingness to commit to the deed, Vahn tried to avoid letting her impact the deck like a 323kg mortar round that also had the ability to ignore magical barriers...After being caught and held in a princess carry, Asuna released a girlish snicker, playfully dangling her legs as she asked, "I've never seen such a big tree. Do you think they would get mad if I climbed to the very top?"With a wry smile on his face, Vahn shook his head in response before stating, "Based on historical accounts, the Elves descended from Yggdrillia in much the same way that the Hellasians descended from Vrixho. It is safe to assume she also has the ability to read a person's memories and intentions through touch. Once she understands the purpose behind our visit, I doubt she will mind allowing you to climb her branches."Hearing Vahn's words, Asuna became even more excitable, a mischievous glimmer flashing across her blue-green eyes as she asked, "Have you heard of the legend that has been passed down since ancient times? They say that if you make a heartfelt promise beneath Yggdrillia's canopy, your fates will become intertwined..."Though he knew what she was trying to say, Vahn showed a thoughtful expression on his face as he mused, "Maybe I should ask Eva to accompany me..." in a plain tone of voice. This resulted in Asuna puffing out her cheeks slightly, but, rather than remain bitter, she opted to rest her head against his chest, closing her eyes and 'forcing' him to continue holding her until she was satisfied...Seeing Asuna's admittedly adorable pout, Vahn issued a silent chuckle before hugging her a little closer to his body. She knew how to play him like a fiddle, and, even without an arbitrary promise between Yggdrillia's canopy, their fates were already intertwined. Her powerful fate wasn't able to directly influence him, but, unless he proactively resisted it, the mysterious energy flowed around his body like a steady current. It didn't provide the same benefits as it had in the Nasuverse, but, after more than four years at the pampered princess' side, he could clearly perceive the flow of fate around Asuna.At this point, even Eva had been 'infected' by Asuna's fate, and, though it wasn't able to change her tsundere traits, it was one of the contributing factors that allowed her to accept Arika and Theo. The incident with Eva's transformation being broken was just one of the many ways in which Asuna's fate influenced the sequence of events, and, if left unchecked, 'everything' would be wrapped up in the phenomenal current that flowed around her.The scariest thing about Asuna's fate was how it seemed to influence events based on the actions of those around her, not just herself. Her fate was one of the main reasons they had been able to meet with Braven Enlil so easily, as, more often than not, the whimsical Great Spirit would vanish for literal years at a time. He very rarely appeared in public unless something major happened, yet, as if he had been 'waiting' for them, they easily found him within his abode...Though it seemed almost nonsensical, Asuna's influence on fate was so great that she might as well be the 'Goddess of Fate' within the Akamatsuverse. She didn't control it consciously, but, so long as she understood his intentions, Vahn was certain that Asuna's influence on fate would adapt itself to suit his needs. She was effectively the lynchpin of the Magical World, and, so long as she believed it was 'necessary', the world would, quite literally, change in accordance with her perspective.If Vahn wasn't careful, any ill-thought teachings or poorly-constructed promises conveyed to Asuna had the potential to shape reality itself. He had confirmed this by conducting a number of relatively safe experiments, most designed by Da Vinci, and, without exception, each had proven his theory. It was for this reason that he rarely left Asuna unattended. He also made sure to be roundabout when it came to making promises, as, depending on the circumstances, the fate of the entire world could be changed with a few 'innocent' words...Unaware of Vahn's thoughts, but knowing he was thinking about her, Asuna hummed a happy tune as she continued to playfully dangle her legs. She realized it didn't matter whether or not she made a promise with Vahn, as, according to Fenrir, he always reciprocated honest and earnest feelings. So long as she continued working hard, it was impossible for Vahn to ever abandon her. This was one of the reasons his harem had grown so much, and, though she felt a little guilty about it, Asuna had already decided he was the one she was fated to spend the rest of her life with. At this point, all she needed to do was mature. Until then, she was just grateful to be able to spend more time with him, and, with even Eva preparing to leave for a period of time, it seemed like they would have plenty of opportunities to spend time together...---As home nation to an endangered people, Elfenhof was completely closed off from the rest of the world. Anyone found without 50km of the massive forest that housed the Elven people would be found guilty of violating an international treaty. This treaty allowed them to be killed on sight, and, if they were found to be involved in the trafficking of Elven people, the punishment was even more severe. In the most extreme cases, they would have a special seed planted inside of their body that eventually sprouted into a tree that could easily live for a thousand years. These trees were able to seal the consciousness of the person inside, forcing them to experience a stationary life where they could do little but photosynthesize and absorb moisture from the soil...Though it was a mortifying thought, nearly every tree within the vast forest surrounding Elfenhof had been grown from the body of someone involved in Elf trafficking. The only exception was the 'Forest of Life' that surrounded the base of Yggdrillia. The trees there were grown from the bodies of Elves who either lived till old age or suffered from an ailment that would have claimed their life. They would become the foundation that supported their people, and, though they would be unable to move freely, many of the trees grown from the bodies of Elves grew exponentially taller, wider, and stronger than those produced by other races.It was common for the families of those within their 'second phase' of life to live around, tend to, or even live 'inside' the trees of their Ancestors. This didn't cause any pain to the trees, and, with the ability to read emotions and thoughts through touch, it ensured that the Elven community was built upon the strongest bonds imaginable.Their most casual form of communication among Elves involved gingerly placing their hands upon the other person's face or holding hands as they walked. When it came to close family and friends, however, hugging, affectionately cuddling, and placing foreheads against each other was the norm. As a result, it was common to find Elves affectionately hugging trees, and, if you approached the very center of Elfenholf, dozens could be found resting against the massive trunk of Yggdrillia with contented smiles on their faces...As their most ancient ancestor, the Elves greatly revered Yggdrillia, affectionately referring to her as their Guardian Goddess and the Mother of the Forest. Nearly every newborn Elf that was baptized in the emerald-green waters that pooled around her trunk, and, with few exceptions, any important ceremony was conducted beneath her canopy. She was an intrinsic part of their lives from the time of their birth to their inevitable rebirth as Children of the Forest, so, whenever they could afford the time, Elves both young and old would flock to commune with their beloved protector...Seeing her children peacefully slumber beneath her branches, Yggdrillia did her best to make them feel safe and protected. She cared deeply for each of them so it always broke her heart every time she noticed someone missing from among the ever-dwindling population. It wasn't that there were no new births, but, every time a war was on the horizon, the number of kidnappings would increase exponentially. Things were especially bad this time around, and, in recent years, the population of Elfenhof had decreased by nearly fourteen percent...Fortunately, compared to her sensitive children, Yggdrillia was much better at hiding her emotions. She was able to convey love and warmth through her trunk, while, near the summit of her canopy, her physical manifestation released a disheartened sigh. She worried it was only a matter of time before Elfenhof was destroyed completely, as, with the advancements of both Magic and Science, the respect for life had gradually dwindled with the passage of time. She had even seen visions of her beloved nation burning, and, though it wouldn't kill her, there was a fair chance her true body would be destroyed in the near future...Thinking of the worst, Yggdrillia, appearing as an Elvan woman with uncharacteristically brown skin, brown hair, and shorter-than-average ears, tucked her knees up to her chest so that she could hug them. She appeared completely naked, but, unlike a 'normal' woman, she didn't possess secondary sexual characteristics or reproductive organs. Instead, her body was covered in intricate white runes that glowed within the shadow of her own canopy. Her pale blue eyes, displaying a melancholy that had been cultivated over thousands of years, stared out over the horizon, hoping and praying for a miracle that had never come...(A/N: Alternate Titles: 'Vahn be like, "Seent."','Asuna and Haruhi would get along','Fate can be pretty scary...')https://bit.ly/2XBzAYu &lt;-(p.atreon link)paypal.me/EinlionDiscord Invite: https://discord.gg/Jwa8PKh

Two days after their arrival, Vahn's party departed Zephyria in relatively high spirits. The infamous City of Freedom wasn't lacking in charms, but, if they stayed there too long, Vahn knew he wouldn't be able to avoid causing a scene. He had decided to give Katarina a bit of face by informing her of the issues, but, as was often the case, he couldn't exactly ignore crimes in progress.As could be expected of a nation that catered to Sky Pirates, Mercenaries, and Merchants, there was a fair amount of unpleasantness within Zephyria. The boarding of the Custos Rosea and the several attempts to try and kidnap Asuna were only the tip of the iceberg. Things got exponentially worse once you delved beneath the cloud sea and descended into the perpetual gloom that represented the city beneath the clouds.Though the had tried to show some restraint, Vahn had helped more than seven-hundred people return to the cycle of reincarnation during his short stint through the slum-like city. This caused a bit of a headache for Katarina, but, instead of apologizing, Vahn promised to return at some point in the near future. He was quite fond of the idea of a 'City of Freedom', but, if it only promoted the freedom of those willing to exploit others, they had a long way to go before they could pretend to represent such an ideal...---Unlike the journey to Zephyria, where they were plagued by various Sky Pirates, their departure was relatively smooth sailing. This resulted in Arika feeling a little bored, but, as peace was always better than discourse, she didn't openly complain. Instead, she put the Custos Rosea on assisted piloting mode, allowing Asuna to man the helm while she joined Vahn up on the deck.Though she could be rather honest in the bedroom, Arika still had trouble displaying her emotions in other settings. She simply didn't know what to do with herself, so, unless others initiated, she had a habit of remaining absolutely silent for several minutes at a time. This made her appear aloof and distant on the surface, but, if you were able to peer into her mind, you would discover she was a just an adorably awkward young woman...Fortunately, even if she didn't know how to seize the initiative, Arika was actually a very docile and receptive woman. The only time she would refuse anything was if Vahn went out of his way to tease her. If he remained silent, however, he could even hold her from behind, his hands gently stroking her abdomen as they stared out of the horizon together. She enjoyed being held quite a bit, and, if they were alone together, she would sometimes look up at him, her heterochromatic eyes revealing her desire to be kissed...---Unaware of the benefits her kindred sister was receiving, Theo could be found laying listlessly with her feet pointed skyward. Her combat style emphasized flexibility quite a bit, so, even if she wasn't proactively training, it had become a habit for her to stretch and strain her body.After more than four years of hard training and equally hard play, Theo, rather than feeling lonely, found herself profoundly bored following Vahn's departure. Fortunately, she received a message to return home almost immediately, and, after a little more than a day, she was able to lay in her own bed for the first time in years. It was a very nostalgic and comfortable feeling, but, compared to the warmth of her Master and his inordinately soft mattress, it left a lot to be desired...While lost in her thoughts, Theo transitioned from pointing her toes toward the ceiling to spreading her legs and doing a flawless split. This was significantly more difficult than using your body weight to force a split, but, as flexibility was one of her strongest points, Theo could pull it off with extreme ease. She had eclipsed the level of most ballerinas and contortionists, and, though it was impossible for her to compete against people like Fenrir and Xiao Bai, Theo was confident she would be able to assume any positions her Master favored...After idling about for several hours, Theo's ears perked up a few moments before a rhythmic knock sounded on her door. She quickly jumped up to her feet, and, after lightly caressing the amethyst embedded in her collar, her mesh-covered figure was adorned in proper clothing. Then, despite the distance being relatively short, she used [Shundo] to instantaneously close the distance, surprising the middle-aged woman and team of Maids waiting outside when she yanked the door open.Though she was used to Theo's antics, the bespectacled woman restrained a sigh as she pushed up the ridge of her glasses and sternly said, "A Princess of the Hellas Empire should endeavor to carry themselves with dignity and decorum at all times. Please show more consideration for the title you bear, Princess Theodora..."Without minding the woman's words in the slightest, Theo smiled wide enough to display both rows of pearly whites as she happily mused, "Szarlota, it's good to see you~!"Hearing Theo's familiar address, the serious-looking Szarlota was unable to restrain herself further, a tired sigh escaping her lips before she adopted a slight smile and said, "It is good to see you in such high spirits, Theo. Did you enjoy your time outside of the Palace?"Nodding her head exuberantly, Theo continued to smile widely as she answered, "It was great! I got to meet so many unique and interesting people! Princess Arika was very wise and the Sage Dragon Emperor was unbelievably powerful. I'm so much stronger now that even Jack might not be able to win against me, ehehehehe~."Not expecting such 'bold' words, Szarlota and her entourage of Maids were at a loss as to how they should respond. Before they could, however, an inordinately tall man seemed to appear out of thin air, his figure towering over Szarlota as he stared down at Theo and mused, "Oho, it seems our little tomboy has grown quite a bit in her time away from home..."Hearing a voice coming from right behind her, Szarlota's body tensed up quite a bit as the Maids in the surroundings glared at Jack, visibly flustered as they exclaimed, "How dare you regard Princess Theodora in such a rude manner!?"Without minding the comments from the peanut gallery, Jack continued to look down at Theodora, his golden irises glimmering in the shadow of his headband. He could sense a phenomenal power slumbering within her body, and, though he was well-concealed, even Qinglong didn't completely evade his senses. His couldn't actually sense him but Jack's instincts told him there was 'something' very powerful looming around the Palace ever since Theo returned...Undaunted by Jack's intimidating presence, Theo continued to smile as she crossed her arms and said, "I'm serious. I might not be able to win if you decided to go all out, but, if you fight like you normally do, I'm confident in my chances. You shouldn't underestimate how much effort I put into becoming stronger."Unable to hold himself back, Jack released an uproarious laugh in response to Theo's words. Even without her drawing attention to the fact, he could tell she had become much stronger than before. In fact, it was almost unbelievable how stronger she had become. The only thing she seemed to be lacking was actual experience and killing intent. As for raw power, her petite body, against all rhyme and reason, seemed to radiate an incomprehensible amount of strength. It was enough to make his blood boil, and, if not for the fact he saw her as a mischievous younger sister, he might not be able to restrain his urge to battle her...Suppressing his thirst for battle, Jack adopted an approving smile as he said, "Your father wanted to see you, brat. It seems those old sharks in the Megalomesembrian Senate have lost their patience. There have already been a few skirmishes along the eastern frontier so it won't be long until a war breaks out. You might not get a chance to fight on the frontlines, but you'll be expected to support the troops and perform some diplomatic duties. I hope you're prepared, kiddo...the political world ain't a pleasant place for the naive and faint of heart..."Surprising even Szarlota, Theo adopted a serious expression in response to Jack's words. Her casual and friendly demeanor faded away in an instant. In its place, a calm and capable countenance that befitted a ruler. This was quite a surprise for everyone who knew Theo closely, and, though it was a positive development, it didn't feel right to see her show such a solemn expression. Despite this, all were silent as she eloquently stated, "Though I might be lacking compared to someone like Princess Arika, I am not the same young girl who departed the Empire many months ago. I still have much to learn, but, if they think they can take advantage of my naivete and inexperience, I have considerably more to teach my contemporaries..."Showing a serious expression of his own, Jack nodded approvingly in response to Theo's words. She had clearly obtained more than just power during her time in Ariadne, and, though she was severely underestimating her enemies, her current mentality was a qualitative improvement. Though it was a little sad to see her grow up, Jack knew it would be necessary if she wanted to become a competent Empress in the future...---After refusing the assistance of her Governess and Maids, Theo changed into a flowing white robe before making her way over to meet with her father. She would normally wear casual clothes, as her father doted on her quite a bit, but, as it was her first official summons as Imperial Ambassador, she wanted to make a positive impression. Numerous members of the Imperial Court would be present, and, though there was some merit in pretending to remain childish, she wanted to start establishing herself sooner, rather than later.Seeing his daughter wearing ceremonial garments, the Emperor, much like the rest of his Court, was more than a little surprised. He was used to his daughter disregarding court etiquette entirely, and, though he would lightly reprimand her, he didn't particularly mind her childish antics. Rather, when she was younger, he would even allow her to sit on his lap while listening to his Ministers report on the various affairs of the Empire...Ignoring the incredulous gazes from her surroundings, Theo approached within ten meters of her father's throne before cupping her hands together and bowing low as she said, "Princess Theodora greets His Imperial Majesty."Though it was the proper way to introduce herself, Michael couldn't help but feel slightly saddened by his daughter's formality. He hadn't expected her to have matured so much, as, according to the period reports he received, she was still the same vibrant and outgoing girl he knew and loved. This was likely an act of some sort, but, despite knowing this, he couldn't help but restrain a sigh before firmly stating, "You may rise. It is good to see you in good health, Theodora..."With her hands cupped together, allowing her sleeves to overlap slightly, Theo continued showing the proper courtesies as she adopted a polite smile and answered, "I am gratified to hear such kind words. I see that Father is also in good health. It would seem I owe a debt of gratitude to the Gods and Spirits that watch over our beloved Hellas."Ignoring the stuffy feeling in his chest, Michael adopted a smile in response to his daughter's words before turning his attention to Jack. The latter noticed his gaze and shrugged in response, earning a few hateful glares from the surroundings. Despite this, none had the gall to speak out of turn, as, in preparation for the coming war, Jack had been elevated to the status of 'Special Grand Marshal'. He didn't have any official authority over troops, but, during a state of emergency, he was even able to countermand the orders of the Commanding General. Though he would need a good reason to do so, this was an unprecedented amount of authority for a 'commoner', and, unless Jack lost the favor of the Emperor, few could speak out against him within the Court...Seeing Jack's casual response, the Emperor felt a small amount of relief as he internally remarked, ("At least some things never change..."). Then, turning his attention back to his daughter, he buried his discomfort as he adopted a serious expression and said, "Report on your progress in Ariadne..."(A/N: Alternate Titles: 'Vahn is even more efficient than Truck-sama','This girl has fallen hard...','RIP Emperor Michael. Your daughter is already gone xD...')(A/N: I already closed the poll. I'll leave two options in the comments section, so, if you want me to spoil you, feel free to upvote. If you want to be surprised, feel free to upvote the second option~!)https://bit.ly/2XBzAYu &lt;-(p.atreon link)paypal.me/EinlionDiscord Invite: https://discord.gg/Jwa8PKh

Chapter 1607: Willfulness