Endless Path : Infinite Cosmos

Unaware of the fact he had a hot-blooded hero on his 'tail', Vahn was hanging out on the deck of the Custos Rosea with Fenrir and Asuna. They were keeping an eye out for any roaming bands of Sky Pirates, but, due to the importance of Al Jamila to the entire Magical World, the security in the region was inordinately high. They had even been hailed by a number of security patrols, but, after realizing who the ship belonged to, they quickly cleared a path. Since then, a few Airfish had been following them at a distance, most acting as silent escorts while a few were there just to keep tabs on them.As more time passed, Vahn's association with the Ostian Royal Family became increasingly stronger. At the same time, information regarding the Custos Rosea had been disseminated through various information networks, so, while the reaction was a bit 'slow', it wasn't surprising that various groups had started following them. There was even a chance some of the vessels were acting in the interest of Cosmo Entelecheia, but, as they had a tendency to conceal themselves, it wasn't that likely.What Vahn found most amusing was the fact that the majority of the ships stayed just beyond what most assumed his domain radius to be. This implied that he already had the attention of the various Guilds, but, considering the actions he had taken, this wasn't too surprising. The Hellas Empire had undoubtedly compiled an entire dossier on him, and, as was often the case, they would have spread that information in order to line their own pockets. As for Megalomesembria, they had even put out a bounty on his head, but, perhaps fearing the repercussions of making it public, it had only spread through the underground community in absolute secrecy. It not for the presence of Fairy Xuan, they might have even been able to get away with it. Instead, they were leaving a vast trail of evidence in their wake, and, when the time came, Vahn would hold them accountable for their crimes...With their unofficial escort keeping potential pirates at bay, it wasn't long before the island nation of Al Jamila came into view. It was roughly half the size of Australia, and, from a distance, it had the appearance of a massive jungle surrounded by densely populated seaports. Nearly the entire coast was lined with a 100m tall seawall, and, instead of a traditional pier system, there was a surprisingly complex yet archaic-looking system of pulleys designed to extract ships from the pristine waters below so they could safely moor in drydock.Though there were various Airfish ports located around Al Jamila, very few crafts were allowed over the island nation itself. Their people lived relatively simple lives, and, though they did import quite a number of goods, finding a traditional market or grocer was impossible. Instead, they were famous for their expansive bazaars and allowing people to pay for meals and such by performing manual labor or simple tasks.Eulimene Ea was rather famous for her hatred of Megalomesembria so she vehemently refused to allow for a similar system to exist in her own country. This would have normally made her a prime target by the infamous Confederacy, but, due to her political mindedness, Eulimene had forged a number of powerful alliances with various countries. Targeting her nation was the same as targeting an essential lifeline for hundreds-of-millions of people, so, in the distant past, even Ostia had come to their aid a number of times.Fortunately, as the Ostian Royal Family had long enjoyed a friendly relationship with Al Jamila, Arika was able to fly the Custos Rosea inland. This area was typically off-limits unless you were a member of the aboriginal population and their families, but, as a Princess of Vespertatia, as members of the Ostian Royal Family, Arika and Asuna were obvious exceptions...After being allowed to land within one of the few private Airfish ports located inland, Vahn and Co departed the Custos Rosea. There were nearly a hundred natives gathered to greet them, and, once again enforcing the fact that nakedness wasn't a big deal in Mundus Magicus, Vahn couldn't help but smile wryly when he noticed that there was an equal distribution between males and females going without tops. The majority of these bare-chested individuals were exceptionally fit, and, as was the tradition in Al Jamila, most of their torsos and thighs were covered in complex tattoos that displayed their various feats.Though not the aptest comparison, the average Al Jamilan bore an uncanny resemblance to the Samoan natives back on Mundus Ventus. They had healthy bronzed skin that glistened under the sunlight, and, though there were some shorter members among their tribes, even the average adult female was close to 190cm in height. The taller members of their species could easily exceed 220cm in height, and, rather than appear fair and frail, even the older members of their tribes had bodies similar to Olympic level swimmers.The only difference between an Al Jamilan and a human native of Samoa was the fact that, instead of rounded ears, they had slightly pointed ears. If you pulled these forward, you would find a set of rudimentary gills. They also had noticeable webbing between their fingers and toes, and, though it was impossible for them to live beneath the surface, they could stay submerged for hours at a time without too many issues...At the forefront of the group of natives, an exceptionally muscular man that stood approximately 232cm in height approached with a friendly smile on his face. He had a thick mane of frizzy black hair that was loosely tied into a ponytail, and, though he wasn't conventionally handsome, Vahn could easily imagine him being a lady killer in his youth. The bands of grey hair visible near his scalp indicated he was well over a hundred years old, as, due to their exceptionally healthy lifestyles and lifelong commitment to protecting nature, the average lifespan of an Al Jamilan was close to two-hundred years old.Sensing no hostility from the man, Vahn was quite surprised when the large fellow wrapped him in a bear hug as he loudly exclaimed, "Welcome to Al Jamila, friends!"Following his exclamation, the man set Vahn on the ground, and, without missing a beat, stunned Arika by giving her an equally big hug. He then tried to do the same with the rest of the group, but, after realizing his intentions, Eva outright teleported away while Fenrir and Asuna promptly decided to hide behind Vahn.Rather than show any offense, the man released a good-natured laugh, his pristine white teeth literally catching the light from the sun as he smiled and said, "It seems your companions are rather shy! Here, take these shell necklaces. Everyone in Jamila is one big family so it is customary to greet people as if they are long-lost kin. These necklaces will let people know you aren't comfortable with being embraced. We usually only wear them when we are sick, but, as outsiders, you are free to use them as a protective charm."As the man spoke, he passed out shell necklaces to everyone in the party, but, when it came time to receive his own, Vahn politely refused. He was actually fond of cultures that treated everyone as kin, and, though there were some pretty drastic differences, they reminded him of the Xenos. They were yet another aspect of Danmachi that he missed, so, while it might result in some discomfiture, Vahn wanted to observe and respect the unique culture of the Al Jamilan people.Seeing Vahn refuse the necklace, the massive man showed an equally massive grin as he tossed the necklace over his shoulder and exclaimed, "My brother! It is good to see you! Hahahahaha!"Displaying even more familiarity than before, the unnamed Al Jamilan man wrapped his trunk-like arms around Vahn's body, lifting him from the ground slightly as he hugged him tightly. Then, with his massive arm thrown over Vahn's shoulder, he turned towards the surrounding group and said, "Everyone! I'd like you to meet my new brother...!" Then, as if only just remembering an important part of meeting new people, the turned to Vahn with a wry smile on his face and asked, "What is your name again...?"Amused by the man's carelessness, Vahn issued a light-hearted laugh of his own as he said, "Others call me the Sage Dragon Emperor but you can just call me Vahn. It is good to meet you...?"Without any pause to consider his response, the man beat his chest with pride as he exclaimed, "I am the Great Warrior, Feleti Tamotu Naea! You may call me Motu! All my brothers and sisters do!"Finished with his own introduction, Motu turned to the crowd, and, in an even louder voice, stated, "Everyone! I'd like you to meet my brother, Vahn! He has returned to us after wandering outside for a very long time. Let's do our best to show him why Al Jamila is the greatest country in the world!"In response to Motu's outburst, the crowd began to loudly cheer. Some of the tattooed individuals even began dancing, and, after a few minutes had passed, it was like an annual festival was being celebrated within the private Fishport. Large groups of people began to arrive from outside, and, as if it was perfectly normal for them to hold grand celebrations, many came bearing baskets of fresh fruit, fish, steamed vegetables, and jars of what would be considered expensive alcohol beyond the borders of Al Jamila...---At the same time that Vahn was enjoying the impromptu celebration of the Al Jamilan people, an inordinately tall and muscular woman was staring into a reflecting pool located in the center of an underwater temple. She had the characteristic brown skin of the Al Jamilan natives, but, instead of black ink, the many tattoos covering her body glowed with a bioluminescent green color. This same color was reflected in her eyes, and, in the depths of the sea, her body was the only thing repelling the seemingly infinite black abyss encroaching upon the undersea temple.Seeing the image of Vahn reflected in the ghostly glowing pool, the woman cracked an intrigued yet predatory smile as she mused in a husky voice, "Very interesting...it seems the rumors of a new Ancient Dragon weren't exaggerated. The only question is whether or not your presence marks the beginning of a new era or the cataclysmic end of the old..."Following her musings, the woman made a swiping gesture with her hand, and, as if it was a simple touch screen, the reflecting pool changed to show an entirely new image. This time, instead of the smiling Vahn, it displayed the rather incredulous scene of an inordinately small sea serpent with various metal instruments carelessly attached to its body. It was kept restrained by massive runic chains, but, as it tossed and turned about in the throes of pain, these bindings would gradually loosen, and, at times, completely fracture.If anyone knowledgeable was to witness the scene, they would be absolutely mortified, as, rather than a simple serpent, the creature reflected was none other than the infamous Leviathan. It had been captured at great cost to the Megalomesembrian Senate, and, though it wasn't well-known, it was their painstaking efforts to capture the Beasts of Calamity that delayed the Confederacy's usual warmongering. They had wanted to weaponize the creatures, but, even after investing more than twenty years, the most they had been able to accomplish was seriously pissing off the infamously temperamental Leviathan.The muscular woman, Eulimene Ea, had always had a love-hate relationship with the Leviathan, but, as it was just another creature born from the Ocean Mother, she also empathized with its plight. As a result, she had made several attempts to try and free it over the years, and, knowing the purpose of Arika's visit, she was tempted to request Ostia's assistance in exposing the Confederacy's attempt to weaponize one of the few internationally recognized threats. Capturing and sealing it was one thing, but, as they were literally trying to use it against other people, there was a chance Ostia could be convinced to take more proactive measures against the increasingly destructive superpower.Though she knew the chances were slim, Eulimene knew there was still merit in making the capture of Leviathan public knowledge. Now was the best time to do so, as, even if they wanted to try and put a spin on things, the impending war made it a lot harder to make excuses. They weren't exactly known for respecting international treaties and conventions, but, the more evidence that could be levied against them, the easier it would be to mobilize the various neutral powers into action.Contrasting her rather staunch and dauntless appearance, Eulimene Ea released a tired sigh as she thought about the monstrous entity that was the Megalomesembrian Confederacy. She had always disdained their methods, yet, in spite of her efforts to rally people against them, most nations were afraid to commit to decisive action. They were lulled into a sense of complacency by the promise of wealth, power, and mutual benefit. Instead of rising against the tyrants who were gradually bringing the entire world to ruin, they hid away in their lavish manors and expensive mansions, happily living opulent lifestyles using the wealth their people had generated...Shaking her head, Eulimene made her way over to a small pool near the side of the chamber, and, with an expectant smile on her face, mused, "It's been quite a while since I enjoyed a drink with a dragon..."(A/N: Alternate Titles: 'Imagine having to pull fishing vessels up the Cliffs of Dover...','When you're here, you're family~!','Eulimene basically looks like a slightly more feminine version of Illaoi. She hella thicccc')https://bit.ly/2XBzAYu &lt;-(p.atreon link)paypal.me/EinlionDiscord Invite: https://discord.gg/Jwa8PKh

With Arika and Asuna following after Eva soon after the party began, Vahn was left to mingle amongst the Al Jamilans with just Fenrir. She also wasn't particularly fond of crowded places, but, having spent time amongst the Xenos and members of the Menagerie, it didn't bother her too much. She would even sit comfortably next to complete strangers, and, so long as they didn't try anything suspect, she could even tolerate being touched by people beneath a certain age.To Fenrir, the only thing that really mattered was being able to stay with her Master, and, as he enjoyed spending time with the Al Jamilans, her impression of them was largely positive. The only real complaint she had was the fact that the females among the natives kept trying to separate her from her Master in order to participate in various dances and competitions. Defeating them didn't deter them in the slightest, rather, the moment they realized she was actually very powerful, it had become a competition among the Al Jamilans to see who could defeat her...Seeing Fenrir arm-wrestling a woman nearly twice her size, Vahn joined the rest of the Al Jamilans in laughing once the burly woman was sent tumbling almost immediately after the match began. This might have annoyed others, but, rather than take offense to being sent flying, the burly woman just laughed along with everyone else as a few members of the crowd helped her from the ground. This scene had repeated a number of times, and, almost immediately after the previous woman was sent flying, another sat down to take her place.Having witnessed the 'dainty' wolf girl send more than a dozen female 'Warriors of the Sea' flying, Motu had an amused yet appreciative expression on his face as he remarked, "Your friend is really something, isn't she? It's amazing how she can hide so much power in such a tiny body!"Hearing Motu's remark, Fenrir's ears twitched in annoyance. Her opponent, who had been putting all her weight and power in trying to move Fenrir's paw, abruptly felt an irresistible force, and, much like those who had preceded her, she, too, was sent tumbling into the surrounding crowd...Noticing Fenrir was a little annoyed, Vahn's expression softened a bit as he said in a voice that easily reached the disgruntled Vanargander's ears, "She has put in a lot of effort to grow strong. She is my most trusted companion, and, though it might sound a little rude, I can confidently say that she has no opponent here in Al Jamilia. Unless she is significantly stronger than the other Great Spirits, even Eulimene Ea wouldn't be able to secure any advantages against Fenrir..."Though they didn't react in a hostile manner, it was clear from the silence that permeated through the area that Vahn's words weren't exactly well-received. It was never pleasant to hear someone say the person you idolized was weaker than another, and, in the hearts of many Al Jamilans, Eulimene Ea was both their Goddess and the ideal they pursued. Their entire culture was centered around the teachings she had bestowed upon them, so, hearing Vahn casually mention that Fenrir was stronger than their Goddess, the atmosphere suddenly became very awkward.Rather than display any regret or perturbation, Vahn just issued a light chuckle before saying, "Just as your prior remark, my words were not intended as an insult. I was merely stating the truth. Fenrir is one of the strongest people in the entirety of Mundus Magicus as a result of her own efforts. This is an objective truth that should be celebrated, not something you should take offense to. If you will not take my word for it, perhaps you should ask the person herself...?"With most eyes focused upon him, everyone followed Vahn's gaze as he looked towards a woman, who, despite her size, had managed to infiltrate the celebration without anyone's notice. When they finally realized who the person was, nearly every Al Jamilan attempted to perform an action similar to a kowtow, but, before they were able, the woman stated in an amused tone that seemed to echo through the surroundings, "There is no shame in weakness. We live in motion, constantly moving to and fro in order to avoid being swept away by the current of history. To be weaker is a blessing, as, if there were none stronger, you would begin to stagnate. Do not fear those stronger. Look toward them as a goal to be overcome. Life is too short for fear. If you've time worry over such insignificant things, it is better spent having fun, fighting, feasting, or fucking. Tell me, have you gathered here to mourn my weakness and fight my battles? Do you think me a child that needs to be coddled...?"Stupefied by Eulimene Ea's speech, even Vahn found himself at a loss for words. This was doubly so for the Al Jamilans, but, after a few seconds of heavy silence, the tense atmosphere was completely shattered by Eulimene Ea's uproarious laugh. Then, under the anticipatory gazes of the crowd, she made her way over to the upturned barrel where Fenrir had dominated several opponents, an eager smile on her face as she looked down at the petite Vanargandr and said, "Come. I wish to be tested by the Sage Dragon Emperor's most trusted companion..."Without waiting for Fenrir's response, Eulimene Ea sat down in the challenger's seat before resting her tree-like arm on the barrel's base. Her biceps were nearly 45cm thick, so, compared to Fenrir, it was like an adult preparing to arm-wrestle against a child. Her hand was large enough to surround the latter's paw completely, but, rather than shy away, Fenrir adopted an intense and focused look as she placed her arm atop the barrel and said, "I will not hold back..."Hearing Fenrir's remark, Eulimene Ea's smile became even more pronounced as she grabbed the former's paw and said, "Life gives no quarter. You are either ready to face it or you will be broken. Show me your strength."The moment she finished her words, Eulimene Ea tightened her grip. She was slightly surprised by the initial softness of Fenrir's fur, but, almost immediately thereafter, it felt like she was grabbing a piece of indestructible metal. This caused her fighting spirit to increase exponentially, and, though a bit of blood began to trickle from her palm, she clenched Fenrir's paw like a vice as Vahn personally refereed the match...---Though there were individual differences between them, the average Great Spirit had a Base Power of around 6500. Considering the average citizen of Mundus Magicus only had a BP of 2, this made them exceptionally powerful, but, when compared to their ability to freely manipulate their element, their BP was inconsequential. They would almost always win a war of attrition, and, unless you could somehow sever their connection to the planet, they were effectively Gods within the Magical World.Unfortunately for Eulimene Ea, she wasn't using her element to fight against Fenrir, so, immediately after the match began, her forearm was nearly torn off as a powerful shockwave slammed into the barrier Vahn had erected. Fenrir's BP had increased to 7300 during her training, and, since she had always specialized in physical reinforcement and internal energy, there was, simply put, an extreme difference in their strength. It wasn't even a competition, and, if not for her ability to turn into water and reform like a Logia user, Eulimene Ea's arm would have been completely mangled.Despite her instantaneous defeat, Eulimene Ea reacted similarly to all the other people who had lost to Fenrir. She even playfully dangled her arm as it reformed, laughing boisterously before extending the regenerated limb towards Fenrir and saying, "It seems your Master wasn't exaggerating! You are indeed very powerful!"Though she didn't generally care about the praise of others, Fenrir ears perked up slightly when she heard Eulimene Ea's words. Then, settling the matter on a positive note, she graciously shook hands with the burly Great Spirit. This caused a stir among the surrounding Al Jamilan, but, when people like Muto began to laugh and celebrate, it wasn't long before everyone else joined in. From there, as if they hadn't already been celebrating for half the day, an entirely new celebration was started...---Following his Master's hunch, the red-haired youth, Nagi Springfield, directed his former teacher, Eishun Konoe, to fly to Vairocana. Unfortunately, after several hours of searching, it became pretty obvious that his target, the Sage Dragon Emperor, hadn't visited the famous forest city.With his Master insisting they wait for Vahn's arrival, Nagi found himself exceptionally bored. He would normally pass the time by training his body or practicing his magic, but, after getting hyped up for a battle that never came, it was hard to get motivated.In order to alleviate his boredom, Nagi convinced his Master, Zect Filius, to accompany him on a late-night raid. He had heard a lot about the Great Spirit of Wood's beauty, and, though it wasn't exactly proper, the thought of breaking into the Forest of Serenity to catch a peek of the famous beauty was pretty exciting. He had tried to visit during the day, but, without an appointment, the horned priestesses, members of the Wood Dragon tribe, would not let him pass.Nagi had always been relatively popular with the ladies, but, even after trying to work his charm on the taciturn priestesses, the only reaction he got out of them was a slightly troubled look. It was like they had no emotions, but, after observing closely, he noticed their tails, which were similar to living tree branches, would twitch or wiggle in response to his flirtatious remarks. He found this extremely interesting, but, after asking one of the priestesses if he could touch her tail, she ended up slapping him hard enough to leave a visible imprint...Since even her priestesses were pretty charming, Nagi's curiosity towards the Great Spirit of Wood, Tamaki Damu, had only increased. When he got like this, there was very little that could get in his way, so, rather than try to rein him in, Zect decided to accompany his young protege to keep him out of trouble. Nagi had always been slightly perverted, but, when it came down to it, he wasn't the type to actually do anything promiscuous or licentious. He was just a very curious boy, and, though he was very interested in the opposite sex, he would almost immediately return to his training after successfully flirting with or teasing a cute girl.With his Master's help, it took very little effort for Nagi to sneak past the barriers that had been set up to prevent outsider access to the Forest of Serenity. His Master specialized in the usage of Light-Elemental Magic, and, with a bit of preparation, he was able to cast a forbidden-grade camouflage spell that could even bypass standard magical barriers. This was one of the few magic spells Nagi hadn't been able to learn, as, no matter how much he begged and pleaded, his Master refused to even teach him the chant, much less the complexities of the spell...Seeing how they were able to literally walk through the advanced barriers created by a Great Spirit, Nagi, who had been walking with his staff slung over his shoulders, complained, "You know, Master, if you actually taught me this spell I wouldn't have to bug you so often..."Hearing his young protege's remark, Zect couldn't help snorting through his nose before adopting a deadpan expression as he said, "I would be a fool to teach you a spell like this. You already mess with Eishun enough as is. If I gave you a spell like this, there would be no end to your pranks. I have enough trouble just keeping you from offending people you shouldn't so spare me from having to clean up even more of your messes..."Rather than take offense to his Master's words, Nagi adopted a wry smile while rubbing the back of his head. He knew he had caused a lot of trouble for his Master, but, after he was finally freed from that prison-like laboratory, he had found even the most mundane things interesting. He refused to return to how things used to be, so, even if it got him into trouble, he wanted to fly freely using the wings he had obtained through his own efforts.Seeing the awkward smile on Nagi's face, Zect repressed a slight sigh, smiling as he said, "After you mature a bit and find someone you're willing to settle down with, I'll teach you this spell. By then, it will be your wife's problem. For now, just be thankful I tolerate these little excursions of yours..."As he really was grateful for everything his Master had done for him, Nagi adopted a smile of his own as he said, "Thank you, Master...now, I wonder if the Great Spirit goes commando? I noticed all those stuck-up priestesses didn't wear panties. I guess their tails get in the way? Hmmm...this merits more research!"Having already grown used to Nagi's habit of deflecting whenever he felt embarrassed, Zect lightly chuckled before adding, "Indeed. It is important to understand the ecology and characteristics of other races. You never know when such information might prove useful...ufufufufu~"(A/N: Alternate Titles: 'Fenrir is strong (O w O)...','More Logia users...!','What's this? Hidden depth in a shonen protagonist!?')https://bit.ly/2XBzAYu &lt;-(p.atreon link)paypal.me/EinlionDiscord Invite: https://discord.gg/Jwa8PKh

With permission from Asha, Vahn escorted Arika back to the Custos Rosea so that she could bring it closer to the base of Yggdrillia. Then, over the course of three days, they transplanted nearly three-hundred thousand trees into the Diorama before Vahn burned down the rest of the forest. This had drawn the attention of numerous third parties, but, after chasing away a few 'envoys', the move was completed without any major incidents.When everything was said and done, Vahn helped tether Asha to the World Tree he planted within the aptly named 'Garden of Avalon'. This resulted in the death of her True Body, and, as a result, the tree at the center of Elfenhof rapidly decayed. Fortunately, so long as she had enough energy, Asha would have very little difficulty creating a new body for herself. This was due to the fact that Ancient Dragons were basically just an evolved form of Great Spirit, a unique variant that was directly linked with Mundus Magicus itself.So long as the Magical World existed, the Four Sacred Dragons would continue to be reborn from the ambient energy within the planet itself. They would retain all their memories, and, as an added perk of being the world's protectors, they would gain resistance to whatever had killed them. The only thing that prevented this from being exploited was the fact that it would generally take around a hundred years for their body to reform anew.Now that she had been transplanted into the World Tree, effectively becoming its Guardian Spirit, Asha was no longer tethered to Mundus Magicus. This was bound to cause a magical imbalance in the outside, but, as the effects could be mitigated completely by the existence of Elementals, Vahn had decades to correct the imbalance. Besides, it wasn't like anyone could really complain when a place like Megalomesembria had been allowed to wreak havoc on the environment with impunity for nearly two-thousand years...---Abiding by his original promise, Vahn wrapped up the transplantation of the Elves by engraving his Familia Crest onto Asha's back. She had been rather eager to receive it, so, almost immediately after the final tree had been moved into the Diorama, she wasted no time in petitioning him to engrave it upon her body. Her zeal had been annoying both Eva and Arika, so, before things could become even more awkward, Vahn decided to just get the ritual over and done with.Vahn had already carved his crest upon the backs of Arika, Theo, and Asuna, but, due to the runic symbols carved into Asha's body, it took a lot longer than normal. She had a complex engraving of the original Yggdrasil carved onto her back so it took several hours for him to restructure it in a way that allowed her to continue using her druidic and plant-based abilities. Symbology was one of the most important aspects to using nature-related magic and spells, so, while they weren't completely necessary, Asha's power would decrease exponentially without the runes covering her body.Fortunately, though he might not be able to call himself a Grandmaster, Vahn had yet to meet a single person more adept than himself when it came to laying formations and modifying the core structure of runes. He had the ability to 'interpret' the meaning of runes on an instinctual level, so, while he might be limited by his Soul Tier at times, his comprehension allowed him to modify the existing structure of runes without much trouble. This would generally be considered impossible under normal circumstances, but, much like how a street artist could twist words and letters into a more artistic form, Vahn was able to perform modifications without altering the original meaning of the runes.After nearly five hours, Vahn had reshaped the glowing white runes on Asha's back to make a shape similar to a wreath. Then, within the gap formed from healthy brown skin, he engraved a marginally smaller version of his Familia Crest. This allowed him to discern Asha's parameters, skills, and magic, but, as such things had lost their meaning with the passage of time, Vahn only briefly scanned them before saying, "It's done. Put on some clothes."Hearing Vahn's words, Asha slowly peeled open her eyes before lazily raising her body and issuing an admittedly adorable yawn. The process had taken much longer than expected. It was also very comfortable, so, after the first half-hour had passed, she gradually began to doze off. She had been a little worried about offending Vahn, but, as she never sensed any anger or frustration from him, it was safe to say he didn't particularly mind if she slept on the comfortable table he had prepared.While rubbing away the moisture from her eyes, Asha peered over at Vahn with one eye, asking, "Is that an order? I don't particularly like wearing clothes. I feel closer to nature when I'm naked."As Asha was 'very' similar to Terra, sans draconic features, Vahn was well aware of her preference for being naked. This was exacerbated by the fact that nakedness didn't seem to be that big a deal in the Akamatsuverse, but, as it would set a bad example if she was always naked, Vahn adopted a wry smile as he said, "I won't force you, but, when you are around other people, I would appreciate it if you wear clothes. Did you not like the dress I gifted you...?"Hearing Vahn's final remark, Asha awoke with a start, both hands waving from side to side as she hastily answered, "No! It's great! I love it!"Remembering the unique dress that Vahn had given her, a flowery garment that literally changed forms with the seasons, Asha suddenly felt extremely guilty. She actually liked the dress quite a bit, but, as she had lived the majority of her life without clothes, it felt weird to suddenly start wearing them...Though he wasn't proactively trying to tease her, Vahn found all of Asha's reactions rather amusing. She was an inordinately adorable woman, and, with pointed ears and healthy brown skin, she had a unique charm compared to other Elves. Unfortunately, as he could be rather obstinate after making up his mind, Vahn had already developed a fair amount of resistance to her charms. The fact he had Eva watching over him like a hawk also prevented him from misbehaving more than he should...With a light chuckle, Vahn resisted the urge to pet Asha's head as he said, "I'm glad. Now, run along and get changed. The banquet has already started and I'm sure your children will feel more at ease after you arrive. My other self is already there so you don't have to worry about whether or not I will be in attendance."As he had already answered her question, Asha's words got stuck in her throat as her expression morphed into one of demure embarrassment. Then, after casting a quick glance toward Eva, she quickly alighted from the small chamber, three pairs of pixie-like wings sprouting from her back as she ascended towards the massive World Tree towering in the distance.Immediately following Asha's departure, Eva released an exasperated sigh before remarking, "You really have a way with women, don't you? Is this really how all-female dragons behave around you? That last look of her's was like a puppy that had been beaten and abandoned by its mother...haaa..."With a helpless smile on his face, Vahn lightly shrugged his shoulders before answering, "I'm pretty sure it has more to do with the purity of my energy than anything else. I've temporarily sealed my draconic aura so that shouldn't be the reason. Rather, I've always been rather popular with Spirits, especially those related to nature. Being a God of Creation doesn't exactly help...hahaha..."Remembering that Vahn was, indeed, a God of Creation, Eva couldn't help but roll her eyes as she made her way over to his side. She knew Asha's behavior wasn't actually his fault, as he had been taking proactive measures to avoid exacerbating the situation, so, rather than blame him, he linked her arms around his neck and said, "Even if you did the right thing, this incident is going to draw a lot of negative attention. The Elves have always been a valuable commodity in Mundus Magicus so there is no way those old snakes will just let their precious resource be taken from them."As if a switch had been flipped within his mind, Vahn began releasing a subtle yet oppressive aura from his body as he wrapped his hands around Eva's waist and answered, "Let them come. So long as I have something to protect, my power is infinite. I have been pretty lenient thus far, but, if they think I'll just stand by as they slander my name and conspire against me, I will be forced to remind them of their mortality..."Hearing the conviction in Vahn's voice, Eva could feel a heat gradually spreading through her body. She still had a bit of a sadistic side, so, whenever she heard him talk about punishing the same fools who had made her life a living hell, she couldn't help but get a little excited. The fact they would be parting relatively soon also filled her with more trepidation than she had anticipated, and, if not for the promise they had made, she wasn't sure she could be able to restrain herself.Further complicating matters, Vahn began to gently massage the area just above Eva's butt. She could feel the heat in her body increase, and, as she hadn't done anything to stop him, he slowly snaked his hands down until he was directly massaging both her cheeks. He put enough force into his hands to lift her body from the ground, and, as was often the case in recent days, it wasn't long before they were passionately entangled atop the nearby massage table...---With the Custos Rosea having long departed in its stealth mode, several ships from surrounding countries had started to comb the desolated land that was once Elfenhof. The majority of these ships belonged to the nearby countries of Moeris and Antigone, but, as could be expected, there were a number of military vessels belonging to both the Hellas Empire and Megalomesembrian Confederacy nearby. The Elves had always been an important asset to them, so, with reports saying the country had spontaneously erupted into flames, they couldn't ignore it.What Vahn couldn't have anticipated was that among the fleet of whale-like vessels belonging to Megalomesembria a much smaller Airfish could be seen flitting about without any consideration for standard military protocol. There was nothing particularly noteworthy about this Airfish, as it was a relatively standard model, but, standing atop its outer hull, a youth with two shades of dark red hair could be seen lackadaisically holding a wooden staff whose end roughly resembled a lightning bolt.Behind the youth, an even younger-looking youth with white hair, silvery eyes, and perpetual blush marks on his face had an amused smile on his face as he answered his protege's previous question, explaining, "Contrary to the reports, it doesn't seem as though a battle took place here. Though the forest was certainly set aflame, there is no notable damage to the terrain. The interior forest is also completely missing, so, rather than a battle, it seems like someone actually dug up the entire forest and moved it elsewhere..."Hearing his Master's explanation, the red-haired youth nodded his head, an expectant smile on his face as she said, "Well, regardless of what really happened, I still want to track them down. There's no way I can ignore a chance to fight against something like an Ancient Dragon. I can already feel my blood boiling in expectation!"Understanding his protege's character well, the white-haired youth issued an amused laugh before pulling out an ornate telescopic device. It was an extremely valuable Artifact known as the Hermes' Looking Glass, and, if used properly, it had the ability to track a target by allowing its user to view a vision of past events. Though a skilled opponent could evade its scope, trying to hide the removal of an entire forest would be a difficult feat, to say the least.By adjusting the focus of the telescopic lens, the white-haired youth was able to catch a glimpse of Arika, Asuna, Eva, and Fenrir transporting trees into a large crystalline diorama. The presence of Eva startled him quite a bit, but, curiously, no matter where he looked, he could not find a single trace of the man known as the Sage Dragon Emperor. It was almost like he didn't exist, but, if you looked closely, it was possible to discern the after-effects of someone very powerful using various skills and abilities...After forwarding and rewinding time numerous times, the man closed the telescopic lens and said, "They headed South. Based on their departure vector, I would assume they are headed for either Vairocana or Al Jamila. There are Great Spirits in both locations so it is likely they will appear in both destinations at some point. If I were them, I would probably head to Vairocana first. Though, given the actions of the Sage Dragon Emperor thus far, I don't imagine he will try to lay low...how curious. I can't help but wonder about the origins of this mysterious Ancient Dragon..."Nodding his head in agreement, the red-haired youth pointed his staff towards the South, an eager smile on his face as he said, "Then what are we waiting for!? Let's give chase! They can't have gone that far in just a few hours! I can't wait to see the strength of an Ancient Dragon for myself!"Understanding the futility of trying to dissuade his young protege, the white-haired youth issued a small nod before also turning his gaze toward the South and muttering, "It seems fate has diverged ever since your arrival...I truly hope you aren't our enemy, Vahn Aldrnari Mason..."After seeing his Master nod, the red-haired youth was no longer paying any attention to what the former was saying. Instead, he popped open a small hatch that led to the interior of the Airfish, an excited smile on his face as he yelled at a distinctly Japanese-looking man, exclaiming, "Ala Rubra is going rogue! Tell that quintuple-horned bastard that he can shove his regulations up his ass! We're going dragon hunting...!"(A/N: Alternate Titles: 'Scholars hate him!','Seems like Eva has replaced her thirst for blood with a new kind...','Vahn be like, "Hold my Realm...I'm 'bout to end this man's whole career..."')https://bit.ly/2XBzAYu &lt;-(p.atreon link)paypal.me/EinlionDiscord Invite: https://discord.gg/Jwa8PKh

Chapter 1613: Undercurrent