Endless Path : Infinite Cosmos

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

After several hours of party and dance, with many Al Jamilans falling asleep under the open sky, Vahn was reclining against a carved tree trunk with his arm thrown over Fenrir's shoulder. Across from him, Eulimene Ea was chugging the contents of a clay pot larger than a watermelon. She was rather fond of brandy and rum, so, as a show of gratitude for the Al Jamilans' reception, Vahn had passed out a few barrels of high-quality rum that had been purchased from the system shop. This had been well-received by the friendly people, and, though he felt a little guilty about it, Vahn didn't mind drinking several of their proudest 'Warriors of the Sea' under the table.Having emptied the clay pot, with a fair amount of spilling down her throat and onto her chest, Eulimene Ea tossed the container aside and said, "Tell me, Vahn...why have you come here? Is it on behalf of those children...?"Understanding she was likely referring to Arika, Asuna, and perhaps even Eva, Vahn shook his head and said, "It isn't that simple. Truthfully, I have no interest in the politics of this world. I have already completed my initial objective, and, if not for the bonds I have forged during my stay, I would have moved on long ago. Now, I just want to help the people I care about while keeping a close eye on those who have the potential to lead this world toward a better future. If possible, I'd like to avoid having to bear responsibility for this world...there are far more important matters that require my attention..."Though he had the distinct impression he might not be able to stay out of things for much longer, Vahn still wanted to avoid becoming personally responsible for watching over the world. He wasn't bad at it, but, even back in the Nasuverse, he hadn't particularly cared about governing over others. In fact, he didn't believe anyone should have such authority, as, regardless of how intelligent, kind, and capable they were, people would always be more invested in their own interests than the lives of other people. This is why he supported the system developed by Da Vinci. It certainly had its own set of problems, but, compared to individuals, it was infinitely better at monitoring and regulating a society than something like a Monarch or an Emperor...Somewhat surprisingly, Eulimene Ea nodded her head in agreement, adding in a wise, soothsayer-like tone, "Everyone is responsible for their own life, their own happiness. It is enough that you do not use your power to suppress others. There are those far weaker than you who lord themselves over others as if they were Gods. They use the power and trust they received from the people to exploit those they are obliged to protect and guide. So long as you never lose sight of what is most important: family, friends, loved ones, and nature, nobody has the right to question your decisions. To live, be free, and protect what is important...there is no greater purpose for power. You have no obligation to use it for anything else..."Though he didn't agree with everything she said, Eulimene Ea's words resonated with a lot of Vahn's intrapersonal thoughts. He believed those with power had a responsibility to use it, and, though his mentality had changed a lot since the time of his naive heroics, he concluded that the complacency of the good was the greatest opportunity for the wicked. He was unable to ignore such inequity, so, even if it brought him a substantial amount of trouble, Vahn aspired to become a symbol. Whether or not people saw him as good or bad didn't matter. The only thing he really cared about was that the vile and wicked knew there would always be consequences for their actions...As this thought crossed his mind, Vahn lightly shook his head in self-admonition before looking up at Eulimene Ea and saying, "You should meet with Arika. Her quest might be her own but I respect what she is trying to accomplish. I'm not in a position to publically support her, but, if it came down to it, I would come to her aid. This has nothing to do with an affiliation with Ostia or the Kingdom of Vespertatia; I have simply grown fond of her."Understanding what Vahn was trying to say, Eulimene Ea took a deep breath before suddenly rising to her feet and saying, "I will meet with her. Before that, I only have one question for you..."With nothing to lose, Vahn wasn't worried about what Eulimene Ea might say. Thus, without having to think about it, he issued a small nod, encouraging her to speak. In response, she simply asked, "Is it true that you are the 'Guardian' of this world?"Though it wasn't exactly false, Vahn didn't hesitate to shake his head before explaining, "My desire to protect this planet is purely personal. It isn't derived from any actual duty, just a personal sense of responsibility and an intrinsic desire to protect the natural beauty of the world. If you are worried about Megalomesembria, don't be. I have already decided to take active part in this war, and, when the dust begins to settle, they will either reform or face annihilation..."Eulimene Ea was slightly disappointed when she heard Vahn's initial response, but, hearing what he said after, a massive grin spread across her face. She was most worried about the fact that, even if they 'lost' the war, Megalomesembria would just redouble its wanton destruction of the planet. She had tried to stir the other Great Spirits to action, but, with the exception of Brave Enlil, all the others were more concerned with guarding their territory than protecting the planet. This had caused her a great deal of frustration in the past, so, hearing Vahn's words, she couldn't help but burst out into laughter when imagining the vexed looks on the faces of the Megalomesembrian Senators...---After Eulimene Ea's laughing fit, Vahn arranged a late-night meeting between her and Arika. Time of day had no real meaning when you could spend days at a time in a Sub-Space Orb. Thus, when she learned that Eulimene Ea was willing to meet her, Arika ceased her training before washing up and donning a formal dress for the meeting. She knew it was a little excessive, especially considering Eulimine Ea was basically wearing a modified swimsuit, but, regardless of the other party's culture, she considered it 'proper' to display due courtesy and etiquette when meeting the de facto leader of a foreign nation.Fortunately, other than a few teasing remarks, Eulimene Ea didn't particularly concern herself with the style and garb of others. She wore very little simply because it was more comfortable and more convenient. What Arika chose to wear had nothing to do with her. The only thing that mattered was the intent, so, knowing Arika was trying to be respectful and courteous, she extended similar, albeit less refined, courtesies. They were able to talk without any discernible awkwardness between them, and, after hearing about the reason for Arika's visit from the person in question, Eulimene Ea ended up laughing boisterously before giving her Blessing freely.Without a guarantee that Vahn would help Arika to achieve the task she had in mind, Eulimene Ea decided to forgo mentioning it entirely. She pitied the Leviathan's plight, but, knowing it would just cause wanton destruction if released, letting it remain in captivity was for the best. The impression she got from Vahn was that he would eventually take matters into his own hand, so, even without mentioning it, he was bound to discover something after contending against Megalomesbria. She had originally intended to bring it up after the war officially began, so, rather than try and force the matter and unnecessary complicate things, she would wait for better timing.With nothing else to discuss, Eulimene Ea extended an invitation to greet the dawn while partaking of a few drinks, but, having spent nearly thirteen hours celebrating, even Vahn was starting to feel a little tired. Thus, rather than accept her invitation, he gifted the Al Jamilan people enough grain and wine to tide them over for several months. He also gifted them many hard to obtain spices, and, as Arika had already discussed the plot to conquer Al Jamila, Vahn gave Eulimene Ea a similar bracelet to the one he had previously given Theo. It was a version designed to be a single-use item, but, if Al Jamila was ever facing a peril it could not overcome, Vahn promised he would come to their aid...---When everything was said and done, Vahn was enjoying three very different kinds of baths. In one, he was relaxing in a small tub with Eva reclining against him, while, in another, he was watching on with a wry smile as Asuna tried, and failed, to help Euryale wash her hair. He knew her struggle well, as, despite several years of concerted effort, even Medusa often struggled to control her hair. Since she always asked him to help wash it, Vahn was intimately familiar with trying to wrangle the rather disobedient hair, so, seeing Asuna suffer a similar fate, he couldn't help but feel a small amount of vindication and a fair amount of amusement.Fortunately, even if Euryale's hair periodically tried to nip or bite Asuna, her snakes lacked the rather terrifying fangs visible on the viper-like hair of Stheno. Instead, her's were similar to pythons, and, though they had teeth, they weren't venomous in the slightest. They were also unable to break the natural defenses of Asuna's body, so, even if it was a bit of a struggle, she wasn't in any real danger. Rather, even if Euryale's hair tried to constrict her, Asuna could easily slip out by making use of the State of Nothingness or by creating a frictionless barrier across her entire body...Vahn had previously been surprised by how well Euryale and Asuna got along, but, after asking the latter for the reason, he was more surprised by the answer. It seemed that Asuna had been able to understand Euryale without the latter needing to speak, and, according to her, the young Gorgon was actually 'very talkative'. She just communicated through nonverbal and tactile cues instead of using words to convey complex thoughts and emotions.Though it made him feel a little guilty to have overlooked such an 'obvious' things, Vahn couldn't really be blamed for his oversight. Euryale struggled to explain her feelings, and, every time he was around, she would just cling to him or snuggle up against him without saying anything. All he knew was that she was relatively happy, and, unlike her 'big sister', she wasn't in any hurry to do much of anything...While thinking of the eldest of the gorgon twins, Vahn turned his attention to where Stheno, now appearing like a young girl on the verge of pubescence, was sunbathing against a flat stone. She was maturing at an accelerated pace, and, unless he put his foot down, it likely wouldn't even take two years before she exceeded the physical maturity of her own mother. Medusa appeared to be a petite woman in her late teens, but, despite appearing distinctly younger, Stheno's bust was already on the verge of overtaking her mother's...Based on her current rate of growth, Stheno was bound to grow into a voluptuous beauty within a dozen or so molts. She was determined to mature as quickly as possible, and, when he inquired as to her reason, Vahn was both gratified and extremely worried when she answered, "I want to grow up quickly so I can punish all the bad people who prevent Papa from spending more time with us!"Fortunately, Stheno didn't recognize people like Eva, Arika, Theo, and Asuna as 'bad people'. She was a remarkably intelligent young girl, so, while she still had a lot to learn about social dynamics, she recognized that her enemies were, very specifically, his enemies. She seemed to have inherited the part of Medusa's nature that wanted to fight, and, though she was still physically weaker than the lesser-developed Euryale, her potential as a Mage had even surprised Eva.Stheno, while not as prodigious as someone like Asuna, had already mastered Elementary Magic to the point of being able to freely cast it without chants. She was also inordinately gifted in the use of Telekinesis, and, as a result of her Innate, all of her offensive magic had an inherent corrosive effect. This would have been more than enough to allow her unlimited growth, but, to further emphasize her suitability for magic, the individual snakes formed from Stheno's hair could autonomously cast all of her spells.Though it was an ability copied from her mother, Stheno was able to create a total of seventeen snakes with her hair. This effectively turned her into a one-woman magic squadron, and, even if she just stood stock still and focused on defense, she would be able to overwhelm most enemies just by the sheer volume of spells cast. Her only real weakness, other than a lack of experience, was that all of her snakes drew from the same, admittedly massive, reservoir of energy. She could quickly drain her energy if she wasn't careful, and, though she the terrifying ability to absorb the energy and life force of others, Vahn wasn't comfortable with encouraging its development...---While his other two bodies were enjoying baths of their own, a third version of Vahn was relaxing in a private bath with just Arika. They would be parting at some point over the next few days, so, while she would usually behave unnecessarily detached around others, she was currently acting both bold and obedient. She had taken the liberty to straddle his lap, and, though it caused her face to burn a rather dangerous shade of red, she managed to link her arms around his neck in a manner she had obviously copied from Eva.If not for his promise with Eva, Vahn had little doubt that he and Arika would currently be having sex. She had an impassioned look in her eyes, and, though it was very subtle, she was slowly and purposefully moving her hips. She wasn't bold enough to move around too much on her own, but, if he took the initiative to rock her hips or squeeze her butt, she would bite her lip without offering any form of protest. This was an exceptionally adorable response, and, under normal circumstances, Vahn wouldn't have been able to resist eating up the tantalizingly beautiful woman...(A/N: Alternate Titles: 'Illaoi OP','Being a father ain't easy...','When the kuudere becomes deredere...')https://bit.ly/2XBzAYu &lt;-(p.atreon link)paypal.me/EinlionDiscord Invite: https://discord.gg/Jwa8PKh

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

Chapter 1614: Nature vs. Nurture