Endless Path : Infinite Cosmos

There are only three chapters left in the current volume. Since I plan to start my increased release schedule with the new arc, I'm going to take my break today. I know people enjoy it when they can read a bunch of chapters in a new world back to back, so, rather than have my break in the middle of the transition, I felt it would be best to do so now. This volume will be completely wrapped up tomorrow, and, after a small intermission on Saturday, we'll be in the 'final' Record.Due to its significance, the final Record will have around a thousand or so chapters, most of which I intend to release before next May. After that, the novel will shift to a short-story format in the epilogue, mainly focused on expanding the verse(meta-knowledge), and following the adventures of Vahn's children through various Records. As an example, one of the confirmed mini-arcs will follow Vana's journey as a 'Guardian of Magical Beasts'. You can think of her as having a similar role as Newt Scamander, rescuing various endangered creatures from quite a number of Records. Another example will follow Francis Drake(Grand Rider) as she journeys through the Record of One Piece, effectively becoming a Yonko.I know there have been multiple requests regarding various Records, and, while it might not be possible to send Vahn there, that doesn't mean others are unable to venture out and have their own journey. If there are Records that the community is eager to see, I have no problems writing a short-story related to them. Depending on their popularity, those same short stories might be expanded upon as official spinoffs. To that end, feel free to let me know if you have any ideas, and, so long as it doesn't just sound 'wrong', I will add it to the list.On that final note, I know there are a bunch of people who have been over-eager to see the Highschool DxD Record represented in EPIC. Though I'm still working on the outline, I intend to have someone like Kamiya visit instead of Vahn. The basic premise at this time is that he will become the benefactor of the Youkai Faction. If the readers would rather see the canon plot recycled, however, I can probably come up with a version that involves attending the actual High School.Well, let me know what you guys and gals think. EPIC might be nothing more than a practice project, but I have come to enjoy writing quite a bit. Rather, at this point, it is safe to say I have developed something of a passion for it. I can't even imagine not writing anymore, so, as long as I have the means to continue, I intend to keep doing so into the far future. I know some of you will eventually lose interest, but, for those who have stayed this long, and those who will walk this path alongside me in the future, know that I am eternally grateful for this journey we are sharing together.Take care of yourselves,Einlion

With the day of his wedding arriving in the blink of an eye, Vahn had a massive smile on his face as he stood at the end of a long aisle. He was actually feeling a little giddy, and, though he usually had excellent control over his body, he couldn't help but jitter slightly in anticipation.Though it was originally intended to be a small affair, news of the coming weddings had leaked to the population of the Garden of Avalon. As a result, there were thousands of Elves and Elemental Spirits in attendance. Vahn even got Yggdrillia to conduct the ceremony, her smile nearly rivaling his own as she stood on the opposite side of a wooden altar in ceremonial robes. This was the first time she was actually performing the duties of a Dragon Priestess, so, even if part of her wished she was on the other side of the altar, Yggdrillia was still extremely excited...Had it been a normal event, Vahn would have made some small talk to try and calm his nerves, but, with the hour drawing to a close, he was too excited for such distractions. By the time music began to play, he felt like his heart was going to burst out of his chest as he quickly shooed away a few of the more curious Elementals who had wandered near. This left only him and Fenrir standing across from Yggdrillia, the former serving as both his ringbearer and his attendant for the purposes of the ceremony.With the sounds of nature blending together to create a beautiful harmony with each other, Vahn's smile somehow managed to become even more prominent, his chest swelling with pride as he saw an indescribably beautiful woman appear beneath the first of many arches. This was obviously Eva, but, as it was his first time seeing her wearing the pactio raiment, her beauty overwhelmed him like a tsunami slamming into a seawall. All thoughts were erased from his mind, and, though he wanted to say something, the most he managed to do was stare slack-jawed as she began her march down the aisle, Jinbei and Karin serving as her escorts.Though he would have liked to craft her a wedding dress by hand, even Vahn wasn't sure he would have been able to produce a more suitable gown than the one provided by Eva's Pactio. It perfectly hugged her body in all the right places, and, though it was likely an effect of the raiment itself, both her presence and overall beauty seemed to be multiplied. Even the large crowd of Elves and Spirits were completely awed by her presence, their heads moving like swivels as they stared wide-eyed at the veiled woman walking down the aisle with a bouquet of crystalline flowers...Noticing Vahn's expression and the way he was looking at her, Eva could scarcely move forward without the help of Jinbei and Karin. Fortunately, while the latter seemed to be acting as more of an anchor than anything else, Jinbei dutifully led her down the aisle with his usual lazy smile. The only real difference between his current appearance and his usual self was that he had actually dressed up for the occasion by donning a white tuxedo. As for Karin, she was wearing a pale-pink gown that was heavily adorned with flowers, clothes that didn't particularly match her disposition, but, due to her beauty, suited her well.Eva found it was easier to move forward if she focused on other things, but, in the span of what felt like both an eternity and a single breath, Jinbei was already helping her ascend the small step at the end of the aisle. Shortly thereafter, she became intimately familiar with the kind of shoes that Vahn was wearing, as, for several seconds, Eva simply couldn't summon the courage to look up at him. It wasn't until Vahn had gingerly lifted her chin that their gazes met once again, tears already welling in Eva's eyes as a brilliant shade of crimson dyed her face...Seeing his bride-to-be up close, Vahn felt like his breath was forcibly drawn from his lungs with a magical spell. He had no words or thoughts to describe what he was currently feeling, and, if not for the music suddenly coming to a halt, he had the distinct impression he might have been trapped in that singular moment for all eternity. Eva was simply that captivating to him, and, if not for the large audience, he wouldn't have been able to resist kissing her before the ceremony's completion.Fortunately, as there were no formal proceedings for how a wedding 'needed' be conducted within the Empire, the ceremony itself merely involved Yggdrillia formally introducing the bride and groom before issuing a simple blessing and allowing Vahn and Eva to make their own statements. This was something Vahn had prepared extensively for, but, due to the fact Eva had been fighting back tears since the start of the ceremony, his 'speech' ultimately amounted to tenderly wiping away the tears from her face as he struggled to put his feelings into words. When it came time for her own speech, Eva just buried her face into his chest, crying for several minutes as she thanked him over and over...Despite how 'disastrously' things seemed to be going, none of the audience seemed to think that way. In fact, due to how sensitive they were to emotions, many of the Elves in attendance followed suit, tears streaming down their faces as they embraced their close friends and kin. It was quite the sight to behold, and, though it made the wedding almost feel like a mourning party, it was bound to become one of the most tender memories in the minds of everyone in attendance...When everything was said and done, the ceremony was brought to an end in much the same way as most weddings. Vahn returned Eva's ring to her, and, after a very long and passionate kiss, they simply held each other closely for the better part of twenty minutes. It was only after Jinbei asked, "So, when are we going to eat?" that the spell freezing the moment in time seemed to be broken...---As Eva wasn't in the mood to attend the party, Vahn ended up carrying her all the way to the fiftieth ring, a place where time flowed at a rate of 500:1. This would give them about fifty days to spend in each others' company before the next wedding was scheduled to begin, more than enough time to consummate their wedding and adapt to their lifestyle as newlyweds.After landing soundlessly near the front door of a somewhat lavish mansion, Vahn willed it to open using his telepathy before carrying Eva across the threshold. He had been flying with Eva in a bridal carry, and, though it wasn't exactly a tradition of the Empire, he had performed a similar action with most of his brides in the past...Feeling the change in temperature, Eva slowly opened her swollen eyes to observe the interior of the mansion. This was her first time inside, and, though she didn't feel even remotely alone, her first impression was that the house was very 'empty'. The only people within tens of kilometers was her and Vahn, something she had been both looking forward to and fearing quite a bit...Noticing the not-so-subtle tensing of his wife's body, Vahn just held her a little closer to him as he said, "You know I would never do anything to intentionally harm you. It's perfectly normal to feel a little anxious and afraid...just remember that you are in control. I won't force you to do anything you aren't comfortable with, and, if there is ever anything troubling you, I will always be here to listen..."Though she felt greatly relieved by the heartfelt words, Eva still rolled her eyes slightly with a small smile visible on her face. Then, after mustering up as much courage as she could gather, she turned her eyes up at him and said, "Carry me to the bedroom...I still need to show you the other features of this dress..."Feeling his heart beating madly in his chest, Vahn barely resisted the urge to simply teleport to the bedroom with Eva in his arms. He had been looking forward to this moment for quite a while, and, though he had a considerable amount of experience under his belt, he was even giddier now than his first time with Ais and Tiona. Eva was like a Goddess within his heart, so, despite having quite a number of actual Goddesses in his harem, Vahn couldn't help but feel excitement bubbling within him like a pot of water that had been left unattended atop a stove.Resisting the urge to kick the door of the bedroom open, Vahn manipulated the handle with his telepathy before protecting Eva's head as he maneuvered her over the threshold. Then, almost as if they had trespassed into another world, the atmosphere became increasingly tense and fluttery the closer Vahn carried Eva to the bed. He could feel her heart beating faster a scared rabbit, but, unlike the past, Eva made absolutely no attempts to stop him as laid her down on the bed and stood over her with what could only be described as a hungry expression on his face...Despite her chest heaving and her mind buzzing from excessive oxygen intake, Eva still felt short of breath as she stared up into Vahn's face. It took most of her willpower just to avoid rolling bashfully to the side, burying her face into her hands and tucking up her legs up into a fetal position. She felt that all of her preparations had been for naught, but, rather than shying away, Eva forced herself to meet Vahn's gaze as her left hand moved to the tiny cross resting above her breasts...Vahn had a lot of expectations about the features Eva alluded to previously, but, even though he had seen something similar in the past, nothing could have prepared him for the moment when the fabric covering her chest dissolved away. At the same time, her gown seemed to melt into the white sheet, magical light enveloping it before ultimately vanishing moments later. In its stead, Eva's pure white stockings, panties, and garter belt came into view, each perfectly adhered to her fair skin...Realizing Eva's intentions, Vahn's smile became even wider as a cool feeling swept across his mind, forcing him to remain calm. Before he could manage this, however, Eva extended her arms towards him, her face the reddest he had ever seen it as she seductively 'whimpered', "What are you waiting for...? Hold me, you dummy..."Though he managed to hold onto his sensibilities, Vahn discarded his hesitation the moment he heard Eva's words. Then, as she bit onto the back of her finger hard enough to draw blood, he pried apart her legs, quickly discarding the side-tie lace panties in order to prepare her body for what was to come. Fortunately, she was already 'excessively' wet, so, rather than loosen her up, Vahn focused his mind on increasing her sensitivity and suffusing her body with source energy. At the same time, he extended his tongue deep enough to poke her cervix, wiggling it about like a living creature as his saliva took on the properties of a mild aphrodisiac and a numbing agent.Vahn was determined to make Eva's first time as pleasant as possible, so, even if she became a little 'weird' after the fact, they had nearly two months to work things through. This was mainly an effort to remove her inhibitions, as, despite appearing very demure and weak to being 'attacked', Eva was actually the proactive type that liked to push others. Losing her virginity was equivalent to opening up Pandora's Box, and, though he was confident she wouldn't go overboard, Vahn knew Eva was a ticking time bomb when it came to perverse intrigue...Despite knowing he was about to unleash a monster, Vahn slowly and methodically worked Eva's inside with his tongue until she was literally pulling his hair in an attempt to get him to stop. She had already climaxed more than a dozen times, but, rather than afford her a moment to rest, Vahn created extremely tiny and soft hooks on his tongue, much like a cat. That caused Eva to practically convulse, but, despite her protests, Vahn was keenly aware of the fact that she made no attempt to even try and escape.After escaping the lock Eva had on his head, Vahn laid her to rest on the bed, allowing her to take a few deep breaths as her body continued to twitch and convulse, legs spread wide. It was one of the most tantalizing sights Vahn had ever witnessed, and, though he regularly felt this way when he was about to make love to a woman, the image of Eva sprawled out in a lewd wedding dress had firmly cemented itself within Vahn's most cherished memories...Though he could have admired the sight until the end of time, Vahn eventually snapped out of his stupor, his expression becoming tender when he saw the desire visible in Eva's hazy blue eyes. She also noticed his gaze, so, the moment their eyes met, Eva continued gasping for air as she opened her legs a little wider. Then, with a tone that left no room for argument, she languidly extended her hands toward him and said, "Kiss me..." before adding, "I'm ready..."Understanding what she was asking of him, Vahn quickly adjusted his own position, resisting the urge to sink his fingers into Eva's soft thighs and plump butt. Then, after grabbing both her hands, he leaned over her body, raising her butt slightly with his knees, his member sinking deep into her fleshy cavern as their lips overlapped. She released a distressed squeal in response to this sudden intrusion, but, rather than pain, it was more like a high-pitched whine suffused with pleasure. This surprised Eva quite a bit, but, with a long tongue skillfully intertwining with her own, she found it hard to focus on anything until Vahn began a slow, steady, and maddening piston...(A/N: Alternate Titles: 'Vahn is like a puppy that just heard its owner pull in the driveway...','Tears speak louder than words','(OwO)...')https://bit.ly/2XBzAYu &lt;-(p.atreon link)paypal.me/EinlionDiscord Invite: https://discord.gg/Jwa8PKh

Though he wasn't in the best of moods, Vahn had managed to calm down well enough by the time Juuzou collapsed to his knees, a thick layer of sweat covering his body as he labored for breath. The Trichiliocosm was a technique that required Vahn to sacrifice his Divinity just to execute, so, while he would eventually make a full recovery, it was impossible to say Juuzou had emerged unscathed. His mind was simply unable to process everything that had happened, and, though he wasn't broken, it wasn't an exaggeration to say his spirit had been severely strained by the 'truth' he had witnessed within the blade's edge.After giving the man enough time to catch his breath, Vahn rose to his feet, sheathing Laev-tan in her sheath before extending his hand and saying, "Even that is not the pinnacle. The path you walk is one that is, by design, without limits. There is nothing wrong with having confidence in your skill, but, the moment you start harboring the notion, 'I am the strongest', you have already cut off your path to the peak. In the end, what matters most is not how you see yourself, but the indelible 'truth' contained within each and every stroke of your blade..."Hearing Vahn's words, Juuzou stared up at him with sightless golden eyes, his sight having yet to recover fully from the burden placed upon his mind, body, and spirit. Despite this, he felt as though he was seeing clearly for the first time, and, after several seconds of silence, he ultimately reached out his hand, accepting Vahn's as he firmly stated, "One day, I will surpass you...I will find the truth contained within the blade...and then I will slice it..."With those final few words, Juuzou completely lost consciousness, collapsing against Vahn, who, after hearing the man's words, had a wry smile on his face. He wanted to comment that there was no actual meaning in comparing yourself to others, as, in the end, the true path lay in overcoming yourself and mastering the Laws. Setting others as your goal might give you a clear objective, but, if that became the thing that drove you, overcoming them would not bring you fulfillment. You would either find something else to overcome or, like the countless wayward souls who had tread a similar path, you would feel completely empty...Shaking his head, Vahn manifested the Little Garden in his left hand before transporting Juuzou into the interior. Then, with one final loose end to tie up, he teleported to the location of Nagi's training orb, entering inside by placing his palm on the surface.---Though he sensed a presence enter the living room, Nagi didn't move from his position on the sofa, his eyes focused on the ceiling above as he continued lying down. He did, however, acknowledge Vahn's existence by listlessly waving in his general direction as he said, "I put a lot of thought into it and decided to go to school. I realized I don't really have any friends my age, and, though I'm a lot stronger than the teachers, I still rely on a pocket journal to remember incantations. I want to work on my foundation and try the whole socializing thing...who knows, maybe I'll find a girl or two in the process..."Before responding to the youth, Vahn pulled out a single-person recliner, relaxing against the thick leather coated cushions before pulling out a cup of hot cocoa and saying, "Yeah, you'll be just fine in that regard. Just remember, if you want to try and build a harem, the most important thing is to be honest and forthright. Only vile and wicked men play around with the hearts of young girls, so, if you seriously intend to love them, don't hide things. I'm not exactly the best person to give advice, but I've managed to develop a harem with more than a hundred beauties...I imagine that counts for something..."Hearing Vahn's remark, Nagi bolted to a seated position, an incredulous yet excited look on his face as he asked, "Are you serious!? Jeez, man, you're one greedy ass dragon! Hell, even I think any more than three is pushing it...how do you even manage?"Ignoring Nagi's abrasive remark, Vahn just reiterated his point, stating, "Honesty, tireless effort, and a particular set of skills I have spent nearly two-hundred years polishing..."Though he got the impression Vahn wasn't lying to him, Nagi could still found it difficult to believe the words coming out of the man's mouth. While the thought of a hundred beauties was more than a little tempting, trying to manage such numbers seemed ridiculous. He had personally experienced the wrath of several women, and, though he wasn't particularly afraid of them, he knew they could be scary when they wanted to be...Noticing the look on Nagi's face, Vahn just lightly chuckled before pulling the lever at the side of his recliner and saying, "I've already made arrangements for you to become a student in Ariadne. When you arrive, you will be able to freely choose the academy you wish to attend. I won't tell you to stay out of trouble, but, at the very least, start considering how your actions impact the lives of others. It is fine to be a little selfish and make mistakes. Just make sure you learn from them, and, though you should never go out of your way to ingratiate yourself to others, never be afraid to lower your head to those deserving of your respect...there are some kind people living in Ariadne. I have asked a few to look after you so try not to cause them too much trouble..."Even if he was about to completely stop the time within the Record, that didn't mean his words would have any less relevance once the Akamatsuverse became a part of his own. Vahn didn't know how he would change over the coming years so it was better to get things like this out of the way before he departed. From Nagi's perspective, there would be an unbroken passage of time, so, even if he ultimately forgot about the current conversation, Vahn knew it would still be fresh in the boy's mind...---With most of the loose ends tied up, Vahn slowly opened his eyes within the Little Garden to find none other than Eva leaning against him. She was peacefully dozing off at his side, while, a little bit away from him, Karin could be seen leaning against the trunk of the World Tree in a similar manner. Unlike Eva, however, she had a notable pout on her face even whilst asleep, a rather amusing sight that caused Vahn to issue a habitual chuckle.Hearing the light laughter, Eva quickly stirred awake, stretching her body and releasing an adorable yawn before staring directly at Vahn and stating, "Don't be upset. You would have regretted it more if nothing at all had happened. This will give you even more of a reason to return in the future. Chin up, eyes forward, and back straight. We're all relying on you to guide us so don't let something like this set you back."Surprised by the frankness of Eva's words, Vahn wasn't able to reply to her statement until several seconds had elapsed. Then, with a slightly melancholic smile on his face, he remarked, "You really do see through everything, don't you...?"Without any hesitation at all, Eva lazily shook her head before leaning against Vahn's shoulder and lightly replying, "Only when it comes to you...you kind of make it easy..."Taking advantage of their current positions, Vahn wrapped his left arm around Eva's body, holding her in a half embrace as he stared off towards the waterfront cottage. He was curious about what other things she might have seen through, but, after thinking about it for a short while, he realized it didn't matter all that much. The fact she supported him was more than enough, so, with nothing else to do, he decided to sprawl atop the soft grass and enjoy a midday nap alongside his bride-to-be...---With a three week grace period to aid in their development, Eva and Arika had benefitted quite a bit from the Little Garden's effects. Eva, in particular, had been in the midst of puberty, so, with the Laws of Progress and a very specific diet supporting her growth, she blossomed like a flower in the Spring.Though her form wasn't identical to the adult transformation she had commonly used, Eva had still developed into a buxom beauty in a surprisingly short period of time. Her breasts, which had been struggling around a B-Cup, had ballooned towards the upper threshold of a D-Cup. As for the rest of her body, it had also developed in an 'amazing' direction, her height increasing to 181cm while her three were a respectable 85, 59, and 86cm. She honestly looked like a gravure model, and, with her eyes sharpening due to age, anyone unfortunate enough to earn her ire would feel as though a layer of ice had spread through their body.A stark contrast to the cold and intellectual beauty that Eva had become, Arika's features actually seemed to soften with 'age'. Her hair grew well past her waist, and, though she still had difficulties expressing her emotions, it had become normal to see her with a delicate smile on her face. As for her body, it hadn't actually developed all that much, her height stagnating at 164cm, and, though it was a treat to look at, her figure was more athletic and refined than anything resembling a buxom beauty. In the end, her three sizes only reached 77, 58, and 81cm, the last trait standing out quite a bit due to her toned butt and impeccably soft thighs...Arika had been a little disappointed in the development of her bust, but, considering her mother and aunt were around the same size, it wasn't exactly surprising. Rather, Asuna was the anomalous one amongst the members of the Ostian Royal Family, her features creating a stark contrast to the rest of her kin. Still, Vahn managed to successfully pacify Arika's worries by 'confiding' in her that he always had a preference for athletic women with toned butts. This was already widely believed, so, rather than continue denying it, Vahn concluded he should just embrace the label if it made things easier for people like Arika.Though she didn't expressly state anything, it was pretty clear by Arika's behavior that she felt a lot better after hearing Vahn's words. She stopped wearing the formal dresses she had habitually worn in the outside world, exchanging them for form-fitting white pants that, admittedly, suited her very well. As for the rest of her outfit, she wore a shoulderless top that accented her athletic figure, and, as was often the case, she completed the outfit with a white mantle and white riding boots. She had a preference for white clothing, and, though it caused her to stand out within a crowd, her ethereal beauty was the thing most people remembered.Vahn felt truly blessed to bear witness to Eva's and Arika's rapid change from inordinately beautiful young women to truly breathtaking beauties in their very prime. They could easily rival goddess in both appearance and presence, so, with the day of his wedding fast approaching, it was rare to find him without a massive grin on his face. The only time his smile would fade in the slightest was when he interacted with Theo, not because she was lacking in attraction, far from it, but because of how intense her passions had become...With the Tri-Force of Power fused with her body, Theo's raw power and evolutionary potential made her something of an outlier. She had developed exponentially compared to everyone else, her body changing to become something far greater than even the most extraordinary Hellasians. In fact, she was no longer even a Hellasian, embracing her draconic heritage and letting 'nature' take its course without losing her sense of self.Though she was still changing with each passing day, Theo had already reached 177cm in height, her body comparable to Eva's in basic form but drastically different in others. Her ears had grown longer, resembling those of a High Elf, and, while they were still covered in silky white fur, it had become a lot thicker than before. This wasn't just limited to the backs of her ears, either, as, rather than a reptilian dragon, Theo seemed to be following a distinctly mammalian route...While much of her body was still the same tantalizing brown it had always been, it was clear that Theo had been influenced greatly by her association with Fenrir. The same white fur covering her ears had grown along her forearms, the backs of her hands, calves, and the top of her feet. As for her palms and soles, they were left largely the same, but, much like the rest of her body, it wasn't as if they experienced no changes at all. Rather, the flesh had become springy and smooth, providing a substantial increase to grip strength while giving them a velvet-like texture...Topping off her transformation, Theo's horns had actually change the direction of their curve, no longer pointing towards her brow and, instead, curving upward. This was important, as, not only did her bones strengthen considerably, but her spine had developed additional cushioning to allow her to freely impact a target with her head, piercing even Adamantine with her horns. To make this kind of attack even easier, her tail functioned as a perfect counterbalance; drastically lowering her center of gravity when she was charging, a posture that also served to reduce drag and conserve as much forward momentum as possible...Fortunately, at least for the time being, this was the extent of Theo's transformation, the only other noteworthy changes being her actual proportions. Her three sizes were functionally identical to Eva, but, whenever she wanted them to, her butt and thighs inflated by around 5%. This might not seem like much on paper, but, when her already toned butt went from 86cm to slightly over 90cm, it was, needless to say, 'very' noticeable. When you considered that her muscles were also flexible, springy, and situationally malleable, Theo had, for lack of a better descriptor, become a 'monster' in a very short period of time...a very soft, fluffy, and 'aggressive' monster...(A/N: Alternate Titles: 'Juuzou would get along with Zoro...if they could ever find each other','Eva is pretty bae at times...','Vahn's hidden Innate: [Draconic Magnetism: SSS]')https://bit.ly/2XBzAYu &lt;-(p.atreon link)paypal.me/EinlionDiscord Invite: https://discord.gg/Jwa8PKh

Chapter 1684: Notice