Endless Path : Infinite Cosmos

After arriving at the Workshop, Vahn was unsurprised to find Leticia waiting in the foyer for him. It was quite common for her to greet him upon his return. This time, however, she wasn't wearing her maid outfit. Instead, her body was garbed in a long-sleeved, blood-red overcoat, a black blouse, a short white skirt, grey and black stockings, red leather boots, and a grey tie. There were also a series of belts dangling her blouse which served as fasteners for a piece of white fabric that converted her skirt into a dress."Worried...?"Since the outfit was basically Leticia's combat attire, Vahn could guess what she was thinking even without the aid of Loi-chan.Raising her head, Leticia revealed a marginally concerned expression as she said, "Since I have never met them, I can't help feeling nervous about entrusting my former Community to them. Please give me permission to test them..."Drawing closer to the anxious Vampire Princess, Vahn cradled the sides of Leticia's fair white face with his hands, a gentle look in his eyes as he said, "You don't need my permission for things like this. Just try not to get caught. That blond-haired boy, Izayoi, has supernatural sensory abilities. If you get too close, he would notice you without fail."Punctuating his words, Vahn ran his thumbs along the upper ridge of Leticia's ears, a mixture of calming energies and source flowing into her body as he leaned in to give her a prolonged yet relatively tame kiss. She didn't really show it due to an Innate that basically gave her a calm and clear mind at all times, but she was the type to get riled up by even minor displays of affection."Vahn..."With a slight pout on her face, Leticia stared up at Vahn, her carmine eyes glistening slightly as she habitually gripped his tunic. In response, Vahn just issued a light chuckle before gently grabbing her wrists and asking, "Didn't you have someplace to be...?"Adopting a remarkably cute frown, Leticia released Vahn's tunic before sprouting a pair of shadowy wings with a red tint and saying, "I'll be back soon...". Then, without waiting for a response, she fell into her own shadow before vanishing in an instant.Though most Vampires lacked a shadow, Leticia had earned hers after reaching the System Tree that served as the Nexus of the Little Garden's Central Network. It was basically a World Tree that served as a dimensional anchor for the Divine Realm, but, unlike the Yggdrasil located in the South, the System Tree resembled a giant crystal that glowed with countless circuit-like lines.Very few people were given the opportunity to interact with the System Tree, but, due to the efforts of her people, Leticia had been elevated to the status of a Dragon Knight after reaching its base and placing her palm upon its trunk. That same event earned the Vampires the designation as the Little Garden's protectors, but, due to the failures of the Divine Army, the once-noble race was eventually wiped out due to greed.Leticia was one of only three Vampires that still possessed a shadow in the present day. Rather than a normal shadow, however, Leticia could manipulate hers to produce shadowy constructs that could rival Divine Armaments at her peak. She was far from that level now, but, thanks to Vahn, it wouldn't be long before she managed to both regain and exceed her previous level of strength.With such thoughts on his mind, Vahn transitioned to the kitchen where Shirayukihime, Sarina, and Nono were working on a massive pot of curry. Usalia was also present, but, instead of helping out, she was sitting face-down at the dining room table with several of their children playing around on and around her body.Noticing Vahn's presence before anyone else, Usalia raised her head, tears in her eyes as she said, "Save me, plip..."Chuckling in amusement, Vahn split himself into three to deal with the rambunctious bunnies and assist in the cooking. It didn't really bother him that Usalia struggled as a parent. Rather, he was a little happy she was having a few difficulties as it effectively nipped the idea of producing millions of babies in the bud. She relied on him to deal with the vast majority of the children, and, though he had never breastfed them, there were times when he even pretended to be Usalia so that their children wouldn't feel like she was avoiding them........."You're telling me those brats got baited into a Gift Game less than an hour after they registered as Players? How?"Shrugging her shoulders in false helplessness, Shiroyasha maintained her usual smile as she said, "It has nothing to do with me. If anything, it was your overprotectiveness that led to this development. Ever since you erected that barrier, numerous groups have been keeping tabs on the No Names. It's only natural that something would happen when their Leader reveals himself for the first time in six months."Exhaling a sigh, Vahn resisted the urge to ask about the specifics regarding the Community that had targetted the No Names. Jin might be lacking in quite a number of categories, but he was confident in the progress his young apprentice had made. There shouldn't be any Communities in the six and seven-digit Gates capable of defeating him in a 'fair' battle. He was also quite intelligent, so, even if they pulled a fast one on him, he should be fine. The real question was whether or not the Problem Children would listen to him...Since he had already done quite a bit for the recovering Community, Vahn just shook his head. They had their own path to walk. They were also guided by a powerful fate, so, unless they requested his assistance, he should let them live and act as they pleased. If anything, he would just pop over in his non-existent state to check things out.With that in mind, Vahn met Shiroyasha's gaze and said, "Your friends in the South have been pretty quiet ever since they sent that missive expressing their gratitude. Anything interesting happen since then?"Exhaling a sigh of her own, Shiroyasha manifested the television remote before pointing it towards the TV. Once it had turned on, the screen reflected an army facing off against what appeared to be a monster horde as she explained, "Avalon had done a lot to allow Lesser Dragons and other types of mythical beasts to prosper in the lands surrounding the South's Outer Gates. Ever since their fall, the brood of various powerful creatures have been assaulting the South Side in an effort to weaken the Draco Grief Alliance and cause as much devastation as possible. It's quite the predicament."Raising his brow, Vahn asked, "How hasn't news of this spread to the rest of the Little Garden? What is the Divine Army doing?"Snorting through her nose, Shiroyasha stated, "The Gods in control of the Divine Realm are basically just a bunch bureaucrats. Unless an official request is filed and processed, they won't even consider mobilizing the Divine Army. The only two groups that had the authority to file such a request were the Knights and Aristocrats of the Little Garden. In other words, only Leticia and Black Rabbit could ever hope to make such a request. Even then, the odds of the big wigs taking action are pretty slim. Ever since the last battle against the Demon Dragon God, the Divine Army lost more than 90% of its members. They aren't exactly eager to fight another large-scale battle.""So you're telling me a monster horde is allowed to freely attack the South Side without any form of repercussions? So much for everything being decided with Gift Games..."Giggling in response to Vahn's remark, Shiroyasha surprised him by saying, "This is actually a Gift Game that has been going on for a very long time. The various Pantheons in the South have always been warmongers and battle-crazed idiots. Most of the people that live there are warriors of some kind. In other words, fighting is one of the things that gives their life purpose. As troublesome as the monster horde is, most of the people living in the South enjoy being able to cut loose without the stipulation of rules."Recalling that the South was filled with people descended from the Norse, Greek, Roman, Woden, and Mesopotamian Gods, Vahn wasn't too surprised by Shiroyasha's statement. He just found the notion of an endless war somewhat mundane. He also knew that not everyone in the South would appreciate the never-ending slaughter. Rather, he had already met numerous individuals who had migrated from the South after getting fed up with their original Communities...Shaking his head, Vahn said, "Whatever." before rising to his feet. This earned him a slight frown from Shiroyasha, who, over the last six months, had come to look forward to their various 'plays'.Understanding the pale-haired imp's thoughts, Vahn said, "I promised Seraphina I would take her on a date once our contract with the No Names had expired. She may not have worked hard these past six months, but she did her best to avoid causing trouble. I should be back later this evening."Though she was tempted to ask him to leave a version of himself behind, Shiroyasha was aware of the promise Vahn had made with Seraphina. He promised she would have him all to herself for an entire evening, so, unless something drastic happened, there was nothing that could get Vahn to go back on his words."At least give me a kiss before you leave..."As he had been delaying his departure for that exact reason, a teasing smile developed across Vahn's face as he supported Shiroyasha by her butt and gave her a long and passionate kiss. There wasn't much to hold onto, but, ever since he had sprouted a tail for her, she never asked him to get rid of it. As a result, her tail flickered about in a manner reminiscent of a true Cat Person as he held her close for the better part of ten minutes........."After hearing that tale of tragedy, I expected this place to look a little more...desolate..."Having followed Jin and Black Rabbit to the Land of the No Names, Izayoi was surprised to find grassy plains, a verdant forest, and vast fields of glistening golden wheat. There was also a rather sizeable village looming in the distance, and, most notably, a massive fortress-like castle with ivory walls and vibrant blue rooftops. Rather than the territory of a struggling Community, it looked like the kind of idyllic Castle Town you'd find in a fantasy novel.Offering a friendly smile in response to Izayoi's words, Jin explained, "We have Vahn to thank for the quick recovery of the land. If you had arrived approximately six or seven months ago, much of what you see now would have been a wasteland. We didn't even have a Water Tree so the children would have to venture outside to collect water. Now that we no longer have his protection, we'll be relying on the three of you to prevent opportunistic Communities from targeting us."Snorting through his nose, Izayoi made his way further into the territory as Asuka asked, "That man, Vahn. Just how powerful is he...?"Shaking his head, Jin replied, "No one really knows. There are many mysteries surrounding the Sage Dragon Emperor and his Community. All anyone knows for certain is that he managed to defeat a 5-Digit Community without any effort whatsoever. Based on the rumors that have been circulating, many presume him to possess the strength of a God around the 3-Digit Gates. Given his status as a Pure-Blood Dragon, however, there is a very real chance he is much stronger than that..."Though Asuka seemed somewhat taken aback by Jin's words, Yo perked up the moment she heard Vahn was a Dragon. She had always been fascinated by the various creatures found in myths and fantasy, so, while others might have been intimidated by such knowledge, she couldn't help but ask, "If I asked nicely, do you think he would become my friend?"......(A/N: Alternate Titles: 'Save me, plip...','Shiroyasha is slowly becoming a good kitty (UwU)...','Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes...!&lt;---Is this a mother-f**kin' Jojo's reference!?')https://bit.ly/2XBzAYu &lt;-(p.atreon link)paypal.me/EinlionDiscord Invite: https://discord.gg/Jwa8PKh

Ignoring the awkward yet fervent gazes of the Chefs observing him, Vahn dutifully prepared his and Seraphina's meals while his main body kept the woman in question company.Though they had visited one of the most luxurious restaurants in the 6-Digit Gates, the food hadn't suited Seraphina's palate. Fortunately, he had reserved the entire restaurant, so, while the Chef and his team were more than a little offended to learn their cooking wasn't up to snuff, it hadn't taken much effort to convince the owner to lend him the kitchen.While that was going on, Vahn and Seraphina were leaning over the relatively small circular table separating them, their faces mere centimeters apart as they played with each others' hands. They weren't doing anything overtly sexual, but, from the perspective of others, the atmosphere within the dimly lit restaurant had become noticeably steamy. This was primarily due to the aura that was exuded from Seraphina's body. She was, after all, a Succubus."It's about time I had you all to myself. I'm not going to say I don't mind sharing you with others. In fact, it pisses me off whenever I see you playing around with other women. You better make it up to me..."Restraining the urge to chuckle, Vahn maintained an affectionate smile as he traced his thumb over Seraphina's and said, "Your wish is my command..."With a playful glimmer in her eyes, Seraphina brought her face a little closer to Vahn's as she asked, "Is that so~?" in a mischievous tone.Drawing his face closer, Vahn's nose briefly grazed Seraphina's as he whispered, "Within reason...""Pfft...!"Unable to contain herself, Seraphina covered her mouth in a vain attempt to stifle her giggle. Then, with a serious expression on her face, she resumed their previous distance and said, "I'm a Demon Lord and a woman. I don't do reasonable..."Punctuating her words, Seraphina yanked on Vahn's tie before aggressively seizing his lips. He had dressed up for the occasion, so, rather than his characteristic dark grey tunic, sash, and trousers, he was wearing a stylish, rune-engraved suit. As for Seraphina, she was dressed up in a dress that was unsuited for appearing in public. It was remarkably transparent, and, though it had been enchanted to conceal all the important parts, it left very little to the imagination.Pulling away after several seconds, Seraphina licked her lips in an overtly seductive manner before leaving Vahn somewhat taken aback as she said, "I want you to ravish me. Right here. Right now. I don't care if these insects watch. I want everyone in the Little Garden to know you belong to me..."Had he been a normal person, Vahn would have gently chided Seraphina for making such a request. Fortunately, he was anything but. Thus, after a moment of consideration, he startled the pink-haired beauty by flipping over the table and pulling her toward him. This caused her pupils to immediately convert into hearts, a girlish "kyaa~!" emanating from her throat as they proceed to lay waste to the entire restaurant. As for the restaurant staff, they continued to stand in their original positions with slightly dull eyes, wholly unaware of what was taking place right in front of them.........Like many of the beast humans inhabiting the Little Garden, Galdo Gasper used to be a relatively normal animal. His current appearance resembled a muscular man with tanned skin, pointed ears, sharp teeth, deep green eyes, and rows of sharp teeth. Several years ago, however, he had been little more than an ordinary tiger, one of many wild animals roaming the God's Playground.After a chance encounter that allowed him to absorb a fair amount of spiritual energy, Galdo had evolved into what many referred to as a Weretiger. At that time, his body was even larger than it was in the present. He had stood more than 3m in height, possessed a tiger's head, and, as could be expected, his entire body had been covered in fur.Though he could still assume his Weretiger form, the current Galdo appeared more human than beast. He had made a contract with a Demon Lord to drastically increase his intelligence while also enhancing his looks. These were two of the most important traits when it came to socializing with humans, so, despite caring very little about such things, Galdo did his best to present himself as a charming and charismatic individual.In reality, Galdo was still the same brutal and ruthless creature he had been when he was a tiger. He only made an effort to blend into society because he was determined to claw his way up the social ladder and secure his place as the Leader of an entire Gate. He also had ambitions of ascending to Godhood in the future, so, even if it was only an act, he didn't mind putting on a smile and playing human.Unfortunately, just as he was beginning to gain ground within the Gate his Community operated in, Galdo experienced the setback known as the Sage Dragon's Hearth. He was originally given the task of putting pressure on the surrounding Communities while simultaneously keeping tabs on the No Names.In the beginning, Galdo had an easy time gaining influence. He was backed by the most powerful faction of Demon Lords in the entire Little Garden, the [666 Beast] Community. They didn't actively support him, but, just by using their name, he was able to cow weaker Communities into obedience. Those that resisted? He just needed to kidnap some of their children, blackmail their members, and then force them into a one-sided Gift Game. Everything had been incredibly easy.Now, thanks to the Burgeoning Communities Accord, putting pressure on weaker Communities was next to impossible. You could try, but, the moment one of the weaker Communities made a request to the Sage Dragon's Hearth, your days were numbered. The most frustrating thing about this was the fact that Vahn wasn't even the Ruler of any particular Gate. He simply imposed his will on others without a care, and, no matter how powerful the Community he targetted was, it only took a single evening for him to either wipe out or cripple them.If not for his Master informing him to lay low, Galdo knew his Community would have been among the first to be wiped out. It was common knowledge these days that the Sage Dragon Emperor had a soft spot for children, so, the moment a Community was discovered mistreating children, the lives of its members were effectively forfeit.Due to their incessant whining and demands for food and water, Galdo had started killing all of the children he had purportedly taken hostage. By the time he had defeated the opposing Community in a Gift Game, it didn't matter whether or not they wanted the children released. They would have no grounds to make such demands. Rather, due to the terms of the Geass Scroll, the lives of pretty much everyone in the opposing Community would be his to dictate.Though he didn't regret his actions in the slightest, Galdo knew he wouldn't be able to defeat the Sage Dragon Emperor in a fair fight. If his actions were made public, it would only be a matter of time before he was wiped out. Thus, when he was ordered by his Master to approach the Players the No Names were trying to recruit, Galdo was honestly apprehensive. Unfortunately, his contract compelled him to obey, so, with the best smile he could muster, he sat down at the same table as Jin, Black Rabbit, Yo, Asuka, and Izayoi.At first, things seemed to be going smoothly since the No Names didn't really have anything to offer. They basically just wanted to piggyback off the success of others so Galdo was confident he could convince both the trio and Black Rabbit to join his Community. Unfortunately, the moment he began to talk bad about the No Names, Asuka used her Gift to force him to remain silent and keep still as she lambasted him.To make matters exponentially worse, Asuka followed her harsh lecture by forcing Galdo to reveal the truth regarding the relative success of his Community. This included disclosing the fates of the children, so, in a last-ditch effort to silence them, he forced himself into his Weretiger form only to be placed in an armlock by the frail-looking Yo.Though he was indescribably incensed by the notion that such a small girl could pin him, the thing that angered Galdo the most was the casualness in which everyone else present reacted. The only person that seemed even remotely concerned by the sudden escalation was Black Rabbit, who, after hearing what he had done to the children, glared at him with eyes like daggers. As for Asuka, Izayoi, and even Jin, they just continued sipping their coffee with relatively calm expressions on their faces.Fortunately, Black Rabbit was still a Moon Rabbit. She couldn't condone violence, so, before things could get further out of hand, she suggested they settle things in accordance with the Laws of the Little Garden. This might have provided some relief to others, but, knowing how absolutely screwed he was the moment his crimes were made public, Galdo had no choice but to wager his Community against the silence of the other party."Those fucking bastards! I swear! Once this is over, I'll find a way to kill every single fucking one of them! I don't care how long it takes...!"After returning to his mansion-like estate, Galdo ended up thrashing his office in a fit of blind rage. He had never been pressured like this since he evolved. Instead, it was always him putting pressure on others. After all, he was a predator and a carnivore. He wa different from the sheep and fodder that made up the vast majority of the Little Garden's population."You pitiful creature..."Hearing a feminine voice tickle his ears, Galdo's right arm more than tripled in size as he swiped his claws towards the direction it had come from. To his surprise, his attack was casually intercepted by what appeared to be a little girl with golden blonde hair as she said, "You are too weak to serve as a proper test for those three. I will grant you a bit of strength so that you don't completely embarrass yourself...""Wha...?"Before he could ask what the mysterious little girl was talking about, Galdo's world went dark as he was slammed face-first into the ground. Then, just as his consciousness began to fade away, he felt a sharp pinch in his neck. This was immediately followed by an intense heat, and, moments later, a feeling of power began to swell from deep within as the girl pulled away to remark, "Disgusting..."......Though he could have reversed time to repair the damage they had caused, Vahn compensated the staff of the restaurant by handing out a few Gift Cards related to cooking. Seraphina simply loved extravagance, so, with Gift Cards being the most extravagant form of currency in the entire Divine Realm, Vahn didn't mind handing a few out if it would make her happy."Oh-hohohohohoho~! How daring! As expected of my husband~!"Amused by the ingratiating behavior of the restaurant staff, Seraphina couldn't help laughing out loud. Parts of their ceiling were literally beginning to cave in yet they instantly adopted sincere and excited smiles the moment Vahn began to hand out Gift Cards. This was the 'beauty' of wealth, as, even if you inconvenienced people to no end, they would quickly forgive you so long as you gave them a few gentle smacks with a wad of cash.Smiling wryly in response to Seraphina's outburst, Vahn snaked his hand around her hips before offering a curt gesture of farewell towards the befuddled restaurant staff. Then, under the envious eyes of countless individuals, he summoned a massive and luxurious airship to take them home.........(A/N: Alternate Titles: 'Seraphina has expensive tastes...','You deserve everything coming to you, cat brat...','Vahn be flexin...')https://bit.ly/2XBzAYu &lt;-(p.atreon link)paypal.me/EinlionDiscord Invite: https://discord.gg/Jwa8PKh

With twelve face cards in a deck of fifty-two, the odds of choosing one at random were around twenty-three percent. Unfortunately, such probabilities didn't matter in the slightest when the rules of a Gift Game were left vague. Black Rabbit had made the mistake of keeping the rules a little too simple.The only conditions were that players could only choose once and that each player could only select a single card. How they went about selecting a card and how they chose to interact with the Game Board weren't mentioned at all. Thus, if they really wanted to, Izayoi and the other could have literally flipped over the Game Board. Instead, Izayoi simply slapped his hand on the table, an act of choosing his card that simultaneously sent the others flying into the air.Thanks to her connection to the Little Garden's Central Network, Black Rabbit was able to ascertain whether or not Players had cheated. Thus, even though she was more than a little annoyed by the outcome, there wasn't anything she could do to protest."See what I mean? Not exactly the most heart-pounding game you could have come up with."Waving around his King of Clubs, Izayoi had a sly and teasing grin on his face as he stared down the exasperated Black Rabbit. Fortunately for the latter, Vahn had shot her down when she attempted to follow his example by promising to let each of them make a request of her should they win. They weren't actually betting anything, so, from the perspective of the Little Garden's Central Network, it wasn't even remotely fair to afford them such a right.Exhaling a sigh, Black Rabbit visibly deflated as she answered, "I just wanted to show you how we do things here in the Little Garden. Unless I'm mistaken, the three of you came from were relatively normal worlds, correct? I figured it would be pretty exciting to see magic and manifestation right in front of your eyes."Flicking his card onto the table, Izayoi adopted a confident grin as he shifted his attention to Vahn and said, "Yeah, I get that. However, if this world really is as amazing as the invitation letter made it out to be, something a little flashier would have been nice. I don't know what it said on the letters of the little missies, but mine promised I would be able to have fun, meet powerful foes, and all that jazz. I didn't exactly come here to play card games."Nodding her head in assent, Asuka said, "Scary face here is correct. While it wouldn't be inaccurate to say I've come here to play around, my main goal is to reach the top. I abandoned everything. My fame, fortune, and even my family to come here. Something as simple as a game of cards isn't even a challenge."Though she was far more polite than the other two, Yo followed Asuka's words with a curt nod of her own. She had actually come here to make friends, but, at the same time, she wanted to prove that she was no longer the same weak and sickly girl she once was.Since the trio had shifted their gazes to Vahn, Black Rabbit couldn't help looking towards him with a wry smile on her face. In response, he issued a light chuckle before adopting a paradoxically serious yet casual expression as he said, "The Divine Realm serves as something like a point of reference for everything in the lower worlds. There is nothing you can't find here. You're currently very weak, but, with a bit of effort, it won't be long before you rival the Gods themselves. Heck, if you really wanted to, becoming a God yourself is a relatively simple task. It all depends on you.""So all I need to do is make an effort and I'll be able to knock you off your high horse? I'm looking forward to it."Shaking his head in response to Izayoi's taunting remark, Vahn adopted a challenging smile of his own as he said, "I'm not like other Gods, brat. They might be content with just sitting around, but I'm constantly growing stronger. It takes a lot more than teen angst to defeat someone like me."As he was used to people calling him edgy, Izayoi simply laughed in response to Vahn's words. He was confident that, so long as he was able to grow stronger, it was only a matter of time before he overcame the man standing before him. It didn't matter how long it took. He wouldn't give up until he had, at the very least, given the former a good punch in the face.Restraining a laugh of his own, Vahn uncrossed his arms, saying, "You should hurry back and meet with Jin. This is the first time anyone in the No Names has left the Community ground in the last six months. People will have noticed."Though he could always keep an eye on Jin from the shadows, Vahn's contract with the No Names had, technically, already expired. He wasn't going to keep babysitting them, so, unless they made an official request for assistance, he would be observing how things play out alongside Shiroyasha. After all, he still had a Community of his own to look after.Clapping her hands together, Black Rabbit adopted a smile as she said, "Vahn's right. Master Jin is already waiting for us near the outer gate. Once the three of you have registered as Players, we'll have lunch at a cozy little Cafe called La Solei. After that, we'll introduce the three of you to the rest of the Community. Everyone has been looking forward to meeting you~!""Question."Blinking in surprise, Black Rabbit tilted her head adorably to the side as she replied, "Yes, Asuka...?"Pointing towards Vahn, Asuka asked, "Is that man a member of your Community?"Answering in Black Rabbit's stead, Vahn pointed to the hearth-like badge on his chest, saying, "I'm the Leader of a Community known as Sage Dragon's Hearth. We're a neutral organization affiliated with the Eastern Floor Master. We help to keep the peace but our main services include protection, healing, Gift rentals, equipment production, construction, and upgrades. If you'd like to learn more, we have a branch operating within the Community you'll be joining.""I see. And what if we don't want to join Black Rabbit's Community? What then?"Since she was used to being the one in charge, Asuka wasn't particularly enthused by the notion of following someone else's orders. She didn't know what joining a Community entailed, but, knowing this was a mysterious land with magic, Gods, and even Demons, she suspected there were powerful and binding contracts involved. The Geass Roll was a perfect example of this.Plopping his hand atop the slightly nervous Black Rabbit's head, Vahn gently caressed the space between her ears as he said, "You're free to do whatever you want. However, if you refuse to join the No Names, you're certain to regret it. They invested a lot of resources into your summoning and have spent the last three years anticipating your arrival. Once you learn about their situation, you're pretty much guaranteed to feel like an ass if you refuse to help. Those two, especially."Though Yo seemed unconcerned, Izayoi furrowed his brows as he asked, "What do you mean? Also, three years? Exactly how long have you been keeping an eye on us?"Having already discussed the matter with Shiroyasha, Vahn ultimately shook his head in response to Izayoi's words, stating, "It isn't my place to reveal such details. It will be more meaningful if you find out the answers on your own. Besides, you came to this world looking for fun, entertainment, and, most importantly, a challenge. Do you want me to hold your hand and narrate things for you as you go along?"Clicking his tongue, Izayoi put his hands in his pockets as he said, "Whatever. Let's just get on with it." before walking in the direction of the Little Garden's Outer Gates. He had already made a simple map of his surroundings during his brief freefall so he wouldn't get lost unless some kind of trickery was at play.Seeing Izayoi walk off on his own, an exasperated sigh escaped Black Rabbit's throat as she shook her head and said, "He really is a problem child..."Though he felt Izayoi's behavior was pretty normal, Vahn still nodded his head as he retracted his hand from Black Rabbit's and said, "I'll see you back at the estate."Surprising Asuka, Yo, and even Black Rabbit herself, Vahn attempted to cheer the latter up with a relatively tame kiss. This caused the roots of her hair to turn pink, but, before she could 'explode' fully, Vahn released her with a smile before promptly disappearing into thin air."That explains a lot..."As if she had suddenly gained some kind of insight, Asuka continued to observe the statuesque Black Rabbit for several seconds before turning to Yo and asking, "What are you intending to do, Kasukabe-san?"Without any meaningful changes in her expression, Yo turned to meet Asuka's gaze as she said, "He mentioned something about Black Rabbit's Community needing our help. If that's true, I want to try and help them. What about you, Kudou-san?"Adopting a smile, Asuka said, "Please, call me Asuka. As for what I intend to do...well, I was thinking of forming a Community of my own. For now, however, I don't mind lending a hand. It all depends on what the members of Black Rabbit's Community expect of us."Returning a slight smile, Yo said, "You can call me Yo." before holding up the Calico cat in her arms and saying, "This little one is called Calico Cat. We came here together to make friends."Blinking in surprise, Asuka asked, "Friends? Really...?"Nodding her head in affirmation, Yo allowed Calico Cat to dangle from her shoulder as she said, "I used to be very sick. Now that I can move around on my own, I want to see and do all the things I couldn't do before. That includes making friends."Though it didn't show on her face, Asuka felt a strange sense of guilt when she heard Yo's words. A part of her wanted to ask what was wrong with her, but, feeling that would be a little too personal, she just said, "I'll be your friend, Yo. There's a good chance we'll be working alongside one another for the foreseeable future. Besides, you know what they say. Us girls need to stick together."While she had never heard the phrase in question, Yo's smile became noticeably more radiant as she linked her hands together like a prayer and said, "Thank you, Asuka. Now I can brag to all the animals that I finally have a human friend."With the smile on her face freezing, Asuka asked, "Does that mean I'm your first real friend...?"Shaking her head, Yo's expression became strangely serious as she said, "I have lots of real friends. Calico Cat is one of them. There is also Shiro-san, Beryl-chan, Kokoroko-sama, Machio-kun..."Hearing Yo list off the names of her animal companions, Asuka began to feel that the girl in front of her must have lived a very lonely existence. At the same time, she got the impression that Yo was an extremely kind, innocent, and, most troubling of all, naive young girl."For the time being, the two of us should stick together as much as possible. Okay?"Though she noticed the shift in Asuka's tone, Yo simply tilted her head to the side for a brief moment before nodding her head and answering, "Okay."Exhaling a sigh of relief, the smile returned to Asuka's face as she looked towards the patiently waiting Black Rabbit and said, "Lead the way, bunny girl."......(A/N: Alternate Titles: 'Izayoi be like, "Resist authority...!"','Asuka playing with fire...','Yo is a good girl...')https://bit.ly/2XBzAYu &lt;-(p.atreon link)paypal.me/EinlionDiscord Invite: https://discord.gg/Jwa8PKh

Chapter 2097: The Gears of Fate