Endless Path : Infinite Cosmos

After seeing off Shiroyasha and escorting Mordred back to her Community, Vahn encountered Leticia, Heng'e, Mirajane, and, somewhat surprisingly, Nono en route to his recently constructed Throne Room.
"Good morning, girls. My day just got 400% better."
In response to Vahn's greeting, the first three girls, each dressed as Maids, offered polite bows, replying, "Good morning, Master." As for Nono, she returned a faint smile before performing a half-hearted curtsy and saying, "I had a dream about you last night." in her characteristically gentle and soothing tone.
Raising his brows, Vahn remarked, "Oh...?" as he extended his arm for Nono to grasp. She happily did so while the other three girls exchanged glances with each other before promptly returning to their respective duties. Such interplay always made Vahn feel a little awkward, but, now that he had reclaimed his status as an Emperor, he was doing his best to get used to it.
Speaking aloud the thoughts that Vahn had elected to keep hidden, Nono craned her head up at him and asked, "Are you lonely...?"
Without needing to consider his response, Vahn shook his head, gently patting the hand Nono was using to cling to his arm as he explained, "Let's just say I've never been fond of formalities between close family, friends, and lovers. Even if I'm an Emperor, a Sage, a God, or something even greater, it doesn't change that fact I'm still me..."
"Mmm..."
Not sure how she should respond to Vahn's words, Nono simply hummed before leaning her head against his shoulder and closing her eyes. If he was feeling lonely, she would do her best to stay as close as possible to put him at ease.
Understanding Nono's thoughts, a low chuckle emanated from Vahn's throat before he enjoyed the remainder of their journey in silence.
Similar to the one he had constructed back in Avalon, Vahn's newest Throne Room was circular in shape. It also had a tiered gallery, but, unlike the previous one, there were seven tiers representing the various Gates of the Little Garden. If you looked at it from above, the room served as a current and constantly updating map that showed the position and Gate number of each and every single Community.
Though most people wouldn't understand the purpose of the room's layout, those that did would quickly become solemn. Some thought he was mad, but, recalling the words Indra had spoken near the end of the Gift Game, none were brave enough to voice their thoughts aloud...
Seemingly oblivious to the chamber's oppressive ambiance, Nono accompanied Vahn all the way to his Throne before unhesitantly taking a seat next to him. This earned her an appreciative smile from Vahn, who, taking advantage of the fact they were alone, leaned in to plant a chaste but lasting kiss on her lips.
Though her reactions lacked any sort of vigor, Nono's heart was aflutter as she happily reciprocated Vahn's affection. It had been months since she made the 'selfish' decision to entrust every aspect of their relationship to him. Most of that time had been spent studying healing and sleeping alongside members of the Eurasia Family. She had basically become an honorary member of said family, so, as time passed, her personality and aura had gained an ethereal, dream-like quality...
Separating after nearly twenty minutes, Vahn took a moment to admire Nono's panting expression before brushing aside her sweat-dampened bangs and asking, "You mentioned something about a dream? It must have been quite something for you to leave your bedchamber..."
Nodding her head nearly thirty seconds later, Nono took a moment to nestle closer to Vahn's chest before whispering, "It's difficult to explain...I didn't actually see you. It was more like you were there with me...almost like you were seeing the world through my eyes..."
Despite a number of objectively terrifying memories appearing along the periphery of her thoughts, Nono's aura remained as calm and placid as the surface of a subterranean lake. Even in the midst of the incredibly realistic dream, she never once felt as though she was in danger. So long as Vahn was nearby, she knew there was nothing in this world that could harm her.
"I saw it...a being of pure destruction...three heads bound by stakes...wings of pure darkness...skin whiter than bone...red eyes that could pierce through the veil of all things..."
Opening her eyes, a hazy glow could be seen emanating from the depths of Nono's aquamarine eyes as she appended, "It looked straight at me...through me..."
For the first time since she began her recounting, Nono's voice and aura wavered. She wasn't truly afraid, but, recalling the creature's gaze, she couldn't help feeling exposed and vulnerable. Even in the literal heart of the Aldrnari Empire, she could still feel its gaze upon her...
Noticing something that Nono couldn't, Vahn reached his hand between her still-developing yet already extraordinary breasts. Instead of grasping at them, however, he extended his hand into her body without her notice. Immediately thereafter, the feeling that she was being watched faded from Nono's mind as Vahn removed what could best be described as a parasitic tumor attached to her fate.
"Hmmm...?"
As the mystical light faded from her eyes, Nono looked down to find Vahn's hand buried in the center of her chest. A hint of confusion flickered across her face before shifting into a naturally seductive smile as she looked up and purred, "Naughty..." in the type of voice that would send shivers through a person's spine.
Retracting his hand from Nono's chest, Vahn bent down to plant another kiss on her lips before whispering, "You really know how to bring out the beast in me..."
Instead of responding to Vahn with words of her own, Nono guided his hand to her left breast before playfully snapping her teeth. She may have developed the habit of letting him take the lead but that didn't mean she would just lay there and do nothing. Rather, the moment Vahn managed to flip her switch, Nono could become exceptionally proactive. It was almost as though she spent the majority of the time they were apart storing energy...
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Following his unplanned tryst with Nono, Vahn was lost in thought regarding the parasite he had found in her body. It wasn't difficult to imagine where it had come from, but, knowing there were still methods people could use to influence the people he cared about, Vahn couldn't help feeling annoyed.
"I never imagined a day might come where someone was able to touch my bottom line without even existing..."
(*At least you were able to notice it before it could mature into something legitimately threatening. Now you can coordinate with Da Vinci to develop countermeasures.*)
Though he nodded his head in response to Sis's words, Vahn's mood didn't improve. Even if he and Da Vinci were able to develop a means to safeguard every single person affiliated with the Aldrnari Empire, that still left trillions of people as potential hosts for the 'parasite' he rightly associated with the Demon God. So long as a single person carried the 'parasite' within them, the Demon God was fated to return no matter how many times it was killed, defeated, or sealed.
(*Sounds like your only options are to seal it away or reach the pinnacle of existence and eliminate it directly.*)
Nodding his head a second time, the image of Enkidu briefly appeared in Vahn's mind. As far as he knew, there was absolutely nothing on par with his Limit Broken Enkidu in terms of its ability to seal. The only caveat was that it simply didn't feel 'right' to use his Enkidu in such a manner. It was more than capable of sealing the Demon God, but, based on its 'temperament', Vahn knew it wouldn't be particularly enthused if he used it for such a purpose.
As strange as it sounded, Enkidu seemed more interested in binding women and rectifying fertility issues than sealing away Vahn's enemies. It didn't help that the latter genuinely disdained the very notion of sealing people away or imprisoning them for all eternity.
Though he was confident that Enkidu would comply if he forced the issue, Vahn was unwilling to burden the ever-faithful chain with such a responsibility. Neither of them would be comfortable with such an arrangement, so, after a prolonged period of deliberation, Vahn exhaled a tired sigh before shaking his head and muttering, "Whatever...so long as I can shove him back into the seal when he awakens, I should be able to buy more than enough time to reach the pinnacle..."
With others managing to seal the Demon God on more than one occasion, Vahn was absolutely confident he could do the same. He was pretty sure that Izayoi and the other Problem Children were supposed to be the ones to defeat him. Considering their current levels, there was even a chance that Vahn may not even need to act. Any reasonably powerful member of his Community could 'fodder' all three Problem Children with relative ease.
Feeling a little better about the situation, Vahn allowed the flow of time to return to normal. He had effectively separated himself from the Principal Axis in order to afford himself a functionally infinite amount of time to think. Now that he had organized his thoughts, he was ready to tackle the sixty-three audiences scheduled for the first half of the day...
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Though she lamented being forced to stand in a queue like some common riff-raff, Amaterasu did her best to appear calm and dignified as she awaited her turn for an audience with Vahn.
Fortunately, while most recently risen powerhouses would go out of their way to put on airs and drag things out, Vahn didn't seem particularly concerned with such pressure tactics. Barely a minute would pass between the moment an individual first entered his Throne Room and the moment they returned. More importantly, everyone that emerged would invariably have a smile or a considerably relieved expression on their face.
After the fiasco regarding Nanako, Amaterasu wouldn't be surprised if Vahn decided to hold a grudge. Had their positions been reversed, she would have readily forced him to beg and grovel in exchange for her forgiveness. Even then, the chances of her actually forgiving him were very nearly zero.
Banking on the fact that Vahn was considerably more magnanimous than she, Amaterasu waited a few weeks for tensions to die down before requesting an audience. She doubted he would forgive her immediately, but, so long as she demonstrated her sincerity and a genuine desire to cooperate, there was a good chance they could work something out.
Assuring herself that everything was going to be okay, Amaterasu's back straightened even further when her name was called. Her nervousness intensified as she drew closer to the Throne Room, but, compared to the pressure she experienced within the actual chamber, it was like exiting an area of zero gravity only to find yourself in the deepest depths of the abyss.
"Hmmm? I thought I sensed you waiting outside. You are incredibly brazen to enter this place of your own accord..."
Recovering her senses in response to Vahn's words, Amaterasu swallowed the knot forming in her throat before attempting to lower herself to the ground. Instead, an invisible force prevented her from doing so as Vahn commented, "I am not your God and you owe me no loyalty. Now, tell me, what compelled you to visit me so soon after our previous encounter...?"
Feeling another knot forming in her throat, Amaterasu made several attempts to clear it before ultimately giving up and replying, "I came seeking to make amends for my past behavior...now that I have had the opportunity to better understand the situation, I have come to understand just how foolish my actions were..."
Surprising Amaterasu, Vahn rolled his eyes in response to her words before waving his hand and saying, "That is usually the case when people allow their ego to guide their decisions. Due to the perceived difference in our status, you allowed your arrogance to blind you. Well, lucky for you, I don't really care about such things. So long as you stay away from my bottom line, you are free to live and act however you please. Just remember the warning I gave you prior to ripping you into pieces. Every action has consequences. For those who believe themselves beyond reproach, I am that consequence..."
Without waiting for Amaterasu's response, Vahn waved his hand to deposit her near the exit of the hallway leading up to his Throne Room. Shock briefly marred her face, but, shortly thereafter, it was replaced by the same expression of relief exhibited by every other person that had come seeking to apologize for past grievances. She was a little upset by Vahn's casual dismissal, but, knowing there were no hard feelings between them, Amaterasu exited the hall with significantly less anxiety than she had entered it...
The Sage Dragon Emperor was truly magnanimous...
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(A/N: Alternate Titles: 'Nono behaves like such a stoner...','Evil is not so easily subdued...','You know you messed up when you have Kemonomimi and Vahn didn't even try to pet you...')

Finished with the morning's scheduled audiences, Vahn decided to spend the rest of his morning with Black Rabbit. She had been spending the vast majority of her time helping Usalia look after the kittens ever since she got pregnant. Her original intent was to apprentice under Usalia, but, thanks to her experience with the No Name Community, Black Rabbit was already exceptionally suited for child-rearing. In fact, more often than not, Usalia was the one going to her for advice.
With his senses making him aware of everything taking place within the newly renovated Sage Dragon's Hearth, Vahn was unsurprised to find Yo, Asuka, and Lily within the nursery alongside Fenrir, Usalia, and Black Rabbit. The trio had developed the habit of stopping by to check up on Black Rabbit two to three times a day, as, ever since she had started showing signs of pregnancy, the latter had only left the Sage Dragon's Hearth twice.
"Did I accidentally stumble into paradise...?"
Seeing the six girls relaxing quietly as the kittens used their bodies as pillows, Vahn couldn't help smiling. Things were still tense between him and Asuka but there was something captivating about seeing the excessively prideful woman watching over his children with an affectionate smile on her face.
Since the kittens were currently asleep, none of the girls greeted Vahn in the usual manner. Instead, Usalia adopted a glower that was more adorable than threatening as she half-growled, "Keep your voice down..."
Holding his finger up to his lips, Vahn's expression practically melted when one of his daughters, a quickly developing kitten named Prima, issue an adorable hiccup. In response, Yo gently rubbed her back, a tender smile developing across her face as Prima nestled closer to her.
With each of the other girls saddled with two kittens, Vahn approached Usalia to retrieve Shiro from her embrace. The pout she presented upon being separated from her mother's warmth was beyond adorable, but, the moment Vahn cradled her in his arms, a contented smile immediately developed across her face.
"Cheater..."
Hearing Asuka's whispered remark, Vahn cast her a glance before rolling his eyes when she quickly averted her own. He then made himself comfortable between Usalia and Black Rabbit, thoroughly enjoying the rare moment of serenity where all the kittens were simultaneously asleep. It didn't last very long, but Vahn wouldn't have traded even a single moment for all the riches in the Universe...
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Though they were more than capable of returning on their own, Vahn accompanied the trio of No Names to the Consultation Office connected to their territory. This was usually Leticia's duty, but, as their paths just so happened to cross, Vahn figured he may as well ask how they were doing before sending them off with a few gifts.
Contrasting Asuka's usual standoffishness, Lily and Yo had absolutely no filter when speaking with Vahn. It was a little awkward at times, but, as he was technically the No Name Community's Primary Care Physician, Vahn didn't bat an eye even when they consulted him about extremely sensitive and physiological matters. Lily, in particular, was constantly asking Vahn to help regulate the seal on her body as it had been going haywire ever since she and Jin began 'experimenting' together.
In truth, things hadn't been going particularly well between Lily and Jin. The barrier between friends and lovers was proving more difficult to overcome than either of them anticipated. Both were trying their hardest but Jin still struggled with taking the initiative. The times they had tried to have sex, he ended up suffering from performance anxiety. Vahn could have easily remedied this, but, as a result of Jin's self-esteem issues, he couldn't bring himself to ask for help regarding such a sensitive topic.
When Lily mentioned 'experimenting', it was generally her taking the initiative to perform various services. The most the latter had been able to manage was holding her hand, kissing, and asking her out on a few dates. The one time he tried seizing the initiative himself, he ended up having the kind of 'accident' that was best forgotten to time.
Had they been a normal couple, the relationship between Lily and Jin wouldn't be anything to be concerned about. The problem was that Lily was descended from a Goddess whose origins could be traced back to Inari, a Goddess associated with foxes, fertility, rice, tea, and sake. They were also the Patron Goddess of Actors and Prostitutes, so, while Lily was a very distant descendant, she was not wholly unaffected by Inari's influence.
The crux of Lily's problems lay in the development of her Spiritual Energy and her growing interest in the relations between men and women. If Jin had been a little more proactive, there was a good chance that things would progress smoothly between them. Instead, Jin was inhibited by his lack of confidence while Lily was too kind and caring to 'force' the matter. She didn't want to pressure him before he was ready, so, using the excuse that her seal was going haywire, she would consult Vahn for physical, mental, and spiritual relief.
As inappropriate as this may sound, Lily's 'treatment' was more of a therapy session than anything else. She would talk at length about all the things that were troubling her while Vahn either combed or caressed her head. There had been a single incident where she tried to talk him into giving her a massage, but, out of respect for Jin and as a professional courtesy, Vahn politely declined. He didn't mind helping to suppress or dissipate her developing urges. He had no intentions of becoming the outlet she used to release them.
Ever since the first time Vahn had refused her offer to escalate things just a 'little' further, Lily never broached the subject a second time. Instead, she began spending more time with Yo, who, despite a developing interest in the opposite sex, felt more comfortable around women. Neither had come out to say anything just yet but pretty much everyone in the No Name Community assumed there was 'something' going on between the nearly inseparable friends.
As the confidant of both girls, Vahn knew exactly how far the two had gone. He even suspected they went out of their way to keep him informed, not because they had any malicious intentions, but because it was equally well known that Yo had developed a crush on him. It started out as a mild intrigue and a fascination with the many animalistic women in his entourage, but, during her time in the Game Board, it quickly developed into something more.
Though Asuka accused him of using it to 'trick' Yo into falling in love with him, the proverbial straw that broke the camel's back was the Companion Vahn had gifted her, the Maneki-neko. It not only served as Yo's day-to-day clothing but, at several points during her stay in the Danmachi-inspired Game Board, it ended up saving her life. The two of them had developed an incredibly close bond, so, as the person who had gifted the Maneki-neko to her, Vahn was held in extremely high esteem by the bubbly brunette.
The only thing preventing Yo from surrendering to her feelings was her friendship with Asuka and Lily. She didn't want to hurt either of them, so, until they managed to find happiness for themselves, she wanted to support them as best she could. As for the kinds of mischief she got up to whenever she and Lily were alone, it was a lot more wholesome than most people assumed. They had kissed a few times, but, more often than not, their interactions involved gratuitous amounts of hugging and petting. This was the reason the two of them had never been 'caught'. Whenever someone walked in on them, they would simply find the two of them snuggling up together or sleeping.
Yo wasn't aware of it but it was this type of behavior that prevented Vahn from even thinking about doing anything 'untoward' to her. She was way too adorable and wholesome, so much so that there were times when he felt guilty about 'corrupting' her with the occasional flirtatious remark. It didn't help that Yo's periodic attempts to 'seduce' him involved her wearing 'adult' underwear beneath her onesie and simply cozying up to him.
Did she inform him about her particular choice in undergarments? No. She just believed he would take notice due to the 'lessons' he had taught them in the past. More specifically, she recalled that he had once mentioned that even a thousand layers of clothes couldn't conceal their bodies from his senses. This was a point against him in Asuka's book, but, from the perspective of a maiden in love, it was apparently something to be excited about. At the very least, Yo seemed to enjoy it quite a bit as she would often leave messages on her body. In one instance, she even had Lily draw a pair of cat-like eyes on her butt along with a misguided message asking if he wanted to pat the kitty...
Needless to say, Asuka had been pretty upset when she saw the playful message in the changing room. Yo was pretty good about erasing the marks she left on her body, but, due to that particular message's location, she had completely forgotten about it. The same could be said for Lily, so, ever since then, the duo had been careful to make sure the messages were small or located in areas that Asuka wouldn't easily notice.
On the subject of Asuka, things were actually going surprisingly well between her and Izayoi. They never really talked about it but it wasn't uncommon to find them watching the moon together or sneaking off to discuss things in private. It was rumored that one of the children had seen the two of them kissing, but, due to how reserved Asuka was, most of the details regarding hers and Izayoi's relationship were a closely guarded secret.
At the very least, that's what Asuka wanted to believe...
In reality, Vahn knew pretty much everything there was to know about the relationship between the two Heroes. Asuka may be tight-lipped around the No Names but she regularly complained to the aptly named 'Nursery Group'. Everyone needed an outlet to vent their frustrations, so, whenever she was helping to look after the kittens, Asuka would often confide in the growing group of girls. This was actually one of the reasons she was still hostile towards Vahn. Whenever he showed up in the nursery, she couldn't help feeling though he was intruding upon their girl time...
Fortunately, Asuka was the only person who thought that way. Every other girl recognized Vahn's right to be there. Rather, without him, Usalia and Black Rabbit would be at their wit's end once the kittens started throwing a tantrum. When one cried, it would set off a chain reaction that couldn't be stopped without Vahn popping in, splitting into multiple versions of himself, and coaxing them to sleep.
Though she could be exceptionally brash at times, Asuka was far from stupid. She may view Vahn as an 'enemy of women' but the only times she openly voiced her grievances towards him was back in the territory of the No Names. More accurately, she would complain to Lily and Yo in the bath while asking what the two of them saw him. When she was around people like Fenrir, Usalia, Black Rabbit, and the other members of the No Names, she generally kept her opinion to herself.
As much as she personally disliked him, Asuka knew better than to slander Vahn around the people he had helped during some of the most trying times in their life. Lily was the singular exception in that regard as Asuka viewed her as a remarkably mature and dependable woman. Around the other children, there were times when Asuka outright praised Vahn. After all, in their minds, he had saved their lives. Insulting someone's savior was a remarkably quick way to undermine the trust they had in you, so, for the sake of the Community and her position within it, Asuka did her best to 'tolerate' Vahn's existence...
Fortunately for everyone involved, Asuka didn't truly hate Vahn. She was just really persistent when it came to holding grudges. Knowing she was basically naked whenever he was around didn't help. In fact, it was 95% of the reason she didn't like being around him. As for the remaining five percent, it was actually a genuine appreciation for Vahn as a character...
It was surprisingly difficult to hate people that went out of their way to help virtually everyone they met...
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(Alternate Titles: 'I need to get my blood sugar checked...','I would say to call an ambulance but I think Jin would be better served by a coroner...','95% Tsun, 5% Dere...')

In the middle of a vast, seemingly infinite white space, an illusory young woman comprised of pale, bluish-white light could be seen looking around with a terrified and confused look on her face. The last thing she could recall was attempting to cross the street on the way to her job. She didn't have a car so she was forced to walk nearly forty minutes to and from work six-seven days a week.
"What happened? Where is this place...?"
Immediately following the illusory woman's words, an eccentric-looking figure wearing a black and white theater mask manifested out of thin air, shouting, "Congratulations, Soul #48859358221! You have been given the exclusive opportunity to reincarnate into a world of your choice. To make your journey a little easier, I will also offer you a total of three wishes. I trust you already have something in mind~?"
Though she was nearly startled to death by the figure's sudden appearance, it didn't take long for an excited smile to develop across the illusory woman's face. For a brief moment, her body became noticeably more solid as she excitedly asked, "Are you serious!? You're telling me that reincarnation is actually real!?"
Snickering in response to the woman's excitement, the masked figure was about to answer when a hand suddenly appeared out of the void, firmly grasping his shoulder before a man with dark skin and even darker hair appeared to say, "I'll take it from here. You can go back."
"Who the fu-"
Before the masked figure could finish his exclamation, the illusory woman watched in confusion as the dark-skinned man pulled his body to some unseen location. A feeling of intense anxiety washed over her, but, before it could diminish her previous excitement, the man smiled toward her and said, "Sorry about that. Lokur can be a bit of a trickster at times. He likes to lure people into a false sense of security using the promise of wishes. While it is true that he would have granted each of them, it wouldn't be long before you came to regret your decision."
"Now then...shall we discuss the specifics of your reincarnation...?"
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Observing his Template dealing with the God that had tormented Shion, a smile developed across Vahn's face as he prepared to depart the Actualized World. He wasn't entirely sure his decision had been the correct one, but, knowing Shion would now be able to live the life she always envisioned for herself, he chose to believe it was.
"Welcome back..."
Opening his eyes, Vahn was unsurprised to find darkness obscuring his vision. Instead of panicking, he grabbed the waist of the woman that had made herself comfortable on his face, mumbling, "It's good to see you too, Shiroyasha..." before pressing his nose into the aromatic white fabric pressing against him.
"Mmnnn...you're always such a...naughty boy..."
"Says the woman literally sitting on his face..."
"Ufufufufu..."
Turning towards the golden-haired goddess wearing bright red lingerie and a transparent white crop top, a teasing smile developed across Shioryasha's face as she asked, "What? Are you worried that I might steal your beloved 'Chichiue' away from you~?"
Glowering in response to Shiroyasha's words, the golden-haired beauty, Mordred, exhaled a pouty snort as she retorted, "Not even in your wildest dreams."
Punctuating her statement, Mordred pushed Shiroyasha off of Vahn's face. In response, the white-haired demoness just snickered before fixing her posture and purring, "So violent..." in an overtly sultry tone.
In an effort to prevent the two from arguing, Vahn rose to a seated position before pulling Mordred to sit in his lap. Her aura of hostility was immediately replaced by an air of bashfulness, a ruddy hue spreading through her cheeks as Vahn wrapped his hands around her waist and gently caressed her abdomen.
"What brings you here so early in the morning? Is it related to the festival in the North...?"
Though she squinted her eyes at Mordred's sudden and drastic change in behavior, Shiroyasha didn't lose focus as she casually replied, "Of course. What other reason could I possibly have to sneak into your room and sit on your face~?"
Understanding that Shiroyasha was just messing with him at Mordred's expense, a smile developed across Vahn's face as he playfully remarked, "Who knows~?"
Rolling her eyes, Shiroyasha reached into the sleeve of her kimono to produce a rather extravagant-looking letter, explaining, "This is a letter penned by Sandora, the Princess of the Salamandra Royal Family. Fearing that it would be imprudent of her to send you a direct invitation, she has asked that the Thousand Eyes Community convey her desire to have you attend her Coronation Ceremony..."
Accepting the letter, Vahn's expression revealed a hint of incredulity as he asked, "This isn't 'that' kind of situation, is it...?"
Adopting one of her characteristically mischievous grins, Shiroyasha didn't hesitate to answer, "Of course it is. You are currently one of the most talked-about individuals in the entirety of the Little Garden. More importantly, you are one of the only Pure-Blooded Dragons residing in the 4-7-Digit Gates. Don't tell me you never considered this sort of development...?"
Ignoring Shiroyasha's remarks, Vahn took a moment to read the rather 'heartfelt' letter penned by the incoming Leader of the Salamandra Community. The wording was extremely formal but Vahn could feel the emotions Sandora must have felt while writing it. There were traces of fear, a hint of nervousness, and a growing feeling of resolution that built with each character written. By the time she had finished writing, it was clear that she had thoroughly convinced herself that she was doing the best thing for her Community.
"This is why children shouldn't be burdened with the fates of billions..."
Though Vahn's were meant as more of an intrapersonal gripe, Mordred didn't hesitate to chime in, saying, "I don't know. She seems like a qualified leader to me. She may be a little young but she is clearly putting the interests of her people before her own. I don't think it's fair to look down on her conviction just because of her age."
Seeing a bit of herself in Sandora, Mordred felt compelled to take the young Dragoness's side. She also believed that Vahn was the best possible choice for anyone searching for a mate. It didn't really matter that Sandora's intentions were motivated by political intrigue and a misguided belief in the importance of blood purity. If given the option, Mordred genuinely believed that her Chichiue was the best possible choice anyone could make in regards to a political marriage.
Shiroyasha, agreeing with Mordred's sentiment, albeit for very different reasons, nodded her head in affirmation, supplementing, "The angry lion girl is correct. Princess Sandora still has a significant amount of room for improvement but it's an undeniable truth that she has earned the respect and adulation of her people. She has been the acting Leader of the Salamandra Community ever since she was a mere eight years old. Viewing her as an ordinary adolescent is ignoring the achievements she had accrued in spite of her age."
Restraining the urge to sigh and roll his eyes, Vahn planted a kiss on top of Mordred's head before answering, "I have never once looked down on her age or achievement. My comment was more a matter of personal opinion. I sincerely believe that children, regardless of the circumstances of their birth, should have the option to live freely and decide for themselves the path they wish to take. As impressive as Sandora's achievements are, it doesn't change the fact that she was denied the option to decide her own fate. She was forced to bear the burden of another and simply performed well..."
Unable to refute Vahn's statement, Shiroyasha decided to shift things back to the more important topic at hand, asking, "So? What are you going to do? Even if you forcibly seized control over the North and ordered Sandora to make the most of what remains of her childhood, do you think that she, a girl with the conviction and capabilities to become Floor Master at such a young age, would simply nod her head and accept?"
"..."
Taking advantage of Vahn's silence, Shioryasha's expression became less serious as she reminded him, "That girl, Sarina, was even younger than Sandora when you first encountered her. If you are that concerned with her mental wellness, allow her to spend a few years in one of your Actualized Worlds. That's killing two birds with one stone. Not only does Sandora get to experience what it's like to live a relatively normal life, but, once she has matured, you won't have to feel guilty about her pining after that not so little toy in your trousers..."
"Even if your words make sense, there are some things you shouldn't say..."
Though he could understand where Shiroyasha was coming from, Vahn regarded Sarina, Nono, and even the problem children as exceptions. It would be one thing if Sandora proposed the idea of her own volition. Considering it as an option before they even had the chance to meet just felt...wrong...
Shrugging her shoulders, Shiroyasha averted her gaze from Vahn's as she muttered, "That is one of the things I will never understand about you. I don't know if it's due to sentimentality or some other factor but your behavior is so contrary at times. This shouldn't even be an issue yet you manage to create drama where there was none..."
As much as she had come to appreciate Vahn, there were aspects of his character that Shiroyasha simply couldn't fathom. Sandora had already demonstrated her willingness to 'sacrifice' herself for the sake of the North Side and the Salamandra Community. Had she been a few years older, Vahn wouldn't have batted an eye at her proposition. It wouldn't have mattered if she had been forced to bear the burden of leadership at such a tender age. He would simply do everything in his power to ensure her happiness from that moment forward.
Though no one else regarded her as such, Sandora being what Vahn considered a minor clouded his judgment. This was something that simply didn't make sense from Shiroyasha's point of view. She knew that if Sandora had possessed a more mature appearance, Vahn wouldn't have felt even an iota of guilt. Inversely, he would have absolutely no qualms about her current appearance if she was beyond a certain chronological age. It was easily one of the most mind-boggling and annoying aspects of his character...
Shaking such thoughts from her mind, Shiroyasha appended, "Just do as you see fit. Even if there are times where I can't even begin to fathom the thoughts running through your head, I trust that you will always do your best to help the people around you. Regardless of how things develop, I'm confident that you will be able to set Sandora on a path towards obtaining happiness..."
On that note, Shiroyasha was prepared to leave but found herself unable to do so. The surrounding space had effectively become severed from the rest of the Little Garden. She could easily break out, but, instead of doing so, she looked towards Vahn with a knowing smile and asked, "Oh? Feeling a bit guilty, are we~?"
Offering a wry smile, Vahn extended his hand to grab Shiroyasha's thin wrist, answering, "You came all this way...don't be in such a hurry to leave. At least allow me-"
Meeting Mordred's gaze, Shiroyasha interrupted Vahn by asking, "How about it, lion brat? Mind if I take another seat on your Papa's face...?"
Though she snorted through her nose, Mordred didn't refuse Shiroyasha's request. Instead, a smile developed across her face as she said, "Just don't expect me to support you when your back gives out..."
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(A/N: Alternate Titles: 'That's one way to wake someone up...','I blame society...','Get it? Because she is old (O w O)...')

Chapter 2249: Parasite