Endless Path : Infinite Cosmos

After giving Izayoi a 'stern' talking, Asuka, alongside the aforementioned troublemaker, returned so that she could use her Oraculum on Ratten and Weser. The danger of Pied Piper Hamlin had largely passed, but they still needed to clear the game.
Fortunately, though their tales weren't exactly pleasant to hear, Ratten's and Weser's status as Lesser/Low-Ranking Demons meant their origins were considerably less tragic than Pest's. Weser, in particular, was just a spiritual manifestation of the Weser River. In other words, he had no real origin and was just given form as a result of the Weser River's association with the tale of the Pied Piper.
Similar to Weser, Ratten was also a derivative spirit associated with the tale. More specifically, she was the personification of a 'Piper who could play a sweet melody to control rats and children'. She wasn't the original Pied Piper associated with the tale, but her flute had a similar effect.
Upon hearing the two Demons reveal their origins, Izayoi was, once again, the first to speak, remarking, "So that was a waste of time." before turning around with the apparent intention to leave.
Following Izayoi with her eyes, Asuka's brows visibly twitched as she shouted, "Izayoi, wait! At least tell us what you're thinking before you storm off on your own...!"
Without turning around or removing his hands from his pockets, Izayoi looked toward the sky and said, "I remember seeing some stained glass panels portraying the tale of the Pied Piper while we were exploring the Corridor of Displays. Since that's where our busty blonde friend made her first appearance, I figure they might have something to do with this whole charade. Who knows, they may even be the key to solving the riddle. Only one way to find out."
Finished with his explanation, Izayoi leaped into the sky without further remark. Asuka wasn't particularly enthused by this, but she didn't have time to brood as the tiny Earth Spirit that had been nestled between her breasts popped out, shouting, "Rattenfanger! Rattenfanger!" while waving in the direction Izayoi had just departed.
Confused by the tiny spirit's behavior, Asuka let it stand on her palms as she asked, "Yes? Are you trying to tell us something?"
Seeing the diminutive, faerie-like spirit in Asuka's hands, Pest surprised everyone present by advising, "You should take that Spirit with you and follow that boy..."
"Pest-chan...?"
Snorting in response to the way Ratten addressed her, Pest adopted a catty glower as she said, "I told you to stop calling me that..." before meeting Asuka's gaze and adding, "That boy wasn't wrong to take an interest in those panels. They are one of the catalysts used to summon us. However, they are not the key. If you want to learn the truth, you'll need to look deeper..."
Squinting her eyes, Asuka asked, "Why are you suddenly helping us? If this is some kind of trick-"
Interrupting before Asuka could finish, Pest answered, "We've already lost. All I can do now is try to protect the members of my Community..."
Not trusting the petite Demoness, Asuka was prepared to use her Oraculum when Yo grabbed her sleeve, saying, "We should hurry..." in a soft tone.
Exhaling a sigh, Asuka allowed her Gift Card to dissipate as she looked to the bound trio and said, "If it turns out you're telling the truth, we'll factor that into the reparations you'll be expected to make."
Shifting her attention to the quietly observing Sandora, Asuka asked, "I trust Salamandra has no problem with that?"
Shaking her head, Sandora calmly replied, "So long as we can wrap this incident without any significant damages or loss of life, Salamandra will not request anything unreasonable. With how things have developed so far, we may even be able to pass it off as some kind of prank..."
Surprised by Sandora's words, Asuka was about to ask what she meant when Yo suddenly picked her up in a princess carry, saying, "We're going." in an uncharacteristically firm tone. Then, without further delays, she took off in the direction Izayoi had departed previously.
After watching the duo take off, accompanied by the high-pitched sound of Asuka's scream, a pensive expression gradually returned to Sandora's face. What Pest revealed about the panels had resonated with her. If her suspicions proved correct, Pied Piper Hamlin wouldn't be the ones to hold responsible for this incident...
"Brother..."
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"You about ready to get out of here...?"
Though she heard Vahn's words, Leviathan didn't raise her head from his shoulder. Instead, she nestled a little closer to him as she asked, "Can't we just stay here? The outside world is so tiresome..."
In an effort to convince Vahn to accept her proposal, Leviathan snaked her hand up his thighs, firmly gripping the appendage nestled between his legs. They were currently relaxing in a bath of pulsing blue lava, but it was somehow colder than the heat radiating through her palm.
"Mmm..."
Closing his eyes, Vahn enjoyed the increasingly dexterous movements of Leviathan's hand for the better part of a full minute before saying, "There are people waiting for me. People whose importance I can't even put into words..."
Squinting her eyes, a glimmer of anger and moderate envy flashed across Leviathan's golden eyes. She hated when Vahn talked about other people. If it were up to her, she would lock him away and keep him to herself until the end of days. Unfortunately, she couldn't even imagine someone more powerful than he was. He had also forbidden her from fighting against the other members of his harem, threatening to cast her away into one of his self-created worlds if she tried. In other words, the only way they could remain together was if she behaved like a 'good girl.'
"At least promise me this won't be the last time...after what you've done to me, you have a responsibility to take care of me for the rest of my life..."
Though Leviathan's words were more than a little overbearing, Vahn just intoned a casual, "Nn..." before opening his eyes and adding, "I'm not the type to abandon others. So long as you don't cross my bottom line, you'll always have a place at my side..."
Inhaling a deep breath that ultimately came out from her nose in the form of two electric blue plumes of flame, Leviathan elected not to respond to Vahn's words. She hated being told what to do, but, unwilling to part with the man that had conquered her heart, mind, and body; she was willing to make an effort to play nice...
"Only the Sage Dragon Emperor could force a being of pure destruction to play the part of a pacifist...you damned tyrant..."
Despite her final words sounding like a curse, Leviathan planted a kiss on Vahn's neck. She actually preferred him to behave overbearingly, so the more potent her desire, the more profane her vocabulary. So long as she didn't bring up or insult maternal figures, he was generally willing to play along...
Meeting Leviathan's expectations, Vahn slid his hand up her waist until his scale-covered palm was over her breast. Leviathan was the type that got even more excited when he took on draconic features, so Vahn allowed a layer of gold and white scales to spread across his hand and forearm, his fingers growing to resemble talons as he gave her breast a firm squeeze.
Feeling a stifling surge of heat permeate her chest, an impassioned sigh that caused the magma within the pool to boil over escaped Leviathan's glowing throat. Her core temperature exceeded 6,000 degrees when she was excited, hotter than the surface of the yellow sun. This was nowhere near the millions of degrees certain Sun Goddesses could achieve, but it was more than enough to melt conventional metals and stone.
Immune to the rapid increase in temperature, Vahn lowered his head to give Leviathan's shoulder a not-so-playful nibble. His teeth sank nearly a full centimeter into her ashen-bronze flesh, but instead of screaming out in pain, Leviathan's back and tail arched, her toes curling as a moan akin to a dragon's roar emanated from her throat...
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After reaching the Corridor of Displays and locating the panels depicting the story of the Pied Piper of Hamlin, Izayoi inspected the metal placard underneath, eyes narrowing as he discovered it had been manufactured by the Rattenfanger Community.
"Figures..."
Since the original story of the Pied Piper of Hamlin was a German story called Rattenf&auml;nger von Hameln, Izayoi would have to be pretty dense not to notice the connection between the Rattenfanger Community and Grimm Grimoire Hamlin. He had even brought it up when Asuka initially discovered the tiny Earth Spirit. Thus, after a moment of deliberation, he promptly shattered the stained glass panels.
Accompanying the sound of glass shattering, an invisible domain spread outward at an alarming rate. Izayoi attempted to counter it with his Seiun, but that ended up being his biggest mistake. A cold sensation suddenly spread his mind, a soft, "I'm a fucking idiot..." escaping his mouth as the color of his eyes shifted from amethyst to blood red...
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Despite rushing over to the Corridor of Displays, the sinking suspicion Yo had felt ever since Izayoi's departure ended up proving true. Her instincts were a lot more attuned than Asuka's, so she had been able to sense that something terrible was going to happen. Unfortunately, Asuka's numerous delays caused them to arrive just after Izayoi's inadvertent rule-breaking, their expressions paling as his hair transitioned from a golden blonde to a silvery-white.
Feeling an almost overwhelming sense of dread, Yo opened her mouth to shout out Vahn's name. Before she could, Izayoi appeared right in front of her, a devilish grin on his face as he grasped hers with a vice-like grip and said, "Uh-uh, can't have you calling in the cavalry just yet. I want to have a bit of fun first..."
Punctuating his words, Izayoi, much to the shock of Asuka, attempted to crush Yo's jaw with his immense physical strength. At that exact moment, a hand closed around his wrist, completely cutting off feeling to his hand as Vahn, seemingly manifesting in an instant, asked, "Seriously? You, of all people...?"
Catching everyone but Vahn by surprise, Izayoi leaped back with more than enough force to sever the tendons and bones in his forearm. Even more surprising, at least for Yo and Asuka, was his ability to regenerate the missing appendage in an instant.
Tossing Izayoi's severed hand to the side, Vahn's expression morphed into a deadpan as he said, "Even if you've turned into a Demon Lord, you should still have enough sense to understand how foolish it would be to fight me. Stand down and let yourself be pur-"
Surprising even Vahn this time, Izayoi manifested a blindingly white pillar of light in the palm of his right hand. In the very next moment, similar to Wu's Ruyi Jingu Bang, the pillar extended to a size that was impossible to dodge within the confines of the Corridor of Displays. At the same time, it tore apart the surrounding space with such brutality that massive cracks formed in the sky above the city, almost as though the sky was about to shatter and fall.
Returning the favor, Vahn arrested the momentum of Izayoi's pillar of light with his left hand while concurrently teleporting Yo, Asuka, and their little faerie friend to safety. His ring and middle fingers fragmented like pieces of stone, and several cracks extended from his palm to his elbow, but he managed to stand his ground as he asked, "Is that the best you can do?"
With a few beads of sweat forming across his forehead, Izayoi remarked, "I'm just getting started, old man."
Thinking Vahn was going to humor him with a fight, Izayoi was surprised a second time when the former stated, "Unfortunately for you, the fight was decided the moment you grabbed Yo's face..."
Opening his mouth, Izayoi was about to ask what Vahn was talking about when an irrepressible surge of energy welled within him. The moment he became aware of it, all the demonic energy that had permeated his body was forcefully expelled along with his own. He would normally be able to supplement his power with the pillar of light. Unfortunately, the last thing he saw before his eyes rolled toward the back of his head was a series of golden chains coiling around it...
"Damned Problem Child..."
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(A/N: Alternate Titles: 'Someones in trouble...','RIP Leviathan...','Vahn be like, "Bruh..."')

"Come on, is this really necessary...?"
Though Vahn had dispelled the demonic energy from Izayoi's body, he still ended up bound and, for a short while, gagged inside of a cell. After all, until the Gift Game came to an end, he was 'technically' on the side of Grimm Grimoire Hamlin.
In response to Izayoi's words, it was Asuka who answered, "Though it is partially my fault you ended up here, I'm siding with Vahn on this one. I can't believe you, of all people, made such a foolish mistake. Maybe a bit of prison time will make you think before the next time you run off on your own..."
Exhaling a sigh, Izayoi rolled onto his side with a bored expression on his face as he said, "Yeah, yeah, whatever you say, Princess..."
Squinting her eyes, Asuka was about to chastise Izayoi for his behavior when Vahn chimed in, asking, "Do you really intend to lecture someone under the influence of the Central Network's compulsion? Izayoi isn't the only one that needs to learn from this incident. You need to work on getting your priorities in order, Asuka."
Hanging her head, Asuka's confident demeanor momentarily cracked as she softly complained, "Not everyone can be like you. Some of us..."
Though she was about to say that 'some people' needed to work to obtain their power and authority, Asuka realized the irony of her words before they could part her lips. After all, she was born into a family with tremendous wealth with an ability that allowed her to get whatever she wanted. She also had one of the most potent Gifts, powerful allies, and a functionally unlimited number of supplies. Simply put, she didn't have a platform to stand on if she wanted to argue about fairness...
Believing Vahn could be reading her thoughts, Asuka muttered, '"Never mind...forget what I was about to say. I'm...I'm just not thinking clearly at the moment..."
Just as Asuka was about to excuse herself, Yo suddenly embraced her in a warm hug, whispering, "You don't have to be like Vahn, Asuka...we love you for who you are. Just be your best self, okay...?"
Surprised by Yo's words and actions, Asuka opened her mouth to speak but simply couldn't find the words. Instead, she hesitated for a moment before returning Yo's embrace in silence. Their interaction earned them a rather rude remark from Izayoi but, thanks to Vahn, his voice couldn't carry beyond the cell.
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After Asuka's and Yo's moment of bonding, the duo reconvened with Sandora to discuss their next plan of action. Vahn was also present, but none of the girls paid him any mind due to the fact he was, momentarily, standing outside the Axis of Reality.
Having regained her confidence, Asuka was the one to start things off, stating, "Things aren't as bad as they could be. As much of a blunder as it was, Izayoi's actions prevented whatever was meant to happen when the glass panels were broken. If we go back to the Corridor of Displays, we should be able to resolve this without further issue."
Nodding her head in approval, Sandora stated, "We'll go together this time. I've assigned Forte, Frey, Ebony, and Raven to keep an eye on the members of Grimm Grimoire Hamlin. Let's try to end this without having to rely on Vahn a third time."
Though she was grateful for Vahn's intervention, especially in the case of Pest and her pestilence, Sandora couldn't help feeling as though she had failed in her original intent. However, instead of letting it bother her, she was more determined than ever.
One of the most important lessons she had learned from Vahn was that it was okay to make mistakes. Even if the consequences of your actions were catastrophic, you hadn't failed so long as you hadn't given up. The burden of your mistakes may weigh heavily on your body and mind, but that was even more of a reason to push forward. If you simply gave up, the deaths that came about as a result of your actions would have been in vain.
"Agreed. I can't stand being indebted to that man, so let's try to wrap this up with just the three of us."
As if to protest Asuka's words, the tiny Earth Spirit seated atop her head gave it a firm pat as she shouted, "Asuka~!"
Smiling wryly, Asuka plucked the faerie-like Spirit from her head, gently poking its cheek as she supplanted, &nbsp;"Make that the four of us. After all, there's a good chance you're the key to everything, isn't there...?"
Tilting her head to the side, the Earth Spirit had a supremely innocent expression on her face as she intoned a confused, "Asuka...?"
Producing a biscotti from her Inventory, Asuka fed the confused Earth Spirit a piece of the almondy cracker before returning her attention to Sandora and asking, "When do you want to set out?"
Returning a faint smile, Sandora said, "I would prefer to set out as soon as possible. The sooner we can solve this matter, the sooner my people can return to their lives."
"Can't argue with that."
Though she wasn't looking forward to getting crumbs in her bra, Asuka allowed the Earth Spirit to conceal itself in her cleavage before adopting a confident, resolute expression and saying, "Right! Let's do this...!"
Feeding off Asuka's energy, Yo pumped her fist in the air, shouting a spirited, "Ya-ho~!" while Sandora just nodded. Then, without so much as sparing him a glance, the trio bolted past Vahn with the Corridor of Displays as their destination. In their wake, Vahn walked over and made himself comfortable atop Sandora's throne, a pensive expression on his face as he called out, "Sis...?"
"Hmmm~?"
Aware of Vahn's present mental state, Sis elected to manifest in front of him instead of conversing with him from the comfort of his mind. Vahn's mood improved qualitatively the moment she did, so Sis chalked it up to a win-win as she snuggled up next to him and asked, "What's wrong...?"
Though he would normally bury his face in her breasts or enjoy her lap pillow, Vahn surprised Sis by wrapping his right arm around her, pulling her a little closer, and caressing the space between her cat-like ears. At the same time, his left hand nearly went for her breast, but he managed to catch himself at the last moment, his palm resting on her abdomen as he softly replied, "Yo nearly experienced something traumatic because of me..."
Ceasing her throaty purring, Sis's words and actions were somewhat contrary as she affectionately nestled her head against Vahn's chest and asserted, "You're wrong. Yo willfully participated in this event, and Izayoi's blunder was entirely the result of a personal oversight. Now, be a good boy and tell me why you're actually upset..."
Nestling his face between Sis's ears, Vahn closed his eyes to inhale a 'very' deep breath before opening them to reveal blazing golden irises as he said, "I'm tired, Sis...I'm tired of all the conflict, pain, and tragedy that is only ever a moment away from ruining everything. I have all this power, but it's utterly meaningless unless I abandon my principles and take control of everything. I've been trying so desperately to hold onto all the things that make me who I am, but they only ever seem to get in the way..."
"Mmm..."
Dragging the nail of her right index finger down the center of Vahn's chest, cutting through the fabric of his tunic as if it simply didn't exist, Sis asked, "So...what you're saying is that you're trapped between the decision to 'take control' or 'relinquish' it. And you believing choosing either option means losing yourself...is that it?"
Instead of responding to Sis's words, Vahn silently observed as she finished cutting a line down the entirety of his tunic. When her hand made its way over his heart, they could both feel the powerful organ pumping with enough vigor to power, not one, but innumerable stars.
"Does this remind you of anything...?"
Even without Sis helping to pull up his memories, Vahn recalled all the times when Chloe would affectionately caress his chest or listen to his heartbeat. He longed for those simpler times, a period in his life when-
"You're lying to yourself..."
Blinking in surprise, Vahn's face contorted into confusion as he asked, "What do you mean?"
Despite drawing a tiny heart shape in Vahn's chest, Sis's expression hardened as she asked, "Did you forget why you 'fled' the Record of Danmachi? If those times were truly as simple as you believe them to be, why are you here right now?"
"..."
Cupping Vahn's face to prevent him from looking away from her, Sis maintained a stern look as she added, "Every burden you carry is one you willfully picked up, Vahn. If you want to drop them, I will support you to the very end. However, I won't sit here and listen to you make excuses. Since the very beginning of this journey, you have been the only one that can make decisions for yourself. If you want to rampage for a bit, sleep for an eternity, or travel ten thousand worlds as nothing more than a guardian, there is nothing anyone can do to stop you..."
Near the end of her words, Sis brought her indescribably sharp nail to her blouse, her eyes glistening with even greater intensity than Vahn's as she purred, "Just do as you please..."
Feeling a knot forming in his throat, Vahn barely managed to mutter, "Sis..." in an uncharacteristically shaky tone. In response, Sis squinted her eyes, surprising Vahn as she said, "If you desired it, I would set out and conquer this entire reality, bundle it up, and present it to you with a neat little bow around it. You might have forgotten, but my power is the same as your own. If you're 'really' tired of making an effort, you need only say six words..."
Before Vahn realized it, he found himself being cradled in Sis's naked bosom, his body resembling that of the young boy that emerged in the forest so many years ago as she whispered, "Sis...please help me return home. Say those six words, and you won't have to worry about anything ever again...unless, of course, you choose to..."
Following her words, Sis emulated Vahn's habit of sniffing her hair. If he didn't recover his senses soon, she wouldn't be able to control herself...
Fortunately, though it caused the massive array of animalistic beauties within Vahn's mind to cry out in frustration, he promptly reverted to his 'true' form, whispering, "I still have a bit of fight left in me..."
Exhaling a hot sigh, Sis attempted to suppress her desires and resume her sisterly persona. Vahn apparently had different intentions, however, his voice gaining a soul-quivering quality as he said, "Sis...I love you..."
Feeling an insuppressible shiver spread through her body, Sis's eyes began to glaze over as she whimpered, "We shouldn't...if we do, I'm not sure I can contain myself. If I lose control-"
"I'll rein you in..."
Punctuating his words, Vahn leaned in to give Sis a deep and passionate kiss. At the same time, taking advantage of the fact she had sliced open her blouse, he reached up to squeeze her right breast. He could feel her jaw trembling through their connected mouths and tongues, his passion and desire increasing by the nanosecond.
Just as Vahn's hand began to move further south, Sis's eyes widened like a startled cat as she jerked away from him and said, "No! Bad girls!" in a shrill, panicked tone.
Before Vahn could ask what was wrong, women of various shapes and sizes began to manifest within the Chamber of Flames, quickly filling it as a strange feeling of 'emptiness' swelled within his mind. Then, like a horde of hungry animals swarming around someone holding a bag of treats, Vahn was quickly overwhelmed by what he would later come to know as the Sis Corps...
It was an experience he would never forget.
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(A/N: Well, hello there (O w O)...')

"Damn, that's pretty rough..."
After hearing Black Percher recount the events of her past, it was Izayoi who gave voice to the thought in everyone's mind. They knew the origin of any significantly powerful Demon Lord would be marred in tragedy, but it hadn't prepared them to hear a direct recounting of their origins.
"I feel sorry for her..."
Chiming in after Izayoi, Yo was moments away from suggesting they just let Black Percher go when Sandora stated, "Tragedies and misfortunes do not give a person the right to impose suffering unto others. If Vahn hadn't been here to prevent it, everyone in Kouen City might have succumbed to the Black Plague. Demon Lords might be pitiable existences, but it is their potential victims we need to be concerned with..."
With her expression forming into a pout, Yo muttered, "But still...isn't she powerless now? We were able to stop her before there was even a single victim in the Little Garden. It doesn't seem right to imprison her for doing as her nature dictates..."
After spending several years in Danmachi, Yo had come to understand that not everyone had a choice in how they thought and acted. A God of War couldn't choose to be a pacifist, and a God of Sex certainly couldn't decide to be abstinent. Black Percher wanting to spread her pestilence was assuredly a bad thing for her potential victims, but it didn't change the fact she was also a victim of circumstances beyond her control.
Thinking of a 'solution,' Yo said, "We should hand them over to Vahn. If it's him, he should be able to help."
Hearing Yo's suggestion, Black Percher began to pull at her bindings as she shouted, "Why is everyone trying to pawn me off onto that pervert!? No, no, no, no, no, no, no! Just no...!"
Not expecting Black Percher to throw a tantrum, even Weser and Ratten were surprised, the latter asking, "Did something happen? You're acting a little strange, Pest-chan..."
Snorting through her nose, Black Percher, also known as Pest, turned her head and said, "I don't want to talk about it...also, I told you not to call me Pest-chan in front of others. It makes me seem like a child..."
Speaking out before Ratten, Izayoi chimed in to say, "That's an interesting thing to say after throwing a mini tantrum..."
Directing a hate-filled gaze towards Izayoi, Pest growled, "Eat cow dung, you headphone-wearing brat...!"
With Izayoi spreading his hands and helplessly shrugging his shoulders, Yo tried to guide the conversation back on track, insisting, "I still think it's the best option. I wouldn't be able to sleep peacefully knowing Pest-chan is suffering because of something she didn't have control over. There has to be a way for Demon Lords to coexist with people in peace..."
Unashamedly derailing the conversation a second time, a cheeky smile developed across Izayoi's face as he jokingly mused, "Oh? I didn't think you would be getting any sleep now that-"
"Izayoi...!"
With a red hue developing through her cheeks, Asuka grabbed Izayoi by the collar before dragging him off someplace private. This ended up being for the best, as, shortly after the duo's departure, Yo left even the scantily clad Ratten speechless by muttering, "Vahn always gives his girls enough time to recuperate..." in a pouty tone.
"Yo..."
Though she was personally acquainted with the truth contained in Yo's words, Sandora didn't think they should be revealing it to others.
Tilting her head to the side, Yo asked, "What? It's the truth. I don't like when people have misunderstandings or try to vilify Vahn. He is one of the kindest and most caring people I know."
Suppressing a sigh, Sandora returned an empathetic smile as she said, "I am well aware of that. Still, there is a time and a place for everything..."
Directing her gaze to Pest, Ratten, and Weser, Sandora appended, "Even if the stakes are low, this is still a time-sensitive interrogation. We'll decide their fates once the Gift Game has concluded. In the end, it's ultimately a choice each of them has to make. Vahn would never out-and-out compel anyone to obey him. If anything..."
Stopping herself before she could reveal the fate that awaited the trio if they didn't agree to a compromise, Sandora shifted her gaze to Ratten, asking, "What about you? What's your story?"
Raising her brows, Ratten chimed, "Oh? Not going to get your Little Red Queen to use her powers? Perhaps her Gift has a limit to the number of times it can be used~?"
Before Sandora could answer that it was none of Ratten's business, Yo beat her to the punch, stating, "That's wrong. So long as she has enough Spiritual Energy to support it, Asuka's Gift can be used as many times as she wants. Thanks to Vahn, she can almost use it without limit."
Realizing Yo was the type to speak her mind without restraint, an amused smile developed across Ratten's face as she playfully remarked, "My, how incredible. Perhaps I should try my hand at winning the Sage Dra-I mean, Vahn's favor..."
Though her words sounded like she was just messing around, Ratten was actually being serious. She was willing to give her life to protect Pest, but that didn't mean she wanted to die. Her decision would ultimately depend on Pest, but she would much rather become a slave of the 'merciful' Sage Dragon Emperor than rot away in Salamandra's Dungeon.
With that thought in mind, Ratten earned an adorably pouty glower from Pest by lightly bumping into her and suggesting, "Come on, Pest-chan. I don't want to spend the rest of my life locked away in a prison cell..."
As someone that had previously died in prison, Pest wasn't even remotely amused by Ratten's words. Fortunately for the busty Demoness, they also helped to remind Pest of the severity of their present situation. It was her decisions moving forward that would ultimately spare or endanger each of their lives...
Furrowing her brows in vexed contemplation, Pest hesitated for a moment before looking to Yo and Sandora, asking, "What fate awaits us if we yield to the Sage Dragon Emperor...?"
After exchanging glances with Yo, it was Sandora who answered, "While it is not my place to speak on Vahn's behalf, he really is too kind for his own good. So long as you vowed never to harm anyone who did not wish harm upon you, he would allow you to live freely within the territories managed by the Aldrnari Empire. If you would prefer to start anew someplace else, he even has the means to return your soul to the Cycle of Reincarnation. I have personally experienced that aspect of Vahn's power..."
Recalling that Vahn had previously offered to let her return home and live her life anew, a depressive atmosphere descended upon the coliseum as Pest hung her head in pensive reflection. Ever since Vahn had penetrated her stomach with his hand, she hadn't been feeling like herself. She was still determined to seek vengeance against the Sun, but, at the same time, she couldn't help feeling that such a pursuit was ultimately pointless...
Unfortunately, despite Vahn absorbing most of the negative energy and sentiments comprising her being, he hadn't done anything about Pest's memories. She could still vividly recall how her family had turned against her, so even if she were given a chance to return, she would do her best to bar every door and window in the castle before setting it on fire. Even if they were alternate versions of her parents, she could never, ever forgive them...
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With several hours passing since Vahn had coupled her into a deep and profound state of unconsciousness, Leviathan awoke feeling a sensation akin to weightlessness. Her belly had deflated back to its original size and contours, but she could still feel Vahn's presence lingering within her...
Looking down at the man sleeping peacefully with his face nestled within her cleavage, Leviathan honestly didn't know how to describe what she was feeling. A part of her wanted to scalp him with her teeth, devouring his brain in a single bite, but a growing part of her wanted to simply hold him close. As a creature whose being revolved around death, destruction, and torment, the desire not to kill was something completely alien to her...
Unfortunately, Leviathan was still an exceptionally prideful Dragoness, so, after three full minutes of staring at Vahn's face, she bared her teeth and growled, "You arrogant little prick...do I look like a pillow to you...?"
Since he hadn't actually been asleep, Vahn unhesitantly replied, "For now, that is exactly what you are..."
Before Leviathan could retort, a feeling of existential dread washed over her as most of her senses spontaneously dulled. When she realized what Vahn had done, she could only imagine her heart palpitating as her entire body had been transformed into a pillow.
Unable to speak, Leviathan telepathically communicated, "It was just a joke! A joke...!" in an understandably panicked tone. Fortunately for her, Vahn wasn't the type to excessively torment people.
"Relax...it's just an illusion..."
As if Vahn's words had made it so, Leviathan 'realized' her body was in the exact same position it had been prior to her becoming a bodypillow. The heart she had previously only imagined to be racing was beating like a drum in her chest, and, due to her panic, circuit-like lines of blue energy had spread across her body.
Despite feeling rage comparable to when Death had killed her, Leviathan was doing her best to suppress her usual fury as she grasped Vahn's hair and said, "Never do that again..."
"Mmm..."
Though he was tempted to tell her he could do whatever he wanted, Vahn didn't feel like bickering. Instead, he reached around to give Leviathan's fleshy butt a firm squeeze before biting her left nipple.
Feeling pleasure akin to electricity surging through her body, Leviathan clenched her teeth as her grip on Vahn's seemingly indestructible hair tightened. When he eventually reached between her thighs, raising her left leg, a throaty moan emanated from her throat as the sensation she had been longing for spread through her abdomen.
Compelled by her prideful nature, a smug, ostensibly ridiculing smile developed across Leviathan's face as she inquired, "What happened to making me serve you? Don't tell me you succumbed to my body after a single breeding session...how ridiculous..."
A stark contrast to her words, Leviathan was rocking her hips and biting her lip with very little input from Vahn. She couldn't stand that he hadn't been moving, so she felt compelled to take matters into her own hands.
Instead of responding to Leviathan's words, Vahn simply rolled onto his back, his penis smoothly sliding out of her despite her crushing, vice-like tightness. This caused the abyssal-black pupils of Leviathan's shimmering golden eyes to contract to thin slits, a visibly aggravated look marring her countenance as she shifted her gaze between Vahn's deadpan expression and his now flaccid member.
"You cheeky little..."
Though she had a veritable mountain of curses she wanted to cast upon Vahn, Leviathan's body was primed for breeding. She craved Vahn's seed, so much so that her instincts completely overwhelmed the other aspects of her personality. The moment his penis twitched, she completely forgot what it was she wanted to say, her hands and mouth gravitating towards the nearly forearm-sized appendage as her tail swayed excitedly behind her...
Caressing the top of Levithan's head, Vahn made a mental note to give her a chance to 'decompress' once they returned to the Empire. For now, however, a faint smile developed across his face as he said, "Good girl..."
...
..
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(A/N: Alternate Titles: 'Izayoi is a Grade-A Asshat xD...','You can't oppose fate, Pest-chan...','Does this qualify as a Tsundere...?')

Chapter 2288: Mishap : Intervention