App herunterladen
26.63% Endless Path : Infinite Cosmos / Chapter 625: Parting : Departure

Kapitel 625: Parting : Departure

In the time before he was ejected from the orb, Vahn sat around in the scenic clearing that Terra had made over the course of three days. Eva was sitting at his side, holding his arm as she leaned against his shoulder with her eyes closed, enjoying the gentle breeze that was flowing through the air as a result of Vahn's domain. Fenrir was sitting on his other side, hugging his arm tightly and rubbing her cheek against him, showing an unwillingness to separate even though this was a decision she made herself. As for Terra, she watched the three of them wither her sky-blue eyes glistening, tapping her tail against the ground in a steady rhythm that showed she wasn't looking forward to the coming separation either...

To allay their worries, Vahn smiled and calmly stated, "The two of you can become much stronger if you listen to Eva and follow her teachings seriously. When I reach the 39th Floor, if you don't want to stay inside the orb, you can come out and just watch the construction of the Depot and relax...you don't have to stay in here the entire time, after all." Each twelve-hour period in the real world corresponded to a four year period within the orb, meaning 480 years would have passed within the orb by the time Vahn returned to the surface. He couldn't even imagine how much Fenrir or Terra would change in that period of time and wanted them to know they didn't have to stay inside, even though he kind of wanted a companion for Eva.

Vahn intended to capture another Wyvern, or some other kind of flying monster, when he went into the Dungeon this time around. The cooldown for his [Keeper of the Akashic] tome was almost up and he had promised Loki previously that he would capture one for her. Though it was a little 'cruel', Vahn also intended to bring it into the orb so that it would be able to accompany Eva in the event that Fenrir and Terra wanted to leave. He wouldn't have too many attachments to it, at least not at first, and Vahn was confident it would be able to cope better than Fenrir and Terra, as they were already somewhat attached to him...

Terra squinted her eyes slightly when she heard Vahn's words, smiling as she said, "Since I'm a True Dragon, my strength primarily increases with my age and wisdom, thus I intend to stay inside the orb for as long as possible. Fear not, Master, as I will not lose myself to loneliness as long as you treat me well later on...I won't compete with Evangeline for your affections within the orb, but I'd like to receive your attention when we return to the Manor..." Much like Fenrir, Terra realized she could also 'mature' by associating with Eva, especially since she seemed like an intelligent and sensible girl. There was also a library with tens-of-thousands of books present, many related to various fields of research. She hadn't mentioned it yet, but Terra also considered learning a craft, such as [Blacksmithing], so she would be able to assist her Master in the future...

As if incited by Terra's words, Fenrir showed a very 'sad' expression as she tightly gripped his arm and said, "Master, Fenrir will do her best to mature...but, Fenrir will also try to stay innocent so Master can be happy. But...Fenrir likes Master the most, so please treat Fenrir even better in the future..." For one of the first times in her life, Fenrir's eyes were becoming moist because she didn't really know how to cope with what she was feeling at all. Her scarlet eyes were glowing like fireballs and there was a feeling of 'emptiness' inside of her, both in her heart and her stomach. Now that the time for their separation was nearing, Fenrir was starting to feel like she didn't want to 'grow up' since being away from her Master was a very painful feeling...

Vahn's own heart began to ache when he saw Fenrir behaving like this, bringing his head down to nuzzle against her's since she wouldn't free his arm right now. Unless she said she wanted to leave, Vahn wanted to respect Fenrir's conviction and encourage her to work hard. Resting his forehead against her's, Vahn said, "Fenrir, I'm already so proud of you...stay strong and do your best...it may be difficult, but you'll be much stronger as a result of the choice you're making right now. When you come out of the orb, I promise to treat you better..." At the end of his words, Vahn kissed Fenrir's forehead, praying that she wouldn't lose her innocence in the pursuit of strength and maturity. He probably wouldn't be able to 'refuse' her in the future, which was a little sad to think about, but it wasn't 'wrong' of her to want to mature so they could be together...

Realizing he had put very heavy restrictions on her as a result of his own inhibitions, Vahn felt very apologetic to Fenrir, primarily because she was like this because of the name he gave her. She didn't seem to be bothered by it, but Vahn felt he could have given her a name that allowed her to live a less stressful life. If she had been more physically mature when he made her, Vahn knew he probably wouldn't have kept her at arm's length for so long. Thus, he promised to treat her well in the future, much like he intended to treat Eva and Lili better...though the later would have to wait for a while longer.

With less than a minute remaining, Vahn shared a group hug with Eva, Fenrir, and Terra, the latter of which embraced the entire group with her comfortable wings. Though it was a little uncharacteristic, Vahn decided to also kiss all three of them before he left, hoping that it would 'help' in some way so that the next four years weren't as difficult. He started with Fenrir, giving her a relatively tame kiss since he wasn't in the mood to lose his tongue right now. Afterward, Vahn gave Terra a kiss, something she was very happy about if her flittering wings were any indicator. Lastly, Vahn shared a passionate kiss with Eva, twining his tongue with hers until the very moment his body dissipated into dust and vanished from the orb...

All three girls watched Vahn disappear into particulates until nothing remained to mark his existence, other than a moist and warm feeling on each of their lips. Eva released a sigh before turning her head to Terra and Fenrir, understanding it was actually much harder to be separated from people if you had never experienced long periods of loneliness. She had more than two thousand years to adapt at this point but Terra and Fenrir were still 'young' compared to her, especially the latter. So that time would pass more quickly, Eva wanted to teach them seriously so that they could surprise Vahn later on...

Fenrir squatted down on the ground after a few seconds of silence, drawing circles in the dirt with her claws as she immediately began to regret her decision. It was too late now, however, so Fenrir hardened her heart and swore that she would do her best so her Master would praise her. Seeing this, Eva squinted her eyes slightly before turning to Terra and saying, "From now on, our training will begin in earnest. Since you seem to be 'moderately' intelligent, I'll be relying on you to help out Fenrir when I'm resting since I don't really have the patience to explain things over and over. Unlike the two of you, I don't have an easy way to replenish my energy unless you plan to offer up your blood...since I need to maintain this space, I'll have to take long periods of rest while you work on the lessons I've already taught."

Hearing Eva's words, Terra nodded her head and did her best to maintain her smile, even though she was also feeling very lonely now that her Master had left. At least she had a good opportunity to increase her strength while also getting closer to Fenrir and Eva. Terra believed Fenrir would eventually open her heart to her after enough time passed, hopefully, sooner, rather than later, so they could potentially confide in each other. She had seriously been considering the matter of 'eternity' as well so Terra had already firmed herself and was prepared to work hard, even if she had to stay in the orb for the entire 480 years. At the very least, she wanted to be stronger than Fafnir since being weaker than another Dragon made her feel perturbed, though she wasn't entirely sure of the reason why...

Without much delay, Eva had Terra and Fenrir follow her into the Library so that they could begin their studies on magical theory and language. Vahn couldn't easily afford the books from her world so he had never given Eva any of the ones he found within the shop. Unaware of this, Eva just took the initiative to inscribe the texts from scratch while having Terra and Fenrir study Latin and the origin of magic. Though a specific language wasn't 'necessary' to cast magic, it helped when you were building your foundation and made it easier to form an image in the future. Fortunately, both girls could already read, with Terra being rather exceptional and quick on the uptake. Though she struggled with it, Fenrir also worked very hard so Eva believed they would be 'passable' mages if she trained them seriously over the next four years...

---

When Vahn opened his eyes back in the real world, everyone was still looking toward him as only a few seconds had passed over the course of the three days he was in the orb. It took a short moment for him to gather his thoughts before explaining, "Terra and Fenrir will be staying in the orb for the time being...when they return, they may be different, even a bit distant, so please treat them well when the time comes." Though Fenrir would probably rejoin him by the end of the day, Terra would probably stay inside the orb for a very long stint of time since she was mentally and emotionally strong. When he had talked to her about it, she had said a few hundred years wasn't a long period of time in the grand scheme of eternity. If she could increase her strength in a safe and structured environment like the orb, instead of having to fight and take lives in the real world, it was far more preferable for her.

For many people, this was their first time seeing Vahn go into the orb and it was very difficult to imagine the few short seconds had actually been three days for him. Some people found it difficult to remember what they were doing earlier in the day so, Vahn being able to instantly 'bounce back' was almost unbelievable. Eina, who had been sitting next to him, had grabbed his head when he was talking about the three days he had been in the orb, understanding he was worried about the two girls. Loki, who was sitting in his lap, had a very different reaction though, as she was looking forward to seeing how powerful a True Dragon would become after being trained by a Mage that was purportedly stronger than gods...

After discussing the three-day period, Vahn had calmed his mind a bit, saying, "This is going to be a major transition for our family, so let's all do our best to not slip just as things are beginning to pick up. After I learn Magia Erebea, there will be few enemies that can threaten our family, especially with Terra and Fenrir increasing their strength..." Though they were simple words, Vahn felt his confidence increasing greatly as a small smile appeared on his face. Looking around at everyone gathered together, each person an important part of his family, Vahn started to feel very motivated, saying, "Let's go to the Dungeon; we don't want to keep everyone waiting and there is much to do in preparation for the future!"

Vahn had raised his fists in excitement, an expectant glow in his that seemed to be infectious since many of the girls had a similar glow in theirs. Tiona and Tione immediately gave a 'Raaaaaah~!' warcry while Ais pumped her fists in imitation of Vahn, showing a very serious expression on her face the accompany the glimmer in her eyes. Lefiya had a muted response but a resolute fire had also been ignited in her since she knew Vahn would be teaching her magic soon. She wouldn't have the 'benefit' of Terra and Fenrir, but Lefiya believed she would be able to catch up if she worked hard. As for Haruhime and Mikoto, the former had an elegant smile on her face while the latter gripped her katana with an expectant glint in her eyes...

After they gathered all of their equipment, most of which was stored in Vahn's Inventory, they mounted Fafnir and flew to the rendezvous point at Babel Plaza. Vahn apologized to Fafnir for not being able to take it into the orb, as it would be required to stay and protect the Manor. Surprisingly, Fafnir hadn't been saddened by the news at all and simply said, ("It's okay, Eva will be with us forever in the future~.") in its characteristic childish tone. With Fenrir 'maturing', Fafnir would truly be the little 'brother' of the two, not that it seemed to be in any hurry to grow up. It was already happy just being able to fly around whenever it wanted while being able to spend time with everyone at the Manor, sometimes giving Tina a ride when she wanted to 'play'.

As they weren't in a hurry, the flight to Babel Tower took around five minutes before they landed in the designated area, where the Expedition was already formed up and ready to depart. Vahn jumped down to the ground with Ais, Tiona, Tione, Lefiya, Haruhime, and Mikoto in tow, each eager to enter the Dungeon. Finn, Gareth, and Bete were already gathered with the first two coming to greet Vahn while Bete skulked off towards where a petite Amazoness was waving. He was actually one of the people that volunteered to man the Supply Depot for six months so Lena was coming along, accompanying a small squad of Amazons that were being headed by Aisha. It was a little difficult for Vahn to accept, but many of the girls were acting as 'relief' in the Dungeon since it would be taxing for those stationed there if they didn't have a way to vent. Aisha wasn't part of it, however, as she claimed to be 'faithful' to Vahn ever since he had liberated them in the past.

Finn had an amiable smile on his face as he said, "Welcome, Vahn, you're just in time. Everything is ready so we're ready to leave when you give the command." Vahn was assigned as the 'leader' of the Expedition this time around, even though Finn would still be the one in charge during most situations. The difference in their experience was vast and Vahn had been the one to assign him to the position, only keeping the role that had been assigned to him since Loki wanted to 'promote' him more to increase his authority. Thus, with a confident smile on his face, Vahn nodded his head and said, "Very well, I'll trust that things are in order since you have a commendable track record, Finn."

Hearing Vahn's words, Finn just laughed and said, "Well, it's a lot easier this time around since you're carrying the majority of the supplies using your storage magic. When Loki-sama told me that you could fit several warehouses of materials in your storage, I was up all night staring at the stars, ahahaha." This time around, instead of carrying a massive amount of supplies on the wagons, they were mostly empty except for spare weapons, armor, and basic tools and supplies. They also had a larger number of people this time around, consisting of 638 people, the vast majority consisting of craftsman and laborers that had accepted very hefty payments to venture into the 39th Floor to build a 'Settlement'. Though it was a Supply Depot, it would undoubtedly become a relay point for Adventurers in the future so building the necessary infrastructure early on would make it easier to manage things later.

Before Finn could give the order to mobilize, Gareth began stroking his beard as he asked, "Where is the little lass, Fenrir? I find it difficult to believe she isn't coming along with us..." Vahn took a deep breath and released a small sigh before explaining, "She is within her magic core right now and will be rejoining us once she recuperates a bit." As Gareth had seen Vahn summon Fafnir in the past, he didn't have any trouble believing that Fenrir could also return to a core form, likely sitting in Vahn's 'storage'. Without any further questions, he moved to the lead with Finn as Vahn and the rest followed behind.

Everyone got into their places in the formation, Lefiya replacing Riveria as the primary Mage in the group while Haruhime acted in support of her. Mikoto joined up with the second team, under the command of Raul, while Vahn actually had the somewhat 'enviable' role of sitting on a carriage. Not only was he the 'leader' of the Expedition, but Vahn was also their 'supplies', meaning he needed to be protected by the bulk of the Expedition while he provided support with his archery, magic, and support skills. Many of the people present had joined the previous expedition so they didn't have any complaints at all, knowing Vahn would probably become their 'ace' during emergency situations. He had already been monstrously strong as a Level 3 so, now that he had reached Level 4, few people underestimated his power.

Shortly after he sat down, a very young boy approached Vahn, catching him off guard when he realized who it was. With raised brows, Vahn asked, "Alfonse? What are you doing here?" The young boy was the same 'Supporter' he had met when visiting the Twilight Manor in the past. The [001] he had given to him in the past was strapped to his back along with a backpack, signifying his role as a Supporter instead of a combatant. The fact that Vahn remembered his name made Alfonse smile to much that it distorted his relatively plain and youthful face a bit. In a somewhat high-pitched tone, as a result of his voice cracking, Alfonse said, "Ye-ES, I'm Alfonse! Thank you for remembering someone like me, Vahn-sama! I heard you were leading the Expedition and got permission to come along to gain experience!"

Vahn always had a good impression of this boy since his pure light elemental affinity was very rare and he seemed to be a good kid. Stroking his chin, Vahn felt like he had a bit of fate with this kid so he pulled a small bangle out of his Inventory and handed it over, saying, "This is a special item called a [Healing Bangle]. You may not be aware of it, but you have a very high affinity with light magic and healing, Alfonse. This will let you use a very elementary version of healing magic, though make sure you don't use it too much until your Magic increases, okay?" Alfonse practically turned into a statue when Vahn handed him yet another 'free' item. The effect was also something really amazing so Alfonse didn't even know how to respond as all the thoughts vanished from his mind.

Seeing his reaction, Vahn smiled and said, "Go rejoin your squad and stay alert so you don't miss any orders..." As he spoke, Finn had actually given the order for everyone to begin moving forward so Alfonse awakened from his reverie with a start. Bowing several times, Alfonse held the bangle in his hands like it was a great treasure as he said, "Thank you very much, Vahn-sama!" before running off to rejoin his squad. Vahn noticed the majority of them were young children, around the ages of 10-13 years old, and Alfonse actually seemed to be the leader of their group. Though he had a relatively plain face, Vahn didn't think it was a coincidence that, of the seven members in their group, five were girls while the only other guy seemed to be Alfonse's rival. Though he wasn't really old himself, Vahn couldn't help but smile and comment, "It's good to be young..." under his breath.

(A/N: Alternate Titles: 'Fenrir will train the hardest of all~!','Fafnir is surprisingly mature for its age...','Alfonse, Hero in Training~?')

(A/N: Since some people may be curious...

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[Healing Bangle]

Rank: C (Magic)

Slots: 0

P.Def: 18

M.Def: 40

Abilities: Lesser Elemental Healing(C), Magic Enhancer(H)

A simple bangle generally worn by Acolytes in a foreign record. Though anyone can use the bangle, it has the greatest effect when used by those with Light, Water, and Holy elemental affinities.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

https://www.patreon.com/user?u=14397149

paypal.me/Einlion

Discord Invite: https://discord.gg/Jwa8PKh


Kapitel 626: Request

With the 'monstrous' size of their Expedition party, the progress into the Dungeon was relatively slow since they had to clear through every Floor. Many of the people that specialized in carpentry, construction, and other trades, had never cleared to the 18th Floor and they couldn't simply be left behind. They were relying on the Loki Familia for protection and had accepted this commission with the guarantee that their protection would be the highest priority. This was also another one of Loki's 'plots', as she wanted to increase the number of 'normal' citizens that had ventured deeper into the Dungeon. When they returned to the Surface, they would be able to spread information among their colleagues that could be very beneficial for the Alliance.

Not only would their 'reputation' increase, especially if they could avoid casualties and encountering any dangerous situations, but it would also make people less fearful of the Dungeon. Many people, even Adventurers, simply gave up progressing into the Dungeon after earning a stable income. Since the 'goal' of the Alliance was to one day conquer the Dungeon entirely, setting up settlements along the way, they needed to greatly increase the number of people venturing further in. At the very least, they could increase the confidence tradesmen had in the Familias of the Alliance, potentially allowing them to create 'merchant caravans' that ventured deeper into the Dungeon to obtain goods. They would be making several rare items available within the Dungeon, adamantly refusing to 'transport' them on behalf of other businesses unless stringent contracts were signed beforehand.

Though it took a bit longer than expected, the Expedition managed to reach the 18th Floor, Rivira, after around ten hours, setting up camp near a lake to the west of the settlement. This time around, the number of people that wanted to make arrangements with the Loki Familia had increased exponentially because the current 'mission' had been highly publicized throughout the City. There were so many people in Rivira right now that several encampments could be seen all throughout the forest, each belonging to Familias that either wanted to profit from the Loki Familia or simply touch base with some of the more famous Adventurers. As the 'Leader' of the Expedition, Vahn actually had to meet with some of their representatives while Finn, fortunately, dealt with all the extra commissions.

Vahn was currently sitting with Haruhime and Mikoto at his sides while someone he hadn't expected to see had come to meet him. It was an intelligent looking woman with short aqua-blue hair, neatly arranged to frame her face with a strip of white in her bangs. She had cyan-blue eyes and was bespectacled, making her appear to be a calm and intelligent young woman. This was their first time meeting, but Vahn had recognized her unique look immediately, understanding this was none other than Asfi Al Andromeda, the 'Perseus' and Captain of the Hermes Familia.

At the same time Vahn was 'evaluating' her, Asfi was doing the same thing and she realized now why Hermes was always teasing her. Vahn was a very handsome boy and he radiated an air of mystery and 'danger' at the same time. He was much like a placid estuary that had powerful currents deep beneath the calm surface, threatening to swallow up anyone that carelessly treaded into his life. As a member of royalty, Asfi had been trained to discern the qualities of people from a young age so that she could select capable vassals. Though part of her whimsically thought about scouting Vahn, Asfi felt like she would quickly get wrapped up in his affairs instead. There was also the fact that he was the true 'heart' of the Alliance, causing Hermes to ask her to build an amicable relationship with him, if possible.

Not letting her emotions show on her face at all, Asfi maintained a calm and cool demeanor as she said, "Vahn Mason, Sage Aldrnari, Captain of the Hestia Familia, thank you for agreeing to meet with me on such short notice. I'm certain you're curious as to why I've approached you like this, thus I will get straight to the point so as to allay any concerns you may have. Simply put, I come carrying a message for you and have also been tasked to request, not the Expedition, but you personally to attend a matter. Though I would like to convey the details, I must ask that you agree to keep the information we discuss a secret amongst your people..." Asfi had also evaluated Mikoto and Haruhime, feeling a strange pressure for the young Renard girl while Mikoto gave her a similar feeling to Vahn. Compared to a deep river, however, Mikoto was more like a sheathed blade that was waiting to be drawn at a moment's notice...

Vahn brought his fingers to his chin, contemplating what possible reasons behind Hermes' decision to send Asfi here. Her presence meant the Hermes Familia, perhaps even Hermes himself, was likely present in Rivira. Unlike most gods, Hermes could freely enter the Dungeon because his Divinity allowed him to pass through without being restricted by barriers and such, going completely undetected by the Dungeon's defenses. Even in the Manga, he always seemed to be nearby, constantly pushing Bell further along his path to becoming a hero. Vahn wondered if the 'seemingly casual' god had taken a similar interest in him, though it was more than likely related to a task assigned by the Guild.

Deciding to test the waters a bit, Vahn asked, "Is it related to the Xenos...? Ah, don't worry, I can guarantee everyone here will keep the matter a closely guarded secret. I'm certain your god, Hermes, would attest to the fact that the people close to me can be trusted, especially in situations like this." Though her expression hadn't changed in the slightest, Vahn noticed Asfi's aura flare up and was pleased to have guessed, at least one of the reasons, for her being here. There had been a bit of turmoil in the City over the last few weeks and the Xenos were often talked about, generally in a negative light.

Asfi felt like her valuation of Vahn hadn't been high enough, as he seemed to be more intelligent than his 'honest' face showed. Recalling the fact that he was given the title of Sage and had also become the youngest [Master Smith] in history, Asfi decided she needed to treat Vahn in a more respectful and cautious manner. Without any great delay, Asfi nodded her head slightly and said, "It is indeed as you've guessed, Vahn..." Though she was going to address him by his full title and name, Asfi noticed the subtle change in Vahn's expression and realized he wasn't the type that liked to be talked up to. This was going to be a little more difficult than she expected...

Collecting herself in an instant, Asfi continued, "I have a parchment to pass to you, for your eyes only. As for the sender, even I am unaware as the parchment was given to me anonymously, including a sizeable payment and a simple explanation of the request. Please be cautious, as the parchment will likely burn as you read it..." Asfir passed over a very official looking scroll that was sealed with a red wax seal, showing a red, white, and black circle orbiting around what looked like a stone. Vahn couldn't discern anything from the mark though, given the fact the parchment was given to her anonymously and they still accepted the mission, Vahn suspected the person to make the request was Fels, Ouranos' subordinate.

Opening the scroll, Vahn felt a fluctuation of magical energy that seemed to be able to track where his eyes passed, meaning he only had one chance to read the message. Activating his [Eyes of Truth], Vahn quickly scanned the contents, confirming there was nothing strange attached to it before reading the message itself...

*Sage Aldrnari,

Be cautious of enemies within.

-F

Vahn was surprised by the very 'curt' message and felt that the expensive parchment used to carry it had been a gross waste of materials. However, he was able to obtain a great amount of information just by the '-F' signature at the end, almost confirming it was indeed Fels. Since it was coming from him, that meant Ouranos had likely discerned something and was cautioning him to pay attention, either to the enemies within the Dungeon, or potential enemies within the Expedition itself. This was the main reason he had most of the girls stay behind at the Manor this time around, as Vahn had already anticipated something might happen. The fact that the orb awakened at such a time was almost like the manifestation of karma's 'will', meaning he would likely face a trial in the near future.

The parchment burned into ashes, surprising Asfi a bit since Vahn didn't release it, even when the flames touched his fingers. Almost as if he was exploiting the gap in her thoughts, Vahn immediately asked, "Well, what request did you want to make, Asfi? If possible, I'd like to know who is making the request or it will make the rewards negotiations more difficult. The Hestia Familia isn't in the 'business' of working with anonymous clients, as we act very above-board because of our intent to remain a 'righteous' Familia."

Asfi nearly answered immediately, managing to collect herself just as the words reached her lips. She could tell Vahn was the type to try and control the 'momentum' of a conversation, though he didn't seem to be aware of it himself. This was likely the result of some 'training' he had received, with Loki being the first person that came to mind when she thought about it. So as not to cause any misunderstandings, Asfi blinked consciously before answering, "The request comes on behalf of the god of my Familia, Hermes-sama. If possible, we ask that you take one of our members down to the 39th Floor, personally guaranteeing their protection and allowing them to map the area. As for why the Hermes Familia didn't officially join the Expedition...it is because many of her members operate in secrecy and we try to conceal as much information as possible about our numbers and Levels. The person you'll be escorting won't be fighting unless there is an emergency situation that you're unable to deal with on your own..."

Vahn tilted his head slightly and thought about the request, wondering if there was actually any reason to accept it. The Hermes Familia was part of the Alliance so Vahn could simply give them a far more detailed map of the area if they requested it. This meant the person he would be escorting may have a secondary objective, perhaps sending a message or carrying an important object. Other than that, the only thing Vahn could think of was that Hermes was just trying to get someone close to him so they could 'spy' on him and the others. Squinting his eyes, Vahn asked, "Is the person I'm supposed to be escorting a cute girl...?"

Though it was a seemingly 'harmless' question, perhaps misleading some to simply think Vahn was a bit of a pervert, Asfi felt a bit shaken since she could tell he had guessed part of Hermes' objective. She had actually been planning to introduce several of their members to Vahn, allowing him to pick from amongst their group since it didn't matter who accompanied him. Seeing the subtle changes in his expression, Asfir could even tell Vahn was able to see through her slight perturbation and she suddenly felt like she had already walked a little too deep without realizing it. Stifling the desire to release a sigh, Asfi nodded politely and said, "Forgive me for being roundabout, but the member that was originally going to accompany you was me...I would not be so boastful as to call myself a cute girl, so please excuse me from having to comment on that."

Hermes had advised her that, if Vahn was able to see through their plan from the beginning, Asfi should conceal the fact that their people were in the area and accompany Vahn herself. Though she had some inhibitions about it, feeling as though Hermes had set her up somehow, Asfi realized the other girls wouldn't be able to deal with Vahn, nor would they be able to carry out their secondary objective. She could easily excuse herself from combat since, though she was recorded as a Level 4 with the Guild, she was far more famous as a craftsman and nobody would expect her to take to the frontlines.

Vahn was surprised by how 'adaptive' Asfi was, feeling very impressed by the stability of her character and the perceptiveness of her mind. Since he was sitting cross-legged, Vahn put his knee on his elbow and propped up his head, appearing to be thinking about it while maintaining eye contact with Asfi. He hadn't realized it himself, but Loki had indeed been 'grooming' him to make better use of his perception and better control conversations. She was afraid he would end up being fooled by someone, specifically other gods, so Loki had been 'priming' him during their conversations. Because of this, Vahn was able to see through and infer many things by the very subtle changes in Asfi's expression, body language, and aura. His [Eyes of Truth] had been active since earlier so he could even see her arteries pulsing and the flow of air in and out of her nose...

Asfi felt like she couldn't keep any secrets in front of Vahn, almost like his stark blue eyes could pierce straight through her. She had a strong desire to cover her chest, causing her fingers to twitch a little as Vahn continued to stare directly at her. He wasn't actually using his ability to see through objects right now, but Asfi didn't even know he had that capability or she very well might have tried protecting her dignity. Fortunately, she didn't have to withstand his intense gaze for much longer as the Renard to his right, who she knew as the 'legendary' Sanjouno Haruhime, began to laugh in a very elegant manner. Asfi felt like she was standing amongst her peers in the royal court when she saw Haruhime's behavior, deciding she needed to investigate the girl further after returning to the surface.

Vahn turned to Haruhime when he heard her laughing, curious about what she found so interesting about the current situation. Haruhime's pale golden eyes glimmered with a magical light as she said, "I think you should accept to escort her, Vahn...she seems like a very interesting girl and I think we can be 'good' friends in the future~." Much like Asfi, Haruhime had realized that the latter was definitely either a noble, or some other high-born woman. It was very obvious she had been trained in court etiquette and the way she carried herself, with her straight back and slightly raised chin, showed that she was accustomed to authority, both given and earned. Though it wasn't impossible she had 'learned' it from other sources, Asfi's behavior was too 'perfect' and Haruhime believed she would be a powerful ally in the future...

Squinting his eyes, Vahn smiled slightly since he could tell Haruhime was being a bit 'playful' and was likely teasing Asfi a bit. Since the latter was probably around twenty years old, Vahn found it kind of funny to see a fourteen-year-old girl teasing a mature beauty with a 'cool' disposition. Without pressuring Asfi any longer, Vahn turned his now-green eyes to her and said, "Well, I never really had any intention of refusing since the Hermes Familia was one of the first to join the Alliance. We haven't had the ability to collaborate much in the past so this is a good opportunity to better our understanding of each other, smoothening future cooperation between our Familias."

Though he couldn't be absolutely certain, Vahn felt like these events had been orchestrated by Hermes, someone Loki had cautioned him about several times in the past. It would be 'problematic' if Vahn couldn't accept escorting the Captain of an Allied Familia, especially since it wasn't a difficult task given the face the escort took place during the Expedition. He was positive Asfi had another reason for venturing into the Lower Floors as well, something Vahn was interested in as it likely related to the Xenos. It was a good opportunity to touch base with them, potentially paving the way for easier access to the Dungeon if they could make use of the hidden passages only Xenos could find.

Before Asfi had any chance to breathe, however, Vahn asked, "And, may I ask what the reward is? I don't mind escorting a 'beauty', but I have a feeling you aren't part of the payment. Or, perhaps you are...?" Asfi realized that Vahn was teasing her at this point and she felt like she had suddenly come across another Hermes-like person since she could tell he was both serious and playful at the same time. 'She' was indeed part of the reward, though not in the sense that Vahn's words might imply if someone heard him without understanding the context. Asfi realized his perception was far higher than even Hermes realized, as Vahn had even been able to glean insight into the reward before the negotiations even began.

Struggling to maintain her calm disposition, Asfi closed her eyes and stated in a cool monotone, "The Hermes Familia isn't in the best financial situation right now so I had agreed to assist in the production of a unique Magic item fitting the specifications you designate. As you are a [Master Smith], you likely have many rare materials that would be useful in making unique items that only someone with the [Mystery] Development Ability would be able to produce. In addition, we will also provide thirty of each, Burst Oil, Thunder Oil, and Healing Grenades, valued at 14,900,000 Valis." As Vahn would be providing the materials for the Magic Item, they obviously couldn't make that the only reward as they would become the laughing stock of the City if someone heard such ridiculous terms.

Because he had access to 'any' item through the system shop, Vahn would have been perfectly fine with just having Asfir create a Magic Item for him. He figured he could learn the [Mystery] Development Ability through observing her and, after checking the price of the three items she mentioned in the shop, Vahn saw he would save nearly 200,000 OP by accepting them. Without considering it in great detail, Vahn smiled and said, "Very well, I, Vahn Mason, will accept the request of the Hermes Familia to escort Asfi...Andromeda to the 39th Floor, protecting her safety until the Expeditions return..."

As he spoke, there were two realizations that took place, though for very different reasons. Asfi heard the pause in Vahn's words and, though some might misconstrue it to mean he had simply forgotten her name, Asfi knew he had 'stopped' himself from saying something else. She hadn't told him her middle name but, though she wasn't sure how he had figured it out, Vahn seemed to be aware of her origins. As for Vahn, he realized that he may not be able to actually keep his word to Asfi since he may have to return via [Heroes Reprieve], meaning she would be left behind when he teleported out...

Vahn furrowed his brows and decided to put his faith in Eva, as she would most certainly teach him Magia Erebea before he had to return to the surface. He also had the option of 'carrying' Asfi to the surface when the rallying whistle was blown, confident he could reach the exit in less than a day if he pushed himself. With the training he would undergo in the orb, Vahn didn't think it would be difficult at all, especially if he managed to contact the Xenos through Asfi. Resolving himself, Vahn looked to Asfi and said, "As you know, I'm currently expecting my children to be born within the next two months, meaning I may have to leave for the surface at a moments notice. In the event I am called back, we will have to break through to the surface in a single push...I can guarantee your safety, but you may have to suffer a few grievances in the process..."

Asfi inhaled slightly more than normal, having many questions pass through her mind that she was certain she couldn't ask outright. One of the reasons Hermes wanted someone to get close to Vahn was because he had many secrets and a variety of unknown capabilities. Asfi could infer, through his words, that Vahn had a means of communicating with the surface. He also seemed to have a method to make a three day trip within a single day, likely even just a few hours, which was both terrifying and exciting to think about. However, the 'grievances' he mentioned unnerved her a little bit, even though she nodded her head and said, "I understand...childbirth is very important and you should be at the sides of the mother's instead of holed up inside the Dungeon. If it comes to that, I will tolerate 'mild' grievances without blaming you..."

The truth of the matter was, Asfi also had a few means to pass through the Dungeon very quickly and, if things got 'bad', she could help guide Vahn out instead of following normal routes. Their Familia worked with some of the 'Xenos Refugees' on occasion so Asfi knew a few key passages that would allow them to skip a few floors. She also had her [Talaria], a pair of winged sandals that allowed her to fly, so they could outright skip the Great Falls area on the return trip. Vahn seemed to be an 'ally' of the Xenos so it wouldn't be a bad thing to allow him to interact with them in the future.

Vahn smiled, somewhat apologetically because he imagined using [Shundo] to run through the Dungeon, carrying Asfi in a princess carry for several hours. He thought she was an interesting woman but was currently in a phase where he wasn't really trying to start any new relationships. Since she seemed like an intelligent woman, Vahn figured they could be friends since she was loyal to the Hermes Familia and would likely return to her own country in the future. He could use this as an opportunity to potentially meet the Xenos while also being able to witness the [Mystery] Development Ability in action, two very beneficial things. Thus, without beating around the bush any further, Vahn matched gazes with Asfi and said, "I look forward to our cooperation, Asfi. Hopefully, the Hestia and Hermes Familias can get along well in the future..."

(A/N: Alternate Titles: 'Unexpected Guest','Battle of Perception, Vahn's Momentum','RIP Asfi-chan...')

https://www.patreon.com/user?u=14397149

paypal.me/Einlion

Discord Invite: https://discord.gg/Jwa8PKh


Load failed, please RETRY

Wöchentlicher Energiestatus

Stapelfreischaltung von Kapiteln

Inhaltsverzeichnis

Anzeigeoptionen

Hintergrund

Schriftart

Größe

Kapitel-Kommentare

Schreiben Sie eine Rezension Lese-Status: C625
Fehler beim Posten. Bitte versuchen Sie es erneut
  • Qualität des Schreibens
  • Veröffentlichungsstabilität
  • Geschichtenentwicklung
  • Charakter-Design
  • Welthintergrund

Die Gesamtpunktzahl 0.0

Rezension erfolgreich gepostet! Lesen Sie mehr Rezensionen
Stimmen Sie mit Powerstein ab
Rank 200+ Macht-Rangliste
Stone 133 Power-Stein
Unangemessene Inhalte melden
error Tipp

Missbrauch melden

Kommentare zu Absätzen

Einloggen

tip Kommentar absatzweise anzeigen

Die Absatzkommentarfunktion ist jetzt im Web! Bewegen Sie den Mauszeiger über einen beliebigen Absatz und klicken Sie auf das Symbol, um Ihren Kommentar hinzuzufügen.

Außerdem können Sie es jederzeit in den Einstellungen aus- und einschalten.

ICH HAB ES