Chapitre 1547: Capabilities

After docking her Airfish in a personalized hangar, Arika led Vahn to a location deep within the confines of the 'Sun Palace', the central hub of the Royal Palace Complex. She didn't waste time trying to explain the significance of any of the structures, and, much to his surprise, Vahn noticed there were very few people living inside the massive structure. In fact, it was similar to a ghost town, complete with a rather dreary and depressive atmosphere. There weren't even any guards, and, rather than rely on living servants or slaves, the Palaces' maintenance was left to doll-like automatons and a comprehensive network of enchantments that kept everything in a pristine state.

Though it was just a guess, Vahn imagined the cold and distant countenance of Arika was the direct result of the Royal Family's apparent isolation. Other than a few historical artifacts and the occasional painting, there were no gaudy ornamentations in the palace. There were also no Noble families outside of the Ostian Royal Family itself, so, unlike other nations, there was no infighting. Rather, there was a startling lack of corruptive elements within the place, almost as if the people within were far removed from the affairs and sensibilities of the outside world.

After mapping most of the Royal Palace, including several hidden areas that his domain failed to probe, Vahn found himself outside a chamber that was seemed to shine like the sun. It was drastically different than the rest of the palace, complete with a bed that was infused with tens of thousands of gems known as Sunstones. The frame of the bed, formed from a silvery-gold alloy of Mithril and Sacred Gold, would be enough to fund the military spending of an entire nation for ten years.

Though it might seem excessively gaudy, Vahn knew the true purpose of the bed was simply to preserve the life of its inhabitant, a frail-looking woman with features similar to Arika, albeit far more mature. Had her cheeks not sunken in, giving her a vaguely skeletal appearance, she would have easily been a world-class beauty. Instead, she looked like someone with two feet in the grave, her body emaciated to the point that her joints were thicker than the limbs they supported...

Despite appearing at though she was awaiting the arrival of the Reaper, the woman's eyes still shone with a considerable amount of vitality. Her heterochromatic eyes showed absolutely no signs of fear or resignation, the emotions commonly seen in the nearly-deceased. Instead, her eyes reflected incredible wisdom, compassion, and a small amount of curiosity. If she still had the ability to speak, Vahn had no doubt she would have greeted him cordially despite having no idea who he was...

Approaching her mother's side, Arika showed the closest thing to an emotion Vahn had seen, her brows furrowing slightly in consternation as she explained, "Mother, this man is called the Sage Dragon Emperor. Though I know little about him, his connection with the Elementals is unlike anything I have ever seen. He claims to be able to treat your condition. It might be due to my inexperience, but I have chosen to believe his words..."

Hearing her daughter's explanation, the sickly woman, Anarchia Entheofushia, offered a weak smile as she tried and failed to squeeze her daughter's hand. She wanted to say that her time had come, but, seeing the hope contained within her usually expressionless daughter's gaze, she didn't mind humoring her. She could also sense something peculiar about the man who was closely observing her with pale-golden eyes. It was almost as if he could see through all the truths of the world, but, rather than make her feel uncomfortable, a sense of relief spread through her tired body.

Interpreting her mother's smile as consent, Arika hardened her heart before looking back at Vahn and saying, "I have placed my trust in you. If you try-"

As he had long since grown tired of hearing such arbitrary threats, Vahn raised his hand to silence Arika, stating, "Do not insult me. You will come to learn that the promise of the Sage Dragon Emperor carries more weight than you can possibly imagine. I have stated I can cure your mother, and I will do just that. By bringing me here, you have already proven your worth as a Queen. Do not insult both of us by questioning your own judgment. Now, step aside."

Though she was not fond of being interrupted and chided, Arika gave an understanding nod before following obediently moving aside. She wasn't entirely sure why, but his authoritative and firm tone made her feel at ease. She had never had anything like a father figure, so, for a very brief moment, Arika's wondered whether or not this was how it felt to be chided by your father...

Unaware of Arika's thoughts, Vahn approached the sickly Anarchia, a comforting smile on his face as he explained, "I will try to avoid anything too invasive, but you may have to suffer a bit of indignity. Don't worry, once I've cured you, you'll have plenty of time to find it in your heart to forgive me..."

Ignoring the icy gaze burrowing into the back of his skull, Vahn gingerly picked up Anarchia's wrist, testing her pulse and scanning her body directly. It didn't take him long to find out what the problem was, explaining, "You overtaxed the energy hidden within your blood, causing an imbalance that your magical energy could not supplement. Now, in order to sustain itself, the energy in your blood is consuming your vitality directly, drastically reducing your lifespan..."

Hearing Vahn's prognosis, Arika took it upon herself to explain, "Two years ago, Mother used her power to preserve the life of her younger sister during childbirth. A few months after that, she fell very ill and no doctors had been able to explain the reason why. Is what you say really the truth?"

Without turning to meet Arika's gaze, Vahn plainly stated, "Though I understand the reason, I have grown weary of people questioning my skills. You have my gratitude for the information, but, if you are going to continue asking me questions, please leave the room..."

Though he could understand why people would be concerned when the matter concerned a person they loved, he would never understand how they justified pestering him when he was already in the middle of treatment. Nothing he said ever allayed their concerns, and, if not for his supreme level of focus when it came to performing medical treatments, there was always a chance their meddling could lead to tragedy.

Sensing the severity in Vahn's tone, Arika loosely balled her hands into fists before choosing to remain silent. He seemed to know what he was talking about, so, at least for the time being, she decided to simply observe. If he ended up failing, however, she decided she would break most of the bones in his body before turning him over to the Academy Medical Center, giving apprentice physicians a chance to work with a critical patient...

---

With Arika no longer providing any distractions, Vahn began to infuse his Source Energy into Anarchia's body. It would be infinitely better if he removed her clothes and treated each part of her body directly, but, knowing this wouldn't end well, he decided to focus on stabilizing her condition. Additional treatments could come later, and, while it was possible to heal her in a single sitting, Vahn felt it would be less jarring if he took his time. Anarchia would require a long period of rehabilitation just to restore the condition of her body, so there was no need to rush things.

Feeling strength gradually return to her body, despite the fact Vahn was just holding onto her wrist, various thoughts began to race through Anarchia's mind. She actually felt like he wasn't using his full capabilities, seemingly out of consideration for her state. Despite this, she could feel warmth and feeling returning to her limbs. She could even feel a burning sensation in her legs and toes, appendages that had started to turn gangrenous over the past few days. She had even been able to wiggle her toes slightly, something that should have been impossible due to their previous state of decay.

Feeling Anarchia guide her intent through her own body, Vahn, with his eyes closed, gently squeezed her wrist, whispering, "I understand your surprise, but you shouldn't interfere with my treatment. Relax your mind and leave your body to me. By the time I'm finished with this preliminary treatment, you will even be able to walk around. Remain patient and let me do my job..."

Hearing Vahn's words, Anarchia had a lot she wanted to say, and, based on the sore feeling in her throat, she knew it was possible for her to speak. Instead, she followed the example of her daughter, remaining silent and simply letting the mysterious man treat her aching body. Prior to his treatment, the only thing she felt was a tremendous amount of fatigue and an agonizing cold. Now, warmth had returned to her body, and, though it brought a considerable amount of pain, a relaxed smile could be seen blossoming across her face...

---

Nearly twelve hours after his treatment had begun, a small amount of sweat had accumulated on Vahn's brow. He had kept his Magia Erebea constitution sealed whenever he wasn't night-lighting as Eva, so, contrary to his usual self, he could experience fatigue. More than physical, however, he was experiencing mental and spiritual exhaustion.

Though it might look like he was just holding onto Anarchia's wrist, it took an extreme amount of focus to guide his energy through the complex pathways of a human's body while only holding their wrist. It was similar to trying to 'imagine' the structure of the human body in its entirety, accounting for more than seven-trillion nerves and an even more ridiculous number of cells...

Fortunately, Vahn had the experience of literally creating bodies from scratch, including his own, so he was one of the best suited to such a difficult task. If he wanted to, he could create an entirely new body for Anarchia to inhabit, one that was indistinguishable from her current form. This, however, was something he would only do under very specific circumstances, not something he would do just to treat an imbalance of energy...

To his surprise, Vahn could sense Arika pull out a handkerchief in order to wipe his brow, but, as it had already been twelve hours, he took the initiative to remove his hand, using his sleeve to be rid of the perspiration. This caused her to quickly conceal the handkerchief, and, as if he hadn't noticed it, Vahn focused on Anarchia, explaining, "You are undoubtedly aware of it, but I cannot treat your body by just holding your wrist. Even without further treatment, however, it is possible for you to make a full recovery. So long as you focus on your rehabilitation and eat healthy foods, you should be able to move around freely in around four months."

Surprising her daughter, Anarchia rose to a seated position, a subtle smile on her face as she asked in a very dry voice, "Tell me...how long...if you help...?"

Before answering the Queen's question, Vahn pulled out a cup of mellow tea, helping her to drink it as he explained, "If I am able to make use of all my techniques, you would be able to make a full recovery in as little as two weeks. Treating your body would only take a day, but, in order to recuperate completely, you will need to slowly increase your food intake until you are able to fully process the nutrients within. Your body is still unstable, and, if you are not careful, there is a chance you will relapse."

Having wetted her parched throat, Anarchia gave an understanding nod before eloquently stating, "My daughter was wise to have placed her trust in the Sage Dragon Emperor. Though I know not if there is anything you desire, the Ostian Royal Family owes you a great debt. Lest it endangers our people, know we will do everything in our power to repay your kindness."

Surprising both women, Vahn waved his hand in a dismissive manner, remarking, "My skills as a physician would be wasted if I didn't use them to help good people. Things like money and favor have no value to existences such as myself. If your family wishes to repay me, you need only to continue being kind and caring to all peoples. Now, more than ever before, the world needs the caring and compassionate to guide the people through these trying times."

Awed by Vahn's benevolence, Anarchia securely stowed his words in her heart before saying, "The words of the Sage Dragon Emperor are a great honor. I will carry them with me until the end of my days, passing their significance onto the generations that follow."

Hearing her mother's words, Arika also nodded her head, affirming that she had also taken them to heart. She even felt ashamed of the fact she had ever questioned Vahn's credibilities, as, seemingly without any effort at all, he had been able to heal her mother. This elevated his status to a level she couldn't even fully comprehend, igniting her curiosity like an inferno...

Seemingly just as curious, Anarchia went on to say, "I am curious, however...where does the Sage Dragon Emperor come from? I mean no offense, but I have never had the pleasure of hearing about your eminence prior to today..."

Waving his hand once again, Vahn shamelessly stated, "Let me backtrack a bit. If possible, I'd like to dismiss with formalities. I am very proud of my title as Sage Dragon Emperor, but I have never been fond of excessive politeness. My actual name is Vahn Aldrnari Mason. As people I have come to recognize, you can simply call me Vahn. As for my origin, that is a complicated matter I can't really talk about. Just know that I am not from this world, my Empire does exist, and, yes, I am an Ancient Dragon. In fact, I am something a little bit higher than that, though, based on a variety of circumstances, I can't clarify how."

Though she was a little surprised by the sudden change in tone, Anarchia still managed an, "I see..." before adding, "Very well, Vahn. Please, feel free to call me Ana from now on. Though it goes against my principles to address someone outside the Royal Family without formalities, I believe this is a suitable situation to allow an exception. You are the benefactor that had saved my life, and, were it mine to give, I would have willingly dedicated my remaining days to your service. It is a shame, but, so long as I draw breath, I must attend my people."

Hearing Ana's words, Vahn issued a light chuckle before winking playfully as he said, "That is a real shame. Fortunately, like your people are lucky to have you, I am fortunate to have quite a number of people at my side. It might be a little shameless of me to admit, but my Imperial Harem has nearly reached a hundred people. I might not have any trouble ensuring their happiness, but I do feel a little guilty whenever I get involved with another woman."

Though harems weren't particularly rare, both Anarchia and Arika were a little shocked by the 'boldness' of Vahn's statement. They both got the impression he was messing with them, but, at the same time, his words carried a sincere undertone. As a result, Arika felt as if her hands had become slightly clammy while Anarchia, more experienced with such things, internally remarked, ("A Dragon, indeed...")

(A/N: Alternate Titles: 'Vahn about to give this woman eternal youth out of spite xD','Listen to this guy complaining. It's only seven-trillion nerves and thirty-trillion cells. Ezpz','It seems like Vahn had grown more honest and direct...')

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Chapitre 1548: Secrets : Simple

In order to complete Ana's treatment, Vahn ultimately accepted her offer to reside within one of the many empty rooms of the palace. There were a number of things he was curious about, but, more than anything else, he wanted to bait out Cosmos Entelecheia. He would not allow them to bring Ostia to ruin, as, despite its flaws, it was easily the most progressive Kingdom in the Magical World. It served as an example of what the other countries could be, so, in lieu of expanding his Empire, he could lend them a bit of support in the hopes of making the world a better place.

Fortunately, due to how empty the palace complex was, Medusa didn't seem to mind staying for a few days. She even seemed to get along relatively well with most members of the Royal Family, largely due to the fact they were very taciturn by nature. They could speak eloquently when the situation called for it, but, unlike 'normal' people, they would spend hours at a time just sitting in silence, even when others were present. It was almost like they had no emotions or personalities, only coming to life when they were required to fulfill their duties as members of the Royal Family...

In total, despite a history that dated back to the establishment of Mundus Magicus, there were only five members of the Royal Family. These were the former Queen, Anarachia, her younger sister, who was actually her niece, Vesperina, the incumbent Queen, Arika, and the daughter of Vesperina, a two-year-old girl with red pigtails and a perpetually blank expression, Asuna. As for the final member of the Royal Family, Vahn only knew that she existed, something Ana had attested to but could speak no further of.

The Ostian Royal Family seemed to hold a number of secrets, but, the ones which stood out the most were the methods in which they ruled and their manner of reproduction. There were no Ministers anywhere within the palace complex, and, though there were quite a number of influential people within Ostia itself, the Royal Family seemed to have absolute authority in all state, civil, and military affairs.

From Vahn's perspective, the Ostian Royal Family were closer to Gods than a traditional family of Aristocrats. They seemed to solely produce female Descendents, and, after getting to know both of them, Vahn learned that neither Arikia or Asuna had a father. When he tried to inquire further, he was surprised to learn from Anarchia that, depending on the needs of the people and the state of the world, they would naturally produce offspring...

---

The more he interacted with the Ostian Royal Family, the more incongruities Vahn noticed in regards to their existence. They were great rulers who cared about their people and the state of the Magical World as a whole, but, much like Greater Spirits or Gods, they seemed to exist only to fulfill their purpose. He could tell they weren't completely emotionless, as even Asuna had her fair share of quirks, but they willingly suppressed their own wants and needs in order to better serve the duties and responsibilities assigned to them.

Even without exposing the truth, it wasn't difficult to extrapolate that the Ostian Royal Family had basically been 'programmed' to think and behave a certain way. Their lineage could be traced back to the Mage of the Beginning herself, so the most likely truth was that they had, quite literally, been created to govern the Magical World. They were simply too perfect as rulers, and, based on the orderly structure of their nation, despite the lack of Ministers, it was obvious there were other factors at play to ensure peace and stability were maintained.

With his knowledge of both the past and future, Vahn felt the existence of the Ostian Royal Family was a little strange. The fact they existed at all showed that, at some point in time, the Mage of the Beginning wasn't evil. Rather, according to legend, Mundus Magicus had been created specifically to escape hatred and persecution back on Earth. It was intended to be a Utopia where Mages could live in peace and harmony, coexisting with nature and enjoying a life free from suffering.

Vahn couldn't be certain when it had happened, but, at some point in relatively recent history, the Mage of the Beginning had simply given up on trying to create a paradise. She seemed to have grown jaded, and, based on his own experiences, Vahn could understand why. Creating a perfect world was simply impossible as the Universe itself always sought to create a balance between positive and negative karma. This was inarguably one of the most frustrating truths about the world, and, if you have a compassionate or empathetic nature, you were bound to face countless difficulties on your quest to ensure the happiness of others.

As someone walking a similar path, Vahn could empathize with the difficulties that had been faced by the Mage of the Beginning. He still couldn't condone what she had done, however, so, regardless of the truth, they would likely remain enemies. She likely had a number of ways to justify her actions, but, with the fate of every resident of Mundus Magicus on the line, there was little chance they could reach a compromise. At this point, it was better for her to die and reincarnate, freeing her from the broken existence she had become after straying too far from the path she had initially decided upon...

---

Thirteen days after his arrival in Ostia, Vahn could be found in what some would consider a rather scandalous position. He had Ana, now looking more beautiful than ever, laying naked atop one of his massage tables. His hands moved slowly but with purpose as he meticulously massaged each of her major muscle groups. She had just recently finished an arduous session of rehabilitation so he was helping to loosen up her muscles while also removing any negative sequelae that may have appeared after pushing her recovering body to its limits...

As was often the case during times like this, Vahn had an attentive audience of expressionless people watching from the side. These were obviously Arika, the near-identical, albeit far more mature, Vesperina, and, the only one with truly distinct features, Asuna. Unlike everyone else, the doll-like two-year-old had reddish-orange hair that was neatly tied, using golden ribbons, into pigtails. Even her eye color was inverted, making her left a sapphire blue and her right an emerald green, the exact opposite of the golden-haired beauties surrounding her.

With his knowledge of the future, Vahn knew Asuna played a major role in the plans of Cosmo Entelecheia. Though the details were not recorded in history, things such as her rescue during the Great Magic War and her future as one of the great heroes of the Magical World had been written down and passed into legend. This was no real surprise, as, after meeting her for the first time, Vahn had been gobsmacked at just how powerful the flow of fate around Asuna was compared to virtually everyone else...

Though Arika's own fate was noteworthy, it was inconsequential compared to the tiny girl that, over the last few days, had followed Vahn virtually everywhere. It was like comparing a puddle that formed after the rain to a literal ocean, and, after having her follow him around for a few days, Vahn felt as if his own fate was beginning to mix into the powerful flow that followed the admittedly adorable girl everywhere she went. He could, of course, simply ignore this, but, as it seemed like she would experience great tragedy if he left her alone, Vahn had been doting on Asuna quite a bit over the past two weeks...

After firmly pressing into the final few pressure points of Ana's body, causing a drawn-out sigh to escape her lips, Vahn pulled two towels out of thin air, one for himself and one for her as he said, "At this point, you could probably live for another hundred years without any problems. I have enjoyed these little sessions of ours, but, unfortunately, all good things must come to an end."

Hearing Vahn's words, Ana rose to a seated position, dabbing away her sweat without actually trying to cover her naked body as she said, "That is truly unfortunate. I have grown rather fond of these treatments. Your skills are truly befitting the title of 'Godhand'."

Having grown accustomed to Ana's praise, Vahn shamelessly nodded his head, adding, "But of course. I am no braggart, so, if I say my skills are unrivaled, it is an objective truth. Though I might pale in comparison to some specialists, my overall skill is something even gods would envy."

Amused by Vahn's words, Ana adopted a hint of a smile as she muttered, "Ah, yes, how could I forget such a simple truth? This Queen is grateful for the Sage Dragon Emperor's lesson..."

In response to Ana's words, Vahn theatrically puffed his chest out while raising his chin high enough that he could stare directly at the ceiling. Then, after several seconds of silence, it was Asuna who stated, "Bad acting..." in a small voice. This shattered the tensions, causing Vahn to chuckle lightly as Ana, Vesperina, and Arika all adopted slight smiles...

---

While waiting for Ana to return from her bath, Vahn, alongside Medusa, was preparing a meal for everyone as Arika and Asuna closely observed from the side. He had grown used to being observed by the taciturn duo over the last two weeks, so, while it was a little strange, Vahn let them do as they pleased. He knew they were simply curious, and, with little to do but research and train, they had made a habit of simply observing how he lived and behaved.

When Vahn had first arrived in the palace, all food had been prepared automatically using a very advanced kind of Magic that automated the entire process from ingredient preparation to dishwashing. The tools had literally operated themselves, moving as though a full staff of ghosts had been preparing the meals. It was quite a sight to behold, but, after just two days of eating bland yet nutritious food, Vahn had decided to take matters into his own hands. Since then, he and Medusa had prepared food for everyone in the palace, adding variety and flavor to the colorless lives of the machine-like women...

Smelling the fragrant aroma wafting through the kitchen, Asuna's tiny nose twitched a few times before she monotonously asked, "Vahn, what are you making...?"

Hearing the expected question, Vahn issued a light chuckle before pulling out a ladle filled with a creamy red liquid and saying, "Come and have a taste. Be careful, though, as it is still a little hot."

Without further questioning, Asuna hopped off the counter in a rather nimble fashion before making her way over to the proffered ladle. Then, like a rabbit or a tiny kitten, she spent a few seconds just sniffing at the unknown substance before very tentatively licking a small amount. This caused her eyes to immediately widen, not because it was hot, but because it was much sweeter than expected.

Enjoying the reaction of the usually expressionless girl, Vahn adopted a teasing smile as he explained, "This is my special curry blend, combining both sweet and savory flavors in a way that is appealing to both children and adults. Is it suitable for the Princess' palate~?"

Adopting a tiny frown, Asuna, who was only around 86cm tall, looked directly at him as she stated, "I don't like it when you call me Princess."

After placing the ladle back into the pot, causing a defeated atmosphere to permeate around Arika, Vahn gently ruffled Asuna's hair, saying, "Sorry, sorry, I was just teasing you a bit. Don't be too upset, okay, Asuna...?"

Further completing the illusion of a cat, Asuna closed her eyes whenever she received head pats, her mouth forming a shape similar to an inverted v as she enjoyed his habitual display of affection. She only responded when he pulled his hand away, opening her eyes with a slightly aggrieved look as she muttered, "Okay..." before scampering over to where Arika was being moody.

Seeing the look in the expressionless young woman's eyes, Vahn maintained his smile as he picked up another ladle and asked, "Mind giving me your impression as well, Arika? When it comes to the food everyone enjoys together, the more input I have, the better it will be."

Though it didn't show on her face, Arika seemed more than happy to give her input, walking over with graceful yet hasted steps before answering, "I understand. Since you go out of your way to prepare delicious meals for everyone, this is the least I can do."

Since Arika had come over a little too quickly, the curry was still a little too hot to sample for a normal person. Vahn could have let her burn her tongue, but, knowing every member of the Royal Family had what some referred to as a 'cat's tongue', he moved the ladle away from her face and said, "Woah now, no need to rush. Let it cool down a bit before you taste it. It would be difficult to give your opinion if you end up burning your tongue..."

Though she was near twice the height of Asuna, 163cm tall, Arika still had to turn her head up if she wanted to make eye contact with Vahn. This gave her expressionless face the quality of a girl pouting as she plainly asked, "Do you enjoy teasing me so?"

Ignoring Arika's accusation, Vahn made a small swirl with his finger, creating a miniature air current to rapidly cool down the curry before presenting it to her and saying, "Let me know what you think."

Though she still felt as though Vahn was teasing her, Arika only hesitated for a few seconds before sampling the curry. The first thing she noticed, other than the rich yet sweet flavor, was that the ladle was still a little hot. This made her feel a little guilty, but, knowing there was a fair chance he was still teasing her, she ultimately withheld her apology, saying, "It is a very sweet yet mellow flavor...did you mix in coconut...and some kind of fruit?"

Shaking his head, Vahn explained, "You might taste something similar to mango, but that is a combination of the cumin powder, ginger, and honey. These would normally be even more mellow, but, by producing the curry powder using ingredients rich with magical energy, it is possible to create a balance between the flavors. So, what do you think...?"

As if it was a serious matter, Arika lowered her head in contemplation for nearly a full minute before ultimately nodding her head and saying, "It is good. Thank you for letting me sample it."

Choosing not to comment about how long it took for Arika to say something so simple, Vahn just smiled before lightly ruffling the young woman's hair as he said, "You're welcome, Arika."

(A/N: Alternate Titles: 'Two empaths on a collision course','Vahn is like a strange creature to these girls xD...','Arika wants to be spoiled (UwU)...')

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