With the arrival of a new dawn, Vahn found himself seated upon his Throne with his eyes closed and his back straight. Around him, standing at the various level he had established for each different Soul Tier, the vast majority of the castle's residents stood in attendance. It looked a little awkward, as they were spread out quite a bit, but it also put things in perspective and served as a powerful motivator to some.
Today was a historic day for the Empire as, any minute now, he would be holding Court for the first time. This would also be his first official audience within the Nasuverse and Vahn was curious as to how the representatives of the Fae would act. He, fortunately, had the aid of Vivian in reaching out to each group so, with the exception of the Sylphs, the others had agreed readily to an audience. As for the latter group, Merlin managed to get them to attend by essentially calling them cowards who were afraid to face the Sage Emperor.
Vahn was expecting a bit of trouble from the representative of the Sylphs but, as this was already a foregone conclusion, he didn't particularly mind Merlin's scheme. It wasn't as if he intended to make the Fae bow to his will. His primary goal was to try and establish cooperation between the Empire and the Fae. Other than that, he would inform them of the laws they needed to follow as citizens of Avalon, lest they are driven out and exiled to their former homes.
After thinking about the various ways in which things could develop, Vahn opened his eyes to take in a view of his surroundings one last time before they began. He had Artoria, Kenshin, and Lakshmibai standing on the level closest to him, causing Vahn to feel comforted by their smiles. Though it was a little strange to have his Empress and Queen-Empress Consorts standing, it would ruin the symbolic nature of the Throne Room if he had more than one Throne at this point. This would change in the future but, at least for the time being, it represented a burden that only he could bear.
As Vahn looked around the area, his eyes briefly settled on Mordred and Sakura, causing his smile to widen marginally as he saw the fighting spirit in the former's eyes. She currently only had a Tier 3 soul so she had a long way to go before being able to reach the Throne, despite being the Imperial Princess. When she saw him smiling at her, however, Mordred returned one of her own and, if not for the fact she would get a very long lecture for it, she might have even shouted out to make her ambitions known.
Vahn gave an approving nod in response to her resolve, causing Mordred to proudly puff out her non-existent chest, now more evident than ever due to the fact she was wearing a dress. Since she could only attend his Court as the Imperial Princess, she had to dress the part. Because of this, Vahn got to see Mordred wearing a ruby-red princess gown, complete with an ornate tiara. Her wild hair had also been tamed for the event, giving her an appearance almost indiscernible to her mother's, albeit a little younger. As for Sakura, she was wearing a sapphire-blue dress, as if to contrast the one her older sister was wearing. Instead of one neat bun at the back of her head, she had two tidy buns atop her head in the odango-style, making her look even more adorable than normal.
Seeing that he was looking directly at her, Sakura actually gave a small curtsy, causing Vahn to repress a chuckle as he internally remarked how mature she was. Though this also troubled him a bit, as she had recently started trying to spend more time with Galahad than Mordred, Vahn didn't think there was any cause for concern.
Sakura was a sensible girl so, while she might be experiencing puppy love, Vahn didn't expect she would seriously pursue the man who was more than twenty years her senior. At the very least, he didn't have to worry for another six or seven years and, with Galahad's nature, that number was probably closer to ten or twenty. With that thought in mind, Vahn gave a brief glance toward the pale-haired Knight, earning a small bow from him in turn.
After returning a small nod of his own, Vahn took a deep breath as, toward the entrance to the Throne Room, several figures had started to congregate. Once they had all been arranged, the large double-doors were opened, revealing several Homunculi wearing white and gold armor, adorned with feathers and the relief of a dragon, phoenix, tiger, and turtle. This was the design Da Vinci had come up with for his Knights, albeit with a few different variations depending on rank.
With the group of Homunculi forming two neat columns along the stairs descending toward the Throne, Gawain announced in a loud tone that echoed within the chamber, "The representative of the Dwarves, Gwent Silvervein, and company, has arrived at the behest of his Imperial Majesty, the Sage Emperor, Vahn Aldrnari Mason."
After Gawain's announcement, a short and stout man with a dark-grey beard nearly reaching the floor waddled into the Throne Room. His beard was adorned with several braids and accessories while, at his sides, four other Dwarves, each accompanied by a Vulcanae, a Lesser Flame Elemental. Vahn had learned that this particular tribe of Dwarves had made a pact with the Vulcanae around the same time that most of the Fae retreated to the Reverse Side of the World. This meant, for the last two-thousand years, they had lived alongside each other, maintaining a mutualistic relationship between their respective races.
From the perspective of the Dwarves and Vulcanae, who were just now meeting Vahn for the first time, the former felt a mountainous pressure while the latter, attuned to nature, actually saw him in a very positive light. All Elementals were drawn to concentrated energy sources so, with Vahn's body being comprised of Source Energy, he was like an oasis in the middle of the desert to them. If not for their pacts with the Dwarves, they might have even danced happily around him, bathing in the aura that intimidated others.
Once the party had arrived before him, Vahn was somewhat surprised when Gwent bowed low, as the Dwarves were known for their somewhat arrogant and haughty natures. He couldn't help but wonder what Vivian had said to them but, as this wasn't the time to ponder over such things, he simply smiled in response to the respectful display while stating in a deep and resonant tone, "It pleases us to see you and your company in good health, Lord Silvervein. Tell us, have you had any issues adapting to Avalon's climate?"
Shaking his head while keeping his eyes lowered, Gwent answered in an even deeper tone than Vahn, sounding much like the rumbling of the earth as he stated, "It's been a blessing to call Avalon our home for the last month. We have no complaints, only admiration for His Majesty." As these words left his mouth, Gwent felt an even greater amount of pressure, even though Vahn wasn't doing anything to suppress him.
Seeing the sweat glistening on the man's brow, Vahn squinted his eyes slightly, wondering why they seemed so nervous. What he didn't account for was the fact that, as Spirits attuned to Nature, they were extremely sensitive to the presence of Alaya and ORT, even though the two were kept their presences masked. From their perspective, though Vahn himself seemed rather harmless, there was an aura around him that seemed to promise, not just death, but complete annihilation.
In the face of an existence that could squash them in an instant, despite any attempts to resist, they could only swallow their pride and lower their heads. The only reason the Vulcanae were unaffected by the two Tier 5 entities was due to the fact they were far more sensitive to intentions and, with Vahn showing no hostility, only positive vibes, they felt extremely calm.
To alleviate the strange tension in the air, Vahn gave a small nod before saying, "Please, rise, all of you." Then, after waiting for them to stand, Vahn gestured to his surroundings, asking, "What do you think of our creation? With the unrivaled prestige of the Dwarves when it comes to forging, crafting, and construction, we are curious to know how you evaluate our Throne Room." Though he intended to befriend the Dwarves through competition and trade in the future, Vahn wanted to see how they would react after knowing he had constructed the Throne Room on his own.
Hearing Vahn's question, Gwent and his fellow Dwarves began to look around the area, their eyes glimmering with runes that were imperceptible to most. After this process came to an end, Gwent began to stroke his beard habitually as he answered, "The place was constructed masterfully. There are some parts that even I can't see through. Though our best could easily make something better, the Artisan you tasked with constructing this Throne Room deserves praise."
Realizing that Gwent hadn't understood the implication in his words, Vahn gave a light chuckle that caused the group of Dwarves to begin sweating nervously. He then adopted an amused smile as he said, "Thank you for your kind words, Lord Silvervein. Though it may come as a surprise to you, this chamber had been constructed by myself and no others."
With Vahn literally spelling it out for him, Gwent understood what he was trying to say, causing his face to pale slightly as he added, "Your Majesty is truly gifted in the arts. Even some of our Masters may not be able to contend against you..." This remark caused Vahn to laugh once again, resulting in Gwent allowing his words to trail off as he swallowed a lump in his throat. Though it seemed like the Emperor before him was acting very casually, he felt like there were thousands of spears at his back as he was forced to walk ever-closer to the edge of a cliff.
Understanding that his actions were only unnerving the group unnecessarily, Vahn stopped trying to ease the tensions, stating in a calm tone of voice, "Our purpose in requesting your presence here is to establish friendly relations with the Dwarves and Vulcanae. If you intend the permanently settle within Avalon, you will be considered citizens of the Aldrnari Empire. To that effect, there are certain laws that all citizens must follow to ensure the safety and security of all peoples and species who come to reside here. Avalon is intended to be a Sanctuary for the Fae and all persecuted species so there must be order to avoid conflict."
Now that Vahn was acting more like an Emperor, Gwent, and co, were able to breathe a sigh of relief as the former answered, "Queen Effe had entrusted us the task of ascertaining whether or not Avalon can be the home Merlin had promised. So long as our pride is respected, we are willing to adhere to the laws of the land. However, though we agree to become citizens of the Empire, know that we will not become the tools to forge weapons and armaments for the purpose of war and conquest."
Since Vahn was aware of the terms of the pact between the Dwarves and Vulcanae, he already knew it would be difficult to convince them to produce weapons. As the weapons they produced were an extension of themselves, there had been an incalculable number of Dwarves corrupted by mankind using their creations to wage endless conflict. To preserve their already diminishing numbers, they had made a pact with the Vulcanae, becoming builders and protectors, not destroyers.
Without any hesitation, Vahn gave a solemn nod in response to Gwent's words before stating, "The purpose of the Empire is to protect its citizens, not the other way around. Though we may ask your people to assist in the construction of houses and fortifications, know that, as citizens of the Empire, it is far more important to us that you are able to live free and happy lives. Do what you believe is best for your people, so long as it does not endanger the security and livelihoods of other citizens."
After Vahn finished speaking, he looked toward Gareth waiting on the second level, causing her to perk up as she quickly descended the steps and handed a scroll to Gwent. She then gave a very low bow towards Vahn before running back up the stairs to resume her place.
Adding on to his previous statement, Vahn looked toward Gwent, explaining, "It is not our intention to force you to pledge your allegiance here and now. That scroll dictates all of the laws your people will be expected to follow. You will be given a month's time to review the terms before we personally visit to hear your response. Know that, regardless of your final decision, the Empire will always be the ally of the Fae. Though you will be asked to leave the Island, we will guarantee your safety until you reach the domain of the Fairy Queen."
Understanding that his time was coming to an end, Gwent held the scroll in his hands as if it was an important treasure as he bowed respectfully toward Vahn. This action was mirrored by his fellow Dwarves while, at their sides, the Vulcanae giggled mischievously. Unlike the serious Dwarves, they were more playful and unrestrained by nature. Even when Vahn dismissed the group so he could meet with the next representative, they waved innocently with childish smiles on their faces. As he was not the type to be overly serious, except when he needed to be, Vahn returned their wave with a lighthearted smile on his face, earning another round of giggles from the Lesser Elementals as they accompanied their partners out of the Throne Room.
After the departure of Gwent's entourage, Gawain wasted no time in announcing the entrance of the next group or, more specifically, person, "The representative of the Undine, Aerwyna, has arrived at the behest of the Sage Emperor, Vahn Aldrnari Mason!"
Following Gawain's bellow, a humanoid with pale-blue skin, black sclera, green eyes, and distinctly fish-like traits began descending the stairs. She was attired in a strange blue dress that seemed to be comprised of something akin to silk, albeit with a peculiar seaweed-like quality. What stood out the most was, rather than hair, her head had extensions that almost looked like tentacles, albeit arranged in a strangely stylish fashion. This, combined with her golden accessories and streamlined body, gave her an elegant, albeit alien, appearance.
Upon reaching the bottom of the steps, Aerwyna lifted the edges of her dress, performing a flawless curtsy, stating in a soft voice that caught Vahn by surprise, "It is an honor to stand in the presence of the Sage Emperor."
Rather than allow his surprise to show, as this would be extremely rude, Vahn gave an approving nod before saying, "Please, raise your head, Lady Aerwyna." This caused the Undine woman to look up at him with her green eyes, just in time for Vahn to see her blink with a second set of eyelids. He found this rather fascinating, causing a small smile to adorn his face as he began a similar dialogue to his previous conversation, asking how the Undine were adapting to the island's environment.
According to Aerwyna, the waters around Avalon were like a haven to her people as, even within the depths of the ocean, they were not outside the influence of humanity's wasteful habits. Here, there was no pollution to speak of as, for the last fifteen hundred years, Avalon had been isolated from the rest of the world in its own sub-texture. Since the concentration of mana was even higher than many leylines, they were able to breathe easily and, much to Vahn's surprise, had even started producing offspring to expand their population.
Undine had an arguably easier time rearing children than many races as, rather than carrying their children, they produced batches of eggs when the conditions were suitable. It was possible for a single Undine female to produce upwards of thirty eggs at a time, though this was only under ideal conditions. In the near future, their numbers would expand exponentially but, fortunately, this was not without a limit. As their numbers increased, the conditions for producing further offspring would be compromised, making it difficult for them to sustain large populations without adverse effects on the existing population.
Needless to say, Aerwyna and her people were more than willing to become citizens of the Empire, so long as he guaranteed they would not be poached and hunted. As this was a given, Vahn had Gareth hand over a scroll before promising to visit the Undine settlement within the next month. This apparently coincided with the time their offspring would start hatching, resulting in Aerwyna directly extending an invitation to have him attend the event. Since this would be a good way to foster positive relations between the Empire and the Undine in the future, Vahn graciously accepted before sending Aerwyna on her way.
Vahn couldn't help but imagine what it would be like to watch hundreds of tiny Undines hatching from their nursery. They were actually somewhat cute as a species so, imagining a batch of miniature Undine brought a smile to his face. He was even tempted to discuss the viability of making aquatic-type Companions, something Da Vinci should readily agree to. Since she wanted them to have the ability to evolve into virtually any kind of creature, it would be necessary to acquire data for all types of environments, not just terrestrial.
While Vahn was thinking about tiny, harpy-like Companions, Gawain announced the next group of representatives, breaking him from his momentary reverie. At the same time, Vahn's expression softened slightly as, accompanying Gawain's introduction, a group of eight child-like humanoids with brown skin, green hair, green eyes, and leaf-like clothing entered the Throne Room. Though he knew some of them were hundreds of years old, Vahn couldn't help but have a soft spot for these adorable Fae and their innocent appearances.
Leading the group was a Dryad named Rosemanis, possessing leaf-green hair that was styled into a neat bob. She had a small crown formed from braided twigs and, at a glance, appeared no older than ten years of age. Despite this, Vahn felt her aura was particularly ancient and, though it was hard to be certain, he guessed she was well over a thousand years old. She also carried herself with dignity but, upon reaching the well where they were directed to stand, the entire group dropped to their knees in a seiza-like position before bowing their heads low to the ground.
Vahn felt a little awkward to have them bow in such a subservient manner but, once again retaining a mask of calm, he gave them leave to raise their heads. With this, he had eight little girls kneeling before him, their leafy dresses splayed out neatly as they looked at him with large, almond-shaped eyes. Their representative started off by expressing her gratitude in much the same was as Aerwyna, stating just how much of a blessing it had been for their kind to be allowed to live in Avalon.
Due to the rampant deforestation of various regions, especially around leylines, the Dryads were one of the Fae species that had been hit the hardest by humanity's errant ways. Though they had a stable population within the Land of Twilight, under the protection of the Fairy Queen, Celia, it was almost impossible for them to live elsewhere. Having a second place to call home, filled with an abundance of mana and an ample amount of food was a blessing they had never expected to receive. Because of this, Rosemanis, one of the few Dryad Princesses, actually requested permission to bring more of her sisters, promising to bring an endless Spring to Avalon in the near future.
Since he had no reason to disagree, Vahn gave his permission, so long as the Dryads were willing to follow the laws of the Empire. He promised them protection but, in exchange, they would not be able to arbitrarily steal the life force of the humans who would one day come to reside on the island. Though this might be necessary for their reproduction, he promised they would not have to worry about such things as, in the not-so-distant future, he intended to plant a World Tree at the heart of the island. This was something he had already discussed with Artoria, Merlin, and Da Vinci so, once things had stabilized, he intended to fork over the 500,000,000OP necessary to purchase a [Seed of the World Tree].
Though he was limited to items that existed within the Record he inhabited, Vahn was able to buy Unique items after the system shop had been upgraded. Since Yggdrasil and the World Tree were concepts that existed within the Nasuverse, he had the option of purchasing a version of the seed he had obtained in Danmachi. He was looking forward to having another adorable surrogate daughter and, if she had the same power as her older sister, Vahn knew Avalon would gain an unbelievably powerful protector.
Hearing Vahn's promise, the Dryads were obviously shaken and, before accepting the scroll and departing the Throne Room, they gave another low bow, expressing their sincere gratitude for the chance to flourish once again. Vahn felt just as awkward the second time they bowed to him but, as it was their choice to do so, he accepted their gratitude graciously before sending them on their way, promising to visit in the near future...
(A/N: Alternate Titles: 'Galahad better watch his back','Vahn be spookin','Turns out Vahn is quite popular with the Fae','The resurgence of Yggy-chan!?')
(A/N: Quick Clarification. Though Artoria had a Tier 3 Soul as well, this changed when she re-attuned with the Holy Spear and obtained Avalon once again.)
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Following the departure of Rosemanis and her attendants, Gawain wasn't even given the chance to introduce the next group as, apparently having waited long enough, the Sylphs burst into the Throne Room, bringing tempestuous winds and laughter along with them. Though he didn't mind people being willful and whimsical, Vahn's gaze sharpened when he saw this disrespectful display. He might not have done anything to earn their respect just yet but this did not grant them the impunity to act however they pleased.
Since they had been flittering in the air previously, the trio of Sylphs, standing only 30cm in height and possessing semi-transparent skin, felt the wind elemental energy around them suddenly out of their reach, causing them to crash to the ground unceremoniously. The leader of the group, with light-blond hair, dragonfly-like wings, and garments formed from a wispy green fabric, stared back at Vahn with pale-pink eyes and visible frustration on her face.
The moment their gazes overlapped, Vahn squinted his eyes, a solemn expression on his face as he stated, "It is our intention to treat all Fae with the respect they deserve. However, if you cannot show even a basic amount of courtesy, do not expect any in kind." Though Merlin had warned him not to make an enemy out of the Sylphs, Vahn didn't feel like going through the hassle of tricking them. If they were going to cause trouble and ignore the rules, they had no place in Avalon, a place of peace and sanctuary to other races.
While rubbing the bump on her forehead, the leading Sylph exclaimed in a high-pitched tone, "You are a big bully! Jerk! Meanie!" Then, creating a small ball of electricity in her palms, she attempted to send it toward Vahn but, before it could fully form, a dozen Homunculi had surrounded her with very real Halberds. This caused the Sylph to quickly hide her hands behind her back, pretending she had done nothing wrong as she looked at the surroundings and asked, "What, do you need something?"
Despite being surrounded and unable to use most of her power, the petite Sylph showed absolutely no sign of being afraid. Instead, she actually had a challenging glint in her eyes, something shared by the other two Sylphs at her back.
Seeing how things were developing, Vahn resisted the urge to rub his temples while saying, "Stand down." in a commanding tone. This caused the leading Sylph to puff out her non-existant chest but, before she could say anything rude, Vahn caused a mountainous pressure to descend upon the trio as he added, "Your actions have resulted in the expulsion of the Sylph from Avalon. In the future, no Sylph will be allowed to venture into Avalon without the express permission of the Imperial Family."
Hearing Vahn's decree, the yet unnamed Sylph acted like a cat that had its tail stepped on, her wings flittering rapidly as she stamped her feet and exclaimed, "Hey, hey, you can't just decide that! We like this place! You can't make us leave!" As the air around Avalon was completely devoid of pollution, it was a very comfortable environment for all the Sylphs. They had been enjoying their time playing around over the last month so, hearing Vahn say they were no banished, she couldn't just accept it.
Without showing any change in expression, Vahn stated in a firm tone, "You have given us no reason to tolerate your presence. The Empire does not need troublemakers who act without consideration. This land is not your playground, nor are its people subject to your whims. If you cannot live among others in peace, you have no place here."
Apparently not taking Vahn's words seriously, the leading Sylph adopted a pouting expression, her brows furrowed deeply. Then, to further exacerbate matters, she shouted with a red face, "Just you wait! I'll see to it that this smelly island never has a sunny day again! Hmph! Hmph!" With that said, she attempted to exit the Throne Room in a huff, only to find that the surrounding temperature had dropped by several degrees. At the same time, her body became paralyzed by the pressure that was being emanated by Vahn as he stated in a cold tone, "If you cannot accept responsibility for your actions and intend to attack my Empire, do not expect leniency."
Vahn was very aware that the Sylph could easily cause severe thunderstorms and flooding, damaging the island in the process. Though he could easily deal with this, he would rather avoid having to use force to expel them from the Empire.
Feeling the severity of Vahn's threat with their bodies, the Sylphs trembled as they stared back at him with their pale-pink eyes quivering. Despite this, he could see indignation deep within, causing Vahn to sigh as he released his pressure and reminded, "You have been warned..." in a solemn tone. After this, the three quickly alighted from the Throne Room, moving faster than the natural eye could see as they exited the castle and ascended into the clouds above.
Almost immediately following the Sylphs exit, Merlin apparated out of thin air, a wry smile on his face as he remarked, "That certainly could have gone better." To this, Vahn gave another sigh before commenting, "There is a myriad of creatures and Spirits who will call Avalon home in the future. If the Sylph cannot coexist without being pandered to, they have no place here. Feel free to negotiate with them at your leisure, but I will not compromise on the safety and security of all our people for a single group of selfish Fae."
With an understanding nod, followed by a courteous bow, Merlin stated, "His Majesty's concerns are the same as my own. Please, leave this matter to me." Then, with Vahn returning an approving nod, Merlin's figure vanished into an illusory mist. Though Vahn may not be willing to take advantage of the Sylph's nature to trick them into a contract, he was more than willing to act as a proxy. Having a proper balance of Fae was necessary to ensure Avalon's stability and, though there were a few viable replacements for the Sylphs, they were much harder to convince than the relatively simple species of Fae.
After Merlin's departure, Vahn gazed over his surroundings, stating in a commanding tone, "If there are any other matters, bring them forward now." Since this was his first time holding Court, it was the best opportunity to address important matters, especially those concerning the governance of the Empire. Though they could easily be discussed in private, officiating them during court proceedings was the standard and, if he intended to treat his position as Emperor seriously, Vahn needed to start familiarizing himself, and others, with the proper proceedings.
Following his statement, Gawain was the first to bring several matters to light, allowing for the other members of the Court to make arguments for, or against, the proposed changes. After hearing both sides, Vahn would make the final decision as an Imperial Decree, setting in motion policy and other important changes. This time around, most of the matters discussed were just a formality, as they were things that had already been decided, but it was still important to discuss them to address any oversights.
With the most important matters taken care of, the proceedings moved to the segment where the members of the Court were allowed to make personal requests and voice grievances. Though this seemed unnecessary with their small numbers and close interpersonal relationships, it was still a necessary practice to establish. If everything happened behind closed doors, it would complicate matters when his Court expanded beyond the people that occupied the Inner Sanctum.
Surprisingly, the first to come forward was none other than Karna, requesting, "Your Majesty, if it would not inconvenience the Empire, I would like to venture forth into the outside world. It has been several millennia since I walked the Earth and there is much I wish to see with my own eyes." As he said this while bowing low and almost reverentially, Vahn felt a bit of pressure, even if it didn't show on his face.
Since this was a good opportunity, Vahn made a show of considering the matter, remaining silent for several seconds before answering, "So long as it does not compromise the standing of the Empire, it is the right of everyone here to freely pursue their own path. Though there are obvious restrictions regarding age and status, I will not prohibit anyone from leaving the island, so long as they have a proper reason for doing so. If you wish to travel the world, please accept a Quest to that end and, to the best of your ability, avoid causing trouble."
With another respectful bow, Karna answered, "Thank you, Your Majesty." before rising to his feet and resuming his place on the lowest step. Despite being a Demi-God that had already attained a Tier 4 Soul, Karna was not an arrogant and prideful man. Though he could seem cold, detached, and unapproachable, this was largely due to his propensity to overthink things. He would carry out full conversations in his mind and properly considered all of his words, something you wouldn't expect when first seeing his sharp, seemingly unforgiving, gaze.
After Karna's request, the next to step forward was Gareth, causing Vahn to internally sigh as he wondered what the puppy-like woman would request. She had a vibrant smile on her face as she stepped into the Throne's well and kneeled. Though it would have been more proper for her to curtsy, Gareth had a somewhat boyish personality, despite the fact she was wearing a pleated skirt with skin-tight leggings.
Rather than a request, Gareth decided to use the opportunity to publically pledge her loyalty to the Empire or, more specifically, Vahn himself. She practically had stars in her eyes as she proclaimed her intention to follow him loyally for the rest of her life, earning a few chuckles and one very profound sigh from the other members of the Court. Vahn felt pity for Gawain's plight as an older brother but, as he didn't want to embarrass Gareth, he dutifully acknowledged her vow and offered a few words of encouragement.
Fortunately, though he somewhat expected Gareth to have started a trend, she was the only one who went out of her way to pledge her loyalty. As for people like Fenrir and Medusa, they didn't feel the need to do something so embarrassing as the only person they needed the recognition of was Vahn himself. Gareth was just doing what she thought was necessary as a former member of the Round Table, even if he also knew she just wanted an excuse to follow him around even more in the future.
Following Gareth's outburst, there were a few other small matters brought to light before the session was brought to an end after Luvia's requests. She wanted to establish a permanant point of contact with the outside world and, as it had been growing rapidly since being transplanted at the bottom of Vivian's Lake, she also wanted to make use of [Das Rheingold] to supplement some of her family's expenses. Since Da Vinci had already established a means to send messages to the outside world, Vahn readily agreed to the first request but told Luvia she would have to discuss the matter of [Das Rheingold] with Illya.
Though Illya had given the treasure to him as a gift, Vahn still felt it was not a decision he should make alone as he wanted to respect Illya's intentions. Since she had not been in attendance, due to it being almost impossible for her to sit still in her pseud-transformed state, they would have to talk it over in private. Luvia had no problems with this so, without further ado, Vahn brought the session to an end after dismissing everyone. The only ones who remained behind were Artoria, Gray, Gareth, and Gawain. The former and latter wanted to talk about how things went while Gareth and Gray had essentially become Vahn's and Artoria's shadows.
Other than the incident with the Sylph and his attempt to act casually with the Dwarves, everything else had gone smoothly. Gawain had a few tidbits of advice, as he had held Court hundreds of times in the past, while Artoria supplemented with her own take on things. Overall, they commended him on a job well done as, despite how things had gone with the Sylph, it was important to stand firm on issues, especially if they pertained to the core ideologies of the Empire.
After thanking Gawain for his advice, Vahn allowed him to return to his duties before making his way toward the Inner Sanctum alongside the three girls. He could hear Gray praising Gareth's display of loyalty, earning him an amused smile from Artoria in response to his own wry smile. Fortunately, as the two were following a respectable distance behind, so as to allow their Emperor and Empress a bit of privacy, this had gone unnoticed by the faithful duo who, for the last few weeks, had gotten along splendidly with each other.
Vahn was somewhat worried that Gareth would be influenced by the fact that almost everyone she associated with was sleeping with him but, as he had already accepted the inevitability of things, he made no effort to address the matter. He fully expected Gareth to eventually find her way inside his bed at some point, most likely when he was visiting the Menagerie in the near future. Though they were being very secretive about it, he was pretty sure she had already come to an agreement with Medusa who, after an additional molt, had become slightly taller.
Though Medusa seemed confident that her bust would eventually start to grow, the fact she was already 153cm, with almost no development in that regard, seemed to indicate otherwise. Previously, she hadn't really cared about such things, much like Fenrir and Circe, but Gareth's presence seemed to have awakened her competitive spirit in a strange way. She had even considered putting on a bit of weight so she could ask him to alter her appearance with Modify but, as Vahn refused to accede to such demands, as it would set a dangerous precedent, she quickly gave up that train of thought.
Vahn would never understand the need for some of his women to compare themselves to others as, from his perspective, they all had their own individual charm. Medusa was flexible to an extent that was completely impossible for others to emulate, due to her bones themselves being flexible. She also had pliant and well-shaped thighs, complimenting her perfectly round and plump butt. This, combined with her ability to manipulate her hair as they snuggled in a decidedly intimate way, gave her more than enough unique traits. He had even pointed out that, if her breasts grew too large, she wouldn't be able to cling to him as much as she currently did, causing her to have an expression like she was on the verge of an existential crisis...
Remembering the conflicted look on Medusa's face, Vahn's wry smile turned more natural, causing Artoria to ask, "What are you thinking about...?" in a curious tone. Since he knew she would be able to determine if he was telling the truth, Vahn immediately seized the opportunity to tease her, asking in a casual tone, "I wonder if my Empress won't give me a reward for doing my best during the court proceedings~?" As he asked this, Vahn began to stroke Artoria's hand with his thumb as they had already been holding hands during their walk.
For a brief moment, Artoria seemed confused by his words, asking in an innocent tone, "Reward...?" It was only after this that she noticed Vahn's mischievousness, causing her face to turn red as she quickly averted her eyes in a bashful manner. Though he was good about not teasing her in most situations, the only people present right now were themselves, a woman who often shared their bed, and her completely oblivious, puppy-like niece. This caused Artoria to put more thought into Vahn's words than she ought to, resulting in her seriously considering the matter.
Vahn was thinking about teasing her even more but, as if she had made up her mind, Artoria gave a nod in response to his earlier words before stating with an apple-red face, "S-So be it..." Then, after they turned the approaching corner, she added, "Just for today...I'll dress up..." This caused Vahn's mind to blank for a brief moment, followed by his eyes blazing with divine light as his face formed into a large grin. This caused Artoria to lightly elbow his side but, as she had already sealed her fate, Vahn slightly increased their pace as he practically dragged her toward their bedroom.
Noticing the increased pace of Vahn and Artoria, Gareth's ears perked up as she immediately moved to catch up with them. As for Gray, she was momentarily confused but, with her bond only losing out to people like Fenrir, she quickly realized what was going on. This caused her own face to flush as, if things went the way they normally did, there was a good chance she would be able to participate in whatever her Master had decided. Though this would have made her unbelievable nervous in the past, the current Gray quickly increased her speed, matching pace with Gareth as she began looking forward to spending more time with her Master and Mistress...
(A/N: Alternate Titles: 'Come up in my house like you own the place!?','Gareth is quite bold','Doki Doki Gray-chan (UwU)~!')
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