บท 33: XXXIII
"You seen the Little Demon Empress around?"
"She has been in seclusion from the week you left." Yun Canghai replied, chuckling a little. "Although, I believe her reasoning for this act extends beyond the profound way alone."
"That reasoning being?" Rokas raised an eyebrow, wondering what he found so amusing.
"To impress someone, I suspect. There is no other reason for the Huan Family's spending in certain medicine to rise so drastically."
'Is it what I'm thinking?'
[System: Yes.]
'The determination of these women…' Rokas sighed, shaking his head. 'I sincerely hope she didn't go on some plastic surgery rampage just because of me.'
"Why does that news sadden you, Lord Heavenly Demon?"
"Could you lead me to her?"
"Oh… certainly."
After a bit of walking, Rokas sneaked into Huan Caiyi's seclusion hall. It was quite fancy, as one would expect from an Empress. As he made his way around… he found the figure of Huan Caiyi who stared into her mirror image. She seemed taller from a distance.
"You are terrible at sneaking, Long Ke. Your footsteps are earth-shaking, your aura is easily discoverable and your odour… one could smell it five leagues away."
'Is she still mad?'
"Seriously… five leagues?" Rokas breathed in his own smell, especially his armpits, and didn't see what the fuss was about. "I smell pretty nice, you know. I don't know what you're talking about."
"You haven't changed much, it seems. I wonder why you've suddenly taken an interest in the Illusory Demon Continent."
"Well, I just wanted to stop by and see how things are around here. Honestly, I didn't like how we ended things off earlier."
"Oh, is that so? I recall your stubbornness being the root of the problem."
'You were the stubborn one…' Rokas paused for a moment. "I heard a rumour that you were taking supplements. Is that true?"
"Yes… I have."
"Why'd you do all that? You are the Little Demon Empress with every powerhouse on this continent at your feet… the power that would come with the Golden Crow Legacy would change very little."
"Little… shall I be the Little Demon Empress for the rest of my life, Long Ke? I have relentlessly dedicated myself to removing the image of the 'little girl' you saw before. Every waking day… all for one goal. I do not expect you to fathom the importance of the Golden Crow's legacy to this Empress but the very least you could do is fulfil my request."
Huan Caiyi turned to face him and Rokas' mouth opened slightly in surprise.
"Well?"
"Well…" Rokas chuckled as he took a glance at the boobas. 'I mean…'
Whatever heavenly medicine she had taken, it was incredibly effective. She had matured in all aspects, having a 'handful' of breasts, being taller and thicker especially in regards to her buttocks. Even her face didn't look as childish… giving Rokas the impression of a true Demon Empress. She was a great deal more bewitching and tempting than ever before.
'Those supplements are something else goddamn.'
"What now?" Huan Caiyi tilted her head slightly.
As Rokas contemplated the 'request', Huan Caiyi had closed the distance between them. She raised her hand and grasped the bulge from his pants.
"Moving bold, aren't we?"
Rokas grabbed her hand and set it aside. Then he raised his to softly caress her cheek.
"Does such an act violate your fragile pride?"
"Not at all." Rokas smiled, tilting his head as he whispered. "I have an exceptionally bold woman for a wife and I love her very much."
"Then… what is your excuse?"
Rokas raised his hand and patted her head. "In the end, your reasoning for all of this is the Golden Crow's legacy… and that's fine. So I'll do you a favour and reward you for all of your hard work directly."
Drawing from his own blood, he forged three drops specifically for Huan Caiyi. Using the essence of the Dragon God, he made his drops of the Golden Crow's bloodline far more friendly to the female gender. It was a process similar to balancing the yin and yang of the elements.
"If I were unoriginal, I'd call it the Golden Dragon's blood. Which… I am." Rokas chuckled, transferring it to Huan Caiyi alongside the Golden Crow's Record of the Burning World (well, the six stages that he had) before turning away.
"... Wait-" Huan Caiyi stopped him.
"What?" Rokas tilted his head, raising an eyebrow. "Go and refine the blood drops. The process cost me a decent amount as I made them specifically for you."
"That's not…" Huan Caiyi took a deep breath, looking up at him. "Why do you walk away from me at every turn?"
"You mean… you wanted me to take advantage of you?"
"I… want you, Long Ke." Huan Caiyi emphasised as she looked into his golden eyes. "Only one man is worthy of being my husband and the Demon Emperor. This Demon Empress would not accept anyone else!"
"..." Rokas observed her domineering yet hopeful expression with a sigh, turning away. "I didn't know you felt like that. But… I can't be the Demon Emperor that you want me to be-"
"Stop making excuses and kiss me."
She grabbed the sides of his face with each of her hands and floated upwards to kiss him directly on the lips. He thought about the consequences… and suppressed his lust, slipping away.
"You got too much dip on your chip, Caiyi." Rokas chuckled, vanishing in a trail of profound energy at the last moment. "I'll think about your confession and give you my answer the next time we meet."
[System: Thou must consult the Elder Gods.]
"..." Huan Caiyi sighed, closing her eyes. "Only because it is you that I am willing to be patient."
[Huan Caiyi (Emperor IV) Confidant Rank: 3 → 4]
…
"If I had coupled with Huan Caiyi, would either of you have been upset?" Rokas wondered, stroking his chin as he looked at Xia Qingyue and Cang Yue.
"I can't say that I would have been a keen observer… but if that would have been your decision, then I would have accepted it." Cang Yue replied.
"I would have been fine with it." Xia Qingyue added with a strange, indifferent, tone.
"Stop the cap." Rokas chuckled, shaking his head as he glanced at Xia Qingyue. "Now, I know a little about the woman language and when you say things in that tone… you mean the absolute opposite."
"Stop the cap?"
"Cap is sort of slang for lying," Rokas explained as he caressed the side of her face with a loving smile. "And you're very much lying. I can see it in your eyes."
"Believe what you will." Xia Qingyue glanced away.
"No one can replace you in my heart… so you don't need to be envious of anyone."
Rokas whispered before backing away.
~
Although he had the greenlight, more or less, he didn't feel like moving to Huan Caiyi yet. She seemed rather busy with the Golden Crow's Record of the Burning World anyway. Instead, he went on to create his own version of Gundam Exia MK II alongside Gundam Virtue and Gundam Kyrios.
After his first experience of Gundam creation, the second time around was much smoother and natural. For Gundam Exia MK II, he added a GN Shield which would focus the profound energy around the suit to protect it, a set of missiles on its non-sword hand and several more swords to resemble its Seven Sword version. Also, he increased the firepower of each of the weapons by utilising his experience in the berserk attribute.
As for Gundam Virtue and Gundam Kyrios, he struggled the most with Kyrios' feature of transforming between a jet and Gundam. After only two months, all three Gundams were fully operational.
"Which one is mine?" Xia Qingyue glanced between Virtue and Kyrios.
"That one." Rokas pointed towards Virtue. "GN-005 Gundam Virtue and the GN-004 Nadleeh within it."
Xia Qinyue observed its stocky appearance. Out of the three, it was by far the thickest and least mobile. The reason for its creation was artillery warfare which justified the massive cannons at its side, the highly destructive Bazooka and the powerful GN shield.
"What are you trying to say?" Xia Qingyue inquired.
It was a bit fat compared to the others, indeed… though that was only because it was practically two Gundams in one.
"Oh… this one's all about power. I thought it would suit you rather nicely." Rokas turned to Cang Yue. "As for the other one, it's called Kyrios and surpasses even Exia's speed while in Flight Mode."
"I love it." Cang Yue nodded with a smile. "What is its code?"
"GN-003." Rokas replied. "You can hop in and give it a test drive if you want. It's as good as yours."
"Mn… I may as well."
…
Rokas took his Gundam Exia to the Supreme Ocean Palace, whereby he unlocked the barrier which kept the Moon Slaughter Devil Sovereign away. He left Gundam Exia and went down in there himself. Using the System's analysis, he swiftly located his target and approached.
"Pretty dark in here," Rokas remarked, spreading his profound energy to illuminate his surroundings. "You gonna hide there all day, mate? I can sense you."
The Moon Slaughter Devil Sovereign stood still, seemingly pretending to have died long ago.
"Suit yourself."
Rokas dashed forwards, transforming into his true form.
Before the Moon Slaughter Devil Sovereign could utter a word, he was torn apart and swallowed in his entirety.
[System: Congratulations on becoming part devil… just don't go around showing off that side of you. You might get jumped in this half of the universe by some dusty old men.]
'No shit sherlock.' Rokas rolled his eyes. 'Though, hiding it shouldn't be too hard with my shapeshifting. Yun Che got away with it until he cried his eyes out and Jie Yuan's 'seed of darkness', or whatever it was called, sold the bag.'
[System: I don't know, you suck at concealing yourself.]
'I'm not that bad if I try… my profound energy control is rather exceptional, according to your analysis.'
[System: Oh, right. By the way, you got some eyeshadow.]
'Some… what?'
"Give me a moment." Jasmine left his Inner World, teleporting forwards.
'She can have the wheel… not like I could make any use of it right now.' Rokas thought to himself. 'Not that I could say no to a late-stage Divine Master either.'
While Jasmine attained the Wheel, Rokas made sure to snag part of the Ancestral Goddess' manual.
Afterwards, Rokas went to check out the eyeshadow the System was talking about. As he observed his new appearance, Rokas grimaced slightly. He was exceptionally handsome like before with the addition of black eyeshadow around his eyes which made his golden eyes stand out more. Though, it was at the cost of looking partially emo.
'I look edgy/emo as fuck.' Rokas shook his head. 'Nah… I can't lie, this look ain't for me.'
He shapeshifted, removing the eyeshadow and returning to normal.
[System: Aww, I'm sure there's a market for goth Rocky.]
'Man said there's a market…'
[System: Technically, Aerion can do whatever he wants with your likeness. Regarding that, he started selling toy figures of you to his court.]
'Toy figures of… me? Seriously? That's pretty cool.'
[System: He also added you to his trading card game. Your nine-headed true dragon card sold for a fortune. The bidding war for its only true copy was incredible and full of drama as I recall.]
'Who… won it?'
[System: Helaena Targaryen, one of Aerion the Transcendent's daughters.]
'Kinda forgot who that is… wait, so Targaryen Who Turned Dragon is completely canon in this multiverse? My writing holds true?'
[System: In a way, yes.]
'Then am I also a product of someone's writing?'
[System: Who the hell would bother to write about you?]
'... No one other than myself.' Rokas thought, chuckling slightly. 'So is my life just… an illusion of choice? Is everything that I've done just my own wishes, or rather the wishes of my other self who has the pen? Even when everything feels so real to me…'
[System: What you do is your own choice. No one is controlling you, mr Rocky. You can go and fuck a goat if you wanted to. A bit drastic… but you get the picture. If you were a 'book character', it would be written based on what you're doing right now.]
'That's… good to know.' Rokas thought for a moment as he looked up into the sky. 'So… what does Aerion want with me, at the end of the day?'
[System: You were the one who wrote him. Wouldn't mr Author-sama know best?]
'He'd be disappointed then. I'm not much of a fighter compared to him and probably won't be anytime soon.'
[System: Your parents can relate to the former feeling.]
'Wow… you didn't have to violate me like that.'
[System: That is the point of the word prospect. It is not today that you will become a mighty being… but rather, you have the tools to become one in the future. Like a 40 overall in NBA 2K with 99 potential.]
'Comparing me to a 40 overall is a little nasty, not going to lie.'
[System: And, out of every prospect, your potential is the highest due to a multitude of factors. One of which revolves around the multiverse.]
'You're saying that I'll be able to travel around?'
[System: Once you max my confidant rank, that is. You'll even be able to return home if that remains a concern of yours by then.]
'... I see.' Rokas smiled, nodding slightly. 'You know, despite your sassy nature, you're my best buddy.'
[System: Smooth talking me isn't going to increase it, you know. My confidant ranks revolve around your own growth.]
'Fair enough.' Rokas nodded. 'It seems that I have a new goal to work towards, in that case…'
Though, 'growing' did sound very obscure to him. Growing in what way? Dick size? Shapeshifting got him sorted. In the end, he theorised that it was related to his overall growth as a person.
But… where was there to grow? Rokas didn't dislike anything about himself in particular. Sure, he was a bit lazy but he'd come a long way from where he had begun.
'Growth…'
~
"Be a good girl and don't cause any problems while we're away, alright?" Rokas patted Long Yinping's head and kissed her on the forehead.
"How long will you be away?" She asked, pouting slightly.
"A few months to a year at the most. It's a big world out there and plenty of unsuspecting things can happen. Though, I'll do my best not to get into any trouble."
"But… I don't want you to go." She embraced him tightly, leading to Rokas chuckling slightly.
"Sometimes there are things that you have to do which are difficult. If someone asked me if I wanted to explore the cold universe or hug my cute princess, the answer would be too easy. But it's more complicated than that… Xia Qingyue hasn't seen her mother since she was very little and I promised to help her."
"When you make promises with your loved ones, it's important to keep them or they'll feel hurt." Rokas explained as he softly stroked her long brown hair.
"Then… promise me the next time you leave, I can go as well. Or I won't let you go."
'Cheeky girl…'
Rokas chuckled. "Okay… I promise."
She kissed him on the cheek and let go. "I love you, daddy."
"I love you more." Rokas added, smiling slightly as he watched her join Cang Wanhe's side.
"Don't nag your grandpa too much." Cang Yue patted Long Yinping's head with a smile. "Or a monster will come out under your bed and take you away."
"Barbatos would pack him up and banish the monster to the shadow realm."
Cang Yue turned to Rokas who smiled, struggling his shoulders.
'That's my girl.'
~
"Do you even know where you're going?" Jasmine questioned as she observed Rokas piloting the swift Kyrios through space.
'The Moon God Realm… oh… telling her that wouldn't be a great idea. I can already see the drama.'
[System: The drama is only beginning, my 'best buddy'. If you insist on siding with Qianye Ying'er, that is.]
'I love life.' Rokas nodded. 'Though, that's something I won't have to worry about for a long while.'
"I know where I'm going."
"Doesn't seem like it." Jasmine replied. "Where are you going, anyway?"
"That is a secret…"
…
Originally, Rokas thought that traversing the vast universe wouldn't be quite so difficult. Using Jasmine's profound energy, Kyrios was extremely fast… yet compared to Jasmine herself, it was no quicker than a snail. That was because the drive simply couldn't handle her level of strength.
Rokas made a stop on the first middle-rank Star Realm along his way after a week, seeking out more powerful profound beast cores.
"Jasmine, can you chop up some beasts for me?"
"Tell me where you're going and I will carry you there." Jasmine replied. "No need for your useless machines."
The biggest reason why he couldn't tell her was… well, because his destination was the Moon God Realm and the likelihood of her leading him there was supremely low.
"They're not useless…" Rokas refuted before letting out a sigh. 'If I tell her, she will say no with a swiftness.'
"Jasmine, you're a lovely little lady and exceptionally great master who I am very grateful for."
"And?"
"What would just be a few waves of your hand can benefit me greatly. Besides… you called me the lazy one and yet you can't do this small thing for me? It's a little hurtful."
"Like you slept on my requests for… what was it? Two years?"
"Allow it, I had my reasons. You don't other than being petty. You're so much wiser than that… aren't you, Jasmine?"
"Hmph, fine. Stay still."
Jasmine dashed away while Rokas cracked open a can of coca-cola.
'Man's bing chilling.'
Rokas turned to Gundam Kyrios, observing his handiwork with pride. While he wasn't original with it's design, it wasn't exactly easy replicating it perfectly. In some ways, copying something was in fact harder than creating your own.
'Wonder if the twin drive system works in this universe… the whole 'squaring' particle emission theory rather than just multiplying it.'
~
After Jasmine returned with a mountain of beast cores, Rokas almost felt sad for the victims of the slaughter. Though… he was more focused on getting a faster vessel. The first stage if which was the prototype 0 Raiser, a backpack attachment that would serve as a medium for Rokas' testing.
He created two completely identical GN drives, merging their absorption and consequential particle generation through countless formations. After it used Rokas' improved Trans-Am system, the resulting rays of emission shocked even Jasmine.
"This… from just the profound cores of some Divine Spirit Realm beasts?"
"Useless machines… mhm…" Rokas glanced at Jasmine with a slight grin.
"This one has potential." She nodded.
…
Rebuilding all three Gundams with the stronger profound cores and the twin-drive system took only three weeks. He added additional weaponry to each of the Gundams, especially Exia MK III which had an external backpack loaded with all types of weapons.
Once he took to space with his new Exia, the Moon God Realm didn't seem all that far away. During Trans-Am, he dashed through space with ease, all the while leaving a massive cluster of crimson particles. Using Jasmine's profound energy, however, it was capable of hiding itself rather well from the untrained eye. He made sure to avoid any strong experts through the System's analysis and pathfinding..
Within only two weeks, he was about a day or so away from the Moon God Realm.
[System: As I said… it's not so far away.]
'...?'
There were two that the System hadn't displayed on its radar.
"It's… her…"
Jasmine suddenly remarked as she sensed a certain person's presence. Even though that person was completely invisible and their aura perfectly hidden, she knew that she was there.
"Who?" Rokas raised an eyebrow.
"You have to get away." Jasmine left his Inner World with a worried… and equally furious expression. "I'll make a distraction and escape afterwards."
"What are you talking about?-"
Bang!
Right before his very eyes, Jasmine vanished and intercepted the invisible figure with a devastating slash. Although, the figure had managed to dodge the attack and unveiled herself right after.
"I thought your face was one that I would never have to see again." Qianye Ying'er remarked, observing Jasmine with a surprised expression behind her golden mask.
'Ain't no way…' Rokas blinked, using Exia's camera to zoom in. 'What the fuck?'
'System…'
He saw the golden hair and perfect figure that reminded him of Li Suo. One side of her hair was shorter than the other and she managed to dodge Jasmine with such ease…
Who else could it be but his ex-best girl Qianye Ying'er?
[System: Don't look at me… I blame the Mirror of Samsara.]
'Of course…'
"How did you survive the Absolute God Slaying Poison?"
"That is none of your concern, golden bitch."
"And what happened to the drop of immortal blood you ran off with? Why did you attack me knowing full well that you're far weaker than me? So many questions… and so little answers."
"My lady." Gu Zhu caught up with Qianye Ying'er, lowering his head.
"Inspect what this little scarlet-haired brat is trying so desperately to defend."
"As you wish."
"I told you… to run away. Not only did you ignore my advice, you did the complete opposite!" Jasmine frowned deeply as Gundam Exia flew forward.
"There's no way in hell that I'd be able to run away from that old man. If anything, doing so would land me an early grave." Rokas left the cockpit and turned to Jasmine. "You're the only one between us who can get away… so just cut your losses and do it!"
"Oh, what's this?" Qianye Ying'er observed with an intrigued expression. "The Heavenly Slaughter Star God protecting a lowly man who has yet to step into the Divine Origin Realm… not a common sight in the least."
"Should I restrain him?"
"Restrain the Heavenly Slaughter Star God instead. She is far more troublesome than he could hope to be."
"As you wish."
"You absolute fool…!"
Jasmine clenched her fists as she dashed forwards but was stopped by Gu Zhu who overpowered her.
Meanwhile, Qianye Ying'er turned to Rokas. His heart jumped… and not with joy, either. He felt like his life was on edge. One wrong move and it was wraps.
This didn't help with the fact that he didn't know what to say in such a situation.
"So… before you do anything… I-"
Bonk.
"That's enough talking from you."
She knocked him out and made a deeper observation of his body. She swiftly discovered the anomaly that was his Inner World which resembled the Nine Profound Exquisite Body's. His entire body screamed countless signs of an extraordinary, divine being…
She made the easy decision to take him back home.
Seeing Qianye Ying'er grab hold of Rokas, Jasmine's rage boiled and yet… she was powerless. Using the Evil Infant's Wheel of Myriad Tribulations certainly was an option but she hesitated to use it. Doing so would make her the enemy of the Realm of the Gods while the Heretic God's seal was only freshly removed. This current Wheel might not have even guaranteed victory with a great many consequences to follow…
In the end, she took Rokas' advice and ran with a heavy heart. While Gu Zu was fast and stronger than her, Jasmine could conceal herself exceptionally well and left his sight before long.
Qianye Ying'er did not even bother to give chase.
She was far more interested in the invaluable treasure before her.
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