章節 1456: Bypass
Contrary to what might be expected from the fragmented spirit of a Sun Goddess, Tamamo used a combination of ice and fire elemental manipulation when battling. She was also much faster than a traditional caster, relying on her agility to dark between foes, blasting them with close-range spells or casting long range curses over a large area. This had the effect of significantly reducing the speed of her foes, covering their body in a layer of ice that seemed to penetrate weaker magical defenses with ease.
For reasons only Tamamo would know the answer to, the Onmyoji, soldiers, and even the shadowy 'citizens' outside were programmed, not to keep others out, but to keep her trapped within. Though she could break free whenever she wanted, Vahn and Artoria both felt it was a rather strange way for her territory to develop. She had effectively built a prison for herself, indicating that her past, even after hundreds of years, still haunted her.
Fortunately, Tamamo seemed to be enjoying herself quite a bit during their short stint to escape the palace and its surrounding barrier. She blasted through the offensive formation the Onmyoji had set to repel her, laughing somewhat maniacally as she rained down large chunks of fire and ice, similar to what you might expect during an apocalyptic scene.
Tamamo wasn't known as one of Japan's Three Great Monsters for nothing, and, though she gave off a very different impression than Shuten, it was hard to determine which of them was scarier. After all, despite his intention to preserve the peculiar capital city for future research, Tamamo either forgot or simply didn't care about his intentions. Rather, if not for the fact she was a Divine Spirit, rather than a Servant, Vahn didn't think it would be difficult to convince others she was a Berserker, especially after watching her laugh uninhibitedly while sweeping over the capital like a natural disaster...
After Tamamo was 'satisfied' with the destruction she had caused, she darted up to where Vahn and Artoria had been patiently waiting for her to finish venting. Artoria had initially intended to help out, but, seeing how 'indiscriminate' Tamamo's attacks were, she ultimately decided to simply join Vahn as he watched the event play out with a wry smile on his face. He knew it was never a good idea to get in the way of a woman when she was venting, so, with the shadowy figures below being nothing more than modified Attack Programs, he saw no reason to intervene.
With a happy smile on her face, Tamamo's ears twitched a few times as she asked, "Shall we be on our way, Ten'nō-sama~? I am eager to see our love nest with my own eyes, ufufufu~."
Since her rampage had taken a little longer than expected, Vahn just gave a curt nod in response to Tamamo's question before turning his eyes skyward and saying, "Transfer us to my territory." This earned him a curious look from Tamamo, but, as their surroundings instantly changed following his command, she became more distracted by the massive castle than her previous question.
Before Tamamo could wander off, Vahn startled her by gently pinching the tip of her pointed vulpine ears, saying, "You can't wander around on your own while you're here. Everyone gathered below is an important citizen of the Empire. Follow Artoria's lead and make sure you treat them with care and respect."
Though she had been originally been intending to go exploring, Tamamo nodded in affirmation to Vahn's words, smiling as she said, "Yes, of course, Ten'nō-sama. I will be on my best behavior; this I can promise you. Now, hurry along to deal with your matter. I will draw a bath and dutifully await your triumphant return to the castle, ufufufu~."
After ruffling Tamamo's paradoxically soft yet bristly hair, reminding him a lot of Fenrir, Vahn turned to Artoria, giving her a curt nod as he said, "I'll leave here to you. Don't worry, I won't be too long..."
Punctuating his words, Vahn used his mastery of Petting Laws and [Hands of Nirvana] to caress the side of Artoria's face, running his fingers through her fringe bangs. He was tempted to kiss her, but, knowing it would trigger Tamamo, he settled on just resting his forehead against hers, a display of affection he had become quite fond of in recent months...
With both girls seeing him off, Vahn turned his eyes skyward and said, "Transport me to Chang'e's territory."
Immediately following Vahn's words, his figure disappeared from view, leaving Tamamo and Artoria staring at the spot he had been hovering moments prior. Then, at nearly the exact same moment, they looked toward each other, Tamamo's smile curling up at the sides while Artoria just stared with a contemplative expression on her face. She felt like Tamamo was going to get herself into trouble in the near future, so, in the hopes of mitigating some of the fallout, she said, "Come, there is much for us to discuss. The nature of the Empire is likely very different from what you're imagining, so, if you really want to make an impression on Vahn, you will listen closely."
Hearing Artoria's words, Tamamo's ears and tail twitched a few times, but, as Vahn had told her to listen to the petite Empress, she offered a polite smile before saying, "Certainly, Kōgō-sama. Though I believe my own experience will suffice, please, advise me well, ufufu~."
---
As could be expected from a Goddess, Chang'e's territory was quite the sight to behold, even at a distance. Though not as impactful as Tamamo's capital city, the mountain housing Chang'e's palace had a certain phantasmal quality to it, almost as if it had been pulled directly from a popular Chinese novel depicting Immortal Cultivators. It wasn't something you'd ever find in the natural world, but, in spite of this, it possessed what could only be described as a natural, albeit ephemeral, beauty...
Unfortunately, Vahn wasn't afforded much time to take in this natural splendor, as, moments after he was teleported outside the mystical palace, three lightning-fast arrows, each aiming for a vital point, tore through the air. He was able to repel these by simply condensing the space around him, similar to how he would prevent Mordred and others from trying to approach him.
Without waiting for a second volley of arrows, Vahn teleported right next to his attacker, stunning the cat-like woman and causing her to perform a series of backflips and other acrobatic maneuvers as she released several bursts of sporadic arrow fire. This was only possible due to the fact Vahn was somewhat unwilling to strike her, as, even if she wasn't real, the fact she looked and acted similar to the Atalanta he knew made it difficult to strike.
With a slightly apologetic smile on his face, Vahn easily deflected the false Atalanta's arrows, saying, "You are quick on your feet...however, it is a bit slow compared to the original. It seems Jason can't manifest your powers to their fullest..."
As all of her attacks had been swat away without any effort, Atalanta's brows furrowed into a deep frown as she said, "You speak as if you know my original..."
Immediately following Atalanta's words, Vahn nodded his head, pulling out a shimmering golden apple as he said, "The wish of your original, it is something I have sworn to realize. Please, do not make me fight you..."
Seeing the golden apple in Vahn's hand, Atalanta's face contorted into one of shock and disbelief. Though it was possible he had obtained a different golden apple, the way he spoke indicated he was 'intimately' familiar with her original self. This made her feel a small amount of resentment toward him, but, after several seconds of silence, she was able to recover enough to ask, "Did you cheat...?"
Understanding what Atalanta was asking, Vahn shook his head, explaining, "You gifted me this apple, saying I could use it against you if I was willing to accept responsibility. Instead, I defeated you using my own ability, freeing you from the burden you had forced upon yourself. Now, you spend much of your time silently watching over my children, protecting a kind-hearted girl named Astrid, and, when there is a full moon, we all go hunting together...you can be quite competitive..."
Hearing Vahn's words, Atalanta lowered her bow, a tired sigh escaping her lips as she muttered, "It is a little unfair, telling me these things..."
Vahn didn't disagree with Atalanta's words, but, as it was better than having to fight and defeat one of the people he cared about, he didn't regret his decision. Instead, he pulled out one of the apples grown on Avalon, tossing it over to Atalanta as he said, "For what it's worth...I would have liked to save you as well..."
After catching the apple out of the air, Atalanta just snorted in response to Vahn's comment. Then, without sparing him another glance, she alighted from the room, vanishing without a trace...
Though it wasn't exactly his fault, seeing Atalanta's retreating figure caused Vahn to harbor a little more hatred toward Jason. Atalanta might not be one of his women, at least not in the 'traditional' way, but that didn't mean he felt nothing for her. It wasn't easy, knowing he was effectively killing a version of her that, to an extent, possessed at least a fragmentary desire to live...
As this thought crossed his mind, Vahn turned his gaze to the right, staring toward the lumbering figure that had been observing his actions with a steely gaze. Then, much like how he had dealt with Atalanta, he silently muttered, "Your wife and children are alive..."
Immediately following the light utterance, Vahn felt an oppressive aura descend upon him as the man, Heracles, asked, "Is this your scheme? Would you have me believe you have summoned all of the Argonauts, pacifying each of our most earnest desires?"
Shaking his head in response, Vahn explained, "That may be something I do in the far future, but not any time soon. You came into my service at the end of the recent Holy Grail War. As for Atalanta, she was summoned by a young lady named Astrid. Other than the two of you, the only other member of the Argonauts I have summoned is Medea, the version of her who had yet to experience the tragedy wrought upon her by Aphrodite and Jason...her aunt, Circe, had been rather insistent..."
Hearing Vahn's words, Heracles' expression became solemn and serious. He wasn't foolish enough to believe Vahn's words outright, but, based on what his instincts were telling him, there didn't seem to be a reason for him to lie. It was impossible to know just how vast the difference in their power, but Heracles got the impression that even his original self wouldn't be able to bridge the gap between him and Vahn.
While Heracles still seemed to be measuring his options, Vahn slowly extended his hand, offering a [Projection Orb] to the somewhat overbearing demigod. This earned him a pointed glare, but, after saying, "It is an item that records memories as images...determine the truth for yourself.", Heracles ended silently accepting it.
Though he was still suspicious, Heracles' grim face visibly relaxed once he saw the images that were being projected onto the adjacent wall. They showed a relatively spacious house near a port, but, far more importantly, he could see several familiar figures, including his own. He seemed to be teaching his sons how to properly moor a small ship, an uncharacteristic smile on his face as Therimachus did his best to emulate several complex knots.
Just as Heracles was beginning to wonder where his wife was, he could suddenly hear the voice of another woman asking, "Are you filming them again?", followed by the image changing to show a woman with white hair and red eyes. Then, revealing the truth of the matter, he could hear his wife's voice answer, "I can't help it. These are blessed days. Were it possible, I would capture every single moment of our happiness, preserving them forever. One day, if my husband loses his way, I pray he will find strength in these recorded moments, freeing him from the burdens forced upon him by that vile woman..."
Even without asking, Heracles could easily imagine who Megara was talking about, his expression forming an almost indiscernible smile. He still didn't fully believe in Vahn's words, but, even if it was just an illusion, it was a pleasant scene to witness. It was also something he was willing to protect, as, much like Atalanta, he understood the true nature of his current existence.
Like all of the Heroes summoned by Jason, he was nothing more than a bastardization of his original self, an incomplete replica derived from the former's memories of him. As a result, he was unable to recall several important events throughout his life, especially if they were memories prior to the time he set sail aboard the Argo. Thus, even if it wasn't real, Heracles felt closer to the images projected onto the wall than any of the ones that had been 'fabricated' as a result of Jason's poor recollection...
As this thought crossed his mind, Heracles looked down at Vahn, saying, "I'll going to keep this..." before turning his attention back to the projection. This earned him a silent nod from Vahn, who, understanding the meaning behind Heracles' words, bypassed the mountain-like man, making his way further into the large palatial compound...
(A/N: Alternate Titles: 'Never underestimate an Imperial Courtesan','Poor Atalanta (T ^ T)...','Not all battles need be fought with violence. Understanding is, in many cases, the most powerful weapon. "The most supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy without fighting" -Sun Tzu')
https://bit.ly/2XBzAYu <-(p.atreon link)
paypal.me/Einlion
Discord Invite: https://discord.gg/Jwa8PKh
章節 1457: Fragile
With Heracles and Atalanta out of the way, Vahn knew the vast majority of Jason's power had been sealed away. His Noble Phantasm seemed to require that he convince those within to support him, something he would find extremely difficult without Heracles' aid.
While Jason was the actual Captain of the Argo, more than seventy of its eighty-five recorded members had sailed at the behest of Heracles. If he had not been able to trick Heracles into sailing with him, the majority of Jason's exploits would be forgotten by time. Had he not been favored by the Goddess Athena, he wouldn't have even had a ship to sail upon as it had been the direct result of her efforts that the legendary vessel had been constructed.
Put simply, Jason was only a Hero because he had been chosen to become a Hero by one of the notoriously corrupt Olympian Gods. Had Athena not taken exception to Jason's uncle usurping his throne using unscrupulous means, he would have been little more than a pampered prince. He was nothing but an opportunist who had everything handed to him on a golden platter, freely exploiting everyone around him in order to secure what he believed to be his destiny.
With these thoughts serving as fuel for the flame that had begun to blaze within him, Vahn made his way through the surprisingly calm and serene palace. It's interior beauty, while drastically different in structure, was comparable to the Ivory Castle. Though it was a little strange to have rabbits watching him pass in silence, it was nothing compared to the peculiarities that could be found within the Yokai District. Rather, if the circumstances had been different, Vahn would have liked to pet and feed the curious creatures, finding their unique appearances rather charming...
While making a mental note to bring Astrid and the others to play within Chang'e's palace in the future, Vahn made his way through an archway veiled by curtains that seemed to be formed from the night sky. The fabric was cool to the touch, and, as his hand passed across the surface, it was like watching a nebula expand through an endless sea of stars, mesmerizingly beautiful yet destructive...
Immediately after passing through the starry veil, Vahn's figure vanished like a phantom, evading what appeared to be a ship oar that had been converted into a spear. Despite its relatively simple appearance, the unique weapon was actually a Noble Phantasm, an artifact formed from the same wood that had been used in the construction of the Argo. It had an ability that allowed it to shatter any kind of armor on contact, and, though its blade was rather dull, the might of the man wielding allowed him to bludgeon his opponents to death with impunity.
Unlike Atalanta and Heracles, Vahn held no sentiments towards Castor and Pollux. Rather, from what he had seen and heard of their exploits, even referring to them as Heroes was rather ridiculous. Two of their most famous exploits included the kidnapping and subsequent rape of the Leucippides, two women who were already happily betrothed to other men, and the raiding of various cattle-farms, feats they carried out with impunity due to the fact Pollux having the Divine Protection of Zeus...
Needless to say, Vahn felt little more than ire for the burly twins, grabbing Pollux by his curly hair before tossing him toward the surprised Castor with the force of a freight train. This wasn't enough to deal damage to either of them, but, with six [Lævateinn] skewering their overlapped bodies, the gobsmacked 'Heroes' weren't even afforded the time to bellow their intended string of curses before their bodies were consumed by dark red flames.
After erecting a soundproofing barrier around the two burning Demigods, Vahn turned his attention to the beautiful woman standing silently at the side. Though he had already seen her while reading the Flow of Fate, Vahn was still a little surprised by Chang'e's beauty. She had the type of appearance that simply couldn't be described with words, making any attempt to do so seem slanderous. It was the type of beauty that transcended cultural divides, elevating her to what some would refer to as, 'a beauty that could topple nations and incite war'.
What surprised Vahn was the fact that, despite her beauty, Chang'e didn't seem to possess an ability related to charming others. It was 'very' common for Goddesses of her stature to have such abilities, something he always found rather strange since their appearance alone was enough to ensnare the vast majority of men...
As it would have been rude otherwise, Vahn gave an appreciative smile towards Chang'e, stating, "It is a unique pleasure, bearing witness to such a beautiful woman. The legends surrounding you fail to do justice to your transcendental beauty, Goddess Chang'e. Had the circumstances allowed, I would have liked to enjoy a cup of tea with you."
Hearing Vahn's words, Chang'e covered the lower half of her face with her silken sleeve, giggling in a manner that allowed her sonorous voice to carry throughout the surroundings. Then, with her eyes squinting slightly, she mused, "Your words do me a great honor, Sage Dragon Emperor. I, too, would have liked for our first meeting to be on friendlier terms. It seems, however, that our paths are fated to converge as enemies..."
Though listening to Chang'e speak was pleasant, Vahn raised his hand, causing her words to trail off, allowing him to say, "Jason is unworthy of your protection and affections. He is a vile and cruel man who only thinks of his own benefits, freely exploiting others without consideration for countless lives he has ruined. I can reunite you with your original husband, Hou Yi, freeing you from having to seek companionship from such a despotic man..."
Chang'e had been intending to speak on behalf of Jason, but, hearing Vahn's offer, her heart began to race a little faster as she asked, "Do you truly possess such power? Even the Jade Emperor would not be able to make such a promise. How can I know you aren't trying to deceive me, exploiting the vulnerabilities within my heart for your own benefit...?"
Vahn knew Chang'e was trying to lump him together with Jason, but, as his words were actually the truth, he was completely calm as he answered, "If you are willing to use your Noble Phantasm to seal this place and put Jason into a deep slumber, I can go and summon Hou Yi right now. My only fear is that, given your nature, you would be unable to face him while Jason still lives. Even if he is nothing more than a Heroic Spirit, his existence is a stain upon your marriage..."
Hearing Vahn's words, Chang'e's face formed into a pout, her countenance capable of garnering the pity of the Heavens themselves. This made Vahn feel an extreme amount of guilt, but, as this was the 'best' route available to him, outside of trying to make Chang'e his, he had little choice. While some of his women had past relationships, the thought of being involved with a married woman didn't sit well with him. He knew that Chang'e still had deep affections for Hou Yi, so, while it was somewhat cruel to pressure her like this, it was inarguably the most effective method to avoid a battle.
After several long seconds of silence, Chang'e ultimately released a melancholic sigh before lightly muttering, "Your words pierce my heart deeper than the most steadfast spear...if what you say is the truth, I cannot bar your passage. My greatest regret in life is stealing the Pill of Immortality from my husband, leaving him to roam the earth as a mortal while I was trapped within the Moon Palace. To repay my debt to him, there is little I wouldn't do..."
As Chang'e's words began to trail off, Vahn nodded his head, adding, "You are a good woman. I'm certain that, even at the very end of his life, Hou Yi continued loving you dearly. Now, the two of you can live together, healing the wounds of the past and building a foundation for a better future. There is no need to force yourself on behalf of Jason, a man who is wholly unworthy of your affections."
Though she didn't completely agree with Vahn's words, as Jason seemed rather pitiable from her point of view, Chang'e didn't openly refute them. He had even pleaded for her help before fleeing to the deepest part of the Moon Palace, forcing the doll-like woman he habitually mistreated to create several powerful barriers in the hopes of preserving his life. It was an undeniably cowardly act, one that would have earned him great scorn during her era. She only tolerated his behavior because she had already promised to protect him, making it easy to overlook the fact he was basically sacrificing her if the enemy proved more than she could handle...
The moment this thought crossed her mind, Chang'e released a deeply melancholic sigh before taking a few steps to the side and bowing politely toward Vahn. He understood this was her way of showing acquiescence while simultaneously agreeing to his terms. Thus, after returning a small bow of his own, Vahn passed by the still-bowing Chang'e, muttering, "Thank you...I promise that you will be reunited with your husband by the day's end. Take this time to harden your heart...I will not force you to speak the truth, but honesty is the foundation of a healthy relationship. It will be much easier for him to hear the words from you than learn them from another..."
Understanding what Vahn was trying to tell her, Chang'e shoulders shook slightly as she hung her head in abject shame. Though she hadn't truly betrayed her husband's trust, the fact she had been willing to allow Jason to marry her would always weigh heavily on her heart. The truth of the matter was such that, out of respect for her actual husband, Chang'e was unwilling to remarry. Hou Yi was, and would forever be, the man she had dedicated her heart to. Thus, while it wouldn't be easy, she intended to follow through on Vahn's words, hardening her heart to speak the truth to the man she had wronged so many times before...
---
With even Chang'e out of the way, there was nothing to stop Vahn from reaching the hidden vault where Jason had concealed himself. It would have been difficult for others to sense, but, due to the nature of his domain, Vahn was able to identify the 'void' within his perception, pinpointing the vault behind a jade statue depicting a massive four-eared rabbit with a large gemstone embedded into its forehead.
After admiring the work of art for a brief moment, Vahn's eyes transitioned from a calm aquamarine color to a radiant golden hue. He then took a deep breath, focusing his mind as he extended both hands, 'grabbing' Space itself. The barriers erected by the false Medea were exceptionally powerful, especially by modern standards, but they would be hard-pressed to stop a B-Rank Noble Phantasm, much less an attack that couldn't even be quantified.
Though it was tempting to torment Jason for everything he had done, Vahn didn't want to earn any negative karma on behalf of the false Hero. Jason simply wasn't worth the blemish that would follow him until he ultimately left the Record, so, without any discernible hesitation, Vahn forcibly collapsed the Space around Jason's hiding spot, violently tearing apart everything within the vault. This would invariably include the false Medea, something that caused Vahn's heart to twist painfully in his chest, but it was still the 'best' outcome.
By reading the Flow of Fate, Vahn had seen dozens of different timelines where Jason relied on dirty and underhanded means to try and secure an edge against him. Many of these included him trying to use Medea as a human shield, so, rather than face the vile man directly, Vahn decided it was best to simply crush him without a direct confrontation. This also prevented any unnecessary damage to the Moon Palace, and, though it was now a perfect fixture within his memories, Vahn wouldn't have to directly witness the crazed expression of the doll-like Medea as she fought well beyond her limits to try and protect Jason...
In the end, without ever meeting Jason directly, Vahn ended up completely destroying the virtually powerless man. As a result, all of the false Heroic Spirits he had summoned disappeared in motes of bluish-white light, including Atalanta and Heracles. The former, after alighting from the Moon Palace, found a place devoid of Attack Programs, and, after several minutes of staring at the apple Vahn had gifted her, she ultimately ended up taking a small bite before muttering, "It's delicious..." in a small voice. As for Heracles, he spent his final moments with an uncharacteristic grin, watching as his sons successfully applied his teachings, pride visible on his, and his counterpart's faces...
(A/N: Alternate Titles: 'RIP Gemini Twins...','Burdens of the Heart...','What truly matters...')
(A/N: Some may not be satisfied with Jason's end, but, what did you expect? He was a weakling who, without the protection of multiple Skills and an inordinate amount of Luck, would struggle to defeat even a squad of Einzbern Homunculi. Vahn has never been the type to let his enemies monologue, so, with the ability to peer into the future, Jason's fate was all but decided. There is no value in even tormenting the man, as, in the end, he is nothing more than a Heroic Spirit, not the original.)
https://bit.ly/2XBzAYu <-(p.atreon link)
paypal.me/Einlion
Discord Invite: https://discord.gg/Jwa8PKh
每周推薦票狀態
200+ 推薦票
榜單 
114 推薦票 
段落評論