章節 1558: Moving Forward
Vahn couldn't be sure whether or not his decision was the 'correct' thing to do, but, in the grand scheme of things, it was inarguably the 'right' thing to do. He wasn't particularly fond of lying, and, though he would make exceptions when it came to governance and politics, he disdained the idea of manipulating people. Even when he did machinate for a specific outcome, it was never with the intent to take advantage of or exploit someone. Rather, it was often to bring an end to exploitation, or, depending on the circumstances, encourage someone else to better themselves.
Unless he wanted to become personally responsible for the fate of the Magical World's population, Vahn knew he would need to rear others that were capable of doing so. Though he wasn't fond of politics and the existence of monetary systems, trying to impose the Common Law on every Record he visits, while not impossible, was impractical. He hadn't even managed to ensure order in his own Realm, so it would be exceptionally foolish of him to split his focus even further.
People like Arika, Asuna, Theo, Jack, and Nagi were those who were originally intended to shape the fate of the Record. By supporting them, and others like them, he could ensure peace and prosperity without having to take proactive measures to govern. That could be entirely left to others, allowing him to become a deterrent force that only took action when the world was in danger. He would be akin to the Guardian God of the planet, christening new rulers and passing judgment on those who deviated from the path of righteousness.
Ultimately, Vahn wanted to help the world, he just didn't want to be responsible for managing it. He would rather reunite with Eva and then fall into the background, shifting his focus from the world at large to the affairs of his internal Realm. Then, once he had made adequate preparations, he would depart this Record for the next. He currently had no intention to subsume Mundus Magicus into his own Realm, as, at least for the time being, he didn't understand how to reconcile the differences in Laws. The last thing he wished to happen was pulling the Magical World into his Realm only for it to be completely destroyed the moment he did so...
---
As could be expected, it took quite a bit of time for Arika to fall asleep, but, after she had done so, she, like Asuna, seemed to fall into a type of stasis. This seemed to be a unique trait of the Ostian Royal Family, and, if he wasn't wrong, it was almost as if their minds were processing and analyzing things whilst they slept. Their brain activity would increase dramatically from the moment they fell unconscious, only returning to 'normal' between three and five hours later. From that moment on, they could be awoken without too much difficulty, but, before that, they seemed to ignore virtually all external stimuli.
Had he any untoward thoughts, the girls' sleeping habits could have been rather 'dangerous', but, even after revealing the truth to Arika, Vahn was still against reciprocating her feelings. If he did so, she would become an anchor that binds him to this world, forcing him to become more involved by virtue of their relationship. He couldn't very simply ignore the struggles his own lover, so, from the moment he gave in to her budding emotions, Vahn's fate would become tied to Ostia and the fate of the Magical World.
Fortunately, while he couldn't exactly take things too far, Vahn had ample distractions to keep him from worrying about such things. Thus, while the royal duo slept, he snuggled up next to Fenrir in order to discuss her past, present, and future behavior. Her fervor toward him was a little infectious, so, even if a girl didn't particularly like him, they would start to after interacting with her for a long enough period of time. He also shared a considerable amount of blame in this, but, as Fenrir would basically serve as an example for others, Vahn wanted to ensure she restrained herself, even if but a little...
---
After falling asleep a little after 8 PM, Asuna awoke almost precisely five hours later, stating, "I need to pee..." in a dull monotone. As a result, Vahn and Fenrir found themselves with wry smiles on their faces as they stood outside the partially open bathroom door. Afterward, due to Asuna feeling wide awake, they kept her entertained by talking about, of all things, magical theory. This continued until Arika awoke, once again after around five hours of sleep. Then, until the sun came up, they all made idle conversation, enjoying an extended breakfast that included pancakes, tarts, tea, and juice.
During the breakfast, Vahn transitioned from idle discussion to the matters of the day, asking, "Now that you've slept on it, what have you decided? I intend to meet with the Great Spirits to discuss the protection of this world. However, if you want to forge an alliance with them, it will be through your own efforts. I can provide my backing, but it will be up to you to convince them of your worth."
Though Vahn had yet to meet the Great Spirits, he had an inkling they would be willing to lend him an ear, or whatever their equivalent was. Even the Great Spirit of Darkness and Ice shouldn't be too hostile to him, not just because of his [True Friend of the Elements], but because of the very nature of his Source Energy. To them, he was like their older sibling or something akin to a father figure, an existence they would come to respect if for no other reason than the purity of his aura and his love for the planet. Arika, however, was 'just' a human, and, though she was very special, he wouldn't be the guarantor that bound the Great Spirits to human desire and politics...
Understanding what Vahn was trying to say, Arika nodded her head, a glimmer of conviction in her eyes as she stated, "I would like to meet with the Great Spirits. Even if I cannot win their favor, I will endeavor to win their trust. True prosperity can only be achieved when people live in harmony with the Elements."
Approving of Arika's words, Vahn nodded his head in turn before smiling as he said, "Very well then. Our first destination will be the Shrine of Wisdom. Afterward, we'll have a day or two just to explore before departing Nyandoma. Unless you want to try and prevent the war in its entirety, we have just under two years to focus on your training. You know my reason for coming to this world, so, as long as you keep that in mind, I will support any path you choose."
Though she didn't believe Vahn would just stand on the sidelines, Arika gave a curt nod in response before plainly asking, "When will we depart?"
Rather than answer Arika's question, Vahn turned to Asuna, who, for quite some time now, had just been staring blankly as she listened to the conversation. She seemed to be in a passive state of data collection, absorbing everything she was seeing and hearing.
Seeing the doll-like girl turn her head to meet his gaze, Vahn's smile softened slightly as he asked, "Are you ready to go, Asuna? This journey is as much yours as it is your cousins. If there is a special place you wish to visit, I will take you there."
Seemingly considering his words, Asuna adopted a reflective look, her eyes briefly deviating to the left as if she were trying to recall something. Then, after several long seconds, she gave a small nod and said, "Mother told me to make lots of friends. I have read that it is normal for children to go to school in order to form bonds and learn more about the world. I would like to try going to school."
Though he wasn't exactly surprised, Vahn didn't expect Asuna to suddenly mention something like attending school. It had actually been something he had thought about, but, until the Mage of the Beginning had been dealt with, allowing her to attend school was simply too dangerous. Even if he became a teacher and watched over her from the shadows, it was virtually guaranteed that Cosmo Entelecheia would target her. Even sending her to Earth wouldn't really be a solution as every major school teaching Magic was operated under the authority of the Magic Council stationed within the Megalomesembrian Confederacy...
Realizing there wasn't a simple solution to Asuna's request, as even enrolling her into a school for normal humans wasn't really an option, Vahn fell into deep thought. He could always try making his own school, recruiting teachers and students during their travels, but that created quite a number of problems. Most of the students he picked up would basically be orphans, and, unless he used the system he had implemented back in Danmachi, there was no simple way of unifying the curriculum and ensuring everyone had the best possible education to suit their needs...
Understanding he would need to put a lot of thought into it, Vahn decided to temporarily shelve the matter, ruffling Asuna's hair as he stated, "It will take some time, but I can promise you will be able to attend school at some point. Until then, why not try to become friends with Fenrir, Medusa, and the Elements? It is possible to be friends with animals, spirits, and even monsters, so don't limit yourself to only befriending other people, okay...?"
Since she hadn't expected to be able to go to school immediately, Asuna wasn't bothered by Vahn's words. Instead, she looked toward Fenrir, finding the curious woman smiling back at her. Then, after a few seconds had passed, her eyes drifted toward the fluffy ears atop Fenrir's head, smiling slightly when she saw them twitch in response.
Having come to a conclusion, Asuna looked back at Vahn, stating, "I understand. I will do my best to become friends with everyone."
Though Vahn wanted to correct her and explain there were people she needed to be cautious of, he didn't intend to let Asuna out of sight until the danger had passed. Fortunately, she seemed to be an exceptionally smart young lady, so, even if he didn't go into greater detail, she should be able to correctly deduce who she should, and shouldn't, trust. She also had the most powerful fate he had ever seen, so, regardless of what happened, Asuna would be able to become monstrously powerful, or, at the very least, accumulate allies who were willing to fight at her side.
Confident in his reasoning, Vahn gently ruffled Asuna's hair one last time before saying, "That's that, then. We'll head to the Shrine of Wisdom and decide on our next course of action after returning to the ship. Come, let's get you washed up and ready to go. I'm looking forward to meeting the Great Spirit of Light in person."
Though she nodded her head in understanding, Asuna didn't immediately get up from her seat at the low-lying table. Instead, she chomped down on one last cookie before raising her arms, clearly intending for him to pick her up. This caused Vahn's smile to turn slightly wry, but, finding her antics to be somewhat adorable, he still dutifully picked her up, carrying her all the way to the bathroom as she continued to nibble on her cookie...
---
As a nation comprised of predominately nocturnal citizens, anything that wasn't considered vital to Nyandoma's prosperity generally operated at very awkward hours. The only places that were really open were the various tourist traps, but, with a war looming on the horizon, the number of tourists had sharply declined. As a result, Nyandoma became eerily silent during the day, but, if you were to look closely, you could still see quite a number of people just lounging about, absorbing the rays of the sun, or, quite literally, enjoying a catnap.
Fortunately, due to how sparsely populated the streets were, Vahn's party didn't have to suffer from the same hateful gazes as the previous night. Most of the people out and about during the day had little motivation to cause trouble, and, due to the principle belief that the 'early bird gets the worm', the majority of Mercenaries and Adventurers had already departed the city. This made it relatively easy to traverse, and, after a little over half an hour, Vahn was able to see the rather massive Shrine of Wisdom looming over every other building in the area.
Seeing the shrine that had basically been carved into a small forested mountain, Vahn couldn't help but admire its beauty. It had a simultaneously ancient yet pristine feel to it, and, though the culture of Nyandoma was marginally different from Japan, there were still tori-like gates present. There was also a long stone path that seemed to zig-zag up the mountain, allowing people to leisurely climb the seventeen-thousand steps to the top. The other option included scaling what was known as the 'Path of Heaven', a series of stone steps that ranged between five and fifteen meters in height. This wasn't actually that difficult to traverse, but, due to the barrier around the mountain, it was virtually impossible for normal people to use Magic.
As the only way to meet with the Great Spirit directly was to scale the Path of Heaven, Vahn looked toward Arika, asking, "Will you be okay without your Magic?"
Rather than answer, Arika only briefly made eye contact with Vahn before taking a step forward and rather effortlessly leaping up the first step. The barrier didn't actually interfere with her ability to use Royal Magic, but, not wanting to cheat, she used the strength of her legs alone to make the leap.
Seeing Arika ascending without much difficulty, Vahn turned toward Asuna, who, immediately after meeting his gaze, said, "I won't be able to make it." in a curt tone.
Vahn would have actually been more surprised if the 85cm tall Asuna could leap five meters without any kind of boost. She could clear even higher obstacles with the use of Magic, but, unlike the other members of the Royal Family, Asuna couldn't use Royal Magic. Instead, she had something infinitely rarer, a type of Ancient Magic that hadn't existed since the Era of the Gods: Twilight Imperial Magic. According to what Ana and Vesperina had told him, this was a type of Magic that allowed a person to create and destroy worlds. This meant Asuna was very likely a Tier 5 being, and, though she was currently very weak, her potential was absolutely monstrous...
As that thought crossed his mind, Vahn couldn't help but grin when Asuna suddenly lift her arms up high, clearly intending to be carried to the top. She might very well be the most important person in the entire Record, but, at least for the time being, she was just an adorable, slightly spoiled, little Princess. Rather than worry about what she would become, Vahn was more concerned about giving her the chance to be happy, so, after lightly tickling her sides, he picked her up into a princess carry before easily leaping up the massive stone steps...
(A/N: Alternate Titles: 'Vahn just wants to be lazy with Eva (UwU)...','Mahou Sensei Vahn!?','Asuna is slowly taming the Dragon xD...')
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章節 1559: Connoisseur : Revelations
After reaching the top of the mountain, Vahn found Arika waiting near the entrance to a relatively small shrine located behind the much larger shrine complex. Near the very back, an entity that was closer to what some might describe as a Demon could be seen sitting in a meditative pose atop an ancient stone dais. It had a vaguely humanoid structure with a lean and muscular figure, but, rather than appear organic, its entire body seemed to be formed from a type of white metal with accents of gold. It wore a rather creepy-looking mask that loosely resembled a cat, while, at the sides of its head, four horns, two large and two small, jutted out to form s-shaped curves.
At a glance, some might mistake the entity for a statue that had been dressed up in monk's robes, but, considering it was floating a few centimeters off the ground and was petting what appeared to be a 'Beckoning Cat', it was clearly alive. It also slightly changed the orientation of its head from the location of Arika, staring back at Vahn before shifting its gaze between Fenrir and Asuna.
Breaking the silence, the creature extended one of its clawed fingers, pointing towards Asuna as it said, "Unqualified...leave..." in a paradoxically soothing yet ghastly voice.
Ignoring the demon-like entity's accusation, Vahn looked towards the somewhat chubby cat in its lap, drawing the attention of the rather adorable creature as he mused, "Do you mind having your guardian stand down? I can be overprotective so things might not end well if he tries to antagonize this little one..."
Surprising Arika, Asuna, and even Fenrir, the chubby white cat showed the closest thing to a smile that a cat could manage before answering in an incredibly deep voice, "How peculiar...to think there are still things in this world that can surprise me. Very well. Stand down, Lars. You would struggle to defeat those two beauties, much less that monstrous fella."
The moment it heard the chubby cat's words, the demon-like figure gave a curt nod, answering, "I understand, Lord Utu..." before restraining its rising aura.
With tensions quickly dissipating, the chubby cat, Nyon Utu, making itself appear even more like a beckoning cat, waved its paw in a 'come hither' gesture. In response to this, Vahn set Asuna on the ground, saying, "Stay with Fenrir. I'll be right back."
Without waiting for Asuna's response, Vahn lightly ruffled her hair before gesturing to Arika to stay back as he approached the mochi-like cat. It almost looked like a plushy that was designed to look like a cartoon character, but, if you looked closely, it actually had extremely fine fur that seemed to be formed from luminescent fibers. Its eyes were squinted shut, much like a contented cat enjoying a sunny day, but, during the brief moment when he had turned away, Vahn noticed its eyes open to reveal sky-blue with peculiar golden pupils...
Ignoring the statuesque creature's penetrating gaze, Vahn startled 'Lord Utu' by suddenly extending his hand and gently strokings its head. This caused its guardian to release a brilliant aura, much like the sun, but, before it could say or do anything it would regret, Utu plainly stated, "It's fine. I already told you to stand down, didn't I? This man...means no harm...?"
Though it hadn't noticed it at first, Utu quickly realized that Vahn's hand emitted a soothing warmth that rapidly suffused throughout its body. This was a very pleasant sensation, causing it to fall silent for several seconds before saying, "You are quite good..."
Smiling in response to the curious white creature's compliment, Vahn briefly activated his [Hands of Nirvana], greatly increasing the potency of his Petting Laws before retracting his hand immediately thereafter. This caused Utu to open its eyes like a cat that had just woken up to the sound of food being poured into its bowl, bringing a smile to Vahn's face as he mused, "The texture of your fur is quite good. You also have a pliant body, almost like you don't even have bones...if I had to give you a rating, you have a pettability of eight out of ten...very nice..."
Hearing Vahn's remark, Utu had a very human-like expression of incredulity as it plainly stated, "I'll have you know that my fur is the softest in all of Mundus Magicus. If I'm an eight, nothing is a ten."
Snorting through his nose, Vahn call her before Fenrir appeared at his side with Asuna. This caused the statuesque High Spirit to tense up, but, after being warned twice, it didn't try to release it aura a third time. As for Utu, it noticed Fenrir's fluffy ears and tail, its eyes becoming slightly sharper as it inspected their quality and sheen...
Lifting up Fenrir's deceptively heavy tail, Vahn began to casually stroke it as he explained, "You may very well have the softest fur, but that isn't what makes something pettable. Texture, pliability, smell, and even temperature all play a part. If someone were to pet or snuggle you for an extended period of time, they would eventually need to take a break. Your body is too warm and your fur is seems to be perfectly uniform without a natural flow. The direction fur grows can be very important, naturally leading the hand of the person petting from one end to the other without a feeling of incongruity."
As Vahn spoke, he ran his hand along the length of Fenrir's tail. Her fur was not only soft, but it was very thick, allowing his hand to sink into the coat like combing through a fine shag carpet. Despite this, it would quickly regain its volume the moment his hand passed, guiding his palm forward like a surfer being drawn by gravity as a wave crests behind them. At the same time, Fenrir's tail twitched in a pleasant manner, a reaction that encouraged further petting...
Though it might sound like Vahn was speaking nonsense, Nyon Utu seemed to take his words very seriously, nodding its head as it said, "I see...it is the balance and harmony of traits that ensure the maximum pettability...my eyes have been opened...may I...?"
Fenrir wasn't fond of letting other people pet her, but, feeling somewhat prideful at the moment, she gave a small nod before dexterously extending her tail towards the peculiar creature.
Extending its paw in a rather unnatural manner, making it seem more like a slime-shaped cat than a vertebrate, Nyon Utu gently caressed Fenrir's tail. It immediately took note of the fact that the sleek fur was nearly as soft as its own, but, just as Vahn had said, the 'flow' of her fur seemed to guide the hand in a specific direction. It was also cool to the touch, but, if you pressed deeper into the fur, it was possible to feel a bit of warmth that radiated outward from the core...
After retracting its hand, Nyon Utu noded in a sagely manner as it said, "My hubris had prevented me from reaching the pinnacle...and to think, I even go as far as to call myself the Great Spirit of Wisdom...funyaaa~"
Though even he had started to feel like this situation was a little strange, Vahn also felt inclined to nod his head before adopting a 'thoughtful' expression and adding, "There is one thing that might elevate you to a nine..."
Hearing words of hope, Nyon Utu looked toward Vahn with glimmering eyes, asking, "Truly? Is there a way forward for someone who had been blinded by arrogance...?"
Stroking an imaginary beard, Vahn nodded his head a few times before nearly giving the High Spirit charged with protecting Nyon Utu an aneurism when he picked the chubby cat up. Then, choosing to let actions speak louder than words, he handed them over to Asuna. She had been looking at the peculiar cat with 'possessive' eyes, and, though he would probably need to restrain himself more in the future, Vahn was still in a 'pampering' phase.
Nyon Utu immediately displayed the characteristic indignity of a house cat that had been picked up by a small child, but, after Asuna began to rub her cheek against the back of its head, it released a mewling sigh and said, "I see...my small size makes it easier to pet my entire body...is that it...?"
Without beating around the bush, Vahn nodded his head, adding, "Your squishy body also gives you a high 'huggability' factor. Children also have higher body temperatures, so, even if your body is a little warm, they wouldn't be uncomfortable. I would even argue that, when it comes to being hugged by a child, you transcend ratings completely."
Amused by Vahn's words, Nyon Utu released a strangely human laugh before extricating itself from Asuna's grip and hovering in the air as it said, "You are very interesting. Even amongst Dragons, few are bold enough to tease a Great Spirit. Tell me, Friend of the Elements, why have you come here? Is it for the sake of that woman...?"
Even without looking back, Vahn knew Nyon Utu was looking over at Arika, but, surprising both cat and woman, he shook his head, answering, "I have decided to support her, but that isn't the reason I have appeared. If she is to win your favor and trust, that will be through her own efforts. The main reason I came here today was to both meet and befriend you. I have already decided to protect this world so I would like to befriend those who have come before me."
Sensing the truth contained within Vahn's words, Nyon Utu stared back at him for several seconds before stating, "There are very few qualified to call themselves 'True Friends of the Elements'. Other than our original creator, you are the only one I have ever seen. I am unable to determine how you came to be, but, for reasons I cannot fully understand, I feel as though you can be trusted. So long as you do not endanger this world, I would be glad to call you my friend...?"
Noticing the confusion on Nyon Utu's face, Vahn smiled as he stated, "Vahn. My full name is Vahn Aldrnari Mason, but you can just call me Vahn. As for my title, I am best known as the Sage Dragon Emperor."
As it had already sensed the draconic aura within Vahn's body, even addressing him as a Dragon just moments prior, Nyon Utu wasn't surprised by the introduction. Instead, it produced a cat-like smile, musing, "I will allow you to address me as Nyon. I would normally ask that you call me Utu, but, out of consideration for your skill and knowledge of petting, I will permit you to address me by my first name."
Since Nyon had been floating in front of him, Vahn took advantage of the opportunity, extending his hand to pet the malleable Spirit's head. It didn't offer any resisting to her caress, rather, much like a normal cat, it ran its body along his palm without requiring him to move. Then, like a scarf, it wrapped around his shoulders and said, "Introduce me to your companions. I am curious about the company kept by a Sage Dragon Emperor. I would normally permit but a single question to each of my guests, but, out of consideration for our friendship, I will tolerate a longer conversation."
Not minding the fact Nyon was using his shoulders as a perch, Vahn nodded his head, gesturing to Fenrir, Asuna, and Arika in turn, explaining, "This is my most faithful companion, the Queen of the Frozen Abyss, Fenrir. As for this little cutie, she goes by the rather long name of Asuna Vesperina Theotanasia Entheofushia, the Twilight Imperial Princess. Lastly, the taciturn beauty with the golden hair is the current Queen of Vespertatia, Arika Anarukia Enteofyushia. She might not show it in her countenance, but she has quite a passionate and respectable character. I believe she may very well have what it takes to lead the people of this world to prosperity; a world where all races coexist in harmony with nature."
Though her mind had momentarily stalled when Vahn referred to her as a taciturn beauty, Arika quickly recovered by the time he had finished speaking. She even suspected he had extended his introduction out of consideration for her, causing an almost imperceptible smile to appear on her face as she politely bowed and said, "It is my honor to meet the Great Spirit of Light, Nyon Utu..."
As the nation closest to Ostia, Nyon was obviously aware of who Arika and Asuna were, causing its eyes to open slightly as it mused, "Hooo...to think the Queen of Vespertatia has entered my country in such a secretive manner. The Ostian Royal Family would have never done something like this in the past...tell me, are you trying to prevent the onset of war? Have you decided on more 'proactive' measures than mere diplomacy~?"
Feeling as though she was being tested, Arika raised her head, staring directly into the gaze of the Great Spirit of Light. She felt as though all of her thoughts and emotions were gleaned in an instant under its gaze, but, undaunted, she proclaimed, "Though I act out of duty, my desire to protect this world and its people is sincere. I will not ask for the help or protection of the Great Spirits...I will do what I can by using my own power, and, if it isn't enough, I will find allies who share my hope for a better future. I only ask that, when the time comes, you will help your people see purpose beyond the veil of hatred..."
Though it could not see through Vahn in the slightest, Nyon had been able to glean some insights from peering into Arika's most recent memories. This caused its eyes to widen in shock, as, due to her focusing on matters specifically related to it, Nyon learned of its impending fate. It wasn't able to read all of her memories, but, as her conversation with Vahn was very recent, Nyon understood that the sun would soon set on the nation of Nyandoma...
Just as its mind became slightly chaotic, Nyon was surprised when a calming warmth began to spread through its body, even without Vahn directly petting them. His aura was very gentle and warm, easing some of the fear and trepidation that had started to pervade their mind after spying on Arika's memories. It had also learned that Vahn specifically came to this world to protect it, so, while it might have been fated to die, his presence had already changed the flow of destiny. This realization caused them a considerable amount of relief, and, though they would normally never humor talks of supporting the ambitions of a mortal, Nyon decided to hear out the words of the woman backed by the Sage Dragon Emperor...
(A/N: Alternate Titles: 'The Great Spirit of Light is quite majestic (OwO)...','An unparalleled expert in the field','Great Spirit of Wisdom? More like Mind-Reading Hack...!')
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