Endless Path : Infinite Cosmos

While Adori was lying face down at his side, gasping and with a subtly rainbow-hued liquid pooling on the bedsheets between her thighs, Vahn was performing maintenance on the Golden November. Across from him, appearing identical to the woman slipping in and out of consciousness to his left, an inordinately beautiful woman with gilded hair and matching eyes carefully observed his actions with a red face and a slightly glazed expression.

As could be expected, this ethereal and completely naked woman was none other than Adori, or, more accurately, the Spirit from who Adoru, Adori's true name, obtained her identity and purpose.

The Golden November was intended to serve as the sword and shield of the Empire from the very beginning, so, unlike the rest of the Thirteen Month Series, it could not be allowed to slip into the hands of another Family. Instead, the Jahad Family, coordinating with Gustang and various rogue members of the workshop, began conducting a series of experiments using blood from the original Princesses of Jahad. In the simplest terms, Adori was the 'perfected form' of a Princess of Jahad, an artificial being designed to be flawless from birth.

Unfortunately, as was often the case when people attempted to create a 'perfect being', fate had a way of revealing just how foolish such sentiments were. The original Adori ended up getting killed during her very first battle due to her machine-like personality and inability to perceive things like fear and pain. The only thing that had mattered to her was the mission she had been assigned, so, as could be expected, she was completely played in the campaign to kill the current leader of FUG, Grace Mirchea Luslec.

Since it would be a problem if the 'ultimate weapon' of the Empire was defeated so easily, Gustang and his team recovered the remains of the original Adori's body for use in one of the most profane experiments Vahn could imagine. They used her as an experimental seedbed, infusing her eggs with Jahad's genetic material with the intent of producing an even 'more perfect' human. Most of these experiments ended in failure, but, after thousands of years and countless sacrifices, they were finally able to succeed in the production of the 'perfect human', Adoru.

Having learned from their previous mistakes, Adoru received a thorough education and ample care from every person she encountered in her young life. Everyone praised her and told her how special she was, and, once she had been thoroughly indoctrinated, she even spent a brief period of time as Jahad's official charge. This was the experience that had cemented the views she had carried for the last five-thousand-years. More importantly, it was the convictions she had formed over those three years that allowed her to survive the soul-shattering pain of having her spirit fused with the original.

In other words, the naked beauty seated across from Vahn was actually an amalgamation of two Spirits that had been irreversibly merged into a singular whole. She was a lot like Maemiru in that regard, but, unlike the perverted maid duo from Danmachi, Adori and Adoru were more mother-daughter than sisters...

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Using an artifact-grade oil rag, Vahn continued to meticulously polish the crystalline surface of the Golden November with a carefree yet amused smile on his face. Each of his actions would garner an adorable response from the Spirit seated across from him. She would twitch and tremble, and, every time he ran his fingers along her blade's spine or polished the rings near her base, her teeth would clatter despite her efforts to appear calm and unflustered.

As this had already been going on for close to half an hour, Vahn was unsurprised when Adori, still lying on her stomach, turned her head toward him, silence lingering for several seconds before she finally asked, "Umm...does this...can you tell me what time it is...?"

Though she could have easily checked the time herself, Adori wasn't really sure what to say or do at a time like this. Prior to a few hours ago, her knowledge regarding the relations between men and women was purely theoretical. She didn't know if this implied a successful seduction or if Vahn had just succumbed to his carnal instincts. Thus, while she wanted nothing more than to ask whether or not he would be providing his support to the ailing Empire, she could barely muster the courage to ask him for the time...

Setting aside the Golden November, much to the Spirit's disappointment, Vahn looked towards the timid beauty before patting his thighs and saying, "Come. Take a seat."

Restraining the urge to swallow, Adori forced her tired body to a sitting position, her golden eyes briefly lingering on Vahn's naked lower body before quickly overcoming her inhibitions and taking a seat. In response, he unashamedly began fondling her impeccably soft breasts, forcing an adorably surprised yelp from her throat as he gently pinched her pale-pink nipples and explained, "I don't like to force people. I accepted this arrangement because I understood your father's, Jahad's, true intentions. You will abdicate from your position as Command-in-Chief, and, in exchange, I will install someone with even greater power to watch over the Empire until the rightful heir is ready to take the throne."

As this was her first time hearing about a 'rightful heir', Adori managed to overcome the pleasure assaulting her body long enough to cease biting her lip and ask, "Wh-"

Before she could finish uttering a single syllable, Vahn sealed the golden-haired beauty's lips with his own. At the same time, his left-hand moved down the line of her body, fingers tracing through fields of gold before invading the previously hallowed grounds hidden between her remarkably fair and surprisingly thick thighs. This caused a girlish yelp to emanate from Adori's throat, her thighs instinctually shutting around his hand before relaxing a few moments later.

After continuing in this manner for the better part of an hour, Vahn separated his lips from Adori's to find the golden-haired beauty staring up at him with a completely dazed expression on her face. She had even extended her tongue for a brief moment, but, realizing they were no longer kissing, a light of clarity immediately returned to her gaze. Before she could even think to ask him a question, however, Vahn adopted a moderately authoritative tone as he said, "The affairs of the Empire are no longer your concern. Now that you have chosen to follow this path, you are no longer Adori Jahad, Commander-in-Chief of the Imperial Army. You are my woman...understood...?"

Though a part of this could be attributed to the time he spent with Ureko, Vahn knew that someone like Adori needed someone to tell her what to do. She was unable to willfully pursue selfish notions such as her own happiness, and, if given the option, she would unhesitantly dedicate the rest of her life to rebuilding the Empire and keeping peace within the Tower. Jahad had been aware of this, so, taking advantage of her self-sacrificing mentality, he sent her to Vahn under the pretense of a 'final mission'.

Under normal circumstances, Vahn wasn't particularly fond of being used in the machinations of other people. This time, however, he had decided to make an exception. Adori had spent the last five-thousand-years dedicating her everything to the Empire. She deserved to experience genuine happiness, and, while he didn't need to be the one to give it to her, he believed she would benefit greatly from interacting with the other members of his harem...

Having already formed the resolve to 'sacrifice' herself, the conflict in Adori's gaze only lasted for a brief moment before she ultimately nodded her head and said, "Understood...from this moment on, I am no longer Adori Jahad...I am your woman..."

Waiting for this exact moment, Vahn brought Adori, who had been on the verge of climaxing for a very long time, to completion. This caused a violent tremble to run through her body, and, though they were far from finished, he still wrapped his arms around her, his tone gentle yet resonating as he whispered, "Good girl..."

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Though the sudden inclusion of Adori was quite a surprise to certain members of his harem, Vahn had already come to terms with the notion that he might end up adding several more members in the very near future. He knew people like Garam had taken an interest in him a long time ago, and, ever since he defeated Hon, Hagipherione had set her sights on him. She wanted him to teach her the 'true way' of the sword, and, as could be expected from someone whose entire life had revolved around mastering the blade, she was willing to do whatever it took to 'convince' him.

Having discussed the matter at length with the Council of Wives and the more influential members of his harem, Vahn was seriously considering inviting most, if not all, the former Princesses of Jahad into the Little Garden. He had no intention of making each and every one of them into members of his harem, but, understanding how difficult their lives would be should they remained in the Tower, he felt he owed them an opportunity after killing off their primary backer.

With this in mind, Vahn, along with Ureko, teleported to a rather scenic location on the 119th Floor. From the outside, it resembled a massive lake surrounded by verdant forests, but, peering into the depths, it was possible to make out a palatial structure formed from pure ice. This was the location of Garam's secret base, and, thanks to the Blue August, the surface of the lake was able to appear as a liquid despite being more than a hundred degrees below zero.

Ignoring this chill completely, Vahn and Ureko dove into the lake before swimming to the entrance located at the very front of the palatial structure. They could have teleported directly inside, but, as nigh-indestructible beings with free rein to go wherever they pleased, activities such as diving and free climbing were novel ways to pass the time.

Unfortunately for Garam, she had made the 'mistake' of placing a powerful barrier at the entrance so much of the palace ended up getting flooded once Ureko smashed it open and shouted, "Oi~! Frost-nips! Get your ass out here! We've come to collect you~!"

Hearing Ureko borrow the line he had used back on the 134th Floor, a wry smile developed across Vahn's face as Garam emerged from the palace's interior atop an icy blue Lighthouse, asking, "What the hell are you on about, you blonde psychopath...?"

Adopting a massive grin, Ureko placed her hand over her lower abdomen, affectionately caressing it as she said, "Vahn and I have already sealed the deal. Since you're basically my woman, you should come and have fun with us. Also, we'll be leaving the Tower pretty soon so this is basically your last chance to jump on the bandwagon. Either way, we need your Blue August and Indigo July. You can either hand them over or turn that ass around. Your choice."

Though she was used to Ureko's unabashed way of speaking, Garam was caught off guard by the words coming out of her former friend and pseudo-lover's mouth. She understood what Ureko was trying to say, sure, but, as this had basically come out of nowhere, all she could do was look toward Vahn and ask, "Are you okay with this...?"

Restraining a wry smile, Vahn nodded his head and said, "I'm currently gathering the-" before Ureko interrupted and said, "Oh, come on. Don't tell me you intend to spend the rest of your life holed up in this prison? There are countless worlds waiting to be explored beyond the Tower. Besides, even if you put on a cold front, I know you still love me~."

Glowering in response to Ureko's words, Garam was tempted to remind the annoying blonde that she was the one that kept harassing her. Instead, she inhaled a slow and steady breath through her nose before looking toward Vahn with an alluring smile and declaring, "Well now...It seems my 'ass' has suddenly become the property of the Sage Dragon Emperor. And here I thought you would be content with just my panties...you're pretty greedy..."

Punctuating her words, Garam hopped from her Lighthouse, instantaneously freezing the deluge of water flooding into her palace. Then, seemingly following Ureko's suggestion, she slowly turned her back, hands resting against the surface of her Lighthouse as she looked over her shoulder and said, "I don't dislike greedy men..."

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(A/N: This seems less like the end of an arc and more like the ass-end of a 100% speedrun. I really env-I mean-I really hate Vahn at times like this xD...)