Dyon's army had swelled in size.
As one ventured further into the Five Clan Beast territories, humans became far rarer, and Monet's abilities began to shine more fiercely. But, it was also then Dyon saw an odd shift in Monet's usually quiet and reserved personality.
"Are you alright?" Dyon's brow furrowed.
He couldn't help but remember his first thought when he found out Monet's ability: 'Why did a Beast Whisperer not have any beasts around her?'
Monet blushed in shame at Dyon's question.
Currently, they stood above Planet Thirteen-Three. Dyon had tried his best to move all life forms to a single planet whenever he conquered a universe, but as they moved toward the core of the Beast Alliance's territory, their population sizes grew larger and larger.
This universe, Universe Thirteen, had ten times the population size of Universe One at 100 billion beasts and humans. As a result, Dyon was forced to split the amount amongst five planets instead. It was less convenient this way, but there was no other choice.
"I…" Monet fidgeted around in the protective energy covering Dyon sustained for her. Although she was a Heaven's Child, her body was no different from a mortal's. Unless she was like Luna who had perfect energy control, she would only die continuous deaths if she stood out in open space.
"…" Monet's blush grew more furious. "… My beast whisperer ability is actually much more like Elvin beast taming abilities. In fact, I think their branch of beast taming grew out from me. I take on the characteristics of the beasts I tame, so it makes me lose some of my personality as well. So, I don't usually like to use my abilities too much."
Dyon's eyes widened in understanding.
Monet's ability wasn't limited to simply controlling beasts, she could endlessly store their abilities as well, even reaching back to her memories to manifest bestial abilities of the past.
Dyon suddenly understood that Aslan, Caspian and Maura weren't the only ones with outstanding abilities a level above the other Heaven's Children. No… Maybe that was the wrong way to think about. Maybe, every Heaven's child could manifest abilities just as amazing if their powers were taken to their logical extreme… Maybe, Aslan, Caspian and Maura were just more adept at using their strength than the others were.
Suddenly, he thought of something else. Didn't this mean that if it weren't for Monet's personality quirk, that she would have likely been chosen by Luna's enemies as well?
Dyon sighed. "You should have told me. I would never make you do something that made you uncomfortable."
Monet was shocked by these words. Of all the responses she expected, this was the last.
She expected something like: 'Just hold on, we're almost there anyway.' Or some platitudes that feigned caring while making it clear how 'key' she was to their operations. But, this wasn't at all what Dyon said.
"I'll send you back to Luna." Dyon said decisively. "You've done enough."
Monet's eyes widened in shock. But Dyon had already begun to move, forming a teleportation array that would send her back to Soul Planet.
"W-wait!"
Dyon raised an eyebrow. "Is there something else?"
"I-i-it's fine. I can still manage when beasts are of the Earth and Heaven Grade like these have been, it's more so when they reach the transcendent and supreme grade that they truly begin to affect me… Es-" Monet hesitated again. "Especially when they're of the human path…"
Dyon's eyes widened for the second time in what seemed like just a few seconds.
Monet had just admitted the so-called limitations to her abilities actually didn't exist at all. She simply made them up to avoid an awkward situation. Dyon had thought her abilities didn't work against beasts who took on the human path, but they actually did?...
Monet waved her hands as though to quickly explain herself, her brown bob cut hair bouncing.
"My abilities truly are ineffective against human path beasts, but only insofar as controlling them goes. What I mean to say is that I can still copy and use their abilities even if they're of the human path…"
Dyon finally understood the full story, causing him to sigh.
"Monet, I want you to know that your abilities are truly helpful to me. If it wasn't for you, conquering so many universes in just a single month would be nothing but a dream.
"However, you and the rest are the closest things to family Luna has. No, you are her family. Since that's the case, you're also my family. I want to treat you no different than I would an elder sister. Exploiting you is the last thing on my mind, do you understand?"
Monet nodded in a daze.
"So, I'll ask you directly. Would you like to go home?"
"Home…" Monet blinked, unable to get a grasp on her emotions.
The truth was that Monet's words weren't entirely accurate. It wasn't that she became a different person, but rather that she opened herself up to a personality she had greatly repressed long ago.
As a person who was one with beasts, she had many beast-like tendencies. She was crude, straight forward, lascivious, all sorts of things the martial world looked down on women for being. As a result, she buried that side of herself, not because she didn't like it, but for survival. Even Heaven's Children had their limits…
But, Dyon's words intrigued Monet. She wanted to see if these would still be his words if she truly unleashed.
In that moment, a fiendish light glowed in her deep brown eyes. "I'm okay. Let's continue."