Chapter 2295: Return

As their stay in the Actualized World came to an end, space and time began to distort around Vahn and Sandora. The dimensions of the room they occupied increased exponentially as more than a thousand beings of various shapes and sizes manifested into existence.

Among the incredibly diverse group, a 96cm tall man with a bushy white mustache and golden hair reminiscent of an afro exclaimed, “Fascinating! To think there were planes of existence beyond our own! I can’t wait to uncover the secrets of this Little Garden~!”

Reacting to the pointy-eared man’s words, Vahn replied, “Just be careful. The people here can be even more opportunistic than the Summoners of the Council.”

Squinting his eyes in response to Vahn’s words, the schnauzer-like man, better known as Professor Heimerdinger, remarked, “Worry not, Your Majesty. If this world is as you reported, I’m certain we’ll be able to thrive. I can hardly wait to get to work~!”

Nodding his head, Vahn was about to mention introducing Heimerdinger to Da Vinci or Bulma before he was interrupted by a young woman with fur-covered ears, curved horns, a lion-like tail, and somewhat unkempt, raven-black hair that extended to the small of her back.

“Is this really Master Vahn’s and Lady Sandora’s home? The amount of spiritual energy here is incredible…”

Agreeing with the chimeric beauty, an attractive woman with maroon-red hair, golden eyes, ears comparable to a fennec fox, taloned feet, and a wing-like mantle remarked, “It would need to be if we’re to rebuild our people…”

Adding to the exotic-looking woman’s words, a shirtless man with red and white hair reminiscent of a cockscomb wrapped his arms around her, teasing, “Speaking of which…I think it’s about time you accepted my marriage proposal…”

Though she elbowed the man in his gut, a smile developed across the face of the maroon-haired woman as she said, “I told you not to act all lovey-dovey in front of the Emperor…”

Coming to the bird-like man’s aid, Vahn casually replied, “There is no shame in displaying one’s love…” before planting a kiss on the fiery-haired dragoness cradled in his arms.

Despite the attention of everyone in the spacious room shifting toward them, Vahn and Sandora continued kissing for several seconds before he separated from her lips. Afterward, he shifted his attention towards the crowd and said, “As I said before, you’re free to make your own decisions from this moment onward. Those of you that wish to continue supporting or serving the Aldrnari Empire can accompany me back to the East. If you’d like to try setting out on your own, the only thing I ask is that you remember the tenets established by the Sage Dragon Emperor’s Decree. As long as you remain true to our cause, I can revive you as many times as necessary.”

Without attempting to break free from Vahn’s princess carry, Sandora added, “Those of you who aren’t a part of the Vastaya, please consider joining my Salamandra Community. We’re ultimately an extension of the Aldrnari Empire, but our political situation is tumultuous compared to Vahn’s court. I could really use some help getting things in order…”

Though she was tempted to just entrust everything to Vahn, Sandora hadn’t given up on her desire to stand beside him. She now knew it was impossible to close the distance in their respective power levels, but she could at least alleviate some of his burdens by governing the North reliably.

In response to Sandora’s words, an enigmatic figure with golden horns, nebulous purple hair, and a body that resembled the night sky answered, “Allow me to be of assistance, young one. I promised the Sage Dragon Emperor that I would act as a Guardian of the Tenets in exchange for my freedom. If there are enemies who would oppose your rule, allow me to deal with them.”

Answering in place of Sandora, Vahn stated, “If that is your decision, Aurelion, I will not stop you. However, now that we’ve left the Plane of Runterra Prime behind, you are free to act as you please.”

Having been bested by Vahn in single combat, Aurelion, full name Aurelion Sol, maintained a neutral expression as he replied in a remarkably deep voice, “I gave you my word. So long as you continue along your current path, I will continue to support and protect all those who obey the Tenets.”

Unsurprised by Aurelion’s response, Vahn just nodded his head before directing his gaze to the other nebulous entities that stood out even among the remarkably diverse group. They were the various Aspects of Targon Prime, the colloquial name given to the Gods that presided over various Laws.

“I offer you the same opportunity. Now that we’ve departed the Actualized World, you are free to act as you please. You no longer have to obey me unless you choose to.”

Answering before the others could speak up, a remarkably beautiful woman with silvery-white hair and six angelic wings replied, “You are the one who restored balance to our fractured world. We will continue to follow you until the end of all things.”

Though he would normally smile wryly in response to such a statement, Vahn just supplied a series of nods as he listened to each of the Aspects affirm their loyalty. The only exception was a youthful-looking girl with inordinately long hair that transitioned from bright orange to nebulous purple as it flowed behind her in defiance of gravity. When it was her ‘turn’ to speak up, she said, “I’m gonna go exploring.” before asking, “Is that okay~?”

Nodding his head in approval, Vahn said, “Of course. Just try not to cause too much trouble, okay? Also, keep in mind that your powers are not as omnipotent here as they were back in the Actualized World. My Familia Crest affords you a certain amount of impunity, but there are beings in this world that can destroy entire metaversal structures with a wave of their hand.”

Ignoring Vahn’s warning, the youthful-looking Aspect waved towards a boyish man with golden blonde hair, sky blue eyes, and pale blue markings on his cheekbones, exclaiming, “Ezreal~! Let’s go exploring together~!”

Though he was fully intent on exploring the Little Garden, the golden-haired man winced when he heard the diminutive Aspect’s words.

Scratching the back of his head, Ezreal replied, “I appreciate the invitation, Zoe, but I already-“

Before Ezreal could finish speaking, the petite Aspect dropped through a circular-shaped portal before reappearing behind him, musing, “I won’t let you go back on your promise.” before they both disappeared. Vahn could have interfered to prevent the abduction, but he knew that Ezreal had dug himself into his current predicament.

Much like himself.

Though he held back a bit in the beginning, Vahn had underestimated how ‘liberal’ Sandora had become after their marriage. She apparently felt guilty about ‘holding him back’ during their stay in the Actualized World of Ni No Kuni, so she ended up ‘conspiring’ against him a bit when it came to the various women he encountered during their journey.

In the process of brokering peace between the various nations and assisting the foundation of an organization known as the League of Legends, Vahn allowed his curiosity and lack of inhibitions to get the better of him. By the time he had become the God-Emperor of Runeterra, he had slept with a total of twenty-nine different women, the vast majority belonging to the Vastaya, a chimeric race comprising nearly seventy percent of the people he brought back with him.

While most of Vahn’s partners had been members of the nearly extinct Vastaya, a race he promised to help rebuild, his other conquests included the various Aspects and a handful few Yordles. He was a little reluctant at first, but, as was often the case, Vahn’s sentiments and curiosity got the better of him. His ability to transform into virtually any race, and the fact he had initially based himself out of Bandle City, the homeland of the Yordles, worked against him.

Shifting his attention to the diverse group of women than had succumbed to his charms, three of which were Yordles, Vahn’s expression softened as he stated, “This is your last chance…if you refuse to set out on your own, I might never let you go…”

Though a few of them looked towards each other as if to confirm whether or not they were willing to stay, the majority of the group appeared resolute. This included a 96cm tall woman with blue fur, long pointy ears, an adorable snaggletooth, and pale white hair fastened into pigtails.

“I can’t speak for the others but I intend to follow you until the end. You showed me what it meant to be a true hero and prevented multiple wars. Even if you were to push me away, I would continue following after you for as long as my feet will carry me…”

Shouldering a massive hammer that was more than twice her size, the resolute Yordle made it clear she wasn’t going to back down. Before encountering Vahn, she had spent nearly a thousand years searching for a hero that ultimately turned out to be her. When Vahn initially explained the situation to her, she refused to believe him. However, after traveling back in time and helping him to save the world, there were no longer doubts in Poppy’s mind. More importantly, Vahn had also been able to wield the Hammer of Orlon, so she vowed to follow him for as long as the hammer found them to be worthy.

Though none of them actually intended to leave Vahn, those that were feeling a little apprehensive about becoming a member of a massive harem felt more at ease when they heard Poppy’s words. Vahn had either saved or changed their lives for the better, so, even if it was just for a short while longer, they wanted to continue following, supporting, and being loved by him…

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After getting the majority of the Vastaya situated in his personal Little Garden, Vahn compressed a few weeks into a few hours so that everyone could be brought up to speed on the situation in the Divine Realm. It was no longer as necessary as before, but he also wanted to give them a bit of time to adapt to the Laws of the Little Garden. This was especially important for the Aspects, as, back in their world, they had near-absolute power over the Laws they represented.

While Vahn’s backing and Authority could make up for what the Aspects had lost, they would still need to ‘prove’ themselves in order to acquire the status of Gods within the Little Garden. Without it, they risked being foddered and one-sidedly oppressed by anyone in the 4-Digit Gates or lower. Thus, while they would ultimately belong to the Aldrnari Empire, Vahn had Pantheon, the Aspect of War, and Urza, the Aspect of Identity, established Communities of their own. The former would be located in the South, aiding in the conquest of the Greek and Norse Pantheons, while Vahn planned for the latter to reside in the West.

Urza, better known as the Mask Mother, had the unique ability to both assign and remove identities from people. While most being would lose their power upon entering the West Side, the Domain of Identity superseded nearly every other Law in existence. Its influence was also inviolable, so, as long as she coordinated with Da Vinci, Vahn was confident that Urza could ‘rewrite’ the Laws within the West. She had a strange personality, but Urza was one of the first three Aspects within her world, a timeless entity that governed fate itself.

Since Urza could literally create her own supports, the only ‘people’ Vahn sent with her were Bard and Tyari, the Aspects of Journey and Travel. He was tempted to send Kindred, the Aspect of Death, but the dualistic entity had become rather attached to him after he survived their hunt and taught them the meaning of life. Lamb, in particular, was one of Vahn’s earliest ‘conquests’ during his stay in the Actualized World of Runeterra…

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(A/N: I have been bedridden for nearly nine days. I’d like to say I’m feeling better, but I can’t even sit up for a few minutes before I start coughing violently. I’m doing what I can to recover, but it’s taking a lot longer than I expected.)