Chapter 277

The (Not So) Perfect Wedding (Part IV)

(An Hour Ago)

Clap, clap.

Instantly, the world around me froze. As a wave of goldenly pink pixie magic swirled awake and instantly froze everyone in place, at the exact moment that I cast my own personal Confidentiality.

Everyone from the preacher right next to us, to the ghost elven guards who had taken up protective rings around us, to each and every member of the congregation that had gathered from both sides to attend the wedding.

Each and everyone that was here was frozen solid.

Well almost everyone.

“Is that supposed to happen?” Mallory asked, as apparently, she was completely unaffected by the pixie dust, good to know.

Seeing her still fully functional, despite being exposed to a healthy dose of pixie dust, a mental note, as I now knew to alter my personal plans going forward. Good to know your limitations in how you can handle your boss, or apparently not handler her as is the current case.

“Yes, now if you will excuse me, please make sure that you do not move and try to keep the exact position you were in when I froze you. Lest you break the whole magic.” I state, as I go over to the frozen King De’Arcaneri and with a simple touch, I use my Energy Status Resonance to remove the lingering effects of Spiritual Doppelganger from the king, revealing a very pregnant Gwen.

Not just pregnant, but apparently a Gwen that herself was already in the process of having her water breaking, thus the apparent stain on her kingly trousers, and the reason why my Fourth Simulacrum decided to switch places with me.

At that moment, I kind of realize that Fourth Simulacrum was kind of demeaning to the Simulacrum. As this Simulacrum clearly showed herself to be fairly competent and capable of handling important tasks like creating self-cleaning dog dens.

With that, I mentally decided that it was time I did the most important thing, I was going to give that simulacrum a name. That was when I mentally noted, I would consider the fourth Simulacrum to be her own independent Simulacrum with her own abilities to complete tasks and chores.

As such, I decided to name the Fourth Simulacrum something special, denoting her accomplishments. That is why I named her Rune-ulacrum.

Click.

Then almost as soon as I came up with the name, I felt something snap to place in my mind, as I realized I had unlocked something. Which was noted almost immediately with the next system message.

Quest Complete: A Worthy Name for a Worthy Simulacrum: You have finally given your Simulacrums names other than ‘hey you,’ or one through four, as such your Simulacrum will now take on a personality related to their name and accomplishments. Named Simulacrum, previously Fourth Simulacrum will now be called Rune-ulacrum. Reward: Experience, Simulacrum Name will impact their overall capabilities as a simulacrum.

Name and Acting Simulacrum Title: Rune-ulacrum: A name befitting the Simulacrum associated with the creation of the most complex, detailed, and intricate runic structure ever. Effect: All Enchanting and Advance Enchanting products created by Rune-ulacrum will be 20% Stronger, Last 20% Longer, 20% More Adaptable, and will have 20% more likely to create a Mythical Level Runed Item or structure.

Seeing the message, I instantly felt a little jealous, as that bonus meant that my fourth Simulacrum, well previously fourth Simulacrum would now be able to use my Enchanting Skills will be 20% better than my own.

Still of all the Simulacrums, Rune-ulacrum deserved that bonus.

But then pausing, I realized that I could do the same for my other Simulacrums. Taking a moment, I realized I was not exactly in the best spot to push the proverbial envelope of best naming practices. But seeing as the first name was taken, I quickly came up with names for the other Simulacrums that flowed and connected instantly in my mind.

The First Simulacrum would be Heal-ulacrum, due to the way she was always healing the Blight and just Healing any and everyone that came into the Mage’s Guild office on the second floor of the Arcanarus Tower.

As soon as the thought took shape, I got the quick bonus for that Simulacrum.

Name and Acting Simulacrum Title: Heal-ulacrum: A name befitting the Simulacrum associated with the most complex, detailed, and intricate unassisted healing operations in the Spirit Realm. Whether living or undead she is the Simulacrum most likely to diagnose the problem and Heal any lingering issues or maladies. Effect: All Healing and Cleansing spells used will be 20% More Energy Efficient, 20% Faster Acting, provide a 20% resiliency bonus to prevent future wounds or infections.

At the second set of bonuses being applied to the one formerly known as my First Simulacrum, I again couldn’t help but immediately set to mind the name for the Second Simulacrum.

Working quickly, I instantly thought of the Second Simulacrum who was on the 200th Floor of the Arcanarus Tower with that giant library and all of those annoyingly creepy Fae. For a moment I wanted to name her something befitting of a bookworm but couldn’t come up with anything that seemed to click, as such I went with Fae-ulacrum, and was instantly rewarded with another mental acknowledgement that the choice I made was accepted.

Click.

Name and Acting Simulacrum Title: Fae-ulacrum: A name befitting the Simulacrum associated with wrangling some of the more mercuric temperaments of the Magical World. Whether Fae or Mythic being she is the Simulacrum most likely to integrate with and be perfectly accepted by all Fae-type creatures creatures. Effect: All Fae related interactions are seen as 20% more positive, resulting in a 20% more likely chances of forming positive bonds, and additionally all use of Fae related magics are enhanced by a further 20% in terms of energy efficiency and increased by an additional 20% in Fae Magic potency.

Dang I’m good, not only are the names really easily accepted, but they have amazing bonuses. Again, I’m almost jealous of my Simulacrums, but then I realize that they are just a part of me that will do what I want, at least most of the time they will. Though admittedly most would just lounge around reading all day if I let them.

With that, I was down to my fourth and final Simulacrum needing to be named, this was the Third Simulacrum who was currently manning and piloting my Prankenstein ship while I was away working.

Oh speaking of work, I need to hurry this along, as I’m already wasting part of my three minutes doing this.

With that in mind, I slightly panic thinking that I should name the Third Simulacrum something to do with the ship, maybe Pirate-ulacrum, but then I realized that would likely give me attack based ship powers and bonuses, which was something I didn’t really want at the moment.

Then with that in mind, I went with the only thing that made sense. That is why for my Third Simulacrum, I decided to name her Ship-ulacrum.

This time just like all the others, I feel the final piece click into place and I suddenly feel like I am one with myself, as this fourth and final set of notices comes washing into my mind.

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Name and Acting Simulacrum Title: Ship-ulacrum: A name befitting the Simulacrum associated with powering, driving, and maintaining the most technologically divergent vehicle, flying or otherwise, know to the various realms of power. Effect: All ship related activities from generating Qi and Mana based fuel supplements, to maintaining the unique vessel the Prankenstein are increased by 30%. With a diluted 20% bonus affecting all piloting, navigation, and general maintenance-based skills.

At that, I pause and feel that I outdid myself with that name, at least if the bonus has anything to do with how fitting the name is.

“Well?” Mallory almost demands, her voice pulling me out of my own introspection almost immediately.

I was so lost in my own train of thought that and accomplishment for effectively naming my Simulacrums that I nearly forgot I was trying to orchestrate a magical wedding. One that already had issues in the form of the King needing to be swapped out due to giving birth, the same old story that if you heard it once, you likely only heard it once. Still that was my life currently.

“Right,” I snap, going over to the still frozen and clearly disheveled Gwen and grab her, before creating a Positional Teleport Gate between me and Rune-ulacrum, where I can see the clearly glowing runes of the Kujo caverns coming to life and devouring some of the excess blood and viscera from what is happening.

With the portal now open, I pull Gwen through, then perform a quick Positional Switch with Rune-ulacrum, so we can easily switch back at the three-minute mark or as needed.

Of course, we still keep the Positional Teleport Gate open between us, so I can quickly tap Penelope bestowing her with my Spiritual Doppelganger form for King De’Arcaneri, after which time Penelope dressed as the king walks through and stands in the spot indicated by Rune-ulacrum, while I close the Positional Teleport Gate and begin working on both my daughter and trying to get the last three pups from Ms. Kujo.

Fun times, I think to myself, as I begin by first cracking the outer layer of protection for Gwen, while quickly grabbing the eleventh pup that has apparently already gotten into position and come out on its own.

Plop.

I gently let the sac covered pup hit the ground, before the cleaning effect of the runes come to life and begin cleansing the pup in a matter of seconds.

Then I instinctively cast Heal on Ms. Kujo, and give her a moment to rest and recover, while I effectively dethaw my daughter from the time prison I created for her.

Now I could try to pull the child out from Gwen the same way I have been for Ms. Kujo, thereby allowing the child to have a permanent 10% birthing bonus to all Skill growth, Attributes, and everything just as I have been doing for my god-pups.

But there is a problem, I am under a time crunch and I don’t really have much vested in this grandchild of Mallory’s that decided to come here. As such, I decide to take things the easy way. Or at least the easy way for me as a mid-wife.

Focusing on the child, a form that is definitely not a true child, as the spirit inside is old and corrupted. At least corrupted in comparison to all the children’s souls that I have seen and interacted with so far.

Meaning this is not a child, and while I can clearly see the markings of both my bloodline and Mallory’s bloodline fully active and perfectly balanced within her as yet unborn system, I don’t think her missing out on the 10% lifetime bonuses would bother her too much. Particularly as these bonuses were not bargained for from my daughter, not that these bonuses were known, but they are clearly there in a hidden setting that likely wouldn’t even show up under any status screens.

That is why, I feel absolutely no issues whatsoever, when I try to expedite the birthing process by first completely removing the nervous responses from Gwen’s body from the chest down. Then I make a quick Qi infused incision, lacing my fingers with just enough Qi to act as a scalpel and cut through the ceremonial garb of the King, and cut into Gwen’s stomach, where I am easily able to Telekinetically grab and remove the child.

The entire process feels like it is taking forever, but is actually only taking a matter of seconds thanks to the skillful application of magic.

I know that my three minutes of Confidentiality are already over, and hopefully Rune-ulacrum ended the effects of Stasis Magic early, giving us more chances to freeze time as needed. That said, this was where I had to learn to start trusting my Simulacrums to do more than just be mere placeholders. They had all already proven that they were more than capable of doing tasks that help all of us succeed, especially Rune-ulacrum, as such now was the time to trust in the process and their development as a fully independent Simulacrum.

Kind of scarry, but also liberating to know that my Simulacrums are now more than ever, capable of succeeding at tasks given to them. Better still, now they won’t all be nearly mindless automatons who require my guidance.

Now we can all work on our own individual goals independently of oversight, which just so happens to also be my personal goals as well.

It’s odd, but for the first time, I truly feel that my Simulacrums are actually a part of me.

I also pause, and for a moment I wonder exactly why something felt wrong about my completion of all four names.

I am in the process of pulling out pup number twelve with my Telekinetic hands, and pulling out my actual, but not truly actual, granddaughter from Gwen’s stomach, when I realize what felt off about the four quest completions.

Then I realize exactly what the issue was, namely that I didn’t get experience.

I pause, making sure to re-read the rewards section which was the same for all four Simulacrum.

Reward: Experience, Simulacrum Name will impact their overall capabilities as a simulacrum.

For a second, I pause and try to understand why I didn’t feel a surge of energy coming my way. Or extra surge, as I still have my experience gains waiting for completing Forming a Perfect Qi Body, and my Making the Kujos the Ultimate Pack on the Blighted Plains (Ongoing) quests, but I don’t feel the backlog for these four.

Then it hits me.

Not the experience, for that would be highly distracting, especially during such a delicate operation. No, the answer to why I suddenly am not waiting on the experience for completing the four quests for naming each individual Simulacrum, and that is because the experience would obviously go to the Simulacrum first, and then back to me once I rested. Just like the rewards for reading books, and other random acts that my Simulacrum do, I would get rewarded. No wait, that is the wrong way to think about this, we would get rewarded once I sleep again.

Wow, my Simulacrum really are growing up so quickly.

Plop.

Almost as if by reflex the twelfth and second to last pup is out and being cleaned by the mother. This also makes me near the decision point that I was not quite expecting to have to deal with. Namely how to feed a thirteenth pup, with a mother that is only equipped to feed twelve at a time?

Still, that is future Cass’s problem, as I am currently trying to perform a cesarean section on my daughter, so that we can get this baby out of her quickly, before anyone notices.

Well who am I kidding someone will notice that larger than life baby bump missing from her, but hopefully no one will make a big deal out of it, especially as Gwen was never supposed to actually be in the wedding as herself.

Scoop up the baby.

SHLURP!

There is a sickening suction sound that will likely haunt me when I next try to sleep, and then a bit of Telekinetic help from the backside and the baby is free.

I really have to say, Telekinesis is the ultimate birthing cheat power.

The moment the baby is up and out.

Once the child is out, and I see it take its first cold breath, that is when I feel a pulse and connection of power between me and the infant.

Congratulations: Your lineage of Ethereal Elves (Legendary Bloodline variant) has been continued by your grandchild: Cassandra Redding, would you like for them to take on your last name of Spiritlight?

At first, I have to admit that I told myself I would not be attached to such a child. That this was an old grandmother herself who took advantage of my own Jackie, now Gwendolyn, and forced her to carry this child to term.

I am slightly shocked to see that this child is not a pixie, but then that shouldn’t be too much of a surprise as Gwen is only an Ethereal Elf herself. Meaning this might be it for a while. No more pixies, other than the now five of me.

That said, now that I feel the dormant connection of myself to this child via our shared magic through my daughter, I can’t help but feel that there is a connection between me and this child.

Also, oddly enough this is a child that also binds me to Mallory, someone who I can’t help but feel respect for.

That is why after a moment’s consideration, I nod to myself and offer her the Spiritlight last name.

I am partly relieved at this decision, knowing that Rob Jr. also has the same last name and that this small child will likely not have

Congratulations: Your grandchild Cassandra Redding has accepted to use the Spiritlight last name and only the Spiritlight last name, increasing your eternal connection to this child. As a result of this change, (Cassandra Redding) Spiritlight has altered her bloodline to that of (Legendary Spiritlight Bloodline variant, with traces of dormant Pixie influences).

Seeing the notification, I can’t help but be slightly confused by the change.

But I am already onto the next problem. With the child breathing healthily, my job with the infante is complete.

I set about quickly Healing Gwen and in no time the soul bound king’s garb that she is wearing also heals from the cut, blood, and waste and looks pristine on her body. With that, I give her our new member of the family.

Groan.

Which is good as apparently Ms. Kujo is already ready to be done birthing her thirteenth and final child.

I almost don’t even need to look, as this is the pup that I sort of knew would be the last. This is the one possessed of dark and spirit energies affinities that had to fight so hard to live to just this point.

Seeing it, I can’t help but feel sorry for the runt. The one that the system tried so hard to kill off, but through grit and determination managed to survive to this point.

Almost as would be expected, the last child, the runt is both the smallest and unsurprisingly the easiest to give birth to, as she almost gets spit out.

Fortunately, I am there to gently catch the baby and instantly treat it.

There are a few minor issues, weak muscle structures, hollow bones, but by and large these are easy fixes. Well easy for me, as I am already pumping in the right mixture of Qi to get its body and muscles going, while also pumping the right amount of mana into its body to help it get to a healthy state in a much faster time.

Finally done, I feel the quest completion notice go off, letting me know I succeeded.

Hidden Quest Updated (Completed): Saving the Litter of Godpuppies (Ongoing): You managed to save Ms. Kujo’s litter by preventing a pup from dying. You have also proven yourself to be a stable member of the Kujo family, and have asked for the ability to be the fairy godmother for the future pups. Pups that survived (13 / 13). Rewards…

Seeing the message, I instantly pinch it down as this is not the time to focus on quest completion notifications, as this is a joyous time.

Happily I buzz over and present the last and final pup to the mother.

Only, there is a problem, as the mother looks at the pup and then turns her nose up at the shriveled mass of spirit and determination.

And like that, my heart breaks, as it is clear that Ms. Kujo never wanted this child.

I’m holding the child for a moment, not wanting to give up on the pup, especially as this is my godpup, the quest I just concluded even said so, but the mother doesn’t want her because she is malformed? Is that all?

Dizzy.

The world spins once around me and I manage to collapse to the ground just in time. The pup is still in my arms, but now we are close enough that the self-cleaning runes of the shelter light up and remove the remaining birthing residue from the unloved pup in my arms.

And for a moment I am shocked at how cruel the world can be.

But then I decide to do something about it, that’s when I make a plan. I'm going to adopt this child and make her mine, and let them know that she is loved.

With that I pick up the Death Magic and Spirit Magically attuned pup and decide, "first thing you need a name befitting of how great you will be."

And then remembering how I nailed the earlier names, I decide to follow suite in the same vein.