Per such usual occasions, Levandis was in a good mood because of her dreams or the sleep she endured. All kinds of delicacies of the human world were at her table, looking delicious. For a long time, she couldn't stand the foulness of the culinary skills of any other race.
Stewards and maids were behind the throne, hiding behind the shadowy pillars that went across the whole side of this room. All of them were readily available, hoping she would enjoy their meal.
However, her time had been interrupted by a fly, which meant that her mood would shift from the food. It wasn't looking that well for them, but her words didn't seem to be that bothered about her little Overlord.
In fact, she knew all about his task, hopes, and times. She expected Manager Kil to appear sooner when she sent her toy to the Islands of Greatness.
Remaining in her casual and smooth smiling face, she let go of the fork while the half-eaten chicken no longer dared to run.
She bent her head further down, letting some of her hair fall, hitting the floor and almost bathing Manager Kil in their weight, softness, and glory. She hummed some song of interest, curious what he had to tell her. She noticed her golem in his clutch, deactivated and missing a wing. Of course, its Golden Layer was within her eyesight, and so was its internal runic construction and the damages that occurred to it.
She loved and hated it at the same time.
Manager Kil didn't dare to cease his bow, let alone turn his head up to look at his Lady. Through this action, his body kept involuntarily shivering in hopes of looking. His instincts or devotion did this to him. This was her real body after all.
He was always like this before her, which was one of the many reasons Levandis teased him endlessly and often wanted him close.
He knew he had to be like this. All of this wasn't under his powers to change anyway, since it was his task to be here, bearing her pressure, voice, song of her moans, and weight of her words.
He kept his posture clean like his head, disappointing Levandis slightly.
“So?” She asked, straightening her back and clutching some fruits from the plate in a playful manner. Tossing it up and down, it disappeared into thin air in a couple of tosses before being replaced with a new fruit. “Speak.”
By instincts, he spoke. “The tasks have been... rather questionable in actual points that you or Pavilion Masters wanted. If I dare to say so myself, further research or guaranteed facts would help more than taking this golem out without further factors taken. It has been damaged by the locks, its armor lost; similar and shamefully to its Bronze Layer. Golden Layer almost lost too... which was unaccounted for. I am at fault for not bearing the Challenger in mind. Have my sincere apologies or my head.” Manager Kil lost his legs and fell face down to the ground. Golem did fall as well.
“You may be blunt and excused,” Levandis added, letting Manager Kil's nervousness ease up a ton. Taking a long cold breath, he continued with his face on the ground, pointing at the golem behind.
“I shall give back what is yours, per your request, m'lady.”
“Done. What about the results of the other Anatidae?”
“The results ended up...”
“...good, I presume? Or do I already know all about it, I wonder, or do you do? That new Child seems interesting like the view of the Sky.” She interrupted him, unbothered by his posture, face on the ground, or the topic of her desires.
Manager Kil remained silent as if thinking about what he should speak of first. He had a lot in mind about this new Child. There were a lot of topics, sides, and views to how Murai fought this golem, or how and who he was. All his moves, the flow of mana, and the discovery of limiters were developed by Mindarch through Gates 1 and 2.
They got a lot of input, but a lot of things weren't as sensible to them, because Murai was weird. The most important aspect was still the golem in question, lying on the ground behind him.
It was why he was here. Partly for Murai, but mainly because of this golem.
“Let me guess first, Kil. My toy has seen better days, but its runes took internal damage without any harsh effects. It has been overwhelmed because of its locked-up limiters, but it wouldn't be... that, if it hadn't been for its act or how it ended up like this. Whose fault is this?”
“I... I...” Manager Kil hesitated before quickly giving his words and mind a change. “Noone. The world of wisdom that you showed to me before was more than warranted and great. The duel has been recorded in the highest projections Mindarch had. He can let you seek all the details, including the mana, apart from the thought processes and internal workings of mana space or soul spaces. As for the golem, all internal runes, flaring problems, or all layers have been recorded.”
Levandis didn't appear surprised, or happy. “That is to be expected. What about the other one? More details are always good, but how much is clear? They clashed well, haven't they?”
“Of course. We got further rundown, increased the readings, and the other... has been under my watch. I spoke and met him. Though age is an issue, a variant in question, the growth can become exponential, I fear. And... the soul. I can't feel the tension most of the time, but he spoke to my Presence with his Will. He pushed at me... I let him.”
Levandis's smile spread on her face and a light chuckle echoed. “You did well to get involved. It means your experience has much more validation for our business and experiments. He did that because he could; you let it go because you were curious. But... I didn't allow that... did I? No touches to that being...”
“Not at all, but this hasn't been spoken. I decided not to touch him directly. Per your requests, I did not. He did.”
“Excuse dismissed. Continue.” She grunted a little bit, but because this situation had been resolved without much problem, she ignored his Breach of her rule.
“He had seen through the golem thanks to the Anatidae Sonar. Its properties are good and flow flared up under our control. Then, he came in contact with runes, obliterated the Armor, Bronze Layer, and... I think it may be coincidental, but he came up with ways to attack the separating layers between the armor and Bronze Layer while doing the same thing to the Golden Layer. It was a matter of time before he destroyed the unbreakable chain that hadn't been finished for this experiment. It was sensible. He isn't even Level 20 yet.”
“20?” She whistled and the air ate some more fruits. “Worse things that would happen are...?”
“Heavily damaged runes all over the half dozen layers have been a possibility. Core should've been fine, but the situation could've become hard to contain. It would slip. The core, I mean.”
“It should be fine. I enforced it myself, but... he still found a way in. How many veins were left under the Bronze Layer and Golden Layer? What was their output again?”
“Considering he started to crack the code, few. The Level corresponds beyond 45, closing on the 50. Then, the workings of the Golden Layer went ahead but fell short because of acts and errors in codes.” He acknowledged the truth fervently and well. “The inner structure of layers could see improvements. Especially when the Peak happened in its acts of codes. I've recorded the solution and...
“I've noted them myself.”
“As expected.”
“Anything else?”
“Clashes have been stronger than expected, input and wild mana flew out of order. I can't see or figure out the origin of the troubles, but I promise to seek them. And the other... too?” he said hesitantly.
“Golem is a tool. Living things are forever meant to be complicated. Especially there, because Anatidaes are creatures from that time and place. So consider this temporary successful. I do know more details, but I do not know this one either. Look into it, or use Mindarch how you see fit. I am curious which Mother bears this mess by not bearing it at all. It is curious.”
“Of course. There were also undeniable factors that he would accomplish more, even though met or unreached limiters per your previous comments and wisdom.”
Hearing his firm ideas that were well within her expectations, Levandis hummed a happy song, grabbing and eating some rib grapes and pieces of meat on sticks. Letting the juices travel from her crimson lips, right toward her slightly exposed collarbone and chest, she gazed into the nothingness in front of her table.
Smirking and biting her lips in unknown thoughts and reasons, she seemed to get a naughty idea. “Limiters are always exciting, aren't they? It all is. A new page to the research has been added with this new Child. Take that idea with caution and call it Unit 0. Anatidaes will make a new storm, while the world doesn't want it. Who is behind it? Lordis? What does he want with such quick and early touch?”
“Shall I look into it?”
“No.” She changed her target back to the chicken, gnawing at it with her teeth.
Juices flew, muscle fibers trembled, and the chicken was beyond saving. “I am just excited... So excited that I am gonna burst! This prospect is tall order. Means good ideas or dreadful consequences. He holds the position of a Blessed that wasn't supposed to exist. Not like this! In this shape. Who would bear such a soul? Human? God? Ancients? Someone from the Endless Skies? Which... No. Nevermind. I presume you paid your part well by now, considering you weighed his soul, but it isn't over. Barely taking the steps into this world and living, yet ceasing no amazement away. He will get further. I want your attention, Kil?”
Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.
It wasn't an order.
It was a fact that he took for one.
“Of course. Per your request, I shall do my best. Are there others that should work with me on your order? Or is this your final Will? Or... what about the further pictures that abide by certain complications? How about the Encounter and his Blessed status? What about his... ghost?”
“That doesn't concern me at all. If you feel like it, you can contact any of my runesmiths, or my Pagoda to look into the Anatidae research. The outside factors out of his life or my head are that. Outer problems that need no remedy.”
“Very well. Then, your... presence is still unknown to them. Should I take that into account? Or, this temple has been calculated into their acts? Perhaps many are curious, now that you are awake.”
“Hm? No. I will look into it myself. This is my personal interest that is old, but grudgeless, let alone amusing. The other Lords don't need any work out of my backyard, while Sky does what they do all the time. They will do things without my consent anyway, but this time, if they do something more, I will gladly make trouble for them. Stirring some trouble against me is expected, but they brought the Encounter close to my face. It isn't up to them, but these mortals did that instead. Oh, and my family doesn't need any reminders. They don't need to know my involvement. If they are clever, they know of it already, or know my interest.”
There was no need for lies or plots around her subjects, but she turned a bit more serious when she talked about her peers. She said it straight as she wished, thinking that Lordis and his ideas were involving her in a larger picture that was unaccounted for.
Murai caused nothing. Lisa did it involuntarily, or intentionally. Levandis didn't know which was truthful, but not as if she cared.
Her family will do the same. She might have to look into it. It could become a mess for Overlord to solve, Mindarch to seek, and her to smile at, but it wouldn't endanger anything if she played it safe.
This was all just amusing fun for her anyway. For now... Not for long, if she knew the truth already.
There was no need to say it differently. Her open ideas, beliefs, and personality were what bewitched and caused her Hell Haven to shine in the darkness.
However, this topic may not be that good for the long-term solution to her ideas. She had no idea how the Encounter would change after all, or who would dare to change it in Surface or the Sky. She might be the one to touch it from the Depths.
Well, she didn't have to do that or know all the problems. Mindarch could look into it, which he told her as she awakened.
Someone was already stirring troubles in the Surface, while even a Judge appeared alongside their Halo, crushing the Death Valley in what she described as a slap to her Authority.
But Surface was not her worry.
Reputation took a slight blow. That was all. Ordering and changing the tides and strings of Fate behind the scenes was something she had to account for.
Because changes were coming.
One truth mattered the most. She wasn't the lonely hegemon at the top, let alone the most powerful. Many coveted her positions, jealous of her temple and treasures she found in the Endless Skies, or... in this world.
Welcoming her in this world were riches and death, followed by unreasonable anger of the Sky which she shook in her brilliance. She proved her position a long time ago. The Sky didn't need to seek it further anymore. She made sure her existence would prevail, and it did for millennia.
Other powerful demons and devils wouldn't take that lightly, however. They were the peers that eyed her position.
Sky did not.
The Gods in their Divine Kingdoms were rather eventful if their power would take a hit, but they didn't want to touch the corrupted power of demonic Gods. The universe was a wild vastness, and greed was endless, which worked across all of the Divides.
Changes were there to seek remedy, fixes, or Fate.
She was monetary lost in readings of Fate, wondering about some strings, while still holding a handful of a chicken.
“Any special requests of what am I supposed to do next? You wished for discretion, but I had to reveal myself.” Manager Kil asked with face still on the floor. It didn't change the tone or strength of his voice.
“Oh. No worries. You did well for an Overlord that overlooked a duck. Oh, this is just low-level stuff anyway. For now, albeit it hides much bigger things.” She said smoothly and in a good mood that touched his soul, soothing his stress and anything else. “You saved me weeks of work, Kil, while some layers and repairing the runes can be done by others. None would dare to question it much. Do you wonder why it is like that?” She leaned aside, her hair flowed all the way for him to see and touch.
“I... do.” He said automatically.
“Brazen, aren't you today? I suppose that is what you've got from him, my little Kil?” Levandis laughed, watched how emotions stirred this Overlord who was always a lofty individual, but before her, those like him trembled. “I will tell it since you wanna know. The toy beside you was an aftermatch of help and request of someone. Living one wasn't, but he would cherish it the same. It was an idea that someone had. Not friend. I stole ideas from him, thus, I learned of the interesting things and manners that Anatidaes have. Now, his interest crawls back. It's a rather intriguing concept, considering he is no God.”
“No... God? W-who dares?!” Manager Kil increased his voice, but still pressed his face to the floor. He flexed his knees, appearing like a fool that shook his legs.
“You don't wanna know. It is what, you say? A secret.” She said with a smile and retrevied her hair. “To see the past collide with the present, this new toy is such a handful. Both are. Such a wild presence in this wild Battleworld. I am looking forward to seeing an uninterrupted show, and others like it that way too. Rules are still in place so move along. Right, Mindarch? Regulars are rising, hoping, and there is still the matter in Gate 4 that I haven't looked at. You said it doesn't matter to me, but I noticed emotions stirring among my troops. You know how much I love them.”
[I shall account for that.] A voice spoke across the whole room.
“So, is it the usual stuff? Excuses too?”
[I will be... careful of any blunders and mistakes. Citizen M shall take it all. All of this interest! Encounter too. I will take care of it! I promise.]
“Promises are for those who could take them.” Levandis reckoned a telling form the past. “The usual ride is amusing. Think about some changes, Archie. I think the Old One is what goes under your little Codex, and this change won't come twice. If he will, then consider me surprised and fearful.” Levandis gulped down the glass of wine, before leaning on her chair. “You are a handful too, or too ashamed to show your face to me after you played with him for days? I expect a good report from you in a day or two.”
[Noted. I have no regrets.]
“Good tool. At least you are honest and don't hide it.”
“What about me?” Manager Kil asked. “What of the awareness about the situation across the Gates?” He dared to ask a rather curious topic, implying that Levandis should look into it more.
The situation in Gate 4 needed some touch, while the matters before the temple or with Razmund were all questionable. The Centralis Kingdom was very bold for a long time, holding onto the Seventh Death Forest, a Taboo Zone known for generations. It was an interest that had been prevailing for far too long, lowering their reputation on the Surface and lowering the expected number of Surface Challengers.
All sorts of happening happened simultaneously, right above Levandi's home. She let them be, allowing their existence for amusement and the bark of dogs. She even dared to ignore most of it now, moving up to the topic of her golem first. She had no one to question her decision of course.
Until now.
It didn't end up as any blunder anyway. All of that was outside of her usual problems, which left her curious about experiments and her golem alike. Most problems that weren't worth it for her to care about were for her family or Overlords to solve.
Such were the usual procedures when not even Tier S powers were involved in this situation. Well, the troubled Encounter could hide much more than that.
To have her interest was already quite surprising, so when Manager Kil demanded her further interest, she found it surprising.
“Cheeky Kil. Not ignorant, are you? Have you regrown your backbone? Well, most of what is going on is per the request of Lordis, while I played with what I could. I didn't overstep shit. He did partly... I think. So yes. I agree that letting these matters flow freely is fitting. Though I wouldn't mind turning it all a bit chaotic, as I already did some things, or you did? Who knows? So how about requesting some Guests? Sounds good?” Hearing her playful and pleasurable idea, Manager Kil took a deep breath, still in the same posture as before.
If this will go out of hand, Gate 4 won't live enough and he will have to deal with consequences and her idea.
“No! Wait...” Levandis suddenly jolted her body, scratching her chin while gazing at her chicken. “Since that little guy is already before Gate 3, Lordis seems to be of a different opinion or helpless touch. Or he has no clue what he is playing with. What does he think he is doing, sending this interest to Centralis Kingdom, until it goes straight to my temple? Using my place for this... I shouldn't take this lightly, should I?”
“W-what do I make out of your words, my Lady?”
“Nothing. I speak how I want. To the air, or this chicken.” She grunted, ceasing her smile while furrowing her brows. “My words don't mean the undeniable side of anything but my Laws or Path. It is not taken for granted by many, but reminders they might be. It seems the luck is also there, hiding or looming over us all.”
“Luck?”
“They will either run out, or it will cause a massacre. Either way, this is good. Implement the Rewards in Gate 3 as well as wanted posters. Set the interest in high demands. Take care of the politics, so there won't be far too many casualties. Give notes to Guests and charge up the interest of usual benefits in Gate 3. You too, Mindarch.”
[Noted.]
Levandis piqued her lips, watching the ceiling that had a wavy patterned pool of liquid and white fog. “This may be an interesting development, but I am unsure if I like the way it flows. How's the situation in Gate 4?” She asked Manager Kil for the time being.
“What else but a hell? What else to expect? There is also a fairly decent Taboo Maker there. Level 89!” Manager Kil said angrily, aware of the Hell Party in Gate 4. All Gates were under his watch, and from the very beginning, he knew and acknowledged the running order of the Hell Party.
A massacre had been happening for a good while there, outside of his watch for the time being. Days passed after all, but it was hardly over. It had been happening ever since Murai stepped into the Gates, so the work he had to think about was more than overwhelming.
Considering all of the interests of all kinds of factions, politics, and powers across her Hell Haven, family, and Gates, this place wasn't united like Divine Kingdoms were. It was a big headache for Manager Kil as a whole, while Levandis could only smile at him from a distance.
Or far too closely...
At some point, Manger Kil lost touch with the ground, floating to the table where he was far too close to his Lady. He barely noticed it.
As a member of a laughable race called Tontati, named Kil Til, he may be small, but he was perhaps the tallest out of his race. At least in the spiritual sense, because his race would never be able to grow beyond 20 centimeters. There were limits in there, hiding in their Bloodline like in most weird races or species.
Every strength and fiber of his being worked for his Lady. He had been at this for more than a century and without any end in sight. He had no trouble continuing his or her desires. Well, they were one of the same.
It was the occasional storms that would put unnecessary stress across the whole temple, thus making his life a bit miserable. Nothing that he wouldn't manage, or so he always thought.
“What is this?” He asked the table his face met.
“Though you might like the change of the ground,” Levandis said amusingly.
“So... Is that it? Luck and task?” He pretended to be on the ground.
“Luck is luck. A part of one's destiny.” She told, leaning her back on her chair while gesturing to a maid to give her a new course of meals. She was starving from all of this thinking and excitement.
Sighting, Manager Kil could only do what he could, so back to work he went, stumbling out of the table and feeling a storm in his soul.
He left the room with a variety of thoughts, feeling that her demands had been rather vague, but surprisingly docile, yet more complicated than he wished. Levandis mentioned quite a few interesting objects, but essentially, she gave him more work.
Like usual, he felt.
She spoke like this often, giving vague tasks while the taker of these tasks had to accept them for what they were.
Few would refuse her. Those that did usually put Levandis in a much different and greater mood.
Hesitations had no room in Manager Kil's heart, unlike some hidden ploys around this task, but his Lady voiced the matters like Laws. He would never refuse her so he could only go to the further depths of the palace, followed by ghostly layers of fog that depicted Mindarch's partial manifestation.
[This is going to be fun.] Mindarch said to him and him alone. [She was in a good mood. I am already thinking of some things and Guests to fit in. How about Gate 3? Sounds fun, right? How about I send some of them there too?]
“For whom...is it fun?” Manager Kil cursed this fog and wished his kicks would do something toward this fog.