Nothing significant happened after Lucian entered his stasis. Lucian wanted a comprehensive understanding, so he listened to both Mei Mei and Shiraori's perspectives. As a personal NPC of Lucian, Shiraori was bound to obey all his commands, making her recounting valuable. Though Mei Mei might not have been bound to him, Lucian held all his trust in her and wanted to hear her words as well. Hence, Lucian heard from both Mei Mei and Shiraori.
According to their accounts, after he emitted that dangerous shout, or should we say growl, everything around the throne room broke down. Apparently, even the NPCs suffered damage, including Shiraori, Lilith, and other Servants, not to mention Mei Mei and Suzune.
The idea was somewhat frightening to Lucian—that his shout alone held such power. He wasn't sure if he accidentally activated one of his skills or abilities, or perhaps he inadvertently removed his limiters and unleashed all his stats in that moment. However, he was eager to learn more about it soon enough.
After Lucian fainted, Mei Mei immediately caught his falling body and asked for Suzune's help. Both of them had broken free from whatever was happening in that moment. Surprisingly, Suzune was the most composed amidst the chaos. Lucian didn't know how, but apparently, Suzune remained the calmest, swiftly using all her healing abilities. It puzzled him how she could remain so composed; when he saw her after waking up, she panicked like a child.
He learned about the sequence of events from Shiraori and Mei Mei, which were identical, except Shiraori had also sustained damage and was flung away, missing the moment Suzune and Mei Mei tried to heal him. Just as Mei Mei hadn't witnessed Shiraori healing her own injuries and instructing the other servants to maximize protective measures, there might be differences in Suzune's perspective as well. Perhaps her passive abilities influenced her behavior? Maybe she attempted to stay calm for the sake of her sanity? There were various variables and possibilities to consider.
The Great Luxuria also appears to function quite similarly to its operations in YGGDRASIL, at least to some extent. Typically, many functions required a game screen, but now they either operate manually or necessitate specific voice commands or phrases to work effectively. For instance, the defensive Golems, the protective defensive mechanism, the administrative system, secret spaces, and other things require these modes of activation. However, there are also areas and features that can be used simply by touch or through mental commands.
In YGGDRASIL, usually, some guild members would manage the defensive systems of the base. However, due to Lucian's limited number of guild members, he had to rely on his NPC. Adele served as the guardian of the throne room and also held the [Defense Authority], a special privilege that Lucian had granted to her NPC status. According to her AI, she directed defensive NPCs and other protective mechanisms within the base. She could command any NPC included with the base, excluding those created by Lucian, Mei Mei, and Suzune. However, during attacks, she could use her authority to provide them with AI directions. Nevertheless, she couldn't command Lucian's personal Servants, such as Lilith, Shiraori, Scathach and others.
Also, it seems there's no animosity or difference between Lucian's personal NPCs and those from the guild, at least according to Adele. She recognizes Lucian's personal NPCs as Greater or, as she calls them, Grand Servants. They are Lucian's personal attendants, dedicated to guarding, protecting, and faithfully obeying his every command.
According to her, she perceives all the personal Servants as superior to herself. This is why she addresses Shiraori respectfully as Lady White instead of just Shiraori. Additionally, it appears there might be more to their shared backstory influencing them than what they reveal.
Moving on to the defensive mechanism, it appears that the moment Lucian entered stasis, Shiraori, along with Adele, sealed off the entire base, activating the Max Defense Mechanism. Setting the Defense to Max resulted in the Guild siphoning a substantial amount of money every second. However, for Lucian, this was inconsequential. It only remained active for two days since, upon learning about it, Lucian immediately requested its deactivation. Apparently, turning off the mechanism required a visit to the Master Room, which they couldn't do without Lucian's permission. They were only able to access the Master Room despite Lucian entering his stasis because Mei Mei and Suzune were still around. Holding the second-highest authority, permission from them allowed access to the master room.
Also, the report he received from Sylphy about the Guardians and locations in the place. It seems every NPC has come to life. That means all the NPCs in all other 4 bases as well. Sylphy was the guardian of The Sylvan Forest, not that they were connected, but it was something that was in their settings. Lucian had stationed her there, making her guard the place many times. According to her, she wanted to convey that Myura was very worried about Lucian.
Myura was the Guardian of the world item [Leohtfrassil] situated in the Sylvan Forest, which means she has access to the effects and control of World Items. This suggests that she is capable of using world items. It indicates that NPCs might possess more power than he previously thought.
However, that was unnecessary and nothing to worry about right now. He can manage all the NPCs. In fact, he can handle the entire base with room to spare, as long as multiple World Items are not used.
But that concern was unnecessary too because they wouldn't betray him. And that's probably the case for all the NPCs now.
"Artoria Pendragon..."
"Yes, Lucian-sama," the girl responded to his words. Her feminine voice carried authority, yet beneath it, her absolute submission was evident. She knelt on the floor, one arm on the ground and the other resting on her sword, or was it a saber? Her black visor was slightly lifted so she could gaze at her Creator. Adorned in her black full-body gown armor, she was covered from head to toe. Her golden ashen hair was braided and neatly gathered at the back of her head.
"Tell me... What's your purpose?" Lucian asked, peering down at her from the throne, his eyes glowing as he asked her. She knelt beneath the stairs, but Lucian could discern every detail of her body clearly.
Artoria flinched at Lucian's question, visible sweat forming on her body. Her reaction caught Lucian off-guard.
Was she not loyal to him like the other NPCs in the castle? Lucian's thoughts veered. Whether it was Myura or the Librarian Meteora, they all blushed at the slightest touch from Lucian. In fact, whenever their gazes met, they would flush, their cheeks turning red even subconsciously.
Yet, Artoria Pendragon displayed none of these reactions as she met Lucian's gaze head-on.
Her golden eyes locked onto his without a hint of fear or embarrassment...
"I'm the Area Guardian of Valhalla, also commanding the 3rd Legion of Valkyries. Born to protect the place entrusted to me by the Supreme Master Lucian-sama. As an adequate maiden, I aim to serve, please you, obey your every command, and fulfill your desires." Her response took at least 6 seconds, noted by Lucian's inner clock.
"Why did it take you so long to answer?" Lucian asked, observing Artoria flinch once more.
Her face flushed red, and Lucian wondered if this was a setting he had added that currently seemed out of place.
"F-forgive me for taking your precious time, Lucian-sama. But it was a time-consuming task for me to ensure I wasn't being rude," Artoria explained.
Lucian thought he had misheard her words, but then he immediately asked her a question.
"What do you mean? Are you suggesting you're not loyal to me?" Lucian deliberately asked in a tone that questioned her loyalty.
"T-th-that's utterly blasphemous. By my sword, my loyalty lies with you and you alone. My heart beats for you, my soul lives for you. Please don't question my loyalty, Lucian-sama..." The girl immediately appeared frightened, and an angry expression took over her face. Though it still looked very emotionless. The anger wasn't directed at Lucian but at herself. To have her loyalty questioned was akin to not being competent enough for her Creator.
"Hmmm... So your loyalty lies with me, I believe?" Lucian asked, rising from the throne.
"Yes..." She responded immediately.
"Kill yourself then."
Lucian's words weren't met with silence or rejection; instead, they were met with the sound of metal clinking and Artoria standing up.
Her hand swiftly went to the sheath, drawing the sword—a replica of the world item Excalibur, a Divine-class weapon. The ebony blade flared up with four round runes, glowing red like blood. She held the sword towards her throat while gripping the handle with her other hand. As the sword wasn't too long, she managed to utter a few words before attempting to cut her throat.
"I live and die by your command," she declared before attempting to thrust the sword into her throat.
However, before she could do so, the sword had only drawn a few drops of blood from her throat when her hands stopped. There was nothing visible there. Even she was shocked for a moment with wide eyes as she immediately used her sword to thrust at the invisible enemy that had grabbed her sword, preventing her from obeying her creator's command.
"Show yourself, before I butcher this entire space into oblivion!" Artoria shouted, her eyebrows furrowed in determination. She swiftly jumped in front of Lucian, as if protecting him was her primary duty.
Just as she appeared beside the throne, a hand reached out and touched her shoulder, eliciting a shiver of delight. Despite the sensation, her facial expression remained emotionless.
"There's no need to worry," Lucian whispered in her ear, finally causing her skin to flush red. She was blushing now, and for the first time, allowing that emotion to show on her face, clouding her judgment.
"Mei mei, it's fine, you can come out," Lucian said, and from the shadow emerged Mei mei.
"Mei sama! Please don't scare me like that!" Artoria sighed, realizing it was her Master's maid who had caused the surprise. Mei mei responded with a nod of approval. "It's good that you are willing to give your life for Master. Good job," a commendation anyone would cherish. It was just a nod, but coming from the maid of her creator, Artoria couldn't help but smile. It indicated that she was performing her duties satisfactorily.
"I don't deserve such words," she said with a smile this time.
"Hmmm... Indeed. For such loyalty, you deserve a reward," Lucian whispered, stepping closer to her, intruding upon her personal space, and using his lips to lightly graze the tip of her ear. Her skin lacked any distinct taste, but its color reminded Lucian of vanilla ice cream.
A shiver coursed down her spine as she distanced herself from Lucian. A whisper followed by a lick—this repetition could drive her to lose her sanity.
"It's only natural for me to follow all of your orders. To ask for a reward is a preposterous thought," she responded, this time calming her flushed face as she spoke while kneeling.
"Good. Continue to be loyal," Lucian smirked, revealing a devilish smile that caused her to blush once again.
He wondered why she had suddenly started blushing now when she hadn't shown any reaction before.
"By the way, why were you all geared up? Did I ask you to prepare for a war with another guild or something?" Lucian had been curious ever since she appeared in the throne room, finally voicing the question that lingered in his mind.
"No, I was asked by Lady White to prepare myself for any potential invasion. So, I equipped my best gear granted to me by Lucian-sama."
"Hmm... There's no need for an emergency right now. Remove your gear and change into your usual attire," Lucian instructed, waving his hand from his seat on the throne.
"You are dismissed," he declared, to which she immediately responded, "By your command."
As she left the throne room, her pace was fast, as if she were in a hurry.
"She could've just used [Gate]. Did I really make her that stupid?" Lucian questioned himself, and his question was met with a response from Mei Mei.
"I think she was just overwhelmed by seeing you, Master."
Lucian pondered, his brows furrowing in confusion. "But I remember making her a ruthless king who will not bow to anyone." He couldn't understand why she was kneeling. Was it programmed behavior for all NPCs? However, Shiraori didn't kneel in front of him all the time.
"I think it's because your charm was too high," Mei Mei suggested, but Lucian couldn't understand why. Even if his charm was exceptionally high, she should still maintain her regal demeanor without kneeling.
"Weird..." Lucian dismissed that thought with a grumble.
"Anyway," Lucian rose from the throne and stood a little further away from it.
"Master Source-Open," Lucian uttered the necessary phrase to access the Administration system, but nothing happened.
"It's not working..." Lucian sighed, returning to the throne. He repeated the same action once more.
"Master Source-Open," he uttered again.
This time, as if in response to his words, multiple screens began appearing in front of his eyes, flooding his entire vision. Countless screens emerged, each displaying different data, statistics, lists, and various base-related information.
"Well... This is overwhelming," Lucian muttered, and attempted to interact with the screens. To his surprise, they responded to his touch, shifting and rearranging as Lucian sorted through them. His hands moved rapidly, organizing the screens based on their categories and functions.
"Do you want me to help, Master?" Mei mei asked, watching Lucian sort through the screens.
"You can see them?" Lucian's eyes widened a little in surprise.
"These screens?" Tilting her head, Mei mei asked back.
"So you can see them..." Lucian held his chin, contemplating the possibilities.
In the game, only guild masters were able to access and view this administration system. However, it seems different in this place.
Lucian rose from the throne and walked behind Mei Mei.
"What are you doing Mas-" She couldn't finish her words as he lifted her into a princess carry.
"What-" She didn't resist, calmly allowing him to place her on the throne.
"What are you doing, Master?" Mei Mei's face showed confusion. She had expected to enjoy that moment a little longer.
"Try opening the Master Source," Lucian said with a serious expression. Mei Mei, understanding his tone, complied without argument.
"Master Source-Open," Mei Mei called out, but nothing happened. Unlike before, no screens appeared before her.
"Master Source-Open," she tried again, but once again, nothing happened.
"Master Source-Op-"
"It's fine, I get it. It doesn't work with you," she was about to attempt it again, but Lucian interrupted her.
Mei mei swiftly vacated the throne as Lucian sat on it again and called for the master source.
He was certain of a few things: his status as the guild master of Vice Requiem remained unchanged. He was the sole person capable of summoning the master source and accessing the administration system. However, in the game, one could open the administration system from anywhere. But now, it seemed restricted to the throne room, specifically while seated on the throne.
Was it because he was in the throne room at the game's end that he could only access it while on the throne? There were still a few lingering questions, but many had been addressed.
While Lucian was lost in his thoughts, someone approached him, climbing the stairs.
It was Adele.
"Father, here's the report from the 6th Legion." Adele dropped to her knees as soon as she reached the same floor as her father's, offering the reports she held, within his reach.
"You don't have to kneel every time you see me, okay?" Lucian said as he rose from his throne and lifted Adele up. He gave her a smile that momentarily caught her off guard before she responded.
"But how can I not? That would be blasphe-" She was about to protest, but Lucian's smile immediately turned authoritative.
"Are you disobeying my orders?"
A chill ran down Adele's back. It wasn't unpleasant, quite the opposite. It made her legs weak and her heart race.
"I-it'll be as you wish, father," she immediately replied, this time in a shaky voice.
"Good." Lucian's smile once again turned into a kind one, causing Adele's heart to skip a beat for the umpteenth time today.
"Now, go and call the commander of the 6th Legion to be present in the grand arena in an hour." Lucian snatched the thick pile of smooth papers from her hands and once again sat on the throne.
"Right away." Adele immediately bowed her head before leaving the throne room with small steps.
Her mind was filled with thoughts of her father, yet her rational mind was working at its fullest, considering possibilities to answer her father's question. If he couldn't find an answer to something, it was only natural for her to provide it.
"I need to scout the area myself for better analysis," Adele muttered as she finally left the throne room, closing the huge doors behind her.
"Hmm... It seems we are not in Muspelheim, nor anywhere in the Nine Worlds," Lucian mused as he read through the reports, unable to keep his thoughts to himself.
The reports provided by the Valkyries were quite detailed, but they still didn't offer satisfactory answers to Lucian's questions.
The Valkyries that came with the castles were divided into legions, totaling 10 in number, each consisting of 1000 Valkyries. Most of them were between Level 35 and 45, but many were also at Level 60 or higher. Leading them were various Valkyries. Although these leaders didn't arrive with the castle, Lucian had brought Mercenary NPCs for that purpose. Only a handful of these Mercenary NPCs were at Level 100, and these Valkyries were among the few. To unlock them, as a player, one needed the Valkyrie class and a build focused on Summoning and Commander skills. However, Lucian was able to bypass these requirements due to his authority over Valkyries.
The 6th Legion of Valkyries were particularly skilled at scouting areas without being detected. The Valkyrie commanding them was a Level 100 Ranger proficient in all aspects of scouting and pursuit. And according to their reports, they were floating above a forest.
In YGGDRASIL, The Great Luxuria floated above the fiery grounds of Muspelheim. While there were times when Lucian switched The Great Luxuria's location, such as being in Helheim, Niflheim, or even Vanaheim, they were never in an ordinary location. Lucian used several locations with natural hazards and high danger to hide his base, such as the Glades of Nether, Tarratius Shirin Planes, The Valley of Gehinnom, Volcara Peaks of Tutu Pele, Shadow Falling Globe, Sacred Archana Spires, and similar locations.
Each had different weather effects that made it incredibly challenging, if not outright impossible, to pass through and discover the base. Even if someone managed to pass through, finding the base using normal Divination spells would be highly challenging.
But right now, they were not in any of those places; they were in a forest. Yes, a forest, and it had no difficult weather conditions. In fact, there were no conditions in effect at all here.
According to the report, the entire ground is surrounded by forest for at least a hundred kilometers. To the east, there seem to be grassy plains, and to the west, mountains encapsulate the sky. Both the north and south are forested areas.
In terms of the terrain, it doesn't resemble a jungle but rather a normal forest. The bestiary also included monsters that were not found in YGGDRASIL, or at least not all of them. Some monsters present were known in YGGDRASIL, but their specific levels were not determined. Scouting Valkyries reported that they are all very low-level monsters.
Additionally, the forest also doesn't seem to have any clearings, and according to the report, no signs of other players have been observed so far.
"We've been isekai'd, Master. Out of YGGDRASIL."
"How can you be so sure?"
"It's evident, Master. Everything suggests we've been transported to an unknown world, and everything from Yggdrasil has become real." Mei mei walked closer to Lucian and embraced him.
Lucian didn't do anything and allowed her to snuggle up to him.
"It's alright. I understand what you're feeling. You still have an attachment to Earth, I can empathize. And Mizuki is also missing. So I understand your worries..." Mei mei said in a sweet voice, different from her usual strict and matter-of-fact tone. It was a tone filled with love, so profound that it could drown the entire world in its depth. So deep that it could reach the darkest abyss. So boundless that the only limit she could fathom was the entire universe.
"What do you think I should do then?" Lucian asked, hugging Mei Mei back. She and Suzune were the sole reminders that his past existed. His memories of Earth, some of them had become very blurry, almost non-existent. He didn't know why this was happening, but it was worrying him a lot. Although he hadn't voiced it out or told Mei Mei about it...
"It's okay. I'm sure Mizuki is also here. Somewhere."
"And how can you be certain of that?" Lucian asked seriously, his eyes darkening to a blood-like color swirling almost like a pool of blood. He didn't want to think otherwise.
He didn't know if he was alone here or if other players were. If other players were also transported, that meant Mizuki would also be somewhere. It might take some time, but he'll be able to find her...
"Remember, the call connected with Mizuki, instead of getting outright cut off. That happened when I tested some things out with Suzune. It seems that when playe—no, when people are unable to receive the call or are separated by powerful barriers, it's like that," Mei mei said, holding Lucian's cheeks.
"Does that mean she is also here?"
"I believe so... because when I tried to use a message on your other friends, the message was outright cut off, unlike connecting," Mei mei replied.
"Well, that does ease some of my worries. Though not all," Lucian sighed. He moved his face closer to Mei mei's, pressing his lips onto hers in the process. Mei mei's face flushed red, and her body shivered, but she didn't act aggressively, savoring the moment instead.
After a few seconds, Lucian pulled back his lips. "I know you are trying to reassure me. Don't worry. I'm feeling fine now. Thanks for worrying," Lucian said with a smile, causing Mei Mei's face to brighten.
"As a maid, it's only natural for me to worry about Master."
"That's all good but... Get off me now."
Saying that, Lucian flicked Mei Mei off his lap and began checking the Administrative system again.
The names of all the NPCs, their assigned guarding area, their place of residence, and their allegiance, the defense system details, images covering every corner of the base, the option to modify and enhance Pops, and set traps, their costs, the guild's monthly maintenance costs, and all... It was the same as the normal administration system. In fact, it was more detailed and way more versatile now.
"Hmm... What do you think about this, Mei Mei?" Lucian asked as he pinched in a screen, and it enlarged itself, covering his vision as well as Mei Mei's.
It was displaying a list of NPCs that were located in the Lusts Abode.
"Hmm... They look like they have different facial features? Did you customize them, Master?" Mei Mei asked, looking at the list of NPCs that came pre-paired with Lust Abode. They were the Cardinal Sin - Lusts.
"Hmm... I remember making them dress differently. But I don't remember customizing each of their faces." Lucian vaguely remembered one day when he was extremely bored, he gave each of these sins a gear to wear, but he didn't customize their faces, yet now they all had different and very beautiful faces, as if they were customized.
"I'll open all the travel points to other bases after confirming there won't be any mishaps," Lucian declared as he stood up, already formulating his next steps. The first task was to test the extent of his powers and their influence on the world around him.
As Lucian descended the stairs, Mei Mei followed him with nearly silent steps.
"Mei Mei, I think you should go look after Suzune... There's still some worry nagging at the back of my mind," Lucian said as he walked on the red and blue carpet, so soft it felt almost like the finest silk.
"But didn't you ask Yaya to look after her?" Mei Mei inquired.
"Yes, I did, but there's always a chance that something bad happens." Lucian looked back at her, his eyes expressing his concern. It struck a chord with Mei Mei, evident in the scrunching of her face. His worries were hers to alleviate... She was meant to be his guardian, protecting him from all the evil in the world, everything that sought to harm him or that he disliked.
"Master, I doubt any of them would hurt Suzune or even consider it. They probably see her and me as an extension of you... I should stand beside you in case you need protection..." Mei Mei tried to reason with Lucian, but she felt a heavy pressure weighing on her body. It wasn't physically crushing her, but the intensity in Lucian's eyes sent chills down her spine, an immense pressure emanating from his gaze.
"Do you truly think I'm that weak?" He appeared disappointed. His eyes conveyed a sense of wrongdoing, a look Mei Mei had seen only once before. In that moment, she realized she had made an error in judgment.
Without hesitation, Mei Mei immediately bowed her head. She didn't grovel, but her head was lowered in regret.
She wanted to plead for forgiveness. She was aware of his strength, even in the face of adversity with no way out, Lucian always displayed resilience. Mei Mei couldn't forgive herself for not recognizing his strength. She wanted to cry and beg for forgiveness, but she knew he despised such displays of vulnerability.
"Please forgive me, Master. That was not something I should've said..." Mei Mei was sweating profusely. It wasn't because she was afraid of him, but rather because she had disappointed him, and she despised herself for it.
In the real world, he had no one but her to take care of him... He was a treasure to her, one that only she could safeguard. So she always protected him, akin to how a mother would shield her child. But amplify that by a hundredfold... She ensured he was always safe, happy, and healthy. She was always by his side, whether he was in pain or happiness.
She shared in his pain and happiness. There were times when she felt as if her heart was being torn apart, observing his pained expression whenever he watched videos of the outside world, realizing that even in such a sorry state of the world, he couldn't go outside. Yet, there were also moments of pure joy, witnessing his smiles and happiness over the smallest things happening in YGGDRASIL.
Every time she left the room, she locked it and continuously monitored the house's CCTV footage, ensuring no one breached their security, despite the numerous maids surrounding the floor... But now, she has realized something...
Lucian can now do whatever he wants. At that time, she didn't have to worry about him leaving his house or his comfort zone. But now, he can and he will... If everything was as real- no! It's already real... so...
She has to protect him in the shadows now, even if it means going against his orders...
"It's fine, Mei Mei," Lucian's voice turned understanding and kind as he replied. Mei Mei immediately looked at his face.
"I'm not disappointed, but now, everything seems to have become so real, so I think I can also take care of myself, to some extent. Obviously, you should always guard me, but I think for now, you should do as I say? Weren't you the one who said, 'a perfect maid is one who listens to every word of her Master?'" Lucian smiled, which finally made Mei Mei realize something. He didn't need any protection now, but he still needed her...
It caused her heart to flutter like a butterfly and finally made her calm down and ease...
"I'll do as you wish," she bowed with a visible smile on her face before vanishing into a black mist...
"Assassins are scary..." Lucian rubbed his shoulders. But what was even scarier was Lucian's perception. The moment Mei Mei vanished, he was able to see green dots all around, illuminating a figure that vanished into a portal... He could see through her as easily as anything else.
Lucian left the throne room, vanishing immediately as if he had never been there. This was his first time using a teleportation ability...
A disorientating feeling hit him for a minor second, before he appeared in the place where he desired. The process didn't even took a second. It was immediate, and instant work.
Thanks to him being the guild leader and having the base owners of all the bases, he can move around everywhere, even without using the Rings of Translation used for Teleportation within guild.
_______________________________
Hey peeps! Sorry for disappearing for so long!
Life's been rough lately—I recently lost my father, and family stuff left me with barely any time to breathe, let alone write.
But I'm back! The story isn't getting dropped unless I drop dead. I've already written 4–5 chapters ahead and set a daily writing schedule, so you can expect 1–2 chapters a week!
If you'd like to support the book, check out my Patreon/AzazelGrim
It's 5 chapters ahead
Any support is greatly appreciated!