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# Eternal Sovereign: The Chronicles of Fang Yuan
## Chapter 1: The Rift Between Worlds
The fabric of reality shuddered.
Across the vast lands of Tensura, beings of tremendous power paused in their machinations, sensing a disturbance in the cosmic order. In the depths of ancient forests, dryads looked up from their eternal dances. In mountain strongholds, dragons lifted their heads from hoarded treasures, sniffing the air with primal wariness. In palatial chambers carved from living crystal, Demon Lords ceased their plotting, their otherworldly senses detecting a shift in the fundamental balance of existence.
At the epicenter of this disturbance stood a single figure—the slime who had defied all expectations, who had risen from the weakest of monsters to become one of the most formidable beings in creation. Rimuru Tempest, in the final stages of his ascension to True Demon Lord status, was unaware that his transformation was causing ripples far beyond the immediate vicinity of Tempest Federation.
As his body absorbed the souls of fallen Falmuth soldiers—the catalyst required for his evolution—the sheer magnitude of spiritual energy being channeled created a momentary instability in the dimensional barriers that separated Tensura from other realms of existence.
In that precise moment, somewhere in the infinite expanse of the multiverse, another being of tremendous will was attempting his own form of transcendence.
Fang Yuan, the immortal cultivator who had lived five hundred years through countless schemes and sacrifices, was in the midst of a breakthrough that would propel him to yet greater heights of power. His immortal aperture—the spiritual core he had nurtured through centuries of ruthless cultivation—was expanding beyond normal limits, drawing in the essence of heaven and earth with insatiable hunger.
Two tremendous spiritual forces, separated by the walls of reality, momentarily resonated with one another—Rimuru's evolution and Fang Yuan's breakthrough creating a harmonic convergence that neither could have anticipated.
The walls between worlds thinned.
A crack formed in the very structure of reality—imperceptible to most, but to a cultivator who had dedicated centuries to understanding the deepest mysteries of existence, it appeared as a glimmering line of possibility in the darkness of meditation.
Fang Yuan, ever the opportunist, didn't hesitate. With perfect control over his spiritual essence, he directed his consciousness toward this unexpected phenomenon, sensing that beyond it lay something unknown—and unknown meant opportunity for one who sought eternal supremacy.
His physical body dissolved into pure spiritual essence as he propelled himself toward the dimensional fracture, his immortal will forcing the tiny crack to widen just enough for his spiritual form to slip through.
The passage between worlds was not gentle. Even for one as powerful as Fang Yuan, traversing the chaotic void between dimensions was like being simultaneously compressed into a singularity and stretched across infinity. Lesser minds would have shattered, lesser souls would have been scattered across the multiverse, never to reform.
But Fang Yuan's will was tempered through centuries of cultivation, through countless life-or-death struggles, through the bitter experience of multiple lifetimes. His consciousness remained intact as he was hurled across the dimensional gulf, drawn inexorably toward the spiritual beacon that was Rimuru Tempest's evolution.
The journey seemed to last both an eternity and an instant. Then, with shocking abruptness, Fang Yuan felt himself materializing in physical form once more.
He fell from an empty sky, his body reconstituting itself from spiritual essence in mid-air. The sensation was not unfamiliar to one who had experienced rebirth before, but the environment he found himself in certainly was.
The landscape below him was blasted and barren—a stretch of magical wasteland where unpredictable energy storms had rendered the terrain hostile to most forms of life. Twisted rock formations jutted from cracked earth, while in the distance, mountains loomed like sentinels against the horizon. The air itself was visible with mana, shimmering like heat waves above desert sand.
Fang Yuan landed with perfect grace, absorbing the impact through a slight bend of the knees. His expression remained perfectly neutral as he surveyed his surroundings, giving no indication of the tremendous interdimensional journey he had just experienced.
He stood there for several long moments, simply breathing in the air of this new world, feeling the difference in its spiritual composition. The energy here was unlike anything he had encountered before—not quite spiritual energy as he understood it, yet similar enough that he could sense its flows and patterns.
"Interesting," he murmured, his voice soft yet precise. "The energy concentration here exceeds even the richest spiritual veins of my original world."
He held out his hand, palm upward, and focused his will. Normally, this simple gesture would have allowed him to draw in the ambient spiritual energy, condensing it into a visible manifestation of his power. But now, he encountered resistance—as if the energy recognized him as foreign and refused to obey his commands.
Fang Yuan's eyes narrowed slightly—the barest hint of expression on his otherwise impassive face.
"A different system of laws," he noted to himself. "This will require study."
With methodical precision, he began examining his own body, taking inventory of the abilities and resources that had survived the transition between worlds. His immortal aperture remained intact, though currently sealed off from the ambient energy of this new world. The various immortal killer moves he had mastered were still accessible, drawing on his internal reserves of power. Most importantly, his five centuries of accumulated knowledge and experience were untouched.
He was not at full strength, but he was far from helpless.
After completing his self-assessment, Fang Yuan turned his attention to his surroundings once more. With the enhanced senses of a high-level cultivator, he detected traces of civilization to the northeast—perhaps a settlement of some kind. But more intriguing was a subtle pulse of ancient power emanating from somewhere beneath the earth, not far from his current position.
Without hesitation, he began walking toward the source of that mysterious energy. Fang Yuan had always been guided by a simple principle: seek power wherever it might be found. In a new world with unknown rules, ancient powers were the most likely to provide the knowledge and abilities he would need to establish himself.
As he walked across the cracked landscape, Fang Yuan contemplated his situation with perfect emotional detachment. Being transported to another world was an unexpected development, but not necessarily an unwelcome one. His original world had grown increasingly hostile to his ambitions as more and more powerful forces recognized the threat he posed to the established order. A fresh start, in a realm where no one knew his reputation or methods, presented unique opportunities.
"A new beginning," he said softly to the empty air. "New resources to exploit. New powers to acquire. New paths to eternal supremacy."
For most beings, even powerful cultivators, being suddenly thrust into an alien world would provoke fear, confusion, or at least concern. Fang Yuan experienced none of these emotions. Where others saw chaos, he saw opportunity. Where others perceived danger, he recognized potential tools for advancement.
After all, what was a new world but another stepping stone on the path to eternal dominance?
The twin suns of Tensura began their slow descent toward the horizon as Fang Yuan continued his journey, leaving no footprints on the hard-packed earth, his movements efficient and purposeful. Nothing in his demeanor suggested he was a stranger in a foreign reality—merely a man with absolute conviction in his own superiority, calmly walking toward his next conquest.
What he could not know was that his arrival had not gone entirely unnoticed. In distant crystal palaces and ancient lairs, beings of tremendous power stirred uneasily, sensing a new and unclassifiable presence in their world. The ripples of his crossing between dimensions had alerted those sensitive to such disturbances that something unprecedented had occurred.
And in the rift between worlds that had momentarily formed during his passage, something else had taken notice—ancient entities that existed beyond normal dimensional boundaries, their awareness drawn to the unusual spiritual signature of one who had defied the normal limits of mortality.
As twilight descended upon this corner of Tensura, bringing with it the spectral dance of magical energy that illuminated the night skies of the wasteland, Fang Yuan approached what appeared to be the collapsed entrance to some ancient underground structure. Weathered stone blocks, carved with symbols unfamiliar to him, lay scattered around a dark opening in the earth.
Without hesitation, he descended into the darkness, guided by the pulse of ancient power that grew stronger with each step. Whatever secrets lay hidden in these depths, Fang Yuan was determined to claim them for himself—the first resources to be exploited in his new campaign of conquest.
## Chapter 2: The Ancient Repository
The descent into darkness held no fear for Fang Yuan. Throughout his many lifetimes, he had explored countless dangerous ruins and forbidden realms in pursuit of power. This was merely another such expedition, albeit in an entirely new world.
The passage sloped downward at a gentle angle, its walls comprised of fitted stone blocks that spoke of sophisticated construction techniques. Though weathered by age, the quality of craftsmanship was evident—this had not been built by primitive beings.
As the last traces of outside light faded behind him, Fang Yuan activated one of his immortal killer moves, causing a subtle luminescence to emanate from his skin—just enough to illuminate the path ahead without broadcasting his presence to potential guardians of this place.
The symbols carved into the walls became more numerous as he descended, forming complex patterns that Fang Yuan studied with clinical interest. Though he could not yet read the language, he recognized certain universal elements of mystical notation—references to dimensional spaces, spirit bindings, and energy manipulation.
"A summoning facility," he murmured to himself, fingers lightly tracing one particularly elaborate glyph. "But designed for entities of significant power."
After descending for what seemed like half an hour, the passage opened into a vast underground chamber that caused even Fang Yuan to pause momentarily in appreciation of its scale. The ceiling arched high overhead, supported by massive columns carved to resemble intertwining serpents or dragons. The floor was an intricate mosaic depicting celestial bodies and mysterious beings that appeared to bridge the gap between stars.
But what drew Fang Yuan's immediate attention was the enormous summoning circle that dominated the center of the chamber. Unlike the crude magical arrays he had encountered in his original world, this was a masterpiece of mystical engineering—hundreds of interconnected runes and sigils arranged in concentric patterns, all focused on a central platform raised slightly above the floor.
The entire array was dark now, dormant after who knew how many centuries or millennia of disuse. Yet Fang Yuan could sense the latent power within it—like a sleeping giant that could be awakened with the proper stimulus.
Approaching the circle with measured steps, he knelt at its edge, studying the complex symbology with the practiced eye of one who had mastered numerous mystical systems throughout his long existence. Though the specific language was unknown to him, the underlying principles were recognizable—this was designed to open pathways between dimensions, to call forth entities from beyond the normal boundaries of this world.
For several hours, Fang Yuan remained perfectly still, absorbing every detail of the summoning array, deciphering its purpose and mechanisms through sheer analytical prowess. The more he understood, the more his interest grew. This was no simple summoning circle for calling minor spirits or demons—this was a grand mechanism designed to reach across the highest dimensional boundaries, to call forth entities of mythic power.
"Fascinating," he finally said, breaking his long silence. "The creators of this array had access to dimensional mathematics far beyond what existed in my world. With proper modifications..."
His voice trailed off as his mind raced through possibilities. If he could understand and control this array, it could provide him with servants of tremendous power—tools to be used in his conquest of this new world. But more importantly, it offered insights into the dimensional mechanics that governed the multiverse—knowledge that would be crucial for his ultimate ambitions that transcended mere worldly dominion.
With precise movements, Fang Yuan began clearing away centuries of dust from key portions of the array, revealing additional details that had been obscured by time. As he worked, he occasionally paused to make notes in the air—ghostly symbols that hung suspended before him, recording his observations and calculations.
The central platform, he discovered, was designed to hold the summoner—placing them at the focal point of tremendous energies while still shielding them from the worst effects of dimensional breach. The outermost ring contained stabilization mechanisms to prevent uncontrolled expansion of the temporary dimensional gateway. Between these two elements were layers of increasingly complex binding and control mechanisms.
Most interesting to Fang Yuan was the section clearly designed to establish dominance over whatever was summoned—a sophisticated set of runic chains meant to bind the summoned entity to the summoner's will. This was precisely the kind of tool he needed to quickly establish power in this unfamiliar world.
Having completed his analysis, Fang Yuan stood at the edge of the great circle, contemplating his next move. The array required significant magical energy to activate—more than he could currently generate from his own reserves while his immortal aperture remained unable to draw upon this world's energy. But there was a solution to that problem.
From within his robes, Fang Yuan withdrew a small jade box—one of the few physical items that had survived his transit between dimensions. Opening it revealed five crystalline structures that pulsed with concentrated spiritual energy from his original world.
"Spirit stones," he murmured, lifting one between his fingers. "Limited utility in this world, perhaps, but sufficient for immediate needs."
With careful precision, Fang Yuan began placing the spirit stones at key junctions of the summoning array, positioning them to amplify and direct the flow of energy in specific patterns. As he did so, he simultaneously began making subtle alterations to the array itself—adjusting certain runes, reinforcing others, and most importantly, significantly strengthening the binding elements.
The original design would have allowed for negotiation between summoner and summoned, establishing a contract of mutual benefit. Fang Yuan had no interest in such arrangements. His modifications would ensure absolute dominance—the summoned entities would serve him without question or reservation.
As the final spirit stone was placed, the array began to respond—faint lines of blue light tracing the patterns across the ancient stone floor. Fang Yuan stepped onto the central platform, his expression betraying nothing of the anticipation he might have felt at the prospect of what was to come.
Standing at the focal point of the array, Fang Yuan raised his hands and began to recite an activation sequence—not the original incantation that would have been used by the creators of this place, but his own formula, adapted from his understanding of dimensional mechanics and infused with the principles of the Sovereign Immortal Body that he had cultivated across centuries.
His voice echoed through the vast chamber, each syllable precise and powerful, imbued with the authority of one who had defied heaven and earth in his pursuit of eternal dominance. As he spoke, the blue light of the array intensified, pulsing in rhythm with his words.
The spirit stones began to crack as their energy was rapidly drained, feeding the awakening array. The air above the summoning circle shimmered and distorted, as if reality itself was being stretched thin. Motes of multicolored light appeared, swirling in complex patterns that mirrored the array below.
Fang Yuan continued his incantation without pause, even as the chamber began to tremble and dust rained down from the distant ceiling. His modifications to the array were forcing it to reach further, to breach higher dimensional barriers than its creators had perhaps intended. The risk was calculated—significant, but worth the potential reward.
As he reached the final phrases of his activation sequence, Fang Yuan's voice rose in intensity, not with emotion but with pure will—an assertion of his dominance over the forces he was unleashing. The trembling of the chamber increased, small fragments of stone breaking free from the columns and crashing to the floor.
With the final word of power, Fang Yuan brought his hands together in a sharp clap that reverberated through the chamber like thunder. The spirit stones shattered completely, releasing their remaining energy in a sudden surge that caused the entire array to blaze with blinding light.
The air above the circle tore open—not with the controlled precision the original designers had intended, but with the raw force of Fang Yuan's modified approach. A rift appeared in reality itself, a jagged wound in the fabric of existence that pulsed with energies from beyond normal dimensional boundaries.
Through this chaotic opening, Fang Yuan could glimpse fragments of other realms—flashes of celestial landscapes, burning cities, starlit thrones, and battlefields where gods themselves waged war. The rift was connecting not to a single dimension as intended, but to multiple higher planes simultaneously—the result of his aggressive modifications.
Most would have been terrified by such an outcome, but Fang Yuan merely observed with clinical interest as the rift stabilized into a swirling vortex of interdimensional energy. His strengthened binding elements were holding, ensuring that whatever came through would be subject to his will.
The first sign of an actual arrival was a shower of crimson rose petals that scattered across the chamber, followed by the sound of theatrical laughter. From within the vortex emerged a woman of breathtaking beauty, clothed in an elaborate red dress adorned with gold. A golden crown sat atop her blonde hair, and her green eyes sparkled with imperious delight.
"Umu! I, Nero Claudius Caesar Augustus Germanicus, Fifth Emperor of Rome, have answered the call!" she declared, striking a dramatic pose as her feet touched the ground outside the summoning circle. "How fortunate you are, summoner, that it was I who heard your voice across the dimensions! Together, we shall create a performance worthy of—"
She stopped mid-sentence, her expression becoming confused as she felt the magical bindings settling around her soul—far stronger and more restrictive than any summoning contract she had experienced before.
Before she could protest, the vortex flared again, and a second figure descended—this one clad in gleaming blue and silver armor, her blonde hair tied back in a practical bun, her bearing regal and composed despite the unusual method of arrival.
"I am Artoria Pendragon, King of Britain," she stated simply, her voice carrying natural authority. As her armored boots touched the stone floor, she too felt the binding magic taking hold. Her expression hardened, emerald eyes narrowing as she assessed Fang Yuan with knightly suspicion. "What manner of summoning is this? This does not feel like the Holy Grail system."
Fang Yuan offered no explanation, merely watching with detached interest as the vortex pulsed again, heralding the arrival of a third entity.
This one materialized with a thunderclap that shook the entire chamber—a multi-armed goddess with skin like midnight and eyes that contained galaxies. She floated several inches above the ground, divine energy radiating from her being in palpable waves.
"I am Durga," she announced, her voice containing multitudes. "Destroyer of evil, preserver of cosmic balance." Her many eyes studied Fang Yuan with ancient wisdom. "Curious. You exist in perfect equilibrium between creation and destruction. Neither good nor evil, yet capable of both in extremes."
The temperature in the chamber dropped precipitously as the fourth arrival manifested—a woman of cold beauty clad in dark, elegant attire, with midnight blue fairy wings shimmering behind her.
"Morgan le Fay," she introduced herself, her melodious voice carrying an undercurrent of frost. "How interesting. You've managed to breach barriers that should be impenetrable." Her eyes narrowed as she studied both Fang Yuan and the modified summoning array. "More interesting still... I cannot see your fate. The threads of prophecy slide off you like water from oil."
The vortex flared brighter as it delivered the fifth arrival—materializing first as a blur of motion that solidified into a woman clad in white and blue hakama, two katanas at her hip, her posture that of a warrior born.
"Miyamoto Musashi," she stated simply, her hand already moving to the hilt of her katana. Without warning, she drew and lunged forward in a perfect strike that would have bisected any normal human being.
Her blade passed through empty air as Fang Yuan sidestepped with casual grace, his position shifting with a speed that seemed to defy physical limitations. Before Musashi could register what had happened, he stood behind her, one finger lightly touching the back of her neck.
"Impossible," Musashi whispered, eyes wide with genuine shock. "No one moves faster than my blade."
"Your technique is impressive," Fang Yuan commented without inflection, "but predictable to one who has lived centuries studying the fundamental principles of movement and force."
The vortex surged with golden light as the sixth entity emerged—a goddess in revealing red and gold attire, her beauty painfully radiant, her eyes burning with divine fire.
"Bow before Ishtar, Goddess of Love and War!" she commanded, pointing imperiously at Fang Yuan. When he merely regarded her with detached curiosity, her perfect features contorted with indignation. "You dare not kneel? You dare not worship my beauty? Such insolence demands—"
Her tirade was interrupted by maniacal laughter as flames erupted from the vortex. A woman in military attire emerged from the inferno, her red coat billowing dramatically, a distinctive cap with a skull motif perched atop her head.
"Oda Nobunaga, the Demon King of the Sixth Heaven!" she roared, drawing a katana that burned with crimson fire. "At last, a worthy stage for conquest! I sense it in you, summoner—you are a force born to tear down heavens and remake the world!"
A soft clearing of the throat drew attention to the eighth arrival—a statuesque woman with flowing purple hair, clad in revealing samurai armor that somehow emphasized both her martial prowess and her maternal curves.
"Minamoto no Raikou," she introduced herself with a formal bow. "I pledge my blade and..." her eyes softened as she gazed at Fang Yuan, "...my maternal care to you, my child. I shall protect you from all harm, nurture your growth, and eliminate any who would threaten you." The tenderness of her words contrasted sharply with the obsessive gleam in her eyes as she edged closer to Fang Yuan, who regarded her with the same emotional detachment he had shown to all others.
The air seemed to crystallize as the ninth figure appeared—a woman with platinum blonde hair and crimson eyes that held both innocence and primal hunger.
"Arcueid Brunestud," she said simply, her head tilting with predatory curiosity as she studied Fang Yuan. "I've never felt anything like you before. You're human, but..." she sniffed the air, "...there's a void where divinity should fear to tread within you. Fascinating."
The entire chamber trembled as the tenth and final arrival manifested. Golden portals opened throughout the air above the summoning circle, and from the largest of these emerged a woman with blonde hair styled in a regal updo, her golden armor gleaming in the magical light, her red eyes burning with absolute arrogance.
"I am Gilgamesh, King of Heroes, ruler of all I survey," she announced, her voice dripping with proud contempt. "You have the audacity to summon me, mongrel? I should strike you down where you—" She stopped, her eyes narrowing as she studied Fang Yuan more carefully. "What are you? I sense no divinity, no heroic spirit, yet you stand before the King without trembling."
As the vortex finally closed, leaving the chamber lit only by the fading glow of the summoning array, Fang Yuan observed the assembled figures with perfect calm. Ten entities of tremendous power, drawn from various higher planes of existence—ten tools now at his disposal for the conquest of this new world.
"I am Fang Yuan," he introduced himself at last, his voice betraying no emotion. "And you are now bound to me."
As he spoke, the summoning circle flared one final time, ethereal chains of light briefly visible around the wrists of all ten women before fading from normal sight—though all could still feel their binding presence.
"What manner of binding is this?" demanded Artoria, her honorable nature clearly offended by the constraints she could feel settling around her soul.
"A soul contract," Fang Yuan explained dispassionately. "You cannot harm me. You cannot disobey a direct order. You cannot leave my service unless I release you. In return, you retain your powers and your minds."
"Unacceptable!" Gilgamesh snarled, golden portals opening behind her as weapons of legend emerged, aimed at Fang Yuan. "No one commands the King!"
With a thought, she launched dozens of Noble Phantasms toward Fang Yuan—only for the weapons to veer harmlessly around him at the last moment, prevented by the binding from causing him harm.
"As I said," Fang Yuan continued, as if the attack had never occurred, "you are bound to me. I suggest you accept this reality and make yourselves useful."
"And what use do you have for us?" Morgan asked, her calculating mind already seeking advantages within constraints.
Fang Yuan turned toward the exit of the chamber, his response delivered with the same emotional detachment with which he approached all matters.
"I intend to conquer this world," he stated matter-of-factly. "But that is merely the beginning. This realm is ruled by beings called Demon Lords and True Dragons. Beyond them are the laws that govern reality itself. All shall be subject to my will in time."
He began walking toward the passage that led back to the surface, clearly expecting his new servants to follow.
"The first step is to understand this world's systems of power. We will seek knowledge, then resources, then begin establishing our position. Follow me."
As the ten divine women exchanged varied looks of confusion, outrage, and intrigue, Fang Yuan ascended the passage without looking back, confident in the binding that would compel their obedience. None of them could have known they were witnessing the first moves in a game that would eventually reshape not just a world, but the very fabric of existence itself.
## Chapter 3: Conflicting Divinity
The ascent from the ancient chamber was marked by a cacophony of reactions from Fang Yuan's newly bound servants, each processing their situation according to their distinct personalities.
"This is absolutely unacceptable!" Ishtar fumed, her divine aura flaring with indignation as she floated up the passage. "I am a goddess of Uruk! Mortals worship at my temples, they don't... they don't simply bind me like some common familiar!"
"Umu! While I appreciate having an audience for my imperial performances," Nero interjected, somehow making even the climbing of ancient stairs seem theatrical, "I must agree that this arrangement lacks proper protocol. An emperor should be courted, not compelled!"
Gilgamesh maintained a frigid silence, her crimson eyes burning with barely contained fury as she followed the group. The binding prevented her from attacking Fang Yuan directly, but nothing stopped her from plotting ways to subvert or eventually break the magical contract.
"It is dishonorable to enslave those you summon," Artoria stated firmly, her armor clinking softly as she climbed. "A true leader inspires loyalty, not enforces it through magical compulsion."
Morgan le Fay glided smoothly up the passage, her fairy wings providing effortless locomotion. "Save your moral outrage, dear half-sister," she said to Artoria with silky condescension. "Our new master is clearly a pragmatist. I can respect the efficiency, if not the method."
"He moves with perfect balance," Musashi observed, her professional assessment overriding her initial shock at being bound. "No wasted motion, no hesitation. His body exists in harmony with his intent in a way I've rarely witnessed."
"My child simply needs guidance," Raikou insisted, somehow managing to stay uncomfortably close to Fang Yuan despite the narrow confines of the passage. "With proper maternal influence, he will learn the proper way to treat his servants. I shall be most attentive in providing this education." The sweetness in her voice did little to mask the disturbing intensity in her eyes.
"HAHAHAHA!" Nobunaga's laugh echoed through the stone corridor. "What magnificent arrogance! To bind beings of our power through sheer force of will! I expected nothing less from one worthy of the Demon King's interest!"
Durga floated in serene contemplation, her multiple arms folded in various mudras of mystical significance. "The binding is impressive," she acknowledged. "It operates on principles that transcend normal dimensional laws. This one has knowledge that should be beyond mortal comprehension."
Arcueid moved with predatory grace behind the group, her crimson eyes never leaving Fang Yuan's back. "There's something wrong with his blood," she murmured, more to herself than the others. "It smells human, but... altered. Reconstructed. As if his mortality has been systematically eliminated cell by cell."
Throughout this chorus of complaints, observations, and analysis, Fang Yuan maintained perfect silence, showing no reaction whatsoever. It was as if the opinions of these legendary beings—goddesses, kings, and mythic heroes—held no more significance to him than the chattering of insects.
This dismissive attitude only served to further inflame several of his summoned servants.
"Are you even listening to us?" Ishtar demanded, accelerating to float directly in Fang Yuan's path, forcing him to stop momentarily. "I am speaking to you, mortal!"
Fang Yuan's gaze, cold and emotionless, fixed on Ishtar's face. There was no admiration for her divine beauty, no awe at her celestial power, not even the expected fear of her wrath—merely the clinical assessment of an object that might have some utility.
"Your concerns are noted," he said flatly. "They are also irrelevant. The binding is necessary for efficiency. Negotiating individual contracts would waste time better spent on acquisition of power and knowledge."
He stepped around her and continued his ascent, leaving Ishtar literally glowing with outrage, small motes of divine light sizzling off her skin.
"How dare—" she began, only to find her voice caught in her throat as the binding prevented her from attacking him even verbally.
Morgan's lips curved in a faint, cold smile. "Interesting. The binding restricts even expressions of hostility. Most thorough."
As they neared the surface, the passage brightened with the fading light of Tensura's twin suns setting beyond the horizon. When they finally emerged into the open air, they found themselves facing a twilight landscape transformed by the magical properties of the wasteland.
Streams of colored light danced across the darkening sky—a phenomenon caused by the high concentration of ambient magicules reacting to the changing temperature. It created a spectacle similar to aurora borealis, but more vibrant and in constant, fluid motion.
"How magnificent!" Nero exclaimed, striking a dramatic pose against the backdrop of magical lights. "A fitting stage for the Emperor's arrival in this new world!"
Even Gilgamesh's perpetual scowl softened slightly as she gazed at the celestial display. "This world has a certain raw beauty," she admitted reluctantly. "Primitive, but not without merit."
Fang Yuan paid no attention to the spectacle, his focus already turned to practical matters. "We will make camp here for the night," he announced. "Tomorrow we begin gathering information about this world's power structures."
"Camp?" Ishtar repeated incredulously. "You expect a goddess to sleep outdoors? Where is your palace? Your temple? At minimum, you should have prepared proper accommodations for beings of our stature!"
"I have been in this world less than one day," Fang Yuan replied without inflection. "Constructing a palace was not a priority."
Nobunaga burst into laughter again. "He has a point, Goddess of Uselessness! Even the Demon King of the Sixth Heaven must occasionally sleep under the stars during campaigns of conquest!"
"This is unaccept—" Ishtar began, only to be interrupted by Raikou.
"I will make suitable arrangements for my child," the maternal berserker announced, already moving to clear an area for what she clearly intended to be an elaborate campsite. "A proper mother ensures her beloved is comfortable even in harsh conditions."
"I am not your child," Fang Yuan stated, his tone neither harsh nor gentle—simply factual.
Raikou's expression didn't change, the serene maternal smile remaining fixed on her face as if she hadn't heard him. "Of course you are, my dear. A mother knows her child, regardless of dimension or circumstance."
Something in her tone—an undercurrent of obsessive certainty that brooked no contradiction—caused even Fang Yuan to recognize the futility of arguing the point. Instead, he turned his attention to more productive matters.
"Durga, Arcueid, Morgan," he addressed the three most magically sensitive of his servants. "Extend your awareness and identify any significant magical signatures in the vicinity. Artoria and Musashi, secure the perimeter. Nobunaga, your warfare expertise may be useful—what defensive formations would be appropriate for this terrain?"
The direct orders, powered by the binding, compelled immediate obedience, though the manner in which each responded varied according to their nature.
As the assigned tasks were carried out with varying degrees of enthusiasm, Ishtar found herself without specific instructions. She floated closer to Fang Yuan, her divine beauty enhanced by the magical lights playing across her features.
"And what task do you have for me?" she asked, making a visible effort to sound conciliatory rather than demanding. "Surely you recognize that a goddess of my caliber has much to offer." She struck a subtly alluring pose, accustomed to having both gods and mortals fall over themselves to please her once she deigned to show them favor.
Fang Yuan glanced at her briefly, his eyes showing no reaction whatsoever to her divine allure. "Nothing at present. Your abilities will be assessed and utilized as appropriate situations arise."
With that dismissal, he turned away to observe the defensive perimeter being established by Artoria and Musashi, leaving Ishtar literally floating in shock at being so casually disregarded.
Nero, witnessing this exchange, approached Ishtar with theatrical sympathy. "Umu! It appears our new Master has unusual tastes! Fear not, my divine colleague—the Emperor of Roses understands the sting of unappreciated beauty!"
"He didn't even look at me," Ishtar whispered, genuine confusion in her voice. "Men don't... not look at me. It's not possible."
"A challenge to overcome!" Nero declared grandly. "What is art without obstacles? What is beauty without the struggle for recognition? Together, we shall devise performances so magnificent that even his stoic heart must acknowledge our splendor!"
As night fully descended upon the magical wasteland, the camp took shape under
## Chapter 3: Conflicting Divinity (continued)
As night fully descended upon the magical wasteland, the camp took shape under Raikou's surprisingly efficient direction. Despite her disturbing maternal fixation on Fang Yuan, her experience as a general manifested in her organizational skills. Within an hour, she had arranged a functional campsite with designated areas for rest, planning, and vigilance.
"My child will take the central position," Raikou announced, having created a bedding area using her own outer garments. "I shall maintain watch directly beside him throughout the night."
"That won't be necessary," Fang Yuan stated. "I require no sleep."
This declaration drew varied reactions from his summoned servants.
"No sleep?" Artoria's eyebrows rose in surprise. "Even heroic spirits require rest to maintain their manifestation."
"Another indication of your unnatural existence," Arcueid observed, her crimson eyes glinting in the magical twilight. "What manner of being have you made yourself into?"
Morgan circled closer, her scientific curiosity piqued. "A physical body that requires no sleep suggests fundamental alterations to normal biological functions. Fascinating."
Fang Yuan, as was becoming his pattern, ignored the questions and speculation. He seated himself cross-legged at the camp's edge, facing the direction of the distant settlement his enhanced senses had detected earlier. His posture was perfect—back straight, hands resting lightly on his knees, eyes half-closed but clearly alert.
"He's entering a meditative state," Musashi observed with professional appreciation. "But not surrendering awareness. A technique for rejuvenation while maintaining vigilance."
As most of the servants settled into the camp, Gilgamesh deliberately positioned herself as far from Fang Yuan as the binding would allow, her back turned in silent protest. The King of Heroes had spoken not a single word since her failed attack in the underground chamber, her rage having crystallized into icy disdain.
Ishtar, still smarting from Fang Yuan's dismissal, drifted over to where Nero was arranging her impromptu sleeping area with theatrical flair.
"This is intolerable," the goddess hissed, keeping her voice low enough that only Nero could hear. "I've had gods and mortals alike throw themselves at my feet. Kings have offered their kingdoms for a single night in my presence. And this... this human doesn't even acknowledge my existence?"
Nero patted the space beside her, inviting Ishtar to sit. "Umu! A vexing situation indeed. In Rome, poets would compose verses celebrating my beauty from dawn until dusk. Here, our magnificent radiance goes unappreciated!"
"There must be something wrong with him," Ishtar insisted, floating down to sit beside the emperor. "No mortal man is immune to divine allure. It's simply not possible."
"Perhaps he is not entirely mortal?" Nero suggested, thoughtfully tapping her chin. "He mentioned living for centuries. Immortality often comes with... peculiarities."
Across the camp, Durga had completed her magical survey of the surroundings and approached Fang Yuan's meditative position. The multi-armed goddess moved with impossible grace, her feet never quite touching the ground.
"This world's energy patterns are fascinating," she reported without preamble. "The ambient magic—what the locals apparently call 'magicules'—behaves almost like a living entity. It responds to conscious and unconscious thought, concentrating around sentient beings."
Fang Yuan opened his eyes fully, giving Durga his complete attention—the first time he had done so with any of his servants. "Explain the distribution patterns and concentration gradients."
For the next several minutes, Durga provided a detailed analysis of the magical environment, using her multiple arms to sketch glowing diagrams in the air. Fang Yuan absorbed the information in silence, occasionally asking precise questions that revealed his deep understanding of metaphysical principles.
This exchange did not go unnoticed by the others.
"Look at that," Nobunaga muttered to Arcueid, sharpening her blade with methodical strokes. "He actually pays attention when the information is useful."
Arcueid nodded. "Pure pragmatism. No interest in anything except what serves his goals."
"A trait of successful conquerors," Nobunaga grinned wickedly. "I recognize the single-minded focus. It reminds me of myself in my glory days, burning monasteries and unifying Japan through sheer force of will."
As Durga concluded her report, Fang Yuan nodded once in acknowledgment. "Your analysis is thorough. This information will be useful for adapting my cultivation techniques to this world's energy system."
The goddess inclined her head, her cosmic eyes studying Fang Yuan with increased interest. "Your understanding of multidimensional energy mechanics exceeds what should be possible for a being of your... apparent origin. You speak of concepts that took me millennia to grasp."
"Knowledge is the foundation of power," Fang Yuan responded. "I have devoted centuries to understanding the fundamental principles that govern existence."
Morgan, who had been listening nearby, glided closer. "And what do you intend to do with this power once you've acquired it?" she asked, her voice carrying the cold calculation of a queen accustomed to political maneuvering. "You speak of conquest, but to what end?"
For the first time, something like genuine interest flickered in Fang Yuan's eyes—not warmth or emotion, but recognition of a question worth addressing.
"Eternal sovereignty," he answered after a moment's consideration. "Not merely over lands or beings, but over the very concepts that define existence. Freedom absolute and permanent from all constraints—physical, temporal, and conceptual."
The ambition expressed in these simple words was so vast, so fundamentally reality-altering, that even these legendary beings fell silent for several moments.
Artoria, who had been maintaining vigilant watch nearby, turned to face Fang Yuan directly. "You seek to overthrow the natural order itself," she stated, her voice carrying neither judgment nor approval—merely confirmation.
"There is no 'natural' order," Fang Yuan countered. "Only systems of power established by those who came before. Every limitation can be overcome with sufficient understanding and will."
"Magnificent madness!" Nobunaga cackled, her eyes gleaming with excitement. "To declare war not just on gods or nations, but on reality itself! Even the Demon King of the Sixth Heaven must admire such boundless ambition!"
Gilgamesh, breaking her self-imposed silence, spoke without turning to face the group. "Foolishness. Even the gods are bound by certain fundamental laws. To imagine a mere human could transcend them is the height of arrogance."
"And yet," Morgan interjected smoothly, "our new master has already accomplished what should be impossible—binding ten entities of our caliber to his will through a modified summoning ritual. Perhaps his ambitions are not as unfounded as they might seem."
Raikou, who had been arranging and rearranging Fang Yuan's unused sleeping area with obsessive attention to detail, suddenly froze. Her head tilted as if listening to something beyond normal hearing range.
"We are not alone," she announced, hand moving to her sword with fluid grace. "Something approaches from the northwest. Multiple entities, moving with purpose."
All conversation ceased as the servants shifted into combat readiness with practiced ease. Even Ishtar and Nero, who had been engaged in their own quiet commiseration, rose to attention, their divine auras flaring in preparation.
Fang Yuan remained seated, his expression unchanged. "Describe them," he instructed Raikou.
"Eight... no, nine beings," Raikou replied, her senses extending beyond normal limitations. "Humanoid but not human. Significant magical signatures, though not approaching our level. Armed and moving in formation—likely a patrol or hunting party."
"This world's natives," Fang Yuan concluded. "An opportunity for information gathering." He rose smoothly to his feet. "Musashi, Artoria—conceal yourselves but remain within striking distance. Durga, maintain your presence but suppress your divine aura to avoid overwhelming them. The rest of you, withdraw to the perimeter but stay visible."
"You intend to parley with them?" Artoria asked, already moving to her assigned position.
"Initially," Fang Yuan confirmed. "Violence will be employed only if beneficial."
Within moments, his servants had repositioned according to his instructions, their movements displaying the supernatural precision and speed that marked them as beings beyond mortal constraints.
Fang Yuan himself remained in the center of the camp, appearing deceptively ordinary in his simple cultivator's robes—a deliberate posture designed to make the approaching patrol underestimate him until he determined their usefulness.
Minutes later, the patrol came into view—a group of beastmen warriors led by a tall, muscular tigerman whose striped fur glowed faintly with magical enhancement. They moved with the cautious discipline of experienced scouts, weapons at the ready.
The tigerman signaled his squad to halt as they spotted Fang Yuan's camp. After a brief conference, he approached alone, massive curved blade held in a position that balanced between readiness and non-aggression.
"You trespass in the borderlands of Eurazania," he called out in a rumbling voice, speaking a language that none of Fang Yuan's servants understood—yet Fang Yuan himself showed no confusion, having already absorbed the local tongue through methods beyond normal learning. "Identify yourselves and state your purpose."
Fang Yuan inclined his head slightly—a gesture that conveyed neither submission nor challenge. "We are travelers, recently arrived in these lands. We mean no offense to Eurazania or its people."
The tigerman's whiskers twitched with suspicion. "Travelers, you say? With such... unusual companions?" His amber eyes scanned the visible members of Fang Yuan's group, clearly sensing the power that radiated from them despite their attempts to suppress it. "You are no ordinary wanderers."
"We are not," Fang Yuan acknowledged. "But neither are we enemies of your kingdom, unless you choose to make us so."
This balanced statement—part reassurance, part subtle threat—caused the tigerman's ears to flatten momentarily before he regained his composure.
"These wastelands are dangerous, especially at night," he stated, adjusting his approach to one of cautious diplomacy. "The magical storms can arise without warning, consuming the unwary. Our patrol was not expecting to find anyone here, let alone..."
His voice trailed off as his gaze settled on Durga, whose multi-armed form and celestial beauty were unlike anything in his experience, despite his efforts to suppress her divine aura.
"What manner of being are you?" he asked, momentarily forgetting diplomatic protocol in his astonishment.
Durga smiled serenely. "I am destruction and creation, chaos and order—aspects of the cosmic balance given form. But in simpler terms that may be more meaningful to you, I am a companion to this one." She gestured toward Fang Yuan.
The tigerman's eyes widened further. "You speak our tongue as well?" He turned back to Fang Yuan with increased wariness. "Few outsiders master the beast-tongue so perfectly. You are more unusual with each passing moment."
"Languages are tools, like any other," Fang Yuan replied. "I acquire what is useful."
This pragmatic statement seemed to resonate with the beastman warrior, who nodded slowly. "A practical approach. The Beast Kingdom respects strength and utility." He straightened to his full impressive height. "I am Captain Ragoth of the Eurazanian Border Guard. These wastelands mark the boundary between our territory and the Eastern Empire."
Fang Yuan stored this geographic information without comment, then made a calculated decision to offer something in return—a minor piece of information that might establish a foundation for further exchange.
"I am Fang Yuan. My companions and I seek knowledge of this world's power structures and magical systems."
Captain Ragoth's tail swished thoughtfully. "Knowledge-seekers? There are safer places to pursue such goals than the magical wastelands."
"We go where opportunity leads us," Fang Yuan responded simply.
The tigerman studied him for several long moments, clearly weighing options in his mind. Finally, he came to a decision.
"Our patrol station lies half a day's march north of here. You would be welcome to shelter there until the next supply caravan returns to the capital. The station commander has access to maps and basic information that might serve your immediate needs."
Before Fang Yuan could respond, a commotion arose from the beastman patrol. One of the scouts—a lean, rabbit-eared warrior—had approached the camp's perimeter where Ishtar floated several inches above the ground, still radiating divine beauty despite her attempts to appear less overwhelming.
"Goddess!" the scout exclaimed, dropping to one knee in spontaneous reverence. "You bear the aspect of Lunaria, the Moon Sovereign!"
This unexpected development drew the attention of both Captain Ragoth and Fang Yuan. The tigerman's expression shifted to one of religious awe as he too noticed Ishtar's resemblance to what was apparently a local deity.
"Forgive my subordinate's presumption," Ragoth said, suddenly much more deferential. "But the resemblance is indeed striking. Lunaria is highly revered among the beast tribes, particularly those with nocturnal affinities."
Ishtar, never one to miss an opportunity for adoration, immediately seized upon this fortunate coincidence.
"Rise, faithful one," she proclaimed with perfect divine condescension, her earlier frustration transforming into radiant confidence. "While I am not your Lunaria, I am indeed a goddess of celestial domains in my own realm."
Fang Yuan observed this development with calculating eyes, immediately recognizing the potential strategic advantage. A local religious connection, however coincidental, could provide easier access to information and resources.
"My companions come from various realms beyond this world," he explained to Ragoth, adapting his approach to incorporate this new element. "Their aspects may indeed resemble figures known to your people."
Captain Ragoth bowed deeply, his earlier caution replaced by reverent respect. "Then we are doubly honored by your presence. The Beast Kingdom has ancient traditions regarding emissaries from beyond the mortal realms. Our station would be blessed to host you, even briefly."
As this exchange unfolded, Gilgamesh watched from her position at the perimeter, her expression darkening with each moment. Finally, she could contain her outrage no longer.
"This is absurd," she declared, striding forward with regal indignation. "The King of Heroes reduced to exploiting mistaken identity for the convenience of shelter? I will not participate in this farce!"
Her sudden interruption—delivered in a language the beastmen couldn't understand—caused Captain Ragoth to startle, his warrior instincts responding to the aggressive tone if not the words themselves.
Fang Yuan turned to Gilgamesh, his expression unchanged but his voice carrying a subtle note of warning. "You will maintain the approach I have chosen."
The binding immediately took effect, preventing Gilgamesh from further outbursts, though her crimson eyes burned with intensified hatred.
Morgan, ever the political strategist, glided forward to smooth over the awkward moment. With a subtle gesture, she created an illusion of ghostly fairy lights that danced around the clearing—a simple but impressive display of magical prowess.
"Please forgive my companion's enthusiasm," she said to Ragoth in perfect beast-tongue, having instantly assimilated the language through her fairy magic. "Our journey between realms has left some of us... disoriented."
The tigerman nodded, clearly willing to overlook the strange behavior in light of their apparent divine connections. "Of course. The crossing between worlds is said to affect even the most powerful beings." He turned back to Fang Yuan. "Will you accept our hospitality? The station is modest but secure, and Commander Graylash would be honored to meet such distinguished visitors."
Fang Yuan considered for precisely three seconds, weighing the potential information gain against possible restrictions on his movement.
"We accept your offer," he decided. "When do we depart?"
"We can rest here until dawn," Ragoth suggested. "The magical storms are unpredictable at night, but the morning typically brings calmer conditions for travel."
With arrangements made, the beastman patrol established their own camp at a respectful distance from Fang Yuan's group. The tigerman assigned guards but positioned them facing outward—a gesture that indicated he viewed them more as protection for his distinguished guests rather than surveillance.
As the beastmen settled, Fang Yuan's servants gathered closer to discuss this development.
"How fortunate that these creatures worship someone resembling our useless goddess," Nobunaga snickered, ignoring Ishtar's glare. "Perhaps she has some value after all."
"Religious misidentification is a common phenomenon when dealing with parallel worlds," Durga observed thoughtfully. "The concept of divinity often manifests in similar archetypes across different realities."
"We should be cautious," Artoria warned. "If they discover the deception, their hospitality could quickly turn hostile."
Morgan waved a dismissive hand. "It's hardly deception when Ishtar actually is a goddess, merely not the specific one they worship. A distinction without significant difference from their perspective."
"Umu! The Emperor of Roses approves of this development!" Nero declared. "A proper reception is the least we deserve after our dimensional travails!"
Raikou, who had maintained vigilant watch over Fang Yuan throughout the exchange with the beastmen, leaned closer to him with maternal concern. "My child should rest before the journey, regardless of his claims about not requiring sleep. A growing boy needs proper rejuvenation."
"I am not a child, nor am I growing," Fang Yuan stated flatly, without looking at her. "And I have already explained that I do not require sleep."
"Of course, dear," Raikou replied with the serene smile of someone who had heard but chosen to ignore everything that had been said. She proceeded to smooth out his unused bedding once more.
Arcueid, who had been studying the beastmen with predatory interest, turned her crimson gaze to Fang Yuan. "Their blood is fascinating—human base structure but with significant magical modifications at the cellular level. True chimeras, not merely humans with animal features."
"Your observations on local biology may prove useful," Fang Yuan acknowledged. "Continue your analysis but refrain from sampling."
The vampire princess pouted slightly. "I wasn't going to eat them. Much."
Musashi, who had maintained her ready stance throughout the encounter, finally allowed herself to relax marginally. "They move well," she commented. "Trained warriors with good discipline. Not exceptional by our standards, but competent. The tigerman—Ragoth—has the bearing of one who has seen real combat."
As his servants continued their evaluations and bickering, Fang Yuan returned to his meditative position, already processing the new information and adjusting his plans accordingly. The connection to local religious figures through Ishtar was an unexpected advantage that he would exploit fully. The patrol station would provide basic geographic and political knowledge that would shape his next moves.
Each piece of information, each new connection, was merely another resource to be cataloged and utilized in his relentless pursuit of power. The concerns, complaints, and conflicts among his summoned servants were irrelevant noise—unless they somehow provided additional utility or insight.
Yet in the coming hours, even Fang Yuan would discover that managing ten legendary beings with distinct personalities and powers presented challenges that even his calculating mind had not fully anticipated.
## Chapter 4: Beasts and Beauties
Dawn broke over the magical wastelands with spectacular brilliance, as Tensura's twin suns rose in staggered sequence—first the larger red sun, followed an hour later by its smaller blue companion. The combination created a prolonged twilight of purple and gold that transformed the blasted landscape into something almost beautiful.
Captain Ragoth approached Fang Yuan's camp with formal precision, having clearly spent time preparing his appearance. His striped fur was groomed, his armor polished, and he wore additional ceremonial markers of rank that had not been present the previous evening.
"Honored visitors," he greeted them with a deep bow. "I trust the night passed peacefully? We are prepared to escort you to the border station whenever you are ready to depart."
Before Fang Yuan could respond, Nero stepped forward, resplendent in her red and gold dress despite having spent the night in a makeshift camp.
"The Emperor of Roses declares herself satisfied with the accommodations!" she announced grandly. "Though naturally, they fall short of my golden theater in Rome, your magical skies provided adequate entertainment! I award your realm three out of five imperial roses!"
The tigerman blinked in confusion, clearly uncertain how to respond to this theatrical assessment.
"We are prepared to depart immediately," Fang Yuan stated, cutting through Nero's performance. "Lead the way, Captain."
Ragoth bowed again. "As you wish. The journey should take approximately four hours at a comfortable pace. I've arranged for two of my scouts to run ahead and inform Commander Graylash of your arrival."
As the group prepared to move out, a minor crisis erupted among Fang Yuan's servants.
"I absolutely refuse to walk through this... this wasteland for four hours," Ishtar declared, floating higher in emphasis. "A goddess does not trudge through dirt like a common mortal!"
"The King of Heroes concurs," Gilgamesh stated, her first voluntary words since the previous night's confrontation. "My treasury contains countless methods of transportation more suitable for beings of our stature."
Fang Yuan regarded them both with empty eyes. "You will maintain appearances appropriate to our current strategy. Excessive displays of power will complicate information gathering."
The binding compelled their obedience, but did nothing to improve their attitudes. Ishtar descended until her feet almost touched the ground, maintaining just enough levitation to keep her golden sandals pristine.
Gilgamesh's response was even more dramatic. Golden portals appeared, and from one emerged an ornate palanquin carried by four golden automata.
"The binding compels me to travel with the group," she stated with imperial haughtiness. "It does not specify the manner of that travel."
Fang Yuan considered this for precisely two seconds before deciding the display was acceptable. "Your interpretation is correct. Proceed as you wish."
This concession to Gilgamesh immediately triggered protests from Ishtar.
"If she gets a palanquin, I demand a celestial chariot!" the goddess insisted. "It's only proper for my station!"
"You may create your own transportation, provided it does not interfere with our journey or draw undue attention," Fang Yuan stated, already turning away to speak with Captain Ragoth.
Ishtar's triumphant smile faded as she realized the fundamental problem—unlike Gilgamesh, she didn't have ready access to her divine vehicles without proper summoning rituals and offerings. Her divine boat was specifically designed for sailing the heavens, not traversing wastelands.
"This is discrimination against fertility goddesses," she muttered darkly, but received only Nero's sympathetic pat on the shoulder in response.
The beastman patrol formed up around the unusual procession—Fang Yuan walking at the center with Durga, Artoria, and Musashi; Raikou hovering protectively near him; Morgan and Arcueid drifting at the edges of the formation; Nero and Ishtar behind them; and Gilgamesh bringing up the rear in her ostentatious palanquin, looking supremely satisfied with her small victory.
As they traveled, Fang Yuan engaged Captain Ragoth in carefully crafted conversation, extracting valuable information while revealing little in return.
"The Eastern Empire has been unusually aggressive in recent months," the tigerman explained in response to Fang Yuan's questions about regional politics. "Their new Emperor, Ludra the Thirteenth, seems determined to expand their territory. They've been sending more patrols into the wasteland, testing our borders."
"And your kingdom's response?" Fang Yuan inquired.
Ragoth's tail swished with evident frustration. "Our Beast King Carrion favors a measured approach. Strengthen defenses, demonstrate power when challenged, but avoid open warfare if possible. Some of the younger warriors disagree, believing we should strike preemptively."
"A prudent stance," Artoria commented, having quickly mastered the local language through her innate linguistic abilities. "Wars of aggression often spiral beyond their intended scope."
The tigerman nodded respectfully to the knight-king. "Wisdom indeed, honored one. Though patience becomes more difficult when they encroach on traditional hunting grounds and sacred sites."
Walking nearby, Durga tilted her cosmic head thoughtfully. "Your people have strong spiritual connections to the land?"
"The Beast Kingdom was founded on the covenant between the spirits of the wild and the first beast tribes," Ragoth confirmed. "Our strength flows from that ancient pact."
This information drew Fang Yuan's focused attention. "Elaborate on this covenant. How does it manifest in practical terms?"
The captain's whiskers twitched with pride. "The greatest warriors among us can channel the primal spirits directly, taking on aspects of the ancient beast gods. Our Beast King Carrion embodies the apex of this tradition—his Beast Roar alone can shatter mountains."
As they continued their journey, Fang Yuan systematically extracted information about local power dynamics, geographical features, and especially the magical systems that governed this world. The tigerman, honored to be sharing his knowledge with what he believed were divine emissaries, spoke more freely than caution might otherwise have dictated.
While Fang Yuan conducted this intelligence gathering, his servants had their own experiences with the beastman patrol.
Nobunaga had fallen into stride beside a grizzled wolf-man warrior, engaging him in animated discussion about battle tactics. Though they lacked a common language, the universal language of weaponry and combat maneuvers bridged the gap, with Nobunaga occasionally cackling in delight when the beastman demonstrated particularly clever wilderness fighting techniques.
Musashi had attracted the admiration of several younger scouts after they witnessed her draw and sheathe her katana with such speed that most couldn't even track the movement. A respectful distance formed around her, the beastmen recognizing a master swordswoman when they saw one.
The most amusing dynamic, however, developed around Ishtar. The rabbit-eared scout who had first identified her as resembling their moon goddess had appointed himself her personal attendant, rushing to clear paths before her feet could touch the ground and offering water whenever they paused. His devotion was matched only by Ishtar's growing enjoyment of the attention.
"You see how properly a goddess should be treated?" she said pointedly to Fang Yuan when their paths crossed during a brief rest. "This faithful one understands the proper protocols."
Fang Yuan didn't bother to respond, already engaged in extracting information about local magical beasts from a lizardman scout.
Morgan drifted over to where Ishtar was holding court with her new acolyte. "Enjoying your little religious misunderstanding, are we?" she asked with silky amusement.
"It's hardly a misunderstanding," Ishtar sniffed. "I am a goddess of celestial domains. The specifics hardly matter."
"And what happens when they discover their actual moon goddess bears little resemblance to your... particular portfolio?" Morgan inquired, gesturing subtly to Ishtar's revealing attire. "Lunar deities are rarely associated with your more carnal domains."
This gave Ishtar momentary pause. "Minor theological discrepancies," she finally dismissed. "Divine aspects often overlap between pantheons."
Morgan's cold smile widened. "Indeed. I simply wonder what their reaction might be when they learn their chaste moon sovereign is being impersonated by the goddess who once sent the Bull of Heaven to destroy a city because a man rejected her advances."
"I did not send the Bull of Heaven because Gilgamesh rejected me!" Ishtar hissed, her divine aura flaring momentarily before she controlled herself. "It was because of his insulting manner of rejection! There's an important distinction!"
"Of course," Morgan agreed with mock seriousness. "How could anyone conflate the two?"
As they continued their journey across the wasteland, the landscape gradually began to change. The barren rock formations gave way to increasingly vegetated terrain—first scrubby brush, then hardier trees with metallic-looking bark that Ragoth identified as "ironwoods."
"We're approaching the transition zone," the captain explained. "The wastelands gradually yield to the borderlands, which eventually become the forests proper of Eurazania."
By mid-morning, they crested a rise that provided their first view of the border station—a fortified outpost built around a massive ironwood tree that had been shaped through some combination of magic and craftsmanship into a central tower. Additional structures extended from its base, surrounded by a wooden palisade reinforced with magical sigils.
"Welcome to Sentinel Roost," Ragoth announced with evident pride. "One of twelve border stations that maintain the Beast Kingdom's vigilance against Eastern Empire encroachment."
As they approached the outpost, horns sounded from the watchtowers—not alarms, but ceremonial announcements. The gates swung open to reveal a formal reception party led by a massive leonine beastman whose golden mane was adorned with silver ornaments denoting high rank.
"The scouts delivered my message, I see," Ragoth commented with satisfaction. "Commander Graylash has prepared a proper welcome."
Before they reached the gates, Fang Yuan issued quick, quiet instructions to his servants.
"Maintain the divine emissary pretense. Ishtar, Durga, and Morgan will take the lead in religious matters. Artoria and Musashi, observe their military capabilities. Nobunaga, assess their fortifications. Arcueid, gather information on their biological characteristics. Nero and Raikou, engage socially to extract cultural information." He paused before addressing his final servant. "Gilgamesh, minimize confrontational behavior."
The King of Heroes raised an imperious eyebrow from her palanquin. "The binding compels my cooperation, not my enthusiasm."
"Enthusiasm is unnecessary. Basic civility will suffice," Fang Yuan replied coolly.
As they approached the gates, Commander Graylash stepped forward, dropping to one knee in a formal salute that blended military precision with religious reverence.
"Honored visitors from beyond our realm," his deep voice rumbled. "Sentinel Roost welcomes you. I am Commander Sylus Graylash, and our humble station is at your disposal."
Fang Yuan inclined his head in acknowledgment, allowing Durga to step forward as their representative—her multi-armed divine form making the strongest impression of otherworldly power.
"We accept your hospitality, Commander," the goddess stated, her voice resonating with cosmic harmonies. "May the balance between our realms be strengthened by this meeting."
The formal greeting complete, the beastmen escorted their guests through the gates into a surprisingly well-organized compound. Though rustic by the standards of advanced civilizations, Sentinel Roost displayed clever adaptations to its environment. The central ironwood tree had been hollowed and reinforced to serve as both watchtower and main hall, while numerous smaller structures housed barracks, storerooms, and workshops.
Most striking was the integration of natural and magical elements—living plants grew alongside defensive barriers, water features doubled as both aesthetic elements and emergency reservoirs, and the entire compound hummed with subtle enchantments that even Fang Yuan's experienced senses found impressive.
"Your defenses are elegantly designed," he commented to Commander Graylash as they were led toward the central hall. "Form and function in harmony."
The leonine commander's chest swelled with pride. "The Beast Kingdom's strength lies in our connection to the natural world. We enhance rather than replace, guide rather than force."
"A philosophy with merit," Fang Yuan acknowledged, mentally cataloging the magical techniques on display for potential future use.
Inside the main hall—a spacious chamber created within the massive trunk of the ironwood tree—a formal reception had been hastily arranged. Cushions of woven plant fibers were arranged around a central hearth, while beastmen attendants hurried to serve food and drink appropriate for honored guests.
"Please, make yourselves comfortable," Commander Graylash invited them, gesturing to the cushions. "We have prepared refreshments and can offer proper accommodations for your stay, however brief or extended it may be."
Fang Yuan took a central position, with his servants arranging themselves according to both his earlier instructions and their own hierarchical instincts. Gilgamesh, naturally, claimed the most elevated cushion, while Ishtar positioned herself to remain the focus of her rabbit-eared devotee's attention.
As servants brought platters of food—primarily roasted meats, forest fruits, and fermented beverages—Commander Graylash addressed Fang Yuan directly.
"Captain Ragoth informs me you seek knowledge of our world. While I am but a simple military commander, I have spent three decades patrolling these borderlands and can offer what insights I possess."
"Your experience is precisely what makes your knowledge valuable," Fang Yuan replied, employing calculated flattery to encourage openness. "We seek to understand the fundamental structures of power in this realm—both political and magical."
The commander nodded thoughtfully. "A vast topic. Perhaps it would be most efficient to begin with the major political powers?"
What followed was essentially an intelligence briefing disguised as hospitable conversation. Commander Graylash proved to be both knowledgeable and articulate, providing a comprehensive overview of the continent's major nations and power blocs.
"The Beast Kingdom of Eurazania occupies the northern forests and mountains," he explained, using a claw to trace regions on a map spread before them. "Under Beast King Carrion, we maintain strong martial traditions while developing trade relations with compatible nations."
His claw moved southeast. "The Eastern Empire is the largest human-dominated nation, aggressive and expansionist. They view non-humans as inferior and have a history of conflict with virtually all neighboring states."
"To the southwest lies the Jura Tempest Federation—the most unusual political development in recent memory. Founded just a few years ago by a Demon Lord who began as a slime, it's become a haven for monsters and demi-humans seeking peaceful coexistence. Their technological and magical innovations are remarkable, though their rapid rise concerns more established powers."
As Commander Graylash continued his geopolitical overview, mentioning the Sorcerous Dynasty of Thalion, the Dwargon Kingdom, and various independent city-states, Fang Yuan absorbed the information with perfect recall, constructing a mental map of power relationships and potential opportunities.
The most valuable information came when the commander addressed the unique power structure that transcended national boundaries.
"Above the ordinary political hierarchy stands the Walpurgis Council—ten Demon Lords of extraordinary power who establish the fundamental rules governing supernatural conflicts. Their