Vile Evil Hides Under The Veil

1902  Situation in Anfang P1 Nôv(el)B\\jnn

Eren was clad in attire that pleased Nina instantly.

It was as if he could read what Nina wanted to see him in and dressed accordingly.

His choice of clothing included a snug black tunic, enriched with delicate silver embroidery tracing along the edges. These garments perfectly complemented his physique and overall looks.

Within the Dreamscape, Eren had the freedom to don any attire he desired. This realm was essentially his dream world, and Nina's consciousness had been drawn into it using a demonic technique he had acquired with Jalen's assistance from the ruined castle.

In reality, Eren was still aboard Freya, on his way to confront the sea god. However, Jalen's gift almost forced Eren to unwrap it as soon as he could. He allowed his crewmates to take over the fleet affairs while he tried to create some valuable Empusas he could use for the eventual conflict. His escape to the Dreamscape was the result of his last-minute trials.

Eren demonstrated exceptional skills in employing the technique, having refined it to suit his specific purposes. His proficiency in clone creation, Array Formation, and other diverse fields enabled him to tailor the Empusa Creation Manual according to his preferences.

Additionally, Eren's close bond with Nina facilitated her seamless entry into this realm, achieved successfully on their initial attempt.

"Keke. Don't worry. I'm not going anywhere. At least not anytime soon. We can take our time here for as long as you wish," Eren reassured her, his comforting touch on her back conveying that the experience transcended the realm of mere dreams.

Inside the Dreamscape, time was even more fluid than outside it. Eren could make a few seconds last for weeks if he wanted to. Therefore, there was no need for Eren and Nina to feel pressed for time while inside the Dreamscape.

"Erni... what... What kind of magic is this?" Nina asked as she lifted her face from his chest and scrutinized him. It took her a moment to realize that she wasn't experiencing a dream. Not really.

"Keke. Let's just say that I'm dreaming about you at this very moment," Eren chuckled before briefly explaining the Dreamscape technique to her. Nina listened attentively and was pleased that he had chosen to try the technique on her first and foremost.

"So that's how it is," Nina remarked after hearing Eren's explanation. She then looked at Eren accusingly and commented.

"It took you so long to contact me. Were you not thinking about me all this time? Because I thought about you every day after you left Anfang," she said with a fake frown and a dramatic tone, while gazing into his emerald green eyes that seemed as real as could be.

She was certain she would give anything to see those eyes in front of her all the time.

"Aunt, I just got my hands on the Empusa Creation Manual. It's not like I was sitting on it for quite some time before I decided to reach out to you," Eren assured Nina as he clasped her hands, leading her along the shore of the lake. He still liked to call her aunt from time to time despite the way their relationship had progressed.

Nina and Eren engaged in a lengthy conversation, their hands intertwined as they strolled along the shoreline, their reflections shimmering in the moonlit waters.

The Dreamscape existed as a realm where the caster, despite their control over it, couldn't dictate every aspect. The technique relied on intent-based magic after all, allowing the environment to shift in response to the caster's desires.

Thus, whenever Eren's intentions fluctuated, the world around them transformed, akin to navigating through a reality veiled in smoke and mirrors.

***

This talk with Nina allowed Eren to know about various things that had taken place in Anfang after his departure.

Nina informed Eren that more than 50 years had passed by Anfang's standards since he departed from his homeworld.

This discrepancy stemmed from the peculiarities of time and space within the Immortal Plane, where Eren had spent nearly two decades from his own perspective.

Furthermore, Nina revealed that she had attained the Grandmaster Rank two years ago, thanks to Eren's arrangements.

Not only had she ascended, but Levine had also achieved A-Rank status, while Jiana was steadily progressing towards Grandmaster status herself.

This wasn't all.

The key figures of the White Raven Guild, from Drin Dawn to Renita Diabreo, and from Sara Stark to Nysa Nael, were all advancing swiftly yet steadily.

Even the allies of the White Raven Guild, such as Eren's monster army and the Amazonians, had seized the opportunity presented by the Great Shattering to experience rapid growth in post-calamity Anfang.

Two of the four Amazonian Matriarchs, Isadora Frostborne, and Valeria Vanlor, had ascended to S-Rank, attaining the esteemed status of Valkyrie Priestess of Goddess Great Mother. The remaining two Matriarchs, Seraphina Riversong, and Evelina Green, were on the cusp of achieving Valkyrie status themselves.

Additionally, Callista Blackthorn and Galen Ironfist had made significant strides in their respective quests for power. Galen's pet bear, previously slain by Eren within the sacred grounds of Goddess Great Mother but later resurrected by the goddess herself through the power of nature and faith, had also reached the A-Rank.

However, due to the pact struck between Goddess Great Mother and Anfang's World Will, stipulating her non-interference in the world's affairs for 1000 years, the advancement of upper-rank Amazonians faced obstacles.

While the world-isolating barrier had weakened, the policy of non-interference hindered the Amazonians' progression beyond the initial S-Rank status.

***

As for Eren's monster army, the four Monster Sovereigns who had allied with the White Raven Guild became the true representatives of all monsters.

They welcomed the blood of Echidna from across Anfang, gathering them on a continent dedicated to prioritizing the so-called monsters' well-being above all else.

What was also surprising was that nobody referred to goblins, orcs, and other monstrous races as "monsters" anymore.

The Anfang Alliance had banned the use of the term 'monsters' across the continent, as the monsters were now part of the Alliance.

With Eren practically turning the world upside down, the old traditions could not be upheld, and the fabric of society was forever altered.

At this point, all official inhabitants of the Shiragna continent were referred to as the Children of Echidna, in line with the wishes of the races created by Goddess Echidna.

Those who persisted in calling the Children of Echidna "monsters" and demi-humans "half-bloods" were subject to penalties by the Alliance itself.

It was ironic that the organization that once sought to suppress "foreign" entities within Anfang was now protecting their interests.

From oppressing the oppressed to making amends for their past actions, the Anfang Alliance had indeed come a long way.

===

AN: Hi. What do you think about the idea of Eren heading back to Anfang once he wraps up things in Labh Salem?

We could squeeze in a short volume, maybe around 30 chapters, before he heads off to Monster World Echidna.

It could be a fun little detour for him to revisit his homeworld after the Sage of the Seven Paths volume.

But, if it messes with the pacing of the story too much, we can always skip it or make it even shorter. Drop your thoughts in the comments! :)