1438 A Person And A Beast
The plan was simple, not easy.
Cradle was a large synthetic world. But even it was adversely affected by the sheer amount of vitality and divine power flowing out of the Fortune Anvil.
So much so that even the world had grown fragile. That's why it couldn't bear even the presence of rank 9s.
The world will had asserted to protect itself from destruction and evolved the world in a distinct direction.
That's the reason why there's a huge suppression in strength here.
If a Sovereign came here, he wouldn't be able to crawl. The density of aura here was so thick that it'd suffocate a rank 2 celestial.
The gravity, the rigidity of space, the tougheness of materials—everything was cranked up. It's amusing that it grew resilient to combat its fragility.
Even a world had a sense of self-preservance.
The point being that Cradle wasn't an easy world to explore.
Despite their overwhelming power which could overturn entire star systems, they wouldn't be able to do more than topple a few mountains here.
"The sense of direction here is screwed up. If we walk blindly, we'll end up at the same place." Samantha explained as she lead the team.
Floating in front of her was an oval shaped silver metallic piece. With a crimson pointer vibrating swiftly, the compass showed them the way.
"That's why we have this." Samantha's voice was filled with unmistaken pride.
"It guides us to the Fortune Spirit?"
"No. To the guardians beasts. They're the special monsters that are created by the Fortune Spirit in every iteration to guard it while it fuses with the Anvil.
If we kill a bunch of guardian beasts, the compass can absorb the source of the Fortune Spirit and lead us to it."
Her explanation left little doubt for doubt.
Only Sonya looked very uncomfortable.
Nominally, she was the 'head' of the team. Though she never intended any of the captain privleges from Varian and his wives, she felt bad when her mother found someone else for a role she could've fulfilled.
Why was she withheld such vital information? And why was the compass not given to her?
Was it because she betrayed her?
'But you betrayed me first! You tried to kill my sister!'
The pink hair of the little princess swayed as she walked with a lowered head.
Rub! Rub!
A warm hand gently brushed her hair and patted her on the back.
Raising her head, she noticed Enigma's expressionless face.
'W-What?'
"On her behalf." Enigma said with a plain face, showing no kindness at all.
Her hands, distinct from Isadora at her age, still shared a lot of simiarities.
'They really are sisters…'
Sonya felt bitter at the realization but the continuous warmth caused her to sigh in satisfaction.
'But isn't that a good thing? I can have more sisters!'
A small smile formed on her face and her weak steps turned into energetic strides, catching up to Samantha.
"As the captain of the team, I'll take the risk of being the front runner."
"That's a bi—"
Without even waiting for Princess Snow's objection, she connected with the treasure and marched ahead.
Samantha wanted to argue but she wasn't willing to start a dispute. At least not before she made herself clear.
"Grawwl!"
Before she could start, an obnoxious roar of a gem-studded, mountain-sized bear shook the fields.
The creature was at the peak of rank 7 but its aura was fluctuating violently, as if it was about to jump a rank.
Noticing their presence, the bear's car-sized red eyes glowed with a violent light and the creature dashed at them with a speed that defied its heaviness.
If it had been in the right mind, even the most courageous of the gem mountain bear wouldn't have tried to pull this off.
But alas, it's in a state of frenzy due to its breakthrough state.
Slash!
Varian who had been silent so far, sheathed his sword back in.
"Go on."
The pretty pink haired princess was nervous upon encountering a beast significantly stronger than her.
But she showed her faith and moved ahead.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
And as she did, the beast ran toward her on its fours.
Sonya's body trembled and her instincts screamed at her to grab a weapon. But she put herself under control and did nothing but walk.
In just seconds, the bear and Sonya came face to face.
Shaaah!
As her feet touched the giant creature's leg, a red vertical line appeared on the bear, starting from its head, down all the way to its belly. Then it split open, as if it was making way to Sonya with her own life.
Sarah playfully punched Varian on the shoulder for teasing poor Sonya. Enigma too gave him a light smack, claming it was what Isadora would've done. The poor princess didn't dare to complain to the demonic brother-in-law.
But Samantha could barely control her rage watching Varian's smile.
'This bastard! This fucking beast! He…He deserves…'
Pressing down her simmering fury, she started. "You could've left the beast alive instead of killing it. So, why did you not?"
"Huh? Does it any make any difference if I kill a mindless beast?" Varian retorted without much thought.
"Would it make a difference if it's a mindful, sentient beast?" Samantha shot back.
"If it did not show hostility, I would not kill it." Varian admitted.
"But if you had to kill between a sentient person and a sentient beast?"
"Is this an interview now?" Varian scoffed.
The surroundings began to change and they entered a wet forest now.
"If I am going to reveal my reason for being here, it's fair I ask some trivial questions."
"Well, obviously. I would kill the beast than the person." Varian said.
"Then what differentiates between a person and a beast?"
"What are you smoking, lady?" Varian burst into laughter.
But Samantha didn't laugh back. Her face was deadly serious. "Please answer, Varian Konstant. What differentiates a beast and a person?
Two legs? I can show you bi-pedal beasts.
Bodily hair? There are plenty of hairless creatures.
A humanoid shape? There are many beasts who look as humanoid as Palarians."
Varian's eyes showed contemplation. "What are you getting at?"
"An obvious but overlooked point. You considered those like you as people and those unlike you, those who seem uncivilized, unworthy and undeserving in your framework as beasts."
Samantha began with a disgusted expression, as if she was sick of such mindset.
"And it's not just you as a person but you as almost every damn soul in this kingdom and the alliance at large.
There is a worth assigned to a species which makes it a honorable people or a livestock of beasts."
There was sadness in her voice and hatred in her eyes.
If only she wasn't talking about something so obvious, then Varian would've thought she was making a great point. But so far, he only felt that she was trying to stir drama.
"Okay and?"
Samantha laughed at his apathetic response as if she expected that all along and continued. "In this wretched kingdom, a person and a beast is differentiated by one thing.
Spirited are lords and Spiritless, the livestock.
Why should anyone be judged on their natal treasure, something they have no control over?
Why should this kingdom accept this
You asked what my intention.
My intention is to make the beasts people, as they originally are."
